The Javed Afghan factory in Nangarhar province of Afghanistan said this week the company is increasing foreign exports of agricultural machines produced at their facility and Central Asia is one of the export destinations, according to Ariana news. The manufacture recently exported a total of 67 wheat and corn threshers to Central Asian countries and 16 of them delivered to … [Read more...]
Ashgabat will host 2nd CADAP Programme Steering Committee meeting in July
The EU-funded Central Asia Drug Action Programme, 7th Phase (CADAP 7) continues the 3rd round of Technical Committees meetings to review the progress of ongoing activities, to obtain feedback from national partners and discuss future plans and priorities. According to CADAP’s press release, next meeting from the series has been conducted in hybrid format in Ashgabat on 31 … [Read more...]
ADB Helps Connect Central Asian Countries — Independent Evaluation Report
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has helped advance transport and energy connectivity among member countries of the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) Program, but progress on improving regional economic competitiveness, trade, and the supply of regional public goods in the subregion has been more limited, according to an independent evaluation report released … [Read more...]
Central Asia must remain focused on Air Quality Management
nCa Special Feature on World Earth Day Without air and water – absolutely essential for sustaining life – our planet will be no different from the other billions of planets orbiting around millions of stars. Unfortunately, we mostly take the air for granted. Let’s get right to the heart of the matter ----- According to the WHO estimates, as quoted in a UNDP report, the … [Read more...]
The Pension Rage will spread to other countries, sooner or later. Central Asia needs to take some steps now. – Part One
nCa Analysis France is burning. We sincerely hope the flames would be quenched soonest but the bitter fact is that the embers would keep smouldering. President Macron decided to raise the age of retirement from 62 to 64 and that caused a wave of resentment. Soon after, Macron forced the bill through without putting it to a parliamentary vote first, using an emergency … [Read more...]
China and Central Asian countries held the first Meeting of Ministers of Economy and Trade
On 18 April 2023, the First Meeting of the Ministers of Economy and Trade "China – Central Asia" was held via videoconference, the Ministry of Economy and Commerce of Kyrgyzstan reports. Turkmenistan was represented at the meeting by the Minister of Trade and Foreign Economic Relations Begench Gochmollayev. The online session was also attended by Minister of Economy and … [Read more...]
ADB: Narrowing the flood and earthquake risk protection gap in Central Asia
With climate change set to exacerbate the frequency and severity of disaster events, Central Asia and South Asia face a growing risk protection gap. KEY TAKEAWAYS With climate change set to exacerbate the frequency and severity of natural hazards, Central Asia and South Asia face higher risk to lives and livelihoods. Pre-arranged disaster risk financing can help … [Read more...]
ADB: Unlocking Central Asia’s Economic Potential by Integrating into Global Value Chains
Zulfia Karimova, ADB Principal Regional Cooperation Specialist A free trade agreement could bring the economic and social development benefits of global value chains to Central Asia. Central Asia, despite its diverse economic composition and wealth, is poorly integrated into global value chains. This limits the region’s economic growth, competitiveness, and development … [Read more...]
China’s investment in Central Asia has reached US $15 billion by the end of 2022 – Chinese Minister for Trade
By the end of last year, China's direct investment stock in five Central Asian countries reached almost US $15 billion, Chinese Trade Minister Wang Wentao said at an online meeting of trade and economy ministers under Central Asia+China format, Xinhua reports. According to the minister, China and the countries of the region have launched a number of cooperation projects in … [Read more...]
Affordable medicine for all: China-Central Asia pharma partnership extends Belt and Road Initiative
Haji Akber Aisa has been devoted to natural medicine research for decades. The 58-year-old is the deputy chief of Xinjiang Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry at the Chinese Academy of Science (CAS). He also worked as the director of the Central Asian Drug Research and Development Center (CADRDC) for 10 years since its establishment. "As a researcher, I think the … [Read more...]
Chinese and Central Asian Foreign Ministers to discuss preparations for May summit of Heads of State
The foreign ministers of Central Asian countries and China will meet in Xi'an, China, on 26-27 April 2023 to discuss the preparation for the upcoming first Summit "Central Asia – China", scheduled for May 2023 in Xi'an. "In addition, the participants of the meeting will discuss the prospects for six–party cooperation in various fields - strengthening connectivity in the … [Read more...]
Turkmenistan and Tajikistan deepen strategic partnership – Serdar Berdimuhamedov and Emomali Rahmon held talks in Dushanbe – 23 documents signed
nCa Report On 10 May, 2023, President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov started his state visit to Tajikistan. Following the summit talks, the Presidents of Turkmenistan and Tajikistan signed a Declaration on deepening strategic partnership. 23 documents were inked by two delegations that significantly expand the range of friendly Turkmen-Tajik relations. Serdar … [Read more...]
EDB will provide USD 600 million of investment for renewables over next three years
The EDB (Eurasian Development Bank) has decided to invest USD 600 million in the renewable energy projects during the next three years. The announcement was by Albrecht Conrad, Head of the EDB Directorate of Sustainable Development, at the UNECE Regional Forum on Sustainable Development in Geneva, says a press release of EDB. Conrad said, “With its unique understanding of … [Read more...]
Ambassador of Kazakhstan in Seoul hopes to boost Central Asia – Korea ties
Kazakhstan's new ambassador to Korea, Nurgali Arystanov, hopes to boost the C5+Korea, a diplomatic channel that engages Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan governments with Korea. This follows from his interview with The Korea Herald. Speaking to The Korea Herald, Arystanov outlined his vision to elevate C5+Korea and touched on past success … [Read more...]
EU-funded Programme contributes to strengthening capacities to investigate cross-border crimes in Turkmenistan
From 17 to 19 April, the EU-funded Border Management Programme in Central Asia (BOMCA 10) held a workshop in Ashgabat for investigators and crime intelligence officers specialised in investigations of cross-border crimes such as trafficking and smuggling of drugs. This activity enhanced the capacity and capabilities of law enforcement personnel of Turkmenistan in tackling … [Read more...]
EDB is ready to invest US $400 million in Central Asia’s water and energy complex
The Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) intends to invest US $400 million in Central Asia’s water and energy complex over the next three years, said Nikolai Podguzov, Chairman of the Eurasian Development Bank Management Board, at the UN 2023 Water Conference in New York. “Central Asia’s water and energy complex is one of the Bank’s top priorities per its medium-term strategy. … [Read more...]
First meeting of India-Central Asia Working Group on Chabahar port adopted a joint statement
On 12-13 April 2023, the first meeting of the joint Working Group on Chabahar Port at the level of senior officials of Central Asia and India was held in Mumbai, India. The event was organized under the multilateral cooperation in the India+Central Asia format, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan said. The meeting was attended by the Deputy Foreign Ministers of … [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...]
Arkadag Berdimuhamedov awarded the highest award of the heads of Central Asian states – “Badge of Honor”
At the end of the Consultative Meeting of the heads of Central Asian states in Dushanbe, a solemn ceremony was held to award the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov with the Badge of Honor of the heads of Central Asian states. He is in Dushanbe on a working visit at the invitation of the Tajikistan … [Read more...]
G7 to continue cooperation with Central Asia in addressing regional problems
During the meeting in Japan, the Foreign Ministers of the Group of Seven (G7) announced the continued support of the Central Asian countries in responding to regional problems. This was announced during the one-hour session "Afghanistan and Central Asia", organized on the sidelines of the G7 Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Karuizawa, held on 16-18 April 2023. In … [Read more...]
High level of strategic trust between Central Asia and China emphasized by FMs of the six countries in Xi’an
Central Asia is not a field for geopolitical battles, says China On 27 April 2023, the 4th meeting of the Foreign Ministers of China and Central Asian countries was held in Xi'an under the chairmanship of State Council member, Foreign Minister Qin Gang. It was attended by Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan Murat Nurtleu, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kyrgyzstan Jeenbek … [Read more...]
Turkmenistan’s private transport sector studies trends in the development of container transportation in Eurasia
The growth in the global volume of container traffic by the end of 2021 amounted to 65 million TEU, while the highest level of containerization has been fixed in China reaching 73%. Such data were presented during training seminars on container transportation held by the Association "Turkmen Logistics" in cooperation with CILT Central Asia, with the assistance of the USAID … [Read more...]
India hosts first meeting on Chabahar Port development with Central Asia
The first meeting of the India-Central Asia Joint Working Group on Chabahar is underway in Mumbai. The two-day meet, which began on Wednesday, was one of the key outcomes of the Delhi Declaration of the first India Central Asia summit held in January last year. The participants of the meeting include India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and … [Read more...]
International Industrial Exhibition “INNOPROM. Central Asia” started in Uzbekistan
Three-day International Industrial Exhibition "INNOPROM. Central Asia" started in Tashkent, Uzbekistan on 24 April 2023. The exhibition is attended by more than 5,000 delegates, as well as over 300 foreign companies, business representatives and government agencies of the CIS countries, France, Italy, the Netherlands, India, Singapore, China, Japan, Armenia, Kazakhstan, … [Read more...]
IRU: The growing need for trade facilitation across Central Asia
Government and business in Central Asia can work together to streamline border crossings and better manage growing trade flows with tried-and-tested UN instruments and digitalisation. Central Asia sits at the heart of east-west connectivity. Traffic pressure on evolving routes and resulting border crossing challenges are hampering the flow of goods, leading to long border … [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...]
China to discuss grandiose plan for development of relations with Turkmenistan and Central Asian countries
At the upcoming six-party summit with Central Asian countries, China will present an extensive cooperation plan. This was announced in the congratulatory message of Chinese President Xi Jinping to President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov on the occasion of the International Nowruz Day. Welcoming the participation of the President of Turkmenistan in the first … [Read more...]
UK Minister for Europe to visit Tajikistan and Turkmenistan
Minister for Europe of the United Kingdom Leo Docherty will visit Tajikistan and Turkmenistan to step up engagement with these countries in the field of energy security, climate and strengthening trade ties, the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office said. On the eve of his trip, Leo Docherty commented: “Since their independence, the UK has been unwavering in its … [Read more...]
Astana to host the Central Asian Security and Cooperation Forum
Famous intellectuals from 25 countries of the world will be gathered by the Kazakhstan Institute for Strategic Studies under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan (KazISS) in Astana at the Central Asian Security and Cooperation Forum. On July 13 and 14, 2023, the Central Asian Forum on the theme “Asia in the Changing World: Agenda for the Future” will be held. It is … [Read more...]
Kazakhstan aims to build up its transit capacity between China and Central Asia
Kazakhstan aims to construct a large commercial and logistics hub on the bypass railway around Almaty, which will be built to boost the transit flows from China to Central Asia, The transit goods to/from neighboring China have been delivered to Kazakhstan through the Altynkol - Khorgos border crossing, where there is an intensive growth in traffic. The Almaty railway … [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...]
EBRD report: Anti-Russian sanctions boost Central Asian economies
The countries of Central Asia and the South Caucasus have made impressive progress in developing trade through the intermediary trade of goods from Western countries to Russia. After the introduction of sanctions, the EU's trade turnover with Russia's eastern neighbors increased many times, as did their trade with Russia. Trade turnover within the EAEU increased by 40%in … [Read more...]
Kazakhstan to host Microsoft multiregional hub
Microsoft has decided to locate its multiregional hub in Kazakhstan, reports Kazinform. It will cover Central Asia, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia, Mongolia, and Pakistan. «Localization of the Microsoft operation will let Kazakhstan turn into a centre of attraction of technologies and advanced solutions on a regional level. Being a centre of technological development and … [Read more...]
Bankruptcy of trucking giant Yellow Corp. and vital lessons for Central Asia
nCa Analysis The American trucking giant Yellow Corp. (previously known as YRC Worldwide) is declaring bankruptcy and it has sent shockwaves across the transportation industry and the e-commerce world. With its workforce of more than 30000, Yellow was the third largest small-freight company in the transportation sector in the USA, specializing in low-cost transportation of … [Read more...]
Biden plans summit with Central Asian leaders
US President Joe Biden plans to hold the first summit in the C5+1 format with the participation of the Presidents of Central Asian countries. This follows from a letter addressed by Biden to President Shavkat Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan. “I hope you will join me and our fellow leaders for a formal C5+1 meeting on September 19 or September 20 to discuss how we can all … [Read more...]
Brussels Energy Club Addresses Clean Energy Transition in Central Asia
Brussels Energy Club (BREC) held a first-ever conference on energy security and sustainability in Central Asia on July 4 in the Belgian capital. Four panel sessions explored regional and interregional collaboration in delivering the energy transition in Central Asia, a fast-growing region. The event was organized in partnership with the diplomatic missions of Kazakhstan, … [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...]
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 transportation between Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan digitized
The first international transportation under the digital transport program between Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan has launched, the Ministry of Transport of Uzbekistan reports. This system enables the proper and timely completion of the registration process between the two sides while transferring goods through the customs border. In addition, the e-TIR project, implemented … [Read more...]
Central Asia and impending avalanche of corporate debt maturities in the USA
nCa Analysis There is the impending avalanche of the corporate debt maturities in the USA. It will create a mix of challenges and opportunities for Central Asia. First, let us look at the issue of the corporate debt maturities in the USA. Goldman Sachs predicts that corporate debt maturities will be US$230 billion for the rest of 2023, US$790 billion in 2024, and US$1.07 … [Read more...]
Central Asia and Pakistan strive to improve transport and logistics links
Elvira Kadyrova This week, the authorities of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan discussed with Pakistan issues of transport connectivity within the framework of joint corridors that aim to connect South Asia with Central Asia, with access beyond the region. On Wednesday, 12 July, President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Prime Minister of Pakistan Shahbaz Sharif paid special … [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...]
Central Asia must remain vigilant against spontaneous fires
With an unusually hot summer and other factors triggering wildfires in many countries, Central Asia needs to remain vigilant against spontaneous fires. As a standard practice, the fire departments across the region maintain the map of the areas and spots at risk of spontaneous fires. It would be advisable to update those maps. There should be a general campaign through … [Read more...]
Central Asia presents huge opportunities for UK exporters –Trade Commissioner Kenan Poleo
Central Asia is one of the most dynamic and rewarding regions for British businesses. This region, with its fast-growing and diversifying economies, presents huge opportunities for UK exporters and has a vital role to play in helping Great Britain reach exporting ambition. This was stated by UK Trade Commissioner for Eastern Europe and Central Asia Kenan Poleo in interview with … [Read more...]
Central Asia remains resilient to geopolitical headwinds – EBRD says
In 2023 Central Asian economies are set to grow by 5.2 per cent on average according to EBRD forecast Further growth of 5.4 per cent is expected in 2024 High interest rates, inflation and commodity prices may affect regional long-term growth The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is expecting Central Asian economies of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz … [Read more...]
Central Asia to consolidate efforts in solving problems of the environment and sustainable development
Astana – Kazakhstan – On September 4-5, 2023, the third meeting of the Advisory Council of the Interstate Commission on Sustainable Development of Central Asian Countries (ICSD) was held. In his welcoming speech, the Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Yerlan Nysanbayev, stressed the importance of this meeting. “Since its inception, … [Read more...]
The Pension Rage may not reach Central Asia but Woke Culture might
Tariq Saeedi The first two parts of this series were ‘reports’ and this part is an opinion piece. It is also the concluding part of this short series. The Pension Rage swirling angrily in France may spread at some point in time to the other OECD countries but there is no real risk of that kind of thing taking place in Central Asia. The real threat for Central Asia in the … [Read more...]
Central Asian Animal Health Network members look at the future of animal health and One Health
The Central Asian Animal Health Network (CAAHN) convened on 8−9 June for its third meeting since its establishment in 2019 in the historical city of Samarkand, Uzbekistan, to delve into the future of animal health and the One Health approach within the region. Organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), in collaboration with the World … [Read more...]
Central Asian artisans enter international markets with the support of the ITC
The International Trade Center, with the support of the European Union, helps small craft enterprises from five Central Asian countries to sell their products through the NOVICA e-commerce marketplace. Founded in 1999 in Los Angeles with the goal of empowering artisans around the world and preserving endangered cultural arts Novica.com has become the leading online trading … [Read more...]
Central Asian countries can fruitfully cooperate for local production of vaccines against viruses and infections including Covid strains and plague
The whole world, and the Central Asian region in particular, continues to struggle with the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, which have had a serious impact on the health care and socio-economic sphere of the countries of the region. Everyone is just beginning to recover from the legacy of a global epidemic, and experts are already warning that the incidence of new … [Read more...]