HOW CAN KAZAKHSTAN AND CENTRAL ASIA HELP POWER AND FEED THE WORLD? - Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine has produced economic and political repercussions across the globe, including energy shortages and growing food insecurity. The war has forced Central Asian countries to seek opportunities to diversify their economies and reemphasize their independence from Moscow. Led by Kazakhstan, Central Asia also has the potential to mitigate the world’s energy and food shortages exacerbated by Russia’s war of aggression.

Russia’s weakened geopolitical position and the Western sanctions on its economy have opened up new opportunities for Central Asia to supply critical energy and food commodities to world markets. The Central Asian countries, including Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, can all play a role in powering and feeding the world as energy and food markets to diversify away from Russia. Kazakhstan, as the region’s largest economy and its leading producer of oil and uranium is well-positioned to lead this transition.

The Atlantic Council report, “Kazakhstan could lead Central Asia in mitigating the world’s energy and food shortages,” analyzes the potential for Kazakhstan and the wider Central Asian region to supply power and food to global markets in the wake of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

What are the most significant challenges facing Central Asia’s energy and food export potential? How can the West partner with Central Asian countries to increase exports and grow their economies? The Atlantic Council’s Eurasia Center launches this new report on the growing importance of Central Asian energy and food products in the global economy, featuring the report’s authors.

ORIGINAL AIRDATE; 04/28/23