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Russia's War in Ukraine

Over 12,600 Central Asians Identified in Russian Army

A Ukrainian state initiative has identified nearly 13,000 citizens from Central Asia who have signed contracts with Russia’s Defense Ministry and have served or are serving in the Russian army, according to data released by the “I Want to Live” project as part of the Ukraine-Central Asia Inquiry. As of 2026, the project reports it holds personal data on 12,666 individuals from the region. Uzbekistan accounts for the largest share, with 4,853 identified citizens. Tajikistan ranks second with 3,407 individuals, followed by Kazakhstan with 2,389 and Kyrgyzstan with at least 1,439. Turkmenistan has the lowest figure, with 578 identified nationals. The figures represent a sharp increase compared to 2025, when the same project reported around 5,740 individuals from Central Asia. At that time, it also began publishing named lists of recruits from each country who had joined Russia’s war in Ukraine. The issue remains sensitive across the region. Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan prohibit their citizens from taking part in foreign conflicts, and several cases have been brought against individuals who returned after fighting abroad. Last year, speaking at the St. Petersburg International Legal Forum, Alexander Bastrykin, Chairman of the Investigative Committee of Russia, said authorities had identified 80,000 individuals who had avoided military registration. “We’ve registered them for military service, and about 20,000 of these ‘new’ Russian citizens, who for some reason no longer want to live in Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, or Kyrgyzstan, are now on the front lines,” he said at the time. His remarks highlighted ongoing efforts to replenish military ranks, including through contract-based recruitment and incentives. Observers say such measures, alongside migration trends, may help explain the rising number of Central Asian nationals identified in the conflict.

Emergency Response

Tajikistan to Gain Access to Emergency Financing Under New World Bank Project

The World Bank Group has approved a Contingent Emergency Response Project (CERP) for Tajikistan, providing the country with a financial instrument designed to enable the rapid reallocation of resources in the event of crises and emergencies. According to Tajikistan’s Ministry of Finance, the mechanism allows up to 10% of undisbursed funds from the World Bank’s current investment portfolio to be redirected annually to emergency needs. This gives the government additional flexibility in managing already allocated resources. The mechanism can be activated following an official declaration of a state of emergency. However, preparations for its use are carried out in advance. Experts note that CERP eliminates the need to seek new funding sources by enabling the rapid redeployment of existing funds. These resources can be used to procure food, water, and medical supplies, provide emergency services with necessary protective equipment, and support the agricultural sector. Assistance to households affected by crises is also provided. The mechanism forms part of the broader Rapid Response Option (RRO) framework, which allows governments to swiftly reallocate funds from ongoing projects to respond to emergencies. Tajikistan has already formally adopted this instrument. The Ministry of Finance also noted that CERP will operate in conjunction with the existing Tajikistan Preparedness and Resilience to Disasters Project. According to officials, the combined use of these instruments is expected to strengthen the country’s capacity to respond to potential risks.

Agriculture

Kazakhstan and China’s Snow Valley Agree to Build $100-200 Million Potato Processing Complex

The administration of Kazakhstan’s Pavlodar region has signed a memorandum of cooperation with China’s Snow Valley Agricultural Group Co. Ltd. to implement a major investment project focused on potato processing, regional authorities have announced. The document outlines plans to establish a modern agro-industrial complex with an annual processing capacity of between 100,000 and 200,000 tonnes. The agreement was signed by regional governor Asain Baikhanov and representatives of the Chinese side, Wang Dengshe and Zhang Fan. The project is aimed at producing high value-added products. It includes the construction of a research and breeding center for potato cultivation and seed production, the launch of French fries manufacturing, and the development of storage, logistics, and distribution infrastructure. Total investment is estimated at between $100 million and $200 million. Regional authorities expect the project to create a full production and supply chain, reduce the shortage of deep-processing capacity in agriculture, and generate new jobs. “The regional administration is ready to support initiatives aimed at creating high-tech, high value-added production,” Baikhanov said. Founded in 2007 in Zhangjiakou, China, Snow Valley is a vertically integrated agro-industrial holding covering the entire production cycle from potato breeding and cultivation to deep processing. The company processes more than 800,000 tonnes of raw materials annually, including over 400,000 tonnes of frozen products. Its total storage capacity reaches 700,000 tonnes. The company is also engaged in breeding programs and has developed more than 80 potato varieties. Its production utilizes advanced technologies, including pulsed electric field (PEF) systems, which improve product quality and reduce oil consumption. Snow Valley exports its products to more than 40 countries. Following the visit, Chairman Wang Dengshe highlighted the strong potential of Pavlodar region and confirmed the company’s interest in long-term cooperation. “The Chinese company has confirmed its readiness to implement the project using modern technologies and local resources, while the regional administration has pledged comprehensive support, including infrastructure development, provision of resource bases, and administrative assistance,” the regional press service said. The project comes amid previous restrictions on potato exports. Kazakhstan earlier introduced a temporary ban on shipments outside the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) due to rising domestic prices. In autumn 2025, authorities also did not rule out reinstating such measures, although the market currently remains stable.

Aral Sea

Uzbekistan Installs 37 Air Monitoring Stations in Aral Region as Environmental Cooperation Expands

Authorities in the region of Karakalpakstan have installed 37 automated air quality monitoring stations to track pollution levels in the Aral Sea region, according to Uzbekistan’s National Committee on Ecology and Climate Change. The project was implemented in cooperation with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The system measures fine particulate matter, including PM2.5 and PM10, as well as gases such as carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, ozone, and hydrogen sulfide. It also records key meteorological indicators, including temperature, humidity, air pressure, and wind speed. Data is transmitted in real time through the Aurisgreentech system, which officials say reduces human error and improves accuracy. During a recent visit to the region, UNDP's representative in Uzbekistan Akiko Fujii reviewed the work of the regional ecology committee's Situation Center, where monitoring results are processed. According to official reports, she also inspected a laboratory equipped to analyze air, water, and soil samples in line with international standards. “The United Nations will continue to support projects aimed at improving the environmental situation in Karakalpakstan,” Fujii said, noting the importance of reliable data in assessing pollution and forecasting ecological risks. The initiative comes as regional cooperation on environmental challenges gains momentum. From April 22 to 24, Astana will host a regional ecological summit bringing together UN agencies, international organizations, and government representatives from Central Asia and the Caspian region. The summit will include a ministerial session led by the World Health Organization focusing on the health impacts of environmental degradation in the Aral Sea area. Discussions are expected to address the links between pollution, public health, and the need for coordinated responses across borders.

Solar Power

Kyrgyzstan to Construct Solar Power Plant with IFC Support

Kyrgyzstan is launching a pilot project to construct a solar power plant through a public-private partnership (PPP). The project is supported by the International Finance Corporation (IFC), which has prepared technical, legal, financial, and environmental assessments. The project’s implementation was discussed during a meeting in Washington, DC between Kyrgyz Energy Minister Taalaibek Ibrayev and John Gandolfo, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at the IFC. A key feature of the project is the selection of an investor through an open tender based on the lowest electricity tariff bid. Kyrgyzstan has agreed to a tariff proposed by China Power of 4.1 cents per kWh. The power plant will be built in the Naryn region. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2026, with electricity generation expected to start in 2027. Ibrayev noted that the project introduces new standards to Kyrgyzstan’s energy sector and will serve as an example of attracting investment through transparent and competitive mechanisms. Gandolfo expressed the World Bank’s support for Kyrgyzstan’s energy sector reforms. The meeting also addressed the second phase of the project, which envisages the construction of additional solar power plants in the Talas and Batken regions. As part of efforts to reduce chronic power shortages, Kyrgyzstan has accelerated the development of renewable energy. In December 2025, the country inaugurated its first solar power plant in the Chui region, approximately 100 kilometers east of Bishkek. The 100-megawatt facility was constructed with $56 million in Chinese investment and is expected to generate around 210 million kWh of clean electricity annually.

Child Protection

Turkmenistan Develops First Child Protection Program

The government of Turkmenistan has begun developing its first National Program on Child Protection and Child-Friendly Justice, with technical support from UNICEF, according to a report published on April 15. Officials described the initiative as a major step toward strengthening systems that safeguard children’s rights. The process was formally launched during the first meeting of an interagency working group in Ashgabat. The group, coordinated by the Prosecutor General’s Office, includes representatives from 10 government bodies. Authorities said the program aims to establish a coordinated, cross-sectoral approach, focusing on family-based care for children without parental support, improving child justice systems, preventing violence, and strengthening overall protection mechanisms. “The development of this National Program demonstrates Turkmenistan’s commitment to protecting the rights of every child,” a representative of the Prosecutor General’s Office said. UNICEF’s representative in the country, Jalpa Ratna, welcomed the move, noting that it would help build “a more coordinated, family-oriented child protection system.” The draft program is expected to be completed by the end of the year following consultations with stakeholders, including children, families, and professionals. It will align with national legislation and international recommendations, including those from the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child. Meanwhile, in Uzbekistan, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has approved a series of measures aimed at expanding social protection and improving services for vulnerable groups. The reforms focus particularly on people with disabilities, children, and women affected by violence. Among the new initiatives is the introduction of an “Early Intervention” service for children up to the age of three with developmental disorders, scheduled to begin by June 1. The program will provide specialized educational and therapeutic support through non-governmental organizations. Authorities also plan to launch several new services for adults with mental disabilities, including daycare programs, home-based care, and short-term support options designed to assist families. These services are expected to reach more than 8,300 people in 2026, with up to 600 NGOs and private providers involved. A monthly care allowance will also be introduced for guardians of adults with severe intellectual disabilities starting in September 2026. In addition, Uzbekistan plans to expand the role of its “Inson” Social Service Centers, integrating them into local government structures and strengthening oversight of guardianship arrangements. Further reforms include transforming state-run residential institutions into community-oriented care centers, expanding tax exemptions for families of children with disabilities, and introducing stricter legal measures to protect minors from exploitation.