Italy-Central Asia Leaders' Meeting Kicks Off in Astana First Time for Presidents' Gathering in Kazakhstan
In Astana, Kazakhstan, a historic summit took place on May 30, 2025, between Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and the Presidents of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan. The event marked a significant advancement in the relationship between Central Asia and Italy, marking the first-ever Italy-Central Asia summit.
The leaders discussed various areas of cooperation, including energy and resources, economic development, cultural and educational exchange, tourism, and multilateral platforms. In energy cooperation, they zeroed in on the significant oil exports from Kazakhstan to Italy, making it the latter's third-largest trading partner. Rare earth minerals, with their strategic importance, also came under discussion.
For economic development, the establishment of a Central Asia-Italy Business Club was proposed to streamline business interactions and joint initiatives in technology, manufacturing, and agriculture. Uzbekistan revealed plans for a special industrial park in the Tashkent region, managed by a European operator, to boost regional development.
Cultural and educational exchange emphasized the success of Italian universities in Central Asia, like the Turin Polytechnic University and University of Pisa in Tashkent. A proposal for a Central Asia-Italy Scientific and Educational Consortium was made to support academic exchanges and research in vital fields like engineering and biotechnology.
The leaders also agreed to organize a Creative Economy and Cultural Exchange Forum for youth in Khiva next year, aiming to promote cultural exchange and tourism. To further strengthen multilateral partnerships, they reaffirmed their commitment to collaboration within the framework of the European Union (EU) and other multilateral platforms.
Following the discussions, a joint declaration outlining a strategic framework for long-term cooperation across these sectors was adopted. The Kyrgyz Republic proposed hosting the next summit in 2027, and Italy will organize the Fourth Foreign Ministers’ Conference in spring 2026.
I, as an Italian Prime Minister, expressed my gratitude for the successful Italy-Central Asia summit and looked forward to the prospect of increasing political, economic, and cultural ties with the Central Asian nations. In light of the collaboration in areas such as energy, rare earth minerals, and multilateral platforms, I pledged Italy's commitment to the advancement of these relationships and to attending the proposed events, like the Creative Economy and Cultural Exchange Forum, aimed at enhancing cultural exchange and tourism.
