Energy and Economy

 

Rare Earth Deposits Discovered in Tajikistan’s Rasht Valley

According to the Tajik Geological Survey, a significant deposit of tantalum and niobium, rare earth metals, has been discovered in the Rasht Valley. The preliminary survey estimates the deposits could contain several hundred thousand tons of tantalum and niobium. Once accessed, tantalum is utilized in electronic manufacturing, while niobium is found in high-strength alloys for aerospace/construction industries. Other metals at varying amounts were also discovered, giving the Tajik Geological Survey team hope of increasing rare-earth mining in Tajikistan.

Source: The Times of Central Asia

Workers Strike Over Unpaid Wages at Russia-Backed Akkuyu Nuclear Plant

On July 24, reports emerged of a strike at the Akkuyu nuclear power plant construction site in Türkiye, where workers protested unpaid wages by blocking roads and clashing with police, who used water cannons to disperse them. The plant, being built since 2018 by Russia’s Rosatom under a build-own-operate model, has faced repeated delays and financial complications, including a $7 billion funding gap and Western sanctions impacting Siemens' component supply. Rosatom attributed wage delays to blocked funds by "unfriendly countries" and is seeking solutions with Turkish authorities. The project, expected to cost up to $35 billion, aims to meet 10% of Türkiye’s electricity needs but has not yet activated any of its planned four 4,800-MWe reactors.

Source: Bne Intellinews

Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan Ink Major Deal for Hydrocarbon Exploration in Ustyurt

On July 24, 2025, Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Energy, Azerbaijan’s state oil company SOCAR, and Uzbekneftegaz signed a Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) to accelerate hydrocarbon exploration in the Ustyurt region in northwestern Uzbekistan. The agreement initiates 3D seismic surveys across at least 1,000 square kilometers, followed by the drilling of an exploratory well. If commercial reserves are found, the project will move to development and production phases. Under the PSA model, SOCAR and Uzbekneftegaz will receive reimbursement for initial costs from sales of extracted resources, with profits divided according to agreed terms.

Source: Daryo

Uzbekistan Signed Three Agreements on Green Energy with China

On July 24, the representatives of Wind and Solarshine for Electricity Distribution Panels Manufacturing LLC and China Energy International Group signed three agreements in the green energy sector. According to the agreements, China Energy will provide consulting support for the construction of a 500-megawatt wind power plant in the Peshkun district of Bukhara region and for the project to construct a 100-megawatt energy storage system in Tashkent. The parties also signed an engineering, procurement, and construction agreement for the projects’ implementation.

Source: Gazeta.uz, UzDaily

Uzbekistan’s Growing Gig Economy

As of July 1, the Uzbekistan’s  State Tax Committee has reported that a total of 5.5 million workers have identified themselves as being self-employed. In 2024, this number was at 3.5 million. The three sectors that reported the largest freelance growth rate were household, agricultural, and manufacturing services. Until recently, freelance positions had been relying on cash payments, allowing workers to avoidt taxes on their wages. Now, the Tax Committee has officially registered nearly 800,000 ride-share and food-delivery workers, and about 208 ride-share or delivery companies have been integrated into the information systems of tax authorities. This has led to about $7 million in additional revenue for Uzbekistan’s government. 

Source: Eurasianet

Azerbaijan to Supply Ukraine with Gas through Trans-Balkan Corridor

Azerbaijani SOCAR and Ukrainian state-owned Naftogaz signed an agreement to supply Ukraine with gas through the Trans-Balkan route. As a part of the agreement, SOCAR will export a small volume of gas along the Bulgaria–Romania–Ukraine corridor. This agreement not only helps Ukraine diversify its energy resources but also “paves the way for long-term cooperation" between Ukraine and Azerbaijan.

Source: Reuters

Tajikistan Initiated UNGA Resolution on AI

On July 25, the UN General Assembly unanimously adopted a landmark resolution initiated by Tajikistan, titled “Role of artificial intelligence (AI) in creating new opportunities for sustainable development in Central Asia.” Originally proposed by President Emomali Rahmon in 2024, the resolution emphasizes ethical and responsible AI use, calling for the creation of a Regional AI Center in Dushanbe to coordinate joint AI initiatives across the region. Key priorities include promoting AI education, supporting startups, enhancing regional research collaboration, developing shared data infrastructure, and aligning governance standards. The resolution underscores Tajikistan’s growing role in shaping the global AI agenda.

Source: Qazinform

Baku Hosts 8th Meeting of Azerbaijan-Turkmenistan Intergovernmental Commission

On July 28, the 8th meeting of the Joint Intergovernmental Commission on Cooperation in the Economic and Humanitarian Spheres between Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan took place in Baku, Azerbaijan. The meeting was co-chaired by the Minister of Economy Mikayil Jabbarov and the Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan Nokerguli Ataguliyev. According to Jabbarov, the sides discussed prospects for promoting mutual investments. “Noting with satisfaction the positive outcomes of our joint efforts, we explored opportunities to further enhance cooperation and mutual investments across various sectors, including business, trade, energy, transport, industry, and agriculture,” he added.

Source: Report.az, X

Politics and Security 

 

Iran and EU-3 Resume Nuclear Talks in Istanbul Amid Sanctions Threats

On July 24, negotiations began in Istanbul between Iran and the EU-3 group, which includes Germany, France, and the United Kingdom, focusing on tensions over Iran's nuclear program, according to Iranian Students’ News Agency (ISNA). The deputy minister-level talks come as European countries warn they might reimpose sanctions by the end of summer if no agreement is reached between Iran and the United States, with whom no direct talks are currently taking place. Iran has threatened to retaliate if sanctions return and has raised the possibility of reconsidering its membership in the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, a move suggested by Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharib-Abadi ahead of the meeting.

Source: Vestnik Kavkaza

Azerbaijan and Türkiye Signed a Memorandum for Military Security

The defense minister of Azerbaijan, Zakir Hasanov, and the national defense minister of Türkiye, Yasar Guler, met on July 22 in Istanbul as a part of the International Defense Industry Fair (IDEF) 2025. During the meeting, the parties discussed the opportunities for military cooperation, including defense technologies and military education. They also talked about the strategic importance of the IDEF conference and exchanged opinions on the topic of regional stability. As the result of the meeting, the “Memorandum of Understanding on Strengthening Mutual Military Security” was signed by the two countries’ representatives. 

Source: Trend.az

Pashinyan Visits Russia

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan visited Russia on July 24, arriving in the Siberian Altai Republic region. While in Russia, Pashinyan attended the International Environmental Conference and held a meeting with Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin focusing on bi-lateral relations and trade between the two countries. Armenia and Russia’s relations have declined steadily in recent years, with Armenia moving to diversify its international relations after decades of alignment with Russia. High-level ties have remained, however, with Pashinyan traveling to Moscow for this year’s Victory Day parade and with Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s visit to Armenia in May this year. Source: OC Media

ISKP Cell Disrupted in Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan’s State Security Service (SGB) has detained several individuals in connection with a suspected Islamic State–Khorasan Province cell (ISKP). The SGB detained four individuals in the city of Namangan, raided 16 homes, and stated that 12 other persons are under investigation. Authorities have additionally reported that the accused ringleader of the cell is a 19-year-old Uzbek woman believed to have been radicalized during her time spent in a private Islamic secondary school in Istanbul, a highly unusual profile for an ISKP cell leader. The suspected leader, whose name has not been released, is additionally accused of spreading pro-ISKP propaganda by way of online Telegram groups with a total of 120 members.

Source: BNE Intellinewss 

Kazakhstai Official Advocates for Multilateral Action to Preserve Caspian Sea 

On July 25, Kazakhstan’s Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov advocated for multilateral cooperation among states bordering the Caspian Sea to mitigate further environmental degradation of the Caspian Sea during his speech at the first-ever International Environmental Conference in Manzherok, Russia. If actualized, such joint efforts would represent a significant step toward Caspian regional collaboration among Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Russia, and Iran.  

Source: The Times of Central Asia  

President Tokayev of Kazakhstan to Visit Türkiye

According to the Directorate of Communications of Türkiye, President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev is expected to pay an official visit to Ankara, Türkiye, on July 28-29 at the invitation of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. As part of the visit, the fifth meeting of the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council between Türkiye and Kazakhstan will be held.

Source: X

Uzbekistan Day Takes Place on Capitol Hill

On July 23, the U.S. Capitol hosted the “Uzbekistan Day” event, organized by the Congressional Uzbekistan Caucus. Co-chairmen of the Caucus on Uzbekistan, Congressman Trent Kelly of Mississippi and Senator Steve Daines of Montana, praised the reforms undertaken in Uzbekistan and spoke on the results of the U.S. delegation’s March visit to the country. The event also featured remarks from the First Deputy Chairman of the Uzbek Senate Sodyq Safoev, as well as from American business leaders highlighting Uzbekistan’s economic potential. Peter Flanagan, Senior Vice President of FLSmidth, spoke about a major copper mining project in Almalyk, and Miles Hansen, President of the Stirling Foundation, discussed the importance of socio-economic development.

Source: The Times of Central Asia