Participants of the roundtable discussion “Central Asia: Global Trends and Regional Agenda”, which took place at the International Institute for Central Asia – more than 30 leading national and international experts from public and political circles, think tanks, and research institutions expressed their views on the prospects for developing regional cooperation in the context of the Presidential Election in Uzbekistan, its influence on regional processes and interaction in solving problems on the global agenda.

Denis Berdakov, Head of the Elchi Institute of Socio-Political Research (Kyrgyzstan):

– It is worth noting that the results of the Uzbekistan Presidential Election opened a new era in developing regional cooperation. Today, Uzbekistan, without exaggeration, is the inner ring of regional processes and the new “Asian Tiger” in Central Asia.

The results of the productive regional policy of the country in recent years have set a positive trend, and economic development and the creation of new jobs have become the best tool in the fight against negative phenomena.

Central Asia has received a unique chance once in a thousand years. The Silk Road 2.0 stage is about to begin and must be used effectively.

Guzel Maitdinova, Director of the Center of Geopolitical Studies of Russian-Tajik (Slavic) University:

– The people of Uzbekistan made their choice for stability, further reforms, and the implementation of the country’s development strategy, and neighboring countries supported the choice of a fraternal country, because stable regional development is significant for us.

Uzbekistan is certainly a link in Central Asia, a center of stability in the region.

We must complement our economies and work together to find opportunities for further development.

Stanislav Pritchin, Senior Research Fellow at the Centre for Post-Soviet Studies IMEMO RAS:

– The situation in the Aral Sea region looks to be improving thanks to the comprehensive measures taken for socio-economic development. In the energy sector, the Central Asian countries will have to develop a joint program.

Water management in the region is a multilateral issue that should be addressed through mutually respectful dialogue.

Sherzod Fayziyev, Deputy Director of the International Institute for Central Asia:

– Thanks to the initiatives of the President, Uzbekistan has acquired an important role in the transformation of Central Asia, creating a favorable political atmosphere and stimulating economic activity.

Now our countries need to pay special attention to issues of joint work on developing and implementing long-term strategic projects in trade, investment, transport, ecology, and human potential.

Against the background of these tasks, the re-election of Shavkat Mirziyoyev is a new stage in further developing and strengthening the region. And the political will of the leaders of neighboring countries and the advantages of the current level of cooperation are important conditions for deepening the process of rapprochement. After all, the Central Asian states have a huge potential for development and prosperity.

Gayrat Khonnazarov, UzA