The event, organized in collaboration with IMEMO RAS, brought together leading experts and analytical circles from both countries.

Participants exchanged views on key aspects of cooperation between Central Asia and Russia amidst global transformations.

Special attention was given to strengthening collaboration within the "Central Asia–Russia" format, which aims to deepen regional engagement in the spheres of economy, security, ecology, and culture.

From IMEMO RAS, the discussion featured the participation of Academician Alexander Dynkin, Deputy Directors—Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS) Sergey Afontsev, Head of the Department of Science and Innovation Ivan Danilin, Corresponding Member of RAS Stanislav Zhukov—as well as leading experts, including Irina Zvyagelskaya, Head of the Middle East Research Center; Eduard Solovyev, Head of the Post-Soviet Studies Center; Azganush Migranyan, Head of the Economic Studies Sector within the Post-Soviet Studies Center; Stanislav Pritchin, Head of the Central Asia Sector; and Elena Kuzmina, Head of the Sector at the Post-Soviet Studies Center.

Opening the event, IMEMO RAS President A. Dynkin emphasized: "The political wisdom and leadership of Uzbekistan’s President have played a decisive role in reshaping the regional landscape." According to the academician, thanks to Sh. Mirziyoyev’s policy of good-neighborly relations, Central Asia has emerged as the most prosperous and stable region in Eurasia today.

In his welcome speech, A. Kamilov, the Special Representative of the President of Uzbekistan, underlined that the close cooperation between Central Asian countries and Russia is rooted in shared historical ties and common cultural values.

Vakhabov, Director of the International Institute for Central Asia (IICA), highlighted that the existing foundation and accumulated experience of interstate cooperation could serve as a strong basis for advancing the "Central Asia–Russia" format.

Solovyev, Head of the Post-Soviet Studies Center, noted that Central Asia is undergoing significant transformation, largely driven by Uzbekistan’s leadership. As a result, the region has not only strengthened ties among the five Central Asian republics but also expanded its cooperation with Russia.

Pritchin, Head of the Central Asia Sector at IMEMO, observed that alongside the systematic intensification of economic collaboration, political, social, and humanitarian ties between Russia and the region have also deepened.

Afontsev, Deputy Director of IMEMO, stressed the necessity of modifying cooperation formats between Central Asia and Russia to fully harness the available opportunities and potential.

In turn, I. Danilin, Deputy Director of IMEMO, emphasized the importance of establishing regular dialogue channels and underscored the key role of the expert community in this process.

At the conclusion of the roundtable, participants agreed to continue expert dialogue aimed at developing concrete proposals to further strengthen strategic cooperation between the region and Russia.

It is worth noting that on the eve of this event, a Cooperation Agreement was signed between the International Institute for Central Asia (IICA) and the Primakov National Research Institute of World Economy and International Relations (IMEMO RAS).