The Times Of Central Asia | Eurasian Publication & News Online

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,...

Financial Investigation

Swiss Bank Investigated Over Ties to Central Asian Elites

Swiss bank Reyl, part of Intesa Sanpaolo Group, is under investigation by Switzerland’s financial regulator FINMA for allegedly failing to prevent money laundering and mishandling accounts belonging to high-risk clients, including relatives of prominent former Central Asian leaders. The investigation stems from confidential correspondence reviewed by the Organized Crime and...

Easter Celebration

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

Labor Migrants

Essential but Unwelcome: Central Asian Migrants in Russia

Russian-Ukrainian war

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

Russian President Vladimir Putin has updated Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on U.S.-Russian talks, which have focused in recent weeks on trying to reach a settlement in the war in Ukraine. Putin and Tokayev spoke by telephone on Thursday, according to the offices of the two leaders. In the conversation, Putin...

Sunkar Podcast

Repatriating Islamic State Fighters and Families: Balancing Security and Humanity

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Opinions

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

How the Azerbaijan Airlines Crash Could Shake Relations with Russia

Dr. Robert M. Cutler

Business & Economy

Energy Security

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

Kyrgyz Prime Minister Adylbek Kasymaliev has arrived in Washington, D.C. to participate in the Spring Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank Group. During his visit, Kasymaliev is expected to meet with senior World Bank officials to discuss ongoing and future investment projects in Kyrgyzstan. Following the IMF and World Bank sessions, Kasymaliev is scheduled to hold high-level talks with Anna Bjerde, the World Bank’s Managing Director for Operations, and Antonella Bassani, Vice President for Europe and Central Asia. A key item on the agenda will be the planned construction of the Kambarata-1 Hydropower Plant (HPP) on...

Economic Growth

Kyrgyzstan Reports Strong Economic Growth in Early 2025

Energy

Turkish Company Reaffirms Commitment to Kyrgyzstan’s Energy Projects

Economic Slowdown

Tajikistan Predicts Economic Slowdown Amid Declining Remittances

Agriculture

Kazakhstan Expands Wheat Exports to North Africa

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...

Trade

Uzbekistan to Establish Free Trade Zones Near Kyrgyz Border

Uzbekistan is preparing to establish new trade and industrial zones near its border with Kyrgyzstan, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev announced during a government meeting on April 16. The Andijan region currently exports approximately $200 million in goods to Kyrgyzstan each year. To boost trade further, Mirziyoyev proposed the development of industrial zones in Kurgan-Tepe and Khojaabad, modeled after similar projects on the Afghan border. He directed officials to engage with local businesses and select one of the two sites to begin detailed planning. Addressing Border Bottlenecks Concerns were raised during the meeting over logistical challenges at the “Dostlik” checkpoint in Khojaabad....

Uranium

Kazakh Uranium to Power Czech Nuclear Plants

Kazakhstan’s National Atomic Company Kazatomprom has signed a contract with Czech energy giant ČEZ a.s. to supply natural uranium for the country’s nuclear power plants. The agreement marks a significant step in strengthening energy cooperation between Kazakhstan and the European Union. Expanding European Reach The contract, signed at ČEZ’s headquarters in Prague, represents a key milestone in the expansion of Kazatomprom’s uranium supply footprint in Europe. Under the seven-year deal, Kazakhstan will provide approximately one-third of the uranium needed for Westinghouse fuel assemblies used at the Temelín Nuclear Power Plant. Both parties emphasized the agreement’s importance for regional energy security...

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

Pope Francis

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

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, Pope Francis made a historic pastoral visit to Kazakhstan to attend the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions. Kazakhstan, a predominantly Muslim nation, has a Christian minority comprising 17.2% of the population, primarily Russian Orthodox, alongside Catholics and Protestants. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, the event’s host, reaffirmed his country’s...

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

Politics

Emboldened Russia? Russian FM Lavrov Disputes Tokayev Comments

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...

Foreign Affairs

TRNC President Urges Central Asia to Tread Carefully on Cyprus in EU Deals

Ersin Tatar, President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), has urged Central Asian nations to exercise caution in their dealings with the European Union, particularly regarding the Cyprus issue. His remarks were reported by Anadolu Agency during a recent meeting with representatives of the Association of Turkish Travel Agencies (TÜRSAB). Tatar acknowledged that it is “understandable” for Central Asian countries to cooperate with the EU in pursuit of their national interests. “These countries have various projects and partnerships with the EU, especially in trade and development. That’s normal,” he said. “But I believe the Turkish states should be...

Life & Culture

Science

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

Kazakhstan’s Institute of Nuclear Physics has officially launched a new international scientific journal, Advances in Nuclear Science and Applications. The presentation of the first issue took place at the Institute’s headquarters and marks a significant step in the country's efforts to promote nuclear research and academic exchange on a global scale. According to the Ministry of Science and Higher Education, the journal is designed as a high-level international platform that integrates both fundamental and applied research in nuclear science and technology. It aims to foster open knowledge exchange and collaboration across borders. The inaugural issue, published in March 2025, features...

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

Travel

Air Astana to Serve Horse Meat and Baursaks to VIP Passengers

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...

Traffic Rules

Kyrgyz Clergy to Compete in Traffic Rules Knowledge Contest

The Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Kyrgyzstan (DUMK) will hold a competition among its members to test their knowledge of traffic regulations. The participants will include mosque imams and staff from DUMK's central office, according to a statement on the Muftiate's official Facebook page. The initiative follows a recent meeting between DUMK representatives and officials from Kyrgyzstan’s Main Directorate of Road Traffic Safety (DGUOBDD). Traffic police emphasized the importance of promoting traffic rule compliance among the public, and particularly among the faithful, highlighting the clergy’s influential role in society. “To effectively promote road safety, religious leaders themselves must be well-versed...

Justice

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, another trial has captured the public imagination: the case of the killing of teenager Sherzat Bolat in a street fight involving adult men. The tragic events in Talgar, a small town near Almaty, have resonated across the country, exposing what many see as a long-standing culture of impunity and complacency...

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

Human Trafficking

Twelve Central Asian Citizens Rescued from Human Trafficking in Myanmar

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...

Illegal migration

Turkmen Nationals in Belarus Investigated Over Alleged Migration Scheme

Belarusian authorities have launched a criminal investigation into an alleged illegal migration network that reportedly involved hundreds of Turkmen citizens residing in the country, according to a report by state news agency BELTA. The investigation centers on a scheme allegedly orchestrated by three taxi company owners in Minsk. Since 2022, four companies officially registered as taxi service providers were involved in operations that enabled foreign nationals, primarily from Turkmenistan, to obtain temporary residence permits using falsified documents. The business owners, aged between 30 and 38, are accused of hiring foreign nationals on paper to facilitate their acquisition of legal status....

Environment

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

Climate Change

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

Renewable energy

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

Ecology

Russian Eco-Blogger to Fund Forest Restoration in Northern Kazakhstan

Environmental Initiative

Kyrgyzstan Launches $52 Million Environmental Initiative to Combat Natural Disasters

Kyrgyzstan has officially launched RESILAND CA+, a $52 million environmental initiative aimed at restoring degraded landscapes, reducing natural disaster risks, and strengthening regional cooperation in sustainable land management. Funded primarily by the World Bank, the project targets key ecological threats across several regions, including Osh, Jalal-Abad, Naryn, and Issyk-Kul, with a particular focus on the Kara-Darya River Basin, an area highly vulnerable to mudflows. According to the Kyrgyz Ministry of Emergency Situations, RESILAND CA+ seeks to mitigate the impact of mudflows, restore forests and soils, and build climate resilience across borders. Kyrgyzstan has recorded more than 900 mudflows over the...

Water

Kazakhstan Advances Water Sector Reform at High-Level Coordination Meeting

On April 10, the Coordination Council of Partners for the Development of the Water Sector of Kazakhstan held its second official meeting in Astana, co-chaired by Nurzhan Nurzhigitov, Kazakhstan’s Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation, and Katarzyna Wawiernia, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Resident Representative in Kazakhstan. The Council, which first convened on September 30, 2024, comprises the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation, the UNDP, and more than 30 international partners, including financial institutions and global development organizations. At the meeting, participants reviewed the Council’s work over the past six months and discussed strategic priorities for sustainable water management....

Environment

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

Kyrgyzstan is set to launch Central Asia’s first large-scale tree-planting project funded through carbon credits, in a landmark move toward reducing its carbon footprint and expanding its role in global climate finance. The ambitious initiative aims to plant over 10 million trees across 25,000 hectares in the Issyk-Kul region, with the potential to attract up to $180 million in climate financing. The project was discussed on April 8 during a meeting between Adylbek Kasymaliyev, Chairman of Kyrgyzstan’s Cabinet of Ministers, and representatives of Valor Carbon, a UK-based firm specializing in climate finance. It will be implemented through the sale of...

EU-Central Asia Summit

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

At the first EU-Central Asia Summit, held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, on April 4, European Investment Bank (EIB) Vice-President Kyriacos Kakouris signed four memorandums of understanding with partners in Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. The agreements will direct €365 million in funding and are expected to unlock up to €1 billion in investment for sustainable transport, water management, and climate resilience initiatives across the region. The EIB is the long-term lending institution of the European Union. These agreements support the EU’s Global Gateway strategy, which aims to boost private sector development, improve transport and logistics infrastructure, and strengthen water management and environmental...

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

Latest

Features

Features

Latest

Sunkar Podcast

Sunkar Podcast

Opinions

Opinions

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

Dr. Robert M. Cutler

Business & Economy

Business & Economy

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

Kazakhstan Aims to Double Oil Refining Capacity by 2040

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

Uzbekistan to Establish Free Trade Zones Near Kyrgyz Border

Kazakh Uranium to Power Czech Nuclear Plants

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

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

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

TRNC President Urges Central Asia to Tread Carefully on Cyprus in EU Deals

Life & Culture

Life & Culture

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

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

Kyrgyz Clergy to Compete in Traffic Rules Knowledge Contest

Justice

Justice

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