Kazakhstan’s contributions to addressing global challenges and its emerging role as a growing middle power were in the focus of discussions at the 17th annual World Policy Conference (WPC), organized by the French Institute of International Relations (IFRI) in Abu Dhabi on December 13-15. Thierry de Montbrial, founder and long-standing president of IFRI – one
A new World Bank report highlights Kazakhstan’s progress in reducing poverty and the challenges ahead for inclusive growth, stressing that the pace of poverty reduction has slowed in recent years despite significant advances since the early 2000s. According to the “Kazakhstan Poverty and Equity Assessment 2024” report, making fiscal policy more pro-poor, improving the quality of education, and strengthening
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has inaugurated a newly rehabilitated water supply system in Tajikistan’s Jomi District, bringing safe and reliable drinking water to 1,860 residents from 309 households. This is a part of the USAID Rural Water Supply activity, which is revitalizing water systems in 12 communities across Tajikistan through innovative public-private
Kazakhstan’s national railways company, Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ), has launched a new electric train connecting the country’s capital, Astana, and Borovoye, one of the country’s most popular resorts. Borovoye is the commonly used Russian name of the Burabay National Park, located just 250 kilometers north of Astana and famous for its pine forests and beautiful
Kyrgyzstan’s Prime Minister Akylbek Japarov resigned on December 16 without offering an explanation, RFE/RL’s Kyrgyz Service reported. Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov’s office confirmed that Akylbek Japarov (no relation) had stepped down and would be moved to another position. The president named First Deputy Prime Minister Adylbek Kasymaliev, 64, as acting prime minister. Pressure was growing on Akylbek
After launching a four-day train tour in November connecting the cities of Almaty, Turkestan, and Tashkent, Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ), Kazakhstan’s national railway company, has announced the launch of another train tour, “Jibek Joly (Silk Road) 2.0,” along the route Almaty-Turkestan-Tashkent-Samarkand-Shymkent-Almaty. The first train on this route will depart on January 2 and return to
The Eurasian Development Bank (EDB), the Ministry of Economy and Commerce and the Ministry of Energy of the Kyrgyz Republic have signed a trilateral Memorandum of Cooperation on the Suusamyr-Kokomeren HPP Cascade Project. An essential factor in Kyrgyzstan’s economic development is increasing energy capacity by utilising the natural hydropower potential of its rivers. The construction
At the 9th meeting of the Working Party on the Accession of Uzbekistan on December 5 and 6, a high-level government delegation led by Deputy Prime Minister Jamshid Khodjaev reaffirmed the country’s strong intention to swiftly advance negotiations with World Trade Organization (WTO) members, with a view to completing the process by 2026. The high-level
On December 10, the British think tank Henry Jackson Society presented a research report titled “Understanding Kazakhstan’s Strategic Importance: A Middle Power Partner for the UK in Central Asia” in the UK Parliament. The event featured speeches by the principal Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons Nusrat Ghani MP, Ambassador of Kazakhstan to the
On December 11, Tashkent hosted the first Uzbekistan-Croatia Business Forum, marking a significant milestone in strengthening trade, economic, and investment ties between the two countries. The forum was co-chaired by the Minister of Investments, Industry, and Trade of Uzbekistan, Laziz Kudratov, and the Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of Croatia, Gordan Grlić Radman. The
The Eurasian Development Bank (EDB), the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Institute, and the London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG), in the spirit of promoting Islamic Finance in Central Asia, have held a panel discussion, “Bridging the Capital Road: CIS & GCC,” as part of the Islamic Banking program at Abu Dhabi Finance Week (ADFW). This panel highlighted the transformative
On December 11, Kazakhstan Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov held a meeting of the Board of Directors of JSC National Company Kazakh Invest to review the results of the company’s work and plans for further attraction of investments into the country’s economy. Chairman of the Board of NC Kazakh Invest JSC Yerzhan Yelekeyev reported that this
On December 10, Deputy Prime Minister – Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan Murat Nurtleu held a working meeting with a group of ambassadors of Arab countries accredited in Kazakhstan. The meeting discussed ways to strengthen bilateral and multilateral cooperation, and a constructive exchange of views on the international and regional issues. Particular attention was
Afghanistan’s National Development Company says that Phase 2 of the Qoshtepa Canal construction project is 81% complete, TOLOnews reported. Nabiullah Arghandiwal, spokesperson for the National Development Company, said: “The construction process is progressing rapidly with advanced machinery and work teams. The embankments of the canal are also 67% complete, and all work is being carried
On December 9, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan hosted a ceremony to appoint the second group of “Goodwill Ambassadors of Kazakhstan,” with the participation of First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Akan Rakhmetullin. This project, initiated by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, aims to foster dialogue between cultures and peoples, while enhancing the country’s visibility
The opening of a weather station for the early warning system aimed at protecting the Fergana Valley from climate risks and potential natural disasters was held on December 9 in Batken. This weather station is one of four planned for launch in the region. Similar stations will soon be operational in the pilot communities of
The Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) has published its Macroeconomic Outlook, summarizing a preliminary overview of economic developments in the Bank’s six member states — Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, and Tajikistan — in 2024, along with key macroeconomic projections for 2025, as well as for 2026 and 2027. EDB analysts estimate that GDP growth in
On December 4–5, a meeting of the European Union’s Working Group on the Generalised Scheme of Preferences (GSP+) was held in Brussels. The event brought together representatives from 28 EU member states and, for the first time, a delegation from Uzbekistan, represented by the Ministry of Investments, Industry, and Trade (MIIT). During the meeting, the
A side event titled “International Agency for Biological Security: Progress and Prospects in the Context of the Institutionalization of the BWC” organized by the Permanent Mission of Kazakhstan to the United Nations in Geneva was convened on December 4 at the Palais des Nations. Held on the sidelines of the Working Group on the Strengthening
The Academy of Creative Professions, supported by the U.S. Embassy in the Kyrgyz Republic, on December 6 hosted a closing event where fourteen of the most talented participants of Graphic Design and Social Media Marketing (SMM) courses showcased their new skills as part of a competition. A jury of project representatives and private companies selected first-,
