SECURITY AND COOPERATION IN A TIME OF GLOBAL INSTABILITY: AGENDA FOR THE CENTRAL ASIA REGION

Abstract

The authors examine the potential for ensuring security and cooperation among Central Asian (CA) countries, taking into account current threats and challenges. The study's methodological framework is presented, identifying the specific analytical and evaluation methods used. The region's significance in terms of geography, natural resources, transport and logistics, and other aspects is highlighted. Each of the globally significant actors has its own interests in CA and, as a result, undertakes specific actions that are often inconsistent with the development programs of each individual country and the region as a whole. In this regard, this territory of the global economy is experiencing significant negative factors and consequences of the developing situation in relation to the region and its interests, which is also aggravated by the export-oriented type of development of national economies, a shortage of financial resources, an insufficient level of institutionalization, unregulated issues of interference by external actors, and the unresolved nature of many aspects of the political, economic, social, environmental, etc. economic development of the countries of the community. In these challenging circumstances, Central Asian countries continue to need to carefully pursue a foreign policy based on multi-vector and pragmatic principles as the only legitimate and acceptable approach. The authors believe that, based on the above, and taking into account the current realities of the global order (or rather, geopolitical chaos), the entities of this region should rightly focus their resources and potential on internal development, strengthening their economies, and addressing priority cooperation issues, especially collaboration – all while ensuring regional security.

Funding: This article was prepared within the framework of the
Fundamental Research Program of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education
of the Republic of Kazakhstan (IRN No. BR31714763), “Kazakhstan and the
Changing Contours of the Eastern World: Historical Challenges and Prospects.”