World-renowned scientists attended the International Congress “Prospects of development of the countries of Central Asia in the XXI century” organized by the International Ataturk Alatoo University in Bishkek.

Leading researchers, experts and heads of international organizations from Eastern Europe, Central Asia and Southeast Asia shared their views of the economic, political, and philosophical development prospects of the region.

According to Executive Director of the International Business Council based in Bishkek, Temirbek Azhykulov, the meeting called to develop joint efforts in the region, paying more attention to geopolitical relationship between the neighboring countries and developing economic ties.

"The meeting stressed that the Central Asian countries have to change priorities in economic development and move from the export-import dependence in the economy to industrial production, and to find their own niche to produce products that will be in demand in the international market," said Azhykulov.

By increasing export-oriented production Kyrgyzstan could increase the flow of currency into the country and thus improve its trade balance. “By expanding local production our economy will be less dependent on fluctuations of the currency exchange rates and remittances from migrant workers,” he added.

Particular attention of the congress was paid to the speech of Frederick Starr, the founding Chairman of the Central Asia-Caucasus Institute and Silk Road Studies Program, a joint transatlantic research center affiliated with the Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies, Johns Hopkins University in Washington, where he is a Research Professor.

Frederick Starr’s research on Central Asian countries has resulted in twenty-two books, and the most recent is “The Ferghana Valley: The Heart of Central Asia”. As the Central Asian countries now support the Silk Road Economic Belt Initiative proposed by Chinese leader Xi Jinping, this book becomes even more vital. The Silk Road Belt Initiative is a development strategy focused on connectivity and cooperation between Eurasian countries.

To perform studies, Starr brought together scholars from Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan to reveal the significance of the world’s little-known region, the Ferghana Valley. The research covers economic development, religion and culture, including disagreements between the three states that share the valley (Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan) on land, water and ecology. The research will help understand the expected progress of the region from different points of view.

According to Starr, the Ferghana Valley’s natural resources and geopolitical position ensure that it will play an important role in the 21st century. With twelve million inhabitants, the valley is one of the most densely populated places in the world. It is also the most volatile region because it is ethnically and linguistically diverse and politically divided.

The congress participants stressed the need for economic development strategies in a globalizing economy. Kyrgyzstan has developed a trade and intermediary economy based not on value-added production but on re-export, which makes it dependent on changing external economic conditions. It is necessary to mobilize internal resources and solve problems without regard to the Eurasian Economic Union, and then take advantage of the EEU.

Experts discussed long-time border problems between Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. With joining the EEU, Kyrgyzstan hopes to solve the problem of disputed areas and border demarcation and delimitation. It is vital for the region’s security, given the deteriorating situation in Afghanistan and the Middle East.

The debates brought together young scientists who presented their vision of economic development of Kyrgyzstan and the region as a whole. Particular attention was paid to integration and migration processes in the region.

The meeting also discussed countering terrorism and extremism in Central Asia, and the values of Islam in the 21st century.

Experts in philosophy discussed the problems of social identity in Central Asia countries and ways to preserve the national identity on the basis of regional integration.

Some of the scientists’ developments were first heard at the congress, and now they are available worldwide. Reports of the congress participants will be published in the University’s scientific journal the congress organizers said.