Why Is Central Asia Attracting Growing Global Interest?

Why Has Interest in Central Asia Grown?

In recent years, major geopolitical powers have shown unprecedented interest in Central Asia. This growing attention is reflected in the increasing number of meetings and summits held under various “Central Asia Plus” formats. Most recently, in September of this year, Seoul hosted the first-ever Republic of Korea–Central Asia summit.

Several other high-level meetings in the “Central Asia Plus” format had taken place earlier. In May 2023, the Chinese city of Xi’an hosted the first summit bringing together the leaders of China and the Central Asian countries. The summit culminated in the adoption of the comprehensive Xi’an Declaration, which identified priority areas for expanding multifaceted cooperation.

In September 2023, the first US–Central Asia summit in the C5+1 format was held on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, with the participation of then-US President Joe Biden. Notably, rather than lecturing his Central Asian counterparts on human rights and democratization, the American leader confined his remarks to expressing Washington’s willingness to support reforms aimed at strengthening the rule of law.

In November 2025, US President Donald Trump hosted the leaders of the five Central Asian countries in Washington. This marked a further elevation of the format: rather than taking place on the sidelines of another international gathering, the talks were organized as a standalone event at the White House.

The meeting also attracted attention for the lavish praise directed at the American president. Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev described Trump as a “great leader sent from above,” while Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev called him a “president of peace” who had brought several conflicts around the world to an end.

European countries have likewise stepped up their engagement with Central Asia. In April 2025, Samarkand hosted the first European Union–Central Asia summit. During the meeting, EU leaders pledged €12 billion in investment and, albeit cautiously, emphasized the importance of complying with sanctions imposed on Russia.

Individual European countries are also developing their own cooperation frameworks with the region. Germany, for example, has held two meetings in the 5+1 format over the past three years. A similar gathering took place in May 2025, with the participation of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. Leaders of France and the United Kingdom have also visited Central Asia.

Meanwhile, Japan, the Gulf states and Türkiye have been expanding their engagement in the region. Russia’s considerable interest should not be overlooked either. Moscow continues to maintain bilateral ties with its Central Asian neighbors, engages with regional leaders through organizations such as the Shanghai CooperationOrganisation (SCO), BRICS, the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), and holds summits of its own under the 5+1 format.

This raises an important question: what explains the growing engagement of major international powers in Central Asia?

There are several factors behind this trend.

First,Central Asia stands out as a relatively stable region amid theeightened instability in Eastern Europe and the Middle East.

Unlike these conflict-affected areas, Central Asia is not experiencing active military hostilities. On the contrary, some long-standing disputes and disagreements are gradually being resolved, while the region is increasingly emerging as a cohesive geopolitical space.

One notable example is the easing of tensions along the Kyrgyzstan–Tajikistan border. In the past, periodic clashes between the two countries claimed dozens of lives. However, following lengthy and complex negotiations, Bishkek and Dushanbe signed a border agreement in 2025 and completed the border delimitation process the following year. As a result, relations between the two countries have become considerably more peaceful and stable.

Second,all five Central Asian republics are experiencing sustained economic growth.

According to the Eurasian Development Bank, GDP growth in 2026 is projected to reach 9.3% in Kyrgyzstan, 8.1% in Tajikistan, 6.8% in Uzbekistan and 5.5% in Kazakhstan. At the same time, inflation is expected to decline steadily in nearly all Central Asian countries over the 2026–2028 period.

Third,the region’s population is growing rapidly.

A quarter of a century ago, Central Asia was home to approximately 56 million people. Today, its population has reached 85.2 million. This demographic expansion, coupled with rising economic activity and a growing consumer market, is making Central Asia an increasingly attractive market.

Fourth,the region’s strategic importance as a transport and logistics hub is growing.

Historically, the absence of direct access to the sea placed Central Asian countries on the periphery of global politics and reinforced perceptions of their dependence on external powers. Today, however, both Western and Eastern powers are seeking to develop alternative transport routes that bypass Russia.

The countries of Central Asia are taking significant steps to establish new transport corridors. In the spring of 2025, construction began on the China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan railway, which will extend for 532kilometres. As much of the route passes through mountainous terrain, the project will require the construction of dozens of tunnels and bridges.

Plans are also underway to eventually connect the railway with the rail networks of Iran and Türkiye. If realized, this would make the route an important component of the New Silk Road.

Fifth,the broader geopolitical situation in Eurasia is contributing to the growing interest in Central Asia.

Following the launch of Russia’s so-called “special military operation” in Ukraine, Western countries imposed extensive sanctions on Moscow in an effort to isolate it from the global economy. Nevertheless, Central Asian countries have continued to maintain active trade and economic ties with Russia, making the region strategically important to Moscow.

Western countries, particularly the European Union, have sought to restrict this cooperation. Consequently, Russia and the West are increasingly competing for influence in Central Asia.

Sixth,strategic competition with China remains a major priority for the United States.

China has established a strong presence in all five Central Asian republics. Washington is therefore seeking to counterbalance Beijing’s influence in the region while strengthening its own position.

Against this backdrop, Central Asian countries continue to pursue a multi-vector foreign policy. Rather than aligning themselves exclusively with any one of the major powers mentioned above, they prefer to maintain mutually beneficial relations with all of them.

This approach enables Central Asian states to secure economic, political and strategic advantages through cooperation with a diverse range of partners, while advancing their national interests more effectively.