FIRST REGIONAL FORESIGHT WORKSHOP CENTRAL ASIA 2050: CHARTING PATHWAYS TO SHARED PROSPERITY AND STABILITY
First regional foresight workshop was held in Tashkent on 27-28 May. Ms. Fazilat Abdullaeva participated in the workshop on behalf of SIC ICWC.
The event brought together representatives from government bodies, think tanks, and academic institutions across the five Central Asian republics. Its primary aim was to formulate a shared strategic vision for the future of Central Asia and to establish a sustainable policy–science interface to support the joint promotion and implementation of regional initiatives.
The workshop was organized by the Agency for Strategic Reforms under the President of Uzbekistan, in partnership with the Institute for Strategic and Interregional Studies of Uzbekistan (ISIS), the International Institute for Central Asia (IICA), and the Agency for Strategic Planning and Reforms of the Republic of Kazakhstan, with the support of the European Union.
The event's agenda focused on projections for the year 2050, highlighting key areas such as demographics, energy, transport integration, human capital development, industrial cooperation, and economic complementarity among the countries of the region. Particular attention was paid to climate change and water management in Central Asia.
It was noted that in recent years, the average temperature in the region has increased by 1.2°C, glacier volume has decreased by 30%, and per capita freshwater availability has dropped from 8,400 to 2,500 cubic meters per year. According to projections, this figure could fall below 1,700 cubic meters by 2030, placing the region on the threshold of countries experiencing severe water scarcity.
Participants emphasized the urgent need to accelerate the transition to renewable energy, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and promote environmentally sustainable models of production and consumption. The workshop provided a platform for sharing best practices and for the development of joint approaches in advancing green economy and sustainable energy.
Two key objectives were identified during the event: to formulate a common strategic vision for Central Asia’s future, distinguishing between inevitable developments, potential scenarios, and processes contingent on joint decision-making; to establish a sustainable expert network that brings together researchers, government representatives, and policy analysts to support coordinated long-term regional initiatives.
Additionally, as part of the workshop, a call for essays on the future of Central Asia was announced for young people from all five countries. The top 100 essays will be published in a final compilation. Applications are open until June 15, 2025.
SIC ICWC contributed to the discussion of plausible climate scenarios, with the aim of developing flexible and adaptive solutions informed by real-time data and supported by advanced forecasting tools.
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