The head of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), Roza Otunbayeva, has called for international support and recognition of regional initiatives aimed at resolving Afghanistan’s ongoing crisis.
Her remarks came during the inaugural Termez Dialogue on Central and South Asia Connectivity, which began on Tuesday, 20 May.
The high-level forum gathered approximately 200 participants from Central and South Asia, Europe, the Commonwealth of Independent States, Asia, the United States, and the Middle East.
The event was organised by the Institute for Strategic and Regional Studies under the Presidency of Uzbekistan, in partnership with the country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Speaking at the opening session, Otunbayeva emphasised the importance of constructive regional engagement in addressing the challenges facing Afghanistan. “Efforts by neighbouring countries to resolve the Afghan crisis must be recognised and supported,” she stated.
Mohammad Naeem, Deputy Minister of Finance and Administration of the Taliban’s Foreign Ministry, also addressed the conference. He reiterated the Taliban’s commitment to regional stability, saying, “Afghan soil will not be used against any other country, and we expect the same from others. We want to utilise Afghanistan as a hub for connectivity, transit, and commercial, transit, and cultural cooperation.”
Highlighting the Taliban's growing engagement with Uzbekistan, Naeem pointed to several joint infrastructure and economic initiatives, including the Afghan-Trans railway project, a 500-kilovolt power transmission line, and a series of agreements valued at $2.5 billion in energy, agriculture, and industry.
He urged the international community to view the Taliban as “a trustworthy partner” and to invest in Afghanistan’s reconstruction and development.
The Termez Dialogue is intended to serve as a multilateral platform for advancing the goals of the 2022 United Nations General Assembly resolution, “Strengthening Connectivity between Central and South Asia.” The conference will continue over the next two days, with discussions focused on enhancing economic integration, transit, and cooperation across the region.
Although Uzbekistan has not formally recognised the Taliban government, it has maintained steady diplomatic and economic engagement with the group since their return to power in 2021.
