Washington: Uzbekistan is ready to make a ‘meaningful contribution’ to the construction of residential buildings, kindergartens, schools, and hospitals in the Gaza Strip, Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev said Thursday at the first Board of Peace meeting in Washington. Mirziyoyev expressed confidence that the board’s work “will help create a favorable environment for the economic and social recovery of the Gaza Strip.”

According to Anadolu Agency, Mirziyoyev highlighted Uzbekistan’s support for the peacekeeping initiative to establish the Board of Peace and emphasized the country’s firm intention to play a practical role in its successful implementation. He noted that the meeting reflects international solidarity, peacemaking, and a shared desire to improve the situation in the Middle East.

“We must use this historic opportunity to build a new Gaza with a thriving economy and decent living conditions for all its people,” Mirziyoyev stated. He underlined that the summit is “the result of the political will and pragmatism” of US President Donald Trump.

The context of the reconstruction efforts follows the war in Gaza that began on Oct. 8, 2023. The conflict has resulted in more than 72,000 Palestinian deaths and over 171,000 injuries, most of them women and children, and caused damage to 90% of civilian infrastructure.