KTZ Express, a subsidiary of Kazakhstan’s national railways company Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ), and China Railway Container Transport Co., Ltd. (CRCT) have agreed to work together to increase container transportation volumes on the China-Europe, China-Russia, and China-Belarus routes, as well as along the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR) and the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan route, according to KTZ.
In July 2025, the Almosi Valley in the foothills of Hissar in Tajikistan made history: the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) officially recognized it as part of the Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS) network. This marks the first GIAHS designation among all countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States. We
On August 3 in Almaty, Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres took part in the signing ceremony of the Host Country Agreement between the Government of Kazakhstan and the United Nations concerning the establishment of the UN Regional Centre for the Sustainable Development Goals for Central Asia and Afghanistan in Kazakhstan.
The Khan Tengri Innovation Hub, the first specialized platform for integrating the technological potential of Central Asian countries with the Chinese hi-tech ecosystem, opened on July 26 in the Zhangjiang Science City in Shanghai. The hub’s initiator was the Kazakhstani company Growth Vision Pro, supported by the Ministry of Digital Development, Innovation and Aerospace Industry
In a fresh move to strengthen transport cooperation between Afghanistan and Turkmenistan, a major agreement and contract have been signed for the development and investment in Torghundi Port, TOLOnews reported. According to the agreement, the dry port of Torghundi in Afghanistan’s Herat province will be expanded with an initial investment of $5 million. The project
Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Olzhas Bektenov, speaking at the First International Environmental Conference in the city of Manzherok (Altai, Russia), highlighted the issue of the Caspian Sea’s shallowing as one of the key regional challenges, his press office reported. Bektenov emphasized that environmental security is not merely part of the global “green” agenda, but a
On July 3, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko accepted copies of credentials from newly appointed Ambassador of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan to the Russian Federation Gul Hassan Hassan. Russia’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement that it believes that the official recognition of the Government of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan will give
The Eurasian Development Bank (EDB), a supranational financial institution headquartered in Almaty, Kazakhstan, issued a private placement bond, denominated in dirham, in the local UAE capital markets. This pioneering issuance of AED 200 million (equivalent to c. US$54 million), was arranged by First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB), the largest bank in the UAE, in partnership with
The 2025 Central Asia–China Furniture and Construction Industry Cooperation Forum was held in Astana last week. As part of the forum, a founding ceremony was held for the Association of Furniture and Building Materials Manufacturers of Central Asia and China. The event brought together around 100 business representatives from China and countries of the region,
The Second Central Asia – China Industrial and Investment Cooperation Forum was held in Astana on June 16. The main goal of the forum was to develop and strengthen economic ties between the Central Asian countries and China, attract mutual investments, establish joint production facilities, and promote cooperative projects in the strategic sectors of the region’s economy.
The IV Tashkent International Investment Forum (TIIF) opened in Uzbekistan’s capital on June 9, marking a key event in the regional investment agenda. The forum has brought together leading international investors, government representatives, financial institutions, and business leaders. In 2025, the forum is being held on an unprecedented scale, with investment projects across strategically important sectors
On June 9 in Astana, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev held talks with President of Bulgaria Rumen Radev, who arrived in Kazakhstan on an official visit. As emphasized by the Kazakh President, Radev’s visit with a high-level delegation opens new prospects for strengthening bilateral cooperation. Tokayev noted the steady growth in trade turnover and the potential for
The 4th Ministerial Meeting of the Central Asia–India Dialogue was held in New Delhi on June 6. The meeting focused on main areas of partnership between the Central Asian countries and India, covering such fields as transport and logistics, regional cooperation, counter-terrorism, and the development of advanced technologies. The foreign ministers adopted a Joint Statement
by Paul Sawyer A three-strong British Kurash team, comprising Fiona Chan, Natasha Glassford and Danielle Batt and accompanied by coach Paul Sawyer, achieved outstanding success at the 2025 European Championships in Batumi, Georgia winning no less than one gold and two silver medals. For those unfamiliar with Kurash, it is the national sport of Uzbekistan,
Around 100 tons of cherries from the Panjshir province of Afghanistan will be exported to several Central Asian countries and Russia, TOLOnews reported. According to local officials, traders from Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan plan not only to purchase cherries but also to buy apples and grapes to export to Central Asian countries. Mohammad Agha Hakim, Governor
From May 22nd to 27th, London hosted the 7th annual Eurasian Film Festival, an international celebration of Eurasian cinema. Organized by the Silk Road Media and the Eurasian Creative Guild (ECG), the festival is traditionally held in partnership with the Romford Film Festival, uniting filmmakers, audiences, and industry professionals from across the globe. This year,
At the 7th ECG Film Festival, which ended on May 27 in London, several participants from Kazakhstan were awarded prizes. Organized by the Eurasian Creative Guild and serving as a cultural bridge between Eurasia and the British audience, the festival was held at the Lumiere Romford cinema and brought together films and authors from 23
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
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
