Lost Identities: Tackling Statelessness in Central Asia
The collapse of the Soviet Union and the subsequent emergence of 15 new countries transformed what was once considered internal migration, leaving an extraordinary number of people marooned across newly established borders. Many found themselves holding obsolete Soviet passports or lacking any documentation with which to verify their birthplace. Such was the scale of the problem that in its 2014 Special Report: Ending Statelessness Within 10 Years, the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) estimated that “mo...
Arrest Made in Connection with Bishkek Unrest
The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Kyrgyzstan has announced the detention and opening of a criminal case against a man suspected of beating foreigners during unrest which occurred on the night of May 18, leaving 41 people hospitalized. The suspect also allegedly transported people to places where foreigners lived during...
Kyrgyzstan’s President Warns of Swift Crackdown If Unrest Flares Again
President Sadyr Japarov of Kyrgyzstan on Monday has addressed the nation about recent unrest and anti-foreigner sentiment, saying “our hot-blooded youth” were led astray by inflammatory internet posts and warning of a crackdown if it happens again. Japarov spoke after a week of tension in Bishkek that began with a fight...
Turkmenistan Bans People From Talking About the Weather
For almost ten days Turkmenistan's capital Ashgabat has been flooded with rain, in what local meteorologists think have been the worst downpours since the 1970s. The rain has caused significant damage to the city's infrastructure. The Akhal province has also been badly affected, with agricultural land flooded. Mudflows hit the...
A Demographic Phenomenon in Kazakhstan — the Population is Rapidly Getting Younger
Kazakhstan stands out sharply on the demographic map of the world, according to Alexei Raksha, a Russian demographer. The republic's government supports high birth rates, which not only bring significant benefits but can also be a source of risk. Independent demographer Raksha has repeatedly said that Kazakhstan does not fit...
Central Asian Views on Pro-Palestinian Protests in the West
Pro-Palestinian protests erupted in university campuses and other locations worldwide in response to the ongoing conflict involving the Israeli Defense Forces and Palestinians in Gaza. European cities, including in the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Germany, and Belgium, have been major flashpoints where, in some cases, the police resorted to...
Why Have Cases of Abduction of Women for Marriage Not Decreased in Kazakhstan?
In Kazakhstan, the statistics related to criminal cases regarding the abduction of women as brides does not show material change, a study conducted by analysts at Ranking.kz shows. Referring to the data of the Committee on Legal Statistics and Special Records of the General Prosecutor's Office of Kazakhstan, the authors...
Central Asia’s “C5” Security Bloc Can Become a Reality
Central Asia is an emerging economic region that offers the world immense natural resources, a viable trade corridor, and a young, educated workforce. On a diplomatic level, major global powers have sometimes chosen to engage with the five Central Asian nations (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan) as a bloc...
Educating Uzbekistan: QR Codes, Quizzes and Some Critical Thought
The Times of Central Asia visited a school in Uzbekistan and talked to students and teachers for a report about the government's push to reform education. --- Break time at a school in Uzbekistan. Clusters of students in uniform – white shirt and dark trousers or skirts - chatter in...
An Uneasy Calm After Unrest in Bishkek
1 day ago
Bishkek Bets on Bikes and Buses
4 days ago
Central Asian Views on Pro-Palestinian Protests in the West
Pro-Palestinian protests erupted in university campuses and other locations worldwide in response to the ongoing conflict involving the Israeli Defense Forces and Palestinians in Gaza. European cities, including in the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Germany, and Belgium, have been major flashpoints where, in some cases, the police resorted to...
Central Asia’s “C5” Security Bloc Can Become a Reality
Central Asia is an emerging economic region that offers the world immense natural resources, a viable trade corridor, and a young, educated workforce. On a diplomatic level, major global powers have sometimes chosen to engage with the five Central Asian nations (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan) as a bloc...
Turkmenistan’s Gas and Türkiye’s Plans to Become a Gas Hub
By Robert M. Cutler A series of ongoing political consultations between Turkmenistan and Türkiye continued on 25–26 April, as a Turkmen delegation led by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ahmet Gurbanov visited Ankara, hosted by Turkish counterpart Burak Akçapar. Beyond the regular bilateral agenda of political-diplomatic, trade-economic and cultural-humanitarian...
Without Security, There Can Be No Development in Afghanistan
Indian author Arundhati Roy once said, “Either way, change will come. It could be bloody, or it could be beautiful. It depends on us.” Almost three years after Taliban’s resurgence to power in Afghanistan, there are practically no developments to highlight in its relations with the outside world. The situation...
Growth of Non-Custodial Sentences in the Kyrgyz Republic Since 2020
The Kyrgyz Republic has reported a decrease of its prison population, which speaks to the ongoing humanization of its criminal justice system. In 2023, the prison population amounted to just 7,728 persons, a 20% decrease compared to 2020 (9,658 prisoners). Despite a 22% increase in the number of convictions, from...
Uzbekistan Seeks to Expand Trade Horizons with Europe
- Opinion by Robert Cutler Uzbekistan's economic landscape has been evolving, with announcements of major reforms and international cooperation aimed at economic modernization and increasing its profile in global markets. Its partnership with the European Union (EU) has focused on critical raw materials. At the same time, Tashkent plans...
The Taliban and its Neighbors: An Outsider’s Perspective
This is part two of a piece of which part one was published here. The topic of a regional approach to solving Afghanistan's problems is increasingly being discussed in various expert and diplomatic circles. The International Crisis Group (ICG), a reputable think tank whose opinion is extremely interesting as part...
Uzbekistan: From Silk Roads to New Horizons
Cradled by the embrace of the Syr Darya and Amu Darya Rivers, Uzbekistan boasts a rich tapestry woven from the threads of history. Being home to trade hubs like Samarkand and Bukhara, this land has been at the center of cultural exchange for over a millennia. From the Turkic-Mongol tribes...
The New Silk Road
In light of the current geopolitical situation in the world, many countries are puzzled by the search for new alternative transport routes. One of these is the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR), which runs through China, Kazakhstan, the Caspian Sea, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and further to Turkey and European countries. New...
Taliban and its Neighbors: A Regional Format for Overcoming Challenges in Afghanistan and Beyond
The process of making Afghanistan an independent economic entity that can work constructively within globally accepted economic standards and formats will require addressing pressing security issues as well as strengthening regional partnerships and cooperation. In the long term, this will not only benefit the people of Afghanistan but also its...
How India is Becoming a Robust Soft Power in Central Asia
The middle-income trap, a pressing issue that has led to the stagnation of many successful developing economies, demands immediate attention. This trap, which occurs when a middle-income country can no longer compete internationally in standardized, labor-intensive goods due to relatively high wages, is a result of various factors, including countries...
The Priority of Maintaining a United and Stable Afghanistan
The issue of inter-ethnic relations in Afghanistan affects not only the country itself but also its surrounding region. Recent history has placed a heightened importance on the “nation” question in Afghanistan in terms of the country’s political and social stability. Since regaining power in 2021, the de facto Taliban authorities...
Uzbekistan’s Banks Double Their Capital in Five Years
Uzbekistan's president Shavkat Mirziyoyev has familiarized himself with a presentation on the country's banks' participation in attracting foreign investments. Over the past five years, the capital of Uzbek banks has doubled, their loan portfolio has increased 2.3 times, and the volume of annual lending has grown 1.8 times. Mirziyoyev commented:...
Construction of HPP in Talas region of Kyrgyzstan Allocated $32.6 Million
The amount it will cost to build the Bala-Saruu HPP in the Talas region of Kyrgyzstan has been announced, 24.kg reports. Ulan Astarkulov, Director of Chakan HPP, told Birinchi Radio that the Ministry of Finance of the Kyrgyz Republic has allocated a budget loan of 2 billion som ($22.7 million)....
High Gold Prices Keep the Uzbek Economy Afloat
In March this year, Uzbekistan became the largest seller of gold in the world: eleven tons of the strategic asset were sold. This strategy has allowed it to maintain reserves at a time of increasing government debt and state budget deficit. "We have a trade deficit, a budget deficit. Perhaps...
Villagers in Tajikistan Building a Hospital With Their Own Funds
In the village of Kalai Dust in Tajikistan, locals have begun building a hospital on their own. Currently, there isn't even an outpatient clinic, and women go to a neighboring village to give birth, Radio Ozodi reports. Local entrepreneurs together with migrant workers from the village have already collected half...
Kyrgyzstan and China Aim to Increase Trade
On May 18 in Bishkek, Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic, Akylbek Japarov held talks with Vice Premier of the State Council of the People's Republic of China, Liu Guozhong. Emphasizing that China is one of Kyrgyzstan’s main trade and investment partners, Japarov stated that bilateral...
IMF Positive on Uzbekistan’s Progress
The International Monetary Fund held consultations with the authorities of Uzbekistan in Tashkent from April 23 to May 7, 2024. According to the results of the discussions, the organization delivered their official statement regarding the mission on May 14. According to the statement, the rate of growth of Uzbekistan’s economy...
EBRD: Uzbekistan’s Economy Shows Stable Growth
Uzbekistan's economy will grow by 6.5% this year, and by 6% by 2025, according to a forecast published by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. This growth is expected due to investments in fixed capital and an increase in net exports. Central Asia's trade with Russia peaked in 2023...
Men in Kazakhstan Paid Almost One-Third More than Women
In Kazakhstan, men are paid 27% higher salaries than women in similar positions, as reported in a study conducted by analysts, Finprom.kz. The authors state that in a regional context, the largest gap in 2023 was observed in the Atyrau region: 85.8% (in 2022 - 77.2%), followed by Mangistau and...
Prospective Kazakh Citizens Must Know Country’s Language and History
Under a new law, people applying for Kazakh citizenship will be refused if they do not show at least basic knowledge of the country's language, history and constitution, reports Kursiv. Ministry of Internal Affairs representative Shyngys Alekeshev commented on the law: "The elementary level will be determined by the Ministry...
Turkmenistan Bans People From Talking About the Weather
For almost ten days Turkmenistan's capital Ashgabat has been flooded with rain, in what local meteorologists think have been the worst downpours since the 1970s. The rain has caused significant damage to the city's infrastructure. The Akhal province has also been badly affected, with agricultural land flooded. Mudflows hit the...
A Demographic Phenomenon in Kazakhstan — the Population is Rapidly Getting Younger
Kazakhstan stands out sharply on the demographic map of the world, according to Alexei Raksha, a Russian demographer. The republic's government supports high birth rates, which not only bring significant benefits but can also be a source of risk. Independent demographer Raksha has repeatedly said that Kazakhstan does not fit...
Floods in Kazakhstan: Affected Citizens Make Demands to the Authorities
The situation with floods in several regions of Kazakhstan remains critical. In Atyrau region, it has already acquired the character of a political crisis; in the city of Kulsary, since May 15, residents, dissatisfied with the amount of compensation offered have continued to speak out. On May 20, the Ministry...
An Uneasy Calm After Unrest in Bishkek
On the night of May 18, riots took place in Bishkek. The reason - a fight between foreign medical students and local youth. The trigger was a video of a scuffle, which occurred on May 13, when Egyptian citizens beat several locals. This video was then widely circulated on social...
Electronic Information Exchange Systems to Be Introduced in Turkmenistan’s Agencies
The Türkmenaragatnaşyk Agency and UNDP (United Nations Development Program) have signed an agreement to assist the introduction of an inter-agency electronic information exchange system in Turkmenistan in accordance with the decree of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, as reported by Arzuw.news. "The document provides for the connection of Turkmenistan's agencies to the...
Villagers in Tajikistan Building a Hospital With Their Own Funds
In the village of Kalai Dust in Tajikistan, locals have begun building a hospital on their own. Currently, there isn't even an outpatient clinic, and women go to a neighboring village to give birth, Radio Ozodi reports. Local entrepreneurs together with migrant workers from the village have already collected half...
Tension Spills Into Streets of Bishkek After Fight Involving Foreigners
Police in riot gear deployed in part of Kyrgyzstan’s capital overnight as large crowds gathered in anger over an alleged fight between local and foreign people which was widely circulated on social media. The Kyrgyz government later reported that 28 people, including three foreigners had been injured in the incident,...
Uzbekistan’s Banks Double Their Capital in Five Years
Uzbekistan's president Shavkat Mirziyoyev has familiarized himself with a presentation on the country's banks' participation in attracting foreign investments. Over the past five years, the capital of Uzbek banks has doubled, their loan portfolio has increased 2.3 times, and the volume of annual lending has grown 1.8 times. Mirziyoyev commented:...
Turkmenistan Bans People From Talking About the Weather
For almost ten days Turkmenistan's capital Ashgabat has been flooded with rain, in what local meteorologists think have been the worst downpours since the 1970s. The rain has caused significant damage to the city's infrastructure. The Akhal province has also been badly affected, with agricultural land flooded. Mudflows hit the...
Kazakhstan Joins UN Crime Prevention Commission for First Time
The 33rd session of the UN Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (CCPCJ) was held in Vienna. According to the press service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kazakhstan has been elected for the first time to the CPPUC for the period from 2025 to 2027 and "is ready...
Electronic Information Exchange Systems to Be Introduced in Turkmenistan’s Agencies
The Türkmenaragatnaşyk Agency and UNDP (United Nations Development Program) have signed an agreement to assist the introduction of an inter-agency electronic information exchange system in Turkmenistan in accordance with the decree of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, as reported by Arzuw.news. "The document provides for the connection of Turkmenistan's agencies to the...
Agreement on Classified Military Information Signed between Uzbekistan and U.S.
The agreement “On the ratification of the agreement between the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the U.S. Department of Defense on measures to protect classified military information” was approved, Platina.uz reports. This decision was made during a regular plenary session of the Senate of Uzbekistan. The...
EBRD: Uzbekistan’s Economy Shows Stable Growth
Uzbekistan's economy will grow by 6.5% this year, and by 6% by 2025, according to a forecast published by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. This growth is expected due to investments in fixed capital and an increase in net exports. Central Asia's trade with Russia peaked in 2023...
Medical Universities of Kazakhstan, Tatarstan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan Synchronize Study Programs
A joint international center for medical education will be opened by universities of Kazakhstan, Tatarstan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. Preliminary agreements were reached on the margins of the International Forum, Russia - Islamic World: KazanForum. Specialists will work on the compatibility of educational programs, the possibility of obtaining double diplomas, and...
UN Special Rapporteurs Denounce Repressions of Independent Media in Kyrgyzstan
A number of UN Special Rapporteurs have denounced the repression of independent media in Kyrgyzstan and sent a letter to the authorities of the country. In the letter, they mentioned recent events related to the publications Kloop, 24.kg and Temirov Live, Vesti.kg reports. The UN Special Rapporteurs called on the...
Ruins of a Sixth-Century Castle Discovered in Tajikistan
Archaeologists have found the ruins of an ancient castle in the Tajik city of Penjikent, the National Museum of Tajikistan has reported on its social networks. The ruins were found by an archeology specialist from the museum, Muhsin Bobomulloyev. The castle likely consisted of two floors, the first made from...
A Demographic Phenomenon in Kazakhstan — the Population is Rapidly Getting Younger
Kazakhstan stands out sharply on the demographic map of the world, according to Alexei Raksha, a Russian demographer. The republic's government supports high birth rates, which not only bring significant benefits but can also be a source of risk. Independent demographer Raksha has repeatedly said that Kazakhstan does not fit...
Why Have Cases of Abduction of Women for Marriage Not Decreased in Kazakhstan?
In Kazakhstan, the statistics related to criminal cases regarding the abduction of women as brides does not show material change, a study conducted by analysts at Ranking.kz shows. Referring to the data of the Committee on Legal Statistics and Special Records of the General Prosecutor's Office of Kazakhstan, the authors...
Educating Uzbekistan: QR Codes, Quizzes and Some Critical Thought
The Times of Central Asia visited a school in Uzbekistan and talked to students and teachers for a report about the government's push to reform education. --- Break time at a school in Uzbekistan. Clusters of students in uniform – white shirt and dark trousers or skirts - chatter in...
Sixth Eurasia Creative Guild Film Festival to be Held in the U.K.
From May 24-28, Premier Cinemas Romford will host the Eurasia Creative Guild (ECG) Film Festival, in collaboration with the Romford Film Festival for the sixth consecutive year, featuring a diverse line-up of films from across the globe. Founded by the ECG to foster deeper cultural ties and understanding, the festival...
French ELLE to be published in Uzbekistan
The world-famous fashion, beauty, lifestyle, health and entertainment magazine, ELLE will now be published in Uzbekistan. Founded in 1945 by Ellen Gordon-Lazarev, ELLE is currently the world's largest fashion magazine, reaching 32 million readers and more than 90 million unique visitors per month on 56 local sites. When social media...
First Kazakh Woman Reaches the Summit of Everest
Anar Burasheva, the first woman from Kazakhstan to climb Mount Everest, did a little dance on her descent. “My heart is on this mountain,” Burasheva said on Instagram after reaching the peak. She and two other Kazakh climbers, along with a support team of four Sherpas, made it to the...
Nationwide Survey on Domestic Violence in Kazakhstan Publishes Results
A large-scale statistical analysis on domestic violence in Kazakhstan was conducted by three professors from Karaganda Medical University: Saule Musabekova, Ksenia Mkhitaryan and Hamida Abdukadirova. The study, conducted between 2019 and 2022, covered 14,342 women between the ages of 18 and 75 from 14 regions of Kazakhstan. The questionnaire included...
Arrest Made in Connection with Bishkek Unrest
The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Kyrgyzstan has announced the detention and opening of a criminal case against a man suspected of beating foreigners during unrest which occurred on the night of May 18, leaving 41 people hospitalized. The suspect also allegedly transported people to places where foreigners lived during...
Kyrgyzstan’s President Warns of Swift Crackdown If Unrest Flares Again
President Sadyr Japarov of Kyrgyzstan on Monday has addressed the nation about recent unrest and anti-foreigner sentiment, saying “our hot-blooded youth” were led astray by inflammatory internet posts and warning of a crackdown if it happens again. Japarov spoke after a week of tension in Bishkek that began with a fight...
UN Special Rapporteurs Denounce Repressions of Independent Media in Kyrgyzstan
A number of UN Special Rapporteurs have denounced the repression of independent media in Kyrgyzstan and sent a letter to the authorities of the country. In the letter, they mentioned recent events related to the publications Kloop, 24.kg and Temirov Live, Vesti.kg reports. The UN Special Rapporteurs called on the...
“I Hope Saltanat’s Family Can Find Peace” – Women of Kazakhstan Speak Out on Bishimbayev’s Sentence
On November 9, 2023, former Kazakh Minister of the National Economy, Kuandyk Bishimbayev was caught on surveillance cameras arguing with and then brutally beating his common-law wife, 31-year-old Saltanat Nukenova, for around eight hours outside a restaurant he owned in Astana. A forensic examination showed that she had been strangled,...
Kazakhstan Still Repatriating Its Citizens From War Zones
Kazakhstan is still repatriating its citizens from war zones, 24KZ reports. Since 2019, more than 750 Kazakhs have been successfully repatriated to the republic as part of a humanitarian operation. Similar efforts are underway in other Central Asian countries. For example, Uzbek authorities have evacuated more than 500 citizens from...
Nationwide Survey on Domestic Violence in Kazakhstan Publishes Results
A large-scale statistical analysis on domestic violence in Kazakhstan was conducted by three professors from Karaganda Medical University: Saule Musabekova, Ksenia Mkhitaryan and Hamida Abdukadirova. The study, conducted between 2019 and 2022, covered 14,342 women between the ages of 18 and 75 from 14 regions of Kazakhstan. The questionnaire included...
Kyrgyz Writer Oljobai Shakir Sentenced to Five Years in Prison
On 14 May, the Alameda District Court of the Chui Oblast in Kyrgyzstan sentenced 52-year-old activist and writer Oljobai Shakir to five years imprisonment for inciting mass riots on social media against the government. At the previous hearing, Shakir a frequent and popular blogger, pleaded not guilty to the charges...
Kuandyk Bishimbayev Given 24 Years in Prison — But Kazakhs Ask How Long He Will Really Serve
On May 13, Kazakhstan’s former Minister of National Economy Kuandyk Bishimbayev was sentenced to 24 years in prison for the torture and murder of his common-law wife Saltanat Nukenova in November 2023. While the length of the sentence is a victory for advocates against gender-based violence, both within Kazakhstan and...
More Irrigation Water Pledged for Southern Kazakhstan
A revision of interstate water flow limits for Kazakhstan, through the operation of transboundary rivers and canals, has been approved by the country’s upstream neighbors. The agreement made on 20 May, which will increase the supply of irrigation water during this year’s growing season, aims to benefit farmers in the...
Turkmenistan Bans People From Talking About the Weather
For almost ten days Turkmenistan's capital Ashgabat has been flooded with rain, in what local meteorologists think have been the worst downpours since the 1970s. The rain has caused significant damage to the city's infrastructure. The Akhal province has also been badly affected, with agricultural land flooded. Mudflows hit the...
Bishkek Bets on Bikes and Buses
To alleviate congestion and traffic bottlenecks in the capital, the Bishkek Mayor's Office has green-lit a strategic plan for enhancing the city's road transport infrastructure over the 2024-2030 period. This initiative, as detailed on the municipal website, encompasses an ambitious range of projects. Highlights include the construction of bridges and...
EU to Allocate €600,000 to Uzbekistan for Green Budgeting
An agreement on financing a new project in support of green development in Uzbekistan was signed on May 6 by representatives of the French Development Agency (AFD), the European Union, and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP). According to the UNDP's press service, the project aims to assist the Uzbek...
“This Disaster Has Shown We Are All United”: An Interview with Zakirzhan Kharisovich, Deputy of Petropavlovsk, about the Kazakh Floods
This spring Kazakhstan struggled to contain flooding that displaced upwards of 120,000 people -- described by president Kasym-Jomart Tokayev as the country’s ‘worst natural disaster in 80 years’. With the flooding now contained, and excess water being repurposed, The Times of Central Asia spoke to Zakirzhan Kharisovich, a deputy of...
Favorable Water Volumes Forecast for Uzbekistan’s Amu Darya and Syr Darya Rivers
According to the news agency UzA, Uzbekistan's Minister of Water Management Shavkat Hamroyev told a parliamentary hearing that watersheds from the Amu Darya and Syr Darya rivers are forecast as favorable this year. The announcement was made in response to Muqaddas Tirkasheva, a member of the lower house of parliament,...
ADB Allocates $56 Million for Sewage Treatment Plant to Protect Issyk-Kul
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has agreed to allocate money for the construction of a sewage treatment plant in Cholpon-Ata, Kyrgyzstan's main resort city on the northern shore of the high-mountain Lake Issyk-Kul, which is the crown jewel of the Kyrgyz tourism industry. . According to the State Agency of...
Military in Kazakhstan Head Back to Bases After Working to Contain Floods
Kazakh military units that deployed to help with flood control measures in the past weeks are returning to their barracks as the crisis that hit large parts of the country winds down. “Due to the stabilization of the situation and the drop in water levels, some of the personnel and...
