In his speech at the International Forum on Attracting Foreign Investments in Turkmenistan’s Economy (TEIF 2025) in Kuala Lumpur, Deputy Minister of Finance and Economy of Turkmenistan P. Yagshiyev emphasized the strategic importance of developing the country’s transport and communication system for regional and global economic partnerships. Yagshiyev highlighted that Turkmenistan adheres to the principles […]
Bridging Nations, Building Trust: How Infrastructure is Forging Peace, Trust and Prosperity across Central Asia
nCa Analysis The winds of change sweeping across Central Asia and its neighboring regions tell a story of transformation, one where the hum of construction and the promise of connectivity are rewriting old narratives of division and scarcity. At the heart of this shift lies a powerful idea: that infrastructure—both the tangible networks of roads, […]
The President of Turkmenistan received the European Commissioner for International Partnerships
On Wednesday, 12 March, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov received European Union Commissioner for International Partnerships Jozef Síkela. As noted during the meeting, in recent years, Turkmenistan’s political and diplomatic relations with the European Union have become more active, with cooperation developing not only on a bilateral basis, but also within the Central Asia–European Union format. Turkmenistan […]
Visit of the EU Commissioner for International Partnerships to Ashgabat – transport, energy and trade among the key topics of the upcoming talks
On the eve of the first Central Asia–European Union Summit, the European Commissioner for International Partnerships Jozef Síkela begins his week-long tour of five Central Asian countries on 12 March. Turkmenistan will be the first country to be visited by the Commissioner. In an exclusive interview with the newspaper Neutral Turkmenistan, Síkela revealed the purpose […]
EU Commissioner Síkela to Embark on Ambitious Central Asia Tour this week
Jozef Síkela, the European Union Commissioner for International Partnerships, is set to embark on a seven-day diplomatic mission across all five Central Asian countries from 12 to 18 March 2025. The tour reflects the EU’s growing strategic interest in a region representing a €340 billion economy with an average annual growth rate of 5%. In […]
Afghanistan and Turkmenistan Strengthen Railway Cooperation: Important MoUs Signed
A technical delegation from Afghanistan, headed by Deputy Minister of Public Works for Railway Transport Mohammad Ishaq Sahibzada, visited Turkmenistan to strengthen bilateral cooperation in the field of railway transport. The visit was marked by the signing of several important memoranda of understanding with the Turkmenistan Railway Agency. Within the framework of the signed memoranda, […]
Turkmenistan delegation participated in Third Caspian Economic Forum in Tehran, discussing key regional cooperation initiatives
On 17-18 February 2025, a delegation from Turkmenistan, led by Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers Hojamyrat Geldimyradov, participated in the Third Caspian Economic Forum held in Tehran. The forum featured six thematic sessions, where representatives from the Caspian littoral states engaged in discussions on a wide range of issues aimed at advancing five-sided […]
Newly appointed EU Commissioner for International Partnerships may visit Turkmenistan
The Ambassador of Turkmenistan to Belgium Sapar Palvanov met with the Head of Cabinet of the EU Commissioner for International Partnerships Ms. Lucie Šestáková in Brussels. According to the Embassy, they discussed the continuation of active cooperation between Turkmenistan, the EU, and Central Asia, with a particular focus on transport connectivity. Transport remains a key […]
Turning landlocked challenges into opportunities
Turkmenistan prepares to play a strategic role as a connector between Europe and Asia Narine Sahakyan, UNDP Resident Representative Nearly half a billion people live in landlocked developing countries [LLDCs] in Asia, Europe, Africa, and South America. These nations depend on transit routes through neighbouring countries to get to global markets, and face significantly higher […]
ITTC-2024: The Plenary session highlighted the importance of international cooperation in the field of transport
On 26 November, the International Conference “International Transport and Transit Corridors: Interconnection and Development” (ITTC-2024) began its work in Ashgabat. The speeches of the plenary session were devoted to topical issues of the development of the transport industry, including strengthening international cooperation, innovation, digitalization and environmental sustainability. Mammethan Chakiyev, Director General of the Agency for […]
Turkmenistan invites CIS countries to participate in infrastructure projects toward South Asia – this is powerful idea with enormous potential
Tariq Saeedi Turkmenistan has invited the CIS countries to take part in the emerging and planned infrastructure projects aimed at connectivity with South Asia and beyond. President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, in his speech at the summit of the heads of state of CIS, floated the idea. The summit was held in Moscow on 8 October 2024. […]
Kazakhstan hosted second Central Asia–Germany Summit
The second Central Asia–Germany Summit was held in Astana on Tuesday, 17 September 2024. The meeting was attended by: • President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev • Federal Chancellor of Germany Olaf Scholz • President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov • President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon • President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov • President of Uzbekistan Shavkat […]
Joint Declaration by the Heads of State of Central Asia and the Federal Chancellor of Germany
The text of the Joint Declaration adopted following the meeting of the heads of Central Asian states (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan) with the Federal Chancellor of Germany is published on the official website of the Federal Government of Germany. Here is the full text of the Declaration: On 17 September 2024, President of the […]
Central Asian Transport Ministers Advance Cooperation
Ministers of Transport of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan convened in Astana on 8 August 2023, to discuss enhancing regional connectivity. The meeting, held ahead of the Sixth Consultative Meeting of Central Asian Heads of State, focused on expanding transit corridors, rail and road infrastructure, and air travel options, ministry of transport of Kazakhstan […]
Turkmenistan is ready to invest in the construction of the Torghundi-Herat railway in Afghanistan
The Turkmen delegation headed by Chairman of the Turkmendemiryollary Agency (Turkmen Railways) Azat Atamuradov held talks with Deputy Minister of of Public Works for Railway transport of Afghanistan Bakhtur Rahman Sharaft in Kabul, the Ministry of Public Works of Afghanistan reported. The two-day meeting involved detailed discussions between the delegations of both countries aimed at […]
Does Uzbekistan need transit integration?
For the Central Asian states, the issue of direct participation in international transit cargo transportation is becoming relevant. Integration into the global transport network allows not only to expand the market for export products abroad, but also to join the intermediate trade turnover between countries and receive bonuses for the transit of goods through their […]
Trilateral working group Azerbaijan-Kazakhstan-Turkmenistan on improving connectivity in the Caspian Sea convened in Baku
On 10 May 2024 the first meeting of the trilateral working group on optimization of connectivity in the Caspian Sea was held at the Headquarters of the Permanent Secretariat of Interstate Committee TRACECA in Baku, Azerbaijan in a hybrid format. During the meeting, representatives of the Parties involved (Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan) discussed in detail […]
Kazakhstan and Pakistan Pilot New Multimodal Export Route
A pilot project is underway to create a new multimodal export route stretching from Kazakhstan to Pakistan. The route will traverse Uzbekistan and Afghanistan, with a final leg by sea to Jebel Ali Port in the United Arab Emirates. This was announced by Bauyrzhan Urynbasarov, Managing Director of Kazakhstan Railways JSC NC KTZ, during a […]
Inter-regional and Intra-regional partnership formats speed up economic integration in Central Asia
nCa Analysis The pith of the recent inter-regional and intra-regional formats of partnership in Central Asia is simply impressive. While it contributes solidly to the space for peace and progress, it also creates bulwarks against any negative influences of the prevailing geopolitical situations from spilling over into the region. In the past few days, the […]
Pakistan Breaks Ground on Central Asian Trade with First Direct Shipment to Tajikistan
Recently, the National Logistics Corporation (NLC) of Pakistan carried out the first direct delivery of cargo to Tajikistan. A batch of Pakistani potatoes travelled 1,400 km in just 7 days, reaching Dushanbe, Tajikistan’s capital, via a China-routed path bypassing Afghanistan. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan, the first direct shipment of cargo […]
Central Asian countries are building new transport corridors and changing logistics
Serikbol Koshmaganbetov Geopolitical turbulence in the world is radically changing the infrastructure of transport flows in Central Asia. Asian countries are eager to send their cargo to Europe via the historic Great Silk Road. What is the current development of cargo transportation logistics in Central Asian countries, read the material of the correspondent of Kazinform […]
A Dialogue on “Central Asian Connectivity Project Pipeline” between IsDB-AIIB-MCDF and Regional Countries
On 11-12 March 2024, the Regional Dialogue on Central Asian Connectivity (CAC) Project Pipeline has convened in Istanbul, Turkiye, to facilitate a stakeholder dialogue aimed at identifying and assessing cross-border connectivity projects in Central Asia. Organized jointly by the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) and the Multilateral Cooperation Center for […]
Turkmenistan and Afghanistan discussed cooperation in the transport sector
On 27 February 2024, the Afghanistan delegation headed by Acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi met with Mammetkhan Chakiyev, Director General of the Agency for Transport and Communications under the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan, as part of a working visit to Turkmenistan, the Afghan Foreign Ministry reports. The meeting explored the prospects of expanding […]
The Central Asia link
Anton Usov At the Second European Union (EU)-Central Asia Economic Forum at the end of May 2023, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) presented a study on sustainable transport connections between Central Asia and Europe. Funded by the European Commission, the study identified country-specific needs and measures to reduce transportation costs, increase operational […]
Experts Discuss Boosting Central Asian Exports through Turkmenbashi Port: Infrastructure, Services, and Partnerships Highlighted
Transport industry experts and representatives from regional associations in Central Asia convened virtually on 14 February 2024 to discuss the potential of the Turkmenbashi International Seaport as a key transit hub for exports from the region. Organized by the USAID Trade Program in Central Asia, in collaboration with the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport […]
Global Gateway: EU and Central Asian countries agree on building blocks to develop the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor
During the two-day Investors Forum for EU-Central Asia Transport Connectivity, the European Union, Central Asian countries (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan) and other gathered partners from across the world have made important steps to start the development of the fast route Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor linking Europe and Central Asia within 15 days. During yesterday’s […]
EIB Global to Support Sustainable Transport in Central Asia with Co-financing of €1.47 Billion
EIB Global, the European Union’s bank for long-term investments outside the EU, has signed memorandums of understanding for project co-financing with Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Uzbekistan, and the Development Bank of Kazakhstan for a total of €1.47 billion, the EU Delegation to Uzbekistan reports. This significant commitment was announced at the EU-Central Asia Investors Forum […]
European and international financial institutions announce €10 billion commitment to support sustainable connectivity in Central Asia
The Global Gateway Investors Forum for EU-Central Asia Transport Connectivity started today (29 January 2024) in Brussels. The event brings together government officials, financing institutions, businesses and civil society from Europe, all five Central Asian countries, and beyond. European Commission Executive Vice President Valdis Dombrovskis announced that European and international financial institutions present at the […]
Xinjiang’s Trade grows with Central Asia, Becoming its Largest Market
Urumqi customs data shows Central Asia as the largest trading partner for China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region (XUAR). In 2023, trade turnover surged by 50%, accounting for a remarkable 79.4% of XUAR’s total foreign trade volume, Xinhua reports. Trade with Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan, XUAR’s top three partners, increased by 70.8%, 25.8%, and 93.4%, respectively. […]
Uzbekistan offers China to join corridor linking Central Asia and Türkiye
Uzbekistan has offered China access to a crucial transport corridor linking Central Asia with Türkiye. During last week meeting in Beijing, Uzbekistan Railways chairman Zufar Narzullayev proposed including Chinese State Railways in the protocol governing the corridor Uzbekistan-Turkmenistan-Iran-Türkiye. He also suggested collaborating to boost the corridor’s capacity. The talks further explored rail freight options between China and […]
Turkmenistan Joins Regional Efforts to Expand Trans-Caspian Trade Route
Representatives from Turkmenistan, alongside officials from other Central Asian nations and international organizations, gathered in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, on 25-26 January 2024, for the third meeting on expanding the Trans-Caspian Trade Route (TCTR). The Turkmen Logistics Association, Transport and Logistics Center of Turkmenistan (TULM), and several transport and logistics companies actively participated in the discussions. The […]
Investors Forum for EU-Central Asia Transport Connectivity – 29 and 30 January 2024
The European Commission invites you to the Investors Forum for EU-Central Asia Transport Connectivity; Taking place on 29 and 30 January 2024 in Brussels, the Investors Forum for EU-Central Asia Transport Connectivity will bring together high-level representatives from Central Asian countries, EU Member States, partner countries along the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor, EU Institutions, international and bilateral […]
Turkmenistan Drives Regional Connections with Growing Container Traffic
In January-December 2023, 52 container trains passed through the territory of Turkmenistan in the directions Uzbekistan-Turkmenistan-Azerbaijan-Georgia and Russia-Kazakhstan-Turkmenistan-Iran, reports JSC Demiryollary (Turkmen state-run company, passenger and cargo carrier of the Turkmen railway network). In 2023, 10,799 container shipments were carried out from the territory of Turkmenistan, including 5,614 transit, 2,316 export and 2,869 import container […]
Margaritis Schinas – Europe is in long-term commitment with Central Asia
Vice President of EC completes his Central Asia visit with last stop in Turkmenistan Margaritis Schinas, the Vice President of the European Commission (EC) completed his tour of the five Central Asian countries with the last stop in Turkmenistan on 17 January 2023. In Turkmenistan, he had several meetings including with President Serdar Berdimuhamedov and […]
Brussels to host Investors Forum for EU-Central Asia Transport Connectivity
Brussels will host Investors Forum for EU-Central Asia Transport Connectivity on 29-30 January 2024, European Commission reports. The Global Gateway Transport Investors Forum takes forward the conclusions of the EU-commissioned Study on Sustainable Transport Corridors between the EU and Central Asia, and aims to translate the political commitments of the EU and the five countries […]
Turkmenistan’s initiated United Nations General Assembly resolutions on transport and energy connectivity have been officially published in six languages
In December 2023, the UN General Assembly approved two resolutions initiated by Turkmenistan – on transport and energy. Resolutions entitled “Strengthening the links between all modes of transport to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals” and “The pivotal role of reliable and stable energy connectivity in driving sustainable development” have now been officially published in six […]
Istanbul meeting paves the way for the development of the Uzbekistan–Turkmenistan–Iran–Türkiye multimodal transport corridor
The first meeting of the railway administrations of the participating countries of the multimodal transport corridor Uzbekistan – Turkmenistan – Iran – Türkiye was held in Istanbul, where important issues related to the development of this transport route were discussed, the Information and Analytical Media Center of Uzbekistan Temir Yullari (Uzbek Railways) reports. The key […]
Construction of a new bridge continues over the Caspian Strait of Garabogaz
The construction of the Garabogaz Strait Bridge, a vital artery poised to reshape regional connectivity, is underway in Turkmenistan. Since its launch in August 2022, the project, awarded to Ukrainian highway construction company Altcom, has steadily progressed, promising to usher in a new era of trade and transport efficiency by June 2024. This modern bridge […]
Turkmenistan and Afghanistan Establish Joint Committee to Enhance Railway Cooperation
On 1 December 2023, a delegation from Afghanistan led by Bakht Rahman Sharafat, Director General of the Afghanistan Railway Administration, met with Azat Atamyradov, Head of the Turkmendemiryollary Agency (Turkmen Railways). According to the Afghanistan Railway Authority’s press service, the meeting focused on in-depth discussions regarding bilateral cooperation in the railway sector. Expressing gratitude for […]
Kazakhstan launches new railway project, improving regional connectivity and boosting trade
On Monday, 27 November, Kazakhstan started construction of a new railway line that will connect the southernmost regions of Kazakhstan with the rest of the country and improve transport connectivity with neighboring Uzbekistan. The project is expected to be completed in 2025. The 152 km long Darbaza – Maktaaral railway line will allow to reorient […]
Kazakhstan Becomes Largest Transit Hub Between China and Europe
About 85% of all land transit traffic from China to Europe passes through Kazakhstan, Prime Minister Alikhan Smailov said at the official opening ceremony of the 6th China International Import Expo in Shanghai on 5 November 2023. Kazakhstan plays a strategic role as a regional transport and logistics hub, connecting the Eurasian continent with the […]
New ECO Transport Corridor through Turkmenistan to forge connectivity between Asia with Europe
Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Iran and Türkiye have signed a protocol on the formation of an international multimodal corridor between Asia and Europe via the Uzbekistan–Turkmenistan–Iran–Türkiye route, Uzbekistan’s transport ministry reports. The document was signed within the framework of the 12th meeting of the Ministers of Transport of the Economic Cooperation Organization, which was held in Tashkent […]
Russia, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan to Develop Transport Corridor Through Turkmenistan
Russia, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan intend to develop the international multimodal transport corridor “Russia – Caspian Sea – Turkmenistan – Uzbekistan – Kyrgyzstan”. The relevant memorandum was signed on 1 November 2023, in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, at the Transport Forum of the SCO member states between the Minister of Transport of Uzbekistan Ikhlom Makhkamov, Deputy Minister of […]
Freight Volumes from China to Europe on the Middle Corridor Surge by Over 80%, says IRU
From January to August 2023, freight volumes from China to Europe along the Middle Corridor increased by over 80% compared to the same period last year. All signs point to more goods moving through the Middle Corridor in the years to come. This was stated by IRU Secretary General Umberto de Pretto at the 4th […]
The C5+1 Regional Connectivity Ministerial in Samarkand issued a Joint Statement
On October 24, U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Administrator Samantha Power and Ministers from the Republic of Uzbekistan, Republic of Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, the Republic of Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan met in Samarkand, Uzbekistan under the auspices of the C5+1 regional diplomatic platform. During the C5+1 Regional Connectivity Ministerial, co-hosted by USAID and the […]
Southern corridor connecting China to Europe via Turkmenistan, Iran and Turkey has great potential, says IRU Secretary General
IRU’s Secretary General held high-level talks with Mohammad Rezvanifar, President of the Iranian Customs Administration, in Geneva on how to further enhance transport and transit in Iran. Both sides discussed the latest developments in international logistics chain, particularly given Iran’s pivotal geographical position and its active role in the Economic Cooperation Organization region, which makes […]
Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Iran and Türkiye discuss international transport corridor
On Friday, 13 October 2023, transport departments and representatives of the railway sector of Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Iran, Türkiye and Uzbekistan held an online meeting, the Ministry of Transport of Uzbekistan reports. Issues aimed at accelerating the processes related to the signing of the agreement on the creation of the international transport corridor “China-Kazakhstan-Uzbekistan-Turkmenistan-Iran-Türkiye-Europe” were discussed […]
Railway can drive Central Asia’s development faster
Djoomart Otorbaev The Belt and Road Initiative has built remarkably efficient railways connecting China and Europe via Central Asia. These rail routes did not exist even a decade ago. Within a short period, they have boosted local and national economies thanks to their solid infrastructure, smooth operation and socioeconomic impacts. Between January and August in […]
Round Table explores TRACECA’s Role in Integrating Turkmenistan’s Transport System into Global Network
Turkmenistan has recently joined the Basic Multilateral Agreement on International Transport for the Development of the Europe–Caucasus–Asia Corridor, which is the foundation legal instrument for the TRACECA corridor. The editorial office of the newspaper “Neutral Turkmenistan” held a round table with the Association “Turkmen Logistics” to discuss the importance of the Europe–Caucasus–Asia (TRACECA) transport corridor […]
Joint Declaration by Heads of State of Central Asia and the Federal Chancellor of Germany – The Leaders of Germany and the five Central Asian States agreed to establish a Strategic Regional Partnership
The text of the Joint Statement adopted following the meeting of the heads of Central Asian states (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan) with the Federal Chancellor of Germany is published on the official website of the Federal Government of Germany. Here is the full text of the Statement: On 29 September 2023, Federal Chancellor Olaf […]