Central Asia News Bulletin

This weekly section provides an overview of key political, economic, and social developments across the five Central Asian states. It highlights the region’s most relevant policy trends, international engagements, and sectoral updates in areas such as energy, digital development, environment, and finance. The section is compiled and edited by Maryam Agharabi, Coordinator of the China & Central Asia Studies Center. For enquiries, you may contact maryam.agharabi[a]kimep.kz.

Central Asian Prospects assessed at the Astana International Forum; CAS & Qatar, China & Afghanistan increase cooperation; Lavrov visits Tajikistan; World Bank issues June 2023 Global Economic Prospects Report, and reports on Afghanistan. /11.06.23

_{Source: Jibek Joly TV}

The most significant event of this week was the Astana International Forum (AIF), which took place on June 8 and 9. It highlighted Central Asia's key role in contributing to international discussions on development and security. Media sources also covered the bilateral talks between Qatar and Kazakhstan, Qatar and Uzbekistan, and Qatar and Kyrgyzstan, as well as the efforts to strengthen relations between China and Afghanistan. Additionally, Sergei Lavrov’s visit to Tajikistan received media attention, and the World Bank’s latest Global Economic Prospects report, issued on Tuesday, reported that the global economy remains in a precarious state. The institution also covered the Food Crisis in Afghanistan, warning against its consequences for the country, the region, and the global community.

: 11 June 2023

EC reports on Sustainable Transport Connections between Europe and Central Asia; a report on Karakalpak activism gets published; Kazakhstan and UK will increase Number of Flights. /27.05.23

_{Civil Aviation Authorities of Kazakhstan & UK meet in London. Source: Civil Aviation Committee}

During the past week, analysts focused on significant events from the previous year, including the unrest in Karakalpakstan and clashes at the Tajik-Kyrgyz border. Additionally, a study aiming to enhance connectivity between Central Asia and Europe was published, it was reported that the number of weekly flights between Astana and London will increase, and an incident between Tajik and local students in Russia made it to the headlines.

: 27 May 2023

Oil Majors Sued by Kazakhstan's Government Over Billions in Revenue; Turkmenistan to Top Central Asia in GDP growth rate; Russia & Kyrgyzstan establish Common Air Defense System. /16.04.23

_{Kashagan Offshore Oil Field Project. Credit: Astana Times}

This past week, media outlets paid attention to ADB’s forecasts for Turkmenistan's economic growth, Kazakhstan's relations with the oil majors operating in some of the world's largest oil fields, and Russia – Kyrgyzstan establishing a unified air defense system.

: 16 April 2023

The Taliban continue to regain diplomatic significance in Central Asia, Turkmenistan elects a new parliament; Kazakhstan launches online system to track imports & exports and avoid sanctions. /1.4.23

_{Khorog, Tajikistan. Credit: Getty Images}

This past week, the media barely mentioned Turkmenistan's parliamentary elections, and some commentators chose to instead focus on the country's position in the BRI. Several journalists were interested in the economic repercussions of Russian sanctions, since Kazakhstan acknowledges the benefits of international firms relocating to its soil but claims that the increase in its imports of goods this year is not directly attributable to sanctions. Lastly, recent developments indicate that the Taliban's diplomatic significance in Central Asia is growing.

: 01 April 2023

Nowruz in Central Asia is followed by mild Earthquakes; Kazakhstan elects a new Parliament; Tajik activist in Belarus at risk of extradition; FSB deserter deported by Kazakhstan goes on trial in Russia. /25.03.23

_{Nowruz in Almaty. Credit: CCASC}

This past week, while Nowruz was being celebrated throughout Central Asia, the results of the Majlis elections in Kazakhstan were published, a few earthquakes shook the region, especially Tajikistan on March 23rd, an extradited former FSB officer was sentenced in Russia, and Human Rights Watch urged Belarus not to give out an opposition figure to Tajik authorities.

: 25 March 2023

Central Asia observes March 8th, Kyrgyzstan campaigns for HPV vaccination for girls, Rail transport through Kazakhstan increased, and Uzbekistan gears up for yet another referendum. /11.03.23

_{IWD March in Bishkek. Credit: Yumi Toboe, for CCASC}

This past week, the Silk Road Briefing explored the prospects for Railway Transit in Kazakhstan, while women from different cities of Central Asia took to the street to observe March 8th. Eurasianet detailed the vaccination campaign against HPV in Kyrgyzstan that started in 2017, and the date and content of Uzbekistan's next referendum are now known, as participants of the Karakalpakstan's unrest face up to 12 years in prison.

: 11 March 2023

Antony Blinken visits Central Asia, C5+1 hold a meeting; Russia eyes gas deal with Turkmenistan; Astana LRT received yet another US$100 million extra budget; Popstar in Uzbekistan faces a backlash from conservative authorities. /05.03.23

_{Astana LRT. Image source: Qaz Monitor}

This past week, the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken participated in bilateral meetings with Kazakh and Uzbek officials, as well as C5+1 meetings gathering representatives from all Central Asian states. Meanwhile, Russia tried to secure Turkmenistan's cooperation in gas exportation, and another hundred million dollars were allocated to the light rail transit system in Astana, while in Uzbekistan, teenagers and pop stars got scolded for “immoral behavior”.

: 05 March 2023

Japarov meets all former Kyrgyz presidents, causing domestic controversy, More Kazakh Journalists are attacked as Parliamentary elections draw near, and Central Asia’s position at the UNGA on the war in Ukraine remains unchanged. /26.02.23

_{Painting by Taalaibek Usubaliev of the former and current Kyrgyz presidents. Image source: Eurasianet}

This past week, Kyrgyz President Japarov divided the country's public opinion with a controversial meeting; more assaults were reported against Kazakh journalists ahead of the upcoming elections, while government officials vowed not to repeat the recent gas shortages, a helpful analysis of Uzbekistan's potentials and efforts toward a green economy was published; and very little change was seen at the UN General Assembly, a year into the war in Ukraine.

: 26 February 2023

Central Asia's Weekly

Media Monitoring