Kyrgyzstan tightens control over foreign-funded NGOs
BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan - Kyrgyzstan´s parliament has passed a law that tightens control over foreign funded non-governmental organizations despite international concerns that the measure would further erode rights and access to basic services in the Central Asia country. Supporters of the law have characterized the law as a way to ward...
President of Kyrgyzstan Withdraws Controversial Draft Mass Media Law
The head of state has instructed representatives of the Supreme Council to withdraw the draft mass media bill after he met with representatives of the Kyrgyz media, as reported on the President's website. During a meeting with 40 Kyrgyz journalists, President Sadyr Japarov said that the country's leadership is ready...
Kazakhstan’s Potential to Overtake China in Production of Rare-Earth Metals
Kazakhstan has become a major participant in the international race for the extraction of valuable rare-earth metals or rare-earth elements (REEs). According to an https://asiatimes.com/ interview with international development expert Javier Piedra, the republic can not only compete with China -- but even overtake it in terms of production. Mr. Piedra,...
“You’re Afraid I’m Not Beautiful; I’m Afraid You’ll Kill Me” – Women Rally in Bishkek
On International Women's Day on March 8th, hundreds of people took to the streets of Bishkek to participate in the annual march for women's rights. Under the slogan "A woman's life is a mirror of the time," the march started from the monument to revolutionary fighters on Chui Avenue and...
Female Entrepreneurs to Expand Mentoring – Great Strides for Uzbekistan
The Association of Business Coaches of Kazakhstan has launched the TalpynUp mentoring program for Central Asian women entrepreneurs. The project will be supported by the USAID Entrepreneurship and Business Environment Development Project at Imperial College, London. The six-month mentoring program will begin on April 20th in Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan....
Letting Women Lead: Bridging the Finance Gap for Women-Led Businesses
Opinion by Hela Cheikhrouhou, IFC Regional Vice President, Middle East, Central Asia, Türkiye, Afghanistan, and Pakistan I get to meet many courageous women in my work for IFC in Southwest and Central Asia. [1] I’ve witnessed the seemingly insurmountable challenges they encounter every day. I’ve seen the unyielding resolve of...
Land Cleared for Tourism next to Old Bukhara; UNESCO Urges Pause
Despite UNESCO’s concerns, Uzbekistan is pushing ahead with plans for a big tourist complex next to the historical center of Bukhara, a jewel of medieval architecture in Central Asia. Workers are already clearing areas for “Eternal Bukhara,” a tourist facility that will boast a museum, teahouses and restaurants offering national...
Religion in the Cities of Kazakhstan – Opinion by Gulmira Ileuova
The research discussed in this article was conducted in July-August 2023 by the Strategy Center for Sociological and Political Studies Public Foundation in collaboration with the office of the Rosa Luxemburg Foundation in Central Asia. A total of 1,604 people were surveyed in six cities. Since the goal of the...
High-Profile Speakers Open B5+1 Forum in Almaty
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Kyrgyzstan to Open Trade Promotion House in Kabul
13 hours ago
Letting Women Lead: Bridging the Finance Gap for Women-Led Businesses
Opinion by Hela Cheikhrouhou, IFC Regional Vice President, Middle East, Central Asia, Türkiye, Afghanistan, and Pakistan I get to meet many courageous women in my work for IFC in Southwest and Central Asia. [1] I’ve witnessed the seemingly insurmountable challenges they encounter every day. I’ve seen the unyielding resolve of...
Religion in the Cities of Kazakhstan – Opinion by Gulmira Ileuova
The research discussed in this article was conducted in July-August 2023 by the Strategy Center for Sociological and Political Studies Public Foundation in collaboration with the office of the Rosa Luxemburg Foundation in Central Asia. A total of 1,604 people were surveyed in six cities. Since the goal of the...
Nurturing Global Partnerships – Opinion by the Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Sayasat Nurbek
Kazakhstan, a sprawling and culturally diverse nation nestled in Central Asia, has strategically embraced a multi-vector policy across its foreign relations, economic strategies, and governance. At the heart of this strategy lies Kazakhstan's multi-vector policy in education, a forward-thinking initiative that underscores the nation's commitment to diversification, international collaboration, and...
Exclusive: Breaking Down Kazakhstan’s $21.6 Billion Claims Against International Oil Consortiums
The total amount of claims brought against the consortiums, North Caspian Operating Company (NCOC) and Karachaganak Petroleum Operating (KPO) is the largest in the history of Kazakhstan. In March 2023, PSA LLP, the authorized state institution overseeing these projects, brought forward claims in international arbitration in relation to Kashagan and...
Time for the U.S. to Cement a “Nuclear-Weapon-Free” Central Asia
The Central Asian Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone (CANWFZ) Treaty, which came into force in 2009, represented a significant advance in international efforts to limit nuclear proliferation. Initiated by the five Central Asian countries—Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan—it aims to enhance regional and global security by guaranteeing that the region remains free...
Bridging East and West: Kazakhstan’s Changing Foreign Policy in the 2020s
In the wake of significant geopolitical and social change, Kazakhstan has been noticeably reassessing its official and economic relations with foreign powers. Formerly a part of the USSR, Kazakhstan has positioned itself since the collapse of the bloc in 1991 as a country with a triangulated approach to foreign relations....
Endangered Fish Species in the Amu Darya Basin May Disappear Due to Hydropower Plants
The 14th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals is being held this week in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. The international environmental coalition Rivers Without Boundaries is calling on conference participants to pay serious attention to how the rampant construction of dams and...
Kazakhstan Shapes an Ambitious Future
As Kazakhstan continues on its path towards economic expansion and modernization, it has set forth a revitalization and growth vision for 2024 and beyond, underpinned by a series of ambitious reforms and strategic investments. A central part to President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s vision, which he also detailed in a government meeting...
Central Asia’s Mineral Wealth Can Help the West Unlock a Greener Future
Critical minerals are essential components in many of today’s rapidly growing energy technologies. From lithium in electric vehicle batteries, to copper used in wind turbines and electricity networks, these minerals are at the heart of the green transition. The demand for these minerals will increase as clean-energy technologies continue to...
Mirziyoyev Fortifies China-Uzbekistan Relations for Economic and Green Transformation
Ahead of his trip to Beijing, in his article for the People's Daily, Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev poured lavish praise on China. Not only did Mirziyoyev say he admired Chinese President Xi Jinping's global development, security and civilization initiatives as efforts to significantly address global challenges and accelerate the transition...
From Steppe to Subcontinent: The Indianisation of the Huns and Śakas from Kazakhstan
The historical connections between Kazakhstan and India span thousands of years, with the migration of Huns and Śakas from Central Asia to India playing a significant role in shaping the history of these two nations. The Huns, first mentioned by Roman historian Tacitus in the late first century A.D., originated...
Visa-Free Travel from China Could Further Boost Kazakhstan’s Tourism Sector
When China lifted pandemic-era restrictions on travel to Vietnam in March 2023, the Vietnamese welcomed the news as it promised to increase tourism revenues and boost their economy. Prior to COVID restrictions, Vietnam had hosted 5.8 million tourists from China in 2019, and generated income in excess of $5 billion....
High-Profile Speakers Open B5+1 Forum in Almaty
The ‘B5+1’ platform – a group of countries comprising the five Central Asian republics and the United States – took an important step forward today, with the launch of the inaugural B5+1 Forum in Almaty. Instrumental in the formation of the B5+1 group has been the Center for International Private...
Uzbekistan’s Uranium Deposits Attract Foreign Investors
Representatives of the China Nuclear Uranium Corporation (CNUC) met with the general director of state company Navoiuran, Jamal Faizullaev, to discuss the possibility of mining black shale uranium at the Jantuar and Ma'danli deposits in the Navoi region of Uzbekistan. Samples have already been taken from the deposits to complete...
Kazakhstan’s Potential to Overtake China in Production of Rare-Earth Metals
Kazakhstan has become a major participant in the international race for the extraction of valuable rare-earth metals or rare-earth elements (REEs). According to an https://asiatimes.com/ interview with international development expert Javier Piedra, the republic can not only compete with China -- but even overtake it in terms of production. Mr. Piedra,...
Kazakhstan and China to Expand Trade and Economic Cooperation
Further steps to eliminate restrictions in mutual trade, remove administrative barriers, and simplify customs procedures were discussed by the Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Olzhas Bektenov and Chinese Ambassador to Kazakhstan Zhang Xiao on March 13th. Related issues included the expansion of Chinese cargo transit via Kazakhstan along the Trans-Caspian International...
Uzbekistan Foreign Minister Visits Afghanistan to Boost Economic Ties
On March 12th, a delegation led by Uzbekistan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Bakhtiyor Saidov visited Kabul to attend a meeting with officials of Afghanistan’s interim government: Acting Prime Minister Mullah Mohammad Hassan Akhund, Acting Deputy Prime Minister Mawlawi Abdul Salam Hanafi, Acting Deputy Prime Minister Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, Acting...
Kazakhstan Secures Foreign Investment in 40 Major Projects for 2024
Following a meeting on March 12th with the Board of Directors of Kazakh Invest, Kazakhstan’s Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov announced that foreign investment had been secured for the launch of over 40 projects this year. Kazakh Invest, a national company aimed to attract foreign investment in priority sectors of the...
Kazakhstan and Great Britain Sign Strategic Partnership on Critical Minerals
A strategic partnership on critical minerals has been signed by Iran Sharkhan, Kazakhstan’s Deputy Minister of Industry and Construction, and Nusrat Ghani, UK’s Minister of State at the Department for Business and Trade, Minister of State for the Investment Security Unit, and Minister for Industry and Economic Security. The document...
Trans-Caspian Corridor High on Agenda of Kazakh President’s Visit to Azerbaijan
On March 11th, Kazakhstan’s president Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Azerbaijan’s president Ilham Aliyev attended the first meeting of the Interstate Council of Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan in Baku where freight and oil shipment across the Caspian Sea was high on the agenda. The leaders also participated, by teleconference, in a ceremony marking...
High-Profile Speakers Open B5+1 Forum in Almaty
The ‘B5+1’ platform – a group of countries comprising the five Central Asian republics and the United States – took an important step forward today, with the launch of the inaugural B5+1 Forum in Almaty. Instrumental in the formation of the B5+1 group has been the Center for International Private...
President of Kyrgyzstan Withdraws Controversial Draft Mass Media Law
The head of state has instructed representatives of the Supreme Council to withdraw the draft mass media bill after he met with representatives of the Kyrgyz media, as reported on the President's website. During a meeting with 40 Kyrgyz journalists, President Sadyr Japarov said that the country's leadership is ready...
Japan and UN WFP Support Vulnerable Citizens in Kyrgyzstan
An agreement has been signed by Gulnara Baatyrova, Kyrgyzstan’s Minister of Labour, Social Security and Migration, Hideki Goda, Ambassador of Japan to Kyrgyzstan, and Kojiro Nakai, Country Director of the UN World Food Program (WFP) in the Kyrgyz Republic, to enhance self-sufficiency amongst Kyrgyzstan’s most vulnerable citizens. An allocation of...
The C5+1 Concept: The Idea Behind This Week’s B5+1 Forum in Almaty
Recognizing that the Central Asia region could benefit more from initiatives in global security, business and trade if its countries strengthened their cooperation in key areas, the Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE) created the ‘C5+1’ platform last year for just this purpose. The Center’s 5+1 group features the governments...
US Policymakers and Central Asian Business Leaders Gather in Almaty for the CIPE B5+1 Forum
Cooperation and trade with Central Asia still holds much unrealized potential. The region is developing fast and offers opportunities for companies and agencies, both international and local. As the global geopolitical landscape changes and supply chains are disrupted, the importance of Central Asia as a business and transit hub, through...
World Bank Group Landmark Visit to Central Asia
The World Bank Group Board of Executive Directors has concluded a landmark visit to Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan. The Board reported that it had welcomed the opportunity to observe first-hand, Central Asian developments in tackling climate change within the prism of the water-energy nexus, the private sector’s growing address of...
The Price of Liquefied Petroleum Gas Falls Below Production Costs in Kazakhstan
In a report on March 5th, Almasadam Satkaliev, Kazakhstan’s Minister of Energy, stated that in 2023 consumption of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) by the country’s domestic market rose to 2.2 million tons; an increase of 400 thousand tons (or 28%) compared to 2022. Cheaper than gasoline, LPG is understandably the...
Most of Kazakhstan Changes Time Zone
From March 1st the whole of Kazakhstan will be on the time zone UTC+5. Currently only the country's western regions are in the UTC+5 zone, with the rest of Kazakhstan set an hour later at UTC +6. This means that at midnight on 29 February the central, eastern and southern...
High-Profile Speakers Open B5+1 Forum in Almaty
The ‘B5+1’ platform – a group of countries comprising the five Central Asian republics and the United States – took an important step forward today, with the launch of the inaugural B5+1 Forum in Almaty. Instrumental in the formation of the B5+1 group has been the Center for International Private...
Kazakhstan and China to Expand Trade and Economic Cooperation
Further steps to eliminate restrictions in mutual trade, remove administrative barriers, and simplify customs procedures were discussed by the Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Olzhas Bektenov and Chinese Ambassador to Kazakhstan Zhang Xiao on March 13th. Related issues included the expansion of Chinese cargo transit via Kazakhstan along the Trans-Caspian International...
Kazakhstan Secures Foreign Investment in 40 Major Projects for 2024
Following a meeting on March 12th with the Board of Directors of Kazakh Invest, Kazakhstan’s Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov announced that foreign investment had been secured for the launch of over 40 projects this year. Kazakh Invest, a national company aimed to attract foreign investment in priority sectors of the...
The C5+1 Concept: The Idea Behind This Week’s B5+1 Forum in Almaty
Recognizing that the Central Asia region could benefit more from initiatives in global security, business and trade if its countries strengthened their cooperation in key areas, the Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE) created the ‘C5+1’ platform last year for just this purpose. The Center’s 5+1 group features the governments...
US Policymakers and Central Asian Business Leaders Gather in Almaty for the CIPE B5+1 Forum
Cooperation and trade with Central Asia still holds much unrealized potential. The region is developing fast and offers opportunities for companies and agencies, both international and local. As the global geopolitical landscape changes and supply chains are disrupted, the importance of Central Asia as a business and transit hub, through...
New Bonded Zone to Boost Kyrgyz Exports to China
The Ministry of Digital Development of the Kyrgyz Republic has announced the opening of a new bonded zone to boost the development of e-commerce and exportation of Kyrgyz goods to the Chinese market. The zone covers an area of 7,500 square meters on the Kyrgyzstan border between Kyrgyz Pochtasy (Kyrgyz...
Uzbekistan-China Trade on the Rise
Uzbekistan and China are poised to increase bilateral trade to $20 billion a year. The statement, quoted by the news portal Novosti Uzbekistana (nuz.uz) was given by given by Obid Khakimov, director of Uzbekistan’s Center for Economic Research and Reforms (CERR) at the conference ‘Uzbekistan and China: promoting mutually beneficial...
Kazakh-European Proposal for CRM and Green Hydrogen Strategy
Some 60 high-ranking officials from the European Union and representatives of the EU business community attended a meeting on March 5th organized by the Kazakh Embassy in Belgium. A high-level event, its key focus was Kazakh-European cooperation on critical raw materials (CRM), green hydrogen and batteries. In November 2022, Kazakhstan...
“You’re Afraid I’m Not Beautiful; I’m Afraid You’ll Kill Me” – Women Rally in Bishkek
On International Women's Day on March 8th, hundreds of people took to the streets of Bishkek to participate in the annual march for women's rights. Under the slogan "A woman's life is a mirror of the time," the march started from the monument to revolutionary fighters on Chui Avenue and...
“Your Life is Your Freedom” – Women Rally in Almaty
A rally in support of women's rights was held in Almaty on March 7th. The event, which was approved by the city administration, was organized by Bibinur Sheralieva, an activist from the regional council for family and social protection under the Amanat Party. The gathering took place in Mahatma Gandhi...
Land Cleared for Tourism next to Old Bukhara; UNESCO Urges Pause
Despite UNESCO’s concerns, Uzbekistan is pushing ahead with plans for a big tourist complex next to the historical center of Bukhara, a jewel of medieval architecture in Central Asia. Workers are already clearing areas for “Eternal Bukhara,” a tourist facility that will boast a museum, teahouses and restaurants offering national...
Religion in the Cities of Kazakhstan – Opinion by Gulmira Ileuova
The research discussed in this article was conducted in July-August 2023 by the Strategy Center for Sociological and Political Studies Public Foundation in collaboration with the office of the Rosa Luxemburg Foundation in Central Asia. A total of 1,604 people were surveyed in six cities. Since the goal of the...
Great Women in the History of Kazakhstan
Women have played an important role in the history of Kazakhstan, making a significant contribution to the development of the country. They have shown courage, determination and talent in various walks of life, from politics and education to culture. Today, their role is being recognized, and women in Kazakhstan are...
Celebrating Twenty-Five Years of The Times of Central Asia – Opinion by Founder Emeritus, Giorgio Fiacconi
It is 25 years today since the first edition of The Times of Central Asia, the first English publication in the region, hit the newsstands on March 1st 1999. Twenty-five years represents a generation; many people more or less of my age have passed, and Kyrgyzstan has gone through various...
Preserving Heritage: How the Manas Epic Inspires Kyrgyzstan’s Youth
A nation steeped in cultural heritage, Kyrgyzstan continues to be proud of its unique attractions, and among them, the epic work "Manas" occupies a special place. The Manas epic is of special importance because it contains rich information on history, ethnography, philosophy, language, diplomacy, military affairs, folk pedagogy, and other...
Kyrgyzstan Makes Strides in Digital Technologies
At the International PLUS-Forum ‘Digital Kyrgyzstan’ on 28th February, Akylbek Japarov, Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic, announced that Kyrgyzstan is to create a Centre for Innovative Technologies. The centre for the advancement of developments in the field, including Artificial Intelligence and quantum computing, will be...
“You’re Afraid I’m Not Beautiful; I’m Afraid You’ll Kill Me” – Women Rally in Bishkek
On International Women's Day on March 8th, hundreds of people took to the streets of Bishkek to participate in the annual march for women's rights. Under the slogan "A woman's life is a mirror of the time," the march started from the monument to revolutionary fighters on Chui Avenue and...
Kazakhstan soars on gender data transparency amid mixed results from rest of Central Asia
Open Data Watch, an international non-profit organization supported by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, published in late 2023 a Gender Data Compass (GDC) report on the availability and openness of 53 key gender indicators in 185 countries. With numerous outlets and articles celebrating international women’s day last week, now...
Former President’s Daughter, Aliya Nazarbayeva, Accused of Raiding Business Worth $170 million
The daughter of Kazakhstan's first president, Aliya Nazarbayeva, stands accused of seizing control of a business operation worth approximately $170 million. This comes alongside similar charges brought against Valentina Rogova, the wife of the former chairman of the Constitutional Council. Businessman Nurlan Bimurzin broke the news during a press conference,...
Children in the Fields, Not at Their Desks: Turkmenistan Continues to Use Child Labor in Cotton Harvest
Turkmenistan continues to use forced labor of adults and children during the cotton harvest, according to experts from the Committee on the Application of Standards of the International Labor Organization (ILO). "The preliminary findings of this observation mission indicate direct or indirect evidence of mobilization of public servants in all...
Kazakhstan to Report to UN on Events of January 2022 Unrest
Kazakhstan will report to the United Nations (UN) Committee against Torture on measures taken after the events of bloody January (Qantar) 2022. This is according to the Deputy Chairwoman of the International Bureau for Human Rights, Roza Akylbekova, who added that information on urgent recommendations, which primarily concern Qantar, should...
Kyrgyz Authorities Confiscate $35 Million of Oligarch Matraimov’s Assets – Plan to Nationalize Another $50 million of Property
Kyrgyzstan's State Committee of National Security (GKNB) has stated that following an investigation aimed at returning embezzled property into state ownership as part of a criminal case against former deputy chairman of the Customs Service, Raimbek Matraimov, the government has seized real estate worth $34,810,000. At the end of January...
Kazakhstan Claws Back Another $98.5 Million From Nazarbayev’s Nephew
A well-known Kazakhstani businessman and a relative of former President Nazarbayev has returned another $98.5 million to the state's coffers. This money was returned as part of the criminal case against Kairat Satybaldy, according to the Anti-Corruption Agency of the Republic of Kazakhstan. "At present, the funds have been sent...
Domestic Violence Victims Can Now Obtain EU Refugee Status After Ruling
Women who have suffered from domestic violence have the right to seek asylum in European Union (EU) countries, according to an EU Court of Justice ruling on January 16th. Anyone who has been subjected to physical and psychological violence, including sexual or domestic violence, can apply. If the those who...
World Bank Group Landmark Visit to Central Asia
The World Bank Group Board of Executive Directors has concluded a landmark visit to Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan. The Board reported that it had welcomed the opportunity to observe first-hand, Central Asian developments in tackling climate change within the prism of the water-energy nexus, the private sector’s growing address of...
The Price of Liquefied Petroleum Gas Falls Below Production Costs in Kazakhstan
In a report on March 5th, Almasadam Satkaliev, Kazakhstan’s Minister of Energy, stated that in 2023 consumption of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) by the country’s domestic market rose to 2.2 million tons; an increase of 400 thousand tons (or 28%) compared to 2022. Cheaper than gasoline, LPG is understandably the...
Kazakhstan to Build New Power Generation Facilities
To ensure Kazakhstan’s energy security and increase its export potential, the Ministry of Energy has adopted a development plan for the country’s electrical power industry. On March 5th, the Minister of Energy, Almasadam Satkaliev reported that under the new plan, scheduled to run until 2035, existing power generating facilities are...
Centre for Environmental Diagnostics of Vehicles Opens in Tashkent
On March 5th, Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev visited a new centre for environmental diagnostics of motor vehicles in Tashkent. Environmental issues have become a major concern in Uzbek’s capital city, especially air pollution caused by harmful emissions from traffic. In a measure to stall the sharp increase in air pollution,...
Plastic Bags, Utensils to Be Met With Fines in Kyrgyzstan’s Issyk-Kul Basin
A law imposing fines on the import and sale of plastic bags and utensils is aimed at reducing the harmful effects of polymeric materials on health and the environment in the Kyrgyz Republic, according to the press service of the Ministry of Natural Resources, Ecology and Technical Supervision of Kyrgyzstan....
Kyrgyzstan’s Toktogul Reservoir May Hit “Dead” Level; Blackouts Possible
Kyrgyzstan's Energy Ministry has said it will limit electricity consumption "by force" as water in the country's main reservoir becomes increasingly scarce. In addition, major overhauls of the country's main energy facilities are planned for this year, which will also affect power output and consumption. According to official data, the...
Turkmenistan and Afghanistan Discuss Collaborative Projects
On March 4th, a large Afghan delegation led by Nooruddin Azizi, Minister of Industry and Trade of Afghanistan, participated in a Turkmen-Afghan business forum and exhibition of Afghan goods in Ashgabat. Issues discussed included Turkmen-Afghan partnerships in trade, industry, agriculture, transport, communications, and electricity supply. Also on the agenda were...
Turkmenistan and Turkey to Collaborate on Export of Natural Gas to Europe
Turkmenistan and Turkey are to collaborate on a project that will pave the way for transportation of Turkmen natural gas through Turkey to European markets. A declaration of intent on cooperation in the field of hydrocarbon resources, alongside a memorandum on natural-gas partnership between the Turkmen State Concern Türkmengaz and...