Energy and Economy 

Kyrgyzstan Signs Agreements with Chinese Technology and Construction Corporations  

This week, Kyrgyzstan's Ministry of Energy signed two separate energy-sector investment agreements with China’s State’s Technology Co., Limited and San Energy Co., as well as with the Power Construction Corporation of China (POWERCHINA). The first agreement pertains to the construction of a solar power plant in Kyrgyzstan’s southern Batken region which, upon its projected completion in 2027, will produce up to 250-megawatts of electricity for the country’s national electric grids. Kyrgyzstan’s Ministry of Energy additionally signed a memorandum of cooperation with POWERCHINA aiming to attract foreign investors interested in supporting domestic energy projects. The memorandum outlines plans for the country’s future energy development strategies, the professionalization of Kyrgyzstan's energy-sector personnel, and potential energy construction projects. 

Source: The Times of Central Asia

A Large Section of the Ismoil Somoni Glacier Collapses 

A large section of the glacier, measuring about two kilometers in length, 25 meters in height, and 150–200 meters in width, collapsed from Mount Ismoil Somoni in Tajikistan’s Tajikabad district. Although no casualties were reported, emergency services remain on high alert as continued rainfall could trigger further collapse. The Ismoil Somoni Glacier is a vital water source for the region. Its partial collapse underscores the accelerating pace of glacier melt driven by climate change – a serious threat to water security, irrigation, and hydropower across Central Asia.

Source: The Times of Central Asia

ExxonMobil and Kazakhstan Government Discuss Potential Oil Field Expansion

Reports about the talks indicate that ExxonMobil is highly interested in expanding development to untapped parts of the Kashagan oil field in the northern Caspian Sea. The field is owned by a consortium of seven large oil companies from different countries, including KazMunayGas, ExxonMobil, Shell, and China National Petroleum. At 4.5 billion tons of oil, Kashagan field is one of the largest offshore deposits in the world. 

Source: Oil Price, Offshore Technology

Oil Refineries in Türkiye Purchasing Greater Volumes of Non-Russian Oil

Refineries in the country are looking to diversify away from Russian oil imports after the United States levied sanctions against Rosneft and Lukoil in late October. Azerbaijan’s state-owned SOCAR Türkiye Aegean Refinery (STAR), despite purchasing nearly all of its crude oil intake from Russia in September and October, has since made purchases from non-Russian producers, including Kazakhstan and Iraq. Similarly, Tupras, a Turkish refiner, will likely phase out Russian oil from at least one of its major refineries. 

Source: Reuters

ADNOC’s XRG to Acquire Stake in the Southern Gas Corridor

Within the framework of ADIPEC exhibition that took place in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), XRG, the international energy investment platform launched by Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), signed non-binding Heads of Terms to acquire a stake in Southern Gas Corridor CJSC (SGC) from Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Economy. The agreement was signed by Minister of Economy and Chairman of the Supervisory Board of State Oil Company of Azerbaijan (SOCAR), Mikayil Jabbarov, and XRG’s Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Sultan Al Jaber. XRG said the planned investment aligns with its regional growth strategy and complements its existing partnerships in the Caspian region. The company already holds a 30% stake in Azerbaijan’s Absheron gas and condensate field and a 38% interest in Turkmenistan’s offshore Block I gas concession. SGC, established in 2014, plays a central role in transporting natural gas from Azerbaijan’s Caspian sector to Europe, involving up to 26 billion cubic meters (bcm) of gas annually and supporting the EU’s energy diversification and security efforts.

Source: Gulf News, Azerbaijani Press Agency

Politics and Security 

 

Kazakhstan’s President Tokayev Meets with U.S. Representatives Sergio Gor and Christopher Landau 

Ahead of the upcoming C5+1 Leaders’ Summit in Washington on November 6, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev met with U.S. Special Envoy for South and Central Asia Sergio Gor and Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau. The meeting focused on the potential for increased cooperation between the United States and Kazakhstan, particularly in trade and investment. President Tokayev highlighted Central Asia’s collaborative growth as a region and its commitment to progress. Deputy Secretary of State Landau reaffirmed Central Asia’s strategic importance in U.S. foreign policy and expressed readiness to expand ties during the upcoming C5+1 summit.

Source: The Astana Times

Mirziyoyev Meets with U.S. Representatives Sergio Gor and Christopher Landau

On October 28, President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev received a delegation led by U.S. Special Envoy for South and Central Asian Affairs Sergio Gor and Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau. The discussions focused on further strengthening Uzbekistan–U.S. strategic partnership relations within the framework of the agreements reached at the high-level meeting held in New York during UNGA this year. Both sides emphasized advancing joint projects in priority sectors—including industry, finance, energy, digitalization, agriculture, and critical minerals—under the adopted roadmap, while also reaffirming cooperation on security, counter-terrorism, extremism, and illegal migration.

Source: Kun.uz

More Details on India’s 2022 Withdrawal from Airbase in Tajikistan

After India’s lease at Ayni Air Base in Tajikistan ended in 2022, the base was officially handed back to the Tajik government. However, Indian media sources now claim that Russia and China pressured Dushanbe into not extending the lease. The Indian government agreed to develop the air base during the early 2000s and agreed to joint ownership between the Indian and Tajik Air Forces.

Source: Newsweek

U.S. Pledges Establishment of Working Groups on TRIPP Corridor by End of Year

The U.S. Department of State said that the Trump administration will create working groups that include officials from the governments of both Azerbaijan and Armenia . The U.S. move aims to quicken construction of the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP), though no formal timeline has been suggested on the corridor’s completion. The statement came after an Azerbaijani news outlet asked the State Department about progress since the signing of the August peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan. 

Source: Eurasianet