At the Turkmenistan Investment Forum (Awaza, 18-19 Sep 2025), Uladzimir Valetka, Economist at the United Nations Resident Coordinator’s Office in Turkmenistan, emphasized the transformative power of sustainable transport in fostering trade, creating jobs, and driving inclusive economic growth. His speech highlighted Turkmenistan’s strategic role as a regional transit hub and … [Read more...]
TIF 2025: Turkmenistan’s Transport Strategy – Integrating into the Global Network
Elvira Kadyrova and Ravilya Kadyrova Awaza, September 18, 2025 – At the Turkmenistan Investment Forum (TIF 2025), Turkmenistan’s Minister of Railway Transport, Mammet Akammedov, unveiled the country’s logistics strategy, aimed at modernizing the transport sector and strengthening its role in global connectivity. Turkmenistan is actively implementing national programs to … [Read more...]
TIF 2025: Turkmenistan Modernizes Road Infrastructure to Become a Key Eurasian Transit Hub
Elvira Kadyrova and Ravilya Kadyrova Awaza, September 18 – At the Turkmenistan Investment Forum (TIF 2025), held in Awaza, Dovran Ataev, Deputy Chairman of the State Agency for the Management of Highway Construction, spoke about the large-scale modernization of the country's road infrastructure. According to him, Turkmenistan is actively working to bring its … [Read more...]
Record Growth in Freight Transport: China and Central Asia Strengthen Logistics Ties
In the first eight months of 2025, freight trains between China and Central Asia made 9,626 cross-border trips—an increase of 22.7% compared to the same period last year, setting a new record for this timeframe. During this period, 751,000 standard containers (TEU) were transported, marking a year-on-year growth of 31.1%, according to China Media Group. As of 31 August 2025, … [Read more...]
Turkmenistan Discusses Development of International Transport under the TIR System
On 11 September 2025, a working meeting was held in Ashgabat between the Deputy Chairman of the State Customs Service of Turkmenistan and a delegation from the International Road Transport Union (IRU), led by Vakhtang Zarandia, Senior Advisor on TIR and Transit Transport Issues. During the meeting, the parties discussed prospects for cooperation in the field of international … [Read more...]
Iran Aims to Increase Cargo Transit with Turkmenistan to 20 Million Tons
From September 6 to 8, 2025, a delegation from Turkmenistan, led by Minister of Railway Transport Mammet Akmammedov, visited Iran. The delegation held talks with Iran's Minister of Roads and Urban Development, Farzaneh Sadegh, and the head of the Islamic Republic of Iran Railways, Jabbar Ali-Zakeri, according to IRNA news agency. The discussions focused on expanding … [Read more...]
“In the Revival of the Silk Road: Major Joint Projects in Transport Infrastructure”
Shoxjaxon Sikhnazarov, Chief Specialist of the Center for the Study of Transport Problems The Silk Road is one of the largest symbolic manifestations of economic and cultural integration in the history of human civilization, ensuring connections between East and West for almost two thousand years. Along the Silk Road, not only commercial goods - silk, wood, precious stones, … [Read more...]
Gas, Logistics, and Artificial Intelligence: Key Topics of the Meeting Between the President of Turkmenistan and the Vice-Premier of the State Council of China
On 2 September 2025, in Beijing, President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov held a meeting with Ding Xuexiang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and First Vice-Premier of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China, TDH reports. At the beginning of the talks, the Chinese official … [Read more...]
Beijing Meeting: President of Turkmenistan and Chairman of China Discuss Key Areas of Strategic Partnership
On 2 September 2025, an official meeting took place in Beijing between President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov and Chairman of the People’s Republic of China Xi Jinping, marking a significant milestone in strengthening Turkmen-Chinese relations. During the talks, the leaders discussed prospects for deepening strategic partnerships in key areas, including politics, … [Read more...]
SCO Summit: Turkmenistan supports the Global Governance Initiative presented by China
On 1 September 2025, 2025, President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov, who is on a working visit to China, participated as an honorary guest in the meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization SCO+ format in Tianjin. The SCO+ format is a unique partnership platform within which the member States of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization interact with countries that … [Read more...]
The Trans-Caspian Route and the SCO:The Strengthening Role and Prospects of Uzbekistan
Ildar Yaushev, Lead Specialist of the Department at the Center for the Study of Transport and Logistics Development Problems, Ministry of Transport of the Republic of Uzbekistan Amid global changes in world trade and logistics, the countries of Central Asia are becoming key links in the formation of new transport routes. Among them, the Trans-Caspian route, which connects … [Read more...]
The Caspian logistics axis – a new artery for trade
Access to maritime transport routes plays a key role in the development of international trade and the maintenance of foreign economic activity. Over the past decades, the global agenda has consistently included the issue of how to overcome trade, transport, and infrastructure barriers faced by landlocked developing countries (LDCs). The lack of direct access to ports forces … [Read more...]
Roadmap to Boost Trade: How Bishkek and Astana Strengthen Economic Ties
On 22 August 2025, during the official visit of President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to the Kyrgyz Republic and summit talks with President Sadyr Japarov, a series of bilateral documents were signed aimed at further strengthening cooperation between the two countries across various domains, from economy and trade to culture and security. This recent … [Read more...]
The Caspian transport hub: from competition to cooperation – The Middle Corridor – a driver of Eurasian integration
For countries located deep within the Eurasian continent, access to the sea remains a key factor in competitiveness on international markets. Uzbekistan, located in the geographical center of the region and lacking direct access to the coast, has been purposefully restructuring its transport and logistics strategy in recent years to minimize distances to maritime hubs and … [Read more...]
Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan Strengthen Transport Links: From Sea to Sky
In recent years, transport cooperation among Central Asian countries has been gaining momentum, fostering stronger economic ties and optimizing logistical routes. Against this backdrop, the recent agreements between Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan, reached during the trilateral summit of the heads of state of Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, and Azerbaijan in Turkmenistan’s “Awaza” … [Read more...]
Geography of Success: Uzbekistan Seeks to Leverage the Transit-Transport Potential of Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan
Elvira Kadyrova Uzbekistan, as a double-landlocked country, is actively working to transform its geographical constraints into competitive advantages by developing transit corridors. This was evident from the statements made by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev during the trilateral summit “Azerbaijan–Turkmenistan–Uzbekistan” held in Awaza, Turkmenistan, on 22 August 2025. An … [Read more...]
From Zhanaozen to Turkmenistan: Major Road Modernization to Boost Trade and Tourism Ties Between Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan
In Kazakhstan’s Mangistau Region, which borders Turkmenistan, a large-scale modernization of the highway connecting the city of Zhanaozen to the Turkmen-Kazakh border has started, according to the “24KZ” TV channel. The 164-kilometer-long road is a vital transportation artery linking Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan. Medium-level repairs are being carried out on 114 kilometers of … [Read more...]
Turkmenbashi International Seaport Strengthens Role in Transit-Transport Corridors
Turkmenistan is actively working to enhance transport links between Asia and Europe, which requires the development of modern logistics infrastructure, harmonization of legislation, customs regulations, and pricing policies. In this context, particular attention is being paid to improving the services provided by the Turkmenbashi International Seaport on the Caspian Sea, … [Read more...]
The 2035 Eurasian Transport Network: over 300 infrastructure development projects with a total investment of over $234 billion
The EDB presents its Transport Projects Observatory, a tool for monitoring and coordinating the infrastructure development in the course of the implementation of the Eurasian Transport Network unique concept developed by the Bank. The Observatory is a database and an interactive map of transport corridor development projects implemented in 13 Eurasian countries. As of July 1, … [Read more...]
The Revival of the Silk Road: China’s Chang’an Express – The Railway Caravan of the 21st Century
Elvira Kadyrova Recently, a youth delegation from Turkmenistan visited Xi’an, the capital of China’s Shaanxi Province, where we explored one of the most significant international transport infrastructure facilities—the Xi’an Assembly Center for China-Europe trains, located at the Xi’an Chanba International Dry Port. This expansive complex, spanning 3,734 square meters, … [Read more...]
More Transportation Infrastructure, Transit Corridors Crucial to Reduce Delays, Costs, Strengthen Competitiveness in Landlocked Developing Countries, Round Table Hears
Amid calls from landlocked developing countries for more transportation infrastructure and transit corridors, one speaker at this morning’s round-table (#4) discussion at the Third Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries encouraged those countries to use existing international instruments to enable smoother transit. The theme of the round table was “Building … [Read more...]
Speech by President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov at the first plenary session of the Third UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries
Your Excellencies: Dear Secretary-General of the United Nations Antonio Guterres, Dear Chairman of the 79th session of the UN General Assembly, Philemon Yang, Dear President of the United Nations Economic and Social Council, Lok Bahadur Thapa, Dear Heads of State, Governments, international organizations, heads and members of delegations! Ladies and … [Read more...]
President of Turkmenistan Meets with President of Kazakhstan in Awaza
On 5 August 2025, as part of his visit to Turkmenistan, President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev held a meeting with President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the Third United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDC3), currently being held in Awaza. During the discussion, President … [Read more...]
“Geography Does Not Determine Destiny”: President of Kazakhstan on the Potential of Landlocked Developing Countries
On 5 August 2025, speaking at the UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs) in Awaza, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev thanked President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov for the initiative to convene the conference and expressed gratitude to UN Secretary-General António Guterres for his commitment to addressing the challenges and realizing the opportunities … [Read more...]
President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon highlights priorities for Landlocked Countries at UN Conference
President of the Republic of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon spoke at the Third United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs), held in Awaza. In his speech, Emomali Rahmon emphasized the critical importance of the conference for assessing the outcomes of the Vienna Programme of Action for 2014–2024 and defining new priorities for the upcoming period. He … [Read more...]
Development of New Reliable Transit Corridors is Key to Sustainable Progress in Central Asia – President of Uzbekistan
According to the World Bank, high transportation costs and unstable transit result in Central Asia losing up to 2% of its GDP annually, with logistics costs accounting for up to 60% of the value of goods—several times higher than the global average. This was stated by President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev on August 5 during his speech at the Third UN Conference on … [Read more...]
Unmanned Freight Transport at the Border: Kazakhstan and China Launch “Smart Customs” to Boost Multimillion-Dollar Trade Turnover
As part of strengthening Kazakh-Chinese economic cooperation, an innovative pilot project, "Smart Customs," has been launched at the border checkpoints of "Bakhty" (Kazakhstan) and "Pokitu" (China). The project aims to enhance efficiency and digitalize customs logistics, with the introduction of unmanned freight transport as its key component, according to the Ministry of … [Read more...]
Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan: Launch of the Trans-Afghan Railway Project – Expanding Logistics Opportunities for Central Asia
On 17 July 2025, a tripartite meeting was held in Kabul, marking a significant step in strengthening regional connectivity between Central and South Asia. During the meeting, representatives from Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Transport, Afghanistan’s Ministry of Public Works, and Pakistan’s Ministry of Railways signed a framework agreement to develop the feasibility study (FS) for … [Read more...]
Rhenus Group: Turkmenistan Could Become a Key Transport Artery Between Europe and Asia
A meeting took place in Brussels between Ambassador of Turkmenistan Sapar Palvanov and Heinrich Kerstgens, Director for Strategic Projects of the Board of the Rhenus Group—one of Europe’s largest international logistics companies. The primary focus of the meeting was to discuss Rhenus Group’s plans to significantly increase freight volumes through Turkmenistan. The company … [Read more...]
Turkmenistan starts Incheon-Ashgabat flights
Turkmenistan started its first-ever direct passenger flight between Incheon and Ashgabat on Monday, marking a milestone in connectivity between Korea and Central Asia. The new Turkmenistan Airlines route, operating once a week every Monday boosts access to Turkmenistan and eases onward connections to major European cities such as Frankfurt, Milan and Istanbul. With Ashgabat … [Read more...]
Kazakhstan and Afghanistan to Strengthen Connectivity Between Central and South Asia — Memorandum Signed on the Torghundi–Herat Railway Construction
The Ministry of Transport of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Ministry of Public Works of Afghanistan have signed a Memorandum of Understanding outlining the fundamental principles for the construction and operation of a railway linking Central and South Asia. The document was signed in Kabul following negotiations between the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign … [Read more...]
KTZ Express and AD Ports Group Launch GulfLink: A New Momentum for Central Asian Logistics
JSC "KTZ Express" and the UAE-based AD Ports Group have officially announced the launch of GulfLink Ltd., a joint venture registered in Kazakhstan. GulfLink has been established to develop international multimodal routes linking Asia, the Middle East, and Europe, with a focus on enhancing the resilience, flexibility, and efficiency of global logistics chains. According to … [Read more...]
Kazakhstan to Invest $500 Million in Torghundi–Herat Railway Project, Says Afghanistan
Kazakhstan plans to invest in the construction of the Torghundi–Herat railway line in Afghanistan. This was announced by Kazakhstan’s Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov during a meeting with Afghanistan’s Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, Abdul Ghani Baradar. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the Economic Cooperation Organization Summit in Khankendi, … [Read more...]
Russia and Turkmenistan Strengthen Dialogue on International Road Transport
From 23 to 25 June 2025, Ashgabat hosted negotiations between representatives of the Ministry of Transport of the Russian Federation and the Turkmenavtolaglary Agency under Turkmenistan's Cabinet of Ministers. The talks, which also included road carriers from both nations, focused on advancing international road transport cooperation. The Turkmen delegation underscored a … [Read more...]
Chinese giant Yutong celebrates an important milestone: 10,000 buses for Central Asia
On Thursday, 26 June, in the Chinese city of Zhengzhou, the 10,000th Yutong bus, intended for export to Central Asian countries, rolled off the assembly line, according to Xinhua. The Yutong Company, whose headquarters are located in Zhengzhou, the administrative center of Henan Province in Central China, is one of the country's main suppliers of buses. The first Yutong … [Read more...]
Pakistan to launch freight train to Russia via INSTC
Pakistan will inaugurate its first freight train service to Russia from Lahore, the capital of Pakistan's eastern Punjab province, on June 22, marking a significant step in regional connectivity and international trade expansion, Minister for Railways Muhammad Hanif Abbasi said. Addressing a press conference in the city of Multan, Punjab, on Tuesday, Abbasi said the new … [Read more...]
Bulgaria and Kazakhstan Strengthen Cooperation via the Trans-Caspian Route
Bulgaria and Kazakhstan are set to intensify efforts to develop the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, also known as the Middle Corridor, which is becoming a vital link in transcontinental logistics connecting East and West. The Ministry of Transport of Kazakhstan and the Ministry of Transport and Communications of the Republic of Bulgaria signed a Memorandum of … [Read more...]
Regional cooperation in focus: Results of the ECO Transport Meeting in Tehran
On 2 June 2025, Tehran hosted the 13th Ministerial Meeting on Transport of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO), which was attended by ministers, deputy ministers and senior representatives of ECO member States, as well as officials from international partner organizations. This meeting served as a key platform for strengthening regional cooperation in the field of … [Read more...]
Irkeshtam Checkpoint on China-Kyrgyzstan Border Tests 24-Hour Operation Mode
On Sunday, 1 June 2025, the Irkeshtam checkpoint, located in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region in northwest China, began testing a 24-hour cargo clearance mode, according to Xinhua. This makes Irkeshtam the second land port in the region, following Khorgos on the China-Kazakhstan border, and the first in southern Xinjiang to implement such a system. According to the … [Read more...]
Russia and Turkmenistan discuss the development of transport cooperation
Mammetkhan Chakyev, Director General of the Agency for Transport and Communications under the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan, had a working meeting with Roman Starovoit, Minister of Transport of the Russian Federation, via video link. During the talks, the parties discussed key areas of transport cooperation between the two countries. One of the central topics … [Read more...]
Strengthening Connectivity: Second Meeting on the TUTIT+ China Corridor Held in Dushanbe
On 26 May 2025, the second meeting of the High-Level Working Group on the Multimodal Corridor Tajikistan–Uzbekistan–Turkmenistan–Iran–Türkiye (TUTIT + China) took place in Dushanbe. Organized by the Ministry of Transport of Tajikistan, the meeting was supported by the "Trade Facilitation in Central Asia" project of the German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ) and … [Read more...]
Vietjet Qazaqstan – New airline in Central Asia
nCa-AI Collaborative Report Key Points Introduction On May 6, 2025, VietJet Airlines and Qazaq Air announced Vietjet Qazaqstan, a new low-cost airline in Astana, aiming to deepen aviation ties between Vietnam and Kazakhstan. This launch, witnessed during Vietnamese General Secretary To Lam’s state visit, marks a significant step in VietJet’s global expansion, … [Read more...]
First China-Central Asia Freight Train of 2025 Departs from Tianjin Port to Tashkent
The first China-Central Asia freight train of 2025 connecting Tianjin Port to Tashkent via Horgos successfully departed on Tuesday, marking an important milestone in the ongoing development of trade routes between China and Central Asia. As reported by Xinhua, the train carries fifty containers loaded with a diverse cargo of auto parts, mechanical equipment, building … [Read more...]
Central Asian Transport Connectivity Strengthened Through Multilateral Commitments
nCa Report In a series of high-level meetings held in Astana, Kazakhstan, transport ministers from Central Asian countries, including Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, and China, convened to advance regional and international transport cooperation. These discussions, centered on modernizing infrastructure, digitalizing transport processes, and fostering … [Read more...]
While Turkmenbashy Arport is closed for repairs, all local flights are re-routed to Balkanabat
The newly completed airport at Balkanabat is serving as alternate airport for the duration the Turkmenbashy airport remains closed for repairs and renovation. As of 19 May 2025, all the domestic flights that were landing and taking off from Turkmenbashy airport, have been re-routed to Balkanabat airport. As reported by Turkmenportal, passengers can now use the following … [Read more...]
New International Airport Opens in Western Turkmenistan
On 2 May 2025, a new International Airport was inaugurated in Balkanabat, the administrative center of Balkan province, west of Turkmenistan. The opening ceremony was led by President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov. In his welcoming remarks, the head of state emphasized: “The development of economic sectors, including the transport and communications sector, is being … [Read more...]
Meeting of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan with the Secretary General of the Economic Cooperation Organization
On 28 April 2025, on the sidelines of the First High-level Forum on Sustainable Development in the Organization for Economic Cooperation (ECO) region in Arkadag, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan Rashid Meredov met with ECO Secretary General Asad Majeed Khan. During the meeting, the parties reviewed the main areas of cooperation between Turkmenistan and the ECO, as … [Read more...]
Turkmenistan and Kyrgyzstan hold the first meeting of the Joint Commission on Transport, Transit and Logistics
On 28-30 April 2025, Bishkek hosts the first meeting of the Joint Turkmen-Kyrgyz Commission on Transport, Transit and Logistics. The meeting is attended by a delegation of Turkmenistan headed by Deputy Director General of the Agency for Transport and Communications under the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan A.Khudaiberdiyev, foreign ministry of Turkmenistan … [Read more...]
The President of Kazakhstan and the National Leader of the Turkmen people held informal talks: energy and transport under the spotlight
On 22 April 2025, informal talks were held in Turkestan between President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and National Leader of the Turkmen people Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov. The Head of Kazakhstan thanked Berdimuhamedov for visiting Turkestan, the spiritual capital of Kazakhstan, a city of sacred importance to all Turkic peoples. Tokayev congratulated Arkadag … [Read more...]
Turkmenistan facilitated the test multimodal transportation on the Russia—Afghanistan route
In April 2025, the Transport and Logistics Center of Turkmenistan (TULM), which operates container transportation on the country's railways, organized the first test multimodal container transportation on the Russia - Afghanistan route with transit through Turkmenistan. This step has become an important stage in the development of the international North-South transport and … [Read more...]