Ashraf AboArafe
In mid-October 2025, the heart of Central Asia will beat with a new rhythm of hope. The city of Fergana, a crossroads of cultures and histories, will host the First Fergana Peace Forum — a landmark initiative titled “Fergana Valley: Uniting Efforts for Peace and Progress.”
This event is far more than a diplomatic gathering; it symbolizes the transformation of a region once marked by tension into a model of dialogue, cooperation, and coexistence. The two-day forum, held on October 15–16, aims to create a permanent platform for peacebuilding and sustainable development across the Fergana Valley — a fertile region shared by Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan.
A Confluence of Diplomacy and Humanity
Organized by the Institute for Strategic and Interregional Studies (ISRS) under the President of Uzbekistan, in partnership with the OSCE, IWMI, the Peacebuilding Hub, and key research institutes from neighboring states, the forum reflects a deliberate regional synergy. The collaboration among strategic centers from Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan marks a significant step toward institutionalizing regional cooperation.
Over 300 participants representing international organizations, civil society, academia, and youth movements will converge in Fergana. Among the high-level attendees are UNRCCA’s Kaha Imnadze, EU Envoy Eduards Stiprais, OSCE’s Kate Fearon, CICA’s Kairat Sarybay, and SCO’s Sohail Khan — a testament to the valley’s emerging diplomatic importance.
The Soul of the Forum: Peace through Inclusion
A defining feature of the Fergana Peace Forum is its inclusivity. Beyond political dialogue, it will give voice to women, youth, and grassroots communities, recognizing that sustainable peace is not built in conference halls alone, but within societies themselves.
Institutions such as the Berghof Foundation (Germany), Martti Ahtisaari Foundation (Finland), PeaceNexus (Switzerland), and SIPRI (Sweden) will enrich discussions with global experience in peacebuilding, reconciliation, and social cohesion.
The Dawn of “Yntymak Day” — Unity in Diversity
For the first time, the forum will observe “Yntymak Day” (Day of Unity) — a symbolic celebration of the harmony that defines the valley’s mosaic of ethnicities and faiths. This initiative not only honors the shared history of the Fergana peoples but also offers a hopeful vision of Central Asia as a region that thrives on diversity, not division.
From Vision to Reality
President Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s address at the 80th UN General Assembly echoed through the spirit of this forum. His words — “the era of closed borders and conflicts in Central Asia has receded into the past” — encapsulate a historic shift. Under his leadership, the region has seen trade, investment, and connectivity grow fivefold, while joint industrial zones and infrastructure corridors have begun to stitch together a once-fragmented landscape.
A New Chapter for Central Asia
As Eldor Aripov, Director of ISRS, eloquently put it:
“The Fergana Forum is intended to create a new image of the Fergana Valley as a space of peace, harmony, and opportunity.”
His words reflect both political will and people’s power — the understanding that true peace in the valley depends as much on diplomatic frameworks as on the trust between its communities.
Analytical Insight
The First Fergana Peace Forum signals a strategic rebranding of Central Asia: from a geopolitical periphery to a proactive actor shaping its own destiny. It blends regional ownership with international partnership, crafting a localized peace model that may inspire other post-conflict or multi-ethnic regions.
Its agenda — stability, sustainable development, cultural exchange, and economic synergy — aligns perfectly with Uzbekistan’s broader regional diplomacy under President Mirziyoyev: one rooted in openness, trust, and pragmatic cooperation.
Ultimately, Fergana’s story is a metaphor for Central Asia’s renaissance — a place where rivers of history and hope converge, reminding the world that peace is not a gift from the powerful, but a choice made by neighbors.
