EU’s Kallas Tours Central Asia Ahead of Landmark Samarkand Summit
Last week, Kaja Kallas, the European Union's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission, toured Central Asia in advance of the first-ever EU-Central Asia Summit. The notable meeting is set to take place in the ancient Uzbek city of Samarkand on April 3-4....
Kyrgyzstan’s Gold Reserves Could Last a Century, Says Top Geologist
Kyrgyzstan’s largest gold mining operation, Kumtor Gold Company, has identified an additional 147 tons of gold through recent geological exploration. These reserves have now been officially added to the balance sheet of the state-run enterprise, reinforcing expert forecasts that gold extraction in the country can continue for decades to come....
Scientists of Ancient Central Asia Still Relevant in the Modern World; The Idea of the Averaged Turkic Language
There is a debate on social media between Uzbek and Tajik communities about the medieval scholar Ibn Sina. The discussion revolves around the question of nationality — was Ibn Sina Tajik, Uzbek, or something else? Similar debates have emerged about other medieval scholars, including Al-Farabi. Ibn Sina (commonly known in...
Segiz: Exploring Kazakhstan’s Beauty on the Road Less Traveled
The Times of Central Asia’s cinematographer for the World Nomad Games, Ilyas Otan, is on a mission to put Kazakhstan's tourism on the map. An independent film producer and fixer, Otan took a bold step to showcase his vision, producing Segiz with director Almas Maksut, a captivating short documentary that...
Traditional Storytellers in Kyrgyzstan Face Scrutiny From Authorities
Asylbek Maratov is a performer of folk-style poetry in Kyrgyzstan, a form of cultural expression that dates from the time when nomads roamed Central Asia and involves music and improvisation, often delivered at ceremonies and other special events as well as on social media Lately, Maratov and some other akyns,...
Kazakhstan’s Altyn-Emel Named Among World’s Most Incredible National Parks
Kazakhstan’s Altyn-Emel National Park has been ranked in the world's top 10 most impressive national parks outside the United States, according to a recent article in the American travel magazine Travel + Leisure. The article praised the park’s natural diversity, rich wildlife, and distinctive landscapes. Among the standout attractions highlighted...
Opinion – Not Ready for Democracy? Come See Our Street
In March 2025, the first round results of Uzbekistan’s Open Budget vote were announced. Among the thousands of approved projects, one quietly transformed the life of my neighborhood: our village street was getting asphalt. To many, that might not sound like much. But for us, it was everything. After decades...
Kyrgyz Startup Yessa Helping Women to Reclaim Pleasure
When Begaiym Zamirbek left her job at the Institute for War & Peace Reporting (IWPR), where everything was stable and predictable, she dove into the significantly riskier world of startups with her new venture, Yessa. That’s how her path of entrepreneurship began, which led her to Vietnam. Yessa supplies audio...
Sunkar Podcast
Repatriating Islamic State Fighters and Families: Balancing Security and Humanity
