Energy and Economy

 

Kyrgyzstan Signs an Investment Agreement with China to Build Two Power Plants

Minister of Energy of Kyrgyzstan, Taalaibek Ibraev, and the representative of the Chinese company, Shenzhen Energy Group Co., Ltd., signed an investment agreement to build solar- and wind-power plants. This project is now a part of the country’s long-term strategy to develop sustainable and eco-friendly energy resources. The project is set to start in September 2025.

Source: Trend.az

Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan Establish Joint Venture

The Vice-President of Azerenergy, Ziyaddin Guliyev, Head of the Department of KEGOC, Saltanat Shunayeva, and Deputy Chairman of the National Electric Networks of Uzbekistan, Feruz Kurbonov, signed a document on July 1 to create a joint venture, “Green Corridor Union.” The venture will be headquartered in Baku, with Farhad Mammadov as its General Director. This initiative is a part of the Azerbaijan-Central Asia Green Energy Corridor project that aims to not only secure access to energy, but also to foster the transition to renewable energy resources. 

Source: The Astana Times

Azerbaijan Hosts 17^th Summit of the Economic Cooperation Organization

On July 3-5, Azerbaijan hosted the 17^th summit of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) in Khankendi in  in the Karabakh region.  Titled “New ECO Vision for a Sustainable and Climate-Resilient Future,” the summit featured the presidents of Iran, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Türkiye, and the prime ministers of 10 ECO member-countries along with the representatives of international organizations. During the summit, the parties discussed their dedication to enhance regional cooperation, focusing on regional trade, connectivity, and sustainable development. The summit concluded with signing the Khankendi Communique that reaffirmed the right of return for the Azerbaijanis, who were expelled from Armenia and highlighted the importance of sustainable economic development of ECO countries.

Source: News Central Asia; Azerbaijan.az

Uzbekistan Receives $71.1 Million Loan for Climate-Resilient Rural Roads

The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) and Uzbekistan have finalized a loan agreement of $71.1 million to finance the first phase of the Karakalpakstan and Khorezm Local Roads Network Reconstruction Project. This project aims to modernize rural roads to make them more climate resilient. The total project cost is estimated to be $173.4 million, with a second tranche of loans in the works. 

Source: The Times of Central Asia

Chinese company “Zijin Mining” to Acquire Major Producing Gold Mine in Kazakhstan for $1.2 Billion 

Through its subsidiary Zijin Gold International, Zijin Mining has acquired the Raygorodok Gold Mine (“RG Gold Mine”), a large-producing asset in Kazakhstan, for a $1.2 billion. The transaction is expected to be confirmed in September. According to Zijin’s statement, the mine is expected to operate for another 16 years, from 2025 to 2040, with an average annual gold production of about 5.5 million metric tons. However, Zijin’s early research suggests that with upgrades, the mining and processing capacity could be increased to 10 million metric tons per year. The company believes it can improve the project’s production and economic performance by adjusting the open-pit mining limits, improving processing technologies, and making other technical changes. 

Source: E&MJ Engineering and Mining Journal

Politics and Security

 

Azerbaijani General Staff Chief Begins Official Visit to Saudi Arabia

Colonel-General Karim Valiyev, Chief of the General Staff of Azerbaijan, is leading a military delegation of his country to Saudi Arabia. His Saudi counterpart, General Fayyad bin Hamed Al-Ruwaili, arranged the visit. According to Azerbaijan’s Defense Ministry, General Valiyev planned to hold several meetings with Saudi military leaders and visit the Islamic Military Counterterrorism Coalition Center as part of the official program.

Source: News.AZ

Russia Recognizes the Taliban as Government of Afghanistan

The Taliban-installed Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi has announced that Russia has become the first country to formally recognize Taliban authorities as the legitimate government of Afghanistan. The announcement came on July 3 following a meeting between a Taliban representative and Russia’s ambassador to Afghanistan in Kabul. Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs described in a statement on Telegram that Moscow believes "the act of official recognition of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan will boost the development of productive bilateral cooperation between our countries in several areas,” noting trade, development, and counterterrorism. Anti-Taliban activists have decried the move, given the Taliban's restrictions on the rights of women and girls.

Source: The Moscow Times

Kazakhstan Transfers Anti-Corruption Authority to National Security Committee

Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has dissolved the Anti-Corruption Agency and transferred its functions to the National Security Committee. Certain responsibilities surrounding development and implementation of anti-corruption policy, interagency coordination, and public outreach will be handled by the Agency for Civil Service Affairs.

Source: The Times of Central Asia

Russia Increasing Military Presence at Armenian Base

The Main Directorate of Intelligence of Ukraine (HUR) has claimed that Russia is increasing its military presence at the Russian military base at Gyumri, Armenia, and recruiting new soldiers from Russia’s Southern Military District to be stationed at the base. Armenian officials have denied that these reports are true even as Ukrainian intelligence has released documents that they say prove Moscow’s intent to increase its presence at the base. The HUR additionally connected the supposed increase in personnel with Armenia’s supposed deteriorating relations with Azerbaijan. 

Source: Main Directorate of Intelligence of Ukraine (Telegram)