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Healthcare

Uzbekistan Performs First Liver Transplant on Seven-Month-Old Infant

Uzbekistan has successfully performed its first liver transplant on a seven-month-old infant. The operation was carried out at the National Children’s Medical Center, with the child’s mother serving as the donor, a technically demanding procedure rarely performed worldwide. Medical specialists at the center emphasized that liver transplantation in infants under one year of age requires advanced surgical capabilities and extensive pre-operative assessment. Both mother and child underwent comprehensive evaluations prior to the operation. Surgeons transplanted a segment of the mother’s liver into the child, and the procedure was completed without complications. The mother has already been discharged in stable condition. The infant remains under close medical supervision, with doctors describing the child’s condition as stable and satisfactory. Preparations for discharge are currently underway. The Ministry of Health hailed the operation as a milestone for Uzbekistan’s healthcare sector, highlighting the increasing ability of domestic institutions to carry out high-complexity medical procedures. In a related development, the ministry also noted recent advances in orthopedic surgery. In October, during the “Days of Kazakh Medicine in Uzbekistan” event, surgeons from Kazakhstan conducted robotic-assisted joint replacement surgeries in Tashkent. The team, led by orthopedic surgeon Timur Baidalin from Kazakhstan’s Batpenov National Scientific Center, performed one knee and one hip replacement using the MAKO robotic system. The technology enables precise surgical planning and reduces the risk of complications.

Cultural Heritage

Kobyz Musical Instrument and Karakalpak Yurt Added to UNESCO Heritage List

At the 20th session of the UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, held in New Delhi from December 8-13, Uzbekistan’s nominations for the kobyz musical instrument and the Karakalpak yurt were officially approved for inclusion in the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List. As part of the application process, researchers documented the historical and cultural significance of the zhyrau (oral storytellers), whose performances are traditionally accompanied by the kobyz. A documentary film was also produced in Karakalpakstan, an autonomous republic within Uzbekistan, highlighting the craftsmanship involved in making the kobyz. The nomination emphasized the urgent need for preservation, citing a steady decline in the number of artisans who know the tradition. The kobyz is an ancient, bowed string instrument originating among Turkic peoples, with historical roots dating back to the 5th-8th centuries. Its haunting sound traditionally accompanies zhyrau performances and remains prevalent in both Karakalpakstan and Kazakhstan.

Aviation

Rare Antonov An-124 Cargo Plane Makes Brief Stop in Tashkent

A rare sight drew the attention of aviation enthusiasts in Tashkent this week as an Antonov An-124-100M Ruslan, one of the world’s largest serially produced cargo aircraft, landed at Islam Karimov International Airport. According to Tashkent Sky News, the aircraft arrived from Urumqi and was registered as UR-82027. Notably, it bore the inscription “Be brave like Kharkiv”, a tribute to the resilience of the Ukrainian city under Russia's invasion. The An-124 remains a global leader in transporting oversized and heavy cargo. Capable of carrying between 120 and 150 tons, it features a cargo hold with a volume of approximately 1,050 cubic meters. The aircraft is equipped with both nose and tail cargo doors, each with built-in ramps, allowing simultaneous loading and unloading from either end, an advantage for complex logistics operations involving large or irregularly shaped equipment. Its robust design includes heavy-duty, multi-wheel landing gear, enabling it to land on less-developed airstrips. This operational flexibility makes the An-124 especially valuable in situations where access to major international airports is limited. Members of the Uzbekistan Spotters Team gathered at the airport to capture images of the aircraft during its brief stay. For local aviation enthusiasts, the visit offered a rare opportunity to photograph an iconic aircraft and share the experience with the global spotting community.

Science

Almaty Scientists Develop Innovative Method to Extract Valuable Materials from Agricultural Waste

Researchers at Satbayev University in Almaty have unveiled an innovative technology that extracts high-value materials from sugar beet pulp, the primary byproduct of sugar production, accounting for up to 80% of all biomass. Under the guidance of Associate Professor Sana Kabdrakhmanova, postdoctoral researcher Faisal Kholiya and PhD student Meruert Imanbek employed advanced hydrothermal synthesis techniques to derive high-quality pectin suitable for use in the food and pharmaceutical industries, cellulose with a yield of approximately 35%, and photoluminescent carbon quantum dots ranging from 8 to 14 nanometres, all from sugar beet waste. The extracted materials have diverse applications, including product shelf-life extension technologies, drug delivery systems, modern diagnostic medicine, and various nanotechnology solutions. “Our project is a striking example of the transformation of agricultural waste into high-quality, premium materials,” said Kabdrakhmanova, who leads the project. The research was conducted at the International R&D Center for Advanced Functional Materials and Composites, part of the Department of Chemical Processes and Industrial Ecology at the Omirkhan Baikonurov Institute of Mining and Metallurgy at Satbayev University. The findings underscore the potential of agricultural waste processing as both a sustainable and economically viable approach. Particular attention has been given to the photoluminescent carbon quantum dots produced through the project. These nanoscale particles are used in medical diagnostics, biological sensors for cellular research, LED components in electronics, and nanodevices in photonics. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, Kazakh scientists are actively pursuing other innovative recycling technologies. One such project, led by the Kazakh Road Research Institute, involves developing methods to restore worn asphalt for reuse in road repair and construction.

World Nomad Games

Kyrgyzstan Secures Exclusive Rights to World Nomad Games Brand

On December 9, Kyrgyzstan officially received the exclusive rights to the World Nomad Games trademark in a formal handover ceremony attended by Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers Adylbek Kasymaliev. Over the years, the Games have evolved into a major international festival showcasing Central Asia’s rich cultural traditions through events featuring birds of prey, equestrian sports, traditional wrestling, archery, and displays of physical skill and endurance. The rights were transferred by Askhat Akibayev, the founder of the World Nomad Games and former Plenipotentiary Representative of the Kyrgyz Government in the Issyk-Kul region. Kasymaliev praised Akibayev’s foundational role in developing the Games into a globally recognized cultural and sporting event. “Over the past decade, the World Nomad Games have become one of the largest global platforms for promoting ethnic culture, the values of nomadic civilization, and traditional sports,” he said. “Today, this project is a true national brand for Kyrgyzstan, the flagship of our state’s cultural diplomacy, and an important symbol of our international authority.” Launched by Kyrgyzstan in 2012, the World Nomad Games aim to revive and preserve the cultural heritage of nomadic civilizations. The inaugural Games were held in September 2014 in the resort town of Cholpon-Ata on the shores of Lake Issyk-Kul. Kyrgyzstan also hosted the second and third editions in 2016 and 2018. The 2022 Games were held in Turkey, and the 2024 edition took place in Kazakhstan. Kyrgyzstan will host the sixth World Nomad Games from August 31 to September 6, 2026.

Tourism

South Korea Sees Surge in Tourist Interest in Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan is emerging as a leading travel destination in Central Asia for South Korean tourists, with interest surging by 295% from January to October 2025, according to data from the digital tourism platform Agoda. Kazakh Tourism, the national tourism company, said that the data reflects a sharp rise not only in actual visits, measured through accommodation bookings but also in search queries for travel to Kazakhstan. The increased availability of direct flights between the two countries has played a significant role in this growth. Agoda reports that the launch of the Incheon-Almaty route by Eastar Jet boosted interest in Almaty, with search activity jumping by 348%. Shymkent, located in southern Kazakhstan, also saw an 89% rise in interest from South Korean travelers. This increase coincides with the May launch of a direct Incheon-Shymkent flight by SCAT Airlines. Meanwhile, Air Astana has expanded its services with more frequent flights from Seoul to both Almaty and Astana. “We are seeing a clear increase in interest among South Korean travelers in destinations that combine adventure, culture, and authenticity, with Central Asia standing out as a region of growing interest,” said Jay Lee, Agoda’s regional director for North Asia. Interest from South Korea is part of a broader regional trend. Agoda reported a 225% rise in search activity for the four main Central Asian destinations, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan, compared to the same period last year. Kazakh Tourism noted that it has been actively promoting the country’s tourism potential in South Korea through B2B meetings and information tours aimed at fostering cooperation between leading tour operators. While Agoda’s figures highlight a significant uptick in online interest, Kazakh Tourism’s own data shows more moderate growth in actual tourist arrivals. From January to September 2025, the number of South Korean visitors to Kazakhstan rose by 25% year-on-year, reaching over 41,300 people. This made South Korea the fifth-largest source of tourists to Kazakhstan, following China (693,000 visitors, up 42%), India (113,000), Turkey (over 103,000), and Germany (more than 81,000). According to the Border Service, Kazakhstan welcomed more than 12.2 million foreign visitors in the first nine months of 2025, 730,000 more than during the same period in 2024. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, Kazakhstan has also taken the regional lead in medical tourism this year, surpassing its Eurasian neighbors in growth and infrastructure development.