Central Asia in September 2026: the most important developments in politics
In Central Asia in September 2026, politics opened with the summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, marking the organization's 25th anniversary. Leaders signed the Bishkek Declaration, which outlines a shared vision of a multipolar world, and 27 agreements. Chinese President Xi Jinping attended the SCO Plus meeting and held talks with Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov, and Vladimir Putin held several bilateral meetings, including one with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met leaders of Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan. Kyrgyzstan said it was ready to use its seat on the UN Security Council to strengthen dialogue.
In Kazakhstan, a new cabinet took office on September 3. On September 24 President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev declared September 25 a day of national mourning after servicemen died in the Caspian Sea, and a commission was formed to investigate; Azerbaijan's defense minister and Putin sent condolences. Tokayev made a state visit to South Korea and a working visit to India, and Kazakhstan offered to host talks between Russia and Ukraine. Russia announced that electronic permits will be required for entry into Kazakhstan from Russia.
Elsewhere, Uzbekistan introduced visa-free entry for Indian visitors, moved toward a free trade agreement with Serbia and, according to one report, scaled back nuclear cooperation with Russia. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio will visit Uzbekistan in October with a business delegation. Kyrgyzstan's President Japarov appointed a new head of the State Committee for National Security, and Turkmenistan's president held talks with South Korea's prime minister in Seoul.
by WorldBrief & Maksim Micheliov | AI-generated summary
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