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 […]
CIS Strengthens Cooperation in Energy, Chemical Industry, and Environmental Protection
The Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) member countries have agreed to enhance cooperation in energy, chemical industries, and environmental protection. This decision comes after a meeting of the CIS Council of Heads of Government in Ashgabat, where relevant concepts and action plans were approved. These documents were developed taking into account the need to reach […]
Ashgabat Declared “City of New Sports Opportunities in the CIS”
The Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) Council of Heads of Government has declared Ashgabat the “City of New Sports Opportunities,” according to a press release from the CIS Executive Committee on 24 May 2024. The council also instructed the CIS Council for Physical Culture and Sports to develop a 2024-2025 Action Plan to realize this […]
Ashgabat hosted a meeting of the CIS Council of Heads of Government
On 24 May 2024, a regular meeting of the Council of Heads of Government of the Commonwealth of Independent States was held in Ashgabat. The meeting was attended by: Azerbaijan – Deputy Prime Minister Shahin Mustafayev Belarus – Prime Minister Roman Golovchenko Kazakhstan – Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov Kyrgyzstan – Chairman of the Cabinet of […]
Situation of e-commerce in Central Asia
The Daryo.uz news service of Uzbekistan published on 13 March 2024 a report on the ecommerce situation in Central Asia. Here, we are reproducing the report in full: Central Asian countries consider establishing dedicated bank accounts for e-commerce transactions The e-commerce sector in Central Asia reached a value of $8bn in 2022, as per IMARC Group, a […]
Azerbaijan and Tajikistan elevate partnership to strategic level
On 23 May 2024, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon signed a Declaration on Strategic Partnership between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Tajikistan in Baku. ” Our interaction rests on the determination of our peoples, who have been cooperating for centuries, have been friends, and have created […]
Central Asian Women Leaders’ Caucus Meeting Concludes with Pivotal Commitments to Digital, Social, and Environmental Innovation
On 23 May 2024, the Central Asian Women Leaders’ Caucus Meeting successfully concluded in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. The event, centred on “The role of women in the economies of Central Asia: leadership for promoting digital, social, and environmental innovation,” brought together women leaders from across the region to strategize and commit to enhancing women’s roles in […]
Central Asian States reaffirm commitment to registering all children at birth
On 17 May 2024, Representatives from the Governments of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, the Republic of Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and the Republic of Uzbekistan, gathered in Tashkent today, reaffirming their commitment to ensuring every child born on their territories are registered at birth. The ‘Central Asian Conference on Ensuring Birth Registration to Prevent […]
Kazakhstan hosted the first Meeting of the Secretaries of the Security Councils of the Central Asian countries
The first Meeting of the Secretaries of the Security Councils of the Central Asian countries was held in Astana on 16 May 2024. The event was attended by Secretary of the Security Council of Kazakhstan Gizat Nurdauletov, Secretary of the Security Council of Kyrgyzstan Marat Imankulov, Secretary of the Security Council of Tajikistan Nasrullo Mahmudzoda, […]
E-Commerce in Tajikistan readying to bloom
Tajikistan is diligently working to mainstream the ecommerce across the economic and societal space of the country. On December 24, 2022, the country adopted the Law “On Electronic Commerce”. The Law seeks to protect the rights and legitimate interests of citizens and organizations engaged in e-commerce and ensures the free operation of e-commerce in the […]
President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev received the secretaries of the security councils of Central Asian countries
Welcoming the heads of delegations, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev noted that the first meeting of the secretaries of the security councils of the countries of Central Asia is intended to become an effective platform for combining efforts to prevent external and internal challenges and threats, as well as developing the necessary response measures. – This is especially […]
Central Asian economies to record strong growth despite natural disasters in the region
Anton Usov According to the latest Regional Economic Prospects (REP) report published by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), Central Asian economies in 2024 are expected to see growth slowing to 5.4 per cent. However, a rebound to 5.9 per cent is expected in 2025. The report notes that intermediated trade with Russia, which had […]
Rome to host Italy+Central Asia meeting at the end of May
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 […]
Afghanistan to increase electricity imports from neighboring countries
Afghanistan is set to increase its reliance on electricity imports from neighboring Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, and Iran in 2024, according to the Da Afghanistan Breshna Sherkat (DABS) electric power company. DABS reports that Afghanistan imported approximately 5.76 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity during the past year (1402 solar year). Building on this strategy, contracts have already […]
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 […]
Uzbekistan and Tajikistan Forge Alliance in Historic Agreement
In a landmark development for Central Asia, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan signed a Treaty on Allied Relations on Thursday, 18 April 2024. The agreement was signed by President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon following high-level talks in Dushanbe. The President of Uzbekistan is on a two-day state visit to Tajikistan. At […]
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 […]
Agreement signed between Tajik and Turkmen entrepreneurs strengthen B2B relationship, supply-chain integrity in Central Asia
During the recent visit of the National Leader of Turkmenistan, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, to Tajikistan, some agreements were signed between the business houses of both the countries. The signing of the agreements took place on 4 April 2024 in Dushanbe. Agreements: Tajikistan’s Qolinhoi Dushanbe (Carpets of Dushanbe) signed a cooperation agreement with Turkmenistan’s Polat Dokma we […]
Going Green in high gear – All new or reconstructed buildings in Tajikistan must have solar energy systems
Tajikistan has passed a law, making it mandatory for all the buildings, whether new or reconstructed, to have solar energy systems. The Tajik news service Asia Plus informs that in addition to the regular electrical grid, all the buildings should be equipped with solar panels with the ability to store energy at night. Various types […]
Arkadag Berdimuhamedov wrapped up visit to Tajikistan – Key events of the concluding day
On 5 April 2024, on the second and final day of the official visit to Tajikistan, the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov held a working meeting with the participation of some Deputy Chairmen of the Cabinet of Ministers, and also met with the Prime Minister of Tajikistan […]
Arkadag Berdimuhamedov is on an official visit to Tajikistan – Turkmenistan and Tajikistan outline promising areas of cooperation
On 4-5 April 2024, the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov is on a two-day official visit to Tajikistan. On the first day of the visit, Berdimuhamedov met with President Emomali Rahmon, as well as with Chairman of the Majlisi Milli Majlisi Oli (Parliament) of Tajikistan […]
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 […]
Official visit of the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Khalk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov to Tajikistan starts
The National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov has arrived in the Republic of Tajikistan on an official visit, “Khovar” reports. The official welcoming ceremony of the high-ranking guest took place on the territory of the Palace of the Nation. President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon welcomed the […]
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 […]
Turkmen Railways had a meeting with the Ambassador of Tajikistan
The Railway Agency of Turkmenistan (“Turkmendemiryollary”) hosted a meeting on 30 March 2024, with Tajikistan’s Ambassador to Turkmenistan, Vafo Niyatbekzoda. During the meeting, the sides exchanged views on the current state and future prospects of bilateral cooperation in the field of railway transport. In particular, special attention was paid to increasing the volume of freight […]
Kazakhstan handed over the chairmanship of the Interstate Commission on Sustainable Development to Tajikistan
On 28 March 2024, Kazakhstan hosted a meeting of the Interstate Commission on Sustainable Development (ICSD) in Astana, according to the Kazakh Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources. Representatives from the environmental ministries of Central Asian countries (Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan) attended the meeting. Additionally, representatives from the Regional Environmental Center for Central Asia (RECCA), […]
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 […]