As the world faces an increasingly interconnected and dynamic geopolitical environment, the idea of pan-regions has gained new relevance, particularly in Central Asia. This region, historically a crossroads of civilisations and trade routes, is once again at the centre of global shifts. The pan-region concept—marked by deep economic, political, and cultural integration—offers Central Asia the chance to become a formidable player in the emerging global order. As analysts and policymakers debate how to best navigate these changes, Central Asia’s nations have the opportunity to forge a new path, leveraging their shared history and strategic position to form a unified bloc capable of addressing mutual challenges and capitalising on collective strengths.
Defining the Pan-Region Concept
A pan-region goes beyond being a mere alliance of neighbouring states; it represents a deeply integrated geopolitical bloc. As Marlene Laruelle explains, “The concept of a pan-region implies a deep integration that goes beyond mere economic cooperation, encompassing political, cultural, and security dimensions”.
This holistic approach involves creating a unified strategy across sectors, from economic cooperation and security alliances to fostering cultural solidarity. In Central Asia, such integration would mean the development of a common system of governance, a single market, and a unified security policy.
Historical Context: Lessons from Past Attempts
Central Asia has long flirted with regional unity, yet past attempts have often failed due to political discord, external interference, and economic instability. Following the collapse of the Soviet Union, regional leaders explored new forms of integration, but these efforts were hindered by various challenges. As Laruelle notes, “Historically, Central Asia’s attempts at regionalism have been thwarted by external influences and internal political dissension, but the evolving geopolitical landscape offers new opportunities for genuine integration”.
Even further back, the dream of a unified Turkestan emerged, representing a vision of solidarity among the region’s peoples. However, “the vision of Turkestan represented a dream of unity among the peoples of Central Asia, but it was a dream that struggled to materialise in the face of geopolitical realities and local political dynamics” states Lieven.
The failures of the past provide important lessons. Early integration efforts were often derailed by a lack of shared vision and insufficient economic interdependence. Today, however, Central Asia has a chance to address these shortcomings by adopting more inclusive, pragmatic strategies that reflect the region’s current geopolitical context.
The Modern Pan-Region: A Practical Blueprint
For Central Asia to realise its potential as a pan-region, it must address key areas of cooperation and integration in a systematic and forward-thinking way:
Economic Integration: The region’s abundant natural resources—oil, gas, and renewable energy—position it as a strategic hub between Europe and Asia. By harmonising trade laws, standardising procedures, and promoting international investment, Central Asia could create a unified economic market. This would enable the region to leverage its advantageous position, transforming it into a vital conduit for global commerce.
Political Cooperation: Political unity is equally critical. A first step could be fostering discussions on common regional challenges such as environmental concerns, water management, and cross-border security. As these dialogues evolve, they could lead to the creation of institutionalised governance arrangements that balance national autonomy with collective decision-making.
Cultural and Educational Exchanges: Central Asia’s shared cultural heritage offers a strong foundation for unity. Promoting cultural festivals, media collaborations, and educational exchanges can strengthen regional ties and foster a shared identity, which is crucial for the success of a pan-region.
Security Cooperation: Security remains a pressing issue for Central Asia, as terrorism, extremism, and drug trafficking pose ongoing threats. By forming a regional defence alliance, sharing intelligence, and coordinating military drills, Central Asian nations can address these challenges more effectively, ensuring collective stability.
Turkic Unity and Eurasian Integration
The idea of Turkic unity resonates deeply in Central Asia, given the region’s shared linguistic, cultural, and historical ties. This concept envisions deeper collaboration among Turkic-speaking nations, potentially creating a powerful bloc within the broader pan-region. Initiatives like the Turkic Council are already laying the groundwork for such cooperation through cultural exchanges, economic partnerships, and political dialogue.
At the same time, Central Asia’s involvement in Eurasian integration efforts—such as the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) - provides another avenue for regional cooperation. These initiatives aim to strengthen economic, security, and political ties among former Soviet republics, offering Central Asia a platform for deeper integration within a broader geopolitical context.
Balancing External Influences
Central Asia’s strategic location has long attracted the attention of major global powers, including Russia, China, and the United States. Each of these powers has its own agenda in the region, often conflicting with the interests of Central Asia itself.
As Laruelle explains, “Regionalism in Central Asia is not just about integrating economies or forming security alliances; it is about crafting a strategic identity that enables these nations to act collectively on the global stage”. To navigate these external pressures, Central Asia must act as a unified entity, leveraging its collective strength to negotiate beneficial relationships with global powers while safeguarding its own autonomy.
Learning from Global Examples
Other regions have successfully navigated similar challenges, offering valuable lessons for Central Asia. The European Union (EU) and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) provide models of how diverse nations can achieve deep integration while respecting national sovereignty. The EU’s shared institutions and legal frameworks, and ASEAN’s consensus-based approach, offer blueprints that Central Asia could adapt to its unique context. As Lieven suggests, “Central Asia’s potential for regional unity lies in its ability to foster deep economic and political ties, much like the models seen in Europe and Southeast Asia”.
A Vision for the Future
Imagine a Central Asia where borders are open to trade and travel, where joint infrastructure projects drive economic growth, and where security is a shared responsibility. Such a pan-region would not only improve the lives of the region’s 70mn inhabitants but also position Central Asia as a significant player on the global stage.
As Roy notes, “With increasing global interdependence, stronger ties within Central Asia could help prevent external powers from monopolising the region’s future”.
The path to a Central Asian pan-region is not without challenges, but the potential rewards are immense. By learning from history and adopting modern strategies, Central Asia can create a cohesive, prosperous future. The time for action is now, and with a concerted effort, the dream of a unified pan-region in Central Asia can become a reality.
References:
1. Laruelle, M. (2015). Regionalism in Central Asia: New Geopolitical Game or Unfinished Agenda? Europe-Asia Studies, 271-288.
2. Roy, A. (2004). Strategic Regionalism in Central Asia: Geopolitics and the Strengthening of Political and Economic Ties. Central Asian Survey, 151-165.
Written by: Talgat Kabdygali
Comments (1)
Interesting. The concept of “pan-region” gets neglected in most contemporary discourse as it is inapplicable to great powers whose geographical delimitation from a pan-region is marginal.
The introduction of Central Asia as a pan-region would indeed be decisive for the future development of Asia and shape the outlook of the entire world.