Participation in Central Asian WikiCon 2025

< Tajik Wikimedians User Group

The Central Asian WikiCon 2025 was successfully held on 19–20 April 2025 in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, hosted at the Diplomat International School. This landmark event marked the first regional Wikimedia conference in Central Asia, bringing together contributors and organizers to strengthen collaboration and participation across the region.

Organized by the Wikimedians of the Uzbek Language User Group, in close cooperation with the Wikimedia Foundation, the conference focused on the Wikimedia movement’s core projects — including Wikipedia, Wikimedia Commons, and Wikisource — and their development in Central Asian countries.

More than 50 Wikimedians from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Iran, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, India, Ukraine, and other regions attended. The program featured presentations, workshops, lightning talks, and group discussions, addressing key topics such as the growth of Wikimedia projects in national languages, newcomer recruitment, improving content quality, digital access and knowledge equity, cross-regional collaboration, and the use of emerging technologies within the Wikimedia ecosystem.

Tajik Wikimedians actively contributed to the event. A delegation of five participants from Tajikistan — including community leaders Shuhrat Sa’diev, (Vashgirad) and Jaloliddin Madaminov, as well as experienced editors Zinhoor Nasri and Zulfiqor Fatehzoda — represented the Tajik Wikimedians User Group. They shared insights on local challenges, presented the current achievements of Tajik-language Wikimedia projects, and engaged in consultations with Wikimedia technical staff. Their participation played an important role in strengthening Tajikistan’s presence in the regional Wikimedia movement and advancing the development of free knowledge in the country.

Beyond the formal sessions, participants explored Tashkent’s historical and cultural landmarks, creating opportunities for cross-community networking and strengthening long-term regional partnerships. The conference not only promoted active participation but also fostered a shared vision for expanding Wikimedia’s impact across Central Asia.

The Central Asian WikiCon 2025 served as a vital step toward deeper cooperation, increased community engagement, and sustainable growth of Wikimedia projects in ther eintire region.