The Times Of Central Asia | Eurasian Publication & News Online

On December 20, the first summit of Central Asian and Japanese leaders (CA+JAD) was held in Tokyo. The Tokyo Declaration, an ambitious roadmap for future cooperation, was adopted during the summit. It aims to transform relations between Japan and the five Central Asian countries into a deep and multifaceted strategic...

Gender Equality

New Report Highlights Persistent Gender Equality Gaps in Kyrgyzstan

Kyrgyzstan has released its Country Gender Equality Profile (CGEP), a comprehensive, evidence-based assessment prepared by the Ministry of Labor, Social Welfare, and Migration in collaboration with UN Women and with support from the European Union. The report, presented during a National Dialogue on Promoting Gender Equality Policy, examines structural barriers...

Central Asia + Japan

Uzbekistan and Japan Announce Over $12 Billion in New Strategic Projects

Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has concluded an official visit to Japan that both Uzbek and Japanese sources have described as a turning point in bilateral relations. According to Sherzod Asadov, the president’s press secretary, the visit elevated Uzbekistan-Japan ties to an expanded strategic partnership, marking a shift from primarily humanitarian...

EAEU

From GDP to AI: EAEU Leaders Review Integration Milestones in St. Petersburg

The leaders of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) gathered on December 21 at the Yeltsin Presidential Library in St. Petersburg, Russia, to assess the bloc’s progress and outline future integration priorities. The summit was attended by the leaders of EAEU member states, President of Russia, Vladimir Putin, President of Belarus,...

Suicide

Kazakh Authorities Open Investigation After Temir Mayor Found Dead

Sanctions

UK Adds Uzbekistan-Based Companies and Tashkent Businessman to Russia Sanctions List

Britain has expanded its Russia sanctions regime to include four companies based in Uzbekistan and one Tashkent-born businessman, according to official documents published on 18 December 2025. The measures form part of a wider update that added 24 new individuals and entities to the UK’s consolidated sanctions list under the...

Sunkar Podcast

Central Asia and the Troubled Southern Route

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Opinions

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

Opinion: Kazakhstan Joins Abraham Accords – More Than a Symbolic Gesture

Uzma Parveen

Opinion: A Trump Visit to Central Asia Would Deliver Results and Anchor a Corridor Strategy

Dr. Robert M. Cutler

Opinion: China’s Diplomatic Power Play Unfolds in Tianjin

Andrei Matveev

Opinion: Gas, Geopolitics, and Realism: U.S.–Turkmenistan Talks Signal Shift

Javier M. Piedra

Business & Economy

Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor

Kazakhstan Deepens Kuryk Port on Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor

Kazakhstan has launched a strategic dredging project at the ERSAI industrial port, part of the Caspian Sea’s Kuryk Port, aimed at boosting its cargo-handling capacity and reinforcing its role as a key transit hub along the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR). Also known as the Middle Corridor, the TITR connects China to Europe via Central Asia and the South Caucasus. According to the Ministry of Transport, the project will deepen the port’s waters and approach channel to five meters, enabling year-round navigation. The initiative is fully financed by ERSAI, which is constructing its own Cutter Suction Dredger (CSD 650), named...

Fish Farming

Mangistau Region Aims to Replace Up to 60% of Kazakhstan’s Salmon Imports

Investments

Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan Emerge as Top Investment Destinations in Eurasian Region

Tokyo Declaration

Japan and Central Asia Enter a New Era of Strategic Partnership

Automotive Industry

Kazakhstan’s Automotive Industry Approaches $4 Billion by End of 2025

Kazakhstan Becomes Regional Leader in AI Readiness

Kazakhstan has ranked 60th out of 195 countries in the Government AI Readiness Index 2025, published by the international analytical centre Oxford Insights, emerging as the leader in Central Asia for government preparedness to adopt and manage artificial intelligence. The ranking was highlighted by Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development. The Government AI Readiness Index evaluates governments’ ability to apply AI across public administration, economic activity and social sectors, as well as to create conditions for its safe, responsible and sustainable use. The index covers 195 countries and is the only international ranking focused exclusively on the role...

Banking

ADB Provides Tajik Bank with First Direct Loan of $10 Million

Bank Eskhata OJSC (Open Joint-Stock Company) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) have signed a direct lending agreement, marking a new stage in financing for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Tajikistan. This is the first time the ADB has issued a direct loan to a Tajik bank, bypassing intermediary financial institutions. The ADB stated that the format reflects a high level of trust in the partner bank and confidence in its stability within the national financial market. Tajikistan has been a member of the ADB since 1998. Under the terms of the agreement, the ADB is providing a loan...

Industrial Cities

Kazakhstan’s Rust Belt: Why Modernized Power Plants Aren’t Stopping Urban Decline

The onset of winter in 2025 served as a stress test for Kazakhstan’s industrial north, and by most measures, the country passed. After high-profile heating system failures in cities such as Ekibastuz and Ridder in previous years, when entire neighborhoods were left without heat in temperatures as low as minus 30 degrees Celsius, the authorities were forced to move beyond piecemeal repairs toward large-scale emergency interventions. The state invested unprecedented resources into overhauling heating networks and modernizing thermal power plants in single-industry cities and smaller industrial settlements across the region. Significant budget allocations helped stabilize the most vulnerable infrastructure. Emergency repair...

Capital Markets

Uzbekistan Unveils New Capital Market Reforms to Attract $1 Billion in Investment

Uzbekistan has approved a presidential decree aimed at enhancing the investment climate in the country’s capital markets. According to the Ministry of Justice, the reform package is designed to attract $1 billion in new investments by 2030 through the introduction of modern financial instruments. As part of this strategy, authorities plan to issue corporate bonds worth five trillion Uzbekistani som (approximately $415 million) to expand funding opportunities for local businesses. The ministry noted that the decree also focuses on improving investor protection by introducing mechanisms expected to eliminate over 85 percent of current violations in the capital market. A key...

Local Politics

Suicide

Kazakh Authorities Open Investigation After Temir Mayor Found Dead

The authorities in Kazakhstan’s Aktobe Region have opened a pre-trial investigation after the mayor (akim) of Temir city, Erkin Dalmagambetov, was found dead on December 20. The Aktobe regional police department confirmed the death and said the circumstances are being established. "Police have opened a pre-trial investigation into the suicide. The circumstances of the incident are being investigated," according to an official statement. Local officials also confirmed the death. Almas Zhaksylykov, the akim of Temir District, told reporters that Dalmagambetov was found at home on the evening of December 20 and that authorities were conducting checks. Several Kazakh outlets reported...

Migration Policy

Kazakhstan Drafts New Migration Policy Concept Through 2030

Energy Deficit

Alisher Sultanov Leaves Office After a Decade of Declining Gas Production in Uzbekistan

Independence Day

The Contested Legacy of Kazakhstan’s Independence Day: From Sovereignty to Unrest and Reinvention

Diplomacy

Uzbekistan, Paraguay Deepen Ties During First-Ever Presidential Visit

Car Insurance

Kazakhstan Proposes Doubling Insurance Payments for Traffic Accident Victims

Kazakhstan is considering major changes to its compulsory motor insurance legislation, with members of parliament proposing to double compensation payments for victims of traffic accidents. Presenting the bill in the Mazhilis, MP Nartay Sarsengaliyev said the initiative aims to restore social justice and strengthen financial protection for citizens. He said current compensation levels no longer reflect the country’s actual economic conditions. At present, in the event of a fatal traffic accident, the dependents of an adult victim receive approximately $13,600. Under the proposed amendments, this amount would rise to around $29,100. The bill also outlines a similar twofold increase in...

Politics

Kazakh MP Sarym Proposes Legal Measures Over Social Media Posts on Pipeline Strike

A Kazakhstani lawmaker has proposed criminal liability for social media posts that express support for attacks on the country’s energy infrastructure. During a recent session of the Mazhilis (lower house of parliament), MP Aidos Sarym called for posts endorsing Ukrainian military strikes on oil infrastructure to be examined under existing laws on terrorism and high treason. The proposal follows a November 29 incident in which Ukraine’s armed forces reportedly targeted the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC) terminal in Novorossiysk, Russia. The attack damaged the CPC’s VPU-2 offshore loading terminal and temporarily halted operations. Addressing Prosecutor General Berik Asylov and Deputy Prime...

Electricity supply

Rahmon Outlines Measures to Address Tajikistan’s Winter Power Shortages

President Emomali Rahmon has acknowledged that Tajikistan’s population continues to endure severe electricity rationing during the winter months, and has outlined steps the government is taking to alleviate the crisis. “We are fully aware of the challenges faced by the people of Tajikistan during the period of temporary restrictions on electricity supply,” Rahmon said in his annual address to parliament on December 16, adding that authorities are implementing all necessary measures to address the issue. Rahmon attributed the shortages primarily to rapid population growth and the expansion of industrial production, both of which have significantly increased domestic electricity consumption. He...

Media

Nomad TV: Russia’s Latest Media Venture in Kyrgyzstan

Kyrgyzstan has a new TV station. At first glance, it’s the kind of cozy, local news channel satirized in 2004’s Anchorman. The headline item on December 10th was the fact that it had snowed in Bishkek, with the on-screen reporter treading around the city asking residents whether they felt cold. “Not really,” is the general response, given that plummeting temperatures are hardly a new phenomenon in the Kyrgyz capital. “What kind of precautions did you take against the weather?” the reporter asks one gentleman. “Put on a hat and gloves,” comes the droll reply. This piece is followed by an...

International Affairs

G20 Summit

After Leaders’ Calls with Trump, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan’s G20 Invitations Are a Signal to Central Asia

Reports of telephone conversations between the presidents of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan with U.S. President Donald Trump came the day before a notable event on the international agenda. Trump has publicly announced his intention to invite the leaders of the two most influential Central Asian countries to the G20 summit, which the U.S. plans to hold in Miami in 2026. Despite the brevity of the official releases, they indicate not only the steady development of bilateral relations, but also a broader geopolitical signal. This statement has attracted increased interest from the international media, from the Los Angeles Times and Chicago Tribune to Agenzianova and Economic Times, which in itself...

Diplomacy

Tokayev, Mirziyoyev Have Telephone Conversations with Trump

Central Asia + Japan

Uzbekistan and Japan Announce Over $12 Billion in New Strategic Projects

EAEU

From GDP to AI: EAEU Leaders Review Integration Milestones in St. Petersburg

Sanctions

UK Adds Uzbekistan-Based Companies and Tashkent Businessman to Russia Sanctions List

International Diplomacy

Trump Signals G20 Invitation in Outreach to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan

Recent telephone conversations between the presidents of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan and United States President Donald Trump have generated significant international attention. Beyond routine diplomatic communication, the exchanges carry broader geopolitical implications for Central Asia. Trump has publicly stated his intention to invite the leaders of both countries to the G20 summit, which the United States will host in Miami in 2026. The announcement drew widespread international media coverage, highlighting growing global interest in the region. Official statements from Kazakhstan’s presidential office said that President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev held a lengthy conversation with Trump that covered a range of issues, including the...

Energy Security

Central Asia Considers Single Gas Ring to Link Regional Energy Systems

A proposal to connect the five Central Asian capitals into a unified, synchronized gas network has generated widespread debate among regional energy experts following a major industry forum in Tashkent. The idea, referred to as the “Central Asia Gas Ring,” was introduced by Kazakh oil and gas analyst Askar Ismailov during the Central Asia Oil & Gas Forum in early November. An analysis of the proposal was later published by the Uzbek outlet Upl.uz, citing assessments from regional and international experts. The concept envisions physically linking the gas transportation systems of Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan into an integrated...

AI Development

Tokayev Proposes Regional AI Partnership Center with Japan in Astana

President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has proposed establishing a regional center in Astana to facilitate cooperation between Central Asian nations and Japan in digital transformation and artificial intelligence (AI) development. Speaking at the inaugural summit of the Central Asia-Japan Dialogue, Tokayev endorsed Tokyo’s initiative to build an AI partnership with the region. He noted that Kazakhstan has committed to developing a digital state and highlighted recent milestones, including the launch of the Alem.ai International Artificial Intelligence Center, the deployment of two supercomputers in 2025, and the ongoing implementation of the Digital Qazaqstan strategy. Kazakhstan is prepared to serve as a platform for...

Central Asia + Japan

Mirziyoyev Begins Japan Visit With Central Asia Leaders’ Reception in Tokyo

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan began his visit to Japan on Thursday by attending an official reception hosted by Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi at the Akasaka Palace in Tokyo. The event marked the opening of a series of engagements bringing together the leaders of Central Asia and Japan, with a focus on strengthening regional cooperation. The reception brought together the presidents of all five Central Asian states. Alongside Mirziyoyev were President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev of Kazakhstan, President Sadyr Japarov of Kyrgyzstan, President Emomali Rahmon of Tajikistan, and President Serdar Berdimuhamedov of Turkmenistan. The gathering underscored Japan’s effort to engage the...

Life & Culture

Cultural Heritage

Kazakhstan’s Tazy: The Ancient Hunting Dog of the Steppe

For centuries, nomadic tribes across the steppe that now forms modern Kazakhstan absorbed outside influences and adapted them to local conditions, creating something uniquely Kazakh. This adaptability is evident in many aspects of steppe life, including the development of the Tazy, the Kazakh greyhound. Bred over generations to protect what nomads valued most, their livestock, the Tazy is now considered one of the seven national treasures of Kazakhstan. “If we look at history, we can say that the progenitor of the Kazakh breed, the Tazy, was the Arabian greyhound saluki,” said breeder Abzal Dosyman in an interview with The Times...

Gender Equality

New Report Highlights Persistent Gender Equality Gaps in Kyrgyzstan

Turkmen Music

From the Central Asian Steppe to Manhattan: A Turkmen Bard in New York

Society

Tajikistan Remains in 113th Place in Global Social Progress Index

Remote Working

Kyrgyzstan Launches Online Platform for Digital Nomad Applications

Podcast

Pannier and Hillard’s Spotlight on Central Asia: New Episode Available Sunday

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, we're taking a look at regional cooperation and the strengthening role of the C5 in 2025 with special guests...

Sports

Rumors Grow Over Real Madrid’s Interest in Uzbek Defender Khusanov

Speculation is mounting over a potential move by Real Madrid for Uzbekistan international Abdukodir Khusanov, with Spanish outlet Fichajes reporting that the La Liga giants are exploring the possibility of signing the 21-year-old Manchester City defender on loan. According to Fichajes, Real Madrid has initiated discussions to assess whether a mid-season loan deal is feasible as the club seeks short-term defensive cover amid a spate of injuries and a congested fixture schedule. The report suggests that Khusanov is being evaluated as a cost-effective option who could bolster the squad without committing significant transfer funds. Khusanov’s physical presence, aerial strength, and...

Science

Astana Student’s Horse Milk Video Makes Finals of “Breakthrough” Science Contest

Another Kazakh scientist received an accolade this month, after 17-year-old Tomiris Abylkairova from Astana was voted into the final 16 of the prestigious international Breakthrough Junior Challenge. The Breakthrough contest, an initiative of the Breakthrough Challenge Foundation in the United States, is a global science competition for young people aged 13-18. Held for the last 11 years, students are invited to create videos of up to two minutes in length that explain a particular concept or theory in the area of life sciences, physics or mathematics. Abylkairova’s video has a Kazakh flavor, quite literally, as she uses her two minutes...

Urban development

Kazakhstan Launches Smart City Project in Taldykorgan

The Taldykorgan City Administration (akimat), Kazakh telecommunications company ASTEL, and French Internet of Things (IoT) solutions developer Actility have signed a memorandum of cooperation to implement a Smart City project in the town of Taldykorgan. The initiative, based on LoRaWAN technology, will establish a comprehensive urban monitoring system aimed at improving city management and residents’ quality of life. The agreement was signed in Paris during the 16th meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation between Kazakhstan and France. The project involves deploying a LoRaWAN-based IoT network that will collect real-time data from environmental sensors across the city. This data...

Justice

Legal Technology

Dushanbe Teen Develops Tajikistan’s First AI Legal Assistant

Tajikistan has launched its first AI-powered legal assistant, designed to simplify access to legal information by explaining laws in plain language. The project, called Moni, was developed by 15-year-old Foteh Azizov, a tenth-grade student at School No. 6 in Dushanbe. Already, the platform is being used not only by the general public but also by practicing lawyers. Azizov said the idea for Moni came from his own experience. While helping with content and promotion at his uncle’s law firm, he noticed how difficult it was for ordinary people and even himself, to understand the complex language used in legal documents....

Shooting

Thousands Donate in Name of Uzbek-American Student Killed at Brown University

Ethnic Violence

Tajikistan Condemns Fatal Stabbing of Boy in Russia Citing Ethnic Hatred

Shooting

“I Miss Everything:” Friends, Officials Mourn Uzbek Student Slain in the U.S.

Human rights

Turkmenistan Denies Early Release to Activist Mansur Mingelov Despite Serious Illness

Asset Recovery

Kazakhstan Claims Success in Asset Recovery, But Transparency Questions Linger

Kazakhstan’s authorities have presented the results of the campaign to recover illegally acquired or transferred assets as a major success. In September 2025, during his address to the nation, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signaled a transition from asset recovery to broader investor-protection priorities. According to Prosecutor General Berik Asylov, recoveries totaling hundreds of billions of tenge have been returned to the state since the launch of the asset-recovery campaign. This includes not only cash and securities, but also land plots, business assets, and luxury property. Overall, official estimates put the total value of assets clawed back under the campaign at around...

Medical Workers

Kazakhstan Increases Criminal Penalties for Attacks on Medical Workers

Kazakhstan’s Mazhilis (lower house of parliament) has approved amendments to the Criminal and Criminal Procedure Codes aimed at strengthening penalties for violence and threats against medical personnel, including doctors, paramedics, and ambulance drivers, while on duty. The legislation introduces a new article establishing specific criminal liability for actions that endanger the life, health, and safety of medical workers. The law also defines penalties based on the severity of the offense. For threats of violence, penalties include: A fine of 200 to 500 monthly calculation indices (MCI), with 1 MCI currently equivalent to $7.66; Or corrective labor in the same amount;...

Corruption

In Turkmenistan, Government Offices Charge Citizens for Blank Sheets of Paper

In government offices across Turkmenistan, the provision of routine documents is increasingly accompanied not only by official service fees but also by unofficial, unrecorded charges. While these corrupt schemes are nominally presented as “paper fees,” in practice they have become an expected and often unavoidable part of the process. The practice of bribery is not new to Turkmenistan’s public sector. Citizens seeking almost any type of certificate typically pay not only the state-mandated fee but also an unofficial surcharge, money that is not documented on receipts or in public accounts. A particularly telling example is the issuance of marital status...

Human Trafficking

Dozens of Human Trafficking Attempts Prevented in Kazakhstan

Kazakh law enforcement agencies have disrupted dozens of serious human trafficking attempts during the nationwide STOP-Traffic operational and preventive campaign, according to the Ministry of Internal Affairs. The ministry reported 39 recorded cases of attempted human trafficking, including six involving minors. In Almaty, authorities dismantled a criminal group engaged in the illegal sale of newborns. According to investigators, the suspects exploited vulnerable young women by persuading them to give up their babies in exchange for money. More than 20 criminal cases have been opened, and all suspects have been detained. If convicted, they face up to 18 years in prison...

Environment

Water Crisis

Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan Launch Study to Revise Irrigation Regimes in Syr Darya River Basin

With grant funding from the French Development Agency (AFD), Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan have launched a joint initiative to revise irrigation regimes in the Syr Darya River basin. The project, coordinated by the Executive Committee of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea, aims to optimize agricultural water use and improve environmental outcomes, according to Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation. In Kazakhstan, the study covers 550,000 hectares of irrigated farmland in the Turkestan Region and 254,000 hectares in the Kyzylorda Region. Ground-level measurements are underway alongside satellite-based remote sensing to collect precise and comprehensive data. The findings will...

Forests

Kyrgyzstan to Launch State Nurseries as Part of National Afforestation Campaign

Glacier Monitoring

ADB Approves $3M for Glacier Monitoring in Tajikistan

Desertification

Turkmenistan and Spain Eye Regional Center to Combat Desertification in Central Asia

Nature

Tajikistan’s Forests on the Brink of Extinction

Wildlife

Kazakhstan to Permit Limited Saiga Horn Exports Under Strict Controls

Kazakhstan plans to begin limited and strictly regulated exports of saiga antelope horns, according to the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources, as reported by Nege.Aqsha. Minister of Ecology Yerlan Nysanbayev emphasized that unrestricted trade is not under consideration. He stated that exports will be allowed only under rigorous regulation, with restrictions on both volume and export mechanisms. A three-year quota system is expected to be implemented. A critical condition for authorizing exports is the establishment of a traceability system. Kazakhstan aims to integrate its national tracking database with China’s, enabling the monitoring of saiga horn derivatives from the point...

Waste Recycling

Kazakhstan Boosts Solid Waste Recycling and Environmental Oversight

Kazakhstan is steadily increasing its municipal waste recycling rate, in line with national efforts to transition to a circular economy. According to the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources, the recycling rate for newly generated solid waste rose to 28.6% in 2025, up from 25.8% the previous year. The country generates more than 4.5 million tons of municipal waste annually. To accelerate recycling efforts, the government is deploying a preferential financing mechanism funded by waste collection fees. In 2025, 63 waste management projects were approved, with 22 already financed at a total of approximately $174 million. The overall program allocates...

Water-Saving Technologies

Kyrgyz Farmers Encouraged to Adopt Water-Saving Irrigation Methods

Kyrgyzstan’s Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers and Minister of Water Resources, Agriculture, and Processing Industry, Bakyt Torobaev, has urged the country’s farmers to adopt modern, water-efficient irrigation technologies, specifically drip and sprinkler systems. Citing the growing impact of climate change, glacial melt, and declining river and precipitation levels, Torobaev warned of ongoing irrigation water shortages and stressed the need for more efficient use of existing water resources. The government is undertaking large-scale water conservation efforts, including the construction of new reservoirs, the reconstruction and cleaning of irrigation canals, and the development of a new facility to produce innovative...

Water Security

Glacier Melt Threatens Central Asia’s Water Security, Experts Warn at Regional Forum

The accelerating retreat of glaciers poses a serious risk to water security across Central and West Asia, scientists and journalists warned during an online media forum jointly hosted by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) on December 10, according to Asia-Plus. The forum focused on the growing impact of glacial melt in mountain regions, including the Pamirs, Tien Shan, Hindu Kush, and Himalayas, where shrinking ice reserves are increasingly disrupting water supplies for agriculture, energy, and drinking water. A key highlight was the ADB’s Glacier to Farms (G2F) program, presented by senior...