On August 1 in Astana, Deputy Prime Minister – Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan Murat Nurtleu held talks with High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Vice-President of the European Commission Josep Borrell. The diplomats overviewed a wide range of relations between Astana and Brussels within the framework of
The “Central Asia plus Japan” Dialogue Summit will be held in Astana, Kazakhstan on August 9 and 10. The event marks the 20th anniversary of the “Central Asia plus Japan” Dialogue, which was launched in 2004 at Japan’s initiative to foster cooperation between Japan and five Central Asian countries. Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is
On July 30 in Tehran, the President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon attended the inauguration ceremony of the newly elected President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Masoud Pezeshkian. During their meeting, President Rahmon invited Masoud Pezeshkian to visit Tajikistan. Rahmon expressed confidence that Tajikistan and Iran will continue to develop mutually beneficial cooperation on the
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved two policy-based loans totaling $400 million that support the Government of Uzbekistan’s initiatives to enhance the country’s financial markets and develop a sustainable, market-led power sector. “Strong participation of the private sector is vital to Uzbekistan’s economic growth and transformation,” said ADB Director General for Central and West
The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors on July 31 approved $27 million for the National Community Initiatives Project (NCIP) for the Kyrgyz Republic. The project aims to improve access to socio-economic infrastructure and increase economic opportunities at the local level, with a focus on women and youth. “The National Community Initiatives Project builds on more
Thirty-three Fellows are equipped to teach in rural schools across Chui region of Kyrgyzstan in September, thanks to Teach for Kyrgyzstan’s Summer Institute. The Summer Institute provided four-week training and development for these future social entrepreneurs in education: called ‘jaratmans’ in Kyrgyz, translated as ‘creators’ in English. The Teach for Kyrgyzstan project is administered by
Hungary’s Globalia Ltd is creating an agricultural industrial park in Kazakhstan’s Akmola region using the latest Hungarian agricultural technologies, the Kazakh Ministry of Agriculture reported. The agro-park will accommodate different types of agribusiness activities, demonstrating advanced agricultural practices, sustainable and environmentally friendly technologies, ensuring traceability of products from the producer to the end consumer, “from
Authorities in Russia have once again proposed sending immigrants who have received Russian citizenship to fight in Ukraine. The Russian Defense Ministry has increased the size of payments for those who sign contracts to join Russian troops fighting in Ukraine. An article published by Radio Azattyk (RFE/RL’s Kyrgyz Service) reveals how Russia lures Central Asians
Kyrgyz government spokesman Nazirbek Borubaev said on July 30 that 94 percent of the 972-kilometer Kyrgyz-Tajik border had been agreed upon by officials from the two Central Asian nations, RFE/RL’s Kyrgyz Service reported. Borubaev added that discussions between Kyrgyz and Tajik officials on defining the remaining sections of the border will be held on August
The implementation of the National Project “Comfortable School” was considered at a meeting in the Government on 29 July under the chairmanship of First Deputy Prime Minister Roman Sklyar. As reported by the Kazakh Government’s press service, the National Project “Comfortable School” provides for building 369 schools of a new format for 740 thousand pupils
The Youth Camp, organized within the framework of the United Nations Development Programme’s (UNDP) programme on strengthening community resilience and regional cooperation to prevent violent extremism (PVE) in Central Asia, was launched on July 29 at Suleyman Demirel University (SDU) in Almaty. In Kazakhstan, this initiative, funded by the Government of Japan, aims to empower
Uzbekistan’s Central Election Commission announced on July 26 that parliamentary and local elections will be held in the Central Asian nation on October 27, RFE/RL’s Uzbek Service reported. Those up for election include 150 members of the parliament’s lower chamber, the Legislative Chamber; 56 members of the upper chamber, the Senate; and 65 members of the Supreme
According to Kyrgyzstan’s National Statistical Committee, in 2023 trade turnover between Kyrgyzstan and China amounted to $5.433 billion, including Kyrgyzstan’s exports at $80.5 million and imports at $5.353 billion. In January-May 2024, bilateral trade amounted to $2.712 billion, including Kyrgyz exports at $38.8 million and imports at $2.673 billion. Chinese statistics on trade with Kyrgyzstan
The President of Uzbekistan earlier this month signed a resolution “On measures to implement the investment project for the production of alternative thermal energy from medical waste”. The project will be implemented by a U.S. company, Sayar LLC, which has established a project company in Uzbekistan, called Sayar Green. An Investment Agreement has been signed
Russian human rights defender Valentina Chupik says new legislation on migration adopted by Russia’s State Duma this week will dramatically restrict the rights of labor migrants, Current Time reported. Thousands of men and women from Central Asia regularly come to Russia as migrant workers and provide a financial lifeline to those back home. Speaking to
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) says it has signed a transaction advisory services agreement with the Government of Kazakhstan for its Hydropower Development Program. ADB’s mandate is to work with the government to conduct pre-feasibility studies, assist in preparing auction documents and a template power purchasing agreement, and attract competitive offers to crowd in investors.
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) says it is promoting greater use of green technologies and creating growth opportunities for small firms in Kazakhstan by providing a financial package of US$ 60 million (€55.3 million) to the country’s major private lender, Bank CenterCredit (BCC). The package consists of a loan in Kazakhstan tenge equivalent to US$ 30
The Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Thailand, Arman Issetov, on July 24 met at the Thai Government Office with the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce, Phumtham Wechayachai to discuss the implementation of the agreements reached during the recent visit of the Deputy Prime Minister – Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan, Murat Nurtleu, to
Some 3,400 Tajik migrant workers have not been allowed to enter Russia and turned back to Tajikistan from Russian airports over the last six months, the director of the Tajik Civil Aviation Agency, Habibullo Nazarzoda, told reporters on July 24, RFE/RL’s Tajik Service reported. According to Nazarzoda, Tajik citizens were not allowed to enter Russia
Kyrgyzstan President Sadyr Japarov on July 22 attended the opening ceremonies of two small hydroelectric power plants (HPPs) in the country’s southern Jalal-Abad region. One HPP, Kok-Art, is located in the Suzak district of Jalal-Abad region. Its construction began in August 2023. The plant has a capacity of 6.8 MW and an estimated annual electricity
