On January 11, 2024, Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong held a group meeting with ambassadors of the five Central Asian countries to China. Sun Weidong said that the five Central Asian countries are China's close neighbors and comprehensive strategic partners. Over the past decade, President Xi Jinping has maintained close exchanges with heads of state of the Central Asian … [Read more...]
Greening the Aral Sea: Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan Lead the Way
Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, two Central Asian nations deeply affected by the Aral Sea's environmental tragedy, are spearheading remarkable efforts to green the vast, exposed seabed. Their determined strides in reforestation hold immense promise for mitigating the ecological disaster's negative impact on the region and beyond. Kazakhstan has set a target for 2024: sowing 275,000 … [Read more...]
Turkmenistan to reconstruct a customs post on the border with Kazakhstan
In January 2024, Turkmenistan will begin the reconstruction of the Garabogaz customs post on the border of Turkmenistan with Kazakhstan. The corresponding decree was signed by the President of Turkmenistan on 29 December 2023. The project is aimed at expanding the territory of the checkpoint, re-equipping and increasing its capacity. As part of the project, it is planned to … [Read more...]
Kazakhstan Seeks Access to Pakistani Seaports to Boost Trade
Kazakhstan is interested in gaining access to Pakistani seaports, such as Gwadar and Karachi, to promote exports to the markets of Pakistan and South Asia and to increase the attractiveness of the transit potential of the two countries in entering the markets of the Persian Gulf and East Africa. This was stated by the Minister of Trade and Integration of Kazakhstan Arman … [Read more...]
Kazakhstan Commissions Major Gas Field, Securing Domestic Energy Future
Friday, 22 December 2023, marked the historic commissioning of the Rozhkovskoye gas condensate field, a giant in western part of Kazakhstan that promises to forge regional development and strengthen domestic energy security through its immense hydrocarbon reserves. The field is being developed by a joint venture, which includes KazMunaiGas (50%), the Hungarian company MOL … [Read more...]
Russian Railways extend discounts on transportation on the eastern branch of the North-South corridor
The Board of Russian Railways has decided to extend for 2024 the previously introduced discounts for the transportation of a wide range of goods. In particular, 20% discounts are extended for export-import container shipments through Russian-Kazakhstan border crossings, provided that the cargo also passes through the Bolashak – Serkhetyaka border crossing between Kazakhstan … [Read more...]
EDB: mutual direct investments among Central Asian countries grow at 9.2% per year on average over the past seven years
The volume of foreign direct investment (FDI) in Central Asia is estimated at US$ 1.1 billion by the end of the H1 2023, marking a 1.8-fold increase from 2016. This is stated in the report of the Eurasian Development Bank "EDB Monitoring of Mutual Investments 2023". EDB analysts note that by mid-2023, the volume of FDI from Eurasian countries reached US$48.8 billion, … [Read more...]
Russia aims to strengthen partnership, alliance and good neighborliness with Central Asia
Russia sees its main task as pursuing a balanced policy aimed at strengthening partnership, alliance and good-neighborliness, and preserving its role as a key partner of the Central Asian states. The statement came from Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin during his remarks at parliament’s meeting devoted to the geopolitical importance of the Central Asian region … [Read more...]
Weaving a Brighter Future: Women Artisans of Central Asia Unveiled
The "Women Artisans of Central Asia: A Lookbook Journey," a new publication launched by USAID features the exceptional work of 50 women artisans from Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, each piece a testament to their vibrant cultural heritage and exquisite craftsmanship. The Lookbook offers a gateway to amazing variety of hand-woven … [Read more...]
Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan will continue to strengthen mutual understanding and expand cooperation in all fields, says President Serdar Berdimuhamedov
President Serdar Berdimuhamedov sent congratulations to President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on the occasion of the Independence Day of the Republic of Kazakhstan, celebrated annually on 16 December. "Kazakhstan has traditionally been a reliable friend and partner of Turkmenistan. Our cooperation continues to strengthen and develop thanks to regular high-level … [Read more...]
Central Asian Emergency Services Learn from German Climate Risk Management
Representatives of emergency services from across Central Asia recently embarked on a learning journey to Germany, gaining firsthand insights into the country's advanced approach to climate risk management, “Neutral Turkmenistan” newspaper reports. This tour, organized by the German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ) under the "Climate Risk Management in Central … [Read more...]
Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan Businessmen agreed to hold a bilateral business forum in 2024
In the first decade of December, a delegation from Kazakhstan successfully completed a four-day business mission to Turkmenistan. Organized by the Diplomatic Club "Astana" with the support of the Embassy of Turkmenistan to Kazakhstan, the mission aimed to strengthen economic ties between the two countries. The delegation members visited Ashgabat, Mary, Arkadag, Turkmenbashi, … [Read more...]
Kazakhstan Supports Turkmenistan’s Efforts to Strengthen Peace and Stability
Kazakhstan has expressed its strong support for Turkmenistan's efforts to strengthen peace and stability in the Central Asian region. During a meeting of the Group of Friends of Neutrality for Peace, Security and Sustainable Development, held in Ashgabat, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan, Alibek Bakayev, lauded Turkmenistan's positive neutrality as a key … [Read more...]
EBRD launches Youth in Business programme in Central Asia
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is addressing the issue of youth entrepreneurship and employment in Central Asia by launching a seven-year €200 million (US$ 218 million) Youth in Business programme. It is designed to provide better access to finance and relevant training to young entrepreneurs in the region, where up to one third of the population is … [Read more...]
Kazakhstan’s Cargo Carriers Divert Routes to Turkmenistan and Iran Amid EU Border Closures
Kazakhstan’s cargo carriers bound for Europe are reorienting their routes to Turkmenistan and Iran to ensure unhindered transit. This was announced by Vice Minister of Transport of Kazakhstan Satzhan Ablaliyev at a government meeting on Tuesday, 5 December 2023. Ablaliyev noted a positive trend in recent years, with Kazakhstani carriers increasing their share in the EU cargo … [Read more...]
Iranian Foreign Minister urges to step up work on defining baselines in the Caspian Sea
Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian called on his colleagues from the Caspian countries to step up work on defining baselines in the Caspian Sea for further delineation of internal waters. "The convention on the legal status of the Caspian Sea, signed in Kazakhstan, defines the rights, duties and general framework of cooperation between the five coastal countries … [Read more...]
Deepening cooperation between the Caspian littoral states is relevant in the context of forming a multipolar world order, says Lavrov
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov noted the huge potential for the development of the Caspian region in trade, economic, environmental, scientific, humanitarian, transport and transit spheres. "Deepening practical cooperation between the Caspian states is also relevant in a broader sense: in the context of forming a multipolar world order and strengthening the positions … [Read more...]
Kazakhstan supports the creation of an arms control mechanism in the Caspian basin
The need to create an arms control mechanism in the Caspian Sea basin was emphasized by Deputy Prime Minister - Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan Murat Nurtleu during a meeting of foreign ministers of the Caspian littoral states (Azerbaijan, Iran, Russia, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan) in Moscow, on 5 December 2023. "The Kazakhstan Foreign Minister also noted that … [Read more...]
Baku to host a meeting of the Caspian countries’ expert group on the organization of the Tehran Convention Secretariat
In a significant step towards establishing the Secretariat of the Secretariat of the Framework Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Caspian Sea (Tehran Convention), Baku will host the inaugural meeting of the ad hoc expert group tasked with organizing the Secretariat's activities. The meeting is scheduled to take place on 18-19 December … [Read more...]
Moscow hosted a Meeting of the Foreign Ministers of the Caspian countries, Joint Statement adopted
On 5 December 2023, a meeting of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Caspian littoral states took place in Moscow. The meeting was attended by: Azerbaijan - Minister of Foreign Affairs Jeyhun Bayramov Iran – Minister of Foreign Affairs Hossein Amir Abdollahian Kazakhstan - Minister of Foreign Affairs Murat Nurtleu Russia – Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergey … [Read more...]
Addressing Environmental Challenges Requires Collective Effort, Say Representatives of Foreign Ministries and Lawmakers from Central Asian countries
On 3 December 2023, the 10th meeting of representatives of the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Parliamentarians of Central Asian countries was held in Dubai (UAE) at the COP28 platform, Regional Environmental Center for Central Asia reports. The session's moderator and Center’s consultant, Ikrom Nazarov, outlined several tasks the countries have to solve. The first is … [Read more...]
The Central Asia Pavilion opens at COP28 in Dubai
On 1 December 2023, the grand opening of the Central Asia Pavilion at the 28th UNFCCC Conference of the Parties (COP28) took place in Dubai, the Regional Environmental Center for Central Asia (CAREC) reports. The pavilion launch ceremony was attended by representatives of the Central Asian countries, development partners and representatives of civil society. Representative of … [Read more...]
CAREC Award: Turkmenistan’s Women’s Union Recognized for Advancing Gender Equality
At a landmark event, the first prize of the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) program for promoting gender equality was awarded. Eleven organizations and individuals from ten CAREC member countries were recognized at an awards ceremony in Tbilisi, Georgia, on 29 November 2023, on the sidelines of the 22nd CAREC Ministerial Conference. The CAREC Award … [Read more...]
Tashkent hosted OSCE-organized conference to discuss regional security in a globalized world
The Academy of the Armed Forces of Uzbekistan in Tashkent hosted the V International scientific and theoretical conference on "The main trends in ensuring regional security in the context of globalization," as reported by the Ministry of Defense of Uzbekistan. The conference, organized in cooperation with the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), … [Read more...]
Why is COP 28 a landmark event for the future of Central Asian countries?
On 30 November 2023, the 28th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC COP28) started its work in the UAE, Dubai. At this global climate summit engaged almost all countries of the world, the states of Central Asia - Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan - will be presented as a single region … [Read more...]
Media Forum sums up the outcomes of the Ashgabat World Kurash Championship
On Wednesday, 29 November 2023, a media forum was held in Ashgabat to celebrate the successful culmination of the 14th World Kurash Championship. The event, which concluded the previous day, witnessed the participation of 181 athletes from 45 countries across four continents, all vying for top honors in 15 medal categories. The media forum was graced by the presence of … [Read more...]
Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan to Jointly Develop Corridor from China to Iran
Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan have agreed to jointly develop the China–Kazakhstan–Turkmenistan–Iran corridor. The agreement was reached during the first meeting of the Kazakh-Turkmen joint working group on the development of transport, transit, and logistics, held in Ashgabat on 26-27 November 2023. The meeting was co-chaired by Vice Minister of Transport of the Republic of … [Read more...]
One Health Framework for Action Set to Enhance the Quality of Health Care Services Across Central Asia
Government officials of Central Asia gathered today at World Bank hosted regional conference to endorse the Central Asia One Health Framework for Action- a regional cooperation program designed to enhance the quality and productivity of health, agriculture, and environment sectors across the region. The framework serves as a strategic plan and investment structure, requiring … [Read more...]
UNRCCA convened annual meeting with deputy foreign ministers of Central Asian states in Bishkek
The thirteenth annual Meeting of Deputy Foreign Ministers of the Central Asian states, convened by the United Nations Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia (UNRCCA), took place in Bishkek on 27-28 November. The meeting brought together the Deputy Foreign Ministers of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. Taking into consideration … [Read more...]
Kazakhstan launches new railway project, improving regional connectivity and boosting trade
On Monday, 27 November, Kazakhstan started construction of a new railway line that will connect the southernmost regions of Kazakhstan with the rest of the country and improve transport connectivity with neighboring Uzbekistan. The project is expected to be completed in 2025. The 152 km long Darbaza – Maktaaral railway line will allow to reorient cargo from the existing … [Read more...]
DARYA project – Central Asia and the EU sum up the progress in flagship project focused on youth and education
Education and Labour Deputy Ministers from Central Asia gathered for two-day meeting (23-24 Nov 2023) in Torino, Italy, for a high-level meeting of DARYA (Dialogue and Action for Resourceful Youth in Central Asia), the first European Union’s regional project supporting education, youth employment and inclusive skills development in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, … [Read more...]
Summit of the UN Special Program for the Economies of Central Asia in Azerbaijan – Outcomes
nCa Report On 24 November 2023, the Summit of Heads of State and Government of the participating countries of the UN Special Program for the Economies of Central Asia (SPECA) was held in Baku. The Summit was attended by President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov, President of Tajikistan Emomali … [Read more...]
Central Asian countries and Korea Launch Forum of Think Tanks
A roundtable of think tanks of Central Asian countries and the Republic of Korea was held in Seoul on 20 November 2023, the Foreign Ministry of Kazakhstan said in a press release. During the event, the participants discussed issues of cooperation within the framework of the Central Asia – Republic of Korea Cooperation Forum (CARK). Speaking at the event, Ambassador of … [Read more...]
Switzerland and Kazakhstan Collaborate on Water Projects for Central Asia
The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) is laying the groundwork for the second phase of the Blue Peace Central Asia (BPCA) regional program, a collaborative initiative aimed at fostering peace, stability, and sustainable development through water cooperation among Central Asian nations. The Blue Peace Initiative seeks to promote water cooperation across … [Read more...]
Lavrov met with ambassadors of Central Asian countries
On 17 November 2023, Foreign Minister of Russia Sergey Lavrov met with the ambassadors of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, accredited in Moscow, Russian foreign ministry reports. During the meeting, the sides evaluated Russia’s bilateral interaction with each Central Asian state, as well as within the framework of common international … [Read more...]
UNRCCA and EUSR Host The Central Asian Women Leaders’ Caucus Visit to European Union Institutions In Brussels
BRUSSELS, Belgium - On 13-15 November UNRCCA and the office of the European Union Special Representative for Central Asia (EUSR CA) jointly organized the visit of members of the Central Asian Women Leaders’ Caucus (CAWLC) and civil society representatives from Central Asia to the Institutions of European Union in Brussels. The visit was organized within the framework of the … [Read more...]
Central Asia – Republic of Korea: significance for Kazakhstan
Bauyrzhan Auken, Senior Expert of the Department of Asian Studies, Kazakhstan Institute for Strategic Studies On November 1, 2023, the 16th Session of Foreign Ministers of the Cooperation Forum “Central Asia – Republic of Korea” took place in Ashgabat. The session was dedicated to the theme “Collaboration through the realization of the enormous potential of youth in shaping a … [Read more...]
Ambassadors of Central Asian countries to Austria visited Graz, the second largest Austrian city
On 8-9 November 2023, at the initiative of the Ambassador of the Kyrgyz Republic to Austria Tolenda Makeev, the ambassadors of the Central Asian countries to Austria visited the capital of the Austrian Federal State of Styria (Steiermark) – the city of Graz, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kyrgyzstan reports. The visit was organized with the support of Stefan Düss, … [Read more...]
Kazakhstan-Russia summit talks reaffirm commitment to good neighborliness and alliance
On 9 November 2023, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev of Kazakhstan and President Vladimir Putin of Russia held summit talks in Astana. At the end of bilateral negotiations in narrow and expanded formats, the heads of state addressed a press-conference. The same days they participated online in the 19th Forum of Interregional Cooperation between the two countries. Putin's … [Read more...]
Казахстано-российские переговоры на высшем уровне в Астане подтвердили отношения добрососедства и сотрудничества между двумя странами
9 ноября 2023 года в Астане состоялись переговоры между Президентом Казахстана Касым-Жомарт Токаевым и Президентом России Владимиром Путиным. По завершении двусторонних переговоров в узком и расширенном составе главы государств выступили с совместным заявлением для представителей средств массовой информации. В этот же день лидеры двух стран приняли онлайн участие в 19-м … [Read more...]
IRU: Asia’s Quadrilateral Traffic in Transit Agreement now operational with TIR
Using TIR, the only global transit system, two National Logistics Cell (NLC) trucks departed from Lahore (Pakistan), crossing the world’s highest border crossings, Sust (Pakistan) and Khunjerab (China), before delivering goods to Almaty (Kazakhstan) via the Turgat border between China and Kyrgyzstan. This is the first TIR operation transiting China, making the Quadrilateral … [Read more...]
Tokayev: Relations between Kazakhstan and Russia have a rich past and a bright future
Interview of the President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to the Russian newspaper Izvestia Question: In the coming days, you will hold talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Recently, your personal meetings have been held regularly – on October 7 you came to Moscow, and on October 13 you participated in the work of the Council of Heads of CIS Member States in … [Read more...]
Putin: Kazakhstan-Russia partnership is of a particularly privileged nature and actively developing nowadays
Interview of President of Russia Vladimir Putin to Kazakhstanskaya Pravda newspaper. Question: Over 30 plus years Kazakhstan-Russia relations have reached a high level of strategic partnership and are developing dynamically. Thanks to what mechanisms and instruments could such results be achieved? What is being done to further promote the cooperation? Putin: Indeed, … [Read more...]
German Society for International Cooperation GIZ will launch a new stage of the trade facilitation project in Central Asia
The 10th regional meeting of the National Committees for Trade Facilitation of Central Asian countries started in Tashkent on 7 November, the Uzbek news portal Uzdaily.uz reports. The two-day meeting was organized by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH (German Society for International Cooperation) on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for … [Read more...]
China is among Top 5 Investors in Kazakhstan
China is now one of the top five investors in Kazakhstan, with cumulative investments of US$24 billion over the past 18 years. This was announced by Kazakh Prime Minister Alikhan Smailov at a meeting with Chinese Premier Li Qiang in Shanghai on 4 November 2023. Smailov said that Chinese investment in Kazakhstan increased by 30% in the first half of 2023, to nearly US$750 … [Read more...]
Kazakhstan Becomes Largest Transit Hub Between China and Europe
About 85% of all land transit traffic from China to Europe passes through Kazakhstan, Prime Minister Alikhan Smailov said at the official opening ceremony of the 6th China International Import Expo in Shanghai on 5 November 2023. Kazakhstan plays a strategic role as a regional transport and logistics hub, connecting the Eurasian continent with the Asia-Pacific region, … [Read more...]
Speech by the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov at the 10th Summit of the Organization of Turkic States
(Astana, November 3, 2023) Dear Heads of State! Dear participants of the Summit! First of all, I would like to express my deep gratitude to the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev for the invitation to participate in today's high-level meeting of the Organization of Turkic States, the conditions created for the high organization of the event and … [Read more...]
OTS under Kazakhstan’s Chairmanship Enters “TURKTIME”
nCa Report On 3 November 2023, the 10th Anniversary Summit of the Organization of Turkic States was held in Astana under the chairmanship of the President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. The summit in Astana was attended by: Kazakhstan – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev Uzbekistan – President Shavkat Mirziyoyev Azerbaijan - President Ilham Aliyev … [Read more...]
Turkmenistan-Korea and Central Asia-Korea Business Councils Hold Meetings in Ashgabat
On 2 November 2023, the 5th meeting of the Turkmenistan-Republic of Korea Business Council and the 4th meeting of the Central Asia-Republic of Korea Business Council were held in Ashgabat, TDH reports. The Turkmenistan-Korea Business Council meeting was attended by representatives of ministries and industry departments, including the fuel and energy sector, the transport … [Read more...]
(UPDATED) National Leader of the Turkmen people Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov met with the President of Kazakhstan
On the sidelines of a working visit to Astana, the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov met today, 3 November, with the President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, the press service of the President of Kazakhstan reports. Tokayev expressed gratitude to Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov for his personal participation in … [Read more...]