TASHKENT, June 4. /Dunyo IA/. The second meeting of the Termez Dialogue on connectivity between Central and South Asia opened today in Tashkent, reports Dunyo IA correspondent.

The event is being held under the motto “Peace, Connectivity, Sustainability: Shaping the Foundation of Common Prosperity”

Opening the forum, ISRS Director Eldor Aripov emphasized that the Termez Dialogue is a practical embodiment of the initiative of President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev to strengthen connectivity between Central and South Asia,

This strategic idea, the speaker recalled, received unanimous support from the international community and was enshrined in a special resolution of the UN General Assembly adopted in 2022. The document laid a long-term international legal foundation for transregional rapprochement, recognizing it as an important factor of sustainable development across the Eurasian space.

According to the head of the Institute, the Termez Dialogue has become a practical mechanism for advancing this agenda. Its essence lies in the consistent development of interstate relations based on the principles of mutual benefit, good-neighborliness and preventive diplomacy.

Eldar Aripov paid special attention to the platform’s uniqueness. He noted that the Termez Dialogue is inclusive and brings together representatives of government agencies, international organizations, the diplomatic corps, the expert community, business circles, and civil society institutions.

Assessing the platform’s first year of work, Eldor Aripov stated that joint efforts are already yielding tangible outcomes. According to him, the Termez Dialogue has proven effective in developing practical initiatives and strengthening trust at all levels – from governments to civil society institutions.

Turning to the agenda of the second meeting of the Termez Dialogue, the Director of the Institute noted that it is aimed at developing specific mechanisms for cooperation and covers key areas that can take interaction to a new level.

First and foremost, the discussion focuses on political dialogue and strengthening economic connectivity. This topic has been placed in a separate session held jointly with the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA).

This partnership, the expert pointed out, is based on a common approach: the Termez Dialogue focuses on strengthening stability through progress and constructive dialogue, which aligns with CICA’s mission.

The session addresses issues of expanding trade, developing transport corridors and energy cooperation as key areas for strengthening the region’s economic connectivity.

At the same time, Eldar Aripov believes that the economy serves not only as a driver of growth but also as a source of security. The connectivity among states through economic interests and production chains reduces the likelihood of conflict and tension. It is precisely this approach that is being consistently promoted within the framework of the Termez Dialogue.

A separate block of the agenda is devoted to climate resilience. Central and South Asia are among the regions most vulnerable to climate change, while environmental challenges are transboundary in nature and require coordinated action.

Along with this, the speaker added, cultural and humanitarian cooperation plays an important role. The connectivity of the regions rests on a shared history, spiritual traditions and centuries-old cultural ties. In this regard, the key task is to restore and strengthen the historical contacts that have developed between the regions.

In conclusion, Eldor Aripov expressed confidence that the forum's results would be reflected in the final Communiqué and contribute to strengthening cooperation between Central and South Asia. “Today, Eurasia needs not new lines of division, but spaces of trust, joint development and open dialogue. This is precisely the unifying mission that the Termez Dialogue is intended to fulfill”, he summarized.

The current meeting is organized by the Institute for Strategic and Regional Studies under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan in partnership with CICA.

The forum will bring together more than 150 representatives from political, business, and expert circles, as well as international and regional organizations from Central and South Asia, Europe, the CIS, the South Caucasus, the Asia-Pacific region, the Middle East, and the Americas.

The dialogue’s partners and participants include the UN Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia, the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, as well as leading think tanks, research institutions and peacebuilding organizations, including the International Water Management Institute, the Center for Progressive Reforms, the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, the Berghof Foundation, PeaceNexus, Search for Common Ground, Georgetown University and other organizations.