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Organization of Turkic States

Gabala 2025: What the Turkic World Will Discuss Amid Global Turbulence

On October 7, leaders of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) will gather in Gabala, Azerbaijan, for the 12th summit under the theme “Regional Peace and Security.” At first glance, it may look like another routine engagement. Yet against the backdrop of overlapping global crises, the forum is increasingly a test of the OTS’s maturity and relevance. The summit unfolds amid a turbulent international landscape. Afghanistan continues to cast a shadow over Central Asia: economic volatility, migration risks, and the activity of extremist groups remain sources of concern for OTS members. The ongoing war in Ukraine, meanwhile, is reshaping Eurasian transit routes, placing the bloc’s states in delicate positions between East and West. At the same time, violence in the Middle East is adding to the pressures on Turkey’s already complex foreign policy environment. The Middle Corridor at the Center A key theme in Gabala will be the advancement of the Middle Corridor, formally known as the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route. This east–west route connects China with Europe via Kazakhstan, the Caspian ports of Aktau and Kuryk, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Turkey. Investments are moving forward across the chain: Kazakhstan is expanding port and rail capacity, Azerbaijan is modernizing the Port of Baku in Alat, Georgia is upgrading its railway hubs, and Turkey is reinforcing the Baku–Kars line. Once a logistical project, the corridor is evolving into a strategic framework that ties together economic, environmental, and security considerations. Customs harmonization, digital tracking systems, and sustainability standards are now discussed as much as cargo volumes. Security, Coordination, and Soft Power Security will also be on the table, though framed in practical rather than military terms. Issues such as counter-terrorism cooperation, cyber resilience, disaster response, and the safety of emerging transit corridors are likely to feature. In this sense, security is increasingly seen as the foundation for trade and investment rather than a standalone agenda. Beyond infrastructure, OTS continues to develop soft power tools. Educational exchanges, cultural cooperation, green energy initiatives, and water management projects are part of efforts to build intra-regional trust. The recently inaugurated UN Regional Center for the SDGs in Almaty provides another anchor, aligning the Turkic bloc with global sustainability frameworks. A Turning Point for the Turkic Council? Founded in 2009 primarily as a cultural and humanitarian forum, the OTS is now edging toward a broader role. By coordinating infrastructure projects, harmonizing regulations, and cautiously addressing security concerns, it is positioning itself as a relevant player in Eurasian affairs. Much will depend on whether Gabala produces more than communiqués. Concrete steps on the Middle Corridor, digital customs corridors, joint water initiatives, or disaster coordination could demonstrate that the OTS is maturing into a platform for practical solutions. While major breakthroughs are unlikely, even incremental progress would signal that the Turkic Council is becoming a pillar of regional stability and integration.

United Nations

Kazakhstan Recasts Its Foreign Policy at the United Nations

Several days ago I argued here that Kazakhstan’s diplomacy had begun to try to move from survival-mode balancing into a more entrepreneurial phase, testing its accumulated diplomatic capital on the world stage. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s September 24, 2025, speech to the United Nations General Assembly confirms this. It was a statement of intent, marking a departure from decades of careful multivectorism toward a doctrine of initiative and responsibility. The speech sought to anchor a claim that Kazakhstan is not only balancing among vectors but weaving them into a systemic position of leverage to support active participation in the agenda-setting of global affairs. The multivector line, crafted under Nazarbayev, kept Moscow, Beijing, and Western capitals equidistant during a period when Kazakhstan’s priority was survival and gradual integration. The price of that prudence was that the distinct voice that Astana was trying to cultivate could not be heard. The country appeared more like a venue for great-power competition rather than an autonomous actor in favor of its own interests. On the UNGA stage, Tokayev did not abandon the old formula outright. Instead, he pressed it into service as a platform for what he called “bridge building,” but which looks in practice like a bid to shape the rules of the international order, instead of merely accommodating them. Railways, Corridors, and Diplomacy in Motion Tokayev declared to the Assembly: “Kazakhstan today carries eighty percent of all overland freight between Asia and Europe. By 2029, we will build five thousand kilometers of new railway to strengthen the Middle Corridor.” These words accompanied the announcement, only a few days before, of a multibillion-dollar deal with the American company Wabtec for the purchase of three hundred locomotives over ten years. Timed with his UN appearance itself, the announcement highlighted Tokayev's view of infrastructure as diplomacy. In systems terms, railways are not discrete projects but nodes in a meso-level build-out capable of reconfiguring macro-level flows. By embedding a commercial contract into the theater of UNGA, Tokayev gave it a transformational headline. The “Middle Corridor” now functions in two registers. In one, it is freight tonnage, Caspian ferry capacity, Azerbaijan–Georgia transit. In the other, it is a political instrument. Only weeks before UNGA, Astana hosted talks that facilitated the U.S.-backed Armenia–Azerbaijan declaration. By enabling that dialogue, Kazakhstan projected itself into the South Caucasus as an intermediary claiming credibility with both sides. Hosting the South Caucasus dialogue projected Astana's view of itself as a systems-level creator of interdependence at the infrastructural level. From there, the loop feeds back to the structuration of political behavior. Economically, Kazakhstan remains the only Central Asian state with diversified sources of foreign direct investment (FDI). The Netherlands and the United States together still outpace China and Russia in cumulative FDI. Uzbekistan, despite rising visibility, remains structurally dependent on its two large neighbors. By contrast, Astana uses diversification to demonstrate optionality. The locomotive deal is one example; the C5+1 dialogues with Washington are yet another. Reforming the Global Order Tokayev spoke about a “crisis of...

United Nations

Tokayev Sides with Trump in Criticism of UN After Escalator, Teleprompter, and Audio Failures

As reported by ULYS Media, Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev publicly aligned with President Trump’s criticism of the United Nations after the poorly managed 80th-anniversary UNGA session. Tokayev, who was present in the hall during Trump’s speech when the failures occurred, lent particular weight to his comments given his long-standing institutional knowledge of the UN, having served as Director-General of the United Nations Office at Geneva (2011–2013) and representing Kazakhstan in various UN forums over his three decades of diplomatic service. During his address to the General Assembly, President Trump recounted a series of technical incidents: an escalator carrying him and First Lady Melania stalled abruptly, nearly causing a fall; his teleprompter failed at the start of his speech, forcing him to improvise—a skill for which he is well known; and the sound system cut out, leaving much of the audience unable to hear him without interpreter earpieces. He condemned the breakdowns as symbolic of broader UN dysfunction, calling them “a REAL DISGRACE” and alleging “triple sabotage.” Trump urged a Secret Service investigation and preservation of security footage. As reported in ULYS Media, Tokayev said: “I consider the incident that occurred at the UN exceptionally dangerous, an event that could have harmed the health of the President and his spouse. The decision to investigate has already been made and is correct.” He went on: “On the other hand, this is the most serious failure, one might even say a collapse, of the UN Secretariat, all employees of the relevant services and departments. To allow such a blunder during the anniversary session of the UN General Assembly is beyond negligence, unless, of course, it is a deliberate sabotage, which is also quite possible given the negative and even depressive sentiments among UN staff.” Tokayev sharpened his critique further, describing the United Nations as suffering a “serious decline” in political effectiveness and managerial competence. He highlighted weakened public trust in the organization’s leadership, an ever more paralyzed Security Council incapable of addressing pressing issues, and an internal culture marked by indifference, fatigue, and low morale—even within the higher decision-making bodies. Tokayev and Trump converge in their sharp criticism of the United Nations, pointing to mismanagement within the Secretariat, the erosion of credibility among its leaders, and the paralysis of the Security Council. Tokayev has even echoed Trump’s remarks approvingly, recognizing their shared view that the organization has drifted into inefficiency and neglect. At the same time, he underscores the urgency of bold reforms to restore the UN’s effectiveness and authority, reinforcing the common ground both leaders have staked out in calling for change. Trump would have welcomed Tokayev’s additional words: “Several of my colleagues have expressed to me an accurate opinion: even the material condition of the UN’s main building [in New York], the common home of humanity, is in a state of decline. And it is hard to argue with President Trump here; he openly spoke about the mismanagement and indifference of the leaders of this global organization.” Tokayev concluded by reiterating...

Politics

From Reform to Deals: Central Asia Steps Onto the Global Stage at UNGA-80

Ecology, global instability, and the need for UN reform dominated the speeches of all five Central Asian presidents at the 80th session of the UN General Assembly. Presenting a united front while emphasizing national priorities, the leaders made clear that Central Asia intends to play a pivotal role in shaping the global future. UN Reform Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev was the first among the CIS leaders to address the assembly, speaking of a growing crisis of trust in multilateral institutions and calling for sweeping reforms. Tokayev emphasized the need to expand the UN Security Council, arguing that major powers from Asia, Africa, and Latin America must receive rotational representation, and that the influence of middle powers should be strengthened. “We need to create a new group of like-minded states that will professionally and decisively advance concrete proposals for reforming the UN so that it better responds to today’s challenges and tomorrow’s tasks,” he said, proposing Kazakhstan as a platform for these discussions. Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev echoed these concerns, highlighting the weakening of international institutions and the proliferation of global conflicts. He endorsed UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ UN-80 initiative and voiced support for the Pact for the Future, which sets out commitments to strengthen multilateral cooperation and address global challenges through 2045, the UN’s centenary. Mirziyoyev also advocated for an expanded Security Council to better represent developing countries. In his address, Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov called for a more just and representative Security Council, underscoring Africa’s right to greater participation. He also announced Kyrgyzstan’s candidacy for a non-permanent seat on the Security Council for 2027-2028, noting that his country has never before held such a position. Tajik President Emomali Rahmon warned of growing instability, uncertainty, and complexity in world affairs. Rahmon stressed the UN’s role as a platform for dialogue and cooperation and called for equal partnerships between large and small states to restore adherence to international law. Turkmen President Serdar Berdimuhamedov argued that the current global situation requires a "decisive shift toward coordinated interaction among states and international organizations to maintain peace and security.” He proposed declaring 2028 the Year of International Law to strengthen the legal foundations of global cooperation. Ecology and Finance On environmental issues, the Central Asian leaders focused on national and regional concerns. Tokayev addressed the ongoing shallowing of the Caspian Sea, while both he and Mirziyoyev raised the issue of the Aral Sea crisis, often described as "one of the world’s worst environmental disasters." Rahmon highlighted the rapid disappearance of glaciers, a point supported by Japarov, given the critical dependence of Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan on mountain water resources. Berdimuhamedov, meanwhile, proposed establishing a regional center for combating desertification in Central Asia. Other initiatives included the proposed Caspian Environmental Forum in 2026 and continued advancement of the Caspian Environmental Initiative, originally introduced by Ashgabat. Financial concerns were also prominent. Rahmon called for reforms to international financial mechanisms, citing the continued suffering of vulnerable developing countries from the impacts of economic crises, poverty, disease, natural disasters,...

Global Diplomacy

Billion-Dollar Agreements and a Boeing Deal: Inside Mirziyoyev’s Visit to New York

On September 20, President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev arrived in New York to participate in events marking the 80th session of the UN General Assembly. At John F. Kennedy Airport, he was welcomed by Paolo Zampolli, Special Envoy of the U.S. President for Global Partnerships, Carolyn Lamm, Chair of the American-Uzbekistan Chamber of Commerce, and other officials. Finance and Critical Minerals Cooperation On September 22, Mirziyoyev held a series of high-level meetings with executives from leading corporations and international institutions. Uzbekistan is seeking to position itself as a reliable supplier in the global critical minerals chain. With reserves of copper, gold, uranium, and rare earths, officials have prioritized foreign partnerships to accelerate exploration and processing capacity, while also ensuring environmental and governance standards are met. In talks with IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva, the two sides discussed expanding cooperation on monetary policy, statistical reform, and educational programs. Georgieva commended Uzbekistan’s economic reforms and reaffirmed the Fund’s support. A $1 billion package of initiatives was finalized with Traxys, the Colorado School of Mines, FLSmidth, McKinsey, and Go Green Partners. These projects focus on critical minerals mining and processing, alongside the creation of a Competence Center in Uzbekistan. Discussions with BlackRock board member Adebayo Ogunlesi centered on establishing a joint infrastructure fund. With Citigroup Chairman John Dugan, the president addressed IPOs of state-owned enterprises, Eurobond issuance, and trade finance mechanisms. Franklin Templeton CEO Jenny Johnson confirmed agreements related to the transformation of state-owned companies and the development of the Tashkent Stock Exchange. President Brian Friedman of the New York-based global investment banking and capital markets firm, Jefferies, meanwhile, expressed interest in helping attract strategic investors to Uzbekistan’s National Investment Fund. Franklin Templeton’s management of Uzbekistan’s $1.7 billion National Investment Fund signals growing trust in U.S. asset managers. Meanwhile, Jefferies’ potential involvement in attracting strategic investors highlights the rising role of global capital markets in Uzbekistan’s privatization and modernization agenda. NASDAQ CEO Adena Friedman discussed the modernization of the Tashkent Stock Exchange and the introduction of a government bond trading platform. Oppenheimer Holdings CEO Robert Lowenthal pledged support for Uzbekistan’s private sector and participation in Eurobond issuance. [caption id="attachment_36462" align="aligncenter" width="1280"] Image: president.uz[/caption] Strategic Agreements Signed A signing ceremony was held in the presence of President Mirziyoyev and U.S. Presidential Special Envoy Sergio Gor. Agreements were exchanged with Boeing, FLSmidth, Cleveland Clinic, Citigroup, Cargill, Pangea Filtration Technology, SLB, Biologic International, and others. During a meeting with WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Mirziyoyev reaffirmed Uzbekistan’s commitment to aligning its legislation with international standards, with the goal of completing WTO accession by 2026. Uzbekistan’s WTO accession is being closely watched in Central Asia, as its success could set a precedent for other countries still outside the organization. For investors, WTO membership would mean greater legal predictability and integration into global trade frameworks. The president also met with Air Products CEO Eduardo Menezes. The company has already invested over $1 billion in Uzbekistan, with projects at the GTL plant, Ferghana Refinery, and “Navoiazot.” Both parties agreed to...

United Nations

Trump and Tokayev Secure a Historic $4.2 Billion Locomotive Deal

Washington, D.C. – The United States and Kazakhstan have finalized the largest locomotive agreement in history, a $4.2 billion deal that underscores American industrial strength and deepens ties between the two nations. The announcement came following a call between President Donald Trump and Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, which officials say directly helped bring the deal across the finish line. The U.S. Department of Commerce confirmed that Pennsylvania-based Wabtec will supply about 300 Evolution Series locomotives, in kit form, to Kazakhstan’s state railway over the next decade. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick emphasized the scale of the export package, writing on X that the deal is “more than just a huge success story. It’s about American innovation leading the world, supporting thousands of jobs in TX & PA, and strengthening the U.S.–Kazakhstan partnership.” For Trump, the Pennsylvania tie is notable — the state is both home to Wabtec and a perennial battleground in presidential politics. What Trump and Tokayev said President Trump celebrated the breakthrough personally on Truth Social: “I just concluded a wonderful call with the Highly Respected President of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Kemeluly Tokayev. They have signed the largest Railroad Equipment Purchase in History, $4 Billion Dollars Worth of United States Locomotives and Rail Equipment”. He continued: “Congratulations to President Tokayev on his great purchase. This Country, and the World, was built on reliable, beautiful Railroads. Now they will be coming back, FAST!” Earlier in September, Trump had told reporters he had a “great conversation” with Tokayev — a remark that signaled improving ties between Washington and Astana ahead of the deal. On Sept. 22, the Commerce Department formally confirmed the $4.2 billion agreement. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, in a separate statement on X, emphasized that the leaders’ engagement helped pave the way and argued the deal strengthens an enhanced strategic partnership while embedding American technology in Eurasian connectivity. President Tokayev, for his part, has emphasized transport and logistics as central to Kazakhstan’s role as a “link between Europe and Asia,” calling for expanded rail infrastructure and modern customs systems. In July, amid tariff tensions, he assured Trump in a letter that Kazakhstan was “ready for constructive dialogue” and was confident a compromise could be reached — a posture that laid groundwork for the closer economic cooperation reflected in this deal. Why It Matters: Unlocking Regional Corridors to the West The locomotives will reinforce capacity along the Trans-Caspian “Middle Corridor,” a trade route carrying goods from Central Asia through the South Caucasus and into Europe—an alternative to Russian and Iranian transit that governments have accelerated since 2022. A critical gap in that chain was addressed through U.S.-brokered diplomacy in August 2025, when President Trump hosted Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev at the White House. The two leaders signed a peace declaration after decades of conflict and committed to reopening transport links, most notably a 42-kilometer passage through Armenia’s Syunik province, commonly called the Zangezur corridor or the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP). By...