Bishkek: Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev on Tuesday stated that his country advocates for multipolarity, which aims to expand the 'space for opportunity' rather than creating new dividing lines.
According to Anadolu Agency, in an address to the expanded meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in Kyrgyzstan's capital, Mirziyoyev emphasized that connectivity is a matter of 'strategic independence and sustainability' for Uzbekistan. He reiterated the nation's commitment to developing open and mutually beneficial cooperation in Eurasia.
"We advocate for a multipolarity that does not create new dividing lines, but rather expands the space of possibilities, where regional projects and initiatives do not compete with each other, but effectively complement each other," Mirziyoyev articulated. He proposed focusing on specific areas such as sustainable growth, climate adaptation, and human capital development, underscoring the need to increase the sharing of experiences, align approaches, and jointly promote solutions within the United Nations framework.
Mirziyoyev suggested that the SCO Plus format could serve as a platform for creating a 'Partnership Network of Regional Organizations,' aiming to establish permanent working contacts between secretariats and relevant bodies for the joint implementation of regional projects. "At the same time, the potential of regional organizations should be more actively used to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals," he added.
The Uzbek president highlighted that the emerging world order must not only consolidate the global balance of power but also facilitate the resolution of regional problems. He pointed out that the SCO Plus format holds particular significance by transcending a mere extended meeting of the organization. "This platform is capable of uniting states, regions, and organizations around a common agenda. It is possible and necessary to conduct dialogue here on aligning various initiatives and shaping the architecture of global governance," he stated.
Earlier on Tuesday, Mirziyoyev participated in the SCO's Council of Heads of State meeting, noting that the meeting occurs during a time of "geopolitical division, growing trust deficits, escalating conflicts, and the erosion of international law." He expressed concern over the situation in the Middle East, affirming Uzbekistan's firm support for the resumption of dialogue and de-escalation in the region.
Furthermore, Mirziyoyev stressed that maintaining peace and stability in Afghanistan is crucial for the "security and development of our region." He called for the resumption of regular dialogue between the SCO and Afghanistan to address a wide range of security and economic cooperation issues.