The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is addressing the issue of youth entrepreneurship and employment in Central Asia by launching a seven-year €200 million (US$ 218 million) Youth in Business programme. It is designed to provide better access to finance and relevant training to young entrepreneurs in the region, where up to one […]
Kazakhstan Concludes Chairmanship of Central Asian Women’s Dialogue with Conference on Countering Gender-Based Violence
Kazakhstan has successfully completed its chairmanship of the Central Asian Women Leaders’ Caucus (CAWLC), handing over the reins to Kyrgyzstan. To mark the culmination of Kazakhstan’s chairmanship, an international conference titled “Countering Gender-Based Violence in the Region: In Search of Effective and Sustainable Joint Solutions” was held in Astana on 4 December. The event brought […]
Addressing Environmental Challenges Requires Collective Effort, Say Representatives of Foreign Ministries and Lawmakers from Central Asian countries
On 3 December 2023, the 10th meeting of representatives of the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Parliamentarians of Central Asian countries was held in Dubai (UAE) at the COP28 platform, Regional Environmental Center for Central Asia reports. The session’s moderator and Center’s consultant, Ikrom Nazarov, outlined several tasks the countries have to solve. The first […]
Central Asia Unveils Regional Strategy to Tackle Climate Change
In a significant step towards addressing the escalating climate crisis, the Central Asian countries presented a comprehensive Regional Strategy for Adaptation to Climate Change at the UN Climate Summit in Dubai (COP 28). This strategy, unanimously approved by all Central Asian nations, marks a unified front against the region’s growing vulnerability to climate change impacts. […]
Environmental Solidarity: Central Asian Countries Unite to Address Shared Challenges
The governments of the Central Asian countries are determined to jointly solve environmental problems, which was demonstrated at the high-level meeting “Solidarity and Unity in the face of the challenges of the triple planetary crisis”, organized on the sidelines of COP28 in Dubai. According to the Regional Environmental Center of Central Asia, the meeting was […]
The Central Asia Pavilion opens at COP28 in Dubai
On 1 December 2023, the grand opening of the Central Asia Pavilion at the 28th UNFCCC Conference of the Parties (COP28) took place in Dubai, the Regional Environmental Center for Central Asia (CAREC) reports. The pavilion launch ceremony was attended by representatives of the Central Asian countries, development partners and representatives of civil society. Representative […]
Tashkent hosted OSCE-organized conference to discuss regional security in a globalized world
The Academy of the Armed Forces of Uzbekistan in Tashkent hosted the V International scientific and theoretical conference on “The main trends in ensuring regional security in the context of globalization,” as reported by the Ministry of Defense of Uzbekistan. The conference, organized in cooperation with the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), […]
Why is COP 28 a landmark event for the future of Central Asian countries?
On 30 November 2023, the 28th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC COP28) started its work in the UAE, Dubai. At this global climate summit engaged almost all countries of the world, the states of Central Asia – Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan – will be […]
Five Steps to Economic Resilience in the Caucasus and Central Asia
By Eugene Zhukov, Lyaziza Sabyrova, Roman Mogilevskii The ability of the economies of the Caucasus and Central Asia to effectively respond to external shocks critically depends on their cooperation in diversifying trade and transport routes. The right policies and development of the Middle Corridor is a key to success. In the last several years, the […]
One Health Framework for Action Set to Enhance the Quality of Health Care Services Across Central Asia
Government officials of Central Asia gathered today at World Bank hosted regional conference to endorse the Central Asia One Health Framework for Action- a regional cooperation program designed to enhance the quality and productivity of health, agriculture, and environment sectors across the region. The framework serves as a strategic plan and investment structure, requiring collaboration […]
Winners of the European Union Contests from Central Asia Study Latvian Experience in Energy Efficiency Promotion
Students, young researchers and professionals, as well as representatives of the most energy efficient schools from the countries of Central Asia (CA) are visiting Latvia for a week-long study tour “Promotion of Energy Efficiency – Latvian Experience”. Total 12 participants from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan are taking part in the event at the […]
UNRCCA convened annual meeting with deputy foreign ministers of Central Asian states in Bishkek
The thirteenth annual Meeting of Deputy Foreign Ministers of the Central Asian states, convened by the United Nations Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia (UNRCCA), took place in Bishkek on 27-28 November. The meeting brought together the Deputy Foreign Ministers of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. Taking into consideration the importance of […]
Towards a shared vision for biodiversity conservation in Central Asia
Cooperation among Central Asia countries to protect biodiversity and promote sustainable management of natural resources is gaining momentum. The Regional Dialogue on Transboundary Conservation in Central Asia held 28-30 November 2023 in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, makes a significant stride in advancing this shared agenda. The event is attended by government representatives from Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, […]
The inevitability of dialogue about peace or futility of new “Great Game” – Part One
Dr. Begench Karayev At the initiative of Turkmenistan and in accordance with resolution 77/32 of the United Nations General Assembly, 2023 was declared the “International Year of Dialogue as a Guarantee of Peace.” The essence of this motto is reflected in the “New Agenda for Peace” of the UN Secretary-General. As you know, in his […]
Gender aspects of border and security management in focus of OSCE regional workshop in Turkmenistan
An OSCE-organized regional workshop on gender mainstreaming in border management, held in a blended format, took place on 23 and 24 November 2023 in Ashgabat. The workshop brought together, online and in-person, officials from the five Central Asian countries’ border security and management agencies. The Head of the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat, a member of […]
DARYA project – Central Asia and the EU sum up the progress in flagship project focused on youth and education
Education and Labour Deputy Ministers from Central Asia gathered for two-day meeting (23-24 Nov 2023) in Torino, Italy, for a high-level meeting of DARYA (Dialogue and Action for Resourceful Youth in Central Asia), the first European Union’s regional project supporting education, youth employment and inclusive skills development in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. DARYA […]
UNECE: SPECA States agree on a dedicated multi-partner trust fund and adopt a roadmap for digitalization of the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor
Meeting for the first time since the United Nations Special Programme for the Economies of Central Asia (SPECA) was created in 1998, the Heads of State and Government of SPECA participating States adopted the Baku Declaration. The declaration endorses a roadmap for the digitalization of multimodal data and document exchange along the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor […]
Summit of the UN Special Program for the Economies of Central Asia in Azerbaijan – Outcomes
nCa Report On 24 November 2023, the Summit of Heads of State and Government of the participating countries of the UN Special Program for the Economies of Central Asia (SPECA) was held in Baku. The Summit was attended by President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov, President […]
Strengthening cooperation between Central Europe and Central Asian states is a real European interest, Hungarian FM says
At the 18th session of the United Nations Special Programme for the Economies of Central Asia (SPECA) Governing Council in Baku, Peter Szijjarto emphasized Hungary’s view of cooperation between East and West as an opportunity rather than a threat. He believes that Central Asia can serve as a crucial bridge between these regions. Hungary supports […]
Kyrgyzstan’s President Highlights Upcoming Inaugural Central Asia–Japan Summit
In a landmark move, Central Asian nations Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan will convene alongside Japan for the first-ever 5+1 summit in 2024, coinciding with the 20th anniversary of the dialogue platform. The summit aims to foster deeper collaboration. This pivotal topic emerged during a meeting between President Sadyr Japarov of Kyrgyzstan and Prime […]
Central Asian Policymakers Examine Georgia’s Sustainable Energy Success and European Union’s Best Practices
A Delegation, comprised of 16 senior government officials and energy sector experts from the countries of Central Asia (CA), at the invitation of the European Union (EU), visited Georgia for a study tour on “Sustainable Energy in Practice: Georgia’s Success and EU Best Practices”. Organised by the EU-funded project “Sustainable Energy Connectivity in Central Asia […]
ADB Appoints Yingming Yang as Vice-President for South, Central, and West Asia
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has appointed Yingming Yang as Vice-President (South, Central, and West Asia) for a period of 3 years. He will be responsible for the management of the operations of ADB’s Central and West Asia Department and South Asia Department. Mr. Yang has over 30 years of experience in economic development, working […]
Central Asian countries and Korea Launch Forum of Think Tanks
A roundtable of think tanks of Central Asian countries and the Republic of Korea was held in Seoul on 20 November 2023, the Foreign Ministry of Kazakhstan said in a press release. During the event, the participants discussed issues of cooperation within the framework of the Central Asia – Republic of Korea Cooperation Forum (CARK). […]
Switzerland and Kazakhstan Collaborate on Water Projects for Central Asia
The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) is laying the groundwork for the second phase of the Blue Peace Central Asia (BPCA) regional program, a collaborative initiative aimed at fostering peace, stability, and sustainable development through water cooperation among Central Asian nations. The Blue Peace Initiative seeks to promote water cooperation across borders, sectors, […]
Further strategic actions within the EU funded border management programme in Central Asia discussed in Tashkent
Funded by the European Union Border Management Programme in Central Asia (BOMCA 10) held the third Regional Steering Group (RSG) meeting. This event serves as a steering instrument of the programme, which defines and monitors the strategic direction of the programme implementation. RSG held in Tashkent on November 14 and gathered donor, an implementing consortium […]
Lavrov met with ambassadors of Central Asian countries
On 17 November 2023, Foreign Minister of Russia Sergey Lavrov met with the ambassadors of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, accredited in Moscow, Russian foreign ministry reports. During the meeting, the sides evaluated Russia’s bilateral interaction with each Central Asian state, as well as within the framework of common international associations, including the […]
The EDB proposes ten practical steps to preserve irrigated land potential and support water conservation in Central Asia
In the summer of 2023, Central Asia was faced once again with water shortages and the significant impact these have on agriculture. The sector relies on irrigation, consuming up to 80% of available water, and has a poor track record with regard to the efficient use of water resources. The irrigation infrastructure is over 50 […]
UNRCCA and EUSR Host The Central Asian Women Leaders’ Caucus Visit to European Union Institutions In Brussels
BRUSSELS, Belgium – On 13-15 November UNRCCA and the office of the European Union Special Representative for Central Asia (EUSR CA) jointly organized the visit of members of the Central Asian Women Leaders’ Caucus (CAWLC) and civil society representatives from Central Asia to the Institutions of European Union in Brussels. The visit was organized within […]
2 billion tons of sand and dust, equal in weight to 350 Great Pyramids of Giza, enter the atmosphere every year – warn UN experts
The prevalence of sand and dust storms has intensified worldwide, with human activity contributing to over 25% of these occurrences, according to the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD). Each year, an estimated 2 billion tons of sand and dust enter the atmosphere, a weight equivalent to 350 Great Pyramids of Giza. This alarming trend […]
Central Asia – Republic of Korea: significance for Kazakhstan
Bauyrzhan Auken, Senior Expert of the Department of Asian Studies, Kazakhstan Institute for Strategic Studies On November 1, 2023, the 16th Session of Foreign Ministers of the Cooperation Forum “Central Asia – Republic of Korea” took place in Ashgabat. The session was dedicated to the theme “Collaboration through the realization of the enormous potential of […]
Ambassadors of Central Asian countries to Austria visited Graz, the second largest Austrian city
On 8-9 November 2023, at the initiative of the Ambassador of the Kyrgyz Republic to Austria Tolenda Makeev, the ambassadors of the Central Asian countries to Austria visited the capital of the Austrian Federal State of Styria (Steiermark) – the city of Graz, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kyrgyzstan reports. The visit was organized […]
Ashgabat Hosts Meeting on CASCA+ Multimodal Transport Corridor Development
A three-day meeting of heads of railway departments from countries participating in the international multimodal transport corridor “Countries of the Asia-Pacific region-China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan-Turkmenistan-Azerbaijan-Georgia-Türkiye-Europe” (CASCA+) kicked off in Ashgabat on 15 November. Representatives from the public and private sectors of CASCA+ member countries gathered to discuss strategies for revitalizing the route. Specific topics included implementing special tariffs […]
UN Convention to Combat Desertification unveils latest data on land degradation in the world – Central Asia shows examples of effective tackling desertification
From 13-17 November 2023, Samarkand Uzbekistan hosts the twenty-first session of the Committee for the Review of the Implementation of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD). At the opening of its first-ever meeting held in Central Asia, the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) unveiled new data showing land degradation rapidly advancing in the […]
Central Asian Network on Statelessness prepares for GRF 2023
On 25-27 October 2023 the Central Asian Network on Statelessness (CANS) with support of UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, held its 7th annual meeting in UN Plaza, Almaty. As members of CANS, civil society organisations and academia from Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan share best practices in the reduction and prevention of […]
UNDP together with partners hosted a training on developing an SDG Information Platform for Central Asian countries
Ashgabat, November 13, 2023: A workshop on establishing a Regional Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Information Platform for Central Asian countries was convened in Ashgabat on November 6-10, 2023. The initiative to create an SDG information dashboard is implemented with technical assistance from UNDP and the Economic Research Institute of the Ministry of National Economy of […]
Regional Conference Advances Implementation of United Nations Convention Against Corruption in Central Asia
On November 2, 2023, during the 20th anniversary of UNCAC, the heads and experts of the anti-corruption bodies of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan gathered in Tashkent for the Conference on Fast Tracking the Implementation of the United Nations Convention against Corruption organized by UNODC ROCA. The intense negotiations led to the launch of […]
Tashkent hosted the International Forum “Children and Youth in Action – Climate Change in Central Asia”
On 9 November 2023 Tashkent hosted the International Forum “Children and Youth in Action – Climate Change in Central Asia”, dedicated to recognizing the role of children and youth in combating the negative impacts of climate change, including through the promotion of environmental education, UNICEF Uzbekistan reports. During the opening of the Forum, addressing the […]
Ashgabat to host 1st Turkmenistan Ashgabat Model United Nations (TAMUN) Regional Conference
The Government of Turkmenistan jointly with the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT), the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the United Nations Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia (UNRCCA), the United Nations Resident Coordinator Office in Turkmenistan (UN RCO), the Regional Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights […]
Regional Forum in Astana Focuses on Joint Central Asian Strategy in Run-Up to COP28 in Dubai
Assel Satubaldina Representatives of Central Asian countries and international organizations convened in the Kazakh capital on Nov. 7 to explore where the countries stand in their efforts to address climate change and come up with a joint regional strategy in the run-up to the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference, more commonly referred to as […]
Empowering Youth Leaders in Central Asia for Successful Evidence-Based Drug Prevention
In the months September to October 2023, UNODC successfully organized a series of National Round Tables to kick off the Phase II of the project titled “Regional Network of Youth Organizations and Youth Champions of Change in Central Asia for drug-free, healthy, safe, and secure societies.” This project is a joint effort between the UNODC […]
Turkmenistan took part in the G7 Dialogue with Central Asia
On November 8, 2023, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan Berdiniyaz Myatiev took part in the online meeting of the Foreign Ministers of Central Asia and the Group of Seven (G7). The meeting was attended by the heads of foreign policy agencies of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, as well as Great Britain, Germany, Italy, […]
UNODC project Enhances Practical Cooperation and Experience Exchange Among Port Control Units in Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan
The practical cooperation and information exchange on high-risk cargo shipments along international trade and transport corridors are of utmost importance in facilitating the international trade. This cooperation represents a strategic priority for Customs authorities of the countries cooperating within the framework of the Inter-Regional Network of Customs Authorities and Port Control Units countries (IREN). IREN […]
German Society for International Cooperation GIZ will launch a new stage of the trade facilitation project in Central Asia
The 10th regional meeting of the National Committees for Trade Facilitation of Central Asian countries started in Tashkent on 7 November, the Uzbek news portal Uzdaily.uz reports. The two-day meeting was organized by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH (German Society for International Cooperation) on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation […]
UN forum on SDGs implementation in North and Central Asia reaffirmed shared commitment to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
The Seventh North and Central Asia Multistakeholder Forum on Implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals was on 1-2 November 2023 in Almaty, Kazakhstan. The forum was organized by the UNESCAP Subregional Office for North and Central Asia. The high-level officials and representatives from various stakeholder groups reaffirmed their continued resolve and shared commitment to the […]
EU-funded programme keeps improving the educational and training processes of border and customs services in Central Asian region
From October 31 to November 2, the EU-funded Border Management Programme in Central Asia (BOMCA 10) organised a Regional consortium workshop for the heads of customs and border guard services’ training institutions from Central Asian countries in Ashgabat. This activity provided a platform to training institutions for enhancing cooperation and exchange of information on educational […]
Turkmenistan-Korea and Central Asia-Korea Business Councils Hold Meetings in Ashgabat
On 2 November 2023, the 5th meeting of the Turkmenistan-Republic of Korea Business Council and the 4th meeting of the Central Asia-Republic of Korea Business Council were held in Ashgabat, TDH reports. The Turkmenistan-Korea Business Council meeting was attended by representatives of ministries and industry departments, including the fuel and energy sector, the transport sector, […]
Eurasian Development Bank: By 2035, the capacity of hydroelectric power plants in Central Asia will grow by 8,900 MW
In 2028-2029, Central Asia will face a permanent and persistent water scarcity. The water deficit is estimated at about 5-12 cubic kilometers annually. At the same time, the demand for electricity in Central Asia is expected to increase significantly over the next 10 years. Nikolai Podguzov, Chairman of the Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) Management Board, […]
MFA Turkmenistan issued PRESS RELEASE on the 16th meeting of the Foreign Ministers of the Central Asia-Republic of Korea Cooperation Forum
On November 1, 2023, a meeting of the foreign ministers took place in Ashgabat within the framework of the “Central Asia-Republic of Korea” cooperation format. The current meeting of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Central Asian countries and the Republic of Korea was devoted to the topic “Cooperation through the realization of the […]
Regional Security and Sustainable Development in Focus at Forum of the OSCE Secretary General and the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Central Asia Countries
On October 31, 2023, a meeting of the Secretary General of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe and the heads Foreign Ministries of the Central Asian states was held in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan, during which a thorough exchange of views took place on the most important topics of regional […]
OSCE Secretary General to Discuss Regional Cooperation with Central Asian Countries in Ashgabat
OSCE Secretary General Helga Maria Schmid is on visit Turkmenistan on 31 October for meetings with Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the OSCE’s Central Asian participating States and other high-level officials. In Ashgabat, the Secretary General will attend the “Forum of the OSCE Secretary General and the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Central Asia Countries”, […]