Central Asia: A whole new world not far away

Eugene Lee

By Eugene Lee

• Published Nov 27, 2025 4:20 PM KST

While we all were busy with our domestic affairs for the year, the world has drastically changed, and that includes the region I would like to talk about: Central Asia. The cluster of five states — Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, all uniquely different — is at a turning point. To describe the countries in a few words isn’t easy, so I will focus on their recent achievements and why we should care.

First and foremost, we should understand that this region is one and it is stable. In other words, whenever we deal with any country of the five, we should keep all of them in mind. In spite of the general preference of the countries to be viewed as their own entity, Central Asian states are increasingly — and sometimes even without realizing it themselves — conducting their foreign policy while including their neighbors.

In February, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan signed a historic agreement on border demarcation, laying the foundation for stability in the region. Some had predicted the region to be a hotbed of terrorism on the world map, but the reality shows the opposite. As some political analysts put it, the relations between Tajikistan and Uzbekistan are the arc of stability in Central Asia. No less significantly, in the same month Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan signed a monumental trilateral pact — the Khujand Declaration on Eternal Friendship. Months later, trade and travel are increasing day by day as the countries draw closer to each other.

Central Asia is growing fast. With its birthrate on steroids, slightly over 2 million people are added to the region’s population — which currently stands at more than 82 million — annually, for an average growth of 1 to 2 percent.

Another dimension worthy of our attention is the energy market. This region has chronically suffered from lack of electricity, a predecessor to any kind of development. With Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan building not one, but several nuclear power stations, and Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan about to complete their hydroelectric projects, there will soon be an excess of electricity.

It is important to also mention the leadership. In spite of outside criticism, each leader has put wisdom and ingenuity into running their respective countries. Start with President Emomali Rahmon of Tajikistan, known as a peacemaker due to being credited with ending his country’s civil war in 1997. His vision and decades-long unwavering effort to complete the immense — and massively expensive — Rogun Hydropower Plant, is paying off, as the project nears the finish line. Under his leadership, the seemingly small country is a gigantic source of pride for the whole region, acting as a bearer of tradition, respect and hospitality.

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan aspires to recreate the economic miracle of the Four Asian Tigers (Korea, Singapore, Hong Kong and Taiwan) in his own region. Meanwhile, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev of Kazakhstan is looking to send his country’s first indigenous rocket into space — the fruit of a long-standing effort at the Baikonur Cosmodrome. The president’s vision is to capitalize on Kazakhstan’s vast territory and turn it into a global logistical hub for goods and people, via air or land.

President Sadyr Japarov of Kyrgyzstan is enjoying almost 10 percent annual growth as the country’s economy kicks into high gear. He has done so by pushing for improved taxation and new social security systems. He has also supported the country’s new Labor Code, which is positively impacting jobs for the whole population, especially women.

Turkmenistan President Serdar Berdimuhamedov is driving large-scale reforms and modernization programs under a massive policy dubbed “The state is for people!” The country’s economy is seeing a healthy 5-6 percent growth annually. This year, declared the Year of Peace and Trust, the country is celebrating its 30th anniversary of neutrality.

The appeal of Central Asia and huge potential for regional development are already evident, but what the countries are missing is experience. Here, Korea’s know-how may become handy. For example, linking natural resources to global supply chains, new markets and product development are areas where we can pitch ideas.

Interestingly enough, even Turkmenistan — wrongfully labeled as a hermit state — is a unique regional player. With neutrality being "hardwired" into its identity and Constitution since its first day of independence, it is becoming more than just an integral part of the region; it is projecting the notion of neutrality — a crucial component desired by every state in the region.

Sometimes even Central Asians themselves don’t realize that their region is a good starting place. For example, for any large project Kazakhstan is planning, Central Asia would be a springboard, be it space exploration or artificial intelligence. The same applies to Uzbekistan — any greatness comes through the success of the region.

The recent meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and the leaders of the region in Washington at the C5+1 diplomatic summit has been successful and is beginning to define new perspectives, dynamics and status for Central Asia. A high-level meeting between the presidents of Korea and the Central Asian states in the C5+Korea format was initially planned for this year, but has been delayed, and wisely so.

The success of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, in late October has taught us how to do it successfully. We must start preparations now to catch everyone’s attention and ultimately reap good results. Going beyond the economy and trade cooperation, we would be wise to learn more about the people of Central Asia, especially their culture and history. And, if we succeed with Central Asia, maybe Pyongyang will be next.

Eugene Lee (mreulee@gmail.com) is a lecturing professor at the Graduate School of Governance at Sungkyunkwan University in Seoul. Specializing in international relations and governance, his research and teaching focus is on national and regional security, international development, government policies, and Northeast and Central Asia. The views expressed in this article are his own.