On 9 and 10 April 2024, representatives from countries participating in the Inter-Regional Network of Customs Authorities and Port Control Units (IREN) held their sixth meeting to discuss the challenges and opportunities arising from data sharing in relation to high-risk cargo. Representatives from Bulgaria, Poland, Türkiye and Italy also participated in the meeting which took […]
UK Foreign Secretary travels to Central Asia and Mongolia – London announces £50 million of new funding to support region’s sovereignty
The UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron will visit Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan and Mongolia to as part of government ambition to increase engagement with this pivotal region of the world, Foreign Office reports. He will meet leaders across the region to deepen cooperation on shared challenges, from counter-terrorism to climate change. He will use […]
Inter-regional and Intra-regional partnership formats speed up economic integration in Central Asia
nCa Analysis The pith of the recent inter-regional and intra-regional formats of partnership in Central Asia is simply impressive. While it contributes solidly to the space for peace and progress, it also creates bulwarks against any negative influences of the prevailing geopolitical situations from spilling over into the region. In the past few days, the […]
Uzbekistan and Tajikistan Forge Alliance in Historic Agreement
In a landmark development for Central Asia, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan signed a Treaty on Allied Relations on Thursday, 18 April 2024. The agreement was signed by President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon following high-level talks in Dushanbe. The President of Uzbekistan is on a two-day state visit to Tajikistan. At […]
2nd Ministerial Meeting of the “GCC + Central Asia” Strategic Dialogue adopted a Joint Statement – Samarkand to host the Dialogue’s next Summit
On 15 April 2024, Tashkent, hosted the Second Ministerial Meeting of the Strategic Dialogue “Cooperation Council of the Arab States of the Gulf – Central Asia” (GCC + Central Asia), chaired by the foreign minister of Uzbekistan Bakhtiyor Saidov. The forum was attended by: Bahrain – Foreign minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al-Zayani Kazakhstan – Deputy […]
Agreement signed between Tajik and Turkmen entrepreneurs strengthen B2B relationship, supply-chain integrity in Central Asia
During the recent visit of the National Leader of Turkmenistan, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, to Tajikistan, some agreements were signed between the business houses of both the countries. The signing of the agreements took place on 4 April 2024 in Dushanbe. Agreements: Tajikistan’s Qolinhoi Dushanbe (Carpets of Dushanbe) signed a cooperation agreement with Turkmenistan’s Polat Dokma we […]
Going Green in high gear – All new or reconstructed buildings in Tajikistan must have solar energy systems
Tajikistan has passed a law, making it mandatory for all the buildings, whether new or reconstructed, to have solar energy systems. The Tajik news service Asia Plus informs that in addition to the regular electrical grid, all the buildings should be equipped with solar panels with the ability to store energy at night. Various types […]
Arkadag Berdimuhamedov wrapped up visit to Tajikistan – Key events of the concluding day
On 5 April 2024, on the second and final day of the official visit to Tajikistan, the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov held a working meeting with the participation of some Deputy Chairmen of the Cabinet of Ministers, and also met with the Prime Minister of Tajikistan […]
Arkadag Berdimuhamedov is on an official visit to Tajikistan – Turkmenistan and Tajikistan outline promising areas of cooperation
On 4-5 April 2024, the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov is on a two-day official visit to Tajikistan. On the first day of the visit, Berdimuhamedov met with President Emomali Rahmon, as well as with Chairman of the Majlisi Milli Majlisi Oli (Parliament) of Tajikistan […]
Pakistan Breaks Ground on Central Asian Trade with First Direct Shipment to Tajikistan
Recently, the National Logistics Corporation (NLC) of Pakistan carried out the first direct delivery of cargo to Tajikistan. A batch of Pakistani potatoes travelled 1,400 km in just 7 days, reaching Dushanbe, Tajikistan’s capital, via a China-routed path bypassing Afghanistan. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan, the first direct shipment of cargo […]
Official visit of the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Khalk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov to Tajikistan starts
The National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov has arrived in the Republic of Tajikistan on an official visit, “Khovar” reports. The official welcoming ceremony of the high-ranking guest took place on the territory of the Palace of the Nation. President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon welcomed the […]
Kazakhstan Hosts Digitalization Training for Central Asian Civil Servants
The Kazakhstan Agency for International Development (KazAID) is partnering with Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs to offer the Dostyk Digitalization program. This initiative aims to enhance the digital skills of civil servants from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, KazAID reports. From 1 to 5 April 2024, in Astana, 20 civil servants will participate in […]
Turkmen Railways had a meeting with the Ambassador of Tajikistan
The Railway Agency of Turkmenistan (“Turkmendemiryollary”) hosted a meeting on 30 March 2024, with Tajikistan’s Ambassador to Turkmenistan, Vafo Niyatbekzoda. During the meeting, the sides exchanged views on the current state and future prospects of bilateral cooperation in the field of railway transport. In particular, special attention was paid to increasing the volume of freight […]
Kazakhstan handed over the chairmanship of the Interstate Commission on Sustainable Development to Tajikistan
On 28 March 2024, Kazakhstan hosted a meeting of the Interstate Commission on Sustainable Development (ICSD) in Astana, according to the Kazakh Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources. Representatives from the environmental ministries of Central Asian countries (Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan) attended the meeting. Additionally, representatives from the Regional Environmental Center for Central Asia (RECCA), […]
CIS Border Chiefs met in Uzbekistan to address Central Asian security challenges
On 28 March 2024, Khiva, Uzbekistan hosted the 8th regional meeting of heads of border agencies from CIS member states, according to the CIS Executive Committee. The event was attended by delegations of the border agencies of Belarus, Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, the Coordination Service of the Council of Commanders of […]
China and Central Asia Formalize Partnership with launching Secretariat in Xian
High-ranking officials from China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan gathered in Xi’an on 30 March 2024 to inaugurate the Secretariat of the China-Central Asia cooperation mechanism. This new body marks a significant step towards institutionalizing partnership between China and the Central Asian nations. Congratulatory messages on the occasion of the launch of the secretariat […]
China and Central Asian countries to launch the secretariat of the joint cooperation mechanism
China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan will launch the secretariat of the China-Central Asia mechanism. The ceremony will take place on 30 March in Xi’an, Shaanxi Province. This was stated at a press conference on 29 March by Foreign Ministry’s spokesman Lin Jian. Four years ago, China and the five Central Asian countries jointly […]
Первый в истории бизнес-диалог Центральная Азия – США «B5+1» завершился принятием рекомендаций по экономической интеграции в ЦА
Форум B5+1, государственно-частный бизнес диалог для Центральной Азии и Соединенных Штатов, состоявшийся на прошлой неделе в Алматы, Казахстан, завершился принятием конкретных рекомендаций по ускорению региональной интеграции и экономического развития Центральной Азии, говорится в заявлении Центра международного частного предпринимательства (CIPE), который провел форум. В дополнение к странам С5+1 (Казахстан, Кыргызстан, Таджикистан, Туркменистан и Узбекистан плюс Соединенные […]
Inaugural B5+1 Forum adopted recommendations for Economic Integration in Central Asia
The B5+1 Forum, a public-private business dialogue platform for Central Asia and the United States, held last week in Almaty, Kazakhstan, announced a series of concrete recommendations to accelerate Central Asia’s regional integration and economic development, according to the statement of the Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE), who led the forum. In addition […]
Central Asian countries are building new transport corridors and changing logistics
Serikbol Koshmaganbetov Geopolitical turbulence in the world is radically changing the infrastructure of transport flows in Central Asia. Asian countries are eager to send their cargo to Europe via the historic Great Silk Road. What is the current development of cargo transportation logistics in Central Asian countries, read the material of the correspondent of Kazinform […]
A Dialogue on “Central Asian Connectivity Project Pipeline” between IsDB-AIIB-MCDF and Regional Countries
On 11-12 March 2024, the Regional Dialogue on Central Asian Connectivity (CAC) Project Pipeline has convened in Istanbul, Turkiye, to facilitate a stakeholder dialogue aimed at identifying and assessing cross-border connectivity projects in Central Asia. Organized jointly by the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) and the Multilateral Cooperation Center for […]
Amudarya is not a single river – It is an integrated river system spanning six countries
nCa Report Amudarya, the most famous river of Central Asia, is not a single river – It is an integrated river system spanning six, possibly seven countries. Amudarya is usually written as Amudarya River, which is superfluous because ‘darya’ in Amudarya means river. This river has always caught the imagination of the travellers and authors. […]
South Korea, Central Asia Launch Civil Service Cooperation Network
On 7 March 2024, South Korea’s Minister of Personnel Management, Kim Seung Ho, met with heads of Central Asian diplomatic missions in Seoul. The meeting marked the launch of the South Korea-Central Asia Civil Service Network, a framework for cooperation in improving civil service systems, according to the Korea ministry of personal management. The meeting […]
OSCE and Central Asia held a meeting in Ashgabat on regional cooperation in the field of ecology
On 4 March 2024, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) and Central Asian environment ministers convened in Ashgabat to discuss regional ecological cooperation, according to TDH. OSCE Secretary General Helga Schmid emphasized the meeting’s significance, highlighting its role in refocusing attention on contemporary environmental challenges. Schmid stressed that primary aspects of climate […]
CASA-1000 Back on Track in Afghanistan: Avoiding $1 Billion in Stranded Assets Risk for other project nations
The Central Asia-South Asia Electricity Transmission and Trade Project (CASA-1000), a $1.2 billion regional initiative, will resume in Afghanistan following requests from three neighboring countries, World Bank says. The project aims to bring clean energy from Tajikistan and the Kyrgyz Republic to Pakistan through Afghanistan. As construction nears completion in the other participating nations, resuming […]
UN Women Tashkent Consultations: Central Asia’s potential for achieving gender equality under the spotlight
The potential and opportunities for Central Asia to achieve gender equality were explored in-depth at consultations held in Tashkent on 12 February. The event, titled “Empowering women and girls, as well as ensuring gender equality by addressing poverty, strengthening mechanisms and gender-oriented financing,” was jointly organized by the Senate of the Oliy Majlis (Parliament) of […]
Afghanistan Eyes Balanced Trade with Central Asia
In 2023, Afghanistan imported about $1.4 billion worth of goods from Central Asian countries, while the country exported goods worth $100 million, TOLOnews reports, citing the Afghan Ministry of Industry and Trade. According to the ministry’s spokesman Akhundzada Abdul Salam Javad, the country’s main exports to Central Asia are fresh fruits, dried fruits, while attempts […]
European and international financial institutions announce €10 billion commitment to support sustainable connectivity in Central Asia
The Global Gateway Investors Forum for EU-Central Asia Transport Connectivity started today (29 January 2024) in Brussels. The event brings together government officials, financing institutions, businesses and civil society from Europe, all five Central Asian countries, and beyond. European Commission Executive Vice President Valdis Dombrovskis announced that European and international financial institutions present at the […]
EBRD posts strong operational results in Central Asia in 2023
Anton Usov The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) invested more than €1.2 billion (US$ 1.3 billion) in projects across Central Asia in 2023 to stimulate the region’s sustainable and inclusive growth, which is expected to continue at a pace of 5.9 per cent in 2024. Last year the Bank financed more than 100 […]
Turkmenistan Joins Regional Efforts to Expand Trans-Caspian Trade Route
Representatives from Turkmenistan, alongside officials from other Central Asian nations and international organizations, gathered in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, on 25-26 January 2024, for the third meeting on expanding the Trans-Caspian Trade Route (TCTR). The Turkmen Logistics Association, Transport and Logistics Center of Turkmenistan (TULM), and several transport and logistics companies actively participated in the discussions. The […]
Tajikistan invites Qatari investors to develop promising sectors of the economy
Unlocking the potential of trade and economic relations through investment and industrial development was one of the key topics of the recent state visit of President Emomali Rahmon of Tajikistan to Qatar. On 22 January 2024, Rahmon held summit talks with the Amir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim ibn Hamad Al-Thani, in Doha. During the meeting, […]
Central Asia not circumventing Western sanctions
Raza Syed The ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine is forcing the whole world to adapt to a new political and economic reality. Sanctions, counter-sanctions, and the breakdown of existing production and logistics chains are becoming a serious challenge for some, and a matter of survival for other states. The countries of Central Asia are […]
Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong Meets with Ambassadors of the Five Central Asian Countries to China
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 […]
Sharing Artistic Legacy: Turkmenistan Shines at Dushanbe’s East-West Festival
On 23 December 2023, the Embassy of Turkmenistan in Tajikistan took part in the International Festival “East-West: Musical Traditions and Eurasian Folk Art in the cultural space of the CIS”, which was held in Dushanbe. Organized by the Ministry of Culture of Tajikistan, the festival brought together a diverse ensemble of performers and audiences. Diplomats, […]
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 […]
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 carpets, intricate wood carvings, gleaming metalwork, […]
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 Asia” project, offered knowledge exchange […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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), […]
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 […]
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 collaboration […]
The Joint Turkmen-Tajik Intergovernmental Commission met in Dushanbe
On 27-28 November 2023, the 12th meeting of the Joint Turkmen-Tajik Intergovernmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific and Technical Cooperation was held in Dushanbe. The Turkmen side was co-chaired by Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan Tangrykuly Atakhalliyev, and the Tajik side was co-chaired by Deputy Prime Minister of Tajikistan Ziezoda Sulaimon […]
President of Tajikistan received Turkmenistan Deputy Prime Minister for agriculture
On 28 November 2023, President Emomali Rahmon of Tajikistan received Deputy Prime Minister for Agriculture Tangryguly Atakhalliyev in Dushanbe. President Rahmon emphasized the close and trusting nature of Tajikistan’s relationship with Turkmenistan, highlighting the fruitful outcomes of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov’s state visit to Tajikistan in May 2023. In this context, the President also said that […]
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 the importance of […]
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, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. DARYA […]
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 […]
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). […]
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 associations, including the […]