Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — Countries in Central Asia must act not merely as neighbors but as a united team to secure lasting prosperity and stability. This message was emphasized by Bahodir Rakhmatov, Director of the Agency for Strategic Reforms under the President of Uzbekistan, during the opening of the first regional foresight seminar titled "Central Asia – 2050: Charting a Course Toward Shared Prosperity and Stability", held in Tashkent on 27–28 May.

According to Rakhmatov, the region is already taking significant joint steps toward collective development. “This forum aims to launch two key initiatives: first, to explore future scenarios—distinguishing what is inevitable, what is probable, and what can be shaped through collective action; and second, to form a network of like-minded individuals—experts, public officials, and researchers—who can champion regional strategic initiatives,” he noted.

Climate change and water resource management remain among the most pressing and sensitive issues facing the region, Rakhmatov emphasized.

On economic cooperation, he highlighted vast untapped potential: “In recent years, intra-regional trade in Central Asia has more than doubled. However, it still represents just 10% of our combined potential,” he said.

Other priority areas for expert discussions at the seminar include energy, climate, water management, transport connectivity, industrial cooperation, and the development of human capital.

Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev continues to place strong emphasis on Uzbekistan’s chairmanship of the Consultative Meeting of Central Asian Heads of State. As such, this foresight seminar is intended not only to reflect on current trends but also to generate alternative, actionable strategies based on evidence, expert insights, and global best practices.

The event is organized by the Agency for Strategic Reforms in partnership with the Institute for Strategic and Interregional Studies under the President of Uzbekistan (ISMI), the International Institute for Central Asia, and Kazakhstan’s Agency for Strategic Planning and Reforms.

The forum brings together government officials, think tank experts, and academics from all five Central Asian countries to forge a shared strategic vision for the region and to establish enduring expert-level cooperation for advancing and implementing regional initiatives.