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 Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $50 million grant to support the Government of Tajikistan in advancing key structural reforms that promote green jobs, particularly for women. The grant, funded through ADB’s Asian Development Fund (ADF) under subprogram 2 of the Enabling Climate-Responsive Business Environment Improvement Program, strengthens economic diversification, improves fiscal governance and transparency, accelerates
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
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
The Digital Media Forum in Dushanbe this week brought together local and international experts, journalism students, bloggers, and digital innovators. Participants discussed pressing issues in modern digital journalism, from fact-checking and protecting audiences from online fraud to ethical and moral challenges associated with the use of artificial intelligence. One of the key speakers was Amie
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
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved $17 million in grant financing to help Tajikistan digitalize and modernize livestock farming, helping people earn more and improve access to nutritious food. The financing includes a $14 million grant from the Asian Development Fund and a $3 million grant from the Japan Fund for Prosperous and Resilient Asia and
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
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 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,
On November 6, a summit of leaders of Central Asia and the United States in the “C5+1” format was held at the White House in Washington, D.C. The event, chaired by the President of the United States Donald Trump, was attended by President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov, President of Tajikistan
A C5+1 business conference was held in Washington, D.C. on November 6, marking the 10th anniversary of the partnership between the Central Asian countries and the United States. The event brought together representatives of governments, national companies, and leading businesses from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and the United States. The main theme of the conference
The Ministry of Industry and New Technologies of Tajikistan and the Eurasian Development Bank’s (EDB) Fund for Digital Initiatives have signed a memorandum of cooperation at the AI Conf 2025 international conference. The document confirms the parties’ commitment to developing joint digital projects, exchanging experience and strengthening national competencies in innovation and artificial intelligence (AI). Key areas
In early November, Bishkek hosted a political dialogue titled “Women in Water and Energy,” bringing together female leaders and experts from five Central Asian countries. The event marked a continuation of the Green Central Asia program, which aims to strengthen regional cooperation on climate, environmental protection, and security. In a region facing mounting ecological challenges,
The beginning of November marked a moment of unity, inspiration, and tangible results for the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in Tajikistan — as Dushanbe hosted a large-scale event titled “Hand-in-Hand,” bringing together more than fifty of the organization’s partners under one roof. Among the attendees were representatives of government institutions, international
In his first interview in Dushanbe, Sudipto Mukerjee, Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Tajikistan, spoke with journalist Shoira Toirova about how the country’s development priorities are changing, why young people are becoming a key factor of sustainability, and how innovation, climate adaptation, and local solutions are shaping the region’s future.
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and Indigo Tajikistan Closed Joint Stock Company (Tcell) have signed a $30 million equivalent local currency financing agreement to expand and modernize mobile connectivity in Tajikistan. The project marks ADB’s first nonsovereign loan in the country. “This project represents a significant milestone in our partnership with Tajikistan. It is a testament of
On October 14, the President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon delivered a speech at the International Investment Forum “Dushanbe Invest – 2025”. Rahmon emphasized that the main goals of the forum are to present the vast resources and opportunities of Tajikistan for investment, the country’s readiness for cooperation and new technologies and ideas, as well as
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is contributing to the development of sustainable municipal infrastructure in Tajikistan by financing two projects collectively worth over €10.5 million ($12.3 million). Signed during a visit by EBRD Vice President for Policy and Partnerships Mark Bowman to the country’s capital, Dushanbe, the financial package will consist of the following: A sovereign loan of
