On 17-20 September 2023, President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov will pay a working visit to New York. This was announced by DPM, foreign minister Rashid Meredov at a Cabinet meeting on Saturday, 16 September. During the visit, on 19 September the head of Turkmenistan will take part in the first US-Central Asia C5+1 summit and in the 78th session of the United … [Read more...]
Kazinform: The future of Central Asia discussed in Kazakhstan
Today (20 January), the Kazakhstan Institute for Strategic Studies (KISS) under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan together with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan hosted an expert meeting "Central Asia-2030: Images of the Future", Kazinform reports. The event discussed topical issues of the development of cooperation between the Central Asian countries … [Read more...]
WTO has issued World Trade Report 2022. Key messages are in synch with ongoing processes in Central Asia
The WTO has issued its World Trade Report. Among other findings, it underlines the direct link between international trade and climate change / environment. The complete report is available at these links: https://www.wto.org/english/res_e/booksp_e/wtr22_e/wtr22_e.pdf https://www.wto.org/english/res_e/publications_e/wtr22_e.htm The introduction to the report asserts that … [Read more...]
Turkmenistan will host World Kurash Championship in Ashgabat, November 23-28 2023
Turkmenistan will host the World Kurash Championship. It will take place in Ashgabat, 23-28 November 2023. Kurash is one of the most ancient folk styles of wrestling known to humankind. In Central Asia the technique, tradition, rules, and philosophy of Kurash wrestling were orally passed down from generation to generation, from fathers to children. The first attempt to … [Read more...]
UNESCO launches a new regional project on Cryosphere in Central Asia
On 6-7 July 2023, the UNESCO Almaty Cluster Office in cooperation with the Intergovernmental Hydrological Programme organized an inception workshop on "Strengthening the resilience of Central Asian countries by enabling regional cooperation to assess high altitude glacio-nival systems to develop integrated methods for sustainable development and adaptation to climate change" … [Read more...]
Uniting for Progress: EU and UN Support the Launch of the Central Asian Alliance to End Gender-Based Violence
UN Kazakhstan, Elnara Bainazarova, RCO Communications and Advocacy Adviser Caption: Official launch of the Central Asian Alliance to End Gender-Based Violence Photo: © UN Women Steering Committee meeting of the Spotlight Initiative Regional Programme for Central Asia and Afghanistan The Central Asian Alliance to End Gender-Based … [Read more...]
UNODC and CARICC organized a Regional Training on Joint Cross Border Operations for Law Enforcement Agencies of Central Asia
On 7 - 11 August 2023, a regional training on joint cross border operations for law enforcement officers from the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, the Republic of Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and the Republic of Uzbekistan was held in Almaty, Kazakhstan, UNODC said in a press release. The event was conducted within the framework of the Cross-Border Cooperation … [Read more...]
UNRCCA conducts national consultations on the counter-terrorism early warning network for Central Asia
In July 2023, the United Nations Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia (UNRCCA), in close partnership with the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT), held a series of national consultations on the Counter-Terrorism Early Warning Network for Central Asia. The purpose of these meetings was to discuss substantial and operational issues of the … [Read more...]
Kyrgyzstan bought a supercomputer to teach artificial intelligence to speak Kyrgyz
The government of Kyrgyzstan has acquired an NVIDIA supercomputer with a capacity of 1 petaflop, which allows performing 1 quadrillion operations per second. As stated recently in the Presidential Administration, Ulut Soft сorporation is currently working on a project to introduce artificial intelligence processing information in the Kyrgyz language. The AI will have to … [Read more...]
UNRCCA Preventive Diplomacy Academy and the British Embassy in Turkmenistan discussed climate change issues with youth leaders
Last week the UNRCCA Preventive Diplomacy Academy, in cooperation with the British Embassy in Turkmenistan, organized a training session for the participants and graduates from the countries of Central Asia and Afghanistan on the topic of “Climate Change”. The session was facilitated by Mr John Hamilton, Deputy Head of Mission of the British Embassy in Turkmenistan, and Ms … [Read more...]
USAID Workshop Familiarizes Turkmenistan Government Officials with Latest Innovations in Natural Resource Forecast Modeling
Last week in Ashgabat, USAID hosted a national workshop to familiarize government officials in Turkmenistan with the latest innovations for improved forecast modeling of natural resource use in the Amu Darya River Basin. The workshop focused on software packages -- Water Evaluation and Planning (WEAP), Low-Emission Analysis Platforms (LEAP) and others -- to help participants … [Read more...]
Jess Stone and her German Shepherd are touring the world on a motorbike. They will pass through Central Asia
Jess Stone and her German Shepherd named Moxie are on the road for the past ten months. They are traveling on a motorbike with an ambitious itinerary – 90 countries in two and a half years. Originally from Canada, Jess learned the motorbike riding from her husband Greg who is also accompanying her. Married for eight years, they have already completed an 8-month bike trip … [Read more...]
Uzbekistan explores road transit through Afghanistan as a gateway to South Asia
Uzbekistan is actively working on issues of establishing transport connectivity with South Asia in order to overcome landlockedness and access to open oceans. In particular, Tashkent is exploring the possibilities of using the transit potential of Afghanistan to access Pakistan and the ports of the Indian Ocean. This is evident from the trip undertaken on 26-27 August … [Read more...]
Uzbekistan: President Mirziyoyev proposed to adopt the SCO Code of Good Neighborliness, Trust and Cross-Border Partnership
In his speech at online SCO Summit on 4 July 2023, President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev assessed the cardinal changes taking place in the system of international relations – the intensification of geopolitical tensions and escalation of conflicts, the emergence of new risks and threats to global stability and sustainable development, the growing challenges in the field of … [Read more...]
Uzbekistan: President Mirziyoyev proposes to develop GCC-Central Asia Agreement on friendship, regional connectivity and cooperation, to create a visa-free tourist space “Gulf-Central Asia”
Addressing at the GCC-Central Asia Summit in Jeddah on 19 July 2023, President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev noted that despite the current risks and challenges, both regions continue to remain a space of peace, stability and progress. The Central Asia and the Gulf states are reliable and long-term partners. In the political sphere, the leader of Uzbekistan noted the … [Read more...]
White House Gears Up for C5+1 Summit with Central Asia
The US President Joe Biden will meet with the presidents of five Central Asian nations: Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan for the first-ever C5+1 presidential summit. The statement was made by National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan during a recent press briefing. “The C5+1 actually began in 2015. It has been strengthened in the years … [Read more...]
ADB – Five Things to Know About the Future of Energy in Central Asia
The 100-megawatt M-KAT solar power plant in southeastern Kazakhstan, operated by the private sector and supported by ADB, is helping the country shift to clean energy while improving energy security. Central Asia and its neighboring countries need more energy to fuel their development, but climate change means they must significantly cut carbon emissions and … [Read more...]
Women Leaders of Central Asia to Focus on Achieving Gender Equality in the Context of Climate Change at the Dushanbe meeting
A regional meeting of members of the Dialogue of Women Leaders of Central Asia will be held in Dushanbe on 14 September 2023, within the framework of the Fifth Consultative Meeting of the Heads of Central Asian states and the regular meeting of the Council of the Heads of the Founding States of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea, the Tajik agency "Khovar" … [Read more...]
World Bank: A High-level Workshop Convenes Experts to Discuss Early Assessment Findings on One Health Approach for Central Asia Program
Government officials representing health, environment, agriculture and finance sectors from countries across Central Asia participated in the One Health Regional Technical Workshop, entitled Developing the Central Asia One Health Framework for Action that took place in Samarkand today. The discussion focused on the early assessment findings of the Central Asia One Health … [Read more...]
XI Jinping: China stands for multilateralism and strengthening peace for the sake of universal security
During his remarks at SCO Summit on 4 July 2023, President of the People's Republic of China Xi Jinping, focusing on the shocks that the modern world is experiencing, noted that humanity is facing unprecedented serious challenges. "What to choose, unity or split? Peace or conflict? Cooperation or confrontation? These issues have become relevant again in our time. My answer is … [Read more...]
Xi’an Declaration of the China-Central Asia Summit
The Xinhua News Agency published the full text of the Xi'an Declaration of the China-Central Asia Summit. Here we are producing its unofficial, slightly paraphrased translation: May 18-19, 2023 President of the People's Republic of China Xi Jinping, President of the Republic of Kazakhstan K.K.Tokaev, President of the Kyrgyz Republic S.N. Japarov, President of the Republic of … [Read more...]
В Китае проходит торжественная церемония встречи президентов центральноазиатских государств
Официальная церемония встречи глав государств, участвующих в первом саммите Центральная Азия–Китай, состоялась в парке династии Тан в Сиане 18 мая 2023 года. Президент Республики Узбекистан Шавкат Мирзиеев с супругой, Президент Республики Казахстан Касым-Жомарт Токаев, Президент Кыргызской Республики Садыр Жапаров с супругой, Президент Республики Таджикистан Эмомали Рахмон и … [Read more...]
TASS Report: Russia in Central Asia – work in five directions
2022 marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Russia and the countries of Central Asia (CA), which were once Soviet republics, but after the collapse of the USSR began their journey as independent states. TASS presents report about how Central Asian economies look today, as well as about the role that Russia plays in this … [Read more...]
В Центральной Азии женщины-руководители играют ключевую роль в обеспечении устойчивости к изменению климата и засухе
От картофеля, выращенного в переработанных мешках, до сортов фруктовых деревьев, дающих «больше урожая на каплю», климатически оптимизированные и возглавляемые женщинами сельскохозяйственные инициативы стали центром дискуссий на недавней межрегиональной конференции, созванной Конвенцией Организации Объединенных Наций по борьбе с опустыниванием (КБОООН) в Душанбе. , Таджикистан. … [Read more...]
ADB upgrades upward forecast for Central Asia and Caucasus
The subregional growth projection for the Caucasus and Central Asia in 2022 is raised from 3.9% in the September Update of Asian Development Outlook (ADO) 2022 to 4.8% for 2022, while the projection for 2023 remains unchanged at 4.2%, ADB said in a recent supplement to the ADO 2022. The upward adjustment for 2022 reflects robust growth in many economies in the subregion as … [Read more...]
Georgia builds up port capacity and aims to be the main gateway of Central Asia to Europe
Elvira Kadyrova The role of the Georgian Black Sea ports in the transport and logistics chains between Central Asia and Europe is difficult to underestimate. And regarding the significance of Georgia as a transit country in a broader Eurasian context, we can say that many continental routes converge here on the Georgian Black Sea coast from East to West, linking the biggest … [Read more...]
CANWFZ Chairmanship passes to Tajikistan
The Chairmanship of the CANWFZ (Central Asian Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone treaty) has passed to Tajikistan. The consultative meeting of the treaty member states was held through the video link on 22 December 2022. Kyrgyzstan, the current chair, handed the chairmanship to Tajikistan. During the meeting Kyrgyzstan presented information about outcomes of its activities as the … [Read more...]
9th meeting of Foreign Ministers of Japan+Central Asia dialogue held in Tokyo
On 24 December 2022, the 9th meeting of Foreign Ministers under the Central Asia plus Japan dialogue took place at the Iikura House in Tokyo, chaired by Japanese Foreign Minister Hayashi Yoshimasa, the Japanese Foreign Ministry reports. The agenda of the meeting included topics of cooperation between Japan and the Central Asian region, as well as issues of regional and … [Read more...]
Russia poised to pump more natural gas to China – No effect on supplies from Central Asia
nCa Report With two milestones achieved recently, the Russian giant Gazprom is ready to pump more natural gas to China. According to the reliable sources, this will not have any adverse effect on the present and future supplies of natural gas from Central Asia to China. In fact, China will keep looking for ways to acquire more gas from Central Asia. The Power of … [Read more...]
Japan and Central Asia: dynamics of the current partnership
Elvira Kadyrova Japan is actively developing bilateral relations with Central Asian countries, being one of the region's long-term partners. The spheres of interaction are quite diverse – from energy to social projects and personnel training, from major investments that drive forward the national economy to projects that improve the lives of small rural communities. The … [Read more...]
Turkmenistan to enhance logistics cooperation with a number of countries
The Association "Turkmen Logistics" is going to establish partnership ties with a number of foreign countries. “Work continues on setting up mutually beneficial cooperation with relevant associations and unions of countries such as Iran, Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Romania, Germany, and other European and Asian countries”, wrote Rustam Seyidov, Deputy Chairman of … [Read more...]
Chinese and Uzbek scientists found out the causes of the Aral eco-disaster
After five years of joint scientific research, Chinese and Uzbek scientists have identified key factors of the drying up of the Aral Sea over the past 20 years, including climate warming and the lack of water-saving technologies on agricultural land, Xinhua reports. The Aral Sea, located between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, was once the fourth largest inland water body in the … [Read more...]
EU and USAID organized a simulation game for water specialists of Turkmenistan
On 14 December 2022, 13 representatives of the Academy of Public Administration under the President of Turkmenistan and the design institute “Turkmen Water Project” of the State Committee of Water Management of Turkmenistan met to study the optimization of the efficiency of water resources use while maximizing productivity for agriculture, energy and other sectors of the … [Read more...]
5,000-year-old evidence of tiger hunting found in Turkmenistan
Two bones of the animal were found at the Yylgandly-depe monument Mikhail Podrezov The second rear phalanx of the tiger Aleksei Kasparov and Natalia Solov'yova / International Journal of Osteoarchaeology, 2022 Archaeologists during the excavation of the Yylgandly-depe site discovered two bones of a tiger, preyed at the beginning of the 3rd millennium BC. These finds … [Read more...]
Foreign Ministers of Japan and Central Asian countries will meet next week in Tokyo
The 9th meeting of Foreign Ministers in the "Central Asia + Japan" format will be held in Tokyo on 24 December 2022 at the Iikura House, the Japanese Foreign Ministry said in a press release. The meeting will be chaired by Foreign Minister of Japan Hayashi Yoshimasa. The meeting, which will be attended by the chief diplomats of Japan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, … [Read more...]
Akramjon Nematov: “Central Asian countries need to develop consolidated approaches to ensure food security”
Editor’s note: Akramjon Nematov, the first deputy director of the institute for strategic and interregional studies under the president of Uzbekistan (ISMI) participated in the Central Asia Experts Forum, held in Ashgabat on 10 December 2022. Here we are producing two reports from the website of ISMI about his participation in the forum. Ed. “Central Asian countries need to … [Read more...]
The European Union contributes to mitigating the major environmental crisis in Central Asia
27,000 tree seedlings were planted by the European Union on the dried bottom of the Aral Sea on the territory of the Republic of Karakalpakstan, Uzbekistan. It is noteworthy that this figure symbolizes the 27 EU member states that have made this "green" gift to the Central Asian country. According to the EU Delegation to Uzbekistan, among the species of trees planted are … [Read more...]
Концепция инициированных Туркменистаном дебатов Генассамблеи ООН по Зоне мира, доверия и сотрудничества Центральной Азии опубликована в качестве официального документа 77-й сессии
Концепция инициированных Туркменистаном дебатов Генеральной ассамблеи ООН по пункту 61 повестки дня «Зона мира, доверия и сотрудничества Центральной Азии» опубликована на шести официальных языках Организации в качестве документа 77-й сессии Генассамблеи. (A/77/859) Дебаты запланированы на 16 мая 2023 года в штаб-квартире ООН в соответствии с резолюцией 76/299 Генеральной … [Read more...]
Turkmenistan’s International Week of Neutrality – The Real Outcomes
nCa Insight by Tariq Saeedi and Elvira Kadyrova The International Week of Neutrality concludes in Turkmenistan today (12 December 2022). It was packed with back-to-back events, all connected with each other in so many different ways. Their outcomes cannot be measured by looking at each of them separately. The best way to understand and interpret them is to follow a holistic … [Read more...]
Central Asian experts discussed in Ashgabat the challenges facing the region
The V Central Asian Expert Forum was held in Ashgabat on Saturday, bringing together the heads and leading specialists of the strategic research centers of five countries of the region and not only them. The community of analysts, which has repeatedly discussed pressing issues online in bilateral and multilateral formats over the past three years, this time gathered for a … [Read more...]
News From UNRCCA
UNRCCA convenes Fifth Central Asian Expert Forum On 10 December 2022, in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, UNRCCA in partnership with the Government of Turkmenistan, represented by the Scientific Centre of Strategic Studies of the Institute of International Relations, organized Fifth Central Asian Expert Forum (CAEF). Directors and leading experts of the Institutes of Strategic … [Read more...]
Russia says freight route via Turkmenistan to Iran and India is promising
Cooperation between Russia and Turkmenistan in the development of the international transport corridor "North –South" is considered as an important step towards the full deepening of cooperation between the two countries. This topic was widely discussed during the 12th meeting of the joint Intergovernmental Russian-Turkmen Commission on Economic Cooperation, held in Moscow … [Read more...]
Turkmen private company will build two facilities in Uzbekistan and Tajikistan
According to the decision taken at the cabinet meeting on 9 December 2022, The private company "Döwlet gurluşyk" will conclude a contract with the Embassy of Turkmenistan in Tajikistan (Dushanbe) for the construction of a complex of buildings of a secondary school named after Makhtumkuli for 540 places. The school will be located in the village Ergesh Sultanov of the Dusti … [Read more...]
Central Asia Women’s Dialogue summed up the year and outlined future activities
Elvira Kadyrova On Saturday, 10 December 2022, the delegations from five central Asian countries met in the Ashgabat Center of Public Organizations at the regional Women’s Dialogue to take stock of the year. The meeting was attended by: Gulshat Mammedova, Chairman of the Mejlis of the Milli Gengesh of Turkmenistan Tanzila Narbayeva, Chairman of the Senate of the … [Read more...]
Heavy investment by South Korea in bio-technology creates partnership opportunities for Central Asia
nCa Commentary South Korea is going to investment heavily in the bio-technology sector and it creates partnership opportunities for Central Asia. First, let’s look at a news story by Yonhap, the news service of Korea: SEOUL, Dec. 7 (Yonhap) -- South Korea will funnel 400 billion won (US$304.5 million) into research and development next year to foster the digital … [Read more...]
National Security Advisers – Secretaries of the Security Councils of India and Central Asian countries met in New Delhi
On 6 December, New Delhi hosted the first meeting of national security advisers - secretaries of the Security Councils of India and Central Asian countries. Turkmenistan was represented at the meeting by Ambassador Shalar Geldynazarov. The officials discussed topical regional and international security issues, as well as the situation in Afghanistan, its impact on security … [Read more...]
Central Asia needs to take more action on climate change risks
Central Asia is warming faster than the global average. Average annual temperatures have risen by 0.5 degrees Celsius over the last three decades and are forecast to increase by 2.0 to 5.7 degrees Celsius by 2085. Increased incidence and velocity of extreme weather events and disasters threaten physical security, critical infrastructure and access to healthcare and … [Read more...]
By the Numbers: Climate Change in Central Asia
From devastating floods in Pakistan to growing water scarcity in Central Asia, the impacts of climate change vary widely. The Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) Program—a partnership of 11 countries from Central Asia, South Asia, the Caucasus, as well as Mongolia and the People’s Republic of China—is working to increase regional cooperation to help the region … [Read more...]
In his inaugural speech, President of Kazakhstan outlines foreign and domestic policy priorities
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, who was re-elected as the president of Kazakhstan in the landslide victory in the elections held on 20 November 2022, has taken oath of office. The inauguration ceremony took place at the Palace of Independence, Astana, on 26 November 2022. In his inaugural speech, President Tokayev outlined his foreign and domestic priorities. Tokayev said that … [Read more...]
Russia building nuclear power generation cooperation with Central Asia, Africa
nCa Report Russia is steadily working to build nuclear power generation cooperation with Central Asia and Africa. The Russian nuclear agency Rosatom is spearheading the drive. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed in July this year between Rosenergoatom, Rosatom Training Academy and the Agency for Nuclear Power Engineering Development at the Ministry of Energy in … [Read more...]