TASHKENT, October 14. /Dunyo IA/.  Today, Center of Islamic Civilization hosted the Tech Diplomacy Asia Symposium, reports Dunyo IA correspondent.

Event, which brought together representatives of state bodies, the diplomatic corps, international organizations, technological and business sectors, as well as the academic community of the countries of Central Asia and the Asia-Pacific region, was organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan jointly with the Tech Diplomacy Global Institute (TDGI). The primary attention of the participants was focused on practical mechanisms for the development of technological diplomacy, expanding international cooperation in the field of artificial intelligence and digital technologies, as well as strengthening regional capacity.

Symposium served as a continuation of the international initiative established by the Samarkand Declaration on Tech Diplomacy, adopted on November 1^st, 2025, within the framework of the 43^rd session of the UNESCO General Conference. Document defined benchmarks for the institutional development of technological diplomacy and strengthening the capacity of diplomatic services in the context of the rapid proliferation of artificial intelligence, digital technologies and emerging challenges in cybersecurity.

Speaking at the event, First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan Bakhromjon Aloev, emphasized that international technological cooperation must extend beyond the exchange of technologies and encompass the development of digital infrastructure, scientific research, training of qualified personnel and support of local innovations.

According to him, joint projects in the fields of artificial intelligence, digital industry, energy, agriculture, water-saving technologies, and modern infrastructure are of particular significance for the countries of Central Asia. He identified investments in human capital, including the expansion of academic exchanges, establishment of joint research centers and development of educational programs for engineers and digital technology specialists, as an equally vital direction.

“People, their knowledge and skills must be at the center of technological cooperation”, Bakhromjon Aloev noted, emphasizing the necessity of uniting the efforts of governments, international organizations and the private sector.

Advisor to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan Munira Aminova, drew attention to the shifting nature of diplomacy under the influence of digital transformation. According to her, decisions affecting international relations are today made not only by state structures but also by technological companies, investors, research institutions and organizations developing international technical standards.

Artificial intelligence, digital infrastructure, cross-border data flows and cybersecurity increasingly influence national security, economic competitiveness and international interaction. Under these circumstances, technological diplomacy is becoming an essential tool for aligning the interests of various stakeholders, shaping common approaches and ensuring the responsible deployment of innovations.

An important stage of the event was the presentation of the Tashkent Statement on the implementation of the Samarkand Declaration, presented by the founder and president of TDGI Ayumi Moore Aoki. The document is designed to define further guidelines for the implementation of the initiative and to promote regional priorities in the international agenda of technological diplomacy.

Ayumi Moore Aoki praised the role of Uzbekistan in promoting this direction, noting its active participation in the development of regional and international dialogue, as well as attention to artificial intelligence and digital transformation.

According to her, technological diplomacy involves the interaction of governments with technology companies, scientific circles, researchers and international organizations. This approach allows combining the expert knowledge and practical capabilities of various participants so that new technologies serve the interests of society.

Ayumi Moore Aoki also emphasized that technological sovereignty should not be viewed solely as a state's capacity to provide itself with all necessary solutions independently. International trust, partnerships and the readiness of countries to jointly develop technologies and expand the digital capabilities of their citizens play an important role.

Following the conclusion of the business program, a guided tour of the Center of Islamic Civilization in Uzbekistan was organized for the foreign guests, allowing them to familiarize themselves with the rich historical and cultural heritage of the country.