ASTANA – Parliamentarians from five Central Asian countries discussed regional security, economic integration and digital cooperation at the fourth Inter-Parliamentary Forum of Central Asian States in Dushanbe on Oct. 29, Kazinform reported. The forum brought together lawmakers from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.
Kazakhstan’s delegation was led by Kurultai Chairman Aibek Dadebay. Participants discussed Kazakhstan’s political reforms and recent presidential initiatives, which the delegation said could create new development opportunities across the region. The Kazakh lawmakers also emphasized parliament’s role in maintaining regional peace and security through timely legislation.
Discussions addressed the continued importance of Central Asia’s nuclear-weapon-free zone and the proposed establishment of an International Agency for Biological Security. The Kazakh delegation proposed exchanging legislative practices in e-commerce, digital customs administration, investment, transport and industrial cooperation to remove regulatory barriers and create a more integrated regional business environment.
The initiative was linked to Kazakhstan’s goal of increasing intra-regional trade to $20 billion. Participants also discussed strengthening water and climate security, with the Kazakh delegation stressing the importance of adopting a framework convention on water use.
Digital cooperation featured prominently, including proposals to strengthen educational ties and provide legislative support for Kazakhstan’s initiative to develop a Central Asian partnership program on artificial intelligence. The delegation also proposed parliamentary support for volunteer initiatives and suggested establishing an annual Central Asian Week of Environmental Responsibility.
The discussions underscored the role of regional cooperation in addressing shared challenges, including security, water management, environmental protection and the development of emerging technologies. The forum concluded with the adoption of the Dushanbe Declaration.