A few months ago, I had the privilege of visiting Uzbekistan — a land where every day seemed to offer me another chance. Another chance to see, to taste, to learn, to be humbled. I boarded the sleek high-speed train from Tashkent to Samarkand, watching the landscape unfold at modern velocity. Not long after, I
The Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development has initiated efforts to establish lasting conditions for the growth of technology entrepreneurship in Kazakhstan. As part of its digital economic transformation strategy, the Ministry is developing a post-2028 support framework for Astana Hub participants, with a planning horizon extending to 2045. The initiative aims to create
Uzbekistan continues to advance its commitment to environmental protection and sustainable development through strengthened action on hazardous chemicals and waste management. Following the historic Eighth Assembly of the Global Environment Facility (GEF), held in Samarkand, a new project titled “Supporting Implementation of the Stockholm Convention through the Sound Management of Chemicals and Waste in Uzbekistan” has been
On June 25, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution entitled “International Decade of Strengthening of Peace for Future Generations,” initiated by the President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon. Through this action, Member States reaffirmed their collective commitment to advancing peace, dialogue, and intergenerational solidarity as essential foundations for safeguarding the well being of future generations.
During his working visit to China on June 23, Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Olzhas Bektenov held a meeting with Premier of the State Council of China Li Qiang. The parties discussed the implementation of agreements reached at the highest level, as well as prospects for further strengthening Kazakh-Chinese cooperation, including trade development, expansion of investment
On June 22, artists and members of the delegation of the International Organization of Turkic Culture (TÜRKSOY) arrived in Uzbekistan within the framework of events to be held in Andijan, the Cultural Capital of the Turkic World 2026. With celebrations of the cultural capital which will feature over 100 artists from various countries of the
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) continues to support the Government of Kyrgyzstan in developing instruments that strengthen export potential and enhance the competitiveness of domestic companies in international markets. Within the framework of the UNDP’s Trade Facilitation project, in cooperation with the Open Joint Stock Company State Insurance Organization, work has been carried out
A ceremony to present the Dostlug (Friendship) oil tanker in an online format was held on June 22 with the participation of President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov. The Dostlug tanker, gifted by Azerbaijan to Turkmenistan, was built at the Baku Shipyard. The tanker has an overall length of 141
The Third International Uyghur Forum was held in Berlin from 11 to 13 June 2026, bringing together Uyghur scholars, writers, human rights advocates, policymakers, and representatives of Uyghur organizations from around the world. The event was organized by the World Uyghur Congress and the Uyghur Center for Democracy and Human Rights. Representing Uyghur PEN, renowned
Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev paid an official visit to Brussels on 23 June and met with António Costa, President of the European Council and Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission. The leaders welcomed Tokayev’s visit as a strong signal of the growing strategic partnership between the European Union and Kazakhstan at a
On June 23, the European Commission launched the Connectivity Agenda Platform and concluded agreements with international financial institutions expected to mobilise up to €2 billion for strategic connectivity investments in the Black Sea region and the South Caucasus, the Delegation of the European Union to the Republic of Kazakhstan reported. The Platform was unveiled at a high-level
Water access in Uzbekistan’s Karakalpakstan is not a simple infrastructure problem. It is a question of geography, climate, and the particular circumstances of the region’s most remote communities, where the distance from district centers, the absence of roads, and the depth of need make development especially challenging. Meeting these challenges requires joint effort and partners
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is improving access to licensed medical products in Uzbekistan by financing the expansion of Big-Family-Pharm (BFP), operator of the Akmal Pharm pharmacy chain in the Fergana Valley. BFP, which runs 86 retail pharmacies across the Tashkent, Andijan and Fergana regions of Uzbekistan, will receive an EBRD loan of
One of the most memorable events of my Latin American journey was the meeting with Paraguay’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Rubén Ramírez Lezcano, in the capital city of Asunción. Ramírez Lezcano is one of the country’s most influential diplomats and has served as Paraguay’s Foreign Minister since 2023. This visit became my first official trip
The relevant Memorandum of Intent on cooperation in the field of water resources and irrigation management, as well as the development of sustainable agriculture in the context of climate change, was signed by the Kazakh National University of Water Management and Irrigation, the Kazakh National Agrarian Research University, and Kabul University. The document was signed
The participation of Uzbekistan’s national football team in the FIFA World Cup is not only a historic sports achievement but also an effective instrument for promoting the country internationally, showcasing its tourism potential, cultural heritage, and national brand on the global stage, according to the Tourism Committee of Uzbekistan. Uzbekistan’s appearance on the world stage
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) says it is facilitating more fluid cargo and passenger traffic flows along the Trans-Caspian Corridor, the EU’s Global Gateway flagship initiative, and supporting the establishment of sustainable transport connections in Central Asia by helping to finance the completion of upgrades to a key transport route in western Kazakhstan. The
The Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) and the Uzbek Plant of Technological Metals (TMC) have signed a memorandum of understanding to cooperate in financing the extraction and processing of critical minerals and rare earth metals. The document is aimed at strengthening Uzbekistan’s position in global supply chains for strategic raw materials by developing knowledge‑intensive industries and
On June 21, Kazakhstan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Economy Serik Zhumangarin held talks in Kabul with Afghan Prime Minister Mohammad Hassan Akhund and Deputy Prime Minister Abdul Ghani Baradar. The parties discussed issues of humanitarian, trade, economic, and investment cooperation. Particular attention was paid to cooperation in the mining and metallurgy sector.
The European Investment Bank (EIB) on June 18 opened its Regional Representation for Central Asia in Tashkent, bringing its teams closer to partners and projects throughout the region, the bank said. The office was inaugurated by EIB Vice-President Marek Mora, who highlighted the bank’s growing engagement in Central Asia and its expanding pipeline of investments