The Times Of Central Asia | Eurasian Publication & News Online

Kazakhstan’s growth model depends on uninterrupted access to international finance. Because its largest energy and mining projects rely on foreign capital, hard-currency financing, and offshore banking channels, confidence in the integrity of its banking system is not just a regulatory issue; it is a macroeconomic constraint. This reliance is structural....

Podcast

Spotlight on Central Asia: New Episode Available Now with Eduards Stiprais, EU Special Representative for Central Asia

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...

Chess

Tata Steel Chess Contest Has A New Champion – From Uzbekistan

U.S.-Kazakhstan Relations

Kazakhstan’s Foreign Minister Yermek Kosherbayev in Washington: Critical Minerals Cooperation

Foreign Minister Yermek Kosherbayev will travel to Washington, DC, to attend the Critical Minerals Ministerial on 3–4 February. A meeting with the Department of State and other rare earth element (REE) supplier countries will take place on 3 February. This will be Kosherbayev’s first official visit to the United States...

Jackson-Vanik Amendment

Jackson-Vanik Repeal Gains Momentum as U.S. Courts Central Asia

Official Visit

Kazakhstan and Israel Deepen Cooperation in Astana

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar’s official visit to Astana on January 27, 2026, was the first by an Israeli foreign minister to Kazakhstan in 16 years, and it yielded a package of institutional and economic steps. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev received Sa’ar and Foreign Minister Yermek Kosherbayev, holding talks that both...

Sunkar Podcast

Central Asia and the Troubled Southern Route

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Opinions

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

Opinion: Prospects for Central Asia’s Access to Persian Gulf Infrastructure

Timur Serikuly

Opinion: Is Uzbekistan Importing a Future Crisis?

William Cui

Opinion: Kazakhstan Bets Big on AI to Power Local and Global Growth

Altair Akhmetov

Opinion: After the UN Gaza Resolution – Kazakhstan’s Potential Role

Timur Serikuly

Opinion: Abraham Accords Can Help Kazakhstan Reshape Its Energy Future

Dr. Robert M. Cutler

Opinion: Kazakhstan’s Electoral Reforms – Why Officials and Experts Are Reconsidering Local Democracy

Andrei Matveev

Opinion: Central Asia Is Consolidating Its Role as a Full-Fledged Actor in Global Processes

Mavlon Bobokhonov

Opinion: Multi-Vectorism 2.0 – Kazakhstan Seeks Balance in a Shifting Geopolitical Landscape

Timur Serikuly

Opinion: The Integration of Afghanistan into Central Asia

Dr. M. Assem Mayar

Business & Economy

Drone production

Kazakhstan to Launch Drone Production at Correctional Facility in Akmola Region

A correctional facility in Kazakhstan’s Akmola Region is preparing to launch full-cycle production of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), according to Yermek Shurmanov, director of Enbek, a state-owned enterprise operating under the country’s penal system. A renovated hangar in the settlement of Arshaly, the administrative center of Arshaly District in Kazakhstan’s Akmola Region, has already been equipped with machinery needed to manufacture drone airframes, circuit boards, and develop onboard software. Enbek oversees employment programs for inmates housed in penal institutions under the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Kazakhstan has 78 such facilities, holding around 23,000 able-bodied convicts. Of these, more than 18,000...

Banking

Kazakhstan’s Banking System and the Logic of Early Enforcement

Energy Infrastructure

Why Workers Are Leaving the Çalık Enerji Power Plant Construction Site in Turkmenistan

Tourism

Kazakhstan Expects to Double Influx of Foreign Gambling Tourists

Investments

Kazakhstan Plans to Attract More Than $60 Billion in Investments in 2026

Household debt

Household Debt Persists Despite Lending Slowdown in Kazakhstan

At the start of 2026, Kazakhstan’s financial indicators appear promising: the population is borrowing less, and banks are increasing financing to businesses. Yet behind this macroeconomic optimism lies a more complex picture. The debt burden on citizens has not disappeared; it has simply changed form. While less visible in financial reports, household debt is becoming increasingly evident in everyday family budgets. Two Realities, One Economy Madina Abylkasymova, chair of the Agency for Regulation and Development of the Financial Market, reported to President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev that consumer lending has slowed, while business lending has begun to grow steadily for the first...

Tax administration

Kyrgyzstan Launches Unified Digital Tax Platform

Almambet Shykmamatov, chairman of Kyrgyzstan’s State Tax Service (STS), has unveiled a new digital platform that consolidates all tax-related data into a single system. The automated tax analysis platform, Salyq Kuzot, enables online tracking of the tax status of every citizen and company operating in the country. According to Shykmamatov, tax officials previously had to manually collect data on tax payments, insurance contributions, and financial statements from multiple sources and agencies. With the launch of Salyq Kuzot, this information is now integrated into a unified system, significantly improving efficiency. During a demonstration of the system, the STS head showcased its...

Tax Reform

Tax Reform in Kazakhstan Could Lead to Drug Shortages

Kazakhstan’s new tax policy has triggered concerns over potential disruptions in the supply of medicines and medical devices. Industry leaders warn that complexities in administering value-added tax (VAT), along with legal inconsistencies in the updated Tax Code, could destabilize the country's pharmaceutical market. Ruslan Sultanov, chairman of Kazakhstan’s Association of Pharmaceutical and Medical Product Manufacturers, raised concerns during an online meeting with government and business representatives. He said the changes have already led distributors to refuse purchases of several essential medicines. Last year, Kazakhstan adopted a new Tax Code that increased the VAT rate from 12% to 16%. It also...

TAPI Gas Pipeline

TAPI Gas Pipeline Advances Toward Herat, Afghanistan

Progress on the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline, one of the largest energy infrastructure projects in the region, was the central focus of recent talks between Turkmenistan’s Ambassador to Afghanistan, Khoja Ovezov, and Afghanistan’s Minister of Mining and Petroleum, Hedayatullah Badri. According to Turkmenistan’s state oil and gas company, Turkmennebit, the Turkmen delegation briefed its Afghan counterparts on the current phase of construction and outlined upcoming steps. Both sides expressed optimism that the pipeline will reach the western Afghan city of Herat by the end of 2026, a key milestone for the project. The TAPI pipeline is projected to span approximately...

Local Politics

Political Reforms

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

On January 20, 2026, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, the President of Kazakhstan, addressed the nation at a session of the National Kurultai, an age-old platform for public dialogue, akin to a wise men’s council – at any rate, that’s how it’s often billed. To no one’s surprise, Tokayev pressed ahead with his stated agenda of political reform, highlighting foreign, economic, and development policies and goals. While not devoid of interest, those parts of the speech felt like little more than window dressing that tended to obscure the address’s underlying fire and true import. Tokayev’s oration seemed at points to echo Alexis de...

Kyrgyz-Uzbek border

Kyrgyzstan Seeks End to Extra Transit Fees for Its Citizens Crossing Uzbekistan

Corruption

Uzbekistan Uncovers Large-Scale Corruption, Files Charges Against Senior Interior Officials

Parliamentary Reform

Analysis: Three Decades of Parliamentary Reform in Central Asia — and What Changed

Transport Infrastructure

European Investment Bank to Allocate €100 Million for Tajikistan’s Transport Infrastructure Upgrade

Road Safety

Kyrgyzstan Suspends Private Driving Schools in Bid to Improve Road Safety

Kyrgyzstan has temporarily suspended the operations of all private driving schools as part of a sweeping reform aimed at improving driver education and road safety. On January 29, President Sadyr Japarov signed a decree introducing a trial period, effective until August 30, 2026, during which driver training will be conducted exclusively through state-run driving schools. The reform also mandates a significant extension of the training period from the current 2.5 months to 10 months. Authorities say the new measures are designed to reduce traffic accidents and eliminate corruption in the issuance of driver's licenses. As of 2025, Kyrgyzstan had 340...

Urban development

Bishkek Unveils New Master Plan for 2050

Kyrgyz authorities have submitted a draft law outlining a new master plan for the development of Bishkek through 2050, now open for public discussion. The document defines long-term priorities for the capital's growth across several sectors, including transport infrastructure, environmental management, economic development, and spatial expansion. Once adopted, the plan will become the principal framework for territorial planning and will be legally binding for decisions related to construction and land use. According to the draft, Bishkek's official population is expected to rise from 1.3 million to 1.9 million by 2050. However, the city is already believed to house approximately 2...

Nipah Virus

Kyrgyzstan Bans Animal Imports from India to Prevent Nipah Virus Spread

On January 28, Kyrgyzstan’s Veterinary Service imposed temporary restrictions on the import of live animals and animal products from India in response to confirmed cases of Nipah virus infections. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Nipah virus is a severe zoonotic disease transmitted to humans through contact with infected animals, such as fruit bats or pigs, or through consumption of food contaminated by bat secretions. Human-to-human transmission is also possible through close contact. The virus has an estimated case-fatality rate of 40% to 75%. Two confirmed cases of Nipah virus were reported in late December in India’s eastern state...

Healthcare

Kazakh Science Ministry Expands Strategic Partnership with AstraZeneca

Kazakhstan has entered a new phase of cooperation with British-Swedish pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca, expanding the partnership beyond healthcare into science, education, and innovation. On January 26, Minister of Science and Higher Education Sayasat Nurbek visited AstraZeneca’s Discovery Centre in Cambridge, the company’s largest global research and innovation hub, where a memorandum of understanding was signed with AstraZeneca Kazakhstan. According to the ministry, the agreement paves the way for new areas of collaboration aimed at strengthening national scientific capacity, introducing advanced medical technologies, and enhancing the long-term sustainability of Kazakhstan’s healthcare system. The partnership will focus on several strategic areas: Real-World...

International Affairs

Tajik-Afghan Border

Tajik Border Troops Kill Three Afghans Suspected of Opium Smuggling

An armed clash occurred on the evening of January 29 along the Tajik-Afghan border, in Tajikistan's Shamsiddin Shokhin district, as local border forces intercepted an attempted drug smuggling operation. According to the Border Troops of the State Committee for National Security (GKNB), the incident occurred around 7:30 p.m. in the area overseen by the Bahorak border post of military unit 0341. The GKNB reported that five Afghan nationals illegally crossed into Tajikistan. Once the group was located, border guards attempted to apprehend them. The intruders resisted arrest and opened fire in an attempt to retreat across the border. In the...

U.S.-Kazakhstan Relations

Kazakhstan’s Foreign Minister Yermek Kosherbayev in Washington: Critical Minerals Cooperation

Official Visit

Kazakhstan and Israel Deepen Cooperation in Astana

Russia

Russian TV Comments on Central Asia Trigger Strong Reaction from Uzbek Analysts

Healthcare

Japan Provides Grant for Digital Diagnostics in Dushanbe

Mirziyoyev in Turkey

Uzbekistan and Turkey Set $5 Billion Trade Target at Strategic Council Meeting in Ankara

At the invitation of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev paid an official visit to Turkey on January 29, marking a new phase in the deepening partnership between the two nations. The visit was centered around the fourth meeting of the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council, co-chaired by the two leaders in Ankara. Discussions focused on strengthening the comprehensive strategic partnership between Uzbekistan and Turkey, with an emphasis on political dialogue, trade and economic cooperation, transport connectivity, and cultural and humanitarian exchanges. The two presidents also exchanged views on regional and global developments, underscoring the growing coordination...

Jackson-Vanik Amendment

Jackson-Vanik Repeal Gains Momentum as U.S. Courts Central Asia

For many years, U.S. relations with Central Asia were primarily political in nature, while economic ties developed slowly. However, in the past year, engagement has intensified significantly, with recent agreements suggesting the U.S. is poised to strengthen its economic presence in the region. A recent statement by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio reinforces this outlook. Calls to repeal the outdated Jackson-Vanik trade restrictions have been framed by U.S. officials as a way to facilitate trade with Central Asia and strengthen U.S. energy security. The Jackson-Vanik Amendment The Jackson-Vanik Amendment, enacted in 1974, restricts trade with countries that limit their citizens’...

Official Visit

Astana–Israel Talks Span Technology, Trade, and Holocaust Remembrance

Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev met Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar in Astana on January 27, marking the first official visit by an Israeli foreign minister to Kazakhstan in almost 16 years, and underscoring Astana’s stated interest in deepening economic and technological cooperation with Israel as it continues to recalibrate its foreign policy. According to the Kazakh presidential administration, the talks focused on expanding bilateral relations across trade, investment, science, and technology, with both sides emphasizing practical areas of cooperation. The visit came as Kazakhstan seeks to diversify its economy beyond hydrocarbons and strengthen partnerships with countries at the forefront of...

Migrant Rights

Kyrgyzstan Sues Russia at EAEU Court Over Migrant Families’ Health Insurance

Kyrgyzstan has filed a legal claim against Russia at the Eurasian Economic Union Court over Moscow’s refusal to issue compulsory medical insurance cards to the family members of Kyrgyz labor migrants working in Russia. The case, lodged on January 27, centers on whether Russia is meeting its obligations under the EAEU’s labor-migration agreement. Kyrgyz officials say the refusal to issue insurance to dependents violates provisions on social protection for migrants and their families inside the union. The lawsuit was announced by Azamat Mukanov, chairman of Kyrgyzstan’s Mandatory Health Insurance Fund, at a meeting of the Jogorku Kenesh’s parliamentary committee on...

Life & Culture

Football

Turkmen Football Fans Moved to Worse Seats for Match with Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr

Fans who have bought tickets to the upcoming Asian Champions League match between Turkmenistan's Arkadag and Saudi Arabia’s Al-Nassr on February 11 have been informed, sometimes repeatedly, that their seats are being changed to make room for “organized support” groups. According to a source in Ashgabat, notifications are being sent via users’ personal accounts on ticketing platforms. The vacated sections, the source said, are being allocated to students who are reportedly being trained in advance to provide choreographed support for the home team. Affected spectators are often offered seats with worse visibility, and in many cases, fans, especially families and...

Podcast

Spotlight on Central Asia: New Episode Available Now with Eduards Stiprais, EU Special Representative for Central Asia

Kazakhstan Tennis

Kazakhstan’s Rybakina Wins Australian Open, Her Second Major

Nyshanbek Zhubanaev

Kazakhstan-Based Actor Nyshanbek Zhubanaev on His Journey, Faith, and the Future of Cinema

Kazakh Art

Beyond the Yurt: Rethinking Nomadism in Kazakh Contemporary Art

China

Kyrgyzstan and China to Launch Direct Flight Between Osh and Kashgar

A new air route connecting Osh, Kyrgyzstan’s second-largest city, with Kashgar in China’s Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region is expected to launch in April, according to a statement from Airports of Kyrgyzstan JSC. The announcement follows a meeting held on January 30 with the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC). The new flight is intended to enhance transport connectivity between the two neighboring countries, deepen bilateral trade and economic ties, and promote tourism and cultural exchange. The route is expected to be operated by Chengdu Airlines, a COMAC-affiliated carrier, using COMAC’s C919 aircraft, China’s first domestically developed short-to-medium-range turbofan jet, which...

Chess

Tata Steel Chess Contest Has A New Champion – From Uzbekistan

When he was a child, Nodirbek Abdusattorov dreamed of winning the elite Tata Steel Chess Tournament in the Netherlands. On Sunday, the 21-year-old from Uzbekistan did just that. Abdusattorov secured the champion´s title after raising his point total to nine, playing with the black pieces in a final round victory over Indian Arjun Erigaisi. Another grandmaster from Uzbekistan, 20-year-old Javokhir Sindarov, came second with eight and a half points. “I can’t express my happiness with words. It was a long way for me,” Abdusattorov said in an interview posted on the tournament website. He said he had come close to...

Kazakh Art

Unbent, Unbowed, Unbroken: The Art of Saule Suleimenova

“I’m a very emotional person,” says artist Saule Suleimenova with a bright, open laugh from her home studio in Almaty. Widely recognized as one of the most significant Kazakh artists working today, Suleimenova’s spontaneity and passion emerge clearly as the artist lightens up when talking about the joy and necessity of making work, when she excavates memories of the early days of making art, or when suddenly, she grows gloomy, remembering some of the most painful moments in the history of her country. Behind her back stands a large canvas, where translucent elements, almost resembling stained glass from a distance,...

Champions League

Kairat Fall In the Champions League but New-Look Kazakh Football Is on the Up

On a chilly Wednesday evening in London, Kairat Almaty’s debut season in the UEFA Champions League ended with a 3-2 loss to English league leaders Arsenal. It completed a drawn-out baptism of fire in European football for the Kazakh champions, who finished bottom of the 36-team league, earning just one point from eight games. That point came from a 0-0 draw at home to Cypriot club Pafos, also debutants in the competition, and who played almost that entire game with ten men after their striker Joao Correia was sent off in the fourth minute. “We clearly see the difference in...

Justice

Ministerial Dismissals

Uzbekistan Fires Counter-Narcotics Chief as Drug Trade Surges

In late January, Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev sacked a series of high-ranking officials in the Interior Ministry, National Guard, and the Emergency Situations Ministry. Their dismissals for corruption overshadowed the firing of the director of the Agency for Control of Narcotics and Illegal Firearms, who was let go for failing badly to combat illegal trafficking and use of drugs. Poor Results Ravshan Mamatov was appointed director of the National Center for Narcotics Control in August 2024. In July 2025, a presidential decree transformed the center into the Agency for Control of Narcotics and Illegal Firearms. On January 27, President Mirziyoyev...

Karachaganak

Shell and Eni Face Up to $4 Billion Payout to Kazakhstan After Arbitration Ruling

Criminal justice reform

Uzbekistan Proposes Tougher Penalties for Violence Against Women and Children

Russia

Uzbek Citizen Sentenced to Life in Russia Over Killing of Russian General Kirillov

Drug Trafficking

Former Head of Turkmen Railways on Trial in Russia Over Alleged Drug Smuggling

Alisher Usmanov

German Court Restricts Media Claims About Russian-Uzbek Billionaire Alisher Usmanov

A German court has ruled in favor of Russian-Uzbek billionaire Alisher Usmanov, barring the publication of several contested statements made about him by the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (FAZ), according to court documents cited by Reuters. In a decision dated January 23, the Hamburg Regional Court prohibited FAZ from further disseminating specific sections of its April 2023 article titled On the Kremlin’s Instructions. The statements in question allegedly linked Usmanov to senior Russian officials. The court determined that these claims may no longer be repeated in their current form. Usmanov, who was born in Uzbekistan, has an estimated net worth of...

Protests

Killing of Uzbek Migrant Woman in Istanbul Sparks Protests in Turkey

The killing of an Uzbek migrant woman in central Istanbul has sparked protests in Istanbul and Ankara, and reignited debate over violence against women, the safety of migrants, and the effectiveness of state protection mechanisms. The body of a 36-year-old Uzbek national was discovered on January 24 in a waste container in Istanbul’s Şişli district, one of the city’s busiest areas. According to Turkish media reports, the body was found by a person collecting recyclable materials, who immediately alerted the authorities. Police later confirmed that the victim had been wrapped in bedding material and that parts of her body were...

Criminal Investigation

Olympic Boxing Champion Serik Sapiyev Assaulted by Deputy

A criminal case has been opened in Kazakhstan following the assault of Olympic boxing champion Serik Sapiyev by his deputy, Dauren Esimkhanov, in the Karaganda region’s Department of Physical Culture and Sports. The incident has triggered public outcry and intensified scrutiny of internal dynamics within the regional sports administration. Sapiyev, who currently heads the department, stated that the altercation was work-related. While the regional administration urged the public and media not to draw premature conclusions, it acknowledged that Esimkhanov had committed an offense and must be held accountable. A native of Karaganda, Sapiyev rose to prominence after winning gold in...

Cyber Security

Kazakhstan Considers Criminal Liability for Mass Leaks of Personal Data

Kazakhstan is considering tightening legal responsibility for violations related to personal data protection. The Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development has proposed introducing criminal liability for mass leaks of citizens' personal data, along with a significant increase in administrative fines for failing to comply with information security requirements. The proposal was announced by Rostislav Konyashkin, First Deputy Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development, during a government meeting. According to Konyashkin, Kazakhstan is adopting a “zero tolerance” policy regarding the mishandling of personal digital data. “In implementing the constitutional rights of citizens to privacy and the protection of personal...

Environment

TCA Interviews

Attempting to Build a Litter-Free Kazakhstan: An Interview with Ecologist Kamila Akimbekova

Ten years ago, waste recycling in Almaty was largely the domain of individual enthusiasts. Today, environmental campaigns draw thousands, and conversations about responsible consumption have become part of daily life for many city residents. One of the pioneers of this movement is Kamila Akimbekova, an eco-influencer and co-organizer of environmental initiatives. In an interview with The Times of Central Asia, she reflects on the evolution of Almaty’s eco-community, the principles behind the zero waste concept, and how small, consistent changes can reshape a city. TCA: Kamila, you had a successful career in banking. What prompted your transition to environmental activism? ...

Waste

Tajikistan Is Drowning in Plastic: Inside a Waste System Under Strain

Syr Darya River

Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan to Install Hydro Posts on Syr Darya River

Desertification

Ashgabat to Host Regional Center for Combating Desertification in Central Asia

Water Shortages

Kazakhstan Warns of Severe Water Shortages as Syr Darya Levels Drop

Northern Aral Sea Rescue Project

Astana Accelerates Northern Aral Sea Recovery Plan

The Kazakh government plans to accelerate the second phase of the project to restore the Northern Aral Sea. Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov has instructed the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation to secure financing for the second phase of the project by the end of 2026. The goal is to increase the volume of water in the Northern Aral Sea by around 10–11 billion cubic meters over the next four to five years. History of Degradation and Early Restoration Results The Aral Sea, which straddles the border between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, began to shrink rapidly in the 1960s due to...

Environment

Public Hearing Set for Sea Breeze Uzbekistan Project Near Charvak Lake

A public hearing on the environmental impact assessment of the Sea Breeze Uzbekistan tourist complex is scheduled for January 23 in the Bostanlyk district of Tashkent region, according to the State Center for Environmental Expertise. The hearing will take place at the Bostanlyk district administration building in the town of Gazalkent. Officials stated that the event aims to review the potential environmental effects of the proposed development and to gather feedback from residents, environmental specialists, and other stakeholders. The Sea Breeze Uzbekistan project is planned for the eastern shore of the Charvak reservoir in Bostanlyk. It envisions a large-scale, modern...

Air Pollution

Tashkent Choked by Smog: What 2025 Revealed and How Residents Are Responding

The year 2025 proved especially challenging for air quality in Uzbekistan’s capital, with Tashkent repeatedly ranking among the world’s most polluted cities during peak smog episodes. At times, short-term air quality readings placed it alongside major Asian megacities during severe pollution spikes. These rankings were more than just statistics. Thick smog became a daily reality for residents, disrupting everyday life and intensifying concerns over public health and long-term environmental sustainability. Coal, Cars, and Construction: What’s Fueling the Smog Officials from Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Ecology and independent environmental researchers say Tashkent’s air pollution is primarily caused by human activity. The heaviest...

Environment

Kyrgyzstan Moves to Tighten Vehicle Emissions Rules as Air Pollution Worsens

Kyrgyzstan is preparing to tighten environmental regulations on motor vehicles as part of a broader effort to combat rising air pollution in its major cities. A draft bill currently under public discussion proposes mandatory requirements for the presence and proper functioning of catalytic converters in vehicles originally manufactured with them. The initiative targets one of the most persistent sources of urban air pollution: an aging vehicle fleet in which catalytic converters are frequently removed. The absence of these devices significantly increases toxic emissions and fuel consumption, with direct consequences for public health. Under the proposed amendments, vehicles that do not...

Uzbekistan Fires Counter-Narcotics Chief as Drug Trade Surges

Latest

Features

Features

Latest

Sunkar Podcast

Sunkar Podcast

Opinions

Opinions

Javier M. Piedra

Anvar Nazirov

Nilaya Magidish

Timur Serikuly

William Cui

Altair Akhmetov

Timur Serikuly

Dr. Robert M. Cutler

Andrei Matveev

Mavlon Bobokhonov

Timur Serikuly

Dr. M. Assem Mayar

Business & Economy

Business & Economy

Kazakhstan to Launch Drone Production at Correctional Facility in Akmola Region

Household Debt Persists Despite Lending Slowdown in Kazakhstan

Kyrgyzstan Launches Unified Digital Tax Platform

Tax Reform in Kazakhstan Could Lead to Drug Shortages

TAPI Gas Pipeline Advances Toward Herat, Afghanistan

Local Politics

Local Politics

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

Kyrgyzstan Suspends Private Driving Schools in Bid to Improve Road Safety

Bishkek Unveils New Master Plan for 2050

Kyrgyzstan Bans Animal Imports from India to Prevent Nipah Virus Spread

Kazakh Science Ministry Expands Strategic Partnership with AstraZeneca

International Affairs

International Affairs

Tajik Border Troops Kill Three Afghans Suspected of Opium Smuggling

Uzbekistan and Turkey Set $5 Billion Trade Target at Strategic Council Meeting in Ankara

Jackson-Vanik Repeal Gains Momentum as U.S. Courts Central Asia

Astana–Israel Talks Span Technology, Trade, and Holocaust Remembrance

Kyrgyzstan Sues Russia at EAEU Court Over Migrant Families’ Health Insurance

Life & Culture

Life & Culture

Turkmen Football Fans Moved to Worse Seats for Match with Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr

Kyrgyzstan and China to Launch Direct Flight Between Osh and Kashgar

Tata Steel Chess Contest Has A New Champion – From Uzbekistan

Unbent, Unbowed, Unbroken: The Art of Saule Suleimenova

Kairat Fall In the Champions League but New-Look Kazakh Football Is on the Up

Justice

Justice

Uzbekistan Fires Counter-Narcotics Chief as Drug Trade Surges