Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — A shared historical and cultural heritage, experience of cooperation and a common vision of the future should form the foundation of Central Asia’s regional identity, Azamat Sulimanov, head of a department at the Institute for Strategic and Regional Studies (ISRS), said at an international forum in Tashkent.
The Think Road Forum 2026, titled “Global Transformation and Regional Dynamics: Central Asia in the Emerging International Order”, is being held on 4–5 November at the University of World Economy and Diplomacy.
The forum brought together politicians, diplomats, heads and experts from leading analytical centres, and representatives of universities and research institutions from Central Asia, Russia, China, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, Hungary, Australia and other countries.
Participants in the discussions included representatives of the University of Oxford, the Institute of World Economy and International Relations of the Russian Academy of Sciences (IMEMO), the US-based Center for the National Interest, the Shanghai Institutes for International Studies, the European University Institute, the European Union, the OECD, the Asian Development Bank and United Nations organisations.
The agenda covered regional security, trade and economic cooperation, transport connectivity, Central Asia’s relations with major global powers, climate and water and energy issues, digitalisation and artificial intelligence.
One of the key conclusions was that, amid growing global uncertainty and intensifying geopolitical and geo-economic competition, regions are becoming increasingly important as independent spaces for sustainable development. Regions capable of strengthening internal stability, building cooperation and jointly responding to shared risks can turn interdependence into a source of development.
In this context, Central Asia is increasingly seen as an example of responsible regional cooperation. In recent years, countries in the region have strengthened mutual trust, resolved many longstanding disagreements, expanded political dialogue and moved towards joint efforts on trade, transport, water, energy, the environment and security.
As a result, the region is gradually becoming a space for shared development, where the stability of each country is increasingly linked to the well-being of its neighbours.
Sulimanov developed this argument in his presentation at the thematic session “Strengthening Resilience through Regional Cooperation”, organised jointly with the Delegation of the European Union to Uzbekistan.
In his presentation, titled “Central Asian Regional Identity: From Shared Heritage to a Common Future”, he said regional rapprochement was taking on a qualitatively new dimension.
He noted that stronger good-neighbourly relations, expanding trade, economic, transport and humanitarian ties, and more active political dialogue were creating an increasingly stable regional environment based on shared interests and long-term goals.
“Today, it is important to move beyond discussing mechanisms of cooperation and address a more fundamental question: what unites us, what kind of common future do we envision for the region, and how can we ensure that the political rapprochement already achieved has a stronger social foundation?” Sulimanov said.
The ISRS representative described the development of a regional identity as one of the key factors shaping Central Asia’s future.
He said regional identity should not be viewed solely as a response to changes in the external environment or as a tool for strengthening the region’s resilience to external challenges. Its significance is much broader: it can help unlock Central Asia’s internal potential, mobilise its resources and unite the efforts of governments and societies in addressing common development challenges.
Amid the transformation of the international order and growing competition among major powers, regions also need to be able to define their own long-term priorities, strengthen internal cohesion and develop coordinated responses to shared challenges.
Regional identity therefore serves both as a resource for internal development and as a factor in external resilience, strengthening Central Asia’s agency and its ability to shape its own future agenda.
According to Sulimanov, this identity rests on three interconnected elements: shared historical and cultural heritage, accumulated experience of modern cooperation and a common vision for the region’s future.
He also stressed the importance of determining who should shape regional identity and how this process should be carried out.
The process, he said, should be driven primarily by the countries and societies of Central Asia, while taking into account national interests, historical experience, cultural diversity and public aspirations.
“Regional identity cannot be imposed from outside or built according to a ready-made universal model. Its substance must be shaped by the countries of the region themselves through dialogue among governments, expert and academic communities, civil society and young people,” he said.
At the same time, this does not mean isolating the region from international experience. Studying different models of regional cooperation can provide useful lessons while allowing Central Asian countries to preserve their distinct characteristics and freedom of choice.
The process should focus on developing an independent vision of Central Asia’s shared future, based on mutual respect, trust, good-neighbourly relations and an understanding of common interests.
Sulimanov emphasised that regional identity should not replace national identity. Rather, a shared sense of belonging to Central Asia and responsibility for its future can complement national identities and strengthen trust and solidarity among the region’s peoples.
He also highlighted work by ISRS, together with the international PeaceNexus Foundation, to develop a Concept for the Formation and Strengthening of Central Asian Regional Identity.
According to Sulimanov, a preliminary draft has been prepared and discussed by experts in Tashkent, Ferghana and Bishkek.
The initiative is not intended to create a new supranational structure, but rather to recognise existing historical and cultural ties, strengthen a sense of shared belonging and establish a stronger social foundation for regional cooperation.
Sulimanov identified several practical areas for further work, including expanding youth and educational exchanges, developing direct contacts between border regions, engaging women, professional communities and civil society institutions, and building a common information space.
He said particular importance should be attached to turning the concept into a joint intellectual product of all Central Asian countries, reflecting their shared interests, national priorities and the long-term aspirations of the region’s peoples.
In conclusion, the ISRS representative said strengthening regional identity could provide a firmer foundation for unlocking Central Asia’s potential.
“Such an identity will not make our countries the same. It will enable them to preserve their distinctiveness and independence while developing with greater confidence, cooperating more effectively, pooling their capabilities to address common challenges and shaping the future of Central Asia together,” he said.
