China has been strengthening ties with Central Asian nations with the aim to secure access to the region’s energy resources — oil, natural gas, coal, uranium, and renewable energy sources. China needs these energy resources for accelerated economic development in its northwestern Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, which borders Central Asian countries. This is one of
The death toll of the March 22 attack on a Moscow concert venue claimed by the Islamic State (IS) militant group has reached 133 and Russian security officials said four suspected gunmen had been detained in connection with Russia’s worst terrorist violence in nearly two decades, RFE/RL’s Russian Service reported. Russian officials said the suspects
The Navruz and iftar celebrations held in London were a resounding success, marking a vibrant start to the year’s festivities. The event was organized and sponsored by the Eurasian Creative Guild, London (ECG), OCA magazine and Orzu Arts, and served as the inaugural event in a series of celebrations marking the 15th anniversary of OCA
The Ambassador of the Kyrgyz Republic to Italy, Taalai Bazarbayev took part in a recent event organized by the Italian Senate jointly with the Italian Institute for Cooperation with Asia (ISIA) on the topic “Middle Corridor: A secure transit route between Italy, Azerbaijan and Central Asia.” The event was attended by deputies of the Italian
On March 11, Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev arrived in Azerbaijan on a state visit. In Baku, Tokayev held talks with his Azerbaijani counterpart Ilham Aliyev. The two leaders also participated in the first meeting of the Interstate Council of Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan. Tokayev and Aliyev also took part via a teleconference in the ceremony of
On March 4, a high-level meeting was held in the Turkmen capital with the participation of the Secretary General of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, Helga Schmid and the environmental ministers of the Central Asian countries. Particular attention of the meeting participants was paid to the issues of climate change in order
In a recent announcement by Roman Vassilenko, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs in Kazakhstan, the nation revealed plans for an extraordinary international endeavor: the reintroduction of Przhevalsky horses into its national nature reserve in the Kostanay region, “Altyn Dala.” This initiative aims to bring 40 Przhevalsky horses from Europe to Kazakhstan within five years, bolstered
In a significant move to bolster regional collaboration, representatives from Central Asian nations convened at a workshop in Almaty on March 1 to forge a roadmap and action plan for a proposed second phase of the World Bank-supported Central Asia Hydrometeorology Modernization Project (CAHMP II). This gathering underscored an advancement in regional cooperation and modernization efforts in
On February 29, in the Chinese city of Chongqing, Kazakhstan’s national railways company KTZ and the logistics platform Yuxinou (Chongqing) Logistics Co., Ltd signed an agreement on the organization and dispatch of 200 container trains through Kazakhstan, including along the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, with a cargo volume of more than 20 thousand 20-foot equivalent
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian has said his country has frozen its membership in the Russian-led Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) as Yerevan continues to distance itself from Moscow amid a souring of bilateral relations, RFE/RL’s Armenian Service reported. Pashinian said in an interview with France 24 television channel on February 22 that the move comes after
On February 19, the Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities (OCEEA) launched the Central Asian Women’s Entrepreneurship Programme titled “Strengthening the Digital Skills of Women Entrepreneurs”. The programme will serve as an online platform for exchange, learning, and dialogue for 21 women-led businesses from Central Asia. Through a series of workshops,
The World Bank Board of Executive Directors on February 15 endorsed an adjusted approach to support the people of Afghanistan. “Approach 3.0” will deploy funds from the International Development Association (IDA) through grants to United Nations agencies and other public international organizations. These funds will continue supporting basic services nationwide, particularly those benefiting women, and
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and subsequent economic sanctions imposed by the west have underlined the urgency of finding alternative trade routes between Europe and Asia that do not pass through Russia. In the new geopolitical realities, Kazakhstan has a good chance to become the main and most sustainable transit route between Europe and Asia. In
A meeting of the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council was held in Almaty on February 2, attended by heads of government of the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) member countries — Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Russia. Kazakhstan Prime Minister Alikhan Smailov reminded that this year marks the 10th anniversary of the signing of the EEU Treaty. Today
The first SCO Digital Forum was held on February 1 in Almaty, gathering the heads of ministries and agencies of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member states responsible for the development of information and communication technologies. The SCO includes China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Pakistan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. In his welcoming remarks at the forum,
The Global Gateway Investors Forum in Brussels on January 29-30 marks a pivotal moment in EU-Central Asia relations, particularly in enhancing transport connectivity. European Commission Executive Vice President Valdis Dombrovskis’ announcement of €10 billion in investments underscores a commitment to sustainable development in Central Asia. With a focus on transforming the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor, the
The Global Gateway Investors Forum for EU-Central Asia Transport Connectivity opened on January 29 in Brussels, bringing together high-level representatives from the European Commission, EU Member States, Central Asia and Caucasus countries, and Türkiye. At the forum, European Commission Executive Vice President Valdis Dombrovskis announced that European and international financial institutions will commit €10 billion in support and investments
As Western governments are intensifying their relations with Central Asian countries against the backdrop of Russia’s war on Ukraine, this offers an opportunity to achieve specific advances for human rights in the region, Human Rights Watch said on January 11 in its World Report 2024. “Central Asia’s authoritarian governments severely restrict freedoms of speech, assembly, and
A court in Kyrgyzstan has sentenced another Kyrgyz citizen to a prison term for his participation in Russia’s war against Ukraine. The Naryn regional court sentenced Beknazar Borugul uulu to five years in prison for participating in the war in Ukraine as part of the Russian private military company Wagner. The court announced on January
Police in Germany on January 1 arrested another suspect in connection with a possible planned terrorist attack on Cologne Cathedral, saying it was a 41-year-old man with German and Turkish citizenship, RFE/RL reported. A total of five suspects have now been detained in connection with the terrorism alert. On Christmas Eve, a 30-year-old Tajik was
