Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- At the Central Asian Media Forum, Director of the Institute for Strategic and International Studies under the President of Uzbekistan (ISMI) Eldor Aripov spoke about the importance of regional identity. The speaker called on every person in Central Asia to feel not only a part of their country, but also a part of a common region - the region of Central Asia.

“The initiative of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to hold the Central Asian Media Forum is very important, in demand and relevant. I hope that this event will not be a one-time event, that it will be regular, and we will be able to meet regularly as a Central Asian family and discuss the most pressing issues that concern our region.

One of our most important tasks is to form the fundamental foundations of regional identity in Central Asia. We won’t solve it without joining forces, first of all, in the field of media, the director of ISMI said at the forum.

Eldor Aripov noted that expanding cooperation based on common cultural values and traditions is much more effective.

“There are very interesting studies conducted by a number of European scientists who know little about Central Asia, but who understand the objective laws of social development very well. They conducted empirical research and came to the conclusion that countries that share common cultural values and traditions are much more effective in interaction, in cooperation and in the field of trade, and in economic relations, in investments. Why is this happening? There is only one reason - the trust factor. The trust factor is very important. Who will we trust first? First of all, those whom we know very well, understand. Therefore, regional identity is very important. It is important that each of us in Central Asia begin to feel not only a part of his country, but also a part of a common region - the region of Central Asia,” the speaker noted.

The ISMI representative emphasized that the President of Uzbekistan proposed an interesting formula for this approach.

"He proposed the slogan: ‘Central Asia - one past - a common future’." We have a really powerful cultural heritage and history. However, our future is also inextricably linked. Our future will depend on our ability to come together in the face of common challenges and challenges. Most of them you cannot solve alone.

On 20-21 December, Astana is hosting the Central Asian Media Forum. It is attended by over 300 politicians, representatives of government agencies, the media community, business, scientists and experts from Central Asian countries, as well as international organizations.

State Counselor of the Republic of Kazakhstan Yerlan Karin, Secretary of State of the Kyrgyz Republic Suyunbek Kasmambetov, ex-President of Turkey Abdulla Gul, Secretary General of the UTC Kubanychbek Omuraliev and CICA Kairat Sarybai are among the high-level participants.

Within two days, experts will discuss issues of regional and global cooperation in the field of information security, the development of new media opportunities in Central Asia.