Fergana Agency: Russian and Central Asian leaders strengthen cooperation and call for multipolar planet order

At the Second Central Asia – Russia Summit held on 9 October in Dushanbe, the leaders of six states agreed a joint action plan for the period 2025-2027. The participants of the gathering undertook to deepen economic, political and humanitarian cooperation and to work together to make a multipolar planet order based on respect for global law and the diversity of improvement models.

In the Communication, participants of the summit confirmed their commitment to creating a multipolar planet which they believe should guarantee security, preserving cultural and civilizational identity and equal opportunities for all countries. The foundation of specified order was considered "Diversity of improvement models between countries, indivisibility of safety and strict adherence to the principles of global law in accordance with the United Nations Charter".

The Parties agreed to step up cooperation in the fight against terrorism, extremism, illegal migration and drug trafficking. peculiar attention has been paid to the situation in Afghanistan, recognising stableness in the country as a key safety origin in Central Asia. It besides confirmed the importance of the Commonwealth of Independent States (IDPs) as an effective platform for regional cooperation.

In the economical sphere, the main focus was on removing trade barriers and developing transport and logistics infrastructure, in peculiar the North-South Corridor. The Parties have declared their willingness to deepen economical ties, make unchangeable production chains and attract investment. It highlighted the function of the Eurasian improvement Bank and the Eurasian Stabilisation and improvement Fund in financing projects and maintaining economical stableness in the region, as well as the importance of extending payments in national currencies.

Digital trade, the usage of artificial intelligence, low-carbon energy and industrial cooperation have been identified as precedence areas of cooperation. A large deal of attention has besides been paid to humanitarian cooperation – the Communication stresses the importance of deepening links in the fields of culture, education, science, athletics and tourism. The summit welcomed the creation of the global Organisation of Russian Language.

In the area of migration, the parties reaffirmed their commitment to security, protection of the rights and legitimate interests of citizens and respect for their dignity in the countries of the region. Attention was drawn to the request to optimise mechanisms that, on the 1 hand, strengthen public safety and, on the another hand, warrant decent working conditions.

In line with the adopted Joint Action Plan for the period 2025-2027, advancement in implementing the arrangements will be discussed at regular meetings of abroad ministers. The results will be presented at the 3rd Central Asia-Russia Summit, planned for 2027 (the venue has not yet been announced).

The summit was attended by Presidents: Kazakhstan – Kasym-Żomart Tokaev, Kyrgyzstan – Sadyr Żaparov, Russia – Vladimir Putin, Tajikistan – Emomali Rachmon, Turkmenistan – Serdar Berdymuchamedow and Uzbekistan – Szawkat Mirzijoev.

In his speech Vladimir Putin confirmed the intention to further strengthen Russia's strategical partnership with the countries of Central Asia, emphasizing the region's vast yet unused economical potential. He noted that Russia's trade with 5 Central Asian countries exceeded $45 billion, but pointed to large growth opportunities, recalling an example of trade with Belarus, which reaches $50 billion despite a importantly smaller population.

Putin called for increased industrial cooperation, increased Russian investments (now exceeding $20 billion) and wider usage of settlements in national currencies. He besides pointed to the importance of joint infrastructure projects – specified as the North-South and East-West Transport Corridors – and cooperation in the energy sector, including the construction of atomic power plants and the modernisation of hydropower plants.

The Russian leader stressed the unity of Russia's and Central Asian countries' positions on key global issues, specified as stabilising the situation in Afghanistan, peaceful resolution of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict by creating an independent Palestinian state and diplomatic resolution of the dispute surrounding the Iranian atomic programme.

One of the pillars of the partnership was besides found to be intensive humanitarian ties, including the training of more than 212 000 students from the region in Russia and the activities of Russian-speaking schools and subsidiaries of 25 Russian universities in Central Asia.

Source: Fergana Agency

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