Experts discuss the future of the Central Asia – Afghanistan Consultative Dialogue

A roundtable discussion on the future of the Central Asia – Afghanistan Consultative Dialogue and its role in strengthening bilateral and regional cooperation was held at the International Institute for Central Asia (IICA) in Tashkent.

The event was organized by the Center for Strategic Studies under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Afghanistan.

Representatives of the Embassy of Afghanistan in Uzbekistan, think tanks from both countries, and leading experts took part in the discussions.

IICA Director Javlon Vakhabov congratulated the Afghan side on holding the first consultative dialogue in Kabul and emphasized the event’s importance for building constructive, pragmatic cooperation between Afghanistan and the Central Asian states. He stressed that the interaction of think tanks, which can not only support the political dialogue with expert input but also develop practical proposals for promising areas of partnership, plays a key role in advancing cooperation.

Director of the Center for Strategic Studies of Afghanistan, Dr. Abdul Hai Qanit, noted President Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s contribution to the intensification of regional cooperation and to the economic-oriented approach initiated by Tashkent, which gave new impetus to cooperation and helped shape a more pragmatic agenda for cooperation with Afghanistan.

Following the event, the parties confirmed their interest in expanding cooperation, strengthening expert dialogue, and implementing joint initiatives.

Aziza Alimova, UzA