I welcoming remarks

particular, thanks to the collective will of the countries of the
region, a truly historic event took place: for the first time since
the creation of the UN, in May 2014, representatives of the five
nuclear states unanimously and simultaneously signed the
Protocol on Security Assurances to the Treaty on Nuclear-
Weapon-Free Zone in Central Asia.
Joint efforts succeeded in creating the International Fund
for Saving the Aral Sea, which proved to be an important
platform for interaction and development of effective regional
cooperation on the issues of rehabilitation of the ecological and
socio-economic situation in the Aral crisis zone.
It is widely recognized that Central Asia was the first
region where a comprehensive, integrated and balanced
implementation of the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism
Strategy was launched. According to the UN Secretary General

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Antonio Guterres, the Central Asian nations set an example in the
joint implementation of the UN Global Counter-Terrorism
Strategy at the regional level.
At the same time, despite the existing achievements and
positive experience in regional cooperation, the rapidly changing
realities of the present day actualize the need for closer and more
coordinated interaction among the states of Central Asia, as well
as their relations with eminent international organizations and
partner countries.
In this regard, I propose to determine the following as the
main areas of cooperation in the field of security and stability in
Central Asia:
First. As part of the implementation of the Joint Action
Plan for the execution of the UN Global Counter-Terrorism
Strategy in Central Asia, it is important to further strengthen
collaboration in identifying and preventing cross-border terrorist
activities in the region, suppressing recruitment channels for
fighters, cutting funding terrorism and arms smuggling, ensuring
cybersecurity and protecting the information space from
extremist attacks, bolstering the safety of critical infrastructure,
especially in the border area, expanding the legal framework for
furthering the counter-terrorism cooperation among the Central
Asian countries.
Second. Today the world community comes to an
understanding that only armed with a stronger, more reasoned
and scientifically grounded ideology is it possible to eradicate the
ideology of religious extremism. Based on the true interpretation
of the sacred Islamic writings and knowledge, we call upon the
representatives of the enlightenment and academic circles and the
official Muslim clergy of the Central Asian countries to unite in
achieving such noble goals as the preservation and promotion of
the values of our religion and consolidation of solidarity among
the Muslim peoples.

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In this respect, we look forward to the active participation
of representatives of the scientific community and the clergy of
the region in the work of the International Research Center at the
Imam Bukhari Memorial Complex in Samarkand, established at
the initiative of the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev.
Third. The transnational nature of modern challenges and
threats arising in the use of information and communication
technologies dictates the need to complement national efforts to
ensure information security with joint actions at the bilateral,
regional and international levels.
We proceed from the principle that international
cooperation in the field of information security should become an
integral part of the political, economic, military, cultural and
other type of interaction among members of the world
community.
Fourth. Peace and stability in Afghanistan is a strategic
opportunity for the countries of the region to fully mobilize the
available total potential of trade, economic and cultural-
humanitarian cooperation, to make a breakthrough in the field of
transport communications.
An essential contribution to the overall efforts to stabilize
the situation in Afghanistan will undoubtedly be the active
involvement of this country in the processes of regional
cooperation in Central Asia. We presume that an important
condition for the solution of the Afghan crisis, in addition to
achieving intra-Afghan consent, is consensus at the regional
level, as well as mutual understanding and common approaches
on a wide international scale.
Fifth. In accordance with the international treaties to
which they are parties and national legislation, it is necessary to
intensify cooperation among the countries of Central Asia in the
development of concerted actions and joint measures in the
sphere of combating illicit trafficking of drugs and their
precursors.

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On the basis of joint efforts by corresponding state bodies
of the countries of the region, as well as civil society institutions
and mass media, it seems necessary to take effective measures to
prevent drug addiction, treatment and social adaptation of drug
addicts.
Sixth. The experience of Central Asian nations after
gaining independence shows that the attempts of isolated solution
of environmental problems without taking into account the
interests of neighboring states is the least effective and
constructive way.
Environmental 
challenges 
are 
becoming 
more
complicated, and finding solutions and responses goes beyond the
capabilities of one country or organization.
In our opinion, candid dialogue between and among the
countries of the region that have their own vision and
development concepts is a kind of key to establishing long-term
and productive cooperation on environmental issues in the region,
which provides an opportunity to consolidate disparate and
duplicative efforts.
And, according to the annual Nuclear Security Review
prepared by IAEA experts, the problem of radioactive waste in
Central Asia does not lose its relevance. It is noted that many
uranium-containing repositories are located in seismically active
zones and areas with frequent landslides and mudflows, as well
as near the rivers of the Ferghana Valley, which makes this
region vulnerable to events that can lead to consequences of a
trans-boundary scale.
In this regard, boosting the safe management of uranium
and radioactive waste becomes an important and urgent inter-
state task for the countries of the region.
With a view to discussing topical issues of regional
security and development, working out promising areas for
mutually advantageous cooperation and coordinated positions on
key issues in the international agenda, we believe it possible to

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consider the feasibility of setting up a permanent advisory
platform among the leading state analytical centers of Central
Asian countries.
Summarizing the above, I would like to emphasize that
the basic principles of regional cooperation should be the
cementing of mutual trust, equality, mutual benefit, non-
interference in internal affairs, transparency of intentions towards
each other, adherence to universally recognized norms and
principles of international law, willingness to make reasonable
compromises.
In our efforts, we count on the support of the international
community, including in the emerging process of regional
rapprochement, the formation of an atmosphere of political trust
and good-neighborliness, and the search for compromise
solutions by the Central Asian countries to pressing issues of
regional development and security.
Only in such conditions is it possible to ensure the
sustainable economic development and prosperity of all countries
of the region, increase the overall investment attractiveness for
foreign partners, as well as the practical implementation of major
energy and transport and communication projects between the
North and the South, the West and the East.

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