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Podcast

Spotlight on Central Asia: New Episode This Sunday with Eduards Stiprais, EU Special Representative for Central Asia

As Managing Editor of The Times of Central Asia, I’m delighted that, in partnership with the Oxus Society for Central Asian Affairs, from October 19, we are the home of the Spotlight on Central Asia podcast. Chaired by seasoned broadcasters Bruce Pannier of RFE/RL’s long-running Majlis podcast and Michael Hillard of The Red Line, each fortnightly instalment will take you on a deep dive into the latest news, developments, security issues, and social trends across an increasingly pivotal region. This week, the team is joined by the EU Special Representative for Central Asia, Eduards Stiprais, to discuss connectivity, critical minerals, and what's unique about the EU's engagement with Central Asia.

Water Management

More Valuable Than Oil: Why Kazakhstan Is Overhauling Its Water Code

For Kazakhstan, a country with vast territory and high dependence on transboundary rivers, water is becoming an increasingly critical constraint on economic development. Amid climate change, industrial expansion, and deteriorating infrastructure, water scarcity is emerging as a strategic risk, on par with fluctuations in global commodity markets. Recognition of the issue has been growing for over three decades, but water resource management remained fragmented across environmental, agricultural, and municipal departments, with no unified decision-making center. A turning point came in 2023, when President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signed a decree establishing the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation. This marked institutional recognition of the water crisis and an admission that the existing governance model no longer matched the country’s needs. The subsequent step was the drafting of a new Water Code, introducing a fundamental shift in the approach to managing water as a resource. From Natural Resource to Economic Asset The previous legislation was hampered by weak enforcement mechanisms. Fines for pollution or exceeding water usage limits were negligible for large industrial enterprises. In many cases, investing in treatment facilities or water-saving technologies was more costly than repeatedly paying fines. A further constraint was a lack of personnel: only about 70 inspectors were responsible for monitoring water use nationwide, rendering comprehensive oversight unfeasible. The new Water Code redefines the regulatory philosophy. Water is no longer treated as a near-free natural resource but is now recognized as a strategic economic asset, comparable to hydrocarbons or mineral resources. The most significant innovation is the shift from punitive measures to economic deterrents. Companies that fail to adopt water-saving technologies risk losing their special water use permits. Continued unauthorized withdrawal is then subject to a fivefold tariff increase. A Multi-Level Control System The new enforcement model introduces a tiered response to violations. The first stage includes preventive oversight, during which companies receive instructions and deadlines to address issues. Penalties follow only in cases of non-compliance. Persistent violations may result in full restriction of water access. The Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation stresses that the primary aim is not to punish, but to incentivize water conservation and technological modernization. For many industrial enterprises, water is a vital input, making this regulatory shift especially impactful. Sector-Specific Regulatory Models The Water Code adopts differentiated approaches based on industry. Agriculture, which accounts for 60-70% of total water withdrawals, remains the largest consumer. Most of this use is non-recoverable due to outdated irrigation techniques. Farmers are offered an incentive-based framework. The state subsidizes up to 80% of the cost for adopting drip irrigation, installing metering devices, and upgrading irrigation infrastructure. Beginning in 2024, projects to repair canals and hydraulic structures, where water losses are critical, are being rolled out. Small businesses, including car washes, bathhouses, restaurants, and service providers, account for approximately 15% of consumption. These entities fall under the purview of municipal water utilities. Here, an indirect pressure mechanism is introduced: as water intake quotas are reduced, municipal utilities will be held financially accountable for excess consumption, encouraging them...

Art and Culture

A Breakout Year for Contemporary Art in Kazakhstan

The year 2025 marked not only a busy period for contemporary art in Kazakhstan but also a decisive acceleration. Art moved beyond professional circles, claimed urban spaces, entered international agendas, and ceased to be a conversation “for insiders only.” The Kazakhstani art scene spoke with growing confidence both at home and abroad. New institutions, landmark exhibitions, festivals, and global collaborations signaled a pivotal shift: contemporary art has become a visible and integral component of the country’s cultural fabric. New Museums and Art Spaces in Kazakhstan Geographically, Almaty emerged as the epicenter of contemporary art activity in 2025. The city saw the opening of key institutions that became new focal points for artists, curators, and audiences. Opening of the Almaty Museum of Arts (ALMA) On September 12, 2025, the Almaty Museum of Arts (ALMA) opened its doors in Almaty, becoming one of the largest contemporary art museums in Central Asia. From the outset, ALMA signaled serious institutional ambitions, with a mission to support and study contemporary art processes and situate them within a global cultural context. The museum’s collection includes around 700 works, more than 70% of which are by notable Kazakhstani artists of the 20th century, such as Zhanatai Shardenov, Tokbolat Togyzbayev, Makym Kisameddinov, and Shaimardan Sariyev. Contemporary artists like Rustem Khalfin, Saule Suleimenova, and Said Atabekov are also prominently featured. Designed by the British architectural bureau Chapman Taylor, the 10,000-square-meter museum includes expansive exhibition halls (“The Great Steppe,” “Saryarka”), an Art Street atrium, storage and restoration facilities, and a creative workshop, setting a new standard for museum infrastructure in the region. [caption id="attachment_42431" align="aligncenter" width="1200"] Installation view of "I Understand Everything" – Almagul Menlibayeva (12 September 2025 - May 2026), Almaty Museum of Arts; image: Alexey Naroditsky[/caption] Tselinny Center of Contemporary Culture: Reclaiming a Building and Its Meaning Just days earlier, on September 5, 2025, the Tselinny Center of Contemporary Culture was inaugurated in Almaty. Housed in a restored 1964 Soviet-era cinema, the building underwent nearly seven years of renovation led by British architect Asif Khan. Notably, the facade’s unique sgraffito by artist Evgeny Sidorkin was preserved. The transformed space now features an exhibition hall, library, cafe, and workshop areas. Its opening was marked by the performance BARSAKELMES, with initial public access free of charge. Tselinny now operates three days a week and serves as a vital platform for exhibitions, education, and creative dialogue. [caption id="attachment_42433" align="aligncenter" width="2400"] The Tselinny Center of Contemporary Culture; image: SAPARLAS/Zhanarbek Amankulov[/caption] A. Kasteev State Museum of Arts: A New Status and Contemporary Focus Kazakhstan’s primary national art institution also redefined its role in 2025. Celebrating its 90th anniversary, the A. Kasteev State Museum of Arts was granted National Museum status. In conjunction with this milestone, a new gallery dedicated to contemporary Kazakhstani art from the independence period was unveiled. The exhibition Memory. Space. Progress brought together works from leading artists, charting the development of artistic practice from the 1990s to the present. Contributors included members of the Shymkent-based Red Tractor group, Almaty conceptualists,...

Parliamentary Reform

Tokayev Floats Vice President Post at National Kurultai as Kazakhstan Weighs Political Overhaul

President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev used the fifth session of Kazakhstan’s National Kurultai on January 20 to propose creating a vice president’s post and embedding the new institution in the constitution, as part of a broader package of political reforms aimed at reshaping the country’s system of governance. Under the proposal, the vice president would be appointed by the president and confirmed by parliament by a simple majority vote. The president would define the vice president’s authority, which could include representing Kazakhstan at international forums and negotiations, representing the head of state in parliament, and engaging with domestic and international organizations in political, scientific, cultural, and educational fields. “The establishment of this position will stabilize the process of state governance, and will also bring final clarity regarding the hierarchy of power,” Tokayev said at the Kurultai. Kazakhstan does not currently have a vice president. Executive authority is vested in the presidency, while the government is led by a prime minister, with succession procedures defined by the constitution. Tokayev said the key provisions governing the new post, including its functions, should be enshrined directly in the constitution. The vice presidency was presented as part of a wider administrative restructuring. Tokayev said several administrative structures that support the current parliament would be abolished, along with the position of state counselor. He added that the functions, structure, and management system of the Presidential Administration would be reformed in line with practical needs. The Kurultai session in Kyzylorda took place as the administration advances a more far-reaching overhaul of the legislature. Tokayev has promoted a transition from Kazakhstan’s bicameral parliament, composed of the Senate and the Mazhilis, to a unicameral system, arguing that the change would simplify governance and shorten decision-making chains. [caption id="attachment_42476" align="aligncenter" width="1280"] President Tokayev at the National Kurultai; image: Akorda.kz[/caption] He outlined parameters for a future unicameral parliament, saying it could consist of around 145 deputies, be led by three vice-chairs, and operate with no more than eight standing committees. He also proposed renaming the legislature the “Kurultai,” saying the term reflects historical traditions of popular representation. The parliamentary reform agenda is being developed by a working group that began reviewing constitutional options in late 2025. The idea of moving to a unicameral system was first raised in Tokayev’s national address on September 8, 2025. On January 19, Tokayev held a meeting with the working group on parliamentary reform in Astana, where aides reported that the group had reviewed constitutional approaches to reshaping the legislature and discussed key approaches to constitutional reform based on proposals from citizens, experts, and civil organizations. Tokayev has tied the parliamentary overhaul to a nationwide vote. He reaffirmed that citizens would make the final decision through a referendum and said Kazakhstan is targeting 2027 for a public vote on abolishing the Senate and moving to a unicameral legislature. The latest reform proposals build on constitutional changes adopted after the unrest of January 2022. In June 2022, Kazakhstan held a nationwide referendum on proposed constitutional amendments, with more...

Abraham Accords

Kazakh Diplomacy: Why Tokayev Aligned Kazakhstan With the Abraham Accords

On November 6, 2025, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev confirmed that Kazakhstan had formally acceded to the Abraham Accords, aligning the Central Asian state with the U.S.-brokered diplomatic framework. Launched during Trump’s first presidential term, the Abraham Accords seek to expand diplomatic normalization between Israel and Muslim-majority states. Initially signed in September 2020 by Israel and the United Arab Emirates, and separately by Israel and Bahrain, the Abraham Accords were later expanded to include Morocco and Sudan. Within the broader Abraham Accords framework, Washington continues to seek Saudi Arabia’s participation, a step viewed as diplomatically significant given the kingdom’s custodianship of two of Islam’s holiest sites. However, the process was derailed following the outbreak of the Gaza war in late 2023, triggered by a Hamas attack on Israel. Riyadh has since insisted that normalization can only proceed once there is meaningful progress toward establishing a Palestinian state. Kazakhstan, a secular state with a Muslim-majority population, has maintained diplomatic ties with Israel since April 1992. Embassies were opened in 1996, and bilateral relations have expanded steadily, including in trade, defense, and humanitarian fields. In 2016, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited Kazakhstan, highlighting the strength of this relationship. These longstanding ties help explain why Kazakhstan’s accession did not mark a shift in its bilateral relationship with Israel. Because Kazakhstan established full diplomatic relations with Israel decades ago, several analysts have described the country’s accession to the Abraham Accords as largely symbolic. Uzbek political scientist Kamoliddin Rabbimov argues that the decision was a calculated gesture rather than a shift in Kazakhstan’s geopolitical orientation. “The question arises: is Kazakhstan really ready to weaken its relations with China, Turkey, and Russia in order to join the American-Israeli alliance? I don’t think so,” Rabbimov said. “President Tokayev most likely just formally supported Trump’s initiative by saying ‘yes’ without putting any real geopolitical meaning into it. Nevertheless, even such a ‘yes’ is capable of slightly upsetting the balance in Kazakhstan’s foreign policy.” Giorgio Cafiero, the CEO of Washington-based Gulf State Analytics, views the move as strategic positioning. “Given the Trump administration’s determination to expand the scope of the Abraham Accords, this move by Kazakhstan was a relatively easy way to win the White House’s favor.” German analysts at Kettner Edelmetalle emphasize Kazakhstan’s natural resource wealth as a key factor. “The country has significant deposits of minerals and rare earth elements, resources that are indispensable for modern technologies. By strengthening ties with Washington, Astana apparently hopes to attract more American investment in this strategically important sector.” Eldar Mamedov, non-resident fellow at the Queens Institute and a former senior advisor to the European Parliament, views the development through the lens of geopolitical balancing. “The Abraham Accords are merely a tool in Astana’s deliberate efforts to diversify its geopolitical dependence on Moscow and strengthen its strategic relations with the United States,” he writes. “Perceiving them as the beginning of a new, ideologically defined bloc misinterprets the fundamentally pragmatic and self-interested nature of Kazakhstan’s calculations.” Kazakhstan’s accession to the Abraham Accords reflects...

Religion

Epiphany in Central Asia: Orthodox Traditions and Regional Unity

On the night of January 18-19, Orthodox Christians across Central Asia gather at frozen rivers and lakes to celebrate the feast of Epiphany by plunging into icy waters, three times each, in line with tradition. Though rooted in the Christian faith, this ritual has evolved into a broader cultural event, drawing participation from people of many backgrounds. A Test of Faith and Endurance In Central Asia, Epiphany coincides with some of the coldest days of the year, often referred to as the "Epiphany frosts." Despite subzero temperatures, participation in ice bathing continues to grow. According to Orthodox tradition, Epiphany commemorates the baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan. While the climate in Israel was mild, believers in the region embrace the symbolic cleansing despite the extreme cold. The Orthodox Church does not consider ice bathing a requirement for the faithful. Instead, the central ritual of the holiday is the Great Blessing of Water, performed both on Epiphany and the evening before. Priests encourage believers to collect holy water from churches, sprinkle it throughout their homes, and drink it in small amounts on an empty stomach. Many believe this brings health and protection for the year ahead. Nevertheless, in the main Orthodox churches of Central Asia, fonts and pools are prepared for those who wish to immerse themselves. Designated ice holes are also opened in lakes and rivers for traditional bathing. Strict Safety Measures in Kazakhstan In Kazakhstan, authorities take extensive precautions to ensure public safety during Epiphany bathing. In Astana, the celebration began with a religious procession from the Constantine and Helen Cathedral to the embankment of the Ishim River, where the water was consecrated despite temperatures dipping to minus 30 degrees Celsius. Warm changing rooms were provided, and teams from the Ministry of Emergency Situations, along with paramedics and rescue personnel, were on hand throughout the night. In Almaty, where temperatures hovered around minus 15 degrees, Epiphany fonts were set up at 10 churches. Authorities reminded residents that swimming in non-designated natural bodies of water is prohibited due to the risk of slipping or falling through the ice. However, safety teams and patrols were stationed at approved bathing sites, including the Bolshaya Almatinka, Malaya Almatinka, Butakovka, Goryachiy Istochnik, and Gorenik rivers. Officials advised those with cardiovascular or endocrine conditions to avoid the ritual and warned against participating while intoxicated. A Cultural Tradition Embraced by Many Over time, Epiphany bathing in Central Asia has grown beyond a strictly religious practice. In Kazakhstan, many ethnic Kazakhs and other non-Christian residents eagerly take part, viewing the ritual as a source of health and vitality. It has become a powerful symbol of interethnic and interfaith unity in the region. While Muslim clerics typically do not encourage participation, they generally refrain from direct criticism, recognizing the tradition's broader cultural significance. Orthodox priests also emphasize that the ritual is more custom than doctrine, open to anyone. Some compare Epiphany bathing to the festive atmosphere of Kurban Ait, when Muslims share food in public spaces. Likewise,...