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 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
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
On 30 May 2025, the first Central Asia + Italy Summit was held in Astana with the participation of Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Kyrgyzstan President Sadyr Japarov, Tajikistan President Emomali Rahmon, Turkmenistan President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, and President of the Council of Ministers of the Italian Republic Giorgia Meloni. The leaders exchanged views on
Kazakhstan continues to deepen its capabilities in key sectors – from digital technologies and AI to clean energy and value-added manufacturing, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said at the Plenary session of the Astana International Forum on May 29. According to Tokayev, Kazakhstan is making significant progress in digital transformation, reflecting its desire to become an IT
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni paid an official visit to Uzbekistan. On May 29, President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Prime Minister Meloni held talks in Samarkand. The parties noted that trade turnover between Uzbekistan and Italy has grown almost threefold in recent years, the number of joint ventures and projects has doubled. Mutually beneficial
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
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) and the government of China, through the China International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA), will provide nutritious school meals to more than 100,000 children in Kyrgyzstan. This marks CIDCA’s first multilateral initiative in the country and in Central Asia through its Global Development and South-South Cooperation Fund. To launch
Between May 19 and 21, the Uzbek city of Termez is hosting the first meeting of the Termez Dialogue on Connectivity between Central and South Asia, entitled “Building a Common Space of Peace, Friendship and Prosperity”. The event was organized by the Institute for Strategic and Regional Studies under the President of Uzbekistan, the Ministry
An inauguration ceremony was held on May 15 in the city of Antalya for the opening of the Manas Park, a symbol of Kyrgyz-Turkish friendship. The park was established as a gesture of deep respect for the rich historical and cultural heritage of the Kyrgyz people, as well as to further strengthen the friendly ties
The Taliban government has suspended chess in Afghanistan over gambling concerns. It has also suspended the Afghanistan National Chess Federation (ANCF), Chess.com reports. The Afghan online news service Khaama Press reported on Sunday that the country’s Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice has banned chess due to “religious considerations.” Chess-related activities in
On May 12 in Astana, Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev held talks with the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Khaled bin Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who arrived in Kazakhstan on an official visit. The President noted that the United Arab Emirates is one of Kazakhstan’s key partners, sharing common goals and aspirations. In 2023,
Russia’s non-profit organization for international cooperation, Eurasia, with the support of Kyrgyzstan’s Cabinet of Ministers, will build a cultural and amusement park in the village of Orok near Bishkek. According to Eurasia, the new park will symbolize the friendship between the peoples of Russia and Kyrgyzstan. A presentation of the project took place late in
On May 5-6, the National Leader of Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty (People’s Council) of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov paid an official visit to France. Berdimuhamedov took part in the Turkmen-French Economic Forum attended by heads and representatives of leading French companies, members of the delegation of Turkmenistan, as well as Turkmen entrepreneurs. Opening
Kyrgyzstan ranks 117th out of 193 countries and territories, maintaining its position in the “High Human Development” category, according to the latest Human Development Index (HDI) in the 2025 Human Development Report (HDR) published by the United Nations Development Programme, UNDP Kyrgyzstan reported. Kyrgyzstan continues to make steady progress in advancing human development, with improvements
On April 30, the U.S. government deported over 100 Uzbekistani, Kazakhstani, and Kyrgyzstani citizens present illegally in the United States on a charter flight organized by Uzbekistan’s government, the U.S. Embassy in Uzbekistan said. This operation, the first in which a U.S. partner proactively provided a dedicated flight to repatriate its citizens, exemplifies the productive
The Delegation of the European Union to Uzbekistan on April 28 launched five new civil society projects under its “EU Support to Civil Society Organisations in Uzbekistan” initiative at the event in Tashkent. With a combined value of nearly EUR 2.9 million — co-funded by the EU and its partner organisations — the new initiatives
