The Swiss project “Medical Education Reforms in the Kyrgyz Republic” presented the results achieved over the last 10 years at the conference dedicated to its finalization on November 12 in Bishkek. Local and international partners and donors at the conference discussed the achievements of the project and also future perspectives and sustainability of the results
On November 12, Kazakhstan’s Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov took part in the opening of Korkyt Ata airport’s new terminal in Kyzylorda. The launch of the new terminal will increase the capacity of the air harbour from 300 thousand to 2 million passengers per year. The renovated Korkyt Ata terminal meets the high standards of the
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Government of Kazakhstan have moved a step closer toward the possible early retirement of a coal plant in Kazakhstan under the bank’s Energy Transition Mechanism (ETM) program. Under a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed at COP29 by ADB and Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Energy, the two sides will work toward a
The parties signed the relevant agreement at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP29) held in Baku. Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Economy Nurlan Baybazarov noted that this is the largest project financed by the Islamic Development Bank in its history, the press service of the Kazakh Government reported. In addition, the Islamic Development
The Kazakh Foreign Ministry has said that starting from November 18, 2024, Kazakhstan is implementing updated visa regulations aimed at creating favorable conditions for business immigrants, skilled professionals, and travelers. The new measures include: – B9 Visa – for representatives of sought-after professions, which allows further registration of a residence permit; – Digital Nomad Visa
On November 10-11, a delegation from Uzbekistan, led by Minister of Investment, Industry, and Trade Laziz Kudratov, visited Qatar. The Uzbek delegation participated in the inaugural meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation and attended the Uzbek-Qatari Business Forum, engaging in discussions with leaders from Qatar’s key companies. In his opening remarks at the Commission
In Xi’an (China), Yerzhan Yelekeyev, the Chairman of the Board of JSC National Company Kazakh Invest, took part in the opening ceremony of the office of Shaanxi Baosheng Silk Road Construction Engineering Co., Ltd, an independent partner of the national company in China. The Chinese company has opened a representative office within the framework of a cooperation
Member countries of the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) Program have endorsed a new Climate Change Action Plan (CCAP) and launched the CAREC Climate and Sustainability Project Preparatory Fund (CSPPF) to strengthen regional collaboration on climate resilience, low-carbon growth, and sustainable development. The endorsement took place at the 23rd CAREC Ministerial Conference held in Astana on
Germany has deported a Tajik anti-government activist to Dushanbe despite warnings by rights groups and opposition politicians that he may face torture and imprisonment if returned to Tajikistan, RFE/RL reported. Dilmurod Ergashev, 40, was handcuffed and had a black bag put over his head upon arrival in Tajikistan on November 7, Human Rights Watch (HRW) reported on X, citing
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and Ipak Yuli Bank have signed a 625 billion Uzbek sum loan (equivalent to about $50 million) to enhance access to financing for urban micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in Uzbekistan. A majority of loan proceeds will be allocated to support financial inclusion for MSMEs, 60% outside the capital
Climate action offers Tajikistan an opportunity to rejuvenate its economy and create jobs while protecting its people from the growing risks of extreme weather events induced by climate change, says the World Bank Group’s Tajikistan Country Climate and Development Report (CCDR), released on November 7. “Tajikistan is in urgent need of an economic reset that can help
Kazakhstan’s Altyn Dala Conservation Initiative has been named the winner of the prestigious Earthshot Prize 2024 in the “Protect and Restore Nature” category, awarded by His Royal Highness Prince William. The Altyn Dala Conservation Initiative has received the prestigious prize in recognition of its vision and results to conserve and restore the steppe ecosystem in
Tajik opposition activist Dilmurod Ergashev attempted to commit suicide before being deported from Germany to Tajikistan, RFE/RL’s Tajik Service reported with reference to the November 6 report of The Insider investigative group. According to the report, German police officers found Ergashev lying in a pool of blood in a cell in a deportation center. Ergashev
On November 6, Kyrgyzstan’s capital, Bishkek, hosted the 11th Summit of the Council of Heads of State of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS). The summit was chaired by Kyrgyzstan President Sadyr Japarov and attended by President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, President of Uzbekistan
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan paid a state visit to Kyrgyzstan on November 4-5 and, together with Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov, chaired the 6th meeting of the Kyrgyzstan-Turkey High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council. Presidents Japarov and Erdoğan signed a Joint Declaration elevating relations between Kyrgyzstan and Turkey to the level of comprehensive strategic partnership, which Japarov
President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev made a state visit to France on November 4-5. In Paris, Tokayev held talks with French President Emmanuel Macron on the development of trade and economic cooperation. According to Tokayev, last year, the trade turnover between Kazakhstan and France amounted to $4.2 billion, and this year this figure was achieved
A court in Uzbekistan’s Ferghana Province has sentenced 51-year-old Alisher Holiqov to five years in prison for mercenary activities with the Russian armed forces in a landmark case highlighting the growing issue of foreigners enlisting to fight in Ukraine, RFE/RL’s Uzbek Service reported. The November 4 court ruling shows the risks faced by Central Asian migrants and
Kazakhstan has signed eight commercial agreements worth $2.5 billion with Chinese companies, significantly enhancing bilateral economic relations between the two countries. The agreements were signed on November 4 during Kazakh Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov’s visit to Shanghai, RFE/RL reported. The agreements support a broader strategy of the two countries to double trade turnover, which reached
The 17th “Central Asia – Republic of Korea” Cooperation Forum took place in Seoul on November 4. The forum addressed key areas of partnership between Central Asian countries and the Republic of Korea, focusing on sectors such as transport and logistics cooperation, energy collaboration, digital transformation, and environmental issues, the Kazakh Foreign Ministry reported. In
Late in October, the EU disbursed EUR 7 million as a budget support grant towards the education sector in Kyrgyzstan, the Delegation of the European Union to the Kyrgyz Republic said. The EU’s engagement is centred on supporting the Ministry of Education’s work in the field of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), alongside a
