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Telecommunications

Kazakhtelecom CEO Confirms 2026 Launch of Caspian Submarine Cable Project

Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan have entered the active implementation phase of the long-anticipated submarine fiber-optic cable (SFOC) project across the Caspian Sea. According to Bagdat Mussin, CEO of Kazakhtelecom JSC, the underwater cable system is scheduled for completion and launch by the end of 2026. First proposed in 2019, the project involves the construction of two parallel fiber-optic lines, spanning approximately 380 to 400 kilometers, to connect the digital infrastructures of Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan. Originally, Kazakh telecom operators Transtelecom and KazTransCom participated alongside Azerbaijan’s AzerTelecom. However, by 2022, the Kazakh companies had exited the venture, and in 2023, Kazakhtelecom assumed the lead role on behalf of Astana. On August 22, 2023, Kazakhtelecom and AzerTelecom formalized their partnership by signing a joint venture agreement in Amsterdam. Mussin stated that national operators have now completed site surveys of the coastal infrastructure, identifying locations for both a beach manhole and a cable landing station. A specialized survey vessel, currently operating from the Kazakh port of Bautino, is mapping the seabed to assess depth, terrain, underwater currents, and geological conditions to finalize the cable route. “The bridge's capacity is designed to meet future demands and will support at least 400 Tbit/s. When the first byte of data travels through this artery, the Caspian will become a unique digital bridge between Asia and Europe,” Mussin said. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, the total cost of the project is estimated at $50.6 million. The cable is part of a wider regional initiative to advance digital transformation and sustainable connectivity across Eurasia.

Poverty

Central Asia Cuts Hunger Fivefold in Two Decades, FAO Reports

The number of people facing hunger in Central Asia has fallen sharply over the past two decades, according to a new report from the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). The share of the population suffering from undernourishment dropped from 13.1% in 2005 to just 2.8% in 2024, equivalent to a decline from 7.8 million people to 2.3 million. Much of this progress was achieved before 2019. The COVID-19 pandemic temporarily disrupted that trend: between 2020 and 2021, undernourishment rose to 2.5 million. However, with the introduction of stronger food security policies and an economic rebound, the region has since regained positive momentum. The FAO report notes that a healthy diet in Central Asia now costs an average of $3.78 per person per day. While this is below the global average of $4.46, it remains unaffordable for many low-income households, particularly in rural Tajikistan. In 2024, FAO estimates that approximately 14% of the region’s population, roughly 11.5 million people, still could not afford a balanced diet. Child health indicators have also improved. The prevalence of stunting among children under five has halved since 2012, falling from 14.8% to 7.4%. Rates of acute malnutrition have also declined, and childhood obesity rates have decreased slightly. Nonetheless, persistent challenges remain: anemia affects about one-third of women of reproductive age, and adult obesity is on the rise, increasing from 18.8% to 25.1% over the past decade. In 2024, Tajikistan remained the most food-insecure country in the former Soviet Union. According to the Global Hunger Index published by the International Food Policy Research Institute, 8.7% of its population faces food shortages, placing the country 65th out of 127 worldwide. In a sign of regional engagement, Uzbekistan officially joined the Global Alliance to Combat Hunger and Poverty in December 2024, reinforcing its commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals and to global cooperation on food security.

Opinion

The Rise of Regionalism in Central Asia: From Divisions to Dialogue

In recent years, Central Asia has undergone a remarkable transformation — from a region historically marked by political divisions and competing national interests, to one increasingly characterised by cooperation and dialogue. Today, Central Asian countries are exploring the idea of strategic autonomy and greater regional solidarity, not as an abstract ambition, but as a practical response to the shared challenges and opportunities they have. A key institutional vehicle for this evolving cooperation is the Consultative Meeting of Central Asian Leaders. Unlike formal international summits, this forum allows for open and informal dialogue between heads of state. It is valued precisely because it enables leaders to discuss sensitive regional matters candidly, without the constraints of protocol. The momentum for regional cooperation is clearly growing, and this forum has become a symbol of Central Asia’s desire to take its future into its own hands. Beyond this, the countries of Central Asia cooperate through platforms such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and the Organisation of Turkic States, both of which offer multilateral mechanisms for addressing regional security, economic integration, and cultural exchange. Importantly, what was once a region of competing national agendas is now evolving into a space of shared strategic vision, including coordinated positions in international forums such as the United Nations. Additionally, in recent years, the foreign policies of Central Asian countries have demonstrated more and more coordination and regional alignment, especially in their engagement with external partners. This shift is reflected in the emergence of multilateral dialogue formats between Central Asia and key global actors. Notably, the European Union–Central Asia Summit, most recently held in Samarkand in 2025, underlined a shared commitment to regional connectivity, sustainable development, and mutual security. Similar formats have been institutionalised with other global players, such as the C5+1 format with the United States, focusing on green transition, economic reforms, and regional security. Germany has also advanced a Central Asia–Germany high-level dialogue, including the “Berlin Initiative,” aimed at promoting green energy, vocational training, and the rule of law. Meanwhile, Italy has launched its Central Asia + Italy format as part of its strategy to diversify partnerships in Eurasia and promote economic diplomacy. These platforms reflect a common approach, where Central Asian countries are increasingly choosing to engage as a bloc, rather than solely through bilateral channels. This enhances their negotiating capacity, visibility, and strategic coherence on the global stage. While each country maintains its sovereignty and specific foreign policy priorities, there is a growing recognition that regional solidarity amplifies voices and leverage in an increasingly complex geopolitical landscape. This shift aligns with the broader regional identity-building efforts under the Consultative Meetings of Central Asian Leaders, and reflects a pragmatic understanding that shared challenges — such as water management, climate adaptation, and migration — are better addressed collectively and in concert with international partners. Common regional challenges also drive this growing convergence. Climate change, water scarcity, and labor migration are issues that transcend borders. One of the most pressing concerns is the region’s vulnerability due to...

Silk Road

Kyrgyzstan and China Launch Joint Project to Preserve Ancient Silk Road City

Kyrgyzstan and China have launched a joint initiative to conserve the Ak-Beshim archaeological site, the ruins of the ancient city of Suyab, a major Silk Road settlement in the Chui Valley in northern Kyrgyzstan. This project marks a significant step in cultural cooperation between the two countries, focused on preserving shared heritage along one of history’s most storied trade routes. The Ministry of Culture, Information and Youth Policy of Kyrgyzstan and China’s Dunhuang Research Academy have established a joint laboratory for cultural heritage preservation, which will lead conservation efforts at Ak-Beshim. Located 7 kilometers southwest of Tokmok, the site of Suyab was a prominent cultural and commercial center from the 5th to 8th centuries. It served as the capital of the Western Turkic Kaganate and a key hub for Sogdian merchants along the Chang’an-Tian Shan Corridor, an ancient Silk Road route currently nominated for UNESCO World Heritage status. Chinese sources suggest that Tang dynasty poet Li Bo (701-762/763) may have been born in Suyab. Archaeologists have also uncovered what is believed to be the oldest Christian structure found in Kyrgyzstan: a Nestorian church dating to the 7th or 8th century. Preliminary fieldwork has already been conducted, and a conservation plan for Ak-Beshim has been drafted. The new lab is expected to serve as a regional center for cultural heritage protection, promoting research and conservation at other Silk Road sites across Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) countries. Suyab declined in the 11th century with the rise of Balasagun, another historic city in the Chui Valley near the famed Burana Tower. Nevertheless, its historical significance continues to attract scholarly and public interest as Kyrgyzstan deepens its commitment to preserving regional cultural landmarks. Officials from both countries emphasized that the project supports broader goals of cultural diplomacy and historical preservation, creating a bridge between ancient civilizations and contemporary international collaboration.

Migration

Kyrgyzstan Launches “Mekenim 1+1” Program to Support Returning Migrants

Kyrgyzstan’s Ministry of Labor, Social Security and Migration has launched a new pilot initiative, Mekenim 1+1 (“My Homeland 1+1”), aimed at helping returning labor migrants reintegrate into the national economy by co-investing in local business ventures. The program introduces a matching investment model: for every som invested by a returning migrant, the state will provide a concessional loan of equal value. The combined funds must be used to start businesses in priority sectors including light industry, tourism, education, IT and innovation, manufacturing and processing, transport, warehousing, and logistics. The pilot phase will run from 2025 to 2026 in the Batken region, a remote area with high levels of labor migration. If successful, the program will be scaled up nationwide. Russia remains the primary destination for Kyrgyz labor migrants. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, approximately 600,000 Kyrgyz citizens currently live abroad, with nearly 380,000 registered with Russian migration authorities as of the end of 2024. However, Russia’s ongoing economic challenges, restrictive immigration policies, and rising anti-immigrant sentiment are prompting many Kyrgyz migrants to explore alternatives in countries such as Turkey, South Korea, and various parts of Europe. At the same time, a growing number are returning to Kyrgyzstan, making reintegration efforts like Mekenim 1+1 increasingly timely and significant.

Water

Kyrgyzstan Moves to Address Falling Water Levels in Lake Issyk-Kul

Kyrgyzstan is stepping up efforts to combat the declining water level of Lake Issyk-Kul, a critical ecological and economic resource, as the effects of climate change intensify. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Water Resources Bakyt Torobaev raised the issue at a government meeting this week, highlighting a combination of shrinking glaciers, reduced precipitation, and inefficient water use, particularly in agriculture, as key contributing factors. Lake Issyk-Kul, located in northeastern Kyrgyzstan, is the country’s largest lake and a vital component of the regional climate system. It also supports biodiversity and tourism. Torobaev warned that the continued decline in water levels could have far-reaching environmental, economic, and social consequences. Strategic Measures to Stabilize the Lake To address the crisis, Torobaev proposed a set of comprehensive interventions requiring cooperation between government agencies, scientists, local communities, and civil society. Key initiatives include: Modernizing irrigation systems and introducing water-saving technologies; Expanding green areas across the Issyk-Kul region; Enhancing research on glaciers and water resources; Developing long-term climate adaptation strategies. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, water diversion for agricultural irrigation, particularly outside the lake basin, was identified by experts at the 2024 National Water Forum as one of the primary threats to Issyk-Kul’s sustainability. Government Investment and Monitoring In response, the Kyrgyz government has pledged $392 million toward efforts to stabilize the lake’s water level. This includes $200 million dedicated to installing modern irrigation systems across 100,000 hectares of farmland. An additional investment will fund the deployment of 2,200 automated sensors to monitor water consumption in real time. Authorities expect these measures to return up to 200 million cubic meters of water to the lake, helping to mitigate the decline and protect Issyk-Kul's long-term ecological balance.