16.11.25
The summit, chaired by the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, was held at the Congress Center in Tashkent and was attended by President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov, President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov, President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon, and President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev.
Opening the meeting, President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev announced that the participating leaders had decided to admit Azerbaijan as a full-fledged member of the Consultative Meeting of Central Asian Heads of State.
Describing the gathering as a historic summit, Mirziyoyev emphasized that this strategic step serves the interests of nations united by common history, brotherhood, and deep spiritual and cultural ties, and marks the beginning of a new era of cooperation between Central Asia and the South Caucasus.
Mirziyoyev noted that the accession of brotherly Azerbaijan would give new momentum to the consultative format, opening opportunities to expand trade, economic, investment, cultural, and humanitarian cooperation, as well as to adopt joint decisions for sustainable development.
President Mirziyoyev stated: “In essence, we are building a strong bridge between Central Asia and the South Caucasus, paving the way for the formation of a common space of cooperation. This will undoubtedly strengthen the strategic connectivity and stability of both regions.”
Speaking about the region’s future development, Mirziyoyev noted that this meeting marks a new stage in regional integration. According to him, within a short period, Central Asian countries have moved from dialogue to genuine partnership, which made it possible to resolve regional issues, reopen borders, and expand cooperation in energy, transport, and trade.
Highlighting the importance of mutual understanding and support in a complex and unpredictable global political environment, he added: “Today we stand on the threshold of a historic renewal — the emergence of a ‘New Central Asia’. We aim to strengthen the institutional foundations of cooperation and develop unified responses to security challenges and threats to sustainable development.”
To enhance the institutional framework of the Consultative Meeting, Mirziyoyev proposed transforming it into a strategic platform called the “Community of Central Asia,” establishing a secretariat and a Council of Elders, and elevating the status of national coordinators to that of special presidential representatives.
Major infrastructure projects
Addressing infrastructure and transport issues, Mirziyoyev urged the acceleration of several major projects, including:
- the “China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan” railway,
- the “Trans-Afghan” corridor,
- expansion of the Trans-Caspian route.
He also proposed establishing a Council for Infrastructure Development.
Mirziyoyev stressed the importance of involving Afghanistan in regional energy and transport projects and suggested turning this year’s Fergana Peace Forum into an annual international event.
He further highlighted that water resource management and climate change are of particular importance, proposing to declare 2026–2036 the Decade of Practical Actions for Smart Water Use in Central Asia and to establish a Regional Water Management Center.
The next summit will be held under the title “Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asia and Azerbaijan.”
Highlighting that the documents and proposals adopted today aim to build a united, stable, secure, and prosperous Central Asia, Mirziyoyev stated: “I would like to emphasize in particular: our strength lies in unity. The path to success is friendship and cooperation. Only by working together — based on mutual respect, solidarity, and a strategic approach — can we achieve our noble goals.”
Mirziyoyev announced that the next summit will be held under the name “Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asia and Azerbaijan.”
The President of Uzbekistan congratulated President Berdimuhamedov of Turkmenistan, who will chair the meeting of heads of state in the new format “Central Asia and Azerbaijan” in 2026.
The leaders decided to hold the next summit in Turkmenistan, and at the conclusion of the meeting, they signed the Final Declaration of the 7th Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asia.
