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.