Rajabboy Ahmadzoda: Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan United Not Only by Borders but by Deep Historical Ties

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — The First Ferghana Peace Forum opened today in Ferghana, establishing a new regional platform for dialogue, trust-building, and cooperation among Central Asian countries.

At the forum’s opening, Rajabboy Ahmadzoda, Governor of the Sughd Region of Tajikistan, highlighted the symbolic importance of the location.

"The Ferghana Valley is more than a shared geographic space. It is a land rich in spiritual and cultural heritage, connecting the peoples of the region. Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan are united not only by borders but also by centuries-old historical and familial ties," he said.

Ahmadzoda noted that strengthening regional relations has been made possible through the visionary policies of the leaders of the three countries. He cited the Khujand Summit of the Presidents of Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan in March 2025 as a clear example.

"The agreements signed in Khujand on the delineation of state borders and the declaration of eternal friendship showed the world that Central Asia can resolve even the most complex issues through dialogue, trust, and mutual respect," he emphasized.

The governor also stressed the practical dimension of cooperation, highlighting the development of joint projects, particularly in tourism and youth initiatives.

"We have immense potential to build hotels and establish summer camps where regional residents can meet, exchange experiences, and strengthen ties. This is how trust and peace are built in practice," he said.

Concluding his remarks, Ahmadzoda stated that peace is not merely the absence of war but a daily effort toward the development and prosperity of peoples.

"Our duty is to transform the Ferghana Valley into a space of stability, neighborly relations, and shared future. In Sughd Region, we are open to dialogue and ready to share successful experiences that have already yielded concrete results," he added.

The forum is organized by the Institute for Strategic and Interregional Studies under the President of Uzbekistan (ISMI), the UN Regional Center for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia, OSCE, EU, and several international and national partners. Experts from leading analytical centers across the CIS, Asia, Europe, and the Americas, as well as representatives from civil society, business, academia, and youth activists from Central Asia, are participating in the event.