TASHKENT — President Shavkat Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan delivered a forceful address on 13 November 2025, declaring that Central Asia’s future depends on Afghanistan’s reconstruction and meaningful integration into the region. Speaking at a summit in Tashkent of Central Asian heads of state, he stressed that building resilience without addressing Afghanistan would be short-sighted.
Key Messages from Mirziyoyev’s Speech
- Mirziyoyev emphasized that Afghanistan is not a peripheral state, but rather a natural part of our shared region.
- He warned that the sustainability of peace and stability in Central Asia is directly tied to Afghanistan’s rebuilding.
- Pointing to the deep humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, he called for consistent regional engagement in diplomatic, educational, and development efforts.
- A central pillar of his vision is the Trans-Afghan Railway, which he said should become a vital connector between Central and South Asia. This infrastructure, he argued, would unlock trade, investment, and economic revival for Afghanistan.
- Mirziyoyev also highlighted ongoing cooperation in training Afghan specialists, expanding energy ties, and delivering humanitarian and educational support.
- He underlined the long-term goal: to make Afghanistan part of a “common space of peace and security” that strengthens Central Asia’s southern border and ensures regional shared prosperity.
Why This Matters?
Mirziyoyev’s remarks come at a moment when Central Asian countries are seeking deeper integration and cooperative mechanisms. In his speech, he described a new Central Asia, one built not on artificial division but on mutual trust, shared destiny, and institutional cooperation. He argued that addressing existential challenges, such as climate change, food and water security, and energy sustainability, requires this unity. The Trans-Afghan Railway, in his view, exemplifies this ambition: transforming historical conflict routes into contemporary economic arteries.
The Jawzjan University Controversy
Mirziyoyev’s call for Afghan inclusion comes just days after a contentious move in northern Afghanistan. The Taliban removed the Uzbek language from the signboard at Jawzjan University, replacing it with Pashto, Dari, and English.
Critics argue this erasure is more than symbolic, representing a broader campaign to marginalize the Turkic-speaking Uzbek community in Afghanistan. Rahila Dostum, daughter of former general and ethnic Uzbek leader Abdul Rashid Dostum, described the change as “a targeted effort to weaken the cultural standing of the Turkic community.”
The National Islamic Movement of Afghanistan (Junbish) also condemned the move, calling it “racist and discriminatory.” Other political figures, like Sayed Anwar Sadat, warned of “serious consequences” if the sign is not restored.
This controversy highlights a broader tension. While Uzbekistan promotes a vision of regional integration, parts of the Afghan political establishment reportedly continue to suppress Uzbek cultural identity, thereby undermining the very shared space Mirziyoyev speaks of.
