Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) – On 16 August, a round table on the topic “Central Asia: world processes and sustainable development of the region” was held at MICA with the participation of foreign and national experts.

The event was attended by Director for Research of the Foundation for Development and Support of the Valdai International Discussion Club Lukyanov Fedor Aleksandrovich and representatives of the National Research University Higher School of Economics – Dean of the Faculty of World Economy and International Affairs Likhacheva Anastasia Borisovna, Head of the Department of World Economy Makarov Igor Alekseevich , Deputy Dean of the Faculty of World Economy and World Politics for Research Morozkina Alexandra Konstantinovna.

The Uzbek side was attended by the heads and experts of MICA, the director of the IACMO Kurbanov Daniyar Dzhavdatovich, the deputy director of the IMRI Kurbanova Dilfuza Makhmudovna, the head of the ISMI department Bazarova Milana Igorevna and the deputy director of the CEIR Kholmukhamedov Mukhsinjon Murodullaevich.

Starting from 2017, the Central Asian region, thanks to the political will of the leaders of Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan, is changing dramatically, gaining stability, unity and international subjectivity.

The main factor in the positive changes that ensured the process of consistently building up cooperation in Central Asia was the new foreign policy course of Tashkent, initiated by the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

The implementation of this policy made it possible to remove a large number of accumulated problems that for many years hindered the development and cooperation of the countries of Central Asia. As a result, trade between the countries increased by more than 2.5 times, the number of joint ventures increased by 5 times, and mutual visits increased by 4 times.

Today, stable Central Asia is already becoming one of the important centers of investment activity and economic growth, attracting neighboring and extra-regional states to cooperation. According to foreign experts, the total GDP of the countries of the region over the past 5 years has grown by 20% and exceeded $370 billion.

Fyodor Lukyanov noted that the changes taking place in the world are eroding the influence of world powers. In his opinion, the “middle powers” come to the fore.

“Countries that were previously not taken into account in the big world layout or were considered as part of some large associations now play a completely different role. They are able to find effective solutions at the regional level on the most pressing issues related to trade, security, environmental challenges and others.”

In this context, as the expert noted, Uzbekistan is among such countries, since the state has "significant economic, technological and political potential, making a powerful contribution to solving regional problems and ensuring sustainability in Central Asia."

According to Ilya Makarov, the current global turbulence brings not only a crisis, but also opportunities for further development of the states of Central Asia.

“In the current conditions, Uzbekistan, as well as its neighbors, can use its competitive advantages to increase its potential.”

In order to achieve sustainable development in Central Asia, according to Alexandra Morozkina, Uzbekistan, like other states, it is important to actively seek assistance from the world community.

“To achieve the necessary progress, international grant funding, known as “development assistance,” is becoming relevant for Uzbekistan and its partners in the region.

Anastasia Likhacheva noted that at the present stage, taking into account the existing population growth and climate change, the water problem for the countries of Central Asia has acquired "the most acute importance."

“Water supply and water conservation directly affect the current generation of the region’s population. This problem is urgent now and requires immediate solutions at the national and regional levels.”

The expert believes that Uzbekistan and its neighbors need to develop new approaches to water management and "move from modest recommendations to real investments."

During the event, specific proposals were also developed on the current agenda of international and regional cooperation.