Energy and Economy

Uzbekistan Hosts its Fifth Annual Tashkent International Investment Forum

Over 4,000 delegates arrived from over 100 different countries to attend this year’s forum, June 16-18. Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev opened the forum by outlining the country’s investment and broader economic priorities for the future, including the development of a new special economic zone at the Tashkent International Financial Center. Notable participants included high-level officials from the Greater Caspian Region, Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, and a U.S. delegation of officials from Washington’s International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) and Export-Import (EXIM) Bank. Investors and representatives from private entities such as Cove Capital LLC and Boeing, were also present at the forum. Separately, the U.S. delegation and Uzbekistan’s leadership met to discuss avenues for further economic cooperation and implementation of the U.S.-Uzbekistan Business and Investment Council.

Source: Times of Central Asia, U.S. Embassy in Uzbekistan

EU Allocates $38 Million to Armenia to Mitigate Russia’s Trade Restrictions

The European Commission allocated $38 million to Armenia to help mitigate the impact of Russia’s trade restrictions. This financial assistance is the first tranche of a comprehensive support package that will include trade facilitation and solidarity measures for strengthening the Armenian economy. Part of the trade facilitations could include autonomous trade measures that would lower tariffs on Armenian food and agricultural exports. The measure would cover most of the 20 product categories impacted by Russian bans, worth around $481 million.

This financial assistance comes in response to Moscow’s bans and restrictions on Armenian exports that it imposed to deter the re-election of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. Three days before the vote, the EU announced that it would provide financial aid and purchase goods that Yerevan would otherwise have exported to Russia. 

Source: Financial Times, Massis Post

Armenia Signs for Six Airbus H145 Helicopters

Following French President Emmanuel Macron’s early May visit to Yerevan, the Republic of Armenia and Airbus Helicopters signed a contract for the acquisition of six H145 helicopters. Utilized for transport missions, these helicopters are the first-ever contract between Armenia and Airbus Helicopters. 

Source: Airbus

DFC Announces U.S.-Uzbekistan Joint Investment Platform 

The U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) launched a U.S.-Uzbekistan joint investment platform on June 16 during a signing ceremony attended by DFC CEO Ben Black, EXIM Bank Chairman John Jovanovic, and Uzbek officials, including President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. According to the DFC, the platform aims to identify strategic investments in Uzbekistan for U.S. and allied partners in key sectors—including energy, infrastructure, critical minerals, transportation and logistics, and advanced manufacturing—that advance the economic and strategic interests of both the United States and Uzbekistan. The platform marks another step toward deeper bilateral cooperation.The DFC has consistently expressed interest in partnering with Uzbekistan on critical minerals, energy, and transit-related initiatives.

Source: U.S. International Development Finance Corporation

Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan Expand Cooperation in Mining Sector

Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan signed a cooperation agreement on June 16 to jointly develop a gold deposit and other mineral resources in Uzbekistan. The partnership will involve Azerbaijan’s state-owned AzerGold and NEQSOL Holding and is expected to strengthen Uzbekistan’s mining value chain, support critical mineral development, and deepen economic cooperation between the two countries. The agreements support Uzbekistan’s plans to invest $2.2 billion in 90 mining projects in 2026. They also align with Uzbekistan’s $4.2 billion critical minerals plan for 2026-2030; 12 projects worth $166 million are planned for this year.

Source: Eurasianet

Azerbaijan and Armenia Sign Internet Deal

Azerbaijan’s internet operator AzerTelecom and Telecom Armenia signed bilateral agreements allowing international internet traffic to pass through Azerbaijan’s territory en route to Armenia. The deal represents another step in the ongoing peace process between the two countries and demonstrates how cooperation can strengthen regional resilience. However, Armenia’s current fiber-optic infrastructure remains vulnerable because its primary international connections run through Iran and Georgia.

Source: AzerNews

Turkmenistan Signs Strategic Partnership with Malaysia’s Petronas

The agreement between Turkmenistan’s energy officials and Petronas, Malaysia’s state energy company, was concluded during Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s visit to Ashgabat on June 19. Turkmenistan President Serdar Berdimuhamedov also authorized an agreement between Petronas and Turkmenistan’s state-owned energy entities to develop offshore blocks of the Caspian Sea. Petronas has a history of entering Production Sharing Agreements with Turkmenistan, having invested $11B into the country’s hydrocarbon sector since 1996. 

Source: Times of Central Asia, State News Agency of Turkmenistan

Politics and Security

Kazakhstani Delegation Meets with Taliban Officials in Kabul

Kazakhstan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Economy Serik Zhumangarin met with Taliban officials in Kabul June 19-21. Topics discussed included humanitarian aid, medical cooperation, education, and trade. While Kazakhstan does not recognize the Taliban government, it has maintained a robust diplomatic and economic relationship with the country. The visit follows a delivery of humanitarian aid from Kazakhstan to support Afghanistan’s recovery from devastating rainstorms and flooding in March. Kazakhstan expects to sign an agreement with Afghanistan for the delivery of AI-based mobile diagnostic platforms with a total value of $45 million. Kazakhstan also reaffirmed its desire to see trade between the two countries reach $3 billion.

Source: The Times of Central Asia

President Tokayev Begins Visit to Brussels

Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev is set to begin discussions with European Union (EU) leadership on June 22. Tokayev will meet with European Council President Antonio Costa, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and a group of high-level business representatives from across the EU. Kazakhstan was the first Central Asian country to sign the EU’s Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (EPCA) in 2015, which consists of policy areas for growth like connectivity and bilateral trade. 

Source: Times of Central Asia, Euronews

Georgia Expands Outreach to Tajikistan 

Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhizde made his first official visit to Tajikistan on June 19, along with several cabinet ministers. The visit followed shortly after a similar trip to Kyrgyzstan a week earlier and came at a time of strained relations between Tbilisi and traditional Western partners in the EU. Georgia’s and Tajikistan’s officials discussed transport, logistics, tourism, and the strategic importance of the Middle Corridor. As regional connectivity becomes increasingly tied to foreign policy positioning, Georgia’s efforts to deepen ties with Central Asia are evident. 

 

Source: Civil Georgia 

 

Presidents Aliyev and Berdimuhamedow Meet in Baku

On June 22, 2026, Presidents Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan and Serdar Berdimuhamedov of Turkmenistan held a meeting in Baku, during which Azerbaijan gifted a Dostlug (Friendship) oil tanker to Turkmenistan. Additionally, the two heads of state signed a Joint Statement, as well as various agreements, on further bilateral cooperation in industries such as healthcare, energy, and agriculture. 

Sources: SOCAR Turkmenistan, President.az, President.az  

New Flight Routes to Open Between Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan

Direct flights from Shymkent to Baku, serviced by Azerbaijani Airlines, began on June 16. Azerbaijani Airlines plans to expand routes between the two countries, adding direct flights between Aktobe and Baku and also  Atyrau and Baku. With the addition of these flights, total flights between Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan will jump from 30 to 40 a week.

Source: Astana Times