Energy and Economy

Uzbekistan’s Mirziyoyev and Korean President Lee Sign 13 Agreements to Expand Economic Cooperation

Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev met with his Korean counterpart, President Lee Jae Myung, in Seoul on September 14 to expand bilateral economic cooperation in strategic sectors. The two leaders signed a total of 13 memoranda of understanding, ranging from the critical mineral supply chains and joint investment to the implementation of high-speed rail in the country. An agreement was also signed between the Export-Import Bank of Korea and the Ministry of Investment and the Industry and Trade of the Republic of Uzbekistan to improve joint business cooperation. The meeting took place ahead of Mirziyoyev and Lee’s participation in the upcoming South Korea-Central Asia heads of state summit.

Sources: Korea Times, news.az

First South Korea-Central Asia Heads of State Summit Set for September 16

The Central Asian Presidents are arriving in Seoul for the region’s first ever heads of state summit with South Korea. Since 2007, multilateral cooperation between the regions has been managed through the Korea-Central Asia Cooperation Forum at a ministerial level. The upcoming dialogue is expected to yield the Seoul Declaration, which will guide Seoul’s relationship with Central Asia. The leaders are expected to discuss avenues for boosting economic cooperation, particularly in the critical minerals sector. 

Source: Times of Central Asia

Tajikistan to Build Central Asia's Tallest Building in Dushanbe

Construction on Dushanbe Tower, which will be located in the Shohmansur district as part of a larger complex featuring 52 buildings, including five other high-rise towers, began on September 10. The complex, Dushanbe Mall, will span 72 acres and take five years to complete. The exact height of Dushanbe Tower is still unknown: President Rahmon has announced 340 meters (1115 ft), while RMJM, the company designing the tower, states that the tower will be 400 meters (1312 ft). Regardless, Dushanbe Tower is poised to beat Central Asia's current tallest building, Astana's Abu Dhabi Plaza.

Sources: Caspian Post, Times of Central Asia

Kyrgyzstan Announces $100 Million Logistics Center Near Chinese Border

Kyrgyzstan’s National Investment Agency and local company Textile Trans signed a memorandum on September 10, establishing the Sary-Tash international transport and logistics center and a textile manufacturing cluster. The center would enhance shipments of Chinese freight through Uzbekistan and Afghanistan to Pakistan. While the project requires $100 million, these funds are not yet secured; the necessary investment remains to be found. This project follows a Transit Trade Agreement signed during Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s visit to Kyrgyzstan on September 2 intended to facilitate trade and transit between the two countries and will further build out the CASA-1000 project linking the eastern part of Central Asia to Pakistan.

Source: The Times of Central Asia

President Tokayev Speaks at BRICS Plus Session in New Delhi

Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev spoke at the BRICS Plus plenary session on September 13, advocating for greater cooperation with BRICS-member nations. President Tokayev framed BRICS as a format for strengthening economic ties amid geopolitical fragmentation rather than as a replacement for the existing international system. He also met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines to discuss opportunities for increased bilateral cooperation. Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres attended the summit.

Source: The Astana Times,  

Gazprom Increases Gas Supply by 70% to Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan 

CEO of Russia’s Gazprom Aleksei Miller announced on September 4 that Gazprom had increased its supply of gas to Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan by almost 70% since the start of the year. Gazprom's supply to Uzbekistan alone increased by 15% from 2025, and a long-term contract agreement between Gazprom and Kyrgyzstan has ensured that Kyrgyzstan's power plants will receive gas for the next 15 years. Kazakhstan also signed a long-term contract with Gazprom, allowing Russian gas to transit Kazakhstan until 2040.

Source: Daryo, Telegram, Times of Central Asia

Kazakhstan HasTransported 13.1 Million Tons of Oil Through the Kazakhstan-China Pipeline This Year

13.121 million tons of oil flowed through the Kazakhstan-China Pipeline in January-August 2026, a 2% increase year-on-year. KazTransOil transported 30.639 million tons of oil through its own main pipeline system in January-August this year, representing an overall 4% year-on-year increase. Other oil transportation networks saw similar increases as Kazakhstan works to diversify and secure its supply chains. Kazakhstan’s primary oil export route, the CPC pipeline from Kazakhstan through Russia to the Black Sea, paused operations for one week in July following drone strikes on several Black Sea tankers.

Source: The Astana Times

Politics and Security

Kazakhstani Tennis Player Elena Rybakina Becomes World No. 1, Wins U.S. Open

Tennis player Elena Rybakina made history as the first tennis player from Kazakhstan to become World No. 1 in singles by the Women's Tennis Association. Reflecting on her victory, Rybakina stated that she was "proud to represent Kazakhstan and make history as the country's first world No. 1."  She added that she is pleased to see greater numbers of children in Kazakhstan taking up tennis. She followed up her achievement by winning her first U.S. Open title on September 12, besting four-time Major champion Aryna Sabalenka. 

Source: Qazinform, Qazinform, New York Times

Ferry Service Resumes Between Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan

The ferry service between the two countries was paused indefinitely following COVID-19. Pre-pandemic, the ferry was used by around 1,500 passengers annually. That number is expected to rise dramatically with ferry resumption, given the increase in trade, business and connectivity along the Middle Corridor, in which both countries play a significant role. The ferry will operate between Kazakhstan’s Kuryk Port and Azerbaijan’s Baku Port Kuryk Port route.

Source: Trend, Qazinform, Caliber

Uzbekistan’s Senate Approves Changes to Latin Alphabet

Uzbekistan’s Senate approved changes to its Latin alphabet on September 10 that have been sent to President Shavkat Mirziyoyev for consideration. Oʻ will become Ö, Gʻ will become Ğ, Sh will become Ş, and Ch will become Ç. The changes, which will be implemented gradually, are intended to simplify the Uzbek language to resolve technological issues and improve compatibility with other Turkic languages. Uzbekistan first adopted a Latin script in 1993, but more than 30 years later, both Latin and Cyrillic scripts remain widespread in the country of almost 40 million.

Source: The Times of Central Asia

Kazakhstan Requires Language Test for Permanent Residence

Those seeking permanent residence or "Kandas" status (ethnic Kazakhs returning to Kazakhstan) will now be required to take the KazTest Language Test. KazTest, which will test understanding of common and everyday vocabulary, according to the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection, can be taken online in just over an hour. The announcement of test has been met by both positive and negative reactions, with those of the latter view concerned that those seeking Kandas status might not be familiar with the Cyrillic alphabet. The test is part of a pilot program to assess Kandas status eligibility, which will end on December 31, 2026.

Source: Astana Times Gov.Kz

President of Laos Visits Kazakhstan

President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith conducted the country’s first-ever presidential visit to Kazakhstan on September 3. Sisoulith praised Kazakhstan for its consistent diplomatic support and signed an agreement in Astana with Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev  on furthering bilateral cooperation. Tokayev also emphasized the potential of incorporating new logistical links, including Kazakhstan’s port terminals, to transport Lao goods westward and the Laos-China railway to improve Kazakhstan's access to Southeast Asian markets. On the sidelines of the visit, several memoranda of understanding were signed between ministries covering foreign affairs, technology, and law enforcement. 

Source: Astana Times, Trend

Uzbekistan Confirms Purchase of Chinese J-10CE Fighter Jets

Video footage from Uzbekistan’s 35-year celebrations of its independence confirmed that Uzbekistan has integrated the Chinese J-10CE fighter jet into its arsenal of military aircraft. Reports emerged in July that Uzbekistan had ordered 24 of the modern fighter jets that the Chengdu Aircraft Corporation produces. While typically reliant on Russia for military aircraft—the MiG-29 and Su-27—Tashkent has diversified its purchases from companies of other states, including Europe’s Airbus and Brazil’s Embraer. Prior to this, Pakistan was the only confirmed customer for the J-10CE, though Bangladesh is also looking to place an order. 

Sources: Times of Central Asia, Asian Military Review