The Times Of Central Asia | Eurasian Publication & News Online

Kazakhstan’s Improving Corruption Score Leads Central Asian Peers

Qairat Boranbaev Released from Prison After Returning Assets to Kazakhstan Treasury

Features

Middle Corridor

How the Middle Corridor Is a Game-Changer for Uzbekistan

Tax

Kazakh Government Prepares for Battle with Big Business Over Tax

Art and Literature

The Journeys of Kazakh Fairy Tales to the United States

International transport

Development of a Maritime Fleet in a Landlocked Country

It may come as a surprise to some, but despite being a landlocked country far from any ocean, Kazakhstan is actively developing its maritime fleet. The country recognizes that to play a significant role in maritime transport across the Caspian Sea, Kazakhstan must enhance the competitiveness of its commercial fleet,...

Tax

Kazakhstan’s PM Bektenov Gives Major Construction Firms Tax Ultimatum

Tajikistan Elections

Tajikistan Announces Preliminary Parliamentary Election Results; OSCE Absent

Middle Corridor

Opinion: Washington Needs a Stronger Policy for the Middle Corridor

AZAL Plane Crash

Azerbaijan Mulls Praise from Chechnya Two Months After Crash

Sunkar Podcast

Repatriating Islamic State Fighters and Families: Balancing Security and Humanity

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Opinions

Business & Economy

Middle Corridor

How the Middle Corridor Is a Game-Changer for Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan has been working to enhance its role in the Middle Corridor, also known as the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR). This push reflects Uzbekistan’s strategic aim to diversify trade routes and reduce dependence on Russia. However, it is not just a diversification effort. It is an aspirational strategic pivot whereby Tashkent seeks to recalibrate its position and enhance its resilience within the ongoing geoeconomic restructuring of Eurasian trade. In January 2025, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev outlined a five-year plan to upgrade infrastructure and streamline trade. The measures enumerated in the decree include improving road and rail connectivity, expanding truck stops,...

Labor Market

Kazakhstan Boosts Vocational Training as Demand for Blue-Collar Workers Surges

International transport

Development of a Maritime Fleet in a Landlocked Country

Energy

Kazakhstan to Expand Oil, Gas, and Green Energy Production in 2025

Hydropower

Turkish Company to Build Hydropower Plants in Kyrgyzstan and New Heat and Power Plant for Bishkek

Agriculture

Uzbekistan to Invest $200 Million in Seed Production

Uzbekistan is expanding international cooperation in agriculture, with President Shavkat Mirziyoyev reviewing new sector development plans on March 3. The country is implementing agricultural reforms aimed at boosting efficiency through modern technologies and scientific research. Recently, Uzbek experts visited China, Italy, and Japan to study advanced farming practices, leading to new partnerships in the sector. Seed Production: A Key Priority High-quality seed production is essential for increasing crop yields. While Uzbekistan has 14 agricultural research institutes and 55 seed farms, they struggle to develop new seed varieties. As a result, many farmers rely on imported seeds, which are often more...

Tax

Kazakh Government Prepares for Battle with Big Business Over Tax

Kazakhstan's government is entering a critical phase of its tax system overhaul, which is set to conclude by Nauryz, the country’s most significant Turkic holiday, beginning on March 21. The deadline for the ultimatum issued by Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov to major businesses, accused of exploiting tax loopholes, will expire in the second half of March. The question remains: What happens next? Tax Reform: Eliminating Preferences The government has been pushing for tax reform, aiming to abolish a range of tax benefits, some of which date back to 2008 during the global financial crisis. However, the main point of contention...

Finance

Kyrgyzstan to Issue $1.7 Billion in Eurobonds for the First Time

The Ministry of Finance of Kyrgyzstan has summarized its 2024 financial results and outlined its plans for 2025. According to Finance Minister Almaz Baketaev, the country’s recent financial policies have played a key role in rebuilding the economy. First-Ever Eurobond Issuance For the first time, Kyrgyzstan is preparing to issue Eurobonds worth $1.7 billion with a 10-year maturity period. The bonds will be denominated in U.S. dollars, euros, Chinese yuan, UAE dirhams, Hong Kong dollars, and the Kyrgyz som. Earlier, The Times of Central Asia reported that the government was working on issuing European and American bonds, though at the...

Tax

Kazakhstan’s PM Bektenov Gives Major Construction Firms Tax Ultimatum

Kazakhstan’s Prime Minister, Olzhas Bektenov, has accused the country’s two largest construction companies, Bazis and BI Group, of tax evasion. The State Revenue Committee later substantiated these claims, notifying the firms of additional taxes amounting to KZT 16.5 billion (over $32 million). Business Fragmentation The allegations against the developers emerged during a meeting between Bektenov, National Economy Minister Serik Zhumangarin, and Finance Minister Madi Takiyev. Takiyev explained that many Kazakhstani businesses exploit legal loopholes by dividing their operations into multiple legal entities to minimize tax obligations. He cited examples from the hospitality industry, where bars, kitchens, and karaoke sections within...

Local Politics

Kazakhstan Introduces AI Regulation Bill to Ensure Human Oversight

Deputies of the Mazhilis, the lower house of Kazakhstan's parliament, have introduced a draft law titled On Artificial Intelligence. The legislation proposes a complete ban on digital systems that make decisions without human intervention. The bill was presented by one of its key developers, Mazhilis deputy Ekaterina Smyshlyayeva, who emphasized the need for a transparent and effective legal framework for integrating AI into Kazakhstan’s economy. “President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has repeatedly highlighted the importance of AI development and issued relevant directives. During a recent visit to the Artificial Intelligence Development Center, he stressed the need for a balanced approach to AI...

National Identity

Kyrgyzstan’s Rebrand: New Country, or New Distractions?

Road

Kazakhstan Proposes “Idioten Test” for Repeat Traffic Offenders

Legacy

Karimova and Nazarbayeva: Power, Prison, and Privilege – The Diverging Fates of Central Asia’s First Daughters

Kyrgyz-Tajik Border

Some Good News as Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan Finalize Border Deal

Tajikistan Elections

Tajikistan Announces Preliminary Parliamentary Election Results; OSCE Absent

Bakhtiyor Khudoyorzoda, the chairman of Tajikistan's Central Commission for Elections and Referenda (CCER), has announced the preliminary results of the March 2 parliamentary elections to the Assembly of Representatives. According to Khudoyorzoda, 4.71 million of the 5.52 million registered voters participated in the election, representing an 85.3% turnout. The election results for party-list voting were as follows: The People's Democratic Party of Tajikistan secured the most support, receiving 2,435,541 votes (51.9%). The Agrarian Party of Tajikistan garnered 986,887 votes (21%). The Economic Reform Party of Tajikistan received 595,281 votes (12.7%). The Socialist Party of Tajikistan obtained 248,064 votes (5.3%). The...

Proposal

Proposal to Ban Sex Change Operations in Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan's Mazhilis (Parliament) Deputy Magerram Magerramov has proposed a ban on sex change operations, arguing that such procedures contradict national culture, traditions, and common sense. Magerramov stressed the need to preserve traditional family values and questioned Kazakhstan’s legal framework, which currently allows gender reassignment for individuals diagnosed with gender dysphoria. “According to the Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan ‘On the Health of the People and the Health Care System’, citizens over 21 years old who do not have mental or behavioral disorders can change their gender identity. However, the very term ‘gender identity disorder’ already implies the presence of...

Powering the Future: Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan Race to Tackle Energy Crises with Nuclear Plans

Kazakhstan has officially designated the site for its first nuclear power plant (NPP), while Uzbekistan has also identified a location and announced plans to establish an international consortium. Despite severe power shortages in densely populated regions, concrete timelines for construction remain unclear. Kazakhstan Finalizes NPP Site Selection On February 25, Kazakhstan formally approved the construction site for its first NPP. A decree signed by Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov designated the Zhambyl district in the Almaty region as the site for the facility. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev reiterated in January 2025 that Kazakhstan would likely require multiple nuclear power plants, and urged...

Foreign Agents Law

Proposed Kazakh Foreign Agents Law Sparks Heated Debate

The potential adoption of a law on foreign agents has sparked heated discussions and even serious conflicts in Kazakhstan. However, some experts believe that labeling foreign agents will help the country's citizens understand whose interests certain sections of the media and bloggers are serving. Discussions about the possible adoption of a foreign agents law in Kazakhstan have been ongoing for several years. The sharp reduction in USAID activities worldwide, including in Kazakhstan, has given new momentum to the debate. A directive from U.S. President Donald Trump to shut down the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) brought shocking details...

International Affairs

Middle Corridor

Opinion: Washington Needs a Stronger Policy for the Middle Corridor

The inauguration of President Donald Trump marks a new phase in U.S. foreign policy with direct implications for the Middle Corridor, a key trade route linking China to Europe via Central Asia and the South Caucasus. This corridor, also known as the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR), has been gaining increasing strategic importance as global trade patterns shift and great-power competition intensifies. During Trump’s first term, U.S. engagement in the region was sporadic and lacked a comprehensive strategy. While some policy initiatives were undertaken to counterbalance Russian and Chinese influence in Eurasia, these efforts remained piecemeal. The Biden administration attempted...

Kyrgyzstan-Tajikistan Border

Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan Discuss Border Agreement in Parliament

Human rights

Sadyr Japarov Criticizes European Deputies for One-Sided Reports on Kyrgyzstan

Bilateral Relations

Uzbekistan Sees Opportunities in Afghanistan

Eduards Stiprais Appointed New EU Special Representative for Central Asia

Bilateral Relations

Strategic Cooperation Between Turkey and Turkmenistan Gains Momentum

Turkey and Turkmenistan have accelerated their cooperation in recent years, advancing economic, energy, and diplomatic initiatives that underscore their shared cultural and strategic interests. Their deepening of bilateral ties reflects and expresses both broader regional dynamics and shifts in global energy geopolitics. As The Times of Central Asia reports, the two countries signed a natural gas supply agreement in February 2025 that reinforces Turkey’s ambitions as a regional energy hub while providing Turkmenistan with a new export avenue. Turkmenistan will begin supplying 1.3 billion cubic meters per year (bcm/y) of natural gas to Turkey on March 1 through a swap...

Turkic-Speaking Countries

Turkey Proposes Turkmenistan Join the Parliamentary Assembly of Turkic-Speaking Countries

Turkey has proposed that Turkmenistan join the Parliamentary Assembly of Turkic-Speaking Countries (TURKPA). The initiative was put forward by Turkish Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmuş during a meeting with a Turkmen parliamentary delegation in Ankara. During the talks, both sides discussed inter-parliamentary cooperation and ways to strengthen bilateral ties. One of the key topics was Turkmenistan’s initiative to declare 2025 the International Year of Peace and Trust, which was previously approved by the United Nations General Assembly. The Turkmen delegation expressed gratitude to Turkey for its support of this initiative. Following the discussions, the delegations held a press conference, where they...

Caspian Pipeline

A Blow to the CPC: Geopolitical Intrigue Surrounding the Pipeline

More than a week has passed since Ukrainian drones attacked the Kropotkinskaya oil refinery, part of the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC) system. However, the incident remains a topic of heated debate in Kazakhstan. What Happened? On February 17, the Kropotkinskaya oil pumping station, located in Kavkazsky district, Krasnodar Krai, was targeted by multiple UAVs carrying explosives and metal fragments. While there were no casualties, the facility sustained damage and was taken out of service. Oil transportation through the Tengiz-Novorossiysk pipeline has since been rerouted via a bypass system, ensuring that shipments from the CPC Marine Terminal continue as normal. On...

Geopolitics

A Central Asian Perspective: Look Out for Ourselves as World Shifts

Kazakhstan must focus on its own interests at a time of uncertainty over the Trump administration’s global relations and alliances as well as pending appointments to key U.S. diplomatic posts for Central Asia, according to the head of a non-governmental group based in Almaty. The comments by Karla Jamankulova, head of the free speech group Adil Soz, reflect a wider sense of vigilance in Central Asia. The region’s governments are monitoring and engaging Washington as the new U.S. administration moves to implement major, even stunning policy shifts, including warnings of tariffs on key trading partners, disruption of the longstanding U.S.-Europe...

Life & Culture

Health

Tajikistan Steps Up Efforts to Combat Obesity and Malnutrition

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations , in collaboration with Tajikistan’s Ministries of Health and Agriculture, has launched an initiative to develop national nutrition guidelines aimed at promoting sustainable food systems. The project was presented at a national workshop focused on improving public health through better nutrition. Rising Obesity Rates in Tajikistan Tajikistan has experienced a steady increase in obesity over the past 11 years. In 2012, 46.3% of the population was classified as overweight; by 2023, this figure had risen to 51%. During the same period, obesity rates increased from 13.4% to 17.4%. Despite these...

History

Mukhamedzhan Tynyshpaev: Pioneer, Patriot, and Kazakh Visionary

Art and Literature

Monument to Kyrgyz Writer Chingiz Aitmatov Unveiled in Rome

Culture

Uzbek Artifacts from Italian Museums and Private Collections to be Exhibited in Tashkent

Cultural Heritage

Eagles, Heritage, and History: A Glimpse into Kazakhstan’s Ancient Art of Falconry

Art and Literature

The Journeys of Kazakh Fairy Tales to the United States

The Kazakh people have always been dedicated to preserving and advancing their culture and literature and sharing them with the world. Over the thirty-plus years since independence, the Kazakh state has actively sought valuable historical records and archival materials about its people. It is remarkable to discover that during the Soviet era, numerous Western travelers explored Kazakhstan’s territory, documenting their observations on traditions, daily life, religion, and political perspectives in books that were later published in English. In the fall of 2023, with funding from the Bolashak program, I started a project to research the history of the Kazakh people...

Society

Central Asia Ranks Among Least Free in Freedom House’s 2025 Report

Freedom House has released its 2025 Freedom in the World report, which evaluates political rights and civil liberties in 195 countries and 13 territories worldwide. Covering events from January 1 to December 31, 2024, the report is based on the principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, emphasizing that freedom is best safeguarded in democratic societies. Countries are assessed on a 100-point scale, with higher scores reflecting greater political and civil freedoms. Finland topped the ranking with 100 points, followed by New Zealand and Sweden with 99 points each. At the bottom were Tibet (0 points), Syria, and South...

Baikonur

Cargo Spacecraft Heads for Space Station in First Baikonur Launch of 2025

Three tons of food, fuel and other supplies are on their way to the International Space Station after a Russian spacecraft lifted off on a Soyuz rocket from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. It was the first launch from the space facility this year. The Roscosmos Progress MS-30 cargo spacecraft, which is unpiloted, was launched early Friday and the trip to the station will take about two days. NASA refers to the space freighter as Progress 91 because it’s the 91st Russian resupply craft to launch in support of the International Space Station since its construction began in 1998. The...

Agriculture

Kyrgyzstan Develops New Ala-Too Sheep Breed

Kyrgyzstan has officially approved a patent for the new Ala-Too sheep breed, a meat-producing variety developed through selective breeding. The Ala-Too breed is now formally recognized as an independent breeding achievement, paving the way for patenting and potential commercialization. A New High-Value Sheep Breed The Ala-Too sheep was developed by crossing local Kyrgyz sheep with Tajikistan’s Hissar sheep, a well-known meat breed. “The Ala-Too sheep is a new meat-producing breed. A single breeding sheep costs between $5,000 and $10,000, with some specimens fetching up to $30,000,” said Professor Abdugani Abdurasulov of Osh University. Developing artificial breeds is a key priority...

Justice

Corruption

Recovering Assets: Kazakhstan’s Prosecutors Expand Network to Moldova, Bulgaria

Kazakh prosecutors who focus on reclaiming national assets are sharing ideas and experiences with counterparts from Moldova and Bulgaria, two eastern European countries where anti-corruption investigators have faced big challenges. The Asset Recovery Committee of the Prosecutor General’s Office of Kazakhstan signed agreements in those nations in February, increasing the international collaboration that is essential to tracking down stolen wealth. Kazakhstan is building ties with foreign jurisdictions and institutions such as Interpol as it seeks to get back illegally acquired assets valued in the billions of dollars, much of it funneled out of the Central Asian country by powerful business...

Terrorism

Tajik National Arrested in U.S. for Supporting ISIS-K, Faces 45 Years in Prison

Justice

Kazakhstan Denies Rumors About Ratification of the Rome Statute

Trump

U.S.-Funded Plane Carrying Some Central Asian Migrants Lands in Costa Rica

Investigation

Fake Nephew of Sadyr Japarov Detained in Kyrgyzstan

AZAL Plane Crash

Azerbaijan Mulls Praise from Chechnya Two Months After Crash

Two months ago, an Azerbaijan Airlines plane crashed in Kazakhstan after – Azerbaijan says – it was accidentally hit by Russian ground fire in the Russian region of Chechnya. Now Chechnya’s leader says he wants to give an award to the surviving crew members, an announcement that initially angered some people in Azerbaijan, considering the alleged culpability of forces on the ground. Two of five crewmembers survived the Dec. 25 crash that killed a total of 38 people on the airliner that had been flying from Baku to Grozny, Chechnya’s capital, only to divert across the Caspian Sea and crash...

PACE

Kazakh Activists Slam PACE Member’s Allegations

Kazakh civil activists have strongly criticized a written declaration signed by 20 of the 306 members of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), labeling it a “defamatory document.” Their response, representing various non-governmental organizations and public associations across Kazakhstan, accuses PACE signatories of bias, double standards, and a lack of objectivity in its assessment of human rights and democratic practices in the country. The contentious declaration, published on the PACE website on February 5, 2025, alleges that Kazakhstan has imprisoned eight political dissidents and is repressing another five individuals living abroad. However, Kazakh civil society representatives argue...

Crocus City Hall Terrorist Attack

Russia Sentences Kyrgyz Citizen for Justifying Crocus City Hall Attack

A 30-year-old Kyrgyz citizen has been convicted in Russia for publicly justifying the terrorist attack at Crocus City Hall. The Second Western District Military Court found Abdinasir uulu Bekzat guilty of supporting the attackers, as reported by the Russian state news agency, TASS. According to the court ruling, “Abdinasir uulu Bekzat, who worked as an installer of low-current systems at Atrium LLC in Moscow, was found guilty of committing a crime under Part 2 of Article 205.2 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation - public calls to carry out terrorist activities using the internet. The court imposed a...

Trump Administration

Central Asian Migrants In Group Being Deported by U.S. to Costa Rica

A group of 200 migrants from Central Asia and India is scheduled to be flown from the United States to Costa Rica this week as part of the Trump administration’s crackdown on immigration. Costa Rica’s presidency said in a statement that it was collaborating with the United States on the repatriation of migrants who were illegally in the U.S. and that the “first group” of 200 would be transferred from Juan Santamaria International Airport, near the capital of San José, to a temporary facility for migrants in the Costa Rican area of Corredores. The area is in the south of...

Environment

Chinese Company to Build Waste Recycling Plant in Osh

China’s Hunan Junxin Huanbao KG Invest will build a solid waste incineration plant in Osh, Kyrgyzstan’s second-largest city, as part of a project to generate electricity from municipal waste. According to the Osh municipality, Mayor Jenyshbek Toktorbayev signed an agreement with the Chinese company during his visit to Changsha, the capital of China’s Hunan Province, in early March. The agreement includes the preparation of a feasibility study, with construction set to begin in the coming months. The project is expected to cost $90 million. Similar Project Underway in Bishkek The Times of Central Asia reported that Hunan Junxin Huanbao KG...

Water

Report Addresses Cross-Border Challenges in Irtysh River Basin

Water Supply

Kyrgyzstan Reports Increase in Irrigation Water Supply

Water Management

ADB to Help Uzbekistan Introduce Smart Water Management

Transport

Kazakhstan Fears Electric Cars Will Strain Energy Infrastructure

Environment

Caspian Sea Shrinking Faster Than Expected, Risking Aral Sea-Like Disaster

The Caspian Sea is shoaling at an alarming rate, raising concerns among environmentalists in the countries that border it. According to the global movement Save The Caspian Sea, the sea level has dropped by two meters over the past 18 years. If this trend continues, the water level could fall by another 18 meters by 2100, triggering an ecological catastrophe much sooner than anticipated. Kazakh Coastlines Recede by 50 Kilometers The most dramatic retreat of the Caspian shoreline has been recorded along the Kazakh coast, where the sea has receded by 50 kilometers. Environmental activist Vadim Ni, founder of Save...

Securing Central Asia’s Future: EBRD’s Regional Head on the Fight for Water Sustainability

Every fourth inhabitant of Central Asia, home to more than 83 million people, does not have regular access to safe drinking water. The region spans more than four million square kilometers, and over 15% of its territory is covered by the Karakum and Kyzylkum deserts, as well as waterless places such as the Ustyurt Plateau (similar in size to the United Kingdom), which stretches across Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan. The extreme heat common to Central Asia in summer makes water a precious resource. To make matters worse, irresponsible human activity, particularly wasteful water use for irrigation, has led to one...

Water

Experts Warn Central Asia Faces Chronic Water Shortage by 2028

Central Asia is heading toward a severe water crisis as climate change, population growth, and outdated infrastructure put increasing pressure on the region’s water resources, experts have warned. At a recent roundtable on climate change and water management, Stanislav Pritchin, head of the Central Asia sector at the Russian Academy of Sciences, highlighted the growing threat. Climate change is a major factor, as rising temperatures accelerate glacier melt - the primary source of freshwater in Central Asia. Meanwhile, rapid population growth is driving up demand. Uzbekistan, the region’s most populous country, has seen its population increase from 22 million in...

Methane Emissions

High Methane Emissions May Hinder Turkmenistan’s Gas Exports to Europe

High methane emissions could pose a significant obstacle to Turkmenistan’s entry into the European gas market, according to an updated report by the U.S. Department of Energy, published on February 6. The main findings of the study were summarized by Eurasia Review on February 19. The report, which examines oil and gas production in the Caspian region, notes that four countries, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, account for 3% of global energy production. Turkmenistan’s Gas Reserves and Export Ambitions According to the report, Turkmenistan ranks fifth worldwide in natural gas reserves, estimated at 400 trillion cubic feet in 2025. In...

Recovering Assets: Kazakhstan’s Prosecutors Expand Network to Moldova, Bulgaria

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Features

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Opinions

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Nikola Mikovic

Dr. Robert M. Cutler

Stephen M. Bland

Business & Economy

Business & Economy

How the Middle Corridor Is a Game-Changer for Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan to Invest $200 Million in Seed Production

Kazakh Government Prepares for Battle with Big Business Over Tax

Kyrgyzstan to Issue $1.7 Billion in Eurobonds for the First Time

Kazakhstan’s PM Bektenov Gives Major Construction Firms Tax Ultimatum

Local Politics

Local Politics

Kazakhstan Introduces AI Regulation Bill to Ensure Human Oversight

Tajikistan Announces Preliminary Parliamentary Election Results; OSCE Absent

Proposal to Ban Sex Change Operations in Kazakhstan

Powering the Future: Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan Race to Tackle Energy Crises with Nuclear Plans

Proposed Kazakh Foreign Agents Law Sparks Heated Debate

International Affairs

International Affairs

Opinion: Washington Needs a Stronger Policy for the Middle Corridor

Strategic Cooperation Between Turkey and Turkmenistan Gains Momentum

Turkey Proposes Turkmenistan Join the Parliamentary Assembly of Turkic-Speaking Countries

A Blow to the CPC: Geopolitical Intrigue Surrounding the Pipeline

A Central Asian Perspective: Look Out for Ourselves as World Shifts