The Times Of Central Asia | Eurasian Publication & News Online

Pope Francis was a tireless advocate for peace and dialogue on the global stage, spotlighting Central Asia not as a zone of conflict but as a unique crossroads of cultures, religions, and geopolitical influence—an embodiment of tolerance and coexistence. In 2022, amidst the escalating Russia-Ukraine war and rising geopolitical tensions,...

Murder Trial

Open Wounds: Why a Murder Trial in Talgar Has Gripped Kazakhstan

In recent years, Kazakhstan has begun broadcasting high-profile criminal trials online in a move toward greater transparency in the justice system. The trial of former Minister Kuandyk Bishimbayev, sentenced to 24 years for brutally beating his wife Saltanat Nukenova to death, marked the beginning of this new judicial openness. Now,...

Gender Equality

Video: Challenging Gender Stereotypes in Modern Kazakhstan

From factory workers to female boxing champions and long-distance lorry drivers, The Times of Central Asia explores the growing challenges to long-held gender stereotypes in modern Kazakhstan, as women feel more emboldened than ever to follow their dreams. [video src="https://timesca.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/%D0%93%D0%B5%D0%BD%D0%B4%D0%B5%D1%80%D0%BD%D1%8B%D0%B5%20%D1%81%D1%82%D0%B5%D1%80%D0%B5%D0%BE%D1%82%D0%B8%D0%BF%D1%8B.mp4" /] This video was made by UNFPA Kazakhstan with the financial support...

Low-cost airlines

Uzbek Student Accuses Wizz Air of Discrimination After Being Denied Boarding without Explanation

Space Exploration

NASA’s Oldest Active Astronaut, Two Russian Cosmonauts, Land in Kazakhstan

Accompanied by two Russian cosmonauts, NASA astronaut Donald Pettit marked his 70th birthday on Sunday with a parachute-supported landing on the steppes of Kazakhstan after a journey back to Earth from the International Space Station. A Soyuz MS-26 spacecraft carrying Pettit, as well as cosmonauts Alexey Ovchinin and Ivan Vagner,...

Sunkar Podcast

Repatriating Islamic State Fighters and Families: Balancing Security and Humanity

00:00 / 00:00

Opinions

Opinion – Tokayev Moves to Reclaim Kazakhstan’s Energy Future

Dr. Robert M. Cutler

Opinion – The Great Convergence: Central Asia and the EU in a New Geopolitical Landscape

Mohammad Suhail & A.X. Ravshanov

Opinion: In Central Asia, the EU Defies Its “Geopolitical Dwarf” Label

Nikola Mikovic

Opinion: What the Loss of RFE/RL Would Mean for Central Asia

Bruce Pannier

Kazakhstan’s Geoeconomic Rise and Why the U.S. Must Act Now – Opinion

Dr. Robert M. Cutler

Afghanistan: Rentier State or Hostage to Foreign Aid?

Aidar Borangaziyev

Opinion: Washington Needs a Stronger Policy for the Middle Corridor

Dr. Robert M. Cutler

Does the European Parliament Judge Central Asia Fairly?

Stephen M. Bland

Kazakhstan Ends Era of Cheap Fuel: Price Controls Set for Abolition

Olzhas Baidildinov

Afghanistan as Part of Central Asia: Expectations, Reality, Challenges, and Threats

Aidar Borangaziyev

Kazakhstan Could Save America’s Energy Future

Dr. Robert M. Cutler

Kazakhstan’s High-Stakes Balancing Act in the Aktau Crash Investigation

Dr. Robert M. Cutler

Business & Economy

Bilateral Trade

Russia and Tajikistan to Open Joint Industrial Park by 2030

Russia and Tajikistan are planning to establish a joint industrial park in Tajikistan by 2030, in a move aimed at significantly boosting bilateral trade. The announcement was made by the Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade in a recent statement. The industrial park, to be built in Tajikistan and managed by the Russian side, is designed to facilitate the entry of more Russian industrial companies into the local market. According to officials, the project seeks to increase trade between the two countries by 2.5 times within the next five years. The initiative is part of Russia’s national project on international...

Eco-Friendly Production

Turkmenistan Launches Eco-Friendly Stone Paper Production

Energy Security

Kyrgyz Prime Minister Kasymaliev in Washington for IMF, World Bank Meetings

Economic Growth

Kyrgyzstan Reports Strong Economic Growth in Early 2025

Energy

Turkish Company Reaffirms Commitment to Kyrgyzstan’s Energy Projects

Investments

Uzbekistan Attracts Over $8.7 Billion in Foreign Investment in First Quarter of 2025

Uzbekistan attracted more than $8.7 billion in foreign investment during the first quarter of 2025, marking a nearly 20% increase compared to the same period last year, according to President Shavkat Mirziyoyev's press service. The investment influx is being channeled into strategic sectors such as energy, metallurgy, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, transport, agriculture, water management, and public services. The government is placing particular emphasis on generating added value and creating new employment opportunities. By the end of the first half of the year, total foreign investment is projected to exceed $18 billion. For all of 2025, Uzbekistan aims to attract $42 billion...

TCA Interviews

Dr. Atakan Varol: Kazakhstan Should Play an Active Role in Shaping the Future of AI

The Times of Central Asia spoke with Dr. Hussein Atakan Varol, a professor of robotics and PhD in electrical engineering, who serves as General Director of the Institute of Smart Systems and Artificial Intelligence (ISSAI) at Nazarbayev University (NU). Dr. Varol discusses ISSAI’s research initiatives, the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in Kazakhstan, and the country's potential to lead in AI innovation. ISSAI’s Mission and Collaborations TCA: What is the mission of ISSAI, and what are its key focus areas? Varol: At ISSAI, our mission is to conduct cutting-edge AI research and develop practical, impactful solutions that benefit Kazakhstan and...

Oil

Kazakhstan Aims to Double Oil Refining Capacity by 2040

Kazakhstan plans to double its oil refining capacity to 38 million tons by 2040, according to the country’s Minister of Energy, Yerlan Akkenzhenov. The announcement came during a recent meeting with executives from the national oil company KazMunayGas and representatives from the country’s four main refineries: Atyrau, Pavlodar, Shymkent, and the Aktau-based Caspi Bitum plant. Akkenzhenov said the goal is enshrined in Kazakhstan’s new Oil Refining Industry Development Concept for 2025-2040, which aims to significantly boost the share of refined oil, improve resource efficiency, and increase the production of value-added petroleum products. Key objectives of the strategy include: Increasing the...

Poultry Industry

$85 Million Breeding Farm Project to Boost Kazakhstan’s Poultry Industry

Jordan’s Alhusaini Group has announced plans to invest $85 million in the construction of a state-of-the-art breeding poultry farm in Kazakhstan. With a projected production capacity of up to 100 million hatching eggs per year, the facility will significantly enhance the country’s poultry sector. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2025 and will be completed in stages through 2029. The project was discussed during an April 16 meeting between Kazakhstan’s Minister of Agriculture, Aidarbek Saparov, and representatives of Alhusaini Group, according to a government statement. A Strategic Boost for Agro-Industry The new facility is expected to play a key role...

Local Politics

Nationalism

Ultra-Nationalist Russian Lawmaker Sets Sights on Uzbek Community Leader

A senior Russian lawmaker has called on prosecutors to investigate Bahrom Ismailov, the former head of the Uzbek National and Cultural Autonomy Council in Moscow. Leonid Slutsky, leader of the Liberal Democratic Party of Russia (LDPR), said he will formally request an inquiry into Ismailov’s past activities and the process by which he acquired Russian citizenship. An ultra-nationalist, Slutsky has previously led anti-migrant rhetoric, including calls for a "Migrant Code", and a bill designed to restrict the right of migrant workers to bring their families into the country. This time, Slutsky's demand follows an interview in which Ismailov reportedly stated,...

Identity

Only Turkmen Names Allowed

Politics

Kyrgyzstan Sets Date for 2027 Presidential Election

Infectious Diseases

Kyrgyzstan Among Countries with Highest Number of Measles Cases

Politics

Kyrgyz Security Agency Condemns Osh Mayor’s City Toll Plan

Ecology

Kyrgyz-Chinese Initiative to Establish Large-Scale Tree Nursery in Bishkek

Chinese partners from the city of Qingdao are working with the Bishkek municipality to establish a major nursery for tree and shrub saplings, aimed at greening the Kyrgyz capital. The initiative is part of a broader environmental restoration effort and represents a significant step toward improving the city’s ecological conditions. Over the weekend, Bishkek Mayor Aibek Junushaliyev visited the site of the future nursery, where more than 12,300 tree saplings and 9,000 shrubs have already been experimentally planted across five hectares. According to city officials, the total area of the nursery is expected to eventually span approximately 100 hectares. Initial...

Industrial Hemp

Kazakhstan to Permit Industrial Hemp Cultivation

Kazakhstan will legalize the cultivation of industrial hemp, with the measure already approved by the Mazhilis, the lower house of parliament. The provision is part of a draft law aimed at eliminating unnecessary regulation of internal affairs bodies. Vice Minister of Internal Affairs Sanzhar Adilov confirmed the development during a parliamentary session. According to Adilov, the Ministry of Internal Affairs has already issued four licenses for the cultivation of technical cannabis. The new regulation is designed to enable the use of industrial hemp in manufacturing sectors such as paper, textiles, and construction materials. Industrial Use, Not for Intoxication During discussions...

Military

Belarus and Kazakhstan Strengthen Military Cooperation

The Defense Ministries of Belarus and Kazakhstan have made strides to deepen their military cooperation. This was confirmed during an official visit to Kazakhstan by the Chief of the General Staff of the Belarusian Armed Forces and First Deputy Defense Minister, Pavel Muraveiko. Muraveiko held negotiations with Kazakhstan's Defense Minister, Ruslan Zhaksylykov, and Lieutenant General Sultan Kamaletdinov, First Deputy Minister of Defense and Chief of the General Staff of Kazakhstan's Armed Forces. The discussions focused on the current state of military collaboration, with both sides identifying paths to increase cooperation in areas of mutual interest. Both Belarusian and Kazakhstani representatives...

Government

Kyrgyzstan Tries Again to Compose a New Anthem

Kyrgyzstan’s national anthem, slated for an overhaul, isn't going into retirement just yet. Earlier this year, the government said it would hold a contest to select a new anthem to replace the one that was introduced in 1992, soon after Kyrgyzstan declared independence from the Soviet Union. But a state commission that met on April 9-10 to choose the best new text and music wasn’t satisfied with the options for replacing the old version, which was widely panned as hard to perform and more in tune with Soviet rather than contemporary times. “Despite the diversity of the proposed projects and...

International Affairs

Migration

Kyrgyzstan Seeks to Expand Labor Quotas for Work in the UK

Seventeen thousand Kyrgyz citizens are expected to work in the United Kingdom this year under a state-sponsored employment program, according to Ulan Jusupov, Kyrgyzstan’s ambassador to the UK. Jusupov made the announcement during a session of the Jogorku Kenesh, the Kyrgyz parliament. Addressing lawmakers, the ambassador noted that the number of Kyrgyz nationals seeking employment in the UK continues to grow each year, driven by more favorable working conditions compared to those in other European countries and Russia, where nearly 90% of Kyrgyz migrant workers are currently employed. “In 2022, 4,500 of our citizens went to work in England. That...

Pope Francis

Pope Francis Championed Central Asia’s Role in Promoting Peace in a Multicultural Region

Victory Day

Central Asian Leaders To Join Putin at Moscow’s WWII Parade

Russian-Ukrainian war

Putin Briefs Tokayev on U.S.-Russia Talks About Possible Ukraine Deal

Trump's Tariffs

Kazakhstan Takes the Initiative: Delegation Planning to Head to U.S. to Tackle Trump Tariffs

Higher Education

Moscow’s MGIMO University to Open Branch in Astana

The Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO), one of Russia’s most prestigious universities and the flagship institution of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, will open a branch in Astana in September 2025, according to Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Science and Higher Education. The Astana branch, known as MGIMO-Astana, will initially offer two undergraduate programs: World Mineral Resources and Energy Markets and Analysis and Modeling of Socioeconomic and Business Processes. Two master’s degree programs will also be available: Financial Economics and Financial Technologies and Multilateral Institutions and Management of Global Technological Development. Applicants will have the opportunity to apply for...

Cyber Security

Uzbekistan Named Among Users of Controversial Pegasus Spyware

In a recent U.S. court hearing, a lawyer representing NSO Group, the Israeli maker of the notorious Pegasus spyware, named Uzbekistan as one of the governments that deployed the tool during a 2019 hacking campaign. Mexico and Saudi Arabia were also cited. This marks the first time NSO Group has publicly identified its clients. Pegasus is a powerful surveillance software developed by the Israeli cyber intelligence firm NSO Group. Once installed on a smartphone, it allows operators to secretly access messages, listen to calls, track locations, and remotely activate the camera and microphone, without the user’s knowledge. The revelation stems...

Labor Migrants

Essential but Unwelcome: Central Asian Migrants in Russia

The Crocus City Hall terrorist attack in Moscow on March 22, 2024 triggered strong anti-migrant sentiment in Russian society. Since then, the nation’s authorities have been imposing stricter migration rules. But how does this impact millions of Central Asian labor migrants and their families living and working in Russia? Following the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, Russia became a major destination for migrant workers from Central Asia. According to the official Russian statistics, there are currently almost four million citizens of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan living in Russia, along with approximately 670,000 illegal migrants. Rosstat (the...

Migration

Lithuania to Review Migration Policy Toward Central Asian Countries

Lithuania is preparing to revise its migration policy toward citizens from Central Asian nations, citing growing concerns over radicalization risks. Prime Minister Gintautas Paluckas announced the potential changes following a meeting with President Gitanas Nausėda, according to local media reports. “Unfortunately, it seems we need to recognize that people from some countries are more likely to become radicalized,” Paluckas told reporters. “We should consider adjusting our immigration policy and focus on bringing in skilled workers from countries that are closer to us culturally.” His remarks came shortly after the head of Lithuania’s State Security Department, Darius Jauniškis, revealed that approximately...

Life & Culture

Vaccination

Meet the Kyrgyz Woman Behind the Vaccine Revolution

COVID-19 exposed numerous challenges humanity has yet to address, with one of them being directly related to tackling potential future pandemics. A key aspect of this is vaccines, which have to be transported in refrigerated units. This allows them to maintain their effectiveness and safety, the so-called "cold chain infrastructure" saving them from becoming unusable. This complex transportation requirement, however, results in millions of people missing out on potentially life-saving vaccines. But does it have to be this complicated? “Motherhood changes people, irreversibly. For me it was not just becoming a parent, but it also influenced the direction of my...

Science

Kazakhstan’s Institute of Nuclear Physics Launches Advances in Nuclear Science and Applications Journal

Gender Equality

Video: Challenging Gender Stereotypes in Modern Kazakhstan

Space Exploration

NASA’s Oldest Active Astronaut, Two Russian Cosmonauts, Land in Kazakhstan

Literature

Restrained Optimism in Kazakhstan’s Book Market

Art and Literature

Adventures of the Spirit of Time: Exploring History and Imagination Through Silk Road Legends

Uzbek author Gulchekhra-begim Makhmudova's four-part children’s book series, Adventures of the Spirit of Time, explores themes of history, legend, and imagination. Published in Russian between 2021 and 2022, the series gained popularity in Uzbekistan and received the Hertfordshire Press Award for Best Adaptation for Children in 2024. This recognition highlighted its creative storytelling, emphasis on cultural heritage, and educational value. The series is now available worldwide in English through Hertfordshire Press. The narrative follows four characters, Amir, Salma, Tohir, and Zuhra, as they uncover a magical well and awaken a mystical entity called the Spirit of Time. Guided by this spirit,...

Family

Half of Marriages in Kazakhstan End in Divorce; Deputies Propose State Alimony Fund

Nearly half of all marriages in Kazakhstan ended in divorce by the close of 2024, prompting renewed calls for the establishment of a state-backed alimony fund. Justice Minister Yerlan Sarsembayev addressed the issue during a recent speech to members of Parliament, citing the breakdown of family values and widespread failure to support children as key social concerns. “Unwillingness to support their children and evasion from paying alimony are consequences of the crisis in family and marital relations,” Sarsembayev said. “The values that were once inherent to our people are being lost, unfortunately. As a result, families suffer and, above all,...

Sports

Two Participants Die During Half Marathon in Almaty

Two runners, one elderly and the other young, died during a half marathon in Almaty, Kazakhstan on Sunday, according to organizers. The participants were identified as 84-year-old Akkoyan Rsaliyev, who has regularly taken part in races since 2021, and 21-year-old Nurbol Ahmadi, who had participated in a 10-kilometer race and had registered for several long-distance events, including a marathon in Almaty. Rsaliyev suddenly felt bad in the first kilometer of the 21.1-kilometer run and responders in an ambulance that drove up to him found no pulse, the marathon organizers said in a statement. They quoted Dr. Alibek Khozhanazarov as saying...

Easter Celebration

How Orthodox Christians Celebrate Easter in Central Asia and Around the World

In 2025, Orthodox Christians will celebrate Easter on April 20. This central event in the Orthodox liturgical calendar is marked with solemnity and joy across Orthodox-majority countries such as Russia, Belarus, Georgia, Bulgaria, Greece, Romania, and others. In Central Asia, Orthodox Christian communities also observe the holiday, maintaining centuries-old traditions despite being religious minorities. Kazakhstan On the night of April 20, Easter services will be held in all Orthodox churches across Kazakhstan. According to the Semirechensk Metropolitanate, the Holy Fire from Jerusalem will be brought to the Ascension Cathedral in Almaty, where Metropolitan Alexander will lead the liturgy and Easter...

Justice

Oil and Gas

Opinion – Tokayev Moves to Reclaim Kazakhstan’s Energy Future

In January 2025, Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev instructed the government to seek revisions to the nation’s production-sharing agreements (PSAs). The first known result of that directive has now surfaced, with the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) publishing a report regarding a confidential interim ruling in an arbitration case. According to this information, Kazakhstan is pursuing a $160 billion claim against the North Caspian Operating Company (NCOC), the consortium managing the Kashagan oil field. The ruling states that after royalty payments, NCOC receives 98% of remaining revenue from Kashagan’s output. The document concerns a narrower environmental dispute, but the 98%...

Murder Trial

Open Wounds: Why a Murder Trial in Talgar Has Gripped Kazakhstan

Financial Investigation

Swiss Bank Investigated Over Ties to Central Asian Elites

Consent

In Türkiye, Uzbek Man Faces Deportation After Photographing Woman Without Consent

Religious Freedom

U.S. Commission Again Cites Turkmenistan for Religious Freedom Violations

Assassination Attempt

Deputy Akim of Shymkent Shot and Wounded

On the evening of April 21, Ruslan Berdenov, Deputy Akim of Shymkent, was shot and wounded in an apparent assassination attempt near the city hall. The incident occurred under unclear circumstances and has sparked widespread public attention and speculation. Preliminary reports indicate that Berdenov was hit three times by a Saiga-12 shotgun. The suspect, who was detained at the scene, was confronted by Berdenov’s driver, who reportedly accelerated the vehicle to subdue the attacker. “The assailant waited near the Akimat and shot at close range when the official exited the building. The driver intervened by striking the shooter with the...

Low-cost airlines

Uzbek Student Accuses Wizz Air of Discrimination After Being Denied Boarding without Explanation

Earlier this year, Uzbekistan’s Competition Committee took action against Wizz Air following complaints about the airline’s failure to offer safety instructions in the Uzbek language on a flight from Samarkand to Abu Dhabi. Now, another troubling incident has come to light, this time, involving an Uzbek student who claims he was denied boarding without explanation, possibly due to his nationality. ------- Suhrob Ubaydullayev, a University of World Languages student in Uzbekistan, was returning home after completing a Work and Travel program in Europe. He had booked a Wizz Air flight from Rome to Abu Dhabi, with a connection onward to...

Home Insurance

Kazakhstan Proposes Mandatory Home Insurance Against Natural Disasters

Kazakhstan’s Agency for Regulation and Development of the Financial Market (ARDF) has introduced a draft law that would mandate insurance for residential properties against natural disasters. The proposed legislation, now available for public review on the "Open NPAs" portal, aims to establish a nationwide system of financial protection in the event of earthquakes, floods, and wildfires. A Response to Widespread Risk According to UNICEF, roughly 75% of Kazakhstan’s territory is vulnerable to natural hazards, yet only 3.2% of the country’s housing stock is currently insured. In Almaty, Kazakhstan’s largest city and a high-risk seismic zone, coverage reaches just 7.7%. The...

Uzbekistan Moves to Regulate AI and Protect Personal Data

Uzbekistan's Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis (Parliament) has approved a new bill in its first reading that seeks to regulate the use of artificial intelligence, and introduce legal accountability for the misuse of personal data involving AI technologies. The bill was reviewed during a parliamentary session on April 15 and is designed to safeguard personal privacy in the face of rapidly advancing AI capabilities. It proposes penalties for the unauthorized processing and dissemination of personal data, particularly through online platforms and the media, when artificial intelligence is involved. Balancing Innovation and Risk Lawmakers noted that global investment in AI...

Environment

Earthquake

Seismic Cities: Is Central Asia Prepared for a Major Earthquake?

The recent 7.7-magnitude earthquake in Myanmar, which claimed over 3,500 lives and caused structural failures more than 1,000 kilometers away in Bangkok, has once again highlighted the precariousness of life in seismically active regions. “Earthquakes happen on geological faults, which are often sited at the edges of mountain ranges.” Richard Walker, Professor of Tectonics at the University of Oxford told The Times of Central Asia. “Sadly, the edges of mountain ranges are often the best places to live, due to the presence of water and of land for farming.” All Central Asian capitals, except for Kazakhstan’s relocated capital Astana, are...

Environmental Initiative

Kyrgyzstan Launches $52 Million Environmental Initiative to Combat Natural Disasters

Water

Kazakhstan Advances Water Sector Reform at High-Level Coordination Meeting

Environment

Kyrgyzstan to Plant 10 Million Trees in Issyk-Kul via Carbon Credit Initiative

EU-Central Asia Summit

European Investment Bank Commits €365 Million to Environmental Projects in Central Asia

Snow Leopard

Kyrgyzstan Establishes Ecological Corridor to Protect Snow Leopards and Biodiversity

Kyrgyzstan has created the Ak Ilbirs (Snow Leopard) Ecological Corridor in the northeastern Issyk-Kul region, a major step in safeguarding rare wildlife and preserving the country’s rich biodiversity. The corridor encompasses over 792,000 hectares, linking several protected areas: the Khan-Tengri State Nature Park, the Sarychat-Eertash Nature Reserve, and the Naryn Nature Reserve. It is designed to serve as a safe habitat for the snow leopard and other endangered species, while promoting the sustainable management of natural resources. [caption id="attachment_30972" align="aligncenter" width="794"] Image: mnr.gov.kg[/caption] Key Objectives The Ak Ilbirs Ecological Corridor aims to: Conserve wild animal populations, including the endangered snow...

Earthquakes

Earthquake in Tajikistan Kills One Child, Damages About 30 Homes

A powerful earthquake struck Tajikistan on Sunday, killing a young child who was trapped under a wall, damaging about 30 houses and alarming people in parts of neighboring countries who felt the impact. The epicenter of the quake was 25 kilometers east of Rasht, Tajikistan, at a depth of 12.6 kilometers, the U.S. Geological Survey reported. The Euro-Mediterranean Seismological Centre issued a similar report, saying the magnitude was 5.9 and citing the accounts of witnesses who said there was strong shaking in Dushanbe, the capital. The Rasht area is about 150 kilometers northeast of Dushanbe and lies on the border...

Climate Change

Central Asia Endures Record-Breaking March Heatwave Attributed to Climate Change

Central Asia experienced an unprecedented heatwave in March 2025, with temperatures soaring to levels typically seen in late spring or summer. According to a new study by World Weather Attribution (WWA), cities across Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Turkmenistan recorded daytime highs near or above 30°C, far above the seasonal norm. In Kyrgyzstan's Jalalabad, the temperature peaked at 30.8°C, while Uzbekistan's Namangan and Fergana registered 29.4°C and 29.1°C, respectively. Kazakhstan’s Shahdara witnessed a nighttime low of 18.3°C, the hottest March night ever recorded in the country. Researchers from the Netherlands, Sweden, Denmark, the United States, and the United Kingdom examined the...

Renewable energy

Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan Partner on Caspian Green Energy Corridor

Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan have signed a landmark agreement with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) to advance a regional renewable energy initiative known as the Caspian Green Energy Corridor. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), signed on April 5 in Baku, outlines plans for a feasibility study to assess the project's potential. The primary objective is to establish a robust legal and institutional framework that will facilitate cross-border electricity trade among the three countries, particularly from renewable sources. The Caspian Green Energy Corridor is part of ADB’s broader regional strategy to promote clean energy...

Opinion – Tokayev Moves to Reclaim Kazakhstan’s Energy Future

Latest

Features

Features

Latest

Sunkar Podcast

Sunkar Podcast

Opinions

Opinions

Dr. Robert M. Cutler

Mohammad Suhail & A.X. Ravshanov

Nikola Mikovic

Bruce Pannier

Dr. Robert M. Cutler

Aidar Borangaziyev

Dr. Robert M. Cutler

Stephen M. Bland

Olzhas Baidildinov

Aidar Borangaziyev

Dr. Robert M. Cutler

Dr. Robert M. Cutler

Business & Economy

Business & Economy

Russia and Tajikistan to Open Joint Industrial Park by 2030

Uzbekistan Attracts Over $8.7 Billion in Foreign Investment in First Quarter of 2025

Dr. Atakan Varol: Kazakhstan Should Play an Active Role in Shaping the Future of AI

Kazakhstan Aims to Double Oil Refining Capacity by 2040

$85 Million Breeding Farm Project to Boost Kazakhstan’s Poultry Industry

Local Politics

Local Politics

Ultra-Nationalist Russian Lawmaker Sets Sights on Uzbek Community Leader

Kyrgyz-Chinese Initiative to Establish Large-Scale Tree Nursery in Bishkek

Kazakhstan to Permit Industrial Hemp Cultivation

Belarus and Kazakhstan Strengthen Military Cooperation

Kyrgyzstan Tries Again to Compose a New Anthem

International Affairs

International Affairs

Kyrgyzstan Seeks to Expand Labor Quotas for Work in the UK

Moscow’s MGIMO University to Open Branch in Astana

Uzbekistan Named Among Users of Controversial Pegasus Spyware

Essential but Unwelcome: Central Asian Migrants in Russia

Lithuania to Review Migration Policy Toward Central Asian Countries

Life & Culture

Life & Culture

Meet the Kyrgyz Woman Behind the Vaccine Revolution

Adventures of the Spirit of Time: Exploring History and Imagination Through Silk Road Legends

Half of Marriages in Kazakhstan End in Divorce; Deputies Propose State Alimony Fund

Two Participants Die During Half Marathon in Almaty

How Orthodox Christians Celebrate Easter in Central Asia and Around the World

Justice

Justice

Opinion – Tokayev Moves to Reclaim Kazakhstan’s Energy Future