Anton Usov According to the latest edition of European Bank for Reconstruction and Development’s (EBRD) Regional Economic Prospects report, the short-term regional economic outlook for Central Asia remains positive. Regional growth is set to reach 5.1 per cent in 2024 and accelerate to 5.9 per cent in 2025 on stronger commodity revenues, infrastructure investment and […]
Bridge of Cultures: Central Asian designers in the heart of Europe
The first Central Asia–Europe Creative Forum is taking place in Brussels this week. 12 designers, fashion and art figures from Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan presented their unique works at the European External Action Service, as well as at the Embassy of Turkmenistan in Belgium. Opening the meeting, Ambassador of Turkmenistan Sapar Palvanov stressed: […]
Embassy of Tajikistan hosts reception in Ashgabat to mark Independence Day
The embassy of Tajikistan hosted a reception in Ashgabat on 18 September 2024 to mark the Independence Day of Tajikistan. DPM Batyr Atdaev represented the government of Turkmenistan. Here is the speech of Ambassador Vafo Niyatbekzoda on the occasion: Your Excellency Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan, Mr. Atdaev Batyr Taganovich, Dear […]
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 […]
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 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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
E-Commerce Development Programme of Tajikistan – 2025-2029
Tajikistan maintains sharp focus on the development of its e-commerce sector. This is a sound strategy. In an event anchored by the ministry of economic development and trade, the e-commerce programme in Tajikistan for the period 2025-2029 was presented on 27 August in Dushanbe. The programme was adopted by the government on 16 May 2024. […]
The 4th Conference of Regional Cooperation on Border Security in Central Asia “Issyk – Kul initiative” 2024 held in Latvia, Riga
Since 2011, under the BOMCA organized framework of the “Issyk-Kul Initiative”, Central Asian border agencies come together regularly in a regional forum for cooperation and information exchange in the field of border security in Central Asia. The 4th Conference of Regional Cooperation on Border Security in Central Asia ‘Issyk – Kul Initiative’ 2024 was held […]
Magtymguly Secondary School built by Turkmenistan Inaugurated in Tajikistan
A new school built by Turkmenistan opened in Tajikistan on 1 September 2024. Presidents Serdar Berdimuhamedov of Turkmenistan and Emomali Rahmon of Tajikistan participated virtually in the opening ceremony of the Magtymguly Secondary School in the farmers association “Ergesh Sultanov” of the Dusti district in Tajikistan’s Khatlon region. The school, constructed by Turkmen builders, can […]
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 […]
Macroeconomic Review of EDB upbeat on growth in member countries
The Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) has issued its periodical macroeconomic review of its member countries. On the whole, it reflect a positive picture of the growth pattern in its region of operations. The report says: Analysts of the Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) have released the latest Macroeconomic Review for the Bank’s six member states. EDB’s […]
Tajikistan steps closer to achieve 5% of GDP from AI by 2040. More than 30 banks in 10 countries using AI algorithm developed by Tajik startup.
nCa Report Tajikistan, the only country in Central Asia with a clearly defined strategy for the development of AI, is stepping closer to its goal of generating 5% of GDP from AI by 2040. A startup in Tajikistan, zehn.ai – https://zehnlab.ai/en – has developed the artificial intelligence algorithm zGAN. The announcement was made at the […]
Air Cargo Review – Central Asia and Caucasus – Part Four
Turkmenistan Fleet Expansion and Modernization Turkmenistan Airlines has made significant strides in modernizing and expanding its cargo fleet. In March 2023, the airline took delivery of its first Airbus A330-200P2F cargo aircraft, marking Central Asia’s first Passenger-to-Freighter (P2F) converted widebody. This aircraft, registered as EZ-F429, arrived in Ashgabat in May 2023. This acquisition is part of Turkmenistan’s […]
Tajikistan to build railway line up to border with Afghanistan. KOICA of Korea will cooperat
nCa Report Tajikistan is planning to build a railway line to its border with Afghanistan. The ministry of transport of Tajikistan and the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) have signed a protocol of negotiations on the development of a feasibility study (TES) for the Jaloliddini railway project Balkhi-Nizhny Pyanj. As reported by Asia Plus, “The […]
ECI President Meets with Tajikistan’s Culture Minister to Enhance Collaborative Initiatives
In a significant step toward enhancing cultural collaboration among the ECO Cultural Institute (ECI) and the ECO member states, Dr. Saad S. Khan, President ECI, called on H.E. Ms. Matlubakhon Sattoriyon, Honourable Minister of Culture of the Republic of Tajikistan, on August 5, 2024. Minister Sattoriyon expressed her enthusiasm for deepening ties with ECI and […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Turkmenistan – Tajikistan: Strategic partnership of fraternal peoples
Irina Imamkulieva Turkmenistan and Tajikistan, based on their strategic objectives and program documents, jointly maintain positive dynamics of interaction in all priority areas of cooperation. Based on the principles of equality, mutual support and trust, Turkmen-Tajik relations demonstrate an exemplary model of strategic partnership. The stages of a long journey Two fraternal peoples, Turkmen and […]
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 […]
The fate of pastures in Central Asia
The pastures are the backbone of livestock economy in Central Asia. The rational access to them and the robust system to maintain them is a joint responsibility of the government and the farming community. The countries in Central Asia, as a rule, cooperate with each other and share their knowledge. This is one of the […]
E-Commerce sector shaping up steadily in Central Asia
The ecommerce sector in Central Asia is steadily filling the gaps to attain full compatibility with the rest of the world. This entails vast enormous efforts in all the areas related to ecommerce. The progress is uneven – slow in some places and fast in the others – but there is certainly the movement forward. […]
Xi paid a state visit to Tajikistan – Dushanbe and Beijing are moving towards further deepening comprehensive strategic relations
On 4-6 July 2024, President Xi Jinping of China paid a state visit to Tajikistan. As a result of the summit talks between Tajikistan and China, 29 new documents were signed on cooperation in various fields of trade and economy, including industry, energy, transport, digital economy, innovation and investment, as well as in cultural and […]
The National Leader of the Turkmen people attended the SCO summit in Astana
The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit convened in Astana, Kazakhstan, on July 4, 2024. It comprised two key events: a meeting of the heads of the SCO member states and a meeting in the SCO plus format. The meeting of the SCO’s supreme body, the Council of Heads of Member States, which was chaired by […]
OPEC Fund for International Development deepens commitment to Central Asia – New Agreements signed with Turkmenistan, Tajikistan and Kazakhstan
The OPEC Fund for International Development (the OPEC Fund) is significantly increasing its commitment to the countries and people of Central Asia, which currently stands at US$1 billion in public and private sector loans as well as grants. Three new agreements with Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan, signed during the OPEC Fund Development Forum in Vienna […]
Economic growth and health go hand-in-hand: Central Asia International Forum in Bishkek spotlights health investments as a catalyst for regional transformation
Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, 26 June 2024 – Under the motto “Health is the best investment”, the first-ever Central Asia International Health Investment Forum is bringing together international, regional and national stakeholders to highlight the transformative potential of health investments for sustainable development across the 5 WHO Member States of Central Asia. Hosted under the patronage of […]
Parliament of Turkmenistan hosted a Special Meeting dedicated to the 300th anniversary of Magtymguly Fragi
On 22 June 2024, a special videoconference meeting titled “Historical and cultural values uniting peoples” was held at the Mejlis of Turkmenistan, dedicated to the 300th anniversary of the birth of the great thinker and poet Magtymguly Fragi. The meeting was attended by representatives of the parliaments of Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, […]
Prospects of E-Commerce in Tajikistan
Tajikistan, proportional to its resources and the size of its economy, is making considerable efforts to promote ecommerce. Asia Plus interviewed recently the new chairman of the Association of E-Commerce Participants of Tajikistan, Ms. Nasima Bakhramova. We are producing here the Asia Plus article, based on the conversation with Ms. Bakhramova: E-commerce in Tajikistan: what […]
Some practical steps in Tajikistan to save water and do so profitably
The Asia Plus news agency of Tajikistan recently had a conversation with Dr. Yarash Pulatov, a professor at the Institute of Water Problems, Hydropower and Ecology of the Academy of Sciences. For more than 25 years, Dr. Pulatov and his team have conducted research on the use of water-saving technologies. As a result, they outlined […]
Central Asian States rally for water and climate solutions: Dushanbe Forum tackles critical water and climate challenges, signalling a united regional approach
Dushanbe, 14 June 2024 – The High-level Central Asian Forum on ‘Water and Climate Change’, organized by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in cooperation with the European Union and the Ministry of Energy and Water Resources of the Republic of Tajikistan, has become a cornerstone of the 3rd High-level International Conference on the International […]
Power Systems Cooperation in Central Asia
The power systems in Central Asia have undergone several phases of initial integration, subsequent dis-integration, and gradual and systematic reintegration. The Director of CDC Energia, Kh. Shamsiev, PhD, gave a useful and informative presentation at the recently held TESC 2024 in Ashgabat. The presentation was titled: Power systems’ cooperation within the framework of the United […]
Head of UNRCCA Kaha Imnadze participates in the 3rd High-level International Conference on the International Decade for action “Water for Sustainable Development” 2018 – 2028 in Dushanbe
On 10-11 June, Kaha Imnadze, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Central Asia, Head of UNRCCA, participated in the Third High-Level International Conference on the International Decade for Action “Water for Sustainable Development” 2018-2028, jointly organized by the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan and the United Nations. The Conference aimed to follow up […]
Astana hosted the 2024 China-Central Asia Human Rights Development Forum
The Central Asia-China cooperation mechanism has brought valuable opportunities for human rights protection, livelihood and economic development in the region, said stated participants at the 2024 China-Central Asia Human Rights Development Forum which was held in Kazakhstan’s Astana on 28-29 May 2024. The forum themed “building a China-Central Asia community of shared future: a new […]
Hope for the Aral Sea: Italy and Central Asia Partner on Restoration Project
The Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (Aics) and the Water system management company (Sogesid) signed a document, which will pave the way for realization of project of Aral sea rehabilitation. The declaration of intent for the “definition of an operational and functional model for environmental remediation and regeneration interventions in contaminated areas” was inked on […]
Rome hosted 3rd Ministerial Conference “Italy-Central Asia”
On 29 May 2024, in Rome Italy’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Antonio Tajani met with the Foreign Ministers of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan for the third Ministerial Conference Italy-Central Asia. “Italy looks with great interest to the political collaboration and opportunities that arise for our companies […]
President of Turkmenistan received the Prime Minister of Tajikistan
On 24 May 2024, President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov received Prime Minister of Tajikistan Kohir Rasulzoda, Khovar news agency reports. During the meeting, the Prime Minister of Tajikistan conveyed to the President of Turkmenistan warm greetings and best wishes from the President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon. The sides exchanged views on a wide range of […]
CIS Approves Action Plan for Enhanced International Transport Corridors
The action plan for optimizing infrastructure and developing international transport corridors passing through the territories of the CIS member states for the period up to 2030 was approved at a meeting of the Council of Heads of Government of the Commonwealth of Independent States held in Ashgabat on 24 May 2024. The action plan aims […]