We Are Turks — News from the Turkic world

Uzbekistan and IFAD discuss AI and drone use in agriculture

Uzbekistan and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) have agreed to expand cooperation in agriculture, including artificial intelligence, mechanization and drones. The issues were discussed by Agriculture Minister Ibrokhim Abdurakhmonov with IFAD Vice-President D. Brown and IFAD's representative in Uzbekistan, T. A. Monem, during the minister's visit to Italy for the World Food Forum, according to the government's press service.

UzDailyOctober 17, 2026, 15:22

Health

Kyrgyzstan's medical overhaul: pay rise, new hospitals and high-tech care

According to the Kyrgyz Ministry of Health, 21 healthcare facilities were built and completed in 2021-2025 using the republican budget and other sources. Their construction cost a total of 2 billion 612 million 882 thousand soms. In 2026, construction of more than 40 healthcare facilities is being financed with 13 billion 236 million soms. Five facilities are under construction in Bishkek.

KabarOctober 17, 2026, 15:14

Technology

Kazakhstan and Cambodia agree to cooperate on AI and e-government

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet visited Astana to study Kazakhstan's digitalisation experience. He held talks with President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, and the two sides agreed to cooperate in e-government, digital technologies and artificial intelligence. A Joint Statement is to be adopted today and several documents will be signed.

Khabar 24October 17, 2026, 15:06

Diplomacy

Iran and Armenia to draft strategic document, Pezeshkian says

Iran and Armenia have agreed to prepare a bilateral strategic document and to develop regional cooperation in the economy and transit links. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian made the announcement while commenting on the results of his visit to Armenia. The information was published by Pars Today.

Modern.azOctober 17, 2026, 14:58

Defense & Security

Türkiye issues counter-NAVTEX over Greek Eunomia exercise

Türkiye has responded with a counter-NAVTEX to Greece’s notice for the Eunomia exercise, which Greece is conducting in the eastern Mediterranean with four countries. Ankara said the area falls within Türkiye’s jurisdiction and under the responsibility of the Antalya station.

Kıbrıs GazetesiOctober 17, 2026, 14:50

Economy

Kyrgyzstan attracts $5.9 billion in foreign direct investment over six years

Kyrgyzstan attracted a total of $5.9 billion in direct foreign investment in 2020–2025. Speaking to the Kabar news agency, Ravshanbek Sabirov, head of the National Investment Agency under the President, said the 2025 volume exceeded $1.3 billion, a 143.9% increase compared with 2020. In the first half of 2026, Kyrgyzstan received $709.9 million in direct foreign investment, up 26.2% from the same period a year earlier.

KabarOctober 17, 2026, 14:42

Economy

Kazakhstan to export grain, meat and vegetable oil to Cambodia

Kazakh Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov held talks in Astana with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet, who arrived on his first official visit to Kazakhstan. The Government's press service told Qazinform News Agency that the two delegations discussed ways to expand trade and economic cooperation. Kazakhstan views Cambodia as an important and reliable partner in Southeast Asia.

KazinformOctober 17, 2026, 14:34

Society

Kazakhstan Plans to End Social Benefits for Wealthy Citizens

The Kazakh government plans to end social benefits for wealthy citizens, a move expected to save 700 billion tenge in 2027 and almost 2.5 trillion tenge over three years. Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov said that shifting to needs-based payments would end the unfairness of wealthy and low-income families receiving the same support. The Ministry of Labour said about 1.38 million households, or 21% of recipients, will lose benefits, including those with incomes above 305,000 tenge per person per month who own large or medium businesses, several properties or premium cars.

Vlast.kzOctober 17, 2026, 14:26

Society

Residents to return to two Fuzuli villages by the end of this year

Residents will return to the Dovlatyarli and Pirahmedli villages in Azerbaijan's Fuzuli district by the end of this year. Taran Quluyeva, head of the public relations department of the Restoration, Construction and Management Service in Aghdam, Fuzuli and Khojavend districts, said so in comments to Trend's Karabakh bureau. She said restoration and construction work is continuing in both villages and is nearing completion.

TrendOctober 17, 2026, 14:18

Transport & Infrastructure

Bashkortostan Repairs 4 km of Buzdyak–Davlekanovo Road

Bashkortostan’s Ministry of Transport has shown how a 4-kilometre section of the Buzdyak – Davlekanovo road was renovated. The work was carried out under the national project “Infrastructure for Life” and started in June.

BashinformOctober 17, 2026, 14:10

Energy

Aksa Enerji to manage electricity grids in Tashkent, Syrdarya and Jizzakh regions

According to Spot, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev held a series of meetings on October 16 with members of the Investors Council in the fuel and energy sector. In one meeting, he discussed expanding cooperation in Uzbekistan with Cemil Kazancı, chairman of the board of directors of Turkey's Aksa Enerji. The sides agreed to accelerate work on specific projects.

Spot.uzOctober 17, 2026, 14:02

Diplomacy

Minnikhanov plans trip to India in first quarter of 2027

Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov said at the plenary session of the TAIM II Russia-India forum in Kazan that he intends to travel to India in the first quarter of 2027. An agreement on the matter was reached with India's ambassador to the Russian Federation, Vinay Kumar.

Tatar-informOctober 17, 2026, 13:54

Diplomacy

Trump signs order halting new sanctions against Russia

US President Donald Trump has signed an order suspending new sanctions against Russia. The decision was justified by national interests, according to information published on the White House website and reported by Qafqazinfo. The order was signed two days before a bill took effect that would impose sanctions on the Russian government and state companies, as well as tariffs on countries that import energy from Russia.

QafqazinfoOctober 17, 2026, 13:46

Diplomacy

Tokayev and Hun Manet adopt joint statement

Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet adopted a joint statement following negotiations, according to Egemen.kz, which cited the Presidential press service Akorda.

Egemen QazaqstanOctober 17, 2026, 13:37

Politics

Üstel: We will host a democracy festival on 24 October

Prime Minister Ünal Üstel said a draw to determine candidates’ positions on the ballot paper will be held tomorrow, while quota candidates will be announced in the coming days. Noting that the UBP, the country’s largest party by membership, has also shown its strength in candidate applications, Üstel said the large number of people who applied to run was a sign of trust in the party.

Gündem KıbrısOctober 17, 2026, 13:22

Diplomacy

Holguin urges leaders to take necessary long-term decisions

The Politis newspaper reported that Maria Angela Holguin, the UN Secretary-General's Personal Envoy on Cyprus, has written an article addressed to the leaders. Holguin notes that over recent months Cypriots have encountered the terms "methodology", "substance" and "confidence-building measures" almost every day.

Gündem KıbrısOctober 17, 2026, 13:21

Energy

Cheapest Energy Is Saved Energy, Says President

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev said in an open dialogue with investors in Uzbekistan's fuel and energy sector that the capacity each region needs will now be planned in advance, and ready projects will be put out to open tender. He noted that Uzbekistan has gained wide experience in preparing energy projects and working with investors.

Kun.uzOctober 17, 2026, 13:13

Diplomacy

Japarov Briefs Media on Results of Armenia Visit

Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov issued a statement for the media in Yerevan on 17 October 2026 on the results of his official visit to the Republic of Armenia. He thanked Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan for the invitation to an official visit and praised the warm welcome and hospitality extended to the Kyrgyz delegation. Japarov described the trip as historic, as it was the first official visit to Armenia by a head of state of Kyrgyzstan.

KabarOctober 17, 2026, 13:04

Diplomacy

Baku Responds to Pashinyan's Proposal to Swap Enclaves

Discussions continue on the delimitation of the border between Azerbaijan and Armenia, as well as the fate of enclaves and exclaves. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's approach to defining borders has brought the mechanisms for resolving these issues back into focus. Preserving territorial integrity and the conditions under which a possible land exchange could take place are at the centre of attention.

Modern.azOctober 17, 2026, 12:56

Energy

Uzbekistan to end state monopoly on liquefied gas supply

Uzbekistan plans to hand over liquefied gas supply across the country to the private sector in 2027. President Shavkat Mirziyoyev announced the plan during an open dialogue with investors in the fuel and energy sector. Currently, 3.8 million households in the country use liquefied gas. The supply system, previously a state monopoly, is gradually introducing market mechanisms.

DaryoOctober 17, 2026, 12:48

Diplomacy

Maria Angela Holguin: Window remains for comprehensive Cyprus settlement

UN Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy on Cyprus Maria Angela Holguin said she believes a comprehensive solution to the Cyprus issue is still possible. In a letter, she called on the leaders to take concrete steps on confidence-building measures and lay the groundwork for negotiations to resume.

Kıbrıs GazetesiOctober 17, 2026, 12:40

Diplomacy

Armenian minister says Turkey border could open at any time

Armenian Foreign and Foreign Trade Minister Ararat Mirzoyan said the Turkey-Armenia border could open at any time. Speaking to journalists at the Leaders Summit held in Yerevan within COP17, Mirzoyan said: "Tomorrow we may wake up and see the Turkey-Armenia border open."

TrendOctober 17, 2026, 12:32

Diplomacy

Kyrgyzstan and Armenia may set up joint artificial intelligence venture

Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov recently held talks with Armenian President Vahagn Khachaturyan in Yerevan. According to the Presidential press service, as reported by the Kabar news agency from Bishkek, the two sides discussed prospects for cooperation in economy, investment, transport, agriculture, information technology, education and tourism.

KabarOctober 17, 2026, 12:24

Diplomacy

Kazakhstan and Cambodia explore closer cooperation in e-government

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet, who arrived in Kazakhstan on an official visit, held one-on-one talks with President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. Hun Manet thanked the president for the invitation and noted that the two countries have maintained diplomatic relations for more than 30 years. The information comes from Qazinform News Agency, citing the Akorda press service.

KazinformOctober 17, 2026, 12:16

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We Are Turks — News from the Turkic world

Latest news

Uzbekistan and IFAD discuss AI and drone use in agriculture

Kyrgyzstan's medical overhaul: pay rise, new hospitals and high-tech care

Kazakhstan and Cambodia agree to cooperate on AI and e-government

Iran and Armenia to draft strategic document, Pezeshkian says

Türkiye issues counter-NAVTEX over Greek Eunomia exercise

Kyrgyzstan attracts $5.9 billion in foreign direct investment over six years

Kazakhstan to export grain, meat and vegetable oil to Cambodia

Kazakhstan Plans to End Social Benefits for Wealthy Citizens

Residents to return to two Fuzuli villages by the end of this year

Bashkortostan Repairs 4 km of Buzdyak–Davlekanovo Road

Aksa Enerji to manage electricity grids in Tashkent, Syrdarya and Jizzakh regions

Minnikhanov plans trip to India in first quarter of 2027

Trump signs order halting new sanctions against Russia

Tokayev and Hun Manet adopt joint statement

Üstel: We will host a democracy festival on 24 October

Holguin urges leaders to take necessary long-term decisions

Cheapest Energy Is Saved Energy, Says President

Japarov Briefs Media on Results of Armenia Visit

Baku Responds to Pashinyan's Proposal to Swap Enclaves

Uzbekistan to end state monopoly on liquefied gas supply

Maria Angela Holguin: Window remains for comprehensive Cyprus settlement

Armenian minister says Turkey border could open at any time

Kyrgyzstan and Armenia may set up joint artificial intelligence venture

Kazakhstan and Cambodia explore closer cooperation in e-government