Member countries of the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) Program have endorsed a new Climate Change Action Plan (CCAP) and launched the CAREC Climate and Sustainability Project Preparatory Fund (CSPPF) to strengthen regional collaboration on climate resilience, low-carbon growth, and sustainable development. This endorsement took place at the 23rd CAREC Ministerial Conference, held on […]
UNHCR applauds Turkmenistan for resolving statelessness – Ashgabat hosted regional conference on statelessness
On 8 November 2024, officials from 10 countries gathered in Ashgabat for a ministerial conference to end statelessness in Central Asia and to celebrate the region’s achievements toward that goal. Titled Ending Statelessness in Central Asia Ministerial Conference, the Ashgabat event was convened by the Government of Turkmenistan and UNHCR, the United Nations Refugee Agency, […]
Turkmenistan Eradicates Statelessness, UNHCR says
Turkmenistan has made history by becoming the second country globally, after Kyrgyzstan, to completely eliminate statelessness. This significant achievement was announced by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Senior Protection Officer, Ms. Rano Saidumarova, during a briefing in Ashgabat. In September 2024, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov granted citizenship to the last group of 1,146 […]
The Turkmen delegation attended the 17th “Central Asia – Republic of Korea” Cooperation Forum
On November 4, 2024 the 17th “Central Asia – Republic of Korea” Cooperation Forum took place in Seoul. The Ambassador of Turkmenistan to the Republic of Korea Begench Durdyyev attended this Forum on behalf of the Turkmen side. The forum was chaired by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea Cho Tae-yul. […]
17th Central Asia–Republic of Korea Cooperation Forum: preparations for the first summit in 2025 discussed
On Monday, 4 November, the 17th Central Asia-Republic of Korea Cooperation Forum was held under the chairmanship of South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul, which was attended by foreign ministers, deputy foreign ministers and chief delegates from five Central Asian countries: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, according to Korean news outlets. The Forum was […]
IFC Increases Impact in Central Asia with Strong Investments in Fiscal Year 2024
Climate finance, infrastructure, agriculture, and micro and smaller businesses in Central Asia were just some of the areas that benefited from strong funding from the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, over the last fiscal year. The funds, coupled with advisory support, are helping to increase private sector participation, create […]
E-Commerce in Central Asia increasing
Almost every day the media report some more developments in the e-commerce sector in Central Asia. The Russian e-commerce platform Wildberries is planning to construct two substantial logistics centers in the Kazakh cities of Almaty and Astana. The company’s co-founder and CEO, Tatyana Kim, has confirmed this news while also revealing that a logistics hub […]
Central Asian Water Experts Meet to Enhance Cooperation on Water, Energy, Environment and Climate Issues
On October 29-30, 2024, in Almaty, Kazakhstan, the UNRCCA organized a “Expert Meeting on Water, Energy, Environment, and Climate Cooperation in Central Asia” as part of its water project. The meeting brought together representatives from relevant ministries, state agencies, and national and international experts, including those from UNESCO, UNECE, UNAMA, and DPPA, to assess the […]
INTERVIEW: Central Asia to grow by diversifying, says EDB chairman
Central Asia’s economic story is one of impressive growth, but to sustain this trajectory and achieve sustainable, long-term development, the region must diversify beyond its raw material sectors. According to Nikolai Podguzov, chairman of the board of the Eurasian Development Bank (EDB), which has invested in a broad range of sectors in the region, while […]
OGT 2024: Turkmenistan and Central Asia can become a global renewable energy hub
We need natural gas, but we have also to have a lot of renewable energy to go forward with decarbonization and climate change mitigation, said during his online presentation Murman Margvelashvili, Director, Energy Studies from “World Experience for Georgia”. Both in the cases of natural gas and reenable energy Turkmenistan and Central Asia can play […]
E-Commerce and its relation with event planning and management
E-Commerce is encroaching on every imaginable territory – event planning and management is no exception. An article at Wbcom Designs provides the basic information about the role of e-commerce in the event planning and management: How E-Commerce Innovations are Transforming Event Management The e-commerce industry has changed dramatically over the years. Consumers are now used […]
Ashgabat hosted the second Central Asia–Korea parliamentary forum
On October 14, 2024, the second parliamentary meeting in the Central Asia-Korea format took place in Ashgabat. The event was attended by: Woo Won Shik, Chairman of the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea Dunyagozel Gulmanova, Chairman of the Mejlis of Turkmenistan Nurlanbek Shakiev, Chairman of the Jogorku Kenesh of the Kyrgyz Republic Yerlan […]
Turkmenistan invites CIS countries to participate in infrastructure projects toward South Asia – this is powerful idea with enormous potential
Tariq Saeedi Turkmenistan has invited the CIS countries to take part in the emerging and planned infrastructure projects aimed at connectivity with South Asia and beyond. President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, in his speech at the summit of the heads of state of CIS, floated the idea. The summit was held in Moscow on 8 October 2024. […]
Germany is economic powerhouse of Europe and a natural partner for Central Asia
Tariq Saeedi Germany is the economic powerhouse of Europe. It is the third largest economy in the world. The size of the German economy is simply impressive considering that it has always paid a heavy price for the broader cooperation in Europe. Germany also has an impeccable record of fulfilling its commitments. The roots are […]
China planning to establish joint science-technology centre with Central Asia
China, in pursuit of taking its partnership with Central Asia, is planning to establish a joint sci-tech (science and technology) centre with Central Asia. The idea was born during a meeting of the CPPCC (Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference) in March this year. The authors of the idea have proposed to establish it in XAR […]
Additional ADB Grant to Strengthen Energy Security in Central Asia
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved additional grant financing of $15 million to help Tajikistan scale up an ongoing project to reconnect the country’s power system to the Central Asian Power System (CAPS) through interconnections with neighboring Uzbekistan. “Through the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) program, ADB actively promotes regional power trade among […]
EBRD forecasts robust economic growth in Central Asia
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 […]
K9 trainers from Central Asia successfully completed ToT course in Latvia
On September 24, the closing ceremony of BOMCA ToT course for dog handling instructors from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Tajikistan (specializing in the search for explosives, ammunition, and weapons) took place at the Canine Center of the State Border Guard College of Latvia. The 2nd round of 3-month ToT course was organized under Component […]
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: […]
E-Commerce in Central Asia – Some latest developments
The e-commerce sector in Central Asia is almost self-propelled now. The stakeholders continue to add facilities and features to make it profitable and beneficial across the board. The Fund for Digital Initiatives of the Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) and the United Nations International Telecommunication Union (ITU) held a working meeting earlier this month to discuss […]
Iran becomes a trade hub for agricultural exporters from Central Asia
In the medium term, we should expect Iran’s regional role to grow and cargo flows to increase. Today, Central Asian countries consider Iran as a trade hub that will increase exports to Africa and the Middle East. Berik Bulekbayev, an expert consultant to the UNECE, the World Bank, and an honorary railwayman, said this during […]
Central Asian countries strengthen commitment to school safety and resilience
Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan convened this week a two-day ministerial meeting in Almaty Kazakhstan to reaffirm their commitment to ensuring safe and resilient schools for children. The ministerial meeting – co-organized by UNICEF, UNESCO, the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), the Government of Japan, and the World Bank – brings together […]
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 […]
President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov to take part in the Central Asia+ Germany Summit in Astana
Today, on 17 September 2024, President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov left on a working visit to Kazakhstan to participate in the second meeting of the heads of Central Asian states with Federal Chancellor of Germany Olaf Scholz in Astana. “By successfully implementing the peace-keeping foreign policy strategy initiated by the National Leader of the […]
Afghanistan: Nearly 700 Million in Trade Conducted With Central Asian Countries
The Ministry of Industry and Commerce said that in the first five months of the current solar year, Afghanistan has conducted trade worth nearly $700 million with Central Asian countries. Akhundzada Abdul Salam Jawad, spokesperson for the ministry, said that around $60 million of exports have been made, and the ministry is working to increase […]
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 Asia-Jiangsu Trade Center Opens in Nanjing, Boosting Regional Trade
On September 12, the opening of the Central Asia – Jiangsu Trade Center took place in the Chinese city of Nanjing, Jiangsu Province. The multi-storey Center is a multifunctional platform for Central Asian businesses to enter the Chinese market, according to the Ministry of Trade and Integration of Kazakhstan. The Central Asia-Jiangsu Trade Center will […]
UNRCCA Co-Organizes Regional Conference and Training Course under the Counter-Terrorism Early Warning Network for Central Asia
On 10-12 September 2024, UNRCCA, the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT), the Office of Rule of Law and Security Institutions (OROLSI) with support of the United Nations Peace and Development Trust Fund (UNPDF) and the Governments of Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan organized a regional conference on the Counter-Terrorism Early Warning Network for Central Asia and […]
Central Asian Parliaments Gather for Second Interparliamentary Forum in Uzbekistan
On September 12, 2024, the Second Interparliamentary Forum of Central Asian states kicked off in Khiva, Uzbekistan. Delegates from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, including representatives of youth parliaments and local governments, are participating in the two-day event. In her opening remarks, Tanzila Narbayeva, Chair of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis, emphasized that […]
TIF 2024: Uzbekistan proposes to create a unified transport system in Central Asia
Ilkhom Makhkamov, Minister of Transport of Uzbekistan, outlined his country’s efforts to enhance regional and interregional transport connectivity at the TIF 2024 Investment Forum in Ashgabat. Makhkamov highlighted several key transport initiatives involving Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Kazakhstan. In order to create the shortest route to the World Ocean for the countries of Central Asia, as […]
Preparations Underway for 17th Central Asia-Korea Cooperation Forum
On 6 September 2024, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Turkmenistan joined a videoconference to discuss preparations for the 17th Central Asia-Republic of Korea Cooperation Forum. Representatives from participating countries attended the meeting. Zu Zang Son, Deputy Chairman of the forum’s secretariat, delivered the opening remarks. During the videoconference, participants explored the agenda for […]
Ambassadors from Central Asia and the Gulf Arab countries met in Brussels
In Brussels, the capital of the European Union, the first meeting of ambassadors from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, Central Asia, and Mongolia took place. The event served as an important platform for discussing interregional cooperation and strengthening economic and political ties between these regions. One of the key agenda points was the discussion […]
5th World Nomad Games Astana 2024 – there is more than meets the eye
All of us were nomads at the dawn of our existence as a species of primate. Deep in our hearts, we are still nomads. Central Asia is among the few regions in the world where the people have embraced modernism and progress without deleting their nomadic past. Century after century, the nomads from Central Asia […]
Greater investment in social services needed to build resilient communities and end family separation and institutionalisation of children in Central Asia
Central Asian countries convened this week at a forum hosted by the Government of Uzbekistan to strengthen social services and promote the well-being of children, families, and vulnerable communities across the region TASHKENT/GENEVA, 5 September 2024 – Government officials, academia, and child rights organizations today called for greater investment in social services across Central Asia, […]
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. […]
Turkmen-Swedish cooperation discussed in Stockholm
On 3 September 2024, Turkmen-Swedish political consultations were held in Stockholm. The Turkmen side was headed by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan Myahri Byashimova, the Swedish side was led by Tobias Thyberg, Head of the Department for Eastern Europe and Central Asia of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Sweden. During the inter-MFA […]
Downstream countries in Central Asia undertake mitigation efforts to prevent water scarcity
nCa Report Central Asia is facing a looming water crisis, driven by demographic growth and increasing agricultural demands. According to the World Bank, the region’s population is projected to reach 90 million by 2050, leading to water shortages of up to 25-30%. Simultaneously, agricultural water consumption is expected to rise by 30% within the next […]
Geo-Economic Centrality of Central Asia
Tariq Saeedi The geo-economic centrality in the Eurasian landmass belongs to Central Asia. This is not a theoretical surmise – it is an undeniable truth. It became necessary to underline this truth because certain quarters are still treating Central Asia as appendix to their own ambitions. As a matter fact, this short analytical piece is […]
Russia and Central Asian countries are preparing a second summit meeting, Lavrov says
Russia is working on preparations for the second Russia-Central Asia summit (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan), which will take place in the foreseeable future. This was announced on Monday, 2 September, by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, speaking at a meeting with students and faculty of MGIMO. “There is also a “Central Asia+Russia” mechanism created […]
Armenia’s business mission to Almaty: Strengthening economic ties and new transport routes via Turkmenistan and Iran
Almaty recently hosted an important event for business cooperation between Kazakhstan and Armenia — 50 Armenian entrepreneurs visited Kazakhstan with a business mission. The event, organized by the Diplomatic Club “Astana” in collaboration with the embassies of both countries, was aimed at strengthening constructive dialogue between the countries, creating additional opportunities for building business ties, […]
Kazakhstan stays focused on E-Commerce
The QazTech Alliance of Technology Companies recently held a roundtable on the digitalization of small and medium businesses in Kazakhstan, reports TengriNews. The e-commerce in Kazakhstan almost doubles every two years and currently accounts for 12.5% of total purchases. The participants of the roundtable noted the buoying role played by the digitalization of consumer services […]
Greenifying Central Asia: From fossil fuel to renewable energy giants?
Mokhinur Sultanova Central Asia, a region rich in natural resources, has long relied on its vast reserves of fossil fuels to drive economic growth and development. However, the energy landscape is rapidly evolving, with new challenges emerging due to climate change, economic shifts, and the global transition towards renewable energy sources. With its rich history […]
Gazprom chairman comments on relations with China and Central Asia
The Chairman of the Management Committee of PJSC Gazprom, Alexey Miller, has commented on the relations of Gazprom with China and Central Asia. He was addressing a meeting on the eve of the ‘Oil and Gas Industry Workers Day’ on 29 August 2024. Here is the relevant portion from the press release by Gazprom: “Our […]
Kyrgyzstan explains its position on shared water resources
nCa Report Some of the shared water resources of Central Asia originate or pass through the territory of Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. While Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan are rich in the hydrocarbon resources, they are dependent on the upper riparian neighbours for their share of water. The question of the shared water resources, after meandering for […]
China sets 2050 target for world-class aviation hubs
China plans to establish a group of world-class aviation enterprises and hubs by 2050, according to a new guideline released by the Civil Aviation Administration of China and the National Development and Reform Commission. The guideline outlines a three-phase strategy for developing international aviation hubs with milestones set for 2025, 2035 and 2050. By 2025, […]
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 […]
«Central Asia Could Become the New Star of the Global Dairy Industry» – Dou Ming, Chief Analyst at Beijing Orient Agribusiness Consultant, Ltd., IFCN Expert from China
From November 26 to 27, 2024, the annual Central Asian Dairy Congress – AqAltyn will take place in Turkestan. This significant event will bring together leading specialists and experts from the dairy industry across Central Asia and beyond. One of the key speakers at the congress will be Dou Ming, Chief Analyst at the leading […]
As to why cotton is indispensable crop for Central Asia
nCa Report The cotton crop is among the things that attract criticism toward Central Asia. Despite that, the region would grow more rather than less cotton. Why? Here is why? The cotton crop is labour-intensive i.e. you need more people for the entire crop cycle, particularly at the harvest stage. This provides for employing more […]