Uzbekistan President Highlights Afghanistan’s Role in Regional Economic Initiatives

Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev emphasized Afghanistan’s strategic role in regional economic projects, calling for stability and development.

Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has emphasized the need for stability in Afghanistan and meaningful engagement with the Taliban during the Central Asia-Japan summit.

In a statement released Saturday, December 20, the Uzbek presidency said Afghanistan remains a key area for regional cooperation, underscoring its strategic importance for Central Asia.

Mirziyoyev praised Japan’s ongoing support for the Afghanistan people and highlighted that joint regional efforts could enhance living standards, infrastructure, and economic development in Afghanistan.

He stressed that coordinated action among neighboring countries would strengthen Afghanistan’s participation in regional economic projects while promoting peace, stability, and sustainable development.

The president previously called on regional leaders to prioritize stability in Afghanistan, noting persistent security concerns arising from the country and the presence of ISIS-K in the country.

Separately, a United Nations Security Council report estimates that ISIS-K, the Khorasan branch of the Islamic State, maintains roughly 2,000 fighters in Afghanistan, including Afghan Pashtuns led and recruits from Central Asia, posing a major regional and international threat.

The UNSC report also highlights that ISIS-K has set up schools in northern Afghanistan and near the Pakistan border, indoctrinating children under 14 and training them for suicide attacks.

Analysts say the findings underscore the dual challenge Afghanistan faces: ongoing security threats from extremist groups and the urgent need for regional cooperation to support development and stability.

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