Energy and Economy 

Tajikistan to Receive World Bank Grant to Improve Water and Irrigation Systems 

The World Bank has approved a $75 million grant to assist Tajikistan in improving the efficiency of its water and irrigation systems. Specifically financed through the International Development Association, the project, Second Strengthening Water and Irrigation Management (SWIM-2), will upgrade irrigation infrastructures that serve about 100,000 hectares of agricultural land. A successful project will see the improvement of irrigation for nearly 470,000 farmers and rural residents.  

Source: Smart Water Magazine 

EU Discusses Support for Regional Connectivity with Armenia and Azerbaijan 

European Union Special Representative for the South Caucasus Magdalena Grono said the European Union is consulting with Armenia and Azerbaijan on how it can support the development of regional transport and connectivity routes. During her visit to Yerevan, Grono also highlighted the EU's support for humanitarian demining in the Karabakh region and reaffirmed that improving regional connectivity, including the Middle Corridor linking Asia and Europe through South Caucasus, remains a strategic priority for the European block.  

Source: Armenpress 

Tajikistan States it Has 60 Days’ Fuel in Reserve 

Tajikistan Energy Minister Daler Juma recently released a statement noting that the country currently had fuel reserves for only two more months. With Russia’s recent oil shortage due to continued Ukrainian drone attacks, Tajikistan, which imports upwards of 70% to 80% of its oil from Russia, is being cut off from its imports. As a means to fend off an oil drought, Tajikistan officials are looking into establishing oil fields in-country to make up for missing imports. However, with little infrastructure, and poor field yields, it is unclear whether any drilling projects will produce the oil that Tajikistan needs. 

Source: The Times of Central Asia 

Russian Fuel Shortages Expose Central Asia’s Energy Vulnerability 

Continued Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian oil refineries are disrupting fuel supplies across Central Asia, highlighting the region’s dependence on Russian gasoline and diesel imports. Countries such as Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan – which import most of their refined petroleum products from Russia – have already experienced supply disruptions and rising prices, causing those governments to explore alternative suppliers and contingency measures. The shortages show a broader challenge for Central Asia: despite being rich in energy resources, much of the region remains dependent on Russia’s refining and fuel exports. The situation is likely to accelerate discussions on expanding domestic refining capacity, diversifying fuel import routes, and strengthening regional energy cooperation to improve long-term energy security. 

Source: AzattykAsia  

 Georgia Adopts “Landlord Model” for Anaklia Deep Sea Port Development 

Georgia announced that its Anaklia Deep Sea Port will be developed under a “landlord model.” The country will retain ownership and management of the port’s core infrastructure while international governments and private operators will participate in terminal development. The new approach replaces plans for a single strategic investor and aims to attract multiple international partners and increase cargo flows through the port. The government also announced plans to invest about $7 billion in strategic transport infrastructure by 2032, including the Anaklia port, railway modernization, and highway construction. 

Source: Civil Georgia 

Politics and Security 

U.S. Senator Steve Daines Meets with Officials in Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, and Kazakhstan 

Last week, Montana Senator Steve Daines visited the Caspian region, holding meetings with senior officials in Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, and Kazakhstan. While specific details of the senator’s meetings with regional presidents have not yet been disclosed, discussions reportedly focused on the region’s increasingly close ties with the United States, as well as expanding cooperation in trade, transportation, and energy. A longtime advocate for greater U.S. engagement with the region, Senator Daines recently spoke at CPC’s June 10 Trans-Caspian Forum at the National Press Club in Washington, DC. 

Source: Eurasianet, Caspian Policy Center 

Kyrgyzstan and Pakistan Pledge Strategic Partnership 

Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan signaled their intent to deepen bilateral relations during Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari’s visit to Bishkek last week. Although the meetings did not result in any major trade or investment agreements, both sides expressed support for expanding cooperation in trade, connectivity, and regional security. They also committed to working toward a strategic partnership agreement. The meetings come as Central Asian states increasingly look to Pakistan as a gateway to South Asian markets.  

Source: Eurasianet 

Uzbekistan and Belarus Establish Strategic Partnership 

On July 7, 2026, Presidents Shavkat Mirzoyoyev of Uzbekistan and Aleksander Lukashenko of Belarus signed a Declaration establishing a strategic partnership. The Declaration outlines areas for further cooperation, including trade, tourism, agriculture, investment, science, and technology. In addition, the Declaration established future discussion between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of both countries, a protocol on the development of light industry between Uzbekistan and Belarus’ Bellegprom Corporation, and an agreement on the recruitment of workers from Uzbekistan for temporary jobs in Belarus.  

Sources: Kun, President.Uz 

President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedow to Visit Georgia 

President Berdimuhamedow of Turkmenistan will visit Georgia later in July, according to the Georgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The visit was confirmed during a phone call between Georgia’s Deputy Prime Minister in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Maka Botchorishvili, and the Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers for Turkmenistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The representatives discussed relations between Georgia and Turkmenistan, primarily focused on cooperation along the Middle Corridor. 

Sources: MFA of Georgia, Trend 

Armenia’s Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan Meets Russia’s Prime Minister Mishustin in Yekaterinburg 

One month after his landslide reelection, Prime Minister Pashinyan traveled to Russia to meet with Prime minister Mikhail Mishustin. The Armenian Prime Minister described the meeting, in which both sides promised to deepen bilateral relations, as “open, honest and friendly.” Furthermore, Pashinyan reiterated Armenia’s interest in participation in the Eurasian Economic Union.  

Source: Eurasianet, Gazeta