Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — On 1 May, Dushanbe hosted a regional conference titled “Integration of Central Asian Countries Amid Global Transformations: Current State and Prospects,” organized by the Center for Strategic Research under the President of the Republic of Tajikistan. The event brought together heads and experts from leading analytical and research institutions across Central Asia.

Speaking at the conference, Akramjon Nematov, First Deputy Director of the Institute for Strategic and Regional Studies under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan (ISRS), stressed that joint efforts to ensure security in Central Asia must go hand in hand with consistent work to build a long-term system of cooperation based on a clear vision of a unified regional development strategy and mutual commitments to achieving common goals grounded in the principle of mutual benefit.

In this regard, the expert noted, Uzbekistan is promoting the adoption of a Treaty on Strategic Partnership and Comprehensive Cooperation among Central Asian states.

According to the ISRS representative, strategic partnership—as opposed to traditional relations based on friendship and good neighborliness—elevates cooperation between countries to a qualitatively new level of interaction and, in essence, reflects the current reality in the region.

In this context, Akramjon Nematov believes that the adoption of the “Central Asia – 2040” Concept for Regional Cooperation Development is a testament to the high level of political consolidation, a deep awareness of shared interests, and a clear demonstration of the region’s unwavering readiness to work together in achieving common goals through shared responsibility.

He emphasized that the development strategies of the region’s countries are interconnected, united by their aspiration to diversify their economies, reduce dependence on raw materials, accelerate digital transformation, and advance green technologies and human capital.

“Today it is crucial to act jointly, guided by a shared vision and a unified approach to challenges and opportunities, aligning our national development strategies and strengthening mutual support in pursuit of our common goals,” the expert asserted.

According to him, the development of a multilateral system of strategic partnership will contribute to this process. The necessary foundation is already in place, as all Central Asian countries are bound by bilateral agreements on strategic partnership, and some by treaties on alliance.

Akramjon Nematov emphasized that the proposed Treaty would create a solid legal framework for the steady expansion of cooperation across all key areas that underpin sustainable development in Central Asia—namely trade, transport, environmental well-being, water and food security, energy, and human capital development.

The adoption of such a Treaty, he concluded, would bring greater structure to cooperation in these areas and enable the development of stable mechanisms for multilateral coordination of practical actions.