Uzbek President highlights socio-economic strategic road map for peace in Afghanistan by Dr. Mehmood-Ul-Hassan

 

Dr. Mehmood-Ul-Hassan

The President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev delivered a keynote speech in the 20th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation’s (SCO’s) Heads of State Summit in Dushanbe.

During his remarkable speech president Mirziyoyev highlighted the salient features of his geopolitical, geostrategic and socio-economic strategic road map for peace and stability in Afghanistan. He followed an integrated mechanism and holistic policy to achieve this end goal by preventing the growth of extremism, dissemination of radical ideology and last but not least Afghanistan as a launching pad for terrorist activities in neighboring states.

He rightly stressed the need to have provision and protection of basic human rights and freedoms especially for women and minorities in Afghanistan.

To make it economically viable and financially stable and sustainable president Mirziyoyev timely suggested unfreezing foreign bank accounts of Afghanistan. His suggestion to regularly hold high-level meetings in Tashkent in the SCO-Afghanistan format would be effective and productive way forward for the further consolidation of joint efforts to achieve a political settlement in Afghanistan. He urged member countries to assist Taliban to form an inclusive government which is actually the need of the hour.

As a prudent economist and strategist the Head of the State of Uzbekistan pinpointed numerous short & long term initiatives for the further consolidation and development of the SCO.

He stressed the need to have a comprehensive program for the development of intraregional trade through the adoption of the industrial cooperation program and the creation of cooperation centers in this area.

In continuation of his “Ten Initiatives” of greater regional connectivity president Mirziyoyev pinpointed the SCO strategy in the field of transport connectivity and termed it vital for immense socio-economic integration.

Uzbekistan’s president highlighted the importance of the program for the development of infrastructure in the SCO Area for further strengthening of regional connectivity.

He emphasized the need for strengthening cooperation in the field of poverty reduction and food security and thus rightly highlighted the coordinated efforts for optimal level of cooperation in the fields of food & energy cooperation.

Digitalization and Artificial Intelligence is mandatory for achieving the goal of smarter economy and good governance that is why the Uzbek president rightly suggested forming the SCO expert Forum in the field of information security.

As a staunch supporter innovative means of engagements and public/people diplomacy he suggested the introduction of the institution of the SCO Goodwill Ambassador. To conclude Uzbek President stressed the need for the development of an intergovernmental agreement in the field of tourism.

Being a prominent regional expert of Uzbekistan & CIS I fully agree with diversified but integrated holistic policies of the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev of peace, prosperity, social harmony, economic revival, financial stability, inclusive government and last but not least, provision and protection of basic human rights for women, weaker factions of society and of course ethnic minorities. It advocated the idea of multiculturalism in Afghanistan and disseminated socio-politico benefits of a consensus and inclusive government in Afghanistan.

Moreover, Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev concerns about growth of terrorism, expected terror sanctuaries and spillover repercussions of Talibanization in the region are absolutely right for which he recommended joint efforts and close liaison with Afghanistan.

On the issue of SCO further consolidation, effectiveness and development he chalked out comprehensive policies in terms of systematic development of international trade, massive but responsible industrialization, infrastructural development, eradication of poverty, digitalization, regional connectivity, establishment of integrated transportation system, food & energy security protocols, further strengthening of people’s diplomacy, formation of SCO Goodwill Ambassador and last but not least close cooperation in tourism is the way forward.

To conclude Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev has already mesmerized head of the states, policy makers and regional experts with his constant strategic vision to achieve greater regional connectivity by jointly pursuing his “Ten Initiatives” and his most recent speech in the 20th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation’s (SCO’s) Heads of State Summit in Dushanbe is a value-addition in this regard.

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