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Abenov Among Kazakh Deputies Targeting Bride Kidnapping

Child Brides and Forced Marriages Among Gender Equality Topics

Features

Central Asia-Italy Summit

Meloni Will Attend Italy-Central Asia Summit in Kazakhstan This Week

Cryptocurrency

$15 Billion in Crypto Withdrawn from Kazakhstan Amid Calls for Tighter Controls

Cultural Heritage

The Photographs of Prokudin-Gorsky: A Glimpse of a Lost World

China

Opinion – The Quiet Competition: How the U.S. Is Losing Ground to China in Central Asia

Society

How the Welfare of Kazakhstani Citizens Has Changed Over the Past Five Years

Digital Development

M360 Eurasia Opens in Tashkent with Emphasis on Digital Growth

The GSMA M360 Eurasia conference officially opened on May 21 in Tashkent, marking the event’s first ever appearance in Uzbekistan. The gathering brought together telecommunications leaders, digital experts, and policymakers to explore how mobile technologies can fuel economic development and enhance quality of life across Eurasia. A key highlight of...

History

Love and Politics: How the Wives of Alash Founders Sparked a Controversy

A controversy that may appear perplexing to outside observers has ignited debate across Kazakh society. The target of online backlash is journalist Maya Bekbaeva, known for her extensive work promoting Kazakh history, from the era of Khan Jochi, son of Genghis Khan, to notable Soviet-era figures. Two years ago, Bekbaeva...

USAID

Cuts to USAID Leave Central Asia Facing Development Challenges

Sunkar Podcast

Astana International Forum 2025: Rethinking Global Dialogue

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Opinions

Business & Economy

Cryptocurrency

$15 Billion in Crypto Withdrawn from Kazakhstan Amid Calls for Tighter Controls

Approximately $15 billion worth of cryptocurrency has been withdrawn from Kazakhstan, a figure disclosed by Berik Sholpankulov, Deputy Chairman of the National Bank. The exodus highlights systemic issues in the country's digital finance regulations. Billions in the “Gray Zone” According to Sholpankulov, the primary driver of this significant capital outflow has been the absence of robust regulatory frameworks governing digital finance. "Today, the volume of crypto assets withdrawn from the country amounts to $15 billion. The fact is that there was insufficient administrative and legal regulation in place to allow citizens to invest safely,” he stated during a briefing. In...

Agriculture

Kazakhstan’s Record Sugar Beet Harvest Exposes Processing Industry Failures

Transportation

Kazakhstan’s Terminal in Xi’an Drives Surge in China-Europe Freight

Digital Development

M360 Eurasia Opens in Tashkent with Emphasis on Digital Growth

Islamic Finance

New Report Predicts Surge in Islamic Finance Across Central Asia

Ecotourism

Kyrgyz Farmers in Naryn Region Receive Ecotourism Training

Farmers in Kyrgyzstan’s Naryn region are receiving specialized training to help them tap into the growing ecotourism market. Organized by the Kyrgyz Department of Tourism, the courses aim to equip rural communities with the skills and tools necessary to turn their agricultural operations into attractive destinations for eco-conscious travelers. During the sessions, local farmers were introduced to tourism opportunities specific to their region. They also learned how to register and promote their services on major digital platforms such as Booking.com, TripAdvisor, Google Maps, and 2GIS. A key focus of the training was on storytelling and digital marketing. Participants were taught...

Aging Population

By 2050, Nearly One-Fifth of Kazakhstan’s Population Will Be Over 60

Kazakhstan is on the cusp of a significant demographic transition. A recent report by the Unified Accumulative Pension Fund (UAPF), the agency overseeing the country’s pension system, projects that by 2050, 19% of Kazakhstan’s population will be of retirement or pre-retirement age. The study, published on the UAPF website, reveals that as of January 1, 2025, Kazakhstan's population had surpassed 20.3 million. Of this total, 42.8% — approximately 8.7 million people — were under the age of 25. Another 48% (around 9.7 million) were between 25 and 65, while 9.2%, or about 1.9 million people, were over 65 and currently...

Society

How the Welfare of Kazakhstani Citizens Has Changed Over the Past Five Years

While official data shows that the monetary income of Kazakhstani citizens has nearly doubled over the past five years, many citizens report that their day-to-day experiences do not align with the statistics. Analysts at Ranking.kz conducted a study comparing official income data with real purchasing power, highlighting a complex and often uneven picture of economic well-being across the country. Average vs. Median Income: A Growing Gap According to the National Statistics Bureau, the average annual per capita income in 2024 exceeded 1.3 million KZT (approximately $2,600), up from 692,000 KZT ($1,384) in 2019, an almost twofold increase. This translates to...

Crypto market

Kazakh Lawmaker Proposes Stricter Controls on Cryptocurrency Market

Olzhas Kuspekov, a member of Kazakhstan’s Mazhilis (the lower house of parliament), has proposed tightening government regulation of cryptocurrency circulation and blocking access to unlicensed crypto exchange websites and mobile applications. Currently, cryptocurrency transactions in Kazakhstan are only permitted through licensed platforms operating under the Astana International Financial Center (AIFC). However, Kuspekov stated that in practice, these exchanges accounted for less than 14% of the country's total crypto transactions in 2023. Citing data from U.S.-based blockchain analytics firm Chainalysis, he said the illegal segment of Kazakhstan’s crypto market reached $3.5 billion last year out of a total market volume of...

Local Politics

Car Insurance

Kyrgyzstan to Enforce Mandatory Car Insurance in July 2025

Beginning July 1, 2025, all vehicle owners in Kyrgyzstan will be subject to fines if they fail to obtain mandatory car insurance. Individuals found without coverage will face a penalty of 3,000 Kyrgyz soms (approximately $35), while foreigners and legal entities will be fined 13,000 soms (around $150), according to the State Insurance Organization (SIO). The introduction of penalties is expected to promote greater discipline among drivers and boost overall insurance coverage nationwide. “Compulsory car insurance protects not only car owners but also other road users. It helps reduce social tensions, lowers the number of legal disputes, and eases the...

National Development Program

Kyrgyzstan Prepares National Development Program Through 2030

Irrigation Water

Kyrgyz Farmers to Pay Less for Irrigation Water Following Tariff Reform

Traffic regulations

Issyk-Kul Authorities Launch Campaign to Improve Traffic Rule Awareness

Military

Kyrgyzstan to Unveil New Air Defense Systems at Military Parade

Migration

Kyrgyz Authorities Announce Crackdown on Illegal Migration

On June 10, Kyrgyzstan’s State Committee for National Security (GKNB) will launch a nationwide campaign titled Operation Illegal, aimed at identifying and deporting undocumented migrants. The initiative will involve joint efforts by the GKNB and other law enforcement agencies, with a focus on conducting mass checks of foreign nationals residing in the country. The operation comes amid a sharp rise in the number of foreigners entering Kyrgyzstan in recent months. Speaking at a law enforcement coordination meeting, GKNB Chairman Kamchibek Tashiev outlined the scale of the influx: “Since the beginning of the year, 61,000 tourists, 30,000 foreign students, and 12,000...

Illegal Online Content

Kazakhstan to Introduce Fines for Illegal Online Content

Kazakhstan is set to introduce administrative liability for disseminating illegal content on the internet, Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs Igor Lepekha announced during a recent session of the Mazhilis, the lower house of parliament. Although Kazakhstan formally banned the publication of unlawful material online in 2023, as stipulated in national legislation, the law did not include penalties for violations. Lepekha confirmed that this gap will now be addressed through new administrative measures. Kazakhstan has already established a system to detect illegal and false online content. “The Ministry of Culture sends us reports whenever false information is identified. We forward these...

Victory Day

Victory Day in Central Asia: Honoring Sacrifice Amid Shifting Narratives

For the countries of Central Asia, Victory Day holds a deep significance. Although debates over the nature of the May 9 commemorations have intensified in recent years, the importance of the holiday remains unchallenged. A War That Touched Every Family Attitudes toward the celebration marking the defeat of Nazi Germany are largely shaped by each nation's level of participation in the war effort. Kazakhstan mobilized over 1.2 million people, nearly 20% of its pre-war population of 6.5 million. Of these, more than 600,000 perished at the front, with an additional 300,000 dying in the rear due to malnutrition, forced labor,...

Women's Rights

Almaty University Criticized After Female Students Told to Bow to Men

A controversy has erupted at the Kazakh National Pedagogical University (KazNPU) in Almaty after first-year female students were instructed to bow to men during an orientation session. The incident, which triggered widespread criticism, has drawn sharp condemnation on social media and reignited debates about gender roles in Kazakhstani society. According to social media posts, female students were gathered in an auditorium where they were shown a video containing behavioral "recommendations." In the footage, men of varying ages advised young women on how to conduct themselves in public, including avoiding revealing clothing, refraining from loud speech, and bowing to men as a...

International Affairs

Central Asia-Italy Summit

Meloni Will Attend Italy-Central Asia Summit in Kazakhstan This Week

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who postponed a trip to Central Asia in April because of the death of Pope Francis, has rescheduled her visit to the region for this coming Wednesday to Friday. Meloni will travel to Uzbekistan on Wednesday and will attend a Central Asia-Italy summit during a visit to Kazakhstan on Thursday and Friday, according to her office. The leaders of Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan are expected to join Meloni at the summit, which is aimed at strengthening economic collaboration between Italy and Central Asia.

Organization of Turkic States

The Turkic World in the Heart of Europe: OTS Leaders Discuss Economy, Transport, and Unity

Russia's War

Russia: Thousands of Central Asia-Born Russians Sent to Ukraine Front Line

Tajik-Afghan Border

CSTO to Begin Arms Supplies to the Tajik-Afghan Border in 2026

Kazakhstan-Uzbekistan Border

Kazakhstan Extends Border Crossing Closure with Uzbekistan Until September

China

Opinion – The Quiet Competition: How the U.S. Is Losing Ground to China in Central Asia

Over the past decade, China has steadily expanded its presence in Central Asia, not through military force, but by building roads, trade corridors, and digital infrastructure. As the United States scaled back its regional footprint following its withdrawal from Afghanistan, Beijing moved quickly to fill the void. Today, China has positioned itself as the region's dominant external power, while the U.S. risks being left on the sidelines. At the heart of China’s strategy is the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which has provided over $1 trillion into infrastructure projects globally since its launch in 2013. This includes $704 billion in...

USAID

Cuts to USAID Leave Central Asia Facing Development Challenges

When American President Donald Trump announced a freeze and overhaul of his country's foreign aid in early 2025, the move sparked concern across Central Asia. For more than three decades, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) had been a key contributor to development in the region, supporting education, healthcare, agriculture, and environmental protection. Support for Weaker Economies USAID’s role was particularly critical in economically vulnerable countries like Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. Its sudden withdrawal now leaves local governments scrambling to compensate with limited domestic resources. The cuts have not been uniform, but the overall impact has been profound. According...

USAID

Cuts to USAID Leave Central Asia Facing Development Challenges

Politics

In the Ancient Uzbek City of Termez, Delegates Talk Ties Between Central and South Asia

The Uzbek city of Termez, which lies on the border with Afghanistan and has hosted pilgrims, traders and soldiers over many centuries, is hosting a conference to promote contacts between Central and South Asia. Organized by the Uzbek government, the three-day meeting this week brings together about 200 people from fields including politics, business and research, some of whom have traveled from Europe, the Middle East and the Asia-Pacific region. The so-called Termez Dialogue on Connectivity, the first in the city, ends on Wednesday. The forum represents a belief that the countries of Central and South Asia can benefit from...

Life & Culture

The Great Game

Rediscovered Correspondence from the Man Behind the “Great Game”

A recently uncovered letter written by Captain Arthur Conolly, the British officer who coined the term "Great Game," has captivated historians and scholars of 19th-century geopolitics. The correspondence offers a rare glimpse into the mind of the officer whose ill-fated expedition to Central Asia would become emblematic of the imperial rivalry between the British and Russian empires. The letter dates from April 1841, when Conolly stopped on the bank of the Amu Darya River, the northern boundary of Afghanistan, en route to Bukhara. Partly written in code, the missive, addressed to the Austrian General, August Giacomo Jochmus, commander of the...

History

Love and Politics: How the Wives of Alash Founders Sparked a Controversy

Culture

From Classic to Avant-Garde: How “Night at the Museum” in Almaty Bridged Eras

Health

Maternal Mortality Continues to Decline in Kazakhstan

Sports

Turkmenistan’s Arkadag Footballers Left Without Prize Money Despite AFC Victory

Cultural Heritage

The Photographs of Prokudin-Gorsky: A Glimpse of a Lost World

Using the emerging technology of color photography, Sergey Mikhaylovich Prokudin-Gorsky (1863–1944) undertook several photographic expeditions to capture images of the Russian Empire. Most of his work took place between 1909 and 1915, though some photographs date as early as 1905. At the time, the Russian Empire stretched roughly 7,000 miles east to west and 3,000 miles north to south. It encompassed one-sixth of the Earth’s land surface, making it the largest empire in history, spanning what are now eleven time zones. [caption id="attachment_32008" align="aligncenter" width="484"] Abutment for a dam and house belonging to the government. [Kuzminskoe] Prokudin-Gorsky, Sergey Mikhaylovich, 1912[/caption]Tsar...

Tourism

Uzbekistan Plans to Restore Khiva’s Outer Fortress, Draw Tourists

The walls of Dishan-Kala, the remnants of a 19th century fortress in the Uzbek city of Khiva, have been deteriorating for many years. Now the Uzbek government plans to restore destroyed sections of the walls, remove some nearby buildings that are cluttering the historical structure and turn the site into a major tourist attraction. The goal is to transform Dishan-Kala, the outer fortress, into a landmark similar to Ichan-Kala, the walled inner town at Khiva that is a UNESCO world heritage site and home to multiple cultural sites, exhibition sites and artisan shops. Some 1 million foreign tourists and 3.5...

Food Crisis

Global Report on Food Crises 2025: Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan Identified as at Risk

For the first time, the 2025 Global Report on Food Crises, produced by the Food Security Information Network, has officially identified parts of Central Asia, particularly Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan, as areas of concern for food security. Central Asia in the Spotlight The Food Security Information Network (FSIN) is a technical global platform for the exchange of expertise, knowledge and best practises on food security and nutrition analysis. Published on May 16, its food crises report for this year outlines a convergence of economic instability, persistently high food prices, and climate-related stressors that threaten to deepen food insecurity in the region....

World Education Forum

Turkmenistan Participates in World Education Forum in London

On May 18, the Education World Forum, one of the largest global events dedicated to education, opened in London, bringing together ministers, deputy ministers, and senior representatives from over 100 countries. This year’s participants include a delegation from Turkmenistan, led by Deputy Minister of Education Azat Ataev. On the forum’s opening day, the Turkmen delegation met with representatives of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) to discuss Turkmenistan’s potential involvement in international education initiatives, including the integration of PISA (Programme for International Student Assessment) goals into the country’s national education strategy. The delegation also held talks with Times...

Justice

Women's Rights

Stealing Brides, Ignoring Justice: The Battle Against Forced Marriage in Central Asia

The abduction of girls for forced marriage remains a troubling and persistent practice across Central Asia. While Kazakhstan has been progressively tightening its legal framework to better protect women's rights, bride kidnapping continues to pose a serious human rights challenge throughout the region. Fighting the Middle Ages? Bride kidnapping has long been practiced in Central Asia and the Caucasus. In contemporary times, some instances are consensual, carried out as a form of cultural theatre to reduce the high cost of weddings in traditional societies. However, when carried out without the woman’s explicit permission, the ritual becomes a form of gender-based...

Social Media

Tajikistan Decriminalizes Likes and Other Reactions to Provocative Social Media Posts

Social Media

Tajikistan Lifts Criminal Penalties for Social Media Likes on ‘Extremist’ Content

Organized Crime

Bulgarian Spy Ring Sentenced: Questions Linger Over Possible Unprosecuted Crimes and Future Threats

Gas Explosion

Samarkand Issues Safety Warnings after Gas Explosion Kills Seven in Home

Crocus City Hall Terrorist Attack

Detention Extended for Four Suspects in Moscow Crocus City Hall Attack

The Moscow City Court has extended the detention of four Tajik citizens accused of participating in the deadly terrorist attack at Crocus City Hall in March. According to the court’s press service, the suspects will remain in custody for an additional three months and 28 days. The individuals, Fariduni Shamsiddin, Saidkrom Rachabalizoda, Dalerjon Mirzoev, and Muhammadsobir Faizov, have been named by Russian authorities as the primary perpetrators. They reportedly opened fire and set the concert venue ablaze on the evening of March 22. All four have been officially added to Russia’s federal list of terrorists and extremists. The attack, which...

Rukhshona Khakimova

UN Official Urges Tajikistan to Release, Retry Woman Convicted of Treason

A United Nations human rights expert has joined in calls for the release and retrial of a 31-year-old mother in Tajikistan who was convicted of treason and sentenced to eight years in prison after her research on Chinese aid to the Central Asian country allegedly aroused the suspicion of authorities. A U.N. statement described Rukhshona Khakimova as a “journalist and woman human rights defender” and said it appeared that she had not received a fair trial and may have been targeted for “legitimate human rights journalism” rather than any wrongdoing. “The case was part of a broader criminal investigation involving...

Crime

Brutal Assault on Kazakh Politician Raises Questions

Nurlan Baigaziev, a local politician in the Ili district in the Almaty region, has been brutally beaten in Taraz, according to reports that quickly spread across social media and were subsequently confirmed by law enforcement authorities. Incident Details Police confirmed that the incident occurred on the evening of May 13 at a local café. Baigaziev, who sustained facial injuries, was taken to a hospital but declined further treatment. The Zhambyl region police stated that a pre-trial investigation has been launched under Part 1 of Article 293 of the Criminal Code (hooliganism). An individual identified as being involved in the attack...

Corruption

Former Head of Astana Metro Project Detained in Turkey

Kazakhstan’s National Security Committee (KNB) has confirmed the detention of Talgat Ardan, the former head of the Astana Light Rail Transit (LRT) project, in Turkey. Ardan, who had been placed on an international wanted list, is accused of embezzling significant budgetary funds allocated for the capital’s metro system. Legal proceedings against Ardan stem from a major corruption case that surfaced in 2020. A criminal trial launched in Astana that autumn revealed the alleged embezzlement of billions of tenge earmarked for the LRT’s construction. In May 2021, seven individuals were sentenced to prison terms ranging from seven to ten years. Two...

Environment

EDB Evaluates Environmental Projects to Combat Air Pollution in Bishkek

The Bishkek municipality and the Eurasian Development Bank’s (EDB) Fund for Digital Initiatives are considering two major environmental projects to tackle air pollution and enhance the quality of life in Kyrgyzstan’s capital. The proposals were reviewed during a meeting on May 21 between Bishkek Mayor Aibek Junushaliyev and Tigran Sargsyan, Deputy Chairman of the EDB Management Board and head of the EDB's Fund for Digital Initiatives. According to the municipal government, the first project involves establishing a comprehensive air quality monitoring system based on a digital platform. The system is designed to address the city’s chronic air pollution by providing...

Aral Sea

Kazakhstan and World Bank Launch Second Phase to Revive Northern Aral Sea

Ecology

Kazakhstan Declares Kentau Industrial Zone an Ecological Emergency Area

Clean Energy

As China Cuts Gas Demand, Uzbekistan Eyes Renewables Opportunity

Water

Underground Tunnel Proposed to Channel Water from Black Sea to Caspian Sea

Ecology

Uzbek Scientists Trial Salt-Tolerant Plants to Revive Aral Sea Seabed

Field trials are underway on the desiccated seabed of the Aral Sea as part of a restoration initiative spearheaded by Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection, and Climate Change. The goal is to identify plant species capable of surviving in saline soils and contributing to the rehabilitation of this ecologically devastated landscape. The study is led by scientists from the Research Institute of Forestry and supervised by Dr. Zinoviy Novitsky. One of the most promising candidates is Arundo donax, a species of reed grass typically found in wetter environments. Despite its usual habitat, the plant has demonstrated a remarkable tolerance...

Water Security

Afghanistan’s Qosh-Tepa Canal Could Impact Kazakhstan’s Water Security

The construction of the Qosh-Tepa Canal in Afghanistan and its potential implications for Central Asia’s water security were central topics at the recent international conference, Water Security and Transboundary Water Use: Challenges and Solutions, held in Astana. Delegates from Turkey, Israel, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Afghanistan, and Turkmenistan convened to address the canal’s possible repercussions and broader issues of regional water distribution. Potential Threats to the Syr Darya Kazakhstan’s Deputy Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation, Aslan Abdraimov, warned that the Qosh-Tepa Canal could significantly reduce the flow of the Syr Darya River, with direct consequences for the already depleted Aral Sea....

Environment

Two Key Environmental Initiatives Completed in Turkmenistan

Turkmenistan has marked the successful completion of two major agro-environmental initiatives aimed at enhancing natural resource management and climate change adaptation. These efforts represent significant progress in addressing environmental challenges both nationally and across the broader Central Asian region. Regional Project on Natural Resource Management The first project concluded was the second phase of the regional program titled “Integrated Natural Resource Management in Drought-Prone and Salinized Agricultural Production Landscapes of Central Asia and Turkey,” which commenced in 2018. This initiative focused on pilot sites in the Karakum Desert, the mountain village of Nokhur, and the Turkmen sector of the Aral...

Reforestation

Kazakhstan Plants Over 1 Billion Trees as Reforestation Drive Extends to 2027

Between 2021 and 2024, Kazakhstan planted a total of 1.15 billion tree saplings, according to the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources. The effort forms part of a sweeping national campaign aimed at reversing deforestation and mitigating climate impacts. Initially, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev had set a target of planting two billion trees by 2025. However, the government has now extended the deadline to the end of 2027 and re-approved its Comprehensive Plan for Reforestation and Afforestation. As part of the initiative, one and two-year-old saplings of both deciduous and coniferous species are being planted across various ecosystems. Currently, 251 forest...

Stealing Brides, Ignoring Justice: The Battle Against Forced Marriage in Central Asia

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Sunkar Podcast

Opinions

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Times of Central Asia

Business & Economy

Business & Economy

$15 Billion in Crypto Withdrawn from Kazakhstan Amid Calls for Tighter Controls

Kyrgyz Farmers in Naryn Region Receive Ecotourism Training

By 2050, Nearly One-Fifth of Kazakhstan’s Population Will Be Over 60

How the Welfare of Kazakhstani Citizens Has Changed Over the Past Five Years

Kazakh Lawmaker Proposes Stricter Controls on Cryptocurrency Market

Local Politics

Local Politics

Kyrgyzstan to Enforce Mandatory Car Insurance in July 2025

Kyrgyz Authorities Announce Crackdown on Illegal Migration

Kazakhstan to Introduce Fines for Illegal Online Content

Victory Day in Central Asia: Honoring Sacrifice Amid Shifting Narratives

Almaty University Criticized After Female Students Told to Bow to Men

International Affairs

International Affairs

Meloni Will Attend Italy-Central Asia Summit in Kazakhstan This Week

Opinion – The Quiet Competition: How the U.S. Is Losing Ground to China in Central Asia

Cuts to USAID Leave Central Asia Facing Development Challenges

Cuts to USAID Leave Central Asia Facing Development Challenges

In the Ancient Uzbek City of Termez, Delegates Talk Ties Between Central and South Asia