Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — On 11-12 September 2024, the Institute for Strategic and Interregional Studies under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, in collaboration with the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, held an international roundtable titled "Central Asia and Afghanistan: A Vision for a Common Future."

The event was attended by leading experts from Uzbekistan, Central Asian countries, Afghanistan, and Germany in the fields of international relations, security, economics, and religion (over 20 participants).

Central Asian states were represented by experts from strategic institutes and leading research centers. From the German side, specialists from the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, the Berghof Foundation, and the Kiel Institute for the World Economy participated.

During the event, participants were introduced to Uzbekistan’s infrastructure and practical measures aimed at promoting the socio-economic recovery of Afghanistan and integrating the country into regional connections.

Specifically, the guests visited the border trade zone — the International Trade Center "Termez," located 500 meters from the border with Afghanistan.

The International Trade Center "Termez" was inaugurated on 29 August 2024. The ceremony was attended by the Prime Minister of Uzbekistan, as well as deputy ministers of economy from Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan, and the acting Prime Minister of Afghanistan, Abdul Ghani Baradar.

The border trade zone is designed to create a favorable business environment, simplify transport, logistical, and administrative procedures. It features a 15-day visa-free regime for visitors and houses 3,000 trading points.

The event also included a visit to the International Transport and Logistics Hub "Termez Cargo Center," located less than 2 km from the Uzbekistan-Afghanistan border.

The hub has a daily capacity of 1,000 tons. Its unique geographic location at the intersection of Afghanistan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan makes it a crucial point. International organizations, including the World Food Programme and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, use the "Cargo Center" as a channel for delivering humanitarian aid to Afghanistan. Since 2021, 144,000 tons of humanitarian aid, including food (flour, grain), medicines, tents, solar lamps, and other essential items, have been sent through this hub.

Participants also learned about the Educational Center for Afghan citizens, established at the initiative of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev in 2018. This institution is the only one worldwide providing education exclusively for Afghans, including higher and vocational education. Approximately 700 Afghan citizens have been trained at this center, over 200 of whom are women.

The center currently offers three- and six-month courses in tailoring, hairdressing, carpet weaving, sculpture, and other trades. The institution actively supports international connections and cooperation with donor countries and organizations such as UNDP, the EU, Germany, Slovakia, and India.

Guests also visited the Termez-Khairaton checkpoint, equipped with advanced customs and border control technologies.

Foreign participants highly praised Uzbekistan’s efforts to establish peace and stability in Afghanistan and its effective contribution to social and economic recovery programs. They noted that the unique infrastructure projects implemented in Termez create conditions for reviving the Afghan economy and restoring Afghanistan’s historical role as a link between Central and South Asia.

Additionally, participants visited the mausoleum of Hakim at-Tirmizi and the archaeological museum to explore the rich historical and cultural heritage of Termez. Due to its shared history, culture, and language, Termez remains a crossroads between Central and South Asia.

During the roundtable held on 12 September, particular emphasis was placed on consolidating international community efforts to achieve lasting peace and economic recovery in Afghanistan.

Opening the event, Akramjon Neymatov, the First Deputy Director of ISMI, stated, "Today, more than ever, it is crucial to unite the efforts of the global community to strengthen peace and stability in Afghanistan, and support its development and prosperity." He argued that "isolation of this country could exacerbate the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan and create a breeding ground for various destructive processes."

"A peaceful Afghanistan integrated into the global community is the key to a common future in the region, and stable and sustainable interregional development," Neymatov added.

Experts also emphasized the importance of promoting Afghan economic development and crafting unified, coordinated approaches to Afghanistan.

In this context, it was particularly noted that Central Asia currently plays a key role in Afghanistan’s socio-economic recovery and its integration into regional networks.

Overall, participants agreed that attention to the situation in Afghanistan should not wane, and the country should not be left alone with its problems. All international efforts must center exclusively on the interests of the Afghan people.