This week, the media across Central Asia covered several critical economic stories, such as Kazakhstan’s lower house adopting a new tax code, Kazakhstan recording its first net outflow of U.S. investment, and the IMF’s latest GDP projections for the region. However, several outlets noted the continued acceleration of inflation in the region, particularly in Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan. The media reported on diplomatic events like the CIS Regions Forum and Economic Council meetings in Tashkent. They also noted the commencement of construction work on a 12-kilometer tunnel for the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway. Lastly, they covered Russia and Uzbekistan signing a new migration protocol and Russia extending the deadline for migrants to legalize their status.

This week, the media across the region extensively covered the first EU-Central Asia summit held in Samarkand. They reported on several significant investment pledges, such as the EU’s pledge to invest €12 billion in the region’s infrastructure. In other news, they reported on Kazakhstan’s discovery of a significant new rare earth metals deposit and the country’s National Fund reporting a severe loss in the first quarter of the year. Several outlets highlighted the historic border agreement signed by Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan and the commissioning of a new power transmission line between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. Many Uzbekistani sources reported on the country’s recent tax and inflation statistics, as well as the establishment of a new National Energy Efficiency Agency.

This week, the media in the region reported on several important diplomatic developments, such as Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov’s tour of Central Asia, Kazakhstani PM Olzhas Bektenov’s visit to Moscow, the sixth China-Central Asia Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, and President Japarov’s official visit to Bahrain. They also covered several critical energy stories like Uzbekistan’s plans to import more Russian gas while simultaneously announcing the first monthly increase in gas production in 3.5 years, Kazakhstan fining the Tengiz oil field operator $1.4 million amid a strike at the field, Kazakhstan hinting it will prioritise its national interest over OPEC+ plans when it comes to oil production, and Kazakhstan announcing it will commence exploring various new gas deposits. In addition, several outlets noted Uzbekistan’s plans to privatise multiple state enterprises.

Last week, the media across Central Asia covered several crucial diplomatic events, such as President Mirziyoyev’s informal visit to Almaty, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas’ tour of Central Asia, and Kyrgyzstan’s ratification of two border agreements with Tajikistan concerning water and road infrastructure. They also reported on various energy stories, including the decline in Uzbekistani energy output, a British oil and gas firm taking legal action against Kazakhstan, Kazakhstan extending its export ban on petroleum products, the announcement that several Chinese banks will fund the Mulalak HPP in Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan and the EDB agreeing to conduct a pre-feasibility study for the Suusamyr-Kokomeren Cascade HPP. Other sources noted Tajikistan’s plan to establish a benefit distribution fund for revenues generated from the Rogun HPP. Multiple outlets also covered the plans of the Chinese company Xinjiang Lihua for a new cotton and textile plant in Turkistan.

This week, the media in the region reported on several critical energy stories, such as China rejecting Russian plans to increase gas exports through Kazakhstan, Kazatomprom signing a uranium supply deal with the Czech company ČEZ, Uzbekistan beginning construction work on its first NPP, and OPEC outlining a new compensation plan for several member states, including Kazakhstan. They also covered Russia’s Supreme Court removing the Taliban from the country’s list of terrorist organizations. Several outlets noted Uzbekistan’s plans to suspend all export restrictions by July. Other sources also reported on the surge in remittances sent to Kyrgyzstan, while remittances and economic growth plateau in neighboring Tajikistan. Lastly, the media covered a new investigative report by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists that revealed that the arbitration case between Kazakhstan and a consortium of international oil companies over the Kashagan field in the Caspian Sea could continue until 2028.

Last week, the media in Central Asia covered several crucial political events, such as Tajikistani President Emomali Rahmon’s visit to Moscow and Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan holding their first Foreign Ministers’ Council Meeting. They also covered various important stories pertaining to nuclear energy. For instance, Kazakhstan established a new Nuclear Energy Agency, the head of UzAtom confirmed they were negotiating with French companies to participate in the construction of a small NPP in the Jizzakh region, and Kazatomprom revealed that it doubled its profits last year. Several outlets reported on Kazakhstan and China signing their first MoU regarding water resource management. Other sources noted the announcement that Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan will inaugurate a new high-voltage electricity transmission line as part of the CASA-1000 project. As countries in the region continue to struggle with inflation, the Uzbekistani Central Bank confirmed it raised its base interest rate to 16%.

This week, the media in Central Asia covered several crucial energy stories, such as the increase in Uzbekistani gas exports despite the country’s plans to cease exports amidst rising domestic consumption, Uzbekistan ending its deal for the development of the Shokhpakhta gas field with Gazprom, and Uzbekistan concluding agreements for several new renewable energy projects at the Samarkand International Climate Forum. Several outlets reported joint Russian-Tajikistani anti-terror drills and the CIS Foreign Ministers’ Council meeting in Almaty. Other sources noted Kazakhstan’s plans to auction 50 new mineral deposits and Uzbekistan’s signing multiple new investment agreements with U.S. companies. They also reported that Uzbekistan and Germany signed a memorandum on labor migration, FDI fell sharply in Kazakhstan, and remittances from Russia surged in Tajikistan.

Last week, the media in the region covered several diplomatic visits, including President Mirziyoyev’s visit to France, President Rahmon’s visit to Kyrgyzstan, and EU Commissioner Síkela’s tour of Central Asia ahead of the first EU-Central Asia Summit. Several outlets reported that Russia and Uzbekistan agreed to streamline the work permit application. Others noted Kazakhstan's announcement that German and Canadian companies had begun exploring several new deposits and that Kazakhstan once again surpassed its OPEC quota in February. Lastly, multiple sources also covered Kyrgyzstani President Sadyr Japarov’s proposal for a visa-free regime in Central Asia.