The Times Of Central Asia | Eurasian Publication & News Online

Kazakhstan is preparing for a major political reset centered on the introduction of a unicameral parliament, the Kurultai. Until now, legislative power in the country has been exercised by two chambers, the Mazhilis and the Senate. On April 10, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev announced that elections would take place in August...

Transport

Turkmenistan’s Train and Bus Networks Reportedly Failing Passengers

Aral Sea

Uzbekistan Installs 37 Air Monitoring Stations in Aral Region as Environmental Cooperation Expands

Authorities in the region of Karakalpakstan have installed 37 automated air quality monitoring stations to track pollution levels in the Aral Sea region, according to Uzbekistan’s National Committee on Ecology and Climate Change. The project was implemented in cooperation with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The system measures fine...

Regional Ecological Summit

Regional Ecological Summit to Open in Astana Amid Pressure on Water, Trade, and Regional Cooperation

Foreign Investment

Kazakhstan Finance Day in New York Showcases Market Reform, IPO Ambitions, and Alatau City Pitch

Regional Ecological Summit

Kazakhstan’s Regional Ecological Summit 2026: What It Is and Why It Matters

Kazakhstan’s Regional Ecological Summit 2026 in Astana on April 22-24 is aiming to turn Central Asia’s environmental strain into a regional political agenda. Organized in partnership with the United Nations, the summit is built around the theme, “Shared Vision for a Resilient Future.” Its stated purpose is to bring together...

Podcast

Pannier and Hillard’s Spotlight on Central Asia: New Episode Out Now

Antalya Diplomacy Forum

Central Asia Came to Antalya With a Clearer Voice and a Wider Agenda

The Antalya Diplomacy Forum, from April 17 to 19, brought together heads of state, foreign ministers, and senior officials at a tense moment in international politics. The official theme, “Mapping Tomorrow, Managing Uncertainties,” reflected the backdrop: war in the Middle East, pressure on trade, and growing doubts about the strength...

Florida Diplomacy, Kazakh Arrests, and the China-Kyrgyzstan Railway

00:00 / 00:00

Sunkar Podcast

Central Asia and the Troubled Southern Route

00:00 / 00:00

Opinions

Opinion – Kazakhstan’s New Constitution Sends a Key Signal for Global Partners

Javier M. Piedra

Opinion: Trump Has Golden Opportunity to Launch C6+1 on Sidelines of UN

Ken Moriyasu

Opinion: Islamic State Khorasan Province and the Strategic Risks for Central Asia

Aidar Borangaziyev

Opinion: Mirziyoyev in Washington – New Deals Expected Amidst Peace Diplomacy

Javier M. Piedra

Opinion – The “Board of Peace” and Afghan Diplomacy: A View from Kabul

Dr. Bismillah Mangal

Opinion: Kazakhstan’s Constitutional Referendum – Strategic Reset or Institutional Consolidation?

Raza Syed

Opinion: Afghanistan and Central Asia – Security Without Illusions

Aidar Borangaziyev

Opinion: The New Silk Road to the Sea – Connecting Central Asia to Karachi and Gwadar

Mian Nasser Hyatt Maggo & Engineer Arshad H. Abbasi

Breaking into Project Vault: A U.S. Role for Central Asia’s Strategic Minerals

Dr. Eric Rudenshiold

Opinion: Tokayev’s National Kurultai Address: A Moral Message, Not a Political One

Javier M. Piedra

Opinion: Central Asia–Japan Summit Signals Shift in Eurasian Geoeconomics — and Russia’s Waning Role

Anvar Nazirov

Opinion: Iranian Unrest Creates Opening for U.S., Partners in Central Asia

Nilaya Magidish

Business & Economy

Nuclear Power

Uzbekistan Plans $1 Billion for First Two Small Nuclear Reactors

Uzbekistan is planning to invest nearly $1 billion in the construction of its first two small reactors as part of an integrated nuclear power plant, according to officials speaking at a major industrial exhibition in Tashkent. The estimate was announced by the Deputy Chairman of the country's Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Sukhrob Abdurakhmonov, during the “Innoprom. Central Asia” exhibition, held from April 20 to 22. The event was organized by Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Investment, Industry and Trade together with Russia’s Ministry of Industry and Trade, local media outlet Gazeta.uz reported. Abdurakhmonov said the first phase of the project involves...

Natural Gas

Turkmenistan Advances Galkynysh Gas Field Development to Increase Exports to China

Agriculture

Kazakhstan and China’s Snow Valley Agree to Build $100-200 Million Potato Processing Complex

Nuclear Power Plant

Kazakhstan Plans to Build at Least Three Nuclear Power Plants by 2050

Banking

Kyrgyz Banks Hold $1.3 Billion in Liquidity, but Businesses Lack Long-Term Financing

Hydropower

Kyrgyzstan Expands Small Hydropower to Tackle Rising Energy Deficit

Kyrgyzstan is accelerating its development of small hydropower plants as it seeks to close a widening electricity gap driven by surging demand and limited domestic generation capacity. On April 20, two new small hydroelectric power plants (HPPs) were commissioned in the country's northern Chui region. The Sokuluk-3 HPP has a capacity of 9.5 MW, while the Tuyuk HPP has a capacity of 5.9 MW. Combined, they are expected to generate between 60 million and 70 million kWh of electricity annually. Speaking at the launch ceremony, President Sadyr Japarov underscored the strategic importance of small-scale hydropower. “Such projects increase the resilience...

Automobile Industry

Kazakhstan’s Auto Industry Accelerates: Vehicle Output Up Nearly 37%

Vehicle production in Kazakhstan increased by 36.8% year-on-year in January-March 2026, according to data from the Kazakhstan Automobile Union (KAU). KAU reported that 45,260 units were produced in the first three months of the year, including passenger cars, trucks, trailers, and semi-trailers. In March alone, output reached 17,462 units, up 42.8% compared to the same month last year and 19.9% higher than in February. In value terms, total automotive output amounted to approximately $1.2 billion, representing a 27.5% increase year-on-year. The sector’s share of the overall machinery industry rose to 43.1%, up from 39.7% a year earlier. “Based on the...

Foreign Investment

Kazakhstan Finance Day in New York Showcases Market Reform, IPO Ambitions, and Alatau City Pitch

At Kazakhstan Finance Day in New York, officials and executives used the panel “Investment Opportunities in Kazakhstan” to present the country as entering a new phase of market development, citing macroeconomic stability, capital-market reform, potential initial and secondary public offerings, and infrastructure tied to the Alatau City project. The panel session was held at Citigroup headquarters in Manhattan and was moderated by Stephanie von Friedeburg, global head of Citi’s Public Sector Group. Speakers included Timur Suleimenov, governor of the National Bank of Kazakhstan; Adil Mukhamejanov, chairperson of the management board of the Kazakhstan Stock Exchange (KASE); Zhandos Shaikhy, deputy chairman...

Solar Power

Kyrgyzstan to Construct Solar Power Plant with IFC Support

Kyrgyzstan is launching a pilot project to construct a solar power plant through a public-private partnership (PPP). The project is supported by the International Finance Corporation (IFC), which has prepared technical, legal, financial, and environmental assessments. The project’s implementation was discussed during a meeting in Washington, DC between Kyrgyz Energy Minister Taalaibek Ibrayev and John Gandolfo, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at the IFC. A key feature of the project is the selection of an investor through an open tender based on the lowest electricity tariff bid. Kyrgyzstan has agreed to a tariff proposed by China Power of 4.1...

Local Politics

Agriculture

Uzbekistan to Restrict Foreign Access to Farmland as Land Reforms Advance

Uzbekistan plans to stop offering agricultural land lease rights to foreign investors through auctions as part of a broader effort to improve land use efficiency, according to the presidential press service. The measures were presented during a government briefing on land reform, where officials outlined changes to the current system. Over the past five years, Uzbekistan has shifted to an auction-based model for land allocation, removing the authority of local governors to distribute plots directly. During this period, more than 616,000 hectares of land were allocated through auctions, generating 1.4 trillion UZS ($115,940) in state revenue. Officials said the reforms...

Regional Ecological Summit

Kazakhstan’s Regional Ecological Summit 2026: What It Is and Why It Matters

Radicalization

Kazakh MP Calls for a Legislative Ban on Radical Religious Movements

Constitutional Reform

Opinion – Kazakhstan’s New Constitution Sends a Key Signal for Global Partners

Justice

Kazakh Lawmaker Proposes Tougher Penalties for Poaching

Emergency Response

Tajikistan to Gain Access to Emergency Financing Under New World Bank Project

The World Bank Group has approved a Contingent Emergency Response Project (CERP) for Tajikistan, providing the country with a financial instrument designed to enable the rapid reallocation of resources in the event of crises and emergencies. According to Tajikistan’s Ministry of Finance, the mechanism allows up to 10% of undisbursed funds from the World Bank’s current investment portfolio to be redirected annually to emergency needs. This gives the government additional flexibility in managing already allocated resources. The mechanism can be activated following an official declaration of a state of emergency. However, preparations for its use are carried out in advance....

International Tourism

Welcome to Turkmenistan? President Says He Wants International Tourists to Visit

Turkmenistan, one of the world’s most closed countries, is hosting an international tourism conference this week. The “TurkmenTravel – 2026” event in the capital of Ashgabat aims to attract foreign visitors to a country that is generally difficult to visit because of tight controls, including required letters of invitation and the need to have licensed guides. While some travel agencies aim to address those challenges for tourists, Turkmenistan remains a little-understood country and lags far behind regional countries such as neighboring Uzbekistan in terms of infrastructure and accessibility for travelers. But the three-day tourism conference, which ends on Thursday, could...

AI Will Help the Kyrgyz Parliament Speed Up the Legislative Process

The Jogorku Kenesh (Parliament of Kyrgyzstan) is introducing the e-Kenesh digital platform, which is intended to move parliamentary committee work into an electronic format and use artificial intelligence to help analyze draft legislation. According to the parliament’s press service, the platform is designed to replace paper-based workflows and provide lawmakers with access to all agenda materials via tablets already distributed to deputies. The software was developed by local specialists in cooperation with parliamentary staff. The e-Kenesh system will also allow civil servants and experts to participate in committee meetings remotely, joining discussions from their workplaces or while on official travel....

Cultural Heritage

Bukhara Demolitions Resurface as Developer Faces Financial Trouble

Concerns over demolition works linked to the “Eternal Bukhara” tourism project have resurfaced following renewed questions directed at Uzbekistan’s Cultural Heritage Agency, as the project’s main developer faces financial difficulties. In 2024, The Times of Central Asia reported that construction of the large-scale tourism complex near the historic center of Bukhara had drawn criticism from local residents and UNESCO. The project, located in the buffer zone surrounding the ancient city, was seen as a potential threat to the integrity of one of Central Asia’s most significant cultural sites. According to Uzbek outlet Uzdiplomat, the issue was raised again during a...

International Affairs

Russia's War in Ukraine

Over 12,600 Central Asians Identified in Russian Army

A Ukrainian state initiative has identified nearly 13,000 citizens from Central Asia who have signed contracts with Russia’s Defense Ministry and have served or are serving in the Russian army, according to data released by the “I Want to Live” project as part of the Ukraine-Central Asia Inquiry. As of 2026, the project reports it holds personal data on 12,666 individuals from the region. Uzbekistan accounts for the largest share, with 4,853 identified citizens. Tajikistan ranks second with 3,407 individuals, followed by Kazakhstan with 2,389 and Kyrgyzstan with at least 1,439. Turkmenistan has the lowest figure, with 578 identified nationals....

Antalya Diplomacy Forum

Central Asia Came to Antalya With a Clearer Voice and a Wider Agenda

Antalya Diplomacy Forum

Tokayev Flags Nuclear Proliferation Risk in the Iran Conflict

U.S.-Kazakhstan Relations

Rubio Meeting Highlights Kazakhstan’s Growing U.S. Agenda

Hungary

Hungary’s Political Shift Puts Central Asia Partnerships Under Scrutiny

Regional Ecological Summit

Astana Is Turning Ecology into Regional Statecraft

On April 22–24, Astana will host the Regional Ecological Summit with the participation of numerous United Nations agencies and international partners. It is expected to produce a joint declaration and a Regional Program of Action for 2026–2030, giving it a formal ambition beyond that of a standard diplomatic conference. Kazakhstan is presenting the event as a region-wide platform through which shared ecological pressures may become a more regular channel for Central Asian coordination. Officially, the summit is framed as a platform for regional solutions to climate and environmental challenges. It is also a more ambitious test of whether Kazakhstan can...

Antalya Diplomacy Forum

At Antalya Forum, Tokayev Delivers a Stark Warning on Iran and the UN

Last week, the Turkish resort city of Antalya hosted the fifth annual Antalya Diplomacy Forum. Particular attention was drawn to the speech by Kazakhstan’s president, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, who once again raised the issue of reforming the United Nations. Held since 2021 at the initiative of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, the forum brings together political leaders, diplomats, experts, business representatives, media, and civil society. It serves as a platform for bilateral and multilateral contacts, political consultations, and informal diplomacy. This year, alongside Turkey and Kazakhstan, the forum was attended by delegations from Azerbaijan, Qatar, Pakistan, Syria, Georgia, North Macedonia, Moldova,...

Economy

Kazakhstan Freezes Projects with Iran Amid Military Conflict

Kazakhstan has suspended several joint projects with Iran amid ongoing military hostilities in the country, Deputy Foreign Minister Arman Issetov has announced. The decision effectively puts on hold plans to expand trade and economic cooperation between Astana and Tehran, despite previously stated ambitions to significantly increase bilateral trade. On December 11, 2025, during the Kazakhstan-Iran business forum in Astana, Tokayev said bilateral trade had exceeded $340 million the previous year. The two sides set an initial goal of raising trade to $1 billion, with a longer-term aim of doubling that figure. However, the escalation of military activity in Iran has...

Hungary

Tokayev Congratulates Péter Magyar on Victory in Hungary’s Parliamentary Elections

Kazakhstan's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has sent a congratulatory telegram to Péter Magyar, leader of the TISZA party, following his victory in Hungary’s parliamentary elections. According to the presidential press service, Tokayev noted that the election results reflect a high level of public trust in the TISZA party and its program and expressed confidence in Hungary’s continued sustainable development. Tokayev emphasised that Astana attaches great importance to strengthening its strategic partnership with Budapest, reaffirming readiness to expand bilateral cooperation for the benefit of both countries. He also wished Magyar success in his new role, along with prosperity and well-being for the...

Life & Culture

Transport

Turkmenistan’s Train and Bus Networks Reportedly Failing Passengers

Overcrowded trains and buses, often carrying passengers without tickets, have long been a feature of life in Turkmenistan, continuing to frustrate residents who rely on intercity transport. As reported by Chronicles of Turkmenistan, many had hoped for improvements following the dismissal of Deputy Prime Minister for Transport and Communications Mammetkhan Chakyev. However, in the three months since Batyr Annayev was appointed to the role, no meaningful progress has been observed in passenger transport services. Purchasing train or bus tickets online is possible only 7-10 days before departure. Closer to the travel date, passengers turn to ticket offices, but tickets are...

Tourism

Tajikistan to Make Tourism Pitch at Rock Spire Site

Child protection

Turkmenistan Develops First Child Protection Program

Elena Rybakina

Rybakina Wins on Clay in Stuttgart, in Run-up to Roland Garros

TCA Interviews

How Young Professionals from Central Asia Are Building Global Careers

Science

Researchers in Kazakhstan Develop Central Asia’s First Digital Food Atlas

Researchers at Nazarbayev University in Astana have unveiled Central Asia’s first digital food atlas, a tool designed to improve how diets in the region are measured and studied. The development is expected to strengthen research in public health and nutrition. Developed by the Central Asia Food Innovation Lab (CAFI Lab), the atlas addresses a long-standing gap in public health research: the lack of accurate, region-specific data on dietary habits. As the researchers note, even minor errors in estimating portion sizes can lead to significant distortions in calculating calorie and nutrient intake. Until now, specialists in Central Asia have largely relied...

Podcast

Pannier and Hillard’s Spotlight on Central Asia: New Episode Out Now

As Managing Editor of The Times of Central Asia, I’m delighted that, in partnership with the Oxus Society for Central Asian Affairs, from October 19, we are the home of the Spotlight on Central Asia podcast. Chaired by seasoned broadcasters Bruce Pannier of RFE/RL’s long-running Majlis podcast and Michael Hillard of The Red Line, each fortnightly instalment will take you on a deep dive into the latest news, developments, security issues, and social trends across an increasingly pivotal region. This week, the team will be covering the arrest of 19 anti-China protesters in Kazakhstan, the announcement of the date for...

Animal Rights

Animal Euthanasia in Kazakhstan: Cruelty or Necessity?

In early April 2026, Kazakhstan's lower house of parliament, the Mazhilis, approved in the first reading amendments to the law “On Responsible Treatment of Animals.” The key proposed change is a shift away from the policy of returning vaccinated and sterilized dogs to their habitats, toward the legalization of euthanasia. The decision has triggered a sharp public divide: supporters cite safety concerns, particularly for children, while critics view the amendments as a rollback of the humane principles enshrined in the 2021 law and an attempt to compensate for institutional shortcomings through the mass culling of stray animals. Background: From Reform...

TCA Interviews

From From Global Streaming to International Productions: Kazakhstan Filmmakers Go International

Makpal Kursabayeva is a sound engineer whose work has increasingly extended beyond Kazakhstan’s local film industry. Over the years, she has contributed to projects with international teams, from working alongside The Matrix cinematographer Bill Pope to taking part in series produced for global streaming platforms. Her career highlights the expanding role of Kazakhstani professionals in international production and shows that local crews can compete with their Western counterparts. Her work includes on-set recording, post-production, and sound capture in environments ranging from military airbases and nighttime steppes to urban locations. In an interview with The Times of Central Asia, she discusses...

Justice

Tajik-Afghan Border

Tajikistan Says Two Afghan Smugglers Killed After Crossing Border

Security forces in Tajikistan killed two alleged drug smugglers from Afghanistan who crossed the border overnight, the Tajik government said on Friday. The incursion happened around 1 a.m. in the Farkhor district of the Khatlon region, and border guards and other national security troops disrupted the attempt to smuggle 25 kilograms of hashish, Tajikistan’s State Committee for National Security said. “The smugglers disobeyed the border patrol's lawful demands to surrender and offered armed resistance,” the committee said, according to state news agency Khovar. It said two of the smugglers were killed during “the combat operation” and that a third suspect...

AZAL Plane Crash

Russia, Azerbaijan Settle Over Airliner Crash in Kazakhstan in 2024

Court Cases

Minister Sydykov on the Bakai Bank Verdict and Kyrgyzstan’s Economic Path Forward

court case

Kyrgyz Bank Wins Brussels Court Case Over Sanctions Accusations

migrant workers

Uzbekistan Officials Intervene Over Wage Delays for Migrant Workers in Russia

Stalking

Stalking in Kazakhstan: Why People Have Only Started Talking About It Now

Until recently, stalking in Kazakhstan was widely perceived as something more typical of movies, TV dramas, or social media discussions than of everyday life. Persistent phone calls, dozens of messages, or being followed near one’s home or workplace were often not seen as a serious threat. Such behavior was frequently excused with phrases like “he just can’t let go,” “he’s just being too persistent in courting her,” or “that’s how he shows his feelings.” But in recent years, attitudes toward this issue have begun to change, and on September 16, 2025, amendments came into force in Kazakhstan, introducing a separate...

Prisons

Russia Seeks Transfer of 200 Tajik Women Prisoners After Dushanbe Approval

Russia’s human rights commissioner Tatyana Moskalkova has received a positive response from Emomali Rahmon regarding the possible transfer of around 200 Tajik women currently serving sentences in Russian prisons, according to TASS. Moskalkova said she had written to the Tajik president requesting that the women be allowed to continue serving their sentences in Tajikistan on humanitarian grounds. “In each case, we must carefully weigh issues of justice, mercy, and humanism,” she said in an interview with TASS. She noted that while most cases confirm that crimes were committed, the severity of punishment should not always be maximal. “Sometimes leniency helps...

Cyber Fraud

Kazakhstan Announces Crackdown on Counterfeit Cellular Base Station Scheme

Kazakhstan’s Financial Monitoring Agency (AFM) has reported the dismantling of a cyber fraud scheme involving counterfeit cellular base stations. According to the agency, this is the first such case identified in the post-Soviet region. Authorities say the criminal group used the equipment to intercept data on a large scale and send phishing messages. According to the AFM, the attackers used a special device, a so-called SMS blaster that imitated the operation of mobile operator base stations. The device generated a strong signal within a radius of up to 300 meters, causing mobile phones to connect to it automatically and switch...

Crocus City Hall Attack

Second Attack in Moscow Was Planned Alongside Crocus City Hall Assault

Organizers of the deadly attack at the Crocus City Hall concert venue near Moscow had initially planned a second, simultaneous attack in the Russian capital but later abandoned the idea, according to materials from the ongoing investigation cited by TASS. A participant in the court proceedings told the agency that investigators had identified a coordinator operating from abroad, known by the alias Saifullo, who had prepared a group of recruited and trained attackers for two separate operations in Moscow. The second attack was intended to take place at the same time as the assault on Crocus City Hall, with two...

Environment

Waste Disposal Technology

Kyrgyzstan to Build Modern Landfill Using Japanese Waste Disposal Technology

A pilot project to construct a modern landfill based on the Fukuoka Method is planned for the city of Kara-Balta in Kyrgyzstan’s northern Chui region, about 60 km west of Bishkek. The project aims to reduce environmental impacts and support the transition to modern waste management standards. The Fukuoka Method is a semi-aerobic landfill waste disposal technology developed jointly by Fukuoka University and the city of Fukuoka in the 1970s. It has since become a standard approach for local governments in Japan. By maximizing the aeration of waste, the method accelerates biodegradation and can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by an...

Aral Sea

Uzbekistan Installs 37 Air Monitoring Stations in Aral Region as Environmental Cooperation Expands

Water

Water in Central Asia: Between Reality and Alarmism

Water Management

Uzbekistan Joins World Bank’s “Water Forward,” Aiming to Reach 1 Billion People by 2030

Clean Energy

Kazakhstan Climbs 30 Positions in Clean Energy Investment Ranking

Low-Carbon Transition

Kazakhstan and EBRD Strengthen Cooperation on Climate Agenda

Kazakhstan intends to expand cooperation with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) in the field of climate policy and the transition to a low-carbon economy. Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources Yerlan Nyssanbayev held talks with EBRD Managing Director for Climate Strategy and Delivery Gianpiero Nacci. Following the meeting, the parties confirmed their intention to strengthen their partnership in advancing the climate agenda and achieving carbon neutrality. Kazakhstan has set a target of reaching carbon neutrality by 2060 and has adopted an updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC 3.0), which requires a 17% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by...

Regional Ecological Summit

Regional Ecological Summit to Open in Astana Amid Pressure on Water, Trade, and Regional Cooperation

When the Regional Ecological Summit (RES 2026) opens in Astana this Wednesday, the official framing will center on Shared Vision for a Resilient Future, combining practical regional solutions with diplomatic ambitions that include a Joint Declaration and a 2026-2030 Program of Action. Behind that language sits a harder reality. Water and energy officials in Tashkent, Bishkek, and Astana are dealing with a region which is drying out faster than its infrastructure and politics are adapting. That gives the summit a sharper edge than earlier environmental gatherings. Two issues stand out: the management of winter water-sharing arrangements ahead of the irrigation...

Access to Clean Water

Water Stress: Will the Summer of 2026 Become a Turning Point for Central Asia?

The summer of 2026 is projected to be a critical and potentially decisive period for Central Asia in the context of water stress. The region is entering the growing season with significantly lower water reserves in its main river basins, the Amu Darya and Syr Darya, compared to previous years. The combined impact of climate change and rising consumption is expected to exacerbate irrigation shortages, threatening crop yields and food security. A Region Under Pressure: Water as a Strategic Factor For Kazakhstan, water is taking on an increasing strategic importance in 2026. The southern regions, Kyzylorda, Turkestan, and Zhambyl, have...

Environmental Protection

Rosatom to Neutralize Hazardous Chemical Waste at Plant in Kyrgyzstan

Rosatom is set to begin work to eliminate hazardous chemicals stockpiled at the Kristall plant in Tash-Kumyr, in Kyrgyzstan’s Jalal-Abad region. The Kristall plant, built in 1989 as a key facility of the Soviet electronics industry to produce polycrystalline silicon, has since become a high-risk environmental site. Hazardous chemical waste accumulated on its premises poses a threat to both the environment and public health. The plant has been bankrupt since 2010. The site contains 49 tanks holding a total of 155 tons of hazardous chemical residues, including trichlorosilane and silicon tetrachloride. In October 2024, Rosatom conducted a technical audit of...

Astana Is Turning Ecology into Regional Statecraft

Latest

Features

Features

Florida Diplomacy, Kazakh Arrests, and the China-Kyrgyzstan Railway

Latest

Sunkar Podcast

Florida Diplomacy, Kazakh Arrests, and the China-Kyrgyzstan Railway

Sunkar Podcast

Opinions

Opinions

Javier M. Piedra

Ken Moriyasu

Aidar Borangaziyev

Javier M. Piedra

Dr. Bismillah Mangal

Raza Syed

Aidar Borangaziyev

Mian Nasser Hyatt Maggo & Engineer Arshad H. Abbasi

Dr. Eric Rudenshiold

Javier M. Piedra

Anvar Nazirov

Nilaya Magidish

Business & Economy

Business & Economy

Uzbekistan Plans $1 Billion for First Two Small Nuclear Reactors

Kyrgyzstan Expands Small Hydropower to Tackle Rising Energy Deficit

Kazakhstan’s Auto Industry Accelerates: Vehicle Output Up Nearly 37%

Kazakhstan Finance Day in New York Showcases Market Reform, IPO Ambitions, and Alatau City Pitch

Kyrgyzstan to Construct Solar Power Plant with IFC Support

Local Politics

Local Politics

Uzbekistan to Restrict Foreign Access to Farmland as Land Reforms Advance

Tajikistan to Gain Access to Emergency Financing Under New World Bank Project

Welcome to Turkmenistan? President Says He Wants International Tourists to Visit

AI Will Help the Kyrgyz Parliament Speed Up the Legislative Process

Bukhara Demolitions Resurface as Developer Faces Financial Trouble

International Affairs

International Affairs

Over 12,600 Central Asians Identified in Russian Army

Astana Is Turning Ecology into Regional Statecraft

At Antalya Forum, Tokayev Delivers a Stark Warning on Iran and the UN

Kazakhstan Freezes Projects with Iran Amid Military Conflict

Tokayev Congratulates Péter Magyar on Victory in Hungary’s Parliamentary Elections

Life & Culture

Life & Culture

Turkmenistan’s Train and Bus Networks Reportedly Failing Passengers

Researchers in Kazakhstan Develop Central Asia’s First Digital Food Atlas

Pannier and Hillard’s Spotlight on Central Asia: New Episode Out Now

Animal Euthanasia in Kazakhstan: Cruelty or Necessity?

From From Global Streaming to International Productions: Kazakhstan Filmmakers Go International

Justice

Justice

Tajikistan Says Two Afghan Smugglers Killed After Crossing Border