UWED Professor Participates in Talk Show on Regional Cooperation

Dr. K. Juraev, a professor at UWED and Doctor of Political Sciences, appeared on a talk show on the “O‘zbekiston-24” TV channel focusing on cooperation processes in Central Asia.

According to the experts on the program, regional cooperation in Central Asia has reached a qualitatively new level in recent years. In particular, the open and pragmatic foreign policy and the initiative to strengthen good-neighborly relations—advanced by the President of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, since 2016—have been instrumental in fostering an atmosphere of mutual trust and solidarity across the region.

The Consultative Meetings of the Heads of State of Central Asia, launched in 2018, have evolved into an effective mechanism for regional dialogue. Through this format, several border disputes have been resolved, transport links restored, and trade, economic, investment, and humanitarian ties expanded. Most importantly, a new political mindset has taken root—one focused on resolving regional issues through mutual dialogue and consensus, without outside mediation.

Today, the tangible results of regional cooperation are clearly visible in the economic, energy, transport, and security sectors. Notably, the signing of the Treaty on the Tri-Border Junction Point and the Khujand Declaration by Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan in March 2025 was of historic significance. Collaboration on the joint use of water and energy resources, the Kambarata HPP-1 project, industrial cooperation, and cross-border trade is opening up new opportunities. Furthermore, the "Central Asia - 2040" concept has outlined the region's long-term development priorities.

Meanwhile, Azerbaijan's inclusion as a full-fledged participant in the Consultative Meetings format starting in 2025 opens new prospects for creating a unified economic, transport, and logistics space linking Central Asia and the South Caucasus.

At the same time, regional cooperation faces pressing challenges, including climate change, water scarcity, energy and food security, and ensuring stability in Afghanistan. Developing the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway, the Trans-Afghan transport corridor, and the Trans-Caspian routes will help expand the region's international economic ties.

 

In this context, further institutionalizing cooperation among Central Asian states, coordinating foreign policy approaches based on shared interests, and deepening economic interdependence are becoming increasingly vital.

Today, Central Asia is emerging not merely as a geographical concept, but as a space for regional cooperation united by common goals, shared interests, and a collective responsibility for the future. The success of this process depends, above all, on how steadfastly the states uphold the principles of mutual trust, equality, and good neighborliness.