In accordance with the agenda, opinions were exchanged on the state and prospects of multilateral relations within the CIS, current issues of practical cooperation were discussed. 

In his speech, the head of state put forward a number of initiatives to further expand mutually beneficial cooperation within the Commonwealth. 

The President of Uzbekistan specifically noted the importance of using a unique platform like the CIS to jointly evaluate existing opportunities and take coordinated measures. In this sense, it was proposed to organize a conference of leading think tanks and experts of the CIS countries in order to develop a new long-term agenda of multilateral cooperation. 

“Our meeting is taking place in the context of increasing global geopolitical tensions. All my colleagues noted in their speeches the common threats and dangers facing us. 

Unfortunately, the consequences of the intensifying conflicts in different regions of the world have a very negative impact on the stable development of all our countries. 

In this situation, we will continue to look for new ways and mechanisms of cooperation with our CIS partners. 

First of all, we are talking about forming alternative trade-logistics routes, creating shorter and more efficient chains of added value, using complementary reserves in the economy of our countries as much as possible, promoting business relations. 

We are interested in the full implementation of the unique platform of multilateral cooperation within the CIS for joint assessment of emerging risks, coordinated measures and non-standard decisions. 

In this regard, I propose to consider the possibility of organizing a conference with the participation of leading think tanks and experts of our countries to develop a new long-term agenda of the Commonwealth,” Shavkat Mirziyoyev said. 

The leader of our country emphasized the need to ensure stable economic growth in the Commonwealth countries. 

Attention was drawn to the importance of forming a full-fledged free trade zone without exceptions and restrictions in the organizational space. In this regard, it was proposed to revise the relevant contract provisions. 

“Since the beginning of this year, the volume of foreign trade of Uzbekistan with the Commonwealth countries has increased by only 5%. At the same time, there is a trend of slowing down of the growth rate. 

The results of the meetings of our high-level experts indicate that there are still many obstacles on the way to the formation of a full-fledged free trade zone. 

We offer the following: 

first, revision of the provisions of the Free Trade Area Agreement on the withdrawal of goods. Enough time has passed since the signing of the agreement and it is time to fully align this document with our main goals and objectives;

secondly, harmonization of national import substitution programs;

thirdly, consider the possibilities of providing preferential access to the public procurement market on the basis of mutual agreement;

fourth, adopting a program to support the establishment of joint wholesale distribution and logistics centers;

fifth, to encourage the development of electronic trade, including by expanding existing platforms,” the head of state said. 

The President of Uzbekistan called for effective use of the existing mechanisms for trade between the countries and proposed new means of promoting it. 

The head of our state put forward the initiative to develop a set of additional measures to promote mutual investments and promote projects, as well as hold a forum on industrial cooperation and innovative development of the CIS countries. 

Special attention was paid to issues of cooperation in energy and food sectors, introduction of advanced technologies in relevant sectors of the economy, and strengthening of cooperation. 

It was proposed to prepare an updated program on cooperation in the field of food safety and an agreement on the main directions of cooperation in the Agro-industrial complex. 

The leader of Uzbekistan took the initiative to prepare a “roadmap” for the activation of interregional cooperation, indicated specific measures to strengthen interdependence in terms of transport, and increase passenger and cargo transportation. 

“Another priority task is to provide consumers in the Commonwealth of Nations with high-quality and affordable food products. 

In this regard, it is necessary to strengthen the interconnection of agro-industrial complexes, logistics and “express” corridors, technological modernization of the network and solving the issues of systematic science exchange. 

We propose to prepare an updated cooperation program in the field of food safety and an agreement on the main directions of cooperation in the agro-industry sector within the framework of the current network council. 

I would like to emphasize that interregional cooperation has a great opportunity. We believe that it is necessary to develop a separate “roadmap” containing measures to support such partnership, including holding the first Forum of regions, exhibitions and fairs, and mutual visits of representatives of business circles. 

We support the creation of the following opportunities in the field of transport: 

- development of transport corridors by organizing multimodal transport in all types of transport;

- creation of attractive conditions for business in the transportation of goods through the main regional corridors;

- digitalization of passenger and freight management processes and services provided;

- implementation of programs and projects of modernization of transport infrastructure and traffic structure,” the president said. 

The importance of joint efforts in combating the consequences of global climate warming was noted. Within the framework of the International Climate Forum under the auspices of the UN, which is planned to be held in Samarkand next year, readiness was expressed to organize a special plenary session dedicated to ecological risks in the CIS area. 

Speaking of the humanitarian sphere, in 2024 it was proposed to hold the CIS culture, art and cinema week in the city of Samarkand, which was declared the cultural capital of the Commonwealth. 

In addition, a number of youth events, including a football tournament, will be held next year in Tashkent, which received the status of the CIS youth capital. 

In his speech, the leader of our country also put forward important initiatives in the field of education and the development of tourism exchange. 

At the end of his speech, the President of Uzbekistan congratulated the President of the Russian Federation on taking over the chairmanship of the Organization in 2024. 

Following the summit, a number of agreements and decisions were made on the priority areas of cooperation within the CIS.