Deputy Head of the Administration of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Presidential Press Secretary Sherzod Asadov informed about the details of the upcoming International Conference "Central and South Asia: Regional Connectivity. Challenges and Opportunities" to be held in Tashkent.

“President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan Ashraf Ghani and Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan Imran Khan will visit Uzbekistan on July 15-16”, the Press Secretary of the President said. – The visit of the Leader of Pakistan has the official status, and the President of Afghanistan will arrive on a working visit as part of the program of the International Conference “Central and South Asia: Regional Connectivity. Challenges and Opportunities”.

Sherzod Asadov noted that the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Vice-President of the European Commission Josep Borrell, heads of foreign ministries of more than 20 countries, heads of international and regional organizations are also expected to attend the conference. The number of participants exceeds 600. UN Secretary-General António Guterres will deliver a video message to the participants of the conference.

“The Forum, to be held on the initiative of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, is designed to strengthen friendly ties, trust and good-neighborliness between Central and South Asia”, Sherzod Asadov noted. – At the plenary and breakout sessions, the possibilities of further deepening regional connectivity, including the role of trade and transport cooperation in ensuring sustainable growth, strengthening friendship and mutual trust through the revival of cultural and humanitarian ties, as well as challenges and threats in the regional security will be discussed”.

According to the Press Secretary, this week the President of Uzbekistan will hold meetings with leaders of Afghanistan and Pakistan, foreign ministers of China, Russia, India, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Bangladesh, Central Asian states and other countries, as well as with the U.S. President's Homeland Security Advisor Elizabeth Sherwood-Randall and the High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell.

UzA