The Times Of Central Asia | Eurasian Publication & News Online

World Bank Report Highlights Poverty and Inequality Challenges in Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan in 80th Place in New Global Ranking of Average Wages

Features

Digital Development

M360 Eurasia Opens in Tashkent with Emphasis on Digital Growth

USAID

Cuts to USAID Leave Central Asia Facing Development Challenges

Russia's War

Russia: Thousands of Central Asia-Born Russians Sent to Ukraine Front Line

A senior Russian official has said that thousands of migrants from Central Asia who became Russian citizens were sent to fight in Ukraine after they tried to dodge conscription. "Our military investigations directorate conducts regular raids,” Alexander Bastrykin, head of Russia’s Investigative Committee, said on Tuesday in remarks that were...

Tourism

Uzbekistan Plans to Restore Khiva’s Outer Fortress, Draw Tourists

Italy

Italy Raises the Bar in Central Asia: What to Expect from Giorgia Meloni’s Visit

Afghanistan

Recognition of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan: Between Law, Diplomacy, and Pragmatism

After the Taliban returned to power in August 2021, the question of recognizing the new Afghan regime became one of the key issues in regional and global politics. Although no country has granted de jure recognition to the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA), international engagement with the de facto authorities...

Ecology

Uzbek Scientists Trial Salt-Tolerant Plants to Revive Aral Sea Seabed

Electricity

World Bank Approves $100 Million to Modernize Uzbekistan’s Power Grid

The World Bank has approved a $100 million credit to support the modernization of Uzbekistan’s electricity distribution system and facilitate the integration of renewable energy sources. Uzbekistan’s Regional Electric Power Networks (REPN) will contribute an additional $50 million to the initiative, marking the country’s first use of the World Bank’s...

Sunkar Podcast

Repatriating Islamic State Fighters and Families: Balancing Security and Humanity

00:00 / 00:00

Opinions

Business & Economy

Society

How the Welfare of Kazakhstani Citizens Has Changed Over the Past Five Years

While official data shows that the monetary income of Kazakhstani citizens has nearly doubled over the past five years, many citizens report that their day-to-day experiences do not align with the statistics. Analysts at Ranking.kz conducted a study comparing official income data with real purchasing power, highlighting a complex and often uneven picture of economic well-being across the country. Average vs. Median Income: A Growing Gap According to the National Statistics Bureau, the average annual per capita income in 2024 exceeded 1.3 million KZT (approximately $2,600), up from 692,000 KZT ($1,384) in 2019, an almost twofold increase. This translates to...

Crypto market

Kazakh Lawmaker Proposes Stricter Controls on Cryptocurrency Market

Investments

PepsiCo to Double Investment in Kazakhstan Plant, Triple Production Capacity

Labor Market

Kazakh Women Increasingly Turn to IT Careers, but Face Persistent Pay Gaps

Electricity

World Bank Approves $100 Million to Modernize Uzbekistan’s Power Grid

Digital Development

M360 Eurasia Opens in Tashkent with Emphasis on Digital Growth

The GSMA M360 Eurasia conference officially opened on May 21 in Tashkent, marking the event’s first ever appearance in Uzbekistan. The gathering brought together telecommunications leaders, digital experts, and policymakers to explore how mobile technologies can fuel economic development and enhance quality of life across Eurasia. A key highlight of the opening day was the launch of the GSMA Mobile Economy Eurasia 2025 report. According to the findings, mobile services and technologies contributed $220 billion to the Eurasian economy in 2024, equivalent to 7.7% of the region’s GDP. That figure is projected to rise to $270 billion by 2030, comprising...

Islamic Finance

New Report Predicts Surge in Islamic Finance Across Central Asia

A new report co-published by the Eurasian Development Bank (EDB), the Islamic Development Bank Institute, and the London Stock Exchange Group forecasts robust growth for Islamic finance in Central Asia. Titled “The Future of Islamic Finance in Central Asia,” the report was unveiled at the 2025 Annual Meetings of the Islamic Development Bank Group in Algiers, Algeria. The study offers a comprehensive overview of the Islamic finance landscape across Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. While Sharia-compliant financing remains a relatively recent addition to the global financial system, having developed over the past three decades, it is becoming an increasingly...

Science

Kazakhstan Invests in Science, But Economic Impact Remains Low

Over the past five years, Kazakhstan has nearly tripled its research and development (R&D) spending, reaching $430 million in 2024. Despite this, science's contribution to the national economy remains minimal, just 0.16% of GDP. This figure is among the lowest for countries striving toward technological advancement, according to analysts at Ranking.kz. Almaty: Kazakhstan’s Scientific Hub Nearly half of last year’s R&D spending was concentrated in Almaty, which accounted for 43.1% of total investment, equivalent to $186 million. Astana followed with 20.4% ($88 million), while other regions lagged significantly. In the Ulytau region, for instance, only $67,000 was allocated to scientific...

Economy

Kazakhstan Establishes New Special Economic Zone in Kyzylorda Region

Kazakhstan has launched a new special economic zone (SEZ) named "Korkyt Ata", located in the Kyzylorda region. Spanning 550 hectares, the SEZ is strategically positioned near the international transport corridor Western Europe-Western China, enhancing its potential as a hub for industrial growth and regional trade. According to the project’s developers, the SEZ aims to foster competitive industrial production, attract both domestic and foreign investment, and facilitate the introduction of advanced technologies. Its proximity to the major transport artery is expected to improve access to Central Asian markets and beyond. Korkyt Ata will operate under a special legal regime offering tax...

Local Politics

Society

How the Welfare of Kazakhstani Citizens Has Changed Over the Past Five Years

National Development Program

Kyrgyzstan Prepares National Development Program Through 2030

Irrigation Water

Kyrgyz Farmers to Pay Less for Irrigation Water Following Tariff Reform

Traffic regulations

Issyk-Kul Authorities Launch Campaign to Improve Traffic Rule Awareness

Military

Kyrgyzstan to Unveil New Air Defense Systems at Military Parade

Migration

Kyrgyz Authorities Announce Crackdown on Illegal Migration

On June 10, Kyrgyzstan’s State Committee for National Security (GKNB) will launch a nationwide campaign titled Operation Illegal, aimed at identifying and deporting undocumented migrants. The initiative will involve joint efforts by the GKNB and other law enforcement agencies, with a focus on conducting mass checks of foreign nationals residing in the country. The operation comes amid a sharp rise in the number of foreigners entering Kyrgyzstan in recent months. Speaking at a law enforcement coordination meeting, GKNB Chairman Kamchibek Tashiev outlined the scale of the influx: “Since the beginning of the year, 61,000 tourists, 30,000 foreign students, and 12,000...

Illegal Online Content

Kazakhstan to Introduce Fines for Illegal Online Content

Kazakhstan is set to introduce administrative liability for disseminating illegal content on the internet, Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs Igor Lepekha announced during a recent session of the Mazhilis, the lower house of parliament. Although Kazakhstan formally banned the publication of unlawful material online in 2023, as stipulated in national legislation, the law did not include penalties for violations. Lepekha confirmed that this gap will now be addressed through new administrative measures. Kazakhstan has already established a system to detect illegal and false online content. “The Ministry of Culture sends us reports whenever false information is identified. We forward these...

Victory Day

Victory Day in Central Asia: Honoring Sacrifice Amid Shifting Narratives

For the countries of Central Asia, Victory Day holds a deep significance. Although debates over the nature of the May 9 commemorations have intensified in recent years, the importance of the holiday remains unchallenged. A War That Touched Every Family Attitudes toward the celebration marking the defeat of Nazi Germany are largely shaped by each nation's level of participation in the war effort. Kazakhstan mobilized over 1.2 million people, nearly 20% of its pre-war population of 6.5 million. Of these, more than 600,000 perished at the front, with an additional 300,000 dying in the rear due to malnutrition, forced labor,...

Women's Rights

Almaty University Criticized After Female Students Told to Bow to Men

A controversy has erupted at the Kazakh National Pedagogical University (KazNPU) in Almaty after first-year female students were instructed to bow to men during an orientation session. The incident, which triggered widespread criticism, has drawn sharp condemnation on social media and reignited debates about gender roles in Kazakhstani society. According to social media posts, female students were gathered in an auditorium where they were shown a video containing behavioral "recommendations." In the footage, men of varying ages advised young women on how to conduct themselves in public, including avoiding revealing clothing, refraining from loud speech, and bowing to men as a...

International Affairs

Organization of Turkic States

The Turkic World in the Heart of Europe: OTS Leaders Discuss Economy, Transport, and Unity

On May 21, 2025, an informal summit of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) convened in Budapest, uniting leaders of member countries and observers in the symbolic heart of Europe. The heads of Kazakhstan, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan, along with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, discussed key areas of cooperation, including the economy, transport, digitalization, and adherence to international agreements. The summit was held under the motto “Meeting Place of East and West.” Tokayev: Uniform Standards Could Boost GDP by 1% Annually Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev emphasized the need for deeper economic integration among Turkic states and advocated for...

Russia's War

Russia: Thousands of Central Asia-Born Russians Sent to Ukraine Front Line

Tajik-Afghan Border

CSTO to Begin Arms Supplies to the Tajik-Afghan Border in 2026

Kazakhstan-Uzbekistan Border

Kazakhstan Extends Border Crossing Closure with Uzbekistan Until September

International Audit

Kyrgyzstan Offers International Audits of State Firms Amid Russia Sanctions Scrutiny

USAID

Cuts to USAID Leave Central Asia Facing Development Challenges

When American President Donald Trump announced a freeze and overhaul of his country's foreign aid in early 2025, the move sparked concern across Central Asia. For more than three decades, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) had been a key contributor to development in the region, supporting education, healthcare, agriculture, and environmental protection. Support for Weaker Economies USAID’s role was particularly critical in economically vulnerable countries like Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. Its sudden withdrawal now leaves local governments scrambling to compensate with limited domestic resources. The cuts have not been uniform, but the overall impact has been profound. According...

USAID

Cuts to USAID Leave Central Asia Facing Development Challenges

Politics

In the Ancient Uzbek City of Termez, Delegates Talk Ties Between Central and South Asia

The Uzbek city of Termez, which lies on the border with Afghanistan and has hosted pilgrims, traders and soldiers over many centuries, is hosting a conference to promote contacts between Central and South Asia. Organized by the Uzbek government, the three-day meeting this week brings together about 200 people from fields including politics, business and research, some of whom have traveled from Europe, the Middle East and the Asia-Pacific region. The so-called Termez Dialogue on Connectivity, the first in the city, ends on Wednesday. The forum represents a belief that the countries of Central and South Asia can benefit from...

Italy

Italy Raises the Bar in Central Asia: What to Expect from Giorgia Meloni’s Visit

In recent years, Italy has emerged as one of the European countries most keen to maintain close relations with the countries of Central Asia. In mid-April, confirmation arrived that Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni would be travelling to the region this spring. The purpose of the trip is to visit Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan and attend a summit in Astana with the presidents of the five countries. Meloni's visit is scheduled for the end of May, although the exact dates are not yet known. Italy was the first European country to involve the Central Asia region in a "1+5" summit. The first...

Life & Culture

History

Love and Politics: How the Wives of Alash Founders Sparked a Controversy

A controversy that may appear perplexing to outside observers has ignited debate across Kazakh society. The target of online backlash is journalist Maya Bekbaeva, known for her extensive work promoting Kazakh history, from the era of Khan Jochi, son of Genghis Khan, to notable Soviet-era figures. Two years ago, Bekbaeva released a documentary highlighting the wives of prominent Kazakhs who fought for autonomy within the Russian Empire. A fragment of the film, selectively edited, surfaced on YouTube last week, triggering widespread public reaction. A Controversy with Cultural Implications The edited clip suggested that the founders of the Alash party routinely...

Culture

From Classic to Avant-Garde: How “Night at the Museum” in Almaty Bridged Eras

Health

Maternal Mortality Continues to Decline in Kazakhstan

Sports

Turkmenistan’s Arkadag Footballers Left Without Prize Money Despite AFC Victory

Construction

Afghanistan Delivers White Marble to Uzbekistan for Imam Bukhari Complex

Tourism

Uzbekistan Plans to Restore Khiva’s Outer Fortress, Draw Tourists

The walls of Dishan-Kala, the remnants of a 19th century fortress in the Uzbek city of Khiva, have been deteriorating for many years. Now the Uzbek government plans to restore destroyed sections of the walls, remove some nearby buildings that are cluttering the historical structure and turn the site into a major tourist attraction. The goal is to transform Dishan-Kala, the outer fortress, into a landmark similar to Ichan-Kala, the walled inner town at Khiva that is a UNESCO world heritage site and home to multiple cultural sites, exhibition sites and artisan shops. Some 1 million foreign tourists and 3.5...

Food Crisis

Global Report on Food Crises 2025: Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan Identified as at Risk

For the first time, the 2025 Global Report on Food Crises, produced by the Food Security Information Network, has officially identified parts of Central Asia, particularly Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan, as areas of concern for food security. Central Asia in the Spotlight The Food Security Information Network (FSIN) is a technical global platform for the exchange of expertise, knowledge and best practises on food security and nutrition analysis. Published on May 16, its food crises report for this year outlines a convergence of economic instability, persistently high food prices, and climate-related stressors that threaten to deepen food insecurity in the region....

World Education Forum

Turkmenistan Participates in World Education Forum in London

On May 18, the Education World Forum, one of the largest global events dedicated to education, opened in London, bringing together ministers, deputy ministers, and senior representatives from over 100 countries. This year’s participants include a delegation from Turkmenistan, led by Deputy Minister of Education Azat Ataev. On the forum’s opening day, the Turkmen delegation met with representatives of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) to discuss Turkmenistan’s potential involvement in international education initiatives, including the integration of PISA (Programme for International Student Assessment) goals into the country’s national education strategy. The delegation also held talks with Times...

Baikonur

Baikonur Cosmodrome Gears Up for 70th Anniversary; Trespassers Detained

Two European tourists have been detained while trying to take photographs at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Russian media reported on Thursday, as officials prepare to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Russia-operated spaceflight center on June 2. “The men were trying to sneak to the Buran rocket and take photos," an unidentified law enforcement official told Russia’s state news agency TASS, which reported on Thursday that the men, who were from Czechia, also known as the Czech Republic, were released after being fined 5,000 rubles, or $60. The trespassers were the latest in a long list of space enthusiasts...

Justice

Crocus City Hall Terrorist Attack

Detention Extended for Four Suspects in Moscow Crocus City Hall Attack

The Moscow City Court has extended the detention of four Tajik citizens accused of participating in the deadly terrorist attack at Crocus City Hall in March. According to the court’s press service, the suspects will remain in custody for an additional three months and 28 days. The individuals, Fariduni Shamsiddin, Saidkrom Rachabalizoda, Dalerjon Mirzoev, and Muhammadsobir Faizov, have been named by Russian authorities as the primary perpetrators. They reportedly opened fire and set the concert venue ablaze on the evening of March 22. All four have been officially added to Russia’s federal list of terrorists and extremists. The attack, which...

Rukhshona Khakimova

UN Official Urges Tajikistan to Release, Retry Woman Convicted of Treason

Crime

Brutal Assault on Kazakh Politician Raises Questions

Corruption

Former Head of Astana Metro Project Detained in Turkey

Economy

Tajikistan Has the Harshest Fines Relative to Income in Central Asia

Social Media

Tajikistan Decriminalizes Likes and Other Reactions to Provocative Social Media Posts

Tajik citizens need no longer fear that they will be imprisoned for clicking “like” on social media posts that the Tajik authorities do not like. Among several laws that Tajik President Emomali Rahmon signed on May 14 was one that decriminalized liking posts on social networks that originate from individuals or organizations the Tajik government considers extremist. Crackdown on Social Media In 2018, President Rahmon signed amendments to Article 179 of the Criminal Code, making it a crime to repost, comment favorably on, or like posts that, in the opinion of Tajik authorities, are public calls to commit or justify...

Social Media

Tajikistan Lifts Criminal Penalties for Social Media Likes on ‘Extremist’ Content

Tajik President Emomali Rahmon has signed a new law eliminating criminal penalties for liking or reacting to social media posts classified as extremist or threatening to public order. The president’s press office announced the amendment, which revokes part of a 2018 change to the Criminal Code. Previously, individuals could face prison sentences of 10 to 15 years for openly promoting or supporting purported terrorism or terrorist acts online. Under this legislation, more than 1,500 people have been convicted in Tajikistan, many for merely liking or commenting on posts the government deemed extremist. A significant number of those affected were believed...

Organized Crime

Bulgarian Spy Ring Sentenced: Questions Linger Over Possible Unprosecuted Crimes and Future Threats

On March 7, 2025, six Bulgarian nationals living in the UK were convicted under the Official Secrets Act 1911 for espionage and the Identity Documents Act 2010 for possessing false identity documents. Following an investigation by the Metropolitan Police Counter Terrorism Command, the Crown Prosecution Service secured sentencing on May 12. Prosecutor Alison Morgan KC argued that lengthy sentences were justified for several defendants, stating that their actions had put lives at risk and compromised national security. Ultimately, Orlin Roussev (47) received ten years and eight months, Biser Dzhambazov (44) ten years and two months, Ivan Stoyanov (33) five years...

Gas Explosion

Samarkand Issues Safety Warnings after Gas Explosion Kills Seven in Home

The Uzbek city of Samarkand is intensifying a home safety campaign following the death of seven people in what authorities call “a flash of a gas-air mixture” in a house last week. Emergency officials in the Samarkand region have said an investigation is underway into the explosion in the city on the night of May 8-9. “The kinetic impact of the flash caused the collapse of the reinforced concrete structures of the house, damaging the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd floors and the basement. There was no fire,” the regional emergency situations department said on Telegram. It reported six deaths, and...

Environment

EDB Evaluates Environmental Projects to Combat Air Pollution in Bishkek

The Bishkek municipality and the Eurasian Development Bank’s (EDB) Fund for Digital Initiatives are considering two major environmental projects to tackle air pollution and enhance the quality of life in Kyrgyzstan’s capital. The proposals were reviewed during a meeting on May 21 between Bishkek Mayor Aibek Junushaliyev and Tigran Sargsyan, Deputy Chairman of the EDB Management Board and head of the EDB's Fund for Digital Initiatives. According to the municipal government, the first project involves establishing a comprehensive air quality monitoring system based on a digital platform. The system is designed to address the city’s chronic air pollution by providing...

Aral Sea

Kazakhstan and World Bank Launch Second Phase to Revive Northern Aral Sea

Ecology

Kazakhstan Declares Kentau Industrial Zone an Ecological Emergency Area

Clean Energy

As China Cuts Gas Demand, Uzbekistan Eyes Renewables Opportunity

Water

Underground Tunnel Proposed to Channel Water from Black Sea to Caspian Sea

Ecology

Uzbek Scientists Trial Salt-Tolerant Plants to Revive Aral Sea Seabed

Field trials are underway on the desiccated seabed of the Aral Sea as part of a restoration initiative spearheaded by Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection, and Climate Change. The goal is to identify plant species capable of surviving in saline soils and contributing to the rehabilitation of this ecologically devastated landscape. The study is led by scientists from the Research Institute of Forestry and supervised by Dr. Zinoviy Novitsky. One of the most promising candidates is Arundo donax, a species of reed grass typically found in wetter environments. Despite its usual habitat, the plant has demonstrated a remarkable tolerance...

Water Security

Afghanistan’s Qosh-Tepa Canal Could Impact Kazakhstan’s Water Security

The construction of the Qosh-Tepa Canal in Afghanistan and its potential implications for Central Asia’s water security were central topics at the recent international conference, Water Security and Transboundary Water Use: Challenges and Solutions, held in Astana. Delegates from Turkey, Israel, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Afghanistan, and Turkmenistan convened to address the canal’s possible repercussions and broader issues of regional water distribution. Potential Threats to the Syr Darya Kazakhstan’s Deputy Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation, Aslan Abdraimov, warned that the Qosh-Tepa Canal could significantly reduce the flow of the Syr Darya River, with direct consequences for the already depleted Aral Sea....

Environment

Two Key Environmental Initiatives Completed in Turkmenistan

Turkmenistan has marked the successful completion of two major agro-environmental initiatives aimed at enhancing natural resource management and climate change adaptation. These efforts represent significant progress in addressing environmental challenges both nationally and across the broader Central Asian region. Regional Project on Natural Resource Management The first project concluded was the second phase of the regional program titled “Integrated Natural Resource Management in Drought-Prone and Salinized Agricultural Production Landscapes of Central Asia and Turkey,” which commenced in 2018. This initiative focused on pilot sites in the Karakum Desert, the mountain village of Nokhur, and the Turkmen sector of the Aral...

Reforestation

Kazakhstan Plants Over 1 Billion Trees as Reforestation Drive Extends to 2027

Between 2021 and 2024, Kazakhstan planted a total of 1.15 billion tree saplings, according to the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources. The effort forms part of a sweeping national campaign aimed at reversing deforestation and mitigating climate impacts. Initially, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev had set a target of planting two billion trees by 2025. However, the government has now extended the deadline to the end of 2027 and re-approved its Comprehensive Plan for Reforestation and Afforestation. As part of the initiative, one and two-year-old saplings of both deciduous and coniferous species are being planted across various ecosystems. Currently, 251 forest...

How the Welfare of Kazakhstani Citizens Has Changed Over the Past Five Years

Latest

Features

Features

Latest

Sunkar Podcast

Sunkar Podcast

Opinions

Opinions

Stephen M. Bland

Times of Central Asia

Andrei Matveev

Business & Economy

Business & Economy

How the Welfare of Kazakhstani Citizens Has Changed Over the Past Five Years

M360 Eurasia Opens in Tashkent with Emphasis on Digital Growth

New Report Predicts Surge in Islamic Finance Across Central Asia

Kazakhstan Invests in Science, But Economic Impact Remains Low

Kazakhstan Establishes New Special Economic Zone in Kyzylorda Region

Local Politics

Local Politics

How the Welfare of Kazakhstani Citizens Has Changed Over the Past Five Years

Kyrgyz Authorities Announce Crackdown on Illegal Migration

Kazakhstan to Introduce Fines for Illegal Online Content

Victory Day in Central Asia: Honoring Sacrifice Amid Shifting Narratives

Almaty University Criticized After Female Students Told to Bow to Men

International Affairs

International Affairs

The Turkic World in the Heart of Europe: OTS Leaders Discuss Economy, Transport, and Unity

Cuts to USAID Leave Central Asia Facing Development Challenges

Cuts to USAID Leave Central Asia Facing Development Challenges

In the Ancient Uzbek City of Termez, Delegates Talk Ties Between Central and South Asia

Italy Raises the Bar in Central Asia: What to Expect from Giorgia Meloni’s Visit