The Times Of Central Asia | Eurasian Publication & News Online

Today, August 10, Kazakhstan observes Abai Day, honoring the birth of Abai Qunanbaiuly (1845–1904)—a towering poet, philosopher, composer, and reformist who laid the foundations of written Kazakh literature. Since 2020, this date has been officially enshrined in the national calendar, reflecting Abai's inestimable role in shaping the Kazakh cultural and...

Middle Corridor

Tentative Armenia-Azerbaijan Plan Could Boost the Middle Corridor for Central Asia

A tentative U.S.-facilitated agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan could open a new transport route through Armenia’s southern Syunik region, linking mainland Azerbaijan to its exclave of Nakhchivan and onward to Türkiye. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has confirmed that Washington proposed managing a 32-kilometer corridor through Syunik to connect the...

Gender Equality

From Kyz Kuu to Niqabs: Why Kazakh Women Face a Crisis of Values

Nuclear power

Kazakhstan Breaks Ground on First Nuclear Power Plant

Kazakhstan has officially launched the construction of its first nuclear power plant, marking a significant milestone in the country’s long-term energy strategy. A groundbreaking ceremony was held on Friday in the Almaty region, in the south of the country. The project is being led by a consortium headed by Rosatom,...

Eurasia

No Kremlin Needed: Peace Breaks Out in Post-Soviet Eurasia

Two decades ago, no border dispute in the former Soviet space was resolved without a Kremlin handshake. Moscow was the central mediator. Not anymore. In March 2025, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan signed a historic border agreement without Moscow at the table. Not long after, Armenia and Azerbaijan began finalizing a peace...

Urban Legends

Shadows over the Trails: Mystical Legends of the Almaty Mountains

The mountains surrounding Almaty captivate not only with their natural beauty and fresh alpine air but also with the legends that echo along their winding trails. Travelers speak of a ghostly woman in white, a towering old man with a chessboard, and a mysterious "Japanese Road" haunted by the spirits...

Telecommunications

Kazakhtelecom CEO Confirms 2026 Launch of Caspian Submarine Cable Project

Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan have entered the active implementation phase of the long-anticipated submarine fiber-optic cable (SFOC) project across the Caspian Sea. According to Bagdat Mussin, CEO of Kazakhtelecom JSC, the underwater cable system is scheduled for completion and launch by the end of 2026. First proposed in 2019, the project...

Sunkar Podcast

Astana International Forum 2025: Rethinking Global Dialogue

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Opinions

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

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

Business & Economy

Coal

Kazakhstan’s Vast Coal Reserves Could Fuel Energy Needs for Centuries

Kazakhstan’s coal reserves are expected to last between 200 and 300 years, depending on the rate of extraction, according to an analytical study by the Caspian Commodity Exchange. The study notes that Kazakhstan ranks among the world’s top ten countries for proven coal reserves, estimated at 25 to 33 billion tons, and eighth in terms of production. In 2023, the country produced 112.7 million tons of coal, followed by 109.8 million tons in 2024. Exports for those years totaled 31.9 million tons and 29.5 million tons, respectively. At current production rates, reserves could last for 300 years; if output increases,...

Investment

Kyrgyzstan Sees Rising Pakistani Investment Amid Expanding Economic Partnership

Agriculture

Kyrgyzstan Urges Farmers to Expand Fodder Crop Cultivation

Middle Corridor

Tentative Armenia-Azerbaijan Plan Could Boost the Middle Corridor for Central Asia

Agriculture

Kazakhstan Doubles Barley Exports, with Iran and China Leading Demand

Migration

Japanese Language Courses Launched to Support Kyrgyz Labor Migration to Japan

On August 8, the Center for Pre-Departure Orientation and Reintegration of Migrants in Bishkek officially launched an intensive Japanese language course aimed at improving the employability of Kyrgyz job seekers in Japan. The course is a joint initiative of the Kyrgyz Ministry of Labor, Social Security and Migration’s Center for Employment of Citizens Abroad and the Japan Association for Construction Human Resources (JAC). The program is part of ongoing efforts to develop Japan as a new destination for Kyrgyz labor migration, diversifying the country’s overseas employment market. This collaboration follows the signing of a memorandum of cooperation on labor migration...

Cotton

Tajik Cotton Exports to Iran Reach Record Levels

Since the start of 2025, Iran has imported more than 30,000 tons of cotton fiber from Tajikistan, accounting for over 83% of the country’s total foreign sales of this product. The value of these exports has reached $45.7 million. Geography and Structure of Exports Khurshed Zuhurzoda, First Deputy Director of the Tajikistan Export Agency, said Iran’s demand is driven by a shortage of raw materials for its domestic textile industry. According to the Iranian Cotton Fund, the country’s annual cotton demand stands at around 180,000 tons, while domestic production meets only 70,000-80,000 tons. Geographic proximity and the high quality of...

Agricultural Export

Kazakhstan Plans to Boost Agricultural Exports to Serbia

Kazakhstan plans to expand agricultural exports to Serbia, as discussed at the fourth meeting of the Kazakh-Serbian Intergovernmental Commission (IGC) held in Almaty late last week. Co-chair of the IGC, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Economy Serik Zhumangarin, said agriculture is one of the most promising areas of bilateral cooperation, along with healthcare, tourism, science, biotechnology, education, and culture. In the first half of 2025, trade in agricultural products between the two countries rose 1.5 times, reaching $4 million. Kazakhstan aims to increase supplies of grains and legumes, vegetable oils, fish, meat, and dairy products. Deputy Minister of...

Digital Silk Road

Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Turkmenistan Push Ahead with Digital Corridor Across Caspian

Marine research is underway to determine the optimal route for the Trans-Caspian fiber-optic cable, a vital component of the ambitious “Digital Silk Way” initiative aimed at building a high-capacity digital corridor connecting Europe and Asia, Media.az reported. The ongoing survey, which includes shoreline assessments and detailed seabed analysis, will define the shortest, safest, and most environmentally sustainable path for the cable. Research began simultaneously from the Azerbaijani and Kazakhstani coasts and is expected to take up to four weeks. Emil Masimov, Chairman of AzerTelecom’s Board, visited the Turkan research vessel, where the survey is being conducted. During his visit, he reviewed...

Local Politics

Helicopter Crash

Kazakhstan: Two Bodies Recovered from Lake Where Military Chopper Crashed

Search teams, including divers, have recovered two bodies from a lake in Kazakhstan where a military-operated helicopter crashed more than two weeks ago, the Ministry of Defense said Sunday. “Currently, an identification procedure is being carried out with the participation of competent authorities,” the ministry said on Telegram. It said the search operation was being conducted “around the clock” and involved personnel and resources from multiple government ministries and agencies. Authorities have said three people were on the chopper. Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Emergency Situations launched an intensive search and rescue operation after the EC145 helicopter was reported missing on July...

Education

Tajikistan to Introduce 10-Point Grading System in Schools

Justice

Kyrgyzstan Proposes Controversial Criminal Code Changes Targeting Recidivism, Limiting Official Liability

UN Adopts AI Resolution for Central Asia at Tajikistan’s Initiative

Fuel Exports

Kazakhstan Plans to Export Up to a Third of Its Fuel Production by 2040

Urban Renewal

Thousands of Illegal Structures Demolished in Bishkek as City Pushes Urban Renewal

More than 6,300 residential and commercial structures have been demolished in Bishkek during the first half of 2025, as part of an ongoing urban renovation program, according to the city administration. Authorities report that over 80,000 square meters of municipal land have been cleared as a result. The sweeping effort follows a comprehensive review of land use across the Kyrgyz capital. In recent weeks, tensions have flared in the Kok-Zhar residential area, where officials began enforcing demolition orders against homes built on land the government claims was illegally occupied. During one such operation, five individuals were detained and administrative cases...

Labor Market

Kazakhstan to Require Up to 3 Million Skilled Workers in Coming Years

Kazakhstan will need approximately 3 million qualified specialists over the next three to five years, according to Deputy Minister of Labor and Social Protection of the Population Askar Biakhmetov. Speaking at a recent government meeting, Biakhmetov emphasized that this forecast should guide national strategies in education, vocational training, and workforce retraining. Workforce Priorities Data from the Ministry of Labor show that the highest demand (29%) will be for professionals in public services, including government administration, education, healthcare, and social security. This is followed by business services (21%), logistics and transport (16%), industry (13%), and construction and agriculture, each accounting for...

Migration

Kyrgyzstan Launches “Mekenim 1+1” Program to Support Returning Migrants

Kyrgyzstan’s Ministry of Labor, Social Security and Migration has launched a new pilot initiative, Mekenim 1+1 (“My Homeland 1+1”), aimed at helping returning labor migrants reintegrate into the national economy by co-investing in local business ventures. The program introduces a matching investment model: for every som invested by a returning migrant, the state will provide a concessional loan of equal value. The combined funds must be used to start businesses in priority sectors including light industry, tourism, education, IT and innovation, manufacturing and processing, transport, warehousing, and logistics. The pilot phase will run from 2025 to 2026 in the Batken...

Caspian Sea

Kazakhstan PM Urges Joint Action to Save the Caspian Sea

Kazakh Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov has urged the five Caspian littoral states to coordinate efforts in response to the steadily declining water levels of the Caspian Sea, describing it as one of the region’s most pressing environmental threats. Speaking at the inaugural International Environmental Conference in Manzherok, Russia, Bektenov emphasized the urgency of a collective response. “Since the early 2000s, the water level in the Caspian Sea has been steadily declining. To study this and other challenges, Kazakhstan has established the Caspian Sea Research Institute. Scientists’ forecasts are alarming. We need decisive joint measures,” Bektenov stated, according to his press...

International Affairs

International Relations

South Caucasus Peace Push Faces Political and Regional Roadblocks

This past weekend, discussion of the “historic joint declaration for peace” was nearly impossible to avoid. Optimism ran high, with many expressing hope that peace and cooperation might finally take hold in the South Caucasus. But how realistic is that vision? What was signed in Washington on August 8, 2025, was not a binding treaty but a declaration of intent. That is a meaningful step, but for now it remains a symbolic document. Turning it into lasting peace will require a full treaty with specific commitments. One major hurdle is Armenia’s constitution, which still contains territorial claims to land recognized...

Peace Initiative

Central Asia Sees Armenia-Azerbaijan Deal as a Step Forward

Eurasia

No Kremlin Needed: Peace Breaks Out in Post-Soviet Eurasia

Ukraine

Zelensky Steps Up Claims of Uzbek and Tajik Citizens Fighting for Russia in Ukraine

Diplomacy

As UN’s Guterres Returns to Central Asia, Kazakhstan Advances Its Role as Regional Convenor

Diplomacy

Kazakhstan Showcases Middle Power Role in Washington D.C.: Kazakh Ambassador Ashikbayev Spreads the Message

Like it or not, the world is moving away from unipolar dominance and entering an era of multipolarity where national interests increasingly counter the globalist ambitions of some major powers. In this evolving landscape, as the major powers adjust to new geopolitical realities, an increasing number of states are becoming more comfortable operating autonomously as sovereign nations. Against this backdrop, Kazakhstan is emerging as a middle power, conscious all the same of the risks associated with remaining neutral in the oft-times bitter rivalries between major powers. Over the past twenty years, Kazakhstan has consistently signaled that it will not be drawn...

AZAL Plane Crash

Final Report on AZAL Crash Near Aktau Expected by Year-End

Kazakhstan is set to complete its investigation into the crash of an Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) aircraft near Aktau by the end of 2025. The announcement was made by Deputy Prime Minister Kanat Bozumbayev during a briefing in Astana. Bozumbayev stated that the final report is nearing completion. “Our Ministry of Transport is working intensively, with international experts from various countries participating. Some of the equipment remains abroad for examination and will be returned soon. The analysis stage is coming to an end, and we are moving on to preparing the final report,” he said. “The final report will be available...

regional integration

Tokayev Calls for Global Action at UN LLDC3 Summit in Turkmenistan

At the Third United Nations Conference on the Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDC3), held from August 5-8 in the Turkmen resort town of Awaza, Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev urged the international community to deepen cooperation, enhance regional connectivity, and take decisive collective action in support of the 32 countries that lack direct access to the sea and remain on the periphery of global trade. A Global Call for Equality and Interconnectedness Speaking at the plenary session, Tokayev highlighted Kazakhstan’s leadership in advancing the LLDC agenda. In 2003, Almaty hosted the first UN conference on landlocked countries, which culminated in the Almaty...

Opinion

“Where a Russian Soldier Treads, That’s Ours”: Kazakhstan in the Crosshairs of Putin’s Neo-Imperial Playbook

In June 2025, Russian President Vladimir Putin made a chilling declaration at the St. Petersburg Economic Forum: ‘There’s an old rule – wherever a Russian soldier sets foot, that’s ours.’ Far from a metaphor, this line encapsulated the Kremlin’s evolving foreign policy doctrine. It is a doctrine where military occupation becomes territorial acquisition, and where presence becomes ownership. But this ideology did not appear overnight. It has been systematically constructed through years of rhetorical groundwork, beginning with Putin's 2014 remark at the Seliger Youth Forum: ‘Nursultan Nazarbayev created a state on territory where there had never been a state. The...

Life & Culture

Headscarf Debate

Uzbek Politician Calls for Passport Photo Rule Change Amid Headscarf Debate

Alisher Qodirov, leader of Uzbekistan’s Milliy Tiklanish (National Revival) Democratic Party, has called for an end to the practice of requiring women to remove headscarves when taking passport photographs. In a statement on his Telegram channel, Qodirov affirmed that Uzbekistan’s status as a secular state is beyond question but argued that secularism should not infringe on personal freedoms. Prosperity Without Discrimination “A secular state, governed by laws adopted by a popularly elected parliament and approved by a popularly elected president, allows citizens to live as they choose, as long as they do not violate the law,” Qodirov said. “Our priority...

Sports

Future of Chess: Young Central Asian Players Excel at School Contest in US

Urban Legends

Shadows over the Trails: Mystical Legends of the Almaty Mountains

Poverty

Central Asia Cuts Hunger Fivefold in Two Decades, FAO Reports

Public health

Kazakhstan’s Youth Struggle with Access to Sexual Health Information

Tazy

Kazakh Tazy Makes Sensational Debut at World Dog Show in Helsinki

The World Dog Show 2025 concluded on August 10 in Helsinki, marking the debut of the Kazakh Tazy on the international stage. For the first time, Kazakhstan’s national breed competed at this level and immediately gained recognition, winning seven major championship awards. Steppe Spirit Captivates Judges and Breeders The Kazakh national team drew the attention of leading judges, breeders, and experts, representing a major step toward global recognition of this unique hunting dog of the Great Steppe. The Union of Dog Breeders of Kazakhstan presented eight top Tazy at a national stand designed as a semi-yurt adorned with traditional ornaments....

Gender Equality

From Kyz Kuu to Niqabs: Why Kazakh Women Face a Crisis of Values

Before the 1917 revolution, Kazakh women enjoyed significant freedoms due to their nomadic lifestyle. Living in the remote steppe, women were responsible not only for managing livestock and households but also for defending their families and property, often with weapons in hand. The Soviet era formalized gender equality, enabling women to become leading producers, scientists, decorated soldiers, and politicians. Today, however, these traditions face erosion from two opposing forces: rising consumerism and a growing Arab-influenced Islamization. According to Kazakh political scientist Zamir Karazhanov, women in Kazakhstan are struggling to find their place amid an expanding spiritual vacuum and polarized ideologies....

Sports

A Year After Olympic Gold, Uzbek Boxer Mullojonov Enmeshed in Doping Probe

The Uzbekistan Boxing Federation is defending Olympic gold medalist Lazizbek Mullojonov after he tested positive for a banned steroid, saying he may have ingested “prohibited doping substances” during a hair transplant last year. The federation responded this week to online commentary about Mullojonov’s case, which threatens to tarnish his heavyweight victory at the Paris games last year. The boxer has been suspended under international anti-doping codes pending the outcome of the investigation. Some media reports have said he could lose his Olympic medal if a doping violation is confirmed, though Uzbek boxing officials say his Olympic result won’t be affected....

Healthcare

Maternal and Infant Mortality Rates Continue to Decline in Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan's Health Minister Akmaral Alnazaraeva has announced further reductions in maternal and infant mortality rates, although some regions are showing a troubling reversal of the trend. Speaking at a recent government meeting, Alnazaraeva attributed the improvements to the adoption of recommendations from the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF. In 2024, maternal mortality declined by 12 percent to 10.1 deaths per 100,000 live births, while infant mortality dropped by 11 percent to 6.88 deaths per 1,000 live births. The positive trend continued into the first half of 2025, with maternal mortality falling by another 10 percent and infant mortality by...

Justice

Social Media

Tajikistan May Revisit Sentences for Social Media ‘Likes’ and Comments

Tajikistan may review criminal cases in which individuals were convicted solely for “likes” and other digital interactions on social media. This was announced on August 7 by Rustam Mirzozoda, Chairman of the Supreme Court of Tajikistan. Possibility of Sentence Review According to Mirzozoda, existing legislation permits the review of such cases, though most convictions to date have been based on additional charges. “If the sentence was handed down solely on the basis of ‘likes and reposts,’ the courts are ready to review such decisions,” Mirzozoda stated. He added that no appeals have yet been filed with Tajikistan's courts on this...

Human Rights

‘No Complaints,’ Says Tajikistan Ombudsman Amid Allegations of Journalist Mistreatment

Fraud

Uzbek National in U.S. Faces Deportation Following Voter Fraud Conviction

Historical Repressions

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

Disinformation

Kazakhstan Establishes Center for Countering Disinformation

Human rights

UN Special Rapporteur Urges Turkmenistan to Release Activist Murat Dushemov

Mary Lawlor, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders, has called for the immediate release of Turkmen civil activist Murat Dushemov, who was recently re-imprisoned under disputed circumstances. Lawlor stated that the new charges against Dushemov are fabricated and appear to be retaliation for his peaceful activism and exercise of free expression. “I will closely monitor the trial of civil activist Murat Dushemov, who has been in prison since 2021 and is now facing new criminal charges in apparent retaliation for his peaceful activism and for exercising his freedom of expression in Turkmenistan. I call...

Environment

NCOC Wins Temporary Reprieve in Environmental Case in Kazakhstan

An Astana court has overturned a multi-billion-dollar environmental fine imposed on the North Caspian Operating Company (NCOC), the consortium developing the Kashagan oil field in Kazakhstan’s sector of the Caspian Sea. The ruling was based on procedural violations by Kazakhstan’s environmental authorities. However, the court made clear that the decision does not prevent the re-filing of claims once the procedural flaws are addressed. The NCOC consortium comprises KMG Kashagan B.V. (16.877%), Shell Kazakhstan Development B.V. (16.807%), Total EP Kazakhstan (16.807%), Agip Caspian Sea B.V. (16.807%), ExxonMobil Kazakhstan Inc. (16.807%), CNPC Kazakhstan B.V. (8.333%), and Inpex North Caspian Sea Ltd. (7.563%)....

Crime

Kazakhstan Proposes Stricter Measures for Convicted Pedophiles, Including Pre-Release Chemical Castration

Kazakhstan's Ministry of Health has proposed tightening the application of chemical castration for individuals convicted of sexual crimes against minors. Draft amendments published on the Open NPA platform outline a new mechanism mandating the procedure six months prior to a convict’s release from prison. Ministry of Health Proposal Under the proposed changes, prisoners would undergo a compulsory forensic psychiatric evaluation one year before their scheduled release to assess the risk of recidivism. If deemed necessary, chemical castration would follow six months later. “An amendment is being introduced on the use of chemical castration six months before release and the referral...

Obituary

Uzbek Critic, Jailed for a Decade After Disputed Conviction, Dies

Salijon Abdurakhmonov, an Uzbek journalist and activist who was jailed for nearly a decade in Uzbekistan after being convicted on drug charges that he said were fabricated, has died in Germany at the age of 75. Abdurakhmonov was released in 2017 at a time when President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, who had taken office in the previous year, was promising a new openness in the Central Asian country following a long clampdown on dissent and criticism by his predecessor, Islam Karimov. However, Abdurakhmonov campaigned in vain to have his conviction overturned and clear his name in Uzbekistan. The writer had longed to...

Environment

Climate Change

Climate Study’s Dire Forecast Undermined by Faulty Uzbekistan Data

A widely publicized climate study predicting severe global economic losses from climate change is under scrutiny following the discovery of a critical data error involving Uzbekistan. As reported by The Washington Post on August 7, the error significantly skewed the study’s projections, prompting renewed debate over the reliability of economic modeling in climate science. Published in Nature in 2023, the original study warned that unchecked climate change could reduce global GDP by 19% by 2050 and by an alarming 62% by 2100, nearly three times higher than earlier forecasts. The study attracted substantial media attention and became the second-most-cited climate...

Electric Vehicles

South Korean Firm to Launch EV Charging Station Production in Kyrgyzstan

Irrigation System

Kyrgyzstan Restores Irrigation System Amid Growing Water Demand

Water

Kyrgyzstan Moves to Address Falling Water Levels in Lake Issyk-Kul

Caspian Sea

The Caspian Sea Hits Historic Low

Environmental Risk

Uzbekistan Approves Controversial ‘Sea Breeze Project’ at Charvak Reservoir

The Uzbek government has approved the contentious “Sea Breeze Uzbekistan” project at the Charvak reservoir in Tashkent region, despite vocal opposition from environmental activists and mounting public concern. Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov signed Cabinet of Ministers Resolution No. 490, granting “Sea Breeze Uzbekistan” LLC a 25-year direct lease on 577 hectares of land to develop a $5 billion all-season resort complex. Amid widespread protests, the Ministry of Ecology and the Ministry of Water Resources released back-to-back statements pledging strict government oversight throughout the project’s implementation. The Ministry of Ecology stated that it will supervise adherence to environmental legislation, including the...

transboundary water

Transboundary Water Inflows Boost Lake Balkhash Levels

Kazakhstan received 10.2 billion cubic meters of water from China in the first half of 2025 through transboundary rivers, the country’s Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation announced. Of this total, 4.6 billion cubic meters were supplied via the Irtysh River and 5.6 billion cubic meters via the Ili River. The increased inflow from the Ili River has enabled the Kapchagay Reservoir in the Almaty region to reach full capacity for the second consecutive year. This marks a significant improvement, as 2024 was the first time in a decade the reservoir had filled completely. As a result, 8.52 billion cubic...

Tourism Development

Charvak Resort Plan Sparks Public Outcry in Uzbekistan

A proposed tourism development at Uzbekistan’s Charvak reservoir has drawn widespread public scrutiny following an announcement by Azerbaijani businessman Emin Agalarov. The project, dubbed “Sea Breeze Uzbekistan,” envisions a vast resort complex covering 500 to 700 hectares and featuring hotels, cottages, pools, sports facilities, restaurants, retail outlets, a bridge across the reservoir, and event venues. Public reaction has been swift, with critics raising concerns over transparency and environmental impact. The hashtag #SaveChorvoq has gained traction as citizens question the lack of open consultation. Minister Calls for Transparency and Public Input Speaking at a July 23 press conference near the Charvak...

Environment

Bishkek Opens Poplar Nursery to Increase City Tree Cover

Bishkek has launched an experimental nursery dedicated to cultivating hybrid poplars as part of a broader initiative to restore the city’s declining green spaces. The project, spearheaded by Kyrgyzstan’s Ministry of Natural Resources, Ecology and Technical Supervision, aims to support long-term urban reforestation. Located on 24 hectares of land, the nursery is expected to produce up to 200,000 saplings each year. In 2025 alone, 12,000 hybrid poplars have already been planted. The selected variety is suited for urban environments; it does not produce fluff, grows up to two meters annually, and develops straight trunks with high crowns. Tree cuttings are...

Kazakhstan Showcases Middle Power Role in Washington D.C.: Kazakh Ambassador Ashikbayev Spreads the Message

Latest

Features

Features

Latest

Sunkar Podcast

Sunkar Podcast

Opinions

Opinions

Andrei Matveev

Askar Alimzhanov

Manon Madec

Andrei Matveev

Aidar Borangaziyev

Javier M. Piedra

Arindam Banik

Anna Ge

Andrei Matveev

Mohammad Suhail & A.X. Ravshanov

Khusanboy Kotibjonov

Arman Amini

Business & Economy

Business & Economy

Kazakhstan’s Vast Coal Reserves Could Fuel Energy Needs for Centuries

Japanese Language Courses Launched to Support Kyrgyz Labor Migration to Japan

Tajik Cotton Exports to Iran Reach Record Levels

Kazakhstan Plans to Boost Agricultural Exports to Serbia

Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Turkmenistan Push Ahead with Digital Corridor Across Caspian

Local Politics

Local Politics

Kazakhstan: Two Bodies Recovered from Lake Where Military Chopper Crashed

Thousands of Illegal Structures Demolished in Bishkek as City Pushes Urban Renewal

Kazakhstan to Require Up to 3 Million Skilled Workers in Coming Years

Kyrgyzstan Launches “Mekenim 1+1” Program to Support Returning Migrants

Kazakhstan PM Urges Joint Action to Save the Caspian Sea

International Affairs

International Affairs

South Caucasus Peace Push Faces Political and Regional Roadblocks

Kazakhstan Showcases Middle Power Role in Washington D.C.: Kazakh Ambassador Ashikbayev Spreads the Message

Final Report on AZAL Crash Near Aktau Expected by Year-End

Tokayev Calls for Global Action at UN LLDC3 Summit in Turkmenistan

“Where a Russian Soldier Treads, That’s Ours”: Kazakhstan in the Crosshairs of Putin’s Neo-Imperial Playbook

Life & Culture

Life & Culture

Uzbek Politician Calls for Passport Photo Rule Change Amid Headscarf Debate

Kazakh Tazy Makes Sensational Debut at World Dog Show in Helsinki

From Kyz Kuu to Niqabs: Why Kazakh Women Face a Crisis of Values

A Year After Olympic Gold, Uzbek Boxer Mullojonov Enmeshed in Doping Probe

Maternal and Infant Mortality Rates Continue to Decline in Kazakhstan

Justice

Justice

Tajikistan May Revisit Sentences for Social Media ‘Likes’ and Comments