One of the conference’s goals is to identify priorities for joint participation in transport and logistics projects, such as the Europe-Western China International Transport Corridor, which promotes trade between Europe and Asia, and the North-South International Transport Corridor (ISTC), which will ultimately connect Central Asia with South Asia and the Middle East. Another important goal of the conference will be to find common approaches to the threats posed by the consequences of the Israeli-US military campaign against Iran and the growing confrontation between China and the US on the global stage.
Programme of the 6th Central Asian Conference of
the Valdai Discussion Club
“Russia – Central Asia: Navigation in a New International Order”
Gelendzhik, May 12–13, 2026
May 12, Tuesday
09:30 – 10:00 Opening of the Conference (LIVE: Russian, English)
10:00 – 11:30 Session 1. Russia and Central Asia in a Changing Global Environment (LIVE: Russian, English)
Global politics is in a state of transition to a more equitable multipolar world order. This era of change is defined by three key trends: the growing responsibility of states for shaping their own futures, a decline in the overall manageability of international affairs, and the search for new priorities within global institutions. Within this context, Russia and the nations of Central Asia are actively formulating strategies to bolster their individual and collective security. They are developing joint approaches to address pressing global and regional issues while mitigating the challenges inherent in this shifting international landscape. The purpose of the session is to compare the perspectives of scholars from Russia and Central Asia on the main issues of world politics, international security, and global development.
12:00 – 13:30 Session 2. Greater Eurasia and Central Asia: Shared National Priorities
Russia and the Central Asian countries are natural allies in building a common zone of peace, development and prosperity in Greater Eurasia. In this pursuit, they are collaboratively addressing the most pressing regional challenges: strengthening integration into the global economy, boosting competitiveness, and developing solutions for urgent transnational issues. These include mitigating climate change, managing freshwater scarcity, adapting to disruptions in production and trade chains, navigating digital transformation, and forging new mechanisms for interstate cooperation. The purpose of the session is to identify the shared priorities of Russia and Central Asian countries in key areas: fostering sustainable development, mitigating risks to international and national security, and enhancing openness to trade, investment, and cultural exchange.
14:30 – 16:00 Session 3. Multilateral Cooperation in Greater Eurasia: Formats, Challenges and Potential
Greater Eurasia features one of the most developed systems for multilateral cooperation in the modern world, operating through both formal institutions and extensive state-to-state networks. Central to this framework is the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), which aligns Eurasian countries on core objectives of stability and development while building practical tools for problem-solving. The structure is reinforced by other key institutions – notably the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) – and by growing collaboration within the Central Asian Five and numerous bilateral formats. The session will discuss the priorities for the development of these institutions, the potential for strategic alignment between them, and their interaction with non-regional powers and global organizations.
16:30 – 18:00 Session 4. The Space of Culture, Science and Education in Greater Eurasia (LIVE: Russian, English)
Cooperation in science, culture, and education forms the cornerstone of long-term development for Russia, the nations of Central Asia, and the broader Eurasian region. Our nations are united in goals to enhance the competitiveness of our economies and our citizens, cultivate a strong sense of civic identity rooted in respect for our histories and cultures, and achieve deeper integration into the global scientific community. The purpose of the session is to assess the state of multilateral cooperation between Russia and the countries of Greater Eurasia in these areas, to define the priorities of cooperation in the common educational, scientific and cultural space.
May 13, Wednesday
10:00 – 11:30 Open Discussion (LIVE: Russian, English)
The open discussion is a traditional format within the Central Asian Conference of the Valdai Discussion Club. Its purpose is to spotlight underexplored issues, to outline areas and topics for discussion in the future, and to freely exchange views on important aspects of bilateral relations and interaction between Russia and Central Asian countries with the outside world. All participants and guests of the conference are invited to a candid conversation within the framework of the open discussion.
