Kazakhstan is taking all necessary measures to organize sustainable water supply in the Aral-Syrdarya basin. The choice of the optimal water strategy in the transboundary basin of the Syr Darya should be linked to the adoption of interstate agreements and mechanisms for the integrated management of water resources in the transboundary basin of the Aral Sea. “For a fair … [Read more...]
CSTO intends to strengthen the borders of Central Asia with Afghanistan
Elvira Kadyrova Afghanistan and security threats to the of the neighboring Central Asian region became key items on the agenda of the extraordinary online session of the CSTO (Collective Security Treaty Organization) Collective Security Council held on 23 August 2021 under the chairmanship of Tajikistan. It is noteworthy that along with the heads of the CSTO member-nations … [Read more...]
Turkmenistan hosts regional mega event today
Turkmenistan will host a cluster of events today at Awaza, the Caspian tourist zone: 3rd Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asia Dialogue of Women Leaders of Central Asia Economic Forum of Central Asia Exhibition of national products and services of Central Asia Festival of National Cuisines of Central Asia A gala concert will take place … [Read more...]
FMs of Russia and Central Asian countries met in Tashkent
Elvira Kadyrova On 16 July 2021, Tashkent hosted the fourth meeting of the foreign ministers of Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. The key line of the discussions was the security issues in the region amid the deteriorating situation in Afghanistan and the possibilities of an inter-Afghan settlement in the emerging geopolitical … [Read more...]
Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan visits Tashkent
Elvira Kadyrova DPM, minister of foreign affairs Rashid Meredov is on a visit to the capital of Uzbekistan, Tashkent to participate in the International Conference "Central and South Asia: Regional Connectivity. Challenges and Opportunities", which takes place on 15-16 July 2021. On the sidelines of the forum, the foreign minister held several bilateral and multilateral … [Read more...]
SCO nations declare readiness to support Afghanistan politically and economically
Elvira Kadyrova On 14 July 2021, a meeting of the SCO-Afghanistan Contact Group was held in Dushanbe, which gathered the foreign ministers of Afghanistan, India, Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. A Joint Statement was adopted following the meeting. The document emphasizes that one of the most important factors for maintaining and … [Read more...]
Russian FM: Central Asian countries have NO interest in hosting US military bases
Elvira Kadyrova The hosting of new US military facilities in Central Asia does not meet the security interests of the regional countries as no one wants to turn into an American hostage, --- this is how Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov assessed the prospects for the emerging of US military bases in the Central Asian region. The statements came on 12 July at a press conference … [Read more...]
Foreign Ministers of Russia and Central Asia to meet in Tashkent
The fourth meeting of the foreign ministers of Russia, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan will be held in Tashkent on 16 July, said the Russian Foreign Ministry during briefing on 9 July. The foreign ministers will discuss cooperation in the field of regional security. The agenda will cover such issues as countering threats posed by international … [Read more...]
Tashkent to host a conference on cooperation between Central and South Asia
Ravilya Kadyrova On 15-16 July 2021, an international conference "Central and South Asia: Regional Connectivity. Challenges and opportunities" will be held in Tashkent. The conference will be attended by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, President of Afghanistan Ashraf Ghani, Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan, Foreign Ministers of Russia, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, … [Read more...]
Uzbekistan Center for Economic Research analyzed the trade potential for Central and South Asia
Elvira Kadyrova In 2020, the total trade turnover between the Central Asian and South Asian countries amounted to US$4.4 billion. The assessments came from the Uzbek Center for Economic Research and Reforms (CERR). The largest stakes in the mutual trade belong to Kazakhstan (52.8%), Uzbekistan (31.2%) and Turkmenistan (10.4%), said Obid Khakimov, Director of the CERR, at … [Read more...]
Turkmenistan boosting East-West, North-South connectivity – Bridge over Garabogaz Strait planned
Turkmenistan is planning to build a new road bridge across the Garabogaz Strait, which will contribute hugely to the East-West and North-South connectivity options. President Berdimuhamedov attended a presentation on Tuesday, 6 July 2021, at the Garabogaz Bay, which is separated by a narrow strip of land from the Caspian Sea and connects with it through the thin Garabogaz … [Read more...]
IEA: Turkmenistan to lead the growth of gas production in Central Asia
Elvira Kadyrova Global gas demand will reach almost 4.3 trillion cubic meters by 2024, that is 7% higher than the pre-pandemic levels, says a new edition of IEA’s Gas Market Report. Global gas demand dropped by 1.9%, or 75 billion cubic meters, in 2020 due to the exceptionally mild winter in the northern hemisphere and the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. According to the … [Read more...]
FMs of Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan discussed preps for upcoming regional summits
Elvira Kadyrova On 2 July 2021, the foreign minister of Turkmenistan Rashid Meredov had a telephone conversation with his Kazakh counterpart Mukhtar Tleuberdi. Special attention was paid to the schedule of international events, including the Consultative Meeting of the Heads of Central Asian states and the 6th Caspian Summit, the foreign ministry of Kazakhstan … [Read more...]
President of Turkmenistan turns 64 – World leaders make phone calls – Heads of regional organizations, multinationals arrive to congratulate – Arkadag Hotel opened
Elvira Kadyrova and Raviliya Kadyrova The birthday of the President of Turkmenistan, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov was on 29 June 2021. He has turned 64. Several world leaders made phone calls to congratulate the Turkmen leader. The president had separate meetings with a number of regional organizations and multinationals who had arrived to share the joy on 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...]
Supplies of Turkmen gas to Gazprom may reach 9 billion cubic meters this year
Elvira Kadyrova The volume of natural gas supplies from Turkmenistan to the Russian multinational Gazprom has been increasing steadily since the resumption of flows in 2019. This year it may reach 9 bcm (billion cubic meters). As reported by Interfax, Turkmenistan supplied 2.2 bcm of gas to Gazprom during the first quarter of 2021. This is nearly double the volume of the … [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...]
Turkmenistan took part in the Caspian communication exercises for search and rescue operations
Elvira Kadyrova The rescue forces and agencies of Russia, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan hold joint communication exercises in the Caspian Sea, in the area of responsibility of the Marine Rescue Coordination Center Astrakhan (MRCC), the Russian Federal Agency for Sea and River Transport reports. The theme of the exercise was “Search and rescue of people in … [Read more...]
President of Turkmenistan addresses OIC Summit on Science and Technology hosted by UAE
nCa Report The UAE hosted on 16 June 2021 the second OIC Summit on Science and Technology. It was held in virtual environment. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of UAE, delivered the welcome address. The opening speech was made by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev of Kazakhstan. Kazakhstan was the host of … [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...]
Turkmen President in Telephone Conversation with Presidents of Kazakhstan, Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan, Prime Minister of Japan
President Berdimuhamedov had separate telephone conversations with the presidents of Kazakhstan, Afghanistan, and Kyrgyzstan, and the prime minister of Japan. Phone conversation with President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev of Kazakhstan The presidents exchanged greetings on Eid al-Fitr (Oraza Bayram). They noted that the bilateral relations in all areas including political, … [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...]
FMs of Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan discussed preparations for President Tokayev’s official visit
On 3 May 2021, the foreign minister of Turkmenistan Rashid Meredov had a telephone conversation with his Kazakhstani counterpart Mukhtar Tleuberdi. The foreign ministers discussed preparations for the upcoming official visit of the President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev of Kazakhstan to Turkmenistan in 2021. The sides exchanged views on preparations for the session of the … [Read more...]
Kazakhstan is eager to share its model for interethnic accord
Aiman Zhussupova When Kazakhstan became an independent state in 1991, the risk of interethnic conflicts was one of the most critical problems for the post-Soviet nation that inherited the world’s fourth largest nuclear arsenal. This was exacerbated by forecasts of large-scale armed conflicts and the risk of loss of statehood. The predictions were not … [Read more...]
President Berdimuhamedov in telephone conversations with presidents of Turkey, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan on 28 April 2021
Leaders of Turkmenistan and Turkey spoke in favor of expanding bilateral dialogue A telephone conversation took place between President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and President of the Republic of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan. At the beginning of the conversation, the head of the friendly state once again expressed condolences to the Turkmen leader in connection with the death … [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...]
CIS Council of FMs meeting in Moscow: outcomes
Elvira Kadyrova On 2 April 2021 Moscow hosted a regular meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Commonwealth of Independent. This year the Commonwealth celebrates its 30th anniversary. The foreign ministers of the ten countries exchanged views on current international and regional issues and further promotion of joint approaches on key international platforms, … [Read more...]
Briefing on elections to the Mazhilis of the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan
Today [25 Dec] the media briefing of the Ambassador of Kazakhstan Yekebulan Sapiev on the upcoming elections to the Mazhilis of the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan, scheduled for January 10, 2021, took place. The event was attended by representatives of diplomatic missions and international organizations accredited in Ashgabat, as well as representatives of the … [Read more...]
Nazarbayev – From Sultan to Elbasy – Relevance for a world facing Covid-19
Tariq Saeedi Today is 1 December. This is the day of the First President of Kazakhstan, Nursultan Nazarbayev. The political observers and analysts who focus on Central Asia are typically fascinated by Nazarbayev, and rightly so. As is said in the parlance of analysts, there is no dearth of material. The epic voyage of Nazarbayev from Sultan to Elbasy is as spellbinding … [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...]
Kazakhstan’s Kuryk port and Turkmen logistics company forge partnership in the Caspian sea
Elvira Kadyrova Kazakhstan's Caspian port Kuryk and the Turkmen transport and logistics company "Türkmen Milli Logistik" have concluded an agreement on cooperation in the Caspian sea. The signing event took place on 25 September on the sidelines of the VII Baltic-Black sea economic forum in Kherson (Ukraine). "The fact that the Baltic-Black sea economic forum served as … [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...]
Constitution of the Republic of Kazakhstan and its meaning
August 30, 2020 marks the 25th anniversary of the adoption of the Constitution of the Republic of Kazakhstan at a nationwide referendum. Over the years, the Constitution of Kazakhstan has shown its high efficiency, ensured peace, harmony and prosperity, the progressive development of the country, an increase in the well-being of Kazakhstanis, an increase in trust and respect … [Read more...]
International Day against Nuclear Tests
After gaining independence in 1991, Kazakhstan abandoned the world's fourth most destructive arsenal of nuclear weapons inherited from the Soviet Union, and on August 29, 1991 closed the largest Semipalatinsk nuclear test site, which was the most significant contribution to strengthening the non-proliferation regime. On June 18, 2009, at a solemn event dedicated to the 20th … [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...]
Kazakhstan urgently sends medical mission to Lebanon
After the massive blast that smashed the Beirut Port of Lebanon, Kazakhstan has acted swiftly and sent a military medical team to the country in shock and grief. This was reported on 8 August 2020 by KazInform and other media outlets quoting the press service of the ministry of defence of Kazakhstan. The blast that is still under investigation has caused more than 100 … [Read more...]
Role of Abu Nasr al-Farabi in modern civilization
This year, in Kazakhstan and around the world, the 1150th anniversary of the great philosopher of the East Abu Nasr al-Farabi is celebrated. This event is included in the UNESCO Anniversary Calendar and is widely celebrated at international cultural platforms with the support of ISESCO, OIC, TURKSOY and other authoritative organizations. Celebration of the jubilee of al-Farabi … [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...]
Kazakhstan way – The role of personality in history
In the twentieth century, the world witnessed the heyday of a series of modernization cases in various parts of the world. The first wave of “Asian tigers” in the 1970s, the successes of China, the countries of Eastern and Central Europe in the 2000s, current projects in Brazil, Indonesia, Mexico and other countries are well known. These are examples in which nations have … [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...]
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...]
Kazakhstan – Economic damage control and preparedness for recovery after Covid-19
Tariq Saeedi President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev of Kazakhstan has completed one year in office. It is an important milestone. Nearly half of this period was spent in the shadow of Covid-19. By now, the experts and analysts are unanimous in their opinion that the world will never be the same again. The social, cultural, trade-economic, and industrial norms are going to change … [Read more...]
Over the year, Kazakhstan demonstrated its own model of evolutionary succession of power
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...]
Kazakhstan launches new railway service between Turkmenistan and China
Elvira Kadyrova Kazakhstan Railways (KTZ) has launched container rail shipments between China and Turkmenistan. The first train, consisting of 44 forty-foot containers loaded with general cargo, has left from Jinannan rail station (Shandong province). The train will travel via the Kazakh border crossings of Khorgos, Altynkol and Bolashak (border with Turkmenistan) and … [Read more...]