Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — On the eve of the inaugural Termez Dialogue on Central and South Asian Connectivity, set to begin on 19 May under the theme “Building a Shared Space of Peace, Friendship and Prosperity”, Muhammad Sulaiman bin Shah, head of the consulting company Catalyst, shared his perspective on the significance of the upcoming forum.

According to bin Shah, at a time when geopolitical fragmentation and supply chain uncertainties are increasingly pronounced, the event offers a unique platform for interregional coordination between Central and South Asia, turning abstract connectivity debates into concrete strategies.

Expanding on this idea, he stressed that “trust, connectivity, and cooperation are fundamental to regional resilience.” Central and South Asia complement each other demographically, economically, and geographically. Coordinated engagement enhances strategic autonomy, shields against external shocks, and fosters sustainable growth.

In this context, Termez’s strategic location at the crossroads of Eurasia makes it not only an ideal venue for the dialogue but also a place capable of offering tangible solutions and a renewed vision for interregional relations.

Bin Shah noted that positive trends in Central Asia — such as growing regional cooperation and mutual trust — have created favorable conditions for deeper engagement with South Asia. “The region’s shift from competition to cooperation has injected momentum into interregional initiatives. This cohesion builds confidence and lowers barriers for joint projects that benefit both sides,” the Afghan expert emphasized.

He highlighted Uzbekistan’s leading role in this transformation: “Tashkent is steadily moving from conceptual frameworks to practical action, showing diplomatic leadership and firm commitment to regional development.”

When discussing real-world connectivity between Central and South Asia, Sulaiman bin Shah pointed to projects such as CASA-1000, TAPI, and the Trans-Afghan Corridor, describing them as more than just infrastructure: “They are platforms for building regional trust.”

He also underscored Afghanistan’s pivotal role in strengthening interregional ties: “The country sits at the geographic heart of the region. No regional connectivity initiative can succeed without its participation,” he concluded.

The inaugural Termez Dialogue is organized by the Institute for Strategic and Interregional Studies under the President of Uzbekistan, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan, and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Uzbekistan.

The international forum will gather around 200 participants from Central and South Asia, Europe, the CIS, Asia-Pacific, the Americas, and the Middle East, including political and economic figures, business leaders, financial institutions, international organizations, and prominent experts from leading think tanks and research institutions.