Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — Central Asia shows significant resilience in the face of acute challenges. This view was expressed by Antti Karttunen, Project Coordinator of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), speaking at the 8th Central Asian Expert Forum.

According to the OSCE representative, in the current context, “the coordination of efforts by all Central Asian countries in addressing common regional challenges is of vital importance.” He noted that “the future of the region will be determined by the choices made today and by the degree of collective action taken.”

The Central Asian Expert Forum is organized by the Institute for Strategic and Interregional Studies (ISRS). Partners of the event include the UN Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia, the Delegation of the European Union to Uzbekistan, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), and the Konrad Adenauer Foundation.

Traditionally, the Forum brings together heads and experts from strategic institutions, research centers, and academic circles of the countries in the region.

For the first time, prominent experts from the EU, ASEAN, the Nordic Council, as well as researchers from Russia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, and Azerbaijan, have been invited to participate in order to exchange expertise on regional studies.