The annual EU Central Asia Civil Society Forum involving about 100 representatives of civil society from Central Asia and the European Union took place in Tashkent on 10 March 2023.

The discussion focused on the implementation of the EU Strategy on Central Asia. The event was commenced by the European Union Special Representative for Central Asia Terhi Hakala, Deputy Minister of Justice of Uzbekistan Alisher Karimov and the EU Ambassador to Uzbekistan Charlotte Adriaen.

In her opening remarks, Ambassador Adriaen emphasized that the “EU will continue promoting an enabling environment allowing the civil society organizations to fulfill their functions as well as further support a meaningful and structured role for the CSOs in policy-making and strengthen CSOs capacity to function as independent players”.

It was noted that this conference is aimed at intensifying the dialogue between the European Union and Central Asia, enriching cooperation with practical programs and projects, forming an open and effective interregional communication system, deepening multilateral partnership.

The forum explored the ways to complement the EU’s Global Gateway Strategy building on the outcomes of the Samarkand Connectivity Conference, which took place on 18 November 2022. 

The participants discussed how civil society could contribute to the development and implementation of the connectivity agenda, with a special focus on women, gender equality, and youth.

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Bekhruz Khudoyberdiyev, photos by Davron Ernazarov, UzA