Eldor Aripov: Good-Neighborly Ideas Must Shape Youth Outlook

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — Today, the international youth seminar "Cross-Border Young Peacemakers Initiative" began its work at Ferghana State University. The event brought together young leaders, representatives of government bodies, international organizations, and civil society institutions from Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.

The opening ceremony was addressed by the Director of the Institute for Strategic and Interregional Studies under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan (ISIRS) Eldor Aripov, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Central Asia and Head of the UN Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia (UNRCCA) Kaha Imnadze, Special Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office for Dialogue and Confidence-Building Serge Rumin, OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan Antti Karttunen, UN Resident Coordinator in Uzbekistan Sabine Machl, Khokim of Ferghana Region Khayrullo Bozarov, and Director of the Youth Affairs Agency and Senator Alisher Sadullaev.

In his opening speech, Eldor Aripov emphasized the special significance of the seminar as the first practical event implemented under the auspices of the Ferghana Peace Forum.

He recalled that the Ferghana Peace Forum, initiated by the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, was created as a new regional platform to strengthen dialogue, trust, and cooperation between the countries of the Ferghana Valley. Its first meeting took place in October last year and became an important milestone in regional interaction, confirming the shared demand for the formation of sustainable cooperation mechanisms in the region.

According to the ISIRS director, it is symbolic that a youth initiative was chosen as the first event under the auspices of the Ferghana Peace Forum. This reflects the understanding that a lasting peace is created not only by the efforts of states and international organizations. Its durability depends on the extent to which the ideas of good-neighborliness, mutual respect, and cooperation become part of the worldview of the new generation. "It is then that peace ceases to be a political declaration and becomes a reality," he stated.

Aripov emphasized that the Ferghana Valley has become clear proof of the ongoing changes. Until quite recently, the region was associated with closed borders, limited contacts, and mutual distrust. Today, residents enjoy the benefits of open borders, trade growth, and the expansion of humanitarian contacts. What was recently perceived as a source of tension is gradually turning into a space of new opportunities.

As the head of ISIRS noted, the achieved results became possible thanks to the political will, strategic vision, and pragmatic leadership of the heads of state of Central Asia. At the heart of these changes lies a new philosophy of regional cooperation, in which priority is given to partnership and joint development.

In this context, he noted that the signing of the Declaration on Eternal Friendship and the Agreement on the Junction Point of State Borders in Khujand in March last year became a historical milestone that finally consolidated the era of good-neighborliness between Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan.

At the same time, the expert stated that the new philosophy of regional cooperation is gaining recognition at the global level as well. A vivid confirmation of this is the adoption this May by the UN General Assembly of the resolution "Strengthening regional cooperation and economic integration to ensure sustainable development in the Central Asian region," which was initiated by Uzbekistan. No less important was the UN resolution "Peaceful resolution of border disputes," presented by Kyrgyzstan together with Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.

Aripov drew attention to the fact that both resolutions are united by a common idea: peace and development in Central Asia must be built through cooperation. According to him, today this approach is no longer limited to political declarations but finds practical embodiment in concrete agreements, joint projects, and new opportunities for millions of residents of the region.

"Therefore, Central Asia is increasingly viewed as an example of how trust, political will, and good-neighborliness are capable of transforming the complex legacy of the past into the foundation of a shared future," the ISIRS director stated.

The international youth seminar "Cross-Border Young Peacemakers Initiative" will last until 25 July 2026. The organizers are ISIRS, the Youth Affairs Agency of the Republic of Uzbekistan, and the Khokimiyat of Ferghana Region.

The event is held in partnership with the UN Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia and the Office of the OSCE Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan, which emphasizes its international character and institutional support.