Central Asia is entering a new, historically significant stage of its development. Today we are shifting to a real unity. For the first time in many years an atmosphere of trust, good neighborliness and mutual respect is being formed in the region, becoming a foundation for joint movement forward, Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev wrote in his article entitled “Central Asia on the verge of a new era”.
This process is the result of targeted work and the political will of Central Asian countries’ leaders who have recognized their shared destiny and the potential for joint development.
According to Mirziyoyev, a vivid symbol of the current changes is Consultative Meetings of the Heads of State of Central Asia, which have transformed into an effective mechanism of regional cooperation and trust-based dialogue. The upcoming summit in Tashkent this weekend will mark a new significant milestone in the Central Asian process – “our joint creation of a stable, interconnected and prospering Central Asia”.
Mirziyoyev emphasized that the water and energy sphere, which used to be a reason of sharp disagreements and conflicts, is also witnessing principal positive changes. The vivid confirmation of brotherly cooperation is an agreement between Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan on joint implementation of the project for the construction of the Kambarata-1 hydropower plant in Kyrgyzstan, which is opening a new page in joint usage of the region’s water and energy resources.
Mirziyoyev stressed that a new economic reality of the region is being formed through the efforts of the states. In the past eight years the aggregate GDP of the Central Asian countries increased by almost two and a half times, reaching $520 billion, and the volume of external trade increased more than two times – up to $253 billion. At the same time the mutual trade between the countries of the region doubled, reaching about $11 billion, and the mutual investments increased by 5.6 times. The trade turnover of Uzbekistan with the region’s states increased by three times – from $2.4 billion in 2016 to $7.2 billion in 2024.
According to Mirziyoyev, Central Asia is choosing a path of peace, sustainable development and creative partnership. “We are not building walls – we are building bridges,” the Uzbek leader said, adding that today, “we are laying a solid foundation for a New Central Asia – a strong, stable, and prosperous region.”
Photo: president.uz
