The Times Of Central Asia | Eurasian Publication & News Online

Uzbekistan Sees Opportunities in Afghanistan

Afghanistan: Rentier State or Hostage to Foreign Aid?

Features

Religious Freedom

U.S. Commission Again Cites Turkmenistan for Religious Freedom Violations

Geopolitics

Central Asia: An Arena of Geopolitical Attraction

Though 2025 is not yet at its halfway point, Central Asia has already emerged as one of the primary stages of global diplomatic engagement. Rich in natural resources and strategically positioned between global powers, the region has attracted increasing interest from the European Union, China, Russia, and others. Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan,...

Interview

How Kazakhstan Revives National Traditions Through Cinema

Geopolitics

Central Asia Creates a Rift in the Turkic World Over Cyprus

Justice

Kyrgyzstan’s Ex-President Kurmanbek Bakiyev May Return to the Country

Trump Tariffs

Trump’s Trade War Against China: Opportunities and Risks for Central Asia

Experts believe that Central Asian countries stand to gain from U.S. President Donald Trump’s renewed trade war with China, but the region also faces substantial risks. Kazakhstan Bears the Brunt On April 3, Trump signed an executive order imposing “reciprocal” customs duties on goods from dozens of countries. Kazakhstan faced...

Human Rights

Complaint against Tajik Officials Filed with International Criminal Court

Economic Crisis

President Tokayev: Kazakhstan Prepared for Global Market Turbulence

Sunkar Podcast

Repatriating Islamic State Fighters and Families: Balancing Security and Humanity

00:00 / 00:00

Opinions

Business & Economy

Uranium

Kazakh Uranium to Power Czech Nuclear Plants

Kazakhstan’s National Atomic Company Kazatomprom has signed a contract with Czech energy giant ČEZ a.s. to supply natural uranium for the country’s nuclear power plants. The agreement marks a significant step in strengthening energy cooperation between Kazakhstan and the European Union. Expanding European Reach The contract, signed at ČEZ’s headquarters in Prague, represents a key milestone in the expansion of Kazatomprom’s uranium supply footprint in Europe. Under the seven-year deal, Kazakhstan will provide approximately one-third of the uranium needed for Westinghouse fuel assemblies used at the Temelín Nuclear Power Plant. Both parties emphasized the agreement’s importance for regional energy security...

Business

Kyrgyzstan Seeks €2.7 Billion from UK for Business Development

Gas Transit

Transit of Russian Gas to Uzbekistan Through Kazakhstan Continues to Grow

Trump Tariffs

Trump’s Trade War Against China: Opportunities and Risks for Central Asia

Lithium

German Company to Mine and Process Lithium in East Kazakhstan

Agriculture

Kazakhstan Expands Wheat Exports to North Africa

Kazakhstan, Central Asia’s leading grain producer, is broadening its export markets to include Africa. The national grain operator, Food Contract Corporation, has reached preliminary agreements to supply 300,000 tons of food wheat to Morocco and other North African countries by the end of the current marketing season, according to the Ministry of Agriculture. More than 200,000 tons of wheat have already been contracted for shipment to African markets. The Corporation’s export strategy emphasizes market diversification, prioritizing the European Union, the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, Southeast Asia, and neighboring countries such as Afghanistan, Iran, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Armenia....

Jewelry

Jewelry Factory Opens in Tajikistan with Chinese Investment

A new jewelry factory operated by China-Tajikistan Mining Industry Company LLC officially opened in Dushanbe on April 10. The inauguration ceremony was attended by President Emomali Rahmon of Tajikistan. Construction of the facility began in 2023. The complex now includes modern production facilities and a two-story gold sales center. Utilizing the latest Chinese technology, the factory is capable of processing up to one ton of gold and 30 tons of silver annually. It will also produce a variety of goods, including jewelry, home decorations, and household items. On the same day, President Rahmon laid the foundation stones for two additional...

Natural Gas

Kazakhstan Plans 25% Gas Output Increase by 2030

Kazakhstan aims to significantly increase its natural gas production over the next five years, raising output from 59 billion cubic meters to 74 billion cubic meters by 2030. The announcement was made by Deputy Minister of Energy Alibek Zhamauov during the Energy Trends: Gas & Petrochemicals forum in Astana. Production Growth Driven by Major Fields and New Developments In 2023, Kazakhstan produced 59 billion cubic meters of gas, with output projected to rise to 62.8 billion cubic meters in 2024. This growth will be driven by ongoing production at the country’s largest fields, Tengiz, Karachaganak, and Kashagan, as well as...

Economic Crisis

President Tokayev: Kazakhstan Prepared for Global Market Turbulence

Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has stated that Kazakhstan is prepared to confront the consequences of what he described as one of the most severe global economic crises in recent decades. Speaking at a meeting with the country’s scientific community, Tokayev emphasized that while the international environment is turbulent, there is no reason for panic, noting that Kazakhstan has prior experience in navigating such challenges. “Due to the onset of a ‘tariff war of all against all,’ we are witnessing the breakdown of production and trade chains, the collapse of markets, and heightened volatility in raw material prices. These developments will...

Local Politics

Politics

Kyrgyzstan Sets Date for 2027 Presidential Election

Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov has submitted a draft law to parliament establishing the official date for the country’s next presidential election. The parliamentary committee on constitutional legislation has approved the proposal in all three readings. According to the newly adopted law, the presidential election will take place on January 24, 2027, in line with amendments that designate the fourth Sunday of January as the official election date in the year the president’s term expires. Under the current Constitution, the president of Kyrgyzstan is elected for a single six-year term, with no possibility of re-election. President Japarov was elected on January...

Infectious Diseases

Kyrgyzstan Among Countries with Highest Number of Measles Cases

Politics

Kyrgyz Security Agency Condemns Osh Mayor’s City Toll Plan

Agriculture

Kazakhstan Imposes Temporary Ban on Chicken Egg Imports

Transport and Logistics

Kyrgyz Lawmaker Challenges $15 Tint Fee for Drivers Crossing into Uzbekistan

Military

Belarus and Kazakhstan Strengthen Military Cooperation

The Defense Ministries of Belarus and Kazakhstan have made strides to deepen their military cooperation. This was confirmed during an official visit to Kazakhstan by the Chief of the General Staff of the Belarusian Armed Forces and First Deputy Defense Minister, Pavel Muraveiko. Muraveiko held negotiations with Kazakhstan's Defense Minister, Ruslan Zhaksylykov, and Lieutenant General Sultan Kamaletdinov, First Deputy Minister of Defense and Chief of the General Staff of Kazakhstan's Armed Forces. The discussions focused on the current state of military collaboration, with both sides identifying paths to increase cooperation in areas of mutual interest. Both Belarusian and Kazakhstani representatives...

Government

Kyrgyzstan Tries Again to Compose a New Anthem

Kyrgyzstan’s national anthem, slated for an overhaul, isn't going into retirement just yet. Earlier this year, the government said it would hold a contest to select a new anthem to replace the one that was introduced in 1992, soon after Kyrgyzstan declared independence from the Soviet Union. But a state commission that met on April 9-10 to choose the best new text and music wasn’t satisfied with the options for replacing the old version, which was widely panned as hard to perform and more in tune with Soviet rather than contemporary times. “Despite the diversity of the proposed projects and...

Civil Service

Kazakhstan Aims to Cut Civil Service to Curb Budget Spending

Kazakhstan's Ministry of National Economy has proposed a reduction in the number of state organizations and civil servants as part of broader efforts to lower government spending. The proposal was presented on Wednesday during a session of the Mazhilis, the lower house of Kazakhstan’s parliament, as lawmakers reviewed the country’s proposed new Tax Code. The issue of fiscal efficiency and potential savings sparked debate among deputies. “We have prepared several proposals. We will reduce the number of employees in subordinate organizations,” said Minister of National Economy Serik Zhumangarin during the session. As part of the plan, the government is also...

Food Security

From Malnutrition to Water Scarcity: UN Identifies Key Threats to Food Security in Tajikistan

A new United Nations report titled Food Security and Nutrition Outlook for Europe and Central Asia 2024 has outlined the major challenges facing Tajikistan in nutrition, public health, and sustainable agriculture. The report identifies chronic malnutrition, rising childhood obesity, and vulnerability to climate change as the principal threats to the country’s food system. According to the findings, Tajikistan continues to face a dual burden: while undernutrition remains a persistent issue, obesity is on the rise, particularly among children. In 2022, nearly one in seven Tajik children under five (13.1%) suffered from stunting due to chronic malnutrition, while 9.9% were affected...

International Affairs

Trump Administration

U.S. Cancels $2.5 Million Civic Engagement Grant for Uzbekistan

The U.S. State Department has canceled a $2.5 million grant intended to support civic engagement programs in Uzbekistan. The decision comes as part of a broader review of foreign aid expenditures initiated by U.S. Senator Marco Rubio and the Department of Government Efficiency. The Uzbekistan program was one of 139 foreign aid grants, totaling $215 million, that were recently scrapped. Other canceled initiatives include $5.2 million for a media diversity project in the United Kingdom, $2 million for newsroom sustainability efforts in Moldova, and nearly $1 million for women’s organizations in Mauritania. Additional cuts affected projects focused on disinformation, media...

Geopolitics

Central Asia: An Arena of Geopolitical Attraction

World Bank

Communities in Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan Demand World Bank Investigation into Rogun HPP

Regional Influence

A New Great Game: Multipolar Competition in Central Asia

Central Asia-EU Summit

Mirziyoyev Champions a Flourishing Central Asia by Enhancing Collaboration With the European Union

Regional Security

Afghanistan and Central Asia: Pragmatism Instead of Illusions

“When the winds of change blow, some build walls, others build windmills.” — Chinese proverb Afghanistan remains one of the most complex and controversial spots on the map of Eurasia. After the Taliban came to power in 2021, it seemed the countries of Central Asia were faced with a choice: to distance themselves from the new regime or cautiously engage with it. However, it appears they have chosen a third path - pragmatic cooperation free from political intentions. Today, a window of opportunity is opening for the Central Asian states to reconsider their relationship with Afghanistan, not as a buffer...

Geopolitics

Central Asia Creates a Rift in the Turkic World Over Cyprus

Since the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the five Central Asian republics have been performing a very complex balancing act. In some cases, this dynamic has forced them to make difficult decisions from a geopolitical point of view. This is the case with what has happened in recent weeks regarding diplomatic recognition of the Republic of Cyprus, a member of the European Union since 2004. Between December 2024 and the end of March 2025, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan have each appointed diplomatic representatives in the Republic of Cyprus. Kazakhstan has decided to open its own embassy in Cyprus...

Diplomatic Talks

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov: Kazakhstan Is Our Ally and Partner

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov arrived in Almaty this week to participate in two significant diplomatic events: a meeting of the CIS Council of Foreign Ministers and the eighth gathering of foreign ministers from Russia and Central Asia. On April 10, Lavrov held a bilateral meeting with Kazakh Foreign Minister Murat Nurtleu, during which both sides reviewed the implementation of earlier high-level agreements and discussed expanding cooperation in political, economic, and humanitarian spheres. “Maintaining the high dynamics of political dialogue and the consistent implementation of the agreements reached remain priorities in our bilateral cooperation. This is the direction set by...

Central Asia-EU Summit

Why Europe Is Betting Big on Kazakhstan’s Future

On April 3, Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev met with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in Samarkand, ahead of the Central Asia–European Union summit. Although the meeting was brief, it came at a key moment, bringing into focus a set of shared economic and technological priorities that both sides increasingly treat as strategic. Tokayev made his position plain: Kazakhstan is looking to push forward in four core areas of cooperation with the EU: energy, industrial infrastructure, transport and logistics, and digital technology. Each of these lines up with the country’s broader goals for economic modernization. The two leaders also...

Life & Culture

Sports

Kazakhstan Bans Use of Public Funds to Pay Foreign Athletes

President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has signed a new law prohibiting the use of state budget funds and funds from the quasi-governmental sector, to finance the participation of foreign athletes in Kazakh sports clubs. Under the legislation, foreign “legionnaires” may now only be contracted using money from private sponsors. The move aims to refocus state support on domestic talent in professional sports. According to the presidential administration, athletes holding Kazakhstani passports who compete at elite levels, including in Olympic, Paralympic, Deaflympic, Asian, and national sports, will remain eligible for public funding. Funding Priorities and Implementation “The priority sports will be defined based...

Science

Kazakh Scientists Unveil Advanced Organ Storage Technology at Expo 2025

Mountaineering

Kyrgyz Climber Ascends Annapurna on Same Day as Avalanche Disaster

Music

Jennifer Lopez to Perform in Kazakhstan – Billion-Tenge Boost Expected

History

The Ruthless History of the Great Game in Central Asia

Interview

How Kazakhstan Revives National Traditions Through Cinema

At a recent press screening of the Kazakhstani fantasy comedy All on Mosles: Battle of the Generations, the audience laughed, applauded and, perhaps most tellingly, relived childhood memories. Some even left wanting to play asyki again. The film’s creators achieved what seemed nearly impossible: they transformed an almost forgotten traditional game into a vibrant cinematic adventure appealing to both adults and children. The Times of Central Asia spoke with the film's authors, Yerken Gubashev, Yerkebulan Bekturov, and Mikhail Ulanov, about how the project came to life, the challenges they encountered, and why asyk atu is more than just a game. Now...

Ice Cream

Ice Cream Flavored with Kurt, Tara, and Balkaymak Presented in Almaty

An Almaty-based company, UMAMI, has launched a new line of ice cream inspired by traditional Kazakh flavors. The collection features three distinct varieties: kurt, tary, and balkaymak. Balkaymak is a rich, creamy dessert, sometimes prepared with flour and honey, and typically served warm alongside bread or pastries. Tary refers to roasted millet, a staple often enjoyed with tea. Kurt is a protein and mineral-rich dried fermented milk product, deeply rooted in Kazakh culinary heritage. UMAMI’s project aims not only to surprise the palate but also to integrate national gastronomy into a modern context, creating what the team hopes will become...

Sports

Excitement Mounts After Trio of Central Asian Countries Launch Joint Bid to Host 2031 AFC Cup

On February 24, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan officially submitted a joint bid to host the 2031 AFC Asian Football Cup. If selected, the 2031 tournament would be the first top-level football event hosted in Central Asia. Central Asian Football Association (CAFA) President Rustam Emomali – the eldest son of Tajik President Emomali Rahmon - displayed his enthusiasm following the bid. “Our Central Asian region has never hosted the final part of the Asian Cup. I think the time has come. Our region is represented by very strong teams, and I am confident that together with the fraternal countries, we will...

Healthcare

Central Asia Launches Joint Initiative to Eliminate Tuberculosis by 2030

All five Central Asian nations have launched a regional campaign titled “Central Asia Free of Tuberculosis” with the ambitious goal of eliminating tuberculosis (TB), including drug-resistant strains, across the region by 2030, according to Turkmenportal. The initiative is led by the WHO Regional Office for Europe and supported by international health organizations. Health ministers and senior officials from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan convened in Astana to formally launch the campaign and sign a joint declaration. The agreement outlines commitments to work closely with the World Health Organization (WHO), the Stop TB Partnership, the Global Fund, civil society organizations,...

Justice

Religious Freedom

U.S. Commission Again Cites Turkmenistan for Religious Freedom Violations

The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has once again designated Turkmenistan as a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC), citing ongoing and systematic violations of religious freedom in its 2024 annual report. Persistent State Control and Persecution The USCIRF report emphasizes that religious freedoms in Turkmenistan remain severely restricted, with the state maintaining tight control over religious life and prosecuting individuals whose beliefs deviate from officially sanctioned interpretations. Notably, the commission highlighted the imprisonment of ten Muslims for participating in peaceful religious activities, a case that underscores the regime's repressive stance toward nonconforming Islamic practices. Turkmenistan’s legal framework continues...

Human Trafficking

Twelve Central Asian Citizens Rescued from Human Trafficking in Myanmar

Human Rights

Tajikistan Abolishes Criminal Prosecution for Social Media ‘Likes’

TikToker Arrest

TikToker Arrested for Insulting Uzbek Citizens Online

Soltan Achilova

UN Calls on Turkmenistan to Probe Suspected Poisoning of Journalist Soltan Achilova

Illegal migration

Turkmen Nationals in Belarus Investigated Over Alleged Migration Scheme

Belarusian authorities have launched a criminal investigation into an alleged illegal migration network that reportedly involved hundreds of Turkmen citizens residing in the country, according to a report by state news agency BELTA. The investigation centers on a scheme allegedly orchestrated by three taxi company owners in Minsk. Since 2022, four companies officially registered as taxi service providers were involved in operations that enabled foreign nationals, primarily from Turkmenistan, to obtain temporary residence permits using falsified documents. The business owners, aged between 30 and 38, are accused of hiring foreign nationals on paper to facilitate their acquisition of legal status....

Justice

Kyrgyzstan’s Ex-President Kurmanbek Bakiyev May Return to the Country

Kurmanbek Bakiyev, the former president of Kyrgyzstan currently living in exile in Belarus, is seeking a review of his convictions handed down in absentia. His lawyer, Ikramidin Aitkulov, recently told local media that Bakiyev wishes to challenge the court’s decisions and possibly return to Kyrgyzstan to participate in legal proceedings personally. According to Aitkulov, Kyrgyzstan’s Criminal Procedure Code does not provide clear regulation for trials conducted in absentia. This legal ambiguity, he argues, results in inconsistent interpretations and infringes upon a citizen’s right to a fair trial. He has appealed to the Constitutional Court to examine the relevant provisions of...

Human Rights

Complaint against Tajik Officials Filed with International Criminal Court

For many years now, Tajikistan’s government has been ruling the country as it wishes and ignoring all criticism of the many rights violations being committed in Tajikistan. On April 10, two NGOs -- the Ukrainian Fund of International Volunteers and Freedom for Eurasia -- and the banned Tajik opposition Islamic Renaissance Party of Tajikistan (IRPT) filed a complaint with the international Criminal Court (ICC). The complaint accuses Tajik President Emomali Rahmon and his government of committing crimes against humanity. IRPT leader Muhiddin Kabiri said, “We hope the (ICC), (after considering) our complaint, will begin procedures for opening a criminal case and...

Media

Kyrgyz Authorities Arrest Critic of Kyrgyzstan-Tajikistan Border Agreement

Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan earned international praise last month when they signed a border agreement ending years of tension that had sometimes spilled into deadly violence. A recent arrest in Kyrgyzstan suggests that authorities are sensitive to any criticism of a deal that was widely hailed as a big step for closer ties among Central Asian countries. Kanyshai Mamyrkulova, who has been described by Kyrgyz media sources as a journalist and an activist, was arrested on March 20, a week after President Sadyr Japarov of Kyrgyzstan and Emomali Rahmon, Tajikistan’s leader, signed the peace agreement following painstaking negotiations over the delineation...

Environment

Earthquakes

Earthquake in Tajikistan Kills One Child, Damages About 30 Homes

A powerful earthquake struck Tajikistan on Sunday, killing a young child who was trapped under a wall, damaging about 30 houses and alarming people in parts of neighboring countries who felt the impact. The epicenter of the quake was 25 kilometers east of Rasht, Tajikistan, at a depth of 12.6 kilometers, the U.S. Geological Survey reported. The Euro-Mediterranean Seismological Centre issued a similar report, saying the magnitude was 5.9 and citing the accounts of witnesses who said there was strong shaking in Dushanbe, the capital. The Rasht area is about 150 kilometers northeast of Dushanbe and lies on the border...

Climate Change

Central Asia Endures Record-Breaking March Heatwave Attributed to Climate Change

Renewable energy

Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan Partner on Caspian Green Energy Corridor

Ecology

Russian Eco-Blogger to Fund Forest Restoration in Northern Kazakhstan

Water

Kazakhstan to Receive 3.7 Billion Cubic Meters of Syr Darya Water in 2025

Water

Kazakhstan Advances Water Sector Reform at High-Level Coordination Meeting

On April 10, the Coordination Council of Partners for the Development of the Water Sector of Kazakhstan held its second official meeting in Astana, co-chaired by Nurzhan Nurzhigitov, Kazakhstan’s Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation, and Katarzyna Wawiernia, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Resident Representative in Kazakhstan. The Council, which first convened on September 30, 2024, comprises the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation, the UNDP, and more than 30 international partners, including financial institutions and global development organizations. At the meeting, participants reviewed the Council’s work over the past six months and discussed strategic priorities for sustainable water management....

Environment

Kyrgyzstan to Plant 10 Million Trees in Issyk-Kul via Carbon Credit Initiative

Kyrgyzstan is set to launch Central Asia’s first large-scale tree-planting project funded through carbon credits, in a landmark move toward reducing its carbon footprint and expanding its role in global climate finance. The ambitious initiative aims to plant over 10 million trees across 25,000 hectares in the Issyk-Kul region, with the potential to attract up to $180 million in climate financing. The project was discussed on April 8 during a meeting between Adylbek Kasymaliyev, Chairman of Kyrgyzstan’s Cabinet of Ministers, and representatives of Valor Carbon, a UK-based firm specializing in climate finance. It will be implemented through the sale of...

EU-Central Asia Summit

European Investment Bank Commits €365 Million to Environmental Projects in Central Asia

At the first EU-Central Asia Summit, held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, on April 4, European Investment Bank (EIB) Vice-President Kyriacos Kakouris signed four memorandums of understanding with partners in Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. The agreements will direct €365 million in funding and are expected to unlock up to €1 billion in investment for sustainable transport, water management, and climate resilience initiatives across the region. The EIB is the long-term lending institution of the European Union. These agreements support the EU’s Global Gateway strategy, which aims to boost private sector development, improve transport and logistics infrastructure, and strengthen water management and environmental...

Environment

Uzbekistan Launches $153 Million Forest Restoration Project with World Bank Support

Uzbekistan, in collaboration with the World Bank, has launched a major initiative to restore forests and rehabilitate degraded lands across the country. The Uzbekistan Resilient Landscapes Restoration Project (RESILAND) was officially announced during the Samarkand Climate Forum on April 5. The World Bank will provide $153 million in funding, consisting of a combination of low-interest loans and grants. This initiative forms part of a broader regional strategy aimed at combating land degradation and enhancing climate resilience throughout Central Asia. RESILAND will initially target six provinces: Samarkand, Surkhandarya, Syrdarya, Jizzakh, Namangan, and Kashkadarya. Its objectives include forest restoration, improved land management,...

Afghanistan and Central Asia: Pragmatism Instead of Illusions

Latest

Features

Features

Latest

Sunkar Podcast

Sunkar Podcast

Opinions

Opinions

Dr. Robert M. Cutler

Mohammad Suhail & A.X. Ravshanov

Nikola Mikovic

Business & Economy

Business & Economy

Kazakh Uranium to Power Czech Nuclear Plants

Kazakhstan Expands Wheat Exports to North Africa

Jewelry Factory Opens in Tajikistan with Chinese Investment

Kazakhstan Plans 25% Gas Output Increase by 2030

President Tokayev: Kazakhstan Prepared for Global Market Turbulence

Local Politics

Local Politics

Kyrgyzstan Sets Date for 2027 Presidential Election

Belarus and Kazakhstan Strengthen Military Cooperation

Kyrgyzstan Tries Again to Compose a New Anthem

Kazakhstan Aims to Cut Civil Service to Curb Budget Spending

From Malnutrition to Water Scarcity: UN Identifies Key Threats to Food Security in Tajikistan

International Affairs

International Affairs

U.S. Cancels $2.5 Million Civic Engagement Grant for Uzbekistan

Afghanistan and Central Asia: Pragmatism Instead of Illusions

Central Asia Creates a Rift in the Turkic World Over Cyprus

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov: Kazakhstan Is Our Ally and Partner

Why Europe Is Betting Big on Kazakhstan’s Future