The Seventh Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asia, held on November 16 in Uzbekistan, started a new chapter in the region’s modern diplomatic history. What began as a platform for dialogue among five neighboring nations has now taken a major step forward with the admission of Azerbaijan as a full participant.
President Shavkat Mirziyoyev opened the summit with a message that captured the mood in Tashkent: a sense that the region is not just addressing past challenges but redefining its future. He called the day “historic” and welcomed Azerbaijan’s accession as a step fully aligned with shared history, deep cultural ties, and the growing geopolitical logic linking Central Asia and the South Caucasus. As he put it, this decision “builds a strong bridge” that strengthens the strategic resilience of both regions.
Central Asia’s regional processes have accelerated rapidly in recent years, and the summit offered a comprehensive reflection of that progress. Issues once considered intractable, such as territorial disputes, closed borders, and fragmented political coordination, are now solved. Borders have reopened, water and energy partnerships have been rebuilt, transport links revived, and the environment for trade and investment significantly improved.
Data presented at the summit demonstrated this momentum:
- Mutual trade within the region reached $10.7 billion in 2024
- Total investment across Central Asia increased by 17 percent.
- Joint measures continue to strengthen security cooperation, counter extremism, and manage cross-border threats.
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Uzbekistan, chairing the format this year, organized more than 20 major events, including the launch of the Interregional Cooperation Forum and high-level meetings in fields ranging from defense and agriculture to culture, ecology, and women’s leadership.
A central theme of President Mirziyoyev’s address was the need to prepare the region for the next 10–20 years. In a world marked by geopolitical uncertainty, he argued, Central Asia can thrive only through unity, coordinated action, and strengthened institutions.
Among the most notable proposals was the transformation of the current consultative format into a strategic “Central Asian Community.” This would include a rotating Secretariat, elevated presidential representatives, and even a Council of Elders, a body rooted in regional traditions of public diplomacy and intergenerational wisdom.
Economic integration was another key pillar. The Uzbek President called for:
- A Comprehensive Regional Program on Trade and Economic Cooperation through 2035
- A Declaration on a Common Investment Area
- A Joint Action Program for E-Commerce, tapping into a market projected to reach $150 billion in the next decade
- Removal of customs and administrative barriers to allow trade to grow by 1.5 to 2 times
Infrastructure development remains central to regional ambitions. Landmark transport projects such as the China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan railway, the Trans-Afghan corridor, and expanded Trans-Caspian routes are expected to redefine connectivity between Asia and Europe. Uzbekistan proposed establishing a Council for Infrastructure Development to coordinate this work.
The leaders adopted major documents, including the Concept of Regional Security and Stability and a Catalogue of Risks and Threats for 2026–2028. Afghanistan, given its immediate impact on regional stability, featured prominently in discussions, with Uzbekistan stressing the need to integrate the country into infrastructure and energy projects.
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Environmental challenges, especially climate change and water scarcity, also received unprecedented attention. Uzbekistan proposed declaring 2026–2036 the Decade of Practical Action for Rational Water Use and introduced the idea of involving Afghanistan in joint water management of the Amu Darya basin. A Regional Competence Center in Water Management, based in Tashkent, is also being established.
Beyond politics and economics, the leaders focused on cultural and intellectual ties, areas where Central Asia has a shared civilizational legacy. On the eve of the summit, the presidents toured the Center for Islamic Civilization in Tashkent, home to priceless manuscripts including the historic Mushaf of Uthman. They also took part in the first International Congress on Spiritual Heritage and Enlightenment, which Uzbekistan proposes to make an annual event.
Further, Uzbekistan is advancing a UN General Assembly resolution honoring the contributions of Central Asian scholars to global civilization and has proposed creating a Scientific Research Fund to support regional academic cooperation and innovation, including in artificial intelligence.
As the summit concluded, leaders adopted a joint statement and several key documents, while Turkmenistan was confirmed to chair the format in 2026, now expanded to “Central Asia and Azerbaijan.”
The overarching message from the summit was clear: Central Asia is no longer a region defined by fragmentation, but by partnership. Azerbaijan’s accession gives this format a new geopolitical depth, linking two strategically important regions. And Uzbekistan’s active diplomacy continues to play an important role in pulling the region toward unity, modernization, and shared prosperity.
In the words of President Mirziyoyev, “Our strength lies in unity, and our path to success lies in friendship and cooperation.”
Nuzhat Rana is the Managing Editor (website) at The Diplomatic Insight.
