On 30 May 2025, the first Central Asia + Italy Summit was held in Astana with the participation of Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Kyrgyzstan President Sadyr Japarov, Tajikistan President Emomali Rahmon, Turkmenistan President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, and President of the Council of Ministers of the Italian Republic Giorgia Meloni. The leaders exchanged views on
The Second Uzbekistan–China Interregional Forum will be held on June 1–2 in the city of Samarkand. This large-scale event aims to strengthen strategic partnerships, foster interregional cooperation, and expand investment and business ties between Uzbekistan and China. The Forum is expected to bring together over 1,500 participants, including representatives from business communities, government bodies, regional
Kazakhstan continues to deepen its capabilities in key sectors – from digital technologies and AI to clean energy and value-added manufacturing, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said at the Plenary session of the Astana International Forum on May 29. According to Tokayev, Kazakhstan is making significant progress in digital transformation, reflecting its desire to become an IT
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni paid an official visit to Uzbekistan. On May 29, President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Prime Minister Meloni held talks in Samarkand. The parties noted that trade turnover between Uzbekistan and Italy has grown almost threefold in recent years, the number of joint ventures and projects has doubled. Mutually beneficial
The Kazakhstan–Italy Business Forum was held in Astana on May 28. In his welcoming remarks, Kazakhstan’s Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov highlighted the significant role of the business forum in expanding trade and economic ties between Kazakhstan and Italy. He noted that the strategic partnership between the two countries is dynamically developing thanks to the efforts
As part of Kazakhstan-France Business Forum in Astana on May 28, 15 bilateral agreements were signed between government bodies, national companies, and business entities of the two countries. The agreements span strategic sectors such as energy, healthcare, technology, logistics, agriculture, education, and sustainable development, Kazakh Invest reported. One of the key documents was an Investment
On May 26-27, Dubai, United Arab Emirates hosted the second ministerial roundtable on advancing the construction of the Kambarata-1 Hydropower Plant (HPP), an ambitious regional initiative being jointly undertaken by Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan. The project aims to enhance regional cooperation regarding water and energy resource management in Central Asia. The Kambarata-1 HPP, with a
The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors has approved $60 million in financing to support the first phase of the One Health Program in Central Asia. The financing package includes a $30 million concessional credit for Kyrgyzstan and a $30 million grant for Tajikistan to help strengthen their capacity to prevent, detect, and respond to priority
On May 27, Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev listened to reports on the ongoing work to expand the drinking water supply and sewage services in the country. Today 81% of all cities and villages in Uzbekistan have access to centralized drinking water supply, and the sewage system coverage is 20%. In the current year, it is
As the renewable energy sector in Central Asia grows, so does the need for a skilled and inclusive workforce to support it. In response, the OSCE and the Regional Environmental Centre for Central Asia (CAREC) officially launched the OSCE Regional Task Force on Education for Just and Inclusive Energy Transition (RTEET) in Central Asia with a kick-off
Kyrgyzstan’s Ministry of Water Resources, Agriculture and Processing Industry has begun the first-ever agronomic testing of citrus and olive crops, including oranges, mandarins, olives, and kumquats (a type of orange). Seedlings have been brought from Turkey for experimental planting in the Kadamjai district of Kyrgyzstan’s southernmost Batken region, where the agro-climatic conditions are most favorable
Under the auspices of the President of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, the Astana International Forum 2025 will take place from May 29 to 30, as it continues its mission of fostering cross-border dialogues on international diplomacy and cooperation. Against a backdrop of global disruption and polarization, the Forum will bring together government leaders, business executives, and
During the opening ceremony of the 20th Western China International Fair, Afghanistan’s acting Foreign Minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi, stated that the Islamic Emirate has created a secure environment for investment in Afghanistan, TOLOnews reported. Muttaqi said that foreign traders and investors can confidently conduct business in the country, adding that Afghanistan, with its vast natural
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) and the government of China, through the China International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA), will provide nutritious school meals to more than 100,000 children in Kyrgyzstan. This marks CIDCA’s first multilateral initiative in the country and in Central Asia through its Global Development and South-South Cooperation Fund. To launch
As Kazakhstan has experienced growing energy deficit, with the gap between electricity production and consumption reaching 2.4 billion kilowatt-hours in 2024, the country has prioritized the development of renewable energy sources (RES) for ensuring sustainable energy supply and combating climate change. According to the Ministry of Energy, the share of electricity generated from RES in Kazakhstan
Director for Asia and Pacific at the European Commission Directorate General for International Partnerships Mr Peteris Ustubs participated in a Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor Coordination Platform strategic roundtable for the private sector hosted by the Delegation of the European Union to Uzbekistan in Tashkent on May 22. Business leaders, international banks and government representatives discussed how
On May 21, Kazakhstan’s Minister of Agriculture Aidarbek Saparov and Ms. Sun Meijun, head of China’s General Administration of Customs, signed a Protocol on Inspection, Quarantine and Food Safety Requirements for Import and Export of Poultry Meat between Kazakhstan and China. The document allows Kazakh poultry meat exports to China. According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Kazakhstan
The Eurasian Development Bank (EDB), the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Institute, and the London Stock Exchange Group have published a joint report, “The Future of Islamic Finance in Central Asia”. The report provides a comprehensive analysis of the current status and prospects of Islamic finance in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. According to the
The World Bank has approved a $200 million concessional credit for a project that aims to reduce water losses and increase the energy efficiency of irrigation systems across five regions of Uzbekistan — Karakalpakstan, Bukhara, Kashkadarya, Namangan, and Surkhandarya. The government of Uzbekistan will co-finance the project with $23.2 million. This project marks the first
The 16th meeting of the Kazakhstan-German Business Council took place in Astana on May 21 with the participation of First Deputy Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Roman Sklyar. The event brought together representatives of key ministries and leading members of Kazakhstan’s business community. “Our platform is in high demand and has proven to be very effective.
