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...]
Green Recovery, Food Security, and Clean Energy Cooperation Initiatives adopted by CAREC Ministers
The ministers from Azerbaijan, the People’s Republic of China (PRC), Georgia, Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Mongolia, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan met at the 21st CAREC Ministerial Conference on 24 November. This year’s Ministerial Conference was chaired and hosted virtually by China under the theme Revitalizing Regional Cooperation for a Green, … [Read more...]
Tashkent will host high-level Central Asian Climate Dialogue
On 2 December 2022, Tashkent, Uzbekistan will host a high-level Central Asian Climate Dialogue ‘From global knowledge to local solutions: climate resilient institutions in Central Asia’. The event, initiated with the support of Uzhydromet, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan and will be organized by UNDP in Uzbekistan through EU-funded ‘Climate Change … [Read more...]
Ashgabat hosted a first meeting of the Central Asian community of needlewomen
On Wednesday, 23 November, Ashgabat hosted first meeting of the international community of needlewomen of Central Asia, convened on the initiative of Turkmenistan, the Neutral Turkmenistan newspaper reports. The meeting was attended by representatives of the parliament of Turkmenistan, the UN Regional Center for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia, UNDP in Turkmenistan, as … [Read more...]
Central Asia can play an integral part in reversing the decline of Global Britain
Sir Richard Ottaway Last month, the Biden administration’s national security strategy reaffirmed that, despite the upheaval in Europe over this past year, Asia is the United States’ most important foreign policy priority. Their read on the future of geopolitics is telling. The underlying premise of the American strategic approach is the same one that underpinned our own … [Read more...]
Central Asia’s growing importance globally and for the EU
Josep Borrell, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy / Vice-President of the European Commission Central Asia’s geostrategic significance is increasing. This week I visited the region and participated in two important meetings in Samarkand: the EU-Central Asia Ministerial meeting and the EU-Central Asia Connectivity conference. As … [Read more...]
EU will grant €300 million to fund Central Asian projects
For the next four years, the European Union has allocated grant funding worth €300 million for both bilateral and regional projects in Central Asia. This was stated by the EU High Representative/Vice President Josep Borrel during his remarks at the opening EU-Central Asia Connectivity Conference: Global Gateway. As the chief diplomat of the European Union, the goal is to … [Read more...]
The EU is the biggest investor in Central Asia
"We - the European Union – are the biggest investor in Central Asia: almost half of the cumulated investment in the region – more than 40% - has been done by the European Union firms. We are the best, the first trade partner – above China, above Russia," EU High Representative, Vice President Josep Borrel said at the press conference following the EU-Central Asia ministerial … [Read more...]
European Union – Central Asia Ministerial in Samarkand
On 17 November 2022, a Ministerial meeting in the format "European Union – Central Asia" was held in Samarkand. The heads and representatives of the EU and Central Asian foreign ministries discussed the current state of relations and prospects for strengthening cooperation between the two regions in the political, trade, economic, water and energy spheres, as well as … [Read more...]
Border management and containment of drugs in Central Asia – EU-funded projects continue to lead the way
Tariq Saeedi Acronyms cannot usually tell a story, at least not in the case of BOMCA and CADAP. Anyone outside this region would be hard-pressed to make any sense of these acronyms that sound almost like real words. Nevertheless, this is an ongoing story: Cosimo and Ernest can tell it. First, a few words about BOMCA and CADAP. BOMCA is EU-funded Border Management … [Read more...]
We are well underway to build a stronger, broader, more modern partnership with the five countries of Central Asia
Josep Borrell, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission For centuries, connections between Europe and Central Asia have played a profoundly important role in shaping our societies. This was true long before trade flourished in the ancient world along the Silk Road, linking the civilisations of Europe and … [Read more...]
WHO supports Central Asian countries in enhancing monkeypox monitoring
Elvira Kadyrova Since the start of the current global outbreak of monkeypox, the majority (84%) of confirmed cases of monkeypox have occurred in the WHO European Region, underscoring the need to support Member States and territories in this region to monitor and curb the spread of the virus. To this end, the WHO European Office decided to help meet the needs of 18 priority … [Read more...]
Cooperation of the Republic of Belarus with Turkmenistan and other states of the Central Asian region
Vyacheslav Beskosty, Ambassador of Belarus in Turkmenistan After the collapse of the Soviet Union, the Republic of Belarus managed to maintain friendly relations with all the post-Soviet republics of Central Asia without exception and, subsequently, build mutually beneficial cooperation on the basis of a common history, and restore old and establish new cooperative ties. An … [Read more...]
US Assistant Secretary of State went on a tour of three Central Asian countries – the first stop is Turkmenistan
This week, US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Donald Lu is visiting Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan (from 6 to 11 November). According to the State Department, the visit is aimed “to o reinforce the United States’ commitment to each country’s independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity and our shared goal of a prosperous, … [Read more...]
G7 stays committed to fostering cooperation with Central Asia
The situation in Central Asia became one of the agenda’s points during the G7 ministerial meeting, held in Münster (Germany) on 3-4 November 2022. “The countries in Central Asia are a pivot between Europe and Asia, and they are more and more important from a strategic point of view”, stressed EU High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell upon arrival at the meeting … [Read more...]
Uzbekistan may start exporting John Deere agricultural machinery to Turkmenistan
Uzbekistan's largest automaker UzAuto and John Deere Walldorf GmbH & Co. KG – the daughter of a global manufacturer of agricultural machinery – inked a cooperation agreement. The signing ceremony took place on 31 October in Waldorf, Germany. The deal makes Uzbekistan not only John Deere's sole partner in Central Asia for the production of this brand's agricultural … [Read more...]
Central Asian-European Relations: A Retrospective of the Issue
"Amir Temur with Ambassadors" by Malik Nabiyev (1994) Azer Adygezalov, Leading Researcher at the International Institute of Central Asia In the history of mankind there are many examples of historical, cultural, humanitarian, trade, economic and ethno-political interaction between European and Asian civilizations. The Great Silk Road, which in antiquity and the Middle Ages … [Read more...]
Astana hosted the First EU-Central Asia Summit
On Thursday, 27 October, Astana hosted the first EU-Central Asia summit. The President of the European Council Charles Michel and the leaders of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan took part in its work. Turkmenistan was represented by Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan, in charge of economic and financial issues Hojamurat … [Read more...]
Top diplomats from Korea and Central Asian countries held the 15th Cooperation Forum
Highlights Korea and the five Central Asian countries confirm the importance partnership and strengthening cooperation Ashgabat to host the next Korea-Central Asia Cooperation Forum. Turkmenistan supports the solidarity of the Central Asian countries and Korea in matters of peace and security Meeting of Turkmen and Korean FMs Busan and Turkmenbashi may become … [Read more...]
European Union and Central Asia will discuss the possibilities of digital, transport and energy connectivity in Samarkand
On 18 November 2022, Samarkand will host EU-Central Asia Connectivity Conference: Global Gateway. As part of global efforts to “build back better” following the COVID-19 pandemic, and in order to help mitigate the socio-economic impact of the new geopolitical context, the EU and the countries of Central Asia are working together to support Central Asian countries’ drive to … [Read more...]
First Summit of the Central Asian countries and Russia held in Astana
nCa Report On 14 October 2022, Astana hosted the first summit with the participation of the leaders of Russia and Central Asian countries. The meeting, initiated by Moscow, coincided with the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Russia and the five Central Asian states. The agenda of the summit included such issues as ensuring common trade … [Read more...]
Central Asia and Korea are preparing for a cooperation forum
On Wednesday, 12 October, deputy foreign ministers of South Korea and Central Asian countries met online. The meeting was a preparatory event for the 15th session of the Cooperation Forum of Korea, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, which will be held on 25-26 October 2022 at the level of foreign ministers in Busan. During the meeting, … [Read more...]
Turkmen leader to attend Central Asia–Russia Summit
The Central Asia–Russia Summit will be held in Astana on 14 October 2022. "During the summit, the Presidents of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Russia will discuss prospects for further cooperation in the six-party format," the Kazakhstan Foreign Ministry said. The summit is expected to adopt a joint statement, which will envisage topical … [Read more...]
Iran and Central Asian countries adopted a joint statement on transport cooperation
The first meeting on transport and transit cooperation between Iran and five Central Asian countries wrapped up in Tehran on Sunday, 9 Oct. During the two-day event, the heads of the transport authorities of Iran, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, considered the possibilities of expanding transit cooperation. Deputy transport minister of … [Read more...]