SRSG NATALIA GHERMAN VISITS UZBEKISTAN AND PARTICIPATES IN THE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ”CENTRAL AND SOUTH ASIA: REGIONAL INTERCONNECTIVITY. CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES”

17 Jul 2021

SRSG NATALIA GHERMAN VISITS UZBEKISTAN AND PARTICIPATES IN THE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ”CENTRAL AND SOUTH ASIA: REGIONAL INTERCONNECTIVITY. CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES”

TASHKENT, Uzbekistan

On 14-16 July, the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Central Asia, Head of UNRCCA, Ms. Natalia Gherman visited Uzbekistan to participate in the international conference “Central and South Asia: Regional Interconnectivity. Challenges and Opportunities”. As part of her visit, SRSG Gherman also attended the inauguration ceremony of the International Institute for Central Asia and met with the broad range of interlocutors, including the Chairperson of the Senate of Uzbekistan H.E. Ms. Tanzila Narbaeva and H.E. Mr. Shavkat Khamraev, Minister of Water Resources.

The international conference on connectivity between Central Asia and South Asia, organized at the initiative of the President of Uzbekistan H.E. Mr. Shavkat Mirziyoyev, focused on strengthening historical ties through promotion of mutual investments, infrastructure projects, trade, secure and efficient transport links, green economy, tourism, as well as cultural, scientific and humanitarian exchange. Particular attention was paid to the role of Afghanistan as a country which could potentially serve as a bridge between the two parts of the Asia region. In this context, participants highlighted the importance of addressing security related challenges through peaceful means.

The conference was hosted  by the President of Uzbekistan and featured participation of President of Afghanistan and the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Foreign Ministers and high representatives of the Central and South Asian states, officials of other foreign states, heads and seniour representatives of international and regional organizations, global financial institutions, leading research and analytical centers.

Addressing participants, SRSG Natalia Gherman stated that the UN will continue to support efforts of the Member States to promote regional cooperation and interaction as a way towards long term sustainable peace and development in the region. She reiterated the critical role of Afghanistan in the regional security architecture and stressed the necessity of the international support to Afghanistan in this decisive time for the country.   

At the meeting with the Chairperson of the Senate of Uzbekistan H.E. Ms. Tanzila Narbaeva, SRSG Gherman discussed a range of issues pertaining to Uzbekistan’s participation in UNRCCA’s regional initiatives, with the particular focus on promotion of the Women, Peace and Security agenda through activities implemented under the Central Asia Women Leaders’ Caucus.

At the inauguration ceremony of the International Institute for Central Asia, SRSG Natalia Gherman emphasized partnership between academic and research institutes and UNRCCA in the field of preventive diplomacy. She underlined the role of expert community in realizing inter-regional connectivity potential and developing long-term solutions for sustainable regional peace, security and prosperity.