Leaders of Central Asian countries and Italy convened in Astana for the first Central Asia–Italy summit, culminating in the adoption of a Joint Declaration aimed at deepening political, economic, and cultural cooperation.
Astana hosted the inaugural Central Asia-Italy Summit on May 30, bringing together the heads of state of five Central Asian countries and the Prime Minister of Italy, Giorgia Meloni. The summit, chaired by Kazakhstan's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, included President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov, President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon, and President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov.
The summit served as a high-level platform for dialogue on expanding multilateral cooperation between the two regions. Discussions focused on strategic issues including investment and technology partnerships, the green economy, regional security, and the promotion of educational and cultural exchanges.
Participants acknowledged the growing importance of Central Asia’s engagement with Europe, noting that the summit followed a series of agreements reached at a regional summit in Samarkand earlier this year. Leaders stressed the relevance of a structured dialogue with Italy, especially amid evolving global and regional dynamics.
The economic agenda of the summit included proposals for launching a Central Asia-Italy Business Club under the coordination of national chambers of commerce. This forum would serve as a regular venue for business leaders to meet and explore joint initiatives in sectors such as technology, manufacturing, and agriculture.
In support of regional industrial development, Uzbekistan announced the establishment of a special industrial park managed by a European operator in the Tashkent region. Participants also discussed attracting Italian state agencies such as SACE and Simest, as well as joint investment funds, to support industrial projects.
On the cultural and educational front, the summit celebrated successful collaborations such as the branches of the Turin Polytechnic University and University of Pisa in Tashkent. A proposal was made to establish a Central Asia-Italy Scientific and Educational Consortium to support academic exchanges, research, and training in fields like engineering and biotechnology.
Tourism and cultural exchange also featured prominently. With growing interest from Italian audiences in Central Asian heritage, a Creative Economy and Cultural Exchange Forum for youth is proposed to be held next year in Khiva.
The event culminated in the adoption of a joint declaration, setting a strategic framework for long-term cooperation between Central Asia and Italy across a broad spectrum of mutual interests.
A Danish military helicopter came within “metres” of being struck by flares fired by a Russian warship, Denmark's Defence...
The opening day of the 24th Arab Media Summit in Dubai highlighted how geopolitical, economic and technological upheaval is reshaping not only the ...
U.S. President Donald Trump has again said Iran is keen to reach a deal quickly, but a senior Iranian security official rejected the claim, saying ...
Maritime trackers received new reports of an attack on a ship in the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday, according to the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), adding to concerns about energy supplies after Saudi Arabia shut down a vital oil pipeline on Saturday.
U.S. Central Command said 101 commercial vessels have been redirected in the Strait of Hormuz, while oil prices rose more than three per cent amid fresh regional attacks and supply concerns.
A Russian strike on a farm warehouse in Pryluky, north-central Ukraine, has killed at least three people, local police said. Meanwhile, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said an attack on a train near the Polish border was an attempt to intimidate Ukraine's allies.
U.S. President Donald Trump has again said Iran is keen to reach a deal quickly, but a senior Iranian security official rejected the claim, saying Tehran will not negotiate until its conditions are met.
A Danish military helicopter came within “metres” of being struck by flares fired by a Russian warship, Denmark's Defence Minister Jeppe Bruus said on Tuesday. Russia accused Denmark of carrying out “dangerous manoeuvres” near its ship, and said it was investigating the incident.
The opening day of the 24th Arab Media Summit in Dubai highlighted how geopolitical, economic and technological upheaval is reshaping not only the region, but the media industry itself.
Georgia's move to comply with U.S. sanctions on Iranian airlines has sparked a diplomatic exchange with Tehran, as Tbilisi faces growing scrutiny in Washington over its ties with Iran, Russia and China.
Pakistan’s courts have temporarily blocked the expulsion of Afghan medical students, allowing dozens to continue their studies as Islamabad presses ahead with its wider Afghan repatriation drive amid tensions with Kabul.
Syria says it has taken major steps to resolve long-running concerns over its nuclear programme, marking what officials describe as the beginning of a new phase of cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
Georgia has been formally integrated into the European Union's Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T), bringing Anaklia Deep-Sea Port, Georgian Railway's main line and the East-West Highway into the network's expanded framework.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment