Renewed U.S. engagement puts South Caucasus higher on Washington’s agenda
A renewed wave of U.S. diplomatic activity in the South Caucasus highlights Washington’s growing focus on regional connectivity, trade and security,...
More than 200 electric buses from China have arrived in Tashkent as part of Uzbekistan’s plan to modernise its public transport system and cut carbon emissions.
The new Yutong buses and 102 charging stations were supplied under a government initiative to support cleaner and more energy-efficient urban mobility.
According to the Ministry of Transport, a total of 202 Yutong electric buses will soon begin operating on 34 routes across Tashkent.
The vehicles are expected to reduce 93.3 tonnes of carbon emissions per month, contributing to the city’s ‘Green Economy Strategy’.
Each bus comes with a three-year factory warranty and is equipped with air conditioning, safety systems, and digital dashboards for improved reliability and passenger comfort.
Officials noted that another 1,000 electric buses are expected to be purchased next year to help achieve the government’s goal of making 50% of public transport electric by 2030.
“The expansion of electric transport will help us improve air quality, reduce fuel costs, and make city travel more comfortable,” a Ministry spokesperson said in a statement.
The delivery also highlights China’s growing role in exporting its clean-energy technologies. In 2024, China exported more than USD 45 billion worth of clean-energy products including electric vehicles, batteries, and solar panels, representing over 60 percent of global EV exports.
By investing in sustainable projects abroad, China is effectively “exporting” its environmental model, and Uzbekistan is among the Central Asian countries benefiting from this cooperation in the transport, energy, and infrastructure sectors.
The new electric fleet also fits into Uzbekistan’s broader effort to strengthen its regional connectivity. With the construction of the China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan (CKU) railway, which is expected to carry up to 15 million tonnes of cargo annually, Uzbekistan aims to shift from a landlocked to a land-connected country.
The 523-kilometre railway will link Kashgar (China) to Andijan (Uzbekistan) through Kyrgyzstan, reducing freight transit time by up to seven days compared with current northern routes.
Analysts say this will make Uzbekistan a central hub in the emerging green trade and transport corridors of Eurasia.
Uzbekistan’s ongoing projects under its “Green Economy Strategy 2030” focus on developing renewable energy, reducing industrial emissions, and electrifying transport fleets.
The integration of Chinese-made electric buses is seen as a practical step towards achieving these goals, improving both environmental outcomes and regional trade efficiency.
The U.S. and Iran have reportedly reached a preliminary 60-day ceasefire and nuclear talks deal, pending Donald Trump’s approval, Axios reports. Meanwhile, the GCC condemned Iran’s missile strike on a U.S. airbase in Kuwait, which Tehran said was retaliation for a U.S. strike near Bandar Abbas.
The World Health Organization (WHO) says ongoing conflict, funding pressures and international travel restrictions are complicating efforts to contain a fast-growing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Bolivia’s President Rodrigo Paz has taken steps towards potentially declaring a state of emergency as anti-government protests intensify in the early months of his administration.
A group of Azerbaijani civil society organisations has called for increased scrutiny of Swiss building materials giant Holcim, citing court rulings and ongoing investigations linked to its subsidiary Lafarge's activities during the Syrian conflict.
Russia and Kazakhstan signed 15 agreements during President Vladimir Putin’s state visit to Astana on Thursday (28 May), including deals on Kazakhstan’s first nuclear power plant and expanded oil cooperation with Russia.
A renewed wave of U.S. diplomatic activity in the South Caucasus highlights Washington’s growing focus on regional connectivity, trade and security, according to Associate Professor George Mchedlishvili of European University in Tbilisi.
Kyrgyzstan has signed a series of cooperation agreements with China and Belarus at the Fifth Forum of Regional Leaders of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) member states, underlining the country's growing economic engagement within the regional bloc.
A group of Azerbaijani civil society organisations has called for increased scrutiny of Swiss building materials giant Holcim, citing court rulings and ongoing investigations linked to its subsidiary Lafarge's activities during the Syrian conflict.
Kazakhstan has reiterated that no existing route can replace the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC), which carries more than 80% of the country's crude oil exports through Russia to the Black Sea.
Russia and Kazakhstan signed 15 agreements during President Vladimir Putin’s state visit to Astana on Thursday (28 May), including deals on Kazakhstan’s first nuclear power plant and expanded oil cooperation with Russia.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment