Page 224 – The Times Of Central Asia

22 Oct 2025

Central Asia, healthcare, Home, Uzbekistan, Life & Culture, Uzbekistan Home, Uzbekistan Life & Culture

First Uzbek Genome Project Reveals High Rate of Hereditary Mutations

October 22, 2025
By Sadokat Jalolova

Uzbek scientists have completed the country’s first full-scale human genome study, marking a significant milestone in both national science and global genomics. Conducted by researchers at the Center for Advanced Technologies, the study identified dozens of previously undocumented genetic mutations unique to the Uzbek population.

The findings have been submitted to international genomic databases and signal Uzbekistan’s growing contribution to global biomedical research. The study revealed that 50% of children examined carried a hereditary mutation, and 86% were carriers of at least one defective gene, roughly double the global average. Experts linked the elevated rate to consanguineous marriages, which occur in up to a quarter of all unions in certain regions.

Professor Shakhlo Turdikulova, Director of the Center for Advanced Technologies and head of the “1,000 Genomes of Uzbekistan” project, emphasized the significance of the findings. “For the first time, we have a clear picture of the genetic makeup of our people,” she said. “If most children carry hidden hereditary mutations, we cannot reverse this trend without a system of genetic counseling and preventive screening. That is why implementing premarital genetic testing programs is essential.”

Beyond rare inherited conditions, the study found strong correlations between genetic mutations and common diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disorders, and cancer. More than half of the participants received precise genetic diagnoses, allowing physicians to tailor treatments more effectively. Roughly one-third of the mutations identified were previously unknown to global science.

The “1,000 Genomes of Uzbekistan” project is part of a broader initiative to establish a national biobank and genetic map. Its goals include advancing personalized medicine, supporting pharmaceutical development, and enabling early disease detection.

The Center for Advanced Technologies, which co-developed the ZF-UZ-VAC 2001 vaccine during the COVID-19 pandemic, continues to solidify Uzbekistan’s role as a regional leader in biotechnology and genetic science.

Researchers believe the project’s results will help shape nationwide preventive healthcare strategies and improve the health outlook for future generations.

22 Oct 2025

Central Asia, Defense, Uzbekistan, International Affairs, Uzbekistan International Affairs

Five Countries Complete Large-Scale ‘Birlik-2025’ Military Exercises in Uzbekistan

October 22, 2025
By Vagit Ismailov

The multinational military exercises Birlik-2025 (“Unity-2025”) have concluded at the Kattakurgan training ground in Uzbekistan’s Samarkand region. The joint maneuvers, which began on October 14, brought together armed forces from Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Azerbaijan. According to the Uzbek Ministry of Defense, the drills were among the largest in the history of regional military cooperation.

The exercises focused on counterterrorism and defense operations, aiming to enhance interoperability, tactical coordination, and combat readiness among the participating countries. Scenarios included simulated urban warfare, reconnaissance, and joint air-ground operations.

Commanders utilized computer modeling and simulation technologies to analyze battlefield decisions and identify optimal tactical responses. These digital tools played a key role in shaping the exercise outcomes and refining strategic planning.

@Ministry of Defense of Uzbekistan

Observers included the defense ministers of all participating states, along with military representatives from Turkmenistan, who attended in a monitoring capacity.

The drills were conducted across more than 20 training grounds in multiple regions of Uzbekistan. In the initial phase, reconnaissance units deployed unmanned aerial vehicles to assess the territory of a hypothetical enemy. This was followed by a special operation to neutralize simulated illegal armed groups in an urban environment.

Precision artillery and air strikes were executed by ground forces, while the air forces of Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan provided air cover and destroyed critical enemy positions. Combat helicopters and fighter jets demonstrated joint tactical coordination with land-based units.

Troops also practiced offensive operations along the defensive line using a range of weapons and military equipment. The multi-stage training format included tasks of varying complexity, replicating conditions of high-intensity conflict.

@Ministry of Defense of Uzbekistan

According to the Uzbek Ministry of Defense, Birlik-2025 served as a valuable platform for exchanging experience in combating international terrorism, extremism, and armed insurgency. “Joint operations have made it possible to consolidate advanced methods of combat and improve interoperability between units from different countries,” the ministry stated.

Following the conclusion of the active phase, participants visited mobile maintenance workshops, command posts, and exhibits showcasing modernized weaponry and defense technologies.

22 Oct 2025

Central Asia, Environment, Home, Kyrgyzstan Environment, Kyrgyzstan, Kyrgyzstan Home

Kyrgyzstan Confronts Transport-Driven Air Pollution

October 22, 2025
By Sergey Kwan

On October 21, Bishkek hosted the National Multi-Stakeholder Dialogue “Tackling Transport Air Pollution in Kyrgyzstan: Towards Clean Air in Cities All Year Round.” The event gathered representatives from government bodies, international organizations, environmental NGOs, academia, and civil society.

Participants discussed coordinated actions and practical solutions to reduce air pollution and improve environmental conditions in Kyrgyz cities. Key proposals included transitioning to cleaner fuels, expanding public transport, improving energy efficiency, and implementing stricter emission standards. A systemic approach was emphasized, involving the promotion of electric vehicles, public environmental education, and robust air quality monitoring.

Experts warned that transport-related pollution is a leading contributor to chronic diseases and premature death, particularly among vulnerable populations.

Kyrgyz Minister of Natural Resources, Ecology and Technical Supervision, Meder Mashiev, highlighted that while previous efforts had focused on pollution during the heating season, new World Bank analysis shows that vehicle emissions significantly impact air quality year-round in Bishkek.

According to the Ministry, vehicle emissions account for roughly 30% of air pollution in the capital. In 2024, 1,674,085 vehicles were registered in Kyrgyzstan, with 83% or 1,392,737, over 15 years old. In Bishkek, 426,946 vehicles were registered, including 333,801 older than 15 years, most of which do not meet modern environmental standards.

The city administration reported that more than 750,000 vehicles operate on Bishkek’s roads daily, more than double the road network’s intended capacity of 350,000. This, combined with poor fuel quality and widespread reliance on private cars, has led to a systemic environmental challenge.

Mashiev outlined several initiatives to address the issue.

First, the city is transitioning to environmentally friendly public transport. Over 1,300 eco-friendly buses and 120 electric buses have been delivered to Bishkek. Each new bus replaces approximately four diesel buses, cutting diesel fuel consumption by around 100 tons per day. By the end of 2024, 3,535 electric vehicles were registered in the capital, and 44 charging stations had been installed.

Second, modern air quality monitoring systems are being deployed to enable more accurate and responsive pollution tracking.

Third, updates to the regulatory framework are being implemented to improve emission controls and compliance mechanisms.

“We have already taken concrete steps to improve air quality in Bishkek, the use of low-quality coal has been banned, large-scale greening projects are underway, and an active transition to alternative energy sources is in progress,” said Mashiev.

He concluded that similar measures would be introduced in other major cities across Kyrgyzstan, including Osh and Jalal-Abad.

22 Oct 2025

Central Asia, Home, International Affairs, Kazakhstan International Affairs, Kazakhstan, Kazakhstan Home

Magzhan Ilyasov Appointed Kazakhstan’s Ambassador to the United States

October 22, 2025
By Vagit Ismailov

President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has appointed Magzhan Ilyasov as Kazakhstan’s new Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the United States. The appointment is part of a broader reshuffling of the country’s foreign policy leadership.

The presidential decree announcing the appointment was published on the official Akorda website. Ilyasov succeeds Yerzhan Ashikbayev, who served in Washington from 2021 until his dismissal on September 26, 2025, shortly after Tokayev’s working visit to New York.

Born in Almaty in 1974, Ilyasov graduated with honors from the Faculty of International Relations at the Kazakh State University of World Languages. He later earned a master’s degree from Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government.

Ilyasov began his diplomatic career in 1996 at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, starting as a referent before serving as attaché and secretary in the Department of the United Nations and International Economic Organizations. By the late 1990s, he transitioned to the Presidential Administration, focusing on protocol and organizing international meetings.

From 2005 to 2016, he held senior roles in the foreign policy division of the Presidential Administration, eventually becoming an advisor to the president.

His diplomatic postings include:

2016-2020: Ambassador to the Netherlands and Permanent Representative to the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons;
2020-2022: Permanent Representative of Kazakhstan to the United Nations; and
2022-2025: Ambassador to the United Kingdom, with concurrent accreditation to Iceland and Ireland beginning in 2023

Ilyasov’s appointment comes amid a broader realignment of Kazakhstan’s foreign policy team. On the same day Ashikbayev was dismissed, several key changes were announced:

Murat Nurtleu stepped down as Foreign Minister to become the president’s assistant for international investment and trade cooperation;
Yermek Kosherbayev was appointed as the new Foreign Minister; and
Yerzhan Kazykhan, formerly the president’s assistant for international affairs, was named Kazakhstan’s permanent representative to the United Nations and other international organizations in Geneva.

Ilyasov’s extensive diplomatic experience and recent high-profile postings are seen as aligning with Kazakhstan’s strategic priorities in the United States, particularly amid growing engagement in investment, trade, and security dialogue.

22 Oct 2025

Central Asia, Home, Kazakhstan Local Politics, Local Politics, Kazakhstan, Kazakhstan Home

Kazakh Lawmakers Propose Ban on the Word “Halyk” in Bank Names

October 22, 2025
By Dmitry Pokidaev

A group of deputies in the Mazhilis, Kazakhstan’s lower house of parliament, has proposed amendments to the Law “On Banks and Banking Activities,” seeking to prohibit the use of specific words in the names of financial institutions, most notably “halyk” (“people’s”).

Deputy Murat Abenov announced the initiative via his official Facebook page, stating that more than 50 lawmakers are backing the proposal to revise Article 7 of the banking law. The draft amendment would expand existing restrictions on bank names, currently banning terms such as “national,” “central,” “state,” and “republican”, to also exclude “people’s” and “halyk,” in any language or form.

If adopted, the legislation would directly affect Halyk Bank JSC, one of Kazakhstan’s most prominent and systemically important financial institutions. Halyk Bank, whose name translates to “People’s Bank,” is part of the broader Halyk Group, which is active in banking, insurance, brokerage, and leasing services. The bank’s largest shareholder is ALMEX Holding Group JSC, controlled by Timur and Dinara Kulibayev, the son-in-law and daughter of former President Nursultan Nazarbayev.

Abenov argued that the term “people’s” carries specific legal and symbolic significance. Under Article 3 of Kazakhstan’s Constitution, the people are the bearers of sovereignty and the sole source of state power. He contended that allowing a private commercial institution to use this term may mislead the public into believing it serves or is governed by the population at large.

The proposal has drawn strong criticism from the Kazakhstan Investors Association, which views the amendment as selectively targeting Halyk Bank. “The discussion and especially the adoption of this amendment pose significant risks to legal certainty, the investment climate, and the national economy,” the Association said in a public statement.

The Association further emphasized that brand names are legally protected intellectual property. Under Kazakhstan’s Constitution, private property, including trademarks, can only be expropriated through a court ruling. “A legislative prohibition on an established, lawfully registered brand violates core principles of Kazakhstan’s legal system,” the statement read.

Investor representatives also warned that the move could damage Kazakhstan’s reputation among foreign investors. “The Halyk Bank brand has existed for decades and holds historical significance. Forcing a name change may be viewed as retroactive regulation, undermining investor confidence, especially considering the bank’s shares are listed on the London Stock Exchange,” the Association noted.

The group called for a “constructive dialogue grounded in legal principles, economic rationale, and common sense,” warning that arbitrary restrictions could harm financial stability and deter investment.

As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, Halyk Bank has expanded regionally, acquiring a 49% stake in Uzbek digital payments firm Click, marking a major fintech investment in Central Asia.

22 Oct 2025

Congressional Panel Urges Trump to Host C5+1 Summit This Year

October 27, 2025
By Times of Central Asia

A U.S. congressional foreign affairs panel is asking U.S. President Donald Trump to host a meeting in Washington, D.C. with leaders from Central Asia by the end of 2025.

The proposal was made in an October 20 letter to Trump by Bill Huizenga, a Michigan Republican who chairs the House’s South and Central Asia Subcommittee, and Sydney Kamlager-Dove of California, the senior Democrat on the subcommittee.

The two representatives said that such a summit would mark the 10th anniversary of the C5+1 diplomatic forum and highlight the importance of Central Asia following Trump’s meetings with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly last month. Multi-billion-dollar business deals were announced in connection with those meetings.

Established in 2015, the C5+1 formula refers to the United States and the five Central Asian countries of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.

“A Leaders’ Summit with meaningful outcomes will strengthen regional cooperation and maximize the diplomatic potential of the 10th anniversary, setting the tone for strengthened U.S. engagement in the region for the rest of your presidency,” the representatives said in the letter to Trump. They said a meeting would advance U.S. priorities in Central Asia, “including security cooperation, economic ties, soft power, and good governance,” they said.

The letter noted U.S. interests such as the development of critical minerals, including tungsten, antimony, lithium, and rare earth elements; the full repeal of the Jackson-Vanik amendment, a Cold War-era law that imposes some restrictions on trade with several countries in Central Asia; and counterterrorism efforts against the regional branch of the Islamic State group.

“We also hope to see new agreements with the Central Asian countries to bolster people-to-people ties and expand U.S. soft power, such as additional American Peace Corps volunteers and the expansion of educational and cultural exchange programs, while addressing the accreditation issue surrounding U.S.-sponsored journalists and other U.S.-funded news broadcasters.

The Trump administration, however, has taken steps to cut most U.S. foreign aid programs, dismantling the U.S. Agency for International Development. USAID had been active in Central Asia. The administration has also cut aid for U.S.-funded domestic and international broadcasters.

Analyst Temur Umarov wrote in the Carnegie Politika publication that Central Asia has found it relatively easy to work with the Trump administration.

“Business interests can be used to attract Washington’s attention, and there is no longer any need for demonstrative distancing from Russia or commitment to democratic reforms,” Umarov said.

He said that Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan have hoped to hold C5+1 anniversary events in their capitals, with top leaders in attendance. If that happens, Trump would be the first sitting U.S. president to visit any of the five Central Asian countries.