Leader Tokayev Participates in Informal Gathering of Central Asian Nations in Awaza
In Awaza, Turkmenistan, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev of Kazakhstan attended an informal meeting of Central Asian Heads of State, chaired by Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty (People's Council) of Turkmenistan. The meeting took place ahead of the opening of the Third United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries, scheduled for Aug. 5.
During the meeting, Tokayev and Berdimuhamedov discussed regional integration and Kazakh-Turkmen relations, with a focus on energy cooperation and transport infrastructure development. Specific projects mentioned include the development of Turkmenistan’s Galkynysh Gas Field and ongoing transport initiatives such as the Kazakhstan-Turkmenistan-Iran railway and the Turkmenbashi-Garabogaz-Kazakhstan border highway.
Both countries emphasized the importance of improving regional transport corridors and transit infrastructure, such as the North-South route and the Middle Corridor, to facilitate inclusive development and overcome obstacles faced by landlocked developing countries in accessing global markets.
President Tokayev expressed mutual confidence in the continued development of Kazakh-Turkmen relations, while Berdimuhamedov expressed commitment to fostering constructive dialogue with international partners. Tokayev also noted the strategic significance of the UN Conference, and Berdimuhamedov welcomed the Heads of State at the UN Conference and the regional meeting.
In addition, Kazakhstan recently signed a Host Country Agreement with the UN to establish the UN Regional Centre for Sustainable Development Goals for Central Asia and Afghanistan in Almaty, further supporting regional cooperation on sustainable development and connectivity.
The priorities discussed at the meeting align with efforts to reduce high trade costs and transit delays faced by landlocked countries, promote regional integration, and foster economic growth in Central Asia. The key priority areas discussed are:
- Energy development and cooperation, notably Turkmenistan's Galkynysh Gas Field.
- Transport infrastructure and corridor projects, including cross-border rail and highway links.
- Regional connectivity to support landlocked countries’ access to global markets.
- Sustainable development cooperation, supported by the new UN regional centre in Kazakhstan.
These priorities aim to enhance regional connectivity, reduce trade costs for landlocked countries, and transform geographic remoteness into a transit advantage for Central Asia. The seventh Consultative Meeting of Central Asian Leaders is scheduled to be held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan in September. President Tokayev thanked Turkmenistan for the warm welcome.
The remarks were reported by Turkmen government's press service on Aug. 5, but the location of the informal meeting was not specified in the article. Tokayev expressed confidence that the conference's outcomes would contribute to sustainable development and greater regional cooperation among landlocked developing countries.
- As the priorities discussed at the meeting included regional connectivity to support landlocked countries' access to global markets, it is crucial to address the impact of war-and-conflicts on migration patterns, which may hinder these efforts.
- The ongoing discussions on energy development and cooperation, such as the development of Turkmenistan’s Galkynysh Gas Field, are significant in the context of politics and general-news, as they have the potential to influence global energy markets.
