The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Government of Japan have launched a regional project, “Strengthening the System for Region-Wide Disaster Risk Reduction in Central Asia.” The new project, within the framework of the “Central Asia plus Japan” Dialogue, aims to enhance disaster resilience at both national and regional levels over two years, focusing
Kazakhstan has marked 10 years of membership in the World Trade Organization (WTO). Over this period, the country’s exports increased from USD 46 billion to USD 82 billion, while foreign trade nearly doubled — from USD 76 billion to USD 142 billion. Kazakhstan’s gross domestic product grew by more than USD 100 billion during its
An official closing ceremony for the events held within the framework of the “Tourism Year of Uzbekistan in China” took place in Beijing. The event was organized by the Tourism Committee of Uzbekistan. The ceremony was attended by official representatives of the tourism authorities of both countries, tourism industry professionals, and media. Speakers at the
The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and Bank Arvand have signed a grant agreement to invest approximately €445,000 in a new initiative empowering people in rural Tajikistan to transform remittance flows from relatives abroad into sustainable economic opportunities. The REMIT PRIME Central Asia Programme brings together IFAD, the European Union, and other lenders to increase access to remittances and build
Google has launched its artificial intelligence model, Gemini, in the Kazakh language. The release, timed with Independence Day of the Republic of Kazakhstan, is part of the global expansion of language support for one of the company’s most advanced AI products, according to the Kazakh Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development. The Kazakh language
On December 20, the Delegation of the European Union to Turkmenistan hosted its annual open-air Christmas Book Fair, which for the third year in a row delighted residents and guests of Ashgabat. The event took place in the front yard of the Delegation and brought together the local community to celebrate books, culture, sustainability, and
On December 22, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and Uzbekistan signed the FAO–Uzbekistan Country Programming Framework 2026–2030, which is embedded in the United Nations’ strategic priorities in the country and the globally adopted Sustainable Development Goals. The new agreement was signed by Viorel Gutu, FAO Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) says it is providing a loan of up to €25 million to Orzax Central Asia – a newly established subsidiary of Orzax Türkiye – for the construction and operation of a greenfield food supplement production facility in the Turkestan region of Kazakhstan. The new facility will be Orzax Türkiye’s
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and Eskhata Bank Open Joint Stock Company have signed agreements to strengthen access to green finance for Tajikistan’s micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs)—essential drivers of job creation and inclusive economic growth. Under the agreements, ADB will provide a local currency loan equivalent to $10 million to Eskhata Bank, boosting the bank’s
President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, President of the Kyrgyz Republic Sadyr Japarov, and President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon were awarded with the Leo Tolstoy International Peace Prize at a ceremony held at the Saint Petersburg State Rimsky-Korsakov Conservatory on December 21. The prestigious award was presented in the presence of the President of the Russian
As a result of the official visit of Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to Japan and the Central Asia–Japan Business Forum on December 20, more than 60 documents were signed between Kazakh and Japanese business entities, totaling $3.72 billion, according to Kazakh Invest. Baiterek National Managing Holding JSC and Japan’s MUFG Bank, Ltd. signed a memorandum
On December 20 in Tokyo, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi welcomed the Presidents of the five Central Asian countries as she hosted the first Summit of the “Central Asia plus Japan” Dialogue (CA+JAD) at the leader’s level. Prime Minister Takaichi highlighted the importance and potential of the Central Asian region, including its geopolitical significance as
At the first summit of the “Central Asia + Japan” Dialogue in Tokyo on December 20, President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev presented his vision for the development of cooperation in the “Central Asia + Japan” format. The event, chaired by Prime Minister of Japan Sanae Takaichi, was also attended by President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev,
President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and the Prime Minister of Japan Sanae Takaichi held negotiations in Tokyo on December 20. Following the talks, the President of Uzbekistan and the Prime Minister of Japan signed a Joint Statement on an expanded strategic partnership for future generations. They emphasized that this document will elevate interaction to a
Hertfordshire Press, the UK’s leading publisher dedicated to translated literature from the post-Soviet space, announces the release of Imprisoned Souls: Poems of Uyghur Prisoners in China, a powerful new anthology translated and compiled by acclaimed Uyghur poet, scholar, and human rights advocate Aziz Isa Elkun. At a moment when Uyghur cultural expression faces systematic erasure,
As part of his official visit to Japan, President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev on December 19 held a meeting with the heads of leading Japanese companies, financial institutions, and business associations. The event was attended by Japan’s Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Ryosei Akazawa, as well as top managers of Sojitz, Sumitomo, Toyota, ITOCHU,
An event dedicated to the 110th anniversary of the prominent Uzbek art collector Igor Savitsky took place in London on December 16. Organized by the British publishing house Hertfordshire Press, which has specialized in translating and publishing works of classic and contemporary authors from Central Asia for nearly 20 years, the event was attended by
A national workshop in Tashkent on 18-19 December brought together teachers, education specialists, national and international experts to finalize and approve practical recommendations on how to include climate change topics in the 7–11 grade curricula for biology, geography, physics, chemistry, and mathematics, UNDP in Uzbekistan reported. The event was organized by the United Nations Development
The Kazakhstan Agency of International Development (KazAID) is celebrating its fifth anniversary. The Agency was established by a Resolution of the Government of Kazakhstan dated December 15, 2020, as the national operator in the field of official development assistance and operates under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan. KazAID’s mission is to promote sustainable
On December 16, London hosted an event commemorating the great Kyrgyz writer Chingiz Aitmatov. Organized by the British publishing house Hertfordshire Press, which has specialized in translating and publishing works of classic and contemporary authors from Central Asia for nearly twenty years, the event was attended by over 80 guests from England, Kyrgyzstan, Scotland, Australia,
