Energy and Economy

 

Tajikistan To Roll Out Gold Bar ATMs 

Tajikistan plans to launch ATMs that will allow the public to buy and sell gold bars in an effort to expand access to precious metals. Users will be able to purchase refined, high-purity gold bullion using a bank card and receive it immediately. The same machines will also enable customers to sell gold.

Source: The Astana Times

Kazakhstan to Receive World Bank Support to Enhance Rail Connectivity and Logistics

The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors approved an $846 million International Bank for Reconstruction and Development guarantee to mobilize $1.41 billion in long-term commercial financing for a rail connectivity project in Kazakhstan’s section of the Middle Corridor. The project aims to improve the efficiency and resilience of Kazakhstan’s rail network and strengthen the financial sustainability of the national railway operator, Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ). The first component of the project will finance the construction of a new 322.3 km greenfield railway between Mointy and Kyzylzhar. The second component will focus on technical assistance for KTZ. The project is expected to triple the volume of freight operations and cut transit time in half by 2030.

Source: World Bank Group

IndiGo Extends Flight Cancellations to Caspian Region to March 28

IndiGo, which serves as India’s largest airline by its annual number of passengers, has extended its flight cancellations to Almaty, Baku, Tbilisi, and Tashkent over continued safety concerns about Iranian airspace. In early February, the airline announced cancellations to these cities until February 28, after fears increased over potential U.S.-Iran conflict. Many of its flights to cities in Europe have faced suspensions and reduced service, while airports in India face congestion. 

Source: Economic Times, Caspian Post

Kazakhstan notifies U.S. OFAC on its Priority Rights Towards Local Lukoil Assets 

Kazakhstan's Ministry of Energy notified U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) of the republic's priority right to purchase LUKOIL's stake in joint projects. The Russian company holds a 13.5% stake in Kazakhstan’s Karachaganak field, 12.5% in the Caspian Pipeline Consortium and 5% in the Tengiz field. The Kazakh side submitted a request to OFAC regarding their preemptive rights over the Lukoil’s local stakes. The U.S. imposed sanctions on Lukoil in October 2025 as part of efforts to pressure Russia to end its war in Ukraine, prompting the company to start seeking a buyer for its foreign assets. Lukoil’s current license to sell overseas assets expires on Saturday. 

Source: Interfax, The Moscow Times

Politics and Security

 

Board of Peace and the Caspian States

U.S. President Donald Trump hosted the inaugural Board of Peace meeting in Washington on February 19. During the meeting, Trump announced that several nations – Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, United Arab Emirates, Morocco, Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan, and Kuwait – “have all contributed more than $7 billion toward the relief package.” Assistant of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Hikmet Hajiyev posted after the event clarifying that “Azerbaijan doesn’t envisage to participate in the USD 7 billion financial initiative related to Gaza that was announced [today].” Kazakhstan, Indonesia, Morocco, Kosovo, and Albania have pledged to provide troops for the International Stabilization Force for Gaza. Egypt and Jordan have committed to training the new security forces. In total, 12,000 police officers and 20,000 soldiers will be sent to Gaza.

In their speeches Kazakhstan President Kassym-JomartTokayev and Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev stated their country's intention to help rebuild civilian infrastructure in Gaza, including residential complexes, houses, schools, and hospitals. President Tokayev also stated that as a major producer of wheat, Kazakhstan "is ready to provide humanitarian aid to enhance food security in Gaza” and that Kazakhstan plans to provide "500 scholarships to Palestinian students to pursue academic programs in [Kazakhstan’s] universities over a 5-year period."

Source: CPC

Uzbekistan and U.S. Sign Agreement for Joint Investment Platform during Washington Visit

Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev met with officials from the Export-Import (EXIM) Bank and the Development Finance Corporation (DFC) to establish and sign the Uzbekistan-U.S. Investment Platform. The new platform provides a mechanism to advance and finance projects in cooperation with the Joint Investment and Business Council. Mirziyoyev also attended a signing ceremony on February 18, where several bilateral agreements were established on a range of topics, including the development of critical minerals processing capabilities, irrigation systems, and fuel stations. Separately, Mirziyoyev met with U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick to discuss cooperation on critical minerals, agriculture, IT, and energy.

Sources: President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Euronews, Reuters

Kyrgyzstan’s Constitutional Court Confirms Date for Next Presidential Election and Clarifies President Japarov’s Term Expiration 

The Constitutional Court of Kyrgyzstan ruled that the next presidential election will take place on January 24, 2027, in accordance with the country’s 2021 Constitution, dismissing calls to hold early elections. The judges established strict conditions under which early presidential elections may be held, including voluntary resignation, removal from office, incapacity due to illness, or death. The Court also confirmed the timeline of President Sadyr Japarov’s presidential term. Japarov’s first term will end in 2027, after which he will be eligible to run for a second and final term.

Source: The Caspian Post, The Diplomat

Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov Visits Florida  

Berdimuhamedov, former president of Turkmenistan and chairman of the People’s Council, conducted a visit to the U.S. from February 15-18. During his visit, Berdimuhamedov met with Nicklaus Companies to discuss the construction and design of new golf courses in Arkadag and Avaza, while strengthening existing cooperation on Ashgabat Golf club. His delegation also met with Eric Stewart, Executive Director of the Turkmenistan–U.S. Business Council, along with representatives from John Deere and La Victoria Equestrian Complex.  

Sources: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan, Turkmengeology State Corporation 

 

Aliyev States that Russia ‘Deliberately Attacked’ Azerbaijani Embassy in Kyiv

While at the recent Munich Security Conference, Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev declared that Russia had “deliberately attacked” the Azerbaijani embassy and its infrastructure in Kyiv after Baku had supplied Moscow with the coordinates of its diplomatic missions. Aliyev stated that after the embassy was affected by a Russian strike the first time, it could have been an accident, but the following strikes were not seen as accidental. After the third incident on November 14, the Russian Foreign Ministry expressed “sincere regret” over the damage to the embassy.

Source: Euronews