The tenth round of the annual High-Level Political and Security Dialogue between the European Union and the countries of Central Asia (Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan) took place in Astana on June 13 (Astana Times, MFA of Kazakhstan). Parties discussed the potential for enhancing collaboration between Central Asian nations and the EU to guarantee Water security, as well as other problems including fighting regional concerns like illegal immigration and religious extremism. Over the last ten years, the EU has invested around $113.8 billion in Central Asia, while commerce between Central Asia and the EU surged by 61% and will reach $49 billion in 2022 (Kaz Inform). Beyond economic agreements, both parties emphasized the significance of easing visa restrictions in order to promote bilateral collaboration (Kaz Inform).

Water security concerns in the wider region also made it to the headlines with a delegation from Iran arriving in Kabul for negotiations with the Taliban officials over the longstanding water allocation dispute from Helmand (Hirmand) river (TOLO news, Afghanistan Times). Several weeks prior, the dispute peaked again with armed clashes erupting between the Iranian border guards and Taliban fighters, leading to at least 3 deaths and several injuries (Aljazeera). According to the Helmand River Treaty of 1973, Afghanistan must deliver water from the Helmand River to Iran at a rate of 22 cubic meters per second per annum, and the major cause of disagreement between the two nations is Afghanistan’s decades-long noncompliance with the agreement, which has resulted into massive draught in Iran’s Southeastern Sistan province, and the total destruction of the ecosystem of Hamoun Lake, the main source of livelihood in the region (USGS, Caspian News). While the water dispute between the Taliban and Iran has been a long-standing one with catastrophic results, a newly emerging, potentially equally destructive move by the Taliban is being warned against with the construction of Qosh Tepa canal that diverts Amu Darya’s water into Afghanistan and away from Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan. In view of the recent clashes, Iran and the Taliban have reportedly engaged in negotiations, as Naseer Kanaani, the spokesperson for Iran’s foreign ministry, has held a press conference emphasizing the importance of mutual cooperation between both countries to ensure the fulfillment of water rights (Kabul Now) and the Ministry of Energy and Water under the Taliban, on the other hand, has expressed the significance of Iran and Afghanistan holding frequent meetings to discuss this matter.

Back in Kazakhstan, despite prior contentious public discussion, Kazakhstan’s Vice Minister of Energy Zhandos Nurmaganbetov stated on June 15 that the development of a nuclear power plant in Kazakhstan will not be put to a referendum (Astana Times, Kazakhstan Newsline). This contradicts earlier statements made by Kazakhstan's President Tokayev, who had indicated that if a nuclear power facility was to be built, the issue would be put to a public vote. Ex-President Nazarbayev announced the building of the NPP in December 2021. It was previously intended to be built in the Almaty Region's Ulken village near Lake Balkhash; it will reportedly have two reactors and is expected to cost between $10 and $12 billion. The interest from global nuclear energy players, such as China, South Korea and Russia indicates the strategic importance of Kazakhstan’s upcoming NPP. Kazakhstan officials also shared their views on the environmental benefits and security of the NPP at the Eurasian National University on May 15 (Astana Times). NPP and other renewable energy sources are planned to be developed in order to meet the country’s pledge to reach carbon neutrality by 2060, and to counteract energy shortages in Kazakhstan (World Bank). The NPP is estimated to cover 12% of the country’s energy consumption by 2035.

In other energy-related news, an agreement was reached on June 16 at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF23) between Russia’s Gazprom and Kazakhstan's QazaqGaz for the transportation of Russian natural gas to consumers in Uzbekistan (KUN, TASS). According to reports, Russian gas will start to be exported to Uzbekistan via Kazakhstan in the fourth quarter of 2023. Additionally, the Russian Federation and Kazakhstan's energy ministers renewed intergovernmental agreements on the transit of Russian oil through the end of 2033 with an increase in quantities of up to 10 million tons (UZ Daily).

In Tajikistan, Masatsugu Asakawa, the President of the Asian Development Bank (ABD), arrived in the country to engage in discussions with the country’s leader, Imomali Rahmon, aiming to foster deeper cooperation. The partnership between Tajikistan and the ADB has spanned a quarter of a century, during which the bank has provided financial support for approximately 180 projects (Asia-Plus). The previous projects targeted various sectors, including the improvement of health and labor skills in Tajikistan. According to Asia-Plus, the ADB intends to initiate a fresh initiative aimed at advancing science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education in secondary schools. This project specifically aims to empower young women by equipping them with valuable skills for their professional pursuits. During the meeting, the President of the ADB addressed the issue of climate change, emphasizing the Bank’s support for Tajikistan in developing its energy sector through the implementation of a Green Economy Strategy. This approach prioritizes addressing climate change, which significantly impacts the country’s economy across all sectors. Furthermore, ADB expressed its commitment to providing additional budgetary assistance in the field of food security for Tajikistan.

In Turkmenistan, President Berdimuhamedov received the newly appointed Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Turkmenistan, Ji Kyu-Taek, earlier in the week. The envoy delivered warm greetings from the President of the Republic of Korea, Yun Sok Yol, to the President of Turkmenistan and its citizens (Mfa.gov.tm). The President of Turkmenistan extended congratulations to the newly appointed Ambassador, emphasizing the prospect of robust future cooperation between their respective countries. Over the past years, the Republic of Korea has emerged as a vital partner for Turkmenistan, notably in the fields of gas and chemical industries. Furthermore, it was reported that this week the Incheon International Airport Corporation of South Korea is engaged in the development of a new passenger flight route to Ashgabat (Orient.tm). In April this year, a direct cargo air service was established between Turkmenistan and the Republic of Korea, which operates on a regular basis. The two countries plan to further expand their cooperation in the areas of education, sport, tourism, and healthcare.

Finally, following last week's wildfire in the Abai region in Eastern Kazakhstan, it was reported that the fire was contained as of 9:00 pm on June 14, and residents of nearby towns who had been evacuated returned to their homes on June 15 (Astana Times, Kaz Inform). The fire had rapidly spread to a large area of 60,000 hectares and claimed the lives of fourteen forest workers (Astana Times). On June 14, a criminal investigation into the fire outbreak was launched; prosecutors are considering arson, negligence, or a lightning strike as potential causes (Kaz Inform).