Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev delivered a speech at the summit of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO), held on 4 July 2025, in the city of Khankendi.

In his address, the President expressed gratitude to President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev for the warm welcome and organization of the event, noting that Karabakh is now becoming “a space of peace and creation.”

“As true brotherly nations, we genuinely rejoice that this region is now, in the fullest sense, transforming into a space of peace and creation,” Mirziyoyev emphasized.

He highlighted the significant progress achieved since the Tashkent ECO Summit and praised Kazakhstan’s effective chairmanship. Special attention was given to the participation of the interim government of Afghanistan in the forum. “We view neighboring Afghanistan as an integral part of our Organization’s region,” the President stated.

In his remarks, Shavkat Mirziyoyev addressed key geopolitical challenges, including the crisis of international law and the risk of escalation in the Middle East. “Military actions against the Islamic Republic of Iran... have posed the threat of plunging the entire region into war,” he warned, voicing support for the ceasefire agreement between Iran and Israel.

The President also advocated for the establishment of new nuclear-weapon-free zones, called for an end to hostilities in the Gaza Strip, and expressed support for humanitarian aid and the creation of an independent State of Palestine in line with UN resolutions.

“The foundation of peace and development is, first and foremost, economic cooperation,” Mirziyoyev stated, calling for the definition of strategic priorities through 2035. In this context, he proposed the adoption of a new concept titled Strategic Goals of Economic Partnership – 2035, which would prioritize innovation, artificial intelligence, and digital technologies alongside traditional sectors.

He drew attention to the low level of intra-ECO trade — US$95 billion in 2024, accounting for only 10% of the member states’ total foreign trade. In response, he proposed holding a meeting of trade ministers in Tashkent.

Mirziyoyev also suggested establishing a “green corridor” system to simplify the supply of agricultural products and launching an “EcoInvest” program to attract private capital and international financial institutions to regional projects.

He emphasized the importance of developing logistics and transport infrastructure, particularly the China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan railway project and its linkage to the Trans-Afghan Corridor. “It is time to begin practical implementation of the initiative to create a Digital Transport and Customs Authority,” the President stated.

Additional proposals included the development of aviation and tourism cooperation, organizing a forum of national airlines in Samarkand, and drafting a “roadmap” to expand regional tourism services.

Climate change was another focus of the speech. “We propose developing a transboundary ‘green program’ within the Organization to create forests and recreational zones in desert areas,” Mirziyoyev noted.

In conclusion, he expressed support for the work of the High-Level Committee on ECO reform and proposed that specific recommendations be prepared to improve the Organization’s effectiveness before the next summit.

“I am confident that today’s summit will give a strong impetus to the realization of our shared ambitions and plans,” Shavkat Mirziyoyev concluded.