TASHKENT, Republic of Uzbekistan

SRSG for Central Asia and Head of UNRCCA Mr. Kaha Imnadze participated in the Eighth Central Asian Expert Forum (CAEF), held on 14-15 August 2025 in Tashkent, Republic of Uzbekistan.

The Forum was organized by the Institute for Strategic and Regional Studies under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, in partnership with UNRCCA, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), the Delegation of the European Union to Uzbekistan, and the Konrad Adenauer Foundation.

Launched in 2018 with UNRCCA’s support, the Forum has become a trusted platform for Central Asia’s leading think tanks to exchange perspectives, build consensus, and develop actionable recommendations aimed at advancing regional cooperation.

This year’s Forum, convened under the theme “Central Asia - a Common Space of Trust, Security and Sustainable Development,” brought together directors and senior experts from the Institutes of Strategic Studies of the Central Asian States, representatives from academic and research institutions across the region. For the first time, the Forum was joined by experts from the European Union, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and the Nordic Council, as well as from Azerbaijan, the Russian Federation, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States of America, who enriched the discussions with diverse perspectives and expertise in regional studies.

In his opening remarks, SRSG Kaha Imnadze emphasized that in an era of global instability, marked by regional conflicts, climate change, and economic volatility - closer political coordination among Central Asian countries is essential for promoting regional stability and enhancing engagement with other regions, including South Asia and Afghanistan. He highlighted that strengthening cooperation between Central and South Asia is vital for sustaining peace, security, and inclusive development, while fostering mutual trust, resilience, and long-term prosperity. SRSG Imnadze further noted that such collaboration provides a framework for addressing shared challenges, advancing sustainable solutions, and supporting the region’s integration into global stability and development efforts.

Participants of the Forum had a valuable opportunity to identify common interests and outline priorities for Central Asia’s future development. The discussions concluded with a set of actionable recommendations and proposals, which will be submitted to the Governments of the Central Asian States for their review and possible integration into future policy initiatives. These outcomes will also enrich the agenda of the forthcoming Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asia, scheduled to take place later this year in the Republic of  Uzbekistan.