Tashkent Calls for Full Afghan Integration in Central Asian Regional Processes
DID Press: A senior adviser to the President of Uzbekistan has stressed that Afghanistan should be considered a full partner—not a peripheral actor—in emerging “Greater Central Asia” frameworks, emphasizing that the country’s stability and economic recovery are directly linked to regional development.
Jawlon Vakhabov said Afghanistan must be included as an equal stakeholder and “co-author” of regional processes rather than being treated as a marginal participant.
He highlighted that Afghanistan’s stability and economic progress are closely tied to the future of Central Asia, particularly in the context of expanding regional connectivity and integration.
Vakhabov described major transport and energy initiatives—including the Trans-Afghan Corridor, TAPI Pipeline, and CASA-1000—as transformational projects capable of turning Afghanistan from a transit route into a full regional development actor.
In the area of water and climate cooperation, he called for stronger legal and institutional frameworks involving Afghanistan, including dialogue on the Qosh Tepa Canal, shared data systems, joint monitoring, glacier research, and early warning mechanisms at regional and international levels.
The remarks were made during the inaugural “Central Asia–Afghanistan Think Tank Forum” held in Kabul, where participants discussed Afghanistan’s role in regional integration, political cooperation, economic connectivity, and infrastructure development.
The forum brought together leading think tanks, research institutions, and economic representatives from Central Asian countries, Azerbaijan, and Afghanistan, focusing on strengthening political dialogue, trade expansion, energy cooperation, and cultural and humanitarian ties.
Participants concluded that sustained expert dialogue and intellectual cooperation could serve as a practical tool for implementing regional agreements, strengthening security, enhancing economic connectivity, and promoting sustainable development.