― 18 апреля 2026 г.

Central Asia’s global position discussed at the ADF 2026 in Antalya

The panel session entitled “Rising Together: The Global Positioning of Central Asian States on the 35th Anniversary of Their Independence”, held at the 5th Antalya Diplomacy Forum (ADF 2026) dealt with the growing role of Central Asian countries in the rapidly changing global order.

The panel held within the framework of the forum organised in Antalya under the patronage of the President of the Republic of Türkiye Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and hosted by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Türkiye Hakan Fidan,, was also attended by Mr. Sultan Raev, Secretary General of TURKSOY.

During the panel, it was emphasised that the position of Central Asian countries within the global system is being reshaped as they approach the 35th anniversary of their independence, whilst the region’s growing geopolitical importance, security dynamics and economic integration processes were comprehensively assessed.

Mr. Rashid Meredov, the Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan; Mr. Jeenbek Kulubayev, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic; and Mr. A. Berris Ekinci, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Ambassador Alibek Bakayev and the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan Mr. Muzaffarbek Madrakhimov who took the floor at the panel highlighted the region’s relations with global actors and the growing role of multilateral cooperation mechanisms.

Participants highlighted that Central Asia has become not only a geographical but also a strategic crossroads and emphasised the importance of strengthening regional ownership, enhancing connectivity and deepening economic cooperation.

The panel also addressed the strategic value of Türkiye’s cooperation with the region, particularly through the Organisation of Turkic States, alongside the rising role of multilateral platforms such as the C5+1.