International Cooperation - The Times Of Central Asia

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Critical Minerals International Cooperation Oil and Gas

Kazakhstan and South Korea to Cooperate in Critical Minerals, Oil and Gas

During South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol’s visit to Kazakhstan on June 12, agreements were made on cooperation in critical minerals and metals, as well as in the oil and gas industry. A Memorandum on partnership on critical minerals and metals was signed by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy of the Republic of Korea and the Ministry of Industry and Construction of Kazakhstan. The document represents the first step towards the establishment of an international chemical analytical laboratory in Kazakhstan and aims to strengthen cooperation between the two countries in the supply of lithium, nickel, cobalt, tantalum, tungsten, beryllium, niobium, titanium, rhenium, phosphorus, copper, aluminum, chromium, manganese, and rare earth metals. An additional Memorandum on security and development of the critical minerals supply chain was signed by the Korean Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources, Korea’s SK Ecoplant Co. Ltd., and the Ministry of Industry and Construction of Kazakhstan. The agreement provides for a comprehensive exchange of information on supply chains for critical minerals and metals, joint geological exploration and production of critical minerals and metals, and the mining and processing of lithium to produce lithium batteries. Kazakhstan’s national oil and gas company KazMunayGas and Hyundai Engineering, South Korean EPC engineering company, signed an agreement on cooperation in the oil, gas and petrochemical industries. Aimed towards exploring opportunities for cooperation in the above, it includes provision for technology exchange, specialist training, and the transfer of technical knowledge and experience.

International Cooperation Oil and Gas

Kazakhstan and Congo Ready to Cooperate in Oil and Gas

On June 11, Chairman of the Board of Kazakhstan’s national oil and gas company KazMunayGas (KMG), Askhat Khasenov attended a meeting in Astana with Adviser to the President of the Republic of Congo for strategic issues and international negotiations, Francoise Joly, and General Director of Congo’s national petroleum company SNPC (Societe nationale des petroles du Congo), Maixent Raoul Ominga. The Congolese officials opened discussions by stating that after Nigeria and Angola, their country is Africa’s third largest player in the oil and gas sector. It was stated that whilst SNPC actively cooperates with international companies (Total Energies, Chevron, Eni), the company seeks to attract new investments to maximize the potential of its energy projects. The parties exchanged views on potential cooperation in the oil and gas sector, including trade in oil and petroleum products and human capital development, and agreed to work towards the signing of a cooperation agreement between KMG and SNPC. On 10 June, in preparation for the state visit of the President of the Republic of Congo, Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev received Ms. Joly. In addition to identifying promising areas of bilateral cooperation, Tokayev expressed his readiness to strengthen contacts with the Republic of Congo.

Women-owned Enterprises Entrepreneurship International Cooperation US aid to education

U.S. Program Promotes Women Entrepreneurship in Turkmenistan

On June 8, participants in the first Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) program in Turkmenistan submitted their business proposals to a panel of experts in Ashgabat. The event marked the conclusion of the AWE program launched by the U.S. Embassy in Turkmenistan in partnership with the Union of Economists of Turkmenistan in March this year. As reported by the U.S. Embassy, the ‘graduation’ ceremony was the culmination of three months’ work, consisting of an online business course developed by Arizona State University’s Thunderbird School of Global Management, weekly face-to-face sessions, and the development of a business plan. AWE is a U.S. State Department program that provides women entrepreneurs with the knowledge, networks and access required to start and grow successful businesses. The first 50 Turkmen graduates of the program now join a global community of over 25,000 AWE alumnae. Opening the event, U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Vaida Vidugiris said: “We are so pleased that this year, Turkmenistan joined more than 100 participating countries of AWE. I am especially proud that this program took place not only in Ashgabat, but also in Dashoguz, Mary, and Turkmenabat where we have our American Corners. It underscores our belief in the untapped potential of women entrepreneurs who, with the right support and resources, can transform economies, uplift communities, and inspire future generations.”

English Language Teachers US aid to education International Cooperation

New U.S. Peace Corps Volunteers Arrive in Kyrgyzstan

On 11 June, the U.S. Embassy in Bishkek announced the arrival of 22 U.S. Peace Corps Volunteer Trainees in Kyrgyzstan to support English language education in secondary schools in the country’s Chui, Naryn, Issyk-Kul, Talas, Osh, and Jalal-Abad regions. Invited by the Kyrgyz Republic’s Ministry of Education and Science, the trainees are the 30th Peace Corps cohort to serve in Kyrgyzstan since the launch of the initiative in 1993. The new group brings the number of Peace Corps Volunteers and Trainees in the country to 53. Prior to starting work, the trainees must embark on an eleven-week course to familiarize themselves with Kyrgyzstan’s educational system, Kyrgyz language and culture, Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL), and providing lessons with local teachers. On completion of the course in August, the participants will be sworn in as Peace Corps Volunteers and begin their two years’ service enhancing the teaching of English alongside local teachers across the country.

International Cooperation Economic Cooperation Investments Security South Korea Economy

South Korea Set to Intensify Cooperation with Central Asia

With the intention of intensifying cooperation between Seoul and Central Asia, South Korean President Yoon Suk-Yeol will make a state visit to three Central Asian countries from 10-15 June. As reported by Kim Tae-hyo First Deputy Director of the National Security Office of the Presidential Administration, President Yoon Suk-Yeol accompanied by his wife Kim Gong Hee, will visit Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan and engage in talks with the countries' leaders as well as participate in business forums. Kim Tae-hyo emphasized that South Korea aims to intensify diplomacy and cooperation with Central Asia through wide-ranging efforts. These include a regular summit of the Korea-Central Asia K-Silk Road Initiative, the first of which will be hosted by Seoul next year. “Through this initiative, we intend to promote the joint, free, and peaceful development and prosperity of Korea and the Central Asian region,” stated Kim Tae-hyo The main areas of cooperation under the Initiative include the development of four key sectors : natural resources, official development assistance, cultural and people-to-people exchanges, and enhanced official and private contacts. Areas for cooperation will be identified and prioritized in each of the five Central Asian countries :Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. Cooperation in Kazakhstan will focus on energy and infrastructure; in Kyrgyzstan, water resources and tourism, and in Turkmenistan, constructing energy plants. Seoul makes no secret of its high interest in the region's rich natural resources, including uranium, lithium and tungsten.

International Cooperation Green Energy Foreign Investment Tourism

Kyrgyzstan Seeks Investment in Energy

On June 10, The Kyrgyz Republic International Energy Investment Forum, organized by the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic with support from the World Bank Group and the Government of Austria, opened in Vienna. In his address to representatives of international financial organizations, delegations from Central Asian, European, and Middle East countries, and private investors, Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic Akylbek Japarov emphasized the importance of discussions on the construction of Kambarata HPP-1 not only for Kyrgyzstan but also for the entire Central Asian region. Japarov then presented a paper on “Economic prospects and investment climate in the Kyrgyz Republic,” in which he stated, “In recent years, the economic growth of Kyrgyzstan has broken all records and demonstrated exceptionally sustainable development. The average GDP growth rate was 7%. And in the first quarter of 2024, the rate of economic growth accelerated to 8.8%.” Referencing the country’s “period of revival” in its energy sector, he continued, “Tariffs are being reviewed and better conditions provided in the form of benefits and preferences for investors. The implementation of more than 50 renewable energy projects has begun throughout the country. The state, on its own, has built and recently launched the Bala-Saruu hydroelectric power plant, which will provide electricity to the [country’s north-western] Talas region.” The head of the Cabinet of Ministers called on all international organizations to collaborate in implementing projects in the Kyrgyz energy sector especially the large-scale construction of Kambarata HPP-1 and stressed, “I am deeply convinced that through joint efforts the largest hydroelectric power plant in the region will be built and new horizons for green energy will open in the Central Asian region.” Japarov also touched upon Kyrgyzstan's tourist potential and with regard to winter sports, announced: “We are starting the construction of a Kyrgyz Courchevel. The French company S3V, one of the first operators of the world- famous resort of Courchevel, is implementing the Three Peaks ski cluster in Kyrgyzstan with plans for around 200 km of ski slopes. The resort will operate all year round and able to receive up to 850 thousand tourists annually, will become the largest in Central Asia. In addition, we are launching the construction of a resort near Bishkek with a 20-kilometer funicular, which will operate both winter and summer. In winter, it will provide a unique opportunity to ski within a 20-minute drive from the capital, Bishkek. All technical structures will be built by the Austrian company Doppel Maier.”