President Shavkat Mirziyoyev addressed the seventh summit of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia (CICA) in Azerbaijan, the presidential press service said.

He said armed conflicts in various parts of Asia were a particular concern. Their consequences extend beyond the conflict zones, threaten the security of entire regions, damage the global economy and affect the lives of millions of people.

“Our position remains unchanged. All conflicts and disagreements must be resolved exclusively by peaceful means, through political and diplomatic channels, based on international law and respect for the interests of all parties. It is vital to prevent their further escalation,” Mirziyoyev said.

He also voiced concern over the confrontation in the Middle East and the humanitarian situation in Gaza, and called for a swift restoration of peace and stability in the region.

“When dialogue weakens, the risk of wrong decisions grows. That is why we must do everything possible to keep political differences from escalating into armed confrontation,” the president said.

Infrastructure of trust

Mirziyoyev said CICA’s main goal should be to build a comprehensive infrastructure of trust in Asia.

“This means creating a sustainable system of relations based on clear and predictable actions and the fulfillment of all commitments. It will allow us to prevent conflicts in good time and find mutually acceptable solutions,” he said.

He proposed drafting a Concept for Building an Infrastructure of Trust in Asia. The document, he said, should set CICA’s main priorities and include specific measures to improve connectivity and expand cooperation among states, including joint transport and energy projects, trade, digital links, and cultural and humanitarian exchanges.

“Ultimately, trust between states must become a lasting foundation of our relations, regardless of the current political situation,” he said.

Artificial intelligence and climate

Mirziyoyev put forward an Asian Initiative on Technological Trust and Responsible Use of Artificial Intelligence. To advance it, he proposed creating an expert platform within CICA where specialists from member states could develop shared recommendations and agree on practical measures.

He said artificial intelligence is rapidly changing everyday life, opening up opportunities while creating significant risks.

“We should do everything we can to make sure digital progress benefits all countries and that gaps in technological development narrow,” he said.

Another initiative is a Climate Resilience Partnership. The president said it would allow countries to jointly deploy water-saving technologies, develop green energy and set up continuous monitoring of the environment.

“This way we can reduce potential risks and preserve natural resources for future generations,” he said.

Education, human rights and international cooperation

As coordinator of CICA’s Human Dimension, Uzbekistan is ready to host a Forum on Human Potential Development next year, the president said.

The forum is expected to discuss new opportunities for youth and women, access to quality education, and the protection of human rights amid digital transformation. For more consistent joint work in this area, Mirziyoyev proposed drafting a CICA Program of Action for the next two years.

He also noted that Uzbekistan will host the 20th summit of the Non-Aligned Movement next year and will chair the organization until 2030. He invited participants in the meeting to the summit in Tashkent.

“The Non-Aligned Movement and CICA share many goals and principles. We expect the summit in Tashkent to be an important event in strengthening international cooperation and preventing conflicts,” he said.

Concluding his address, Mirziyoyev backed efforts to strengthen CICA’s organizational foundations and work on its charter.

“It is important that the initiatives put forward here find practical implementation,” he said.

The president congratulated Laos on gaining CICA member state status, supported the candidacy of a representative of Azerbaijan for secretary general of the conference, and welcomed Azerbaijan’s intention to continue its chairmanship until 2028.