The leaders of Central Asia and Italy agreed to strengthen cooperation in Astana

On May 30, the first Central Asia-Italy summit of the leaders of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Italy was held in Astana. The joint declaration adopted at the end of the summit went down in history as an important political document expressing the political will of the parties, common goals and aspiration for sustainable development.

The declaration highly appreciated the friendly relations formed over the past thirty years, the expansion of bilateral cooperation and the processes of integration with the European Community. The Italian government supported the efforts of the Central Asian countries towards mutual understanding, regional stability and economic development. During the summit, the harmonization of approaches to a number of global problems that are increasingly setting the agenda of world politics - climate change, water resources, ecological balance, security and ensuring sustainable infrastructure - was particularly emphasized.

The declaration also reflected the areas of concern for Uzbekistan. The fight against climate change, the Aral Sea crisis and the protection of glaciers, the development of renewable energy sources, the promotion of practical projects for the rational use of water resources, the improvement of transcontinental transport and logistics systems, the development of human capital, and the deepening of cooperation in science, education, healthcare, and youth policy - all of this was reflected in the strategic initiatives put forward by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

Italy's active participation in the region, its interest in attracting technological innovations and industrial potential to the Central Asian market, its intention to participate in transport logistics systems, and its readiness to participate as a partner in projects in the field of education and vocational training - all this has become a practical roadmap through this summit. Agreements were also reached on the exchange of information and experience, training of personnel and strengthening cooperation between law enforcement agencies in the areas of security, cyber threats, migration, combating extremism and drug trafficking.

The declaration also noted the agreement to continue relations between the countries of Central Asia and Italy on the basis of regular dialogue and platforms, to hold a meeting of foreign ministers in Italy in 2026, and a second summit in Kyrgyzstan in 2027. This will pave the way for institutionalizing cooperation in the region and developing it in a permanent format.

This summit and the declaration adopted at it once again demonstrated Uzbekistan's open, pragmatic and peace-loving foreign policy and active participation in global cooperation. The trend of international support for environmental, transport, education and economic reforms promoted by Shavkat Mirziyoyev continues consistently.

The Central Asia-Italy summit not only strengthened interstate relations, but also turned them into an important stage on the path to sustainable development, mutual trust and strategic partnership in the future.