From the Steppe to Space: Kazakhstan Tests First Direct-to-Cell Phone Call
In a remote part of Kazakhstan, a standard 4G smartphone has made Central Asia’s first satellite-linked phone call, thanks to a field test by Beeline Kazakhstan and SpaceX’s Starlink network. The trial successfully routed a WhatsApp voice call and text messages through Starlink Direct-to-Cell satellites, demonstrating that ordinary phones can stay connected even where traditional mobile coverage ends. The demonstration was carried out in Kazakhstan’s Akmolinskaya region and confirmed the interoperability between Starlink’s satellites and Beeline’s terrestrial network. During the test, Beeline Kazakhstan CEO Evgeniy Nastradin and Kazakhstan’s Deputy Prime Minister Zhaslan Madiyev placed a WhatsApp audio call via Starlink to VEON Group CEO Kaan Terzioglu using a regular smartphone and SIM card. They also exchanged SMS and WhatsApp messages, effectively merging satellite links with the country’s mobile infrastructure for the first time. Kazakhstan has vast stretches of steppe and mountains where cell towers are sparse. Officials involved in the project say satellite-enabled connectivity offers a vital new layer of coverage for these remote regions. “Starlink’s Direct-to-Cell satellites make it possible to stay connected in places where traditional infrastructure is unavailable: in the mountains, the steppe, forests, and across long distances,” Madiyev noted, calling the technology “more than just a convenience – it is an important safety measure [that will ensure people] can stay connected in any part of the country.” Madiyev added that the ability to send a message from a dead zone without any special equipment “has the potential to save lives” in emergencies. Beeline Kazakhstan’s leadership similarly emphasized the significance of the milestone. By blending Starlink’s space-based relays with Beeline’s ground towers, customers will be able to stay connected anywhere in Kazakhstan. The initiative has government support and is backed by Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development as part of a push to improve nationwide connectivity. Starlink Direct-to-Cell is a new capability of SpaceX’s Starlink satellite internet constellation that effectively turns satellites into cell towers in space. The satellites carry special cellular antennas (eNodeB modems) and link with ground networks via laser backhaul, allowing a phone to connect to the satellite as if roaming on a normal network. Crucially, this works with existing phones without requiring any new hardware or apps. The technology aims to eliminate mobile dead zones, as over 50% of the world’s land area still lacks cellular coverage. The Kazakhstan trial is part of a broader wave of satellite-cellular convergence. In November, Ukraine became the first country in Europe to launch Starlink’s direct-to-phone service, with VEON’s subsidiary Kyivstar initially offering satellite-powered text messaging to keep people connected during wartime blackouts and disaster situations. Voice calling and data services are expected to follow next year, underscoring the technology’s value for resilience when traditional infrastructure is disrupted. Following this week’s successful test, Beeline Kazakhstan plans to roll out Starlink Direct-to-Cell connectivity for its own customers, beginning with SMS text services in 2026, pending regulatory approval. Data connectivity would come next, expanding to full-service coverage in phases. Beeline serves over eleven million mobile subscribers in Kazakhstan, and the satellite link could eventually ensure that even the most isolated villages stay within reach of a signal. VEON – Beeline’s parent company – was the first telecom group to sign a multi-country framework agreement with Starlink to bring direct-to-cell service to all its markets. The Kazakh project is VEON’s second such deployment after Ukraine, part of a regional push to integrate space-based coverage for greater network resilience and inclusivity. VEON Group CEO Kaan Terzioglu said the collaboration with Starlink positions the company “at the forefront of inclusive connectivity” in its region, raising the bar for reliable service in challenging environments.
From Medieval Persia to Modern Kazakhstan: Decolonizing History
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian’s recent visit to Kazakhstan might have appeared routine amid a series of diplomatic engagements by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev in 2025. Yet one element of the visit stood out for Tokayev, a gift of 27 ancient Persian manuscripts, which were immediately put on public display in Astana’s National Museum.
Together, the two presidents opened the exhibition titled The History of the Great Steppe in Iranian Sources, highlighting long-standing historical ties between Persian states and the Kazakh steppe. Speaking at a joint briefing, Tokayev emphasized the significance of the manuscripts, which he said contain historical accounts affirming the Kazakhs as a "brave people" and detailing diplomatic relations between the Kazakh khans and Iranian shahs.
“Close relations were established between Tauke Khan and Shah Sultan Hussein,” Tokayev noted. “Records show embassies met in Moscow, and the Iranian ambassador visited the Kazakh steppe. Abul Khair Khan sent an envoy to Nadir Shah to foster diplomatic ties,” he said, underlining the depth of historical relations.
Tokayev also referenced the cultural and linguistic connections between the two peoples. The taikazan (large ceremonial cauldron) in the mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi in Turkestan, he noted, was crafted by the Iranian master Abdul-Aziz Sharafuddin Tebrizi. Persian has left a linguistic imprint on the Kazakh language, with estimates suggesting Persian-origin words comprise 4% of the vocabulary, including astana (capital), paida (benefit), oraza (fast), and dәri (medicine). Tokayev further cited the Persian epic Shahnameh by Ferdowsi as culturally significant to the peoples of Turan, adding that Kazakh poet Abai was familiar with Persian literature.
According to Tokayev, the newly acquired manuscripts contain historical analyses of the socio-economic and political conditions of the 18th-century Kazakh Khanate, including interactions with neighboring powers, records on Turkestan, and reports on Russian imperial activities in the region. The documents also reference resource extraction, coal, iron, copper, lead, and turquoise, on Kazakh territory.
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Image: Akorda[/caption]
“This is a very valuable gift. We will present this exhibition to the Kazakh public and promote it widely in the media,” Tokayev told reporters. “The documents contain previously unknown historical material. I think this will be useful for our compatriots.”
The Ministry of Culture and Information, which organized the exhibition, confirmed that the manuscripts substantiate centuries-old ties between Kazakhstan and Iran, including evidence of trade and diplomatic exchanges along the Silk Road and archival references to intergovernmental negotiations and ambassadorial visits.
Tokayev’s enthusiasm for the manuscripts is closely linked to Kazakhstan’s broader effort to “decolonize” its national history. The country is currently preparing a new seven-volume historical account under the editorial leadership of State Advisor Yerlan Karin. This project aims to reposition Kazakhstan not simply as a site of ancient states, but as an independent cultural and political center that influenced the broader region.
“Kazakhstan is presented as a hub for civilizational development,” Karin explained. “This is our methodological innovation.”
Previously, Kazakhstan’s history was largely framed within the narrative of the Russian Empire and Soviet rule. The current academic effort seeks to recalibrate that perspective by integrating previously overlooked primary sources. In May 2025, archival documents from both domestic and foreign institutions, 15 of them from the UK, were exhibited in Astana. More recently, a team of Kazakh researchers visited Harvard University to consult archival catalogs and manuscript collections housed at the Davis Center, and the Houghton and Widener libraries.
In this context, the Iranian delegation’s manuscript donation is not merely symbolic, it provides a critical resource that may reshape understandings of Kazakh history. Tokayev’s personal involvement in advancing this initiative highlights its national importance.
Kazakhstan Proposes Creation of UN Water Agency to Tackle Global Resource Challenges
At a forum marking the International Year of Peace and Trust and the 30th anniversary of Turkmenistan’s permanent neutrality, Kazakhstan's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev proposed establishing a specialized United Nations body dedicated to the rational use of water resources. In his address, Tokayev emphasized the urgent need for enhanced global coordination in managing water diplomacy, noting that the current UN framework lacks a dedicated agency focused solely on water-related issues. UN-Water currently functions as a coordination mechanism rather than a specialized agency, bringing together more than 30 UN entities and dozens of international organizations involved in water and sanitation. Unlike bodies such as the World Health Organization or the Food and Agriculture Organization, it has no independent mandate, budget, or enforcement capacity, a limitation long cited by water policy experts. “Kazakhstan proposes the establishment of an International Water Organization that could consolidate all existing mandates of various UN organizations,” he said during the forum in Ashgabat. Central Asia is among the regions most exposed to water stress, with climate change, aging infrastructure, and competing national demands placing increasing pressure on shared river basins. Disputes over transboundary water use have periodically strained relations among regional states, making water diplomacy a persistent strategic concern. Tokayev suggested transforming the current UN-Water mechanism, a coordinating platform comprising 36 UN entities and 47 international organizations, into a fully-fledged UN agency with a specialized mandate on water and sanitation. “The implementation of such an initiative is fully in line with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals and, of course, is in the interests of the entire international community,” he stated. The President also announced that Astana will host a Regional Environmental Summit in April 2026, during which Kazakhstan plans to initiate international consultations on forming the proposed global water organization. “I am confident that, with shared political will, water-related challenges can begin to be addressed systematically rather than in a piecemeal manner, as is currently the case,” he said. Tokayev stressed that in light of intensifying water scarcity, water conservation and rational usage have become critical priorities, not only for Kazakhstan but for all Central Asian nations. The Caspian Sea has experienced sustained water-level decline over recent decades, a trend scientists attribute to climate change, reduced river inflows, and rising evaporation. The issue has emerged as a growing concern for coastal states due to its implications for fisheries, energy infrastructure, and regional economic stability. He also highlighted the pressing need to address transboundary water use and the deteriorating ecological conditions of the Aral and Caspian Seas. Tokayev advocated for enhancing the effectiveness of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea through joint, compromise-based regional efforts and proposed that Russia be invited to join the Fund as an observer. “The current rate of the Caspian Sea’s shallowing threatens to become irreversible,” he warned, “which would trigger a chain reaction of environmental, socio-economic, and even political consequences.” Kazakhstan has already taken a leading role in regional initiatives to preserve the Caspian ecosystem. The country previously proposed a special intergovernmental program to combat the degradation and shrinking of the Caspian Sea. Tokayev urged the global community to support Kazakhstan’s efforts to safeguard this vital and unique body of water. Any effort to establish a new specialized UN agency would require broad international consensus, approval by the UN General Assembly, and agreement on funding and governance structures — a process that typically takes years. Tokayev framed the proposal as a starting point for consultations rather than an immediate institutional change.
Kazakhstan Looks to Reduce Dependence on Russian Oil Transit Routes
Escalating drone attacks on Russian infrastructure amid the ongoing war in Ukraine, including key facilities in Novorossiysk and the Orenburg region, are compelling Kazakhstan to accelerate its search for alternative oil export routes. In this context, the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC), which transits Russian territory, is increasingly viewed as an unreliable option for transporting the country’s crude oil. In November, damage to the VPU-2 single-point mooring at the Yuzhnaya Ozereyevka terminal near Novorossiysk disrupted operations. Only VPU-1 remains functional, while VPU-3 is undergoing scheduled maintenance. As a result, CPC oil shipments have dropped. The pipeline accounts for over 80% of Kazakhstan’s oil exports, more than 1% of global production. The Kazakh Ministry of Energy clarified that exports were not fully halted and that efforts are underway to reroute shipments. First Kashagan Oil Shipment to China via Atasu-Alashankou On December 8, Reuters reported that Kazakhstan would begin exporting oil from the Kashagan field directly to China for the first time via the Atasu-Alashankou pipeline. The route, which leads to Xinjiang, has previously been used for other fields but not for Kashagan. According to the report, Kazakhstan plans to export 50,000 tons of crude oil through this channel. Of that, the Chinese oil company, China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC), will receive approximately 30,000 tons, while Japan’s Inpex will take 20,000 tons. Although the pipeline’s annual capacity is around 10 million tons, it has been operating below capacity, averaging 85,000-86,000 tons per month. The Kazakh government had initially planned to ship 1 million tons via this pipeline in 2025, less than the 1.2 million tons exported in 2024. In the first ten months of 2025, shipments reached 858,000 tons, according to industry sources. Kashagan is among Kazakhstan’s most strategic assets and one of the largest oil and gas fields discovered globally in the past 40 years. Operated by the NCOC consortium, which includes ExxonMobil, Shell, TotalEnergies, CNPC, Inpex, and KazMunayGas, the field produces more than 15 million tons of oil annually. Until now, nearly all of this was transported via the CPC. Redirecting Oil Amid Infrastructure Damage On December 10, KazTransOil, the national oil pipeline operator, announced that it had redirected oil exports from the CPC system to alternative routes. In December 2025 alone, an additional 360,000 tons of oil are expected to be exported to Russia (via Samara), China, and across the Caspian Sea. Increases in exports from the original plan include: Atyrau-Samara pipeline: +232,000 tons; To China: +72,000 tons; and through the port of Aktau to the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) pipeline: +58,000 tons. KazTransOil has also stated it will allow oil companies to temporarily store oil at its tank farm. This would enable greater flexibility in shipment scheduling, optimize pipeline operations, and help maintain uninterrupted deliveries. Rail transport is also being considered to further diversify logistics. In 2024, Kazakhstan exported 54.9 million tons of oil through the CPC. Additional exports included 8.8 million tons via the Atyrau-Samara pipeline, 3.6 million tons via Aktau, and 1.2 million tons to China via Atasu-Alashankou. The BTC pipeline, operational since 2006, stretches 1,768 kilometers, 443 km through Azerbaijan, 249 km through Georgia, and 1,076 km through Turkey. Some oil from Aktau port is routed into the BTC, offering an alternative pathway to the Mediterranean and Turkish markets. In 2024, 1.4 million tons of Kazakh crude were transported via this route. The BTC pipeline’s capacity is 50 million tons per year. Under the current agreement, Kazakhstan is permitted to export 1.5 million tons annually through this channel, with Azerbaijan open to increasing this to 2.2 million tons. Acknowledging the Limits Despite efforts to expand export options, Kazakhstan’s Energy Minister Yerlan Akkenzhenov admitted on December 9 that the country currently lacks a full-scale alternative to the CPC. “To date, there is no alternative to the CPC; we must admit this. Other routes cannot match the volume it transports, which is 65 million tons,” the minister said. Strategic Role and European Partnerships Kazakhstan continues to play a critical role in ensuring energy security for both Europe and Asia. On December 8, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev met with European Council President António Costa to discuss strengthening energy cooperation. The talks covered the stability of energy supplies and explored partnerships in critical minerals, nuclear energy, petrochemicals, and renewable energy sources. Kazakhstan is aiming to move beyond its role as a raw material supplier by enhancing domestic processing and increasing the production of value-added products. According to Eurostat, the country ranks third in oil exports to Europe, accounting for 13% of supply, behind the U.S. (30%) and Norway (20%). The need for diversified export routes has thus become more urgent than ever.
Pannier and Hillard’s Spotlight on Central Asia: New Episode Available Sunday
As Managing Editor of The Times of Central Asia, I’m delighted that, in partnership with the Oxus Society for Central Asian Affairs, from October 19, we are the home of the Spotlight on Central Asia podcast. Chaired by seasoned broadcasters Bruce Pannier of RFE/RL’s long-running Majlis podcast and Michael Hillard of The Red Line, each fortnightly instalment will take you on a deep dive into the latest news, developments, security issues, and social trends across an increasingly pivotal region. The new episode, available this Sunday, will be dedicated to 16 Days Against Gender-Based Violence, with guests Svetlana Dzardanova, a gender and human rights researcher for Freedom for Eurasia, based in Bishkek, and Dariana Gryaznova, Eurasia consultant with Equality Now.
The Silk Visa Deadlock: The Long Road to a Borderless Central Asia
The year 2025 will likely be remembered as a milestone in Central Asian diplomacy. Regional leaders signed landmark agreements on water and energy cooperation and launched major investment projects. At high-level meetings, Central Asian presidents emphasized a new phase of deeper cooperation and greater unity, highlighting strategic partnership and shared development goals. But at ground level, at border crossings such as Korday between Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, or the congested diversion routes replacing the closed Zhibek Zholy checkpoint, the picture is far less seamless. Long queues, heightened scrutiny, and bureaucratic delays remain the norm. While political rhetoric celebrates unity, the reality on the ground tells a different story. The region’s physical borders remain tightly controlled. A key symbol of unrealized integration is the stalled “Silk Visa” project, a proposed Central Asian version of the Schengen visa that would allow tourists to travel freely across the region. The project has made little headway, with experts suggesting that, beyond technical issues, deeper concerns, including economic disparities and security sensitivities, have played a role. Silk Visa: A Stalled Vision Launched in 2018 by Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, the Silk Visa was envisioned as a game-changer for regional tourism and mobility. Under the scheme, tourists with a visa to one participating country could move freely across Central Asia, from Almaty to Samarkand and Bishkek. Seven years on, the project has yet to materialize. Official explanations point to the difficulty of integrating databases on “undesirable persons.” But as Uzbekistan’s Deputy Prime Minister acknowledged earlier this year, the delay stems from the need to harmonize security services and create a unified system. Experts also cite diverging visa policies and resistance from national security agencies unwilling to share sensitive data. As long as each country insists on determining independently whom to admit or blacklist, the Silk Visa will remain more aspiration than policy. Economic Imbalance: The Silent Barrier The most significant, albeit rarely acknowledged, hurdle to regional openness is economic inequality. Kazakhstan’s GDP per capita, at over $14,000, is significantly higher than that of Uzbekistan or Kyrgyzstan, which hover around $2,500-3,000. This disparity feeds fears in Astana that full border liberalization would trigger a wave of low-skilled labor migration, putting strain on Kazakhstan’s urban infrastructure and labor market. While Kazakhstan is eager to export goods, services, and capital across Central Asia, it remains reluctant to import unemployment or social tension. Migration pressure is already high: according to Uzbekistan’s Migration Agency, the number of Uzbek workers in Kazakhstan reached 322,700 in early 2025. Removing border controls entirely could exacerbate this trend, overwhelming already stretched public services. Security Concerns and Regional Tensions The geopolitical landscape further complicates the dream of borderless travel. A truly open regional system would require a strong, unified external border, something unattainable given Afghanistan’s proximity. The persistent threats of drug trafficking and extremist infiltration compel Uzbekistan and Tajikistan to maintain tight border controls. Kazakhstan, while geographically removed, remains cautious about loosening controls along its southern frontier. Moreover, despite recent agreements on delimiting the Kyrgyz–Tajik border, tensions in the area remain unresolved, underscoring the fragility of regional trust, making the creation of a unified security space across all five countries a distant prospect. The war in Ukraine has further complicated the region’s geopolitical calculus. Russia remains Central Asia’s primary destination for its migrant labor, but the conflict has strained Moscow’s economic capacity and pushed regional governments to diversify partnerships. This uncertainty reinforces risk-averse security policies, making leaders even less willing to consider fully open borders. Reality Check: Trade Over Tourism Perhaps the most tangible measure of regional integration is logistics. Yet even this is underwhelming. The Korday (Ak Zhol) crossing remains a choke point for trade between Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. Despite digital queueing systems, businesses continue to report delays, and truck drivers face multi-day traffic jams. These recurring trade bottlenecks indicate that borders are still used as tools of economic leverage, undermining promises of seamless transit. Considering all factors, the emergence of a full-fledged 'Central Asian Schengen' in the foreseeable future appears unlikely. The combination of security risks and economic imbalance makes open borders politically unpalatable. Instead, the region may follow a model akin to “Two-speed Europe,” with elite-driven economic integration, such as simplified cargo transit and digital customs systems, advancing faster than broader public mobility. For most citizens, however, the dream of borderless Central Asia will remain just that: a dream.
Face Pay, Palm Scans, and AI Cameras: Inside Kazakhstan’s Digital Transformation
Daily life in Almaty, Kazakhstan’s largest city, increasingly resembles scenes from a futuristic film. Subway fares can be paid with a glance, schoolchildren enter campuses by scanning their palms, and traffic flows are monitored by an expansive video surveillance system. With just a smartphone, citizens can apply for a marriage license, open a business, or access official documents within seconds. Kazakhstan has embraced rapid digitalization, positioning itself as a regional leader in GovTech and fintech. Authorities promote this trajectory as a means to create a secure and efficient environment, and the public has largely welcomed it. The country now boasts one of the world’s highest penetration rates for cashless payments and digital services. Yet the swift adoption of emerging technologies has brought new challenges. The digital infrastructure is evolving faster than the country’s legal frameworks can adapt, raising concerns among experts about how to balance technological convenience, public safety, and the right to privacy. Biometric Security or Overreach? Kazakhstan’s biometric systems are being integrated into a growing ecosystem of everyday services. A prominent example is the Alaqan system in schools, which replaces traditional entry cards with palm-scanning technology. Currently in a pilot phase at nearly 300 schools, the government plans to expand the system nationwide within the next two to three years, should it prove to be successful. Supporters argue this enhances child safety by preventing unauthorized access. Critics, however, warn that it also involves building a vast biometric database of minors, requiring unprecedented security protocols. Simultaneously, the Ministry of Digital Development is rolling out a national video surveillance network powered by artificial intelligence. The system, which integrates citywide cameras into a unified platform, will enable real-time facial and license plate recognition and detect incidents such as fights, large gatherings, or abandoned items. Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development Zhaslan Madiyev described the system as a tool to monitor public safety 24/7. Equipment Dependence and Strategic Risk Much of Kazakhstan’s surveillance infrastructure relies on equipment from major Chinese companies such as Hikvision and Dahua. Their products are favored for their cost-effectiveness, but concerns have been raised internationally over cybersecurity vulnerabilities and potential data access “backdoors.” Several U.S. and EU countries have imposed restrictions on these firms for national security reasons. In Kazakhstan, which pursues a multi-vector foreign policy, the issue is viewed more as technical than political. Experts recommend diversifying suppliers and enforcing strict data encryption protocols, regardless of the origin of the equipment. Kazakhstan’s exposure to cybersecurity risks became clear in February 2024, when a leak involving the Chinese firm iSoon compromised databases belonging to local telecom operators and targeted government institutions, including the Unified Pension Fund. The incident prompted an urgent reassessment of data security practices. Centralized data hubs, experts noted, can only function securely if accompanied by significant investment in cybersecurity infrastructure. Legislation Lagging Behind While Kazakhstan has a law on personal data, experts argue it is outdated, particularly given the rapid integration of artificial intelligence into public systems. Recent legislative amendments now allow biometric identification to be used for public safety and crime prevention. However, civil society groups are calling for clearer protocols outlining who can access biometric data, under what conditions, and with what level of oversight. A promising development is the drafting of a new Digital Code intended to unify existing regulations and bring Kazakhstan closer to international standards on data protection. The Road Ahead Kazakhstan is now widely recognized as Central Asia’s digital hub, showcasing how technology can streamline government services and enhance everyday life. But digital leadership also comes with heightened responsibility. Public trust hinges on the state’s ability to safeguard the personal data it collects and establish transparent legal mechanisms for its use. The challenge for Kazakhstan is clear: to demonstrate that digital security and personal privacy can and must coexist.
South Korea Sees Surge in Tourist Interest in Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan is emerging as a leading travel destination in Central Asia for South Korean tourists, with interest surging by 295% from January to October 2025, according to data from the digital tourism platform Agoda. Kazakh Tourism, the national tourism company, said that the data reflects a sharp rise not only in actual visits, measured through accommodation bookings but also in search queries for travel to Kazakhstan. The increased availability of direct flights between the two countries has played a significant role in this growth. Agoda reports that the launch of the Incheon-Almaty route by Eastar Jet boosted interest in Almaty, with search activity jumping by 348%. Shymkent, located in southern Kazakhstan, also saw an 89% rise in interest from South Korean travelers. This increase coincides with the May launch of a direct Incheon-Shymkent flight by SCAT Airlines. Meanwhile, Air Astana has expanded its services with more frequent flights from Seoul to both Almaty and Astana. “We are seeing a clear increase in interest among South Korean travelers in destinations that combine adventure, culture, and authenticity, with Central Asia standing out as a region of growing interest,” said Jay Lee, Agoda’s regional director for North Asia. Interest from South Korea is part of a broader regional trend. Agoda reported a 225% rise in search activity for the four main Central Asian destinations, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan, compared to the same period last year. Kazakh Tourism noted that it has been actively promoting the country’s tourism potential in South Korea through B2B meetings and information tours aimed at fostering cooperation between leading tour operators. While Agoda’s figures highlight a significant uptick in online interest, Kazakh Tourism’s own data shows more moderate growth in actual tourist arrivals. From January to September 2025, the number of South Korean visitors to Kazakhstan rose by 25% year-on-year, reaching over 41,300 people. This made South Korea the fifth-largest source of tourists to Kazakhstan, following China (693,000 visitors, up 42%), India (113,000), Turkey (over 103,000), and Germany (more than 81,000). According to the Border Service, Kazakhstan welcomed more than 12.2 million foreign visitors in the first nine months of 2025, 730,000 more than during the same period in 2024. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, Kazakhstan has also taken the regional lead in medical tourism this year, surpassing its Eurasian neighbors in growth and infrastructure development.
Sunkar Podcast
Central Asia and the Troubled Southern Route
