The European Union’s special representative for Central Asia, Eduards Stiprais, rejected suggestions that Brussels is pursuing political or economic expansion in the region, emphasizing that the bloc’s growing engagement is driven solely by mutual benefit and a desire for stability. “We are not immediate neighbors, so it is very difficult to accuse us of any attempts at … [Read more...]
OPEC Fund Has Invested Heavily in Central Asia, Kazakhstan Official Says
The OPEC Fund for International Development, a multilateral lender owned by OPEC member states, has directed more than $1.4 billion to development projects across Central Asia over the past 20 years, Kazakhstan’s first deputy minister of national economy, Azamat Amrin, told lawmakers this week. The figure emerged during parliamentary debate on ratification of a framework … [Read more...]
Central Asian countries agree on water limits for 2025–2026
The Interstate Commission for Water Coordination of Central Asia has approved water intake limits and reservoir operation modes for the non-growing season of 2025–2026. So, for Amu Darya River, the total limit is set at 55.4 billion cubic meters, including 15.9 billion cubic meters for October—April period. Distribution by country: The Aral Sea and Amu Darya delta … [Read more...]
Afghanistan Strengthens Export Ties with Central Asia Through Local Manufacturing and Trade Expansion
As reported by Omid Radio, Afghanistan has launched the 25th phase of exports from Herat province, marking a significant milestone in the country's efforts to expand trade with Russia, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, and Kyrgyzstan. During a ceremony in Herat, Governor Shaikh Maulana Islam Jar emphasized the growing production capabilities of Afghanistan, particularly … [Read more...]
TAPI: The idea, the ideology, and the way forward – Part Four
Tariq Saeedi In the previous part of this report, we saw that Afghanistan can step up to consume larger volumes of gas from TAPI. Now, we must construct the scenarios for Pakistan to absorb the remaining volumes from TAPI. This brings us to a whole new world of possibilities. This also opens the gates for substantial partnership between Pakistan and Central Asia. … [Read more...]
TAPI: The idea, the ideology, and the way forward – Part One
Tariq Saeedi The Statement: TAPI is more than an idea --- it is an ideology. The Spectrum: From Preposterous to Profound TAPI, as a gas pipeline project connecting Turkmenistan with Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India is an idea; an idea whose time has come, an idea that is akin to the force of nature. TAPI, as a corridor, is the collective name for a number of … [Read more...]
UNRCCA Convenes Fifteenth Annual Meeting with Deputy Foreign Ministers of Central Asian States in Almaty
The fifteenth annual Meeting of Deputy Foreign Ministers of the Central Asian states, convened by the United Nations Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia (UNRCCA), was held in Almaty on 27–28 November 2025. The event gathered the high-level officials from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. Given the continued relevance of … [Read more...]
C5 is now C6 – What will change?
Tariq Saeedi The transformation of Central Asia's consultative mechanism from C5 to C6 with Azerbaijan's formal inclusion represents far more than a diplomatic courtesy. At the November 2025 Tashkent summit, Central Asian leaders agreed that Azerbaijan would participate as a full member in future meetings, marking a strategic realignment that recognizes existing realities … [Read more...]
Global Gateway: Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor and Connectivity Investors Forum Key Deliverables
Tashkent, 27 November 2025 – the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor (TCTC) and Connectivity Investors Forum concluded with a strong signal of joint ambition from the European Union, South Caucasus and Central Asian countries, Türkiye, International Development Banks, the private sector and regional partners. The Forum demonstrated how the Global Gateway strategy is moving from … [Read more...]
Neutrality as the Bridge: Why Central Asia and ASEAN Are Natural Partners in a Divided World
Tariq Saeedi In just over two weeks, on 12 December 2025, Ashgabat will host the high-level International Forum "Peace and Trust", the flagship event marking the 30th anniversary of Turkmenistan's permanent neutrality – a status uniquely recognized by the United Nations in 1995 and reaffirmed ever since. The UN has declared 2025 the International Year of Peace and Trust … [Read more...]
Central Asia’s Generation 2050: A Once-in-a-Lifetime Chance for Rapid Economic Growth
Central Asia stands at the threshold of a historic demographic window that could trigger decades of accelerated economic growth – but only if governments act now to invest heavily in their young people, warns a major new UNICEF regional report. Titled “Generation 2050: Investing in Tomorrow, Today”, the study reveals that more than half the population of Kazakhstan, … [Read more...]
Aliyev Thanks Turkmenistan’s Leadership for Supporting Azerbaijan’s Full Entry into Central Asia Summit Format
President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has sent letters of gratitude to President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov and to the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, the Turkmen state news agency TDH reported. In both letters, President Aliyev expressed deep appreciation for Turkmenistan’s strong support of the … [Read more...]
Global Gateway: 3rd EU-Central Asia Economic Forum – Key Deliverables
The 3rd EU – Central Asia Economic Forum demonstrated the growing momentum of the partnership between the European Union and the countries of Central Asia. Coming after the first-ever EU – Central Asia Summit in Samarkand, the EU – Central Asia Ministerial meeting in Ashgabat, and the recent visit of Shavkat Mirziyoyev, the President of … [Read more...]
UNRCCA сo-organizes the Annual Women, Peace and Security Conference of the Central Asian Women Leaders’ Dialogue
On 25 November 2025, the Special Representative of the UN Secretary General, head of UNRCCA Kaha Imnadze took part in the annual “Women, Peace and Security” Conference of the Central Asian Women Leaders’ Dialogue (WLC), held in Dushanbe under the Chairmanship of the Republic of Tajikistan, and co-organized by UNRCCA, UN Women, and UNFPA. The event convened members of the … [Read more...]
Rising Heat, Rising Risk: Regional Policy Actions
Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Secretary of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) 2024 was the hottest on record globally. In Asia and the Pacific, Bangladesh was the worst-hit country, with about 33 million people affected by lower crop yields that destabilized food systems, along with … [Read more...]
A Pipeline to Success: Central Asia’s Strategic Opportunity
Editor's note: We are reproducing this article by Daniel Runde, originally published by The Jerusalem Strategic Tribune. While we at nCa do not agree with the entirety of the drift of this article, there are two reasons why we are reproducing it: 1. It projects a point of view currently prevalent among some influential circles; 2. It is not totally 'out of the box' but it is … [Read more...]
Tashkent: The Pulsating Heart of Central Asia
Elvira Kadyrova Tashkent is a city where you can literally feel the pulse of life and the unstoppable energy of youth. That’s exactly how Uzbekistan’s capital revealed itself to me, the vibrant megapolis of Central Asia. Our delegation of journalists from Turkmenistan stayed at one of the city’s most luxurious hotels, the InterContinental Tashkent, part of the prestigious … [Read more...]
Central Asian Leaders Forge ‘New Era’ of Unity in Tashkent, Welcoming Azerbaijan Into the Fold
nCa Report In a historic gathering that reshaped the geopolitical landscape of Eurasia, the presidents of five Central Asian nations convened on 16 November 2025 for the seventh consultative meeting of regional heads of state, unanimously admitting Azerbaijan as a full member and laying the groundwork for deeper economic, security and cultural integration. The summit, … [Read more...]
25th Central Asia Media Conference “Actioning Media Viability for Informed and Resilient Societies”
Marking its 25th edition, the RFoM’s (OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media) Central Asia Media Conference will be held on 13 and 14 November 2025 in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. This year’s conference on “Actioning Media Viability for Informed and Resilient Societies” will spotlight how free, independent and viable media serve the public good, strengthen democratic institutions … [Read more...]
US and Central Asian Nations adopted C5+1 Joint Statement for Economic cooperation – Critical Minerals, AI Integration and Trans-Caspian Connectivity under the spotlight
The Governments of the United States of America, Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan commemorated the tenth anniversary of the C5+1 diplomatic platform with a joint statement outlining a renewed commitment to regional prosperity, sustainable development, and strengthened economic cooperation. Established in 2015, the C5+1 framework has … [Read more...]
Turkmenistan President’s Visit to Washington: Participation in the C5+1 Summit, Series of Meetings, Turkmen-American Business Forum
During a working visit to the United States from 4 to 7 November 2025, President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov participated in the “Central Asia + United States of America” (C5+1) Summit in Washington, met with President Donald Trump, and held a series of meetings with business leaders and high-ranking officials. Additionally, a Turkmen-American business forum was held … [Read more...]
UNODC Concludes Annual Programme Steering Committee Meeting in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Regional Office for Afghanistan, Central Asia, Iran and Pakistan, successfully held its annual Programme Steering Committee (PSC) Meeting of the UNODC Programme for Central Asia 2022-2025 on 6 November 2025 in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan. The hybrid-format event brought together over 100 participants from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, … [Read more...]
C5+1 Washington Summit: The Buttons align with the Buttonholes
Tariq Saeedi President Donald Trump hosted the leaders of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan at the C5+1 summit in Washington, DC, on November 6, 2025. According to the early reports, here are the main outcomes of the summit: * * * The outcomes, as we know from the early reports, are encouraging in that they build on the … [Read more...]
Rubio announces plans to visit all five Central Asian nations next year
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced his intention to visit all five Central Asian countries in the coming year, signaling a renewed commitment to deepening ties with the region. Speaking at a welcome reception hosted at the State Department on 5 November, Rubio addressed foreign ministers from Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan, along with the … [Read more...]
Central Asia Economic Outlook 2025: A Comprehensive Survey of Macroeconomic Indicators and Projections
Editor’s Note: This report is experimental in nature. We have taken the data from IMF, World Bank, ADB, EBRD, and EDB and attempted to arrive at mean economic indicators. All of these financial institutions have their own methodologies because of the differences in their particular focus. This leads to the economic indicators being assessed differently by the different … [Read more...]
U.S. State Department and Kennedy Center to Host Landmark C5+1 Tenth Anniversary Business Conference Ahead of Washington Summit
As Central Asian leaders converge on the U.S. capital for a presidential summit C5+1, the US Department of State, in partnership with the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, announced it will host the C5+1 Tenth Anniversary Business Conference, according to the US Department of State. The event underscores a decade of deepening ties between the United States and … [Read more...]
Central Asia Gears Up for Historic C5+1 Summit with Trump: A Mix of Optimism and Caution
Tariq Saeedi As the world watches the evolving dynamics of global diplomacy, the upcoming C5+1 summit in Washington, D.C., on November 6, 2025, is generating significant buzz across Central Asia and beyond. This gathering, marking the 10th anniversary of the C5+1 format that brings together the United States and the five Central Asian republics—Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, … [Read more...]
The C5+1 Summit in Washington: Toward Forging an Inclusive U.S.-Central Asia Partnership
Tariq Saeedi The recent meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Busan, South Korea, on October 30 feels like a breath of fresh air in an otherwise tense international landscape. Their bilateral talks led to breakthroughs on tariffs, rare earth minerals, and trade disputes, fostering a palpable mood of reconciliation that could … [Read more...]
Housing in Steppes and Deserts of Central Asia
nCa Report Providing housing to the populations scattered across the steppes and deserts of Central Asia is a unique challenge. The conventional housing solutions – urban and rural – cannot be neatly applied to the region. There has to be a dedicated category of housing suitable for the environment and challenges of the steppes and deserts. Unlike the urban centres … [Read more...]
Green Climate Fund Backs $250M ‘Glaciers to Farms’ Program for Central Asia and Pakistan
nCa Report The Green Climate Fund has approved $250 million in financing for the Asian Development Bank's flagship regional initiative, "Glaciers to Farms," which aims to build sustainable water and agricultural systems for vulnerable communities living in glacier-dependent areas across Central Asia, the South Caucasus, and Pakistan. The program addresses one of the most … [Read more...]
Central Asia and the Law of Proximity
Tariq Saeedi Have you ever noticed how you're more likely to strike up a friendship with the person sitting next to you in class or the neighbor across the street than someone halfway across the world? It's not just coincidence—it's this fascinating idea called the ‘Law of Proximity’ from social psychology. Basically, it boils down to the fact that physical closeness … [Read more...]
New China-Central Asia Transport Corridor Launches Trial Operations
Seven trucks carrying containers departed from the Kashi International Hub Port in northwestern China's Xinjiang region on October 15, marking the launch of a trial international transport service connecting China, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan, according to Chinese state media reports. The multimodal transport corridor represents a significant development in … [Read more...]
Tajikistan’s: Pioneering AI Leadership in Central Asia and Beyond
nCa Analysis Tajikistan is moving energetically, and pretty fast, to position itself as the regional powerhouse in artificial intelligence (AI) and related disciplines. It is following a hybrid model, merging the indigenous components with the foreign partnership elements. The sum total can possibly be more than its component parts. Under the vision and patronage of … [Read more...]
President of Turkmenistan receives invitation for US-Central Asia summit in Washington DC
President Serdar Berdimuhamedov of Turkmenistan has received the invitation from President Donald Trump of the USA for participation in the US-Central Asia summit. The summit will take place in Washington DC on 6 November 2025. According to the Watan news show of Turkmenistan, the message from Trump reads: “I would like to invite you to the White House for a meeting with … [Read more...]
World Bank: Europe and Central Asia Must Invest in Jobs to Drive Growth
Economic growth in Europe and Central Asia has slowed but the region remains resilient despite ongoing global and regional challenges, according to a World Bank press release issued on October 7, 2025. Regional GDP is expected to grow by 2.4 percent in real terms this year, down from 3.7 percent in 2024. The slowdown is primarily driven by a weaker pace of expansion in … [Read more...]
Turkmenistan Participates in Ministerial Meeting in Luxembourg: Focus on Trans-Caspian Corridor and Green Agenda
On 20 October 2025, a Turkmenistan delegation led by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Myahri Byashimova participated in a ministerial meeting in Luxembourg, held following the EU Foreign Affairs Council session. The meeting brought together foreign ministers and representatives from EU Member States, Armenia, Azerbaijan, the Republic of Moldova, Türkiye, Ukraine, and … [Read more...]
Samarkand hosted the first meeting of defense ministers of Central Asian states
On 20 October 2025, the first-ever meeting of defense ministers of Central Asian states was held in Samarkand, as reported by Uzbekistan’s National Information Agency UzA. At the beginning of the session, a message from the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, was presented to the participants. The message emphasized that in recent years, … [Read more...]
Transit Through Central Asia Surges by 70% from 2020 to 2024
Central Asia is rapidly emerging as a key transit hub in Eurasia, proving that a lack of sea access is no barrier to economic growth. Thanks to its unique geographical position at the heart of the continent and the active implementation of infrastructure projects, the region is experiencing remarkable growth in transit transportation. According to data from the Eurasian … [Read more...]
UNRCCA co-organizes Fifth Regional Conference on the Counter-Terrorism Early Warning Network for Central Asia
Baku, Azerbaijan - On 13-16 October, UNRCCA and the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT), with the support of the People’s Republic of China through the United Nations Peace and Development Trust Fund (UNPDF), organized the fifth regional conference on the Counter-Terrorism Early Warning Network for Central Asia. The Early Warning Network is being developed to … [Read more...]
Central Asia – Rice Report
nCa Report Key Points on Rice in Central Asia Annual Consumption Evidence leans toward total regional consumption of about 1 million tons in recent years, with per-country estimates based on population and per capita data. For instance, Kyrgyzstan's consumption is around 50,000 tons (Statista: CIS Rice Consumption by Country), reflecting lower reliance on … [Read more...]
Kyrgyzstan hosted 3rd Central Asia-India Meeting of the Secretaries of the Security Councils/National Security Advisers
On 16 October, in Bishkek, the third Meeting of the Secretaries of the Security Councils/National Security Advisers in the Central Asia and India format was held under the chairmanship of the Secretary of the Security Council of the Kyrgyz Republic Baktybek Bekbolotov. This multilateral format is a continuation of broad regional cooperation in the interests of peace … [Read more...]
Report: State of E-Commerce in Central Asia
nCa Report Editor’s Note: There are certain shortcomings in this report, mainly because quite a bit of the related information and data is not available on the net. Some of the information is behind the firewalls. The difference in methodologies among the data sources is another factor. For the collation and augmentation of information and for the general heavy … [Read more...]
Central Asia and China Open New Logistics Routes: Trial Launch of Multimodal Corridor to Turkmenistan
On Wednesday, 15 October, the trial operation of the international multimodal transport corridor linking China, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan officially launched, according to Xinhua. The corridor features two multimodal routes, with goods transported by rail from Xi’an (Shaanxi Province, Northwest China) and Chengdu (Sichuan Province, Southwest China) to Kashgar … [Read more...]
Fergana to host the First Fergana Peace Forum
The first session of the Fergana Peace Forum, titled “Fergana Valley: Uniting Efforts for Peace and Progress” is scheduled for October 15–16, 2025, in the city of Fergana. Next week, the city of Fergana will transform into a focal point for international dialogue and cooperation, hosting key stakeholders from across the region and beyond. This gathering underscores the … [Read more...]
China-Europe Freight Train Marks 50,000th Trip from Horgos Port
A China-Europe freight train loaded with electronic products, mechanical and electrical equipment, and daily necessities departed from the Horgos Railway Port in Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region for Małaszewicze, Poland, on Saturday, marking the 50,000th train to pass through the port since operations began in March 2016, according to the Global Times. The … [Read more...]
Ferghana Valley: a Common vision of a Strategy for Sustainable Development and Prosperity
Diloram Mukhsinova and Bekhzod Alimjanov, senior researchers at the Center for Foreign Policy Studies (Uzbekistan) Annotation. The Ferghana Valley is the historical heart of Central Asia, where a new model of regional cooperation based on trust, good neighbourliness and sustainable development is currently taking shape. The initiative of the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat … [Read more...]
The Taste of Diplomacy: How Tajikistan Charmed Leaders of Central Asian and Russia with a Spectacular Harvest Display
On 9 October 2025, President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon hosted an informal gathering—a "friendship evening"—for the heads of state participating in the Central Asia–Russia Summit and the CIS Summit at the government residence in Dushanbe. A vibrant exhibition of Tajikistan’s agricultural products and national cuisine was organized in the picturesque setting of the … [Read more...]
A firm commitment to partnership and alliance: Putin on Strengthening Russia-Central Asia Ties
On October 9, 2025, Russian President Vladimir Putin addressed the second Central Asia–Russia summit in Dushanbe, reaffirming Russia's dedication to strengthening strategic partnerships and alliances with Central Asian states—Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. The speech highlighted the immense potential for economic cooperation, outlining key … [Read more...]
Transport, Nuclear Energy, Industrial Cooperation: Uzbekistan’s President Names Partnership Priorities for Central Asia and Russia
At Dushanbe Summit on Thursday, 9 October 2025, President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev called on the countries of Central Asia and Russia for closer coordination and cooperation in the six-sided format, urged by "growing geopolitical tension and crisis phenomena in the world economy." In this context, the leader of Uzbekistan outlined his vision for the prospects of … [Read more...]
Trade, Transport, Energy, and Security: Initiatives of the President of Kazakhstan at the Central Asia – Russia Summit
Trade with Russia accounts for one-third of the total trade turnover of the Central Asian countries, announced President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev while addressing the Central Asia – Russia Summit in Tajikistan. "It is gratifying that the situation in the Central Asian region itself has evolved in recent years towards political solidarity, economic cooperation, and … [Read more...]