The article examines how China’s large-scale poverty alleviation experience has become an important reference point for Uzbekistan as the country seeks to reduce poverty, expand employment, strengthen local development mechanisms and gradually build a broader middle class. It highlights that China’s success in lifting more than 800 million people out of poverty, as well as its targeted poverty reduction model, has attracted significant attention in Uzbekistan, particularly in the context of the country’s ongoing social policy reforms based on the principle of human dignity. The article pays particular attention to the growing practical cooperation between Uzbekistan and China in the field of poverty reduction. It notes the establishment of bilateral mechanisms, the signing of inter-agency memoranda, expert exchanges, pilot projects in Uzbekistan’s regions and the adaptation of China-inspired approaches such as infrastructure development, local industrialisation, entrepreneurship support, agricultural value chains and the “One Village, One Product” model. These initiatives are presented as part of Uzbekistan’s effort to develop its own national poverty alleviation model while drawing selectively on China’s experience. At the same time, the article emphasises that Uzbekistan is not simply copying the Chinese model, but adapting it to its own socio-economic conditions, administrative system and local realities. By combining China’s targeted poverty reduction methods with cooperation from international development institutions, Uzbekistan is seeking to build a more comprehensive and sustainable system of social support, grassroots governance and regional economic development, with the long-term goal of eliminating absolute poverty by 2030. Read on People’s Daily (China) * 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.

Dr. Abbos Bobokhonov, Head of the Center for Asia-Pacific Studies at the Institute for Advanced International Studies (IAIS), contributed to an international expert survey conducted by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) as part of its publication titled “A Global Perspective on Energy Policy: China’s Approach and New Opportunities for the Global South”. In his contribution, the expert noted that growing geopolitical uncertainty and the transformation of global energy markets are increasing the importance of energy security while accelerating the development of renewable energy sources. Particular attention was given to China’s cooperation with Central Asian countries in the fields of green energy, energy infrastructure modernization, and digitalization of the energy sector. Read the interview * 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.

On The Crossroads, Ali Adili, Non-Resident Policy Fellow with The Andiana Foundation and Non-Resident Fellow with New York University’s Center on International Cooperation, hosts Aziza Mukhammedova, Leading Research Fellow at the Centre for Afghanistan and South Asian Studies, for a deep-dive discussion on the evolving relationship between Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, and the wider Central–South Asian region. The conversation focuses on the Trans-Afghan Corridor, the Termez Dialogue, and Uzbekistan’s broader approach to regional connectivity, where Afghanistan is viewed not only through a security lens but also as a potential land bridge linking Central Asia with South Asia. The discussion also examines the major political and security constraints facing regional connectivity projects. Ms Mukhammedova highlights that the viability of the Trans-Afghan Railway depends on predictable relations between Kabul and Islamabad, while persistent security threats from militant groups continue to complicate long-term regional planning. Against this background, the conversation presents the Termez Dialogue as an emerging multilateral platform aimed at transforming Afghanistan from a source of regional uncertainty into a subject of structured dialogue, infrastructure cooperation, and economic interdependence. * 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.

A webinar by Topchubashov Center (Azerbaijan) brought together regional experts and analysts to examine how the war is affecting C6 positioning, inter-regional dynamics, and relations with major external actors. Odilbek Manabov shared his insights on how instability in the Middle East is affecting Central Asia. He noted that the region has so far remained largely resilient, with no major disruptions observed. Unlike countries such as Japan, Vietnam, and Sri Lanka, Central Asian states have avoided significant energy-related challenges. However, Turkmenistan has faced localized inflationary pressures. Manabov emphasized that current geopolitical tensions are more likely to encourage deeper regional cooperation rather than vice versa. In particular, the growing importance of alternative transport routes, such as the Middle Corridor, is reinforcing economic interdependence among C6. He concluded that while short-term impacts remain limited, ongoing developments may scale up regional cooperation and enhance Central Asia’s strategic role in Eurasian connectivity. * 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.

Khayotjon Ibragimov, a leading research fellow at the Center for Energy Diplomacy and Geopolitics IAIS, gave an interview to DW in which he offered an expert assessment of how the development of nuclear energy is beginning to reshape the energy and geopolitical landscape of Central Asia. The conversation focused on the region’s growing interest in nuclear power generation as a means to address rising domestic demand for electricity, diversify the energy mix, and establish a more sustainable model for long-term development. The interview pays particular attention to Uzbekistan, which views nuclear energy not as an isolated infrastructure project, but as part of a broader strategy of economic and technological transformation. In this context, it is emphasized that the launch of the first nuclear power plant could influence not only the domestic electricity market but also the regional balance of power, reinforcing the importance of energy policy as one of the key factors in the future development of Central Asia. Read on DW * 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 this interview with AZƏRTAC, Dr. Khayotjon Ibragimov, Leading Research Fellow at the Center for Energy Diplomacy and Geopolitics, examines the growing strategic relevance of the Middle Corridor amid rising instability in the Middle East and mounting risks to traditional maritime trade routes. He argues that disruptions around key chokepoints such as the Suez Canal and the Strait of Hormuz have reinforced the urgent need for safer, more reliable, and geopolitically resilient overland connections across Eurasia. In this context, the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route is presented not merely as a promising initiative, but as an increasingly vital pillar of regional and global trade security. The interview also highlights the particular importance of the Middle Corridor for landlocked states, especially Uzbekistan, for which improved access to external markets is closely linked to economic sovereignty and long-term development. Dr. Ibragimov underscores that projects such as the China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan railway could significantly strengthen Central Asia’s integration into transcontinental logistics chains, turning the region from a transit space into an emerging distribution and connectivity hub. He further notes that the corridor’s expansion is stimulating investment in infrastructure, port development, and customs digitalisation, thereby creating new opportunities for sustainable economic growth. Beyond its economic dimension, the interview frames the Middle Corridor as a platform of political stability and strategic cooperation. By linking the interests of Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, and other regional actors through shared transit revenues and common logistical priorities, the route contributes to stronger interdependence and encourages diplomatic approaches to regional challenges. As global uncertainty deepens, Dr.Ibragimov presents the Middle Corridor as a mechanism through which the countries of the region can reduce external vulnerabilities while securing a more influential place in the evolving architecture of Eurasian trade. Read on AZƏRTAC * 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.