TERMEZ, Uzbekistan

SRSG Kaha Imnadze participated in the inaugural session of the Termez Dialogue on Connectivity between Central and South Asia: Building a Common Space of Peace, Friendship and Prosperity, held from 19 to 21 May in Termez, Uzbekistan.

The high-level gathering was convened under the auspices of the Institute for Strategic and Regional Studies under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, in partnership with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Uzbekistan. UNRCCA and the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) participated as supporting partners to the initiative.

Delivering remarks during the plenary session focused on the role of comprehensive dialogue and multilateral cooperation in advancing regional security, stability and sustainable development, SRSG Imnadze commended the timely and strategic nature of the Termez Dialogue initiative. He emphasized its potential to serve as a platform for strengthening regional cooperation and promoting resilience and shared prosperity for nearly two billion people across Central and South Asia.

SRSG Imnadze underscored that advancing a shared space of peace and trust would necessitate sustained multilateral engagement, anchored in several key pillars such as connectivity, economic growth, dialogue on various platforms, cultural and humanitarian exchanges, involvement of women and youth, climate action and collaboration with regional and global partners. 

The Termez Dialogue brought together representatives from foreign ministries, chambers of commerce and industry, and business circles of Central and South Asian countries, high-ranking representatives of international and regional organizations, and experts from leading think tanks and analytical centres.

The forum is expected to conclude with a joint communiqué, signaling the commitment of Central and South Asian countries to building trust, expanding trade, and addressing shared challenges together.

On the margins of the conference, SRSG Imnadze held a bilateral meeting with Mr. Eldor Aripov, Director of the Institute for Strategic and Regional Studies under the President of Uzbekistan. The meeting focused on ongoing preparations for activities scheduled under the 2025 programme of the Central Asia Expert Forum—an initiative of UNRCCA and the Central Asian States, currently chaired by Uzbekistan.