?Geopolitical Briefing: Central Asia
25 May 2025(vietnamnews.vn)
- Vietnam and Kazakhstan have established a strategic partnership, marking Vietnam’s first such alliance in Central Asia.
- Kyrgyzstan announced a 35% salary increase for security officers, effective July 1, 2025.
- Tajikistan initiated infrastructure projects in the Sughd region and Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region to enhance connectivity.
- The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) downgraded its 2025 growth forecast for Central Asia to 5.5%.
- China and Central Asian countries convened their sixth Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Almaty, focusing on deepening cooperation.
On May 6, 2025, Kazakhstan and Vietnam elevated their bilateral relationship to a strategic partnership during Vietnamese General Secretary Tô Lâm’s state visit to Astana. This partnership encompasses cooperation in trade, security, and technology, with plans to increase bilateral trade to $5 billion by 2030. Additionally, Vietjet acquired a strategic stake in Kazakhstan’s Qazaq Air, forming a joint venture to operate a fleet of Boeing 737 aircraft, enhancing connectivity between Central Asia and Southeast Asia.
Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov announced on May 9, 2025, a 35% salary increase for security officers, effective July 1, with further raises for contract-based military personnel starting September 1. This move aims to bolster national defense capabilities and improve the welfare of security forces, reflecting Kyrgyzstan’s commitment to enhancing internal security and reducing reliance on external military support.
Tajikistan has embarked on significant infrastructure development projects in the Sughd region and the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Area, including road and bridge construction. These projects aim to improve domestic connectivity and facilitate economic integration with neighboring countries, aligning with broader regional development objectives.
The EBRD, in its May 2025 report, revised Central Asia’s economic growth forecast for 2025 down to 5.5%, citing global economic challenges, including lower commodity prices and geopolitical uncertainties. This adjustment underscores the region’s vulnerability to external economic fluctuations and highlights the importance of diversifying economies and strengthening internal resilience.
On April 26, 2025, the sixth China-Central Asia Foreign Ministers’ Meeting was held in Almaty, Kazakhstan, with participation from foreign ministers of China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and a representative from Turkmenistan. The meeting focused on deepening economic and strategic cooperation, emphasizing connectivity, trade, and mutual development initiatives. This engagement reflects China’s ongoing efforts to solidify its influence in Central Asia through multilateral diplomacy and infrastructure investment.
