ROUND TABLE "PRIORITIES OF UZBEKISTAN'S CHAIRMANSHIP IN THE CONSULTIVE MEETING OF HEADS OF CENTRAL ASIAN STATES - ACHIEVEMENTS AND PROSPECTS OF REGIONAL CONSOLIDATION"
On May 30, 2025, a round table titled "Priorities of Uzbekistan's chairmanship in the Consultive Meeting of Heads of Central Asian States: Achievements and Prospects of Regional Consolidation" was held in Tashkent. Ms. Fazilatkhon Adbullayeva participated in this round table on behalf of SIC ICWC.
The International Institute of Central Asia and the Center for Integrated and International Studies of National Research University "Higher School of Economics" jointly organized the round table. It served as a platform for expert dialogue on the future of regional cooperation, with a particular focus on analyzing Russia's approaches to fostering partnerships with Central Asian nations.
The primary objective of the event was to discuss the key priorities of regional cooperation under Uzbekistan's chairmanship of the Consultative Meeting of the Heads of Central Asian States. Participants also explored the development of Russian-Central Asian relations in the context of current geopolitical dynamics.
The round table brought together representatives from leading research institutions, the expert community, professors, and young scholars from the National Research University "Higher School of Economics" (NRU HSE), including the Laboratory for the Economics of Climate Change at the Faculty of World Economy and International Affairs of NRU HSE. Participants also included representatives from the University of World Economy and Diplomacy and the Institute of Advanced International Studies.
Central topics of discussion included climate change, water management, and prospects for bilateral cooperation in these spheres. In this context, several initiatives were presented that aim to strengthen collaboration between Uzbekistan and its partners in adapting the country's economy to the challenges posed by the water and climate crisis. Specifically:
- During the meeting, the Minister of Ecology, Environmental Protection, and Climate Change of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Mr. Aziz Abdukhakimov, along with representatives from Gazprombank, agreed on key areas of cooperation focused on joint scientific research. The goal of this collaboration is to develop practical recommendations for the medium- and long-term adaptation of Uzbekistan's economy to changing water and climate conditions.
As part of reached agreements, it was proposed to form a joint working group comprising experts from relevant organizations on both sides. The group's efforts will culminate in the development of a comprehensive strategic document titled "Strategy for the Adaptation of the Economy of Uzbekistan to Changing Water and Climate Conditions through 2050."
- As part of negotiations, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Mr. Jamshid Kuchkarov, reached an agreement with the Russian delegation—led by Dr. Vladimir Quinta, Doctor of Economic Sciences and Professor of Political Economy—on the development of a new strategy for water resources management in Uzbekistan for the period up to 2030. The project will be implemented with the involvement of experts from both countries and will draw on the experience of the Kuznetsk Coal Basin (Kuzbass) as a reference model for adapting strategic decision-making.
The development of this strategic document will be guided by the priority areas of Uzbekistan's national water management policy. It will focus on generating concrete proposals to optimize the allocation of water resources across key sectors, including housing and utilities, agriculture, and industry. To support the implementation of this initiative, two task forces will be established—one in the Republic of Uzbekistan and another at the Center for Strategic Studies of Moscow State University.
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