Kazakhstan's President Attends the 7th Central Asian Heads of State Consultation

On November 16, 2025, the 7th Central Asian Heads of State Consultation was held in Uzbekistan. The speech by Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, and the series of documents adopted at the meeting, reflected the strategic positioning of Central Asia and the deepening trend of cooperation amidst global shifts. This meeting not only focused on regional integration but also involved cross-regional interactions such as Azerbaijan's accession to the mechanism as a full member and the UN Secretary-General's video address, highlighting the increased geopolitical and economic significance of Central Asia.

Regional Cooperation Institutionalization: From Closed to Open

In his opening remarks, Tokayev clearly stated: "Central Asia is currently undergoing a large-scale transformation. It can be said with certainty that the era of closed borders and isolation is over." This assessment summarizes the process of Central Asian countries moving from fragmented governance after the collapse of the Soviet Union to the accelerated integration process in recent years through mechanisms such as the consultation meeting. Since the first Heads of State Consultation, this mechanism has gradually become a core platform for coordinating regional policies. Azerbaijan's formal accession further expands the scope of the "Central Asia+" model. Tokayev called this a "historic decision" and emphasized that "Baku, with its new status, will make an important contribution to strengthening regional cooperation."

The deepening of institutionalized cooperation is reflected in concrete results. Documents adopted at the meeting, such as the "Joint Statement of the Heads of State of Central Asian Countries after the Seventh Consultation Meeting" and the "Concept of Security, Stability and Sustainable Development in Central Asia," have moved regional cooperation from a declaration of intent to a concrete action plan. Furthermore, the Council of National Coordinators has been given the function of formulating regional development strategies, marking the evolution of the consultation meetings from theoretical dialogue to institutionalized collaboration.

Economic Integration: Reducing Trade Barriers and Restructuring Supply Chains

Economic cooperation is the cornerstone of regional integration. Tokayev pointed out that regional trade has reached US$11.5 billion and called for "full support for this positive momentum, with the aim of increasing this figure to US$20 billion in the future." Achieving this goal depends on several measures: eliminating trade barriers, opening new border checkpoints, and expanding road and rail networks. Of particular note is that Central Asian countries are attempting to transform geographical connectivity into a synergistic advantage in industrial chains through the construction of a "border industrial hub network."

Against the backdrop of global supply chain restructuring, Tokayev proposed transforming Central Asia into a "key transit hub in Eurasia." To achieve this goal, he suggested introducing a unified electronic freight tracking system to reduce bureaucratic procedures and jointly developing a "Comprehensive Strategy for the Development of Central Asian Transport Systems." These measures not only serve intra-regional circulation but also align with the expectations of transnational infrastructure initiatives such as China's "Belt and Road Initiative" and the EU's "Global Gateway" program for Central Asia's hub status.

Technology and Resource Cooperation: Artificial Intelligence and Rare Earth Metals

Faced with global technological competition, Central Asian countries are seeking to seize the high ground in emerging fields through cooperation. Tokayev particularly emphasized regional collaboration in the field of artificial intelligence, stating that "establishing unified standards for the use of this technology is also crucial." He proposed drafting a "Declaration on the Responsible Use of Artificial Intelligence by Central Asian Countries" to ensure that "data exchange under the framework of joint digital projects is transparent, credible, and secure." This initiative echoes the global discussion on AI governance and demonstrates Central Asian countries' intention to seek a voice in digital rule-making.

In the resources sector, Tokayev called for cooperative development of rare earth metals and proposed establishing a regional research center in Astana. Central Asia possesses vast, underexplored rare earth resources but lacks advanced mining technologies. By attracting investment and technology transfer through regional collaboration, Central Asia could potentially secure a place in the global rare earth supply chain needed for the green energy transition.

Water Security and Ecological Governance: Cross-Border Challenges and Collaborative Responses

Water resource allocation has long plagued Central Asian countries. Tokayev pointed out that "water security is becoming increasingly urgent for the region" and suggested coordinating national water resource strategies, even potentially developing a "Framework Convention on the Use of Water Resources in Central Asia." This proposal directly addresses the challenges of cross-border water resource management in the Syr Darya and Amu Darya basins, attempting to resolve potential conflicts through international standardization.

The International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea Summit, to be held in Astana in April 2026, will serve as a platform for discussing water security and ecological issues. The Aral Sea crisis, once a symbol of failed ecological governance in Central Asia, is now a litmus test for the effectiveness of regional cooperation. The UN Secretary-General's video address further demonstrates the international community's concern for Central Asian ecological issues.

Cultural Identity and Tourism Integration: Building Soft Power

Tokayev emphasized that cultural and people-to-people exchanges are a "core priority for the region," supporting the promotion of Silk Road heritage through joint tourism routes and a unified Central Asian tourism brand. The UNESCO conference held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, and the transformation of the Tashkent Center for Islamic Civilization into a research platform are both practices in building cultural soft power.

The drafting of the "Agreement on Tourism Cooperation and the Creation of a Unified Tourism Space among Central Asian Countries" aims to transform historical and cultural resources into economic development momentum. This initiative not only attracts international tourists but also helps to alleviate the barriers between some people in the region caused by historical borders and ethnic issues.

Security Coordination: From Border Disputes to Counter-Terrorism Cooperation

Security issues occupied a prominent position at this meeting. Tokayev welcomed the signing of the border treaty between Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan, and the agreement reached by Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan on the border intersection point, calling these "important steps." These developments have eased the border disputes left over from the collapse of the Soviet Union and removed obstacles to economic cooperation.

Faced with non-traditional security threats such as terrorism and drug trafficking, Tokayev advocated strengthening coordination through the mechanism of secretaries of national security councils. The "Central Asia Security Risk Catalogue and Preventive Measures 2026-2028" adopted at the meeting reflects the trend towards pre-planning and refinement in regional security governance.

Central Asia's Position in a Global Perspective

The development trajectory of the Central Asian heads of state consultation meeting reflects the strategy of smaller countries to enhance their global role through regional integration. Tokayev pointed out: "Major countries in the world have recognized the important role of this region in global processes. Against this backdrop, interest in the 'Central Asia+' model is growing." The competitive engagement of the EU, the US, Russia, China, and others with Central Asia presents both opportunities for cooperation and tests the ability of Central Asian countries to balance their diplomacy.

The accession of Azerbaijan and the participation of the UN Secretary-General at this meeting highlight the interaction between Central Asian mechanisms and external actors. The appeal supporting Kyrgyzstan's candidacy for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council indicates that Central Asia is attempting to expand its collective influence on the multilateral stage.

Conclusion

The 7th Central Asian Heads of State Consultation Meeting demonstrated a trend of regional cooperation expanding from economic connectivity to multiple dimensions, including science and technology, security, and governance. Tokayev's remarks covered areas such as trade, transportation, AI, water resources, and tourism, with his proposals all pointing to a core objective: "Consolidating Central Asia's position as a region characterized by vibrant socio-economic development, comprehensive cooperation, peace, and prosperity." Against the backdrop of global order changes, Central Asia's practice of enhancing regional resilience through institutionalized integration provides a valuable case study for other regions. However, challenges such as water resource disputes and great power rivalry remain. Whether Central Asia can truly become a "key hub of Eurasia" in the future depends on its sustained capacity for internal coordination and external balance.