On 10 April 2026, Seoul hosted the first Senior Officials' Meeting (SOM) of Vice Foreign Ministers from Central Asian countries and the Republic of Korea, chaired by Korean Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Chung Eui-hae. The agenda focused on preparations for the first "Republic of Korea – Central Asia Summit," scheduled to take place in September 2026. Heads of Central … [Read more...]
Kabul Hosts Inaugural Afghanistan–Central Asia Consultative Dialogue: Aiming for $10 Billion in Trade
The first meeting of the Afghanistan–Central Asia Consultative Dialogue was held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Afghanistan in Kabul on 5 April 2026. Chaired by Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, the session gathered senior representatives from Central Asian nations to strengthen political dialogue and diplomatic coordination, explore new opportunities for cooperation, … [Read more...]
OTS Meeting in Baku: Turkmenistan Outlines Key Priorities for Partnership Across the Turkic World
On 2 April 2026, Baku hosted the second meeting of heads of government and vice presidents of the member states of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS). The meeting brought together high-level representatives, including: According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan, participants discussed pressing issues regarding the expansion of multilateral … [Read more...]
“The Turkic World is Our Family”: President of Azerbaijan Meets with OTS Heads of Government in Baku
On 2 April 2026, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev held a meeting with the heads of government and delegations of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS). The high-level gathering included Vice President of the Republic of Türkiye Cevdet Yılmaz, Prime Minister of Uzbekistan Abdulla Aripov, Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Olzhas Bektenov, Chairman of the Cabinet of … [Read more...]
Peace Initiatives and Neutrality: Turkmenistan Presents Strategy at the Central Asia – EU Interparliamentary Forum in Samarkand
On 30-31 March 2026, the first Central Asia – European Union Interparliamentary Cooperation Forum took place in Samarkand. The event served as a dialogue platform for the systematic development of parliamentary diplomacy and the expansion of practical cooperation between the region and Europe. At the opening ceremony, Sodik Safoev, First Deputy Chairman of the Senate … [Read more...]
Astana Prepares to Host April Summit of IFAS Founding Heads of State
On 30 March, a meeting of the Board of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea (IFAS) was held in Astana, chaired by the Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Kanat Bozumbayev. The event served as a key milestone in the preparations for the meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Fund's founding members, scheduled for 22 April 2026 in the Kazakh … [Read more...]
Tashkent hosts Agro-Forum in Central Asia – Italy – Azerbaijan Format
An international business forum titled "Innovations, Regenerative Agriculture, Export, and Digitalization for Sustainable Agro-Ecosystems" is taking place in Tashkent on 23–24 March 2026, featuring participation from Italy, Central Asian countries, and Azerbaijan. On the first day of the forum, high-level delegates from Italy, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, … [Read more...]
Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Turkmenistan Showcase Cultural Heritage at Minsk International Book Fair
The 33rd Minsk International Book Fair featured special cultural presentations by Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Turkmenistan, as reported by the BELTA news agency. Denis Ezersky, Belarus's Deputy Minister of Information, noted that these presentations are designed to foster a deeper understanding of the diverse cultures and traditions within the region. Guests at the event … [Read more...]
Seoul starts preparations for the inaugural summit with Central Asia
On 16 March 2026, a launching ceremony for the establishment of a Preparatory Office was held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea. The Office will coordinate preparations for the first “Central Asia - Republic of Korea” Summit, scheduled to take place in Seoul on 16-17 September 2026. The event brought together heads and staff of diplomatic … [Read more...]
Nearly 30 new projects to protect cultural heritage launched by the European Union and ALIPH in Central Asia
The European Union and ALIPH have launched 29 cultural heritage projects across Central Asia to safeguard endangered tangible and intangible heritage from the impact of climate change, following a highly successful Call for Projects that elicited 233 applications. © ALIPH, 2026 The European Union and ALIPH have launched 29 cultural heritage projects across … [Read more...]
A New Social Contract: Kazakhstan’s Vision for a Just and Modern Era
nCa Commentary On 15 March 2026, Kazakhstan reached a historic milestone as citizens participated in a nationwide referendum to endorse a new Constitution. This transformative event, characterized by a preliminary voter turnout of 73.24%, signifies a powerful mandate for change and a new social contract between the state and its people. With 9,126,850 citizens casting … [Read more...]
Closing Ceremony Marks Successful Completion of the Training for Young Diplomats of Central Asia
Ashgabat, Turkmenistan — 13 March 2026:The United Nations Resident Coordinator’s Office in Turkmenistan, together with the Government of Turkmenistan and with support from the Governments of Italy and the United Kingdom, concluded today the SecondTraining for Young Diplomats of Central Asia — a five-day capacity building programme aimed at strengthening the skills, knowledge, … [Read more...]
Turkmenistan Facilitates Evacuation of Foreign Nationals from Iran
Amid the current regional situation, Turkmenistan has opened its borders to ensure the safe transit of foreign citizens leaving Iranian territory. Diplomatic missions from Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, and South Korea, with the active cooperation of Turkmen authorities, have organized a large-scale operation to repatriate their citizens. Reopening of Border … [Read more...]
Kazakhstan Foreign Minister Holds Phone Talks with Central Asian Colleagues – Thanks Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan for Evacuation Assistance
On 2 March 2026, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan, Ermek Kosherbaev, held a series of telephone conversations with his counterparts from Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan, the ministers engaged in a detailed exchange of views regarding the unfolding military and political … [Read more...]
Kazakhstan Strengthens Its Tourism Presence in Belgium
Derya Soysal On 27 February 2026, the Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan in the Kingdom of Belgium hosted a high‑level presentation of Kazakhstan’s tourism potential in Brussels. The event brought together more than twenty Belgian travel companies, representatives of major tourism stakeholders, and Kazakh tour operators who travelled from Almaty, reflecting the growing … [Read more...]
Central Asian Nations Respond to Middle East Escalation; Turkmenistan Opens Sarakhs Border Crossing for Evacuations of Foreign Citizens
Ashgabat, Tashkent, Astana, Bishkek, Dushanbe, 2 March 2026 — The states of Central Asia have issued official statements regarding the sharp escalation of tensions in the Middle East. The situation, triggered by U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran and subsequent Iranian retaliatory attacks on American military bases in Arab nations, has drawn a unified regional … [Read more...]
Turkmenistan Delegation Explored International Standards for Gender-Based Violence Response in Emergencies
From February 25 to 27, 2026, a regional workshop on responding to Gender-Based Violence in Emergencies (GBViE) was held in Astana, Republic of Kazakhstan. The event, organized by UNFPA with the support of the UK Government, was attended by representatives of relevant ministries and departments of Turkmenistan. The delegation included specialists from the Ministries of Defense, … [Read more...]
London and Central Asia: Launch of the CA5+UK Format Ushers in a New Era of Strategic Partnership
On 26 February 2026, London hosted the meeting of the Foreign Ministers of Central Asian countries and the United Kingdom in the CA5+UK format. The meeting was attended by: This marks the first time since the Central Asian nations gained independence in 1991 that the Foreign Ministers of the region and the United Kingdom have convened in such a format. During the … [Read more...]
UNDP Launches Regional Project to Tackle Marine Litter and Plastic Pollution in the Caspian Sea
Ashgabat, 26 February 2026: The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in partnership with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the Secretariat of the Framework (Tehran) Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Caspian Sea, and the Ministry of Environmental Protection of Turkmenistan, held an inception seminar to mark the launch of the … [Read more...]
The Development Model of UAE and its Replicable Components for Central Asia
Tariq Saeedi The United Arab Emirates (UAE) was formally established on December 2, 1971, as a federation of seven emirates—Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Fujairah, and Ras Al Khaimah (which joined in 1972)—following the end of British protection. In its early years, the UAE was a resource-scarce desert nation reliant almost entirely on hydrocarbon … [Read more...]
Turkmenistan Delegation Studies Kazakhstan’s Experience in Interdepartmental Cooperation for Family Protection
From February 9 to 13, 2026, a Turkmen delegation consisting of representatives from the Mejlis, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Institute of State, Law, and Democracy, the "Keyik Okara" public organization, and UNFPA, conducted a working visit to the Turkistan region of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The primary goal of the visit was to study the country’s experience in … [Read more...]
Turkmenistan participates in the meeting of the Foreign Ministers of Germany – Central Asia
On 11 February 2026, in Berlin, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan Akhmet Gurbanov took part in a meeting between the Federal Minister of Foreign Affairs of Germany and the heads of foreign ministries of Central Asian countries. The main topics of the talks were the development of cooperation in the energy sector, issues of regional partnership and others, … [Read more...]
Berlin Hosts Historic Central Asia-Germany Ministerial Meeting, Elevates Strategic Partnership
nCa Report Germany solidified its commitment to Central Asia on Wednesday, hosting the first-ever ministerial-level meeting in the C5+1 (Z5+1) format with all five Central Asian nations, marking a significant step in the deepening "Strategic Regional Partnership" between the regions. The high-level diplomatic gathering brought together Foreign Minister Johann … [Read more...]
Central Asia’s Strategic Pivot: Navigating Between Giants While Building From Within
Tariq Saeedi The five republics of Central Asia—Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Turkmenistan—are experiencing a quiet but significant transformation. Three decades after independence, these countries are no longer merely buffer states caught between larger powers. They're actively crafting foreign policies that maximize their autonomy while pursuing … [Read more...]
Kazakhstan and Pakistan Establish Strategic Partnership
President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev paid a state visit to Pakistan. On 4 February 2026, summit talks took place in Islamabad between Tokayev and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. This marks the first visit by Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to Pakistan as President. Furthermore, the visit carries symbolic significance as it coincided with the 34th anniversary of the establishment … [Read more...]
Top 5 Mega-Projects in Central Asia with Asian Capital – EDB Data
Central Asia receives nearly 57% of all Asian investments, totaling US $68 billion. The key recipients are Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan. This was stated in the Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) report titled "The Eurasian Region and Partner Countries in Asia: Analysis of Investment Flows Based on EDB Mutual Investment Monitoring." According to the report, the … [Read more...]
Kazakhstan Assumes Chairmanship of the Central Asian Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone
Kazakhstan has assumed the chairmanship for 2026 within the framework of the Treaty on a Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone in Central Asia (CANWFZ), according to the country's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The chairmanship functions were officially handed over to Kazakhstan during a consultative meeting of the CANWFZ member states. In addition, the parties discussed joint efforts … [Read more...]
EBRD invests almost US$ 2 billion in Central Asia and Mongolia in 2025
Anton Usov In 2025 the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) invested almost US$2 billion (€1.72 billion) through 120 projects in Central Asia and Mongolia. This represents one of the Bank’s strongest operational results in the region for more than a decade. Uzbekistan was the leading recipient of EBRD funding in 2025 for the sixth year running (over … [Read more...]
World Bank Launches REMIT: $1 Billion for a Central Asia’s first-ever regional electricity market
The World Bank has approved the Regional Electricity Market Interconnectivity and Trade (REMIT) Program for Central Asia. The program aims to establish the region's first regional electricity market, enhancing energy security and affordability, expanding transmission capacity, and laying the foundation for large-scale integration of renewable energy sources into the power … [Read more...]
Russia and Central Asian Countries to Establish a Joint Energy Working Group
Russia and five Central Asian states—Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan—have agreed to establish a specialized working group on energy at the level of deputy ministers. This was announced following consultations held in the “Central Asia–Russia” format at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation. The new working group will … [Read more...]
“Central Asia – Russia” Format Consultations Held in Moscow
On 22 January 2026, high-level consultations in the "Central Asia – Russia" format were held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation. The meeting focused on the implementation of the Joint Action Plan for Central Asia and Russia for 2025–2027. The head of the Turkmen delegation, Ambassador of Turkmenistan E. Aydogdyev, noted in his remarks the importance … [Read more...]
From the Caspian to the Persian Gulf: Kazakhstan and Iran Advance Logistics Projects
Elvira Kadyrova Astana and Tehran are intensifying efforts to strengthen transport and logistics links, positioning Iran as a key gateway for Kazakhstan. In a recent meeting, Kazakhstan’s Ambassador to Iran Ontalap Onalbayev discussed expanding bilateral connectivity with Iran's Minister of Roads and Urban Development Farzaneh Sadegh. According to Kazakhstan's Foreign … [Read more...]
The Turkish Embassy in Turkmenistan Celebrates World Turkic Language Family Day: From the Samarkand Declaration to Real rapprochement
Elvira Kadyrova On 21 January 2026, an event dedicated to the recently established World Turkic Language Family Day took place at the Cultural Center of the Embassy of Türkiye in Turkmenistan, Ashgabat. The event became one of the first major commemorations in the Turkic world following the historic decision of UNESCO’s General Conference in Samarkand in November 2025, … [Read more...]
Kazakhstan’s New Constitutional Model: Unicameral Parliament, Vice Presidency, and the Creation of a People’s Council
As part of a large-scale political modernization effort, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has proposed a series of fundamental reforms that effectively signal a transition to a new constitutional model. The President emphasized that these changes are designed to strengthen statehood and establish a resilient system defined as: "Strong President – Influential Parliament – … [Read more...]
Kazakhstan Bets on Coal, Gas, and Hydropower to Bolster Energy Independence
President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev outlined a strategic shift in the nation’s energy policy, prioritizing traditional power sources—coal, natural gas, and hydropower—to ensure immediate energy self-sufficiency. The President emphasized that Kazakhstan should actively commission new generating capacities now, rather than waiting for the completion of planned nuclear power … [Read more...]
GDP Per Capita Hits $15,000: Kazakhstan Sets Record for Central Asia
President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev hailed a landmark year for the Kazakhstan economy during the 5th meeting of the National Kurultai on 20 January 2026. Addressing the assembly, the Head of State revealed that the nation’s GDP per capita has reached an unprecedented $15,000, setting a new record for both the country and the Central Asian region. The President attributed these … [Read more...]
Tokayev: Saving the Aral Sea Remains a Global Priority
President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev underscored the critical state of the Aral Sea during his address at the 5th meeting of the National Kurultai, calling the environmental recovery of the region a task for all of humanity. Speaking in the region most directly impacted by the ecological disaster, the President highlighted the necessity of proactive "water diplomacy" and enhanced … [Read more...]
AI with a Turkic Character: Kazakh Startup Cybernet AI Launches First Major Speech Recognition Model for Turkic Languages
The Kazakhstan-based startup Cybernet AI has unveiled the largest Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) model specifically designed for Turkic languages, according to the Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development of the Republic of Kazakhstan. This project marks a milestone as the first large-scale AI development of its kind to emerge from Central Asia. Unlike … [Read more...]
Historic Milestone: China-Central Asia Trade Turnover Surpasses $100 Billion for the First Time
In 2025, economic and trade cooperation between China and Central Asian nations reached a qualitatively new level, hitting a historic milestone. According to official data from the Ministry of Commerce of the PRC, reported by Xinhua News Agency, the total trade turnover between China and the region amounted to $106.3 billion, a 12% increase over the previous year. This … [Read more...]
Middle Corridor Transformation: Global Experts to Help Caspian and Black Sea Ports Go Green Under OSCE Project
RINA, a global consulting engineering, inspection and certification group, and HPC Hamburg Port Consulting (HPC), a leading consultancy for ports, terminals and hinterland logistics with a strong track record in sustainable digitalisation and intermodal rail operations, have been awarded a five-year contract for Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) … [Read more...]
Nearly 7,000 foreign visitors chose Kazakhstan for the New Year holidays
Derya Soysal Nearly 7,000 foreign visitors chose #Kazakhstan for the New Year holidays (Dec 30–Jan 4), with Almaty and Astana topping the list. Almaty: A Must-See Destination in the Heart of Central Asia According to the eQonaq system, from 30 December to 4 January, 6,924 foreign tourists arrived in Kazakhstan. The largest cities welcomed the most guests: The … [Read more...]
Economies of Central Asia Show Robust Growth Amid Slowdown in CIS – UN Report
Most countries in the Caucasus and Central Asia maintain strong economic growth momentum, despite an overall slowdown in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) and Georgia region. These findings are presented in the new UN report "World Economic Situation and Prospects 2026." According to the report, following 4.6 per cent growth in 2024, the region’s GDP is … [Read more...]
Astana hosted the 3rd General Assembly of the Union of Turkic Chambers of Commerce and Industry
On January 8, 2026, Astana hosted the 3rd General Assembly of the Union of Turkic Chambers of Commerce and Industry (TCCI). The event gathered leaders from national chambers of commerce and industry, government officials, and business representatives from across the Turkic world. Established in 2019 with its permanent secretariat in Istanbul, the TCCI serves as an … [Read more...]
Building a clean and beautiful world by pursuing green and low-carbon development
CGTN podcast In the summer of 2025, high temperatures swept across many countries in the Northern Hemisphere, with extreme heat occurring in Europe, North America, and parts of Asia. Experts predict that as global warming continues, extreme high-temperature events are expected to become more common, more intense, and last longer in many regions. In April 2025, UN … [Read more...]
Have No Desire to Act as a Mediator in International Disputes, Tokayev’s quiet diplomacy
President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev does not aspire to the role of mediator in international disputes. He made this clear in an interview with the newspaper ‘Turkistan’, while summing up Kazakhstan's foreign policy achievements in 2025. "I have no desire whatsoever to act as a mediator in international disputes, nor do I have any ambition to return to work at the … [Read more...]
From Uranium Mining to Nuclear Power Generation: Kazakhstan Corrects a “Historical Absurdity”
The development of nuclear energy is a strategic necessity and a matter of prestige for Kazakhstan. This follows from the interview of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev with the newspaper "Turkistan". Tokayev stressed that "without reliable energy generation, Kazakhstan will not be able to transition to a new technological model of the economy. Supercomputers, data centers, … [Read more...]
Tokayev: Kazakhstan is Actively Developing Key Transit Corridors of Eurasia
President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, in an interview with the newspaper "Turkistan", spoke in detail about the strategic importance of the country's transit and logistics potential and its participation in international transport projects. Answering a question about priorities in the field of transit and logistics, the head of state emphasized that for landlocked … [Read more...]
EDB: China’s FDI stock in Central Asia has increased over ten years to US $35.9 billion
The Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) has released its second report under the flagship Monitoring of Mutual Investments project. The paper focuses on China, the Eurasian region’s leading investment partner in 2025, and shows that Chinese investment in the region continues to grow steadily despite the global decline in FDI flows. Over the past ten years, this investment has … [Read more...]
Russia’s pivot toward Asia includes increased gas supplies to Central Asia
As reported by 24.kg, Gazprom’s supplies to Central Asia will more than double within five years, with the company seeking to redirect volumes previously destined for the European market. According to information from EADaily, which cites data from Gazprombank’s Center for Economic Forecasting via Vedomosti, supplies are estimated at 19-20 billion cubic meters. Open.kg … [Read more...]
The Central Asia Plus Format: A Platform for Partnership, Not Political Realignment
Tariq Saeedi The Central Asia Plus (CA+) format has emerged as one of the most dynamic diplomatic frameworks in recent years. What began as a modest initiative has blossomed into a diverse constellation of partnerships, with countries and regional blocs eager to engage with the five Central Asian republics—Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and … [Read more...]