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...]
Digital Currencies and Central Asia – Part 3
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...]