The Times Of Central Asia | Eurasian Publication & News Online

At the Tashkent International Investment Forum, officials and transport executives discussed railway reform and new corridor projects, with private investment as a main point. World Bank Senior Transport Specialist Mansur Bustoni described rail as “essential” for Uzbekistan, which depends on land routes for access to seaports and export markets. The...

Connectivity

EU Launches Platform to Mobilize Up to €2 Billion for Europe–Central Asia Connectivity

World Cup 2026

World Cup: Ronaldo Makes History as Portugal Rout Uzbekistan 5-0

EU-Kazakhstan Cooperation

Tokayev’s Brussels Visit Brings Aviation Pact, Visa Progress and $12 Billion Business Package

President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev left Brussels with a broader package than the transport announcements that opened his two-day visit on June 22-23. Kazakhstan and the European Union signed an aviation agreement, completed talks at negotiators’ level on easier short-stay visas, backed new road and mineral projects, and endorsed an Air Astana...

Water Security

Opinion: The Amu Darya Stress Test – Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, and the Politics of Agricultural Adaptation

Central Asia’s water crisis is usually discussed as a problem of rivers, reservoirs, and diplomacy. But in 2026, the Amu Darya is also becoming something else: a test of state adaptation. The river basin entered the irrigation season under acute pressure. According to data cited by Kabar, the flow of...

Middle Corridor

Kazakhstan and European Partners Announce $462 Million Middle Corridor Agreements in Brussels

Kazakhstan and its European partners unveiled four transport deals worth a combined $462 million on June 22, giving President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s visit to Belgium a concrete outcome on Eurasian connectivity. The package was presented at the business conference “Strengthening EU-Kazakhstan Connectivity: Perspectives and Strategic Potential of the Middle Corridor.” The...

Kazakh Coalitions, Kyrgyz Security Signals, and Uncovering Disinformation Networks in Central Asia

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Sunkar Podcast

Kazakhstan to Host 2027 Table Tennis World Championships

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Opinions

Opinion: The Amu Darya Stress Test – Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, and the Politics of Agricultural Adaptation

Zamirbek Minbaev

Opinion: Kazakhstan’s New Income Growth Plan – Administrative Measures Against Market Realities

Igor Klevtsov

Opinion: Central Asia’s Shift from Silk Road Romance to Infrastructure Finance – What the June Forums Are Building

Dr. Magsud Mammadov

UNDP Opinion: Central Asia – Shared Wildlife, Shared Landscapes, Shared Responsibility

UNDP Representatives in Kazakhstan, Katarzyna Wawiernia, Kyrgyzstan, Alexandra Solovieva, Tajikistan, Sudipto Mukerjee, Turkmenistan, Narine Sahakyan, Uzbekistan, Akiko Fujii.

Opinion: Beyond Multivectorism – What Kyrgyzstan’s UN Security Council Win Really Shows

Zamirbek Minbaev

Opinion: Eurasia’s New Corridors Are More Than a Transit Race

Aidar Borangaziyev

Opinion: Silk Seven or the OTS? Central Asia May Not Have to Choose

Ken Moriyasu

Opinion: How AI Is Reshaping the Global Image of Nations

Sergey Akhmetov

Opinion: Middle Powers and the “Voice of the Region” – Is Central Asia Becoming a Coordinated Actor?

Timur Serikuly

Opinion: UK’s C6 Engagement and the Opportunity for British Geostrategic Renewal

Matthew Davies

Opinion: The Southern Dimension of the Middle Corridor – Afghanistan’s Role in Eurasia’s New Logistics Landscape

Timur Serikuly

Opinion: Kazakhstan, Oil, the Iran War and Dutch Disease

Charles McLean

Business & Economy

CKU Railway

Kyrgyzstan Approves Chinese Loan for CKU Railway

Kyrgyzstan’s parliament has approved in the first reading a bill ratifying a preferential loan agreement with the Export-Import Bank of China to help finance the country’s share in the construction of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan (CKU) railway, one of Central Asia’s largest transport infrastructure projects. The CKU railway is a flagship regional connectivity initiative designed to improve trade routes between China, Central Asia, and beyond. Construction officially began on December 27, 2024, in Kyrgyzstan’s Jalal-Abad region. Once completed, the 523-kilometer railway will connect Kashgar in China with Torugart, Makmal, and Jalal-Abad in Kyrgyzstan before continuing to Andijan in Uzbekistan. The route is...

Sustainable Development

Kazakhstan and China to Establish Zero-Carbon Smart Agriculture Park in Atyrau

Tashkent International Investment Forum

Rail Reform and Regional Corridors Put Uzbekistan at the Center of Central Asia’s Logistics Map

School Development Project

Tajikistan to Receive $20 Million Kuwait Fund Loan for Schools

International Monetary Fund

IMF Growth Forecast for Uzbekistan Warns of Inflation and Global Risks

Sustainable Aviation Fuel

Allied Biofuels Advances $6.1 Billion Sustainable Aviation Fuel Project in Uzbekistan

Allied Biofuels has signed a key engineering agreement with Sinopec Engineering Group Co., Ltd. for its planned sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and electro-synthetic sustainable aviation fuel (e-SAF) project in Uzbekistan, marking another step forward for one of Central Asia’s largest clean energy developments. The agreement was signed during the 5th Tashkent International Investment Forum. Under the front-end engineering design and detailed engineering contract, Sinopec Engineering Group will undertake front-end engineering and design, detailed engineering, systems integration, and cost development work for the project, laying the groundwork for a future engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contract. The project, valued at approximately...

Financial Services

Turkmenistan Cash Shortage Forces Residents to Pay Middlemen for Their Own Money

Residents of the town of Kaka in Turkmenistan’s Ahal region are facing a shortage of cash. Queues at ATMs stretch for dozens of people, but many residents are unable to withdraw money because the machines quickly run out of banknotes. As a result, some are turning to intermediaries who help them obtain cash for a fee. In recent weeks, an unusual service has become widespread in the town. So-called “cash-out agents” travel directly to customers with a bank terminal, check the balance on their card, and immediately hand over the requested amount in cash. For this service, they charge a commission...

Connectivity

EU Launches Platform to Mobilize Up to €2 Billion for Europe–Central Asia Connectivity

The European Commission launched a Connectivity Agenda Platform on June 23, 2026, and concluded statements of intent with international financial institutions expected to mobilize up to €2 billion ($2.3 billion) for transport, border-crossing and trade-facilitation projects across the Black Sea region and the South Caucasus. The initiative was unveiled at a high-level ministerial meeting in Brussels, hosted by European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos, Commissioner for International Partnerships Jozef Síkela, and Commissioner for Sustainable Transport Apostolos Tzitzikostas. The meeting brought together transport ministers and senior officials from EU member states, as well as representatives from Armenia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Tajikistan,...

AI Data Center

SuperX Considers 1 GW AI Data Center in Kazakhstan

Nasdaq-listed SuperX AI Technology Limited is considering the construction of a large-scale AI data center cluster in Kazakhstan with planned power capacity of up to 1 gigawatt (GW). The company’s chairman and CEO, Dr. Chenhong Huang, discussed the proposal with Kazakhstan’s Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum’s 17th Annual Meeting of the New Champions, known as Summer Davos, in Dalian, China. SuperX develops AI infrastructure solutions and high-density data centers. The company has expressed interest in launching the project in stages between 2026 and 2029. The project provides for a full-scale AI campus and power supply...

Local Politics

Kyrgyz-Uzbek Border

Chongara and Tash-Tobo: The Villages That Changed Countries Without Moving

About 2,500 people in Chongara and Tash-Tobo now live under Kyrgyz jurisdiction. The transfer reduces the number of Uzbek enclaves in Kyrgyzstan and clears the way for a much shorter road across the Batken Region. For Umitbek, the change first appeared online. Chongara, his home village, passed from Uzbekistan’s Ferghana Region into Kyrgyzstan when the legal border moved. “We are welcoming the decision with joy,” Umitbek told Azattyk. “Ninety-nine percent of our village is Kyrgyz.” Umitbek already holds a Kyrgyz passport, while many neighbors have Uzbek documents. Some households include citizens of both countries. The village has Kyrgyz and Uzbek...

Biometric Identification

Turkmen Passport Applicants Sent for Medical Certificates After Fingerprint Scanner Failures

Digital Development

Turkmenistan’s Digital Push Gains Ground Despite Tight Internet Controls

Political Parties

Kazakhstan’s Party System Faces Its First Kurultai Test

Adilet Party

Fraudsters Attempt to Exploit Kazakhstan’s Adilet Party Name

Mary Power Outages

Power Outages in Turkmenistan Lead to Dismissals as Blackouts Continue

Complaints from residents of Turkmenistan’s Mary Region over widespread power outages have led to inspections and the dismissal of several local officials, but electricity disruptions continue, Turkmen.news reported. The outages began in mid-June during extreme heat, with temperatures in the region regularly exceeding 40 degrees Celsius. Residents have struggled to use air conditioners, refrigerators, and water pumps. Locals say power has been cut almost daily for three to four hours at a time. On June 17, hundreds of residents, mostly women from the Bayramaly district, gathered outside the Mary regional administration building and demanded a solution, Radio Azatlyk reported. The...

Healthcare

Tokayev Says Kazakhstan Offers Healthcare Benefits Unavailable in Some Western Countries

Kazakhstan provides its citizens with a range of social guarantees that, according to President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, are unavailable even in some of the world’s most developed countries. Tokayev made the remarks during an awards ceremony for healthcare workers ahead of their professional holiday. Kazakhstan marks Medical Workers’ Day annually on the third Sunday of June, which falls on June 21 this year. Speaking at the ceremony, Tokayev said Kazakhstan remains a social state and that fulfilling social obligations is a constitutional responsibility of all branches of government. He noted that more than 9 trillion tenge, or almost $18 billion, was...

Smartphones

Turkmen Schools Introduce New Rules for Smartphone Use

Turkmen authorities have approved new regulations governing the use of personal mobile devices in educational institutions, introducing formal rules for smartphones, tablets, laptops, and other devices used by students and teachers. The document, prepared by the Ministry of Education, outlines how digital devices may be used in the learning process. Under the new rules, such technology may serve as a source of information and be used to access electronic libraries, educational platforms, and distance-learning tools. Schools have been assigned a number of responsibilities. Educational institutions must ensure access to essential digital services, specialized software, and data networks. They are also...

Education

Turkmenistan Sets New Rules for Mobile Devices in Schools

In 2020, Turkmenistan’s schools banned the use of mobile phones during classes. Now the government has introduced new rules regulating the use of portable devices in academic settings, seeking to use them as learning tools while addressing concerns about distraction and other potentially negative effects on students. A Ministry of Education order recognizes the value of mobile devices in education, saying they must provide access to learning resources, including multimedia content, and help students organize files that contain textbooks, courses, and other materials in electronic form. The devices must improve “the quality of educational management, especially in educational systems that...

International Affairs

Tajikistan-UK Education Cooperation

Tajikistan and UK Expand Cooperation in Education and Science

Tajikistan and the United Kingdom intend to expand cooperation in education, science, and specialist training. These issues were discussed by Tajikistan’s Minister of Education and Science Rahim Saidzoda and the UK ambassador to Dushanbe, Katherine Smitton, Avesta.tj reported. Representatives of the British Embassy and officials from Tajikistan’s Ministry of Education and Science also attended the meeting. The ministry’s press service described a memorandum of understanding as a key step in expanding the partnership. The agreement is between Tajikistan’s Ministry of Education and Science and the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office. It was signed in London on February 26, 2026....

EU-Kazakhstan Cooperation

Tokayev’s Brussels Visit Brings Aviation Pact, Visa Progress and $12 Billion Business Package

EU-Kazakhstan Cooperation

Tokayev Heads to Brussels as Kazakhstan and EU Seek Progress on Trade, Minerals and Transport

Transport & Logistics

Kazakhstan and Iran Expand Port Access to Boost Cargo Transit

Tashkent International Investment Forum

Mirziyoyev Says Uzbekistan’s Doors Will “Always Remain Open” as Fifth Tashkent Investment Forum Begins

Middle East Crisis

The Fragile U.S.–Iran Truce: What Central Asia Stands to Gain and Lose

The preliminary memorandum signed in mid-June between the United States and Iran, followed by renewed talks between Washington and Tehran, has extended a U.S.–Iran truce and opened a 60-day window for negotiations on a final agreement. The nuclear terms remain unresolved, while Israel’s continued military presence in southern Lebanon, despite U.S. pressure for a withdrawal, underscores how fragile the broader regional de-escalation remains. At the end of this period, the parties may sign a final agreement, return to hostilities, or mutually agree to extend the interim arrangement. Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan, along with neighboring Azerbaijan, have welcomed efforts to...

Kazakhstan-Canada Relations

Beyond Resources: Ambassador Kussainov on Kazakhstan and Canada’s Partnership in AI, Education, and Innovation

For decades, Kazakhstan and Canada built their partnership around natural resources. Today, that relationship is expanding into new territory. From artificial intelligence and innovation to education and workforce development, both countries are increasingly looking beyond traditional sectors to shape the next phase of cooperation. This trend is already reflected in economic indicators. More than 160 Canadian-linked enterprises operate in Kazakhstan, Canadian investment has exceeded U$ 6 billion since 1994, and bilateral trade reached approximately U$ 458 million in 2025. At the same time, sectors that will shape the competitiveness of both economies in the coming decades are gaining greater importance....

Humanitarian Aid

Kazakhstan Afghanistan Ties Expand With Aid, Medicine and Trade Talks

A Kazakhstani delegation led by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Economy Serik Zhumangarin visited Kabul on June 19-21, combining humanitarian aid, medical cooperation, education and trade talks with Afghanistan’s Taliban-led authorities. Kazakhstan has long treated Afghanistan as a central regional issue, arguing that stability and economic integration there are in the interests of Central Asia as a whole. Kazakh officials have framed engagement with Kabul as part of a broader effort to support Afghanistan’s reconstruction while keeping the country linked to regional trade, transport and humanitarian initiatives. Kazakhstan has also taken steps to formalize working contacts with Kabul....

Bilateral Relations

Uzbekistan Mahallasi Opens in Turkey’s Earthquake-Hit Hatay

A residential complex built by Uzbekistan in Turkey’s Hatay Province has officially become the center of a new neighborhood named “Uzbekistan Mahallasi,” marking another milestone in the growing partnership between the two countries. According to Uzbekistan’s Dunyo Information Agency, an opening ceremony was held in the Arsuz district of Hatay. Officials also inaugurated Shavkat Mirziyoyev Boulevard, along with Tashkent and Samarkand Streets. The event brought together senior officials from both countries, including Nuriddin Ismoilov, Speaker of the Legislative Chamber of Uzbekistan’s Oliy Majlis; Jurabek Rakhimov, governor of Khorezm Region; Numan Kurtulmuş, Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey; Hatay...

Life & Culture

TCA Interviews

From Bishkek to Yakutsk: What Unites Eurasia’s Emerging Cinema

Stepan Burnashev is a Sakha filmmaker from Yakutia who has helped bring Yakut cinema to audiences far beyond the republic. His films have screened at international festivals, appeared on Amazon, and helped turn Yakut cinema into one of the most distinctive regional film movements in Eurasia. In Bishkek, where Burnashev served on the jury of the national KyrgyzBox section, The Times of Central Asia spoke with him about the phenomenon of Yakut cinema, international ambitions, and what connects Yakutsk, Bishkek, and other emerging cinemas of Eurasia. TCA: Stepan, this is not your first time attending the Bishkek International Film Festival....

TCA Interviews

Designer Madina Tompiyeva: Kazakhstan’s Fashion Is Becoming a Language of Identity

FIFA World Cup

Portugal vs Uzbekistan: The White Wolves Face the Ronaldo Circus in Houston

Cultural Heritage

Mikhail Borisoglebsky’s Dzhangyr-Bai: Kazakh Steppe Culture and a Society in Transition

World Nomad Games

Tea, Tug-of-War, and Team GB at the World Nomad Games

World Cup 2026

World Cup: Ronaldo Makes History as Portugal Rout Uzbekistan 5-0

The Group K match between Uzbekistan and Portugal in Houston turned into a record-breaking night for Cristiano Ronaldo, as the European side coasted to a 5-0 victory. Portugal and Uzbekistan had both made unconvincing starts to the tournament. Uzbekistan, playing at the World Cup finals for the first time, lost 3-1 to Colombia. Portugal, meanwhile, dominated their match against DR Congo but failed to hold on to their lead and drew 1-1. They were in no mood to drop more points against the World Cup debutants. Before the match, Portugal head coach Roberto Martinez made it clear that he did...

Figure Skating

Astana to Host Four Continents Figure Skating Championships in 2027

Kazakhstan’s capital, Astana, will host the ISU Four Continents Figure Skating Championships in 2027, one of figure skating’s major international competitions and the main ISU championship for skaters from Asia, the Americas, Africa, and Oceania. The International Skating Union announced that the event will take place from February 9-14, 2027. It will be the first ISU Figure Skating Championship held in Kazakhstan, and the first Four Continents Championships staged in Central Asia. The competition traditionally includes men’s singles, women’s singles, pairs, and ice dance. The ISU said the event would bring “the world’s best Figure Skaters” from the four regions...

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 covers a major political merger in Kazakhstan, new counter-terrorism raids in southern Kyrgyzstan, a shock resignation inside...

FIFA World Cup

World Cup: Diaz’s quality shows as Colombia beat Uzbekistan 3-1

In the breathless air of Mexico City, Colombia overcame a spirited Uzbekistan 3-1 in the first-ever FIFA World Cup game involving a Central Asian side. In a match which was otherwise low on quality, the difference-maker was Bayern Munich’s Luis Díaz. He created Colombia’s first goal, scored the second after Uzbekistan had briefly equalized, and gave the favorites a cutting-edge that they had otherwise lacked. For Uzbekistan, the defeat was not a humiliation. Abbosbek Fayzullaev’s second-half equalizer, the first World Cup goal scored by a Central Asian country, will go down in history. There was even a spell late when...

Justice

Surrogacy Recruitment

Central Asian Women Recruited Into Georgia’s Surrogacy Market via Social Media

Women from Central Asia are being recruited into Georgia’s surrogacy market through social media, adding a new labor channel to an industry already under pressure from foreign demand and inadequate supervision. A University of Oxford study published in Mobilities identifies Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan in that recruitment chain. The author, Dr. Polina Vlasenko of Oxford’s Centre on Migration, Policy and Society (COMPAS), carried out fieldwork in Kazakhstan and Georgia between 2023 and 2024, drawing on more than 100 interviews across the surrogacy and egg donation market. Georgia has allowed surrogacy since 1997. Under Article 143 of the Law of...

Police Drones

Kazakhstan Opens Drone Operator Training Lab for Interior Ministry

Saddam Gulamov

Russian Diplomats Report No Complaints From Imprisoned Turkmen Activist Saddam Gulamov

Public Health

Tajikistan Shuts Down Counterfeit Children’s Medicines Operation

Forced Labor

ILO Urges Turkmenistan to Abolish Cotton Quota System

Women's Rights

Dushanbe Opens Criminal Cases Over Underage Marriage in Tajikistan

The authorities in Tajikistan have reported several cases involving the marriage of underage girls, with criminal cases opened in Dushanbe since the beginning of the year over violations of the country’s legal marriage age. According to the Dushanbe branch of the Interior Ministry, law enforcement agencies have identified five cases this year in which parents arranged marriages for their underage daughters. Criminal investigations have been launched in all cases, and inquiries are ongoing. Officials reminded the public that under Article 13 of Tajikistan’s Family Code, the legal age for marriage is 18. The only exception is by court decision, which...

Amnesty

Tajikistan Amnesty to Free or Reduce Sentences for More Than 18,000

President Emomali Rahmon has signed an amnesty law covering 18,038 convicted people as Tajikistan prepares to mark 35 years of independence. The measure provides full release for 11,305 people and reduces the unserved terms of 6,733 others. The 11,305 figure includes prison and settlement-colony sentences, along with punishments that do not involve custody. Women and minors will receive wider relief. Of 507 women serving sentences, 248 will be released, and 259 will receive shorter terms. Of 134 minors, 99 will be freed, and 35 will have their sentences reduced. Rahmon submitted the bill to the lower house of parliament on...

Drug Crime

Kazakhstan Seeks to Block Nearly 12,000 Drug-Related Websites in 2026

Kazakhstan has referred nearly 12,000 websites for blocking since the beginning of 2026 for advertising or facilitating the sale of narcotics, according to Eldar Abdikenov, deputy chairman of the Interior Ministry’s Committee for Combating Drug Crime. According to official data, more than 3,000 drug-related criminal offenses were recorded in Kazakhstan between January and May 2026, including around 1,500 classified as drug crimes. “As part of efforts to combat online drug trafficking, nearly 12,000 internet resources used for advertising and selling banned substances have been submitted for blocking through the Cybernadzor system,” Abdikenov said. The number of drug-related websites flagged through...

Bloggers

Kyrgyzstan Proposes Blogger Tax Breaks as Kazakhstan Tightens Scrutiny

Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan are taking sharply different approaches to the growing influence of bloggers. In Bishkek, President Sadyr Japarov has signed a decree calling for tax incentives for the IT sector, startups and creative industries, including bloggers, a move that has sparked criticism even from content creators themselves. In Astana, meanwhile, authorities are intensifying scrutiny of influencers’ income and using criminal law in high-profile cases involving online figures. Kazakh tax authorities have continued scrutinizing the earnings of popular bloggers, alongside high-profile enforcement cases. In addition, journalists and other online voices in Kazakhstan have faced prosecution under Article 274 of the...

Environment

Red Book

Kyrgyzstan Begins Updating Red Book as Scientists Survey Rare Species Nationwide

Kyrgyzstan has begun preparing its first comprehensive update of the national Red Book in nearly two decades. On June 3, 2026, the Ministry of Natural Resources, Ecology and Technical Supervision and the National Academy of Sciences signed a cooperation agreement to collect updated data on rare and endangered species of flora and fauna. The project is scheduled to last two years and is estimated to cost about 21 million soms. What Has Been Decided Under the agreement, scientists from the National Academy of Sciences will carry out field and desk-based research across the country to obtain current, reliable information on...

Water Security

Opinion: The Amu Darya Stress Test – Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, and the Politics of Agricultural Adaptation

Snow Leopard

Kyrgyzstan to Host Snow Leopard Eco Festival in Chon-Kemin

Environmental Research

Kyrgyzstan-Germany Project Studies Lake Issyk-Kul Ecosystem

Water Management

Tajikistan and ADB Discuss Modernization of Tajik Sea Reservoir

Air Pollution

EBRD Backs $69 Million District Heating Upgrade in Bishkek to Tackle Air Pollution

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has arranged a financing package worth up to $69 million, or €64 million, for two district heating utilities in Kyrgyzstan’s capital, Bishkek. The package will modernize heating infrastructure and reduce winter air pollution in one of the world’s most polluted cities. The package will support Bishkekteploset (BTS) and Bishkekteploenergo (BTE), two municipal heating companies serving a city of more than one million people. Under the agreement, the EBRD will provide sovereign-backed loans totaling up to $29.5 million, including $18.6 million for BTS and $10.9 million for BTE. The financing will be complemented...

Caspian Sea Basin

Kazakhstan Restores Valuable Fish Species in the Caspian Sea Basin

Kazakhstan’s Atyrau Sturgeon Hatchery has released more than one million juvenile sturgeon into the Zhaiyk, or Ural, River, according to the country’s Ministry of Agriculture. The release was carried out under the state order for 2026 as part of efforts to artificially reproduce sturgeon populations and fulfill Kazakhstan’s commitments to preserving the biological resources of the Caspian Sea. The Atyrau Sturgeon Hatchery is a state monopoly authorized to remove sturgeon from their natural habitat for breeding purposes. The enterprise plays a key role in preserving and restoring populations of valuable fish species in the Caspian basin. A distinctive feature of...

Wastewater Treatment

Naryn Begins Wastewater Upgrade with EBRD, Swiss, and EU Support

Construction has begun on a new wastewater treatment plant in Naryn, the administrative center of Kyrgyzstan’s Naryn region, under a project backed by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, Switzerland, and the European Union. The financing package includes a €2 million sovereign loan from the EBRD, a €3.6 million grant from Switzerland, and a €1 million grant from the EU. The funds will be used to build a new wastewater treatment plant, extend the city’s sewerage network, construct two new pumping stations, and purchase operational equipment. According to the EBRD, Naryn, a city of around 42,000 people, currently has...

Irrigation

International Donors Commit $172 Million to Upgrade Kyrgyzstan’s Irrigation System

International financial institutions and development partners have committed $172 million to a major irrigation modernization project in Kyrgyzstan, aimed at improving water security and farm productivity as climate pressures grow. The World Bank approved $95.75 million in financing on June 12 for the Kyrgyz Republic National Irrigation Investment Program, which seeks to improve irrigation services in selected areas across the country. The financing package also includes $50 million from the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, $20 million from the OPEC Fund for International Development, and a $6.25 million grant from the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation. The project is also...

The Fragile U.S.–Iran Truce: What Central Asia Stands to Gain and Lose

Latest

Features

Features

Kazakh Coalitions, Kyrgyz Security Signals, and Uncovering Disinformation Networks in Central Asia

Latest

Sunkar Podcast

Kazakh Coalitions, Kyrgyz Security Signals, and Uncovering Disinformation Networks in Central Asia

Sunkar Podcast

Opinions

Opinions

Zamirbek Minbaev

Igor Klevtsov

Dr. Magsud Mammadov

UNDP Representatives in Kazakhstan, Katarzyna Wawiernia, Kyrgyzstan, Alexandra Solovieva, Tajikistan, Sudipto Mukerjee, Turkmenistan, Narine Sahakyan, Uzbekistan, Akiko Fujii.

Zamirbek Minbaev

Aidar Borangaziyev

Ken Moriyasu

Sergey Akhmetov

Timur Serikuly

Matthew Davies

Timur Serikuly

Charles McLean

Business & Economy

Business & Economy

Kyrgyzstan Approves Chinese Loan for CKU Railway

Allied Biofuels Advances $6.1 Billion Sustainable Aviation Fuel Project in Uzbekistan

Turkmenistan Cash Shortage Forces Residents to Pay Middlemen for Their Own Money

EU Launches Platform to Mobilize Up to €2 Billion for Europe–Central Asia Connectivity

SuperX Considers 1 GW AI Data Center in Kazakhstan

Local Politics

Local Politics

Chongara and Tash-Tobo: The Villages That Changed Countries Without Moving

Power Outages in Turkmenistan Lead to Dismissals as Blackouts Continue

Tokayev Says Kazakhstan Offers Healthcare Benefits Unavailable in Some Western Countries

Turkmen Schools Introduce New Rules for Smartphone Use

Turkmenistan Sets New Rules for Mobile Devices in Schools

International Affairs

International Affairs

Tajikistan and UK Expand Cooperation in Education and Science

The Fragile U.S.–Iran Truce: What Central Asia Stands to Gain and Lose

Beyond Resources: Ambassador Kussainov on Kazakhstan and Canada’s Partnership in AI, Education, and Innovation

Kazakhstan Afghanistan Ties Expand With Aid, Medicine and Trade Talks

Uzbekistan Mahallasi Opens in Turkey’s Earthquake-Hit Hatay

Life & Culture

Life & Culture

From Bishkek to Yakutsk: What Unites Eurasia’s Emerging Cinema

World Cup: Ronaldo Makes History as Portugal Rout Uzbekistan 5-0

Astana to Host Four Continents Figure Skating Championships in 2027

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

World Cup: Diaz’s quality shows as Colombia beat Uzbekistan 3-1

Justice

Justice

Central Asian Women Recruited Into Georgia’s Surrogacy Market via Social Media