Page 239 – The Times Of Central Asia

04 Oct 2025

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

Uzbekistan to Co-Host FIFA U-20 World Cup in 2027 with Azerbaijan

October 4, 2025
By Times of Central Asia

It’s been a big year for Uzbekistan’s football ambitions.

In June, the national team qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, securing a 0-0 draw against the United Arab Emirates in Abu Dhabi that was enough to propel Uzbekistan into the main draw. It is the first time that Uzbekistan, which has built up its sports infrastructure over the years, has qualified in the country’s 34 years of independence.

Now Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan are celebrating their joint appointment as host nations for the FIFA U-20 World Cup in 2027. The announcement was made on Thursday at a meeting of the FIFA Council in Zurich, Switzerland.

“Great News!” the Uzbekistan Football Association said.

“This competition is considered the second most significant men’s national team tournament organised by FIFA, after the FIFA World Cup itself,” said the association, adding that Uzbekistan had gained hosting experience in recent years by staging some big international football events.

Last year, Uzbekistan hosted the FIFA Futsal World Cup, a fast-paced variation of football that is played indoors. Some 52 matches were played during the contest. The cities of Tashkent, Andijan and Bukhara hosted games and tournament organizers received generally positive reviews.

FIFA, football’s governing body, has been helping the Central Asian country to modernize its football facilities by funding pitch construction, floodlight installation and the renovation of a stadium.

Azerbaijan, in the South Caucasus region, is also delighted with the prospect of co-hosting the FIFA event in 2027, describing it as a showcase for its good relations with Uzbekistan.

The decision “is a clear indication of the friendly relations between the heads of state, the policies aimed at the welfare and development of the countries, as well the special attention and care shown to sports in both countries,” said Rovshan Najaf, president of the Association of Football Federations of Azerbaijan.

The two nations have worked to strengthen diplomatic and economic ties, agreeing this year to a goal of boosting bilateral trade and investment to $1 billion annually by 2030.

The FIFA U-20 World Cup is held every two years. Argentina hosted it in 2023 and this year’s tournament is currently underway in Chile.

03 Oct 2025

Business & Economy, Kazakhstan, Kazakhstan Business & Economy

First Kazakh Woman Heads to Space with Blue Origin

October 3, 2025
By Vagit Ismailov

Kazakh entrepreneur Danna Karagussova is set to make history as the first woman from Kazakhstan to travel into space. She will join Blue Origin’s upcoming New Shepard NS-36 mission, marking both a personal milestone and a significant event for her country.

Suborbital Flight on New Shepard

Karagussova will be one of six passengers aboard the suborbital spacecraft, alongside United States entrepreneur Jeff Elgin, engineer Clint Kelly III, startup founder Aaron Newman, Ukrainian businessman Vitalii Ostrovsky, and one participant who has chosen to remain anonymous. For Kelly, this will be his second spaceflight after his participation in the NS-22 mission.

Blue Origin has confirmed that the upcoming launch will be its 15th crewed mission. To date, the company’s spacecraft have carried 75 people beyond the Kármán line, the internationally recognized boundary of space. The launch date has not yet been disclosed, but the event will be livestreamed on BlueOrigin.com, X, and YouTube, beginning 30 minutes before liftoff.

Who Is Danna Karagussova?

Karagussova brings more than 25 years of experience in media, distribution, and event management. She is the co-founder of Portals, a project that combines digital self-regulation tools with science and art. Outside of business, she has climbed both Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Elbrus, reflecting her resilience and determination.

Now, she is turning her focus to space, which she describes not as entertainment but as a profound and transformative journey. Writing on Instagram, she said: “The future of humanity is tied to space. By exploring new horizons, we not only develop technologies but also expand our own potential. For me, the NS-36 mission is part of a research project and a step toward a dream I have pursued for many years.”

Kazakhstan’s Other Space Initiatives

Karagussova’s mission comes as Kazakhstan expands its space research efforts. In Astana, a unique isolation experiment known as SANA-1 recently began, the country’s first such initiative featuring an all-female crew. Over ten days, participants live inside a spacecraft-simulation module, undergoing medical, cognitive, and engineering assessments.

The project, launched by the Eurasian Ventures Group and supported by Kazakh cosmonaut Aidyn Aimbetov, aims to inspire young people and build interest in STEM fields. It also contributes to the knowledge base for Kazakhstan’s future space programs and highlights the growing role of women in science.

03 Oct 2025

Defense, Central Asia, Home, Kazakhstan Local Politics, Local Politics, Kazakhstan, Features, Kazakhstan Featurees, Kazakhstan Home

Survey Reveals What Kazakhstanis Think About the Army and Defense

October 3, 2025
By Sergey Kwan

In September 2025, the research platform Demos.kz conducted a nationwide survey on public perceptions of Kazakhstan’s Armed Forces.

When asked about the likelihood of Kazakhstan becoming involved in a military conflict over the next five years, 29.7% of respondents considered the risk very low, 28% rated it as average, 13.2% as rather low, 7.1% as very high, and 6.9% as rather high.

Public confidence in the military’s capabilities was divided. Some 31.9% of respondents believe the Kazakh army is strong enough to defend the country against external threats, while 35% said it will “more likely be able” to do so. Meanwhile, 15.8% said the army will “most likely not” be able to protect the country, and 10.4% expressed the view that “No, it won’t be able to protect it at all”.

On the issue of defense partnerships, 29.3% favored strengthening ties with Russia through the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO). A further 27.5% supported closer cooperation with NATO members such as the United States or Turkey. Another 22.6% favored working with China via the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), 20% preferred collaboration with neighboring Central Asian countries, and 18.4% advocated for neutrality and minimizing military alliances.

Opinion was also split on the preferred army recruitment model. A total of 36.6% supported transitioning to a fully professional, contract-based military. Another 36.5% favored returning to universal compulsory service, while 17.7% supported retaining the current mixed system.

According to Kazakhstan’s 2025-2027 state budget, the country plans to allocate 2.7 trillion KZT ($5.2 billion) to defense and law enforcement in 2025.

The Finance Ministry reported that military spending from January to July 2025 amounted to 544.4 billion KZT, down 8.8% from the same period in 2024. Last year, Kazakhstan’s defense budget totaled approximately 1.3 trillion KZT.

Over the past three years, Kazakhstan has steadily increased defense spending. According to media reports, the defense budget stood at $1.2 billion in 2023 and $1.1 billion in 2022.

03 Oct 2025

Business & Economy, Kazakhstan, Kazakhstan Business & Economy

Pavel Durov’s Telegram Launches AI Laboratory at Alem.ai in Astana

October 7, 2025
By Dmitry Pokidaev

Telegram founder Pavel Durov has announced the launch of a dedicated artificial intelligence laboratory in Astana, housed within the newly inaugurated International Artificial Intelligence Center, Alem.ai.

The Alem.ai center was officially opened on Thursday during the Digital Bridge 2025 forum in Kazakhstan’s capital. At the opening ceremony, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev described the center as a future global hub for the effective and ethical application of artificial intelligence. The initiative will bring together both domestic and international developers, with Telegram among the first companies to establish operations at the site.

“A year ago, we opened our first regional office in Kazakhstan, and today we are pleased to launch a specialized AI laboratory inside Alem.ai,” Durov said.

“This is a joint project between Telegram and Kazakhstan’s national supercomputer cluster, established by the Ministry of Artificial Intelligence. The technology will allow more than one billion people to use AI functions privately, transparently, and efficiently. We hope that Kazakhstan’s supercomputer cluster will become the first major provider of computing power for this network.”

As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, Kazakhstan launched the region’s most powerful supercomputer earlier this year. At the Digital Bridge 2025 forum, President Tokayev announced plans for a second cluster. On the sidelines of the event, he also met with Pavel Durov to discuss cooperation in education, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity, according to the presidential press service.

“The President highly appreciated Telegram’s contribution to advancing Kazakhstan’s digital agenda: the company officially joined Astana Hub, opened an office in Kazakhstan, and launched AI laboratories at Alem.ai,” the statement said. “For his part, Pavel Durov briefed Tokayev on prospects for joint projects in artificial intelligence.”

Tokayev also discussed venture investment opportunities and the development potential of Kazakhstani AI startups with Stanford University professor Ilya Strebulaev.

In addition, Tokayev held meetings with Omar Al Olama, UAE Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications, and Mansoor Ibrahim Al Mansoori, Chairman of Abu Dhabi’s Department of Health and former COO of G42. The talks focused on expanding Kazakh-Emirati cooperation in AI, including the ongoing Smart City project, which Tokayev called a milestone in bilateral relations.

Tokayev also announced plans to establish an Artificial Intelligence University in Kazakhstan, with a strong focus on research and development. According to the presidential press service, he noted the importance of drawing on the UAE’s experience, where the world’s first IT-focused university is already in operation.

03 Oct 2025

Central Asia, Home, Kyrgyzstan, Kyrgyzstan Business & Economy, Features, Kyrgyzstan Features, Kyrgyzstan Home

Small Firms Power Kyrgyz Construction Surge

October 3, 2025
By Anton Chipegin

The turnover of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Kyrgyzstan’s construction sector has increased 2.5 times over the past five years, according to national statistics.

Medium-sized and small businesses have become key drivers of growth in one of the country’s most important economic sectors. In 2020, the volume of work performed by SMEs in construction amounted to 70 billion KGS ($802 million). By the end of 2024, this figure had risen to 185 billion KGS ($2.1 billion).

Role of Individual Entrepreneurs

More than half of total construction output in 2024 was attributed to individual entrepreneurs. Their main advantage lies in the ability to respond quickly to shifting demand in the housing and infrastructure markets. Their contribution was estimated at 95 billion KGS ($1.08 billion).

Small construction firms also recorded substantial growth, tripling their output to 65 billion KGS ($745 million) in 2024. Medium-sized companies posted the fastest expansion: in 2022, they delivered projects worth 7.8 billion KGS ($90 million), rising to 25.2 billion KGS ($289 million) in 2024.

Sector Growth Outpaces the Economy

The Eurasian Economic Commission previously reported a 40% increase in Kyrgyzstan’s construction sector during the first half of 2025. In the first five months of the year alone, construction volumes nearly doubled compared to the same period in 2024.

As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, Kyrgyz authorities have designated construction as a strategic priority for national development. Investment in residential housing, infrastructure, and social facilities quadrupled in the first five months of 2025, reaching $800 million.

Kyrgyzstan’s GDP grew by 11.5% in the first seven months of 2025, with construction contributing 3 percentage points and the services sector accounting for approximately 5 percentage points.

03 Oct 2025

Environment, Tajikistan, Tajikistan Environment

Tajikistan’s Rogun Dam to Triple Forests Under No Net Loss Plan

October 3, 2025
By Sadokat Jalolova

The construction of Tajikistan’s massive Rogun Hydropower Plant (HPP) will proceed under strict environmental conditions, guided by what experts describe as a “No Net Loss” (NNL) approach to nature. According to Asia-Plus, the updated Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) for the project outlines a series of measures to offset ecological damage, including large-scale forest restoration.

The report states that 262 hectares of land, including 185 hectares of juniper forest and 77 hectares of floodplain, will be lost due to construction. To compensate, authorities plan to restore 786 hectares of new forest, tripling the area impacted. The reforestation effort will prioritize juniper, riverside, and fruit and nut forests, while also establishing new protected areas to reinforce local ecosystems. Tajikistan’s Forestry Agency has already allocated nearly 7,600 hectares of land for these efforts. Reforestation is expected to cost over $7.5 million, with annual maintenance costs projected at approximately $10,500.

The ESIA outlines a phased strategy. From 2025 to 2030, specific restoration sites will be identified. Practical implementation, including planting and ecosystem protection, is scheduled to begin in 2031. The NNL principle aims to ensure that long-term ecological gains outweigh short-term environmental disruptions.

Once completed, the Rogun HPP will have an installed capacity of 3,780 megawatts, making it the largest hydropower facility in Central Asia. Its six turbines, each with a capacity of 630 MW, are expected to generate over 14.5 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually once the plant becomes fully operational in 2029. Two units, launched in 2018 and 2019, are already producing power at reduced capacity. In 2024, the plant generated 1.22 billion kWh, accounting for 5.5 percent of Tajikistan’s total electricity output.

However, the project has not escaped controversy. The World Bank’s Inspection Panel recently agreed to review a formal complaint filed by residents of Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan, supported by the regional coalition Rivers Without Boundaries. The complaint questions the adequacy of the project’s environmental assessments, which critics argue fail to fully account for downstream impacts on communities and ecosystems along the Amu Darya basin.

Despite these concerns, Tajik officials maintain that Rogun will enhance national energy independence while also helping position Central Asia as a hub for renewable energy.