Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has proposed the formation of a “Central Asian Community,” a new regional economic organization aimed at deepening cooperation among the countries of Central Asia. The call came during a summit of Central Asian leaders held on November 16 in Tashkent, where unity emerged as a central theme for the region’s future.
Mirziyoyev emphasized that speaking with a single voice on the international stage is essential to unlocking trade and investment opportunities. “Our strength is in unity, our path to success is in friendship and cooperation,” he said. “Only united, based on mutual respect, solidarity and strategic vision, will we be able to achieve our noble goals.”
Under the proposal, the annual consultative meetings of Central Asian heads of state—initiated in 2017—would evolve into a permanent institution with a formal structure, including a rotating presidency and a dedicated secretariat. Each member state would also appoint a presidential envoy to oversee coordination efforts.
A key priority for the proposed organization would be raising the level of trade, investment, and economic integration, Mirziyoyev said. He also highlighted the importance of developing regional infrastructure, boosting transport and logistics capacity, and addressing environmental challenges, including climate change and water scarcity.
The Tashkent summit extended an unexpected invitation to Azerbaijan, with participants recognizing the country as a “Central Asian nation in spirit.” Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev attended the summit, and Mirziyoyev announced that Azerbaijan would be included in future gatherings as a full participant.
“The accession of fraternal Azerbaijan will provide a strong impetus for the development of consolidated regional solutions,” Mirziyoyev stated. “Together, we will build a bridge between Central Asia and the South Caucasus.”
In a policy paper published ahead of the summit, the Uzbek president also argued for including Afghanistan in any future regional framework, calling its reconstruction essential for the stability and prosperity of Central Asia. “This country is not a periphery, but a natural part of our shared region,” he wrote.
Mirziyoyev has called for transformation of consultative format of regional dialogue into the 'Central Asian Community'.
"The times themselves demand that we transform our meetings from a consultative format of regional dialogue into a strategic framework — the 'Central Asian Community'." Uzbek leader noted.
Despite the enthusiasm for closer cooperation, the proposed Central Asian Community stops short of suggesting any political union akin to the European Union model. Mirziyoyev made clear in his policy paper that cooperation must be built on sovereignty, equality, and non-interference.
Media reports say that while other Central Asian leaders did not directly respond to the proposal for a regional community, their speeches reflected similar priorities. Leaders from Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Turkmenistan echoed the need for greater economic cooperation, while Kazakh president voiced strong alignment with Uzbekistan’s approach.
