Leader Makes Presence in Samarkand
In the heart of Uzbekistan, the city of Samarkand played host to a significant gathering in April 2025. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev of Kazakhstan was in town for the "Central Asia - European Union" summit and the international conference "Central Asia in the Face of Global Climate Threats."
Upon his arrival at the airport in Samarkand, Tokayev was greeted by a notable Uzbek official, Abdullo Aripov, the Prime Minister of Uzbekistan. This meeting marked the beginning of a series of high-level interactions during Tokayev's visit.
The "Central Asia - European Union" summit primarily focused on strengthening political dialogue and deepening economic, trade, investment, and financial-technical cooperation between the EU and the five Central Asian countries. Key topics included expanding bilateral engagements, increasing partnerships aligned with the EU’s Global Gateway strategy featuring a €12 billion investment package, and institutionalizing regular cooperation mechanisms to foster regional development and connectivity.
Meanwhile, the international conference "Central Asia in the Face of Global Climate Threats," which Tokayev is also attending, is centred on addressing the urgent challenges posed by global climate change in the Central Asian region. The agenda likely involves regional collaboration on climate resilience, sustainable development, and environmentally focused economic strategies to mitigate climate risks.
Abdullo Aripov, as the Prime Minister of Uzbekistan, is an important figure in the events surrounding Tokayev's visit to Samarkand. His role in the greeting ceremony and the airport interactions underscore Uzbekistan's commitment to these collaborative efforts.
Overall, Tokayev’s attendance underscores Kazakhstan’s commitment to regional cooperation on socio-economic development, climate action, and enhancing ties with the European Union within a broader geopolitical context of diversifying partnerships in Central Asia.
This report is based on a citation from Akorda, and our website is reporting these events live. The summit and the conference are taking place in Samarkand, and more updates are expected as these historic events unfold.
The international conference in Samarkand, a part of Tokayev's visit, focuses on environmental science, particularly addressing climate-change threats in Central Asia, which aligns with the global news narrative. Tokayev's presence at the event highlights Kazakhstan's dedication to environmental-science policies. The Prime Minister of Uzbekistan, Abdullo Aripov, plays a pivotal role in these events, showcasing Uzbekistan's support for political and environmental collaborations.
