From 16 to 18 June, the Border Management Programme in Central Asia (BOMCA 10), funded by the European Union (EU), in cooperation with UNICEF, organised a seminar in Tashkent to strengthen child protection systems in Uzbekistan’s border regions, the Delegation of the European Union to Uzbekistan reported. Bringing together representatives of the National Agency for
On June 11, Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Olzhas Bektenov held a meeting with Prime Minister of the Slovak Republic Robert Fico, who arrived in Kazakhstan on his first official visit. The parties discussed the development of trade and economic cooperation, the Kazakh government’s press service reported. “Slovakia is a reliable partner of Kazakhstan in the
In the current challenging environment, we are focusing our primary attention on maintaining economic stability in Uzbekistan, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev stated in his address to the Fourth Tashkent International Investment Forum on June 10. According to Mirziyoyev, Uzbekistan’s gross domestic product has doubled over the past eight years, and the country has set a goal
On June 8-10, a delegation of the Council of the European Union’s Working Party on Eastern Europe and Central Asia (COEST) paid a visit to Kazakhstan. The visit, which included the cities of Aktau and Astana, marked an important milestone in the development of the Kazakhstan–EU dialogue, reaffirming both sides commitment to deepening their strategic
The high-level meeting on June 8 in the city of Nice, France to launch the International Decade for Action on Cryospheric Sciences, 2025-2034, was opened by Tajikistan President Emomali Rahmon, as the head of a leading country in promoting the issues of water, climate and glaciers’ preservation. In his speech, Rahmon stated that Tajikistan is
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
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan Alibek Kuantyrov on June 5 held a meeting with Joaquim Nunes de Almeida, Director for Mobility and Energy-Intensive Industries at the Directorate-General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs (DG GROW) of the European Commission. The meeting focused on prospects for deepening the partnership between Kazakhstan and the
by Shoira Toirova In this interview, we sit down with Ozan Sevimli, former Country Manager of the World Bank Group in Tajikistan, whose time in the country left a lasting imprint on both his career and soul. He led the World Bank’s efforts during a globally transformative period — navigating the aftermath of the COVID-19
US President Donald Trump on June 4 signed a proclamation resurrecting the travel ban from his first term, ordering a new ban on citizens of 12 countries, including Afghanistan and Iran, from entering the United States, RFE/RL reported. Trump said the travel ban is necessary to protect Americans from terrorist attacks such as a June
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,
A new group of Przewalski’s horses arrived in Kazakhstan on June 3, marking the second international transportation under the project of the reintroduction of this endangered species to the vast grasslands of Kazakhstan. According to Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources, the horses were transported from Prague Zoo and Hungary’s Hortobagy National Park by
The historic Langar Ota Complex, a 15th-century cultural and religious landmark in Uzbekistan’s Kashkadarya province, has been restored and reopened following a $250,000 emergency conservation project funded by the U.S. Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation, according to the U.S. Embassy in Uzbekistan. U.S. Ambassador Jonathan Henick joined local officials, community members, and U.S. experts to
On June 1–2, the Second Uzbekistan–China Interregional Forum was held in Samarkand, strengthening the strategic partnership between Uzbekistan and China, enhance interregional cooperation, and expand investment and business ties. The forum brought together more than 2,800 representatives from the business communities, government bodies, regional administrations, as well as academic and educational institutions of both countries.
Kyrgyzstan’s Minister of Labor, Social Security and Migration Ravshanbek Sabirov last week in Bishkek met with Hitoshi Kanamori, President of IM Japan, the largest organization that accepts foreign technical interns in Japan, to discuss opportunities for organized employment of Kyrgyz citizens in Japan. The Kyrgyz side expressed its readiness to ensure proper training of skilled
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
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
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
