On 22 September 2024, a telephone conversation took place between President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov. The Head of Uzbekistan congratulated the President of Turkmenistan on his birthday, sincerely wishing good health, well-being and great success, peace and prosperity to the fraternal Turkmen people, the press service of the President […]
E-Commerce in Central Asia – Some latest developments
The e-commerce sector in Central Asia is almost self-propelled now. The stakeholders continue to add facilities and features to make it profitable and beneficial across the board. The Fund for Digital Initiatives of the Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) and the United Nations International Telecommunication Union (ITU) held a working meeting earlier this month to discuss […]
Uzbekistan: a growing hub for Western and Chinese investments
Bukhara, one of Central Asia’s oldest cities, has long stood as a historical waypoint on the Great Silk Road, where caravans laden with goods moved between East and West. Today, this city is witnessing a new chapter in its storied past—one defined by industrial advancement and economic transformation. Not far from the ancient bazaars of […]
Kazakhstan Outlines Priorities for Aral Sea Conservation
Kazakhstan’s Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov met with representatives of Central Asian countries to discuss the priorities of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea (IFAS) during Kazakhstan’s chairmanship. At a meeting in Astana on 18 September, Bektenov presented the key objectives for IFAS, which include promoting integrated water resource management, addressing environmental and socio-economic […]
The first meeting of the Board of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea held in Astana
On 18 September 2024, Astana hosted the first meeting of the Board of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea (IFAS) within the framework of the Kazakhstan’s chairmanship. According to the Press Service of the Government of Kazakhstan, the event, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Kanat Bozumbayev, was attended by Minister of Water Resources […]
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 […]
The German Chancellor and the President of Uzbekistan met in Samarkand – a package of documents signed – Germany and Uzbekistan are working on projects worth 9 billion Euros
On Sunday, 15 September, the Federal Chancellor of Germany Olaf Scholz started his visit to Central Asia. The first stop was Samarkand in Uzbekistan, where he had summit talks with the President Shavkat Mirziyoyev in narrow and expanded formats. A year ago, a meeting in Germany led to intensified contacts at all levels. Trade turnover […]
Central Asia and Germany – A very special kind of relationship
Tariq Saeedi Chancellor Olaf Scholz of Germany will visit Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, 15-17 September 2024. This would be his first visit to the region. On 17 September 2024, the last day of his visit, Chancellor Scholz will participate in the C5+1 meeting in Kazakhstan. The trip comes a year after Scholz hosted the leaders of […]
UNRCCA Co-Organizes Regional Conference and Training Course under the Counter-Terrorism Early Warning Network for Central Asia
On 10-12 September 2024, UNRCCA, the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT), the Office of Rule of Law and Security Institutions (OROLSI) with support of the United Nations Peace and Development Trust Fund (UNPDF) and the Governments of Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan organized a regional conference on the Counter-Terrorism Early Warning Network for Central Asia and […]
Central Asian Parliaments Gather for Second Interparliamentary Forum in Uzbekistan
On September 12, 2024, the Second Interparliamentary Forum of Central Asian states kicked off in Khiva, Uzbekistan. Delegates from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, including representatives of youth parliaments and local governments, are participating in the two-day event. In her opening remarks, Tanzila Narbayeva, Chair of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis, emphasized that […]
TIF 2024: Uzbekistan proposes to create a unified transport system in Central Asia
Ilkhom Makhkamov, Minister of Transport of Uzbekistan, outlined his country’s efforts to enhance regional and interregional transport connectivity at the TIF 2024 Investment Forum in Ashgabat. Makhkamov highlighted several key transport initiatives involving Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Kazakhstan. In order to create the shortest route to the World Ocean for the countries of Central Asia, as […]
Federal Chancellor Scholz to visit Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan – Kazakhstan to host Central Asia + Germany summit
Federal Chancellor of Germany Olaf Scholz will visit Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan from September 15 to 17 and take part in the Central Asia + Germany summit, says the statement, published on the official website of the Federal Government of Germany. According to the report, this will be Scholz’s first trip to Central Asia. The Federal […]
Downstream countries in Central Asia undertake mitigation efforts to prevent water scarcity
nCa Report Central Asia is facing a looming water crisis, driven by demographic growth and increasing agricultural demands. According to the World Bank, the region’s population is projected to reach 90 million by 2050, leading to water shortages of up to 25-30%. Simultaneously, agricultural water consumption is expected to rise by 30% within the next […]
Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan Explore Joint Space Satellite Launch
Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan are considering a collaborative effort to launch a space satellite. According to the Ministry of Digital Technologies of Uzbekistan, the issue of launching a group of joint satellites into space with the participation of the two countries was discussed at a meeting of the ministerial delegation in Astana on the sidelines of […]
Ongoing rehabilitation of Karakalpakstan is a success story from Uzbekistan, mitigating Aral Sea disaster impact
Karakalpakstan is an autonomous region of Uzbekistan, bordering with Turkmenistan. It was a thriving region in the 1970s, when irrigation from the Amu Darya was being expanded. However, the evaporation of the Aral Sea has made Karakalpakstan one of Uzbekistan’s poorest regions. Karakalpakstan has an area of 166,590 km2 (64,320 sq mi), and has a […]
Gazprom chairman comments on relations with China and Central Asia
The Chairman of the Management Committee of PJSC Gazprom, Alexey Miller, has commented on the relations of Gazprom with China and Central Asia. He was addressing a meeting on the eve of the ‘Oil and Gas Industry Workers Day’ on 29 August 2024. Here is the relevant portion from the press release by Gazprom: “Our […]
International Trade Center Opened at Uzbek-Afghan border – Expected annual trade turnover is USD 1.2 billion
The International Trade Centre was opened on 29 August 2024 at Termez, the border town between Uzbekistan and Afghanistan. It is located on the Uzbek territory. The sprawling complex covers an area of 36 hectares. The project cost was USD 70 million. The centre will play an important role in the development of trade and […]
Warehouse space deficit in Central Asia estimated at 20 million m²
There is an acute shortage of warehouse space in Central Asia, which leads to a situation of zero vacancy in the market. According to Stanislav Akhmedzyanov, Managing Partner of IBC Global, the deficit of modern warehouse facilities in the region is measured in tens of millions of square meters. “If you need a high-quality modern […]
National Leader of Turkmenistan, President of Uzbekistan in telephone conversation
The National Leader of Turkmenistan, Arkadag Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and the President of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, had a phone conversation on Tuesday, 27 August 2024. They expressed satisfaction at the growing pace of bilateral relations and discussed the prospect of further cooperation in the areas of mutual interest including trade, economy, and fuel and energy spheres. […]
Uzbekistan will privatize railway stations and trains
Uzbekistan is preparing to privatize the railway stations and trains in the public-private format. This will be helpful for the construction, modernization and management of the objects and the trains. The bill is under debate at the lower house of the Uzbek parliament. Podrobno.uz reports that the new bill defines the rights and obligations of […]
The visit of Uzbek PM to Afghanistan – The Event and the Phenomenon
Tariq Saeedi Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov of Uzbekistan visited Afghanistan, 17-18 August 2024. It is the highest-level visit of a foreign head of government to Afghanistan since the Taliban came to power in 2021. It is significant as both an event and a phenomenon. The Event The visit was successful by all means. The outcomes […]
Solar-powered drip irrigation system is a viable option for Central Asia
nCa Report Economization of water using the freely available solar energy – the idea is neat and very practicable. Just the thing Central Asia needs. The EU and the UNDP, working together with the government of Uzbekistan, have introduced a drip irrigation system in the Akkurgan district of the Tashkent region, a region known for […]
Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan plan to DOUBLE their GDP by 2030
nCa Report In plans that may sound rather ambitious but are actually quite realistic, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan are striving to double their GDP by 2030. Uzbekistan The GDP in Uzbekistan has recently crossed the USD 100 billion mark and its doubling by 2030 should see it rising to around USD 200 billion. For Uzbekistan, it […]
Uzbekistan has established Climate Council
Uzbekistan has established a Climate Council under the president of Uzbekistan. It is actually the transformation and upgrading of the National Center for Green Transformation and Adaptation to Climate Change. The council will perform the functions of the highest advisory body to the president, dealing with issues of mitigating the effects of climate change and […]
“Uzbekistan has objectively assumed a special responsibility for the future of Central Asia,” Abdulaziz Kamilov
Abdulaziz Kamilov, special representative of the president for foreign policy, emphasized Uzbekistan’s pivotal role in Central Asia’s future and outlined its new foreign policy doctrine under President Mirziyoyev in his article, “New Central Asia in Uzbekistan’s Foreign Policy,” published in Yangi O’zbekiston (New Uzbekistan). Kamilov begins by highlighting the shift in Uzbekistan’s leadership with the […]
Success of Russian project ‘Ecology’ inspires Central Asia
nCa Report Russia launched its national project ‘Ecology’ in 2018. It had ambitious targets, to be achieved by 2024. The latest reviews suggest that the implementation is proceeding satisfactorily. This has inspired Central Asia, especially Uzbekistan, to streamline the efforts to repair and safeguard ecology and environment through the integrated and holistic approach. The project […]
Air Cargo Review – Central Asia and Caucasus – Part Two
Uzbekistan 1.1 Overview and Statistics Uzbekistan’s air cargo sector has seen substantial growth and development in recent years. In 2022, Uzbekistan’s airports processed 80,100 metric tons of cargo and mail, a 62% increase compared to pre-COVID 2019 levels. For 2023, a further 19% increase in freight volume was planned, targeting 95,300 metric tons. This growth […]
Central Asia-Japan Joint business forum held in Astana – Turkmenistan and Japan inked a package of deals
On 9 August 2024, a business forum of the Central Asia + Japan Dialogue was held in Astana. The event was organized by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan, the Japanese Association for Trade with Russia and NIS (ROTOBO), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Kazakh Invest, the […]
Korea and Central Asian countries discussed the plan of upcoming activities and events
On 8 August 2024, Foreign ministry of Korea hosted the 15th meeting of the Executive Committee of the Secretariat of the “Central Asia-Republic of Korea” Cooperation Forum. Turkmenistan was represented by Ambassador Begench Durdyyev. During the meeting, the members of the Executive Committee of the Secretariat, consisting of Ambassadors of the Central Asia countries and […]
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 and Uzbekistan could make efforts to link the transport systems of Central Asia, China, Europe, the Middle East, says President Serdar Berdimuhamedov
Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan could make efforts to create the necessary conditions for the linking the transport systems of Central Asia, China, Europe, the Middle East, President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov said during a meeting with President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev in Astana, Friday, 9 August. In this regard, the relevance of the China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan–Turkmenistan transport route […]
President Sadyr Japarov: Our main goal is to turn Central Asia into a stable, economically developed, prosperous region
The format of Consultative meetings of the leaders of the Central Asian countries is in high demand and gives the necessary additional impetus to strengthening regional cooperation, President Sadyr Japarov of Kyrgyzstan said, speaking at the summit of the heads of Central Asia in Astana, on Friday, 9 August. “The past five meetings have shown […]
President Emomali Rahmon: Rapid changes in the world necessitates developing a unified position on the future of Central Asia
Given the rapidly evolving global landscape, there is an urgent need for a unified position of Central Asian countries for the future, stated President Emomali Rahmon of Tajikistan during his remarks at the 6th Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asia. The Head of Tajikistan drew the attention of counterparts from Central […]
President Shavkat Mirziyoyev: The well-being of the Central Asian countries largely depends on common efforts and willingness to cooperate closely
President Shavkat Mirziyoyev: The well-being of the Central Asian countries largely depends on common efforts and willingness to cooperate closelyCentral Asia, due to its geopolitical position, is fully experiencing all the negative consequences of the global crisis of confidence and escalation of conflicts, President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev stressed during his speech at the 6th […]
President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev: Kazakhstan’s strategic course to strengthen regional partnership and enhance the role of Central Asia on the world stage remains unwavering
Speaking at the 6th Consultative Meeting of the Heads of Central Asian States, President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev pointed out the importance of maintaining high dynamics of development in the Central Asian region in the current complex geopolitical and economic realities. He outlined a number of urgent tasks, the solution of which will contribute to […]
6th Consultative Meeting of the Heads of Central Asian States in Astana – Central Asian leaders outline long-term plans for regional cooperation
On 9 August 2024, the 6th Consultative Meeting of the Heads of Central Asian states was held in Astana under the chairmanship of the President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. The summit was attended by: Kazakhstan – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev Kyrgyzstan – President Sadyr Japarov Tajikistan – President Emomali Rahmon Turkmenistan – President Serdar Berdimuhamedov Uzbekistan […]
Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan held summit talks in Astana – A Program of strategic partnership and alliance for the next 10 years adopted
On 8 August 2024, high-level talks were held in Astana between President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev of Kazakhstan and President Shavkat Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan. As a result of the talks, a Program of strategic partnership and alliance for the next 10 years was adopted, the key objectives of which are to further strengthen friendly ties and encouraging […]
Uzbekistan is moving toward inclusive economic growth, creating space in E-commerce sector for persons with disabilities
Uzbekistan is enhancing its digital economy by integrating persons with disabilities through significant investments in digital skills training, supportive policies, and inclusive workplace initiatives. This effort, supported by international organizations, aims to bridge the digital divide and promote economic growth and social inclusion. Uzbekistan is intensifying its efforts to integrate persons with disabilities into its […]
Turkmenistan Learns from Uzbekistan’s Electronic Customs Model
On 30-31 July 2024, a delegation of the State Customs Service of Turkmenistan, consisting of the head of the technical support department and employees of the customs automation department, visited Tashkent to study the experience of the Uzbekistan customs authorities in creating a Customs Clearance Center. The visit also allowed to get insights on operation […]
Astana hosted the first meeting of the Ministers of Energy of the Central Asian states
On Tuesday, 6 August 2024, Astana hosted the first meeting of the energy ministers of the Central Asian states. The event was chaired by the Minister of Energy of Kazakhstan Almasadam Satkaliev. The meeting was attended by: • Kyrgyzstan – Minister of Energy Taalaibek Ibraev • Tajikistan – Minister of Energy and Water Resources of […]
Record-Breaking Cargo Delivery on China-Kazakhstan-Uzbekistan Route
A container train recently completed the 4,486-kilometer journey from China to Uzbekistan via Kazakhstan in a record-breaking five days, Kazinform reports. Departing from the Kazakh-Chinese terminal in Xi’an, China, the train traversed the Kazakhstan Railways network to the Saryagash border station before reaching its final destination, Tashkent, a major Central Asian transportation hub. The expedited […]
Turkmenistan Sees Watermelon Export Boom
Turkmenistan is experiencing a surge in watermelon exports amid a bountiful melon harvest season. The country’s State Customs Service reports that watermelons and melons have become the primary agricultural exports in 2024. Export figures are staggering. In January-July period of 2024, watermelon exports have increased 10 times compared to the total volume of exports for […]
India-Uzbekistan Container Service Launched via Turkmenistan
Turkmenistan’s Transport and Logistics Center (TULM) has successfully launched the first container train service between India and Uzbekistan. The inaugural train, carrying 20 TEU containers of ceramic tiles, departed from Iran’s Bandar Abbas port and is currently en route to Chukursai railway station in Uzbekistan via Turkmenistan’s Sarakhs. At Sarakhs, cargo is being transferred from […]
UNRCCA, UNOCT, OSCE and Government of Uzbekistan organizes the first meeting of the Working Groups of the Regional Expert Council on Rehabilitation and Reintegration of Returnees
UNRCCA, the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT), the Office of the Project Coordinator of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe and the Government of Uzbekistan organized the first meeting of the working groups of the Central Asia Regional Expert Council on Rehabilitation and Reintegration of Returnees. The virtual event, held on 26 […]
Central Asia has the potential to become an important transregional transport, logistics, production and technological hub of the world economy – Institute for Strategic and Interregional Studies under the President of Uzbekistan
Akramjon Nematov, the First Deputy Director of the Institute for Strategic and Regional Studies under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan (ISMI), expressed this opinion during the Forum of Analytical Centers of Central Asian Countries and the Republic of Korea in Tashkent. According to him, the states of Central Asia and the Republic of […]
First forum of analytical centers of Central Asia and the Republic of Korea takes in Tashkent
On 30 July, the International Institute for Central Asia (MICA) in Tashkent hosted the first expert Forum on the theme “Era of Change: Vision for Future Cooperation between Central Asia and the Republic of Korea.” The event was co-organized by the MICA and the Secretariat of the Korea-Central Asia Cooperation Forum. Around 100 representatives from […]
Central Asia + Japan Summit Dialogue to take place in Astana on 9-10 August 2024
On July 24, 2024, the Meeting of Senior Officials of the «Central Asia + Japan» Dialogue was held via videoconference. The meeting was attended by deputy heads of foreign affairs agencies of the countries of Central Asia and Japan. Turkmenistan was represented at this event by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ahmet Gurbanov. The parties […]
H1 2024: the trade turnover between Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan exceeded $ 600 million
In the first half of 2024, the mutual trade turnover between Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan amounted to US $ 614.2 million. Compared to the same period last year, the growth rate amounted to almost US $ 170 million, according to the Statistics Agency under the President of Uzbekistan. As a result, Turkmenistan took the sixth place […]
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 […]
Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan Pledge Deeper Ties: Political Dialogue and Industrial Growth Top Agenda of the Summit talks in Tashkent
On 18 July 2024, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan and President Sadyr Japarov of Kyrgyzstan held summit talks in Tashkent. The main political document of the visit was the Joint Statement on further deepening and expanding the relations of a comprehensive strategic partnership signed by the heads of state. A key outcome was the establishment […]