Book Launch: Bridging Borders: Central Asian Cross-Border Cooperation in a Comparative Global Perspective

On 5 June 2025, the OSCE Academy hosted the launch of the open access book published by the prestigious Springer publishing house, Bridging Borders: Central Asian Cross-Border Cooperation in a Comparative Global Perspective by Dr. Sergei Golunov from SDU University in Kazakhstan, and Dr. Assel Bitabar from Maqsut Narikbayev University in Kazakhstan. The book launch was held online and began with a brief introduction by Dr. Pal Dunay.

Dr. Golunov first gave a general overview of the book and expressed his gratitude to the OSCE Academy for supporting the publication, including financial assistance, highlighting that this “detailed study is the first of its kind.” According to Dr. Golunov, the research contributes not only to Central Asian cross-border cooperation (CBC) but also provides a comparative outlook on CBC on a global scale.

He proceeded with presenting the content of the book, where he shared the research problem, objectives, the niche it aspires to fill, the limitations of the research, and the structure of the study, and gave an overview of the three main book chapters: the first on CBC experiences of selected regions in the world; the second on current CBC in Central Asia; and the third on the opportunities and limitations of applying international CBC frameworks to the internal regional context.

Dr. Golunov also pointed out that global research on border studies tends to frame the EU CBC experience as “typical” and “exemplary,” whereas he argues that it is “rather an anomaly,” and that similar conditions are “difficult to replicate elsewhere.” He then moved on to discuss average global conditions and highlighted specific features of Central Asian CBC, before giving the floor to the other author of the book, Dr. Assel Bitabar.

Dr. Bitabar’s presentation focused on the CBC dynamics of Central Asian states. She provided a detailed overview of each CA state's border relations. Dr. Bitabar mentioned that, overall, all states have taken steps to reopen previously closed borders or simplify visa regimes, and that regional hubs are to be established—according to the “papers”—to resolve future “complexities of water issues,” prevent natural disasters, and establish better transport/trade corridors. According to the summary, all states are also engaging in regional CBC forums or institutional platforms.

These commonalities indicate a broader regional movement toward practical collaboration since 2017, largely driven by reforms in Uzbekistan. Although there have been some challenges, such as border conflicts between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, the prevailing trend favors connectivity and regional integration. The road to regional integration leads through cooperation, and the seeds are more than ever present in Central Asia.

The book launch concluded with an engaging Q&A session, where the speakers discussed the “top-down approach” of Central Asian governments, which influences the tangibility of CBC projects. They have also emphasized that “huge political will” is needed to maintain the dynamics of regional CBC.

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