Mirziyoyev endorses Putin's BRICS investment initiative

Uzbekistan has expressed its readiness to join the BRICS Investment Platform proposed by Russian President Vladimir Putin. President Shavkat Mirziyoyev made this announcement today, October 24, at the plenary session of the "BRICS Plus" summit.

"We are prepared to engage with the BRICS Competence Center under the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), as well as the proposed Investment Platform," stated Mirziyoyev.

The President also voiced support for the core commitment of BRICS countries to collaborate in addressing global inequality and fostering inclusive economic recovery. 

"This entails actively supporting national development programs in developing countries, aimed at tackling acute social and environmental challenges, reducing poverty, bridging technological gaps, and modernizing infrastructure. Multilateral financial institutions can and should play a pivotal role in these efforts. Uzbekistan plans to establish close cooperation with the New Development Bank of BRICS to implement priority investment and social projects," said Mirziyoyev.

Uzbekistan is also keen to expand practical cooperation in areas such as innovation, the digital economy, green development, and energy, as well as barrier-free e-commerce. 

"We intend to participate in collaborative projects within the BRICS Artificial Intelligence Research Group to develop common management standards and mitigate potential risks in this field. We are ready to join the BRICS Competence Center under UNIDO and the Investment Platform," reiterated the President.

Additionally, Uzbekistan seeks to work closely with BRICS partners to enhance transport links, develop new transcontinental corridors, establish reliable logistics supply chains, and promote cabotage transportation systems. Key priorities will include ensuring food and energy security, addressing the adverse effects of climate change, and focusing on health issues.

"We support fostering relationships between business communities within the BRICS framework. We invite all interested countries to consider joining the BRICS Business Council," Mirziyoyev added.

The event, chaired by Russian President Vladimir Putin, saw the participation of several prominent leaders, including Chinese President Xi Jinping, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Egyptian President Abdulfattah al-Sisi, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov, Tajik President Emomali Rahmon, Turkmen President Serdar Berdimuhamedow, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, Vietnamese Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính, and UN Secretary-General António Guterres, along with other dignitaries, international organizations, and financial institutions.

It is worth noting that on October 23, Russian President Putin emphasized the need to establish an investment platform during the extended meeting of the BRICS summit. He stated that such a platform is essential to harness the full economic potential of BRICS nations and capitalize on global economic growth opportunities.