Kazakhstan - The Times Of Central Asia

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Silk Roads

The Northern Silk Road and the Middle Corridor

The recent hostilities in the Persian Gulf and the ensuing naval blockades of Iran have brought into sharp relief the growing importance of the Middle Corridor – or Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR) – the rapidly expanding trade link between Western China and Europe. This vast network of road, rail and maritime transport links had already increased in importance as a result of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the ensuing sanctions, which have crippled large parts of Russia’s economy. With hundreds of container ships and oil tankers bottled up in the Gulf and the prospect of serious economic consequences, particularly in the developing world and for China and India, the idea of an overland – mostly – trade route to Europe is increasingly seen as a solution that provides a viable alternative in uncertain times. And not for the first time, as we shall discover. The TITR is around 3,000 km shorter than the so-called Northern Corridor through the Russian Federation, and transit times from China to Europe now average 10-15 days, compared to double that time for the Northern Corridor and anything up to 60 days for sea transport. According to World Bank estimates, the Middle Corridor could soon account for 20% of overland trade between China and the EU, with a tripling of current traffic levels by 2030, mainly due to economic growth in the Greater Caspian region. When planning began on the Middle Corridor almost 15 years ago, few people appreciated how rapidly it would develop. But as uncertainties over trade policies have increased, a route that avoids both the Russian Federation and the increasingly dispute-prone waterways in the Gulf and the Red Sea makes sense. Goods produced in Chinese factories in Chongqing, Xi’an and Urumqi can now be transported westward across Kazakhstan by rail to its Caspian Sea ports at Aktau and Kuryk. There are now major rail termini at the Kazakhstan-China border and more than 4,250 kms of rail lines in the network, together with 500 kms of sea transport. In Aktau on the Caspian, containers are loaded onto ships bound for Baku in Azerbaijan, where they are transferred onto the rolling stock of the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars (BTK) Railway for shipment into Turkey. The original plan was designed to handle 6.5 million tons of freight annually, but this figure is expected to top 17 million tons by 2034. New port facilities to handle the increasing number of containers arriving at Aktau and Kuryk have been financed by Kazakhstan’s Nurly Zhol Programme. Aktau, for example, is being dredged to enhance maritime safety and expand capacity. Its port currently handles up to 15 million tons of cargo a year. According to the TITR itself, around 57,000 containers travelled along the route in 2024, up from 20,500 in 2023. The route has continued to gather momentum in 2026: from January to March, 125 container trains were dispatched from China via the corridor, a 34.4% increase over the same period last year. Rail traffic volume increased by 5.7% in Azerbaijan...

Inclusivity

Kazakhstan Expands Accessible Transportation for People with Disabilities

Kazakhstan is expanding efforts to improve accessible transportation for people with disabilities. At a government meeting on April 21, Transport Minister Nurlan Sauranbaev reported on progress in implementing an inclusive policy in the transport sector. He said that, as part of the Inclusive Policy Concept for 2025-2030, Kazakhstan is taking measures to ensure accessibility across three key areas: infrastructure, transport, and services. In the rail sector, approximately 90% of trains have been equipped with lifts and compartments adapted for passengers with disabilities. By 2030, every train is expected to include at least one specialized carriage. Railway stations are being modernized to include essential accessibility features such as ramps and lifting devices. Ticket offices and restrooms are also being upgraded. Passengers with disabilities receive a 50% discount on train tickets, and online booking for specialized compartments is available. In 2025, around 580,000 passengers with disabilities traveled by rail in Kazakhstan. In aviation, accessibility is also improving. Ten airports, including those in Astana and Almaty, now operate 13 lifts for passengers with disabilities. A further five airports are expected to be equipped by the end of the year. In 2025, more than 9,000 passengers with disabilities traveled by air. In the road transport sector, 80% of bus stations and 79% of city buses now meet accessibility requirements. Kazakhstan is also continuing to develop the Invataxi project, which provides specially adapted minivans for passengers with limited mobility. The fleet has expanded by 30%, reaching 1,426 vehicles. Cities across the country are working to improve accessibility more broadly. Infrastructure is being adapted to meet modern standards, while businesses and public institutions are increasingly responding to the needs of people with disabilities by improving access to buildings and interior spaces. According to the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection, more than 29,500 social infrastructure facilities -- 68% of the total -- are now accessible to people with disabilities across Kazakhstan. By the end of 2026, this figure is expected to rise to over 34,000.

Regional Ecological Summit

Armenian President Delivers Speech at Astana Summit, Emphasizing Climate Action and Biodiversity

Astana, Kazakhstan – Armenian President Vahagn Khachaturyan addressed the Regional Ecological Summit (RES 2026) today, speaking about the urgent challenges of climate change, biodiversity loss, and the need for strengthened international cooperation. The summit, themed “Shared Vision for a Resilient Future,” opened its sessions on Earth Day under the patronage of Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. In his remarks, President Khachaturyan expressed deep gratitude to his Kazakh counterpart, the government, and the people of Kazakhstan for their warm hospitality and the excellent organization of this important event. “It is an honor to address the Regional Ecological Summit in Astana,” he stated. He praised Kazakhstan’s leadership in advancing global and regional cooperation on climate change and environmental protection, describing the event as an important platform for dialogue bringing together governments, the scientific community, civil society, and international partners. [caption id="attachment_47661" align="alignnone" width="300"] President Vahagn Khachaturyan gives address at the Regional Ecological Summit in Astana; Image: TCA[/caption] Highlighting Armenia’s unique vulnerabilities, the President noted that, as a landlocked, developing, and mountainous nation, Armenia is already experiencing severe effects of climate change despite contributing just 0.02% of global greenhouse gas emissions. “Over the past decades, the average temperature in the country has increased by more than one degree Celsius and is projected to continue rising by mid-century,” he said. These changes have triggered more frequent extreme weather events, including floods and droughts, leading to significant ecological losses, declining precipitation, glacier retreat, and growing water scarcity — particularly affecting rural communities and mountain ecosystems. President Khachaturyan welcomed Kazakhstan’s initiative to convene international consultations on strengthening cooperation for effective water resource management and said Armenia will actively participate. On the climate front, he reaffirmed Armenia’s ambitious nationally determined contributions (NDCs): a 44% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2035 compared to 1990 levels through domestic measures, rising to 52% with international support. “Armenia undertakes these commitments with full awareness of its national capacity and the importance of international cooperation,” he emphasized, citing the principles of equity and common but differentiated responsibilities. Turning to biodiversity, the President stressed that rising temperatures are a major driver of biodiversity loss, with profound consequences for ecosystems, human health, food security, and economies worldwide. He announced that Armenia will host the 17th Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the Convention on Biological Diversity in Yerevan in October later this year. “These efforts reflect our small country’s strong commitment to promote global nature conservation,” Khachaturyan declared, inviting all participants to join the landmark gathering “to review our progress and identify ways to accelerate efforts to restore and protect the environment for present and future generations.” The Armenian President concluded by underscoring the critical role of international cooperation, including the mobilization of financial resources, sharing of expertise, and the transfer of technology. “Armenia stands ready to cooperate with regional and international partners, to share our experience and to learn from others,” he said. “Together, we can protect our planet Earth, ensure long-term resilience and well-being for our societies.” President Khachaturyan’s address highlights Armenia’s...

Regional Ecological Summit

Kazakhstan President Highlights New Constitution and Calls for Fair Global Ecological Cooperation at Astana Summit

Astana, Kazakhstan – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev used his opening address at the Regional Ecological Summit in Astana to underline Kazakhstan’s strengthened constitutional commitment to environmental protection and to call for fair, pragmatic, and unified global cooperation on ecological challenges. Speaking on Earth Day before regional leaders and senior United Nations representatives, Tokayev described ecology as far more than climate policy alone. “It is the very foundation of human livelihood,” he said. “It is about clean air and safe water, healthy soils and secure food systems. It is about the stability of communities and the dignity of future generations. It is also about clarity of thought, harmony of our societies, and their happiness.” The President said Kazakhstan’s new Constitution clearly reflects environmental protection as a fundamental priority of state policy and public responsibility. He described this constitutional commitment as embedding ecological safety and prosperity into the country’s long-term vision and “national DNA.” Tokayev warned against double standards in international environmental policy, saying developing and emerging economies must not be placed at a disadvantage as the world moves toward cleaner growth models. “The global transition to cleaner models must be fair, balanced, and stimulating,” he stated. Environmental cooperation, he added, should unite rather than divide nations and must be based on partnership, trust, and shared responsibility, “with no naming, no shaming, and no blaming.” Stressing the need for consistency in international norms, Tokayev also said: “The UN Charter is not Haute Cuisine, and cannot serve as a cherry-picking platform.” The President identified the region’s most urgent shared ecological challenges as water scarcity and poor water management, desertification, glacier retreat, air pollution, and biodiversity vulnerability. “The time for indicating successes is over; the time for making solutions has come,” he said. Tokayev then outlined concrete steps Kazakhstan is taking across several priority areas. On energy transition, he said Kazakhstan intends to increase the share of renewable energy to 15% by 2030 while reducing emissions by almost 35%. Renewable sources already generate more than 7% of Kazakhstan’s electricity, and the country is moving to expand clean generation capacity while modernizing major energy facilities. As the world’s leading uranium exporter, Kazakhstan is also advancing plans for its first nuclear power plant while introducing cleaner technologies at coal-fired generation sites. On water security, Tokayev highlighted the restoration of the Northern Aral Sea, where about 36% of the water surface has been recovered, improving water quality and fish stocks. He described the Aral tragedy as a warning for the wider region and the international community. “The Aral Sea remains a stark reminder of the consequences of unsustainable policies,” he said. He also pointed to a new interstate program aimed at preventing further degradation of the Caspian Sea, supported by a dedicated scientific research institute. Tokayev renewed his proposal, first advanced in Ashgabat last December, to establish an International Water Organization as a United Nations agency, and said the summit would host the first round of international consultations on the initiative. Addressing the Caspian region more broadly, Tokayev...

Regional Ecological Summit

Astana Ecological Summit Turns Regional Climate Pressure Into a Call for Joint Action

On April 22, 2026, leaders from Central Asia and neighboring states opened the Regional Ecological Summit 2026 in Astana on Earth Day with an urgent and practical message: the region’s environmental crisis is no longer a future risk, but a present constraint on water, food, energy, and economic security. The summit, held under the theme “A Shared Vision for a Sustainable Future,” was organized by Kazakhstan with the United Nations and international partners. Its stated purpose is to develop policy tools for protecting, restoring, and jointly using ecosystems, water and land resources, and conserving biodiversity in Central Asia. The program includes 58 events, consultations on a possible International Water Organization within the UN system, and expected documents, including a Central Asian declaration on environmental solidarity and a 2026–2030 regional action program. [caption id="attachment_47607" align="aligncenter" width="775"] President Tokayev gives his keynote address at the Regional Ecological Summit in Astana; Image: TCA[/caption] Opening the plenary, Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev argued that environmental policy must not become another dividing line in global politics. He called for a fair and balanced green transition, especially for developing economies, and warned that Central Asia’s shared rivers, landscapes, and climate risks demand shared responsibility. Tokayev singled out water scarcity, desertification, glacier melt, air pollution and biodiversity loss as the region’s core challenges. He also highlighted Kazakhstan’s plans to expand renewable energy, protect the Caspian Sea, restore the Northern Aral, and start consultations on a proposed International Water Organization. [video width="720" height="1280" mp4="https://timesca.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/no-comments-Reels.mp4"][/video] The water question dominated the speeches. President Sadyr Japarov said that Kyrgyzstan bears a disproportionate burden despite its small contribution to global emissions. He pointed to a sharp increase in mudflows and floods, shrinking glaciers, and the fact that most water formed in Kyrgyzstan flows to neighboring states. His proposal was blunt: downstream users should help co-finance the water infrastructure and ecosystem services that upstream countries maintain. Uzbekistan's President Shavkat Mirziyoyev turned the summit into a platform for concrete regional initiatives. In his official speech, he said that Central Asia is warming twice as fast as the global average, has already lost nearly a third of its glaciers, and faces land degradation across 80 million hectares. He proposed a Clean Air consortium, a regional desertification and drought center, a green trade corridor, a unified climate-investment portfolio, an environmental atlas and a Central Asian Red Book. Tajikistan’s President Emomali Rahmon brought the glacier crisis into sharp relief. Tajikistan supplies much of Central Asia’s water, but its glaciers are retreating, threatening water balance and increasing disaster risks. Rahmon linked the environmental agenda to hydropower, green finance, biodiversity protection, and water diplomacy, and invited partners to continue the discussion at a high-level water conference in Dushanbe. Turkmenistan's President Serdar Berdimuhamedov backed a stronger institutional approach, proposing a UN-supported regional council on water use to align national policies and manage transboundary resources more transparently. He also announced a high-level Caspian Sea ecology meeting in Turkmenistan for October 2026. Heads of state from beyond Central Asia widened the frame. Armenia’s...

Parliamentary Elections

How Kazakhstan Is Preparing for Parliamentary Elections

Kazakhstan is preparing for a major political reset centered on the introduction of a unicameral parliament, the Kurultai. Until now, legislative power in the country has been exercised by two chambers, the Mazhilis and the Senate. On April 10, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev announced that elections would take place in August 2026. According to Tokayev, political parties will have a clear planning horizon and enough time to prepare for the campaign and voter outreach. A Stage Already Passed In 2023, Kazakhstan introduced significant changes to its political system. For the first time in 19 years, a mixed electoral model was used in elections to the lower chamber, the Mazhilis. Under this system, 69 deputies were elected via party lists, while 29 were chosen in single-member constituencies, allowing candidates to run independently of party affiliation. This option has now been removed, although the reasons remain unclear. These reforms were presented as part of a broader democratization effort. In the 2023 parliamentary elections, six parties passed the 5% threshold. Amanat, formerly Nur Otan, won 53.9% of the vote, followed by Auyl with 10.9%, Respublica with 8.59%, Aq Jol with 8.41%, the People’s Party of Kazakhstan with 6.8%, and the Nationwide Social Democratic Party (OSDP) with 5.2%. The Baytaq party received 2.3% and did not enter parliament. In practice, however, Amanat has remained the most active force in the Mazhilis. Some initiatives from Aq Jol, traditionally focused on business interests, have also stood out, while other parties have been less visible to voters. Amanat has advantages not available to other parties, including the presence of many senior officials in its ranks. The Auyl party was expected to represent agrarian and conservative interests, but its initiatives have not been clearly articulated. The OSDP, which has long positioned itself as an opposition party, previously claimed it was excluded from parliament. However, once represented in the Mazhilis, its initiatives have largely focused on narrow issues and have had limited impact on the broader political agenda. The People’s Party of Kazakhstan, once known for raising sharp issues, has been less active in the current parliament. Against this backdrop, Aq Jol has been comparatively stronger, showing a greater ability to shape the agenda and articulate clear positions. Baytaq has occupied an environmental niche, but despite the country’s significant ecological challenges, its voice has remained faint, making its prospects of entering the Kurultai uncertain. Respublica, a new party founded by young entrepreneurs, has also struggled to produce notable results. A potential eighth party, Adilet, may soon join the seven officially registered parties. The party has announced its launch and begun the registration process, though it has yet to name a formal leader. Some political analysts have described Adilet as a pro-government party. Political analyst Daniyar Ashimbayev noted that the concept of multiple pro-government parties is not new in Kazakhstan and suggested that some deputies could shift to Adilet by July. Systemic Criticism Political parties represented in parliament are regularly criticized by analysts for holding positions that closely align with Amanat...