DOHA, December 8. /Dunyo IA/. The annual Doha Forum has concluded today in Doha, the capital of Qatar - a preeminent global platform for deliberation on international trends, diplomatic initiatives and sustainable‑development strategies, reports Dunyo IA correspondent.

Since its inception in 2002, the forum has served as a platform bringing together global leaders, representatives of international organizations, think tanks, and the academic community. In 2025, the event is held under the theme “Justice in Action: From Promises to Progress”, attracting approximately 8,000 participants from 150 countries worldwide.

The forum focused on key issues such as peacebuilding, regional connectivity, and sustainable development. At the heart of this global discussion was a special session dedicated to the Termez Dialogue - an initiative launched by Uzbekistan aimed at establishing a new framework of interconnectedness between Central and South Asia, with active engagement from Afghanistan.

The session was organized by the Institute for Strategic and Interregional Studies under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan (ISRS) in cooperation with the Center for International and Regional Studies (CIRS) at Georgetown University in Qatar.

Participants in the discussions included Eldor Aripov, Director of Institute for Strategic and Interregional Studies under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Ismatulla Irgashev, Special Representative of the President of Uzbekistan for Afghanistan; Abdul Hai Qanit, Director of the Center for Strategic Studies at Afghanistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA); Faisal bin Abdullah Al-Hanzab, Special Envoy of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Qatar and Waleed Ziad, Associate Professor of History at Georgetown University in Qatar.

The discussion was moderated by Zahra Babar, Executive Director at CIRS at Georgetown University in Qatar.

Speaking at the session, Eldor Aripov, Director of Director of Institute for Strategic and Interregional Studies under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, emphasized that holding the event on such a prestigious platform reflects recognition of Uzbekistan’s growing role as an initiator and driver of transregional processes. He noted that the international community’s focus on the Termez Dialogue demonstrates an understanding that a sustainable framework for peace, security, and economic development in Central and South Asia cannot be established without the constructive engagement of Afghanistan.

Eldor Aripov expressed his deep gratitude to the forum’s organizers and highlighted the pivotal role of Qatar, which in recent years has become one of the key facilitators of diplomacy on Afghanistan. According to him, the Qatari platform provides a unique environment for non-politicized, professional and open dialogue.

Speaking on the essence of the initiative, the Director of ISRS emphasized that the Termez Dialogue is not only an expert platform but also a strategic concept shaping a new philosophy of international engagement in Afghanistan. According to him, this philosophy is grounded in a key principle of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s foreign policy: stability is achieved through development, connectivity, and cooperation, rather than through pressure and isolation. The Termez Dialogue is based on the belief that peace is strengthened where jobs are created, transport corridors established, educational opportunities expanded, humanitarian pathways opened, and long-term economic incentives implemented.

The expert noted that in recent years, Uzbekistan has made a significant contribution to reshaping the international agenda on Afghanistan, focusing on pragmatic and economically grounded solutions. Uzbekistan’s initiatives from the establishment of the “Ayrityom” International Trade Center to the launch of a UN humanitarian hub and educational programs - have demonstrated the effectiveness of a practical, regionally responsible approach. “This has helped create a shared understanding that Afghanistan’s development is a key factor in the security and sustainable growth of the entire Central and South Asian macroregion”, - he stated.

The speaker also highlighted the choice of Termez as the center of the dialogue. He noted that Termez is a historical crossroads of civilizations, a strategic transport hub, and a modern platform for economic cooperation.

In his speech, Eldor Aripov also outlined the strategic objective of the initiative: the creation of a broad interconnected space between “Central and South Asia”, with Afghanistan serving as a natural link. He emphasized that in times of global upheaval and geopolitical fragmentation, connectivity itself becomes a new source of resilience - effectively an “investment in peace”. The development of regional transport corridors, the harmonization of procedures, the digitalization of trade flows, and the synergy of educational and energy projects have the potential to transform this macroregion into one of Eurasia’s key growth zones.

The Director of ISRS announced that the next session of the Termez Dialogue is scheduled for spring of the coming year. He assured that Uzbekistan will continue to consolidate efforts to develop sustained expert‑diplomatic engagement. As a next step, the launch of a specialized expert track, “Afghanistan - Central Asia” is being considered, which will facilitate regular exchanges among relevant specialists and generate practical recommendations aimed at achieving tangible results in a timely manner.

In conclusion, Director of ISRS invited all interested partners to visit Termez and become part of the Termez Dialogue, emphasizing that “today, this initiative is not only a process but also a strategic vision of a world based on openness, mutual benefit, and the responsibility of regional states for their shared future”.

In turn, the Afghan side highly praised Uzbekistan’s efforts to ensure long-term security and stability in the region.

“Uzbekistan has demonstrated a constructive and most acceptable approach for Kabul, based not on the politicization of security issues but on economic dialogue and engagement in regional connectivity”, - said Abdul Hai Qanit, Director of the Center for Strategic Studies at Afghanistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA). According to him, this approach has contributed to the expansion of trade and transit links, as well as to increased people-to-people contacts.

The Afghan diplomat emphasized that “Afghanistan’s current foreign policy approach is focused on developing economic cooperation with the international community and integrating into regional connectivity”.

Faisal bin Abdullah Al-Hanzab, Special Envoy of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Qatar also expressed support for Uzbekistan’s initiatives aimed at maintaining channels of engagement between Afghanistan and the international community.

The importance of the Termez Dialogue was particularly emphasized, as it contributes to the consolidation of efforts by states to strengthen connectivity and promote interregional integration.

Supporting this view, Waleed Ziad, Associate Professor of History at Georgetown University in Qatar pointed out that Central and South Asia have historically constituted a single space of cultural, economic, and intellectual interconnectedness, with Afghanistan at its center.

In this context, he noted that the constructive regional policies of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan have opened opportunities to restore this lost connectivity.

He paid particular attention to Uzbekistan’s position, which rejects outdated geopolitical paradigms that view Afghanistan primarily through the lens of conflict and risk. According to him, long-term regional stability requires recognizing Afghanistan as a full participant in regional processes, as well as expanding cooperation in humanitarian, educational, and cultural spheres.