An interview with Nargiza Umarova was held in the studio of Kun.uz. The discussion focused on the possible economic implications of escalating tensions around Iran for Uzbekistan. The expert noted that transport routes passing through Iran and Pakistan are of particular importance for Uzbekistan, as they provide access to seaports and international markets. In the context of regional instability, transport and insurance costs may increase, which could complicate logistics chains and affect the cost of cargo transportation. The interview also highlights Iran’s strategic importance for diversifying Uzbekistan’s foreign trade and transit routes. According to Nargiza Umarova, the development of alternative transport corridors and stronger regional cooperation remain key factors for maintaining the country’s economic resilience amid external risks. * The Institute for Advanced International Studies (IAIS) does not take institutional positions on any issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the IAIS.

In an interview with News.Az, Nargiza Umarova, Head of the Center for Strategic Connectivity, shared her assessment of the current state and prospects of cooperation between Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan. According to the expert, a key feature of bilateral relations is their allied status, formalized by the Treaty on Allied Relations signed in 2024. This format reflects a high level of mutual trust and creates additional opportunities for expanding cooperation in areas such as energy, transport, industry, and investment. The interview also notes that one of the main priorities of Uzbekistan’s foreign policy is the pursuit of geo-economic objectives, including the diversification of export markets and the development of new transport routes. In this context, Azerbaijan is viewed as an important partner capable of providing Uzbekistan with strategic access to new markets. Particular attention is given to the expansion of trade and investment cooperation. In recent years, bilateral trade has demonstrated steady growth, while the establishment of a $500 million joint investment fund has become an important mechanism for supporting joint projects in energy, petrochemicals, agriculture, and industry. The interview also highlights the importance of transport connectivity initiatives. Special emphasis is placed on the Middle Corridor and the multimodal route CASCA+, which connects Central Asia, the South Caucasus, and Türkiye and contributes to the diversification of regional trade routes. Overall, according to Nargiza Umarova, cooperation between Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan is developing on a pragmatic basis and is aimed at strengthening trade and economic ties, expanding transport connectivity, and promoting joint investment initiatives. Read the interview on News.Az * The Institute for Advanced International Studies (IAIS) does not take institutional positions on any issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the IAIS.

Nargiza Umarova examines the strategic importance of Iran in the development of Eurasian transport connectivity, particularly within the framework of the Southern Railway Corridor linking Central Asia with Türkiye and European markets. Despite geopolitical tensions and sanctions pressures, Iran continues to play a pivotal role as a transit hub that connects Central Asian economies with maritime and continental trade routes. According to Ms. Umarova, the development of the corridor is not driven by Iran alone; Central Asian states, especially Uzbekistan, have also emerged as active stakeholders seeking to diversify logistics routes and reduce dependency on existing transport pathways. The analysis highlights Uzbekistan’s growing diplomatic and logistical engagement in advancing the corridor through both bilateral and multilateral consultations with regional partners. In particular, discussions between Uzbekistan, Iran and Türkiye within international platforms have focused on improving freight efficiency, harmonising tariffs and expanding railway cooperation. Regular coordination among railway administrations from China, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Iran and Türkiye demonstrates that the Southern Corridor is gradually evolving from a conceptual project into a structured transport initiative supported by commercial and governmental actors. At the same time, Ms. Umarova emphasises that the corridor’s long-term viability depends on overcoming significant technical and infrastructural constraints. Among the main challenges are the difference in railway gauges between Iran and Central Asian states, the lack of unified documentation systems, limited interoperability of railway infrastructure and existing logistical bottlenecks along the route. Addressing these issues requires stronger institutional coordination, which is why the expert proposes the establishment of an intergovernmental coordinating body that would consolidate efforts of the participating countries and ensure systematic implementation of transport initiatives. Despite these challenges, the article underscores the considerable economic potential of the Southern Corridor. With an estimated capacity of up to 10 million tonnes of cargo annually potentially increasing to 15 million tonnes following infrastructure upgrades, the corridor could become one of the most important logistical links between Central Asia and Europe. Large-scale infrastructure investments in Iran, including the development of new railway corridors and projects connected to Afghanistan, further illustrate Tehran’s intention to strengthen its role in Eurasian connectivity networks and reinforce the region’s evolving transport architecture. Read on RailFreight * The Institute for Advanced International Studies (IAIS) does not take institutional positions on any issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the IAIS.

As Mukhammad Khodjanazarov notes, in recent years climate change has become not just an environmental phenomenon, but one of the most important factors shaping global socio-economic and political processes. Rising temperatures, decreased precipitation, uneven distribution of water resources, and land degradation are increasingly limiting the ability of millions of people to live and work. As a result, a new type of migration is emerging: climate migration. The author notes that this migration is fundamentally different from traditional labor migration. While economic migration often depends on an individual's choice, climate migration arises more as an environmental necessity. According to forecasts from international organizations, the scale of such migration is expected to increase significantly in the coming decades. In particular, according to the UN, by 2050, more than 200 million people worldwide may be forced to find a new place to live due to climatic conditions. The article emphasizes that factors such as water scarcity, drought, extreme heat waves, and land degradation pose a serious threat, especially to populations living in rural areas. In these conditions, agricultural productivity declines, sources of income shrink, and people are often forced to move to large cities or other countries. At the same time, the intensification of migration flows creates additional pressure on urban infrastructure, the housing market, the healthcare system, and the labor market. The author concludes that it is not enough to simply restrict climate migration or combat its consequences. The main task is to reduce environmental risks, efficiently manage water and agricultural resources, and develop a strategic adaptation policy that integrates migration into the economic system. In this way, migration processes linked to climate change can be transformed from a threat into an opportunity for sustainable development. Read on UzA * The Institute for Advanced International Studies (IAIS) does not take institutional positions on any issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the IAIS.

The interview with Khayotjon Ibragimov provides a comprehensive assessment of the emerging C6 cooperation format, which brings together the five Central Asian states and Azerbaijan as part of a broader reconfiguration of the Caspian–Eurasian geopolitical space. According to Dr. Ibragimov, the transition from the C5 to the C6 framework represents not merely an institutional expansion, but the formation of a qualitatively new regional platform aimed at coordinated policy planning, economic integration, and long-term strategic connectivity across Eurasia. Uzbekistan, in this process, positions itself as one of the principal drivers of regional consolidation and institutional dialogue. A central argument of the interview is that the C6 platform is contributing to the emergence of a new Caspian–Eurasian power geometry, where regional actors increasingly shape integration dynamics independently rather than functioning solely within external geopolitical frameworks. Dr. Ibragimov highlights the importance of developing sustainable regional value chains, emphasizing Uzbekistan’s potential role as an industrial and manufacturing hub capable of moving cooperation beyond trade expansion toward joint production, technological exchange, and deeper economic interdependence. This shift reflects a broader regional transition from raw-material export models to coordinated industrial development. Particular attention is devoted to transport and logistics connectivity, especially the growing strategic relevance of the Trans-Caspian Middle Corridor. The expert notes the rapid increase in cargo volumes and improved delivery times, presenting the corridor as an essential instrument of economic sovereignty and diversification rather than a competitor to existing northern or southern routes. In this context, diversification of transit pathways is framed as a mechanism of resilience, reducing systemic vulnerability to geopolitical disruptions and strengthening Eurasia’s multi-route connectivity architecture. The interview also underscores the expanding energy dimension of regional cooperation. Uzbekistan’s evolving energy mix, combining conventional generation, hydropower potential, and ambitious renewable energy targets, positions the country as a potential integrator of regional electricity systems and future exporter of green energy. Overall, Ibragimov concludes that growing strategic alignment between Tashkent and Baku serves as a catalyst for wider regional integration, reinforcing institutional trust, infrastructure coordination, and the gradual formation of a more interconnected and strategically autonomous Caspian–Eurasian region. Read on NEWS.AZ * The Institute for Advanced International Studies (IAIS) does not take institutional positions on any issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the IAIS.

In an interview with Trend, Prof. Azamat Seitov emphasized that the TRIPP (Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity) initiative could become a multi-level platform of new opportunities for Uzbekistan, fitting organically into the country's strategy of economic openness and modernization. According to him, the project opens up qualitatively new transit and logistics prospects, especially given Uzbekistan's lack of direct access to the world's seas and its objective interest in diversifying transport routes. The expert noted that the development of alternative corridors through the South Caucasus and further to Western markets will reduce dependence on a limited number of traditional routes, strengthen the sustainability of foreign trade, and reduce logistics costs. In this context, TRIPP complements national efforts to transform Uzbekistan into a regional transport and logistics hub, as well as creating conditions for Uzbek products to enter European and Middle Eastern markets more actively via multimodal routes. Speaking about the international dimension of the initiative, Azamat Seitov linked the promotion of TRIPP to the visit of US Vice President Jay D. Vance to Azerbaijan, which is an important step in the implementation of the project in a broader regional context, including Central Asia. He stressed that the US views TRIPP as a strategic element of peaceful and infrastructural integration in the South Caucasus, which could have a direct impact on neighboring regions and strengthen Uzbekistan’s transit potential. Read on Trend * The Institute for Advanced International Studies (IAIS) does not take institutional positions on any issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the IAIS.