The First Fergana Peace Forum was held in Fergana, serving as a new regional platform for dialogue, confidence-building, and cooperation among the countries of Central Asia.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Rajabboy Ahmadzoda, Chairman of Sughd region of the Republic of Tajikistan, emphasized the symbolic significance of the chosen venue. “The Fergana Valley is not merely a shared geographical space. It is a land rich in spiritual and cultural heritage that unites the peoples of the region. Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan are bound not only by borders but also by centuries-old historical and kinship ties”, he said.

According to Mr. Ahmadzoda, the strengthening of regional relations has become possible thanks to the far-sighted policies of the leaders of the three states. A vivid confirmation of this was the Khujand Summit of the Presidents of Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan, held in March 2025.

“The treaty on the junction of state borders and the Declaration of Eternal Friendship signed in Khujand have shown the world that Central Asia is capable of resolving even the most complex issues through dialogue, trust, and mutual respect”, he emphasized.

The Chairman of Sughd region also drew attention to the practical dimension of cooperation, stressing the importance of developing joint projects, particularly in the fields of tourism and youth initiatives.

“We have enormous potential for building hotels and creating summer camps where residents of the region can communicate, exchange experiences, and strengthen mutual ties. All of this serves to foster trust and peace in practice”, he noted.

Concluding his speech, he stated that peace is not merely the absence of war – it is daily work dedicated to the development and prosperity of our peoples.

“Our duty is to turn Fergana Valley into a space of stability, good-neighborliness, and a shared future. In Sughd region, we are open to dialogue and ready to share the successful experience that has already yielded concrete results”, the expert stated.

The forum is organized by the Institute for Strategic and Regional Studies under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan (ISRS), the United Nations Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia (UNRCCA), the OSCE, the European Union, and several other international and national partners.

The event is attended by experts from leading analytical centers of the CIS, Asia, Europe, and the Americas, as well as representatives of civil society, business, academia, and youth organizations from the countries of Central Asia.

UzA