The Times Of Central Asia | Eurasian Publication & News Online

Air pollution remains one of the most pressing environmental and public health challenges in Central Asia, with significant consequences for human life and regional economies. A new World Bank assessment highlights the scale of the crisis, linking poor air quality to more than 65,000 premature deaths in 2021 across the...

President Tokayev

Kazakhstan Aims to Revive Investment Appeal Amid Global Headwinds

Middle East

Kazakhstan Acts Swiftly on Middle East Crisis: Citizens Evacuated, Flights Suspended

Domestic Violence

‘Saltanat’s Law’: Have the Lives of Kazakhstani Women Changed?

Saida Mirziyoyeva

Daughter of Uzbekistan’s President – His Aide as Well – Gets Promoted

Israel-Iran Escalation

After U.S. Bombs Iran, Central Asia Calls for Diplomacy and Restraint

In the early hours of June 22, the United States launched airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities, triggering widespread concern across Central Asia. Despite the potential economic upside for Kazakhstan, with the possibility of rising oil prices, the region’s governments have uniformly called for restraint and a peaceful resolution. The operation,...

Documentary

ALTAÏ: A Documentary Exploring Central Asia’s Water Lifelines to Start Filming

Sunkar Podcast

Astana International Forum 2025: Rethinking Global Dialogue

00:00 / 00:00

Opinions

Opinion: The U.S. Dollar Loses Its Luster as the Uzbek Som Shines

Arindam Banik

Opinion: From Xi’an to Astana – Elevating China–Central Asia Cooperation to a New Height

Anna Ge

Opinion: The Engine of Turkic Integration – Why TURKPA Is No Longer “Just Talk”

Andrei Matveev

Opinion: Strengthening the Silk Bonds — India’s Renewed Push Towards Central Asia

Mohammad Suhail & A.X. Ravshanov

Opinion: What Uzbekistan’s FIFA World Cup Breakthrough Tells Us About State-Building

Khusanboy Kotibjonov

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

Arman Amini

Opinion: The Ukraine-Russia Peace Talks Need Multiple Platforms for Negotiations

Times of Central Asia

Slippery Slope: How Falling Oil Prices Threaten Kazakhstan’s Energy Giant

Andrei Matveev

Victory Day Diplomacy: Central Asia’s Balancing Act and Putin’s Diminished Spotlight

Stephen M. Bland

Opinion – Central Asia’s Looming Water Crisis: A Ticking Time Bomb

Mohammad Suhail & A.X. Ravshanov

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

Business & Economy

Industry Failures

Structural Barriers Continue to Hamper Industrial Growth in Tajikistan

Despite recent gains in industrial output, Tajikistan’s full industrial potential remains largely unrealized. Analysts point to a combination of systemic issues that continue to constrain the sector's sustainable development. Growth Driven by Extractive Industries According to the Statistical Agency under the President of Tajikistan, industrial production totaled 18.9 billion somoni in January, April 2025, marking a 25.2% increase compared to the same period in 2024. However, this growth was overwhelmingly fueled by the extractive sector, which surged by 90%. In contrast, manufacturing expanded by just 3.5%. While 121 new enterprises were launched during the first four months of the year,...

Logistics

Kazakhstan Faces Potential Logistics Disruptions Amid Iran-Israel Conflict

Child Poverty

World Bank: Poverty Falls in Kazakhstan, but Inequality and Child Poverty Persist

Electric Vehicles

Uzbekistan Startup to Build First National EV Charging Network

QR Code

Kyrgyzstan to Introduce Mandatory QR Code Tax Payments

President Tokayev

Kazakhstan Aims to Revive Investment Appeal Amid Global Headwinds

Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has convened the 37th plenary session of the Foreign Investors Council, reaffirming its strategic role in ensuring the country’s economic sustainability and attracting international capital. Operating for over two decades, the council continues to serve as a vital platform for dialogue between the state and global business leaders. Despite global headwinds, sluggish GDP growth, inflation, and disrupted supply chains, Kazakhstan has shown economic resilience. According to Tokayev, the country’s GDP grew by 6% in the first five months of 2025, driven by gains in transport, logistics, construction, trade, mining, and manufacturing. New Tools to Support Investors...

Industrial park

Kazakhstan to Launch New AQMOLA Industrial Zone to Attract Foreign and Domestic Investment

Kazakhstan marked the groundbreaking of a major industrial development on June 20 with a ceremony inaugurating the AQMOLA Industrial Zone in the Akmola region, near the capital city of Astana. Spanning nearly 1,000 hectares, the new industrial zone is designed to host production facilities for both domestic and international investors. Seven investment projects are already underway, backed by companies from China, Turkey, Singapore, and Kazakhstan. The initiative is expected to create over 4,500 new jobs. At the launch event, Akmola region Akim (Governor) Marat Akhmetzhanov underscored the strategic significance of the project. "The industrial zone will accommodate production facilities of...

Bishkek-Osh Highway

Japan-Backed Tunnel Project Begins on Kyrgyzstan’s Bishkek–Osh Highway

Construction has begun on a 750-meter tunnel along Kyrgyzstan’s vital Bishkek–Osh highway, the country’s only overland route connecting the northern and southern regions. The project marks a major step in modernizing national transport infrastructure and improving safety in an area prone to rockfalls, landslides, and harsh weather conditions. The tunnel is being built at the 400-kilometer mark of the highway by Japan’s Takenaka Civil Engineering & Construction Co., using advanced Japanese technologies designed to meet the region’s complex geological challenges. A formal groundbreaking ceremony took place on June 19, attended by Kyrgyz Transport and Communications Minister Absattar Syrgabayev and Japanese...

Entrepreneurship

Kazakhstan’s Youth Face Barriers to Entrepreneurship

A recent analysis by the analytical portal Ranking.kz reveals a concerning stagnation in youth entrepreneurship in Kazakhstan. Despite government rhetoric promoting innovation and small business, the number of young individual entrepreneurs has remained nearly flat over the past two years. Youth Entrepreneurship by the Numbers As of the end of Q1 2025, Kazakhstan recorded 736,100 individual entrepreneurs (IE) under the age of 35. Of these, 698,900 are active. The growth rate over two years is just 0.2%, signaling stagnation rather than progress. The decline in young entrepreneurs' share of the total business landscape underscores this trend. In 2023, they made...

Local Politics

Saida Mirziyoyeva

Daughter of Uzbekistan’s President – His Aide as Well – Gets Promoted

The eldest daughter of Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has been elevated to head of the presidential administration, strengthening her power at top levels of the government of the Central Asian country. Saida Mirziyoyeva, 40, already had a high-profile role in Uzbekistan’s government, meeting international dignitaries in her role as a presidential aide. Now she will take on a newly created role that is likely to stir debate about whether she could become a candidate to eventually succeed her father. “By decree of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, changes were made to the structure of the Presidential Administration. The...

Nuclear safety

Kyrgyzstan Intends to Join International Conventions on Nuclear Safety

E-Scooter Ban

E-Scooter Ban and Moped Crackdown on Bishkek’s Agenda

Central Asia-China Summit

Opinion: Xi Jinping Heads to Astana – What’s at Stake in the Central Asia-China Summit?

Soviet Legacy

Lenin Falls in Osh: Central Asia Redefines Its Soviet Legacy

Car Insurance

From Reform to Roadblocks: The Uneven Evolution of Motor Insurance in Central Asia

Motor insurance markets across Central Asia exhibit contrasting levels of development, from Kazakhstan’s expanding, digitized sector to Kyrgyzstan and Turkmenistan, where the system remains largely ineffective. Beyond compensating for damages, motor insurance is increasingly viewed as a tool for strengthening financial markets, promoting road safety, and easing the fiscal burden during emergencies. Kazakhstan Kazakhstan leads the region in insurance market volume. According to the Agency for Regulation and Development of the Financial Market (ARDFM), compulsory third-party motor insurance (OSGPO) premiums totaled more than KZT 106 billion ($205 million) in 2023, an 18% increase from the previous year. Since 2019, Kazakhstan...

Construction Materials

With Major Plant Modernization, Kyrgyzstan Seeks To End Construction Woes

Kyrgyzstan’s construction sector received a significant boost on June 16 with the launch of a new production line at the Kant cement plant, the country’s largest cement producer. Located in the city of Kant, about 20 kilometers east of Bishkek, the plant has been in operation since 1964 and remains a cornerstone of the national construction materials industry. Its modernization was carried out in partnership with China’s Beijing Triumph Engineering and the Eurasian Development Bank, with total investments exceeding $60 million. In 2024, the plant produced 1.156 million tons of cement. The new production line is expected to add 800,000...

Electoral Reform

Back to the Old System for Kyrgyzstan’s Future Parliamentary Elections

On June 9, Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov signed the law on amendments to the procedures on electing members of parliament. There are some positive and some controversial changes, one of the most significant of which is the diminished role for political parties. Structurally, the new legislation creates 30 electoral districts in Kyrgyzstan. Each district will elect three parliamentary deputies, with the three candidates receiving the most votes becoming the deputies from their district. Currently, there are 90 seats in Kyrgyzstan’s parliament. That number will remain. According to the new law, one of the three candidates from each territorial constituency must...

Tobacco

Kyrgyz Health Minister Proposes Raising Tobacco Taxes to Curb Smoking

Kyrgyzstan’s Minister of Health, Erkin Checheybayev, has proposed raising excise taxes on tobacco products as part of a broader effort to improve public health, particularly among the country’s youth. The proposal was announced at a meeting held on June 10 in Bishkek, organized by the Ministry of Health in partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO) country office and the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) Knowledge Hub on Tobacco Taxation. The discussion focused on strategies to reduce tobacco affordability and consumption through effective taxation measures. According to the Ministry of Health, tobacco use is a leading risk factor...

International Affairs

Regional Influence

Iran–Israel War Highlights Central Asia as Zone of Strategic Stability

The explosive conflict between Iran and Israel, including coordinated U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear infrastructure, has drawn global attention to the Persian Gulf and Levant. The escalatory spectacle, however, has blinded most observers to a quieter structural shift. This is the rising indispensability of Central Asia, including its linkages with the South Caucasus. Unaligned in rhetoric and untouched by spillover, Central Asia's very stability quietly threw into relief its increasing centrality to Eurasian energy and logistics calculations. As maritime chokepoints came into question and ideological rhetoric became more inflamed, Central Asia offers a reminder that the most valuable nodes in...

Foreign Affairs

Former Kyrgyz Prime Minister Proposes Special Status for Citizens in Russia

War in Ukraine

Central Asian Migrants Coerced Into Russia’s War in Ukraine

Israel-Iran Escalation

After U.S. Strikes, Kazakhstan Warns of Deteriorating Security in Caspian Region

Drone Crash

Another Suspected Drone Discovered in Kazakhstan’s Mangistau Region

Middle East

Kazakhstan Acts Swiftly on Middle East Crisis: Citizens Evacuated, Flights Suspended

In the wake of escalating hostilities in the Middle East, Kazakhstan has undertaken swift measures to safeguard its citizens and adapt its aviation policies. On the night of June 13, Israel launched “Operation Lion’s Roar,” targeting military and strategic sites in Iran, citing concerns over Tehran’s nuclear capabilities. The offensive triggered international concern and widespread flight restrictions, which affected Kazakhstani citizens in the UAE, Iran, and Israel. Stranded Tourists and Initial Evacuations In its immediate response, Kazakhstan’s Aviation Administration imposed a full ban on flights through the airspace of Iran, Israel, Syria, Jordan, Iraq, and Lebanon. The directive applied to...

Economic Cooperation

China-Kazakhstan Economic Ties: Strong Trade, Weakening Investment

For the second consecutive year, China remains Kazakhstan's largest foreign economic partner. In 2023, China's share of Kazakhstan's total trade turnover surpassed 20%, up from 15.1% in 2019, according to analysts at Ranking.kz. Trade Dynamics: What Kazakhstan Sells and Buys Data from the National Statistics Bureau of the ASPiR RK show that bilateral trade between Kazakhstan and China reached $30.1 billion in 2023. Kazakhstan exported goods worth $14.9 billion to China, while imports from China totaled $15.2 billion. In the first quarter of 2025, trade turnover stood at $5.9 billion, a 5.1% decrease compared to the same period in 2024....

Israel-Iran Escalation

Central Asia and Israel, a Pragmatic Relationship That Never Truly Blossomed

The conflict between Israel and Iran is having both international and regional repercussions. The situation has been further inflamed by the U.S. bombing of several Iranian nuclear sites over the weekend, with Tehran responding by threatening retaliation on U.S. soil through the use of sleeper terrorist cells and the possible closure of the Strait of Hormuz, through which over a fifth of the world’s oil supply passes. While Israel's geographical position places it at the heart of the Middle East, Iran's location brings the Islamic Republic into close contact with Central Asia. The consequences of the conflict are therefore likely...

Youth Exchange Program

Amidst Diplomatic Tensions, Russia and Uzbekistan Explore Long-Term Youth Exchange Program

During a recent meeting with the heads of global news agencies in St. Petersburg, Russian President Vladimir Putin responded positively to a proposal from Uzbekistan’s National News Agency (UzA) to establish a long-term youth exchange program aimed at strengthening bilateral ties and addressing migration-related issues. Abdusaid Kochimov, Director General of UzA, initiated the proposal, emphasizing the historical and cultural ties between the two countries. “There is a strong interest in Uzbekistan in everything that happens in and around Russia. Our societies share close mentalities and traditions,” he said. Kochimov praised the leadership of Presidents Vladimir Putin and Shavkat Mirziyoyev in...

Life & Culture

Documentary

ALTAÏ: A Documentary Exploring Central Asia’s Water Lifelines to Start Filming

A new documentary, ALTAÏ, by acclaimed writer Cédric Gras and director Bertrand Delapierre, is set to bring global attention to the fragile ecosystems of Central Asia and the critical water issues tied to its majestic Altai Mountains. Slated for release on Ushuaïa TV in 2026, the documentary promises an in-depth exploration of the vital role these mountains play in sustaining life across the arid steppes of Kazakhstan, while addressing ecological challenges, geopolitical tensions, and the impact of climate change. A Journey Through Kazakhstan’s Heart [caption id="attachment_33183" align="aligncenter" width="2560"] Image: TCA, Ilyas Otan[/caption] The documentary follows the film crew’s expedition through...

Chess Prodigy

Kazakhstani Chess Prodigy to Represent France at Age 8

Traditions

The Hearth of Hospitality: The Importance of the Chaikhana in Central Asia

Education

UK Organization to Launch Social-Emotional Education Programs for Uzbek Children

Society

In Kazakhstan, Gender Imbalance Persists Even Among Teenagers

Tennis

Bublik of Kazakhstan Wins a Grass Title Ahead of Wimbledon

Alexander Bublik wasn’t enjoying tennis. Last year, after a mediocre performance at Wimbledon, he thought about quitting the game. The months went by, and more losses piled up. His ranking sank as low as 82 in March this year after a career-high 17 in May of 2024. Now the 28-year-old Kazakhstani is on a roll that seems to surprise even him and it’s happening as the tennis world again converges on Wimbledon, which starts June 30. Once again, he’s confounding expectations about a player who has delighted crowds with talent, showmanship and an arsenal of trick shots but also disappointed...

Day J

Kazakhstan Marks Media Workers’ Day with “Day J” Festivities

Kazakhstan will celebrate Media Workers' Day on June 28, a professional holiday honoring everyone in the media industry, including reporters, editors, producers, technicians, and executives. Established by presidential decree, the date commemorates the launch of Turkestan Vedomosti, the first official print publication on the territory of modern-day Kazakhstan. It began publishing in Orenburg on June 28, 1870. For the past decade, “Day J” has brought together journalists and PR professionals to recognize outstanding achievements in Kazakhstani media in a creative, informal atmosphere. This year’s event, timed to coincide with Media Workers’ Day, will be held in Almaty on June 27....

Tourism

Kazakhstan Launches 2025 Year of China Tourism

On June 16, Astana hosted the official launch of the Year of China Tourism in Kazakhstan. The opening ceremony was attended by Kazakh Minister of Tourism and Sports Yerbol Myrzabosynov and Chinese Minister of Culture and Tourism Sun Yeli, underscoring the growing cultural and economic ties between the two countries. Minister Myrzabosynov emphasized that tourism has become a vital bridge in strengthening people-to-people connections between Kazakhstan and China. The 2025 initiative follows the success of the Year of Kazakhstan Tourism in China in 2024, declared by Presidents Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Xi Jinping as part of ongoing bilateral cooperation. A centerpiece...

Healthcare

Kazakh Doctors Among Lowest Paid in Economy

As Kazakhstan marks Medical Workers' Day, celebrated annually on the third Sunday of June, new data highlights the challenging financial reality for those in the healthcare sector. According to a recent report by Energyprom.kz, medical professionals remain among the lowest-paid workers in the country. Healthcare Among Lowest-Paid Sectors In the first quarter of 2024, the average monthly nominal salary in Kazakhstan’s “Health and Social Services” sector stood at 312,800 tenge (approx. $605), according to the National Statistics Bureau. This figure is 26.1% lower than the national average across all economic sectors. Healthcare ranks among the bottom five sectors for wages,...

Justice

Domestic Violence

‘Saltanat’s Law’: Have the Lives of Kazakhstani Women Changed?

One year ago, on April 15, 2024, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signed a landmark package of legislative amendments aimed at addressing domestic violence in Kazakhstan. Quickly dubbed 'Saltanat's Law' by the public, the reforms are seen as honoring the memory of 31-year-old Saltanat Nukenova, who was brutally murdered by former Minister of the Economy, Kuandyk Bishimbayev. First Results: Statistics, Challenges, and New Realities Nukenova’s death and the viral public outcry under the hashtags #SupportSaltanat and #LifeImprisonment, catapulted domestic violence from the policy periphery to a national priority, prompting Parliament to pass amendments within weeks. The legislation reinstated criminal liability for battery...

War in Ukraine

Central Asian Migrants Coerced Into Russia’s War in Ukraine

Political Repression

Kazakhstan: Court Says 1986 Protester Was Victim of Political Repression

Amnesty

Kazakhstan to Grant Amnesty to More Than 15,000 Inmates and Offenders

Domestic Violence

Domestic Violence in Kazakhstan: What Has and Hasn’t Changed for Victims

Anti-fraud

Kazakhstan to Hold Banks and Mobile Operators Liable for Online Fraud Losses

Kazakhstan will introduce joint liability for banks and mobile operators in cases of internet fraud involving their infrastructure, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev announced during an extended meeting of the country’s law enforcement agencies. Addressing the growing threat of cybercrime, Tokayev emphasized the importance of prevention, noting that many internet and phone scams originate from well-organized criminal networks operating abroad, complicating investigation and prosecution. “Preventive measures are therefore crucial. Last year, a modern anti-fraud center was established at the National Bank of Kazakhstan to detect and block suspicious transactions,” Tokayev said. “We are now introducing joint liability for banks and mobile operators...

Artificial Intelligence

Artificial Intelligence to Assist Criminal Investigations in Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan has launched a pilot project to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) into law enforcement operations. The initiative, titled “Digital Assistant to the Investigator,” is being implemented by the General Prosecutor’s Office and the Ministry of Internal Affairs in a district police department in Astana. The system was officially introduced last week, with participation from Sabit Nurlybay, Chairman of the Committee on Legal Statistics and Special Records of the General Prosecutor’s Office, and Sanjar Adilov, Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs. Built on AI algorithms and large-scale data processing, the digital assistant is designed to support investigators by identifying connections between cases,...

Domestic Violence

Kazakhstan’s Domestic Violence Law Brings Progress Amid Ongoing Challenges

Crimes against women and children have declined over the past year in Kazakhstan, a trend attributed to a sweeping new law on domestic violence. Despite these gains, authorities caution that women and children remain at significant risk from abuse. Persistent Challenge On June 16, 2024, Kazakhstan's Law on Ensuring the Rights of Women and the Safety of Children came into force, having been signed by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev two months earlier. Since the outset of his presidency, Tokayev has identified combating domestic violence as a top policy priority. Children’s Ombudsman Dinara Zakieva reported that roughly 900 crimes against the sexual...

Migrants

Russia Responds to Uzbekistan’s Concerns Over Police Treatment of Migrants

The Russian government has acknowledged Uzbekistan's concerns regarding recent police actions targeting Uzbek nationals and is currently reviewing the matter, according to a statement by Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova, as reported by state news agency TASS. Zakharova confirmed that the Russian Foreign Ministry had received a formal diplomatic note from the Uzbek Embassy in Moscow, requesting explanations over reports of mistreatment during recent police operations. She said the contents of the note are being examined thoroughly and have been forwarded to the appropriate Russian authorities. “We are studying the content of the note with full attention,” Zakharova said....

Environment

Bishkek Launches “Living Wall” Project to Tackle Heat and Pollution

Bishkek has launched a pilot project to green the facades of buildings as part of a broader effort to adapt to climate change and mitigate growing heat and air pollution in Kyrgyzstan’s capital. In June, vertical greenery was installed on the facades of three schools and one apartment building under the “1000 Green Walls” program. The initiative is jointly implemented by the environmental organization MoveGreen and the Bishkek municipality, with support from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the development agency Bread for the World. More Than Just Aesthetic Green facades, also known as living walls, offer both visual...

Air Pollution

World Bank: Over 65,000 Premature Deaths a Year in Central Asia Linked To Air Pollution

Saigas

Saiga Conservation Clash: Kazakhstan Aids China, Russia Struggles

Extreme Weather

Extreme Heat Warps Roads Across Kazakhstan

Environment

Biopesticide Trials in Kyrgyzstan Pave Way for Greener Locust Control

Hazardous Waste

Uzbekistan Signs $78 Million Deal with Saudi and French Firms to Manage Hazardous Waste

Uzbekistan has signed a landmark $78 million agreement with Saudi Arabia’s Vision International Investment Company (VIIC) and France’s Suez International to improve hazardous industrial waste management and bolster environmental protection. The Ministry of Ecology announced the signing earlier this month. The agreement was formalized by Deputy Minister of Ecology Jusipbek Kazbekov, VIIC Director of Development Kapil Lalwani, and Paul Bourdillon, Regional Director for Europe and Central Asia at Suez. The project will be implemented in three phases. A Three-Phase Strategy The first phase will involve the construction of new waste stabilization facilities, landfills, and transfer stations to safely store and...

Public Transport

South Korea to Support Electric Transport Infrastructure Development in Bishkek

South Korean companies will assist Bishkek in building a modern charging infrastructure for electric public transport, following agreements reached between Kyrgyz Deputy Minister of Economy and Trade Sanzhar Bolotov and representatives of the Korea Environmental Transport Association, along with several private firms. The collaboration aims to jointly develop, implement, and operate a state-of-the-art network of charging stations for electric buses in the Kyrgyz capital. It also includes the introduction of improved environmental practices. “The South Korean side expressed its readiness not only to help with infrastructure, but also to transfer to Bishkek expert knowledge and technology in the field of...

Infrastructure

UNDP and Japan Launch Initiative in Uzbekistan to Reduce Emissions and Boost Energy Efficiency

Uzbekistan has launched a new international initiative aimed at cutting greenhouse gas emissions and improving energy efficiency in public infrastructure. Spearheaded by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in partnership with the Government of Japan and Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Economy and Finance, the project targets key sectors including schools, hospitals, kindergartens, and public transportation.z According to UNDP Uzbekistan, the initiative seeks to bolster the country’s resilience to energy-related challenges driven by increasingly extreme weather conditions. Many public buildings in Uzbekistan suffer from outdated infrastructure and significant energy loss, resulting in elevated emissions and burdensome utility expenses. The project will focus...

Climate Change

Artificial Glacier Technology to Support Kyrgyz Farmers Amid Climate Change

Artificial glacier technology is emerging as a promising solution to help Kyrgyz farmers adapt to the growing challenges of climate change. By enhancing irrigation efficiency and ensuring a more reliable water supply, these innovations aim to strengthen the resilience of mountain communities dependent on agriculture. The technology was the focus of a roundtable discussion held on June 17 in Bishkek, titled “Technical Solutions for Improving Water Availability in Irrigation Systems for Mountain Communities in Kyrgyzstan Under Climate Change.” At the event, Oleg Guchgeldiyev, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Representative in Kyrgyzstan, presented a new FAO initiative to develop and...

Iran–Israel War Highlights Central Asia as Zone of Strategic Stability

Latest

Features

Features

Latest

Sunkar Podcast

Sunkar Podcast

Opinions

Opinions

Arindam Banik

Anna Ge

Andrei Matveev

Mohammad Suhail & A.X. Ravshanov

Khusanboy Kotibjonov

Arman Amini

Times of Central Asia

Andrei Matveev

Stephen M. Bland

Mohammad Suhail & A.X. Ravshanov

Dr. Robert M. Cutler

Mohammad Suhail & A.X. Ravshanov

Business & Economy

Business & Economy

Structural Barriers Continue to Hamper Industrial Growth in Tajikistan

Kazakhstan Aims to Revive Investment Appeal Amid Global Headwinds

Kazakhstan to Launch New AQMOLA Industrial Zone to Attract Foreign and Domestic Investment

Japan-Backed Tunnel Project Begins on Kyrgyzstan’s Bishkek–Osh Highway

Kazakhstan’s Youth Face Barriers to Entrepreneurship

Local Politics

Local Politics

Daughter of Uzbekistan’s President – His Aide as Well – Gets Promoted

From Reform to Roadblocks: The Uneven Evolution of Motor Insurance in Central Asia

With Major Plant Modernization, Kyrgyzstan Seeks To End Construction Woes

Back to the Old System for Kyrgyzstan’s Future Parliamentary Elections

Kyrgyz Health Minister Proposes Raising Tobacco Taxes to Curb Smoking

International Affairs

International Affairs

Iran–Israel War Highlights Central Asia as Zone of Strategic Stability

Kazakhstan Acts Swiftly on Middle East Crisis: Citizens Evacuated, Flights Suspended

China-Kazakhstan Economic Ties: Strong Trade, Weakening Investment

Central Asia and Israel, a Pragmatic Relationship That Never Truly Blossomed

Amidst Diplomatic Tensions, Russia and Uzbekistan Explore Long-Term Youth Exchange Program

Life & Culture

Life & Culture

ALTAÏ: A Documentary Exploring Central Asia’s Water Lifelines to Start Filming

Bublik of Kazakhstan Wins a Grass Title Ahead of Wimbledon

Kazakhstan Marks Media Workers’ Day with “Day J” Festivities

Kazakhstan Launches 2025 Year of China Tourism

Kazakh Doctors Among Lowest Paid in Economy

Justice

Justice

‘Saltanat’s Law’: Have the Lives of Kazakhstani Women Changed?