Governments of five Central Asian countries could raise GDP per capita by 6 to 14 percent above projected levels by 2050 by increasing investments in children’s health, education, and development, according to a new report released by UNICEF, the United Nations Children’s Fund. According to “Generation 2050 in Central Asia,” the Central Asian region has
At a meeting in Ashgabat in mid-November, the Interstate Commission for Water Coordination of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan approved water distribution quotas for the 2025-2026 non-growing season (from October 1, 2025 to April 1, 2026) for the Syr Darya and Amu Darya river basins. The Amu Darya and Syr Darya are the two
Turkmenistan is an important partner of Kazakhstan in Central Asia. Over the past five years, bilateral trade has increased four times and over the last two years, mutual trade has consistently exceeded $500 million, Kazakhstan’s Deputy Prime Minister–Minister of National Economy Serik Zhumangarin said during a meeting with the Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of
The 3rd EU–Central Asia Economic Forum demonstrated the growing momentum of the partnership between the European Union and the countries of Central Asia. Coming after the recent first-ever EU–Central Asia Summit in Samarkand and the EU–Central Asia Ministerial meeting in Ashgabat, the Forum in Tashkent on November 26 became the next major milestone in a
A major new environmental initiative has been launched in response to increasing pressure on Central Asia’s water and land resources, the growing impacts of climate change, land degradation, and more frequent droughts. The Central Asian Water and Land Nexus (CAWLN) Program, funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and implemented by the National Committee of
On November 25, President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev held negotiations with President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov, who arrived in Kazakhstan on a state visit. The leaders discussed priority areas of trade, economic, transport, logistics, cultural and humanitarian cooperation. Particular attention was paid to joint projects in energy, industrial cooperation, agriculture, IT, education, and medicine. Over
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Turkmenistan, in cooperation with the Ministry of Communications of Turkmenistan, last week organized the International Startup Forum 2025 within the framework of the Turkmentel–2025 Exhibition and International Conference in Ashgabat. This event marked a significant milestone in advancing Turkmenistan’s innovation and digital transformation agenda, UNDP Turkmenistan reported. The
On November 17, negotiations were held between President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov in Tashkent. It was emphasized that the current state visit will become a significant step toward further strengthening the Uzbek-Turkmen relations of friendship, good-neighborliness and strategic partnership. Uzbek-Turkmen trade turnover has nearly doubled in recent years, exceeding
On November 16, the seventh Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asia was held in Tashkent under the chairmanship of the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev. The summit was attended by President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, President of the Kyrgyz Republic Sadyr Japarov, President of Tajikistan Emomali
Central Asia is entering a new, historically significant stage of its development. Today we are shifting to a real unity. For the first time in many years an atmosphere of trust, good neighborliness and mutual respect is being formed in the region, becoming a foundation for joint movement forward, Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev wrote in
On November 13, the Ministry of Investment, Industry and Trade of Uzbekistan organized the first meeting of the Council of Ministers of Trade and Investment of the Central Asian countries and Azerbaijan in Tashkent. The event was aimed at strengthening regional cooperation in trade, investment, and industrial collaboration. The meeting was attended by Laziz Kudratov,
On November 11, Asian Development Bank (ADB) President Masato Kanda met with Turkmenistan President Serdar Berdimuhamedov in Ashgabat to strengthen ADB’s long-standing partnership with Turkmenistan and discuss ways to deepen cooperation in support of the country’s sustainable and inclusive growth. The visit marks the 25th anniversary of the ADB–Turkmenistan partnership and coincides with the country’s
The European Union and Turkmenistan held their 24th Joint Committee on November 7 in Ashgabat. The two sides exchanged on the progress made in the relations between the EU and Turkmenistan, particularly, in the areas of trade, connectivity, energy and environment, and a number of other areas of cooperation, according to the Delegation of the European
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Turkmenistan has announced the approval of its new Country Programme Document (CPD) for 2026–2030, marking the next phase of partnership with the Turkmen Government, civil society, the private sector, and international development partners. Building on the successful results of the previous programme cycle, the new CPD reinforces UNDP’s commitment
On November 6, a summit of leaders of Central Asia and the United States in the “C5+1” format was held at the White House in Washington, D.C. The event, chaired by the President of the United States Donald Trump, was attended by President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov, President of Tajikistan
A C5+1 business conference was held in Washington, D.C. on November 6, marking the 10th anniversary of the partnership between the Central Asian countries and the United States. The event brought together representatives of governments, national companies, and leading businesses from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and the United States. The main theme of the conference
In early November, Bishkek hosted a political dialogue titled “Women in Water and Energy,” bringing together female leaders and experts from five Central Asian countries. The event marked a continuation of the Green Central Asia program, which aims to strengthen regional cooperation on climate, environmental protection, and security. In a region facing mounting ecological challenges,
During his official visit to Italy, President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov participated in the Turkmen-Italian Business Forum on October 26. The Turkmen president emphasized the importance of this meeting, which aims to develop Turkmen-Italian ties through direct business dialogue and provide concrete preconditions for attaining a qualitatively new level of partnership. He noted that one
On October 9, the Second “Central Asia–Russia” Summit was held in Dushanbe. The event, chaired by the President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon, was attended by the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin, the President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, the President of the Kyrgyz Republic Sadyr Japarov, the President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov, and the
The Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) and the Export-Import Bank of India (India Exim Bank) have released a joint research report, entitled ‘Exploring Trade and Investment Relations between India and Central Asia: Unlocking Economic Benefits’. The report analyzes the untapped potential of cooperation between the two dynamically growing economic centers. The report lists Central Asia and
