During the meeting, the sides discussed further strengthening cooperation between the think tanks of the two countries, as well as their role in providing expert support for efforts aimed at promoting peace, mutual trust and good-neighborly relations in Central Asia.

IICA director J. Vakhabov highly commended the organization of the Second Fergana Peace Forum. He emphasized that the think tanks of Uzbekistan and Tajikistan should continue making a practical contribution to advancing the principles of peace, mutual trust and good-neighborliness laid down by the leaders of the countries of the region, by translating them into concrete expert initiatives and proposals.

According to him, Central Asia is increasingly becoming a connecting space between neighboring regions and the international expert community, while closer cooperation among the region’s leading analytical institutions helps generate new ideas for expanding practical cooperation.

For his part, CSR director Kh. Usmonzoda highly appreciated IICA’s participation in the Forum and the substantive contribution made by the Institute’s representatives to its discussions. He underscored his interest in further strengthening cooperation between the two analytical institutions and advancing joint initiatives.

Priority areas for further joint work included trade and economic cooperation, transport connectivity, the rational use of water resources, as well as other pressing issues on the regional agenda.

Concluding the meeting, the sides discussed plans for joint IICA–CSR activities in 2027 and reaffirmed their interest in further developing expert and analytical cooperation.