The Times Of Central Asia | Eurasian Publication & News Online

Before the historic White House meetings on November 6 between President Trump and the five Central Asian presidents, U.S. and regional diplomats and business leaders met at the Kennedy Center on the occasion of the C5+1 Business Forum, hosted by the U.S. Department of State, to launch a new chapter...

C5+1 Summit

Daines, Gor, Meredov Launch C5+1 Talks on Next-Gen U.S.–Central Asia Ties

C5+1 Summit

Kazakhstan to Join Abraham Accords

Washington D.C. - The Government of Kazakhstan announced its intention to join the Abraham Accords on Thursday, ahead of a scheduled meeting between President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington. The move was confirmed by President Trump in a post on Truth Social, where he described Kazakhstan’s...

Digital Technologies

Kazakhstan Advances Digital Transformation with U.S. Partnerships

C5+1 Summit

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio Plans Visit to Central Asia in 2026

U.S.-Kazakhstan Relations

Kazakhstan Strengthens Role as U.S. Key Trade Partner in Central Asia

Kazakhstan has emerged as the United States’ primary economic partner in Central Asia, accounting for the vast majority of regional exports to the U.S. and serving as the leading destination for American imports, according to Finprom.kz. While Central Asia’s share of total U.S. trade remains small, Kazakhstan’s role within the...

Middle Powers

Which Central Asian States Qualify as Middle Powers in 2025?

Podcast

Pannier and Hillard’s Spotlight on Central Asia @ The Times of Central Asia – New Episode Now Available

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...

Sunkar Podcast

Central Asia and the Troubled Southern Route

00:00 / 00:00

Opinions

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

Dr. Robert M. Cutler

Opinion: China’s Diplomatic Power Play Unfolds in Tianjin

Andrei Matveev

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

Javier M. Piedra

Insider’s View: From Reform to Rights – Strengthening Uzbekistan’s Legal Foundations

Akmal Saidov

Opinion: Washington Meeting and the Shifting Geopolitics of the Caspian

Farid Shafiyev

Opinion: Over the Past Eight Years, New Uzbekistan Has Absorbed Over $113 Billion in Foreign Investments

Professor Durbek Akhmedov

Opinion: Why Russia May Stop Oil Supplies via the CPC

Andrei Matveev

Opinion: Ghosts of the Gulag – A View From the Ground

Askar Alimzhanov

Opinion: Ghosts of the Gulag: Kazakhstan’s Uneasy Dance With Memory and Moscow

Manon Madec

Opinion: A Sea of Discord? Intensifying Military Drills Threaten Stability in the Caspian Region

Andrei Matveev

Kazakhstan in Afghanistan: From Rhetoric to Infrastructure

Aidar Borangaziyev

Opinion: As Kazakhstan-China Trade Booms, Tokayev and XI Strengthen Relations

Javier M. Piedra

Business & Economy

Economic Growth

Kazakhstan Presents “Growth Case” to Global Investors in London

Kazakhstan is deepening its engagement with UK capital markets. At the Kazakhstan Capital Markets Day 2025 conference in London, Deputy Minister of National Economy Asan Darbayev outlined the country’s economic growth strategy and measures to enhance its investment climate. Speaking during the panel session “Sustainable Economic Growth and Financial Sector Development,” Darbayev highlighted that Kazakhstan’s real GDP grew by 6.3% in the first nine months of 2025, one of the strongest performances in recent years. The government’s medium-term target is to reach a GDP of $450 billion by 2029. Infrastructure development remains central to Kazakhstan’s strategy to position itself as...

Gambling

Kyrgyzstan Launches Unified State Lottery Infrastructure

Gold

Uzbekistan the Only Country to Report Net Gold Sales in September

News Roundup

New Projects, Evolving Trade: Recent News from Tajikistan That You Might Have Missed

U.S.-Kazakhstan Relations

Kazakhstan Strengthens Role as U.S. Key Trade Partner in Central Asia

Digital Technologies

Kazakhstan Advances Digital Transformation with U.S. Partnerships

Kazakhstan, Central Asia’s largest economy, is rapidly positioning itself as a regional leader in digital transformation. Increasingly, United States partners no longer view Kazakhstan solely as a source of natural resources. Instead, future cooperation is expected to expand into digital technologies and artificial intelligence (AI). Advances in Digitalization In October, Kazakhstan reaffirmed its digital ambitions with a major technological breakthrough. Kaspi, the country’s leading fintech firm and a systemically important bank, launched Kaspi Alaqan, a palm-based payment system that requires no phone, card, or internet connection. The service will debut in December 2025 through dedicated ATMs in Almaty before expanding...

QazTrade

Kazakh Food Exports to China Grow After CIIE 2025 Deal

At the China International Import Expo (CIIE 2025) in Shanghai, Kazakhstan’s Trade Policy Development Center, QazTrade, signed a partnership agreement with Optimize Integration Group (OIG), one of China’s leading food importers responsible for 18% of all frozen meat imports into the country. The agreement aims to promote digital trade and create online platforms that will facilitate the entry of Kazakhstani food products into the Chinese market. Under the terms of the agreement, both sides will jointly promote Kazakh agricultural and food products, improve logistics infrastructure, and develop digital trade technologies and payment systems. “This partnership with OIG, one of the...

Finance

Kazakhstan Weighs Converting Part of National Fund into Cryptocurrency

Kazakhstan’s monetary authorities are considering the possibility of converting a portion of the country’s National Fund assets and gold and foreign exchange reserves into cryptocurrency. The proposal was announced by Berik Sholpankulov, Deputy Chairman of the National Bank, during a session of the Mazhilis (lower house of parliament). “We are considering the possibility of using part of the National Fund’s assets and gold and foreign exchange reserves for investment in crypto assets,” Sholpankulov stated. He emphasized that any such operations would be conducted solely through a state-managed crypto asset fund, the creation of which is currently under government discussion. “First...

Oil

Germany Increases Imports of Kazakh Oil Amid Shift Away from Russian Supplies

Germany has significantly increased its imports of Kazakh oil, receiving 225,000 tons via the Druzhba pipeline in October, 25% more than in September, according to Deutsche Welle. Regular deliveries of Kazakh crude to Germany began in 2023, following Berlin’s decision to halt Russian oil imports in response to the war in Ukraine and EU sanctions. In 2024, Germany imported 1.5 million tons of oil from Kazakhstan. By the end of 2025, Berlin aims to raise that figure to 1.7 million tons, with potential growth to 2.5 million tons annually. In October, KazMunayGas (KMG) Chairman Askhat Hasenov and Johannes Bremer, CEO...

Local Politics

Electricity

Kyrgyz Authorities Reject Proposal to Let Wealthy Pay for Unlimited Electricity Amid Winter Deficit

As winter nears, the National Electric Grid of Kyrgyzstan introduced new electricity consumption limits for households, cutting the cap from 5 kilowatts to 3 kilowatts during peak morning and evening hours. At the same time, the company proposed allowing citizens to pay a higher tariff for unlimited electricity usage. The proposal sparked immediate backlash amid Kyrgyzstan’s chronic autumn-winter energy shortages, when many households depend on electric heating. President Sadyr Japarov swiftly condemned the initiative, calling it “unacceptable” during a period of scarcity. He warned that such a measure risked deepening social inequality and ordered the immediate cancellation of the unlimited-use...

AI Analyst to Help Kazakh Businesses Find Optimal Sales Locations

Kyrgyzstan Elections

Kyrgyzstan Election 2025: New Rules, New Map, Same High Stakes

Business

TikTok to Boost Support for Kazakhstani Entrepreneurs

Tajikistan’s Government to Introduce AI Browser for Administration

Transport

Alatau to Become First City in Kazakhstan with Air Taxi System

Alatau, a newly established city in southern Kazakhstan near the country’s largest metropolis, Almaty, is set to become the first in the nation to launch an air taxi system. Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development recently signed a memorandum of understanding with U.S. based Joby Aero, Inc. for the purchase of electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft valued at approximately $300 million. The aircraft will form the basis of a new urban air mobility system. The agreement also includes Alatau Advance Air Group Ltd., a local operator and integrator of air mobility technologies, and Vyacheslav Kim, chairman...

Food Safety

Bishkek City Hall Tightens School Meal Oversight After Mass Food Poisoning

A mass food poisoning incident at a Bishkek school has prompted city authorities to intensify oversight of school meal programs. Eighty children and four adults were affected after consuming shawarma (flatbread wraps filled with grilled meat) prepared with allegedly poor-quality ingredients, according to the Bishkek City Hall. The Bishkek Center for Hygiene and Epidemiology has launched an inspection of all schools in the capital. Dozens of children sought medical care, reporting symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. Twelve individuals were hospitalized, while the remaining victims are receiving outpatient treatment. The school cafeteria involved has been shut down...

Employment

Tokayev Proposes Employing Top Foreign Graduates in Kazakhstan

President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has proposed launching a program to employ the most talented foreign graduates of Kazakh universities, allowing them to begin their professional careers within the country. He announced the initiative during the Strategic Partners Forum, Kazakhstan - Territory of Academic Education. According to Tokayev, over 31,000 foreign students are currently studying at Kazakh universities, a national record. The government aims to increase this figure to 100,000 by 2029 through visa liberalization and improved learning conditions. The employment program will enable top-performing international graduates to stay in Kazakhstan, contributing to the national economy. Simultaneously, the country plans to expand...

TCA Interviews

Inside Uzbekistan’s Regional Defense Strategy: An In-Depth Interview with Michael Hilliard

Michael Hilliard is Director of Defense & Security Analysis at the Oxus Society for Central Asian Affairs, where he leads a specialist project analyzing the armed forces of Central Asia. The Oxus Society’s latest report, focusing on Uzbekistan’s military, has just been released. The Times of Central Asia spoke with Hilliard about the report, Uzbekistan’s evolving defense doctrine, and its future role as a military power in the region. TCA: In light of the new report on Uzbekistan’s military, how would you characterize Uzbekistan’s overarching security and defense doctrine, especially in relation to the broader Central Asian region? Michael Hilliard: Uzbekistan’s...

International Affairs

Afghanistan

Tensions Simmer Between Pakistan and Afghanistan, in Setback for Central Asian Trade Hopes

A round of peace talks between Pakistan and Afghanistan in Istanbul came under strain after another clash between the two countries along their border. A resolution to the conflict is important to Central Asian countries that want to trade south through Afghanistan and onward to Pakistani seaports that open the way to the Indian Ocean. Pakistan’s government and the ruling Taliban in Afghanistan accused each other of instigating the latest confrontation on Thursday, though they still expressed commitment to a delicate ceasefire that was agreed to last month. Dozens of people were killed and cross-border trade was suspended during the...

Foreign Affairs

Washington Steps Up Focus on Central Asia Amid Strategic Competition with China

C5+1 Summit

From Washington to Samarkand: Mirziyoyev Proposes Hosting Next C5+1 Summit

Central Asia-U.S. Summit

Deals, Not Declarations: U.S.–Central Asia Cooperation at Summit Crossroads

Afghanistan

Afghanistan Restores Power Imports from Uzbekistan and Tajikistan After Earthquake

C5+1 Summit

Daines, Gor, Meredov Launch C5+1 Talks on Next-Gen U.S.–Central Asia Ties

Washington, D.C. — The United States and the five nations of Central Asia – Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan – marked a decade of partnership on Thursday with an opening panel at the C5+1 Tenth Anniversary Business Conference hosted by the U.S. Department of State. U.S. Senator Steve Daines (Montana), Sergio Gor, the newly appointed U.S. Special Envoy for South and Central Asia and Ambassador to India and Rashid Meredov, Turkmenistan’s Foreign Minister kicked things off with a bold forward-looking vision centered on deeper economic cooperation, net two-way investment flows, and a bolstered U.S. commitment to the region. Held...

C5+1 Summit

Tokayev Secures $17B in U.S. Deals, Trump Hints at Kazakhstan Visit

The summit between the leaders of the United States and the five countries of Central Asia was the primary focus of Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s visit to Washington. But even before the summit began, the Kazakh delegation secured a series of high-level meetings with U.S. political leaders and business executives, culminating in the signing of 29 bilateral agreements, valued at approximately $17 billion. Tokayev’s program in Washington began with meetings with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, and U.S. Special Representative for South and Central Asia Sergio Gor. Kazakhstan, Tokayev noted, maintains active political ties with...

C5+1 Summit

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio Plans Visit to Central Asia in 2026

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced on Wednesday his intention to visit all five Central Asian countries in 2026. Rubio made the statement during a meeting with the foreign ministers of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. The visit is part of a broader diplomatic initiative by U.S. President Donald Trump's administration to strengthen ties with the resource-rich region. Today, the presidents of the five Central Asian republics, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev (Kazakhstan), Sadyr Japarov (Kyrgyzstan), Emomali Rahmon (Tajikistan), Serdar Berdimuhamedov (Turkmenistan), and Shavkat Mirziyoyev (Uzbekistan), are scheduled to meet with President Trump in Washington. The summit is expected to focus...

Middle Powers

Which Central Asian States Qualify as Middle Powers in 2025?

As global power shifts toward multipolarity, Central Asia’s states are emerging as active regional players. This article assesses which of the five republics—Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan—qualify as middle powers in 2025, based on economic strength, diplomatic reach, strategic capacity, and governance. Kazakhstan stands as the region’s only consolidated middle power, balancing fiscal stability, institutional reform, and multi-vector diplomacy. Uzbekistan is a rising aspirant, propelled by reforms but still reliant on external financing and centralized authority. The remaining states remain constrained by dependence and limited institutional depth. Together, they reflect a region increasingly capable of shaping, rather than merely...

Life & Culture

Society

Turkmen Border Guards Delay Medical Aid for Seriously Injured Man at Shavat Checkpoint

At the border between Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, a seriously injured man was forced to wait for hours at the Shavat checkpoint after Turkmen border guards refused to allow immediate medical evacuation while verifying his documents. The incident involved a married couple from Kunya-Urgench, Turkmenistan, who were en route to visit relatives in Uzbekistan’s Andijan region when they were involved in a car accident on October 13. The man, who was sitting in the front seat, sustained multiple injuries, including broken ribs, a fractured shoulder and foot, and numerous bruises and lacerations. His wife, who was in the back seat, suffered...

Podcast

Pannier and Hillard’s Spotlight on Central Asia @ The Times of Central Asia – New Episode Now Available

Gender Equality

UN Women and ACWA Power Partner to Advance Gender Equality in Uzbekistan

Sports

Kazakh Boxing Legend Gennadiy Golovkin Nominated to Lead World Boxing

Agriculture

Uzbekistan Sends Over 20 Crop Varieties to Global Seed Vault in Norway

Coal Industry

Coal Mine Explosion in Tajikistan Kills Six Afghan Workers

Six Afghan workers have been killed in a coal mine explosion in Tajikistan’s Sughd region, according to local sources cited by Tasnim News Agency. The blast occurred in the Ayni district, where all six victims were reportedly working underground at the time. Rescue operations are still underway, and the bodies have yet to be recovered. Sources say five of the deceased were from Afghanistan’s Daikundi province and one from Lal wa Sarjangal district in Ghor province. Tajik authorities have not yet released the official identities of the victims. Earlier this year, a similar incident occurred in another Sughd coal mine,...

Literature

TCA Interview: Author Judith Lindbergh on Her Novel “Akmaral”, Set on the Kazakh Steppe

In recent years, many international writers have written books about Kazakhstan. One of these is the American author Judith Lindbergh, whose latest historical novel, Akmaral, is set on the Kazakh steppe. TCA: The story of Akmaral is related to Central Asia, and particularly, Kazakhstan... JL: Absolutely correct. Akmaral is about a nomadic woman warrior on the Central Asian steppes in the 5th century BCE. It’s based on archaeology that many of your readers are likely familiar with: the Siberian Ice Maiden discovered in Tuva and the Issyk Golden Warrior of Kazakhstan. These two burials were just the beginning of my...

Diplomacy

Uzbekistan Introduces Visa-Free Travel for U.S. Citizens Starting January 2026

Uzbekistan will implement a visa-free regime for U.S. citizens beginning January 1, 2026, according to a presidential decree signed on November 3, 2025. The announcement was reported by UzA, the country’s official state news agency. Under the new policy, American citizens will be permitted to stay in Uzbekistan for up to 30 days without a visa from the date of entry. The measure aims to strengthen trade, economic, cultural, and humanitarian ties between the two countries, while also enhancing tourism. Since 2021, Uzbekistan has allowed visa-free entry for tourists aged 55 and older from the United States and several other...

Cost of Living

Cost of Living in Uzbekistan Remains Moderate in Regional Context

Uzbekistan ranks third among Central Asian countries in terms of cost of living, according to the latest data from Numbeo. With an index score of 24.2 on a 100-point scale, Uzbekistan maintains relatively low living expenses by global standards, though costs remain lower than in Kyrgyzstan (25.4) and Kazakhstan (26.6). The estimated monthly expenses for a family of four in Uzbekistan, excluding rent, are approximately 21 million UZS ($1,743.31), while the average per-person cost stands at 5.6 million UZS ($464.88). Compared to the United States, Uzbekistan’s overall cost of living, including rent, is 65.2% lower. Rent alone is 71.1% cheaper....

Justice

Forced Labor

Nineteen Uzbek Citizens Repatriated from Ukraine After Forced Labor Exploitation

Nineteen Uzbek nationals who were found in exploitative labor conditions in Ukraine’s Kyiv region have been safely repatriated to Uzbekistan, according to the Dunyo news agency. Ukrainian media had previously reported that the group was subjected to forced labor at a greenhouse facility in the region. In response, the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Kyiv, working in coordination with Ukraine’s National Police and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) offices in Ukraine and Moldova, launched an urgent operation to secure their release and safe return. Dunyo reports that the embassy took swift and comprehensive measures to safeguard the victims’ rights, address...

Children's Rights

Tajikistan Teacher-Student Assault Case Referred to Court

Drug Trafficking

Kazakhstan Proposes Cash Rewards for Citizens Who Report Drug Crimes

Death Penalty

Kyrgyz Authorities Open Public Debate on Death Penalty Bill

ICC

EU Criticizes Tajikistan for Failing to Arrest Putin on ICC Warrant

Human Trafficking

Tajikistan Improves Ranking in U.S. Human Trafficking Report

Tajikistan has improved its standing in the U.S. State Department’s 2025 Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report, moving up from the Tier 2 Watch List to Tier 2. This designation means the country still does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of human trafficking under U.S. legislation, but is making significant efforts to comply. According to the report, released on the State Department’s official website, Tajikistan’s progress reflects expanded anti-trafficking efforts in 2024. Authorities initiated 57 criminal cases related to human trafficking, down slightly from 60 in 2023 but the number of identified victims surged from 47 to...

Kazakhstan to Integrate AI into Lawmaking Process

Kazakhstan’s government is preparing to introduce an artificial intelligence–powered assistant to support the development of regulatory legal acts. The intelligent system will analyze international legal practices, monitor developments, and verify that draft laws comply with the Constitution, Vice Minister of Justice Bekbolat Moldabekov announced at a recent briefing. The initiative builds on a broader digitalization agenda already underway at the Ministry of Justice. For instance, an automated legal advisor operates around the clock on the adilet.zan.kz portal, helping to reduce the workload of legal personnel and providing the public with free access to legal information. Since August 2023, the ministry...

Crime

Crimes Against Individuals Decrease in Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan’s Minister of Internal Affairs Yerzhan Sadenov has reported a decline in serious crimes and public offenses for the January-September 2025 period. According to Sadenov, comprehensive measures implemented by the Ministry of Internal Affairs have produced tangible results: overall crime fell by 7%, a reduction of 6,000 cases, compared to the same period in 2024. Declines were recorded across key categories, including murder, grievous bodily harm, robbery, assault, hooliganism, and theft. Offenses committed in streets and other public spaces also decreased. “The main thing is people's safety: fewer crimes against individuals means greater protection for citizens,” the minister said. The...

Drug Trafficking

Uzbek Authorities Dismantle Major Telegram-Based Drug Trafficking Network

Uzbek customs officials have dismantled a large-scale regional drug trafficking network operating via the Telegram messaging app, revealing one of Central Asia’s most extensive online narcotics markets. Several key distributors were arrested in a series of coordinated operations carried out in August and September 2025, according to Uzbekistan’s customs service. At the center of the investigation was a darknet drug marketplace known as “Deadpool,” which had been active since 2017 and maintained a following of around 4,000 subscribers. On August 31, a special operation in the Khodjaobod district of Andijan region led to the arrest of a suspect caught with...

Environment

Climate Change

Central Asia Faces Billions in Climate Adaptation Costs, UNEP Warns

Central Asia ranks among the most climate-vulnerable regions in the world and will require tens of billions of dollars to adapt to the accelerating effects of global warming, according to a new report by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). The report identifies Central Asia as one of the fastest-warming areas globally. However, current adaptation funding remains drastically insufficient to meet the growing threat. A Region Under Threat Developing countries worldwide, including those in Central Asia, will need up to $310 billion annually by 2035 to adapt to climate change. UNEP highlights the region’s specific challenges: rapidly melting glaciers, widespread...

Aral Sea

Kazakhstan to Use Innovative Drone Technology for Aral Seabed Reforestation

Natural gas

Uzbekistan Suspends New Gas Connections for Homes to Conserve Energy

Nature

Tajikistan’s Tigrovaya Balka Nature Reserve Under Threat

Green Energy

Uzbekistan’s Green Energy Output Hits 9 Billion kWh in 2025

Hydropower

Tajikistan Upgrades Nurek Dam to Boost Power Supply Ahead of Winter Crunch

Tajikistan’s massive Nurek hydroelectric dam – the world’s second-tallest – is undergoing a sweeping modernization to shore up the nation’s electricity supply ahead of the demanding winter season. The 300-meter-high dam, completed in 1980 on the Vakhsh River near the Afghan border, has long been a strategic asset, supplying approximately 70% of Tajikistan’s power. As winter approaches and energy demand peaks, crews at the 3,015 MW hydropower plant are racing to upgrade aging turbines and infrastructure to ensure reliable electricity across the country. The overhaul, which began several years ago, promises not only to keep the lights on through harsh weather...

Glaciers

Glacier-Dependent Central Asian States to Benefit from ADB Climate Program

On October 29, the Green Climate Fund approved $250 million for Glaciers to Farms, a major adaptation initiative led by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to build climate-resilient water and agricultural systems in glacier-dependent regions of Central Asia, the South Caucasus, and Pakistan. The funding, provided mostly as grants, will complement a broader $3.25 billion investment by ADB over the next decade. The program spans nine countries: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. These states rely heavily on glacier- and snow-fed rivers for agriculture, drinking water, and electricity. Accelerated glacial melt poses a direct threat to...

Glaciers

Massive Glacier Collapse Reported on Mount Ismoil Somoni in Tajikistan

A large section of glacier broke away from Mount Ismoil Somoni in Tajikistan’s Tajikabad district on October 25, according to Asia-Plus, citing the Committee for Emergency Situations (CoES). The incident occurred around 11:00 a.m. near the village of Safedobi. The CoES reported that the detached ice mass measured approximately two kilometers in length, 25 meters in height, and 150-200 meters in width. It slid down a nearby gorge, prompting swift intervention. By 2:00 p.m., the situation was under control, with no casualties or significant damage reported. However, officials warned that ongoing rainfall and the risk of further glacier collapse could...

River Transport

Kazakhstan Eyes Revival of Ili River Corridor as Logistics Artery

River transport has long offered a cost-effective and environmentally friendly alternative for moving cargo. Inland waterways present an alternative route that could unlock new logistics pathways for Kazakhstan and the broader Central Asian region. Yet the development of river navigation remains hindered by several challenges. Kazakhstan’s inland waterway system faces numerous obstacles: insufficient investment, underdeveloped port infrastructure, an aging fleet, and bureaucratic red tape. Despite these issues, reviving river navigation could significantly boost mutual trade, increase cargo volumes, and ease pressure on overburdened road and rail networks. The government has initiated several projects aimed at doing just that. One notable...

Tokayev Secures $17B in U.S. Deals, Trump Hints at Kazakhstan Visit

Latest

Features

Features

Latest

Sunkar Podcast

Sunkar Podcast

Opinions

Opinions

Dr. Robert M. Cutler

Andrei Matveev

Javier M. Piedra

Akmal Saidov

Farid Shafiyev

Professor Durbek Akhmedov

Andrei Matveev

Askar Alimzhanov

Manon Madec

Andrei Matveev

Aidar Borangaziyev

Javier M. Piedra

Business & Economy

Business & Economy

Kazakhstan Presents “Growth Case” to Global Investors in London

Kazakhstan Advances Digital Transformation with U.S. Partnerships

Kazakh Food Exports to China Grow After CIIE 2025 Deal

Kazakhstan Weighs Converting Part of National Fund into Cryptocurrency

Germany Increases Imports of Kazakh Oil Amid Shift Away from Russian Supplies

Local Politics

Local Politics

Kyrgyz Authorities Reject Proposal to Let Wealthy Pay for Unlimited Electricity Amid Winter Deficit

Alatau to Become First City in Kazakhstan with Air Taxi System

Bishkek City Hall Tightens School Meal Oversight After Mass Food Poisoning

Tokayev Proposes Employing Top Foreign Graduates in Kazakhstan

Inside Uzbekistan’s Regional Defense Strategy: An In-Depth Interview with Michael Hilliard

International Affairs

International Affairs

Tensions Simmer Between Pakistan and Afghanistan, in Setback for Central Asian Trade Hopes

Daines, Gor, Meredov Launch C5+1 Talks on Next-Gen U.S.–Central Asia Ties

Tokayev Secures $17B in U.S. Deals, Trump Hints at Kazakhstan Visit

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio Plans Visit to Central Asia in 2026

Which Central Asian States Qualify as Middle Powers in 2025?

Life & Culture

Life & Culture

Turkmen Border Guards Delay Medical Aid for Seriously Injured Man at Shavat Checkpoint

Coal Mine Explosion in Tajikistan Kills Six Afghan Workers

TCA Interview: Author Judith Lindbergh on Her Novel “Akmaral”, Set on the Kazakh Steppe

Uzbekistan Introduces Visa-Free Travel for U.S. Citizens Starting January 2026

Cost of Living in Uzbekistan Remains Moderate in Regional Context

Justice

Justice

Nineteen Uzbek Citizens Repatriated from Ukraine After Forced Labor Exploitation