Energy and Economy 

 

Azerbaijan Removes All Restrictions on Cargo Transit to Armenia

On October 21, Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev announced that all restrictions on cargo transiting through Azerbaijan to Armenia had been lifted. This overturning of restrictions has led to the first shipment of Kazakhstan grain moving unimpeded through Azerbaijan to Armenia. President Aliyev stated, “I think this is also a good indicator that peace between Azerbaijan and Armenia is no longer just on paper, but in practice.”

Source: Reuters

Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan to Expand Economic Ties 

Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan have deepened their strategic partnership through 15 new agreements on energy, transport, industry, and AI during President Ilham Aliyev’s recent state visit to Kazakhstan, marking the 20th anniversary of their Treaty on Strategic Partnership. The two leaders highlighted major projects along the Middle Corridor—a key Eurasian trade route connecting Europe and Asia—aiming to double bilateral trade to $1 billion and expand cooperation in renewable energy and oil transit. The visit also underscored a new era of peace in the South Caucasus following the August 8 initialing of the Armenia-Azerbaijan agreement, which both presidents hailed as a “historic” milestone for regional stability and economic growth.

Source: Euronews

Kyrgyzstan Launches National Stablecoin, Plans to Develop Digital Som and Crypto Reserves

Kyrgyzstan has introduced its national stablecoin, KGST, pegged 1:1 to the existing som and build on BNB Chain, as part of the growing digital finance industry. Former Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao attended the launch and confirmed future plans for a national crypto reserve and to pilot a central bank digital currency (CBDC). The National Bank of Kyrgyzstan will test the digital som in three phases before deciding on a full rollout by 2026. 

Source: Yahoo Finance

China to Invest $1 Billion in Kazakhstan’s Renewable Sector

China Energy will invest over $1billion to build major wind and solar power plants in Kazakhstan, according to Kazakhstan's Ministry of Energy. The sides confirmed plans for a 300 MW solar plant in Turkistan and a 500 MW wind project in the Karaganda region. The initiatives fall under the intergovernmental renewable energy agreement signed during COP-29. The countries also discussed developing a renewable-powered data processing center with Kazakhtelecom, aligning with Kazakhstan’s priorities for green energy and data infrastructure. Miniter Akkenzhenov highlighted that the cooperation will bring both capital and advanced technology to support Kazakhstan’s carbon neutrality. 

Source: QazInform

Trump Administration Supports U.S. Company’s Bid to Access Kazakhstan’s Tungsten 

U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick has been mediating negotiations between Cove Kaz Capital Group LLC and Kazakhstan’s sovereign wealth fund over access to the country’s two largest tungsten mines. Tungsten is a valuable element used in the production of military ammunition, weaponry, medical equipment, and lightbulbs. As the American firm faces competition from Chinese companies willing to pay above market price, it will likely require federal backing to remain competitive. The bid aligns with the United States’ broader strategy to diversify its critical mineral supply chains beyond China, positioning Kazakhstan as a promising new partner in Central Asia.

Source: Bloomberg, Eurasianet

Tajikistan to Build First Green Data Center in its Davroz District 

Tajikistan plans to construct its first data center powered fully from hydropower energy. This marks a mjor step in Tajikistan’s goals in developing sustainable AI infrastructure and to become an AI hub in Central Asia. The Davroz project is a joint venture between Tajik AI sustainability firm, darya.ai, and Yotta Data Services Private Limited, India’s largest data-center developer. The new center will form a key part of Tajikistan’s national AI infrastructure, aiming to help the country achieve its target of deriving up to 5% of GDP from the AI sector by 2040. 

Source: AsiaNet

Politics and Security 

Central Asia-United States Summit Planned for November 6 in Washington 

On Sunday, October 26, the President of Kazakhstan’s Press Office revealed plans for a Central Asia-United States diplomatic summit in its announcement that Kazakhstan’s President Tokayev had thanked U.S. President Trump for an invitation to Washington. Uzbekistani and Kyrgyzstan media outlets have similarly reported that a C5 multilateral meeting will occur as well. President Trump’s hosting of all five Central Asian leaders in Washington would mark the 10th anniversary of the C5+1 forum which has served as an important platform for cooperation between Washington and the region. If the items of interest outlined by the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee’s recent letter to the Trump Administration urging a summit is any indication, items for discussion at this year’s C5+1 could include talks involving critical-minerals development, regional counterterrorism efforts, and the repeal of the Jackson-Vanik amendment. 

Source: X.com, Times of Central Asia 

Tokayev Vouches for Azerbaijan’s Participation in Central Asia-U.S. Summit

President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has stated that he would welcome Azerbaijan’s participation in the upcoming Central Asia-U.S. Summit, which is scheduled to take place in Washington, DC, on November 6. “I consider Azerbaijan’s participation in such an important forum desirable. Given its energy resources, favorable geographic location, strategic vision, and the political will of President Ilham Aliyev, this country plays a crucial role in the South Caucasus and beyond, essentially becoming a regional transport, logistics, and energy powerhouse,” Tokayev said in an interview with an Azerbaijani media outlet. He praised Azerbaijan’s regional role and called the country a “natural part of Greater Central Asia.” The planned C5+1 is expected to include participation from heads of states of all the Central Asian nations and will mark the first such gathering held in Washington. It remains unclear whether Azerbaijan will participate in the summit, since so far there has been no public announcement of an invitation to Baku.

Source: Times of Central Asia, Minval Politika

U.S. Special Envoy Gor and Deputy Secretary Landau Visit Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan

On October 24, U.S. Department of State announced that U.S. Special Envoy for South and Central Asia Sergio Gor and Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau will be traveling to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan from October 26 to October 30. Gor and Landau are expected to meet with Kazakh and Uzbekistani government counterparts “to discuss a wide range of economic and security issues.” The statement recognizes the ten-year anniversary of the C5+1 platform, and notes that the U.S. “will continue to work with our Central Asian counterparts to strengthen relations and expand commercial ties.”

Source: U.S. Department of State

Uzbekistan Signs Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement with the EU

Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev signed the agreement with EU leadership during a visit to Brussels on October 23 and 24. The partnership aims to strengthen bilateral trade, deepen technological cooperation, promote environmental sustainability, and address climate resilience. The two parties also agreed to add 10 billion euros worth of capital into new joint ventures; current EU-led investment in Uzbekistan totals over 40 billion euros.

Source: Times of Central Asia

OSCE To Monitor Upcoming Kyrgyz Parliamentary Elections

The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) plans to send 300 observers to monitor Kyrgyzstan’s upcoming parliamentary elections. Thirty long-term observers will arrive the week of November 3 to begin pre-election monitoring across the country, followed by 300 short-term observers who will arrive closer to the November 30 election day. The mission will assess the election’s adherence to OSCE commitments and international standards for democratic elections. Observers are expected to pay particular attention to the technical aspects of Kyrgyzstan’s revised electoral system that aims to ensure fair regional representation in parliament, maintain gender balance, and enable remote voting.

 

Source: OSCE, The Times of Central Asia