PARTICIPATION OF THE DIRECTOR OF THE CSR IN THE FIFTH FORUM OF THINK TANKS “CENTRAL ASIA – CHINA”

On June 3, 2025, the fifth Forum of Think Tanks “Central Asia – China: New Horizons of Regional Partnership” was held in Astana, timed to coincide with the Summit of Heads of State of Central Asia and China.

The Forum was organized by the Kazakhstan Institute for Strategic Studies under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Institute of Russia, Eastern Europe and Central Asia of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.

The main focus of the Forum was on strengthening political dialogue, developing mutually beneficial economic cooperation, as well as the latest trends in the technological sphere, including “green” and digital solutions.

The event was attended by heads of leading think tanks of the PRC and Central Asian countries, as well as representatives of political, diplomatic, and expert-analytical circles of Kazakhstan.

Tajikistan at this Forum was represented by Khairidin Usmonzoda – Director of the Center for Strategic Research under the President of the Republic of Tajikistan and Bakhtovar Rashidov – Deputy Head of the Department of Analysis and Forecasting of Foreign Policy of the Center for Strategic Research under the President of the Republic of Tajikistan.

The Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Tajikistan to the Republic of Kazakhstan, Khairullo Ibodzoda, also participated in the Forum.

Director of the CSR Khairidin Usmonzoda spoke at the first session “Strategic Architecture of Cooperation between Central Asia and China: Systemacity, Openness and Common Interests” with a report on the topic “Central Asian-Chinese Relations in the Context of Global Strategic Uncertainty.”

During his speech, Khairidin Usmonzoda noted that “Central Asia in recent years, thanks to the efforts made to strengthen peace, ensure stability, and develop the economy, has acquired a positive image of the environment of the countries of the Asian continent.”

It was noted that “Leaders of the countries of Central Asia are constantly, through joint efforts, seeking ways and mechanisms to support regional stability and development. In doing so, each country, by ensuring its own development and with full awareness of the priority of inclusiveness, makes a positive contribution to the success of each other.”

Initiating a discussion on multilateral cooperation in the CA+China format, the Director of the CSR emphasized that “Among the emerging platforms, the peculiarity of the emergence of the Central Asia and China format is that it has become a natural continuation of the already successfully operating partnership model between the countries of the region and China. It is appropriate in this context to recall the efforts of the parties to successfully resolve border issues, the creation of the SCO, where the founders included the countries of Central Asia, the accession of the countries of the region as one of the first to the Chinese Belt and Road Initiative, the multilateral dialogue at the level of foreign ministers, which following the summit in Xi’an on May 18-19, 2023, was transformed into a mechanism for comprehensive cooperation at the highest level.”

In his speech, the Director of the Center for Strategic Research, emphasizing the importance of Tajikistan’s global initiatives, noted that “The Republic of Tajikistan consistently supports and strengthens its global initiatives to manage the effects of climate change. The country has the lowest share of greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere compared to any other country. New infrastructure is being intensively built to develop green energy as part of the goal to turn Tajikistan into a “green country” by 2037. In this direction, Tajikistan is actively working with Chinese companies.”

In conclusion of his speech, Usmonzoda Khairidin emphasized that “Our countries have found a path to relations that are deeply constructive and partner-like. This gives us the confidence to say that the CA+China format was not created spontaneously, but it matured in the interests of more effectively using the potential of the parties to promote peace and prosperity in the region.”

It should also be noted that on the sidelines of the forum, taking the opportunity, the Director of the CSR gave an interview to Kazakh media about the importance of the initiatives of the Leader of the Nation, the esteemed Emomali Rahmon, in ensuring regional and global security.

 

Press Service of the Center for Strategic Research
under the President of the Republic of Tajikistan