This article analyzes the evolution of minilateralism in Central Asia and its impact by 2026 on regional cooperation, economic diversification, and strategic autonomy. It examines the transformation of the Consultative Meetings of the Heads of State of Central Asia, initiated in 2018, from an informal political dialogue into a more practical and increasingly institutionalized C5/C6 framework. The study argues that the principal advantage of minilateralism in the region lies in its ability to address shared problems through a limited negotiating format while preserving national sovereignty. Particular attention is given to the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, the Middle Corridor, C5+1 formats, and expanding engagement with the South Caucasus as factors that broaden the economic and diplomatic options of Central Asian states. The findings indicate that minilateralism does not create economic self-sufficiency. Rather, it contributes to the diversification of external dependencies, the development of alternative transport routes, and stronger collective bargaining capacity in relations with external partners. At the same time, economic asymmetry, infrastructure constraints, water-resource pressures, implementation gaps, and geopolitical competition among major powers remain important limitations on regional autonomy.

Central Asia, minilateralism, regional cooperation, strategic autonomy, economic diversification, Middle Corridor, C5 1, South Caucasus, transport corridors.

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