• KGS/USD = 0.01144 0%
  • KZT/USD = 0.00200 0%
  • TJS/USD = 0.09156 -0.11%
  • UZS/USD = 0.00008 0%
  • TMT/USD = 0.28530 -0.14%
  • KGS/USD = 0.01144 0%
  • KZT/USD = 0.00200 0%
  • TJS/USD = 0.09156 -0.11%
  • UZS/USD = 0.00008 0%
  • TMT/USD = 0.28530 -0.14%
  • KGS/USD = 0.01144 0%
  • KZT/USD = 0.00200 0%
  • TJS/USD = 0.09156 -0.11%
  • UZS/USD = 0.00008 0%
  • TMT/USD = 0.28530 -0.14%
  • KGS/USD = 0.01144 0%
  • KZT/USD = 0.00200 0%
  • TJS/USD = 0.09156 -0.11%
  • UZS/USD = 0.00008 0%
  • TMT/USD = 0.28530 -0.14%
  • KGS/USD = 0.01144 0%
  • KZT/USD = 0.00200 0%
  • TJS/USD = 0.09156 -0.11%
  • UZS/USD = 0.00008 0%
  • TMT/USD = 0.28530 -0.14%
  • KGS/USD = 0.01144 0%
  • KZT/USD = 0.00200 0%
  • TJS/USD = 0.09156 -0.11%
  • UZS/USD = 0.00008 0%
  • TMT/USD = 0.28530 -0.14%
  • KGS/USD = 0.01144 0%
  • KZT/USD = 0.00200 0%
  • TJS/USD = 0.09156 -0.11%
  • UZS/USD = 0.00008 0%
  • TMT/USD = 0.28530 -0.14%
  • KGS/USD = 0.01144 0%
  • KZT/USD = 0.00200 0%
  • TJS/USD = 0.09156 -0.11%
  • UZS/USD = 0.00008 0%
  • TMT/USD = 0.28530 -0.14%
19 February 2025

Viewing results 55 - 60 of 176

Middle Powers Rising: Shaping a Balanced Global Order at the Astana Think Tank Forum

On October 16-17, the capital of Kazakhstan hosted the Astana Think Tank International Forum. The theme of the two-day meeting was “Middle Powers in the Changing Global Order: Strengthening Security, Stability and Sustainable Development.” Experts from 22 countries — heads of leading think tanks, politicians and diplomats — participated and spoke at the event. Kazakhstan's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev addressed the forum. The two-day event focused on geopolitical, economic and strategic issues, including the role of mediating countries in resolving global conflicts. One of the main topics was determining the potential of intermediate states in forming a new world system under conditions of geopolitical tension. The experts tried to define the term "middle power" and what countries can be classified as middle powers. The moderator of the key session, Charles McLean, Managing Director of Borderless Consulting Group, invited the participants to answer several questions about the criteria, characteristics, and influence of middle powers in the modern geopolitical context. Dino Patti Djalal, Chair of the Foreign Policy Community of Indonesia (FPCI), suggested categorizing all the of the world's states using analogies to boxing weight classes: heavyweights, middleweights, and lightweights. According to Djalal, middle powers have great potential to create a new world order. “There are several dimensions of middle powers. The first is potential, encompassing territorial and demographic size factors, political and economic weight, and a state's foreign policy ambitions. The second dimension is a moderate stance on major global issues,” Djalal said. Citing Kazakhstan as an example of a middle power, Djalal stated that Kazakhstan has achieved this status due to its balanced position, which allows it to exert some influence on the formation of the world order. Djalal emphasized that, even today, middle states (the bulk of which are concentrated in the Global South) can solve regional issues without the participation of so-called 'world powers'. “Look at Southeast Asia. Indonesia and Singapore solve their issues directly, without external influence. Naturally, this situation is developing in the conditions of weakening U.S. influence. Middle powers are dictating new rules,” Djalal noted, and should voice their positions on the global agenda, so their “voice” will be heard and become more “powerful.” Michel Duclos, Special Advisor on Geopolitics, suggested that regional powers whose activities have a global impact should be considered middle powers. “The great challenge for middle powers is establishing peace and stabilizing the situation. However, a common platform for all middle powers must be formed. This applies to the Global South and the Global North. France and others are reforming the UN Security Council,” Duclos stated. Joshua Lincoln from the Center for International Law and Governance at the Fletcher School (Tufts University), meanwhile, believes that increasing competition between great powers opens a “window of opportunity” for medium-sized states. “Geopolitical rivalries, the fragmentation of the world order, and the disillusionment of many with existing international institutions offer middle powers an opportunity to bring order to today's chaos. Their stance can enormously contribute to the world's security, stability, and sustainability. However, no country, even...

Updated Entrepreneurship Education Program Introduced in Turkmenistan with Assistance from USAID

Turkmenistan has modernized its entrepreneurial education program. This was made possible through a partnership between the United States Agency for International Development's (USAID) Modern Skills Development Project (YDA) and the School of Entrepreneurs of the Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs of Turkmenistan. The updated program integrates modern teaching methods for practical learning and developing creative thinking and problem-solving skills - critical competencies for future entrepreneurs. From September 30 to October 4, 2024, the program held a training session for teachers, including representatives of regional branches. Participants learned new approaches to teaching through case studies, group work, and interactive methods. These innovations are expected to be introduced into the teaching process. The program aims to support young people with innovative business ideas by providing an opportunity to develop projects based on the Entrepreneurs' School branches. The final stage will be a business project competition, the winners of which will receive mentoring and access to investment to realize their ideas. This project is designed to foster a new generation of entrepreneurs and strengthen Turkmenistan's economy. USAID actively promotes youth development in Turkmenistan through various educational programs and initiatives. One of the main projects is the Youth Development Activity, a program to improve youth entrepreneurial competencies and professions. USAID also conducts training, seminars, and competitions for young people with promising business ideas, supporting their aspirations to become part of the country's economy.

Tajikistan’s Acute Hunger Issue

Tajikistan has been recognized as the hungriest country among the former Soviet republics. According to the Global Hunger Index prepared by the International Food Policy Institute, 8.7% of the country's population faces food shortages, and ranked 65th out of 127 countries in the world, is on par with countries such as Nicaragua and Ghana. Lower index scores equal less food problems. Assessments of hunger are based on child mortality, stunting, and wasting and in recent years, Tajikistan has consistently ranked lowest among post-Soviet countries in the Global Hunger Index. Despite attempts to improve the situation, the country remains one of the most vulnerable in the region. Today, 18.4% of children under five are stunted due to malnutrition, 5.1% are wasted, and 3% of children do not survive to the age of five; all indicative of  serious food security problems in the country. According to the Global Hunger Index, malnutrition varies widely across the former Soviet Union. The best results are demonstrated by Uzbekistan, which ranks first among countries with minimal hunger issues. In the republic, less than 2.5% of the population faces food shortages. Stunting affects 6.5% of children; wasting ,2.4% of children, and infant mortality does not exceed 3.1%. Uzbekistan was the only Central Asian country to rank highly among the 22 former Soviet republics with the lowest hunger rates, including Belarus, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Russia, and Georgia. Belarus and Lithuania consistently demonstrate a high level of food security, making them among the leaders of the former Soviet republics. Armenia and Kazakhstan, in contrast, rank 23rd and 25th, respectively, demonstrating moderate nutritional problems among the population. Moldova, ranked 26th, has a similar situation: malnutrition remains relatively low but requires attention. Kyrgyzstan ranks 36th and Ukraine 46th, indicating average hunger levels. Turkmenistan was ranked 50th. The situation is particularly dire in Africa, which tops the list of countries with the most significant hunger problems. South Sudan, Burundi, Somalia, Yemen, and Chad, recognized as the hungriest countries in the world, experience extremely high rates of child mortality and malnutrition among their populations.

Tajik Company Restores “Tatra Around the World” Expedition Bus

A minibus, involved in an accident in the Pamir Mountains during the "Tatra Around the World-2" expedition, is currently being repaired by a Tajik company. The accident occurred on August 5 , at 3,000 meters near the village of Tukhgoz in the Ishkashim district, Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region, when the minibus veered down a slope and got caught in  trees. Fortunately, none of the nine tourists, rescued by residents and the Committee for Emergency Situations, were seriously injured. Eight members of the expedition returned home, whilst Marek Havricek remained with the vehicle  in Tajikistan. The minibus is now at the Obi Zulol factory, which has pledged to undertake and finance its repair. As soon as the vehicle is roadworthy, Havricek plans to travel through Tajikistan's neighboring countries and return to Europe. Once home, he is considering displaying the restored vehicle in a museum. The “Tatra Around the World” project, founded in 1987-1990, aimed to show people the real world, as opposed to that promoted through the prism of media and propaganda, and over the past five years has comprised expeditions to the Czech Republic, Iran, North Africa, South and North America, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Turkmenistan, Russia, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan. The last expedition started in February 2020 and prior to the accident, the minibus, designed to accommodate 15 passengers, had covered over 175,000 kilometers through Europe, Africa, America, and Central Asia.

EU and Turkmenistan Launch Coordination Platform of Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor

On October 3 in Ashgabat, the European Union and Turkmenistan launched the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor Coordination Platform. The platform aims to strengthen connectivity by developing transport routes within Central Asia and the European Union. The event brought together the European Union, representatives of the countries along the Trans Caspian Transport Corridor in Central Asia, the South Caucasus, and Türkiye, and international financial institutions. The European Union delegation was led by European Commissioner for International Partnerships Jutta Urpilainen. As reported by the EU Delegation to Turkmenistan, the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor is a flagship of the EU’s Global Gateway investment strategy, and the establishment of the Coordination Platform is one of the key deliverables of the Global Gateway Investors Forum for EU-Central Asia Transport Connectivity held in January 2024. European and international financial institutions at the Forum committed to mobilizing €10 billion for sustainable transport connectivity in Central Asia. The EU aims to work with partners towards a modern route that boosts trade and facilitates the flow of goods between Central Asia and Europe while driving economic development and regional integration. The platform's main role will be to promote the corridor and coordinate efforts to implement priority projects in hard and soft infrastructure in Central Asia. It will also coordinate with investments and activities in the South Caucasus and Turkey that are relevant to strengthening operational efficiency and seamless connections across the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor. Urpilainen said: “Central Asia, as a region at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, plays a pivotal role in the EU Global Gateway investment strategy and connectivity vision. The Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor is a critical artery linking Europe and Asia, boosting trade, facilitating exchanges, and driving prosperity across our regions while ensuring improved connectivity, cooperation, and economic growth between all Corridor countries. Harnessing this potential will require massive infrastructure investments in the coming years; I am pleased to see governments from countries along the Corridor, key International Financing Institutions, EU Member States, G7 countries, and other partners coming together.” Urpilainen said that to the European Union, Turkmenistan is an important partner in Central Asia. She also emphasized the European Union's commitment to supporting Turkmenistan's transition to a sustainable, green economy while enhancing its business environment. The EU has further allocated €18 million to strengthen its partnership with Turkmenistan, highlighting its dedication to fostering sustainable development and economic growth.

Navigating Diplomacy: Central Asia’s Strategic Balancing Act Amid Middle East Tensions

The five Central Asian republics are actively building ties with the outside world, trying to balance the influence of China and Russia in the region. For the former Soviet republics, the Middle East was, until recently, a kind of terra incognita since Moscow carried out all contacts with the area. However, since the nineties, thanks to a growing friendship with Turkey, Kazakhstan, followed by other Central Asian republics, have begun establishing diplomatic, cultural, and trade ties with the Middle East and North African countries. Another escalation in the Middle East has forced the diplomatic departments of the Central Asian countries, whilst avoiding any accusations against either side in the conflict, to inform their citizens about and the address the fate of their compatriots who have found themselves at the epicenter of events. Kazakhstan In Kazakhstan, law enforcement agencies reacted before diplomats. Shyngys Alekeshev, head of the Interior Ministry's Information Policy Department, said in response to journalists' inquiries that police in the republic have brought their patrol routes closer to synagogues and Israeli diplomatic facilities. Later, official representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan, Aibek Smadiarov, said that no Kazakh citizens were injured as a result of the armed escalation between Iran and Israel, and urged Kazakh citizens in the Middle East to exercise caution. “The Kazakh Foreign Ministry expresses deep concern about the increasing escalation of tensions in the Middle East. We call on all parties involved to exercise restraint and refrain from using forceful methods to avoid civilian casualties and further escalation of the situation in the region, which could provoke a full-scale war. In this regard, we note the importance of taking early measures to resolve differences exclusively through political and diplomatic means within the framework of the principles of the UN Charter and international law,” said Smadiarov. According to the representative, 120 citizens of the Republic of Kazakhstan, including diplomats and their family members, are registered as being present in Israel, 102 in Iran, and 139 in Lebanon. “Communication channels have been created with citizens who are in these countries. Constant communication is maintained with them, and necessary recommendations are given depending on the development of the situation in one country or another. Several times, embassies have announced the need to leave the country due to the aggravation of military and political situations. At the same time, the Ministry and authorized bodies are monitoring the situation to work out possible repatriation flights. The evacuation of our citizens is still under consideration and the special control of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,” said Smadiarov. Kyrgyzstan The Kyrgyz Foreign Ministry stated on October 2 that it is deeply concerned about events taking place in the Middle East, stating that it is calling on “the conflicting parties to respect the fundamental principles and norms of international law, including refraining from actions leading to an escalation of the situation in the region. The Kyrgyz Republic urges the global community to completely stop military action as soon as possible, and start...