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On 4–5 November 2026, the Think Road Forum 2026 will take place at UWED under the theme “Global Transformation and Regional Dynamics: Central Asia in the Emerging International Order”. The two-day international forum will bring together prominent policymakers, diplomats, academics, representatives of leading think tanks, and international organisations to examine the evolving global order and Central Asia’s changing role within it.
Against the backdrop of intensifying geopolitical competition, geoeconomic fragmentation, and growing uncertainty in international relations, the Forum will provide a platform for substantive policy dialogue on regional cooperation, strategic connectivity, security, and sustainable development. Particular attention will be devoted to Central Asia’s capacity to respond to global challenges, strengthen regional resilience, and consolidate its position as an increasingly significant actor in international affairs.
The Forum will feature nine thematic panel discussions, alongside keynote addresses, high-level exchanges, and specialised sessions. Discussions will explore the presence of major powers in Central Asia, economic engagement, regional resilience, transport and trade connectivity, climate change and resource management, the transformation of foreign trade, the implications of artificial intelligence for governance, and the region’s strategic outlook towards 2030.
The programme will feature distinguished international experts and representatives of institutions from Central Asia and beyond, including the University of Oxford, SOAS University of London, the Shanghai Institutes for International Studies, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), and other leading academic and policy institutions.
Several sessions will be organised in cooperation with international partners. Two panels examining great-power engagement and China’s presence in Central Asia will be co-organised with the British Academy, the University of Oxford, and Mapping Global China, while discussions on regional resilience and connectivity will be held in partnership with the Delegation of the European Union to Uzbekistan. Additional sessions addressing foreign trade and artificial intelligence will be organised in cooperation with CAPS Unlock.
A notable highlight of the second day will be the launch of the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) Uzbekistan, providing an opportunity to introduce the network’s vision, priorities, and prospects for advancing sustainable development through research, partnerships, and policy engagement.
Through its emphasis on international expertise, collaborative dialogue, and policy-oriented discussions, Think Road Forum 2026 seeks to contribute to a deeper understanding of global transformations while strengthening institutional partnerships and promoting constructive regional cooperation.
