In an interview with Paradigma.uz, Nargiza Umarova notes that various clashes and conflicts around the world have a significant impact on Uzbekistan’s transport routes. According to her, Russia’s military actions against Ukraine, conflicts in the Middle East and the situation in Afghanistan are forcing a rethink of regional logistics networks. These factors create the basis not only for the redirection of transit flows, but also for the accelerated development of new transport corridors.
Umarova believes that security threats and financial risks arising from wars directly affect the stability of transit routes. Due to conflicts in Russia and Ukraine, freight transportation in the northern direction has become problematic, forcing Uzbekistan to look for alternative routes. As a result, ideas for developing southern routes through Afghanistan have gained momentum among Central Asian countries. In particular, special attention is being paid to railway projects through Kabul and Kandahar.
In an interview, Nargiza Umarova also notes the growing interest in maritime transit routes due to instability in the Middle East. As transit routes between the east and west are being redirected, there is an opportunity to place Uzbekistan in an even more important position on the international logistics map via Afghanistan and Turkey. According to her, in such conditions, she calls on countries to pursue effective foreign policies, optimize logistics strategies and create sustainable transit infrastructure.
Umarova also analyses the impact of wars on regional cooperation formats and recommends exploring opportunities for new partnerships to diversify Uzbekistan’s transport corridors. For example, as the situation in Afghanistan stabilizes, the importance of the Kabul Corridor project, initiated by the President of Uzbekistan, is increasing. At the same time, she emphasizes the need to build new intermodal terminals and logistics centers in cooperation with Turkey and Iran, as they will contribute to improving the safety and efficiency of routes.
At the end of the interview, Nargiza Umarova notes the need to strengthen sustainable integration and develop digital infrastructure between the countries of Central Asia in order to overcome the negative consequences of wars. As a solution, it is important not only to open new corridors, but also to technologically upgrade existing roads, simplify customs procedures and review transit agreements. In this way, Uzbekistan will be able to further strengthen its position in the regional logistics system.
* The Institute for Advanced International Studies (IAIS) does not take institutional positions on any issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the IAIS.
