Central Asia - The Times Of Central Asia

Viewing results 1 - 6 of 3685

Sports

Kazakhstan’s Rybakina Defeats World No. 1 Sabalenka for WTA Finals Title

Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan didn’t make it past the round-robin stage in two previous appearances at the WTA Finals. On Saturday, she defeated world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka 6-3, 7-6 (0) to win the elite competition for the first time, collecting a record $5.23 million in prize money and 1,500 ranking points. Russia-born Rybakina, 26, was unbeaten in the eight-player tournament in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia that the WTA describes as the “crown jewel” of women’s tennis, winning matches against Amanda Anisimova, 2023 WTA Finals champion Iga Swiatek, alternate Ekaterina Alexandrova and Jessica Pegula. Rybakina improved to 6-8 in her head-to-head against Belarusian Sabalenka, who was also undefeated in her path to the final. “Because the singles finalists are coming into this match undefeated, the champion will take home $5.23 million, the largest payout in women's sports history,” the WTA said ahead of the final. It also said: “An undefeated tournament results in 1,500 ranking points.” Sabalenka won this year’s U.S. Open and reached the Australian Open and Roland Garros finals. Rybakina, the 2022 Wimbledon champion, had won two WTA 500 titles but did not advance past the fourth round at any of the majors this year. She picked up momentum on faster surfaces in the late-year Asian swing with her big serve, and hammered 15 aces in a three-set victory over American Pegula in the semifinals in Riyadh. The WTA Finals were played on indoor hard courts at the King Saud University Indoor Arena. As champion, Rybakina joins Martina Navratilova, Steffi Graf, and Serena Williams and other luminaries who have won the season-ending event.

Afghanistan

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

A round of peace talks between Pakistan and Afghanistan in Istanbul came under strain after another clash between the two countries along their border. A resolution to the conflict is important to Central Asian countries that want to trade south through Afghanistan and onward to Pakistani seaports that open the way to the Indian Ocean. Pakistan’s government and the ruling Taliban in Afghanistan accused each other of instigating the latest confrontation on Thursday, though they still expressed commitment to a delicate ceasefire that was agreed to last month. Dozens of people were killed and cross-border trade was suspended during the fighting in October. According to the Taliban’s account, Pakistani forces fired on the Afghan border town of Spin Boldak as the talks in Turkey began on Thursday. Afghan forces, “out of respect for the negotiation team and to prevent civilian casualties, have so far shown no reaction. It is worth noting that in the previous round of negotiations, both sides had agreed to extend the ceasefire and prevent any acts of aggression,” Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said on X. Pakistan’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, however, said firing started from the Afghan side and that Pakistan forces responded. “The situation was brought under control due to responsible action by Pakistani forces and the ceasefire remains intact. Pakistan remains committed to ongoing dialogue and expects reciprocity from Afghan authorities,” the ministry said. Turkey, which along with Qatar is mediating, said ahead of the talks this week that the two sides had agreed to continue the ceasefire and establish “a monitoring and verification mechanism” to ensure peace and impose penalties for any violations. But Pakistani Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, while thanking the mediators, said late Friday that Afghanistan had failed to control terrorism, indicating that the talks in Istanbul had not overcome major sticking points. A key dispute is over Pakistani allegations that militants have used Afghan territory as a sanctuary while carrying out attacks against targets in Pakistan. The Taliban in Afghanistan denies those allegations. Additionally, Afghanistan doesn’t recognize its porous, 2,600-kilometer border with Pakistan, saying it’s a British colonial-era construct that divided the ethnic Pashtun populations that have traditionally dominated Afghanistan. These complexities pose a challenge for landlocked countries in Central Asia that are looking to diversity their trade routes. Several Central Asia-South Asia projects in the works – the Trans-Afghan Railway, the TAPI natural gas pipeline and the CASA-1000 electricity project - have a long way to go before completion. Meanwhile, the post-Soviet states of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Tajikistan are working on other trade and investment opportunities. Their leaders held a summit with U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington on Thursday, building ties with the West even as they nurture more established contacts with Russia and China.

Foreign Affairs

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

The United States has intensified its interest in Central Asia following China’s decision to restrict exports of rare earth elements. Amid the broader U.S.–China trade rivalry, Washington is seeking to diversify its sources of strategic raw materials and strengthen economic ties with countries in the region. Analysts note that Central Asia is increasingly viewed as a key part of Washington’s strategy to reduce dependence on Chinese supply chains. However, they point to several obstacles, including high logistics costs, underdeveloped export infrastructure, and what they describe as a high-risk investment environment that limits the commercial viability of many projects. Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan: Pillars of U.S. Engagement Among the countries of the region, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan offer the greatest potential for rare earth element extraction and present favorable conditions for U.S. cooperation. Kazakhstan is strengthening its partnerships with Western investors in the mining sector, while Uzbekistan has implemented market reforms and opened its economy to foreign capital in recent years. Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, currently visiting the U.S., has reiterated his government’s interest in attracting American investment and technology, including through the C5+1 regional format. After his visit to Washington, he is scheduled to travel to Moscow for a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on November 12, reflecting Kazakhstan’s longstanding policy of balancing relations among major powers. Kyrgyzstan Banks on the Digital Economy Lacking major oil and gas reserves, Kyrgyzstan is pursuing a different path by developing partnerships with the U.S. in financial technology and digital assets. During talks with U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington, Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov said the country’s most valuable asset is its educated youth, who are increasingly active in the IT sector. Japarov outlined several initiatives, including the introduction of digital financial instruments such as the national stablecoin KGST. He also noted the importance of the U.S. Genius Act, which regulates stablecoin circulation, calling it one of the most progressive in the world. In response, the U.S. expressed its readiness to expand cooperation in digital transformation and fintech development. Tajikistan Prioritizes Energy and Security Tajik President Emomali Rahmon participated in the C5+1 summit in Washington and held separate talks with President Trump. The discussions focused on energy, investment, and regional security. Rahmon said that peace and stability are essential for sustainable development and reaffirmed Tajikistan’s readiness to expand cooperation with the U.S. in green energy and regional electricity transmission projects. At present, more than 70 U.S.-affiliated companies operate in Tajikistan. American investment in mineral extraction and processing is viewed as a promising area for future collaboration. The two sides also discussed joint efforts to combat transnational threats, including terrorism, extremism, and drug trafficking. Turkmenistan Maintains Its Neutral Stance In contrast to the active diplomatic engagements of its neighbors, Turkmenistan continues to adhere to its traditional policy of neutrality. Ashgabat has so far refrained from joining initiatives that could be perceived as aligning with geopolitical blocs. Nonetheless, the U.S. remains interested in Turkmenistan’s energy potential, particularly regarding prospects for diversifying gas exports to Europe through the...

Electricity

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

As winter nears, the National Electric Grid of Kyrgyzstan introduced new electricity consumption limits for households, cutting the cap from 5 kilowatts to 3 kilowatts during peak morning and evening hours. At the same time, the company proposed allowing citizens to pay a higher tariff for unlimited electricity usage. The proposal sparked immediate backlash amid Kyrgyzstan’s chronic autumn-winter energy shortages, when many households depend on electric heating. President Sadyr Japarov swiftly condemned the initiative, calling it “unacceptable” during a period of scarcity. He warned that such a measure risked deepening social inequality and ordered the immediate cancellation of the unlimited-use tariff. Japarov also directed officials to implement equitable policies to ensure fair access to electricity for all citizens during the winter. Following the president’s intervention, the Ministry of Energy stated that the proposal had been introduced without its approval. The ministry also announced disciplinary action against the leadership of the National Electric Grid of Kyrgyzstan. On November 6, the Cabinet of Ministers introduced a series of emergency measures aimed at promoting responsible energy consumption. These include restrictions on the use of indoor and outdoor lighting and electrical equipment in government institutions between 6:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. Exemptions apply to strategic facilities and institutions that provide defense, security, healthcare, and social services, as well as those operating 24/7. The Cabinet estimates that the new measures could save up to 40 million kilowatt-hours of electricity per month. Government data shows that in the first nine months of 2025, electricity consumption increased by nearly 1 billion kilowatt-hours, largely due to the launch of new industrial sites, schools, and residential developments. Energy Minister Taalaibek Ibraev recently warned that the upcoming winter could be among the most challenging in years, citing critically low water levels at the Toktogul reservoir, which supplies approximately 40% of Kyrgyzstan’s electricity. In 2024, the country consumed 18.3 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity, up 1.1 billion kWh from the previous year. To cover the shortfall, Kyrgyzstan imported 3.6 billion kWh from Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Russia. Additional imports have already been secured for the 2025-2026 winter. President Japarov has pledged that Kyrgyzstan will achieve energy self-sufficiency during winter months within two and a half years. “In two and a half years, we will no longer import electricity during winter. We will have enough domestically produced power,” Japarov said, urging citizens to remain patient as the government works to address the crisis. The country’s long-term energy security hinges on the construction of the Kambarata-1 Hydropower Plant, which is expected to be the largest in Kyrgyzstan and Central Asia. Once completed, it will have an installed capacity of 1,860 MW and generate 5.6 billion kilowatt-hours annually. The project is being developed in partnership with Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.

Economic Growth

Kazakhstan Presents “Growth Case” to Global Investors in London

Kazakhstan is deepening its engagement with UK capital markets. At the Kazakhstan Capital Markets Day 2025 conference in London, Deputy Minister of National Economy Asan Darbayev outlined the country’s economic growth strategy and measures to enhance its investment climate. Speaking during the panel session “Sustainable Economic Growth and Financial Sector Development,” Darbayev highlighted that Kazakhstan’s real GDP grew by 6.3% in the first nine months of 2025, one of the strongest performances in recent years. The government’s medium-term target is to reach a GDP of $450 billion by 2029. Infrastructure development remains central to Kazakhstan’s strategy to position itself as a key transit and investment hub in Eurasia. Currently, five international rail corridors and eight road corridors are operational, including the strategically vital Middle Corridor. This infrastructure forms the backbone of Kazakhstan’s growing export and import routes and supports the localization of industrial production. Darbayev reaffirmed Kazakhstan’s standing as a reliable and creditworthy partner. The country maintains investment-grade ratings from S&P, Fitch, and Moody’s. Notably, S&P upgraded its outlook to “Positive,” while Moody’s raised Kazakhstan’s rating to Baa1 last year. To attract long-term investment, Kazakhstan offers a range of incentives, including investment contracts, tax and customs preferences, and legislative stability guarantees for up to 25 years. Investor engagement is facilitated through a digital investment platform operating on a “single window” principle, supported by the Investment Attraction Council. The council is tasked with removing administrative barriers and accelerating project approvals. A major draw for international capital is the Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC), which operates under English common law. The AIFC hosts more than 3,500 companies from over 80 countries, with cumulative investments exceeding $14 billion. The center’s emphasis on transparency and legal protections has made it a trusted destination for global investors. Kazakhstan continues to attract investment in oil and gas, engineering, transportation, and the food and beverage sectors. Major partners include Chevron, ExxonMobil, Shell, GE Transportation, Hyundai, KIA, Coca-Cola, Danone, Carlsberg, and Lactalis, reflecting interest in high value-added projects and technology localization. During the forum, Darbayev also held meetings with executives from Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (MUFG) and Morgan Stanley Investment Management (MSIM), further promoting Kazakhstan’s economic agenda to global financial leaders.

Society

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

At the border between Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, a seriously injured man was forced to wait for hours at the Shavat checkpoint after Turkmen border guards refused to allow immediate medical evacuation while verifying his documents. The incident involved a married couple from Kunya-Urgench, Turkmenistan, who were en route to visit relatives in Uzbekistan’s Andijan region when they were involved in a car accident on October 13. The man, who was sitting in the front seat, sustained multiple injuries, including broken ribs, a fractured shoulder and foot, and numerous bruises and lacerations. His wife, who was in the back seat, suffered only minor bruises. Following the accident, both were taken to the Khorezm Regional Hospital in Urgench, Uzbekistan, where the man underwent treatment for nine days. His injuries required extensive casting. On October 22, an Uzbek medical commission declared him fit for transport and approved his transfer to Turkmenistan for further treatment. An ambulance transported the patient to the Shavat checkpoint, accompanied by a doctor and his wife. At approximately 11:00 a.m., Turkmen border guards carried the man, still on a stretcher, across the border, assuring the family that an ambulance had already been dispatched from Dashoguz. However, no medical team arrived for another five hours. The man remained on a stretcher on the ground beside the border post until 4:00 p.m., while his wife repeatedly pleaded with officers to call the ambulance again. Although the border guards assisted the man twice when he needed to relieve himself, they did not provide medical assistance. It later emerged that officials were conducting background checks, verifying the authenticity of the couple’s visas, and contacting Ashgabat as well as the Uzbek embassy to confirm the couple’s stated purpose of visiting relatives rather than engaging in commercial activity. When the ambulance eventually arrived, yet another obstacle emerged: Dashoguz Regional Hospital refused to admit the patient, citing concerns over the validity of the diagnosis and the origin of the medical documentation. Only after the intervention of higher authorities was the man finally admitted for treatment.