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Vagit Ismailov

Journalist

Vagit Ismailov is a Kazakhstani journalist. He has worked in leading regional and national publications.

Articles

Science Investment Challenges Research and Development Scientific Hub

Kazakhstan Invests in Science, But Economic Impact Remains Low

Over the past five years, Kazakhstan has nearly tripled its research and development (R&D) spending, reaching $430 million in 2024. Despite this, science's contribution to the national economy remains minimal, just 0.16% of GDP. This figure is among the lowest for countries striving toward technological advancement, according to analysts at Ranking.kz. Almaty: Kazakhstan’s Scientific Hub Nearly half of last year’s R&D spending was concentrated in Almaty, which accounted for 43.1% of total investment, equivalent to $186 million. Astana followed with 20.4% ($88 million), while other regions lagged significantly. In the Ulytau region, for instance, only $67,000 was allocated to scientific endeavors. Almaty retains its status as the country’s scientific capital thanks to its concentration of research institutions. Of the 423 organizations engaged in R&D nationwide, 142 are based in the city. Almaty hosts major institutions such as the National Academy of Sciences, the Fesenkov Astrophysical Institute, the Institute of Seismology, and the Kazakh Institute of Oncology. Human Capital and Scientist Salaries Kazakhstan’s researchers are the backbone of its scientific sector. In 2024, spending on salaries for scientific personnel rose to $226 million, marking a 32.1% increase. Almaty employed 10,600 of the country’s 27,100 researchers, representing 39.2% of the national total. This figure has grown by 20% over the past five years. A key metric of scientific engagement is the number of researchers per 10,000 employed persons. In OECD countries, this figure ranges from 40 to 238. In Kazakhstan, it stands at just 23.7. Almaty leads domestically with 83.2 researchers per 10,000 employed, underscoring its pivotal role. State Dependency and Business Apathy One of the major challenges facing Kazakh science is its overwhelming dependence on public funding. More than 77% of research financing in Kazakhstan comes from the state; in Almaty, this figure is 87.5%. In contrast, government contributions in developed countries average around 40%. This imbalance limits commercialization potential, dampens private sector interest, and constrains technological progress. As noted in a national report on science, “knowledge and innovation in Kazakhstan are separated from the economy. The state’s task is to ensure that R&D results are incorporated into the real sector, to create demand for research, and to stimulate private investment in science”. Alatau: A New Frontier for Scientific Growth One proposed solution lies in the development of Alatau, a newly emerging scientific and innovation hub. Plans are underway to build a "science city" equipped with facilities for start-ups, technology parks, and manufacturing based on R&D. The area will form part of a special economic zone offering tax incentives and large-scale investment opportunities. Combining Almaty's intellectual capital with Alatau’s potential could catalyze the development of a knowledge-based economy and position Kazakhstan competitively in the global technology race.

11 hours ago

CSTO military equipment Tajik-Afghan Border

CSTO to Begin Arms Supplies to the Tajik-Afghan Border in 2026

Beginning in 2026, the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) will start delivering weapons and military equipment to bolster the alliance's southern borders, particularly to reinforce the Tajik-Afghan frontier. This development was announced on May 19 by CSTO Secretary General Imangali Tasmagambetov during a meeting of the CSTO Parliamentary Assembly in Bishkek. Armed Response to Regional Threats Tasmagambetov highlighted that the initiative stems from the Targeted Inter-State Program (TIP), approved in Astana in November 2024. This program reflects the CSTO's collective resolve to address security vulnerabilities along its southern periphery. “The task now is to implement it in full,” he stated. These security issues were previously discussed during an April 2025 meeting in Dushanbe with Tajikistan’s President Emomali Rahmon. Despite regional stabilization efforts, Afghanistan continues to pose serious risks, including terrorism, arms trafficking, and the narcotics trade. Tasmagambetov emphasized, “The Taliban regime is proving to be a long-term political factor.” He noted that CSTO members, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Russia, have intensified diplomatic engagement with Afghanistan to support regional stability. The CSTO Secretariat will maintain vigilance and enhance coordination to counter emerging threats. Signs of Regional Progress In contrast to the ongoing security challenges, Tasmagambetov acknowledged promising developments in Central Asia. He pointed to the March 13 state border agreement between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, as well as the March 31 tripoint agreement involving Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. These steps are seen as crucial in easing regional tensions. Tajik-Afghan Border a Strategic Focus Through 2029 The TIP for strengthening the Tajik-Afghan border is scheduled to be implemented in three stages and will run until 2029. Its goals include reinforcing southern Tajikistan’s military infrastructure and improving the region’s capacity to respond swiftly to cross-border threats. The program outlines measures for allied coordination, arms deliveries, and enhancements to logistics, communications, and border infrastructure.

11 hours ago

Food Crisis Global Report 2025

Global Report on Food Crises 2025: Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan Identified as at Risk

For the first time, the 2025 Global Report on Food Crises, produced by the Food Security Information Network, has officially identified parts of Central Asia, particularly Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan, as areas of concern for food security. Central Asia in the Spotlight The Food Security Information Network (FSIN) is a technical global platform for the exchange of expertise, knowledge and best practises on food security and nutrition analysis. Published on May 16, its food crises report for this year outlines a convergence of economic instability, persistently high food prices, and climate-related stressors that threaten to deepen food insecurity in the region. “In Central Asia, especially in Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan, the situation is worrying due to economic difficulties, high food prices, and vulnerability to climate shocks,” the report states. The region’s inclusion in the list of at-risk areas marks a significant development, highlighting the urgency for both international attention and national-level action. External Dependence and Structural Fragility The report emphasizes the region’s heavy reliance on remittances and its ongoing struggle with inflation. Climate-related disruptions, such as droughts and temperature extremes, are already impacting agricultural yields, placing additional strain on the food system. Tajikistan is particularly vulnerable due to a combination of weak infrastructure, a small domestic market, and high poverty levels. While it has not yet been categorized among the 59 countries facing acute food crises, its identification as a potential hotspot signals a growing risk. This is not the first warning. In August 2024, the Eurasian Development Bank projected that Tajikistan’s food security could drop from 56.7% to 53% by 2035. The same forecast anticipated a 15% reduction in grain yields and a 9-11% decline in fruit and vegetable production, largely due to climate change. These projections align with observable trends: rising prices for basic goods, falling agricultural output, water shortages, and escalating logistical challenges driven by global conflicts. Acknowledging the Crisis President Emomali Rahmon addressed the issue directly during a May 17 seminar-meeting in the Danghara district, calling food security a national strategic priority. He warned that 2025 could be the hottest year on record and noted the compounding impact of global warming, inflation, and trade disruptions. Among the remedies proposed were the more efficient use of land, adoption of energy-saving technologies and agricultural innovations, investment in scientific research, and expanded replanting initiatives. The president also highlighted systemic issues in the sector, including declining meat and egg production, non-operational irrigation systems, and inadequate planting of vegetables and potatoes. The Road Ahead Tajikistan’s inclusion in the Global Report on Food Crises 2025 underscores the need for swift, coordinated efforts to strengthen food system resilience. Key priorities include addressing structural deficiencies in agriculture, adapting to climate change, and fostering regional and international cooperation.

1 day ago

Labor Market IT sector kazakh women gender pay gap

Kazakh Women Increasingly Turn to IT Careers, but Face Persistent Pay Gaps

In Kazakhstan, a growing number of women are entering the IT sector, yet their salaries continue to lag behind those of their male counterparts. Women in STEM: Statistics and Trends According to a study by Ranking.kz, the number of female students enrolled in IT disciplines has more than tripled between 2019 and 2024. At the start of the 2019/2020 academic year, only 4,500 women were studying IT at universities across the country. By 2024, that number had surged to 15,300. Interest in information security has been particularly strong, with female enrolment rising 5.8-fold over this period. Despite this growth, the proportion of women among all IT students has actually declined, from 31.7% in 2019 to 24% in 2024. This shift reflects a sharp increase in male enrolment, which has skewed the overall gender balance. Women in Kazakhstan are also showing increasing interest in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) more broadly. In the most recent academic year, they made up the majority in several scientific disciplines. In physical and chemical sciences, women represented 75% of all students, growing 6.2 times to reach 7,100. In mathematics and statistics, 61.7% of students were women. Labor Market Disparities On the employment front, progress has been less marked. From 2019 to 2024, the share of women working in the information and communications sector remained steady at around 42%. In absolute numbers, female employment in the sector rose from 68,000 to 79,100, a 16.3% increase over five years. Nearly half of these women (35,500) work in Kazakhstan’s two largest cities, Almaty and Astana, reflecting the concentration of IT firms and economic activity in these hubs. However, some regions show stronger female representation: in the Aktobe region, women account for 71.1% of information and communications sector employees; in the Kyzylorda region, the figure stands at 56.9%. The scientific research landscape has also evolved. The number of women in research and development (R&D) increased by 43.6% over the past five years, reaching 12,900. Of these, 2,600 are in engineering and 3,600 in the natural sciences. Gender parity has nearly been achieved in these fields: women constitute 45.4% of engineering researchers and 54.3% in the natural sciences. Gender Pay Gap Persists High wages remain a key draw to the IT sector. In 2024, the average monthly salary in IT stood at $1,395, nearly double the national average of $790. Yet, a significant gender pay gap persists: on average, men in ICT earn 45.4% more than women. For instance, in the field of computer programming, male professionals earn an average of $1,930, compared to $1,327 for women. Global Context and Local Barriers Kazakhstan is not unique in facing gender inequality in IT. Globally, as of 2024, 70% of men and 65% of women had internet access. The United Nations has called for equal opportunities in digital education and careers across genders. In Kazakhstan, the gender gap in internet access is minimal, 96.6% for men and 95.9% for women aged 16-74, but entrenched social stereotypes and cultural norms still hinder...

1 day ago

World Education Forum Chevening Scholarship Program

Turkmenistan Participates in World Education Forum in London

On May 18, the Education World Forum, one of the largest global events dedicated to education, opened in London, bringing together ministers, deputy ministers, and senior representatives from over 100 countries. This year’s participants include a delegation from Turkmenistan, led by Deputy Minister of Education Azat Ataev. On the forum’s opening day, the Turkmen delegation met with representatives of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) to discuss Turkmenistan’s potential involvement in international education initiatives, including the integration of PISA (Programme for International Student Assessment) goals into the country’s national education strategy. The delegation also held talks with Times Higher Education (THE), a leading agency in global university rankings. Discussions focused on strategies to enhance the international standing of Turkmen universities and explored the organization of online seminars aimed at improving institutional rankings. Turkmenistan and the United Kingdom continue to strengthen their educational partnership. In 2023, British experts conducted a series of training sessions for Turkmen teachers focused on modern pedagogical practices, organized in cooperation with the British Embassy in Ashgabat. A cornerstone of this collaboration is the Chevening Scholarship Program, which supports Turkmen students pursuing graduate studies in the UK. For the 2024/25 academic year, 12 Turkmen citizens were awarded Chevening scholarships. The British Council is also actively engaged in education development projects in Turkmenistan. Through its Digital Learning program, the Council is working to advance the digitization of the national education system and expand access to modern learning tools.

2 days ago