Central Asian leaders advance regional integration at Tashkent summit

The 7th Consultative Meeting of Central Asian heads of state convened Saturday in Tashkent, with presidents of Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and, for the first time as a full member, Azerbaijan attending, Euronews reported.

Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev outlined seven proposals aimed at strengthening regional cooperation, including the development of a 2035 regional trade program, creation of a common investment space, coordinated work on major transport corridors such as the China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan railway and the Trans-Afghan route, and the adoption of a regional security concept. He also suggested formalizing the current consultative meetings into a new organization, the «Community of Central Asia.»

While other leaders have not yet publicly responded to the proposal, all Central Asian states have recently shown interest in deeper integration, reflected in reopened borders, resolved disputes and rising regional trade, which Mirziyoyev said reached $10.7 billion.

Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev emphasized the country’s growing political, economic and cultural ties with the region, citing Baku’s expanding role in connectivity projects such as the Middle Corridor, the Digital Silk Road and the Caspian energy routes.

Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev called for coordinated action on water management, transport connectivity and economic development. He proposed a regional water-use convention, a unified cargo-tracking system and a comprehensive transport strategy, while highlighting cooperation in sectors including rare earth elements, AI and tourism.

The summit concluded with a joint statement outlining shared priorities, Azerbaijan’s formal accession, support for Kyrgyzstan’s bid for a seat on the UN Security Council for 2027 to 2028, and approval of a regional security concept and a catalogue of risks for the period from 2026 to 2028.

Another sign of deepening partnership in Central Asia is the strengthening of bilateral relations between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, the region’s two largest economies. During the state visit of Tokayev to Tashkent from Nov. 14 to 16, the two sides signed agreements covering joint industrial, petrochemical, construction, financial, logistics and tourism projects worth $1.2 billion.