The event was held within the framework of the official visit of the President of the Republic of Finland, Alexander Stubb, to Uzbekistan.

From the Finnish side, the roundtable was attended by President Alexander Stubb, Member of the Finnish Parliament and Chair of the Finland–Uzbekistan Parliamentary Friendship Group Ville Skinnari, Head of Programs of the Martti Ahtisaari Peace Foundation Oskar Eronen, and Director for Peace Mediation of the Office of the President of Finland, Ville Brummer.

From the Uzbek side, the event brought together leaders and representatives of the country’s leading governmental and non-governmental think tanks.

During the event, participants exchanged views on key issues of regional cooperation in Central Asia and discussed new promising areas of collaboration between the Nordic Council countries and the states of Central Asia, including trade and investment, energy, education, science, and innovation. Special attention was given to the use of Nordic experience in the fields of sustainable development and digital transformation.

In his opening remarks, Javlon Vakhabov, Director of the International Institute for Central Asia noted that Helsinki has long been a center of international mediation and the rule of law, and that Finland’s commitment to peacebuilding is of particular importance for Central Asia.

It was also emphasized that Finland is one of the world’s recognized leaders in innovation and education. The country is among the most technologically advanced nations and has significant potential for sharing best practices with Central Asia, as highlighted during the meeting.

For the countries of Central Asia, where priorities include green energy and the rational use of natural resources, Finland’s expertise in these areas is of particular practical value, Javlon Vakhabov noted.

Thus, the roundtable became an important step towards strengthening the partnership between the Nordic Council countries and the Central Asian states, as well as a platform for coordinating practical initiatives aimed at enhancing cooperation within the “Central Asia – Nordic Council” format.

As part of the event, a Memorandum of Understanding was also signed between the International Institute for Central Asia and the Martti Ahtisaari Peace Foundation. The document provides for joint research in the fields of politics, economics, and regional security, the organization of reciprocal visits and ongoing contacts, as well as the holding of joint events on issues of mutual interest.

The Martti Ahtisaari Peace Foundation is a leading think tank based in Helsinki, Finland. It was founded in 2000 by Nobel Peace Prize laureate and former President of Finland Martti Ahtisaari. The Foundation is engaged in peacebuilding, conflict resolution, and promoting sustainable peace in various regions around the world.