A paper by Nargiza Umarova has been published in a collection of materials from the international scientific and practical conference “Geopolitics of Logistics: Transport Corridors of Central Asia in the Global System”, held on April 4, 2025, by the Faculty of International Relations of Al-Farabi Kazakh National University (Almaty), in which she analyzes the challenges and opportunities for activating the southern transit route for Central Asia, considering projects through Afghanistan as a tool for diversifying foreign trade routes and reducing dependence on the northern route through Russia. Considerable attention is paid to Iran's role in providing Central Asia with access to Indian Ocean ports, as well as the Taliban government's efforts to transform Afghanistan into an interregional transport hub.   An article examines in detail key infrastructure initiatives, including the Termez-Mazar-i-Sharif-Kabul-Peshawar and Torgundi-Herat-Kandahar-Spin Buldak railway corridors, the Lazurite Route, and the Wakhan Corridor. It analyzes the participation of Russia, China, India, and Iran in these projects, as well as the possible consequences of their geopolitical rivalry for the long-term interests of Central Asian states.   In conclusion, the expert emphasizes the need to develop a unified regional strategy for the development of southern transit, select a priority route that is beneficial to all states in the region, and create a regional investment fund to finance infrastructure projects. In her opinion, coordinated actions by Central Asian countries can strengthen their positions in the global transport and logistics system and turn Afghanistan into a stable link in mutually beneficial cooperation.   * The Institute for Advanced International Studies (IAIS) does not take institutional positions on any issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the IAIS.

At the 10th international round table of the Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Professor Azamat Seitov presented a report on “The Uzbek diaspora as a mediator of social change: Transcultural Identity and Connection with the Homeland”, in which he outlined a conceptual framework for understanding the diaspora not as a passive legacy of migration, but as an active and dynamic social organism. According to him, the Uzbek diaspora has a significant impact not only on the countries where they live, but also on Uzbekistan itself, forming a new dimension of transnational partnership.   Professor presented statistical data according to which about 5.5 million Uzbeks live abroad — almost 12% of the country’s population. The leading countries of residence remain Russia, Kazakhstan, South Korea, and Turkey. Seitov emphasized that the high natural population growth in Uzbekistan and the large proportion of young people create the conditions for further growth of the diaspora, including new waves of labor, educational, and family migration. This requires the development of a systematic state policy to include migration and diaspora potential in the national development strategy.   The report paid special attention to transformations within the diaspora itself: from a low-skilled workforce to communities of educated, professional Uzbeks capable not only of economic transfers but also of introducing innovative models of behavior, social norms, and cultural codes. The professor analyzed the experience of the diaspora in South Korea, where the second generation of migrants has successfully adapted, preserving their Uzbek identity while integrating into new cultural environments.   An important topic of the report was the transcultural identity of the diaspora as a result of the complex interaction between the native culture and the culture of the host society. The professor noted that the successful integration of the diaspora is accompanied by the preservation of language, traditions, and social structures, as well as the development of “synergistic” forms of identity. He emphasized the need to maintain ties with the historical homeland, especially with the second and third generations of migrants, through cultural centers, digital platforms, educational programs, and grants.   In conclusion, Professor Seitov emphasized that the Uzbek diaspora is not a drain, but a strengthening of social capital. It can become an important actor in promoting reforms, transferring knowledge and technology, strengthening cultural diplomacy, and developing new models of social interaction. The state should view the diaspora as part of national development, investing in the formation of transcultural competencies in the new generation of Uzbeks.   * The Institute for Advanced International Studies (IAIS) does not take institutional positions on any issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the IAIS.

On 21–22 May, Dr Akram Umarov, First Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs at the University of World Economy and Diplomacy (UWED) and Director of the Institute for Advanced International Studies (IAIS), took part in the prestigious Asian Leadership Conference (ALC), held in Seoul, and organized by The Chosun Ilbo — South Korea’s most influential national daily newspaper.   Now in its latest edition, the Asian Leadership Conference has grown into Korea’s foremost international forum, convening world-renowned political figures, global business leaders, and leading academics to debate the critical global challenges of our time. With a theme of “The Rise of Nations: Pathways to Great Prosperity”, the 2025 ALC examined transformative national strategies across regions, highlighting innovation, resilience, and geopolitical realignment in an era of heightened global uncertainty.   Dr Umarov was invited as a keynote speaker on the panel “Central Asia at the Crossroads: Geopolitics, Connectivity, and Regional Dynamics”. This timely session explored Central Asia’s evolving role as a pivotal bridge between East and West amid mounting geopolitical shifts and the reconfiguration of global supply chains.   In his keynote address, Dr Umarov provided a compelling analysis of the region’s accelerating regional cooperation, placing particular emphasis on Uzbekistan’s pivotal role in reshaping the regional order. He traced the turning point to the political transformation in Uzbekistan in 2016, which ushered in a new era of constructive diplomacy and de-securitized relations with neighboring states. He further underscored the strategic value of Uzbekistan’s pragmatic approach toward Afghanistan, which has opened opportunities for connectivity and peacebuilding beyond conventional alliances.   Highlighting infrastructure as a cornerstone of regional strategy, Dr Umarov elaborated on initiatives to develop reliable multi-directional transport corridors — linking Central Asia to South Asia, the South Caucasus, and Europe. These efforts, he argued, are positioning the region not only as a geopolitical fulcrum but as an emerging hub of economic integration and sustainable development.   The panel concluded with a dynamic exchange during the discussion session, where Dr Umarov and fellow experts engaged in in-depth discussions on specific challenges and the prospects for deeper regional integration in the face of global uncertainty.   Dr Umarov’s participation in ALC 2025 underscored Uzbekistan’s growing voice in global dialogues and reaffirmed IAIS’s commitment to contributing to the international policy discourse on Central Asia’s transformation and future trajectory.   * The Institute for Advanced International Studies (IAIS) does not take institutional positions on any issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the IAIS.

The Institute for Advanced International Studies (IAIS) under the University of World Economy and Diplomacy (UWED), in cooperation with the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences and Fudan University, convened an international online conference titled “China’s Chairmanship in the SCO: Concerns and Prospects for the Organization’s Development” on 15 May. The event was held in English and Russian, gathering a distinguished group of scholars, policy experts, and practitioners from across Eurasia.   This academic forum was dedicated to examining the priorities and strategic vision of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) during China’s ongoing chairmanship. In an era of profound geopolitical reordering and growing global uncertainty, participants engaged in a wide-ranging dialogue on the SCO’s potential to contribute to a more balanced, multipolar world order.   The conference opened with welcome remarks by Dr Akram Umarov, First Vice-Rector at UWED and Director of IAIS, and Dr Lifan Li, Director of the Centre for SCO Studies at the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences (SASS). Both highlighted the increasing significance of academic cooperation in shaping the SCO’s strategic vision and emphasised the need to develop a shared intellectual space across Eurasian states.   The conference featured two expert panels. First, “The Role of the SCO in Global Development: Challenges and Opportunities”, explored the Organisation’s evolving contribution to regional and global development. Speakers addressed themes such as economic integration, educational and cultural exchanges, and innovation-driven cooperation. Presentations were delivered by renowned figures including Dr Ziguo Li (Director, China Institute of International Studies (CIIS)), Prof. Ibragim Mavlanov (Head of the Center for Economic Diplomacy, IAIS), Dr Zheng Shi (President, China-SCO Institute of Economic and Trade), Dr Jabin T. Jacob (Director, Centre of Excellence for Himalayan Studies at Shiv Nadar University, India), and Muhammad Shamsuddinov (PhD candidate, Institute for the Study of Problems of Asian and European Countries of the National Academy of Sciences of Tajikistan)   The second panel, “SCO Expansion and Issues of Modernisation in the Context of Global Uncertainty”, assessed the institutional transformation of the Organisation amidst its growing membership and the shifting balance of power. Discussions focused on questions of governance, regional security, and the implications of recent enlargement. Contributions were made by experts such as Dr Abbos Bobokhonov (Head of the Center for Asia-Pacific Studies, IAIS), Dr Dongjie Chen (Shanxi Normal University), Ruslan Izimov (Senior Research Fellow, Institute for Philosophy, Political Sciences and Religious Studies, Kazakhstan), Alexandra Perminova (ICCA RAS), Dr Liang Li (Lanzhou University), Dr Jildiz Nicharapova (Associate Professor, Department of Liberal Arts and Sciences, American University of Central Asia), and Dr Ma Bin (Deputy Director, Centre for SCO Studies at Fudan University).   In their concluding statements, Dr Lifan Li and Dr Abbos Bobokhonov reaffirmed the importance of sustained expert engagement in refining the SCO’s priorities and institutional design. They underscored that academic fora such as this are vital for fostering mutual understanding, policy innovation, and long-term strategic cooperation across the Eurasian continent.   * The Institute for Advanced International Studies (IAIS) does not take institutional positions on any issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the IAIS.

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