International Science Council opens Central Asia regional hub in Tashkent

The International Science Council launched a new Regional Focal Point for Central Asia and Transcaucasia in Tashkent on Oct. 27, 2026, to deepen scientific cooperation across the region. The hub is meant to link local researchers and academies with the ISC’s global work on priorities including water, food security and talent retention.

Why it matters: - The new Regional Focal Point for Central Asia and Transcaucasia gives the region a direct channel into the International Science Council’s global network. - The hub is designed to strengthen regional collaboration on shared scientific challenges, including water security, food security and keeping young researchers in the region. - The launch adds another regional bridge between local science communities and international science policy discussions.

What happened: - The International Science Council launched its Regional Focal Point for Central Asia and Transcaucasia in Tashkent on Oct. 27, 2026. - The Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Uzbekistan is hosting the new office. - Salvatore Aricò, chief executive officer of the ISC, and Shavkat Ayupov, president of the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Uzbekistan, signed the agreement at a ceremony on the margins of InnoWeek 2026 in Tashkent. - The launch followed the Tashkent Declaration on science priorities and collaboration in Central Asia and Transcaucasia, which was adopted in October 2025 during a consultative meeting at InnoWeek 2025.

The details: - The Regional Focal Point is based in Tashkent and will serve as a hub for the ISC in the region. - Its role includes facilitating scientific collaboration, supporting regional scientific dialogue, promoting joint research and innovation, and connecting regional priorities with the ISC’s international work. - The launch brought together representatives of national academies of sciences from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. - Representatives from Türkiye and the Russian Federation also attended because both countries maintain close scientific ties with the region. - Regina Sattarova will lead the Regional Focal Point as director. - Azizbek Ernazarov will serve as programme and communications officer. - Shahlo Turdikulova will provide strategic coordination. - The ISC says the organization brings together 250 international scientific unions and associations, national and regional scientific organizations, international federations and societies, and young academies and associations. - The ISC describes its vision as advancing science as a global public good.

Between the lines: - The launch signals a more formal ISC footprint in a region that wants stronger coordination across national science systems. - The academy leaders framed the office as a practical way to turn shared regional problems into joint research and policy priorities. - The participation of neighboring scientific communities suggests the hub could become a broader convening point beyond the eight Central Asia and Transcaucasia countries. - The new office also fits the ISC’s wider strategy of expanding regional presence, alongside existing offices in Asia and the Pacific and Latin America and the Caribbean, plus planned offices in MENA and Africa.

What's next: - The Regional Focal Point is expected to begin supporting regional scientific dialogue and joint projects from Tashkent. - The ISC will use the office to feed regional priorities into its global work and to strengthen ties with its members and the wider scientific community. - The new hub will likely be used to coordinate future regional science discussions and collaboration efforts linked to InnoWeek and other international forums. - The ISC’s broader regional office network is still expanding, with additional offices planned in MENA and Africa.