The action plan for optimizing infrastructure and developing international transport corridors passing through the territories of the CIS member states for the period up to 2030 was approved at a meeting of the Council of Heads of Government of the Commonwealth of Independent States held in Ashgabat on 24 May 2024. The action plan aims to strengthen cooperation between … [Read more...]
CIS Strengthens Cooperation in Energy, Chemical Industry, and Environmental Protection
The Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) member countries have agreed to enhance cooperation in energy, chemical industries, and environmental protection. This decision comes after a meeting of the CIS Council of Heads of Government in Ashgabat, where relevant concepts and action plans were approved. These documents were developed taking into account the need to reach … [Read more...]
Ashgabat Declared “City of New Sports Opportunities in the CIS”
The Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) Council of Heads of Government has declared Ashgabat the "City of New Sports Opportunities," according to a press release from the CIS Executive Committee on 24 May 2024. The council also instructed the CIS Council for Physical Culture and Sports to develop a 2024-2025 Action Plan to realize this initiative. Turkmenistan has a … [Read more...]
Ashgabat hosted a meeting of the CIS Council of Heads of Government
On 24 May 2024, a regular meeting of the Council of Heads of Government of the Commonwealth of Independent States was held in Ashgabat. The meeting was attended by: Azerbaijan - Deputy Prime Minister Shahin Mustafayev Belarus - Prime Minister Roman Golovchenko Kazakhstan - Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov Kyrgyzstan - Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers – Head … [Read more...]
Situation of e-commerce in Central Asia
The Daryo.uz news service of Uzbekistan published on 13 March 2024 a report on the ecommerce situation in Central Asia. Here, we are reproducing the report in full: Central Asian countries consider establishing dedicated bank accounts for e-commerce transactions The e-commerce sector in Central Asia reached a value of $8bn in 2022, as per IMARC Group, a global research and … [Read more...]
Azerbaijan and Tajikistan elevate partnership to strategic level
On 23 May 2024, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon signed a Declaration on Strategic Partnership between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Tajikistan in Baku. " Our interaction rests on the determination of our peoples, who have been cooperating for centuries, have been friends, and have created together. Today, our … [Read more...]
Central Asian Women Leaders’ Caucus Meeting Concludes with Pivotal Commitments to Digital, Social, and Environmental Innovation
On 23 May 2024, the Central Asian Women Leaders’ Caucus Meeting successfully concluded in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. The event, centred on "The role of women in the economies of Central Asia: leadership for promoting digital, social, and environmental innovation,” brought together women leaders from across the region to strategize and commit to enhancing women’s roles in these … [Read more...]
Central Asian States reaffirm commitment to registering all children at birth
On 17 May 2024, Representatives from the Governments of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, the Republic of Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and the Republic of Uzbekistan, gathered in Tashkent today, reaffirming their commitment to ensuring every child born on their territories are registered at birth. The ‘Central Asian Conference on Ensuring Birth Registration to … [Read more...]
Kazakhstan hosted the first Meeting of the Secretaries of the Security Councils of the Central Asian countries
The first Meeting of the Secretaries of the Security Councils of the Central Asian countries was held in Astana on 16 May 2024. The event was attended by Secretary of the Security Council of Kazakhstan Gizat Nurdauletov, Secretary of the Security Council of Kyrgyzstan Marat Imankulov, Secretary of the Security Council of Tajikistan Nasrullo Mahmudzoda, Secretary of the … [Read more...]
E-Commerce in Tajikistan readying to bloom
Tajikistan is diligently working to mainstream the ecommerce across the economic and societal space of the country. On December 24, 2022, the country adopted the Law “On Electronic Commerce”. The Law seeks to protect the rights and legitimate interests of citizens and organizations engaged in e-commerce and ensures the free operation of e-commerce in the country. An … [Read more...]
President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev received the secretaries of the security councils of Central Asian countries
Welcoming the heads of delegations, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev noted that the first meeting of the secretaries of the security councils of the countries of Central Asia is intended to become an effective platform for combining efforts to prevent external and internal challenges and threats, as well as developing the necessary response measures. – This is especially important … [Read more...]
Central Asian economies to record strong growth despite natural disasters in the region
Anton Usov According to the latest Regional Economic Prospects (REP) report published by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), Central Asian economies in 2024 are expected to see growth slowing to 5.4 per cent. However, a rebound to 5.9 per cent is expected in 2025. The report notes that intermediated trade with Russia, which had been a significant … [Read more...]
Rome to host Italy+Central Asia meeting at the end of May
On 29 May 2024, Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Antonio Tajani will meet in Rome with colleagues from five Central Asian countries - Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Turkmenistan, Nova News agency reports. According to the source, the meeting will bring together Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan Rashid Meredov, … [Read more...]
Trade integration in Central Asia under the spotlight at the CATF in Almaty
The 13th Central Asia Trade Forum (CATF) themed “Trade Connections: Bridging Globally” started on 15 May 2024 in Almaty, Kazakhstan. The event is organized by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). More than 300 business executives and government officials from Asia, Europe, the Middle East, the United Kingdom, and the United States are meeting in … [Read more...]
Central Asia + Japan Dialogue Summit Preparations Underway in Astana
On 14 May 2024, Astana hosted a meeting of Senior Officials for the Central Asia + Japan Dialogue. Representatives from the foreign ministries of Japan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan attended, along with Tajikistan's Ambassador to Kazakhstan. The Turkmen delegation was led by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ahmed Gurbanov. Discussions centered on … [Read more...]
Afghanistan to increase electricity imports from neighboring countries
Afghanistan is set to increase its reliance on electricity imports from neighboring Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, and Iran in 2024, according to the Da Afghanistan Breshna Sherkat (DABS) electric power company. DABS reports that Afghanistan imported approximately 5.76 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity during the past year (1402 solar year). Building on this … [Read more...]
Customs representatives of Central Asia, Southern Caucasus, Pakistan and the WCO Europe region discuss cooperation mechanisms and information exchange
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 … [Read more...]
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 … [Read more...]
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 GCC and Central … [Read more...]
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 a press … [Read more...]
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 Minister of … [Read more...]
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 … [Read more...]
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 of buildings fall under this order: … [Read more...]
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 and the Speaker of the lower house of … [Read more...]
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 Rustami Emomali. Before the … [Read more...]
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 was … [Read more...]
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 National … [Read more...]
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 … [Read more...]
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 … [Read more...]
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 … [Read more...]
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 the … [Read more...]
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 … [Read more...]
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 set up the … [Read more...]
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 … [Read more...]
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 … [Read more...]
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 … [Read more...]
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 … [Read more...]
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. In various languages and during … [Read more...]
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 was attended by … [Read more...]
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 … [Read more...]
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 … [Read more...]
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) … [Read more...]
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 $100 million, TOLOnews reports, citing the Afghan Ministry of Industry and Trade. According to the ministry's spokesman Akhundzada Abdul Salam Javad, the country's main exports to Central Asia are fresh fruits, dried fruits, while attempts are … [Read more...]
European and international financial institutions announce €10 billion commitment to support sustainable connectivity in Central Asia
The Global Gateway Investors Forum for EU-Central Asia Transport Connectivity started today (29 January 2024) in Brussels. The event brings together government officials, financing institutions, businesses and civil society from Europe, all five Central Asian countries, and beyond. European Commission Executive Vice President Valdis Dombrovskis announced that European and … [Read more...]
EBRD posts strong operational results in Central Asia in 2023
Anton Usov The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) invested more than €1.2 billion (US$ 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 projects in sectors including renewable energy, … [Read more...]
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 … [Read more...]
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, the Tajik leader voiced several proposals … [Read more...]
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 also deeply affected by this … [Read more...]
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 of the Central Asian … [Read more...]
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, media … [Read more...]