Central Asia News Bulletin

President Putin visits Astana; Kazakhstani banks cease servicing Gazprombank-issued UnionPay cards; President Japarov visits Austria-Germany; Russia to increase gas exports to Uzbekistan; Kazakhstan to increase oil exports through Ceyhan port. /02.Dec

_{Kazakhstan and Russia concluded several bilateral agreements during President Putin’s state visit. Source: Astana Times}

Last week, the media reported on Russian President Putin’s visit to Astana to attend the CSTO Collective Security Council summit. They also discussed Kyrgyzstani President Sadyr Japarov’s state visits to Germany and Austria. Outlets in the region also noted several developments in the energy sector, including Kazakhstan’s plans to increase exports through the Turkish port of Ceyhan and its decision to ban gasoline exports outside the EAEU until 2027. Many sources also reported on the depreciation of currencies in the region following the collapse in the value of the ruble. They also explored the various forex interventions by Central Banks in an effort to bolster their currencies.

: 02 December 2024

President Tokayev visits Hungary and Serbia; EBRD invests in water infrastructure upgrades in Kyrgyzstan; The World Bank and the AIIB pledge $650 million towards Middle Corridor; ADB promises $250 mn. for Uzbekistan’s green transition. /25.Nov

_{At the invitation of the Hungarian side, President of Kazakhstan paid a state visit to Hungary on 20 November 2024. Source: Akorda}

This week, the media covered Kazakhstani President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s state visits to Hungary and Serbia. They also highlighted several new investment projects, such as the EBRD pledging $17 towards new water infrastructure in Kyrgyzstan, the World Bank and AIIB promising $650 million towards the Middle Corridor, and the ADB providing Uzbekistan with $250 million for its green transition. Several sources also explored Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan’s budgetary crises. Multiple outlets noted the mass deaths of seals in the Caspian Sea. The media also concentrated on the decrease in oil production at the Tengiz field and Kazakhstan’s planned auction of 26 critical mineral deposits.

: 25 November 2024

Uzbekistan signs a $1.1 bn. agreement with ACWA Power for electricity storage; Masdar to build a wind farm in Uzbekistan; Kazakhstan-Azerbaijan-Uzbekistan sign Green Energy Pact; Kazakhstan secures agreements worth $3.7 bn. at COP 29. /18.Nov

_{The leaders of Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, and Uzbekistan sign Green Energy agreement. Source: Akorda}

This week, the media in the region focused on developments at the COP 29 summit in Baku. They reported on several crucial green energy agreements concerning Central Asia, including the new green energy deal between Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Azerbaijan, which will see the three countries cooperate to export green energy to Europe. They highlighted other deals, such as those between Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and the UAE-based company Masdar to construct several new wind farms throughout the region. Several outlets also noted the Islamic Development Bank’s $1.15 billion investment in Kazakhstan’s water infrastructure. They also reported on the ADB’s new “Glaciers to Farms” initiative to help preserve Central Asia’s melting glaciers. Lastly, multiple sources emphasized Russian companies' increasing difficulties in transferring money through Kazakhstani banks.

: 18 November 2024

11th summit of the OTS held in Bishkek; Tajikistani President Rahmon visits Kuwait; Kazakhstani PM leads trade delegation to China; 23rd CAREC Ministerial Conference takes place in Astana; EU pledges $100 in aid to Afghanistan. /11.Nov

_{The 11th summit of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) was held in Bishkek. Source: Daryo}

Over the past week, the media in the region has focused on several critical diplomatic events, such as the 11th Organization of Turkic States (OTS) summit in Bishkek, Tajikistani President Emomali Rahmon’s visit to Kuwait, and Kazakhstani President Tokayev’s state visit to France. Several outlets noted the Kazakhstani trade mission to China under Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov. Others reported on Kyrgyzstan’s plans to issue new mining licenses and reopen its mining sector. Multiple sources discussed the 23rd CAREC Ministerial Conference and the 17th Republic of Korea – Central Asia Cooperation Forum. The media also concentrated on the EU’s pledge of $100 million in aid to Afghanistan.

: 11 November 2024

Central Asian leaders attend BRICS summit; Uzbekistan’s oil and gas production falls, gas exports surge; Kazakhstan & Uzbekistan look to join “Caspian-Black Sea-Europe” green energy corridor; Chinese companies to increase presence in Kazakhstan. /28.Oct

_{President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev speaks at the BRICS plenary session. Source: Akorda}

Over the past week, the media in the region has covered the annual BRICS summit in Kazan. Despite Kazakhstan declining to become a full member, both Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan became BRICS partners. They also focused on Kazakhstan’s record grain harvest and its efforts to increase exports to new markets. Many outlets reported on the 4th Kazakhstan-Uzbekistan Interregional Cooperation Forum in Samarkand and the various initiatives undertaken. Several sources also remarked that Kazakhstan reduced oil deliveries through the Druzhba pipeline to Germany. Numerous Kazakhstani organizations also concentrated on the efforts of Chinese companies to expand their presence in the country. Ahead of COP 29 later this year, some publications remarked on Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan’s plans to join the “Caspian-Black Sea-Europe” green energy corridor.

: 28 October 2024

Kazatomprom signs $2.5 billion uranium supply deal with China; EDB forecasts GDP growth of 3.4% for its member states; Akmal Saidov rules out Uzbekistan joining EAEU or Military Alliances. /21.Oct

_{21st meeting of the Kazakh-Chinese Coordinating Committee for Cooperation in Industrialization and Investment. Source: Kaz Inform}

This week, the media in the region reported that Kazakhstan is declining to join the BRICS. Several outlets also reported the possibility of the Netherlands concluding a migration pact with Uzbekistan. They also noted several new investment deals, such as China and Kazakhstan signing 117 agreements valued at $42 billion and Kazatomprom agreeing to supply uranium oxide to China. Other sources reported that Kazakhstan extended the ban on cross-border freight trains with China due to congestion issues. They also reported on the EDB’s last economic growth forecast of 3.4% among its members. Some outlets also picked up on Akmal Saidov, the First Deputy Speaker of the Oliy Majlis, revealing Uzbekistan would not join the EAEU.

: 21 October 2024

CIS Heads of State Summit held in Moscow; an International consortium to construct Kazakhstan’s NPP; Kyrgyzstan to build an NPP; The “Interconnection of Times and Civilizations – the Basis of Peace and Development” forum held in Ashgabat. /14.Oct

_{Meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the CIS held in Moscow. Source: President.az}

This week, the media in the region covered the CIS Heads of State Council summit in Moscow. They also noted Kazakhstani President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s visit to Turkmenistan. Several sources reported Russia expanding its ban on certain Kazakhstani agricultural exports to include melons, in response to Kazakhstan’s ban on Russian grain imports. There were also several developments in the renewable energy sector, with Tajikistan announcing further investment from the ADB in its electricity infrastructure and Kyrgyzstan beginning construction of the Papan HPP. Later in the week, many outlets wrote about the “Interconnection of Times and Civilizations – the Basis of Peace and Development” forum held in Ashgabat, attended by multiple leaders from around the region.

: 14 October 2024

NPP Referendum held in Kazakhstan; Russia to remove Taliban from list of terrorist organizations; Uzbekistan joins EDB; Russia increases oil shipments to Uzbekistan; Tajikistan secures $1.15 billion in additional funding for Rogun HPP. /8.Oct

_{Kazakhstan holds a national referendum on constructing a nuclear power plant. Source: Euro Reporter}

Over the past week, the media paid attention to the referendum in Kazakhstan held to make a decision on building a nuclear powerplant in the country. They also reported that Russia has banned grain exports from Kazakhstan, also noting Russia’s plans for removal of the Taliban from its list of terrorist organizations. Multiple sources picked up on Kyrgyzstan changing its rules on transit payments for European and Chinese goods, hindering efforts to circumvent Western sanctions. Several outlets also reported on Uzbekistan joining the EDB, and Tajikistan acquiring additional funding for the Rogun HPP. Lastly, they also covered Kyrgyzstani President Sadyr Japarov’s visit to Italy.

: 08 October 2024

CCASC

Media Monitoring

President Putin visits Astana; Kazakhstani banks cease servicing Gazprombank-issued UnionPay cards; President Japarov visits Austria-Germany; Russia to increase gas exports to Uzbekistan; Kazakhstan to increase oil exports through Ceyhan port. /02.Dec

President Tokayev visits Hungary and Serbia; EBRD invests in water infrastructure upgrades in Kyrgyzstan; The World Bank and the AIIB pledge $650 million towards Middle Corridor; ADB promises $250 mn. for Uzbekistan’s green transition. /25.Nov

Uzbekistan signs a $1.1 bn. agreement with ACWA Power for electricity storage; Masdar to build a wind farm in Uzbekistan; Kazakhstan-Azerbaijan-Uzbekistan sign Green Energy Pact; Kazakhstan secures agreements worth $3.7 bn. at COP 29. /18.Nov

11th summit of the OTS held in Bishkek; Tajikistani President Rahmon visits Kuwait; Kazakhstani PM leads trade delegation to China; 23rd CAREC Ministerial Conference takes place in Astana; EU pledges $100 in aid to Afghanistan. /11.Nov

Central Asian leaders attend BRICS summit; Uzbekistan’s oil and gas production falls, gas exports surge; Kazakhstan & Uzbekistan look to join “Caspian-Black Sea-Europe” green energy corridor; Chinese companies to increase presence in Kazakhstan. /28.Oct

Kazatomprom signs $2.5 billion uranium supply deal with China; EDB forecasts GDP growth of 3.4% for its member states; Akmal Saidov rules out Uzbekistan joining EAEU or Military Alliances. /21.Oct

CIS Heads of State Summit held in Moscow; an International consortium to construct Kazakhstan’s NPP; Kyrgyzstan to build an NPP; The “Interconnection of Times and Civilizations – the Basis of Peace and Development” forum held in Ashgabat. /14.Oct

NPP Referendum held in Kazakhstan; Russia to remove Taliban from list of terrorist organizations; Uzbekistan joins EDB; Russia increases oil shipments to Uzbekistan; Tajikistan secures $1.15 billion in additional funding for Rogun HPP. /8.Oct