On April 22, the fifth Central Asia - Russia ministerial meeting took place via conference call. The event was attended by the Foreign Ministers of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan and Russia.

According to the Ministry of Investments, Uzbekistan was represented by the Deputy PM/Minister of Investments and Foreign Trade Sardov Umurzakov.

The agenda of the meeting included multilateral cooperation between the countries of the region and Russia, including mechanisms for maintaining stability in Central Asia, countering terrorist and extremist threats, stimulating the implementation of reforms and sustainable development, ensuring accelerated economic growth and food security, building up export potential, developing intra-regional tourism , cyber and biological security, as well as the establishment of industry cooperation between the countries of the region.

In his remarks Sardor Umurzakov mentioned the prospects for deepening cooperation in supporting reforms and strengthening the sustainable development of the region and outlined the most important areas of cooperation between the countries participating in the platform. Among them are the active promotion of trade and economic ties and ensuring food security through the expansion and diversification of mutual supplies of demanded products, the development of "green corridors" and logistics opportunities.

Deputy PM Umurzakov also listed specific areas of cooperation in the field of industrial cooperation and technological exchange, energy, education, healthcare, science and information technology, as well as regional security both on a bilateral basis and within the framework of regional and international structures. A special place in the speech was given to the Afghan problem. The commitment of Uzbekistan to continue providing practical support to Afghanistan in solving acute socio-economic problems, ensuring the security of the population and stability in the country was indicated.

“Uzbekistan will continue to provide humanitarian assistance to the Afghan people, fulfill existing agreements on the supply of electricity, provide training for Afghan students and specialists in educational institutions of the country, and also promote the implementation of previously agreed joint infrastructure projects,” the report says.

At the end of March Sardor Umurzakov and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov held talks in China. It is possible that then Sardor Umurzakov arrived in China instead of Abdulaziz Kamilov, who is undergoing treatment abroad.

On April 15, Sardor Umurzakov represented Uzbekistan at the meeting of Foreign Ministers of the Central Asia + Japan dialogue.