Energy and Economy

Russia Bans Produce from Kazakhstan

Amid growing trade tensions between Russia and Kazakhstan, Russia’s agricultural authority, Rosselkhoznadzor, banned tomatoes, peppers, fresh melons, wheat, flax seeds and lentils from Kazakhstan. Rosselkhoznadzor cited health concerns. Russia banned the import of Kazakhstan grain on October 3. The decision to broaden the number of banned goods came after Kazakhstan announced it would not be joining BRICS, the intergovernmental group Russia hopes will challenge the West’s international power.

Source: POLITICO 

Turkic Investment Fund to Begin Financing Projects

On October 16 Kyrgyzstan’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry announced that in January of 2025, the Organization of Turkic State’s (OTS) new investment fund would beginning financial projects in Kyrgyzstan. The Turkic Investment Fund, currently equipped with $1 billion in investment capital, was founded in 2023 by OTS member states. Hungary, an OTS observer state, joined the investment fund in 2024.

Source: Times of Central Asia

Tajikistan will host the first International Mining and Metallurgical Investment Forum

The Ministry of Industry and New Technologies of Tajikistan (MoINT) announced in a briefing that the country would host the first International Investment Mining and Metallurgical Forum and Exhibition on October 29-30 in Dushanbe. The event is being organized by the Tajik government, industry partners, and the British company, Vostock Capital UK. So far, over 20 foreign ministers and more than 60 transnational companies have confirmed their participation.

Source: Daryo

BP and Azerbaijan Sign Deal for New Energy Source

In a first for the country, Azerbaijan has signed a deal with energy giant BP that will utilize virtual power plant technology. The Shafag project will swap solar energy generated from the jointly owned Azerbaijan-BP Shafag solar plant for electricity to BP’s Sangachal oil terminal in the Caspian Sea. This deal is expected to help develop the complex solar plant in the Jabrayil region and eventually boost Azerbaijan’s renewable energy supply.

Source: UpStream

Russia and Kazakhstan Increase Rail Connectivity with China

At last week’s Intergovernmental Commission on Cooperation in Moscow, Kazakhstan and Russian officials agreed to expand connectivity infrastructure at the CRK Terminal, in Moscow’s Selyatino rail station. This station sits at an important juncture on the route Xi’an – Dostyk/Altynkol – Selyatino line that connects Russia with China through Kazakhstan.

Source: Press Service of Kazakhstan's Prime Minister

Politics and Security

Special Assistant to the U.S. President Visits Azerbaijan

On October 21, as a part of his visit to Azerbaijan, Special Assistant to the U.S. President and Senior Director for Europe at the National Security Council Michael Carpenter held a meeting with President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev. During the meeting, Carpenter presented a letter from U.S. President Joseph Biden to the Azerbaijani head of state, which stated that the United States stands ready to support a durable and dignified peace between Azerbaijan and Armenia and encourages the sides to finalize an agreement this year. Aliyev noted that Armenia's territorial claims against Azerbaijan, based on constitutional grounds, remain a key roadblock to finalizing the peace agreement. 

Source: President of the Republic of Azerbaijan 

Georgia’s National Elections This Coming Saturday

Georgians will head to the polls on October 26 in national parliamentary elections that could shape the country for years to come. The ruling Georgian Dream party is facing off against a diverse opposition block. Most independent polling has placed Georgian Dream’s approval between 30-40%. 

Source: EurasiaNet, German Marshall Fund

Kazakhstan Will Not Pursue BRICS Membership

According to a statement delivered by Berik Uali, a Kazakhstan presidential advisor and press secretary, Astana will not seek to join the growing BRICS intergovernmental group, named for its first five members (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa). Uali underscored Kazakhstan’s preference for the United Nations as a format for international discussion. However, Kazakstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev will attend an upcoming BRICS summit in Kazan, Russia.

Source: Daryo

BRICS Summit in Russia

Russia will host October 22-24 a summit of the BRICS intergovernmental group in the city of Kazan. The heads of state of all BRICS members, Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates, will attend. Additionally, leaders from a number of states that are set to join BRICS, such as Azerbaijan and Türkiye, and non-members like Armenia, Kazakhstan, and others will attend the event.

Source: Sputnik