The Termez Dialogue: Bridging Central and South Asia Through Afghan Connectivity An Interpretive Analysis of Regional Cooperation and Security Concerns In the ancient Uzbek city of Termez, where the Silk Road once thrived and civilizations converged for millennia, a new chapter in regional diplomacy is unfolding. The Termez Dialogue, launched from May 19 to 21, 2025, … [Read more...]
Authentic Outcomes of Neutrality Conference in Ashgabat – Part Three
The Conversation Heard Around the World: What Ashgabat Promises Generation Beta Tariq Saeedi and Elvira Kadyrova As the final echoes of speeches faded in Ashgabat on December 12, 2025, what lingered was not merely diplomatic courtesy but something far more significant: the dawning recognition that active, dynamic neutrality is not a relic of 20th-century idealism but a … [Read more...]
Authentic Outcomes of Neutrality Conference in Ashgabat – Part Two
Turkmenistan's Neutrality as a Catalyst for Regional and Global Integration Tariq Saeedi and Elvira Kadyrova The Neutrality Advantage: A Unique Convening Power Turkmenistan's 30-year commitment to permanent neutrality, internationally recognized by the UN in 1995, 2015, and 2025, has created a distinctive diplomatic asset: the ability to bring together nations that … [Read more...]
Rising Heat, Rising Risk: Regional Policy Actions
Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Secretary of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) 2024 was the hottest on record globally. In Asia and the Pacific, Bangladesh was the worst-hit country, with about 33 million people affected by lower crop yields that destabilized food systems, along with … [Read more...]
Termez Dialogue 2025: Fostering Connectivity Between Central and South Asia
Executive Summary The Termez Dialogue, held from May 19 to 21, 2025, in Termez, Uzbekistan, convened approximately 200 delegates from over 20 countries to enhance economic, cultural, and security ties between Central and South Asia. Organized by Uzbekistan’s Institute for Strategic and Interregional Studies, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Chamber of Commerce and … [Read more...]
Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan Launch 500 kV Datka–Sugd Power Line Under CASA-1000 Project
On 31 March 2025, President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov and President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon participated in the launch ceremony of the 500 kV Datka–Sughd power transmission line, a key component of the CASA-1000 international energy project. The event was held via videoconference from the city of Khujand. As part of the project, a new energy infrastructure was … [Read more...]
Speech of the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov at the International Conference “International Year of Peace and Trust: the role of interregional cooperation in ensuring sustainable development”
Here is slightly paraphrased translation of the speech by National Leader of Turkmenistan Arkadag Berdimuhamedov as given by Turkmen State News Agency TDH: Dear conference participants! I would like to thank you for participating in this forum and wish you a successful forum! Representatives of foreign countries, international organizations and large companies gathered … [Read more...]
Russia will transport gas to Iran through Azerbaijan, though the price remains undetermined
Russia and Iran have agreed to transport Russian gas to Iran through Azerbaijan. While the route has been set, negotiations on the supply cost are ongoing. This was announced by Russian Energy Minister Sergei Tsivilev following the summit talks between the Presidents of Russia and Iran at the Kremlin on 17 January. "The route through Azerbaijan has been agreed upon," … [Read more...]
Central Asia and Pakistan strive to improve transport and logistics links
Elvira Kadyrova This week, the authorities of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan discussed with Pakistan issues of transport connectivity within the framework of joint corridors that aim to connect South Asia with Central Asia, with access beyond the region. On Wednesday, 12 July, President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Prime Minister of Pakistan Shahbaz Sharif paid special … [Read more...]
Strengthening interregional cooperation and connectivity can improve the conditions for the development of the regions of Central and South Asia – the vision of Uzbek experts
With a total population of 1.9 billion (a quarter of the world) and a GDP of US $3.5 trillion, South Asia is the fastest growing region in the world (up to 7.5% per year). Today, its contribution to global economic growth is 15%, by 2040 it may exceed 30%. While maintaining the outpacing dynamics of economic development, South Asia may become the new locomotive of the global … [Read more...]
Uzbekistan explores road transit through Afghanistan as a gateway to South Asia
Uzbekistan is actively working on issues of establishing transport connectivity with South Asia in order to overcome landlockedness and access to open oceans. In particular, Tashkent is exploring the possibilities of using the transit potential of Afghanistan to access Pakistan and the ports of the Indian Ocean. This is evident from the trip undertaken on 26-27 August … [Read more...]
International conference on the possibilities of comprehensive connectivity between Central and South Asia: Outcomes
Elvira Kadyrova On 15-16 July 2021, Tashkent hosted a high-level International Conference "Central and South Asia: Regional Connectivity. Challenges and Opportunities". The forum, initiated by Uzbekistan, brought together high-ranking officials from 40 countries, as well as delegations of major partner international organizations and financial institutions. The key speakers … [Read more...]
Tashkent to host a conference on cooperation between Central and South Asia
Ravilya Kadyrova On 15-16 July 2021, an international conference "Central and South Asia: Regional Connectivity. Challenges and opportunities" will be held in Tashkent. The conference will be attended by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, President of Afghanistan Ashraf Ghani, Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan, Foreign Ministers of Russia, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, … [Read more...]
Uzbekistan Center for Economic Research analyzed the trade potential for Central and South Asia
Elvira Kadyrova In 2020, the total trade turnover between the Central Asian and South Asian countries amounted to US$4.4 billion. The assessments came from the Uzbek Center for Economic Research and Reforms (CERR). The largest stakes in the mutual trade belong to Kazakhstan (52.8%), Uzbekistan (31.2%) and Turkmenistan (10.4%), said Obid Khakimov, Director of the CERR, at … [Read more...]