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Organization of Turkic States

Kyrgyzstan Hosts Summit of Organization of Turkic States

On November 6, Bishkek hosted the 11th Summit of the Council of Heads of State of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS). Chaired by Kyrgyzstan's President Sadyr Japarov and themed “Empowering the Turkic World: Economic Integration, Sustainable Development, Digital Future, and Security for All,” the summit was attended by President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, and Viktor Orbán, the Prime Minister of Hungary (observer state of the OTS). At the summit, the OTS chairmanship passed from Kazakhstan to Kyrgyzstan. In his speech, Kazakhstan's Tokayev summarized the results of his country's chairmanship of the OTS. Tokayev noted that Kazakhstan's chairmanship of the Organization of Turkic States was held under the motto "TURKTIME!" with special attention paid to strengthening the unity of the Turkic world and expanding comprehensive cooperation. Tokayev said that over the past 10 years, economic ties between the OTS members have strengthened significantly, and their trade volume exceeded $45 billion in 2024. According to Tokayev, strengthening transport and logistics ties within the OTS is a priority task. “It is necessary to fully utilize the potential of the Middle Corridor, which is strategically important for the further economic development of the Turkic world. Therefore, it seems necessary to agree to ensure the sustainable development of cargo transportation along this route.” Addressing the summit as the new chairman of the OTS, Japarov emphasized that the Organization has the unique potential to achieve high goals, strengthen its position in the international arena, intensify mutually beneficial cooperation, and create favorable conditions for the prosperity of its people. According to Japarov, during its chairmanship of the OTS, Kyrgyzstan will make every effort to develop economic partnership, sustainable development, digital integration, and strengthening common security. To expand trade and economic cooperation, negotiations will be initiated on intergovernmental agreements in services, finance, the creation and support of common labor markets, digital and e-commerce, intellectual property, agriculture, technology, innovation, tourism, and education. Japarov supported signing the Agreement on Partnership in the Field of Digital Economy, which will facilitate digital trade between the Turkic states. Joint measures to combat the challenges associated with climate change and environmental pollution will be one key area of Kyrgyzstan's chairmanship. According to Japarov, over the past 70 years, the area of glaciers in Kyrgyzstan has decreased by 16%. These glaciers are a source of drinking water for Kyrgyzstan and the entire Central Asian region. “Considering that our region is among the most vulnerable to global warming, by 2100, we may lose more than half of the glaciers,” the Kyrgyz president warned, adding that “we will develop cooperation in the implementation of joint green projects in the field of renewable energy, forest restoration, the introduction of resource-saving and energy-efficient technologies, the protection of glaciers and biological species, as well as the fight against land degradation and desertification.” Addressing the summit, Turkey's Erdoğan said: “I wholeheartedly believe that the decisions we will make today to achieve the targets we...

International Diplomacy

Kazakhstan and France – Key Take-Aways From Tokayev’s Trip to Paris

As The Times of Central Asia has reported, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev paid a state visit to Paris, during which he met with his French counterpart and held fruitful talks with representatives of major European companies. After the bilateral talks, Tokayev and French President Emmanuel Macron issued a joint statement. “This visit is significant for us. France is a close and reliable partner of Kazakhstan in the European Union. For 34 years, our relations have acquired a strategic character. Astana and Paris have established a political dialog based on mutual understanding at all levels. Ties in trade and economic, investment, cultural, and humanitarian spheres have been strengthened; a clear legal framework has been formed. Interaction within the framework of international organizations has expanded. I am confident that our partnership, based on unshakable friendship and mutual support, will be successful in the future,” Tokayev said. Both parties stated that they consider it necessary to develop trade and economic cooperation. “Last year, the two countries' trade turnover amounted to $4.2 billion. And this year, we reached this figure in 9 months. France ranks sixth in terms of investment in our country. French companies, including Alstom, Total Energies, Air Liquide, Orano, Vicat, Danone, and Lactalis, have invested heavily in Kazakhstan, reaching about $19.5 billion. Cooperation in the oil and gas, mining, industrial, construction, aviation, engineering, and health care sectors is being strengthened,” the Kazakh president said. In addition, Tokayev met in Paris with a potential supplier of nuclear technology for the construction of nuclear power plants, the CEO of Électricité de France (EDF), Luc Remona. According to the official website of the President of Kazakhstan, Akorda, “The French company is on the short list of potential suppliers of nuclear technology for constructing nuclear power plants. The country is considering the establishment of an international consortium as one of the potential models for the realization of this crucial project.” President Tokayev also participated in an investment roundtable attended by the heads of France's largest companies. “We are pleased to be one of France's main trade, economic, and investment partners in Central Asia. Kazakhstan now accounts for more than 80% of France's trade with the region. This year, bilateral trade volume has increased by 45%,” Tokayev said. The President also outlined promising areas of economic ties for the two countries. “Energy has always been a key sector of our cooperation. Astana is a major supplier of oil and uranium to the European Union and is ready to support France's energy sovereignty further. We expect an intensified presence of French industry in Kazakhstan, with which we associate the introduction of advanced technologies in our production sphere. Given that our country is the largest uranium producer in the world, and France has extensive experience in the nuclear industry, we could cooperate in civilian nuclear energy,” Tokayev stated. Tokayev emphasized that massive international companies are interested in implementing large-scale wind, solar, and hydropower projects in Kazakhstan. For example, Total Energies plans to invest $1.1 billion in a one-gigawatt wind...

International Cooperation

Kazakhstan and China to Double Trade, Increase Cargo Transportation

On November 4, Kazakhstan’s Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov arrived in Shanghai and held talks with his Chinese counterpart China Li Qiang. They discussed strengthening trade, investment, transport and logistics cooperation, agriculture, energy, and tourism. Kazakhstan and China aim to double bilateral trade turnover from last year’s historic high of $41 billion. In January-September 2024, Kazakh-Chinese trade totaled $33 billion. Bektenov stressed that Kazakhstan is ready to increase exports to China of 180 high-value-added commodity items worth $1.6 billion. Bilateral agricultural trade increased by 5.8% from January to September 2024, reflecting China’s growing demand for Kazakhstani organic and environmentally-friendly agricultural products. The sides discussed expanding the export of Kazakh grain, crops, and livestock products. Regarding the transport and logistics sector, the Kazakh and Chinese prime ministers noted that over 80% of land cargo transportation from China to Europe today passes through Kazakhstan. Therefore, Kazakhstan is interested in deepening cooperation within China’s Belt and Road Initiative framework. Bektenov noted that this globally important project, together with the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (the Middle Corridor), running through the territory of Kazakhstan, can unlock the potential of the North-South and East-West corridors. In January-September 2024, the traffic volume along the Middle Corridor exceeded the previous year's figures by 23% and amounted to 3.4 million tons. This figure is expected to increase to 10 million tons annually by 2030. Bektenov also attended the Kazakh-Chinese investment roundtable in Shanghai, which resulted in the signing of commercial agreements with Chinese companies totaling $2.5 billion, including on energy projects and localized automotive production. Addressing the forum, Bektenov said: "Kazakhstan and China have huge potential for implementing joint investment projects. Together, we can open new horizons for interaction and increase the effectiveness of cooperation. To this end, we should actively work to expand transit opportunities, strengthen industrial cooperation, and build ties between our business communities."

International Diplomacy

Kyrgyzstan Backs Turkish Arms Embargo Against Israel

The Turkish authorities have sent a letter to the UN on behalf of 52 countries calling for an arms embargo against Israel in response to the ongoing war in Gaza and Lebanon, Turkish media has reported. In the letter, the Turkish authorities call the "staggering" civilian death toll "unconscionable and intolerable." In response to the letter, Turkish Ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon stated in uncompromising terms, "What else can be expected from a country whose actions are driven by malice in an attempt to create conflicts with the support of the 'Axis of Evil' countries?" Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan arrived in Bishkek on November 4. During the visit, the Turkish leader will hold talks with the president of Kyrgyzstan and participate in the 11th Summit of the Council of Heads of State of the Organization of Turkic States. Following the summit, several bilateral documents will be signed to expand strategic cooperation between the countries. On the eve of Erdogan's visit, Kyrgyzstan backed the Turkish resolution in the UN. The authorities in Turkey have stated that with its military actions against Palestine and Lebanon, Israel has brought the entire region to the brink of a full-scale war. “This is necessary to end Israel's illegal occupation, to prevent further violations against civilians in the Gaza Strip and the rest of the occupied Palestinian territory, as well as in Lebanon, and to prevent further regional escalation,” Turkey's permanent representative to the UN, Ahmet Yildiz stated. The Turkish letter was signed by 52 states, including Russia, Kazakhstan, and China, whilst the Arab League, and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation are also signatories. Kyrgyzstan, along with other Central Asian states, usually adheres to strict diplomatic neutrality regarding the Middle East conflict.

International Cooperation

Kazakhstan and China Begin Negotiations on Joint Use of Transboundary Rivers

On November 1, Kazakhstan’s Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Nurzhan Nurzhigitov met with Zhang Xiao, the Chinese Ambassador to Kazakhstan, to discuss bilateral water cooperation and the joint use and distribution of water from transboundary rivers. Three large rivers in Kazakhstan — the Ertis, the Ile, and the Emel — originate in China. The two countries established a special working group of experts to negotiate the provision of water to the Ile-Balkhash basin and develop fisheries and tourism in the region. The Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation of Kazakhstan intends to sign a memorandum of cooperation with the Ministry of Water Resources of China shortly. The Kazakh minister and Chinese ambassador discussed joint modernization and automation of Kazakhstan's water infrastructure, production and use of water-saving technologies, and advanced training of Kazakhstani water specialists in China. Late in August, The Times of Central Asia reported that the Kapchagay reservoir outside Almaty was full for the first time in ten years. The reservoir collects water from the Ile (or Ili) River, which originates in China and is meant to regulate the river's flow on its way to Kazakhstan’s largest lake, Balkhash.

International Cooperation

American Chamber of Commerce in Kyrgyzstan: Future Development and Investment Climate

As Central Asia continues to become a regional hub for trade and innovation, The Times of Central Asia spoke with Altynai Asanova, the Executive Director of the American Chamber of Commerce in the Kyrgyz Republic, to discuss the investment climate in Kyrgyzstan, economic trends, and future development. TCA: I see that your background is primarily in hotel management and sales; how did you transition from this role to your current position? “My background includes 18 years in the hotel business. Ten years at Hyatt, starting in food and beverage and ending in the hotel sales department; then, I worked at the Orion Hotel for the pre-opening and opening stage for about three years. After this, I was hired by Sheraton, one of the Marriott chain hotels, to work on the pre-opening and opening stage for two years. I was still involved with the business audience and wanted to continue working with the stakeholders and companies who know me.” TCA: How would you describe the hospitality industry in Kyrgyzstan? Is it mainly in Bishkek or other regions? “It is developing; before, it was only the Hyatt. Now, there are three or four chain hotels in Bishkek. It is good that there are more players in the market. It is developing day by day. The development is mainly in Bishkek, but we have good perspectives for Issyk Kul as long as the roads and infrastructure are completed. The chain hotels are also becoming interested in Issyk Kul. The good thing is that enough businessmen understand and accept the market challenges in Issyk Kul. They know it will not be financially stable at launch since the busy season is only about 50 days. But if the hotels provide full service and comfort, people will travel there for the full season.” TCA: Stepping away from hospitality, what did American investment in Kyrgyzstan look like ten years ago?” “Before, there was an American base in Kyrgyzstan. During that time, the hospitality business was amazing. The rates were high considering the charter flights and pilots who needed a place to stay. Now, these rooms are listed at the lowest rates. At that time, the Hyatt was the only five-star hotel in Bishkek, so all the American guests were staying at the Hyatt. The investment climate dropped after the U.S.-Kyrgyzstan agreement ended. There is opportunity, but it goes slowly.” TCA: Since then, what has changed in the business climate? “Business-wise, if we look from the angle of the association, we do not have any purely American business; we have franchise members: KFC, Hyatt, Sheraton, and some banks. It would be nice to have purely American [businesses] here.” TCA: Who are the current major investors in the Kyrgyz market? And is competition relevant to win contracts with local companies? “China, Russia, Kazakhstan, the Netherlands, and Turkey are the main investors. Before making any contracts or tenders, we need to understand the possibilities of our market, ‘Is our country ready to accept this level of business?’ The first question...