The geopolitical landscape is undergoing a significant shift, and Central Asia is increasingly gaining importance in the global arena, the Astana Times reports.
Michael Rossi, a professor at Rutgers University in the United States stated that Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan are driving the region's global positioning. In an interview with the reporter, Rossi emphasized the pivotal roles these countries play in reshaping public perception and knowledge about Central Asia.
“As the strongest and most developed country in Central Asia, Kazakhstan is well positioned to take a leading role in the region’s emerging international agenda. I feel that Kazakhstan is pursuing its international initiatives by branding itself – the country and its capital – as a center for business, finance, and education,” Rossi, who is also a visiting professor at Webster University Tashkent and a former director of the international relations program at Long Island University Brooklyn, stated.
In his opinion, Kazakhstan has two major advantages in forming a Central Asian geopolitical unit. The first advantage is its abundant oil and gas deposits, making it a crucial partner for countries like Russia, China, and India. The second advantage lies in Kazakhstan's openness and accessibility to foreign engagement, particularly with the United States and Europe. Compared to its neighboring former Soviet states, Kazakhstan's relatively greater development during the Soviet period provided it with an early advantage in engaging with global markets.
Rossi pointed out the significance of the Astana International Forum (AIF) as an indicator of Central Asia coming into its own. The AIF utilizes the revenue generated from raw materials to invest in the development of human resources, showcasing the region's growth potential. With the relocation of Kazakhstan's capital to Astana, the city has undergone massive building projects, transforming it into a modern 21st-century city. Rossi compared Astana to Singapore or Dubai, while also highlighting the modern and cosmopolitan character of Almaty, which remains welcoming to international investors and tourists.
The growing attention towards Central Asia is driven by its newly positioned geographical importance in an emerging multipolar world. Surrounded by Russia, China, India, and Iran, the region is shedding its image as a collection of obscure countries and surprising visitors with cities comparable to those found in Europe. This newfound attention presents an opportunity for Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan to showcase Central Asia as a dynamic region characterized by a growing population of intellectuals and entrepreneurs who are keen on investing domestically.
“The days of seeing Central Asia as a collection of obscure ‘-stan’ countries with little knowledge beyond stereotypes is coming to an end. People who travel to the region and spend time in Astana, Almaty, Tashkent, Samarkand, or Bishkek, are surprised to find cities that are similar to what one can find in Europe,” he noted.
Rossi emphasized that Central Asian countries, particularly Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, stand to benefit enormously from their involvement in free trade zones such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU). While Kazakhstan maintains strategic partnerships with Russia and China due to close economic ties, Rossi noted that strengthening ties with the West has its limits to avoid conflicts with established economic relations.
Regarding the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR), also known as the Middle Corridor, Rossi highlighted its potential impact on regionalization. The infrastructural projects associated with the TITR, including modern roads, highways, bridges, tunnels, railways, and pipelines, will not only modernize the countries' infrastructure but also provide job opportunities in construction and engineering. Moreover, the connectivity between Central Asian countries and major economic hubs in China, Russia, India, Türkiye, and Iran will transform key cities into centers of learning and industry, much like the historical Silk Road networks.
“Like the Silk Road networks in history, cities and people in Central Asia will benefit enormously as trading hubs, which will transform key cities into centers of learning and industry,” he said.
Beyond economic benefits, Central Asia can also experience growth in travel and tourism, student exchange programs, and improvements in standards of living through increased cooperation. Rossi pointed to Uzbekistan's example, which, within a short period, has opened itself up after years of isolation and obscurity.
“As a good example, just in the last seven years since the death of Uzbekistan’s former president Islam Karimov and accession to power by Shavkat Mirziyoyev, the country has opened itself up after more than 20 years of isolation and obscurity. Within this short period of time, cities like Tashkent, Samarkand, Andijan, and Bukhara have experienced a renaissance in construction, modernization, conservation, and restoration of historical sites, and an explosion of new internationally sponsored colleges and universities that are training new generation of young adults to participate in the region’s emerging economic, diplomatic, and cultural importance,” Rossi enlightened.
As transport and logistics projects are implemented step by step, Central Asia is securing its place on the global map, providing more opportunities for multilateral cooperation.
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