Editor’s note: Decision Makers is a global platform for decision makers to share their insights on events shaping today’s world. Djoomart Otorbaev is a former prime minister of Kyrgyzstan, a professor of the Belt and Road School of Beijing Normal University, a member of the Nizami Ganjavi International Center, and the author of “Central Asia’s Economic Rebirth in the Shadow of the New Great Game.” The article reflects the author’s opinions and not necessarily the views of CGTN.

The forthcoming second China-Central Asia Summit, scheduled for this month in Astana, capital of Kazakhstan, aims to be a pivotal event in regional politics and economics, shaping cooperation priorities among the participating nations in the near future.

With a challenging geopolitical context, Central Asian countries have an exceptional opportunity to enhance their multi-vector foreign policy and broaden their economic connections. The second summit offers them several significant opportunities.

The importance of this summit extends well beyond formal meetings and signed agreements. It represents the increasing significance for China and Central Asian nations to foster long-term, mutually beneficial relationships. Amidst geopolitical instability and a reassessment of global interactions, establishing a foundation of dialogue and trust is crucial, providing a robust model for multilateral cooperation.

China’s impressive advancements in its green energy sector in recent years play a crucial role in fostering cooperation with Central Asian nations. 2024 was historic for the Chinese economy and the success of its sustainability policies. Last year, green technologies contributed a record 10 percent to China’s GDP, with sales and investment in the sector reaching a staggering 13.6 trillion Chinese yuan (approximately $1.9 trillion). Without this clean energy growth, the Asian emerging economy’s GDP in 2024 would have expanded by only 3.6 percent, instead of the 5.0 percent it ultimately achieved. China’s net investment in green energy has reached 6.8 trillion yuan, with an annual growth rate of 7 percent, down from the 40 percent growth rate in 2023. These figures are indeed substantial, roughly equivalent to the total global investment in fossil fuels for 2024 and comparable to the overall size of the Saudi Arabian economy.

In recent years, collaborative and comprehensive efforts have made notable socio-economic progress. By 2024, China’s direct investment stock in the five Central Asian nations surpassed $17 billion, with cumulative project turnover in sectors like infrastructure, new energy, and oil and gas extraction exceeding $60 billion.

However, we will focus here on cooperation between China and Central Asian countries in sustainable development. As of November 2024, the China-Central Asia Gas Pipeline supplied over 500 billion cubic meters of natural gas to China since its launch in 2009.

A demonstration project in Uzbekistan facilitated the implementation of drip irrigation over 2,000 hectares, boosting water use efficiency by 30 to 40 percent. In 2024, Chinese brands captured 39 percent of Kazakhstan’s total vehicle sales market, with six of the ten best-selling car brands originating from China.

The launch ceremony for the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway project took place in Kyrgyzstan in December 2024. The project is designed for up to 120 kilometers per hour and features 20 stations along the route. In the first four months of 2025, the China-Central Asia freight trains completed 4,725 journeys, a 21 percent increase from the previous year. By April 2025, over 45,000 China-Europe trains had passed through the Horgos railway port in Kazakhstan, connecting 87 routes across 18 countries and 46 cities and regions.

Furthermore, numerous green initiatives in Central Asian nations are currently in progress. During the inaugural China-Central Asia Summit in Xi’an in May 2023, key agreements were made to collaboratively pursue sustainable energy initiatives, particularly focusing on building solar and wind energy infrastructure in Central Asia, which sets the stage for various projects.

The same year, China and Uzbekistan signed an agreement to develop renewable energy initiatives, encompassing photovoltaic, wind, and hydroelectric power facilities. This deal is vital to the Green Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and aims to enhance Uzbekistan’s renewable energy capabilities while lowering its dependence on fossil fuels.

Another important initiative under the Green BRI is the Kapchagay PV plant in Kazakhstan. This project stands out due to its implementation model, “100 percent made in China, 100 percent built in Kazakhstan.” This strategy emphasizes China’s dedication to localizing its renewable energy developments, ensuring the highest quality and efficiency standards are upheld. The construction and continued operation of the Kapchagay plant align perfectly with the country’s long-term sustainability objectives.

Kazakhstan also hosts the Zhanatas wind farm, featuring a capacity of 100 megawatts, that is a vital effort to decrease the country’s reliance on coal. This project, a collaboration between China Power International Holding and Visor Kazakhstan, stands as one of the most notable wind initiatives in Central Asia.

With China’s experience in constructing and managing hydroelectric facilities, its role in the large-scale development of the Kambarata-1 hydroelectric power station – a collaboration involving Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan – may be especially crucial.

Clear indications suggest that the increasing collaboration between China and Central Asian nations in the green economy and energy sector will persist and intensify in the years ahead. The Astana summit aims to solidify the progress made and establish bold objectives. Our countries are committed to collaboratively and decisively implement the latest sustainable technologies to advance their economies and enhance the living standards of their citizens. I believe our combined efforts and initiatives will yield achievements we can all take pride in moving forward.

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