On October 15-16, in the heart of the Ferghana valley, which for decades has been associated with border conflicts, mistrust, and unresolved issues, the heads of Ferghana (Uzbekistan), Batken (Kyrgyzstan), and Sughd (Tajikistan) gathered to discuss the further peaceful development of the region. The forum brought together not just officials but also experts, diplomats, civil society, and international organization representatives from Central Asia, Europe, and other regions. The first Ferghana Peace Forum, entitled “Ferghana Valley: Joining Forces for Peace and Progress”, was not simply another gathering behind closed doors but a table where everyone was offered a seat.
The valley, with territory of roughly 20,000-22,000 km² shared by three countries, was one of the main routes for the ancient Silk Road. It embodies diverse cultures and fertile lands, but also, until recently, the unresolved problems and deep contradictions of Central Asia. Complex issues, including water management, border demarcation, and conflicting national narratives. People’s connections were severed by visa regimes and land mines. It was, until recently, impossible to imagine today’s reality where people are crossing borders without long lines or bureaucratic barriers.
The Khujand Declaration, signed in early 2025 by the presidents of Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, paved the way for the forum. The document marked a historic shift, reflecting the countries’ desire for dialogue, open borders, economic cooperation, and cultural exchange. It is a rare occasion when Central Asian countries organize inclusive platforms for open discussions and the participation of civil society, academia, and business. With more than 300 participants, including officials from the UN, EU, and OSCE, as well as leading international NGOs, the forum promises to become a truly historical event. As one of the Forum participants noted, “If peace is possible in Ferghana, it is possible anywhere in Central Asia, and perhaps anywhere in the world.”
As the leading organization in coordination of the Peacebuilding Hub and Yntymak Week in 2025, PeaceNexus was responsible for the first regional Yntymak Day within the peace forum. The Yntymak Day (“Day of Unity”), became a symbolic celebration of diversity and solidarity among communities of the Valley, a continuation of the Yntymak Week initiative that began in Bishkek and Osh cities of Kyrgyzstan.
During the Yntymak Day, the discussions were focused on the practical implementation of regional cooperation. Participants addressed issues that have long fueled tensions in the valley: border procedures, joint water management, trade facilitation, labor migration, and crisis prevention. At the same time, the platform created a space for exploring new areas of cooperation, such as digitalization, education, renewable energy, and tourism. There was a shared understanding that peace cannot be sustainable without economic opportunities and social integration.
The timing of the forum could not have been better. With the flow of current geopolitical events, Central Asian countries have a narrow window of opportunity to strengthen the internal cooperation and to institutionalize it, while Russia is distracted by Ukraine, and China needs a stable neighborhood for the Belt and Road initiative. The latest trend of considering Central Asian countries together in formats such as CA+Europe, C5+1, or CA+China shows that the region is entering a new stage of integrational processes.
However, the road ahead will not be easy. The first Ferghana Peace Forum signals a rare moment of political will and regional activism. The valley that once symbolized division is now being reimagined as a valley of peace. If this initiative is successful, the Ferghana model could lay the foundation for a new era of cooperation in Central Asia, based not on external influence or geopolitical competition, but on the common interests and aspirations of its peoples.
Full article by Kanatbek Abdiev : How the Ferghana Valley Might Become Central Asia’s Laboratory of Peace
