Over the past 34 years of independence after the breakup of the Soviet Union, Central Asia has faced problems that require joint efforts for their solution. These include water and energy shortages, access to the sea and international transport routes, environmental risks, and instability in Afghanistan. In recent years, however, Central Asian countries have strengthened their cooperation in trade, transport, energy and water management.
According to Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, the relations between the five Central Asian states have reached the level of in-depth strategic partnership and alliance.
In his August 2024 article, entitled “Renaissance of Central Asia: Towards Sustainable Development and Prosperity,” Tokayev wrote that “the time has come to position Central Asia not only as a link between Asia and Europe, but also as a separate regional actor in international relations, capable of becoming a new center of global gravity,” adding that the region has the opportunity to become one of the most important transport-logistic and transit hubs on the planet.
Tokayev’s words are echoed by Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. Speaking at the 80th session of the UN General Assembly in New York last month, the Uzbek leader declared that Central Asia has been transformed into a region of peace, good neighborliness and partnership. “The era of closed borders, unresolved disputes and conflicts is in the past,” said Mirziyoyev. “As of now, we have started the process of forming the New Central Asia. Our region, thanks to its unity, stability and distinct identity, is steadily securing a stronger position in the system of international relations as an independent actor.”
Water and energy cooperation
Water remains one of the most sensitive issues in relations between Central Asian countries. To resolve the issue, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan have applied the “water for energy” model.
During this year’s irrigation season, Kyrgyzstan committed to supply over 600 million cubic meters of water to Kazakhstan via the transboundary Shu and Talas rivers, which flow from Kyrgyzstan. This water irrigates farmland in the Zhambyl region in south Kazakhstan. Kazakhstan’s agriculture, especially in its arid southern regions, relies heavily on irrigation water from upstream Kyrgyzstan.
In an example of regional cooperation, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan recently signed an agreement on coordinated water and energy management during the upcoming winter period. Under the agreement, Kyrgyzstan will release water from the reservoir of the Toktogul Hydroelectric Power Plant (HPP) for irrigation needs in downstream Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, while receiving electricity supplies from both countries through spring 2026.
The Toktogul HPP is Kyrgyzstan’s largest energy facility, generating approximately 40% of the country’s electricity. The HPP serves a dual purpose by generating electricity for domestic use and regulating water flows for agriculture in neighboring states. In winter, higher hydropower output to meet domestic electricity consumption demand often lowers the reservoir’s water levels, threatening irrigation supplies to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan in spring. The trilateral agreement is intended to reduce this risk by enabling Kyrgyzstan to conserve water while ensuring essential electricity imports during peak consumption periods.
Another example of enhanced regional cooperation in Central Asia regarding water and energy resource management is the construction of the Kambarata-1 Hydropower Plant (HPP), an ambitious regional initiative being jointly undertaken by Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan.
The Kambarata-1 HPP is expected to become the largest hydropower facility in Kyrgyzstan. With a projected capacity of 1,860 megawatts and average annual generation of 5.6 billion kilowatt-hours, the $4 billion project is seen as a critical step in alleviating chronic electricity shortages in the country.
Transport corridors
To effectively use the transit and logistics potential of the region, Central Asian countries work on the formation of new transportation corridors.
Central Asia has turned into a key transit hub for China, sitting at the crossroads of major trade and transport corridors connecting East and West, as well as North and South. Currently, over 80% of overland cargo traffic from China to Europe passes through Kazakhstan.
Kazakhstan, together with its partners, is actively developing the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR), also known as the Middle Corridor, a strategic Eurasian trade link connecting China, Central Asia, and Europe.
In the first half of 2025, cargo transportation along the TITR reached 2.3 million tons, 7% more than in the same period in 2024, according to the Kazakh Ministry of Transport.
Over the past five years, freight volumes along the route has increased six-fold, from 0.8 million tons in 2020 to 4.5 million tons in 2024. Last year alone, the volume of transportation surged by 62%, and rail container transportation grew 2.7 times. Projections suggest that freight volumes along the corridor could surpass 10 million tons by 2030.
Another ambitious regional transport project designed to enhance connectivity across Central Asia is the construction of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway.
Construction of the 523-km railway officially began on December 27, 2024, in Jalal-Abad, Kyrgyzstan. Once completed, the route will connect Kashgar in China with Torugart, Makmal, and Jalal-Abad in Kyrgyzstan, and Andijan in Uzbekistan. The railway is projected to handle up to 15 million tons of cargo annually. Currently, neither Kyrgyzstan nor Uzbekistan has a direct rail link with China, the only such connection in Central Asia runs through Kazakhstan.
Recently, Tajikistan expressed interest in joining the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway project. The proposal was discussed during a meeting between Tajik Minister of Transport Azim Ibrahim and Chinese Minister of Transport Liu Wei on July 2 in Tianjin, on the sidelines of the 12th Meeting of Transport Ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Member States.
Trans-Afghan projects
While remaining a risk factor that affects the security of the entire region, Afghanistan, and transportation and energy projects being developed through Afghan territory, can give Central Asia access to promising markets in South Asia and access to Indian Ocean ports.
As Uzbek President Mirziyoyev stated at the UN General Assembly, it is of utmost importance to prevent Afghanistan’s isolation by implementing large-scale economic and infrastructure projects in that country. “We propose to adopt a dedicated UN resolution on the development of transport and energy corridors of international significance through the territory of Afghanistan,” he said.
