Central Asia in June 2026: the most important developments in economy
In Central Asia in June 2026, the most covered economic story concerned Kazakhstan and Russia's fuel crisis: a report on 26 June examined the Kremlin's approach to Kazakhstan amid that crisis. Kazakhstan's own oil sector also drew attention. It is set to produce more oil after OPEC+ raised limits, and it opened its biggest licensing round in years, covering 9 billion barrels of oil equivalent. The IMF said the Kazakh economy shows resilience despite oil production challenges. Kazakhstan also plans six coal-to-chemicals projects, and Thailand is considering rare earth imports from the country. Goods shipments to Russia via Kazakhstan stalled at the start of the month.
Nuclear power and Russian ties featured across the region. On 4 June Vladimir Putin and Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev launched the construction of a nuclear power plant in Uzbekistan. Kyrgyzstan is exploring nuclear energy cooperation with Rosatom. Reports said Uzbekistan could join the Eurasian Economic Union soon, and the prime ministers of Belarus and Kyrgyzstan toured the Avtomash Radiator plant.
Elsewhere, Kazakhstan opened Central Asia's first Brain Institute, turned to US water experts as water scarcity threatens the country, and set its sights on the Middle Corridor trade route, according to China Daily. The World Bank Group reaffirmed its partnership with Tajikistan to support private sector-led growth and job creation.
by WorldBrief & Maksim Micheliov | AI-generated summary
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