Oriented on making people closer

Fergana, Uzbekistan, October 16 | ORIENT. The first Fergana Peace Forum, initiated by the Institute for Strategic and Interregional Studies (ISIS) under the President of Uzbekistan, has entered its key phase, demonstrating the transition from pragmatic economic cooperation to the affirmation of Central Asian identity and unity.

The forum, which will be held regularly in the Fergana Valley states on a rotating basis, aims not only to mobilize resources and investment but also to promote successful integration experiences as a "model" for other regions.

Day One: A Foundation of Pragmatism and a Common Strategy

The opening ceremony on October 15 was attended by the heads of regional administrations of Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan, senior officials from the Uzbek Foreign Ministry, as well as high-level representatives of the UN, CIS, SCO, EU, and OSCE, emphasizing the region's openness.

The first day was devoted to identifying concrete cooperation mechanisms to maintain long-term stability. During the sessions, participants discussed:

A vision for a common strategy for joint development, focusing on assessing the potential and developing mechanisms for interregional cooperation.

The theme was "The Fergana Valley – a Space of New Economic Opportunities," which explored new growth areas, industrial cooperation, import substitution, and the prospects for creating a unified Fergana Economic Space.

Thus, the first day set a pragmatic tone, focusing on trade, infrastructure, and economic rapprochement.

Day Two: Yntymak—a Laboratory of Unity and Civic Initiatives

The second day of the forum, October 16, was marked by Yntymak Day ("Unity Day"), which symbolizes friendship and mutual understanding among the peoples of the valley. The idea, which originated in Kyrgyzstan, has gained support and expanded to an international level.

Opening Yntymak Day, Akramjon Nematov, First Deputy Director of the Institute of Social Research and Public Policy, noted that the concept of unity "emerged within civil society and has found support from the government in Kyrgyzstan." He emphasized that President Sadyr Japarov frequently speaks about Yntymak, and this "overarching idea" enjoys strong support not only in Kyrgyzstan but also in other countries.

"Today we will see how this potential is, in fact, realized in practice. I hope that today will become a laboratory for practical action," Nematov said.

Not only the three Fergana Valley states, but also neighboring Central Asian countries – Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan – have been invited to the celebration and forum discussions, further developing the idea of Yntymak in the context of Central Asian unity and identity.

Inclusivity and Civil Society

A special emphasis on the second day was placed on inclusivity and civil society participation: "We invited many activists to this Yntymak Day in Uzbekistan... more than a hundred people from Kyrgyzstan, including civil society representatives from Tajikistan," Nematov said.

Women were highly active: "It seems like 80% of those gathered are, let's say, our stronger half... they are the most active."

Speakers at the Day's opening ceremony included representatives of civil society and international foundations, including the Deputy Director of the PeaceNexus Foundation (Switzerland), confirming the region's openness and willingness to cooperate with external partners.

Session Topics: From Water to Women's Leadership

The Yntymak Day program covered the most pressing and civic topics:

The session "Youth as a Subject" focused on unlocking the potential of the growing generation (more than 60% of the Fergana Valley's population is young, with a population growth rate of 400,000 annually) in developing local communities and fostering constructive dialogue.

The session "Water Guardians of the Fergana Valley" focuses on the water-climate nexus and its impact on intercommunity relations. Emphasis is placed on the participation of women and youth in water resource management.

"Voices of Communities in the Fergana Valley" - This session analyzes cross-border initiatives and the role of civil society organizations in strengthening good-neighborly relations, as well as the resources needed to sustain the results achieved.

The session "The Contribution of the Private Sector in Central Asia" examines the role of business as a driver of peacebuilding and support for inclusive business models aimed at creating jobs for vulnerable groups.

Finally, the session "Creating Sustainable Partnerships: Women's Leadership" will analyze the results of cross-border cooperation in promoting climate-resilient technologies and the role of women's leadership in building trust in border communities.

The Fergana Peace Forum successfully transitioned from a discussion of "conceptual approaches" to "practical actions" in the areas of ecology, youth, and civic engagement, strengthening the Yntymak Initiative as a foundation for peace, stability, and sustainable development throughout Central Asia.

Photo: orient.tm