UWED Hosts International “Think Road Forum 2026”

On November 4–5, 2026, the Institute for Advanced International Studies (IAIS) at the University of World Economy and Diplomacy (UWED) hosted the international “Think Road Forum 2026”, themed “Global Transformations and Regional Dynamics: Central Asia in the Emerging International Order.”

The event brought together representatives of government institutions, international organizations, leading think tanks, and the academic community to discuss global geopolitical and economic transformations and Central Asia’s role in the contemporary international system.

The forum opened with welcoming remarks by Akram Umarov, First Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs at UWED; Maulen Ashimbayev, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Taldau AI Analytics; Renata Wrobel, Deputy Head of Mission of the Delegation of the European Union to Uzbekistan; Maria Adele Carrai, Associate Professor at the University of Oxford; and Askar Kushkunbayev, representative of CAPS Unlock. A keynote address was delivered by Javlon Vakhabov, Deputy Adviser to the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan and Director of the International Institute for Central Asia.

The first day of the forum focused on the transformation of the international order, intensifying geopolitical competition, and Central Asia’s growing strategic importance. During the panel discussions, experts examined the influence of major global powers on the region, prospects for cooperation with China, regional resilience, and the diversification of foreign policy partnerships.

Dedicated sessions organized in cooperation with the British Academy, the University of Oxford, the Mapping Global China project, and the Delegation of the European Union to Uzbekistan addressed regional integration, the development of transport corridors, trade and economic relations, and the strengthening of international partnerships.

The second day of the forum focused on sustainable development, regional identity, economic transformation, and technological innovation. The program began with a presentation by Timur Dadabaev, Vice-Rector for Research and Innovation at UWED and Professor at the University of Tsukuba, who explored regional identity and the prospects for deeper cooperation in Central Asia.

A major highlight was the launch of the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) in Uzbekistan, an initiative aimed at strengthening scientific and institutional cooperation in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals.

Subsequent discussions addressed climate change, water resource management, the transformation of regional trade, the integration of artificial intelligence into public administration, and Central Asia’s development prospects through 2030.

At the conclusion of the forum, participants emphasized the importance of strengthening regional cooperation, expanding international expert dialogue, and developing coordinated approaches to contemporary global challenges.

“Think Road Forum 2026” reaffirmed the important role of UWED and IAIS in advancing international academic cooperation and further strengthening Tashkent’s position as a platform for expert dialogue on pressing issues of regional and global development.