Elvira Kadyrova A joint statement has been signed following the online meeting of foreign ministers of the Central Asia and Russia held on 15 October 2020. Its text is published on the website of the Russian foreign ministry. According to the document, the parties identified several strategically important areas in which Russia and five regional countries – Kazakhstan, … [Read more...]
Third meeting of heads of foreign affairs agencies of Central Asian states and Russian Federation
Today, on October 15, 2020, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan R. Meredov took part in the third meeting of Foreign Ministers in the “Central Asia + Russia” format. The meeting was also attended by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan M. Tleuberdi, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic R. Kazakbayev, Minister of Foreign Affairs … [Read more...]
USAID enhances support for ICT-Startups in Central Asia
The US Agency for International Development (USAID) announced the launch of a new initiative, “Central Asia: Region Full of Opportunities”. The initiative will mainly focus on increasing the competitiveness of local information-communication-technology (ICT) firms of regional countries in the global market by establishing a lively ICT ecosystem, attracting funding for … [Read more...]
USAID launches new water program for Central Asia
Elvira Kadyrova The US Agency for International Development (USAID) will roll out a new five year-program for Central Asia titled “Regional Water and Vulnerable Environment” with a total cost of US $24.5 million. The main purpose of the program is strengthening regional cooperation on shared water resources and addressing current and emerging environmental challenges in the … [Read more...]
USAID launches new Central Asian program targeted at improving regional power sector
The US Agency for International Development (USAID) has announced the launch of a new 5-year regional energy program “Power Central Asia”, said US Embassy to Kazakhstan. The budget of the project is US $38.9 million. It will help five countries—Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan—to meet their national energy priorities, reap economic benefits … [Read more...]
EU-funded Programme on Border Management in Central Asia holds Final Conference of 9th Phase
Ashgabat, 15 September 2020 The 9th phase of the EU-funded Programme on Border Management in Central Asia (BOMCA) held its closing event to summarise the achievements from over the five years of its implementation. The Regional Steering Group meeting and the Final Conference, held online, gathered over 100 high-level representatives of the BOMCA implementing Consortium, … [Read more...]
Uzbekistan to hold online conference on the pandemic impact on Central Asia
Elvira Kadyrova The Parliament and the University of world economy and diplomacy of Uzbekistan (UWED) will hold on 16-17 September 2020 an online International conference “Impact of the pandemic on Central Asia: Initial Lessons, Coronacrisis and Perspectives for transformation". According to UWED press release, the virtual forum, which will bring together the academic … [Read more...]
Central Asian countries adapted the school educational process to the pandemic realities
Elvira Kadyrova Young people and children make up almost half of the total population of the Central Asian region. It is obvious, that almost all over the world the Covid-19 impact on the education sector was no less devastating than on the health care system and other sectors of the economy. Thus, according to the World Bank, economic losses in Central Asia as a result of the … [Read more...]
Uzbekistan: Central Asian countries preparing a regional document on good-neighborhood and cooperation
The Central Asian countries are jointly designing five-sided interstate document on friendship, good-neighborliness and cooperation for the development of Central Asia in the twenty-first century. The statement came from Uzbek foreign minister Abdulaziz Kamilov in an interview with the local newspaper “Pravda Vostoka”. The agreement was initiated by the first President of … [Read more...]
Kazakhstan shares experience in preventing gender-based violence with Central Asian countries
On 17-18 August 2020, Central Asian technical meeting was held in Turkestan, Kazakhstan, to discuss national experience in strengthening the mechanisms of interagency response to gender-based violence, reported UNFPA - Kazakhstan. The event was attended by civil servants, civil sector, development partners and international organizations from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, … [Read more...]
IUCN: Action for snow leopards
Even though naturally perfectly equipped to roam the steep mountains of Central Asia, the snow leopard is facing extinction. Around 7,500 individuals live in the wild, according to the most recent estimates. There is a strong commitment of conservationists to prevent the extinction of the solitary ‘ghost of the mountains’ in Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan and Tajikistan, recently … [Read more...]
ADB: Five Things to Know – Trends in Road and Railway Trade Efficiency in Central Asia
Samarkand city railway station. Photo: Relisa Granovskaya/ADB The efficient trade of goods across international borders is key to economic growth and poverty alleviation. This is particularly important in largely landlocked Central Asia where road and rail represent the two dominant modes of transporting goods across the region. Using data from shipments collected over … [Read more...]
Statement of foreign minister of Japan at “Central Asia plus Japan” Dialogue
On August 11, 2020, the Foreign Ministers’ Special Video Conference of the “Central Asia plus Japan” Dialogue was held, attended by H.E. Mr. MOTEGI Toshimitsu, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan (Chairperson); H.E. Mr. Mukhtar Tileuberdi, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan; H.E. Mr. Chingiz Aidarbekov, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kyrgyz … [Read more...]
СОСТОЯЛОСЬ ЗАСЕДАНИЕ ГЛАВ МИД ДИАЛОГА «ЦЕНТРАЛЬНАЯ АЗИЯ+ЯПОНИЯ»
11 августа 2020 года в формате видеоконференции состоялось совещание министров иностранных дел Диалога «Центральная Азия+Япония». На встрече, которая прошла под эгидой МИД Японии, приняли участие главы внешнеполитических ведомств пяти центральноазиатских стран. В рамках конструктивной беседы высокопоставленные дипломаты обсудили региональное сотрудничество, а также … [Read more...]
MEETING OF MINISTERS OF FOREIGNERS OF CENTRAL ASIA + JAPAN DIALOGUE
On August 11, 2020, a meeting of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Central Asia + Japan Dialogue was held by videoconference. The meeting, which was held under the auspices of the Japanese Foreign Ministry, was attended by the heads of the foreign affairs agencies of five Central Asian countries. As part of a constructive conversation, high-ranking diplomats … [Read more...]
Trade between Afghanistan and Uzbekistan is growing despite the pandemic-caused global downturn
Elvira Kadyrova Despite the negative impact of the coronavirus pandemic on international trade, the bilateral trade between Uzbekistan and Afghanistan increased by 24 % year-on-year in the H1 of 2020. The positive dynamics of growth in neighbors’ trade was announced during a videoconference between the government delegations of Afghanistan and Uzbekistan, held on 8 August … [Read more...]
‘Central Asia plus Japan’ Foreign Ministers to meet through videolink on 11 August 2020
The foreign ministers of ‘Central Asia plus Japan’ dialogue will meet through the video link on 11 August 2020. MOTEGI Toshimitsu, the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan will chair the meeting. The agenda will focus on the regional cooperation in Central Asia and the cooperation of Central Asian countries with Japan under the worldwide spread of Covid-19. Central … [Read more...]
A New Chapter in a New Era
Sun Weidong, Ambassador of China in Turkmenistan On July 16, 2020, the first meeting of the “China - Central Asia” ministerial meeting was held in the format of a video conference. The meeting was attended by Member of the State Council, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the PRC Wang Yi, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan M.B. Tleuberdi, Minister of … [Read more...]
Joint statement of ministers of foreign affairs – Central Asia-China conference in video format
On July 16, 2020 Member of the State Council, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China Wang Yi, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan M.B. Tleuberdi, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic Ch.A. Aidarbekov, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Tajikistan S. Mukhriddin, Vice- Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign … [Read more...]
First China + Central Asia FM meeting led to multi-point consensus
Elvira Kadyrova The first foreign ministers’ meeting China+ Central Asia has confirmed strong consensus of attending countries on a number of partnership areas and agreed to turn the six-sided talks into regular platform. “The participants had an in-depth exchange of views on four topics: strengthening cooperation against COVID-19, promoting economic recovery, maintaining … [Read more...]
ADB’s financial support to alleviate the Covid-19 economic shock for small businesses and most vulnerable segments in two Central Asian countries
Elvira Kadyrova Women manage or own 42% and 40% of SMEs in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, correspondingly. The Asian Development Bank has approved a $ 1 billion assistance package for Kazakhstan and US $ 500 million loan for Uzbekistan. The funds are intended to mitigate the social and economic impact and COVID-19 caused burden on the health sector. At the same time, targeted … [Read more...]
The western media stranded in the Pre-Covid past
Tariq Saeedi “The past is a foreign country; they do things differently there.” --- This is the opening sentence of ‘The Go-Between,’ a novel by L.P. Hartley. Covid-19 has drawn a bold line between the past and the present. It is not deletable. The mainstream western media, unfortunately, has not been able to reconcile with this fact. It is still stranded in the … [Read more...]
ADB expects deceleration in Central Asian economies amid continued Covid-19 crisis
Elvira Kadyrova ADB has published the supplement to its annual flagman economic report titled “Asian Development Outlook 2020 Supplement: Lockdown, Loosening, and Asia’s Growth Prospects”. The last Asian Development Outlook 2020 was released early April. So far, the number of COVID-19 cases worldwide has grown from less than 1 million to over 7 million. The developing Asia … [Read more...]
Over the year, Kazakhstan demonstrated its own model of evolutionary succession of power
2019 was a period of a new historical stage for Kazakhstan. For the first time in domestic political practice, a transition of power was carried out - a key and responsible issue on the national agenda. The final moment was the presidential election, following which Kassym-Zhomart Tokayev won the mandate of public trust. Thus, he became not just a legitimate Head of State, but … [Read more...]
Washington and Tashkent to take up the revival of Afghanistan – more questions than answers
Elvira Kadyrova The United States, Uzbekistan and Afghanistan last week held a video conference, inaugurating the new trilateral format of cooperation. The teleconference linked Uzbek foreign minister Abdulaziz Kamilov, US Under Secretary of State for political affairs David Hale and acting Afghan foreign minister Haneef Atmar. The agenda included issues of peaceful … [Read more...]
Uzbekistan to start first-ever local production of breathing units
Elvira Kadyrova In May this year, Uzbekistan will launch the first-ever in Central Asia production of artificial lung ventilation (ventilator) devices. The statement came from the country’s ministry of innovation. The ministry is engaged in transferring technologies for the production of artificial lung ventilation and anaesthetic breathing units with the Slovakian company … [Read more...]
Presidents of Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Kazakhstan vow joint efforts to deal with Covid-19
Elvira Kadyrova President Shavkat Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan had separate telephone talks with President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov of Turkmenistan and President of Kazakhstan Kasym Zhomart Tokayev of Kazakhstan on 18 March, Wednesday. Along with regional policy issues and mutual congratulations on the upcoming Novruz holiday, the spread of coronavirus took an important place … [Read more...]
Coronavirus reshapes the hydrocarbon market
Elvira Kadyrova The coronavirus continues its march around the world at a fast pace, destabilizing the already unstable global economy and hitting its most "volatile" spot – the hydrocarbon market. The entire transport systems are being paralyzed, currencies are collapsing. Delicately backed up OPEC+ commitments on oil production cut have been crashed like a house of … [Read more...]
Taliban and Central Asia – Part 2
Tariq Saeedi Even though the shadows over the prospects for peace in Afghanistan are darkening by the day, there is great hope from all sides that the US-Taliban peace deal will reach its intended objective. If and when the peace prevails in Afghanistan, Taliban are more than likely to be an important part of the governing mix. Through their policy statements the Taliban … [Read more...]
Taliban and Central Asia – Part 1
Tariq Saeedi The ink on the peace agreement signed between the USA and the Taliban on 29 February 2020 in Doha had barely dried when the disruptive noises started emerging to defeat the likelihood of peace in Afghanistan. We all know who doesn’t want peace, and why, but for now there is the need to look at the officially declared policies of the Taliban. This is important … [Read more...]
Spiritual bonds of the Great Silk Road
Rashid Alimov, PhD, former ambassador of Tajikistan to China (2005-2015) and former SCO Secretary General (2016-2018) In Dushanbe, the capital of the Republic of Tajikistan, a robot guide meets the visitors at the cultural Tajik-Chinese exchange center. Slowly, but with knowledge of the matter, in one of the three languages (Tajik, Chinese and Russian), he narrates on the … [Read more...]
American policies creating new stress points – Neutrality is the only viable option Central Asia
Tariq Saeedi Central Asia is simultaneously blessed and cursed by its geography. Except for the soviet period, Central Asia has traditionally seen endless streams of people and cargo moving in all directions. The transit potential has been a dependable source of its prosperity. The region is at the heart of the Eurasian landmass. --- The location is central, and it is a … [Read more...]
Central Asian Desert Initiative (CADI) – Conservation and Sustainable Use of Turkmenistan Deserts
Shirin Karryyeva, Project Manager CADI in Turkmenistan In 2019, the regional project of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environmental Protection of Turkmenistan and the Michael Zukkov Foundation (Germany) launched the Central Asian Desert Initiative (CADI) - Conservation and Sustainable Use of Turkmenistan Deserts. The project is funded by the German Federal Ministry for … [Read more...]
US Strategy for Central Asia – A cart without horse
Tariq Saeedi They are trying to bring in a cart and they hope to use someone else’s horse. --- This is the simple, short, and correct description of the newly unveiled US Strategy for Central Asia for the period 2019-2025. This reminds us of a short fable of Mulla Nasrudin, the great Central Asian wit, whose biting sarcasm is legendary: While Nasrudin was staying in … [Read more...]
Kazan Federal University to study the problems of psychological adaptation of students from Central Asia
Elvira Kadyrova The Department of pedagogical psychology at the Kazan Federal University (KFU) will launch a study on the psychological adaptation of foreign students from Central Asian countries, the Tatarstan news agency "Tatar-inform" reports. Students from five Central Asian countries - Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan - account for … [Read more...]
India-Central Asia Business Council inaugurated – Indian FM called on businesses to play greater role in economic rapprochement with Central Asia
Elvira Kadyrova The inauguration meeting of the India-Central Asia Business Council took place in New Delhi on 6 February, Thursday. The event has been dated to the India-Central Asia Business Forum and organized by the Indian Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry jointly with the foreign ministry. The forum was attended President of FICCI Ms. Sangita … [Read more...]
Finland as role model for Central Asia – Part 4
Tariq Saeedi The success of Finland is a fascinating subject for scholars. It is a country with limited range of natural resources and small population. It has literally had to reinvent itself after the WWII. It is distant from any of the lucrative markets. It has a mammoth neighbor right next door whose presence has forced Finland to invent its own brand of neutrality – … [Read more...]
Tajikistan builds first tunnel for the Central Asia-China gas pipeline Line D
Elvira Kadyrova Tajikistan is completing the construction of the first tunnel on the route of the Line D under the Turkmenistan-China transnational gas pipeline. The tunnel is located on the territory of the Rudaki district in the east of the country. Totally, 42 mountain tunnels with a length of 63.3 km will be built along the 391-kilometer pipeline. According to deputy … [Read more...]
The EU and Central Asia: new opportunities to work together for a green future
Josep Borell Fontelles, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/ Vice-President of the European Commission (HR/VP) On 28 January 2020, friends from Central Asia, Afghanistan and the European Union will gather in Berlin for a conference organised by the German Foreign Ministry, entitled “Green Central Asia”. I was glad to accept the invitation and join … [Read more...]
Wuhan Virus – Central Asia should take standard precautions
nCa Report The Wuhan virus has infected hundreds of people in China and some cases have been identified in other countries including Thailand, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and the USA. The WHO experts are evaluating the risks. However, there is no need for panic in Central Asia. Some standard precautions, similar to the ones taken during the outbreak of previous such … [Read more...]
Finland as role model for Central Asia – Part 3
Tariq Saeedi If you have not heard of Solein, you will – possibly as early as next year. Solein is a protein powder, similar in form and taste to the wheat flour. It has been developed by the Finnish company Solar Foods, based on concept from NASA. It will be commercially launched in 2021. The company hopes to start producing some two million meals annually with … [Read more...]
Finland as role model for Central Asia – Part 2
Tariq Saeedi The Finns are living in the post-gender-equality era. They are where most other countries aspire to be. Since the Parliament Act of 1906, the women and men in Finland have exercised the equal right to vote and to stand for elections for any office. Within a year of the passage of this Act, 19 female MPs in Finland made it to the parliament. Ms. Miina … [Read more...]
Finland as role model for Central Asia – Part 1
Tariq Saeedi It is a country that can literally pull protein out of thin air and has the world’s youngest prime minister. It is also the happiest country in the world. --- Finland, by all means, is a role model for Central Asia. * * * The 2019 World Happiness Report confirmed yet again that Finland is the happiest country in the world. There is something with these … [Read more...]
Museum in Great Britain prepare to return artifacts from other nations – Central Asia must send teams to identify their treasures
nCa Short Report The new guidelines are being developed by the Arts Council England that may require its members to consider returning the artifacts belonging to other nations or face fines. The Council has already asked its 828 members to follow the diversity procedures with the purpose to encourage a more proactive and coordinated approach across the museum sector in … [Read more...]
A new city in Senegal will run on cryptocurrency. This is interesting experiment for Central Asia.
nCa Short Report The Senegalese-American singer Akon has signed an agreement with the government of Senegal to build a new city. The city will be called Akon City and its economy will be based entirely on cryptocurrency named Akoin. Akon has already made preparations for the launch of his cryptocurrency, Akoin. The details of the city are not available but it is … [Read more...]
Human Development Report 2019 – Timely reminder for Central Asia
Tariq Saeedi The UNDP Turkmenistan arranged a briefing for the media, civil society, and UN system agencies on 9 December 2019 to unveil the global Human Development Report (HDR) 2019. A significant feature of the HDR 2019 is that in addition to HDI (Human Development Index) it provides the IHDI (Inequality-Adjusted Human Development Index) for the depth perception. This is … [Read more...]
Summit of the heads of Central Asian states in Tashkent initiates comprehensive regional integration
Elvira Kadyrova On 29 November 2019, the second Consultative meeting of the heads of Central Asian States was held in Tashkent. The summit was attended by: President Shavkat Mirziyoyevof Uzbekistan First President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev President Sooronbay Jeenbekov of Kyrgyzstan President Emomali Rahmonof Tajikistan President Gurbanguly … [Read more...]
Digital Currencies and Central Asia – Part 6
Tariq Saeedi Digital currency is a flag planted on a solid area of the digital economy. Hence, the development of the digital currency is determined by the extent and demand of the digital economy. Every country in Central Asia has its own plans about the digital economy. Turkmenistan has prepared the Digital Economy Strategy for the period 2019-2025. It is a roadmap for … [Read more...]
Digital Currencies and Central Asia – Part 4
Tariq Saeedi The blockchain technology and the P2P networking are already an important part of our life and economy. However, their full potential will only unpack when 5G technology becomes affordable and easily available. We are entering an uncharted territory where Internet of Things (IoT) and Internet of Skills (IoA) would the way we work, live our lives, and interact … [Read more...]
Iran situation – some words for Iran, some for the west, and a few for Central Asia – Part 1
Tariq Saeedi The gasoline prices in Iran were jacked up by 50% recently. This led to riots that caused damage to the public and private property, and a number of casualties occurred when the authorities dealt with the rioters with a heavy hand. The riots have subsided though they may smolder for a while. President Rouhani of Iran announced on Wednesday (20 November) that … [Read more...]