KABUL — Abdul Latif Mansour, the Taliban’s acting minister of energy and water, has traveled to Tashkent, Uzbekistan, to participate in the Fifth Uzbekistan International Energy Forum, according to a statement issued by the ministry on Monday.
The three-day forum, held under the theme “Regional Cooperation for Sustainable Energy,” runs from May 13 to 15 and brings together energy ministers and delegates from across Central Asia, Russia, and international bodies including the International Atomic Energy Agency and the World Bank.
According to the statement, the conference offers “an opportunity to exchange views on regional energy cooperation strategies, the development of modern energy markets, and a transition toward a green economy.”
Key issues on the agenda include regional collaboration in energy infrastructure, investment opportunities in joint energy projects, knowledge-sharing on market development, and technology transfer in renewable energy. Delegates will also explore cross-border electricity and gas transmission, as well as strategies for addressing water and energy challenges in the region.
Mansour’s participation comes as the Taliban seek to deepen economic engagement with neighboring countries, despite a lack of formal international recognition and persistent concerns over human rights under their rule.
