Kyrgyzstan welcomes creation of SCO Public Diplomacy Institute in Uzbekistan

Tashkent, Jan. 30, 2019. /Kabar/. We welcome the creation of the Public Diplomacy Institute of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in Uzbekistan, Counselor of the Embassy of the Kyrgyz Republic in the Republic of Uzbekistan Kemel Sadykov told during the opening ceremony of this institution in Tashkent.

He said that in the era of globalization, instability and tension in international relations, the activity of only government bodies is not enough to solve the emerging problems and contradictions. Under these conditions, the institution of public diplomacy, which, more effectively promotes the rapprochement and unification of peoples, relying on public relations, can serve as an additional effective tool.

“The tools of public diplomacy should be widely used in the SCO space to further strengthen mutual understanding, trust and good neighborliness between our countries,” the Kyrgyz diplomat said.

“Through its activities, the Institute will actively contribute to the further effective implementation of the reforms being carried out in Uzbekistan and raising the international image of the country,” Sadykov said, expressing his readiness for close cooperation with the Institute in all areas of its activities.

Director of the Institute Senator Rakhmatulla Nazarov told that the main task of the new institution is to promote cooperation between the SCO countries in the information sphere, formation of information resources and interaction with the media, as well as strengthening mutual trust and good neighborliness, interethnic and interfaith harmony.

“The roadmap for the development of the Institute has been approved, more than 30 events are planned in 2019. Among them are festivals, fairs, events for the preservation of cultural heritage and meetings with non-governmental organizations of the SCO member countries,” Nazarov noted.

The initiative to create institutes of public diplomacy in the SCO member countries was suggested by President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev at the organization’s summit in June 2017 in Astana.