Uzbekistan has put forward a proposal to expand cooperation between Central Asia and Russia's Far East. These proposals go beyond traditional transport routes and trade, encompassing joint production, technological partnership, and scientific research.
The proposals were presented by Akromjon Nematov, the First Deputy Director of the Institute of Strategic and Regional Studies under the President of Uzbekistan. He introduced them at a round table titled 'Central Asia – Pacific Ocean: A New Level of Connectivity?'. The event took place in Vladivostok as part of the first All-Russian Scientific and Practical Conference organized by the Far Eastern Institute at the Far Eastern Federal University (FEFU).
Participants in the discussion included representatives from FEFU, Saint Petersburg State University, the Institute of China and Contemporary Asia of the Russian Academy of Sciences, the Moscow State Institute of International Relations, Zhusup Balasagyn Kyrgyz National University, and the Secretariat of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation.
Nematov noted that the consistent and open foreign policy of the President of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, as well as the joint efforts of the leaders of Central Asia, have helped the region transition from overcoming past disagreements to aligning strategic priorities and defining common development prospects. He emphasized that the accumulated political trust has laid a solid foundation for deeper economic interaction.
The countries of Central Asia are strengthening the space of good neighborliness and common development by integrating their infrastructure, industrial, and technological potential. This approach was confirmed at the eighth Consultative Council of Heads of State of Central Asian Countries, held on October 8, 2026, in Avaza with the participation of Azerbaijan.
The convergence of regional cooperation with economic growth has led to a doubling of the aggregate gross domestic product of the five Central Asian countries since 2016. It is projected that this figure will exceed 600 billion US dollars by the end of 2026. The region's population is approaching 100 million, which provides a significant consumer market and workforce. The industrial base is expanding, economic ties are strengthening, and participation in international economic activities is growing.
Thanks to abundant natural resources and favorable geographical location, these factors enhance Central Asia's role as an independent center of economic growth and a potential participant in international production and technological chains. Nematov stated that the pragmatic diversification of foreign economic relations allows Central Asian countries to deepen relations with various centers of global economic growth, and the expansion of 'Central Asia Plus' formats reflects growing international interest in the region.
Partnerships with East Asia have gained particular significance: the first Central Asia–China summit took place in June 2025, the first Central Asia–Japan summit in December 2025, and the Central Asia–Republic of Korea summit in September 2026. Cooperation with partners from East Asia now extends beyond traditional trade to include localized production, deeper raw material processing, advanced technologies, energy development, and engineering education.
This indicates a change in Central Asia's economic role: the region is becoming not only a market and transit corridor but also a partner in creating new industries and generating added value.
Against this backdrop, participants highlighted the potential for closer economic ties between Central Asia and Russia's Far East. The goal is not merely to increase cargo flows, but to use transport connectivity to develop joint production, technological interaction, and access to third-country markets. Uzbekistan plays a special role in this process.
The development of Uzbekistan's industrial and transport infrastructure, alongside strengthening economic ties with neighboring states, can contribute to the creation of production and logistics hubs connecting Russia's Far East with the markets of Central Asia, South Asia, and the Middle East.
The practical basis for cooperation is the Russia's Far East–Uzbekistan Cooperation Plan for 2025–2030, signed in December 2024. It covers trade and investment, agriculture and food production, education and human resource training, mining, and other sectors. Nematov outlined five interconnected areas that can translate these prospects into practical projects.
The first area is the development of integrated transport and logistics infrastructure. One proposal is the creation of interconnected logistics and production hubs in Primorsky Krai, Russia, and Tashkent Region, Uzbekistan, with Kazakhstan acting as a transit partner. Regular container transport, utilizing FESCO capabilities, digitalization of transport operations, and integration of information systems, including Uzbekistan's E-logistika platform, can enhance route competitiveness, reduce delivery time and cost, and ensure reliable return cargo.
The second area is industrial and scientific and technical cooperation. Opportunities include industrial design, equipment maintenance, deeper processing of mineral resources, and the development of new materials, including using critical minerals and rare earth elements. Scientific research and educational institutions in Russia's Far East, especially FEFU, can support joint research, engineering solutions, and industrial development in Central Asia. This approach aligns with President Mirziyoyev's initiative to create an Eurasian belt of technological industrialization, aimed at developing complementary industries, expanding technological cooperation, and creating sustainable value chains.
The third area is energy, water resources, and environmental sustainability. The growing need in Central Asia for reliable energy sources and efficient water use creates opportunities for joint research, hybrid power generation, digital energy management, and water-saving technologies.
The fourth area is agricultural and food cooperation. Uzbekistan's initiative to create an Eurasian Agroexpress could facilitate regular supplies of fruits, vegetables, dried fruits, and processed products from Central Asia to Russia's Far East, while fish and seafood would be transported in the reverse direction. Such trade requires modern refrigeration and warehousing capacities, harmonized inspection procedures, and predictable transport conditions.
The fifth area is human resource training and scientific and educational cooperation. Combining the capabilities of FEFU with those of leading universities in Central Asia can expand joint educational programs, applied research, and the training of engineers and technical specialists. Of particular interest is Uzbekistan's 'Engineers of the Future' initiative, aimed at developing skills necessary for joint industrial enterprises and developing technology sectors.
In conclusion, participants noted that cooperation between Central Asia and Russia's Far East should be focused on achieving concrete economic results. The task is to move from individual trade and transport operations to comprehensive partnership covering logistics, industry, energy, science, and education.
For Central Asia, closer ties can provide additional access to the Asia-Pacific markets, attract technological and engineering expertise, deepen raw material processing, and strengthen production and logistics capabilities. For Russia's Far East, this can mean expanding economic ties with Central Asia, increasing cargo volumes, supporting joint production, and providing routes to the markets of South Asia and the Middle East.
One practical step is the development of a portfolio of pilot projects within the existing Russia's Far East–Uzbekistan Cooperation Plan for 2025–2030, involving relevant government bodies, research centers, transport operators, and businesses. This will help turn identified opportunities into initiatives based on the complementary strengths of the two regions.
Participants stated that Central Asia and Russia's Far East possess significant potential to form a new zone of Eurasian-Pacific cooperation. Central Asia is increasingly viewed not just as a peripheral market or transit corridor, but as an independent center of economic connectivity and a potential link in international value chains. Realizing this potential will require further development of transport routes, integration of production capacities, expansion of technology exchange, and building long-term partnerships. This model can benefit both regions, strengthen their positions in the international division of labor, and open up additional market opportunities.
Parallel to the conference, meetings were held with representatives from Russia, China, Vietnam, and other countries. Prospects for expanding interregional cooperation, developing expert dialogue, and launching joint research initiatives were discussed. These meetings led to agreements on expanding professional contacts and strengthening cooperation with relevant scientific and educational institutions.
