Address by the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev at the “BRICS Plus” format

Distinguished heads of delegations!

I would like to echo the words of gratitude to the President of the Russian Federation, the esteemed Vladimir Putin, for the warm hospitality and exceptional organization of today’s event in ancient Kazan – a city with a thousand-year history, where the cultures of East and West harmoniously coexist.

The statements from my distinguished colleagues reaffirm the significance of gatherings in the “BRICS Plus” format for a broad dialogue and open discussions on the pressing issues of global development.

Regrettably, the world is rapidly moving toward division, with an increasing number of wars and conflicts inflicting profound sufferings, severe pain and irreplaceable human losses.

The fragmentation of the global economy and trade is deepening inequality, technological gap, and protectionism. New barriers are emerging among nations.

In these conditions, BRICS, acting on the basis of such principles as equality, non-alignment, consideration of mutual interests, and respect for each nation’s sovereignty and right to pursue its own developmental path, emerges as a reputable and dynamic formation for multifaceted cooperation and partnership.

We are convinced that such a model of interaction can serve as a solid basis for shaping a new architecture for a more equitable world order while preserving the central role of the United Nations.

I join the calls for achieving a global compromise through constructive dialogue, free from geopolitical rivalries, national egoism, and ideological prejudice.

We believe the time has come to reform the world’s governing institutions and expand a committed dialogue in the South-South and North-South formats.

Esteemed participants of the summit!

During the productive Russian presidency, Uzbekistan actively participated in the BRICS Youth Summit, Sports Games, legal and parliamentary forums, a high-level security meeting, and other events.

We are committed to further actively enhancing the partnership ties with the BRICS countries. We will be efficiently taking advantage of new opportunities opening as part of this formation.

We share the fundamental commitment of the BRICS countries to develop cooperation in order to overcome the challenges of worsening global inequality and facilitate an inclusive economic recovery. This refers primarily to supporting national programs of developing countries aimed at tackling acute social and environmental challenges, reducing poverty, narrowing the technological gap, and modernizing infrastructure.

Multilateral financial institutions can and should play an important role in this regard.

Uzbekistan intends to establish close collaboration with the BRICS New Development Bank to implement priority investment and social projects.

We are also interested in expanding practical cooperation in areas such as innovation, digital economy, green development and energy, and barrier-free e-commerce.

We intend to participate in joint projects of the BRICS Research Group on Artificial Intelligence to prevent possible risks and develop common management standards in this area.

We are ready to join the BRICS Competence Center under the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), which is being formed, and the proposed Investment Platform.

Together with our BRICS partners, we intend to collaborate closely on strengthening transport connectivity, creating new transcontinental corridors, forming reliable logistics supply chains, and developing cabotage transportation.

We will also focus on ensuring food and energy security, healthcare, as well as overcoming the adverse effects of climate change.

We welcome the development of business contacts within BRICS. We propose to consider the possibility of including all interested countries in the BRICS Business Council.

Dear colleagues!

Countering the threats and challenges of international terrorism undoubtedly remains a priority area of cooperation in the BRICS space. We must attach special focus to the prevention of radicalization and the spread of extremist ideology, primarily among youth.

I share the concern regarding the escalating conflict in the Middle East. It is increasingly evolving into a potential flashpoint of a global crisis involving neighboring countries and major world powers.

We are heartbroken by the unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza and Lebanon. No political objectives can justify innocent civilian victims, especially children.

Today, an immediate ceasefire and the delivery of emergency relief to all victims are of paramount urgency.

We believe that the only solution to the Israeli-Palestinian problem is a peaceful settlement of the conflict based on the “two-state solution” principle.

When it comes to global and regional security, we cannot overlook the problem of Afghanistan. Our common task is not to isolate, but help the Afghan people and the de facto authorities of this country to address the pressing problems of socio-economic development, peace-building and prosperity.

Distinguished participants of the summit!

Uzbekistan is ready to engage in close and mutually beneficial cooperation with the BRICS countries to achieve common sustainable development goals.

Thank you for your attention.