Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- On 18 June 2020, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan Abdulaziz Kamilov took part in the video conference “International cooperation in the framework of the One Belt, One Road Initiative: Solidarity in the fight against COVID-19.”

The event was attended by the heads of foreign affairs agencies of 26 countries of Asia, Africa, Europe and South America, as well as the Secretary General of the World Health Organization Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus and the administrator of the UN Development Program Akim Steiner.

During the videoconference, issues of joining international efforts against the spread of coronavirus, preventing its consequences, cooperation in restoring trade and economic relations, joint implementation of projects in the current environment and other promising areas of multilateral relations were discussed.

In his speech, the Foreign Minister of Uzbekistan noted the relevance of this meeting, which will increase coordination of the effective resolution of social, economic and humanitarian issues arising in connection with the pandemic.

The conference participants were informed about the measures taken under the leadership of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev to ensure the epidemiological safety of the population, as well as supporting the social sphere, the private sector and economic sectors.

The Minister emphasized the need to create a mechanism to ensure the smooth functioning of transport communications, as well as the importance of improving infrastructure for road transport. He also noted the importance of the design and construction of the Uzbekistan-Kyrgyzstan-China railway.

Special attention is paid to ensuring food security in the context of a global pandemic and the resumption of mutual trade in agricultural products.

In addition, the importance of restoring the work of the tourism services sector in order to restore international economic relations, taking into account the provision of sanitary and hygienic safety, has been ascertained.

The development of the digital economy, in particular digital medicine, education and e-commerce, as priority areas for cooperation in the framework of the “One Belt, One Road” initiative was highlighted.

In conclusion, the Foreign Minister of Uzbekistan expressed hope for the full restoration of the level of multifaceted cooperation in the very near future, as well as the implementation of new promising projects.