Samarkand hosted Asian Conference of the Valdai Discussion Club on November 10-11, 2019.

The conference on “Central Asia and Eurasia: Multilateral Cooperation Facing Challenges of Global Disorder” was attended by 80 experts from 11 countries.

Greeting of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev to the participants of the conference was read by the Secretary of the Security Council under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan V. Makhmudov.

As noted in the greeting of the Head of the state, Central Asia plays an increasingly important role in Eurasia and in geopolitics in general. In a short period, through the joint efforts of the Central Asian countries in the region, it was possible to create a fundamentally new atmosphere of friendship, good neighborliness and cooperation. The level of political trust has significantly increased, which allows today to effectively solve vital intraregional problems. Uzbekistan is committed to further expanding multilateral regional cooperation.

Greeting of the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin to the participants of the conference was read by the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to Uzbekistan V. Tyurdenev.

In particular, in the welcoming speech of the President of the Russian Federation it is noted that Russia is ready for constructive, equal cooperation with all countries of the continent. We presume that peace and prosperity in Eurasia are the most important conditions for security and stability on a global scale.

During the sessions, the experts exchanged views on the role of Central Asia and Eurasia in the world, regional cooperation, security, the fate of Asia and Eurasia, the formation of macro-regions and other relevant themes. The possibility of enhancing multifaceted cooperation, which could contribute to resolving security issues in the region and achieving long-term goals was discussed.

Before Uzbekistan – Russia special session of the conference, a meeting was held between the Director of the Institute for Strategic and Regional Studies under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan E. Aripov and the Chairman of the Board of the Foundation for Development and Support of the Valdai Discussion Club Andrei Bystritsky.

At the meeting, an agreement was reached on enhancing cooperation between experts of the two countries, relations in international and interregional research. It was noted that representatives of intellectual circles of Uzbekistan will continue to regularly participate in the activities of Valdai Discussion Club, as well as in joint targeted projects.

An Agreement of Cooperation was signed between the Institute for Strategic and Regional Studies and the Foundation for Development and Support of the Valdai Discussion Club.

Following the conference, Director of the Institute for Strategic and Regional Studies under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan E. Aripov and the Chairman of the Board of the Foundation for Development and Support of the Valdai Discussion Club Andrei Bystritsky spoke about the issues discussed at the conference and their significance.