The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $75 million equivalent loan and a $2 million grant from the Japan Fund for Prosperous and Resilient Asia and the Pacific (JFPR) to increase the quantity and improve the quality of nurses and midwives in Turkmenistan. The Improving Nursing Quality and Capacity Project is ADB’s first health sector project
The government of Kazakhstan and the Global Methane Hub on September 24 signed a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen cooperation in reducing methane emissions through national planning, monitoring, and regulations. The agreement underscores Kazakhstan’s commitment to identifying and mitigating methane emissions across all sectors, beginning with large-scale methane leaks in its oil and gas operations.
A ceremony was held in Astana on September 24 to launch the construction of an integrated agro-industrial complex for deep processing of grain and legumes. The event was attended by Minister of Agriculture Aydarbek Saparov, Mayor of Astana Zhenis Kassymbek, and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Alibek Kuantyrov. The project is being implemented by Kazak
Tajikistan has achieved remarkable progress in reducing poverty over the past decade, according to a new World Bank report. The Tajikistan Poverty and Equity Assessment says the national poverty rate declined from 56% in 2010 to about 20% in 2024. Over the same period, the share of the middle class increased more than fourfold, from 8% to
On September 23, negotiations took place between the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and the President of the United States of America Donald Trump. The meeting was held at the UN Headquarters on the sidelines of the 80th session of the General Assembly. The leaders discussed current issues and priorities for the further expansion of
A meeting was held in New York (USA) on September 22 between Askhat Khassenov, Chairman of the Management Board of Kazakhstan’s national oil and gas company KazMunayGas (KMG), and the leadership of U.S.-based technology company LanzaJet — CEO Jimmy Samartzis and Vice President of Commercial Operations Stefan Tiyon. The parties reviewed the results of the
Kazakhstan has for the first time exported 50 tons of wheat flour to the U.S. According to Kazakhstan’s QazTrade Center for Trade Policy Development, Kazakh flour is already available on Amazon and Walmart under the Eurasian Legacy brand. On Amazon, the product is priced at $14.50 per 1.36 kg package and is positioned as
In 2024, the United States of America welcomed 72.39 million tourists, ranking third in the world for attendance. This data is cited in the article “Top 10 Most Visited Countries in the World in 2024” on the Welcome Times website. However, there is no precise information available about the number of tourists from Central Asian
Boeing and Uzbekistan Airways on September 22 announced the single largest order in the airline’s history as the flag carrier plans to acquire up to 22 787 Dreamliners. Uzbekistan Airways’ purchase of 14 787-9 airplanes, with options for eight more of the ultra-efficient jets, will modernize its Boeing widebody fleet while supporting nearly 35,000 U.S.
Kazakhstan will soon have access to high-speed internet in areas currently lacking service, thanks to a new agreement announced on September 22 between Amazon’s Project Kuiper and Kazakhtelecom, Kazakhstan’s telecommunications operator. The partnership will bring high-speed satellite internet to communities throughout Kazakhstan, marking a significant step in bridging the digital divide in Central Asia’s largest
Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ), the country’s national railway company, and the American company Wabtec have signed an agreement for the supply of the new TE33AT series of locomotives, manufactured in Kazakhstan at the Lokomotiv Kurastyru Zauyty plant in Astana. Service agreements covering the maintenance of new and existing locomotives were also signed as part of
The European Union and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in close partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture of Uzbekistan, have launched the Youth Agro Eco Club at Tashkent State Agriculture University. This new initiative aims to inspire and empower a new generation of environmentally conscious specialists to advance sustainable agriculture and environmental stewardship in Uzbekistan, according
Turkestan on September 19 hosted the final meeting of the Coordinating Working Group for phase two of the European Union and United Nations Joint Program to support the states of Central Asia in reintegrating citizens who have returned from conflict zones. The meeting brought together representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan, the
The United States delivered 75 tons of U.S.-manufactured food worth $255,666 to support about 40,000 vulnerable populations across Tajikistan. This shipment, produced in Lubbock, Texas by Breedlove Foods, includes a nutritious lentil-rice-vegetable mix enriched with essential vitamins and minerals, according to the US Embassy in Dushanbe. This lifesaving food will be distributed to more than 140
On September 19, a monument was unveiled at the Baigetobe Mound in the village of Shilikty in the Zaysan District of the East Kazakhstan Region, marking the grave of a Great Saka Warrior, whose remains have been reburied, Adyrna.kz reported. This event was a significant milestone, reflecting the country’s deep-rooted history and its contribution to
Central Asia’s glaciers, a key source of freshwater for tens of millions of people, are approaching a critical point after which they will experience rapid degradation. According to expert forecasts presented at the international conference “Innovative Methods of Monitoring Mountain Glaciers in the Context of Climate Change and Current Issues in Glaciology” held in Tashkent
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan has announced the winners of the 10th anniversary contest “Kazakhstan Through the Eyes of Foreign Media,” which is traditionally held for international journalists. The jury has selected the following winners: Digitalization – Mohammed Ali Pasha (Pakistan) – “Role of Astana Hub and Digital Transformation of Kazakhstan”; Economy – Derya
On September 15-16, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) organized a two-day event in Nukus, Karakalpakstan, bringing together leading scientists and practitioners from Uzbekistan and Russia to exchange expertise in climate-adaptive agriculture. The initiative aims to strengthen bilateral cooperation and enhance agricultural resilience in the face of increasing water scarcity, UNDP Uzbekistan reported. The event
The Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) and ORTA ASYA Investment Holding have announced the launch of a strategic partnership to jointly implement large-scale hydropower projects in Kyrgyzstan. The parties have agreed to cooperate in developing a feasibility study for the Suusamyr-Kokomeren HPP cascade project, which is being financed by the Eurasian Development Bank, and have signed
The OSCE Chairperson-in-Office’s Special Envoy, Ambassador Terhi Hakala, has concluded her official visit to Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan. The aim of the visit was to strengthen OSCE partnerships in the region. In all three countries, Special Envoy Hakala met with representatives of the host country governments, the international community as well as civil society. “It
