Energy and Economy 

 

European Union Launches Migrant Resource Center in Uzbekistan

On August 26, the EU and Migration Agency under the Cabinet of Ministers of Uzbekistan, and the International Centre for Migration Policy Development launched the first Migration Resource Centre (MRC) in Uzbekistan. The main purpose of the center is to expand access to services for potential migrants across the country on safe and legal migration and to combat risks and human trafficking. Two other centers have been established, Dushanbe in 2023 and Osh in 2024. So far, these centers have reached a total of 16,000 people for in-person counselling sessions and have reached 710,000 people via social media outreach. 

Source: EEAS

World Bank Freezes Funding for Tajikistan’s Rogun Dam

The World Bank has halted funding for Tajikistan’s $9+ billion Rogun Dam until the government proves it can repay debts and make the project commercially viable. Rogun, planned to be the world’s tallest dam at 335 meters, has already cost $3 billion with two turbines built. Environmental groups argue that outdated assessments were used in approving the project. Standard & Poor’s warns Rogun is draining Tajikistan’s finances, requiring $6.4 billion more - 40% of projected 2025 GDP. The World Bank now demands a debt-safe financing plan, a sustainable business model, and firm electricity purchase commitments from neighbors before resuming support.

Source: Eurasianet

Qatar to Invest in Tajikistan’s Rogun Hydropower Plant 

On August 23, Tajikistan’s Ministry of Finance and representatives of the Qatar Development Fund signed an agreement in which Doha pledged to provide Dushanbe with a concessional loan worth $50 million to support the construction of Tajikistan’s Rogun Hydropower Plant. This agreement appears to actualize an important step forward in deepening bilateral economic cooperation between Tajikistan and Qatar, an area that was reportedly a key topic for discussion during the President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon’s official visit to Qatar earlier last year. 

Source: Caspian Post 

Uzbekistan to Consider Buying Turkmen Ferries

Uzbekistan’s Transport Minister, Ilkhom Makhkamov, announced that his government was considering the purchase of vessels from Turkmenistan’s shipyard. Currently, there is a cargo bottleneck crossing the Caspian Sea, with delays as long as 30-40 days. Following the trilateral summit of Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, and Azerbaijan, Minister Makhkamov confirmed the Turkmen shipbuilding agreement, stating that these ferries will assist Uzbekistan in streamlining cargo flows between all three countries, and along the Middle Corridor in general.

Source: Orda

Politics and Security 

 

China Hosts SCO Summit and Military Parade with Global Leaders

From August 31 to September 1, China hosted the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Tianjin, as well as a massive military parade in Beijing marking the 80th anniversary of WWII’s end. Leaders from the Caspian region countries, including Armenia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Türkiye, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan attended the summit.

Source: AP News

Border Clash Between Afghanistan and Tajikistan Erupts Over Border Dispute and Mining Activities

On August 24, fighting broke out between Taliban forces and Tajikistan’s troops in the Dawang border area of Afghanistan’s Badakhshan province. One Taliban fighter was killed and four were injured. The clash was linked to disputes over Chinese mining activities and damage to the Amu Darya riverbed. Relations have long been tense because Tajikistan supports anti-Taliban groups like the National Resistance Front and has hosted Afghan leaders who oppose the Taliban, such as Ahmad Massoud and Amrullah Saleh. After the clash, both sides met to discuss water and mining issues but accused each other of sheltering opposition fighters.

Source: AKIPress

Azerbaijan Announces Establishment of Bilateral U.S.-Azerbaijan Strategic Working Group 

On August 29, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev posted a memorandum of understanding (MOU) announcing the establishment of a bilateral U.S.-Azerbaijan Strategic Working Group. Signed into existence amidst the trilateral Washington, DC, summit earlier on August 8, the now publicly available MOU indicates that this Strategic Working Group will aim to produce a Charter on Strategic Partnership between the United States and Azerbaijan within the next six months, deepening the two countries’ relations. The working group will more specifically focus on topics such as regional connectivity, economic investment, and security cooperation between Washington and Baku. 

Source: President.az

Central Asian States Form Contact Group on Afghanistan

On August 26, envoys from Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan met in Tashkent for the first session of a new Contact Group on Afghanistan. Initiated by Uzbekistan, the group will serve as a platform for regional coordination on Afghan issues. Delegates stressed the need for a unified, self-reliant stance that supports stability, trade, and security. While none of the four countries formally recognizes the Taliban, they agreed to pursue pragmatic engagement to restore economic ties with Kabul and tackle terrorism, extremism, and cross-border crime. 

Source: The Times of Central Asia