Turkmenistan International Affairs - The Times Of Central Asia

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CAREC Ministers Approve Climate Action Plan and Launch Regional Climate Fund

At the 23rd CAREC Ministerial Conference held in Astana on November 8, member countries of the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) Program—Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, China, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan—endorsed a new Climate Change Action Plan (CCAP) and launched the CAREC Climate and Sustainability Project Preparatory Fund (CSPPF). These initiatives aim to strengthen regional collaboration on climate resilience, low-carbon growth, and sustainable development. The CAREC Program is a partnership of 11 countries and development partners that promotes sustainable development through regional cooperation, with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) hosting the CAREC Secretariat. In his address at the conference, ADB President Masatsugu Asakawa stated, “The approval of the CAREC Climate Change Action Plan and the establishment of the Climate and Sustainability Project Preparatory Fund are significant milestones in our collective efforts to address climate change. By working together, we can build resilient infrastructure, develop early warning systems, and create a greener future powered by renewable energy.” The CCAP, covering the period from 2025 to 2027, prioritizes initiatives aligned with the CAREC Climate Change Vision and focuses on four main areas to address climate challenges in the region. It aims to enhance climate risk preparedness, strengthen the water-energy-food nexus, promote low-carbon growth by reducing emissions and expanding renewable energy, and create a CAREC climate platform. The CSPPF will support CAREC countries in developing viable regional climate projects that align with their commitments under the Paris Agreement. On November 8, ADB signed fund contribution agreements with China’s Ministry of Finance and South Korea’s Ministry of Economy and Finance, generating an initial $5 million in funding for the CSPPF. Speaking at the Ministerial Conference, Kazakhstan’s Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov highlighted the CAREC Program’s significance for Central Asia, noting that over the past 20 years, it has mobilized about $51 billion for the region, with more than $9 billion invested in Kazakhstan. During his visit to Kazakhstan, ADB’s Asakawa met with President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to discuss ongoing cooperation and future initiatives. From 1994 to 2024, ADB financed projects in Kazakhstan valued at approximately $7 billion. Notably, ADB participated in the construction of the Western Europe–Western China highway corridor and the reconstruction of the Aktobe–Kandyagash road.

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Turkmenistan Pushes for UNESCO World Heritage Status for its Unique Mud Volcanoes

Turkmenistan has launched an in-depth study and documentation project focusing on its extraordinary geological landmarks, especially the ancient mud volcanoes that line the western Caspian Sea coast. This effort aims to compile the necessary scientific and cultural documentation to nominate these unique mud volcanoes for inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage list. The recent initial expedition was attended by members of the Turkmenistan National Commission for UNESCO, along with biologists, geographers, and geologists from various scientific organizations. These specialists examined multiple mud volcanoes along the Caspian coast, primarily within the Esenguly district of the Balkan region. Over several days, the team meticulously surveyed active, dormant, and long-extinct volcanoes, documenting their findings through photography and soil sampling. They noted that though activity has decreased, this does not mean many volcanoes have stopped completely. Among the most notable formations are the Akpatlavuk and Gokpatlavuk mud volcanoes. Akpatlavuk, located on a prominent hill along the southern part of the Caspian's eastern coast, showcases a dome with numerous mud outcrops and deep channels carved by flowing streams. At its base lies an expansive mud lake, adding to its remarkable landscape. Gokpatlavuk, towering 70 meters above the northern plains near Ekerem, features steep, eroded slopes and gullies through which streams of carbonated mud steadily flow, creating a striking visual of natural forces at work. The nomination process will require updated imagery and refreshed data to supplement the national atlas of mud volcanoes. As part of their preparation, researchers will review studies conducted by Azerbaijani scientists in the 1970s, given that the mud volcanoes of Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, and Iran form an interconnected geological complex representing nearly half of the world’s mud volcanoes.

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Central Asia and South Korea Seek to Expand Cooperation

The 17th Central Asia–Republic of Korea Cooperation Forum, which took place in Seoul on November 4, addressed key areas of partnership between Central Asian countries and South Korea in sectors such as transport and logistics, energy, critical minerals, digital transformation, environmental issues, and tourism. Speaking at the forum, Kazakhstan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Murat Nurtleu, emphasized the importance of transport connectivity for the region’s sustainable economic growth. Kazakhstan is developing the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route to ensure safe and efficient cargo transportation from Asia to Europe. The Kazakh minister invited Korean companies to participate in major projects to expand the route’s capacity to 10 million tons of cargo annually. Addressing energy cooperation, Nurtleu highlighted Kazakhstan’s abundant natural resources, including rare earth metals and uranium. The Kazakh Foreign Minister expressed hope that Korean companies would join projects for resource extraction and processing and participate in a consortium to construct a nuclear power plant in Kazakhstan. Nurtleu stated, "Central Asian countries and the Republic of Korea are natural partners connected by a shared history, Altai heritage, and traditional trade relations dating back to the Silk Road era. The Republic of Korea is increasingly vital in the economic and technological development of the entire Central Asian region.” At the forum, Kyrgyzstan’s First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Asein Isaev, highlighted the growing role of South Korea as a high-tech nation interested in strengthening supply chains for energy resources and rare earth metals and developing transport and logistics routes with Kyrgyzstan and other Central Asian countries. As part of the forum, South Korea's President Yoon Suk Yeol met with the heads of Central Asian delegations and pointed out Korea’s interest in strengthening relations with Central Asian countries through the K-Silk Road initiative. This strategic program supports Korean infrastructure development in Central Asia in exchange for improved access to the region’s raw materials and critical minerals. During his visit to Kazakhstan in June, Yoon Suk Yeol emphasized the importance of strengthening the strategic partnership between Kazakhstan and South Korea to supply critical minerals.

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Von der Leyen Affirms EU’s Commitment to Uzbekistan

On November 6, the European-Uzbekistan Economic Cooperation Association opened the European Economic Days 2024 in Tashkent. At the ceremony, the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, sent a video message to the event participants expressing her support for Uzbekistan’s efforts to restore its central position on Asian and world trade routes. More than 300 representatives from Uzbek and European governments and business sectors participated. Von der Leyen highlighted three main areas of cooperation between the European Union and Uzbekistan, which have grown significantly in recent years. She began by emphasizing Uzbekistan’s historical role as a “beating heart” of global trade. “For centuries, European merchants traveled to Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva for clothing and ceramics,” she said, recalling the stories these merchants would bring back of Uzbekistan’s palaces, landscapes, and vibrant culture. She noted that Uzbekistan seeks to open to the world once again. Her first example of collaboration focused on trade: “Since 2021, we opened the European market to Uzbek goods, and exports, especially in textiles and metallurgy, have rapidly increased,” she said, adding that there is still vast growth potential. Von der Leyen then turned to investment, mentioning the EU’s Global Gateway program, which supports Uzbekistan’s goal of global connectivity. She highlighted the EU’s investment of up to 10 billion euros, alongside international partners, in the Trans-Caspian Corridor—the shortest, safest route from Europe to East Asia, connecting Central Asia and Europe in less than 15 days. Additionally, she noted efforts to connect Uzbekistan to the EU satellite network to bring advanced digital communications to even the country’s most remote areas. Her final example centered on expanding EU cooperation in Uzbekistan’s strategic sectors. She referenced an agreement signed in April 2024 to bolster supply chains for critical minerals, a project that aims to create jobs and add value locally. “While some global investors focus solely on raw material extraction, that’s not us,” she emphasized, reaffirming Europe’s commitment to supporting domestic industry, job creation, and value-added production in line with high standards. Concluding her speech, Von der Leyen expressed hope that the forum would establish effective cooperation, new business opportunities, and strong relations between Europe and Uzbekistan. She also announced plans for the first-ever “Central Asia—EU” summit in Samarkand next year, marking another step in the region’s evolving relationship with the EU.

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Bakyt Baketayev: Organization of Turkic States Is About Investment, Not Politics

The 11th summit of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS), which includes Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, Turkey, and Hungary (as an observer), was held in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan's capital. Speaking with The Times of Central Asia, Kyrgyz political analyst Bakyt Baketayev noted that the OTS was initially created on a cultural and linguistic basis. However, the turbulent geopolitical situation in the world gave the organization impetus for its current development. “The catalyst for the development of the OTS was the geopolitical situation and military-political events in the world. At the beginning of the organization's work - in 2009 - the countries worked on cultural programs and common spiritual issues uniting Turkic peoples. Today, the members of the OTS already cooperate at the level of governments, ministries, and agencies and discuss economic issues,” Baketayev said. Baketayev drew attention to the composition of the Organization of Turkic States. It includes countries representing different economic and political associations: NATO (Turkey), the European Union (Hungary), and the EAEU (Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan). “We should not expect any big results from the OTS summit. There will be no common political statements - the countries are scattered geographically and have different interests. But from the economic point of view of trade development and investment development, concrete steps are quite possible,” Baketayev said. The analyst is confident that the Organisation of Turkic States will help overcome problems related to hydropower and the lack of water resources in Central Asia. If the heads of state have common economic interests, they will be more likely to reach an agreement.

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Central Asia Gears Up For Another Trump Term

Leaders in Central Asia have congratulated Donald Trump on his election to another term as U.S. president, a development that governments in the region will watch closely for its impact on trade, geopolitical tensions and other priorities. Central Asian governments generally seek to balance their relationships with the West alongside more entrenched ties to nearby Russia and China, and are likely to be sensitive to any disruption of the status quo as the United States transitions from the Biden administration to another Trump term. Trump defeated Vice President Kamala Harris in the election on Tuesday, making an extraordinary political comeback and promising that he will deliver “the golden age of America.” Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev sent a message of congratulations to Trump in which he reaffirmed Uzbekistan’s commitment to “deepening the strategic partnership” with the United States, Mirziyoyev’s press office said in a statement. “In his letter, he emphasized shared goals for enhanced cooperation across trade, security, and regional stability, marking a new chapter” in relations between Uzbekistan and the United States, the statement said. Last week, Uzbekistan wrapped up talks with the United States as part of its campaign to join the World Trade Organization by early 2026. President Sadyr Japarov of Kyrgyzstan sent a similar message, according to media reports. "I believe that your leadership experience and deep knowledge will create opportunities for further deepening of comprehensive cooperation between Kyrgyzstan and the United States of America, based on the principles of mutual respect,” Japarov said. In comments relayed to Trump, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev “expressed confidence that bilateral cooperation in the areas of security, nuclear non-proliferation, and investment would continue to develop consistently,” his office said. Tokayev wished Trump success in efforts to ensure “global stability and security.” There is likely to be basic continuity on matters such as anti-terror cooperation and a stated commitment to trade relations between the U.S. and Central Asia. However, one area of uncertainty is Trump’s warning that he will intensify tariffs on U.S. imports of goods from China, a major economic player across Central Asia. That, in turn, could lead to major fallout for the global economy. Another prominent question is whether Trump will push Western-backed Ukraine to reach a peace deal with Russia nearly three years after Russia’s full-scale invasion. Central Asian nations – specifically, the five former Soviet republics of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan – have sought a position of neutrality, maintaining their relationships with Russia without offering clear support for the Russian military campaign. Relationships in the region might be due for recalibration if Russian President Vladimir Putin emerges emboldened from any Trump initiative in the conflict. Tokayev has already called for peace efforts to bring the war to an end, describing Russia as “militarily invincible.” There are concerns that Trump will erode U.S. democratic institutions in his second term, a potential disappointment for groups that would like to see the U.S. campaign harder for democratic freedoms in Central Asia. Trump has also promised mass deportations and...