Central Asia Promotes Strategic Integration and Projects

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — On 16 November, under the chairmanship of President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, the seventh Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asia was held in Tashkent.

The summit was attended by the Presidents of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, the Kyrgyz Republic Sadyr Japarov, the Republic of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon, Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov, as well as the Head of the UN Regional Center for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia, Kaha Imnadze.

The agenda focused on further strengthening regional cooperation and implementing joint projects and initiatives in priority areas. Opening the summit, President Mirziyoyev announced the accession of the Republic of Azerbaijan as a full participant in the Consultative Meeting format.

He emphasized that this decision serves the interests of the peoples of the region, united by a shared history, familial ties, and spiritual and cultural proximity, and opens new opportunities for expanding trade, economic, investment, and cultural-humanitarian interaction.

“We are building a strong bridge between Central Asia and the South Caucasus, forming a unified space for cooperation, which will enhance the strategic interconnection and resilience of both regions,” the head of state noted.

President Mirziyoyev provided a brief overview of regional integration processes over recent years. Thanks to open dialogue and joint efforts, territorial issues have been resolved, border crossings opened, cooperation in water and energy sectors established, transport communications restored, and favorable conditions created for trade, investment, and humanitarian contacts.

Today, Central Asia is presented as a dynamically developing region with growing investment appeal, expanding export opportunities, and increasing transit potential. In 2024, the volume of mutual trade reached $10.7 billion, while total regional investments increased by 17 percent.

Discussions at the meeting addressed regional security, counterterrorism, extremism, cross-border crime, strengthening Central Asia’s international agency, and enhancing its role on the global stage. With Azerbaijan joining, the region’s voice in the international community is expected to become even more influential.

During Uzbekistan’s chairmanship, over 20 major events were held, including the Interregional Cooperation Forum, meetings of defense ministers, security services heads, ministers of geology, industry, agriculture, ecology, and culture, as well as the Central Asian Women Leaders Dialogue.

President Mirziyoyev proposed transforming the Consultative Meetings into a strategic platform called the “Central Asia Community,” establishing a rotating Secretariat, elevating the status of national coordinators, and creating a Council of Elders comprising respected public figures to strengthen regional solidarity and intergenerational ties.

Priority areas remain the development of trade, economic, and investment cooperation to increase mutual trade and foreign trade turnover by 1.5–2 times, simplify tax and customs procedures, and jointly utilize free economic and industrial zones. The President emphasized the need to develop a Comprehensive Regional Trade and Economic Cooperation Program through 2035, a Declaration on a Shared Investment Space, and a Joint E-Commerce Development Program.

Special attention was given to developing high-tech regional infrastructure and transport-logistics potential. Priority projects include the China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan railway, the Trans-Afghan transport corridor, and trans-Caspian routes. A proposal was made to establish an Infrastructure Development Council at the level of deputy prime ministers to coordinate these initiatives.

In the sphere of security and stability, the Concept of Regional Security and the Catalogue of Risks and Threats were adopted. The integration of Afghanistan into regional infrastructure, energy, and transport projects was highlighted as necessary, along with making the “Fergana Peace Forum” a regular international event.

Environmental and water priorities for the region were outlined, with a proposal to designate 2026–2036 as the “Decade of Practical Action for the Rational Use of Water,” establish a Regional Center of Competence for Water Management, and actively participate in the World Water Conservation Forum.

In the cultural-humanitarian sphere, initiatives will focus on developing scientific and spiritual education for youth, including regular International Congresses on Spiritual Heritage and the adoption of a special UN General Assembly resolution recognizing the contribution of regional scholars and thinkers. The establishment of a Scientific Research Fund will support interstate projects and the implementation of artificial intelligence technologies.

Concluding his speech, President Mirziyoyev emphasized that the region’s strength lies in unity, and the path to success is through friendship and cooperation. He congratulated the President of Turkmenistan on assuming the chairmanship of the next Consultative Meeting in 2026, which will be held in the updated “Central Asia and Azerbaijan” format.

Following his address, the leaders of the region and Azerbaijan, as well as Kaha Imnadze representing the UN Regional Center, delivered remarks including a message from UN Secretary-General António Guterres.