UNIPATH STAFF
Maj. Gen. Shukhrat Khalmukhamedov, Uzbekistan’s chief of the general staff, and Gen. Michael “Erik” Kurilla, commander of U.S. Central Command, co-hosted a security conference in September 2023 attended by senior military leaders from the region.
The focus of the Central and South Asian States Chiefs of Defense Conference in Tashkent was peace and stability in the region. Gens. Khalmukhamedov and Kurilla were joined by the chiefs of defense of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan; Pakistan’s chairman of the joint chiefs of staff committee; and Turkmenistan’s defense attaché to Uzbekistan.
The senior delegates began the conference with a solemn wreath laying ceremony at the Ode to Fortitude memorial honoring the sacrifices of Uzbek troops in World War II. Afterwards, attendees discussed strengthening military cooperation to benefit the broader region, where instability in Afghanistan remains a sore spot.
“The deepening ties with our Central and South Asia partners are vital to peace and stability in the region,”
Gen. Kurilla said during the Sept. 26 and 27 conference. “Our commitment to the people of Central and South Asia
is unwavering and we value this important dialogue, which
is based on mutual trust, respect and shared goals.”
Gen. Kurilla’s delegation used the trip to Uzbekistan to hold further bilateral talks with Uzbek Defense Minister
Lt. Gen. Bakhodir Kurbanov, who highlighted improvements in defense ties with U.S. Central Command.
“Friendly relations between our two countries in the field of defense are strengthening every year,” Defense Minister Kurbanov said at a meeting with Gen. Kurilla.
Sources: U.S. Central Command, Uzbekistan Ministry of Defense, AKI press