Editor's Note.

As a key regional leader, Uzbekistan initiated and hosted one of the first and unique international conferences on Regional Connectivity of Central Asia and South Asia held from 15-16 July in Tashkent. As a visionary foreign and regional policy by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, the Conference was a giant leap forward and is meant to bring together regional efforts in developing lasting cooperation options to bring peace and development in the region. The conference was one of the largest gatherings so far from both regions and global participation to promote economic integration. Home to nearly one billion people in Central Asia and South Asia facing diverse levels of challenges including increasing poverty and health crisis, the conference aimed at finding solutions to the challenge of building lasting CA and SA connectivity.

The agenda of the International conference included but not limited to exchange views and make proposals to increase cooperation in trade, innovation, investment, energy, education, climate, transportation, tourism, culture, peace and stability in the region. With energetic and active foreign outreach by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, this was Uzbekistan's giant leap forward to build a regional cooperation environment to create opportunities for development and peace. Right after this important regional conference that was overshadowed with the withdrawal of the US forces and chaotic situation in Afghanistan, in mid of July, Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Foreign Minister's Summit was hosted in Dushanbe. Foreign Ministers from all the permanent member countries participated in the event including the Secretary General and Director of the Executive Committee of Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure of the SCO.

SCO called for an end to the violence in Afghanistan and finding political settlement on Afghan issue. Foreign Ministers joint call for supporting Afghanistan to restore, peace, justice, develop economy and finally combat the threats of terrorism and the forces of three evils. SCO has a tremendous role to play in achieving peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan. Countries part of SCO are committed to play their important role at the regional and global scale for peace and sustainable development in the country. The meeting adopted the Joint Statement of Foreign Ministers of SCO Member States on the Results of the Meeting in the Format of the SCO-Afghanistan Contact Group. And finally on August 15, the world has...