Turkmen delegation paid a visit to Kabul to discuss electricity export projects with Afghanistan. According to Afghanistan’s power utility company DABS, CEO of the company Alhaj Mula Muhammad Hanif Hamza met with head of delegation Myrat Artykov, Turkmenistan’s Ambassador to Kabul Hoja Ovezov and representatives of Calik Holding. The agenda of the meeting covered such … [Read more...]
China’s Position on the Afghan Issue
Today (13 April) Samarkand will host fourth Foreign Ministers’ Meeting among the Neighboring Countries of Afghanistan. On the eve of the meeting the foreign ministry of China issued an 11-point statement on Beijing's stance on Afghanistan. “China stands ready to step up coordination and cooperation with Afghanistan’s neighbors and the rest of the world to help Afghanistan … [Read more...]
Afghanistan and Turkmenistan reached an agreement on power transmission project to Herat, says DABS
Da Afghanistan Breshna Sherkat (DABS), Afghanistan’s power utility company, and officials from Turkmenenergo State Electric Power Corporation have wrapped up a meeting to discuss the power extension project to the Noorul Jihad substation in Herat. A round of talks ended with signing a joint protocol between the General Executive of Da Afghanistan Breshna Sherkat, and … [Read more...]
Afghanistan approves oil and gas transit from Turkmenistan to Pakistan
The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs of Afghanistan has approved a plan to transport gas and oil from Turkmenistan to Pakistan, passing through Afghanistan, for a trial period, according to Afghan news outlets. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs twitted: " This significant undertaking aims to stimulate economic growth and … [Read more...]
Afghanistan embarks on upgrading infrastructure to increase electricity import from Turkmenistan
The Afghanistan’s power utility “Da Afghanistan Breshan Sherkat” has officially started work on the modernization of the Noor ul-Jihad substation in Herat in order to increase the capacity of electricity supplies from Turkmenistan, Ariana News reports. The project is being implemented by the Ministry of Energy and Water Resources of Afghanistan in cooperation with the … [Read more...]
Afghanistan offers Kazakhstan and Russia to take part in construction of Trans-Afghan railway
Afghanistan has offered Russia and Kazakhstan to participate in the construction of the Trans-Afghan railway line. This was reported by the Khaama Press of Afghanistan on 5 August 2023. According to the Khaama report, the acting minister of commerce and industry of Afghanistan, Nooruddin Azizi told the media in Astana, where he was leading the Afghan delegation for the … [Read more...]
Afghanistan Provides ‘Good Security’ for TAPI Pipeline Project, Says Acting Minister
On Sunday, 3 September 2023, the General Executive Director of TAPI Pipeline Company Ltd, Mukhammetmyrat Amanov met with the Acting Minister of Mines and Petroleum of Afghanistan, Shahabuddin Delawar, in Kabul, the Ministry of Mines and Petroleum said in a statement. The TAPI project CEO provided detailed information about the latest developments within the project. Both … [Read more...]
FMs of Russia and Central Asian countries will meet in Samarkand next week
On 14 April 2023, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will take part in the sixth meeting of the foreign ministers of Russia and Central Asia – Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan – to be held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, the Russian Foreign Ministry reports. The event will discuss promising areas of six-party cooperation in the … [Read more...]
Ashgabat to host EU-Central Asia Meeting on Afghanistan
The EU-Central Asia meeting on Afghanistan will kick off in Ashgabat on 25 May 2023. The meeting will bring together the Special Representatives and Special Envoys for Afghanistan of the European Union, Republic of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Republic of Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Republic of Uzbekistan and the EU Special representative for Central Asia, Terhi Hakala, and … [Read more...]
Joint Kazakhstan-Afghanistan Business Forum in Kabul – Kazakhstan to open trade representation in Herat – Batch of humanitarian aid handed to Afghanistan
According to the media of Kazakhstan and Afghanistan, and the official website of the prime minister of Kazakhstan, a Kazakh delegation led by Deputy Prime Minister forTrade, Minister Serik Zhumangarin, visited Kabul recently. The delegation included 18 heads or senior representatives of enterprises from Kazakhstan. The joint Kazakhstan-Afghanistan business forum took … [Read more...]
Astana to host USA+CA session on Afghanistan
Thomas West, the US Special Representative for Afghanistan, and Rina Amiri, the Special Envoy for Afghan Women, Girls, and Human Rights, will travel to Astana, Kazakhstan, and Doha, Qatar, from July 26 to 31, says US State Department. In Astana, they will meet with their counterparts from Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan for a C5+1 … [Read more...]
CA countries, U.S. discuss wide range of issues at special session on Afghanistan
Kudrenok Tatyana 28 July 2023 Photo: gov.kz ASTANA. KAZINFORM - US Special Representative for Afghanistan Thomas West visited Astana to attend the C5+1 special session on Afghanistan, Kazinform cites the press service of the Kazakh MFA. Within the framework of this session, which was held at the site of the Kazakh Foreign Ministry, … [Read more...]
Russia, China, Iran and Pakistan agreed to keep up engagement with Afghanistan’s Taliban-led government to maintain stability and prevent a humanitarian crisis
On 13 April 2023, in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, on the sidelines of the fourth ministerial conference of the conference of Afghanistan's neighboring countries, the foreign ministers of the regional "quartet" countries including Russia, China, Iran and Pakistan held a second informal meeting on Afghan issues. The parties agreed to continue building a coordinated and consolidated … [Read more...]
CAREC Think Tanks Explore Role of Digital Adoption in Driving Sustainable Economic Development in Central Asia
The Seventh CAREC Think Tank Development Forum was held in Urumqi, China on 16-17 August 2023. The two-day forum under the theme of “Embracing Digital Technology for Sustainable Economic Development” was organized by the CAREC Institute in partnership with China-Eurasia Expo Secretariat and Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Finance Department, and with financial support from … [Read more...]
Cargo trucks leave Kazakhstan for Pakistan in test haul through Afghanistan – CAPS in motion
Kazakhstan sent on 31 July 2023 a test batch of cargo on trucks – the caravan will travel to Pakistan through Afghanistan. The announcement was made by Kairat Torebayev, Vice Minister of Trade and Integration, at a July 31 press briefing, report Kazinform and The Astana Times. In stories by Saniya Sakenova for The Astana Times and Temirgaliyeva Arailym for Kazinform, it … [Read more...]
Central Asia in the Taliban Era | A Conversation with George F. Kennan Fellow Mélanie Sadozaï
By Mélanie Sadozaï on July 10, 2023 2022: Cross-Border Bridge between Tajikistan and Afghanistan Q: Describe your background and what brought you to the Wilson Center. I received my PhD in International Relations at the National Institute for Oriental Languages and Civilizations in Paris in October 2022. My PhD research was on the … [Read more...]
Trade turnover between Kazakhstan and Afghanistan has reached $1 billion
The trade turnover between Kazakhstan and Afghanistan has reached $1 billion. And this is not the limit. The Central Asian country plans to continue expanding trade with Afghanistan and hold a joint business forum this summer. This follows from the statements of Deputy Prime Minister – Minister of Trade and Integration of Kazakhstan Serik Zhumangarin. … [Read more...]
Turkmen FM attended SPECA Ministerial Meeting in Geneva
The Turkmen delegation headed by the foreign minister Rashid Meredov is on working visit to Geneva to participate in a number of major international events and hold meetings in international organizations, Turkmenistan’s Foreign Ministry said. On 17 April 2023, the delegation of Turkmenistan took part in the ministerial meeting for the countries participating in the United … [Read more...]
UNHCR launches new appeal for Afghan refugees and hosts, urging partners to stay the course
GENEVA — UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, and humanitarian partners have launched a response plan to support 7.9 million people: 5.2 million Afghans —including refugees— as well as 2.7 million of their local hosts across the region. The Regional Refugee Response Plan for the Afghanistan Situation 2023 seeks US$613 million to support Afghans sheltering in five neighbouring … [Read more...]
Comprehensive Report: Arkadag Berdimuhamedov and Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi held talks in Tehran – five documents signed – Joint declaration adopted
nCa Report The National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty [People’s Council] of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov went to Iran on a two-day working visit on Tuesday, 30 May. On the first day of the visit, Arkadag Berdimuhamedov met with President of Iran Ebrahim Raisi, Chairman of the Council of Political Expediency of Iran Sadeq Amoli … [Read more...]
Гуманитарная акция прошла в афганской провинции Герат
3 мая 2023 года Генеральным консульством Туркменистана в Афганистане (провинция Герат) была проведена гуманитарная акция в 20-местном роддоме, построенном Туркменистаном в 2016 году в качестве гуманитарной помощи в городе Тургунди провинции Герат, Афганистана. По просьбе афганской стороны мероприятие было проведено по случаю недавно проведенного туркменской стороной … [Read more...]
Движение “Талибан” модернизировало знаки и символику на границах с соседними странами
Правительство движения "Талибан" завершило реализацию плана по модернизации пограничных знаков и символики на границе с Ираном, Туркменистаном, Узбекистаном, Таджикистаном и Китаем. Об этом упомянул исполняющий обязанности министра по делам границ и племен Ноорулла Нури в своем ежегодном докладе, сообщают афганские СМИ. Он сказал, что смена знаков и символики была … [Read more...]
Electricity transmission project from Turkmenistan to Herat is a significant vital project, says Afghanistan
Da Afghanistan Breshna Sherkat (DABS), Afghanistan's power utility company, and officials from Turkmenenergo State Electric Power Corporation met to discuss the technical aspects of an electricity transmission project to the Noorul Jihad substation in Herat, DABS said in a press release. The meeting’s agenda included such as issues as project surveys, document preparation, … [Read more...]
EU-Central Asia meeting on Afghanistan wrapped up in Ashgabat – Joint statement issued – Turkmen Foreign Ministry received UNAMA Head and EU representatives
Joint Statement by Special Representatives and Special Envoys for Afghanistan of the European Union, Republic of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Republic of Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Republic of Uzbekistan and the EU Special Representative for Central Asia following the meeting on 26 May 2023 in Ashgabat The fourth meeting in the EU and Central Asia Special Representatives … [Read more...]
Afghanistan is ready to start work on the TAPI gas pipeline project
The Ministry of Mines and Petroleum of Afghanistan said that the Islamic Emirate is fully ready to start practical work on the TAPI pipeline project, BaaghiTV reports. According to the spokesman of the ministry, Homayoun Afghan, legal and technical obstacles ahead of the implementation of the project have been removed. In addition, Deputy Minister of Economy of … [Read more...]
Special Envoys for Afghanistan called for ensuring the rights of Afghan women and unfreezing Afghan assets
On 7 March 2023, the first meeting of special representatives of the neighboring states of Afghanistan took place in Tashkent. The event was attended by representatives of Uzbekistan, Iran, China, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Russia, the Uzbek Foreign Ministry reports. According to the press release, the key emphasis was placed on the timely provision of … [Read more...]
India-Central Asia Joint Working Group on Afghanistan met in Delhi
India hosted the first India-Central Asia Joint Working Group on Afghanistan on 7 March 2023. According to Ministry of External Affairs of India, the meeting was attended by the Special Envoys/Senior Officials of India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. Therepresentatives of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crimes (UNODC) and the … [Read more...]
“The Taliban are a reality, so we are working with them” — Russian Ambassador to Afghanistan Dmitry Zhirnov speaks to Izvestia
Russian Ambassador to Afghanistan Dmitry Zhirnov spoke about this in an interview with the Russian newspaper Izvestia. Here we are producing a truncated version of the transcript of his interview. The link to the complete text is given at the end of this version. — In recent months, there has been a feeling that Moscow has become disillusioned with the [Taliban] movement's … [Read more...]
О чем договорились Казахстан и Афганистан на встрече в Астане
Автор: Анеля Касымова 3 Августа 2023, 18:43 АСТАНА. КАЗИНФОРМ – В Астане в эти дни проходит казахстанско-афганский бизнес-форум. В столицу Казахстана прибыли более 200 предпринимателей Афганистана из разных отраслей экономики, передает корреспондент МИА «Казинформ». Открыли встречу заместитель Премьер-Министра – министр торговли и … [Read more...]
Russia, Iran, Pakistan will do infrastructure projects worth USD one billion in Afghanistan – MOI signed with Taliban
Russia, Iran, and Pakistan have signed a memorandum of intent with the ministry of industry and trade of Afghanistan for eight infrastructure projects with total value of USD one billion, reports RIA Novosti. In addition to the ministry of industry and trade under the Taliban administration, the signatories to the four-party memorandum are the representatives of the Russian … [Read more...]
Interview at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan with Teri Hakala, Special Representative of the European Union for Central Asia
This is unofficial, slightly paraphrased translation of the text received from the foreign office of Turkmenistan: 1. How do you assess this format of cooperation (Meeting of Special Representatives for Afghanistan in the "CA-EU" format), in particular, your comments on the results of today's meeting? Teri Hakala: First of all, I want to emphasize that this is our 4th … [Read more...]
Iran and Afghanistan forge transport connectivity with the launch of the Khaf-Herat railway
On Tuesday, 11 July, the Khaf-Herat railway connecting the west of Afghanistan and the eastern province of Iran was formally commissioned, according to Afghan and Iranian news outlets. The Khaf-Herat cross-border railway with a length of about 225 km consists of four segments. The first two sections with a total length of 78 km stretch from Khaf in Razavi Khorasan province … [Read more...]
United Nations reminds that Afghanistan is still a grave humanitarian crisis – USD 4.6 billion required this year to assist Afghans
“Afghanistan remains the world’s largest humanitarian crisis in 2023, notwithstanding, of course, the recent devastating earthquakes in Türkiye and Syria,” says Ramiz Alakbarov, UN Deputy Special Representative and Humanitarian Coordinator for Afghanistan. He was speaking via the video link from Kabul to the journalists in New York on 28 February 2023. He said that … [Read more...]
Kazakh model may actually salvage Afghanistan
nCa Analysis An Afghan delegation, led by the Taliban acting minister of Industry and Commerce, Nooruddin Azizi, recently visited Kazakhstan. The 350-strong delegation of Afghanistan participated in the business forum, showcased its products and services, and had numerous meetings. The outcome was the signing of business agreements worth about USD 200 million. --- It was a … [Read more...]
LPG from Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan delivered to Pakistan via Afghanistan
21 trucks carrying liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) from Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan have reached Pakistan through Torkham, a border crossing between Pakistan and Afghanistan in the northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, Arab News Pakistan reported with reference to Pakistani customs official. “At least 21 trucks have entered (Pakistan) so far,” Hammad Ali, a senior official … [Read more...]
NATO highlights Turkmenistan’s role as a key partner in Central Asia
On 7 September 2023, the Ambassador of Turkmenistan to Belgium Sapar Palvanov presented his credentials to the Secretary General of NATO, Jens Stoltenberg, as the head of Turkmenistan's mission to NATO. A bilateral meeting was organized as part of the ceremony, where the two parties discussed the collaboration dynamics between Turkmenistan and the alliance, the Embassy of … [Read more...]
New TIR trade route opens connecting China to Pakistan and Afghanistan
IRU member CEVA Logistics and Pakistani transport company NLC completed the first operation along this new TIR route, linking Kashgar, China, to Pakistan by door-to-door road transport for the first time. NLC also extended this route to Kabul, Afghanistan. Using the global transit system TIR, three National Logistics Cell (NLC) trucks departed from China’s inland city of … [Read more...]
Afghanistan is building an enormous canal to draw water from Amudarya River. This may affect water availability situation in Central Asia.
nCa Report Afghanistan is rapidly building an enormous canal to draw water from the Amudarya River. This has the potential to affect the water availability situation to Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan. The Qosh Tepa Canal, named after the Qosh Tepa district in the Jawzjan province, will be 285km in length and 100 meters in width. It will help irrigate 550000 hectares of land … [Read more...]
Taliban plan to turn former American-NATO military bases into special economic zones
The Taliban will convert the former American-NATO military bases into special economic zones. The announcement was made by Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, the Taliban deputy prime minister for economic affairs, as he chaired a meeting in Kabul on 19 February 2023. According to several media outlets including VoA, the office of Mulla Baradar has directed relevant officials to … [Read more...]
OSCE workshop brings together policymakers in Central Asia to discuss energy and natural resources management in the context of the situation in Afghanistan
On 14 June, the OSCE organized a regional workshop on energy co-operation and natural resource management in Central Asia within the context of the situation in Afghanistan. The event gathered around 30 policymakers and experts from Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan to discuss possible ways forward. “The crisis in Afghanistan has a pronounced regional dimension, and it … [Read more...]
Strengthening interregional cooperation and connectivity can improve the conditions for the development of the regions of Central and South Asia – the vision of Uzbek experts
With a total population of 1.9 billion (a quarter of the world) and a GDP of US $3.5 trillion, South Asia is the fastest growing region in the world (up to 7.5% per year). Today, its contribution to global economic growth is 15%, by 2040 it may exceed 30%. While maintaining the outpacing dynamics of economic development, South Asia may become the new locomotive of the global … [Read more...]
Turkmenistan urges the international community to continue promoting the processes of peaceful settlement in Afghanistan
On 13 February 2023, the delegation of Turkmenistan led by Mr. Atageldi Haljanov, Ambassador, Permanent Representative of Turkmenistan to the UN Office at Geneva has participated to the Geneva Center for Security Policy (GCSP) Alumni Regional Security Conversation on Central Asia and Afghanistan, the Turkmenistan Mission to UN Office at Geneva reports. The event gathered … [Read more...]
Uzbekistan and Afghanistan renewed deal for the operation of the rail line Hayraton – Mazar-i-Sharif
The Afghan Railways Administration and the subsidiary of Uzbek Railways ‘Sogdiana Trans’ have signed a new agreement on the operation of the Hayraton–Mazar-i-Sharif railway. As reported by Uzbek Railways, the contract period is two years. Also, the parties agreed to step up efforts on restoration of cargo delivery to the Mazar-I-Sharif terminal station and to train … [Read more...]
Research team from the University of Cologne decodes the ancient Kushan script – the Kushan Empire in Central Asia was one of the most influential states of the ancient world
A team of early-career researchers at the University of Cologne has succeeded in decoding a script that has been puzzling scholars for over seventy years: the so-called ‘unknown Kushan script’, the University said in a press release. Over a period of several years, Svenja Bonmann, Jakob Halfmann and Natalie Korobzow examined photographs of inscriptions found in caves as well … [Read more...]
UPDATED – Security council secretaries of regional countries held consultations on Afghanistan in Moscow
The fifth multilateral meeting of the secretaries of the Security Councils on Afghanistan took place in Moscow, the press service of the Russian Security Council says. It was attended by high representatives in charge of security issues from India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, China, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. "A number of additional practical … [Read more...]
Taliban delegation on trade and investments promotion visit to Kazakhstan
The business leaders from Kazakhstan and Afghanistan met in Astana on 2 August 2023 to discuss trade and investment opportunities. The Taliban delegation is led by Azizi Nuriddin, Minister of Commerce and Industry of Afghanistan. Afghanistan is a major importer of Kazakh flour and vegetable oil, and the two countries have a mutual trade volume of around $1 billion. The … [Read more...]
Taliban have modernized signs and symbols at borders with neighbouring countries
The Taliban government has completed the plan to modernize the border signs and symbols with the countries of Iran, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and China. This was mentioned by Noorullah Noori, the acting minister of Borders and Tribes, in his annual report, reports the Afghan media. He said that the change of signs and symbols was done according to a decree by … [Read more...]
Taliban nearing decision to award Lithium mining rights to foreign contractors
Some statements made recently by the Taliban officials including acting minister of mines, Shahabuddin Delawar suggest that a decision could be reached soon to award the mining rights for lithium to the foreign bidders. The negotiations have been continuing with several foreign companies. The Gochin China Company has offered to invest USD 10 billion in the lithium mining … [Read more...]
Afghanistan seeks USD 65 million funding for power transmission project from Turkmenistan
Safiullah Ahmadzai, the operations director of Da Afghanistan Bareshna Shirkat (DABS), the power management authority of Afghanistan, said that work was underway on the power transmission line from Turkmenistan. The 500KV line which could carry 1000MW of electricity required up to $65 million, he added. He was speaking on 29 January 2023 in the news service Pajhwok’s Twitter … [Read more...]
UN special envoy meets Central Asian ambassadors in Kabul
UN Special Representative meets heads of diplomatic missions of Central Asian states in Kabul The UN Special Representative for Afghanistan, Ms. Roza Otunbaeva, had a meeting with the heads of Central Asian embassies in Kabul, reported AKIpress on 29 January 2023. The ambassadors of Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan attended the meeting. It was … [Read more...]