Distinguished Heads of Delegations,

First of all, I join in expressing sincere gratitude to the esteemed President of the Republic of Tajikistan, Emomali Sharipovich Rahmon, for the traditional warm welcome and the excellent organization of our meeting.

Every time we visit Tajikistan, we witness the tremendous construction and development efforts taking place under your leadership. Before our eyes, the country’s image is being transformed — the economy and infrastructure are rapidly developing, and most importantly, the well-being of the population is improving.

I would also like to express my sincere appreciation to the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin, for his firm commitment to developing a broad, strategic partnership with Central Asia.

Uzbekistan has always felt and highly values your constant support and personal attention to strengthening allied relations and multifaceted cooperation with our region. We fully support your initiatives aimed at giving new momentum to the interaction between our naturally close countries.

Dear Heads of State,

I would like to emphasize that Russia has been, remains, and will continue to be our important and priority strategic partner and ally.

Our centuries-old shared history, long-standing ties, the cultural and spiritual closeness of our peoples, and the friendly, trusting relations between our countries form a solid and unshakable foundation for our cooperation.

At the same time, the growing geopolitical tensions and global economic crises, as well as new risks and challenges, require closer coordination and cooperation within our format to ensure stability in the region.

Allow me to share our vision of the prospects for further developing large-scale cooperation between Central Asia and Russia.

We consider it important to strengthen systematic political dialogue and expand practical cooperation within this format, focusing on tangible results.

We support the idea of holding regular annual meetings at the highest level, as well as consistent dialogues among governments, ministries, agencies, and regional authorities. In this regard, we welcome the adoption of the Joint Action Plan until 2027.

We also propose instructing our governments to prepare an expanded “roadmap” that includes concrete measures to deepen practical cooperation.

To ensure timely implementation of these initiatives and accelerate the preparation and realization of regional programs and projects of mutual importance, we suggest establishing a Coordinating Council at the level of deputy heads of government.

We are interested in significantly expanding our region’s economic partnership with Russia — this should become a central direction of our joint efforts.

Despite unfavorable market conditions and external pressures, we are achieving positive growth in mutual trade. In particular, last year and in the current year, Uzbekistan’s trade turnover with Russia and other regional countries increased by 15 percent.

We believe it is advisable to continue these efforts and, within the framework of the proposed Council, develop a comprehensive set of measures to further expand mutual trade — including facilitating market access, simplifying procedures, and launching the “Central Asia – Russia Agroexpress” project.

Efficient use of our countries’ transit and transport potential — primarily within the North–South Corridor — is of vital importance.

We propose harmonizing national programs in road, rail, and air transport and, based on that, developing a comprehensive plan for infrastructural partnership — the Transport and Logistics Framework of our countries.

Our ultimate goal should be to form an integrated, interconnected regional transport infrastructure that is resilient to external risks and challenges.

We also see the creation of stable production chains and the deepening of industrial cooperation as another key priority.

Currently, Uzbekistan is actively expanding industrial partnerships with leading Russian companies. As an example, I would like to mention large strategic industrial projects in the gas-chemical sector and the establishment of a modern copper processing hub.

At the same time, there remains vast untapped potential for cooperation on a cluster basis in mechanical engineering, instrument making, chemistry, electrical engineering, mining, and other industries.

To stimulate innovation-oriented cooperation between leading enterprises and the private sector, we propose establishing a “Central Asia – Russia Industrial Engineering Hub” in Bukhara. I am confident that this project will become a unique technological platform for developing, implementing, and promoting advanced engineering solutions.

I would also like to note the importance of fully utilizing the potential of the “Innoprom. Central Asia” exhibition-forum held in Tashkent. The exhibition, held in April, brought together over 10,000 participants from 35 countries, with agreements totaling five billion dollars signed.

We propose granting this event the status of the main industrial and innovation platform within the “Central Asia – Russia” dialogue format.

Dear Colleagues,

Our cooperation with Russia in the energy sector will continue to serve as a factor of peace and stability in the region. We are currently implementing strategic projects, including the development of gas pipelines and energy infrastructure.

In the coming days, a historic event will take place — the launch of joint projects to construct the first reactor of the nuclear power plant and a multifunctional nuclear medicine center in Uzbekistan.

We propose establishing a Regional Competence Center for Nuclear Energy in Uzbekistan and adopting a training program based at the Tashkent branch of the Moscow Engineering Physics Institute to strengthen scientific and practical cooperation in this field.

We also intend to expand cooperation in the exploration and processing of hydrocarbon resources, modernization of the power grid, and the introduction of energy-efficient technologies.

To promote advanced knowledge and technology transfer, as well as the preparation and implementation of joint projects, we propose developing a “Central Asia – Russia Energy Partnership” comprehensive program.

In the field of innovation, we propose opening a branch of  Skolkovo Innovation Center in Uzbekistan.

We also believe that establishing a Regional Expert Council on Artificial Intelligence and Digital Technologies has become a timely necessity. Such a platform will unite efforts at the level of leading centers, organizations, and IT companies to foster project-based cooperation.

We also aim to expand humanitarian cooperation through joint programs. In this regard, we consider it appropriate to hold an Ethnocultural Forum – Festival of the Culture, Art, and Creativity of the Peoples of Central Asia and Russia annually.

We propose creating a “Future Engineers” Scientific-Educational Consortium to unite the potential of our leading universities and research institutions for implementing dual and vocational education systems and fundamental research projects.

Russian university branches that are successfully operating — 15 of which are in Uzbekistan — can serve as the consortium’s intellectual base.

We could also jointly establish a Special Grant Program for young researchers and scientists from Central Asia and Russia.

In addition, adopting programs for the protection of motherhood and childhood, promoting social adaptation in the field of labor migration, and expanding regional tourism flows remain highly relevant.

Distinguished Heads of Delegations,

I would like to particularly emphasize the importance of ensuring regional security.

We consider it essential to strengthen cooperation among our special services and law enforcement agencies in combating terrorism, extremism, radicalism, organized crime, human trafficking, and drug trafficking.

We also propose developing joint measures to counter new cyber threats and risks.

To coordinate our approaches in assisting Afghanistan’s socio-economic development, we suggest holding high-level consultations on cooperation with this country. These meetings could include issues of ensuring security, fostering stability, and implementing economic projects aimed at Afghanistan’s development.

Dear Colleagues,

In conclusion, I would like to once again reaffirm our commitment to further expanding multifaceted cooperation with Russia in the interests of ensuring the security, sustainable development, and prosperity of our countries.