Elvira Kadyrova The main threat to the security of Central Asia is not the Taliban, but ISIS, which has been intensified in Afghanistan, warns Russia, being engaged in countering such threats. “It is important not to lose sight of Afghanistan, where ISIS is concentrating its forces. They are doing so using the way too drawn-out process of preparation for the actual peace … [Read more...]
Great Britain and Germany allied on key foreign policy priorities, including on Central Asia
Elvira Kadyrova On 30 June 2021, the foreign ministers of the Great Britain and Germany signed a Joint Declaration on Cooperation on foreign and security policy cooperation. The document, which became the first bilateral agreement of this kind between the UK and Germany, came on the eve of Chancellor Merkel's visit to the Kingdom. The introduction and first part of the … [Read more...]
Central Asian countries join the initiative on vaccine cooperation under the Belt and Road partnership
Elvira Kadyrova The Central Asian countries Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan and 24 other countries of the Middle East and Asia-Pacific region have agreed to develop cooperation and partnership in the field of COVID-19 vaccines within the framework of the flagship Chinese initiative of Belt and Road. The official launch of the initiative took … [Read more...]
Whom Russia is ready to take as companions for solving Afghan puzzle
Elvira Kadyrova Russia strongly supports the settlement of the Afghan situation with the involvement of regional international organizations such as SCO, the CSTO, and the countries bordering Afghanistan. The statement came from Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu during his remarks at the Moscow Conference on International Security on Wednesday, 23 June. "It is … [Read more...]
Finnish Senior Diplomat appointed EU Special Representative for Central Asia
Elvira Kadyrova The Council of the European Union has appointed Ambassador Terhi Hakala from Finland to serve as the EU Special Representative (EUSR) for Central Asia. She will assume her post on 1 July 2021. Ms. Hakala is a career diplomat with rich experience in the EU's Eastern neighborhood and Central Asia. She served in various diplomatic missions, including at … [Read more...]
Central Asian countries to create a single higher education area
Elvira Kadyrova Central Asian countries will create a single area in the field of higher education. The Kazakhstan initiated idea was welcomed at the forum of ministers of education of the Central Asian countries, the Ministry of Education and Science of Kazakhstan reports. The event, held in a hybrid format by Kazakhstan on 18 June 2021, gathered the ministers of education … [Read more...]
As to why Ebrahim Raisi won presidential elections in Iran and what can be expected during his tenure
Tariq Saeedi Who helped Ebrahim Raisi win the presidential elections in Iran? --- Donald Trump! This is a purposely ridiculous statement because there is more to it than meets the eye. Look at the timeline: 14 July 2015 – the USA, Iran and other nations announce the nuclear deal. Iran agrees to limit its uranium enrichment and allow the international inspectors into the … [Read more...]
Google Earthquake Alerts System to be introduced for Central Asia
Elvira Kadyrova Last year, Google has started a mission to build the world's largest earthquake alert network, based on technology built into Android devices. This summer, the earthquake warning system will reach users in Turkmenistan, Turkey, the Philippines, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. The feature is free. And it works thanks to the … [Read more...]
Hugger-mugger in USA’s Afghanistan agenda and Central Asia
Elvira Kadyrova After two-decades long bloody war, the United States has realized finally that there is no military solution to the Afghan mess, and today the Biden administration is engaged in extensive discussions with partners in Central Asia and beyond the region on future policy in Afghanistan --- This is the juice squeezed out of the materials of press-briefing with the … [Read more...]
Outcomes of SPIEF 2021 – Areas of direct relevance for Central Asia – Part Two
nCa Report In addition to the plenary session, there were several panel discussions at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF). The theme of one of them was: Energy Sector Transformations Here is the summary of the session, prepared by the forum organizers: KEY CONCLUSIONS There is a demand among the global population for alternative energy … [Read more...]
Outcomes of SPIEF 2021 – Areas of direct relevance for Central Asia – Part One
nCa Report The St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) is an annual event, being held since 1997. It was initially a platform to discuss development, business and economy within the Russian Federation and CIS but the scope has gradually expanded to make it an occasion of global importance. Since 2006, it has been held under the auspices of President Putin, … [Read more...]
CAREC Institute: How to increase COVID-19 vaccination trust in Central and West Asia
Elvira Kadyrova Since the WHO's declaring Covid-19 pandemic, more than 1.6 billion doses of vaccine has been administered worldwide. The data give hope that the collective immunity developed as a result of immunization will stop the terrible virus. However, according to a CAREC Institute research survey conducted in Georgia, Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Mongolia, … [Read more...]
Central Asian Conference in Tatarstan – Russia stays committed to long-term and strategic partnership in Central Asia
Elvira Kadyrova The conference of the Valdai International Discussion Club titled "Russia and Central Asia facing the challenges of the new World - a joint path to the future" opened Thursday (20 May) in Kazan. The two-day forum is attended by more than 60 experts from 16 countries, including Russia, Afghanistan, Belarus, Great Britain, Hungary, Germany, Iran, Kazakhstan, … [Read more...]
Consolidated and predictable Central Asia becomes more attractive in economic and investment terms
Akramjon Nematov and Lobar Umarova Central Asia has undergone a radical transformation in recent years. The positive trends observed in the region have affected almost all spheres - from political and economic to cultural and humanitarian. The formation of a new political climate in Central Asia is evidenced by the increased contacts between heads of state, the growth of trade … [Read more...]
Iran creates free trade zone on border with Turkmenistan
Elvira Kadyrova The Iranian Expediency Council has okayed the creation of a free trade and industrial zone in Incheh-Borun in Golestan province on the border with Turkmenistan, Iranian media reported. Incheh-Boron is one of the key points along the Kazakhstan-Turkmenistan-Iran rail corridor (north-south). Hadi Haghshenas, the governor of Golestan, confirmed the news and … [Read more...]
Uzbek president visits Turkmenistan
nCa News and Commentary President Shavkat Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan visited Turkmenistan on Thursday, 29 April 2021. It was essentially a personal visit to show solidarity and support for the president and the people of Turkmenistan as the country is in bereavement on the sad demise of the father of the Turkmen president, Myalikguly Berdimuhamedov. The primary nature … [Read more...]
Kazakhstan inaugurtaes giant tourist complex
Elvira Kadyrova Last week, the largest multifunctional tourist complex in Central Asia “Keruen-Sarai”, opened in Turkestan, Kazakhstan. The investment project was implemented by the company "Turkistan Tourism City". The construction of the complex has been carried out for more than a year. The area of the complex is 20.5 hectares in the buffer zone of the Azret-Sultan … [Read more...]
Uzbekistan to build the largest wind power plant in Central Asia
Elvira Kadyrova Last week, the Ministry of Energy of Uzbekistan and the Masdar Company (UAE) signed an agreement to increase the design capacity of the ongoing project on wind power plants in Uzbekistan to 1.5 GW. According to the country’s minister of energy Alisher Sultanov, the wind farm will be the largest facility of its kind in the Central Asian region. Moreover, this … [Read more...]
СОСТОЯЛАСЬ ВСТРЕЧА СОТРУДНИЧЕСТВА «ЦЕНТРАЛЬНАЯ АЗИЯ + ИСЛАМСКАЯ РЕСПУБЛИКА АФГАНИСТАН + КИТАЙСКАЯ НАРОДНАЯ РЕСПУБЛИКА»
9 декабря 2020 года в формате видеоконференции состоялась встреча сотрудничества «Центральная Азия + Исламская Республика Афганистан + Китайская Народная Республика», в ходе которого с туркменской стороны принял участие заместитель министра иностранных дел Туркменистана В.Хаджиев. На встрече также приняли участие заместители министров иностранных дел стран Центральной Азии, … [Read more...]
A MEETING OF COOPERATION “CENTRAL ASIA + AFGHANISTAN + China” TOOK PLACE
On December 9, 2020, in the format of a video conference, a cooperation meeting "Central Asia + Islamic Republic of Afghanistan + People's Republic of China" was held, during which Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan V. Khadzhiev took part from the Turkmen side. The meeting was also attended by the Deputy Foreign Ministers of the countries of Central Asia, … [Read more...]
ДВИГАТЬСЯ ВПЕРЁД НА ОСНОВЕ ВСЕОБЩЕГО ПРАВА И ОТВЕТСТВЕННОСТИ
Интервью с Гурбаном Хоммадовым начальником научно-исследовательского отдел института Туркменсувылымтаслама кандидат технических наук; Этот год ознаменован для Туркменистана и всего мирового сообщества исторически важной датой – 25-летием статуса постоянного нейтралитета Туркменистана. Как показало время, наша модель нейтралитета стала весомым фактором для конструктивного … [Read more...]
Move Forward with Universal Right and Responsibility
Interview with Gurban Khommadov, head of the research department of the Turkmensuvylymtaslam Institute, candidate of technical sciences This year is marked for Turkmenistan and the entire world community with a historically important date - the 25th anniversary of the status of permanent neutrality of Turkmenistan. As time has shown, our model of neutrality has become a … [Read more...]
Министр иностранных дел Туркменистана выступил в ходе 13-го Форума сотрудничества «Центральная Азия-Корея»
25 ноября 2020 года состоялся 13-ый Форум сотрудничества «Центральная Азия-Корея», в ходе которого было заслушано видеообращение Министра иностранных дел Туркменистана Р.Мередова. В рамках Форума также выступили Министр иностранных дел Республики Казахстан М.Тлеуберди, Первый заместитель министра иностранных дел Кыргызской Республики Н.Ниязалиев, Министр иностранных дел … [Read more...]
The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan gave a speech at the 13th Central Asia-Korea Cooperation Forum
On November 25, 2020, the 13th Central Asia-Korea Cooperation Forum was held, during which the video statement of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan R.Meredov was heard. The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan M. Tleuberdi, the First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic N.Niyazaliev, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the … [Read more...]
Туркменистан выступает за сотрудничество по разрешению региональных и глобальных экологических проблем
В ходе своего выступления на 13-ом Форуме сотрудничества «Центральная Азия-Корея» в онлайн формате Министр иностранных дел Туркменистана изложил позицию Туркменистана по экологической тематике. Как известно экологическая безопасность является одним из ключевых векторов взаимодействия в рамках Форума сотрудничества «Центральная Азия-Корея». Туркменистан рассматривает … [Read more...]
Turkmenistan advocates cooperation in resolving regional and global environmental problems
During his speech at the 13th Central Asia-Korea Cooperation Forum in an online format, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan outlined the position of Turkmenistan on environmental issues. As is known, environmental safety is one of the key vectors of interaction within the framework of the Central Asia-Korea Cooperation Forum. Turkmenistan considers … [Read more...]
Turkmenistan took part in 16th ministerial meeting in the format “Central Asia – European Union”
On November 17, 2020, the 16th Ministerial Meeting in the "Central Asia - European Union" format was held with the participation of the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Vice President of the European Commission Josep Borell. The meeting was also attended by the European Commissioner for International Cooperation Jutta … [Read more...]
Russia and Central Asia agreed to forge cooperation in strategically important areas
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...]