The imperative of Central Asian integration: path to sustainable development

In the context of growing globalization, there comes an awareness of the importance of integration processes, especially for those countries that, due to geographical features, do not have access to the sea, and geopolitical ones remain a raw materials appendage. The countries of Central Asia (CA) – Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, the Kyrgyz Republic and Turkmenistan, are increasingly perceived as a region that has significant prospects for becoming an independent player in the international arena. The purpose of the scientific study is to identify strategic priorities and provide a comprehensive analysis of the strengths of the region, as well as economic potential, in the context of geopolitics. Despite similar historical experiences, thirty years of independence have had different effects on the economic situation of the CA countries. The study of differences between countries in the context of population size, living standards, institutional systems, and economic structure provides a complete picture of the region in order to identify weaknesses and minimize potential threats. The strategic analysis is supported by statistical data from international organizations and the media, as well as the results of scientific research published in journals indexed in the SCOPUS and Web of Science databases. The study of the main factors influencing the economies of Central Asian countries contributes to understanding the importance of growing regional cooperation and economic and strategic collaboration. The results make a valuable contribution to research on the formation of sustainable development in the Central Asian region.

1. Economy of Central Asia: A New Look / Eurasian Development Bank. 2022. URL: https://eabr.org/upload/iblock/d0b/EDB_2022_Report-3_The-Economy-of-CA_rus.pdf (accessed: 17.02.2024)

2. Zhou Q., He Z., Yang Y. Energy geopolitics in Central Asia: China’s involvement and responses // Journal of Geographical Sciences. 2020, vol. 30, no. 11, pp. 1871–1895. URL: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11442020-1816-6.

3. Brauweiler C. et al. The Success Model to Manage the Cross-Border Infrastructure Projects // Smart Innovation, Systems and Technologies. 2022, vol. 287, pp. 1–14. URL: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-169804-0_5.

4. Spoor M. Transition to market economies in former Soviet Central Asia: Dependency, cotton, and water // European Journal of Development Research. 1993, vol. 5, no. 2, pp. 142–158. URL: https://doi.org/10.1080/09578819308426591.

5. Friz K., Günther J. Innovation and economic crisis in transition economies // Eurasian Business Review. 2021, vol. 11, no. 4, pp. 537–563. URL: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40821-021-00192-y.

6. Xue P., Du J., Liu J., Li Z., Albahooth B., Yang Y. Natural resources and economic perspective: Manufacturing value added for Europe and Central Asian economies // Resources Policy. 2023, vol. 86, article 104132. URL: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resourpol.2023.104132.

7. Vanderhill R., Joireman S., Tulepbayeva R. Between the bear and the dragon: Multivectorism in Kazakhstan as a model strategy for secondary powers // International Affairs. 2020, vol. 96, no. 4, pp. 975–993. URL: https://doi.org/10.1093/ia/iiaa061.

8. Beazley I., Downes R., Nicol S. Budgeting in Kazakhstan // OECD Journal on Budgeting. 2019, vol. 18, no. 3, pp. 9–80. URL: https://doi.org/10.1787/08310b83-en.

9. Kozhukhova M., Amanzholova B., Zhiyenbayev M. The legal regulation of energy efficiency and energy-saving policies in the Republic of Kazakhstan // International Journal of Energy Economics and Policy. 2019, vol. 9, no. 4, pp. 54–62. URL: https://doi.org/10.32479/ijeep.7550.

10. World Development Indicators | The World Bank. 2020. URL: http://wdi.worldbank.org/table/4.1 (accessed: 17.02.2024)

11. The World Bank in Kazakhstan. 2024. URL: https://www.worldbank.org/en/country/kazakhstan/overview (accessed: 01.01.2025)

12. The World Bank in Uzbekistan. 2024. URL: https://www.worldbank.org/en/country/uzbekistan/overview (accessed: 01.01.2025)

13. The World Bank in Turkmenistan. 2024. URL: https://www.worldbank.org/en/country/turkmenistan/overview (accessed: 01.01.2025)

14. The World Bank in Tajikistan. 2024. URL: https://www.worldbank.org/en/country/tajikistan/overview (accessed: 01.01.2025)

15. The World Bank in Kyrgyz Republic. 2024. URL: https://www.worldbank.org/en/country/kyrgyzrepublic/overview (accessed: 01.01.2025)

16. Yeralina E.M., Izguttiyeva K.Y. Development trends of the Kazakhstani labor market in the context of economic transformation // Bulletin of “Turan” University. 2024, no. 4, pp. 9–21. URL: https://doi.org/10.46914/1562-2959-2024-1-4-9-21.

17. Griffith B. Middle-Income Trap // Frontiers in Development Policy: A Primer on Emerging Issues. 2011, pp. 39–43. URL: https://doi.org/10.1787/08310b83-en.

18. World Bank. Social Protection for Recovery. Fall 2022 Europe and Central Asia Economic Update. 2022. URL: https://www.worldbank.org/en/country (accessed: 17.02.2024)

19. Asian Development Bank and Tajikistan: Fact Sheet. Asian Development Bank. 2022. URL: https://www.adb.org/publications/tajikistan-fact-sheet (accessed: 17.02.2023)

20. Turkmenistan GDP 2022 data – 2023 forecast 1987–2021 historical – chart – news. 2023. URL: https://tradingeconomics.com/turkmenistan/gdp (accessed: 17.02.2024)

21. Siraj U., Javaid F. Resource Curse and Political & Economic Transition in Central Asia // Pakistan Journal of International Affairs. 2021, vol. 4, no. 2. URL: https://doi.org/10.52337/pjia.v4i2.141.

22. Resmini L. Regional patterns of industry location in transition countries: Does economic integration with the European Union matter? // Regional Studies. 2007, vol. 41, no. 6, pp. 747–764. URL: https://doi.org/10.1080/00343400701281741

23. Peritz L., Weldzius R., Rogowski R., & Flaherty T. Enduring the great recession: Economic integration in the European Union // Review of International Organizations. 2022, vol. 17, no. 7, pp. 175–203. URL: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11558-020-09410-0

24. Adamiv M. The essence and historical aspects of Ukraine’s economic integration With the European Union // Herald UNU. International Economic Relations and World Economy. 2022, no. 44. URL: https://doi.org/10.32782/2413-9971/2022-44-1

25. Simionescu M. The Impact of European Economic Integration on Migration in the European Union // HOLISTICA – Journal of Business and Public Administration. 2018, vol. 9, no. 1, pp. 23–34. URL: https://doi.org/10.1515/hjbpa-2018-0002

26. Bamwenda E. K. Implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals as an opportunity for greater socio-economic integration within the European Union // The Central European Review of Economics and Management. 2018, vol. 2, no. 2, pp. 87–95. URL: https://doi.org/10.29015/cerem.520

27. Nedumpara J.J. International Trade and Investment Dispute Settlement in the Asia-Pacific region: Inspiring the new Asian regionalism // Asia Pacific Law Review. 2023, vol. 31, no. 2, pp. 556–575. URL: https://doi.org/10.1080/10192557.2023.2216415

28. Jia Z. и др. The role of trade liberalization in promoting regional integration and sustainability: The case of regional comprehensive economic partnership // PLOS ONE. 2022, vol. 17, no. 11. URL: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0277977

29. Wang C. Study on the prospects for the development of China, Japan and Korea Economic and Trade Cooperation under RCEP // SHS Web of Conferences. 2023, vol. 163, pp. 03035. URL: https://doi.org/10.1051/shsconf/202316303035

30. Titovich A.M., Toropygin A.V. Extra-regional influence on the development of economic integration in the ASEAN Region // Eurasian Integration: economics, law, politics. 2023, vol. 17, no. 3, pp. 129–139. URL: https://doi.org/10.22394/2073-2929-2023-03-129-139