Central Asian leaders back creation of “Central Asia Community”
Leaders of Central Asia and Azerbaijan endorsed major regional integration initiatives at the Seventh Consultative Meeting in Tashkent
TASHKENT, Uzbekistan (MNTV) — Leaders of Central Asia and Azerbaijan endorsed major regional integration initiatives at the Seventh Consultative Meeting in Tashkent, where Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev proposed transforming the platform into a strategic “Central Asia Community.”
The summit included presidents of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Azerbaijan, along with the head of the UN Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia, Kaha Imnadze.
Mirziyoyev highlighted progress through dialogue, noting border disputes resolved, checkpoints reopened, and cooperation restored on water, energy, trade, and transport. Intra-regional trade reached $10.7 billion in 2024, with investment inflows up 17%.
Azerbaijan was admitted as a full member, strengthening the region’s international influence. Leaders approved a rotating secretariat, a Council of Elders, and a regional security strategy, with emphasis on counterterrorism, extremism, transnational crime, and Afghanistan’s integration into energy and transport projects.
Mirziyoyev called climate vulnerability urgent, proposing 2026–2036 as a decade of action for efficient water use and establishing a regional competence center for water management.
Ahead of the summit, trade ministers agreed to launch a unified “Made in Central Asia” brand and raise intra-regional trade to $20 billion, including a digital producer catalog, single-window customs, and an investment forum in Samarkand in 2026.
Key agreements included supporting Kyrgyzstan’s UN Security Council bid, granting Azerbaijan full membership, and adopting a Catalogue of Threats for 2026–2028. Mirziyoyev concluded: “Our strength lies in unity, and our path to success is through friendship and cooperation.” Turkmenistan will chair the next meeting in 2026.
Have Your Say!
Have you been affected by the issues raised in this story? Please share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@soundvision.com.
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a Muslim Network TV’s representative. You can also get in touch in the following ways:
Tweet: @MuslimNetworkTV
We must take charge of our narrative. Research indicates that 92% of their Muslim coverage is negative. Help us change that.
