Afghanistan’s economy is expanding for the second consecutive year, supported by low inflation and stronger revenues. However, rapid population growth, a widening trade deficit, and persistent poverty continue to weigh on the country’s outlook, according to the World Bank’s latest Afghanistan Development Update. The report provides a comprehensive assessment of recent economic developments and the medium-term
The 5th Voices of Friends: Poetry & Art festival transformed the popular Kazakh resort of Burabay into a key cultural hotspot in Eurasia. From November 29 to December 2, the festival brought together more than 70 authors, artists, musicians, filmmakers, and intellectuals from 20 countries, serving as a platform for international dialogue and creative exchange.
The fifth anniversary Voices of Friends: Poetry & Art festival transformed Kazakhstan’s Burabay resort into a vibrant creative center of Eurasia. From November 29 to December 2, authors, artists, musicians, and filmmakers from 20 countries shared their work, made new connections, and inspired each other to embrace bold ideas. The Cinema Future youth film festival
The International Organization of Turkic Culture (TÜRKSOY) has declared the historical city of Andijan in Uzbekistan the ‘Cultural Capital of the Turkic World’ for 2026. Andijan has taken over the prestigious title from the city of Aktau in Kazakhstan, which held the title throughout 2025. TÜRKSOY Secretary General Sultan Raev stated: “Aktau has brought together the
On November 27, Tashkent hosted the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor (TCTC) and Connectivity Investors Forum with the participation of the European Union, South Caucasus and Central Asian countries, Türkiye, International Development Banks, the private sector and regional partners. The Forum demonstrated how the EU’s Global Gateway strategy is moving from vision to delivery, with new investments designed
The 5th anniversary festival Voices of Friends: Poetry & Art will take place between November 29 and December 2 in Kazakhstan’s Burabay resort. Organized by the Eurasian Creative Guild (London), the festival annually brings together poets, artists, photographers, filmmakers, and creators from all over Eurasian continent. This year, more than 50 participants from 15 countries,
The 3rd EU–Central Asia Economic Forum demonstrated the growing momentum of the partnership between the European Union and the countries of Central Asia. Coming after the recent first-ever EU–Central Asia Summit in Samarkand and the EU–Central Asia Ministerial meeting in Ashgabat, the Forum in Tashkent on November 26 became the next major milestone in a
Between 25 and 27 November, European Commissioners Jozef Síkela and Marta Kos will be in Uzbekistan to advance the development of the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor aimed at linking Europe and Central Asia within 15 days. The Corridor is a flagship initiative of the EU’s Global Gateway investment strategy in the region to foster prosperity and stability in Central Asia,
Senior officials from across Central Asia gathered on November 23 in Samarkand for a high-level ministerial meeting on “Central Asia’s Commitment to Snow Leopard and Mountain Landscape Resilience: From Policy to Practice — Monitoring, Funding, and Action for Regulated Wildlife Trade.” The event took place ahead of the 20th meeting of the Conference of the
On November 13, London’s Shaw Theatre welcomed the Kazakh company The Arts Stage, presenting The Black Cloak, based on Georgy Khugaev’s play and directed by Askhat Mayemirov. The performance became one of the standout events of the autumn theatre season, reminding us that profound theatre does not need loud effects to feel contemporary. The play
The 44th annual meeting of the Berlin Eurasian Club took place in Brussels last week, focusing on the theme “The Middle Corridor and Global Gateway.” The discussions centered on Kazakhstan’s growing role in shaping a new architecture of transport connectivity between Europe and Asia. The meeting brought together representatives of government from Kazakhstan and the
On November 16, the seventh Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asia was held in Tashkent under the chairmanship of the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev. The summit was attended by President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, President of the Kyrgyz Republic Sadyr Japarov, President of Tajikistan Emomali
Central Asia is entering a new, historically significant stage of its development. Today we are shifting to a real unity. For the first time in many years an atmosphere of trust, good neighborliness and mutual respect is being formed in the region, becoming a foundation for joint movement forward, Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev wrote in
Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan and Central Asia’s largest city, has been included in the list of “The Best Places to Go in Asia in 2026” by the international travel magazine Condé Nast Traveler. According to the magazine, “Tashkent has reinvented itself time and again—shaped first by Silk Road merchants, then by Arab dynasties and later Russian
The Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation, and Livestock of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan has announced the approval of a five-year alternative livelihood plan aimed at providing lawful and sustainable economic opportunities for the country’s farmers. This initiative follows the decree of the Islamic Emirate’s leadership banning the cultivation of poppy, TOLOnews reported. According to the
In the United Kingdom, Israeli writer Boris Guberman has released a new book titled SOCIO-ECONOMIC FORMATIONS AND ASSOCIATED MARKETS / КОНЦЕПЦИЯ: ОБЩЕСТВЕННО-ЭКОНОМИЧЕСКИЕ ФОРМАЦИИ И СОПУТСТВУЮЩИЕ ИМ РЫНКИ. The book was published in a bilingual format, with both Russian and English versions under one cover. At the core of the work lies the author’s original perspective
Armenia on October 27 allowed Azerbaijani trucks traveling to Türkiye to cross its territory for the first time, marking a significant step toward easing decades of hostility between the two neighbors, Daily Sabah reported. Armenia has also invited Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to the 2026 European Political Community summit in Yerevan. According to local media
On October 24 in Brussels, the Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (EPCA) was signed between Uzbekistan and the European Union in the presence of Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, President of the European Council António Costa, and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen. The document renews and significantly expands the legal framework governing
On October 24, as part of his official visit to Belgium, President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev held a roundtable meeting with heads of leading European companies and banks. The meeting was attended by the EU Commissioner for enlargement Marta Kos, the top management from companies and corporations such as Vandewiele, Linde, Rhenus Logistics, Ahlers Logistics,
As partnership among Turkic states actively strengthens, direct business communication is more important than ever. That is why the key sector event — the Central Asia Oil & Gas Forum — will take place on October 30-31 in Tashkent, initiated by GLENMAR. This is the only platform that unites the entire value chain: • Producers:
