Today, on December 20, the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev participated in the first summit of the "Central Asia + Japan" dialogue in Tokyo.
The event, chaired by Japanese Prime Minister Sanaye Takaichi, was also attended by President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, President of the Kyrgyz Republic Sadyr Japarov, President of the Republic of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon, and President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov.
In accordance with the agenda, prospects for expanding mutually beneficial cooperation in priority areas such as the "green economy" and sustainable development, enhancing interdependence and regional cooperation, and developing human resources between the Central Asian states and Japan were discussed.
In his speech, the head of our state noted that exactly 20 years ago, it was our country that first initiated the "Central Asia plus" dialogue. The close trade and cultural ties that began to develop during the Great Silk Road era, similar traditions and customs, and spiritual, cultural, and family values serve as a solid foundation for developing multifaceted cooperation between Central Asia and Japan.
"We highly appreciate that Japan has been our reliable partner in the period since the Central Asian countries gained independence, and is making a significant contribution to the socio-economic development of the region, the modernization of infrastructure, industry and energy base, and the strengthening of science, education, and personnel qualifications. Therefore, the Central Asian states are interested in Japan's even broader and more active participation in the life of the region," said Shavkat Mirziyoyev.
The region's richness in natural resources, its location at the crossroads of global transport, trade, and energy routes, the rapid growth of the Central Asian countries' economies, and the active processes of rapprochement and integration taking place here create favorable conditions for cooperation with Japan.
"I am confident that with our joint efforts, we will reach new heights. As the wise Japanese people say, if forces are united, even mountains can be moved," said the leader of Uzbekistan.
As the President addressed the summit's agenda, he presented his vision for developing cooperation within the "Central Asia + Japan" format.
Firstly, it was proposed to hold summits at the level of heads of state once every two years. This will give additional strong impetus to cooperation. Readiness was expressed to host one of the next such meetings in Uzbekistan.
The initiative to create a new permanent mechanism for cooperation in the field of justice and law with Japan and to organize the first meeting of justice ministers in Tokyo next year was supported.
The head of our state noted that Uzbekistan supports the development of the "Central Asia – Japan 2040" cooperation strategy and including in the document specific programs and projects to assist the sustainable development of the region's countries and their deep integration into global economic processes.
The importance of establishing an Experts Forum with the participation of leading analytical structures of our countries to develop new ideas and proposals and form a broad agenda for cooperation was emphasized. It was proposed to hold the Forum's first meeting in Tashkent next year.
The leader of Uzbekistan welcomed the expansion of support for trade, economic, and investment projects in Central Asia by Japanese financial institutions.
"I believe that by combining Central Asia's rich natural and human resources with Japan's industrial and technological expertise, we can achieve success in complementing and strengthening each other," said Shavkat Mirziyoyev.
In this regard, the establishment of a Central Asia Infrastructure and Industry Development Investment Fund was proposed. On its basis, a "Quality Infrastructure" program could be launched, as well as a network of Japanese technoparks in Central Asia – a regional platform for industrial cooperation, localization, and technology transfer.
Given that digital transformation is becoming a decisive factor for economic growth and stability, the head of our state noted the importance of creating a "Central Asia – Japan" digital hub – a multilateral cooperation platform in the fields of digital solutions, artificial intelligence, the "Internet of Things," cybersecurity, and the innovation economy.
Interest was expressed in attracting Japanese investments, technologies, and experts for projects to build high-speed railways and highways, digitalize transport corridors, and construct airports and logistics centers.
Within the framework of cooperation in the "green" energy sector, the importance of implementing joint projects to introduce cogeneration technologies, reduce losses, and capture harmful gases was emphasized. A proposal was put forward to establish a regional center in Tashkent for training specialists in the field of renewable energy.
The head of our state noted the importance of launching a joint program in Central Asia to improve air quality in the field of ecology, adopting a joint action program on combating climate change, and organizing new-format meetings of heads of environmental protection agencies within the Dialogue framework.
Taking into account Japan's vast experience in seismic safety, it was proposed to launch a joint program to assess and enhance seismic stability in the region and to open a Regional Advanced Training Center in Tashkent to train engineers, architects, and rescue services according to Japanese standards and protocols.
To further expand cultural and humanitarian cooperation, plans were presented to hold the first meeting of education ministers in the "Central Asia + Japan" format in Uzbekistan next year, as well as the first forum of rectors of leading universities in the region, and to adopt a Regional Youth Development Network Program aimed at establishing long-term ties between youth communities.
Addressing issues of international policy and regional security, the leader of Uzbekistan emphasized the unity of aspirations of the regional states and Japan to see Afghanistan as a country moving towards peaceful, stable, and constructive development.
Japan's consistent position as a leading donor and partner country in supporting the Afghan people over many years was highly appreciated.
In conclusion, the President of Uzbekistan expressed his support for decisions on all issues on the agenda.
Other leaders also spoke at the summit. The Tokyo Declaration was adopted at the end of the event.
