Uzbekistan, ADB sign $12 bln cooperation program
TASHKENT. May 4 (Interfax) - Uzbekistan and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) have signed a new $12 billion cooperation program, Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev said.
"We have outlined concrete plans with the Asian Development Bank to further expand close cooperation in such important areas as poverty reduction, human capital development, and modern infrastructure construction," Mirziyoyev said at the 59th Annual Meeting of the ADB Board of Governors in Samarkand.
The introduction of new sustainable development mechanisms, including the development of digital technologies and artificial intelligence, expanding the use of renewable energy sources and ensuring the sustainability of transport and logistics corridors, is becoming particularly relevant in the context of global instability, he said.
In particular, Mirziyoyev proposed developing a special program under the auspices of the ADB to scale artificial intelligence in developing countries. He also announced that Uzbekistan is joining the bank's Digital Superhighway for Asia initiative and proposed opening its regional coordination center in Tashkent.
Speaking about the region's potential in the field of renewable energy generation, Mirziyoyev noted the ADB's support in creating the Central Asia - Europe green energy corridor to expand clean energy exports and expressed hope for the speedy launch of the project.
In addition, he noted the importance of developing transport interconnectivity. The change in logistics corridors amid global conflicts is leading to higher transport costs for Central Asian countries and an increase in delivery times, he said.
Mirziyoyev recalled the start of the implementation of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway project, noting that the new route will reduce cargo delivery times to ten days and will ensure the transportation of up to 15 million tonnes per year.
In this regard, Mirziyoyev proposed creating a Digital Customs and Logistics Alliance under the ADB's Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) program. "This will create opportunities for harmonizing customs procedures, digitizing document flow, and simplifying cargo transportation across borders," he said.
He paid special attention to issues of climate change and desertification. According to the president, 200 million seedlings are planted annually in Uzbekistan, and 2 million hectares of protective forest plantations have been created on the dried bottom of the Aral Sea. "We have set ourselves an important goal - to increase the level of greening in Uzbekistan to 30% by 2030," he said.
He also proposed implementing a regional Green Belt of Central Asia project.
Summing up, Mirziyoyev said that Uzbekistan is ready to implement the proposed initiatives in partnership with the ADB using various financial instruments, including public-private partnerships, and proposed creating an innovative financing platform for regional projects.
