“Renaissance of Central Asia: Towards Sustainable Development and Prosperity” is the title of an article by President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, published in a number of Kazakhstani media outlets on the eve of the 6th Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of the Central Asian countries in Astana.

The first chapter of the publication is devoted to the commonality of development goals. Here is a fragment of it:

“Empires have risen and fallen in the vastness of Central Asia, political and economic models have evolved, yet the unique identity of the region has remained preserved. From time immemorial, our ancestors have interacted harmoniously with various civilizations.

Due to this, the region played a key role in the history of the Great Silk Road and greater Eurasia as a whole, while preserving its ethno-cultural and spiritual identity.

In modern history, our countries have faced many trials and obstacles. Pessimistic forecasts that the Central Asian republics would join the group of so-called “failed states” have not been validated.

The nations of the region have proven their worth and have taken their deserved place in the international community.

Thanks to the unity and wisdom of our peoples, we have strengthened territorial integrity, freedom, and independence.

It would not be an exaggeration to say that today each country in the region has accumulated its own unique experience in state-building, developing a market economy, restoring cultural heritage, and forming a national identity”.

The second chapter is devoted to the role of the region in a new phase of development. In particular, this section notes that the rise in the political weight of Central Asia as a subject of international politics is also indicated by the emergence of new dialogue platforms in the “CA Plus” format:

“To date, there have been nine summits and high-level meetings in this format. Over the past two years, the first summits of “CA – Russia” (in Astana), “CA – China” (in Xi’an), “CA – USA” (in New York), “CA – Germany” (in Berlin), two meetings of the heads of Central Asian states and the European Union (in Astana and Cholpon-Ata), the first summit of “CA – SCO” (in Jeddah), as well as “CA – India” (in an online format), have been held. This year, the first summit of “CA – Japan” will take place in Astana.

It is worth noting that other countries and international organizations have shown interest in interaction in this format. Thus, an important step has been taken towards solidifying the region’s subjectivity on the world stage.

The development vector of Central Asia is a commitment to traditional values combined with a drive for modernization and advanced knowledge. This makes our region a self-sufficient and influential participant in the evolving international system. Today, we are focused on strengthening our role as the Eurasian epicenter of international geopolitical and geo-economic transformations”.

The third chapter reveals a new format of interaction:

“The countries of the region have formed a unique Central Asian format of cooperation based on such fundamental principles as mutual respect for independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, and the peaceful resolution of potential disagreements.

There have been five Consultative Meetings of the heads of Central Asian states: in Astana, Tashkent, Turkmenbashi, Cholpon-Ata, and Dushanbe. The outcomes of these meetings, without exaggeration, have deepened and expanded regional cooperation, bringing it to an unprecedented level and giving integration processes a progressive, systematic, and, most importantly, continuous character”.

“Joint large projects not only bring tangible benefits to their participants but also change the entire configuration of the Central Asian economy.

An important area of cooperation is the development of a network of trade, logistics, and industrial hubs in border areas, which can become new drivers of mutual trade and joint investment activities.

The implementation of the transport and logistics potential of our countries is acquiring strategic importance. This area is intended to become a new reference point for the rapid development of the region”.

The fourth chapter presents a general vision of the prospects for regional cooperation:

“Today, in the context of deglobalization, intraregional interaction between the countries of Central Asia is acquiring great relevance both for its self-preservation as a special civilizational area and for stabilizing the region as an integral organism. The unifying principle should be the complementarity of the five states, stemming from the historical and cultural commonality of our countries and peoples”.

Kassym-Jomart Tokayev identified a number of significant goals and objectives at the new stage of development:

FIRST. Maintaining peace and stability not only in Central Asia but also in neighboring regions is a key condition for long-term development and progress.

SECOND. There is a need for further development of economic potential and deepening of cooperative ties.

THIRD. The region has the opportunity to become one of the most important transport-logistic and transit hubs on the planet.

FOURTH. We need to develop common approaches to ensuring water, energy, and food security.

FIFTH. Central Asia’s most important and most valuable resource is its young intellectual generation.

SIXTH. The formation of the civilizational identity of our countries based on the harmonization of cultural and humanitarian ties between brotherly peoples is becoming an important mission.

“In conclusion, I would like to emphasize that regional cooperation is not only an objective reality but also a vital necessity

In the conditions of geopolitical uncertainty and degradation of the established model of the world order, this is, in fact, the only pragmatic approach. Our future depends on strengthening cohesion, mutual trust, and openness to the world. Only on the basis of these principles can we ensure the renaissance of Central Asia as a dynamic, innovative, and culturally rich region”.

You can read the full article here.

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