The Times Of Central Asia | Eurasian Publication & News Online

Tajikistan is sending a convoy of 110 trucks carrying humanitarian aid to Iran, which has been targeted by heavy U.S. and Israeli air strikes in a war that started on February 28. The dispatch of aid follows similar deliveries by Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan. Central Asian countries are aiming for...

Podcast

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

Middle East Crisis

Hormuz Crisis: Transit Routes Through Afghanistan, Pakistan Would Be an Opportunity for Central Asia

The Strait of Hormuz has long been regarded as a central artery of global energy trade. A substantial share of oil and gas exports moves through this corridor, and regional crises are often framed in terms of energy security. For Central Asia, however, current tensions carry broader implications. They may...

Kazakhstan Referendum

Foreign Leaders Congratulate Tokayev After Kazakhstan Approves New Constitution

Updated March 17, 2026: This article has been updated to include remarks from French President Emmanuel Macron and a congratulatory message from Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev began receiving congratulations from foreign leaders on March 16 after Kazakhstan announced that voters had approved a new constitution in...

TRIPP Route

Why Central Asia Cares About the Middle Corridor–South Caucasus TRIPP Route

Armenia’s Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan spoke to the European Parliament in Strasbourg on March 11 and said he has no intention of delaying TRIPP, the newly proposed South Caucasus route through southern Armenia to be integrated into the existing Middle Corridor. He described the project as being “in the crystallization...

Natural World

Kazakhstan Plans First Legal Saiga Horn Exports

In 2026, Kazakhstan plans to begin officially exporting the horns of saiga antelopes for the first time in its history. The initial shipment is expected to total 20 tons, potentially generating tens of millions of dollars on Asian markets. The decision appears both logical and controversial. On one hand, the...

Regional Security

Threats to Regional Security: Why Escalation Around Iran Matters for Central Asia

Sunkar Podcast

Central Asia and the Troubled Southern Route

00:00 / 00:00

Opinions

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

Aidar Borangaziyev

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

Javier M. Piedra

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

Dr. Bismillah Mangal

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

Raza Syed

Opinion: Afghanistan and Central Asia – Security Without Illusions

Aidar Borangaziyev

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

Mian Nasser Hyatt Maggo & Engineer Arshad H. Abbasi

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

Dr. Eric Rudenshiold

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

Javier M. Piedra

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

Anvar Nazirov

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

Nilaya Magidish

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

Timur Serikuly

Opinion: Is Uzbekistan Importing a Future Crisis?

William Cui

Business & Economy

gas chemicals

Uzbekistan Explores Gas-Chemical Cooperation with South Africa’s Sasol

Uzbekistan is considering involving South Africa’s Sasol Limited in the development of its gas-chemical sector following talks held in Tashkent on March 15, according to the Ministry of Investment, Industry and Trade. The meeting brought together Uzbekistan’s Minister of Investment, Industry and Trade, Laziz Kudratov, and Sasol Executive Vice President Dr. Sarushen Pillay. Discussions focused on expanding cooperation in gas-chemical and coal-chemical industries, with both sides expressing interest in joint projects based on the deep processing of natural gas and coal. According to the ministry, particular attention was given to Sasol’s potential participation in a coal-to-olefins (CTO) project aimed at...

Agriculture

Kyrgyzstan Sees No Grounds for Restricting Potato Imports from China

Entrepreneurship

Almaty Launches Startup Program to Attract Investment

import duties

Kyrgyzstan Urges EAEU to Remove Import Duties on Key Goods

World Trade Organization

Turkmenistan Steps Up Preparations for WTO Membership Amid Economic Growth

Critical Minerals

How Kazakhstan Is Seeking to Attract Global Capital to Critical Mineral Extraction

In March 2026, Kazakhstan moved into the spotlight of the global mining industry. Against the backdrop of an accelerating energy transition and a growing shortage of critical minerals, the government has launched a large-scale geological exploration program. Its strategic objective is to position the country as a key supplier of copper and rare earth elements (REEs) to global markets. For Western investors, this represents an important signal. A significant, relatively underexplored resource base is emerging, supported by regulatory reforms designed to facilitate access. The state assumes early-stage risks The new investment cycle was officially presented at PDAC 2026, one of...

Internet disruptions

Internet Outages Reported Across Turkmenistan Since February

Since February, widespread internet disruptions across Turkmenistan have affected both business operations and daily life. According to reports by the independent outlet turkmen.news, the issue is not limited to routine website blocking but involves broader interference with data transmission. Sources cited by the outlet suggest that a mechanism described as “network degradation” is being used. This reportedly involves the intentional reduction of data transfer reliability rather than simply restricting access to specific online resources. The Cybersecurity Agency and the telecommunications company Ykjam Aragatnaşyk have been mentioned in this context. According to these accounts, a significant share of internet traffic may...

Renewable energy

TotalEnergies Launches Wind Farm Project in Southern Kazakhstan

French energy company TotalEnergies has launched construction of the Mirny wind farm, a 1-gigawatt renewable energy project in Kazakhstan’s Moyinkum District in the Zhambyl Region. Once completed, the facility is expected to become one of the largest wind power installations in Central Asia. The project provides for the installation of around 150 wind turbines supplied by Envision and SANY. It will also include a 600-megawatt-hour energy storage system developed by the French battery manufacturer Saft, designed to improve grid stability and optimize power distribution. Total investment in the project is estimated at about $1.1 billion. The wind farm is scheduled...

Uranium Supply

Kazatomprom Negotiates Long-Term Uranium Supply Deal with India

Kazakhstan’s national nuclear company Kazatomprom is negotiating a long-term uranium supply agreement with India as part of efforts to expand its presence in key global markets. The announcement was made by the company’s CEO, Meirzhan Yussupov, during a meeting with President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, according to a statement published on the presidential administration’s website. The potential contract forms part of Kazatomprom’s development strategy for 2025-2034, which focuses on diversifying export destinations and strengthening the company’s competitive position. In 2025, the company has already concluded supply agreements with several international energy firms, including Switzerland’s Axpo Power AG, the Czech Republic’s ČEZ Group...

Local Politics

Road Safety

Kazakhstan Senator Proposes Restoring State Oversight of Driving Schools

Gennady Shipovskikh, a member of Kazakhstan’s Senate, has proposed restoring state oversight of driving schools, linking the initiative to a sharp increase in traffic accidents across the country. According to figures cited by the senator, the number of road accidents has nearly doubled over the past three years. In 2023, approximately 15,800 accidents were recorded in Kazakhstan. This figure rose to about 31,500 in 2024 and exceeded 36,000 in 2025. In total, more than 100,000 people were reported injured during this period. Shipovskikh attributes the worsening situation partly to reduced state supervision of driver training standards. At present, most driving...

Kazakhstan's Constitutional Referendum

New Constitution Backed by Majority as Kazakhstan Reports Record Referendum Turnout

Constitution

Kazakhstan’s Constitutional Referendum Opens the Door to Major Institutional Reform

Deportation

Deportation Flight from U.S. Returns 65 Nationals to Uzbekistan

Kazakhstan Referendum

Kazakhstan Reduces Number of Overseas Polling Stations for Referendum

Constitutional Reform

Kazakhstan Prepares for Its First-Ever Administrative Amnesty

President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has announced plans to introduce Kazakhstan’s first-ever administrative amnesty. The statement was made during a ceremony marking the adoption of the country’s new Constitution. In the past, Kazakhstan has periodically granted amnesties to individuals convicted of criminal offenses, often timed to coincide with national anniversaries. The most recent such amnesty was carried out in 2025 to mark the 30th anniversary of the Constitution. The new initiative is linked to the adoption of the updated Constitution. On March 15, a nationwide referendum was held in which a majority of voters supported the new basic law. The document is...

Armed Forces

Turkmenistan’s Army Facing a Growing Exodus of Personnel

Turkmenistan’s Ministry of Defense is attempting to halt mass resignations among officers. Military personnel who have left their units without permission are being offered the opportunity to return to service on the condition that they are transferred to their home region. However, this measure has so far produced little effect and does not address the army’s core problems. Turkmenistan’s Minister of Defense, Begench Gundogdyyev, has sought to revise the government’s approach to the personnel crisis in the armed forces. At a meeting with unit commanders reviewing the results of the first two months of 2026, he addressed the issue of...

Kazakhstan Referendum

Kazakhstan Faces Landmark Constitutional Referendum

On March 15, citizens will vote in a nationwide referendum on sweeping constitutional amendments that could significantly reshape Kazakhstan’s political system. Kazakhstan’s Constitution has undergone periodic revision since independence, with changes adopted in 1998, 2007, 2011, 2017, 2019, and most recently in 2022, when 56 amendments to the basic law were approved in a national referendum. According to official statements, the proposed draft would affect about 84% of the Constitution, making it the most extensive revision in the country’s modern history. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has described the proposed document as “essentially a new Constitution.” At the same time, the draft...

Children's Rights

The Children of Kazakhstan Concept: Reality and Barriers to Implementation

The 2026-2030 Children of Kazakhstan Concept, approved by the Kazakh government, introduces new standards for the protection of children’s rights. The document is largely based on modern international approaches to social policy. However, its implementation may face a number of systemic barriers characteristic of Kazakhstan’s institutional environment. Honest Acknowledgment of Problems The authors of the concept do not attempt to downplay existing challenges. The document openly recognises serious issues in the field of child protection. In 2024, 2,693 crimes against minors were registered. In 2025, the figure stood at 2,603. Of these, nearly 900 cases involved sexual abuse. Particularly alarming...

International Affairs

Diplomatic Talks

Xi Jinping and Berdymuhamedov Sr. Discuss Expansion of China-Turkmenistan Partnership

Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks with Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov, Turkmenistan's former president and leader of its People's Council, during the latter’s official visit to China. The meeting took place on March 18 at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, according to a statement from China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Xi noted that China had recently completed its annual parliamentary meetings, commonly referred to as the “Two Sessions,” during which key socio-economic priorities were outlined. He said the country’s new development agenda would support modernization efforts and create additional opportunities for international cooperation. The Chinese president said that mutual political support...

Middle East Crisis

Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan Send Humanitarian Aid to Iran

Energy Project

Italy’s Eni Expands Energy Projects in Kazakhstan with Hybrid Power Plant

Middle East Crisis

U.S. Air Tanker Crash in Iraq Recalls KC-135 Loss in Kyrgyzstan in 2013

Uzbek Diaspora

Uzbek Woman Killed in Traffic Accident in New York

G20 Summit

Trump Invites Tokayev to Miami G20 Summit

U.S. President Donald Trump has invited Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to visit Miami for the G20 Summit later this year, according to an official statement released by Tokayev’s press secretary, Aibek Smadiyarov. The invitation was reportedly conveyed in a personal letter following the two leaders’ recent meeting in Washington in February, which took place during the inaugural session of the Board of Peace – a platform described by participants as combining diplomatic dialogue with business initiatives aimed at addressing global security and development challenges. According to Smadiyarov, Trump expressed appreciation for Tokayev’s participation in the Washington meeting, and said he would...

Iran Media Threats

Iran Warns of Military Action Over Iran International Broadcasts via Turkmenistan Satellite

Iran has warned of potential military consequences for countries and organizations cooperating with the independent television channel Iran International, raising concerns about infrastructure linked to satellite broadcasting, including resources connected to Turkmenistan. Iranian officials said that “certain institutions and countries” that continue to support the broadcaster could face serious repercussions. According to a statement released by Iran International, facilities and infrastructure involved in transmitting its signal “may be included on the list of targets for the Iranian military.” The channel cited reports in Iranian state media quoting a representative of the Iranian Armed Forces’ Khatam al-Anbia Air Defense Base. In...

Regional Security

Threats to Regional Security: Why Escalation Around Iran Matters for Central Asia

For Central Asia, the central question is not simply whether a wider conflict involving Iran would destabilize the Middle East, but how that instability could spill north into a region that has repeatedly absorbed the consequences of crises to its south. Central Asian states have seen before how militant infiltration, narcotics trafficking, and extremist mobilization can intensify when neighboring wars weaken state control and create more permissive transit corridors. History gives Central Asia specific reasons to take that risk seriously. During the Tajik civil war and its aftermath, the Tajik-Afghan border became a frontline against crossings by Afghan militants and...

Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov

Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov’s U.S. and Germany Trip Draws Attention to Diplomatic Reshuffle

In mid-February, Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov, former president of Turkmenistan and current chairman of the Halk Maslahaty (the People's Council of Turkmenistan), visited the United States. State media reported extensively on the trip, although some details of the visit and its outcomes were not publicly clarified. Shortly after Berdymuhamedov’s return, President Serdar Berdymuhamedov, his son, dismissed Turkmenistan’s ambassador to the United States and the country’s permanent representative to the United Nations. No official explanation for the change was provided. According to official reports, Berdymuhamedov held meetings with executives of Nicklaus Companies, including its leadership, as well as representatives of the Turkmenistan-U.S. Business...

Life & Culture

Nauryz

The History of Nauryz: An Ancient Festival That Continues to Unite Central Asia

Ahead of the Nauryz holiday, The Times of Central Asia looks at the origins and enduring significance of one of the region’s oldest celebrations. More than a seasonal festival, Nauryz reflects a deep connection between people, nature, and cultural identity, a tradition that has evolved over thousands of years and remains central to life across Central Asia. Origins and Meaning Nauryz, also known as Nowruz, is one of the world’s oldest holidays, marking the arrival of spring and the beginning of a new year. It is celebrated on the day of the spring equinox, when day and night are approximately...

Yerbol Khamitov

Kazakhstan Celebrates as Paralympic Champion Yerbol Khamitov Returns Home

Yerkinbek Ptyraliyev

From VHS Tapes to Cannes and the Academy: Kazakh Cinematographer Yerkinbek Ptyraliyev on His Craft

Islamic Civilization Center

Opening the Islamic Civilization Center in Tashkent: A New Landmark of Memory, Scholarship, and National Identity

Internet

Global Internet Freedom Rankings: Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan Far Ahead of Eurasian Neighbors

Podcast

Pannier and Hillard’s Spotlight on Central Asia: New Episode Coming 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, the team will examine accelerated plans to relocate people from the area around Tajikistan's Rogun hydropower plant, with guests from...

Abdukodir Khusanov

The Athletic Names Khusanov Among World’s Most Underrated Footballers

Abdukodir Khusanov, a defender for the Uzbekistan national team and English Premier League club Manchester City, has been included in a list of the world’s most underrated footballers compiled by The Athletic. In its analysis, The Athletic noted that Khusanov’s early reputation was influenced by a difficult debut against Chelsea last season, when he conceded a goal and struggled during the opening minutes. This performance led some observers to underestimate the 22-year-old center-back. However, The Athletic added that he quickly recovered, demonstrating the qualities that prompted Manchester City to sign him and showing further improvement during the current campaign. The...

Ecotourism

Ecotourism Revenues More Than Double as Visitor Numbers Rise in Kyrgyzstan

Ecotourism in Kyrgyzstan is gaining momentum, with revenues from visits to specially protected natural areas more than doubling in 2025, according to the Ministry of Natural Resources, Ecology, and Technical Supervision. Total revenue reached approximately $431,000, marking a 105% year-on-year increase. The surge reflects growing interest in nature-based tourism. In 2025, more than 271,000 tourists visited Kyrgyzstan’s nature reserves and national parks, a 24% increase compared with the previous year. Domestic tourism remains the main driver. Around 250,500 visitors were Kyrgyz citizens, while the number of foreign tourists also continued to rise steadily. Protected natural areas now cover 7.38% of...

Chocolate

How a Family-Run Mini-Factory in Almaty Ships Chocolate to Belgium and Switzerland

Nurlan and Zhaniya Orynbayev are Kazakhstani chocolatiers known for creating distinctive desserts inspired by national traditions. Their creations include sweet yurts, chocolate mountain landscapes, a chocolate version of the Kazakhstan Hotel filled with zhent (a traditional dessert made from roasted millet, butter, and honey), chocolate with kurt, and other culinary experiments. Nurlan is also a musician and a member of the Kazakhstani hip-hop group Dayinball. In an interview with The Times of Central Asia, the couple spoke about how the chocolate version of one of Almaty’s main landmarks was created, what sweets Kazakh consumers prefer, how to choose high-quality kurt,...

Justice

Crocus City Hall

Appeals Filed Against Life Sentences in Crocus City Hall Attack Case

Lawyers representing those convicted of carrying out the 2024 attack at Crocus City Hall have filed appeals against the court’s verdict, arguing that the sentences are excessively harsh, Russian state media reported. According to Russia’s state news agency TASS, defense attorneys have submitted initial appeals on behalf of the main perpetrators and several accomplices following a ruling by the 2nd Western District Military Court. Earlier, the Russian outlet RBC reported that the four gunmen who carried out the attack were sentenced to life imprisonment. The court ruled that they would serve extended initial terms in prison under the strictest conditions...

Police

Tajik Police to Patrol Dushanbe on Electric Scooters

FLEX Exchange Program

Uzbek FLEX Finalist Returns Home After Alleged Harassment by Host Father in Indiana

India

Delhi Police Arrest Man After Large Theft Targeting Uzbek Visitor

Legal System

Why Tajikistan’s Courts Rarely Hand Down Acquittals

Internet Regulation

Kazakhstan Plans to Introduce Social Media Monitoring

Kazakhstan plans to introduce a system for monitoring the information space in order to identify illegal online content. This was reported by the country’s Financial Monitoring Agency (FMA). The agency has drafted rules on monitoring the information space aimed at detecting unlawful content, including on the internet, and enabling subsequent measures to restrict access to it. The draft document has been published on the Open Regulatory Acts portal. According to the proposal, monitoring would cover information published in open sources, including websites, social networks, messaging platforms, mass media outlets, and other information and communication channels. The Financial Monitoring Agency would...

Justice

Mirziyoyev: Violence Against Women and Children Will Not Be Tolerated in Uzbekistan

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has announced tougher measures against violence toward women and children, and unveiled new economic and education programs aimed at expanding opportunities for women across Uzbekistan. Speaking on March 6 at a ceremony in Tashkent marking International Women’s Day, the president referred to a decree he signed on March 3 that strengthens the country’s response to domestic violence. According to remarks reported by Uzbek media and the presidential press service, the decree introduces a stricter system for addressing harassment and violence against women and minors. Mirziyoyev said Uzbekistan has adopted the creation of an uncompromising environment against violence...

Extradition

Kazakhstan Suspends Extradition of Navalny Associate as Courts Weigh Asylum Claim

Kazakhstan has suspended the extradition of Yulia Yemelyanova, a former staff member of Alexei Navalny’s St. Petersburg office, to Russia. Yemelyanova was detained in Almaty in August 2025 after the Russian authorities requested her transfer. The Prosecutor General’s Office halted the extradition after her lawyers filed appeals linked to her asylum claim. Earlier this month, authorities approved Russia’s request despite her pending asylum application. Her lawyer subsequently stated that he would challenge that approval before the Supreme Court. Russian investigators have accused Yemelyanova of theft linked to a 2021 case. Her defense rejects the charge and argues that the prosecution...

U.S. Sanctions

U.S. Sanctions Uzbek Citizen Over Alleged Cybercrime Links

The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has imposed sanctions on an Uzbek citizen over alleged involvement in cybercrime activities linked to Russian actors, according to an official press release published on the agency’s website. OFAC reported that Azizjon Mamashoyev, a citizen of Uzbekistan born in 1987, was added to the sanctions list under regulations related to Russia-linked activities. U.S. authorities allege that he participated in cyber operations and maintained connections with individuals suspected of conducting malicious cyber activities. The announcement included identifying details, listing Mamashoyev’s date of birth as February 20, 1987, and confirming...

Environment

Kyrgyz Retailers Prepare for Gradual Phase-Out of Plastic

Pressure is increasing on businesses in Kyrgyzstan to reduce their use of plastic. However, judging by the government’s latest initiatives, the transition to new environmental standards is expected to be gradual and shaped by compromise. The Ministry of Natural Resources, Ecology, and Technical Supervision has announced the launch of the “Green Entrepreneur” platform, through which companies willing to phase out plastic can obtain official recognition. The initiative comes alongside preparations for large-scale restrictions on the use of plastic bags, scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2027. Although a full ban has not yet been introduced, several major retailers have...

Air Pollution

Report Reveals Persistently High Air Pollution Levels in Bishkek and Osh

Natural World

Kazakhstan Plans First Legal Saiga Horn Exports

Environment

“Acid clouds” from Iran? Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan Weather Agencies Say There is No Threat to Central Asia

Nature Reserves

Kazakhstan Plans to Expand Nature Reserves by Two Million Hectares by 2035

Desertification

Environmental Pressures Affect Up to 80% of Irrigated Land in Turkmenistan

Environmental pressures in Turkmenistan are intensifying, with desertification, water scarcity, and ecological degradation posing increasing risks to agriculture and public health, according to a recent analysis cited by News-Asia. The study was prepared by experts from the Central Asia Climate Foundation (CACF)’s climate change and green energy project office ahead of a regional environmental summit scheduled for April 22–24 in Astana. Researchers warn that desertification has reached critical levels across large parts of the country. The expansion of the Karakum and Kyzylkum deserts is described as among the fastest globally, threatening farmland, infrastructure, and living standards. Land degradation is being...

Agriculture

Kyrgyzstan Plans $10 Million Animal Vaccine Plant to Strengthen Livestock Sector

Kyrgyzstan is planning to build a modern animal vaccine production facility as part of broader efforts to improve disease prevention and support the development of its livestock sector. The project was discussed on March 17 during a meeting between Minister of Water Resources, Agriculture, and Processing Industry Erlist Akunbekov and representatives of Altyn Tamyr Joint-Stock Company. Altyn Tamyr is currently the country’s only producer of veterinary biopreparations, supplying the domestic market and exporting products to Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, and Azerbaijan. Akunbekov described the planned facility as a strategic initiative and instructed officials to ensure that construction and commissioning proceed...

sustainable energy

Kyrgyzstan Seeks Climate Finance and Carbon Market Funding to Cut Emissions

Kyrgyzstan is preparing to sign a carbon project aimed at supporting the country’s transition to sustainable energy. The announcement was made by Energy Minister Taalaibek Ibrayev following a meeting with World Bank Country Manager for Kyrgyzstan Hugh Riddell on March 13. The initiative will be supported by the Transformative Carbon Asset Facility (TCAF), a World Bank trust fund designed to help developing countries introduce market-based carbon pricing mechanisms and attract private investment in low-carbon technologies. TCAF provides a hybrid financing model that combines climate finance with carbon market funding. Payments are made only after verified reductions in greenhouse gas emissions...

Water Management

Uzbekistan Allocates $49 Million to Prevent Water Shortages and Upgrade Canals

Uzbekistan will allocate 600 billion UZS (about $49 million) this year to improve water management and reduce the risk of shortages, according to a presidential decision issued on March 5. The funding will support additional measures aimed at using water resources more efficiently and preparing for potential water scarcity during the irrigation season. Under the plan, most of the funds will be directed toward modernizing irrigation infrastructure. The government intends to reconstruct and concrete 389 kilometers of irrigation canals that currently experience high levels of water loss. Officials say these improvements could help save an average of 206 million cubic...

Trump Invites Tokayev to Miami G20 Summit

Latest

Features

Features

Iran, Air Strikes and Central Asia’s Strategic Dilemma

Latest

Sunkar Podcast

Sunkar Podcast

Opinions

Opinions

Aidar Borangaziyev

Javier M. Piedra

Dr. Bismillah Mangal

Raza Syed

Aidar Borangaziyev

Mian Nasser Hyatt Maggo & Engineer Arshad H. Abbasi

Dr. Eric Rudenshiold

Javier M. Piedra

Anvar Nazirov

Nilaya Magidish

Timur Serikuly

William Cui

Business & Economy

Business & Economy

Uzbekistan Explores Gas-Chemical Cooperation with South Africa’s Sasol

How Kazakhstan Is Seeking to Attract Global Capital to Critical Mineral Extraction

Internet Outages Reported Across Turkmenistan Since February

TotalEnergies Launches Wind Farm Project in Southern Kazakhstan

Kazatomprom Negotiates Long-Term Uranium Supply Deal with India

Local Politics

Local Politics

Kazakhstan Senator Proposes Restoring State Oversight of Driving Schools

Kazakhstan Prepares for Its First-Ever Administrative Amnesty

Turkmenistan’s Army Facing a Growing Exodus of Personnel

Kazakhstan Faces Landmark Constitutional Referendum

The Children of Kazakhstan Concept: Reality and Barriers to Implementation

International Affairs

International Affairs

Xi Jinping and Berdymuhamedov Sr. Discuss Expansion of China-Turkmenistan Partnership

Trump Invites Tokayev to Miami G20 Summit

Iran Warns of Military Action Over Iran International Broadcasts via Turkmenistan Satellite

Threats to Regional Security: Why Escalation Around Iran Matters for Central Asia

Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov’s U.S. and Germany Trip Draws Attention to Diplomatic Reshuffle

Life & Culture

Life & Culture

The History of Nauryz: An Ancient Festival That Continues to Unite Central Asia

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

The Athletic Names Khusanov Among World’s Most Underrated Footballers

Ecotourism Revenues More Than Double as Visitor Numbers Rise in Kyrgyzstan

How a Family-Run Mini-Factory in Almaty Ships Chocolate to Belgium and Switzerland

Justice

Justice

Appeals Filed Against Life Sentences in Crocus City Hall Attack Case