The “Central Asia – European Union Universities Congress” has officially commenced in the city of Samarkand. The event brings together ministers and deputy ministers from Central Asian countries and EU member states, as well as representatives of more than 300 higher education institutions and international organizations.

Rector of the National University of Uzbekistan named after Mirzo Ulugbek, Inom Madjidov, is also participating in the congress.

It is worth noting that on April 3–4, 2025, Samarkand hosted the first-ever “Central Asia – European Union Summit,” during which significant agreements were reached to elevate relations between the two regions to the level of a strategic partnership. The current congress serves as a logical and practical continuation of the priorities outlined during that summit.

In the context of ongoing global transformations, education and science are becoming key drivers of international integration. In this regard, the congress aims to foster the systematic development of academic cooperation between the European Union and Central Asia.

During the session titled “New Directions of Cooperation between European Union and Central Asian Universities,” speeches were delivered by the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Kongratbay Sharipov; the Minister of Education and Science of the Republic of Tajikistan, Rahim Hamro Saidzoda; the Deputy Minister of Education and Science of the Kyrgyz Republic, Durus Kozuyev; and the Director General for Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Poland, Marcin Iskra.

Within the framework of the congress, particular attention is being paid to expanding double degree programs, developing joint research in artificial intelligence, biomedicine, and green technologies, enhancing participation in Erasmus+ and Horizon Europe programs, and strengthening cooperation between universities and industry.