Sustainable efforts to build a common regional identity

The desire to forge a shared regional identity—a crucial need for developing shared responsibility and solidarity in boosting Central Asia's well-being and prosperity—was another example of the commonality of viewpoints.

The region's leaders recommended a variety of measures aimed at preserving Central Asia as a distinct cultural and civilizational zone, as well as expanding cultural and humanitarian linkages to improve and deepen regional collaboration. In this regard, the Uzbek side initiated the adoption of an action plan to deepen cultural and humanitarian interaction between Central Asian countries, as well as the establishment of an international media platform "History and Culture of Central Asia: One Past and Common Future," which could be promoted on the basis of the Association of Central Asian States Mass Media, the establishment of which was proposed by Tajikistan's President Emomali Rahmon.

Furthermore, in order to foster the concept of a shared regional identity among young people, the President of Uzbekistan proposed establishing regional scientific and educational grants and scholarships in honor of Al-Khwarizmi, Farabi, Jami, Magtymguly, and Chingiz Aitmatov.

In general, the leaders of Central Asian governments are determined to make youth the primary beneficiary and driving force behind the development of a long-term plan of regional integration, the framework and supporting structure of a shared Central Asian nest.

The adoption at the summit the Agreement among Central Asia countries on common directions of youth policy was an obvious confirmation of this.

Undoubtedly, all of the above and many other specific initiatives form a solid basis for moving forward, building effective mechanisms of interaction, and forming a solid Central Asian architecture of cooperation.

It is becoming clear that our nations have already recognized the basic areas of collaborative development. At the same time, we have not only developed a common agenda for strengthening and extending collaboration, but we have also begun to implement practical measures and initiatives.

In general, the summit confirmed Central Asian leaders' strong and decisive attitude toward shouldering responsibility for our region's security and sustainable development, comprehensively deepening and expanding regional cooperation in the interests of our peoples, and making every effort to transform Central Asia into a space of peace and cooperation, an important link in interregional connectivity and global value chains. This contributes to the stability and security of the shared Eurasian space.

Akramjon Nematov,

first deputy director of the Institute for Strategic and Regional Studies under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan