On 21 July 2022, the Fourth Consultative Meeting of the Central Asian Heads of States was held in the city of Cholpon-Ata, Kyrgyzstan. The leaders of all five Central Asian countries – Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, joined the meeting.[i] In 2017, the President of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, took the initiative to hold regular consultative meetings of Central Asian leaders. The First meeting was held in Nur-Sultan, the capital city of Kazakhstan, in March 2018.[ii] Uzbekistan hosted the Second Consultative Meeting in November 2019. Due to the pandemic, the Third meeting was postponed to 2021, and it was held in Avaza city of Turkmenistan in August 2021, coinciding with 30 years of independence of Central Asian countries.[iii]
The Fourth Consultative meeting becomes significant as it was held against the backdrop of important changes occurring in the region since the last meeting in August 2021. First, Turkmenistan had a peaceful transfer of power from former President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow to his son, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, in March 2022.[iv] Secondly, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan witnessed protests turning violent. In Kazakhstan, the protest started on economic causes in January 2022, while in Uzbekistan, protests began in July 2022 over political questions in a referendum held in late June 2022.[v] Third, the region also witnessed clashes at the Tajikistan-Kyrgyzstan border, resulting in loss of life and property.[vi]
Afghanistan and Ukraine crises are two extra-regional developments that have security and economic implications for entire Central Asia, making the Fourth Consultative meeting quite significant. [vii] A surprising development for the regional countries was the takeover of Kabul by the Taliban forces in August 2021, which happened about a week after their last Consultative meeting in Turkmenistan. The Taliban dispensation in Afghanistan creates many challenges, including terrorism threats to the region, extremism, drug and arms trafficking, cybercrime, and other cross-border organised crimes. [viii] Secondly, the Central Asian economies are linked to the Russian economy in many ways, and the Russia-Ukraine conflict has become a concern for all five countries, primarily due to sanctions imposed by Western countries and disruption in connectivity.[ix]
Major Issues discussed in the Fourth Consultative meeting
The meeting focused on addressing several crucial issues, including common security challenges, improving connectivity, creating a single cultural space in Central Asia, increasing trade, and strengthening the economy.
Map 1: Central Asia–Caspian Sea–the Black Sea-Persian Gulf Transport Routes
Source: https://jamestown.org/program/iran-drives-development-of-persian-gulf-black-sea-international-transport-and-transit-corridor/
The five leaders expressed their concerns on the situation in Afghanistan and considered the development of a roadmap envisaging the ‘entire spectrum’ of the security agenda regarding security in Central Asia. The leaders agreed to the continuation of close regional cooperation in promoting long-term peace and social and economic reconstruction of Afghanistan. They also focused on enhancing intra-regional cooperation, which would benefit all.[x]
Map 2: China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan Railway Route
Source: https://www.railfreight.com/beltandroad/2022/06/06/is-the-china-kyrgyzstan-uzbekistan-railway-route-finally-happening/
In the meeting, the leaders emphasised the efficient use of transport corridors to unlock the countries' transport and transit potential and improve connectivity so that Central Asia could benefit from its significant location on the North-South and East-West routes. The leaders considered joint development of transport routes for inter-regional connectivity.[xi] Central Asian leaders made several proposals to improve connectivity and develop alternative routes. Turkmenistan proposed the development of ‘Central Asia–Caspian–the Black Sea’ and ‘Central Asia–Persian Gulf’ transport routes (refer Map 1). Kyrgyzstan discussed building the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway (refer Map 2), which would strengthen the investment and transit potential of Central Asia.[xii] Kazakhstan proposed further development of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR), also called the “Middle Corridor” (refer Map 3). The route has become more relevant due to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine crisis since February 2022.[xiii] Kazakhstan is expressed its willingness to participate in the construction of the Mazar-i-Sharif – Kabul – Peshawar railway line, which is pursued by regional countries for South Asia-Central Asia connectivity.[xiv]
Map 3: Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR)
Source: https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/stocks/international-shippers-create-new-routes-to-avoid-russia-1031509580
In order to further improve intra-regional economic integration, the Central Asian leaders proposed a network of border trade and economic hubs based on the “Unified Commodity Distribution System of the Central Asian countries”. The system envisages uniting agricultural producers, exporters, importers, buyers, and logistics companies from the region and facilitating export to other countries.[xv] The leaders of Central Asian countries called for special attention to the digitalisation of economic sectors, which would reduce costs and ensure the competitiveness of products.
They discussed the implementation of joint hydropower projects for the mutually beneficial use of water resources of transboundary rivers, including the construction of Kambarata HPP-1 in Kyrgyzstan. This hydroelectric power plant will strengthen the energy security of Central Asian countries.[xvi]
Central Asian leaders also emphasized cooperation in culture and education. The Declaration on creating a single ‘Central Asian higher education space’ was adopted in the last meeting in 2021. At this meeting, leaders agreed to expand inter-university exchanges and further increase quotas for youth training in Central Asia.[xvii] Cooperation in the field of higher education through the opening of branches of leading universities and multilateral agreement on implementing youth policy were also discussed.[xviii]
The leaders emphasised creating a ‘single cultural space’ in the region consisting of composite, multifaceted interactions of cultural communities of Central Asia. They also discussed further popularisation of the famous spiritual and historical heritage of Central Asia, contemporary achievements in literature, art, and cinema, and encouraging cooperation between the creative intelligentsia. Kazakhstan suggested that to establish a single cultural space, it is worth starting the practice of selecting a "cultural capital of Central Asia" annually.[xix]
The Fourth Consultative meeting endorsed several documents aimed at increasing regional cooperation. In the meeting, all five Central Asian countries approved the “Roadmap for Developing Regional Cooperation for 2022-2024”, the “Regional Green Agenda Program for Central Asia” and the “Concept of Interaction between the States of Central Asia within the Framework of Multilateral Formats”.[xx]
Kazakhstan proposed a "Treaty on Friendship, Good Neighbourliness and Cooperation for the Development of Central Asia in the 21st century". The Presidents of Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan signed the Treaty. However, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan decided to accede to this Treaty after completing their internal procedures. Kazakhstan also proposed that a meeting of the Foreign Ministers of Central Asian countries should be held every six months to work out coordinated approaches to crucial issues of regional and international problems.[xxi]
Conclusion
Since independence, the lack of cooperation among Central Asian countries has been impacting the realisation of the region's full potential. Nevertheless, the interaction and cooperation among regional countries has been steadily growing over the last few years. Through improved bilateral relations and Consultative meetings, the Central Asian leaders are embarking on an effort to build wide-ranging intra-regional cooperation in political, trade, economic, cultural, humanitarian and international affairs. The consultative meeting is the only regional platform exclusively for Central Asian countries to discuss and find ways to address regional challenges.
Contemporary Central Asia is in the process of transformation and facing common geopolitical, security and economic challenges. These challenges are interconnected in Central Asia and need a collective approach from the region to mitigate these challenges. Prospects of multilateral and international cooperation in Central Asia will also depend on regional cooperation among all five countries. In this context, the Fourth Consultative meeting significantly demonstrates the desire and serves the purpose of Central Asian countries to create a 'five-sided' cooperation framework.
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* Dr. Punit Gaur is a Research Fellow at the Indian Council of World Affairs, New Delhi.
Disclaimer: The views are of the author.
Endnotes
[i] The Asia Today, “4th Consultative Meeting of Heads of Central Asian States kicks off in Kyrgyzstan,” 21 July 2022, 4th Consultative Meeting of Heads of Central Asian States kicks off in Kyrgyzstan - The Asia Today, accessed 25 July 2022.
[ii] Economic Times, “Central Asian Presidents gather for first ever standalone meet,” 15 March 2018, Central Asian Presidents gather for first ever standalone meet - The Economic Times (indiatimes.com), accessed 27 July 2022.
[iii] The Diplomat, “3rd Meeting of Central Asian Leaders: A Small Step Toward the Formation of a Regional Order?,” 12 August 2021, https://thediplomat.com/2021/08/3rd-meeting-of-central-asian-leaders-a-small-step-toward-the-formation-of-a-regional-order/, accessed 29 July 2022.
[iv]Anadolu Agency, “Serdar succeeds father as Turkmenistan’s new president”, 15 March 2022, https://www.aa.com.tr/en/asia-pacific/serdar-berdimuhamedov-succeeds-father-as-turkmenistans-new-president/2535622, accessed 17 August 2022.
[v] The Diplomat, “Unrest in Central Asia The Trouble in Karakalpakstan” 6 July 2022, https://thediplomat.com/2022/07/unrest-in-central-asia-the-trouble-in-karakalpakstan/, accessed 16 August 2022.
[vi] Aljazeera“Two civilians killed as guards clash at Kyrgyz-Tajik border” 28 January 2022, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/1/28/guards-clash-again-on-kyrgyz-tajik-border-ceasefire-falters, accessed 16 August 2022.
[vii] News Central Asia, “Fourth Consultative Summit of the Leaders of Central Asian States in Kyrgyzstan laid out a joint vision and multiple initiatives on better regional aligning against external shocks,” 22 July 2022, Fourth Consultative Summit of the Leaders of Central Asian States in Kyrgyzstan laid out a joint vision and multiple initiatives on better regional aligning against external shocks - News Central Asia (nCa), accessed 2 August 2022.
[viii] Central Asia Bureau for Analytical Reporting, “Implications of the Taliban Takeover in Afghanistan on Terrorism and Violent Extremism in Central Asia,” 4 April 2022, https://cabar.asia/en/implications-of-the-taliban-takeover-in-afghanistan-on-terrorism-and-violent-extremism-in-central-asia, accessed on 8 August 2022.
[ix] Geopolitica, “The Impact on Russia-Ukraine war on Central Asian Economy,” 10 April 2022, https://www.geopolitica.info/impact-russian-ukraine-war-on-central-asian-economy/, accessed on 8 August 2022.
[x] The Diplomat, “What Happened at the Latest Central Asian Leaders’ Meeting?,” 23 July 2022, https://thediplomat.com/2022/07/what-happened-at-the-latest-central-asian-leaders-meeting/, accessed on 4 August 2022.
[xi] Global Source Partner, “Central Asian presidents meet”, 22 July 2022, https://www.globalsourcepartners.com/posts/central-asian-presidents-meet/teaser, accessed 4 August 2022.
[xii] Ibid
[xiii] Euractive, “Kazakhstan announces initiatives at fourth summit of Central Asia states,” 22 July 2022, https://www.euractiv.com/section/central-asia/news/kazakhstan-announces-initiatives-at-fourth-summit-of-central-asia-states/, accessed 2 August 2022.
[xiv] eurasianet, “Central Asian alliance drifts for now as leaders lack common vision,”22 July 2022, https://eurasianet.org/central-asian-alliance-drifts-for-now-as-leaders-lack-common-vision, accessed 5 August 2022.
[xv] 24.KG, “Summit of Heads of Central Asia: Kazakhstan calls for economic cooperation” 21 July 2022, https://24.kg/english/240242_Summit_of_Heads_of_Central_Asia_Kazakhstan_calls_for_economic_cooperation/, accessed 16 August 2022
[xvi] News Central Asia, “Fourth Consultative Summit of the Leaders of Central Asian States in Kyrgyzstan laid out a joint vision and multiple initiatives on better regional aligning against external shocks,” 22 July 2022, Fourth Consultative Summit of the Leaders of Central Asian States in Kyrgyzstan laid out a joint vision and multiple initiatives on better regional aligning against external shocks - News Central Asia (nCa), accessed 2 August 2022.
[xvii] Euractive, “Kazakhstan announces initiatives at fourth summit of Central Asia states,” 22 July 2022, https://www.euractiv.com/section/central-asia/news/kazakhstan-announces-initiatives-at-fourth-summit-of-central-asia-states/, accessed 2 August 2022.
[xviii] Ibid
[xix] Kazinform, “Kazakh President suggests electing cultural capital of Central Asia every year”, 21 July 2022, https://www.inform.kz/en/kazakh-president-suggests-electing-cultural-capital-of-central-asia-every-year_a3957509, accessed 2 August 2022.
[xx] Ibid
[xxi] President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, “Speech by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev at the Fourth Consultative Meeting of the Heads of States of Central Asia,” 21 July 2022, Speech by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev at the Fourth Consultative Meeting of the Heads of States of Central Asia — Official website of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan (akorda.kz), accessed 8 August 2022.