The forum brought together representatives of government agencies, the diplomatic corps, leading think tanks, academia, and experts from Türkiye and Central Asian countries.
Participants discussed opportunities for further deepening strategic cooperation between Central Asia and Türkiye amid a changing international environment. Particular attention was given to trade, investment, energy, transport connectivity, technology, education, culture, and the development of expert dialogue.
In his remarks, SETA General Coordinator Nebi Miş noted that strong political will and regular dialogue among leaders have made it possible to transform shared historical and cultural affinity into concrete political engagement. According to him, at a time when global supply chains, energy routes, and transport networks are being reshaped, a partnership based on trust and shared values is becoming an important strategic advantage.
For his part, Javlon Vakhabov emphasized that the future of cooperation between Central Asia and Türkiye lies in turning shared history, cultural closeness, and mutual trust into concrete projects, investments, and initiatives for regional connectivity.
At the same time, it was noted that the “Central Asia–Türkiye” format should not be viewed as an alternative to existing platforms, including the Organization of Turkic States, the Economic Cooperation Organization, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, the OSCE, and CAREC. Its function, he said, is to shape a more focused practical agenda covering the economy, investment, technology, energy, transport connectivity, education, and culture.
In this context, it was emphasized that trade between Türkiye and the countries of Central Asia has more than doubled since 2018, reaching $14.5 billion in 2025, with a target of $30 billion by 2030. Turkish investment in the region increased 2.5 times between 2016 and 2024, while the number of Turkish companies grew from around 4,000 to more than 7,000, reflecting Türkiye’s growing role as a trade, investment, logistics, and technology partner for Central Asia.
Particular attention was also given to energy, critical minerals, and digital transformation. It was emphasized that Central Asia’s energy and resource potential can be complemented by Türkiye’s role as an energy hub and industrial partner, including in green energy, processing, battery materials, hydrogen, and new technologies. In the digital sphere, artificial intelligence, fintech, cybersecurity, digital public services, agricultural technologies, water-saving solutions, joint educational programs, and the training of digital specialists were identified as promising areas of cooperation.
Following the forum, participants underscored the importance of further developing regular expert dialogue between Central Asia and Türkiye. It was noted that, amid growing international uncertainty, such engagement can help generate practical solutions, strengthen regional connectivity, and shape a long-term cooperation agenda based on trust, mutual benefit, and shared strategic interests.
