Abstract. The article presents the results of a seminar organized at the Primakov National Research Institute of World Economy and International Relations, where the issues of foreign aid to Central Asia were addressed. Participants looked at the record shown by some of the leading donors, including the U.S., the EU, Germany, the UK, Nordic states, Turkey, China, Japan, South Korea. It becomes evident that emerging donors bring ever more significant flows of aid to the region, which is regarded by established donors as peripheral. Assistance provided by the established donors rose quickly after the 9/11 terrorist attack in 2001 and the subsequent military intervention in Afghanistan, whereas Central Asia was seen as the key to stabilisation of the broader region. Although regional security concerns did not disappear, they are no more on the list of priorities in comparison to other recipients of international aid. However, the established donors remain exemplary in the ways they arrange and use assistance instruments to help recipients reach development priorities. Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan stand out as the biggest recipients of international assistance, which is justified by their poorer economic condition compared to neighbours. While the emerging donors do play a growing role in the region, Central Asia does not represent a key priority for them as well. Though in Turkey the cultural ties with Central Asia triggered hopes for growing influence, they faded since other emerging donors increased their presence in the region. The activities of emerging donors may be less transparent and streamlined, but they represent the future of foreign aid to the region. The seminar was chaired by Vladimir G. Baranovsky, Academician, Russian Academy of Sciences, IMEMO. Reports were delivered by: Vladimir I. Bartenev, Cand. Sci. (History), Lomonosov Moscow State University; Olga S. Kulkova, Cand. Sci. (History), Institute for African Studies, Russian Academy of Sciences; fellow workers of IMEMO – Kristina R. Voda, Cand. Sci. (Political Sciences); Aleksei A. Davydov; Yurii D. Kvashnin, Cand. Sci. (History); Sergei V. Rastoltsev; Natalya V. Toganova, Cand. Sci. (Econ.); Sergei V. Utkin, Cand. Sci. (Political Sciences); Aleksandr N. Fedorovsky, Dr. Sci. (Econ.). The paper was edited by V. Baranovsky, S. Utkin.