• KGS/USD = 0.01144 0%
  • KZT/USD = 0.00197 0%
  • TJS/USD = 0.09154 -0.11%
  • UZS/USD = 0.00008 0%
  • TMT/USD = 0.28571 0%
  • KGS/USD = 0.01144 0%
  • KZT/USD = 0.00197 0%
  • TJS/USD = 0.09154 -0.11%
  • UZS/USD = 0.00008 0%
  • TMT/USD = 0.28571 0%
  • KGS/USD = 0.01144 0%
  • KZT/USD = 0.00197 0%
  • TJS/USD = 0.09154 -0.11%
  • UZS/USD = 0.00008 0%
  • TMT/USD = 0.28571 0%
  • KGS/USD = 0.01144 0%
  • KZT/USD = 0.00197 0%
  • TJS/USD = 0.09154 -0.11%
  • UZS/USD = 0.00008 0%
  • TMT/USD = 0.28571 0%
  • KGS/USD = 0.01144 0%
  • KZT/USD = 0.00197 0%
  • TJS/USD = 0.09154 -0.11%
  • UZS/USD = 0.00008 0%
  • TMT/USD = 0.28571 0%
  • KGS/USD = 0.01144 0%
  • KZT/USD = 0.00197 0%
  • TJS/USD = 0.09154 -0.11%
  • UZS/USD = 0.00008 0%
  • TMT/USD = 0.28571 0%
  • KGS/USD = 0.01144 0%
  • KZT/USD = 0.00197 0%
  • TJS/USD = 0.09154 -0.11%
  • UZS/USD = 0.00008 0%
  • TMT/USD = 0.28571 0%
  • KGS/USD = 0.01144 0%
  • KZT/USD = 0.00197 0%
  • TJS/USD = 0.09154 -0.11%
  • UZS/USD = 0.00008 0%
  • TMT/USD = 0.28571 0%
11 February 2025

Viewing results 1 - 6 of 119

UN General Assembly Adopts Uzbekistan-Initiated Resolution on Forest Management

The UN General Assembly last week adopted Uzbekistan's proposed resolution on “Fostering sustainable forest management, including afforestation and reforestation, in degraded lands, including drylands, as an effective solution to environmental challenges.” The resolution is based on the concept of Uzbekistan’s nationwide program, Yashil Makon (Green Space), which aims to preserve and restore biodiversity through the greening of urban and rural areas. Launched by Uzbekistan's President Shavkat Mirziyoyev in November 2021, the Yashil Makon initiative allows the planting of one billion trees and shrub saplings across the country over five years. The resolution reflects the key proposals on effectively countering climate change and combating land degradation, voiced by Mirziyoyev during the 78th session of the General Assembly and the 28th UN Climate Change Conference. The resolution discloses the economic, social, and environmental benefits of sustainable forest management and tree planting, emphasizing their contribution to increasing biodiversity, mitigating the effects of climate change and air pollution, and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, including poverty eradication and food security. The resolution gives specific recommendations to UN member states regarding tree planting to preserve and increase biodiversity using nature-saving and ecosystem methods.

Tajikistan-Kyrgyzstan Border Demarcation Completed

Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan have completed negotiations to demarcate their common border, which had been disputed for many years. The final meeting of the two countries' topographic-legal working groups was completed in the town of Batken in Kyrgyzstan on August 11-17. This has been reported by the State Committee for National Security of Tajikistan. "During this meeting, the parties continued the discussion and exchanged proposals on the description of the passage of the Tajik-Kyrgyz state border line in the remaining sections," the Committee commented. At the end of June, The Times of Central Asia reported that 94% of the borderline between Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan had been fully delineated. The conflict was caused by uncertainties regarding the exact demarcation of the border between the two republics, which spans some 980 kilometers. With its scant natural resources and dwindling water supplies, the border between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan has been the scene of numerous armed conflicts. This situation arose after the collapse of the USSR – the parties could not agree on the ownership of dozens of disputed territories. The borderless areas have become a zone of conflict between the local population and the border troops of the other country. The last major conflict took place on September 16, 2022, as a result of which hundreds of people were killed and injured on both sides. Huge material damage was caused to the infrastructure of the border areas of the regions of Sogd (Tajikistan) and Batken (Kyrgyzstan).

U.S. Ambassador to Kazakhstan: We Never Make Kazakhstan Choose Between “Us Or Them”

In an interview with the KazTAG agency, U.S. Ambassador to Kazakhstan Daniel Rosenblum discussed relations between the U.S. and Kazakhstan. In the two years since his appointment, Rosenblum noted significant progress in developing diplomatic and economic ties between the countries. In particular, he emphasized the importance of Kazakhstani President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev's visit to New York for the C5+1 platform summit, as well as the visits of the U.S. Secretary of State to Kazakhstan and the Kazakhstani Foreign Minister to the United States. Rosenblum also highlighted key support programs initiated by the U.S. in Kazakhstan, including USAID projects to resolve commercial disputes and decentralize public administration. These initiatives help strengthen the business environment and increase foreign investors' confidence in Kazakhstan, which, he said, helps attract more investment. Economic relations between the U.S. and Kazakhstan have shown steady growth, with trade exceeding $4 billion in 2023, a 30% increase over the previous year. The U.S. remains one of the largest investors in Kazakhstan, second only to the Netherlands. In recent years, U.S. companies have shown interest in new sectors, including transportation and critical minerals. For example, Wabtec has invested in locomotive production in Kazakhstan, and Pepsi Co. has invested $160 million to build a plant to produce potato chips and other snacks in Almaty region. The ambassador also discussed democratization and human rights, noting positive developments in Kazakhstan, such as the establishment of the Constitutional Court, and the expanded role of the ombudsman institution. He emphasized that Kazakhstan has worked to improve freedom of speech, assembly, and fair elections. On security issues, the ambassador reiterated the U.S.' commitment to protecting Kazakhstan's independence and sovereignty. He emphasized the importance of joint exercises and programs to strengthen defense and law and order in Kazakhstan. Regarding sanctions against Russia, Rosenblum said that the U.S. respects President Tokayev's position of adhering to international sanctions but does not apply its sanctions against Russia. The U.S. is engaging with the Kazakh government to minimize the impact of these sanctions on the country's economy and to find alternative markets for Kazakh goods. "We know that Kazakhstan needs to maintain good relations with its neighbors. It is natural to have positive trade relations and other types of relations to ensure peace and stability. We recognize and respect that it is not only the right but probably the duty of Kazakhstan to maintain such relations. We never put Kazakhstan before "either us or them" situations; we do not have such an approach to relations. Kazakhstan pursues a multi-vector policy, and we count on being one of the right vectors," the ambassador said. U.S. policy toward Kazakhstan is unlikely to change significantly, even if a Republican president wins the next U.S. election, Rosenblum said. The basic principles of supporting sovereignty and stability in Central Asia will remain unchanged, regardless of the political administration in Washington.

Kazakhstan Urges Bulgaria to Utilize Potential of Trans-Caspian Transport Route

Bulgaria, like Kazakhstan, plays an important transit role in the growing trade between the EU, Central Asia, and China. In his speech at the forum “Transport Connection between Kazakhstan and Bulgaria, on July 10 in Sofia organized by the Embassy of Kazakhstan to Bulgaria, Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Bulgaria Viktor Temirbayev emphasized the need for both countries to intensify cooperation in transport and transit by focusing on the development of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR). Addressing representatives of Bulgarian transport companies, Ambassador Temirbayev highlighted the fact that Kazakhstan’s location in the center of the Eurasian continent creates favorable conditions for using its transport network for transcontinental routes connecting East and West, as well as North and South. Forum participants were briefed on ongoing efforts by Kazakhstan’s government to increase cargo transportation along the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, as well as the development of a new automobile route for cargo transportation through Turkmenistan, Iran, Turkey and on to EU countries through Bulgaria and Romania. In support,  Yassen Ishev, Chairman of Bulgaria’s Scientific and Technical Union of Transport (STUT), stressed the importance of increasing cooperation in transport and logistics and in particular, establishing direct business contacts between the two countries’ transport companies.    

Kyrgyzstan and Russia to Expand Cooperation Across the Board

On July 10, the 25th meeting of the Intergovernmental Kyrgyz-Russian Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technical and Humanitarian Cooperation, was held in the Russian city of Krasnoyarsk, co-chaired by the Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic Akylbek Japarov and Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Alexey Overchuk. Aimed at strengthening cooperation between Kyrgyzstan and Russia, the agenda focused on developing trade and economic relations, increasing bilateral trade turnover, and creating favourable conditions for investments and joint ventures. The parties also discussed issues related to developing scientific and technical cooperation, expanding humanitarian ties, including in education, culture, and healthcare, as well as joint projects in tourism and transport. Referencing the fact stated that in 2023, trade turnover between Kyrgyzstan and Russia reached $3 billion, and in the first four months of 2024, had already exceeded $1 billion, showing an increase of 30%, Akylbek Japarov announced the mutual goal to increase the Kyrgyz-Russian trade to up to $5 billion. Given the two countries’ intention to increase the share of mutual settlements in national currencies, the head of the Kyrgyz Cabinet invited the largest state-owned banks of Russia, such as Sberbank, VTB, Vnesheconombank, and Gazprombank, to open branches in Kyrgyzstan. On the same day, Akylbek Japarov also spoke at the meeting of the 11th Kyrgyz-Russian Interregional Conference in Krasnoyarsk. Regarding Kyrgyz-Russian cultural and humanitarian interaction, Japarov said that the past three years had seen a “breakthrough in the education sector.” In particular, he noted an agreement concluded last year, on Russia’s construction of nine new schools in Kyrgyzstan; one in each of its seven regions and two in the cities. Further to signing a Decree on the establishment of a branch of the Lomonosov Moscow State University in the Kyrgyz city of Karakol, the president expressed his appreciation of the increase in budget-paid places for Kyrgyzstan citizens studying in Russian universities to 1,000.

Kazakhstan-EU Transport and Logistics Cooperation

Expansion and strengthening of trade, economic and investment cooperation, and joint projects in transport and logistics with a focus on the development of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR), were the key issues of the 15th meeting of ‘Kazakhstan-EU’.  Participants in discussions held in Astana on 10 July included Kazakhstan Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov, head of the Delegation of the European Union to Kazakhstan, Ambassador Kestutis Jankauskas, and heads of diplomatic missions of EU countries in Kazakhstan. During the meeting it was stated that about 85% of goods exported by China to EU countries are transported through Kazakhstan, and TITR provides the most competitive cargo delivery time of 12-15 days. Regarding their interest in unlocking the full potential of TITR, also known as the Middle Corridor, participants noted the establishment of the joint venture, Middle Corridor Multimodal, at the Astana International Financial Centre, and the significant role of the European initiative ‘Global Gateway’, which opens new prospects for investment in the transport industry. To raise their strategic partnership to a new level, all confirmed their commitment to developing and strengthening Kazakhstan-EU trade and economic relations. According to the Kazakh government, the European Union accounts for over 40% of Kazakhstan’s foreign investments and about 30% of foreign trade. In 2019-2023, trade turnover between Kazakhstan and EU countries increased by 36.2%, amounting to $41.4 billion. Last year, EU countries invested $10.4 billion in Kazakhstan’s economy, and in the first quarter of 2024 alone, $2.8 billion.