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Category: Central Asia

  • MIL-OSI USA: Duckworth Joins Schatz, Murray, Colleagues in Condemning Labor Department’s Cancellation of Funding to Address Child Labor, Human Trafficking Worldwide

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Illinois Tammy Duckworth
    April 23, 2025
    [WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined U.S. Senators Brian Schatz (D-HI), Patty Murray (D-WA) and 10 Senate Democratic colleagues in condemning the Trump Administration’s cuts to federal funding that for decades helped address child labor, forced labor and human trafficking globally.
    “These cuts are inconsistent with bipartisan laws passed by Congress providing federal funds to combat child labor, forced labor, human trafficking, and enforce labor standards in over 40 countries,” the Senators wrote in a letter to Labor Secretary Lori M. Chavez-DeRemer. “Cancelling all existing cooperative agreements will only harm American workers, lower international labor standards, and hurt children.”
    The Senators continued, “ILAB grants level the playing field for American workers and ensure businesses cannot profit from labor abuses by stopping the problems at their source. Offshoring work will only drive down wages, incentivize abusive labor practices abroad, and take jobs away from hard working Americans. For example, the President and CEO of the American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) has said that the cancellation of ILAB contracts will harm both their consumers and 3.5 million American workers. The only winners here will be the multinational corporations who want cheap labor, and our adversaries that benefit from these practices.”
    “We ask that you live up to your comments and urge you to take immediate steps to protect children, American workers, and other vulnerable populations by using funds Congress appropriated for ILAB for that purpose,” the Senators concluded.
    Along with Duckworth, Schatz and Murray, the letter was co-signed by U.S. Senators Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Ruben Gallego (D-AZ).
    The full text of the letter is available on Senator Duckworth’s website and below.
    Dear Secretary Chavez-DeRemer:
    We write to express our serious concerns about the Department of Labor (DOL)’s decision to terminate all existing cooperative agreements at the Bureau of International Labor Affairs (ILAB). DOL and the United States Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) Service have announced the cancellation of $577 million in cooperative agreements. These cuts are inconsistent with bipartisan laws passed by Congress providing federal funds to combat child labor, forced labor, human trafficking, and enforce labor standards in over 40 countries. We note that the Trump Administration identifies labor practices, including failures by foreign governments to protect internationally recognized worker rights, as a foreign trade barrier in the recently issued National Trade Estimate Report on Foreign Trade Barriers. Cancelling all existing cooperative agreements will only harm American workers, lower international labor standards, and hurt children.
    ILAB was created by President Truman after World War II. Since its creation, it has served at the forefront of global efforts to eliminate child labor. Under international standards, child labor applies to work below the minimum age established under national legislation—usually 14 or 15 years old— and includes slavery, commercial sexual exploitation, illicit activities, and hazardous work that is likely to harm health or safety. Global estimates from the International Labor Organization (ILO) indicate that there are 160 million children between 5-17 years old in child labor, roughly half of them in hazardous conditions.
    ILAB also works to combat forced labor and human trafficking – serious violations of human rights. According to the most recent figures available, there are 5.4 victims of modern slavery for every 1,000 people in the world, with women and girls disproportionately affected. Additionally, the ILO estimated that 24.9 million people around the globe were in forced labor as of 2016. Victims are rarely able to seek help for various reasons, due to language barriers, poverty, or unstable immigration status. Furthermore, ILAB plays a key role in addressing China’s use of slave labor as a member of the Forced Labor Enforcement Task Force to enforce the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act.
    Critically, the findings from ILAB and ILAB funds provided by Congress have led to improved adherence to international labor standards that support American workers. Since 2019, ILAB has invested in eliminating the roughly 1.56 million instances of child labor violations in the production of cocoa in Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire—countries that produce cocoa for chocolate bought by American consumers, as well as nearly 60 percent of the world’s cocoa each year. Recently, DOL’s November 2024 framework of action included improving access to quality education, as well as technical and vocational training, strengthening social services and social protection, and empowering women, youth and workers in cocoa-growing communities. Uzbekistan was pushed to address forced labor and child labor in the cotton sector, which unfairly competes with American cotton growers and exporters. Argentina’s government and private sector built technical assistance programs developed by DOL in the blueberry sector, ensuring that children and teenagers had access to child care and enrichment programs. In Honduras, one DOL cooperative agreement disbursed more than $13 million to fight child labor and other exploitation, resulting in more than 6,000 children enrolling in educational programs, aiding more than 1,800 families, and helping train around 500 inspectors on child labor exploitation and other labor laws.
    Unfortunately, your actions will prevent this work from continuing. A few of the contracts that have been eliminated by you and DOGE include the “Global Better Work Program (I)” and “Better Work Global (II)” in Haiti, Jordan, Cambodia, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Vietnam to establish strong labor enforcement and transparency; “Supporting Safe and Inclusive Work Environments in Lesotho” to stop violence against women; “Research, Innovation and Strategic Engagement Project (RISE-global)” in Brazil, Colombia, Cote D’Ivoire, Indonesia, and Guatemala to educate workers on their rights and how to protect them; and “Promoting Safe and Healthy Workplaces in Honduras, Guatemala, and El Salvador” to improve worker safety and discourage migration to the United States. The cancellation of these contracts is neither efficient nor puts America’s interests first. Instead, we believe it will cause devastating, widespread harm to our most vulnerable populations, and put American workers at a disadvantage.
    Additionally, we are concerned about the economic impacts of this decision. One of the major missions of ILAB is to enforce the labor provisions in U.S. trade agreements. ILAB grants level the playing field for American workers and ensure businesses cannot profit from labor abuses by stopping the problems at their source. Offshoring work will only drive down wages, incentivize abusive labor practices abroad, and take jobs away from hard working Americans. For example, the President and CEO of the American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) has said that the cancellation of ILAB contracts will harm both their consumers and 3.5 million American workers. The only winners here will be the multinational corporations who want cheap labor, and our adversaries that benefit from these practices.
    In your confirmation hearing on February 19th, you testified to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions that we must protect children from labor exploitation. You said this in response to questions from members on both sides of the aisle. We ask that you live up to your comments and urge you to take immediate steps to protect children, American workers, and other vulnerable populations by using funds Congress appropriated for ILAB for that purpose.
    Sincerely,
    -30-

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: ASIA – “We must go to Asia.” What prompted Pope Francis to look East?

    Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

    Catholic Bishop Conference of Myanmar

    by Paolo Affatato(Fides Agency) – Universality, inculturation, mercy, and reference to the Sacraments: throughout his pontificate, Pope Francis has recognized in the dynamic spread and living of the Gospel in Asian countries an example of authenticity and a valid paradigm for the Church throughout the world.“We must go to Asia,” Pope Francis said in 2013, at the beginning of his pontificate, upon his return from Brazil, and the trips to Asia that followed immediately (to Korea in 2014, Sri Lanka and the Philippines in 2015) quickly fulfilled his desire to follow this path and meet the peoples of the East. This desire also took shape with trips to Myanmar and Bangladesh (2017), Thailand and Japan (2019), Kazakhstan (2022), Mongolia (2023), and most recently Indonesia, East Timor, and Singapore (2024).Pope Francis’ view of the diverse reality of Asian peoples and their civilizations is light years away from the traps of Western-style neocolonialism. On the contrary, his attitude is always one of learning, of grasping signs and lessons that can also be useful for believers living in countries with an ancient Christian tradition.“I was in the heart of Asia and it did me good. It is good to enter into dialogue with this great continent, to understand its messages, to get to know its wisdom, its way of looking at things, of embracing time and space,” said Pope Francis on his return from his apostolic journey to Mongolia. Francis recalled that the Mongolian people are a “humble and joyful” Catholic community, and revealed one of its defining characteristics: “It is far from the limelight, where the signs of God’s presence are often found.” “The Lord,” he explained, ”does not seek the center stage, but the simple heart of those who long for him and love him, without appearing, without wanting to elevate themselves above others.”On the largest and most pluralistic continent, the cradle of the great religions, where Catholic communities are often tiny, hidden, and completely insignificant, Pope Francis recognized the importance of catholicity, “an inculturated universality that takes up the good where it lives and serves the people with whom it lives.” The Pope praised the exemplary witness of missionaries who, often in contexts where Christ had not yet arrived, sowed the seeds “not of a universalism that is homologous, but of a universalism that is inculturated.” In Central Asia, “the missionaries went to live like the Mongolian people, to speak the language of this people, to adopt the values of this people, and to preach the Gospel in the Mongolian way. They went and inculturated themselves: they adopted the Mongolian culture in order to inculturate the Gospel in that culture.”Precisely because of their structural condition as a “small flock,” the Catholic communities in various Asian countries have been able to develop their mission as “works and places of mercy,” that is, to present themselves as “open, welcoming places where the misery of every human being can come into contact, without shame, with the mercy of God, which uplifts and heals.” In these contexts, the Pope added, “it is crucial to see and recognize the good. It is important, like the Mongolian people, to look upward, toward the light of goodness. Only in this way, starting from the recognition of the good, can we contribute to making it better.” ”Let us remember how many seeds of goodness are hidden in the garden of the world, while we usually only hear the sound of falling trees!” And, also referring to the Mongolian people, but with a remark that is valid in many other contexts, he remarked: “What kind of people cherish their roots and traditions, respect their elders, and live in harmony with their environment? It is a people who search the heavens and feel the breath of creation. When we think of the boundless and silent expanses of Mongolia, we should be guided by the need to broaden the horizons of our vision.”From this experience, Francis drew the universal lesson that “we must expand the limits of our gaze so that we can see the good in others and broaden our horizons. And we must also expand our hearts: expand our hearts to understand, to be close to every person and every civilization.” This is a key that expresses and sums up the sometimes troubled gaze of the Successor of Peter on the small Catholic communities in Asian countries. These communities rely more on the power and grace of the Holy Spirit than on their economic, political, or media power. And they continue to have two strengths for their mission: the Sacraments of the Eucharist and Confession, which Francis has always considered and described as the sources of all missionary work.The Eucharist, the sacrament in which God offers himself, his flesh and blood, thereby breaking the cycle of violence and death. The cycle of life and death is a central theme in religions such as Hinduism, Buddhism, and Taoism, all of which originated on the Asian continent: hence, the sacrament of the Eucharist has a very special power and meaning for Asian peoples. This power and significance can be found, for example, in communities immersed in a reality—think of Afghanistan—where the political situation does not allow for the full exercise of religious freedom: there, it is still possible to celebrate the sacrament of the Eucharist, the living presence of Christ. A second strength of the Church’s mission is the sacrament of Confession, which enables believers to enter into a relationship with God and, through a human mediator, to receive forgiveness and reconciliation, an existential gift that comes from above and is not merely the fruit of a commitment to prayer or a path of personal purification. That is why “our Eucharistic celebrations are full of non-Christians,” explains Father Enrique Figaredo Alvargonzález, Apostolic Prefect of Battambang in predominantly Buddhist Cambodia, “and among them many are beginning the journey toward baptism.”(PA) ( Fides Agency 28/4/2025)
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    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Universal Periodic Review 49: UK Statement on Kyrgyzstan

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Speech

    Universal Periodic Review 49: UK Statement on Kyrgyzstan

    Statement by the UK’s Permanent Representative to the WTO and UN, Simon Manley, at Kyrgyzstan’s Universal Periodic Review at the Human Rights Council in Geneva.

    Let me welcome the Minister and his delegation, and salute his government’s efforts to implement the recommendations from its last review. Not least, we commend its efforts on gender equality and welcome their constructive role on this Council.

    Let me also urge his Government to uphold its obligations under the ICCPR and the commitments accepted at its last review.
    We recommend that the Kyrgyz Republic:
     

    1. Ensure the treatment of NGOS is in line with international human rights obligations, and that it removes regulations for NGOS to provide information not stipulated by the ‘Law on Non-Commercial Organisations’.
       
    2. Maintain the National Centre for the Prevention of Torture as an independent and separate National Preventative Mechanism and provide adequate resources to the Centre to continue to effectively carry out its mandate.
       
    3. Adhere to the principles enshrined in the Kyrgyz Constitution by amending the Code of Offences to decriminalise defamation and insult, and instead use civil litigation in line with international human rights obligations.

    Thank you, Mr President.

    Updates to this page

    Published 28 April 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Salymbekov University and Polytechnic intend to launch joint double degree programs

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University – Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University –

    A delegation from Salymbekov University (Kyrgyzstan), headed by President Amangeldi Zhumadilov, visited Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University to discuss prospects for cooperation in education and science. The partners agreed to jointly implement educational programs, research projects, and academic exchanges aimed at training highly qualified specialists for high-tech sectors of the economy.

    The key topic of the negotiations was the creation of joint educational programs, including double degrees, in various areas of secondary vocational and higher education. The pilot areas planned for launch this fall include “Information Systems and Programming”, “International Logistics” and “International Business”, “Digital Enterprise Economics” and IT specialties. This is necessary in order to purposefully train highly qualified specialists in professions that are really in demand in the region.

    Vice-Rector for International Affairs of SPbPU Dmitry Arsenyev noted: We see great potential in cooperation with Salymbekov University. Specific projects that can be implemented in the short term are already being discussed. This indicates a high degree of mutual trust and interest in developing partnership.

    Director of the Institute of Industrial Management, Economics and Trade Vladimir Shchepinin emphasized: Our institute has unique experience in training specialists in economics and management, adapted to the real needs of industry. Joint programs with Kyrgyz colleagues will allow us to train personnel that are in demand not only in Kyrgyzstan, but also on the international market.

    The meeting discussed issues of organizing internships for students in Russian companies, developing programs for improving the qualifications of teachers, and developing cooperation in the field of biotechnology and biomedical systems. Representatives of Salymbekov University expressed interest in adapting SPbPU educational programs to train specialists in these promising areas.

    The colleagues agreed to develop a roadmap for cooperation, which provides for the exchange of curricula, joint research, and the organization of academic exchanges. The first student intake for joint programs is planned for September of this year.

    President of Salymbekov University Amangeldi Zhumadilov noted: Our university occupies a leading position in the national rankings of Kyrgyzstan and first place among the young universities of the country. Partnership with SPbPU is an important step in expanding international cooperation and improving the quality of Kyrgyz education.

    The visit ended with the signing of a memorandum of understanding, which laid the foundation for further joint work. The next step will be a detailed elaboration of mechanisms for implementing the agreed initiatives and the preparation of the necessary documents for launching the first joint programs.

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI China: SCO health institutions to deepen telehealth collaboration

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    XI’AN, April 27 — Telehealth, powered by advances in information technology, came into sharp focus on Sunday as health leaders gathered in Xi’an, northwest China’s Shaanxi Province, to discuss hospital collaboration among member countries of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).

    The seventh SCO Hospital Cooperation Conference, held in the lead-up to the eighth SCO Health Ministers’ Meeting on Monday, brought together more than 100 representatives from government health authorities, medical associations, and healthcare institutions.

    Attendees called for greater efforts to harness the potential of artificial intelligence (AI), big data, and other technological advances to strengthen telemedicine and smart healthcare services across SCO member states, in support of the broader goal of building a shared health community within the organization.

    Geographic barriers remain among the greatest challenges to healthcare provision in many SCO member states, where vast territories and low population densities often hinder access to medical services. This reality underscores the critical role of telemedicine in bridging health gaps, said Muhammad Ashraf Nizami, president of the Pakistan Medical Association (Lahore).

    Nizami praised China’s leadership in developing domestic telehealth systems and its efforts to share expertise and resources with SCO member countries, including Pakistan.

    A highlight of the conference was the signing of a tripartite cooperation agreement among Tianjin First Central Hospital, the Management Office of the Tianjin Medical Association, and Nizami’s organization. The agreement aims to deepen public health cooperation in telemedicine and related fields.

    Wang Xudong, head of the Tianjin Municipal Health Commission, hailed the agreement as a new chapter in healthcare collaboration between Tianjin and SCO countries. “We are confident that this new partnership will produce transferable best practices for broader cooperation in the future,” the official said.

    Wang also said that Tianjin, which will host an SCO summit this autumn, is aligning its policies and institutional frameworks to support comprehensive healthcare partnerships across the organization.

    “We are spearheading the development of replicable models for cross-border healthcare, integrating telemedicine into clinical practice, traditional medicine systems, and public health management,” he said.

    The conference also witnessed the signing of four additional cooperation agreements and memoranda of understanding (MoUs) between Chinese hospitals and universities and their counterparts in Russia, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan.

    Kanat Zhumanov, from the University Medical Center of Nazarbayev University in Kazakhstan, told Xinhua that Kazakhstan is eager to learn from China’s experience in integrating AI applications, telemedicine services, and robotic technologies into medical practice.

    The University Medical Center of Nazarbayev University signed an MoU with the Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University to collaborate on research, clinical knowledge-sharing, and healthcare workforce development, with a focus on oncology, chronic disease management, and maternal and child health.

    These agreements mark another milestone for the SCO Hospital Cooperation Alliance, which was founded in 2018 as a collaborative platform among member hospitals.

    The alliance now counts 134 hospitals among its members — 100 from China and 34 from eight other SCO countries. Through events like Sunday’s conference, remote exchanges, specialized collaborations, and professional networking, the alliance has fostered strong partnerships in healthcare under the SCO framework.

    According to Liu Qian, president of the Chinese Hospital Association — a key architect of the alliance — future priorities for the alliance include strengthening telemedicine infrastructure, expanding specialized networks, and launching talent development programs to diversify cooperation.

    “The collaborative spirit I witnessed here today is truly inspiring,” said Zhumanov. “Our partnership promises real-world impact far beyond what is written in these agreements.”

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China, Central Asian countries to deepen cooperation

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    ALMATY, April 26 — China and Central Asian countries have agreed to boost cooperation in various fields, said a press release from the Sixth China-Central Asia Foreign Ministers’ Meeting held here Saturday.

    Murat Nurtleu, deputy prime minister and minister of foreign affairs of Kazakhstan, Wang Yi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jeenbek Kulubaev, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kyrgyzstan, Sirojiddin Muhriddin, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Tajikistan, Bakhtiyor Saidov, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan, and Parahat Durdyev, Turkmenistan’s Ambassador to China attended the meeting.

    The parties will continue to maintain close communication and coordination through diplomatic channels to ensure the complete success and fruitful outcomes of the upcoming China-Central Asia Summit, said the press release.

    All sides reaffirmed their firm support for each other on core interests such as sovereignty, independence, security and territorial integrity, and opposed external forces interfering in the internal affairs of countries participating in the mechanism, it said.

    The Central Asian countries highly valued and expressed their willingness to actively implement the Global Security Initiative proposed by China, it said.

    The parties reaffirmed their support for multilateralism and international trade rules, and expressed opposition to unilateral protectionist practices, it said.

    All sides expressed willingness to deepen high-quality Belt and Road cooperation and implement mutually beneficial projects in infrastructure construction, digital connectivity and the green economy, according to the press release.

    The parties will continue efforts to enhance Central Asia’s role in ensuring international energy and food security, developing international transport and logistics routes, and ensuring the smooth supply of key goods, it said.

    All parties reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening regional and international security, and jointly combating the “three evil forces” of terrorism, extremism and separatism as well as transnational crime, it said.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: 6th China-Central Asia Foreign Ministers’ Meeting held in Almaty

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    Wang Yi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs, poses for a group photo during the Sixth China-Central Asia Foreign Ministers’ Meeting held in Almaty, Kazakhstan, April 26, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    ALMATY, April 26 — The sixth China-Central Asia Foreign Ministers’ Meeting held here on Saturday laid the comprehensive political groundwork for the upcoming second China-Central Asia Summit later this year and facilitated in-depth discussions on advancing China-Central Asia cooperation in all aspects.

    Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said that the United States, acting unilaterally, has imposed arbitrary tariffs on more than 180 countries, infringing upon their legitimate rights and interests. China has stepped forward and taken necessary countermeasures, not only to defend its own legitimate rights and interests, but also to safeguard international rules and order as well as international fairness and justice.

    As the world’s second-largest economy and a responsible major country, China will unswervingly advance high-level opening-up, seek common development with neighboring countries, share opportunities with the world, shoulder its due international responsibilities and fulfill its international obligations.

    Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, put forward five proposals from the Chinese side for deepening China-Central Asia cooperation.

    First, be firm in upholding good faith and fostering harmony. Second, stick to mutually beneficial cooperation. Third, continue to advance institutional development. Fourth, adhere to fairness and justice. Fifth, be firm in friendship for generations.

    The attending foreign ministers from Central Asian countries said that each country is ready to strengthen the synergy between their national development strategies and the Belt and Road Initiative, jointly combat the “three evil forces” of terrorism, extremism and separatism, and transnational crime, so as to maintain regional peace and stability.

    All sides agreed that China serves as a stabilizing force in a turbulent world, and has demonstrated leadership in supporting multilateralism. They also expressed support for international trade rules and their rejection of unilateral protectionist practices.

    The Sixth China-Central Asia Foreign Ministers’ Meeting is held in Almaty, Kazakhstan, April 26, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Second China-Kazakhstan foreign ministers’ strategic dialogue held in Almaty

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    Wang Yi (L), member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs, holds the second China-Kazakhstan Foreign Ministers’ strategic dialogue with Murat Nurtleu, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan in Almaty, Kazakhstan, on April 25, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    ALMATY, April 25 — Wang Yi, member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs, held the second China-Kazakhstan Foreign Ministers’ strategic dialogue here with Murat Nurtleu, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan.

    Wang stated that China and Kazakhstan are inseparable cooperative partners and genuine friends with an unbreakable bond. The traditional friendship between the two nations is deeply rooted and time-tested. Under the strategic guidance of President Xi Jinping and President Tokayev, the permanent comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Kazakhstan has grown more substantial and enriched in content. Comprehensive cooperation between the two countries is accelerating and entering a fruitful phase. Bilateral trade volume continues to rise against global trends, setting new historical records. Numerous cooperation projects in fields such as new energy and connectivity have taken root. The positive effects of mutual visa exemption are being steadily released, and people-to-people exchanges have made breakthrough progress.

    China is willing to work with Kazakhstan to implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, continuously strengthen strategic mutual trust, jointly build the high-quality Belt and Road Initiative, enhance multilateral international cooperation, and push China-Kazakhstan relations to open new horizons and achieve fresh outcomes.

    Wang Yi emphasized that the recent Central Conference on Work Related to Foreign Affairs with Neighboring Countries has clearly defined the direction of China’s neighborhood diplomacy in the coming period. China will adhere to the principles of amity, sincerity, mutual benefit, and inclusiveness, as well as the vision of building a community with a shared future, to join hands with neighboring countries in building a common homeland, jointly pursuing development and prosperity, and creating a better future. China has always regarded Kazakhstan as a priority in its neighborhood diplomacy and is willing to continue firmly supporting each other on issues concerning core interests, advancing the building of a China-Kazakhstan community with a shared future, and playing a leading and exemplary role in the region.

    Nurtleu said that Kazakhstan regards China as a trustworthy and reliable good neighbor, good friend, and good partner. Kazakhstan appreciates the proactive foreign policy direction established by China’s conference on neighborhood diplomacy. The all-weather friendship and high-level mutual trust between Kazakhstan and China remain unaffected by any geopolitical factors. Under the guidance of the two heads of state, the permanent comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries has reached unprecedented new heights, with expanding cooperation content and increasingly close interactions and frequent exchanges across various sectors and departments. China has become Kazakhstan’s largest trading partner, and bilateral trade volume has repeatedly hit new highs. Kazakhstan is full of confidence in the future of bilateral relations and is committed to deepening mutually beneficial cooperation to achieve common prosperity and greater well-being for both peoples, ushering in the next golden 30 years of Kazakhstan-China relations.

    The two foreign ministers conducted in-depth exchanges of views on bilateral and multilateral cooperation and reached a broad consensus.

    Both sides agreed that deepening the integration of interests and accelerating joint development aligns with the fundamental interests of the two peoples and the trend of the times. They will continue to expand economic and trade cooperation and strive to achieve at an early date the bilateral trade volume target set by the two heads of state. The two sides will also broaden energy cooperation, enhance collaboration across the entire industrial chain, strengthen connectivity cooperation, and accelerate the construction of cross-border infrastructure.

    Additionally, they will explore innovative cooperation in artificial intelligence and the digital economy to inject new momentum into their respective development, jointly combat the “three evil forces” of terrorism, extremism and separatism, and build a solid security barrier for the region.

    Both sides believe that China and Central Asian countries are connected by mountains and rivers and share a common destiny. They will work together to ensure the success of the upcoming China-Central Asia Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, prepare well for the second China-Central Asia Summit, and promote China-Central Asia cooperation to reach new heights, building a China-Central Asia community with a shared future.

    The two sides will strengthen communication and coordination within multilateral frameworks such as the United Nations and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, support free trade and the multilateral trading system, oppose unilateral protectionism, uphold universally recognized international rules, safeguard international fairness and justice, and practice true multilateralism.

    Following the talks, the two sides signed documents, including a memorandum of understanding between the two foreign ministries.

    Wang Yi, member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs, holds the second China-Kazakhstan Foreign Ministers’ strategic dialogue with Murat Nurtleu, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan in Almaty, Kazakhstan, on April 25, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Panel established to review EU duties on battery electric vehicles from China

    Source: World Trade Organization

    DS630: European Union — Definitive Countervailing Duties on New Battery Electric Vehicles from China

    China submitted its second request for the establishment of a dispute panel with respect to the definitive countervailing duties imposed by the European Union on new battery electric vehicles from China. The request also concerns the underlying investigation that led to the imposition of the duties. The EU had said it was not ready to accept China’s first request for the panel at a DSB meeting on 24 March .

    China said it considers the EU measures inconsistent with various WTO provisions. It added that it was open to constructive discussions and remains committed to resolving the dispute within WTO rules.

    The EU said it strongly maintains that its measures are entirely justified. The EU said it is confident it will succeed in this dispute

    The DSB agreed to the establishment of the panel. 

    Australia, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, India, Japan, Kazakhstan, the Republic of Korea, Mexico, Norway, the Russian Federation, Singapore, Switzerland, Thailand, Türkiye, the United Kingdom and the United States reserved their third-party rights to participate in the proceedings.

    DS597: United States — Origin Marking Requirement (Hong Kong, China)

    The United States again raised the matter of the panel ruling in DS597, which was circulated on 21 December 2022 and which the US appealed on 26 January 2023. The US said it was raising the matter again as a result of further developments in Hong Kong, China regarding free speech and human rights. The US referred to its previous statements regarding its position on essential security and its reasons for placing this item on the DSB agenda.

    Hong Kong, China said it was disappointed that the United States continues to raise the matter at DSB meetings. It said the panel ruling in DS597 provided an impartial assessment and the interpretation of WTO agreements cannot be unilaterally rewritten by WTO members.

    China reiterated its concern over the item being placed again on the DSB agenda. It said the security exception under the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) 1994 is not entirely self-judging, as found by the panel in DS597 and six previous panels.

    DS588: India — Tariff Treatment on Certain Goods in the Information and Communications Technology Sector

    India and Chinese Taipei said they sought to continue engagement with each other for a resolution of this dispute. They again requested additional time for the DSB to consider for adoption the panel report circulated on 17 April 2023 in the case initiated by Chinese Taipei regarding India’s tariffs on certain high-tech goods.

    The parties asked that the DSB further delay consideration of the panel report until 24 October 2025. The DSB had agreed to six previous requests from India and Chinese Taipei to delay consideration of the reports.

    The DSB agreed to the latest requests from Chinese Taipei and India.

    Appellate Body appointments

    Colombia, speaking on behalf of 130 members, introduced for the 86th time the group’s proposal to start the selection processes for filling vacancies on the Appellate Body. The extensive number of members submitting the proposal reflects a common interest in the functioning of the Appellate Body and, more generally, in the functioning of the WTO’s dispute settlement system, Colombia said.

    The United States said it does not support the proposed decision and noted its longstanding concerns with WTO dispute settlement that have persisted across US administrations. The US said the panel report in DS597 provided examples of its concerns regarding WTO dispute settlement overreach. The US reiterated that fundamental reform of WTO dispute settlement is needed and that it will reflect on the extent to which it is possible to achieve such a reformed WTO dispute settlement system.

    More than 20 members took the floor to comment, one speaking on behalf of a group of members. Several members urged others to consider joining the Multi-party interim appeal arrangement (MPIA), a contingent measure to safeguard the right to appeal in the absence of a functioning Appellate Body. 

    Colombia, on behalf of the 130 members, said it regretted that for the 86th occasion members have not been able to launch the selection processes. Ongoing conversations about reform of the dispute settlement system should not prevent the Appellate Body from continuing to operate fully, and members shall comply with their obligation under the Dispute Settlement Understanding to fill the vacancies as they arise, Colombia said for the group.

    Surveillance of implementation

    The United States presented status reports with regard to DS184, “US — Anti-Dumping Measures on Certain Hot-Rolled Steel Products from Japan”,  DS160, “United States — Section 110(5) of US Copyright Act”, DS464, “United States — Anti-Dumping and Countervailing Measures on Large Residential Washers from Korea”, and DS471, “United States — Certain Methodologies and their Application to Anti-Dumping Proceedings Involving China.”

    The European Union presented a status report with regard to DS291, “EC — Measures Affecting the Approval and Marketing of Biotech Products.”

    Indonesia presented its status reports in DS477 and DS478, “Indonesia — Importation of Horticultural Products, Animals and Animal Products.” 

    Next meeting

    The next regular DSB meeting will take place on 23 May 2025.

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    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Foreign students of the State University of Management wrote the “Victory Dictation”

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: State University of Management – Official website of the State –

    Today, foreign students of the State University of Management joined the All-Russian historical campaign on the theme of the events of the Great Patriotic War “Victory Dictation”. Students from Algeria, Vietnam, China, Mali, Syria, Great Britain, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Chad, Egypt, Pakistan, Senegal and other countries were united by the main task – preserving the connection between generations and the memory of the events that shook our country almost 80 years ago.

    The Victory Dictation consisted of 25 tasks, 15 of which were multiple-choice and 10 were short-answer tasks, and was conducted in the form of testing. The time for writing the “Victory Dictation” was 45 minutes. The questions were about important battles, military leaders, home front workers, the cultural heritage of the war years, as well as about current events in the SVO zone.

    Since 2019, the Victory Dictation has been held annually in all regions of the Russian Federation, bringing together schoolchildren, students, and adults. This year, the Victory Dictation was held not only in Russia, but also in 90 countries around the world, bringing together participants at 35,000 venues. The tasks were translated into ten foreign languages. The winners at the federal level will traditionally receive an invitation to the Victory Parade on May 9 on Red Square in Moscow.

    “Victory Dictation” has become a truly national project and has become an integral part of the Victory Day celebration. The State University of Management preserves historical memory and a reverent attitude towards the great heritage of our country.

    Subscribe to the TG channel “Our GUU” Date of publication: 04/25/2025

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Russian-Tajikistani negotiations

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Government of the Russian Federation – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    Mikhail Mishustin held talks with the Prime Minister of the Republic of Tajikistan Kokhir Rasulzoda. The heads of government discussed current issues of Russian-Tajik trade, economic, investment and cultural-humanitarian cooperation.

    From the transcript:

    M. Mishustin: Good afternoon, dear Mr. Rasulzoda! I am glad to meet you again. Welcome to the Government House of the Russian Federation.

    I ask you first of all to convey the kindest words of greetings to the President of Tajikistan, the respected Emomali Sharipovich Rahmon, from the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin. I spoke with him on the phone just a few minutes ago, and he expressed the kindest wishes to Tajikistan.

    Tajikistan is Russia’s most important ally and strategic partner in Central Asia. Our relations are built on historical friendship and mutual respect between our fraternal peoples.

    During the visit of the President of Tajikistan Emomali Sharipovich Rahmon to Russia in March, important agreements were reached on the further development of Russian-Tajik cooperation.

    The task of our governments is to strictly implement the agreements and decisions made at the highest level.

    Russia ranks first among Tajikistan’s foreign trade partners. In January-February of this year, mutual trade turnover increased by 9% and amounted to 23 billion rubles.

    The intergovernmental commission is actively working. On the part of Tajikistan, dear Mr. Rasulzoda, you head it. On our part – Marat Shakirzyanovich Khusnullin. Naturally, we are also in constant contact with you.

    We pay priority attention to strengthening interregional cooperation. More than 80 subjects of the Russian Federation are developing direct business ties with Tajikistan. There are many promising joint projects in mechanical engineering, energy, and mining.

    We consider it very important to strengthen cooperation in the field of environmental protection. We support Tajikistan’s initiative to preserve high-mountain glaciers in Eurasia.

    To be continued…

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

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  • MIL-OSI Russia: Construction industry specialists presented the results of their research at a conference at St. Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering – Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering – Opening of the conference. In the presidium, from left to right: Olga Pastukh, Andrey Nikulin, Evgeny Korolev, Director of the Soil Testing Center, Head of the Geotechnics Department of SPbGASU Anatoly Osokin

    The III National (All-Russian) Scientific and Technical Conference “Prospects of Modern Construction” was held at the Construction Faculty of St. Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering from April 21 to 23.

    The welcoming part of the plenary session opened with the showing of two videos, the first of which introduced the conference participants to our university. The other video was prepared by the creative team of the construction faculty for the 80th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War and told about how the university lived during the difficult years of the Leningrad blockade.

    The moderator, Deputy Dean for Research, Associate Professor of the Department of Architectural and Construction Structures Olga Pastukh addressed the participants of the plenary session. Olga Aleksandrovna introduced the members of the conference organizing committee and invited them to visit the exhibition dedicated to safety in the construction industry that opened as part of the conference.

    On behalf of and on behalf of the rector of SPbGASU Evgeny Rybnov, the vice-rector for research activities Evgeny Korolev delivered a welcoming speech. Evgeny Valerievich noted that the conference could become a driver for the development of the national project “Infrastructure for Life”. The project, aimed at improving the comfort of housing, ensuring the safety of the urban environment, requires new, scientifically sound scientific solutions that will be implemented in practice.

    The Vice-Rector also emphasized the successes of the SPbGASU construction faculty team. Thus, on April 16, by decree of the President of Russia, Rashid Mangushev, professor of the geotechnical department, was awarded the title of “Honored Scientist of the Russian Federation”. Separate words of greeting were addressed to young researchers, whose presence in the hall, according to the Vice-Rector, is the key to the sustainability of science and the university. In conclusion, Evgeny Valerievich wished everyone fruitful work and constructive discussions.

    Dean of the Faculty of Construction Andrey Nikulin spoke about the activities of our university. Andrey Nikolaevich also introduced the faculty he heads, informed about its departments, laboratories, and partners.

    At the plenary session, the round table “Fire-safe construction – in the hands of youth” and six sections, scientists and specialists in the construction industry informed about new promising research results, exchanged experiences and ideas, and expanded their circle of professional acquaintances.

    The chairman of the metal and wooden structures section, head of the metal and wooden structures department, Yegor Danilov, spoke about the work of the section: “The section, which worked for three days, brought together more than 300 listeners, and about 90 people spoke as authors of reports. Among the participants were representatives of three construction companies, specialists from universities from Vologda, Yoshkar-Ola, Novocherkassk and other Russian cities, three foreign guests (Kazakhstan, China). The current problems of ensuring the spatial rigidity of modern multi-story wooden buildings, technical aspects of improving the standards of metal structures were discussed, and new methods for calculating joints were proposed. All days of the conference were eventful. The exchange of experience was extremely useful for both the students and the respected scientists-speakers.”

    Associate Professor of the Department of Technosphere Safety Olga Gorbunova was the Deputy Chairperson of the Occupational Safety in Construction section at the conference. According to her, the section was held in two stages: on the first day, representatives of professional communities in the field of occupational safety and faculty from universities in our country presented scientific reports, and on the second day, students did so. The topics of the reports touched upon current issues of ensuring human safety in the modern world, and issues of ensuring occupational safety in the construction industry. Olga Vladimirovna named some of the topics of student research: “The effects of man-made accidents using fuel oil on the state of the environment”; “Use of vacuum waste removal systems for collecting hazardous medical waste”; “On a unified system of cadastral control and fire safety”.

    Mikhail Zhavoronkov, Deputy Chairman and Associate Professor of the Department of Construction Materials and Metrology, reported on what was happening in the section on technology of building materials and metrology: “15 reports were announced. The work was held in a mixed mode: some reports were presented in person, and some – remotely. The speakers were teachers, postgraduates and master’s students of the department of TSMiM SPbGASU and other universities, representatives of organizations carrying out scientific and practical activities in the areas of work of the section. The reports were devoted to the study of the properties of concrete made using various fillers, various binders and using special additives; issues of formation of micro- and macrostructure of these concretes; development of a quality management system in construction, shortcomings of modern regulatory documentation and ways to overcome them. Of great interest were the works describing the properties of dispersion-reinforced concrete and dedicated to counteracting the explosive destruction of concrete during heating.”

    The reports at the section of the Department of Structural Mechanics raised issues of modeling geotechnical structures and earthquake-resistant construction.

    The section of the departments of construction organization and construction production technology started with the speeches of the heads of departments Roman Motylev and Anton Gaido, who spoke about the main areas of their scientific work. Particular attention was drawn to the reports “Formation of a resource-saving complex of machines for the construction of a roadbed by hydromechanization” by Vladimir Vanzha (associate professor of the Kuban State Agrarian University), “Application of modular heat-protective panels to ensure the reliability of installation of steel structures in the conditions of the Far North” by Milana Raslambekova (master’s student of St. Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering) and others. The participants of the scientific section noted the breadth of topics of the reports and the relevance of the choice of research topics by master’s and postgraduate students of the departments.

    Representatives of various Russian universities took part in the work of the section of the Department of Architectural and Building Structures. The presentations of Irina Chernyshkova (Associate Professor of the South-Russian Polytechnic University) on the topic of “Acoustic Features of Atrium Spaces” and Nikolay Cherepanov (Student of the St. Petersburg State University of Railway Engineering) on the topic of “Requirements for Architectural Structures of a Building for the Integration of Unmanned Delivery into an Urban Environment” aroused particular interest among the audience and a lively professional discussion.

    The students also presented reports on modular technologies, recycled materials and structures, the features of thermal insulation materials for various building structures and unique construction in the Arctic zone.

    In addition to the engineering and technical aspects of construction, there were reports on the renovation of industrial heritage from the point of view of architectural and urban planning, innovation, environmental and socio-economic aspects. Olga Pastukh and Qu Rulan (candidate of architecture, senior lecturer at Zhengzhou University, China) analyzed both the experience of historical Russian cities and the influence of Soviet urban planning ideas on the growth and development of industrial cities in China in the mid-20th century, as well as their current state. Their presentation was prepared based on the results of a joint research project, “The Influence of Soviet Urban Planning Concepts and Ideas on the Formation and Development of Industrial Cities in China in the Mid-20th Century.”

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: OSCE supports Kafirnigan River Basin Council Meeting to advance national water strategy implementation

    Source: Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe – OSCE

    Headline: OSCE supports Kafirnigan River Basin Council Meeting to advance national water strategy implementation

    Professionals from government institutions, international organizations, academic sectors, and the Young Water Professionals Network come together for a group photo during the 6th Kafarnigan River Basin Council Meeting in Dushanbe, 25 April 2025. (OSCE/Majid Hamidov) Photo details

    On 25 April 2025, the OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe, in close co-operation with the Ministry of Energy and Water Resources, hosted the 6th Kafarnigan River Basin Council Meeting. Held in Dushanbe, the meeting brought together 44 professionals from government structures, international organizations, academic institutions, and the Young Water Professionals Network, with 14 female participants.
    The discussions focused on the presentation of Tajikistan’s National Water Strategy 2040 – a forward-looking comprehensive framework designed to guide sustainable water management in alignment with the country’s long-term socio-economic development goals. Another key highlight was the introduction of a new methodology for developing basin-level water resource management plans, aimed at improving coordination and strategic planning with specific river basins.
    The meeting also addressed pressing challenges in the lower Kafirnigan region, where participants identified major water management issues and proposed actionable, locally informed solutions. A notable highlight was the presentation of the Women’s Forum of the Kafirnigan Basin, which underscored the critical role of women and the importance of gender-sensitive approaches in sustainable water governance.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China deepens international collaboration to push forward deep-space exploration

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    SHANGHAI, April 25 — China, with an open stance, is collaborating with the international community to drive breakthroughs in deep-space exploration and foster resource sharing, striving to build a shared future in space.

    On the occasion of Space Day of China, which is celebrated annually on April 24, the China National Space Administration (CNSA) announced a series of international collaboration initiatives to advance deep-space exploration.

    Seven institutions from six countries — France, Germany, Japan, Pakistan, the United Kingdom and the United States — have been authorized to borrow the lunar samples collected by China’s Chang’e-5 mission for scientific research.

    In 2020, the Chang’e-5 mission retrieved samples from the moon weighing about 1,731 grams, which were the first lunar samples in the world in over 40 years, helping advance humanity’s knowledge about the moon.

    Shan Zhongde, head of the CNSA, said China’s lunar exploration program has always adhered to the principles of equality, mutual benefits, peaceful utilization and win-win cooperation, sharing achievements with the international community.

    He added that CNSA will continue to accept international applications for lunar sample research, expressing hope that global scientists will make new discoveries that expand human knowledge and benefit humanity.

    With the advancement of China’s lunar exploration program, international cooperation continues to deepen. The CNSA announced that the Chang’e-8 mission, which is scheduled for launch around 2029, will carry payloads from 11 countries and regions and one international organization.

    Developers of the instruments to be aboard the Chang’e-8 are from Asia, Europe, Africa and South America.

    The Chang’e-8 mission will target the Leibnitz-Beta Plateau near the lunar south pole region, working with the earlier Chang’e-7 mission to conduct scientific exploration and in-situ resource utilization experiments. These efforts will lay the groundwork for the future International Lunar Research Station (ILRS).

    The ILRS, initiated by China, is a scientific experimental facility consisting of sections on the lunar surface and in lunar orbit, and is projected to be built in two phases: a basic model to be built by 2035 in the lunar south pole region, and an extended model to be built in the 2040s.

    A total of 17 countries and international organizations, and more than 50 international research institutions, have joined the ILRS, according to Bian Zhigang, deputy director of the CNSA.

    Bian stressed that the ILRS will offer new opportunities and platforms for fostering global cooperation, technological innovation and shared development.

    China welcomes international partners to participate in various stages of the ILRS and at all levels of the mission. This will promote the use of space technology to benefit humanity and advance the building of a community with a shared future for humanity in the field of outer space, he said.

    Amjad Ali, a senior official with the Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) of Pakistan, said that the CNSA leads in inclusive space exploration, enabling emerging space nations like Pakistan to rise.

    The Chang’e-8 mission will carry a 30-kilogram lunar rover developed by SUPARCO, contributing to terrain mapping and regolith analysis.

    “The CNSA-SUPARCO partnership strengthens intercultural dialogue, diplomacy and peaceful collaboration, proving that shared dreams can unite nations among the stars,” he added.

    Humanity can reach deeper space through collaboration from lunar soil to Martian surface.

    China aims to launch the Tianwen-3 Mars sample-return mission around 2028, with the primary scientific goal of searching for signs of life. The retrieval of samples from Mars is the most technically challenging space exploration mission since the Apollo program, and no such retrieval has ever been accomplished, said Liu Jizhong, chief designer of the mission.

    Despite this mission’s considerable challenges and limited resources, China still plans to allocate 20 kilograms of resources for international collaboration.

    China invites global partners to jointly advance Mars exploration and research, thereby expanding humanity’s understanding of the red planet, said CNSA.

    Joining hands, humanity can unlock mysteries beyond the stars.

    An astronomical satellite jointly developed by China and France has detected a gamma-ray burst dating back 13 billion years, likely originating from the collapse of an early star forming a black hole or a neutron star. This discovery offers humanity a glimpse into the universe’s infancy.

    The discovery made by the Space-based multi-band Variable Object Monitor (SVOM) was also released on the Space Day of China.

    The SVOM project, a major bilateral space collaboration between China and France spanning nearly two decades, is a contribution that Chinese and French scientists and engineers have made to the international astronomy community through years of cooperation, integrating high-tech resources from both countries.

    “Together, we will pool efforts to promote the development of the world’s space industry, ensuring that space innovations serve and enhance human well-being across broader domains, at deeper levels, and to higher standards,” Shan emphasized at the opening ceremony for the Space Day of China.

    At the invitation of the Permanent Mission of China in Vienna, the Permanent Representatives of Kenya and South Africa to Vienna, along with diplomats from the Permanent Missions of Venezuela, Belarus, Egypt, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Kazakhstan to Vienna, made a special trip to China to participate in the series of activities for the Space Day.

    Award-winning paintings created by Chinese children, depicting their space dreams, were presented to these diplomats.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: In Dialogue with Turkmenistan, Experts of the Committee against Torture Commend Turkmenistan on Installing Cameras in Places of Detention, Ask about Measures to Prevent Torture in Prisons and the Treatment of Homosexual Persons

    Source: United Nations – Geneva

    The Committee against Torture today concluded its consideration of the eighth periodic report of Turkmenistan, with Committee Experts commending the State for installing cameras in places of detention, while raising questions about measures taken to prevent torture in prisons and the treatment of homosexual persons.

    Liu Huawen, Committee Expert and Country Co-Rapporteur, welcomed that Turkmenistan said it placed high value on human beings, protecting their liberty and fundamental freedoms, and that it had adopted national action plans for protecting human rights, gender equality and children’s rights, and implemented measures to prevent child labour.  It was also commendable that video cameras had been installed in places of detention. Mr. Liu asked questions relating to the operation of these cameras.

    Todd Buchwald, Committee Expert and Country Co-Rapporteur, asked what measures were in place to ensure that legal safeguards against torture were implemented in practice?  Did the State’s laws ensure that medical examinations were independent and conducted within 24 hours of admission into detention centres?  Did all detained persons have the right to challenge their detention? Were all detentions recorded in registers and were there limitations on access to registers?  What measures were in place to ensure that detained persons were informed about the reasons for their arrest promptly in a language they understood both orally and in writing? 

    Mr. Liu said homosexuality remained criminalised in the State party, with up to two years in prison for consensual same sex relations.  Were there any investigations or prosecutions for consensual same sex conduct?  United Nations treaty bodies had repeatedly recommended that the State party repeal this legislation; had any action been taken to implement these recommendations? There had been reports that people who spoke out about issues relating to homosexuality were at risk of being arrested and tortured and that homosexual prisoners were subject to humiliating anal examinations.  Could the delegation comment on these reports?  What measures would be taken to guarantee the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons? 

    The delegation said Turkmenistan took measures to prevent acts of torture and harsh treatment across its territory.  Over the reporting period, it had invested around 14 million United States dollars in construction and repair work for prisons, medical equipment, and training for staff.  In 2023, the number of convicts fell by 4.5 per cent compared to the previous year, and by a further three per cent in 2024, facilitated by measures taken to provide alternatives to custodial sentences, including parole and commuted sentences.  The occupancy rate in the State’s prisons was 83 per cent.  Food, medical and hygiene supplies were provided to inmates to ensure their health at the cost of the State. 

    The delegation said the State recognised human rights but there were certain specific aspects on which they would follow their own line.  Regarding the allegations of torture and ill-treatment against homosexuals, there had been no such allegations recorded.  If specific details could be provided, more specific information could be provided. 

    Introducing the report, Vepa Hajiyev, Permanent Representative of Turkmenistan to the United Nations Office at Geneva and head of the delegation, said a new edition of the Criminal Code, which entered into force in January 2023, included a definition of torture that was fully aligned with article 1 of the Convention.  The Code established criminal liability for acts of torture and explicitly excluded any justification for such acts, including references to orders, exceptional circumstances, or threats to security. Turkmenistan had established the absolute prohibition of torture, as required by international law.

    In closing remarks, Claude Heller, Committee Chair, said the Committee would highlight several priority recommendations within the concluding observations.  The Committee hoped to continue an open, ongoing dialogue with the State party.   

    In his concluding remarks, Mr. Hajiyev expressed gratitude to the Committee for having the opportunity to present the report. Thanks to the open dialogue over the last two days, members of the delegation had identified priority areas to focus on.  There was a need to review the State’s legislation to ensure it was fully aligned with the main provisions of the Convention. 

    The delegation of Turkmenistan consisted of representatives from the Supreme Court; Prosecutor General’s Office; Ministry of Internal Affairs; Ministry of Justice; Institute of State, Law and Democracy of Turkmenistan; and the Permanent Mission of Turkmenistan to the United Nations Office at Geneva.

    The Committee will issue concluding observations on the report of Turkmenistan at the end of its eighty-second session on 2 May.  Those, and other documents relating to the Committee’s work, including reports submitted by States parties, will be available on the session’s webpage.  Summaries of the public meetings of the Committee can be found here, and webcasts of the public meetings can be found here.

    The Committee will next meet in public on Friday, 25 April at 3 p.m. to continue its consideration of the seventh periodic report of Ukraine (CAT/C/UKR/7).

    Report

    The Committee has before it the third periodic report of Turkmenistan (CAT/C/TKM/3).

    Presentation of Report

    VEPA HAJIYEV, Permanent Representative of Turkmenistan to the United Nations Office at Geneva and head of the delegation, said that following the review of Turkmenistan’s second periodic report by the Committee, the State party had developed an action plan for the implementation of the Committee’s recommendations.  Some 50 subparagraphs of the Committee’s concluding observations had been fully or partially implemented; and 16 were currently being implemented.

    State, law enforcement, and civil society institutions were carrying out practical efforts to prevent conditions that could lead to cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment.  The State was implementing national action plans on human rights, gender equality and children’s rights, and against corruption and trafficking, which had specific goals and objectives and indicators for evaluating the results attained.

    A new edition of the Criminal Code, which entered into force in January 2023, included a definition of torture that was fully aligned with article 1 of the Convention.  The Code established criminal liability for acts of torture and explicitly excluded any justification for such acts, including references to orders, exceptional circumstances, or threats to security. Turkmenistan had established the absolute prohibition of torture, as required by international law.

    In recent years, Turkmenistan had been implementing measures to strengthen the institutional capacity of the Ombudsman.  In 2024, new departments were created within the Ombudsman’s Office and the number of staff increased.  Amendments made in 2024 to the law on the Ombudsman enhanced the Ombudsman’s ability to restore violated rights and broadened the scope for applying preventive measures.  The Ombudsman’s Office continued to closely cooperate with international organizations to bring its mandate fully in line with the Paris Principles and was developing a roadmap for upgrading its status to category “A”.

    Turkmenistan had undertaken a comprehensive set of reforms aimed at improving the judicial system and enhancing the quality of justice.  The State Concept for the Development of the Judicial System for 2022-2028 aimed to improve the legislative framework governing the functioning of the courts, the qualifications of judicial system personnel, and the material and technical infrastructure of the courts, as well as expand international legal cooperation.  In April 2025, a new edition of the law on the judiciary was adopted, which incorporated key international standards related to the independence and competence of judges, as well as measures aimed at enhancing the efficiency of the courts.

    To modernise and standardise the process of professional development for judges and judicial staff, a new procedure for organising and conducting relevant training activities was approved in 2023.  Turkmenistan was also implementing a phased digitalisation of its judiciary to enhance transparency, facilitating video and audio recording of court proceedings and digital access to judicial information and services.  Between 2020 and 2025, lawyers provided legal assistance in 530 cases of detention where unlawful actions falling under the scope of the Convention were identified.

    In line with the Committee’s concluding observations, internal regulations governing conditions of detention had been introduced.  These rules covered living conditions, medical care, and the rights to phone calls, visits, walks, and to receive parcels.  Particular attention was paid to medical supervision and the documentation of physical injuries.  Every individual admitted to a penitentiary facility underwent a mandatory medical examination.  Any injuries discovered were documented, and in cases where violence was suspected, an additional investigation was carried out. 

    Between 2020 and 2023, large-scale reconstruction and capital repairs were carried out in 12 penitentiary institutions.  These efforts aimed to bring detention conditions in line with the Mandela Rules. Monitoring visits by the Ombudsman and Public Monitoring Commissions were regularly organised – a total of 20 visits to places of detention were conducted in 2023-2024 alone.

    Criminal procedural legislation explicitly prohibited the use of evidence obtained through torture, threats, deception, or cruel treatment.  All institutions under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Internal Affairs had implemented the practice of video recording interrogations to ensure transparency and help prevent potential abuses.

    The Criminal Code provided for liability for violent acts within the household.  A national survey was conducted in cooperation with the United Nations Population Fund on domestic violence against women, and based on its findings, a roadmap for the prevention of domestic violence for 2022–2025 was developed.  The State aimed to introduce clear definitions, establish penalties, and create comprehensive protection mechanisms for vulnerable groups, including conducting awareness-raising campaigns.  Human rights education and the prevention of torture were integral components of the training of law enforcement personnel.

    A cooperation plan between the Government and the International Committee of the Red Cross Representation for 2025 had been approved, which included seminars and lectures on international standards of law enforcement for relevant agency personnel, and awareness-raising initiatives on international norms related to the treatment of persons deprived of liberty and to penitentiary standards. Discussions were ongoing on the possible organization of visits to places of detention by the International Committee of the Red Cross.  Direct contact had also been established since 2024 with Human Rights Watch and other human rights organizations.

    Questions by Committee Experts

    TODD BUCHWALD, Committee Expert and Country Co-Rapporteur, said there were reports of numerous enforced disappearances in Turkmenistan, the victims of which remained behind bars without access to family members.  There were 162 reports of such disappearances by the Prove-They-Are-Alive campaign, including 29 persons who had died in custody. There were also reports of cruel treatment of detainees, lack of independence of the judiciary, harassment of journalists and human rights defenders, and a culture of impunity. Did the State have sufficient mechanisms to identify torture and ill-treatment?  What had the State party done to investigate the 162 reported cases of enforced disappearance?

    What measures were in place to ensure that legal safeguards against torture were implemented in practice? Did the State’s laws ensure that medical examinations were independent and conducted within 24 hours of admission into detention centres?  Did all detained persons have the right to challenge their detention?  Were all detentions recorded in registers and were there limitations on access to registers?  What measures were in place to ensure that detained persons were informed about the reasons for their arrest promptly in a language they understood both orally and in writing? 

    In which circumstances did the right to free legal assistance for accused persons apply?  There were cases in which accused persons had reportedly struggled to obtain legal representation.  How did the State ensure that lawyers were not dissuaded from representing clients seen as controversial, and that lawyers were well-trained and independent?  There were reports of closed trials; what legal rules governed such trials?  Was the right to immediately inform family members of detention provided in law and in practice?  Were officers that failed to provide these safeguards punished? How many complaints had been received related to the lack of provision of safeguards and what investigations had been carried out in response?

    Turkmenistan remained largely closed to international scrutiny.  It had issued a standing invitation to special procedures in 2018 but had not accepted all but one of the 15 requests for visits received since, and the one visit that was accepted had not yet been carried out.  How would the State party improve cooperation with special procedures? Did the International Committee of the Red Cross have access to places of deprivation of liberty?  How many meetings between representatives of international organizations and detained persons had been held in the last three years, and how were such persons protected from reprisals?

    What was the Government doing to ratify the Optional Protocol and to accept the Committee’s jurisdiction to receive individual communications?  What awareness raising campaigns was the State party carrying out regarding the Committee’s concluding observations?  Were translated versions of the concluding observations published online?  The State had not provided data in response to several of the questions posed by the Committee in the list of issues.  What measures were in place to develop the State’s capacities in data collection?

    There were concerns that the Ombudsman’s Office lacked independence and had not taken steps to address torture and ill-treatment.  Its reports failed to adequately address human rights violations, and it had not submitted a report to the Committee before the dialogue.  What was the State party doing to strengthen the mandate of the Ombudsman’s Office to investigate human rights violations?  The Office had no mandate to conduct visits to places of detention; would such a mandate be established?  Did the Ombudsman require prior permission to conduct such visits? 

    Complaints from individuals could only be considered by the Ombudsman within one year, eliminating the possibility of investigating historical crimes.  Would this rule be eliminated?  What measures were in place to ensure that complaints submitted to the Ombudsman were kept confidential?  There had been few appeals to the Ombudsman’s Office by persons deprived of liberty; why was this?  Had the Office recommended ratifying international human rights treaties and facilitating visits by special procedures?  How many times had the Ombudsman concluded that there had been a human rights violation and what actions were taken in response?

    Turkmenistan had not granted asylum to any person since 2005.  How was the State party strengthening its asylum procedures?  Did it cooperate with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees?  Persons unable to document their lack of nationality were denied statelessness status. Was the State party working to address this issue?

    Mr. Buchwald cited reports of prison staff torturing prisoners, including by beating a man to death with a soldering iron, denying an ill prisoner medical treatment, and torturing a man with an electric current.  How did the State party prevent torture in detention and investigate all reported cases? There were also reports of forcible transfers of critics of the State living abroad to Turkmenistan, where they were subjected to abuse and enforced disappearance, and of travel bans imposed on activists who opposed the Government.  How would the State party guarantee activists’ safety and right to travel?

    LIU HUAWEN, Committee Expert and Country Co-Rapporteur, welcomed that the State said it placed high value on human beings, protecting their liberty and fundamental freedoms, and that it had adopted national action plans for protecting human rights, gender equality and children’s rights, and implemented measures to prevent child labour. 

    The Committee also welcomed the training activities carried out for the police.  However, there was no mechanism for assessing the effectiveness of this training.  Was training mandatory and how many personnel had participated?  It was commendable that annual training was provided for judges of the Supreme Court.  What training was provided for judicial personnel in other courts and medical personnel involved in the treatment of detainees?  Did such training address the revised Istanbul Protocol? 

    The Committee was concerned by the absence of guidelines on the prohibition of torture in the healthcare sector?  Would such guidelines be developed?  Were there ongoing training programmes on the prohibition of torture for police officers and prison staff?  Were international personnel involved in the design and presentation of this training?

    It was commendable that video cameras had been installed in places of detention.  What percentage of places of deprivation of liberty had been equipped? Were all interrogations recorded? Were there consequences for failing to record interrogations?  Were there limitations on access to recordings by detained persons and their lawyers?

    How many persons were detained in Turkmenistan’s prisons and for what period of time?  What efforts were underway to expand alternatives to detention? There were reports that prisons held nearly three times their capacity, and that Turkmenistan had the fourth highest incarceration rate globally.  What steps had been taken to reduce occupancy rates?

    There were reports of failures to provide timely medical examinations and delays in isolating prisoners with tuberculosis, which increased the risk of spread of the disease.  Prisoners reportedly needed to pay for medications that should be provided for free.  Some detainees went months without being provided access to leisure facilities within prisons.  Could the delegation comment on these issues?

    Persons could reportedly be placed in solitary confinement for up to three months, left in total darkness with a lack of access to water or basic hygiene.  How was the use of solitary confinement documented and regulated? Had measures been taken to gradually end the use of prolonged solitary confinement, which was reportedly used as a tool of repression against political prisoners?  What rules governed visitation rights and phone calls for persons in solitary confinement?

    How did the State party ensure that meetings between lawyers and remand prisoners were private?  Were there provisions prohibiting the interrogation of suspects before lawyers were present?  Could refusals to give testimony be used against detainees in court?

    The Committee called for data on inter-prisoner violence and deaths in custody, and investigations into such cases. How did the State party ensure that family members could request independent autopsies of deaths in custody and that victims of violence in prisons could report the incident? Police officers had the right to use physical force to protect the rights and freedoms of citizens and prevent “socially dangerous acts” under State law.  This law seemed exceedingly broad.  Did it apply to the use of firearms?  Were there more specific rules governing the use of force?  What investigations had been carried out into excessive use of force by the police and what were their outcomes?

    There were reports that patients in psychiatric facilities were abused by staff.  What measures were in place to improve complaints mechanisms in such facilities?  How did the State party oversee involuntary hospitalisations?  In how many cases had restraints been used in psychiatric facilities, and what types of restraints were used?

    How did the State party ensure that appropriate support services were provided to victims of torture?  What measures were in place to provide redress, compensation and rehabilitation to victims?

    The Committee welcomed the criminalisation of corporal punishment in all settings and measures taken to protect children from violence, including the appointment of inspectors specialising in violence against children.  How many cases had they investigated?  The Committee also welcomed the establishment of juvenile courts.  How many cases had they assessed?  What measures were in place to prevent the detention of juveniles?

    Gender-based violence had not been established as a separate crime in the Criminal Code, though there were many cases of gender-based violence in the State.  Had the roadmap developed to prevent gender-based violence been published online?  What progress had been made in implementing it?  What were the obstacles to adopting a law on gender-based violence?  How did the State party evaluate its awareness raising activities on gender-based violence?  Were victims support services in place?  How many shelters for victims and hotlines for reporting violence had been established? 

    High school girls were reportedly subjected to forced virginity tests, and information on girls found to have had sexual relations was reportedly passed to police.  How did the State party prevent this practice?

    Other Committee Experts asked questions on the national action plan on countering terrorism and the international organizations the State party partnered with to implement the plan; how legal safeguards were ensured for persons suspected of terrorism; the number of convictions imposed under anti-terrorism legislation; reforms adopted to align the legislative framework on terrorism with the State’s international obligations; the number of juveniles, particularly girls, currently in detention and the conditions in which they were held; measures to prevent overcrowding and ensure access to healthcare in prisons; and complaints and monitoring mechanisms in place for juvenile detention.

    Responses by the Delegation

    The delegation said Turkmenistan took measures to prevent acts of torture and harsh treatment across its territory.  Over the reporting period, it had invested around 14 million United States dollars in construction and repair work for prisons, bought medical equipment, and ensured training for staff.  In 2023, the number of convicts fell by four and a half per cent compared to the previous year, and by a further three per cent in 2024, facilitated by measures taken to provide alternatives to custodial sentences, including parole and commuted sentences. 

    The occupancy rate in the State’s prisons was 83 per cent.  Food, medical and hygiene supplies were provided to inmates to ensure their health at the cost of the State.  Allegations of infected inmates not being separated from other inmates were unfounded; such inmates were transferred to prison hospitals for treatment.  The State had examined eight complaints from prisoners in 2023 and five in 2024, finding no wrongdoing by State officials in each case.  Regular training sessions were organised for prison staff, which addressed basic standards for treating inmates.  Over 2,000 training sessions were carried out between 2022 and 2024.

    Turkmenistan had continued to develop its legislation on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment.  Between 2022 and 2024, orders were issued on strengthening supervisory work on places of deprivation of liberty and on creating a special body for regulating medical examinations in prisons.

    The Ombudsman’s Office had access to all places of deprivation of liberty and did not need prior permission to conduct visits.  It verified the sanitary norms of establishments, the right to food and healthcare, and the right to visits and to receive parcels from family members. The Office had issued recommendations on improving detention facilities and healthcare services in prisons that the Government was working to implement.  No complaints had been received by the Ombudsman on the lack of provision of parole, or from inmates in detention centres for women or juveniles.

    Work had been undertaken to ensure that police stations and remand prisons were equipped with audio-visual recording devices.  Access to recordings was given to the Ombudsman and legal counsel.

    The national action plan on gender equality for 2021-2025 included measures to combat gender-based violence against women and girls, including domestic violence.  A survey conducted by the State showed that some 12 per cent of women in Turkmenistan had been subjected to domestic violence.  A roadmap to implement the survey’s recommendations had been developed, which included plans to develop a rapid response mechanism for domestic violence. 

    The State had established a pilot system of family support centres where social workers provided support for victims of violence; this would soon be expanded.  There were also hotlines that victims could use to report violence.  The Government was studying legislation on domestic violence in other countries with a view to developing such legislation domestically.

    The delegation said Turkmenistan regularly provided information on individual cases to various United Nations structures.  Turkmenistan had given information concerning individuals to certain countries, and special procedures had closed these cases.  The State would continue to provide information to the special procedures and other interested parties.  There was no special complaints mechanism for cases of cruel or inhumane treatment, but a complaint could be submitted to authorities of law enforcement via writing or in person.  The Special Prosecutor visited places of detention to monitor the work of the penitentiary institutions. 

    According to the Criminal Code, the diagnosis of an illness could be a ground for early release, and a decision would be taken by a court.  The delegation cited several cases, including one prisoner who in 2017 was convicted of smuggling psychoactive substances, and was pardoned in 2020.  Three years later, another criminal case was initiated against him, after which he was placed on a wanted list.  He hid in a mountainous area for some time without food and medication, surviving on psychoactive substances.  When he was detained, he already had multiple forms of bodily harm, developed during his time in the mountains, and he died three days after he was detained due to an overdose from psychoactive substances. Evidence that his cause of death was bodily harm due to torture was not true and this had been confirmed by the forensic investigation.  Turkmenistan’s actions throughout all cases had been aimed at protecting its citizens.

    The memorandum on humanitarian visits had not yet been signed, as negotiations had been interrupted six years ago.  In 2024, the Turkmen side took the initiative to discuss the text again and was waiting to hear from the International Criminal Court.  The State was ready to consider requests from the International Criminal Court to visit places of detention. 

    Immediately after the appeal of the High Commissioner for Refugees to grant asylum to citizens of Afghanistan, Turkmenistan as a neighbouring country expressed willingness to make all resources available to facilitate transport to third countries.  About 150 Afghan citizens received temporary visas while they awaited permission to move to other countries.  A person had the right to continue to stay in the country until their status was determined officially, whether this was a stateless person, or an individual of another country.  During the COVID-19 pandemic, amendments were made to the law on migration which provided for the option to extend the validity of passports in emergency situations.  A passport could only be renewed twice and only in extraordinary legal circumstances.

    Not all countries of the world had the practice of issuing passports abroad, as this required significant resources and would become an additional burden on the State.  Primary requests to obtain a passport abroad could be submitted electronically.  The Government was looking to simplify the procedure for issuing passports. 

    Solitary confinement was only meted out to prisoners for intentional violations and measures.  Training courses regarding torture and solitary confinement were provided to the Ministry of Interior staff.  A learning course had been started for the doctors working in the penitentiary system to update their knowledge of tuberculosis and treatment.  Medical units were present within each penitentiary establishment.  The treatment plan for the multi-drug-resistant tuberculosis was fully functioning.  Work was ongoing to deal with cases of tuberculosis, and penitentiary administrations were responsible for ensuring the good health of convicts.

    Last month, a monitoring visit had been conducted to see seven Turkish prisoners serving sentences in Turkmenistan. There was only one establishment for juvenile offenders, and the occupancy rate was 22 per cent of its total capacity.  Juvenile female offenders were held separately from male offenders. 

    Turkmenistan had successfully implemented a national strategy to prevent violent extremism and combat terrorism and was preparing the new strategy for 2025-2030.   

    Around 94 court rooms had audio and video cameras, representing more than 90 per cent of courtrooms in the country. This work on the digitalisation of courts was continuing.  The accused had the right to view all documents related to the case, including documents and video recordings.  Relevant work was carried out to implement the provisions of the Convention.  The new version of the Criminal Code entered into force in January 2023 and punishment for certain crimes had been reduced. 

    All courts in Turkmenistan had special rooms for minors, increasing their protection.  A new provision had been introduced, in which a minor committing an offence for the first time, providing it was a medium offence or below, would not be imprisoned.  There had been a drop in the numbers of minors imprisoned by 35 per cent in 2024, compared to 2020, as a result. 

    According to the Criminal Code, data should not be considered admissible in court if acquired through violations of the law, including torture, violence or threat.  Courts now had specialised judges on family matters to ensure the best interests of children.  A lawyer was available from the moment of detention or indictment.  In the event of remand of a minor, or a person with a disability, there were specific provisions.  Use of an interpreter could be requested. 

    In each case of detention, a notification was sent in writing to the Office of the Public Prosecutor, within 24 hours from the moment of detention.  The Office of the Public Prosecutor had the right to cancel an unlawful detention.  Without the authorisation of the Public Prosecutor, a detainee needed to be released after 24 hours, with the arrest communicated to close relatives. 

    Disciplinary measures were taken against staff and other officials who breached guaranteed safeguards.  The Code of Criminal Procedure was in keeping with international treaties, which meant there were guarantees to safeguard the rights of the accused. 

    To date, Turkmenistan had two national action plans on combatting human trafficking.  The penalty for this crime had been strengthened to between 15 to 20 years in prison.  A Commission on Combatting Human Trafficking had been established in Turkmenistan, which included 13 State bodies working on this issue.  In July 2024, the first meeting of the Commission was held.  The Commission was tasked with ensuring the implementation of the national action plan, including through prevention, protection, and prosecution, providing assistance to victims, and carrying out awareness raising events.  The national action plan 2020-2025 was adopted by a decree. 

    The Ministry of Justice provided support to the Bar Association of the country.  There were six associations of lawyers in Turkmenistan.  Over the last four years, lawyers in Turkmenistan had participated in 48 training sessions on human rights and had carried out more than 3,000 visits to places to detention.  A conference had taken place where participants from many countries exchanged views on how to better protect lawyers.  The State stood ready to continue work in the legal area, promote a legal culture, and strengthen international cooperation.

    There had been no complaints recorded about forced virginity tests, but the delegation would look into any case if information was provided.  In certain cases, law enforcement bodies could ask for medical tests to be carried out in the framework of existing legislation.  A roadmap had been developed for the ratification of the Optional Protocol and work was ongoing in this respect. 

    Questions by Committee Experts

    TODD BUCHWALD, Committee Expert and Country Co-Rapporteur, said many bodies and individuals had made allegations, which the State party had denied.  The bodies making these allegations were highly credible.  The Committee recommended the ratification of the Optional Protocol to the Convention as a critical step for the State party, as well as having a regular relationship with the International Criminal Court.  Were the recommendations from Committees made available in all major newspapers? 

    The Ombudsman had not received any complaints which was concerning.  Did this suggest a need to deal more assertively with the problem?  It was positive that the Ombudsman had access to all places of deprivation of liberty; however, it was inferred that she had not visited some facilities.  Was this correct?  Was it possible to share the data responsive to the Committee’s list of issues?  There was data available on overcrowding, so it would be helpful to provide disaggregated data split by facility. 

    How was it determined whether information published by journalists was true, accurate or impartial?  What were the penalties for publishing information which was determined not to fall under this category?  What were the prospects for revising the law so there would be no statute of limitations for the crime of torture? 

    LIU HUAWEN, Committee Expert and Country Co-Rapporteur, said there had been progress in the field of family law.  Today, domestic violence was not a matter of private law, but a focus of public law.  Marriage and family membership should not deprive any person of her or his basic human rights. 

    Turkmenistan’s strict abortion restrictions could create a cruel, inhumane or degrading environment for women, with abortion banned after five weeks, which was before many women realised they were pregnant.  Reproductive health care was limited, forcing women towards unsafe methods which endangered their health and lives.  These laws contributed to preventable maternal deaths and increased health risks. It was regretful that Turkmenistan did not provide access to emergency contraceptives. 

    The Committee suggested that the State party align its legal framework with international standards.  Would the State party take concrete steps to ensure access to safe abortion nation-wide and to reduce teenage pregnancies, including by providing access to contraceptives and reproductive services? Would the State ensure that doctors and medical professionals provided safe abortions for women whose lives were at risk due to pregnancy? 

    Homosexuality remained criminalised in the State party, with up to two years in prison for consensual same sex relations.  Were there any investigations or prosecutions for consensual same sex conduct?  United Nations treaty bodies had repeatedly recommended that the State party repeal this legislation; had any action been taken to implement these recommendations?  There had been reports that people who spoke out about issues relating to homosexuality were at risk of being arrested and tortured and that homosexual prisoners were subject to humiliating anal examinations.  Could the delegation comment on these reports? 

    What measures would be taken to guarantee the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons?  Would the State party provide systematic training for law enforcement officers, police officers and members of the judiciary on human rights standards for gender and sexual identity orientation?

    As a neutral country, Turkmenistan could play a more constructive and unique role in international cooperation. It was hoped Turkmenistan would make a greater contribution to global governance, including through the effective implementation of the Convention. 

    A Committee Expert asked if there was monitoring of places of deprivation of liberty where minors were held? Who carried out this monitoring activity? 

    Another Expert asked about the legislation to combat terrorism; could more specific information be provided? 

    Responses by the Delegation 

    The delegation said cooperation was something which Turkmenistan needed to improve.  The State party worked with various international organizations and human rights committees in Geneva.  All decisions and conclusions voiced within the Committee needed to be based on established and recognised standards.  Often the opinions of law enforcement bodies were interpreted objectively, and the State was trying to bridge the gap by involving representatives of civil society to enable human rights organizations to better understand the individual cases. There was a clear imbalance of information, and the State was doing its best to address this.  The State did not plan the official publication of results of the Committee’s recommendations, but if others wished to publish them, they could do so.

    The Ombudsperson visited prisons, but it was important to enhance the capacities of the institution to ensure it had greater access to places of detention.  The State recognised human rights but there were certain specific aspects on which they would follow their own line.  Regarding the allegations of torture and ill-treatment against homosexuals, there had been no such allegations recorded.  If specific details could be provided, more specific information could be provided. 

    As a neutral state, Turkmenistan was working to advocate for the values of peace and trust to ensure the Sustainable Development Goals were met.   

    Currently, Turkmenistan was a party to the 19 legal instruments combatting terrorism.  The law on combatting terrorism included legal protection of citizens for their participation in combatting terrorism. The State had extensive levels of cooperation in this area.  There were no issues of overcrowding in prisons.  The State rejected allegations that there had been an increase in the number of minors detained.  There had been single cases, which did not represent a serious problem in the country. Institutions for minors serving sentences functioning under the auspices of the Ministry of Interior were monitored by the Ombudsman and other institutions. 

    Turkmenistan worked closely with the counterterrorism mechanism of the United Nations.  A seminar had been held in Doha about the spread of terrorist ideas through the internet. 

    Women had the permission to interrupt pregnancies after the established timeframe, but this was based on an individual approach, relating to specific circumstances.  Having abortions outside of medical institutions involved serious risks to the health of women.  To prevent illegal abortions, there were special provisions in the law of responsibility.  Written agreement was required from parents only if the girl was under the age of 18. 

    In 2023, the General Prosecutor’s Office of Turkmenistan, in conjunction with the United Nations Development Programme, organised special seminars attended by over 100 participants from law enforcement agencies.  Such events, relating to refresher training, took place all over the world, including in the United States, Europe and Asia.  In March this year, Turkmenistan held a briefing relating to the presentation of a national plan on combatting trafficking. 

    Turkmenistan had ratified a significant number of legal instruments and it received bilateral requests on extradition related to criminal prosecutions, including for crimes of torture.  When a person was extradited, Turkmenistan took into account all guarantees provided in relevant United Nations Conventions. In each case, the situation of the person was reviewed to ensure the person would not be subject to torture in the country to which the person was extradited.  It was necessary to receive a written confirmation from the State that torture would not be used against those individuals. 

    Closing Remarks 

    CLAUDE HELLER, Committee Chairperson, said the delegation had 48 hours to provide the Committee with additional information.  The Committee would highlight several priority recommendations within the concluding observations.  The Committee hoped to continue an open, ongoing dialogue with the State party.   

    VEPA HAJIYEV, Permanent Representative of Turkmenistan to the United Nations Office at Geneva and head of the delegation, expressed gratitude to the Committee for having the opportunity to present the report.  Thanks to the open dialogue over the last two days, members of the delegation had identified priority areas to focus on.  The Committee’s recommendations would be thoroughly reviewed.  There was a need to review the State’s legislation to ensure it was fully aligned with the main provisions of the Convention.  Any progress required work and readiness to move forward. 

    ___________

    Produced by the United Nations Information Service in Geneva for use of the media; 
    not an official record. English and French versions of our releases are different as they are the product of two separate coverage teams that work independently.

     

    CAT25.007E

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: OSCE enhances private sector and labour inspectors’ skills to detect hidden forms of trafficking

    Source: Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe – OSCE

    Headline: OSCE enhances private sector and labour inspectors’ skills to detect hidden forms of trafficking

    Representatives from Tajikistan’s private sector and labor inspection authorities participate in a three-day training course aimed at identifying hidden forms of human trafficking within the private sector, Dushanbe, 23 April 2025. ( OSCE/Jamshed Haydarov) Photo details

    From 23 to 25 April 2025, the OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe, in co-operation with the Inter-ministerial Commission on Combatting Trafficking in Human Beings, organized a three-day training course for 12 representatives (8 men and 4 women) from Tajikistan’s private sector and labour inspection authorities. Participants included representatives from hotels, private employment agencies, and labour inspectors from the Ministry of Labour, Migration and Employment of the Population.
    Held in Dushanbe, the training focused on enhancing participants’ ability to identify latent forms of human trafficking within the private sector, particularly in high-risk industries such as hospitality, tourism, and recruitment. The course also covered best practices for immediate victim referral and assistance.
    Participants gained a deeper understanding of how trafficking can manifest in less visible ways and how to detect internal trafficking cases that may otherwise go unnoticed. By strengthening early identification and response mechanisms, the training contributes to more effective protection and support for potential victims.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI: ZA Miner Introduces Free Cloud Mining Platform for Bitcoin and Dogecoin

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    ZA Miner offers accessible cloud-based crypto mining for Bitcoin, Dogecoin, and Litecoin, no hardware required.

    MIDDLESEX, United Kingdom , April 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — ZA Miner, a UK-based cloud mining provider, announces the launch of its no-cost cloud mining platform, designed to make cryptocurrency mining more accessible for users of all experience levels. New users receive a complimentary $100 trial mining contract upon registration, allowing them to explore mining without purchasing equipment or paying setup fees.

    The platform supports mining for Bitcoin (BTC), Dogecoin (DOGE), and Litecoin (LTC), and offers a streamlined experience for users to track their mining activity and performance online. With a focus on simplicity and transparency, ZA Miner enables users to begin mining through a user-friendly dashboard—no prior technical knowledge required.

    “We built ZA Miner to remove the barriers typically associated with cryptocurrency mining,” said a representative of ZA Miner. “By offering an accessible cloud-based platform and a $100 trial contract, we hope to help more individuals understand and participate in the digital asset ecosystem.”

    ZA Miner’s cloud infrastructure operates in locations with energy-efficient resources, such as Kazakhstan and Iceland. These regions are chosen for their access to renewable or low-cost electricity, aligning with the company’s sustainability and affordability goals.

    Key Features:

    • Complimentary $100 trial mining contract for new users
    • Web-based mining for Bitcoin, Dogecoin, and Litecoin
    • No hardware or maintenance required
    • Daily activity updates through a secure online dashboard
    • SSL encryption and anti-DDoS protection for account safety
    • Referral program offering commissions for invited users

    To get started, users can create an account at www.zaminer.com, claim their trial contract, and begin monitoring their mining activity. While returns are not guaranteed and depend on various operational factors, the platform is structured to provide an entry-level introduction to cloud mining.

    About ZA Miner

    ZA Miner is a cloud mining company based in Middlesex, United Kingdom, offering cryptocurrency mining services for Bitcoin, Dogecoin, and Litecoin. The company’s mission is to make crypto mining approachable and cost-effective through user-friendly tools, sustainable operations, and inclusive access to digital assets.

    Media Contact:
    SHEIKH, Anisah Fatema
    ZA FUNDINGS LTD
    info@zaminer.com
    https://www.zaminer.com/

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/14ef95e8-d3e3-4503-a919-c26510ecbeb3

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: ZA Miner Launches Free Cloud Mining Service, Opening Doors to Bitcoin and Dogecoin Mining for All

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    ZA FUNDINGS LTD Image

    MIDDLESEX, United Kingdom, April 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — ZA Miner, a leading cloud mining service provider, is proud to announce the launch of its new no-cost cloud mining platform, designed to make cryptocurrency mining more accessible than ever. With no upfront costs, users can now mine Bitcoin (BTC) and Dogecoin (DOGE) directly through the cloud, eliminating the need for expensive hardware, electricity bills, or technical expertise.

    To help users get started, ZA Miner is offering a $100 free mining bonus upon registration, allowing anyone to begin mining immediately without any financial commitment. This groundbreaking initiative is aimed at democratizing cryptocurrency mining, making it simple and free for anyone to participate in the growing digital economy.

    Mining Made Simple – No Hardware, No Fees

    The ZA Miner platform simplifies the process of mining by removing the traditional barriers associated with cryptocurrency mining. Users only need an email address to sign up and can start earning daily payouts through a straightforward and easy-to-use interface. There’s no need to invest in costly mining rigs or worry about maintenance. The platform supports mining for Bitcoin, Dogecoin, and Litecoin, offering a diverse range of options for users.

    “We designed ZA Miner with the goal of creating a solution that eliminates the complexity and costs of cryptocurrency mining,” said a spokesperson for ZA Miner. “Our platform is built to be user-friendly, transparent, and focused on inclusion, enabling everyone, regardless of technical background, to earn passive income through cloud mining.”

    A Global, Sustainable Mining Operation

    ZA Miner operates its mining infrastructure in regions known for their energy efficiency, such as Kazakhstan and Iceland. These strategic locations help the company to minimize energy costs while ensuring that its operations remain environmentally sustainable. By passing on these savings to its users, ZA Miner is able to offer an affordable and eco-conscious mining experience.

    ZA Miner’s mining contracts are tailored to accommodate users of all skill levels.

    Key Features of ZA Miner’s Platform:

    • Free $100 Mining Bonus – Start mining without any initial investment.
    • No Hardware Required – Cloud-based mining ensures you don’t need to buy or maintain any equipment.
    • Daily Earnings – Track your earnings daily and have them paid directly to your wallet.
    • Environmentally Friendly – Powered by sustainable energy sources in energy-efficient locations.
    • Secure & Safe – SSL encryption and anti-DDoS protection ensure a secure mining experience.
    • Referral Rewards – Earn up to 7% commission by inviting others to join the platform.

    How to Get Started:

    1. Visit www.zaminer.com to create your account.
    2. Claim your $100 bonus mining contract.
    3. Start earning daily payouts and track your progress.

    ZA Miner’s free cloud mining model caters to the growing demand for accessible and user-friendly crypto tools. With its reliable performance, global infrastructure, and commitment to environmental sustainability, ZA Miner offers an easy entry point into the world of cryptocurrency mining.

    About ZA Miner:

    ZA Miner is a cloud mining provider based in Middlesex, United Kingdom, specializing in Bitcoin, Dogecoin, and Litecoin mining. The company focuses on providing accessible, cost-effective, and sustainable mining solutions for individuals worldwide. With a user-friendly platform, ZA Miner is helping to shape the future of the digital asset economy. For more information, visit www.zaminer.com.

    Media Contact:
    SHEIKH, Anisah Fatema
    ZA FUNDINGS LTD
    info@zaminer.com
    https://www.zaminer.com/

    Photos accompanying this announcement are available at:

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/f49bfc42-5f77-432e-8d1d-a9e0bcbf6359

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/8afa7cc8-f40f-449c-a000-df91a4f91905

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Banking: Press Briefing Transcript: Middle East and Central Asia Department, Spring Meetings 2025

    Source: International Monetary Fund

    April 24, 2025

    Speaker: Mr.Jihad Azour, Director of Middle East and Central Asia Department, IMF

    Moderator: Ms. Angham Al Shami, Communications Officer, IMF

    MS. AL SHAMI: Good morning. Thank you for joining us in this press briefing on the Regional Economic Outlook for the Middle East and Central Asia. My name is Angham Al Shami, from the Communications Department here at the IMF. 

    If you’re joining us online, we do have Arabic and French interpretations that you can access on the IMF Regional Economic Outlook webpage and the IMF Press Center as well.  And for those of you in the room, you also have equipment to access that. 

    Today I’m joined by Jihad Azour, the Director of the Middle East and Central Asia Department, who will give us an overview of the outlook of the region, and then we will open the floor for your questions. With that, over to you, Jihad.

    MR. AZOUR: Thank you very much, Angham. Good morning, everyone, and welcome to the IMF 2025 Spring Meetings. Before answering your questions, I will briefly outline the economic outlook for the Middle East and North Africa as well as the Caucasus and Central Asia.  Let me first start with a few words on the recent developments.

    The global economy stands at a delicate crossroads.  The global recovery of recent years faces new risks as governments reorder their policy priorities.  The recent escalation in trade tensions has already damaged global growth prospects while triggering intense financial volatility.  More broadly, the extraordinary increase in global uncertainty associated with trade policy and increased geopolitical fragmentation will continue to erode confidence for quite some time and represents a serious downside risk to global growth.

    For MENA and CCA economies, these developments are adding to existing regional source of uncertainty, including ongoing conflicts, pockets of political instability and climate vulnerability.  We continue to assess the impact of recently announced U.S. tariffs on MENA and CCA economies.  While the direct effects are expected to be modest, giving limited trade exposure and exemptions for energy products, the indirect effects could be more pronounced.  Slower growth will weaken external demand and remittances, while tighter financial conditions may challenge countries with elevated public debts.  Oil exporting economies could also see fiscal and external positions deteriorate due to the lower oil prices.  Some countries may benefit from trade diversion, but such gains could be short lived in a broader environment of trade contraction. 

    Let me now turn to the Middle East and North Africa.  Last year was particularly challenging for the region.  Conflict caused severe human and economic costs.  Regional growth in 2024 reached 1.8 percent, a downgrade revision of 0.2 percentage point from the October World Economic Outlook forecast.  Conflicts weigh on growth in some oil importing countries and extended OPEC+ voluntary production cuts continue to dampen activity in oil exporting economies.  For GCC countries, strong non-oil growth and diversification efforts were largely offset by oil production cuts. 

    Despite these challenges and high uncertainty, growth is projected to pick up in 2025 and 2026, assuming oil output rebounds, conflict related impacts stabilize, progress is made on structural reform and implementation.  However, expectations have been revised down compared to the October 2024 Regional Economic Outlook, reflecting weaker global growth and more modest effect of these drivers.  We now project growth at 2.6 percent in 2025 and 3.4 percent in 2026, a downward revision of 1.3 and 1 percentage points, respectively.  Inflation is projected to continue declining across MENA economies, remaining elevated only in few cases. 

    Let me now turn to the outlook for the Caucuses and Central Asia.  In contrast, economic activity in the CCA exceeded expectations in 2024, growing by 5.4 percent, driven by spillover effects from the war in Ukraine, which boosted domestic demand.  However, as these temporary effects normalize over the next few years, growth is expected to moderate due to weaker external demand, plateauing growth of hydrocarbon production, and reduced fiscal stimulus.  Despite the moderation in overall growth, inflation is expected to increase somewhat across the region and remain elevated in a few cases, reflecting still strong domestic demand. 

    Let me now turn to the risks to the outlook.  These projections are subject to extraordinary uncertainty and the risks to the baseline forecast remain tilted to the downside.  Four key risks stand out.  First, trade tension as a further escalation could dampen global demand, delay in oil production recovery, and tighten financial conditions.  Our analysis shows that persistence spikes in uncertainty triggered by global shocks are associated with large output losses both in MENA and CCA.  The second risk is geopolitical conflict.  The third one is climate shocks.  And the last one is the reduction in official development assistance.  This could further exacerbate food insecurity and humanitarian conditions in low-income and conflict-affected economies.  However, upside risks also exist.  The swift resolution of conflict and accelerated implementation of structural reforms could substantially improve regional growth prospects.  The implications of a potential peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine for the CCA region also remain uncertain. 

    Now the question is what are the policies that we recommend for countries and how they should prioritize them.  In the face of extraordinary uncertainty, MENA and CCA economies should respond along two key dimensions, manage short term instability, and use the opportunity to advance structural reforms for long-term growth.  The first priority is adapt to the new environment.  Countries must take steps to shield their economies from the impact of worst-case scenarios and prioritize safeguarding macroeconomic and financial stability.  The appropriate policy response will vary depending on each country’s initial conditions and vulnerability to risk. 

    Turning to more the long-term, countries should transform their economies.  Recent developments underscore the urgent need to accelerate the long-discussed structural reforms agenda across the region.  To reduce vulnerabilities to shocks and seize opportunities arising from the evolving global trade and financial landscape, it is essential to enhance governance, invest in human capital, advance digitalization, and foster a dynamic private sector.  Establishing strategic trade and investment corridors with other regions such as Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia, as well as within the region, including between GCC and Central Asia or GCC and North Africa, can help mitigate exposure to external uncertainty, enable greater risk sharing, and drive sustainable economic development. 

    We will delve into these policy priorities at the launch of our Regional Economic Outlook in Dubai next week and in Samarkand, in Uzbekistan, where on May 3 we are organizing jointly with the Uzbek government a GCC-CCA Economic Conference where Ministers of Finance and Governors of Central Banks from both regions, as well as representatives of IFIs and private sectors, will discuss deepening economic ties between these two regions.  We also invite you to join us tomorrow at 2:30 p.m. at the Atrium for a public panel discussion on the economic consequences of the high uncertainty in the MENA and CCA regions. 

    Before I open the floor to questions, I want to underscore the IMF’s deep commitment to supporting countries throughout the region with policy advice, technical assistance, and, in many cases, financial support.  Since early 2020, we have approved almost $50 billion in financing to countries across the MENA region, Pakistan, and the CCA, of which 14.8 have been approved since early 2024. 

    In closing, I want to highlight our engagement to post-conflict economies.  Strengthening economic fundamentals and rebuilding institutions will be essential to successful recovery.  The IMF, in coordination with the World Bank and regional partners, has established an informal coordination group to support recovery in conflict-affected states in the Middle East.  Our focus will be on capacity building, policy guidance, and financial assistance.  We are also working closely with authorities to help stabilize their economies, restore confidence, and lay foundations for sustainable growth. 

    Again, thank you very much for joining us this morning, and now I would like to welcome your questions.               

    MS. AL SHAMI: Thank you very much, Jihad, and now we will take your questions. And let’s start with the gentleman here in the first row, please.

    QUESTIONER: Thank you, Angham and Jihad.  I’m Amir Goumaa from Asharq Bloomberg.  IMF raised the gross forecasting for Egypt dispIte the regional downgrade.  Why is that?  And how can the MENA region turn the country trade disputes into opportunities? 

    MR. AZOUR: Excuse me?

    QUESTIONER: How can the MENA region turn the current trade disputes and tariffs into opportunities?  Like how can they make the best use of it? 

    MR. AZOUR: Thank you very much for your question.

    MS. AL SHAMI: Should we take more questions on Egypt? Perhaps should we take more questions on Egypt. We’ll start with this gentleman and then the gentleman in the back.  This one first. 

    QUESTIONER: Hello everyone.  My name is Ahmad Yaqub.  I’m the managing editor of Al Youm Al-Sabah Egyptian Newspaper.  I have two questions about Egypt.  The first one is about the expected exchange rate of the Egyptian pound against the U.S. dollar by the end of 2026, the next year, and the expected inflation rate and the economic growth rate of Egypt.  The second question is the next trench of the program, current program with the Egyptian authorities.  What is the timing of the next trench and the total amount of it?  Thank you so much. 

    MS. AL SHAMI: And then the gentleman here.

    QUESTIONER: Ramy Gabr from Al-Qahera News.  The global economic outlook carries good news.  Maybe for Egypt in terms of the economic growth in 2025.  How do you see that and what’s the facts and numbers led to this outlook?  Thank you. 

    MS. AL SHAMI: Over to you.

    MR. AZOUR: Thank you very much. Yes, please.

    QUESTIONER: I’m Lauren Holtmeier from S&P Global.  I wanted to ask about the fiscal break-even prices for oil production, specifically for the countries with high fiscal break-even prices like Saudi Arabia and Iraq.  And how will the lowered expectations for oil prices over the next couple of years affect their ability and their economic outlook?  And I recognize that the answer for those two countries might be very different. 

    MR. AZOUR: Thank you very much. I had three sets of questions. One on trade and the impact of the recent trade developments on the region and how those could be turned into an opportunity.  The second set of questions were on Egypt, and the third one was on the GCC and the oil market.  Let me start with the first one. 

    Countries of the region have limited trade dependence on the U.S., and therefore the recent trade and tariff decisions will have limited direct impact on those economies.  Yet it’s important also to highlight that there would be indirect impact.  And also those indirect impact may take different channels.  One impact is the impact that this could have on financial stability and capital flows.  We saw widening of spreads over the last few years, which is an issue that could affect the capacity of emerging economies and middle-income countries who have high levels of debt.  The second potential impact is impact on oil market.  We saw some softening in the oil price, as well as the forwards of oil price are showing a certain extension of those softening over the year.  And the third type of effect is the second-round impact due to trade diversion. 

    I will maybe go into more details about what are the policies that we recommend for countries to address those challenges.  Few countries have more exposure to the U.S. trade like Pakistan or Jordan, and those are specific cases.  I can address those.  Opportunities, of course, in any change there are opportunities, and over the last few years we saw successive shocks and transformation on the geopolitical front and the geoeconomic front, and those have affected the region.  The region stands at the crossroads between East and West, and therefore trade routes, connectivity, as well as also opportunities go through this region.  This would require, as I mentioned in my opening remarks, for countries in the region to seek new opportunities in terms of strengthening their economic relationships and trade ties with regions close to them, as well as also within countries in the region, which will call for new way of increasing connectivity and cooperation in the region. 

    The second set of questions is on Egypt.  Over the last year, growth in Egypt has improved, and we expect growth for the fiscal year 2025 to reach 3.8 percent.  For comparison, in 2024 it was 2.4 percent, and we expect that the growth will keep improving in 2026 and reach 4.3 percent.  Also, inflation went down from 33 percent on average for fiscal year 2024 to 19.7 percent in 2025, and we expect it to reach 12 percent in 2026, despite the various shocks.  Those positive developments reflect the implementation of the reform program that was supported by the IMF and was augmented back in March last year in order also to help Egypt address some of the external shocks, in particular the decline in revenues from the Suez Canal. 

    As you remember, the program is based on four pillars.  One, macroeconomic stability by addressing inflation that constitutes the main issue for economic stability through tightening the monetary policy.  The second is to address the debt issue by improving the primary surplus and also through an active debt management strategy and strengthening debt management organization to reduce gradually the debt and the weight of the debt through the debt service on the economy.  The third important pillar is to preserve the economy from external shocks, and this is the role of the flexibility in the exchange rate.  Flexibility in the exchange rate in a time of high level of uncertainty plays an important way to protect the Egyptian economy from external shocks, and its flexibility has proven to be beneficial to the stability of the Egyptian economy.  The fourth pillar is growing the economy and give a bigger weight to the private sector, and we encourage the authorities to strengthen and accelerate the reinvestment strategy that would allow more investment to come to the Egyptian economy, would give more space to the private sector, and will help the Egyptian economy and the Egyptian people get better opportunities in a time where those international changes would require an acceleration of economic transformation.  The review has been completed in March, and as you know, we had also another facility that was provided to Egypt to help Egypt deal with climate issues, and our engagement with the authorities remain very active.  Shall I move to GCC? 

    MS. AL SHAMI: Yes.

    MR. AZOUR: The next trench will be with the next review. On the GCC, well, of course the direct impact of the trade shock on the region has been limited except that with the prospect of the decline in oil price, it comes at a time where we see a resumption of increase of oil production with the implementation of what has been agreed, though at a slower pace, of the December decision of the OPEC+ agreement.

    As you know, countries of the GCC have different fundamentals and different level of buffers, and therefore there is no one break-even point for all countries.  Our estimates are showing, though, that a decline in oil price of $10 would weaken the fiscal situation by somewhat between 2.3 to 2.7 percent of GDP, and it also, it has similar impact on the external account between 2.5 to 2.7 percent of GDP. 

    I would like to highlight two additional points that some countries have used the opportunity of their diversification strategy to both reduce their dependence on oil as a source of income, but also to diversify fiscally and reduce the impact of oil revenues, which we encourage other countries to follow suit. 

    MS. AL SHAMI: Thank you, Jihad. So we’ll take another round of questions from the room, and then we will turn to online. The lady in the first row, please. 

    QUESTIONER: Dr. Jihad, thank you for taking my question.  Nour Amache from Asharq Bloomberg.  I wanted to ask about Lebanon and Syria and to follow up on what my colleagues here asked about Egypt.  They were asking about the next review, if it’s in June, and the next tranche in June, if we can elaborate on that.  Now, regarding Lebanon, today the parliament passed the law of lifting bank secrecy.  Will this make or will this make the program with the IMF faster?  Will this increase the prospects of a program with Lebanon anytime soon, especially since I know the Lebanese authorities represented by the Finance Minister, the Economy Minister, and the Central Bank Governor are all here in Washington, and a lot of meetings have been undergoing?  That’s regarding Lebanon.  And regarding Syria, also a big Syrian delegation is here.  What has been reached so far with the Syrian counterparts?  Thank you. 

    MS. AL SHAMI: Thank you. One more question. Maybe we’ll go to the gentleman in the front here. 

    QUESTIONER: Thank you.  Mohammad Al-Lubani from Jordan Al-Mamlaka TV.  I’d like to ask in Arabic.  In light of our dependence on American exports, [ESQUAH] said that 25 percent of the exports go to the United States.  How would the tariffs affect Jordan, and are there any estimates of these losses by the Fund?  And what are the recommendations of the Fund in order to face these challenges? 

    MR. AZOUR: The discussions are, you know, continuing, and the engagement with the authorities is taking place during the Spring Meetings. As I mentioned earlier, we look forward to the next review to see an acceleration of the divestment strategy that is one of the key priorities because of its critical impact on sustaining growth in Egypt, providing opportunities to the private sector, and also helping in the effort that Egypt is pursuing in reducing the debt. In the context of high interest rate, it’s very important to address debt service issue, and this would be accelerated by reducing the debt.  Therefore, we look forward to see progress on the authorities’ plan in terms of divestment.

    On Lebanon, the Fund has been supportive of Lebanon, and a staff-level agreement has been reached in 2022.  Lebanon staff, Lebanon team, is and remained actively engaged with the authorities, providing technical assistance.  And recently, we had two staff visits to Lebanon and the authorities have engaged with our team in order to reactivate a potential program.  They have expressed their interest for that.  The Lebanese economic and financial situation has been made

    more challenging with the recent implications of the war and the massive destruction that in addition to the need to address the financial and economic situation, Lebanon is also facing the need to deal with the reconstruction. 

    The pillars of the program will remain valid as they were negotiated.  Macroeconomic stability, based on addressing the legacy of the financial sector.  The legacy of debt, address the debt issue.  Second pillar is to deal with the macroeconomic stability through fiscal consolidation.  Third pillar is to strengthen governance by reforming SOEs and also increasing and improving the confidence factor.  And third is to address social issues, especially now with issues related to the reconstructions.  Discussions are taking place and staff is on active dialogue with the Lebanese authorities. 

    We are in discussion and therefore I think the discussions that we are having during the Spring Meetings are giving the opportunity for us to understand what are the reform priorities of the Lebanese government.  As you know, staff had a couple of visits in the last few weeks, and we will keep our active engagement with the Lebanese authorities.

    On Syria.  Of course, Syria has been absent for the last 15 years due to the war, and their engagement with the institution has been fairly limited since 2011.  The last Article IV consultation with Syria took place in 2009.  The international community and the regional community has been actively engaged in order to see how we could help Syria recover from a long period of war. 

    We had a preparatory meeting preparatory meeting in AlUla back in February where regional institutions and the international community have agreed to have another follow-up coordination meeting that took place last Tuesday where representatives from international institutions, bilaterals, have convened in order to assess the needs of Syria and also to develop a framework of coordination.  The Fund is engaged to support the international community in its engagement with Syria.  We have already started our assessment of the macroeconomic situation, the institutional capacity, and we look forward to continue our engagement with the Syrian authorities. 

    MS. AL SHAMI: Then you have one more question on Jordan.

    MR. AZOUR: Yes, Jordan. In Arabic?  Okay.  Jordan is one of the countries that have been affected by the tariffs, but this is still limited because of the kind of exports or the relationship between Jordan and the United States.  And Jordan managed to overcome, in the recent years, to overcome several shocks, including shocks related to the variability and volatility and the effect of the Gaza issues on the economy of Jordan.  And the latest reviews emphasized the need for Jordan to keep stability and also, despite the external shocks, to take the needed measures in order to improve the macroeconomic situation and to reinforce the economy.  And there has been discussions about supporting Jordan through a new mechanism, the Resilience and Sustainability Facility, in order to help Jordan in the measures that would help it improve adaptation with the climate change and other shocks and other pandemics.  There is actually progress in this regard.  And there will be a review next month by the Executive Board of the Fund about Jordan. 

    MS. AL SHAMI: We’ll turn to Dania, who’s on Webex online. Dania, please go ahead. 

    QUESTIONER: Hello, can you hear me? 

    MS. AL SHAMI: Yes, you can hear you.

    QUESTIONER: Hi.  Hello Dr. Jihad, I just have a follow-up question on the break-even oil prices for the Gulf.  In the October report, countries like Saudi Arabia had a very high break-even price of around 90.  I think it was the second biggest highest in the GCC after Bahrain.  I just wanted to see, this figure is likely to increase given the high expenditures, the lower oil prices.  How will the lower oil prices — you mentioned about the impact on GDP, but the prices, I think, since the beginning of the year have dropped by more than $10.00.  So, the impact has it been considered in the Regional Economic Report?  And especially because I don’t know the report, did it include the impact of the tariffs and the impact of the increase in OPEC production from May, which is accelerated?  And just one clarification, with regards to Saudi break-even, some analysts include the expenditure of the Public Investment Fund.  Is that part of the IMF estimates for the break-even?  What’s included in the break-even?  Thank you very much. 

    MS. AL SHAMI: Thank you. Any additional questions on GCC? Okay, let’s take the gentleman in the middle. 

    QUESTIONER: Hello Mr. Azour, Madame Al Shami, thank you for the opportunity.  Philippe Hage Boutros from L’Orient-Le Jour, Lebanon.  How does the IMF assess the potential impact of declining oil revenues stemming from a possible drop in prices amid the tariff crisis on the capacity and willingness of the Gulf countries to fund international aid, particularly for countries like Lebanon and Syria that urgently need reconstruction financing?  Does it anticipate a significant or relatively limited effect?  Thank you. 

    MS. AL SHAMI: Thank you. And we had one more question on Saudi that we received online. In light of the global trade repercussions, what is the effect on the Saudi market, especially on inflation and growth?  This question comes from Mohammed Al Sulami from Al Akhbariyah in Saudi Arabia. 

    MR. AZOUR: Let me start with Dania’s question. Dania, let me start by saying that over the last few years from a fiscal perspective, Saudi has made a significant improvement through various reforms in order to diversify revenues outside oil and also reduce certain expenditures, including on the subsidy side. And this effort to diversify revenues has led to an increase of non-oil revenues in the GDP for Saudi.  Of course, the last couple of years have been beneficial in terms of providing Saudi and other GCC countries with surplus in the fiscal as well as also in the current account, which have led to increase in buffers.  Of course, still the oil sector represent an important source of revenue and it’s still also an important source of foreign currencies. 

    Coming to the fiscal strategy, Saudi has established a medium-term fiscal framework that anchors policies and also help them deal with the volatility in oil price and become less pro cyclicals.  Of course, the increase in oil price, sorry, the decline in oil price will have impact on the fiscal and will lead to a potential additional drop in fiscal situation. 

    As I mentioned earlier, a decline of $10.00 per barrel or a decline of $1 million of production will have an impact on the fiscal between 2 to 3 percent.  The decline in oil price is accompanied with a recovery in oil production and Saudi was one of the largest, I would say, contributor to the voluntary drop in oil export. 

    When it comes to the link between fiscal and the investment strategy, the investment strategy has been also put in the medium-term framework in the context of the Vision 2030 and regularly there are updates, recalibration and also phasing, based on the capacity to implement and the priorities.

    In our projections, although developments were taking place almost at the time when we were releasing our outlook, we took into consideration the new assumptions on the oil price for this year as well as also on the growth projections. 

    The second question related to Saudi.  The impact of the latest developments on the Saudi economy.  Undoubtedly, the trade relations regarding the non-oil sector is limited with the United States and therefore the impact will also be limited on trade related to tariffs, especially as oil and gas are exempt from the increase in tariffs.  But there will be an indirect impact, as we’ve said.  Saudi Arabia also has a dollarized economy, whether on the side of exports or imports, and therefore the impact will be limited. 

    On the other hand, the reduction or the depreciation of the dollar will affect services, especially tourism.  And this is a sector that Saudi Arabia is trying to develop by establishing new expansion for tourism in Saudi Arabia.

    The other related question on support to the reconstruction in the region.  Let me first say two things.  One, ODA has declined over the last few years, and more recently with the decisions to stop some of the international assistance by USAID and others.  This will have an important impact, especially on countries in fragility who depend heavily on aid.  Countries like Somalia, Sudan, countries like Yemen.  And this represents a risk not only on the fiscal side, but also on the humanitarian side on food security.  This is the first point. 

    The second point is the region is, we’re talking here about the Levant, is going through an important prospect of post-conflict recovery.  Lebanon, Syria, Palestine, and hopefully, Yemen, and Sudan.  This would require strong international and financial assistance.  Of course, this also would require to accelerate certain number of reforms that will allow the private sector to provide financing.  Those countries have strong diasporas, and the recovery could also be co-led by international assistance, also by private sector support.  And some of the reforms, be it in Lebanon or in Syria, are very important to regain confidence and will allow private sector to play its key role in recovering those economies. 

    The region has been very supportive.  And when we look at the official assistance and the interest that is being shown by several countries in the region, be it in the recent meeting that took place in Saudi Arabia, in Al Ula, where ministers of finance from the GCC and regional institutions convened in order to explore opportunities to provide more assistance to those countries. 

    Again, I think it’s very important also to highlight that assistance has to accompany reform programs that will lay the ground to strong institutions will provide confidence for both citizens and also international, private and public community, in order to accelerate the recovery. 

    MS. AL SHAMI: Thank you, Jihad. We’ll take one more round of questions.  The lady on the second row here, please. 

    QUESTIONER:  Hello, I’m Mariam Ali from Dawn News Pakistan.  My question is how will the global tariff war uniquely impact Pakistan?  Any need of buffers in place to mitigate risks to the country?  Thank you. 

    MS. AL SHAMI: Thank you. Let’s take maybe one more question. The gentleman here sitting in the front. 

    QUESTIONER: Thank you, , Director Azour.  My question is on Yemen.  Igor Naimushin, RIA News Agency, D.C. Bureau.  So, last week U.S. struck Ras Isa fuel part in Yemen.  I would like to ask you to outline what repercussions this strike will have on energy security and economic situation in Yemen and broadly in region?  And if you could, provide any details how the IMF — what is the IMF view on longer-term risks for the region as U.S. operation on Yemen continues to unfold?  Thank you. 

    MS. AL SHAMI: Thank you. We’ll take one more question from the gentleman here in the –.

    QUESTIONER: Hi, my name is Magnus Sherman.  I wanted to return to Lebanon.  The new Prime Minister has pledged to not touch the hard currency deposits.  Does the IMF support that position? 

    MS. AL SHAMI: Thank you. And we have an online question from Camille Faris Abu Rafael. How can low- and middle-income countries in MENA balance urgent social needs with long-term fiscal sustainability amid rising debt and global uncertainty and persistently high interest rates?  We’ll take these questions, and we’ll take another round.  Thank you. 

    MR. AZOUR: On Pakistan. Pakistan made significant progress in restoring macroeconomic stability over the last 18 months and the numbers are, for Pakistan, are showing improvement both in terms of growth as well as also in inflation that dropped from 12.6 percent last year in 2024 fiscal year to 6.5 percent this year, expected to stay at this level for next year.  Debt is also stabilizing in the case of Pakistan, and recently Pakistan has been upgraded by rating agencies. 

    Of course, trade tensions will affect relatively Pakistan maybe more than the average in the region.  But I would say the impact on Pakistan directly can be offset by other measures that would allow the Pakistani economy to reposition itself in a world that is in the midst of one of the largest transformation in terms of trade, economic opportunities, and to reposition itself in order to address any risks, but also to potentially benefit from change in the trade routes. 

    The question on Yemen the situation on Yemen is extremely preoccupying at the humanitarian level, both in terms of food security as well as also in terms of human suffering.  And this situation has been inflicting heavy toll on the Yemeni people for a long period of time.  Of course, broadly speaking, instability has been one of the main issues that the region is dealing with.  Instability is one of the key sources of uncertainty for the region.  Addressing this instability is key in providing security for people to improve their living conditions, providing stability for the trade routes, and also provide opportunities for people to rebuild and reconstruct.  The Fund is engaged to (A) keep a very strong contacts with Yemen, provide technical assistance at a time where we cannot provide because of the security situation, financial assistance.  Therefore, we are actively supporting through technical assistance.  And we are also in regular engagement with the authorities. 

    Our next plan is to reengage through Article IV in order to assess the economic situation in Yemen, help the internationally recognized government assess the overall debt situation and the debt liabilities in order, later on, to help Yemen deal with the debt situation, and provide right assessment for the donor community to provide assistance. 

    Political stabilization security is very important to preserve human and social conditions, and the Fund stands ready to help Yemen as well as also other countries facing fragility and conflicts in the region.  And this is something that we are increasing our resources to provide support to those countries. 

    Lebanon.  Lebanon problems are complex in terms of how to address the overall financial challenge.  The solution has to deal through a comprehensive approach with all the financial issues that Lebanon is facing.  A piecemeal approach is not what Lebanon needs today.  A reform package that restores confidence, addresses the legacy of the past, provides opportunities for the economy to recover, by also promoting the capacity of the financial system to finance the recovery, mobilize international assistance to help Lebanon dealing with the reconstruction needs, and also support the reforms are priorities that our team is currently discussing with the Lebanese authorities. 

    The question related to balancing short-term and medium-term.  I think it’s a very important question.  We live currently in a world of high uncertainty and in our outlook this spring we have — and I would encourage you to read it,  it’s very interesting piece — we have tried to assess the impact of uncertainty on the region and the uncertainty is of multiple layers.  A global uncertainty, regional, geopolitical and conflict situation, but also internal or local uncertainties.  Those are important issues for countries to address. 

    In very brief, countries need to in the short term to preserve stability and that would require to increase their buffers.  And for those who have limited buffers to accelerate fiscal consolidations to reduce the risk, address some of their financing issues, especially countries who have high level of debt and for those who have buffers, preserve those and use them when they need.  But I think what is really important, especially given the lasting negative impact of uncertainties on countries, is to address the medium-term issues.  And addressing the medium-term issues will help unlock growth, accelerating structural reforms, improving economic conditions, provide stronger social protection framework by moving from untargeted subsidies to something that is more meaningful in terms of social support would be extremely beneficial for countries in the region. 

    MS. AL SHAMI: Thank you very much, Jihad and I’m afraid we have run out of time. Thank you all for participating with us today and as always, we will be posting the transcript online.  But just a reminder that we will be launching our report next week on May 1 so stay tuned for that.  And as Jihad mentioned, please join us tomorrow at 2:30 for the seminar on how countries can navigate uncertainties.  Jihad, any last words? 

    MR. AZOUR: Only to say thank you. And thanks to our friends here, the journalists. We look forward to provide you with more details in Dubai next week with all the details, as well as also country-specific information on our Regional Economic Outlook.  And two days after that, in Samarkand, in Uzbekistan, on the outlook for Caucasus and Central Asia.  Thank you very much. 

    IMF Communications Department
    MEDIA RELATIONS

    PRESS OFFICER: Angham Al Shami

    Phone: +1 202 623-7100Email: MEDIA@IMF.org

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Press Briefing Transcript: Middle East and Central Asia Department, Spring Meetings 2025

    Source: IMF – News in Russian

    April 24, 2025

    Speaker: Mr.Jihad Azour, Director of Middle East and Central Asia Department, IMF

    Moderator: Ms. Angham Al Shami, Communications Officer, IMF

    MS. AL SHAMI: Good morning. Thank you for joining us in this press briefing on the Regional Economic Outlook for the Middle East and Central Asia. My name is Angham Al Shami, from the Communications Department here at the IMF. 

    If you’re joining us online, we do have Arabic and French interpretations that you can access on the IMF Regional Economic Outlook webpage and the IMF Press Center as well.  And for those of you in the room, you also have equipment to access that. 

    Today I’m joined by Jihad Azour, the Director of the Middle East and Central Asia Department, who will give us an overview of the outlook of the region, and then we will open the floor for your questions. With that, over to you, Jihad.

    MR. AZOUR: Thank you very much, Angham. Good morning, everyone, and welcome to the IMF 2025 Spring Meetings. Before answering your questions, I will briefly outline the economic outlook for the Middle East and North Africa as well as the Caucasus and Central Asia.  Let me first start with a few words on the recent developments.

    The global economy stands at a delicate crossroads.  The global recovery of recent years faces new risks as governments reorder their policy priorities.  The recent escalation in trade tensions has already damaged global growth prospects while triggering intense financial volatility.  More broadly, the extraordinary increase in global uncertainty associated with trade policy and increased geopolitical fragmentation will continue to erode confidence for quite some time and represents a serious downside risk to global growth.

    For MENA and CCA economies, these developments are adding to existing regional source of uncertainty, including ongoing conflicts, pockets of political instability and climate vulnerability.  We continue to assess the impact of recently announced U.S. tariffs on MENA and CCA economies.  While the direct effects are expected to be modest, giving limited trade exposure and exemptions for energy products, the indirect effects could be more pronounced.  Slower growth will weaken external demand and remittances, while tighter financial conditions may challenge countries with elevated public debts.  Oil exporting economies could also see fiscal and external positions deteriorate due to the lower oil prices.  Some countries may benefit from trade diversion, but such gains could be short lived in a broader environment of trade contraction. 

    Let me now turn to the Middle East and North Africa.  Last year was particularly challenging for the region.  Conflict caused severe human and economic costs.  Regional growth in 2024 reached 1.8 percent, a downgrade revision of 0.2 percentage point from the October World Economic Outlook forecast.  Conflicts weigh on growth in some oil importing countries and extended OPEC+ voluntary production cuts continue to dampen activity in oil exporting economies.  For GCC countries, strong non-oil growth and diversification efforts were largely offset by oil production cuts. 

    Despite these challenges and high uncertainty, growth is projected to pick up in 2025 and 2026, assuming oil output rebounds, conflict related impacts stabilize, progress is made on structural reform and implementation.  However, expectations have been revised down compared to the October 2024 Regional Economic Outlook, reflecting weaker global growth and more modest effect of these drivers.  We now project growth at 2.6 percent in 2025 and 3.4 percent in 2026, a downward revision of 1.3 and 1 percentage points, respectively.  Inflation is projected to continue declining across MENA economies, remaining elevated only in few cases. 

    Let me now turn to the outlook for the Caucuses and Central Asia.  In contrast, economic activity in the CCA exceeded expectations in 2024, growing by 5.4 percent, driven by spillover effects from the war in Ukraine, which boosted domestic demand.  However, as these temporary effects normalize over the next few years, growth is expected to moderate due to weaker external demand, plateauing growth of hydrocarbon production, and reduced fiscal stimulus.  Despite the moderation in overall growth, inflation is expected to increase somewhat across the region and remain elevated in a few cases, reflecting still strong domestic demand. 

    Let me now turn to the risks to the outlook.  These projections are subject to extraordinary uncertainty and the risks to the baseline forecast remain tilted to the downside.  Four key risks stand out.  First, trade tension as a further escalation could dampen global demand, delay in oil production recovery, and tighten financial conditions.  Our analysis shows that persistence spikes in uncertainty triggered by global shocks are associated with large output losses both in MENA and CCA.  The second risk is geopolitical conflict.  The third one is climate shocks.  And the last one is the reduction in official development assistance.  This could further exacerbate food insecurity and humanitarian conditions in low-income and conflict-affected economies.  However, upside risks also exist.  The swift resolution of conflict and accelerated implementation of structural reforms could substantially improve regional growth prospects.  The implications of a potential peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine for the CCA region also remain uncertain. 

    Now the question is what are the policies that we recommend for countries and how they should prioritize them.  In the face of extraordinary uncertainty, MENA and CCA economies should respond along two key dimensions, manage short term instability, and use the opportunity to advance structural reforms for long-term growth.  The first priority is adapt to the new environment.  Countries must take steps to shield their economies from the impact of worst-case scenarios and prioritize safeguarding macroeconomic and financial stability.  The appropriate policy response will vary depending on each country’s initial conditions and vulnerability to risk. 

    Turning to more the long-term, countries should transform their economies.  Recent developments underscore the urgent need to accelerate the long-discussed structural reforms agenda across the region.  To reduce vulnerabilities to shocks and seize opportunities arising from the evolving global trade and financial landscape, it is essential to enhance governance, invest in human capital, advance digitalization, and foster a dynamic private sector.  Establishing strategic trade and investment corridors with other regions such as Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia, as well as within the region, including between GCC and Central Asia or GCC and North Africa, can help mitigate exposure to external uncertainty, enable greater risk sharing, and drive sustainable economic development. 

    We will delve into these policy priorities at the launch of our Regional Economic Outlook in Dubai next week and in Samarkand, in Uzbekistan, where on May 3 we are organizing jointly with the Uzbek government a GCC-CCA Economic Conference where Ministers of Finance and Governors of Central Banks from both regions, as well as representatives of IFIs and private sectors, will discuss deepening economic ties between these two regions.  We also invite you to join us tomorrow at 2:30 p.m. at the Atrium for a public panel discussion on the economic consequences of the high uncertainty in the MENA and CCA regions. 

    Before I open the floor to questions, I want to underscore the IMF’s deep commitment to supporting countries throughout the region with policy advice, technical assistance, and, in many cases, financial support.  Since early 2020, we have approved almost $50 billion in financing to countries across the MENA region, Pakistan, and the CCA, of which 14.8 have been approved since early 2024. 

    In closing, I want to highlight our engagement to post-conflict economies.  Strengthening economic fundamentals and rebuilding institutions will be essential to successful recovery.  The IMF, in coordination with the World Bank and regional partners, has established an informal coordination group to support recovery in conflict-affected states in the Middle East.  Our focus will be on capacity building, policy guidance, and financial assistance.  We are also working closely with authorities to help stabilize their economies, restore confidence, and lay foundations for sustainable growth. 

    Again, thank you very much for joining us this morning, and now I would like to welcome your questions.               

    MS. AL SHAMI: Thank you very much, Jihad, and now we will take your questions. And let’s start with the gentleman here in the first row, please.

    QUESTIONER: Thank you, Angham and Jihad.  I’m Amir Goumaa from Asharq Bloomberg.  IMF raised the gross forecasting for Egypt dispIte the regional downgrade.  Why is that?  And how can the MENA region turn the country trade disputes into opportunities? 

    MR. AZOUR: Excuse me?

    QUESTIONER: How can the MENA region turn the current trade disputes and tariffs into opportunities?  Like how can they make the best use of it? 

    MR. AZOUR: Thank you very much for your question.

    MS. AL SHAMI: Should we take more questions on Egypt? Perhaps should we take more questions on Egypt. We’ll start with this gentleman and then the gentleman in the back.  This one first. 

    QUESTIONER: Hello everyone.  My name is Ahmad Yaqub.  I’m the managing editor of Al Youm Al-Sabah Egyptian Newspaper.  I have two questions about Egypt.  The first one is about the expected exchange rate of the Egyptian pound against the U.S. dollar by the end of 2026, the next year, and the expected inflation rate and the economic growth rate of Egypt.  The second question is the next trench of the program, current program with the Egyptian authorities.  What is the timing of the next trench and the total amount of it?  Thank you so much. 

    MS. AL SHAMI: And then the gentleman here.

    QUESTIONER: Ramy Gabr from Al-Qahera News.  The global economic outlook carries good news.  Maybe for Egypt in terms of the economic growth in 2025.  How do you see that and what’s the facts and numbers led to this outlook?  Thank you. 

    MS. AL SHAMI: Over to you.

    MR. AZOUR: Thank you very much. Yes, please.

    QUESTIONER: I’m Lauren Holtmeier from S&P Global.  I wanted to ask about the fiscal break-even prices for oil production, specifically for the countries with high fiscal break-even prices like Saudi Arabia and Iraq.  And how will the lowered expectations for oil prices over the next couple of years affect their ability and their economic outlook?  And I recognize that the answer for those two countries might be very different. 

    MR. AZOUR: Thank you very much. I had three sets of questions. One on trade and the impact of the recent trade developments on the region and how those could be turned into an opportunity.  The second set of questions were on Egypt, and the third one was on the GCC and the oil market.  Let me start with the first one. 

    Countries of the region have limited trade dependence on the U.S., and therefore the recent trade and tariff decisions will have limited direct impact on those economies.  Yet it’s important also to highlight that there would be indirect impact.  And also those indirect impact may take different channels.  One impact is the impact that this could have on financial stability and capital flows.  We saw widening of spreads over the last few years, which is an issue that could affect the capacity of emerging economies and middle-income countries who have high levels of debt.  The second potential impact is impact on oil market.  We saw some softening in the oil price, as well as the forwards of oil price are showing a certain extension of those softening over the year.  And the third type of effect is the second-round impact due to trade diversion. 

    I will maybe go into more details about what are the policies that we recommend for countries to address those challenges.  Few countries have more exposure to the U.S. trade like Pakistan or Jordan, and those are specific cases.  I can address those.  Opportunities, of course, in any change there are opportunities, and over the last few years we saw successive shocks and transformation on the geopolitical front and the geoeconomic front, and those have affected the region.  The region stands at the crossroads between East and West, and therefore trade routes, connectivity, as well as also opportunities go through this region.  This would require, as I mentioned in my opening remarks, for countries in the region to seek new opportunities in terms of strengthening their economic relationships and trade ties with regions close to them, as well as also within countries in the region, which will call for new way of increasing connectivity and cooperation in the region. 

    The second set of questions is on Egypt.  Over the last year, growth in Egypt has improved, and we expect growth for the fiscal year 2025 to reach 3.8 percent.  For comparison, in 2024 it was 2.4 percent, and we expect that the growth will keep improving in 2026 and reach 4.3 percent.  Also, inflation went down from 33 percent on average for fiscal year 2024 to 19.7 percent in 2025, and we expect it to reach 12 percent in 2026, despite the various shocks.  Those positive developments reflect the implementation of the reform program that was supported by the IMF and was augmented back in March last year in order also to help Egypt address some of the external shocks, in particular the decline in revenues from the Suez Canal. 

    As you remember, the program is based on four pillars.  One, macroeconomic stability by addressing inflation that constitutes the main issue for economic stability through tightening the monetary policy.  The second is to address the debt issue by improving the primary surplus and also through an active debt management strategy and strengthening debt management organization to reduce gradually the debt and the weight of the debt through the debt service on the economy.  The third important pillar is to preserve the economy from external shocks, and this is the role of the flexibility in the exchange rate.  Flexibility in the exchange rate in a time of high level of uncertainty plays an important way to protect the Egyptian economy from external shocks, and its flexibility has proven to be beneficial to the stability of the Egyptian economy.  The fourth pillar is growing the economy and give a bigger weight to the private sector, and we encourage the authorities to strengthen and accelerate the reinvestment strategy that would allow more investment to come to the Egyptian economy, would give more space to the private sector, and will help the Egyptian economy and the Egyptian people get better opportunities in a time where those international changes would require an acceleration of economic transformation.  The review has been completed in March, and as you know, we had also another facility that was provided to Egypt to help Egypt deal with climate issues, and our engagement with the authorities remain very active.  Shall I move to GCC? 

    MS. AL SHAMI: Yes.

    MR. AZOUR: The next trench will be with the next review. On the GCC, well, of course the direct impact of the trade shock on the region has been limited except that with the prospect of the decline in oil price, it comes at a time where we see a resumption of increase of oil production with the implementation of what has been agreed, though at a slower pace, of the December decision of the OPEC+ agreement.

    As you know, countries of the GCC have different fundamentals and different level of buffers, and therefore there is no one break-even point for all countries.  Our estimates are showing, though, that a decline in oil price of $10 would weaken the fiscal situation by somewhat between 2.3 to 2.7 percent of GDP, and it also, it has similar impact on the external account between 2.5 to 2.7 percent of GDP. 

    I would like to highlight two additional points that some countries have used the opportunity of their diversification strategy to both reduce their dependence on oil as a source of income, but also to diversify fiscally and reduce the impact of oil revenues, which we encourage other countries to follow suit. 

    MS. AL SHAMI: Thank you, Jihad. So we’ll take another round of questions from the room, and then we will turn to online. The lady in the first row, please. 

    QUESTIONER: Dr. Jihad, thank you for taking my question.  Nour Amache from Asharq Bloomberg.  I wanted to ask about Lebanon and Syria and to follow up on what my colleagues here asked about Egypt.  They were asking about the next review, if it’s in June, and the next tranche in June, if we can elaborate on that.  Now, regarding Lebanon, today the parliament passed the law of lifting bank secrecy.  Will this make or will this make the program with the IMF faster?  Will this increase the prospects of a program with Lebanon anytime soon, especially since I know the Lebanese authorities represented by the Finance Minister, the Economy Minister, and the Central Bank Governor are all here in Washington, and a lot of meetings have been undergoing?  That’s regarding Lebanon.  And regarding Syria, also a big Syrian delegation is here.  What has been reached so far with the Syrian counterparts?  Thank you. 

    MS. AL SHAMI: Thank you. One more question. Maybe we’ll go to the gentleman in the front here. 

    QUESTIONER: Thank you.  Mohammad Al-Lubani from Jordan Al-Mamlaka TV.  I’d like to ask in Arabic.  In light of our dependence on American exports, [ESQUAH] said that 25 percent of the exports go to the United States.  How would the tariffs affect Jordan, and are there any estimates of these losses by the Fund?  And what are the recommendations of the Fund in order to face these challenges? 

    MR. AZOUR: The discussions are, you know, continuing, and the engagement with the authorities is taking place during the Spring Meetings. As I mentioned earlier, we look forward to the next review to see an acceleration of the divestment strategy that is one of the key priorities because of its critical impact on sustaining growth in Egypt, providing opportunities to the private sector, and also helping in the effort that Egypt is pursuing in reducing the debt. In the context of high interest rate, it’s very important to address debt service issue, and this would be accelerated by reducing the debt.  Therefore, we look forward to see progress on the authorities’ plan in terms of divestment.

    On Lebanon, the Fund has been supportive of Lebanon, and a staff-level agreement has been reached in 2022.  Lebanon staff, Lebanon team, is and remained actively engaged with the authorities, providing technical assistance.  And recently, we had two staff visits to Lebanon and the authorities have engaged with our team in order to reactivate a potential program.  They have expressed their interest for that.  The Lebanese economic and financial situation has been made

    more challenging with the recent implications of the war and the massive destruction that in addition to the need to address the financial and economic situation, Lebanon is also facing the need to deal with the reconstruction. 

    The pillars of the program will remain valid as they were negotiated.  Macroeconomic stability, based on addressing the legacy of the financial sector.  The legacy of debt, address the debt issue.  Second pillar is to deal with the macroeconomic stability through fiscal consolidation.  Third pillar is to strengthen governance by reforming SOEs and also increasing and improving the confidence factor.  And third is to address social issues, especially now with issues related to the reconstructions.  Discussions are taking place and staff is on active dialogue with the Lebanese authorities. 

    We are in discussion and therefore I think the discussions that we are having during the Spring Meetings are giving the opportunity for us to understand what are the reform priorities of the Lebanese government.  As you know, staff had a couple of visits in the last few weeks, and we will keep our active engagement with the Lebanese authorities.

    On Syria.  Of course, Syria has been absent for the last 15 years due to the war, and their engagement with the institution has been fairly limited since 2011.  The last Article IV consultation with Syria took place in 2009.  The international community and the regional community has been actively engaged in order to see how we could help Syria recover from a long period of war. 

    We had a preparatory meeting preparatory meeting in AlUla back in February where regional institutions and the international community have agreed to have another follow-up coordination meeting that took place last Tuesday where representatives from international institutions, bilaterals, have convened in order to assess the needs of Syria and also to develop a framework of coordination.  The Fund is engaged to support the international community in its engagement with Syria.  We have already started our assessment of the macroeconomic situation, the institutional capacity, and we look forward to continue our engagement with the Syrian authorities. 

    MS. AL SHAMI: Then you have one more question on Jordan.

    MR. AZOUR: Yes, Jordan. In Arabic?  Okay.  Jordan is one of the countries that have been affected by the tariffs, but this is still limited because of the kind of exports or the relationship between Jordan and the United States.  And Jordan managed to overcome, in the recent years, to overcome several shocks, including shocks related to the variability and volatility and the effect of the Gaza issues on the economy of Jordan.  And the latest reviews emphasized the need for Jordan to keep stability and also, despite the external shocks, to take the needed measures in order to improve the macroeconomic situation and to reinforce the economy.  And there has been discussions about supporting Jordan through a new mechanism, the Resilience and Sustainability Facility, in order to help Jordan in the measures that would help it improve adaptation with the climate change and other shocks and other pandemics.  There is actually progress in this regard.  And there will be a review next month by the Executive Board of the Fund about Jordan. 

    MS. AL SHAMI: We’ll turn to Dania, who’s on Webex online. Dania, please go ahead. 

    QUESTIONER: Hello, can you hear me? 

    MS. AL SHAMI: Yes, you can hear you.

    QUESTIONER: Hi.  Hello Dr. Jihad, I just have a follow-up question on the break-even oil prices for the Gulf.  In the October report, countries like Saudi Arabia had a very high break-even price of around 90.  I think it was the second biggest highest in the GCC after Bahrain.  I just wanted to see, this figure is likely to increase given the high expenditures, the lower oil prices.  How will the lower oil prices — you mentioned about the impact on GDP, but the prices, I think, since the beginning of the year have dropped by more than $10.00.  So, the impact has it been considered in the Regional Economic Report?  And especially because I don’t know the report, did it include the impact of the tariffs and the impact of the increase in OPEC production from May, which is accelerated?  And just one clarification, with regards to Saudi break-even, some analysts include the expenditure of the Public Investment Fund.  Is that part of the IMF estimates for the break-even?  What’s included in the break-even?  Thank you very much. 

    MS. AL SHAMI: Thank you. Any additional questions on GCC? Okay, let’s take the gentleman in the middle. 

    QUESTIONER: Hello Mr. Azour, Madame Al Shami, thank you for the opportunity.  Philippe Hage Boutros from L’Orient-Le Jour, Lebanon.  How does the IMF assess the potential impact of declining oil revenues stemming from a possible drop in prices amid the tariff crisis on the capacity and willingness of the Gulf countries to fund international aid, particularly for countries like Lebanon and Syria that urgently need reconstruction financing?  Does it anticipate a significant or relatively limited effect?  Thank you. 

    MS. AL SHAMI: Thank you. And we had one more question on Saudi that we received online. In light of the global trade repercussions, what is the effect on the Saudi market, especially on inflation and growth?  This question comes from Mohammed Al Sulami from Al Akhbariyah in Saudi Arabia. 

    MR. AZOUR: Let me start with Dania’s question. Dania, let me start by saying that over the last few years from a fiscal perspective, Saudi has made a significant improvement through various reforms in order to diversify revenues outside oil and also reduce certain expenditures, including on the subsidy side. And this effort to diversify revenues has led to an increase of non-oil revenues in the GDP for Saudi.  Of course, the last couple of years have been beneficial in terms of providing Saudi and other GCC countries with surplus in the fiscal as well as also in the current account, which have led to increase in buffers.  Of course, still the oil sector represent an important source of revenue and it’s still also an important source of foreign currencies. 

    Coming to the fiscal strategy, Saudi has established a medium-term fiscal framework that anchors policies and also help them deal with the volatility in oil price and become less pro cyclicals.  Of course, the increase in oil price, sorry, the decline in oil price will have impact on the fiscal and will lead to a potential additional drop in fiscal situation. 

    As I mentioned earlier, a decline of $10.00 per barrel or a decline of $1 million of production will have an impact on the fiscal between 2 to 3 percent.  The decline in oil price is accompanied with a recovery in oil production and Saudi was one of the largest, I would say, contributor to the voluntary drop in oil export. 

    When it comes to the link between fiscal and the investment strategy, the investment strategy has been also put in the medium-term framework in the context of the Vision 2030 and regularly there are updates, recalibration and also phasing, based on the capacity to implement and the priorities.

    In our projections, although developments were taking place almost at the time when we were releasing our outlook, we took into consideration the new assumptions on the oil price for this year as well as also on the growth projections. 

    The second question related to Saudi.  The impact of the latest developments on the Saudi economy.  Undoubtedly, the trade relations regarding the non-oil sector is limited with the United States and therefore the impact will also be limited on trade related to tariffs, especially as oil and gas are exempt from the increase in tariffs.  But there will be an indirect impact, as we’ve said.  Saudi Arabia also has a dollarized economy, whether on the side of exports or imports, and therefore the impact will be limited. 

    On the other hand, the reduction or the depreciation of the dollar will affect services, especially tourism.  And this is a sector that Saudi Arabia is trying to develop by establishing new expansion for tourism in Saudi Arabia.

    The other related question on support to the reconstruction in the region.  Let me first say two things.  One, ODA has declined over the last few years, and more recently with the decisions to stop some of the international assistance by USAID and others.  This will have an important impact, especially on countries in fragility who depend heavily on aid.  Countries like Somalia, Sudan, countries like Yemen.  And this represents a risk not only on the fiscal side, but also on the humanitarian side on food security.  This is the first point. 

    The second point is the region is, we’re talking here about the Levant, is going through an important prospect of post-conflict recovery.  Lebanon, Syria, Palestine, and hopefully, Yemen, and Sudan.  This would require strong international and financial assistance.  Of course, this also would require to accelerate certain number of reforms that will allow the private sector to provide financing.  Those countries have strong diasporas, and the recovery could also be co-led by international assistance, also by private sector support.  And some of the reforms, be it in Lebanon or in Syria, are very important to regain confidence and will allow private sector to play its key role in recovering those economies. 

    The region has been very supportive.  And when we look at the official assistance and the interest that is being shown by several countries in the region, be it in the recent meeting that took place in Saudi Arabia, in Al Ula, where ministers of finance from the GCC and regional institutions convened in order to explore opportunities to provide more assistance to those countries. 

    Again, I think it’s very important also to highlight that assistance has to accompany reform programs that will lay the ground to strong institutions will provide confidence for both citizens and also international, private and public community, in order to accelerate the recovery. 

    MS. AL SHAMI: Thank you, Jihad. We’ll take one more round of questions.  The lady on the second row here, please. 

    QUESTIONER:  Hello, I’m Mariam Ali from Dawn News Pakistan.  My question is how will the global tariff war uniquely impact Pakistan?  Any need of buffers in place to mitigate risks to the country?  Thank you. 

    MS. AL SHAMI: Thank you. Let’s take maybe one more question. The gentleman here sitting in the front. 

    QUESTIONER: Thank you, , Director Azour.  My question is on Yemen.  Igor Naimushin, RIA News Agency, D.C. Bureau.  So, last week U.S. struck Ras Isa fuel part in Yemen.  I would like to ask you to outline what repercussions this strike will have on energy security and economic situation in Yemen and broadly in region?  And if you could, provide any details how the IMF — what is the IMF view on longer-term risks for the region as U.S. operation on Yemen continues to unfold?  Thank you. 

    MS. AL SHAMI: Thank you. We’ll take one more question from the gentleman here in the –.

    QUESTIONER: Hi, my name is Magnus Sherman.  I wanted to return to Lebanon.  The new Prime Minister has pledged to not touch the hard currency deposits.  Does the IMF support that position? 

    MS. AL SHAMI: Thank you. And we have an online question from Camille Faris Abu Rafael. How can low- and middle-income countries in MENA balance urgent social needs with long-term fiscal sustainability amid rising debt and global uncertainty and persistently high interest rates?  We’ll take these questions, and we’ll take another round.  Thank you. 

    MR. AZOUR: On Pakistan. Pakistan made significant progress in restoring macroeconomic stability over the last 18 months and the numbers are, for Pakistan, are showing improvement both in terms of growth as well as also in inflation that dropped from 12.6 percent last year in 2024 fiscal year to 6.5 percent this year, expected to stay at this level for next year.  Debt is also stabilizing in the case of Pakistan, and recently Pakistan has been upgraded by rating agencies. 

    Of course, trade tensions will affect relatively Pakistan maybe more than the average in the region.  But I would say the impact on Pakistan directly can be offset by other measures that would allow the Pakistani economy to reposition itself in a world that is in the midst of one of the largest transformation in terms of trade, economic opportunities, and to reposition itself in order to address any risks, but also to potentially benefit from change in the trade routes. 

    The question on Yemen the situation on Yemen is extremely preoccupying at the humanitarian level, both in terms of food security as well as also in terms of human suffering.  And this situation has been inflicting heavy toll on the Yemeni people for a long period of time.  Of course, broadly speaking, instability has been one of the main issues that the region is dealing with.  Instability is one of the key sources of uncertainty for the region.  Addressing this instability is key in providing security for people to improve their living conditions, providing stability for the trade routes, and also provide opportunities for people to rebuild and reconstruct.  The Fund is engaged to (A) keep a very strong contacts with Yemen, provide technical assistance at a time where we cannot provide because of the security situation, financial assistance.  Therefore, we are actively supporting through technical assistance.  And we are also in regular engagement with the authorities. 

    Our next plan is to reengage through Article IV in order to assess the economic situation in Yemen, help the internationally recognized government assess the overall debt situation and the debt liabilities in order, later on, to help Yemen deal with the debt situation, and provide right assessment for the donor community to provide assistance. 

    Political stabilization security is very important to preserve human and social conditions, and the Fund stands ready to help Yemen as well as also other countries facing fragility and conflicts in the region.  And this is something that we are increasing our resources to provide support to those countries. 

    Lebanon.  Lebanon problems are complex in terms of how to address the overall financial challenge.  The solution has to deal through a comprehensive approach with all the financial issues that Lebanon is facing.  A piecemeal approach is not what Lebanon needs today.  A reform package that restores confidence, addresses the legacy of the past, provides opportunities for the economy to recover, by also promoting the capacity of the financial system to finance the recovery, mobilize international assistance to help Lebanon dealing with the reconstruction needs, and also support the reforms are priorities that our team is currently discussing with the Lebanese authorities. 

    The question related to balancing short-term and medium-term.  I think it’s a very important question.  We live currently in a world of high uncertainty and in our outlook this spring we have — and I would encourage you to read it,  it’s very interesting piece — we have tried to assess the impact of uncertainty on the region and the uncertainty is of multiple layers.  A global uncertainty, regional, geopolitical and conflict situation, but also internal or local uncertainties.  Those are important issues for countries to address. 

    In very brief, countries need to in the short term to preserve stability and that would require to increase their buffers.  And for those who have limited buffers to accelerate fiscal consolidations to reduce the risk, address some of their financing issues, especially countries who have high level of debt and for those who have buffers, preserve those and use them when they need.  But I think what is really important, especially given the lasting negative impact of uncertainties on countries, is to address the medium-term issues.  And addressing the medium-term issues will help unlock growth, accelerating structural reforms, improving economic conditions, provide stronger social protection framework by moving from untargeted subsidies to something that is more meaningful in terms of social support would be extremely beneficial for countries in the region. 

    MS. AL SHAMI: Thank you very much, Jihad and I’m afraid we have run out of time. Thank you all for participating with us today and as always, we will be posting the transcript online.  But just a reminder that we will be launching our report next week on May 1 so stay tuned for that.  And as Jihad mentioned, please join us tomorrow at 2:30 for the seminar on how countries can navigate uncertainties.  Jihad, any last words? 

    MR. AZOUR: Only to say thank you. And thanks to our friends here, the journalists. We look forward to provide you with more details in Dubai next week with all the details, as well as also country-specific information on our Regional Economic Outlook.  And two days after that, in Samarkand, in Uzbekistan, on the outlook for Caucasus and Central Asia.  Thank you very much. 

    IMF Communications Department
    MEDIA RELATIONS

    PRESS OFFICER: Angham Al Shami

    Phone: +1 202 623-7100Email: MEDIA@IMF.org

    https://www.imf.org/en/News/Articles/2025/04/24/tr-04242025-mcd-press-briefing-sms-2025

    MIL OSI

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: On April 25, Mikhail Mishustin will hold talks with the Prime Minister of the Republic of Tajikistan Kokhir Rasulzoda

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Government of the Russian Federation – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    On April 25, in Moscow, Chairman of the Government of the Russian Federation Mikhail Mishustin will hold talks with Prime Minister of the Republic of Tajikistan Kokhir Rasulzoda.

    The heads of government plan to discuss current issues of Russian-Tajik trade, economic, investment and cultural-humanitarian cooperation. Special attention will be paid to the implementation of major joint projects in the fields of energy, industry, agriculture, education and culture.

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Development of the digital economy and trends in the investment and construction process: the conference “Current problems of economics and management in construction” has ended

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering – Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering – At the section of young scientists

    On April 17–18, the III National (All-Russian) Scientific and Practical Conference “Current Problems of Economics and Management in Construction” was held at SPbGASU, organized by the Faculty of Economics and Management.

    In total, 120 reports were heard during the two days of the event. Both representatives of SPbGASU and scientists from other universities, including from the Republic of Belarus, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan, took an active part in the work of the section.

    The first day of the conference was marked by the holding of a section of young scientists “First steps in economic science”, in which students of the St. Petersburg Technical College of Management and Commerce (SPb TKuIC), the Russian State Pedagogical University named after A. I. Herzen (RSPU named after A. I. Herzen), Moscow Automobile and Road State Technical University (MADI), as well as representatives of student science from SPbGASU took part.

    At the opening of the young scientists’ section, Dean of the Faculty of Economics and Management Galina Tokunova noted the importance of participation in scientific events of students of secondary education institutions and called for further cooperation of colleges with SPbGASU in scientific and educational processes. Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Economics and Management for Research Yuri Tsvetkov gave a report “Involvement of Young Scientists in Scientific Activity”, highlighting the incentives and rewards that await young researchers in the course of active scientific work.

    The key topics of the section were the development of the digital economy, as well as modern trends in the functioning of the investment and construction process. Victoria Filippova, a student of St. Petersburg TCUiK, prepared a report “Optimization of supply chain management using digital financial assets: opportunities and prospects”, having examined in detail legislative initiatives in this area, the advantages of using this tool in supply chain management and the stages of implementation in logistics processes.

    Daniil Velichko, a student at St. Petersburg TCUiK, presented a report entitled “The Digital Economic Miracle of Russia,” highlighting the advantages of the digital transformation of the economy and assessing the level of digital skills among Russian citizens. In addition, Daniil showed a video about the digital economy prepared by college students.

    The section focused on the research conducted by students of the Herzen State Pedagogical University of Russia – representatives of the People’s Republic of China. Bi Yanwen conducted a comparative analysis of investments in infrastructure development in China and Russia, Xu Yijie compared the current state of the real estate market in the two countries, Chang Jiangshuai spoke about the principles of sustainable development in the construction sector, Lu Haoran studied the issues of antitrust regulation in China, Hao Boyuan presented the main challenges and prospects for the rational use of limited resources in the context of China’s rapid economic growth.

    The conference traditionally had four main sections: “Language training for future professionals”, “Economics of construction and housing and communal services: trends and prospects”, “Economic security: experience, problems, prospects” and “Current issues of management in construction”.

    The conference organizing committee selected the following reports.

    Researchers Evgeny Rossokha and Anastasia Frantsuzova from the Republic of Belarus focused on the ESG orientation of the Belarusian housing policy, which includes housing affordability, improvement of the local area and renovation.

    Vladislav Buchi, a representative of Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University, made a presentation on the prospects for the development of multi-story industrial warehouse facilities in an urban format, which is very relevant in the context of the development of urban areas in St. Petersburg due to the acute shortage of warehouse complexes in the region.

    The research of the Master’s student of the Department of Construction Economics and Housing and Public Utilities Daria Batyreva was devoted to the current issues of managing the cost of construction projects in the field of construction production and design; the work highlighted particularly important and complex areas that attract the attention of all specialists in the field of project management.

    The curator of the section “Economic Security: Experience, Problems, Prospects”, Associate Professor of the Department of Economic Security Vladislav Uskov noted that this section has become a unique platform for exchanging opinions in the field of protecting the economic interests of the state and business, economic security and risk assessment. In particular, fourth-year student Meri Kopaleishvili presented a report on the topic “Digital Transformation of Development: Innovative Technologies and Marketing Strategies as a Factor of Sustainability in Conditions of Economic Instability”, Ksenia Danshina prepared a study “External Debt as a Threat to the Financial Security of the State”. A researcher from Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University touched upon the problems and prospects of economic security and artificial intelligence.

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: What we’ve learnt about lone-actor terrorism over the years could help us prevent future attacks

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Diego Muro, Senior Lecturer in International Relations, University of St Andrews

    Politically motivated attacks, carried out by lone individuals lacking direct affiliation with any terrorist group, have become more common in Europe during the last few decades.

    One of the most common and devastating forms of lone-actor violence involves driving into crowds. In 2016, Mohamed Lahouaiej-Bouhlel used this method to kill 86 people in Nice. In 2011, Anders Breivik detonated a bomb in central Oslo before carrying out a mass shooting on the island of Utøya, leaving 77 dead. Not all lone-actor attacks are as deadly or indiscriminate as these. Some target specific people, as seen in the assassinations of German politician Walter Lübcke in 2019 and British MP David Amess in 2021.

    Lone-actor terrorism – also known as lone-wolf terrorism – poses a unique challenge for European states. Traditional counterterrorism tools designed for organised groups like al-Qaeda, Islamic State, or Eta are far less effective against people acting alone. While lone-actor plots are typically less complex, they can still cause significant harm.

    We’ve also seen that lone-actor attacks can trigger far-reaching ripple effects. The resulting public outrage can intensify debates on contentious issues like immigration, and ultimately boost support for extremist parties.

    Copycat or reactionary attacks are another consequence of lone-actor terrorism. A striking example is the mass shootings carried out by Brenton Tarrant in New Zealand in 2019. He cited the actions of Breivik and others as direct inspiration. According to Tarrant’s own manifesto, a key trigger for his radicalisation was the 2017 Islamist attack in Stockholm, where Rakhmat Akilov, an asylum seeker from Uzbekistan, drove a truck into a crowd, killing five people, including an 11-year-old child.

    Why lone-actor attacks are so difficult to prevent

    Because lone actors operate independently and rarely communicate their intentions, their identities often remain unknown until after an attack. Their goals and ideologies are frequently ambiguous, making it hard to predict behaviour or select likely targets. Even correctly identifying an incident as lone-actor terrorism can be challenging.

    The case of Axel Rudakubana illustrates this difficulty. Rudakubana killed three young girls in Southport, northern England, in 2024 after breaking into their Taylor Swift-themed dance workshop. Despite the discovery of an Al-Qaeda training manual in his possession, prosecutors found no substantial evidence of political motivation and labelled the incident a “mass killing” rather than terrorism.

    It is very difficult – if not impossible – to determine the exact number of lone-actor terrorist attacks that have taken place in Europe with certainty. The absence of a universally accepted definition of terrorism is part of the problem. It’s also possible that acts of mass violence are being classified as terrorism when they are actually ideologically neutral. Equally, it can be difficult to determine whether an actor truly acted alone, especially in an age of internet radicalisation.

    What is clear is that independent terrorist attacks became more frequent in the early 2010s. By 2013, such incidents spiked, with Europe seeing six to seven Islamist and far-right attacks per year (up from fewer than one annually before 2010). These figures refer strictly to cases where perpetrators acted independently, excluding those with evidence of external support. For example, Anis Amri’s 2016 truck attack in Berlin and Taimour al-Abdaly’s 2010 suicide attempt in Stockholm were initially seen as lone-actor events, but later investigations revealed ties to Islamist cells.

    Lone-actor terrorism appears less common among far-left and ethno-nationalist groups, though exceptions do exist.

    Lone-actor terrorist attacks in Europe

    Lone-actor attacks in the 2010s.
    D muro, O Craciunas, CC BY-ND

    This shift towards lone-actor attacks is likely a result of evolving counterterrorism strategies implemented after major attacks like the 2004 Madrid train bombings and the 2005 London bombings. It became harder to carry out large-scale plots so groups like Al-Qaeda and later Islamic State switched to encouraging or organising attacks by loosely affiliated individuals acting independently but on their behalf.

    The struggle between terrorist groups and governments is one of constant adaptation. By 2018, Europol data indicated that all the Islamist attacks that had been seen through to completion in Europe during that year had been carried out by lone actors.

    Lone-actor attacks have an even longer history within far-right terrorism. The term “lone-wolf terrorist” was first popularised in American white supremacist propaganda in the early 1990s – well before the more neutral term “lone-actor terrorist” was adopted by researchers. As counterterrorism efforts increasingly targeted white supremacist groups, many within the movement came to see independent action as the most effective way to evade detection and maintain operational secrecy.

    Addressing the threat

    Fortunately, we now understand more about lone-actor crimes. We’ve come to understand that these attacks stem from complex psychological and environmental factors.

    While perpetrators shouldn’t be dismissed as simply “crazy,” mental health can play a role in radicalisation, especially when combined with personal grievances, failed aspirations, and perceived injustices. Influences from family, peers and online spaces also shape this process. While no two radicalisation pathways are identical, certain patterns can be observed – and recognising them early may help reduce the threat.

    The idea of “self-radicalisation” also merits caution. Lone actors rarely radicalise in isolation; their manifestos often echo broader ideological themes, shaped by conspiracy theories or charismatic figures. These actors often assign symbolic meaning to their actions. Raising awareness of the impact of violent public discourse is key – though this must be done without infringing on free speech. History shows that providing “pressure valves” for controversial ideas is more constructive than censorship.

    Lone-actor attacks are, in part, difficult to prevent precisely because they are not a systemic threat in the way that coordinated, group-based terrorism can be. Its danger lies in isolated bursts of violence rather than in sustained campaigns. But there are patterns worth following that could help prevent future incidents.

    The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. What we’ve learnt about lone-actor terrorism over the years could help us prevent future attacks – https://theconversation.com/what-weve-learnt-about-lone-actor-terrorism-over-the-years-could-help-us-prevent-future-attacks-254137

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Change of His Majesty’s Ambassador to Kazakhstan: Sally Axworthy

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Change of His Majesty’s Ambassador to Kazakhstan: Sally Axworthy

    Mrs Sally Axworthy MBE has been appointed His Majesty’s Ambassador to the Republic of Kazakhstan.

    Mrs Sally Axworthy

    Mrs Sally Axworthy MBE has been appointed His Majesty’s Ambassador to the Republic of Kazakhstan in succession to Ms Kathy Leach who will be transferring to another Diplomatic Service appointment.  Mrs Axworthy will take up her appointment during August 2025.

    Curriculum vitae

    Full name: Sally Jane Axworthy

    Year Role
    2024 to present Full-time Kazakh language training
    2021 to 2024 FCDO, Head, Negotiations and Peace Processes Department, Office for Conflict, Stabilisation and Mediation
    2016 to 2021 Holy See, HM Ambassador
    2013 to 2015 FCO, Joint Head, North Africa Department
    2011 to 2013 FCO, Head, Somalia Unit
    2011 FCO, Head, Great Lakes, East Africa and Somalia Department
    2009 to 2011 India, Director, Corporate Services
    2007 to 2008 FCO, Head of Financial Skills
    2006 FCO, Senior Flexible Working Project, Human Resources Directorate
    2004 to 2005 Government Office South West, Vulnerable Adults Project Leader
    2001 to 2003 Government Office South West, Assistant Director, Devon and Cornwall
    1998 to 2000 FCO, Head, Turkey, Cyprus & Malta Section, European Union Department
    1996 to 1998 Bonn, First Secretary (European Union)
    1994 to 1996 Secondment to the German Foreign Ministry
    1993 to 1994 FCO, Head, Political Section, United Nations Department
    1991 to 1992 Kyiv, Second Secretary Economic
    1989 to 1991 Moscow, Third Secretary Commercial
    1988 to 1989 Full time language training (Russian)
    1987 to 1988 FCO, Desk Officer, Hungary and Czechoslovakia

    Updates to this page

    Published 24 April 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Internship of KRSU teachers at the Polytechnic

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University – Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University –

    As part of cooperation between the Kyrgyz-Russian Slavic University and Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University, an educational internship was held for the heads of KRSU educational programs. The main goal was to study modern approaches to designing educational programs, implementing innovative teaching methods and developing partnerships with industrial enterprises.

    The internship participants held a series of working meetings with the staff of the Directorate of Basic Educational Programs of SPbPU, where they discussed current trends in higher education, the specifics of developing new educational standards, and the model of multi-track engineering training. Of particular interest were issues of network interaction in the implementation of educational programs and the organization of students’ project activities.

    A significant part of the program was devoted to familiarization with the advanced infrastructure of SPbPU. KRSU teachers visited the laboratories of the Physics and Mathematics Institute, where Acting Director Nikolay Ivanov demonstrated them unique equipment: wind tunnels, installations for studying hydrodynamic processes and modern research stands. At the Civil Engineering Institute, the participants got acquainted with the laboratories of additive technologies in construction and road construction materials, as well as the innovative educational space “MetaCampus Polytech”.

    An important component of the internship was participation in the Youth Career Forum, where KRSU teachers were able to study effective mechanisms of interaction between the university and potential employers. The participants immersed themselves in the working atmosphere and improved their cross-professional competencies. This experience is especially valuable for the development of the graduate employment system in Kyrgyzstan.

    The final stage was the final certification, at which colleagues from KRSU presented the developed educational programs, highlighting their competitive advantages, listing the industrial partners involved and describing the employment prospects of graduates. The defense took place in the presence of the assistant of the Presidential Administration of the Russian Federation Vadim Smirnov, acting rector of KRSU Sergey Volkov, representatives of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation, vice-rector for educational activities of SPbPU Lyudmila Pankova and vice-rector for international activities Dmitry Arsenyev.

    Lyudmila Pankova noted: “The implemented approach to the public presentation of the educational program allows us to look at it more comprehensively, evaluate the competitive advantages of the program in the context of the challenges of the modern labor market, and analyze the resource capabilities of the university for training in-demand specialists.”

    The internship significantly deepened Russian-Kyrgyz cooperation in the field of engineering education, providing KRSU teachers with valuable experience that will contribute to the modernization of educational programs and the introduction of advanced practices into the university’s educational process. The knowledge and contacts gained open up new prospects for the development of academic mobility and joint educational projects between the two universities.

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Penitentiary professionals gain skills in medical standards of torture documentation

    Source: Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe – OSCE

    Headline: Penitentiary professionals gain skills in medical standards of torture documentation

    A total of some 45 forensic experts and medical staff of penitentiary system from five regions of Uzbekistan learned about international mechanisms for documenting torture, as well as national laws governing the treatment of those in detention, during training events in Termez and Ferghana on 21-22 April and 24-25 April.
    The OSCE Project Co-Ordinator in Uzbekistan (PCUz), in co-operation with the National Center for Human Rights (NCHR), the Directorate for the Execution of Punishments under the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Uzbekistan and the Republican Scientific and Practical Center for Forensic Medicine, organized the two-day courses, which covered the Istanbul Protocol – the international standard for the medical documentation of torture.
    “Our main task in ending torture is to improve the skills of medical personnel, arming them with effective tools in accordance with international standards, one of which is the Istanbul Protocol. Protecting human dignity is not only a legal but also a moral duty. In this regard, together with our reliable partner, the OSCE PCUz, we are implementing important initiatives”, said Professor Akmal Saidov, Director of the NCHR.
    Ambassador Antti Karttunen, Head of Office of the PCUz, said, “Since 2017, Uzbekistan has demonstrated a serious commitment to identifying and addressing gaps in torture prevention and strengthening the protection of human rights. The OSCE PCUz is proud to support Uzbekistan’s initiatives that promote human rights within Uzbekistan’s penitentiary system. Over the years, our office has provided capacity-building support to governmental and civil society actors and conducted several trainings on torture prevention.”
    Participants in the training events, from Republican Scientific and Practical Centre for Forensic Medicine and Uzbekistan’s penitentiary system, were taught how to correctly identify and document both physical and psychological signs of torture, as well as how to comply with legal and ethical standards when conducting forensic examinations in detention facilities, such as pretrial detention centres and prisons. 
    This initiative reflects a continuing commitment by Uzbekistan to advance human rights protection mechanisms and support professionals in upholding legal and ethical standards in the treatment of individuals in detention.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: NSU held a telethon with colleagues from the National University of Uzbekistan

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Novosibirsk State University – Novosibirsk State University –

    Novosibirsk State University held a telethon with colleagues from the National University of Uzbekistan named after Mirzo Ulugbek “Heroes of Science and the Front: Memory of Teachers and Scientists”, dedicated to the 80th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War.

    The telethon was organized by partners in the Consortium of Researchers of the History of North and Central Asian Countries, the Humanitarian Institute of NSU and the Faculty of History of the Mirzo Ulugbek National University of Uzbekistan.

    Opening the meeting, Professor, Doctor of Historical Sciences Andrey Zuyev emphasized: “A lot of time has passed, but we must not forget about this, the most grandiose event of the 20th century for our history. Representatives of all peoples and social groups of the Soviet Union took part in the war. And our event is dedicated to preserving the memory of the teachers and scientists who contributed to the common Victory.”

    Professor of the National University of Uzbekistan, Doctor of Historical Sciences Akhmadjon Khalikulov, who spoke in response, shared the same point of view.

    The telethon program opened with a report by Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Professor Vyacheslav Molodin, “Scientists of Siberia on the Front of the Great Patriotic War and in the Post-War Period,” which became the basis for a chapter in a collective monograph on this topic, prepared by the Siberian Branch of the Academy of Sciences.

    He recalled that during the war, many scientists were already working in Novosibirsk, where the Novosibirsk Committee of Scientists was created in early 1942, with Academician S.A. Chaplygin becoming its honorary chairman. A year later, a branch of the USSR Academy of Sciences was formed, consisting of the following institutes: Mining and Geology, Transport and Energy, Chemical and Metallurgical, and Medical and Biological.

    “Among the priority tasks facing the institutes of the Siberian branch of the Academy of Sciences was the use of natural resources of the Urals and Siberia in the interests of the country’s defense, since many sources of strategic raw materials ended up in enemy-occupied territories,” Molodin said. And, as the academician showed in his report, the geologists successfully coped with it.

    It is difficult to overestimate the contribution to the victory of the future founders of Akademgorodok. Mikhail Alekseevich Lavrentyev developed the theory of cumulation and decoding the actions of cumulative shells, on the basis of which a number of effective anti-tank ammunition was created, which played, among other things, a significant role in the outcome of the Battle of Kursk. The research of Sergei Alekseevich Khristianovich helped to increase the accuracy of shooting of another important class of weapons of that war – multiple launch rocket systems. The third co-founder of Akademgorodok Sergei Lvovich Sobolev worked on the development of computational mathematics during the war, and the results of his work later found expression in the successful implementation of the atomic and space projects of the Soviet Union.

    Many of the future famous scientists of the Siberian Branch of the Academy of Sciences went through the Great Patriotic War as soldiers and officers of the Red Army. Among them were the founder of the Institute of Nuclear Physics G.I. Budker, the founder of the Institute of Semiconductor Physics A.V. Rzhanov, one of the founders of the Institute of Thermal Physics S.S. Kutateladze, the author of the famous experiment on domesticating foxes and one of those who revived genetics in the USSR D.K. Belyaev, the future founder of the Physics and Mathematics School and one of the fathers of Soviet cybernetics A.A. Lyapunov and many others, whose names were also mentioned in Academician Molodin’s report.

    Also, as part of the telethon, PhD in History Stanislav Egorov presented a digital exhibition “From the War Fronts to the Scientific and Teaching Front: NSU Humanities Scientists — Participants in the Great Patriotic War.”

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Chinese FM to attend bilateral, multilateral meetings in Kazakhstan, Brazil

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    BEIJING, April 23 — Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the political bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, will attend the Sixth China-Central Asia Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and hold the Second China-Kazakhstan Foreign Ministers’ Strategic Dialogue in Kazakhstan, and attend the Meeting of BRICS Ministers of Foreign Affairs/International Relations and the 15th Meeting of BRICS National Security Advisers and High Representatives on National Security in Brazil from April 25 to 30, a foreign ministry spokesperson announced here Wednesday.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Uzbekistan: Staff Concluding Statement of the 2025 Article IV Mission

    Source: IMF – News in Russian

    April 23, 2025

    A Concluding Statement describes the preliminary findings of IMF staff at the end of an official staff visit (or ‘mission’), in most cases to a member country. Missions are undertaken as part of regular (usually annual) consultations under Article IV of the IMF’s Articles of Agreement, in the context of a request to use IMF resources (borrow from the IMF), as part of discussions of staff monitored programs, or as part of other staff monitoring of economic developments.

    The authorities have consented to the publication of this statement. The views expressed in this statement are those of the IMF staff and do not necessarily represent the views of the IMF’s Executive Board. Based on the preliminary findings of this mission, staff will prepare a report that, subject to management approval, will be presented to the IMF Executive Board for discussion and decision.

    Washington, DC:

    Recent Developments, Outlook, and Risks

    The economy has continued to perform strongly. Real GDP growth was robust at 6.5 percent in 2024, supported by strong domestic demand. The external current account deficit narrowed by 2.6 percentage points of GDP to 5.0 percent in 2024 on the back of strong remittances, high commodity prices, rapidly growing non-gold exports, and the winding down of a one-off increase in imports in 2023. International reserves remain ample. The consolidated government deficit (CGD) fell by 1.7 percentage points of GDP to 3.2 percent in 2024, largely reflecting a reduction in energy subsidies and better-targeted social expenditure, with higher gold prices mitigating lower VAT revenues from high VAT refunds. However, the reduction in domestic demand from the smaller deficit was dampened by higher spending in the broader public sector, including from SOEs, facilitated by an increase in the external borrowing ceiling. Inflation remains elevated, with a headline reading of 10.3 percent year-on-year (y/y) in March 2025, reflecting last year’s needed increases in energy tariffs and other administered prices, as well as spillovers into other prices.

    Growth is expected to remain robust, however, external uncertainty has ratcheted up recently. The announced global tariff increases have increased uncertainty and tightened global financial conditions and could affect Uzbekistan through external demand, commodity prices, and financial flows. Despite this uncertainty, under the baseline, real GDP growth is projected to remain close to 6 percent in 2025 and 2026, supported by continued strength in private consumption, investment, and advancement of structural reforms. The current account deficit is forecast to remain unchanged at 5 percent of GDP in 2025, as higher gold exports and broader public sector consolidation offset weaker non-gold export performance brought about by slower growth in trading partners. Inflation is expected to moderate to slightly above 8 percent y/y at end-2025, and continue to gradually decline thereafter, supported by tight macroeconomic and macroprudential policies and the continuation of structural reforms.

    Elevated uncertainty presents both risks and opportunities. Key external risks stem from larger and protracted trade policy shocks, spillovers from the war in Ukraine, reduced availability of external financing, and commodity price volatility. Domestically, risks include higher-than-expected fiscal deficits, upward adjustments to borrowing ceilings, weakened bank balance sheets, and contingent liabilities from state-owned enterprises, state-owned commercial banks (SOCBs), and public-private partnerships (PPPs). Opportunities could arise from faster implementation of structural reforms, stronger capital and remittance inflows, and higher gold prices.

    Fiscal Policy

    The decline in the consolidated government deficit (CGD) in 2024 is welcome. Staff commends the government for reducing the CGD and remaining committed to the 3 percent medium-term fiscal target. Adhering to the external borrowing limit of US $5.5 billion in 2025 and setting future borrowing ceilings that ensure public and publicly guaranteed debt as a share of GDP doesn’t increase are paramount to enhance budget credibility, help mitigate risks from state-owned enterprises and PPPs, and alleviate demand pressures on inflation. Volatile gold prices create risks of inflationary spending pressures when they are high, and pressures to lower spending when they are low, exacerbating macroeconomic fluctuations. The authorities should thus seek to minimize responses of government spending to gold price changes.

    Revenue mobilization and spending rationalization are needed to create room for development and social needs. A medium-term revenue strategy is needed to offset the 2 percentage point of GDP decline in the tax-to-GDP ratio since 2020. Tax policy options include reforming the corporate and personal income taxes, reducing income-based tax incentives, and removing ineffective customs exemptions while refraining from granting new ones. These should be complemented by revenue administration measures, including revamping the audit program and improving large taxpayer office operations, while ensuring that taxpayers’ rights are respected. In this regard, the two strategies currently under consideration, to reform the tax administration and combat the shadow economy should be approved and implemented. Rationalizing wages, reducing the cost of goods and services leveraging recent procurement reforms, accelerating state-owned enterprise reforms, further consolidating and improving the design of social assistance programs, and reforming the pension system would enhance spending efficiency.

    The reform of fiscal institutions should continue in order to strengthen fiscal discipline and transparency. Staff commends the government for adhering to the budget calendar, preparing the fiscal strategy paper and fiscal risk statements, and adopting the 2025-2030 Public Financial Management Reform Strategy. Further progress is needed to unify the public investment process irrespective of the financing source, better align and integrate the preparation of capital and current budgets, cover all capital expenditures institutions are responsible for when setting their budget ceilings, and publish these ceilings with the budget documents. Importantly, to address fiscal risks from a rapidly growing PPP pipeline, the authorities have made notable progress in designing a system to monitor and manage risks from PPPs. This should be complemented by conducting a sensitivity analysis of key assumptions, include potential PPP costs in the budget, integrate PPPs in the broader public investment management framework, and lower the annual PPP cap in line with limited absorption capacity. Improving Government Financial Statistics (GFS) reporting and publishing the debt management strategy, along with annual borrowing plan, will strengthen fiscal transparency and facilitate relations with investors.

    Monetary and Exchange Rate Policy

    The Central Bank of Uzbekistan (CBU) should keep monetary policy tight until inflation approaches its 5 percent target. The recent policy rate hike in response to rising inflation and inflation expectations signals the CBU’s readiness to address existing pressures. Monetary policy should remain data-driven and be tightened further if core inflation or inflation expectations do not decline. The exchange rate should be gradually allowed to fluctuate in wider ranges to better reflect market conditions, serve as a shock absorber, safeguard reserves, incentivize firms to hedge foreign exchange exposures, and help avoid persistent depreciation expectations. In addition, adhering to the principle of neutrality within the calendar year will facilitate exchange rate flexibility. Staff commends the CBU for its efforts to enhance communication. Bolstering communication further will help anchor inflation expectations and ensure predictability of monetary policy. Efforts to strengthen monetary policy transmission should continue by further improving liquidity management, modernizing the reserve requirements framework, and reducing the role of the state in the banking sector and high dollarization.

    Financial Sector Stability

    The authorities should advance reforms of state-owned commercial banks (SOCBs) and accelerate their privatization to promote financial stability and efficient resource allocation. Their mandates should focus on profitability, and any costs arising from non-commercial operations should be fully and transparently compensated for in the budget until these operations are gradually phased out. Strengthening the corporate governance of SOCBs would support their commercial focus, facilitate privatization, promote state-owned enterprise restructuring, improve monetary policy transmission, and increase access to affordable credit for the private sector. A reduction in government ownership of banking system assets to 40 percent, as envisaged in the 2020-2025 banking reform strategy, calls for the acceleration of SOCB privatization. Transparent procedures, strong regulatory frameworks, good creditor and shareholder rights, and competitive bidding during the privatization process would ensure the attraction of qualified investors and maximize asset value. Furthermore, staff advises against current plans to keep systemic banks as policy banks, which could increase financial risks or costs to the budget.

    Bank supervision should be enhanced, including by adopting international standards. Staff advises the authorities to implement the recommendations of the recent and first Financial Sector Assessment Program (FSAP) for Uzbekistan. These call for reforms to focus on strengthening bank regulation; implementing robust risk-based supervision; enhancing systemic risk analysis and stress testing; strengthening capital requirements; aligning asset classification and non-performing loan resolution with international best practices; improving payment system oversight; and establishing adequate bank resolution, crisis management, and financial safety net arrangements.

    The Central Bank of Uzbekistan (CBU) should continue to closely monitor and be prepared to address emerging financial stability risks. The welcome introduction of macroprudential measures in 2023-24 has moderated household credit growth and resulted in banks’ increased attention to borrower’s creditworthiness. Nevertheless, the microlending segment has been growing rapidly as micro loans and credits are provided under less stringent conditions. While initiatives that aim at enhancing financial inclusion and deepening are welcome, they should not undermine proper credit assessment by banks, which would add to financial stability risks. The CBU should therefore strengthen risk-based supervision to limit these risks and deploy additional capital requirements or other binding macroprudential measures, as needed. It should also address risks from foreign exchange lending to unhedged corporate borrowers, and lending to individuals without formal income and to corporates facing heightened risks of insolvency or illiquidity. Phasing out preferential and directed lending should remain a priority.

    Structural and Governance Reforms

    After significantly advancing economic transition reforms, Uzbekistan needs to complete them and accelerate implementation of institutional reforms. Necessary energy tariff and broader administrative price increases have advanced price liberalization and should be continued until its completion to allow prices to fully reflect market forces. Significant progress has also been made with World Trade Organization accession in both bilateral and multilateral tracks, and the increased engagement with neighboring countries and other regions such as the Gulf Cooperation Council, have significantly contributed to advancing trade liberalization and diversification. Support for state-owned enterprises needs to be transparent, made conditional on restructuring, and be gradually phased out to level the playing field for the private sector. State involvement in the economy should continue to be reduced, and privatization of large state-owned enterprises should be accelerated and carried out in accordance with international best practices. Controls and direct intervention should be replaced with effective regulation and market institutions. Facilitating firm entry and exit would further contribute to stimulate a competitive environment for the private sector.  

    Governance, labor, and climate reforms should continue. Governance indicators have improved significantly in recent years. The enactment of the conflict-of-interest law, training of government officials to implement it, and the establishment of the Virtual Anti-Corruption Academy are welcome. Public discussion of the draft law on asset declaration for officials of the government and state enterprises, and cabinet review of the draft whistleblower protection law are expected soon. The authorities should enact and implement these laws as soon as possible. Improving transparency and access to information, particularly regarding procurement, and finalizing the National Strategy on Anti-Corruption would also contribute to improved efficiency of public spending and administration. Labor market reforms need to be accelerated to address low female labor participation, high informality, and skill mismatches. Completing the energy price reform and swiftly adopting measures to enhance water efficiency, diversify crops, and support reforestation efforts will significantly advance the climate agenda. Improving the quality of statistics would lead to better analysis and more informed policymaking.

    The mission would like to thank the Uzbek authorities, stakeholders, and private sector representatives for their hospitality, constructive policy dialogue, and productive collaboration during the Article IV mission.
    IMF Communications Department
    MEDIA RELATIONS

    PRESS OFFICER: Wafa Amr

    Phone: +1 202 623-7100Email: MEDIA@IMF.org

    https://www.imf.org/en/News/Articles/2025/04/23/mcs-042325-uzbekistan-staff-concluding-statement-of-the-2025-article-iv-mission

    MIL OSI

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Russia nuclear power capacity to reach 33.6GW in 2035, forecasts GlobalData

    Source: GlobalData

    Russia nuclear power capacity to reach 33.6GW in 2035, forecasts GlobalData

    Posted in Power

    Russia stands as a global leader in nuclear power production and technology. Following the Chernobyl disaster, nuclear power experienced a decline in public support within the country. However, in 2020, the Russian government endorsed the creation of over 40GW of nuclear power capacity by 2030. Against this backdrop, nuclear power capacity in the country is expected to reach 33.6GW in 2035, registering a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.1% during 2024-35, according to GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.

    GlobalData’s latest report, “Russia Power Market Outlook to 2035, Update 2025 – Market Trends, Regulations, and Competitive Landscape,” reveals that annual nuclear power generation in Russia is expected to increase at a CAGR of 2% between 2024-35 to reach 251.6TWh.

    According to the most recent General Scheme, the government’s objective is to elevate the share of nuclear energy in the national capacity from the current 10.4% to over 15% by 2042. This strategic initiative underscores Russia’s dedication to enhancing its nuclear power infrastructure and securing a more substantial role for nuclear energy in its long-term energy strategy.

    Attaurrahman Ojindaram Saibasan, Senior Power Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “Russia is investing in advanced reactor technologies to improve efficiency and safety. The BREST-OD-300, a lead-cooled fast reactor currently under construction in Seversk, is engineered for passive safety features and a closed fuel cycle. Additionally, the development of the RITM Series Reactors, including the RITM-200 and RITM-400, is progressing. These small modular reactors (SMRs) are designed for deployment in remote areas and for integration with floating nuclear power plants, offering enhanced flexibility and a diminished environmental footprint.”

    Russia is exploring regional partnerships with Uzbekistan, Iran, and Vietnam for nuclear development and harbors ambitious plans to investigate the use of SMRs in extraterrestrial settings. In collaboration with China, Russia aims to establish a nuclear-powered lunar base by 2035, which will include a command center, power station, and scientific laboratories. While the concept may seem implausible, it showcases the nation’s expertise in nuclear technology.

    Saibasan concludes: “The focus would be on SMRs to meet the increasing demand in Russia. Some of the key upcoming SMR projects include Seversk-BREST SMR, Primorsk SMR 1& 2, Zheleznogorsk MCC SMR 1, and North West SMR 2. Though the country may fall short of achieving its 40GW nuclear power target by 2030, it will continue to progress aggressively towards nuclear power development to ensure supply security.”

    MIL OSI Economics –