Energy and Economy

 

Armenia Signals Interest in U.S.-Built Nuclear Reactor

Armenia’s Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructures David Khudatayan announced that the country is looking to develop a modular nuclear reactor. Because Yerevan has sought to replace its aging Soviet-built Metsamor nuclear reactor, Armenian officials were in talks with multiple parties to lead the next project, with China, Russia, and the United States still in the running. Khudatayan emphasized that a decision will come in 2026 or 2027.  It’s possible that U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance will discuss nuclear energy cooperation during his upcoming visit to Yerevan on February 9.

Sources: Eurasianet, Armenpress

B5+1 Business Forum Brings U.S. Businesses to Bishkek

Entrepreneurs, corporate leaders, and government officials met in Bishkek on February 4 to enhance economic cooperation between Central Asian states and the United States. Business experts weighed in on policies to expedite trade and remove obstacles to foreign investment. The forum attracted over 50 U.S. companies and included a visit from President Donald Trump’s special envoy for South and Central Asia, Sergio Gor. In his remarks, Gor emphasized that the region is a priority for the Trump administration, though recent U.S. visa restrictions have complicated cooperation.

Sources: Eurasianet, The Times of Central Asia

Starlink Services Begin Operating in Tajikistan

The satellite internet service provider, Starlink, operated by American company SpaceX, officially launched its services in Tajikistan on February 5 as part of an agreement signed during the Dushanbe Invest-2025 International Investment Forum. The general manager of Tojiktelecom, the internet provider through which Starlink will operate, stated that the agreement aims to increase internet access to those in rural and mountainous areas, ensuring that essential services like schools and hospitals have reliable coverage. 

Source: Gazeta, Times of Central Asia

Uzbekistan to Operate Embraer C-390 Millennium

Embraer, a Brazil-based aerospace company, announced Uzbekistan’s purchase of the C-390 Millennium transport aircraft at the Singapore Airshow. Uzbekistan is the first Central Asian country to operate the C-390 Millennium, a medium-sized military transport aircraft capable of carrying up to 26 tons of payload. Uzbekistan’s Air Force plans to use the aircraft primarily for transport and humanitarian operations.

Source: Daryo

New American Councils Program in Türkiye

American Councils has announced two new eight-week summer programs for U.S. graduate and undergraduate students hosted by the TÖMER Institute at Ankara University. The Türkiye Today Program will have courses taught in English covering Türkiye’s history and modern society, Turkish language instruction, sociology, and anthropology school-credited courses.   The U.S. students will stay with local host families. The Intensive Turkish Summer Program will include Turkish language courses, cultural activities, and extended travel throughout the country. To learn more, please visit the American Councils website. Application deadline for these programs is March 30, 2026.

Politics and Security

 

U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance in Yerevan, Expected to Visit Baku Next

U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance arrived in Armenia on February 9, becoming the first U.S. vice president to visit the country. His visit is expected to reinforce U.S. commitment to advancing the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP), a proposed 27-mile corridor through southern Armenia intended to connect the South Caucasus more directly to Türkiye. The trip also underscores continued U.S. interest in the region following President Donald Trump’s role in brokering a historic peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia. Vance is scheduled to visit Armenia’s neighbor, Azerbaijan, on February 11–12.

Source: Euronews, Reuters, AP News

Foreign Ministers of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan Attend Critical Minerals Ministerial in Washington

Kazakhstan’s Foreign Minister Yermek Kosherbayev and Uzbekistan’s Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov participated in the conference on February 4, as part of U.S. initiative to bring together more than 50 countries interested in enhancing critical minerals cooperation. Kosherbayev emphasized that Kazakhstan can help fill supply gaps for 20 of the 60 minerals that the United States lists as critical. Meanwhile, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau met with Saidov on the sidelines to discuss avenues for enhanced cooperation and commercial activity with Uzbekistan. 

Source: Astana Times, U.S. Department of State

Aliyev, Pashinyan Receive Award for Peace Agreement

On February 4, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan received the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity for their roles in ending decades of conflict between their countries. The awarding ceremony, hosted by UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Abu Dhabi, featured congratulatory video messages to the laureates of the award by several world leaders including President of Türkiye Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Prime Minister of the Islamic, and President of the Kyrgyz Republic Sadyr Zhaparov. During his speech, Aliyev noted that six months of cooperation have brought stability and optimism to both sides: "An agreement becomes meaningful when it delivers visible benefits — jobs, services and opportunities for our people," he said. “I think the peace deal happened, because Armenia and Azerbaijan understood, that the conflict needs to be stopped now, otherwise it will never be stopped, bringing new and new sufferings to both countries and peoples,” said Pashinyan. Both leaders welcomed the also expressed special gratitude to U.S. President Donald Trump for his contribution to achieving the peace agreement.

Source: President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia, Euronews.

Tokayev Visits Pakistan

Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev met with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif as part of a state visit that began on February 4. Both parties signed a strategic partnership  agreement emphasizing the importance of rail connectivity and growing trade volume. Tokayev also met with Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari in Islamabad. 

Sources: Caspian Post, Akorda

2029 Asian Winter Games to Take Place in Almaty

Kazakhstan has officially stepped in as the host of the 10^th Asian Winter Games. The announcement comes as the Kazakhstani National Olympic Committee signed an agreement in Milan to replace Saudi Arabia as the next host. Almaty and Astana hosted the Asian Winter Games in 2011.

Source: DW