Tariq Saeedi With some understanding of the blockchain technology and P2P networking, let’s now look at the digital currency of China, and the hybrid digital currency of Facebook, both of which may debut in 2020. The full impact of these developments on Central Asia would only be clear when we also take into account the 5G technology that is just around the corner, and … [Read more...]
Digital Currencies and Central Asia – Part 2
Tariq Saeedi As to how does the blockchain technology work, here is an example from the useful guide published by Blockgeeks: “The traditional way of sharing documents with collaboration is to send a Microsoft Word document to another recipient and ask them to make revisions to it. The problem with that scenario is that you need to wait until receiving a return copy before … [Read more...]
Kyrgyz Yurt in Paris: UNESCO presents the nomad heritage of Central Asia
Elvira Kadyrova Kyrgyz yurt has been installed at the headquarters of UNESCO in Paris. The presentation of the Yurt has been held on the sidelines of the 40th session of the UNESCO General conference, underway these days in the capital of France. Participants and guests of the event, including dozens of heads of delegations of Canada, China, Malaysia, Cambodia, Kuwait, … [Read more...]
Digital Currencies and Central Asia – Part 1
Tariq Saeedi This is second call for boarding: China may launch the digital version of its currency, renminbi, within the next few months Facebook is planning to launch in 2020 its own ‘stablecoin’, which will be called Libra Russia has enacted laws to define and encourage cryptocurency and smart contracts Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan are studying, and watching … [Read more...]
Development of the tourism industry in Central Asia deserves attention of the international community
Elvira Kadyrova The crystal waters of Issyk-Kul lake in Kyrgyzstan, majestic mosques and madrasahs of Khiva, Bukhara and Samarkand in Uzbekistan, healing wells in the mausoleum of Ukash-Ata in Kazakhstan’s Turkestan, scenic mountain trails in the Tajik Pamir, refreshing boat trips in Caspian Avaza resort and mysterious ruins of the Merv, Nisa, Kunya-Urgench in … [Read more...]
Kazakhstan hosts the Ministerial Forum “Central Asia-Republic of Korea”
Elvira Kadyrova On 16 October 2019, Nur-Sultan hosted the 12th session of the forum "Central Asia – Republic of Korea" The forum was attended by the foreign ministers of Kazakhstan Mukhtar Tleuberdi, Republic of Korea - Kang Kyung-wha, Kyrgyzstan - Chingiz Aidarbekov, Tajikistan - Sirojiddin Mukhriddin and Uzbekistan - Abdulaziz Kamilov. Turkmenistan was … [Read more...]
CIS and other regional structures – time to consolidate gains
Tariq Saeedi The CIS heads of state summit, held in Ashgabat on 11 October 2019, has added to the economic and other opportunities available to Central Asia. At a briefing on 12 October 2019 for diplomats and journalists on the outcome of the CIS Summit, the DPM and foreign minister of Turkmenistan, Rashid Meredov, rightly pointed out that a vast array of opportunities had … [Read more...]
CIS foreign ministers meet in Ashgabat
Ashgabat hosts the final events under Turkmenistan's chairmanship in the CIS Elvira Kadyrova and Raviliya Kadyrova On 10 October 2019 the Council of ministers of foreign affairs of the Commonwealth met in Ashgabat. The gathering was attended by the foreign ministers of Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Armenia, the … [Read more...]
Halal Food Industry and Central Asia
Tariq Saeedi The Islamic economic ecosystem, of which the halal food industry is a part, derives guidelines from the religious sources but it is basically a matter of lifestyle choices and fairness. Some sectors of this economic ecosystem, such as the Islamic finance, are becoming popular globally. Central Asia, a region with predominantly Muslim population, is a … [Read more...]
Central Asia under spotlight of discussions at the UN Security Council
Elvira Kadyrova Last week, the UN Security Council hosted debate on the contribution of the Collective Security Treaty Organization, Commonwealth of Independent States and Shanghai Cooperation Organization in countering terrorist threats. The meeting, chaired by Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov, was attended by foreign ministers of a number of members of these … [Read more...]
Pompeo offers new areas of cooperation with Central Asia
Elvira Kadyrova On 22 September, a regular ministerial meeting of Central Asia+USA (C5+1) was held in New York. The gathering was attended by the U.S. Secretary of State Michael Pompeo, foreign minister of Kazakhstan, Mukhtar Tleuberdi, foreign minister of Kyrgyzstan, Chingiz Aidarbekov, foreign minister of Tajikistan, Sirodjidin Mohiddin, foreign minister of Uzbekistan, … [Read more...]
Volatile oil futures in 2020 – whither Central Asia
nCa Commentary It is as if the analysts are taking out vastly differing rabbits from one big hat as far as the predictions about the oil prices next year are concerned. The Central Bank of Russia issued its updated macroeconomic forecasts on 9 September 2019 in which it does not rule out the oil prices falling to USD 25 per barrel in 2020 in risk scenario. Natasha Turak, … [Read more...]
Нестабильные нефтяные фьючерсы в 2020 году – каковы перспективы для Центральной Азии
Комментарий nCa Попытки аналитиков предсказать цены на нефть в следующем году больше похожи на вынимание из одной большой шляпы сильно отличающихся кроликов. Центральный Банк России опубликовал обновленные макроэкономические прогнозы от 9 сентября 2019 года, в которых в рисковом сценарии не исключается падение цен на нефть до $ 25 за баррель в 2020 году. Наташа Турак в … [Read more...]
Foreign Minister of Kazakhstan and head of UNRCCA discussed issues of preventive diplomacy in Central Asia
Kazakhstan fully supports the activities of the UN Regional center for preventive diplomacy, Kazakh foreign minister Beibut Atamkulov said on Wednesday. The statement came during the meeting with the head of the Ashgabat-based UN Regional center for preventive diplomacy for Central Asia (UNRCCA), Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Central Asia Natalia … [Read more...]
UAE embassy in Ashgabat hosts countdown event to Expo-2020
Abdul-Aziz Al-Hashimi, the Chargé d'affaires ai of the UAE hosted a presentation on Monday to mark the 413-days countdown to EXPO 2020, which will start in Dubai on 20 October 2020. The participants included the government officials led by Murat Muradov, the head of the coordination department of the ministry of trade and foreign economic relations, the representatives … [Read more...]
Kazakhstan hosted a meeting of foreign ministers of Central Asian countries + USA
Elvira Kadyrova The chief foreign policy makers of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and USA gathered in Nur-Sultan on 21 August 2019 for the next round of the high-level meeting in format "C5+1". The meeting was attended by: Minister of foreign affairs of Kazakhstan, Beybut Atamkulov Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers, minister … [Read more...]
Preservation of historical heritage of Central Asia and Russia discussed in Kazan
Elvira Kadyrova The Institute of Central Asian studies, one of the research arms of the Kazan Federal University, hosted on 26-28 July a scientific forum on the problems of preserving the historical and cultural heritage of Central Asia and Russia. According to the press service of the Institute, during the forum titled “Humanitarian security in the present-day world: … [Read more...]
Brinkmanship in Middle East may backfire with consequences for Central Asia
Tariq Saeedi The currently escalating round of brinkmanship in the Middle East is potentially more devastating than anything seen during the Cold War era. The fluctuating numbers of players, their varying thresholds of restraint, and their clashing perceptions of national interests have contributed to the creation of unquantifiable trigger points. This is irresponsible … [Read more...]
Балансирование на грани войны на Ближнем Востоке может иметь последствия для Центральной Азии
Тарик Саиди В настоящее время эскалация конфликта на Ближнем Востоке потенциально более разрушительна, чем что-либо происходившее в эпоху Холодной войны. Колеблющееся число игроков, их различные пороги сдержанности и их противоречивое восприятие национальных интересов способствовали созданию не поддающихся количественной оценке опасных провоцирующих моментов. Это … [Read more...]
In today’s world, we need a stronger partnership between the European Union and Central Asia
Federica Mogherini, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy & Vice-President of the European Commission, and Neven Mimica, European Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development In our highly interconnected world of today, where closer regional and inter-regional cooperation is essential for peace and prosperity, Europe and Central Asia … [Read more...]
Нам необходимо более крепкое партнерство – ЕС о сотрудничестве со странами Центральной Азии
ФедерикаМогерини, верховный представитель ЕС по иностранным делам и политике безопасности и вице-президент Европейской комиссии, и Невен Мимика, Европейский Комиссар по международному сотрудничеству и развитию В сегодняшнем крайне взаимосвязанном мире, где более тесное региональное и межрегиональное сотрудничество являются необходимой составляющей для мира и процветания, … [Read more...]
Economic integration: a driving force for sustainable development
Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana Leading thinkers from the world over gather at the Astana Economic Forum this week. Their focus is on the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and how it should shape long-term economic growth and social development strategies in Kazakhstan and central Asia. As international best practice and practical solutions are considered, … [Read more...]
UNECE and FAO debut first ever report on forest reserves in Central Asia and Caucasus
Elvira Kadyrova Cumulative forests and other wooded lands of the eight countries of the Caucasus and Central Asia cover more than 30 million ha, which is the size of Italy. Forests in the Caucasus occupy less than 15 per cent of the territory, and in Central Asia less than 10 per cent. The “State of Forests of the Caucasus and Central Asia” report, launched on 7 May by … [Read more...]
Emperor Naruhito of Japan – Very special relevance to Central Asia
nCa Commentary Emperor Naruhito ascended the Chrysanthemum Throne of Japan on 1 May 2019. His father, the Emperor Emeritus Akihito abdicated a day earlier. After ascending the throne, Emperor Naruhito made a short speech, promising to stay the course set by his father: “I have hereby succeeded to the Throne pursuant to the Constitution of Japan and the Special … [Read more...]
Central Asian countries discussed cooperation to combat drug trafficking
Elvira Kadyrova On 3 May 2019, Tashkent hosted 11thministerial meeting of the States Parties to the Memorandum of Understanding on Sub-regional drug control cooperation in Central Asia. The following key speakers attended the gathering: Sergey Lavrov, minister of foreign affairs of the Russian Federation Sirozhiddin Muhriddin, minister of foreign affairs of … [Read more...]
Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan offer new opportunities to unlock the economic potential of Central Asia
Elvira Kadyrova In mid-April, during the official visit of the President of Kazakhstan to Tashkent, the authorized agencies of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan signed a Memorandum on the establishment of the International center for trade and economic cooperation "Central Asia". The head of the Department for international cooperation of the Ministry of national economy of … [Read more...]
Experts met in Kazan to discuss development aspects of Central Asia
Elvira Kadyrova On 26 April, the Institute of International Relations of Kazan Federal University hosted a round table on "Geopolitics, economics and security in Central Asia", reported KFU’s student TV station Univer TV. The meeting on priority issues of development of Central Asian-Russian cooperation was organized by the Institute for Central Asian … [Read more...]
Central Asia and BRI could open opportunities for ‘combining efforts’ between Russia and China
Elvira Kadyrova Ambassador of Russia to China has called for more close integration between Chinese Belt and Road Initiative and main economic and security blocks in Central Asia, such as SCO and Russia-led Eurasian Economic Union. China’s engagement in Central Asia was mainly economic. Rather than a threat, Russia regards Beijing as a force to boost regional economies, … [Read more...]
Regional cooperation on shared water resources in Central Asia
On the eve of the upcoming summit of the leaders of the countries of Central Asia in Tashkent, it is possible to say with confidence what will be one of the main topics of the meeting. The heads of the five Asian states need to find a joint solution to the problems of using transboundary rivers. For the first time, the leaders of the countries of Central Asia spoke about the … [Read more...]
ADB forecasts moderate growth in Central Asia in near-term outlook
Elvira Kadyrova The growth in Central Asian will decelerate in 2019 after pick up in 2018, according to Asian Development Outlook-2019, ADB’s flagship report. Average growth in the sub-region [comprising Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan] rose from 4.2% in 2017 to 4.4% last year is projected to slow down … [Read more...]
‘Water Diplomacy’ highlighted in telephone conversation between presidents of Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan
nCa Commentary The presidents of Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan had a telephone conversation on Tuesday (26 February 2019). They discussed the preparations for the summit meeting of the Central Asian heads of state that will take place in Tashkent on 12 April 2019. In their conversation, President Berdymuhamedov and President Mirziyoyev focused on ‘water diplomacy,’ an area … [Read more...]
Integration in Central Asia and rivalry of the super powers
Elvira Kadyrova The current political and economic developments in the Central Asian region, the region's place in world geopolitics is increasingly becoming the subject of discussion by analysts and political scientists, both in the region and far beyond. Releases devoted to the polemic around the Central Asian affairs often appear in the media and on the websites of … [Read more...]
Интеграция в Центральной Азии и экономическая конкуренция великих держав
Кадырова Эльвира Нынешнее политическое и экономическое развитие региона Центральной Азии, место региона в мировой геополитике все чаще становится предметом дискуссий аналитиков и политологов, как в регионе, так и за его пределами. В СМИ и на сайтах аналитических структур все чаще появляются релизы, посвященные какой-либо дискуссии в отношении Центральноазиатской … [Read more...]
Trump finally delivers his state of the union address, and there are implications for Central Asia
Tariq Saeedi He is the master of sound bites and he delivered plenty of them. The state of the union address by President Trump, delayed by about three weeks from the traditional time frame, was full of phrases designed to touch his voters and adversaries alike. He has been confrontational all along and yet his speech conveyed the tone of reconciliation. He has been … [Read more...]
Трамп наконец выступил с обращением о состоянии страны и Центральной Азии есть на что обратить внимание
Тарик Саиди Он мастер громких фраз, и их в его выступлении было много. Обращение президента Трампа о состоянии страны, отложенное примерно на три недели от традиционной даты, было переполнено изречениями, нацеленных на сердца не только его избирателей, но и противников. Речь в целом носила конфронтационный тон, но в ней слышались и нотки примирения. На каждом шагу в … [Read more...]
Центральная Азия: транспорт в топ-повестке
Эльвира Кадырова Название региона Центральной Азии в контексте подключаемости в Евразии говорит само за себя. От качества транспортных сообщений на территории пяти центральноазиатских стран, зависит и то насколько быстрее и качественнее будут работать торговые, экономические связи между Азией и Европой, а в конечном итоге связанность Центральной Азии с востоком и западом … [Read more...]
Central Asia: transport in the top agenda
Elvira Kadyrova The name of the Central Asian region in the context of connectivity in Eurasia speaks for itself. The pace and better operationalization of trade and economic ties between Asia and Europe depend on the quality of transport links between the five Central Asian nations. And, ultimately, the connection of Central Asia with the East and the West will be one of … [Read more...]
Kazakhstan stimulates economic growth, integration in Central Asia
The International Monetary Fund has published a new forecast for the growth of the world economy and individual geographic regions. Central Asia on the general background looks more than promising. The optimism of the experts of the Fund regarding the Central Asian region is largely due to a change in the mood of investors and large market players. Central Asia, finally, … [Read more...]
Trump-Putin Meeting and Central Asia
Tariq Saeedi When Trump met Putin in Helsinki on 16 July 2018, he had already insulted Germany, chided NATO, criticized the British PM, and disrespected Her Majesty the Queen Elizabeth II in a short space of time. It is possible to hate Trump; in fact it is very easy to hate him, but the man must be given the credit for being the sole author of his own narrative. ------- He … [Read more...]
Встреча Трампа с Путиным и Центральная Азия
Тарик Саиди Во время пребывания в Хельсинки для переговоров с Путиным 16 июля, Трамп успел в короткий промежуток времениоскорбить Германию, упрекнуть НАТО, раскритиковать премьер-министра Великобритании и неуважительно отнестись к Ее Величеству Королеве Елизавете II. Можно ненавидеть Трампа; на самом деле очень легко ненавидеть его, но человеку нужно отдать должное за то, … [Read more...]
Cooperation in Central Asia – Silk Road visa and other issues
An analogue of the Schengen visa, only between the countries of Central Asia can appear in the near future. Such a proposal was voiced by the Kazakhstan senator, the chairman of the Committee on Foreign Relations, Defense and Security D.Nazarbayev. According to her, such a Silk-visa will attract tourists from the far abroad to the Central Asian region. The quotation of the … [Read more...]
Anti-terror conference held in Dushanbe in May 2018
nCa Report The embassy of Tajikistan in Ashgabat hosted Wednesday (6 June 2018) a briefing for the diplomatic community and the media. Ambassador Farrukh Homiddin Sharifzoda, who conducted the briefing, dealt with the two main issues: International conference on water, which will be held later this month in Dushanbe – we have covered this in a separate report already … [Read more...]
Майская антитеррористическая конференция в Душанбе
Доклад nСa Посольство Таджикистана в Ашхабаде провело в среду (6 июня 2018 года) брифинг для дипломатического сообщества и СМИ. Посол ФаррухХомиддинШарифзода, который проводил брифинг, затронул два основных вопроса: Международная конференция высокого уровня по международному десятилетию действий «Вода для устойчивого развития, 2018-2028 годы». Итоги … [Read more...]
Fighting inequality in Asia and the Pacific
Dr. Shamshad Akhtar Inequality is increasing in Asia and the Pacific. Our region’s remarkable economic success story belies a widening gap between rich and poor. A gap that’s trapping people in poverty and, if not tackled urgently, could thwart our ambition to achieve sustainable development. This is the central challenge heads of state and government will be considering this … [Read more...]
Trump withdraws from Iran Nuclear Deal – Probable side effects for Central Asia
Tariq Saeedi President Trump announced Tuesday (8 May 2018) that he was pulling out of the Iran Nuclear Deal. This would potentially bring several consequences to the doors of Central Asia, some positive, some negative. There are four elements to this mix: 1. Rationale of Trump for ditching the Iran deal; 2. Response of US allies and deal partners; 3. Iran’s reaction; and … [Read more...]
Turkmenistan-Uzbekistan Summit Meeting – The Beginning of Regional Concord – Part 1
Tariq Saeedi The visit of President Berdymuhamedov to Uzbekistan, 23-24 April 2018, marks the start of a new era of regional harmony in Central Asia. The media has picked the announcement of Uzbekistan to participate in TAPI as the lead news, and it certainly is, because TAPI is not just a gas pipeline; it is a complete corridor. Nevertheless, the concept that will … [Read more...]
Central Asia: Shared Water Resources
This question is regularly asked around the world: Some experts believe that without introducing purely economic and trade relations to the use and distribution of water resources, in particular, it is a question of transboundary rivers, it is difficult to manage, given the specifics of interstate relations and the priority of national interests in such a difficult … [Read more...]
Центральная Азия: общие водные ресурсы
Этим вопросом регулярно задаются во всем мире. Некоторые эксперты полагают, что без привнесения чисто экономических, торговых отношений в область использования и распределения водных ресурсов, речь идет, в частности, о трансграничных реках, обойтись сложно, учитывая специфику межгосударственных связей и приоритет национальных интересов в столь непростом вопросе. У каждой из … [Read more...]
Central Asia – Caucasus: 2018 – The Year of Opportunity for France
Gilles Remy, CEO of CIFAL Group, Vice-President of the Eurasian Commission of Foreign Trade Advisers, Chairman of the French-Turkmen Chamber of Commerce Ashgabat, the 5th Asian Games in closed premises and in martial arts, September 2017. 2017 was a year of economic recovery for Central Asia and Caucasus. Following a sluggish phase, growth has resumed, driven by a rise … [Read more...]
This red line dares us to step back
Tariq Saeedi The warm blood spurting from her freshly self-stabbed body has poured onto our closed eyes, our numb conscience, and our overstuffed egos. Her blood has drawn a red line but this red line is not in front of us; it is behind us. Her blood is daring us – do we have the courage and wisdom to step back and ponder? Diana Bestuzheva was just 17. She was mature … [Read more...]