Kyrgyz President Advocates Stronger Regional Unity at Central Asia Summit in Tashkent

During a working visit to Uzbekistan, Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov has addressed the 7th Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asia in Tashkent, voicing support for Azerbaijan’s accession as a full member.

He emphasized that Azerbaijan’s participation will create new opportunities for deeper regional cooperation, The Caspian Post informs via Kyrgyz media.

Highlighting the importance of mutual trust and unity, Japarov proposed closer coordination among Central Asian states, including pre-summit consultations between foreign ministries to present a united front in regional and international forums.

On economic cooperation, he pointed out impressive growth: foreign direct investment from Central Asian countries to Kyrgyzstan rose 15 per cent last year to $135 million, while trade turnover with neighboring states increased 28 per cent over the past three years, reaching $1.7 billion from January to August 2025, up 14 per cent year-on-year.

To further deepen integration, Japarov suggested focusing on three strategic areas:

Removing trade barriers and harmonizing standards and regulations.

Developing joint production chains and processing industries beyond raw materials.

Leveraging digitalization for e-commerce, cross-border platforms, and cybersecurity.

Infrastructure development also featured prominently. Japarov highlighted the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway, calling it a transformative transport artery connecting the region to major Asian and European markets, and linked the project to the Zangezur Corridor as a strategic extension. He also proposed a Digital Transit Corridor platform for streamlined customs and permits.

On energy and tourism, Japarov stressed Kyrgyzstan’s openness to mutually beneficial hydroelectric projects and the shared potential of regional resources. He noted the growing importance of tourism in fostering regional ties and announced that Kyrgyzstan will host the 6th World Nomad Games next year, inviting neighboring countries to participate.

The summit brought together leaders from Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, reinforcing the Consultative Meeting’s mission of promoting regional cooperation, integration, and effective interaction among Central Asian states.