The Ministry of Economy and Commerce of the Kyrgyz Republic, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Kyrgyzstan, has begun developing the country’s first unified methodology for master planning growth hubs. To implement the Programme of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic on the formation and development of growth hubs
The cover story of the latest issue of OCA Magazine’s special edition, OCA People, features Mariiam Tobokelova, an outstanding Kyrgyz musician and komuz player, and a veteran member of the Eurasian Creative Guild (London). OCA Magazine is a quarterly magazine published in London since 2009 by Silk Road Media Group with the support of the Eurasian Creative Guild. After
Governments of five Central Asian countries could raise GDP per capita by 6 to 14 percent above projected levels by 2050 by increasing investments in children’s health, education, and development, according to a new report released by UNICEF, the United Nations Children’s Fund. According to “Generation 2050 in Central Asia,” the Central Asian region has
The World Bank Group has released the Country Climate and Development Report (CCDR) for the Kyrgyz Republic providing a comprehensive roadmap toward helping the country reach its socio-economic goals and build economic resilience. Kyrgyzstan continues to experience more frequent and intense storms and landslides, severe heat waves, and droughts, which present real costs to the
At a meeting in Ashgabat in mid-November, the Interstate Commission for Water Coordination of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan approved water distribution quotas for the 2025-2026 non-growing season (from October 1, 2025 to April 1, 2026) for the Syr Darya and Amu Darya river basins. The Amu Darya and Syr Darya are the two
The Law Enforcement Academy of the Republic of Uzbekistan (LEA) on December 2 in Tashkent hosted the Model Conference of the States Parties to the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC), bringing together students, experts, practitioners, and representatives of international organizations for a full-day simulation focused on strengthening cross-border anti-corruption cooperation. The event was organized
On December 1, the world marked World AIDS Day under the global theme “Overcoming disruption, transforming the AIDS response,” emphasizing the need for sustained political leadership, international cooperation, and human-rights-based approaches to end the AIDS epidemic by 2030. Kyrgyzstan is making confident strides in the fight against HIV: expanding testing coverage, introducing modern treatment drugs,
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
Moscow and Bishkek have reaffirmed allied relations and strategic partnership during Russian President Vladimir Putin’s state visit to Kyrgyzstan on November 26. Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov welcomed the Russian leader saying that Russia has been and remains a strategic ally of Kyrgyzstan, its reliable partner and true friend. According to Japarov, Russia remains one of Kyrgyzstan’s main trading partners, accounting for 22% of
A major new environmental initiative has been launched in response to increasing pressure on Central Asia’s water and land resources, the growing impacts of climate change, land degradation, and more frequent droughts. The Central Asian Water and Land Nexus (CAWLN) Program, funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and implemented by the National Committee of
On November 22, a meeting of water and energy ministers of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan was held in Almaty. The ministers agreed on further water and energy cooperation. Given the low water level in the reservoir of Kyrgyzstan’s Toktogul hydropower plant (HPP), the meeting participants decided to support each other with mutual electricity supplies and
As part of the High-Level Dialogue on enhancing the strategic impact of the 20th Conference of the Parties to CITES, a signing ceremony was held for the Samarkand Declaration and the Regional Cooperation Action Plan for 2026–2032 to support the sustainable use of wildlife and plant resources and combat illegal trade in wild animals and
According to the latest figures published by the National Statistical Committee of Kyrgyzstan, the country’s foreign trade continues to decline, with a decrease in both exports and imports. In January-September 2025, Kyrgyzstan’s foreign trade totaled $11.3 billion, an 8.3% decrease compared to the same period in 2024. Exports decreased by 25.7% and amounted to $2.1
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $56.4 million program to help Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan boost their capacity to respond to disasters. Both countries are vulnerable to disasters, such as earthquakes and floods, but lack the fiscal capacity and risk transfer mechanisms to effectively respond to hazards. The Risk-Layered Disaster Relief Finance Program will enhance their
The investment fund Central Asia Capital and the Ministry of Education and Science of Kyrgyzstan have signed an agreement launching the Central Asia Startup program, the first large-scale project to develop entrepreneurship and technology startups in Kyrgyzstan. According to Central Asia Capital, the program aims to support aspiring entrepreneurs, develop an innovation ecosystem, and foster
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
On November 11, Bishkek hosted the 26th meeting of the Kyrgyz-Russian Intergovernmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technical, and Humanitarian Cooperation, co-chaired by Adylbek Kasymaliev, Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan, and Alexey Overchuk, Deputy Prime Minister of Russia. According to Kasymaliev, Russia is a reliable ally and strategic partner of Kyrgyzstan. Russia
On November 13, the Ministry of Investment, Industry and Trade of Uzbekistan organized the first meeting of the Council of Ministers of Trade and Investment of the Central Asian countries and Azerbaijan in Tashkent. The event was aimed at strengthening regional cooperation in trade, investment, and industrial collaboration. The meeting was attended by Laziz Kudratov,
Specialists from Uzbekistan have arrived in Kyrgyzstan to prepare a master plan for an “Uzbekistan-Kyrgyzstan Friendship Garden.” The Kyrgyz Ministry of Water Resources, Agriculture, and Processing Industry says it has allocated a 50-hectare land plot in the village of Bash-Kara-Suu near Bishkek for the project with a preliminary cost of $500,000. The funding will be
