On 29 May 2024, Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Antonio Tajani will meet in Rome with colleagues from five Central Asian countries – Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Turkmenistan, Nova News agency reports. According to the source, the meeting will bring together Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan Rashid Meredov, Minister of […]
Trade integration in Central Asia under the spotlight at the CATF in Almaty
The 13th Central Asia Trade Forum (CATF) themed “Trade Connections: Bridging Globally” started on 15 May 2024 in Almaty, Kazakhstan. The event is organized by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). More than 300 business executives and government officials from Asia, Europe, the Middle East, the United Kingdom, and the United States are […]
Central Asia + Japan Dialogue Summit Preparations Underway in Astana
On 14 May 2024, Astana hosted a meeting of Senior Officials for the Central Asia + Japan Dialogue. Representatives from the foreign ministries of Japan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan attended, along with Tajikistan’s Ambassador to Kazakhstan. The Turkmen delegation was led by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ahmed Gurbanov. Discussions centered on preparations for […]
Deserts in Central Asia – Part One
nCa Report There are some 14 territories and areas in Central Asia that are categorized as deserts. Some of them are in this category mainly for technical reasons and one of them should not have existed at all. The total area of deserts in Central Asia comes to about 1.5 million square km. This should […]
French Company to Build Massive Ski Resort in Kyrgyzstan
A French company, S3V (Société de Trois Vallees) will construct the largest ski resort in Central Asia, located in Kyrgyzstan. The project initial phase requires a €165 million investment. The project of the Three Peaks sports cluster was recently presented by Pascal De Thiersant, CEO of S3V, to President Sadyr Japarov of Kyrgyzstan. The resort […]
Customs representatives of Central Asia, Southern Caucasus, Pakistan and the WCO Europe region discuss cooperation mechanisms and information exchange
On 9 and 10 April 2024, representatives from countries participating in the Inter-Regional Network of Customs Authorities and Port Control Units (IREN) held their sixth meeting to discuss the challenges and opportunities arising from data sharing in relation to high-risk cargo. Representatives from Bulgaria, Poland, Türkiye and Italy also participated in the meeting which took […]
UK Foreign Secretary travels to Central Asia and Mongolia – London announces £50 million of new funding to support region’s sovereignty
The UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron will visit Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan and Mongolia to as part of government ambition to increase engagement with this pivotal region of the world, Foreign Office reports. He will meet leaders across the region to deepen cooperation on shared challenges, from counter-terrorism to climate change. He will use […]
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 […]
Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan Forge Stronger Alliance
Central Asian neighbors Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan solidified their partnership on Friday, April 19th, 2024, with a signed agreement by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and President Sadyr Japarov. The historic document – the Treaty on deepening and expansion of allied relations was inked during Japarov’s official visit to Astana. “This document fully meets the interests of the […]
Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan Boost Trade Ties with $300 Million Deal
Business leaders from Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan struck a series of agreements worth $300 million during a major business forum held in Astana on 17 April 2024 The Ministry of Trade and Integration of the Republic of Kazakhstan reported this positive development. These deals encompass a variety of projects, including construction of solar power plants, development […]
2nd Ministerial Meeting of the “GCC + Central Asia” Strategic Dialogue adopted a Joint Statement – Samarkand to host the Dialogue’s next Summit
On 15 April 2024, Tashkent, hosted the Second Ministerial Meeting of the Strategic Dialogue “Cooperation Council of the Arab States of the Gulf – Central Asia” (GCC + Central Asia), chaired by the foreign minister of Uzbekistan Bakhtiyor Saidov. The forum was attended by: Bahrain – Foreign minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al-Zayani Kazakhstan – Deputy […]
Kazakhstan Hosts Digitalization Training for Central Asian Civil Servants
The Kazakhstan Agency for International Development (KazAID) is partnering with Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs to offer the Dostyk Digitalization program. This initiative aims to enhance the digital skills of civil servants from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, KazAID reports. From 1 to 5 April 2024, in Astana, 20 civil servants will participate in […]
CIS Border Chiefs met in Uzbekistan to address Central Asian security challenges
On 28 March 2024, Khiva, Uzbekistan hosted the 8th regional meeting of heads of border agencies from CIS member states, according to the CIS Executive Committee. The event was attended by delegations of the border agencies of Belarus, Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, the Coordination Service of the Council of Commanders of […]
China and Central Asia Formalize Partnership with launching Secretariat in Xian
High-ranking officials from China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan gathered in Xi’an on 30 March 2024 to inaugurate the Secretariat of the China-Central Asia cooperation mechanism. This new body marks a significant step towards institutionalizing partnership between China and the Central Asian nations. Congratulatory messages on the occasion of the launch of the secretariat […]
China and Central Asian countries to launch the secretariat of the joint cooperation mechanism
China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan will launch the secretariat of the China-Central Asia mechanism. The ceremony will take place on 30 March in Xi’an, Shaanxi Province. This was stated at a press conference on 29 March by Foreign Ministry’s spokesman Lin Jian. Four years ago, China and the five Central Asian countries jointly […]
Kyrgyzstan may introduce lectures about Magtymguly’s legacy into school and university curriculum
On 20 March 2024, Turkmenistan Ambassador Nuri Golliyev met with Kyrgyzstan Education and Science Minister Dogdurkul Kendirbayeva. During the meeting, the parties discussed a number of key topics reflecting current areas of cooperation aimed at deepening and expanding the partnership between Turkmenistan and Kyrgyzstan in the field of education and science, the Ministry of Foreign […]
Первый в истории бизнес-диалог Центральная Азия – США «B5+1» завершился принятием рекомендаций по экономической интеграции в ЦА
Форум B5+1, государственно-частный бизнес диалог для Центральной Азии и Соединенных Штатов, состоявшийся на прошлой неделе в Алматы, Казахстан, завершился принятием конкретных рекомендаций по ускорению региональной интеграции и экономического развития Центральной Азии, говорится в заявлении Центра международного частного предпринимательства (CIPE), который провел форум. В дополнение к странам С5+1 (Казахстан, Кыргызстан, Таджикистан, Туркменистан и Узбекистан плюс Соединенные […]
Inaugural B5+1 Forum adopted recommendations for Economic Integration in Central Asia
The B5+1 Forum, a public-private business dialogue platform for Central Asia and the United States, held last week in Almaty, Kazakhstan, announced a series of concrete recommendations to accelerate Central Asia’s regional integration and economic development, according to the statement of the Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE), who led the forum. In addition […]
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 […]
Amudarya is not a single river – It is an integrated river system spanning six countries
nCa Report Amudarya, the most famous river of Central Asia, is not a single river – It is an integrated river system spanning six, possibly seven countries. Amudarya is usually written as Amudarya River, which is superfluous because ‘darya’ in Amudarya means river. This river has always caught the imagination of the travellers and authors. […]
OSCE and Central Asia held a meeting in Ashgabat on regional cooperation in the field of ecology
On 4 March 2024, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) and Central Asian environment ministers convened in Ashgabat to discuss regional ecological cooperation, according to TDH. OSCE Secretary General Helga Schmid emphasized the meeting’s significance, highlighting its role in refocusing attention on contemporary environmental challenges. Schmid stressed that primary aspects of climate […]
UNDP organized a study visit of a delegation from Turkmenistan to the Kyrgyz Republic to learn from experience in the digitalization of public services
On 26 February – 1 March 2024, within the framework of a joint project between UNDP and the Agency “Turkmenaragatnashyk” of the Agency of Transport and Communications under the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan “Assistance in the implementation of a pilot electronic data interchange system in Turkmenistan”, a study visit to the Kyrgyz Republic was […]
Kyrgyzstan attaches great importance to the development of transport cooperation with Turkmenistan, says Kytgyz Transport and Communications Minister
On 29 February 2024, Ambassador of Turkmenistan to the Kyrgyz Republic Nuri Golliev met with Minister of Transport and Communications of the Kyrgyz Republic Tilek Tekebayev. At the meeting, Tekebayev noted that Turkmenistan is a strategic partner for Kyrgyzstan and the ministry attaches great importance to the development of bilateral cooperation in the transport sector, […]
Titanium-magnetite at Kyzyl-Ompol field of Kyrgyzstan worth USD 300-400 billion
nCa Report President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov said on 19 February 2024 that we want to develop the Kyzyl- Ompol field on our own, where there are reserves worth $300-400 billion. The deposit has reserves of titanium -magnetite in the amount of 20 million tons. He was speaking at Balykchi to the activists and representatives […]
CASA-1000 Back on Track in Afghanistan: Avoiding $1 Billion in Stranded Assets Risk for other project nations
The Central Asia-South Asia Electricity Transmission and Trade Project (CASA-1000), a $1.2 billion regional initiative, will resume in Afghanistan following requests from three neighboring countries, World Bank says. The project aims to bring clean energy from Tajikistan and the Kyrgyz Republic to Pakistan through Afghanistan. As construction nears completion in the other participating nations, resuming […]
Kyrgyzstan Thanks Turkmenistan for Humanitarian Aid, Underscores Strong Partnership
On 6 February 2024, President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov had a telephone conversation with President of the Kyrgyz Republic Sadyr Japarov. Japarov expressed gratitude to the Turkmen side for the humanitarian assistance provided in connection with the accident at the Bishkek thermal power plant and noted that Kyrgyzstan feels the support of the fraternal people […]
Turkmenistan Delivers 2,000 Tons of Liquefied Gas to Kyrgyzstan as Humanitarian Aid
On February 5, 2024, a shipment of 2,000 tons of liquefied gas (57 tank wagons) arrived at the Shopokov railway station in Kyrgyzstan. This humanitarian aid, sent upon the initiative of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, was provided free of charge by Turkmenistan in response to the recent accident at the Bishkek CHP plant. Representatives from the […]
Afghanistan Eyes Balanced Trade with Central Asia
In 2023, Afghanistan imported about $1.4 billion worth of goods from Central Asian countries, while the country exported goods worth $100 million, TOLOnews reports, citing the Afghan Ministry of Industry and Trade. According to the ministry’s spokesman Akhundzada Abdul Salam Javad, the country’s main exports to Central Asia are fresh fruits, dried fruits, while attempts […]
Turkmenistan Offers Humanitarian Aid to Kyrgyzstan After Bishkek Power Plant Accident
Turkmenistan will provide liquefied natural gas (LNG) to Kyrgyzstan as humanitarian assistance following the accident at the Bishkek Combined Heat and Power (CHP) plant. The corresponding instruction was given by the President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov. This was announced by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan Rashid Meredov to his Kyrgyz counterpart Jeenbek Kulubayev […]
Central Asian SMEs are embracing sustainability – Success Stories from Kyrgyzstan and Turkmenistan
Bilguun Batsukh Known for their picturesque natural beauty and breath-taking mountains, the lands of Central Asia are especially vulnerable to climate change due to their high altitude and dependency on extractive industries. The EBRD and donors invest comprehensively in Green Economy Transformation in Central Asia, from facilitating policy dialogue, developing legislative frameworks, introducing renewable energy […]
European and international financial institutions announce €10 billion commitment to support sustainable connectivity in Central Asia
The Global Gateway Investors Forum for EU-Central Asia Transport Connectivity started today (29 January 2024) in Brussels. The event brings together government officials, financing institutions, businesses and civil society from Europe, all five Central Asian countries, and beyond. European Commission Executive Vice President Valdis Dombrovskis announced that European and international financial institutions present at the […]
EBRD posts strong operational results in Central Asia in 2023
Anton Usov The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) invested more than €1.2 billion (US$ 1.3 billion) in projects across Central Asia in 2023 to stimulate the region’s sustainable and inclusive growth, which is expected to continue at a pace of 5.9 per cent in 2024. Last year the Bank financed more than 100 […]
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 […]
Italy Proposes Aral Sea Restoration Project to Central Asia
An Italian engineering company has unveiled a project to revive the Aral Sea basin, offering hope for environmental recovery in Central Asia where the sea’s shrinkage stands as a major crisis. President Roberto Mantovanelli and CEO Errico Stravato of SOGESID presented the initiative to ambassadors of Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan at the Ministry for […]
Central Asia not circumventing Western sanctions
Raza Syed The ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine is forcing the whole world to adapt to a new political and economic reality. Sanctions, counter-sanctions, and the breakdown of existing production and logistics chains are becoming a serious challenge for some, and a matter of survival for other states. The countries of Central Asia are […]
Turkmenistan and Kyrgyzstan Discuss Top-Level Visits to Deepen Ties
On 12 January 2024, Ambassador of the Kyrgyz Republic to Turkmenistan Azizbek Madmarov met with Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan Serdar Mukhammetdurdiyev. During the conversation, the sides discussed issues of expanding comprehensive cooperation, including visits at the highest and high levels, which will give impetus to further promotion and deepening of Kyrgyz-Turkmen relations, the Kyrgyzstan Foreign […]
Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong Meets with Ambassadors of the Five Central Asian Countries to China
On January 11, 2024, Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong held a group meeting with ambassadors of the five Central Asian countries to China. Sun Weidong said that the five Central Asian countries are China’s close neighbors and comprehensive strategic partners. Over the past decade, President Xi Jinping has maintained close exchanges with heads of state […]
Kyrgyz Republic became a member of the Group of Friends of Neutrality for Peace, Security and Sustainable Development
Kyrgyz Republic officially joined the Group of Friends of Neutrality for Peace, Security, and Sustainable Development after unanimous approval by all members of the Group. This would reinforce the Group’s commitment to fostering global peace, security, and sustainable development through the principles of neutrality. The Group of Friends of Neutrality for Peace, Security, and Sustainable […]
Russia aims to strengthen partnership, alliance and good neighborliness with Central Asia
Russia sees its main task as pursuing a balanced policy aimed at strengthening partnership, alliance and good-neighborliness, and preserving its role as a key partner of the Central Asian states. The statement came from Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin during his remarks at parliament’s meeting devoted to the geopolitical importance of the Central Asian […]
Weaving a Brighter Future: Women Artisans of Central Asia Unveiled
The “Women Artisans of Central Asia: A Lookbook Journey,” a new publication launched by USAID features the exceptional work of 50 women artisans from Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, each piece a testament to their vibrant cultural heritage and exquisite craftsmanship. The Lookbook offers a gateway to amazing variety of hand-woven carpets, intricate wood carvings, gleaming metalwork, […]
Central Asian Emergency Services Learn from German Climate Risk Management
Representatives of emergency services from across Central Asia recently embarked on a learning journey to Germany, gaining firsthand insights into the country’s advanced approach to climate risk management, “Neutral Turkmenistan” newspaper reports. This tour, organized by the German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ) under the “Climate Risk Management in Central Asia” project, offered knowledge exchange […]
Kyrgyzstan considers Turkmenistan as a significant economic partner – President Sadyr Japarov
Kyrgyzstan attaches great importance to the expansion and qualitative development of trade and economic ties, considering Turkmenistan as a significant economic partner, President of the Kyrgyz Republic Sadyr Japarov said at a meeting with Ambassador of Turkmenistan Nuri Golliev. The presentation of credentials by the Turkmen Ambassador to the Kyrgyz President took place on 5 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Azerbaijan and Kyrgyzstan Explore Multimodal Transportation through Turkmenistan
Kyrgyzstan and Azerbaijan have initiated discussions on establishing a multimodal cargo transportation route via the International Port of Turkmenbashi, a Caspian Sea port in Turkmenistan. This development holds the potential to streamline the movement of goods between the two countries and enhance economic cooperation. Representatives of Kyrgyzstan’s Ministry of Transport and Communications, led by Deputy […]
CAREC Award: Turkmenistan’s Women’s Union Recognized for Advancing Gender Equality
At a landmark event, the first prize of the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) program for promoting gender equality was awarded. Eleven organizations and individuals from ten CAREC member countries were recognized at an awards ceremony in Tbilisi, Georgia, on 29 November 2023, on the sidelines of the 22nd CAREC Ministerial Conference. The CAREC […]
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 […]
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 […]