Abdulaziz Kamilov cites Middle East security as key reason for Uzbekistan’s Peace Council membership

In an interview with the Uzbekistan 24 TV channel, Kamilov said Uzbekistan’s support for the Peace Council initiative was driven by three key factors. First, he noted, the decision is rooted in national security interests. Second, the goals and mandate of the Peace Council are consistent with Uzbekistan’s core foreign policy principles. Third, he emphasized that Uzbekistan has what he described as “critically important interests” in the Middle East.

According to Kamilov, one of the main issues on the Peace Council’s agenda is addressing and regulating the military and economic crisis in the Gaza Strip. He recalled that the initiative to establish the Peace Council was put forward by U.S. President Donald Trump.

Kamilov linked Uzbekistan’s “critically important interests” in the Middle East to regional, global, and national security concerns. He stressed that Tashkent’s growing focus on the region is also influenced by the risks posed by extremism. In this context, he referred to cases in which some Uzbek citizens had joined extremist groups abroad and later returned to the country, noting that the state had created conditions to facilitate their repatriation and reintegration into society.

This approach, Kamilov said, has received international recognition. He added that the leadership of the United Nations has positively assessed Uzbekistan’s humanitarian policies in this area.

The interview also touched on the impact of developments in the Middle East on security in Afghanistan. Kamilov argued that resolving the situation requires coordinated action by the international community, including the United States, Arab and Muslim countries, as well as Central Asian states.

He further noted that Uzbekistan’s participation in the summit was significant both politically and symbolically, reflecting international trust in the country and its growing standing on the global stage.

For reference, on 22 January President Shavkat Mirziyoyev signed an agreement on the Peace Council with U.S. President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos. Representatives from countries in the Middle East, South America, as well as Europe and the South Caucasus, attended the signing ceremony.