The Central Asia–Japan Summit holds historic significance, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan declared in Tokyo, noting that over two decades since Japan’s first dialogue initiatives with the region, Central Asia has evolved into a consolidated space with growing economies and a distinct regional voice.
President Mirziyoyev framed the Great Silk Road not as a romantic metaphor, but as a symbol of deep historical interconnectivity — a foundation for future collaboration. He proposed institutionalizing the Central Asia–Japan format through biennial summits and jointly developing a long-term Cooperation Strategy until 2040, supported by a concrete roadmap covering sustainable development, digital transformation, and regional integration into global value chains.
Key initiatives unveiled include:
- Creation of an Expert Forum uniting think tanks from Central Asia and Japan to add intellectual depth to the dialogue;
- Establishment of a Central Asia Infrastructure and Industrial Development Investment Fund;
- Launch of a “Quality Infrastructure” Programme, aligned with Japan’s high technical and environmental standards;
- Development of a network of Japanese-style technoparks, tailored to each country’s industrial and resource profile.
Digital transformation was highlighted as a strategic priority: Mirziyoyev proposed a Central Asia–Japan Digital Hub for joint R&D in artificial intelligence, robotics, IoT, and cybersecurity.
Expanding the concept of security, the President emphasized climate resilience, air quality, seismic safety, and ecological sustainability. He called for regional green energy programs, emissions reduction targets, training of specialists, and deployment of early-warning systems.
Notably, Afghanistan was singled out as a focal point for joint socio-economic integration efforts, with Japan’s support.
In sum, Mirziyoyev redefined the Central Asia–Japan partnership — shifting it from a dialogue of “intentions” to a structured mechanism of long-term strategic cooperation. Japan is envisioned not only as an investor and technology provider, but as a co-architect of the region’s future — one integrating infrastructure, innovation, ecology, and inclusive security.
CentralasianLIGHT.org
December 22, 2025