Kazakhstan plans to begin limited and strictly regulated exports of saiga antelope horns, according to the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources, as reported by Nege.Aqsha.

Minister of Ecology Yerlan Nysanbayev emphasized that unrestricted trade is not under consideration. He stated that exports will be allowed only under rigorous regulation, with restrictions on both volume and export mechanisms. A three-year quota system is expected to be implemented.

A critical condition for authorizing exports is the establishment of a traceability system. Kazakhstan aims to integrate its national tracking database with China’s, enabling the monitoring of saiga horn derivatives from the point of harvest to final processing. Nysanbayev noted that this system has been under development since 2023. All harvested saiga horns are currently microchipped and individually registered to minimize the risk of illegal trafficking.

The legal basis for these potential exports stems from a decision at the 20th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), held in Samarkand from November 24 to December 5. While this decision does not trigger automatic exports, it provides Kazakhstan with a legal framework to manage regulated trade in accordance with international agreements.

Simultaneously, the Ministry of Ecology has finalized a national roadmap for managing the saiga population. As of May 2025, Deputy Minister of Ecology Nurken Shabiev confirmed the roadmap’s completion, although the accompanying biological justification was still under preparation.

“As many as they are ready to process will be seized to prevent a repeat of last year’s experience, when there was damage in some places,” a ministry spokesperson said.

Between July and November 2025, approximately 196,000 saigas were culled in Kazakhstan, with the carcasses transferred to local processing facilities.

Kazakhstan is home to three main saiga populations, Betpakdala, Ural, and Ustyurt which together account for more than 90% of the global saiga population. As of March 2025, the total population in Kazakhstan stood at 4.1 million, a dramatic increase from the historical high of 1.2 million during the Kazakh SSR period.

The saiga antelope has been listed as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature since 2002. A nationwide moratorium on hunting and trade in saiga parts remained in effect until 2024. However, the sharp population increase led authorities to transition from a blanket ban to a model of regulated harvesting.

The renewed interest in saiga horn exports is also driven by persistent demand in traditional Chinese medicine, where the antlers are highly valued.

Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has concluded an official visit to Japan that both Uzbek and Japanese sources have described as a turning point in bilateral relations. According to Sherzod Asadov, the president’s press secretary, the visit elevated Uzbekistan-Japan ties to an expanded strategic partnership, marking a shift from primarily humanitarian and technical cooperation to a broader economic framework grounded in long-term strategic planning.

During the visit, Mirziyoyev held meetings with Emperor Naruhito, Prime Minister, Sanae Takaichi, parliamentary leaders, senior government officials, and representatives from Japan’s business and academic communities. Asadov noted that a new portfolio of cooperation projects, valued at more than $12 billion, was formed, encompassing sectors such as education, healthcare, environmental protection, water management, transport, urban development, tourism, agriculture, and disaster-risk reduction.

Particular emphasis was placed on green energy, energy storage systems, and industrial cooperation. Major Japanese corporations were invited to join long-term partnership programs, signaling a deepening of economic ties.

Japanese media also underscored the economic dimension of the visit. NHK World reported on a business forum in Tokyo where Mirziyoyev urged Japanese companies to invest in Uzbekistan’s industrial transformation, highlighting areas such as advanced technology, stable energy supply, and critical minerals development. He emphasized that Japanese participation would bolster ongoing reforms aimed at enhancing productivity and boosting exports.

Japan’s Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, Ryosei Akazawa, expressed Tokyo’s support for sustainable development in Uzbekistan, with a focus on private-sector cooperation. Japanese firms operating in Uzbekistan presented current projects in renewable energy and mineral exploration. Uzbek business representatives, in turn, highlighted the country’s demand for Japanese technology and acknowledged improvements in the investment environment.

The visit also included President Mirziyoyev’s participation in the first “Central Asia + Japan” summit. Discussions focused on regional connectivity, green economic initiatives, digital and investment collaboration, and human capital development. The summit concluded with the adoption of the Tokyo Declaration, which reaffirmed both sides’ commitment to deepening multilateral cooperation.

Following the engagements in Japan, Mirziyoyev traveled to Russia for a working visit to attend the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council meeting and an informal summit of CIS heads of state in St. Petersburg.

Four institutions in Kyrgyzstan have been awarded a total of $534,000 in grant funding to establish and develop state-owned nurseries for growing tree saplings, as part of a nationwide effort to restore forests, improve sapling quality, and support environmental sustainability.

According to the Ministry of Natural Resources, Ecology and Technical Supervision, the funding was allocated through a competitive selection process to Osh Forestry, Chon-Kemin State Nature Park, Kara-Kulja Forestry, and the Kyrgyz National Agrarian University. Applicants were required to submit a business plan and have access to at least five hectares of land to qualify. The grants were approved by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), which serves as the project’s donor.

The Ministry of Water Resources, Agriculture, and Processing Industry stated that the new nurseries will have the capacity to produce up to 2 million saplings annually. These will include nut, fruit, and conifer species and serve as a stable supply of planting material for various regions across the country.

“The establishment of modern nurseries is not just an investment in reforestation and environmental health. It is a step toward ecosystem restoration and helping rural communities adapt to climate change,” said First Deputy Minister Janybek Kerimaliev.

The nursery initiative is part of Kyrgyzstan’s broader “Jashyl Muras” (Green Heritage) campaign, launched in March 2022 by President Sadyr Japarov. The national program targets the planting of 5 to 6 million saplings annually.

In 2024, more than 8.1 million saplings were planted across the country under the program, according to official figures.

Speculation is mounting over a potential move by Real Madrid for Uzbekistan international Abdukodir Khusanov, with Spanish outlet Fichajes reporting that the La Liga giants are exploring the possibility of signing the 21-year-old Manchester City defender on loan.

According to Fichajes, Real Madrid has initiated discussions to assess whether a mid-season loan deal is feasible as the club seeks short-term defensive cover amid a spate of injuries and a congested fixture schedule. The report suggests that Khusanov is being evaluated as a cost-effective option who could bolster the squad without committing significant transfer funds.

Khusanov’s physical presence, aerial strength, and versatility across defensive roles reportedly make him an appealing candidate for Madrid. The club is said to be looking for a player who can make an immediate impact while maintaining strategic flexibility for future acquisitions.

Khusanov joined Manchester City during the summer transfer window from French club RC Lens in a deal reportedly worth €40 million. However, his playing time under Pep Guardiola has been limited. Fichajes notes that City is aware of the need for the young defender to gain regular minutes and views a loan move as a viable development path. A stint at Real Madrid, one of Europe’s top clubs, would offer high-level competition and visibility, making it an attractive scenario for all parties involved.

Beyond sporting reasons, the Spanish outlet highlights Real Madrid’s awareness of Khusanov’s potential market appeal in Asia. Signing a player from Uzbekistan could support the club’s outreach in the region, though performance remains the primary consideration. There is no indication that a mandatory purchase clause is part of the current discussions.

Reports suggest that Manchester City is open to negotiating a loan, provided Khusanov receives consistent playing time. Talks remain preliminary, with final decisions likely to depend on the loan structure, salary arrangements, and City’s broader squad management.

The speculation comes amid recent remarks by Pep Guardiola, published by Russian outlet Euro-Football, in which he expressed continued enthusiasm for working with new players. The Manchester City head coach, who extended his contract through mid-2027, mentioned Khusanov among the fresh arrivals who have reinvigorated his commitment to team development. Guardiola noted that players such as Khusanov, Claudio Echeverri, Matheus Nunes, and Rayan Aït-Nouri have motivated him “to help them adapt, integrate into the team, and become better.”

As the winter transfer window approaches, both clubs appear to be weighing their options. Real Madrid continues to monitor the market for defensive reinforcements, while Manchester City evaluates the best route for Khusanov’s progression. Further talks are expected in the coming weeks.

Kazakhstan is steadily increasing its municipal waste recycling rate, in line with national efforts to transition to a circular economy. According to the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources, the recycling rate for newly generated solid waste rose to 28.6% in 2025, up from 25.8% the previous year.

The country generates more than 4.5 million tons of municipal waste annually. To accelerate recycling efforts, the government is deploying a preferential financing mechanism funded by waste collection fees. In 2025, 63 waste management projects were approved, with 22 already financed at a total of approximately $174 million. The overall program allocates more than $360 million to modernize waste collection fleets and develop sorting and recycling infrastructure. Authorities expect these investments to push the solid waste recycling rate to 40% by 2030.

Efforts to eliminate unauthorized landfills are also intensifying. Satellite monitoring identified 3,827 illegal dumps in 2025, of which 91% or 3,464 sites were removed. Environmental and law enforcement agencies recorded over 3,000 environmental violations during joint inspections.

Infrastructure development remains central to Kazakhstan’s waste strategy. Construction is planned for three waste incineration plants in Astana, Almaty, and Shymkent, backed by investment agreements worth approximately $570 million. The facilities are expected to be completed within two to three years.

Kazakhstan’s environmental initiatives are closely tied to international climate commitments. As a signatory to the Paris Agreement and a participant in the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, the country aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 15% from 1990 levels by 2030. Its Updated National Contribution sets a more ambitious target of a 17% reduction by 2035.

By the end of 2025, regulatory emissions from the country’s largest enterprises are projected to fall by 148,000 tons, or 7.2%, compared to 2022. Transparency has improved through automated monitoring systems, 74 of the 78 installed systems now transmit real-time air pollution data.

Ecosystem restoration remains a national priority. Between 2021 and 2025, 18.1 million trees were planted in populated areas, exceeding initial targets. Under the broader goal of planting 2 billion seedlings, 1.5 billion have been planted over the past five years, with 208 million more planned for 2026. On the dried seabed of the Aral Sea, forest reclamation has been carried out across more than 920,000 hectares.

The Caspian region is another focus area. A new Kazakh Scientific Research Institute of the Caspian Sea has been established by presidential initiative, and Kazakhstan is working with neighboring countries to develop an intergovernmental program for water conservation. The country has also proposed the creation of a UN agency for global water resource management.