Tashkent to host First Central Asia – GCC Think Tank Forum

On 28-29 April 2025, Tashkent will host the First Central Asia –the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Think Tank Forum on the topic: “Strengthening Strategic Partnership: From Historical Ties to Comprehensive Cooperation”.

The event is organized by the Institute for Strategic and Regional Studies under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Saudi Arabian Gulf Research Center.

European Union - Central Asia: regional consolidation and global partnership

On April 4, 2025, the first “Central Asia - European Union” official summit will be held in Samarkand, under the chairmanship of the President of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev. This event is set to become a significant political milestone and will mark the beginning of a new phase in the relationship between the two regions.

An important prerequisite for the institutionalization of this format were the meetings of the leaders of Central Asian countries and the European Union in Astana and Cholpon-Ata in 2022 and 2023. The holding of the Samarkand summit demonstrates that the interaction between the countries of the Central Asian region and the EU has reached a new level, as well as the high strategic importance of the dialog for both sides.

Samarkand to host first “Central Asia – European Union” summit on April 3-4

The first “Central Asia – European Union” summit will take place in Samarkand on April 3-4.

According to the press service of the Head of our state, the summit which will be chaired by the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, will be attended by the President of the European Council Antonio Costa, President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov, President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon, and the President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov.

Tashkent as a center of parliamentary diplomacy: the anniversary IPU Assembly

In April 2025, Tashkent will host the 150th anniversary Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) for the first time in the history of Central Asia. This event brings together over 2000 parliamentarians from more than 100 national parliaments, providing a unique opportunity to discuss key global issues. The selection of Tashkent as the venue for this important event underscores the growing influence of New Uzbekistan in international parliamentary diplomacy and its commitment to democratic reforms, and also confirms the country's status as a center for constructive political dialogue in the region.

The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) is one of the most important international organizations uniting national parliaments. Its work is based on the principle outlined by UN Secretary-General António Guterres, who emphasized, "Parliaments must not only enact laws but also oversee their implementation on behalf of the people."

The President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev also emphasizes: "The Parliament should become a genuine school of democracy, an initiator and a decisive force in the implementation of reforms."

These words reflect Uzbekistan's efforts to strengthen parliamentary oversight, expand the powers of the deputy corps, and increase the transparency of the legislative process. Hosting the 150th IPU Assembly in Tashkent is not only a historic event for the country but also a new milestone in the development of parliamentary diplomacy in Central Asia.

Cooperation of Central Asian countries in the field of energy security: problems and solutions

Ensuring energy security is one of the main challenges of our time for almost every state, regardless of the level of economic development.
In recent decades, this issue has become particularly acute due to the observed geopolitical tensions, instability of energy prices, limited reserves of traditional fuels and growing competition for control over strategic resources. The situation is aggravated by the effects of climate change, which create additional pressure on the energy systems of countries around the world.
Many countries that previously relied solely on their own resources or established supplies from outside are now forced to reconsider their energy policies. Priorities are shifting toward increasing energy efficiency, diversifying energy sources, and more actively using renewable sources.
Against the backdrop of these global trends, Central Asia plays an increasingly important role in ensuring regional and international energy stability. The countries of the region have a unique energy potential, which is formed due to rich reserves of oil, gas, coal, as well as existing opportunities for the development of renewable energy.