The Times Of Central Asia

15 Dec 2025

Home, Kazakhstan, Business & Economy, Kazakhstan Business & Economy, Features, Kazakhstan Featurees

From the Steppe to Space: Kazakhstan Tests First Direct-to-Cell Phone Call

December 15, 2025
By Stephen M. Bland

In a remote part of Kazakhstan, a standard 4G smartphone has made Central Asia’s first satellite-linked phone call, thanks to a field test by Beeline Kazakhstan and SpaceX’s Starlink network. The trial successfully routed a WhatsApp voice call and text messages through Starlink Direct-to-Cell satellites, demonstrating that ordinary phones can stay connected even where traditional mobile coverage ends.

The demonstration was carried out in Kazakhstan’s Akmolinskaya region and confirmed the interoperability between Starlink’s satellites and Beeline’s terrestrial network. During the test, Beeline Kazakhstan CEO Evgeniy Nastradin and Kazakhstan’s Deputy Prime Minister Zhaslan Madiyev placed a WhatsApp audio call via Starlink to VEON Group CEO Kaan Terzioglu using a regular smartphone and SIM card. They also exchanged SMS and WhatsApp messages, effectively merging satellite links with the country’s mobile infrastructure for the first time.

Kazakhstan has vast stretches of steppe and mountains where cell towers are sparse. Officials involved in the project say satellite-enabled connectivity offers a vital new layer of coverage for these remote regions. “Starlink’s Direct-to-Cell satellites make it possible to stay connected in places where traditional infrastructure is unavailable: in the mountains, the steppe, forests, and across long distances,” Madiyev noted, calling the technology “more than just a convenience – it is an important safety measure [that will ensure people] can stay connected in any part of the country.” Madiyev added that the ability to send a message from a dead zone without any special equipment “has the potential to save lives” in emergencies.

Beeline Kazakhstan’s leadership similarly emphasized the significance of the milestone. By blending Starlink’s space-based relays with Beeline’s ground towers, customers will be able to stay connected anywhere in Kazakhstan. The initiative has government support and is backed by Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development as part of a push to improve nationwide connectivity.

Starlink Direct-to-Cell is a new capability of SpaceX’s Starlink satellite internet constellation that effectively turns satellites into cell towers in space. The satellites carry special cellular antennas (eNodeB modems) and link with ground networks via laser backhaul, allowing a phone to connect to the satellite as if roaming on a normal network. Crucially, this works with existing phones without requiring any new hardware or apps. The technology aims to eliminate mobile dead zones, as over 50% of the world’s land area still lacks cellular coverage.

The Kazakhstan trial is part of a broader wave of satellite-cellular convergence. In November, Ukraine became the first country in Europe to launch Starlink’s direct-to-phone service, with VEON’s subsidiary Kyivstar initially offering satellite-powered text messaging to keep people connected during wartime blackouts and disaster situations. Voice calling and data services are expected to follow next year, underscoring the technology’s value for resilience when traditional infrastructure is disrupted.

Following this week’s successful test, Beeline Kazakhstan plans to roll out Starlink Direct-to-Cell connectivity for its own customers, beginning with SMS text services in 2026, pending regulatory approval. Data connectivity would come next, expanding to full-service coverage in phases. Beeline serves over eleven million mobile subscribers in Kazakhstan, and the satellite link could eventually ensure that even the most isolated villages stay within reach of a signal. VEON – Beeline’s parent company – was the first telecom group to sign a multi-country framework agreement with Starlink to bring direct-to-cell service to all its markets. The Kazakh project is VEON’s second such deployment after Ukraine, part of a regional push to integrate space-based coverage for greater network resilience and inclusivity.

VEON Group CEO Kaan Terzioglu said the collaboration with Starlink positions the company “at the forefront of inclusive connectivity” in its region, raising the bar for reliable service in challenging environments.

15 Dec 2025

Justice, Kazakhstan Justice, Kazakhstan

Dozens of Human Trafficking Attempts Prevented in Kazakhstan

December 15, 2025
By Dmitry Pokidaev

Kazakh law enforcement agencies have disrupted dozens of serious human trafficking attempts during the nationwide STOP-Traffic operational and preventive campaign, according to the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

The ministry reported 39 recorded cases of attempted human trafficking, including six involving minors. In Almaty, authorities dismantled a criminal group engaged in the illegal sale of newborns. According to investigators, the suspects exploited vulnerable young women by persuading them to give up their babies in exchange for money. More than 20 criminal cases have been opened, and all suspects have been detained. If convicted, they face up to 18 years in prison and confiscation of property.

In the Abai Region, law enforcement uncovered forced labor operations involving local citizens. Eleven criminal cases have been initiated, and the case files are being prepared for court proceedings, the ministry said.

Routine inspections of nightlife venues in several regions, including Shymkent, Zhambyl, Aktobe, West Kazakhstan, Karaganda, and Kostanay, also led to the prevention of exploitative practices involving both adults and minors.

In Astana, police and prosecutors conducted targeted raids near the city’s railway station on Goethe Street. Eight individuals are currently under prosecution for organizing and operating brothels for sexual exploitation.

Meanwhile, in the Akmola Region, the activities of a religious group operating a so-called “spiritual center” were halted. Law enforcement seized religious literature, ceremonial items, and ritual objects. Expert examinations have been ordered, and the investigation remains ongoing.

Authorities also documented the operations of “elite escort” services in Astana, Almaty, and Shymkent. The organizers allegedly recruited young women from nightclubs and bars. Related criminal cases have been submitted to court on charges of organizing prostitution.

In the first half of 2025, Kazakhstan recorded 134 crimes related to human trafficking. This comes amid the implementation of a new national law on combating human trafficking, which took effect in 2024. The law was developed by the Ministry of Internal Affairs with technical support from the International Organization for Migration.

15 Dec 2025

Home, Environment, Tajikistan, Tajikistan Environment, Features, Tajikistan Lead Story

Tajikistan’s Forests on the Brink of Extinction

December 15, 2025
By Vagit Ismailov

Tajikistan’s forests, already scarce, covering just 3% of the country’s territory, are facing unprecedented threats due to climate change and human activity. These fragile ecosystems, vital for maintaining the country’s ecological balance, are rapidly disappearing, with far-reaching consequences for the environment and public safety.

Since the early 1990s, Tajikistan’s forest area has shrunk significantly. Currently, forests cover approximately 423,000 hectares, compared to about 20% of the national territory a century ago. In the 19th century, tugai forests alone spanned one million hectares, now reduced more than eightfold.

The causes of deforestation are complex: widespread logging during past energy crises, land conversion for agriculture, rising temperatures, and declining precipitation. These factors have accelerated ecosystem degradation and disrupted the country’s water balance.

Forest loss is also directly linked to the rising frequency of natural disasters. According to the National Climate Report, the number of mudslides and landslides has increased by 25-30% over the past two decades. Experts estimate that one in five landslides in mountainous regions is directly related to deforestation.

Climate warming is also hastening snow and glacier melt, resulting in sudden floods, while prolonged droughts render the soil brittle and unstable. Forests once served as a natural buffer against these effects, but are no longer able to perform this function effectively.

As temperatures rise, Tajikistan’s forests are becoming increasingly susceptible to fires. In 2025 alone, wildfires scorched over 430 hectares of forest in nine regions, including Varzob and Penjikent.

Compounding the crisis is inadequate infrastructure. “There are no roads, equipment cannot reach the area, and the material and technical base is poorly developed,” said Davlatali Sharifzoda, Deputy Director of the Forestry Agency.

Rising temperatures are also fueling the spread of pests such as bark beetles, which threaten rare species already listed in the Red Book of endangered flora.

Forest degradation is also contributing to soil erosion, particularly in mountainous areas. This poses a serious threat to agriculture, which occupies 3.7 million hectares of Tajikistan’s land. “Soils are becoming less productive due to rising temperatures and reduced rainfall, which reduces crop yields and complicates the lives of farmers,” said Murod Ergashev, a researcher at the Institute of Soil Science.

Tajikistan’s forests are home to approximately 270 species of trees and shrubs, 30 of which are endangered. Biologist Rustam Muratov warns that ongoing degradation could lead to the irreversible loss of unique ecosystems and endemic species.

The Tajik government is taking action. Under the Bonn Challenge, the country has committed to restoring 66,000 hectares of degraded forests by 2030. Plans include planting drought-resistant species, such as pistachio, walnut, and saxaul.

The national forest sector development program for 2022-2026 aims to modernize nurseries, expand seedling production, and establish industrial plantations. The goal is to restore 15,000 hectares of forest, double forest productivity, and reduce livestock grazing in forest areas by 30%.

Community involvement is key to sustainable forest management. In the Sangvor and Shokhin districts, local residents, with support from the FAO, participate in regulated harvesting of berries and medicinal plants. Tajikistan’s forests yield significant resources annually, including 120 tons of pistachios, 200 tons of rose hips, 122 tons of walnuts, 15 tons of almonds, 13 tons of honey, and other natural products.

15 Dec 2025

Life & Culture, Home, Kazakhstan Life & Culture, Kazakhstan, Features, Kazakhstan Featurees

From Medieval Persia to Modern Kazakhstan: Decolonizing History

December 15, 2025
By Andrei Matveev

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian’s recent visit to Kazakhstan might have appeared routine amid a series of diplomatic engagements by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev in 2025. Yet one element of the visit stood out for Tokayev, a gift of 27 ancient Persian manuscripts, which were immediately put on public display in Astana’s National Museum.

Together, the two presidents opened the exhibition titled The History of the Great Steppe in Iranian Sources, highlighting long-standing historical ties between Persian states and the Kazakh steppe. Speaking at a joint briefing, Tokayev emphasized the significance of the manuscripts, which he said contain historical accounts affirming the Kazakhs as a “brave people” and detailing diplomatic relations between the Kazakh khans and Iranian shahs.

“Close relations were established between Tauke Khan and Shah Sultan Hussein,” Tokayev noted. “Records show embassies met in Moscow, and the Iranian ambassador visited the Kazakh steppe. Abul Khair Khan sent an envoy to Nadir Shah to foster diplomatic ties,” he said, underlining the depth of historical relations.

Tokayev also referenced the cultural and linguistic connections between the two peoples. The taikazan (large ceremonial cauldron) in the mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi in Turkestan, he noted, was crafted by the Iranian master Abdul-Aziz Sharafuddin Tebrizi. Persian has left a linguistic imprint on the Kazakh language, with estimates suggesting Persian-origin words comprise 4% of the vocabulary, including astana (capital), paida (benefit), oraza (fast), and dәri (medicine). Tokayev further cited the Persian epic Shahnameh by Ferdowsi as culturally significant to the peoples of Turan, adding that Kazakh poet Abai was familiar with Persian literature.

According to Tokayev, the newly acquired manuscripts contain historical analyses of the socio-economic and political conditions of the 18th-century Kazakh Khanate, including interactions with neighboring powers, records on Turkestan, and reports on Russian imperial activities in the region. The documents also reference resource extraction, coal, iron, copper, lead, and turquoise, on Kazakh territory.

Image: Akorda

“This is a very valuable gift. We will present this exhibition to the Kazakh public and promote it widely in the media,” Tokayev told reporters. “The documents contain previously unknown historical material. I think this will be useful for our compatriots.”

The Ministry of Culture and Information, which organized the exhibition, confirmed that the manuscripts substantiate centuries-old ties between Kazakhstan and Iran, including evidence of trade and diplomatic exchanges along the Silk Road and archival references to intergovernmental negotiations and ambassadorial visits.

Tokayev’s enthusiasm for the manuscripts is closely linked to Kazakhstan’s broader effort to “decolonize” its national history. The country is currently preparing a new seven-volume historical account under the editorial leadership of State Advisor Yerlan Karin. This project aims to reposition Kazakhstan not simply as a site of ancient states, but as an independent cultural and political center that influenced the broader region.

“Kazakhstan is presented as a hub for civilizational development,” Karin explained. “This is our methodological innovation.”

Previously, Kazakhstan’s history was largely framed within the narrative of the Russian Empire and Soviet rule. The current academic effort seeks to recalibrate that perspective by integrating previously overlooked primary sources. In May 2025, archival documents from both domestic and foreign institutions, 15 of them from the UK, were exhibited in Astana. More recently, a team of Kazakh researchers visited Harvard University to consult archival catalogs and manuscript collections housed at the Davis Center, and the Houghton and Widener libraries.

In this context, the Iranian delegation’s manuscript donation is not merely symbolic, it provides a critical resource that may reshape understandings of Kazakh history. Tokayev’s personal involvement in advancing this initiative highlights its national importance.

15 Dec 2025

Home, Environment, Kazakhstan Environment, Kazakhstan, Features, Kazakhstan Featurees

Kazakhstan Proposes Creation of UN Water Agency to Tackle Global Resource Challenges

December 15, 2025
By Dmitry Pokidaev

At a forum marking the International Year of Peace and Trust and the 30th anniversary of Turkmenistan’s permanent neutrality, Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev proposed establishing a specialized United Nations body dedicated to the rational use of water resources.

In his address, Tokayev emphasized the urgent need for enhanced global coordination in managing water diplomacy, noting that the current UN framework lacks a dedicated agency focused solely on water-related issues. UN-Water currently functions as a coordination mechanism rather than a specialized agency, bringing together more than 30 UN entities and dozens of international organizations involved in water and sanitation. Unlike bodies such as the World Health Organization or the Food and Agriculture Organization, it has no independent mandate, budget, or enforcement capacity, a limitation long cited by water policy experts.

“Kazakhstan proposes the establishment of an International Water Organization that could consolidate all existing mandates of various UN organizations,” he said during the forum in Ashgabat.

Central Asia is among the regions most exposed to water stress, with climate change, aging infrastructure, and competing national demands placing increasing pressure on shared river basins. Disputes over transboundary water use have periodically strained relations among regional states, making water diplomacy a persistent strategic concern. Tokayev suggested transforming the current UN-Water mechanism, a coordinating platform comprising 36 UN entities and 47 international organizations, into a fully-fledged UN agency with a specialized mandate on water and sanitation.

“The implementation of such an initiative is fully in line with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals and, of course, is in the interests of the entire international community,” he stated.

The President also announced that Astana will host a Regional Environmental Summit in April 2026, during which Kazakhstan plans to initiate international consultations on forming the proposed global water organization.

“I am confident that, with shared political will, water-related challenges can begin to be addressed systematically rather than in a piecemeal manner, as is currently the case,” he said.

Tokayev stressed that in light of intensifying water scarcity, water conservation and rational usage have become critical priorities, not only for Kazakhstan but for all Central Asian nations. The Caspian Sea has experienced sustained water-level decline over recent decades, a trend scientists attribute to climate change, reduced river inflows, and rising evaporation. The issue has emerged as a growing concern for coastal states due to its implications for fisheries, energy infrastructure, and regional economic stability.

He also highlighted the pressing need to address transboundary water use and the deteriorating ecological conditions of the Aral and Caspian Seas. Tokayev advocated for enhancing the effectiveness of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea through joint, compromise-based regional efforts and proposed that Russia be invited to join the Fund as an observer.

“The current rate of the Caspian Sea’s shallowing threatens to become irreversible,” he warned, “which would trigger a chain reaction of environmental, socio-economic, and even political consequences.”

Kazakhstan has already taken a leading role in regional initiatives to preserve the Caspian ecosystem. The country previously proposed a special intergovernmental program to combat the degradation and shrinking of the Caspian Sea. Tokayev urged the global community to support Kazakhstan’s efforts to safeguard this vital and unique body of water.

Any effort to establish a new specialized UN agency would require broad international consensus, approval by the UN General Assembly, and agreement on funding and governance structures — a process that typically takes years. Tokayev framed the proposal as a starting point for consultations rather than an immediate institutional change.

15 Dec 2025

Business & Economy, Uzbekistan, Uzbekistan Business & Economy

World Bank Approves $250 Million Loan to Expand Student Financing in Uzbekistan

December 15, 2025
By Sadokat Jalolova

The World Bank has approved a $250 million loan to support Uzbekistan’s ambitious reform of its student financing system, the institution announced on December 11. The funding will back the Edulmkon Program, a three-year initiative aimed at expanding equitable access to higher and vocational education across the country.

Scheduled for implementation between 2026 and 2028, the program is expected to benefit approximately 600,000 young people. Roughly 80% of the loan will be allocated to tuition loans for students from low-income families and for women, groups that continue to face significant barriers to accessing higher education.

Uzbekistan, home to around 10 million people aged 14 to 30, has made educational reform a national priority in recent years. This push has led to a surge in the number of universities and vocational institutions, as well as a dramatic rise in enrollment. Between 2017 and 2024, youth participation in higher education increased from 8% to 48%.

However, the rapid expansion has exposed weaknesses in the country’s student loan system, which is based on state subsidized loans issued through commercial banks. The World Bank has noted that the current model is not well aligned with labor market needs, as loans are not directed toward high demand fields such as science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), as well as information and communication technology (ICT).

This misalignment has contributed to graduate underemployment, while gender disparities persist. Although women represent more than half of all university students and are the primary recipients of tuition loans, only one-third of female students are enrolled in STEM disciplines.

The Edulmkon Program, to be led by the Ministry of Economy and Finance, will address these challenges through a series of reforms. These include modernizing tuition loan management, improving inter-agency coordination, and launching a centralized digital platform to streamline loan processing and improve transparency. The program will also revise eligibility and subsidy criteria to better serve vulnerable students.

A cornerstone of the reform is the introduction of an income-contingent loan system, where repayments are based on a graduate’s income. This approach is designed to protect low-income borrowers and those facing temporary unemployment after graduation.

By the end of 2028, students are expected to access loans through 12 participating commercial banks operating in coordination with the Ministry. The World Bank also noted that the program aims to attract approximately $30 million in private capital, reducing fiscal pressure on the state while expanding access to education financing.