The Times Of Central Asia | Eurasian Publication & News Online

Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan are emerging as potential beneficiaries of disruptions in the global aviation fuel market as tensions around Iran force airlines to reroute flights and rethink transit hubs. The escalation of tensions in the Middle East, including heightened risks to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, has led to...

Kazakh Diaspora

Poems by the Kazakh Poet Abay Recited in Paris in Nine Languages

The legacy of the Kazakh poet Abay Kunanbayev recently brought together representatives of different nations in Paris. His works were recited in Kazakh, French, Russian, Chechen, Buryat, Kalmyk, Ingush, Tuvan, and Yakut. The Association of Kazakh Women in France, “QazElles,” thus supported the recently announced proposal to include Abay’s work...

India

India–Central Asia: Connectivity, Security, and Sustainable Partnerships in a Multipolar World

A widening conflict in West Asia is forcing India and Central Asia to reassess trade routes, diplomacy, and regional security, with key projects such as Iran’s Chabahar port now facing growing uncertainty. These risks framed discussions in New Delhi on March 25–26, where experts gathered under the banner of “India–Central...

Milan Design Week

From a Vanishing Sea to Milan’s Spotlight: When Apricots Blossom, a Lost Sea Speaks

From April 20 to 26, 2026, Uzbekistan will present one of its most ambitious cultural projects to date at the Milan Design Week. Titled When Apricots Blossom, the exhibition will take place at Palazzo Citterio in Milan’s Brera district, transforming the historic space into a multi-layered exploration of craft, memory,...

Kashagan

Kazakhstan Expands Kashagan Legal Fight as Arbitration and Claims Mount

For several years, Kazakhstan has been engaged in arbitration proceedings worth billions of dollars, many of which have been conducted behind closed doors. Recently, new details have emerged about one of the largest disputes, involving the North Caspian Operating Company (NCOC). The dispute stems from environmental violations identified during a...

Healthcare

Kazakhstan Is Rethinking Its Healthcare System, Focusing on Prevention

Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Health has outlined updated investment and development plans for 2023-2027, signaling a shift in the country’s healthcare approach from treating diseases to preventing them, strengthening biosafety, and expanding mental health support. However, some experts warn that the new strategy could have unintended economic consequences, including the reallocation...

Referendums, Rockets, and the Rogun Dam

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Sunkar Podcast

Central Asia and the Troubled Southern Route

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Opinions

Opinion: Islamic State Khorasan Province and the Strategic Risks for Central Asia

Aidar Borangaziyev

Opinion: Mirziyoyev in Washington – New Deals Expected Amidst Peace Diplomacy

Javier M. Piedra

Opinion – The “Board of Peace” and Afghan Diplomacy: A View from Kabul

Dr. Bismillah Mangal

Opinion: Kazakhstan’s Constitutional Referendum – Strategic Reset or Institutional Consolidation?

Raza Syed

Opinion: Afghanistan and Central Asia – Security Without Illusions

Aidar Borangaziyev

Opinion: The New Silk Road to the Sea – Connecting Central Asia to Karachi and Gwadar

Mian Nasser Hyatt Maggo & Engineer Arshad H. Abbasi

Breaking into Project Vault: A U.S. Role for Central Asia’s Strategic Minerals

Dr. Eric Rudenshiold

Opinion: Tokayev’s National Kurultai Address: A Moral Message, Not a Political One

Javier M. Piedra

Opinion: Central Asia–Japan Summit Signals Shift in Eurasian Geoeconomics — and Russia’s Waning Role

Anvar Nazirov

Opinion: Iranian Unrest Creates Opening for U.S., Partners in Central Asia

Nilaya Magidish

Opinion: Prospects for Central Asia’s Access to Persian Gulf Infrastructure

Timur Serikuly

Opinion: Is Uzbekistan Importing a Future Crisis?

William Cui

Business & Economy

Oil and Gas

Major Hydrocarbon Field Discovered in Kazakhstan

A major hydrocarbon field has been discovered in Kazakhstan’s Atyrau Region, with reserves potentially comparable to those of the Kashagan oil field, the country’s largest oil source, according to Kurmangazy Iskaziyev, First Deputy Chairman of the Management Board of KazMunayGas. The site is located on the Zhylyoi Platform near the Caspian Sea coast. Its onshore location could significantly reduce development costs, although the deposits are believed to lie at considerable depths. Kashagan, discovered in the northern Caspian Sea, remains one of the largest oil fields found globally in recent decades. Its recoverable reserves are estimated at 9–13 billion barrels of...

Fuel Exports

Turkmenistan Introduces Fuel Limits for Vehicles Leaving the Country

Grain export

Bishkek Seeks Stable Grain Supplies from Astana for Flour Millers

Aviation Industry

Iran War Redraws Air Routes, Boosting Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan

Finance

Kazakhstan’s Central Bank Links Tenge Strengthening to Rising Oil Prices

Smart Electricity

Kyrgyzstan to Install 300,000 Smart Electricity Meters Purchased from China

Kyrgyzstan’s Ministry of Energy has signed a contract with Shenzhen Kaifa Technology for the purchase of 300,000 smart electricity meters for the National Electric Network in 2026, according to the ministry. Negotiations are also underway for an additional 90,000 units. The National Electric Network of Kyrgyzstan has introduced an automated electricity control and metering system that has helped strengthen financial discipline in the energy sector. As of the end of 2025, 500,100 smart meters had been installed across the country, bringing the total number of installed meters to more than 923,000. This has improved metering accuracy and reduced electricity losses...

Aviation

Kazakhstan’s SCAT Airlines Adds Two Boeing 737 MAX 8 Aircraft

Kazakhstan-based SCAT Airlines has taken delivery of two new Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft. The planes were delivered directly from Boeing’s facility in Seattle, marking the first time the carrier has added two aircraft of this type to its fleet simultaneously. The fleet expansion is linked to the growth of the airline’s route network and the strengthening of existing flight programs. In 2026, SCAT launched new routes from Shymkent to Karaganda, Kostanay, Bishkek, Novosibirsk, St. Petersburg, and Tyumen, as well as a direct service from Astana to Ulaanbaatar. The new aircraft will support the development of a hub at Shymkent...

Food Security

Iran Conflict Drives Food Price Pressures Across Central Asia

The war around Iran is beginning to push up food price risks in Central Asia as disruptions to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz raise fertilizer and fuel costs, while Tehran’s halt to some food exports adds pressure in regional markets. The impact is not manifesting as shortages, but as rising costs across the systems that produce, move, and sell food. The United Nations has warned that the crisis is disrupting one of the world’s most important trade corridors for energy and agricultural supplies. A large share of global fertilizer trade passes through the Strait of Hormuz, and reduced shipping...

Aviation

Uzbekistan Becomes Top International Destination for Russian Airlines

Uzbekistan has become the leading international destination for Russian airlines in the summer 2026 schedule, with flights planned on 67 routes between the two countries, according to data reported by ATO.ru, citing Russia’s aviation authority, Rosaviatsiya. The figures show Uzbekistan surpassing other popular destinations for Russian carriers, including China and Turkey, by a significant margin. Flights to Uzbekistan will operate on 10 more routes than to China and 12 more than to Turkey. Other traditional leisure destinations, such as Thailand and Egypt, will see considerably fewer routes, with 35 and 33 respectively. According to the report, this marks a major...

Local Politics

Justice

Kazakh Lawmaker Proposes Tougher Penalties for Poaching

Kazakh Senator Andrei Lukin has called for tougher penalties for poaching amid a rise in violations, including illegal fish exports and document forgery. In a parliamentary inquiry, he urged a review of existing sanctions, greater transparency in industry subsidies through digital platforms, and stronger independence for relevant scientific organizations. Current legislation provides for fines of up to $27,000 and prison sentences of up to 10 years. However, Lukin argued that these measures are insufficient. According to his data, 84,000 tons of fish were seized from illegal trade between 2022 and 2025. At the same time, stocks of commercially important species...

Power Struggle

Kyrgyzstan Moves Toward Power Consolidation Ahead of 2027 Election

Rahmon in Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan and Tajikistan Launch 10 Joint Projects During Rahmon’s State Visit

Power Struggle

Kyrgyzstan Braces for Showdown Between President Japarov and Former Security Chief Tashiyev

Road Safety

Kazakhstan Senator Proposes Restoring State Oversight of Driving Schools

Kyrgyz-Tajik Border

Kyrgyzstan Develops Territories Received from Tajikistan

The Kyrgyz authorities have adopted a resolution that transfers into state ownership land and real estate received from Tajikistan under the agreement on the delimitation and demarcation of the state border. According to the decision of the Cabinet of Ministers, the State Agency for State Property Management must register the transferred assets on its balance sheet, after which they will be handed over to local administrations in the Batken and Leylek districts of Batken region. District authorities are expected to distribute the property among citizens who lost their homes and assets as a result of the border agreement, as well...

Freight Industry

Kazakhstan Proposes Creating a Digital Platform Within the EAEU to Coordinate Freight

Kazakhstan has proposed the creation of a unified digital platform for coordinating cargo flows within the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU). Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov presented the proposal at a meeting of the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council in Shymkent. The proposal involves developing an integrated system based on AI that will improve the efficiency of logistics processes across the union. Currently, the EAEU comprises five countries: Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Russia. Moldova, Uzbekistan, Cuba, and Iran hold observer status. According to Bektenov, the creation of a unified AI-based platform will reduce cargo delivery times and lower business costs. “In order to...

Tourism

Turkmenistan Promotes Tourism Abroad — While Keeping Its Borders Closed

Turkmen authorities are preparing to host an international tourism forum, once again emphasizing the sector’s potential. However, the reality appears less optimistic. The number of foreign visitors remains extremely low, while a strict visa regime continues to deter not only tourists but also business travellers. The Turkmen Travel international forum and exhibition is scheduled to take place in Ashgabat from April 14 to 16. Preparations are reportedly being carried out at a high level. Deputy Prime Minister for Culture, Bahar Seydova, briefed officials on the event, and President Serdar Berdimuhamedov has instructed organizers to present the country’s tourism potential in...

Kazakhstan Constitution

Kazakhstan’s Constitutional Reform and the Logic of Modernization

As The Times of Central Asia has noted throughout its special coverage, Kazakhstan’s new constitutional model is presented as modernization, not a rupture with the existing system. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has described the project as a response to a rapidly changing global landscape, arguing that the country’s basic law must be recalibrated to make governance more coherent, effective, accountable, and sustainable. That framing has included streamlining parliament, restoring the vice presidency, and redistributing authority across institutions as part of what Tokayev called a “complete reboot” of government, not a revolutionary break with existing institutions. Voters endorsed that vision in the...

International Affairs

Organization of Turkic States

Meeting of the Organization of Turkic States Held in Baku

On April 2, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev met with participants of a meeting of the heads of government of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) in Baku, outlining key areas of cooperation. Among those attending were Turkish Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz, Uzbek Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov, Kazakh Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov, Kyrgyz Prime Minister Adylbek Kasymaliev, Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan Nokerguly Atagulyev, Prime Minister of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus Unal Ustel, and OTS Secretary General Kubanychbek Omuraliev. Opening the meeting, Aliyev stressed the importance of dialogue. “This meeting of the heads of government...

India

India–Central Asia: Connectivity, Security, and Sustainable Partnerships in a Multipolar World

Trade

Uzbekistan and Russia Focus on Trade and Transit at Termez Meeting

EAEU

EAEU Trade Frictions Deepen Despite Shymkent Integration Push

Southern Corridor

The Iran Conflict Is Stress-Testing Central Asia’s Southern Corridors

Freedom in the World

Central Asia Pushes Back on “Not Free” Label as Debate Over Rankings Grows

According to Freedom House’s Freedom in the World 2026 report, all five countries in Central Asia are classified as “Not Free.” Nevertheless, governments in the region are increasingly questioning the impartiality of such assessments. At the same time, some regional experts point to ongoing political and economic reforms as signs that the region is making progress. A “Not Free” Region In its report released on March 19, 2026, Freedom House classifies all five Central Asian states as "Not Free." The designation is based on Freedom House’s assessment of political rights and civil liberties. According to the report’s authors, the ranking...

Oil Imports

Georgia May Replace Russian Oil with Imports from Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan

Georgia’s only oil refinery, owned by Black Sea Petroleum (BSP), plans to completely stop importing Russian oil and instead switch to crude supplies from Turkmenistan and, potentially, Kazakhstan. This was announced by the company’s CEO, David Potskhveria. According to Potskhveria, the shift would not only diversify supply sources but also open access to European markets. “We will completely replace Russian oil with Turkmen oil, and then with Kazakhstani oil. This will give us the opportunity to export products to the EU,” he said. The rationale is straightforward: imports of Russian petroleum products into the European Union are currently prohibited. Maintaining...

Security

Global Terrorism Index: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan Show Zero Risk of Terrorism

The countries of Central Asia are among those least affected by terrorism globally, according to the newly published Global Terrorism Index 2026 report. However, the report suggests that the region’s stability is increasingly influenced by external factors, particularly its proximity to Afghanistan. Country scores are a composite measure made up of four indicators: incidents, fatalities, injuries and hostages. To measure the impact of terrorism, a five-year weighted average is applied. The main concentrations of terrorist activity remain in Africa and South Asia. The overall level of terrorism worldwide declined in 2025, although the nature of the threats became more complex...

Drone Crash

Repeated Drone Incidents Expose Airspace Risks on Russia–Central Asia Frontier

A new drone-related incident in western Kazakhstan has reinforced a pattern that is becoming harder to dismiss. Police in West Kazakhstan Region confirmed that an object resembling an unmanned aerial vehicle was found in the Akzhayik district near the village of Karaulytobe. Images circulating locally appeared to show a largely intact fixed-wing drone. No casualties or damage were reported. “The object was discovered outside a populated area. All circumstances of the incident are being investigated,” the department said. Reports and images of the object initially circulated on messaging apps before being confirmed by regional authorities. This latest discovery fits a...

Life & Culture

Podcast

Pannier and Hillard’s Spotlight on Central Asia: New Episode Coming 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. This week, the team looks at clashes between Pakistan and Afghanistan and how this affects Central Asian plans for trade routes...

Education

Kazakhstan to Launch Digital Schools Project

Chess

Sindarov Ahead in Candidates, While Asaubayeva Shares Women’s Lead

Kazakh Diaspora

Poems by the Kazakh Poet Abay Recited in Paris in Nine Languages

Milan Design Week

From a Vanishing Sea to Milan’s Spotlight: When Apricots Blossom, a Lost Sea Speaks

Sports

Khusanov Named Manchester City’s Player of the Month for March

Uzbekistan national team defender Abdukodir Khusanov has been named Manchester City’s Player of the Month for March, the club announced. In a statement, Manchester City said the 21-year-old “beat the challenges of team-mates Rodri and Jérémy Doku to overwhelmingly win the public vote,” highlighting his strong performances throughout the month. “Khusanov was outstanding during March and has become a firm favourite with the City fans for his committed, all-action defensive style,” the club added. This marks Khusanov’s third monthly award, after also receiving the honor in January. Last year, he made history by being named the club’s Etihad Player of...

World Nomad Games

Snow Leopard Designated as Official Mascot of World Nomad Games in Kyrgyzstan

The snow leopard has been designated as the official mascot of the sixth World Nomad Games, which Kyrgyzstan will host from August 31 to September 6, it has been announced. “The snow leopard is more than a symbol of strength. It reflects inner resolve, dignity, and clarity of purpose. It carries the spirit of Kyrgyzstan, the character of nomadic culture, and the energy of forward movement,” the Games' Secretariat said. In October 2025, Kyrgyzstan’s Cabinet of Ministers officially designated the snow leopard as the country’s national symbol and approved a corresponding logo. Snow leopards are considered a key indicator of...

Literature

Literary Competition Showcases Outstanding New Kazakh Novels

The “Modern Kazakh Novel” competition, in partnership with Eurasian Resources Group (ERG), was launched last year as a national cultural initiative. The project was designed to stimulate the growth of contemporary Kazakh prose and foster closer ties between authors and readers. With more than 3,000 submissions, the competition highlighted the Kazakh public's interest in literature. Eight authors reached the final stage of the competition. Seven finalists were each awarded 3 million tenge ($6,300), while the winner of the grand prize received 15 million tenge ($31,500). A notable achievement of the initiative was the publication of the shortlisted works. A thousand...

Obituary

Olimjon Toshkenboyev, Uzbek Tightrope Master and Cultural Figure, Dies

Olimjon Toshkenboyev, an acrobat from a family dynasty of performers who promoted the Uzbekistani tightrope walking art known as dorbozlik, has died at the age of 81. In a condolence message to Toshkenboyev’s family, Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Culture said he was “a famous representative of Uzbek circus art” who made big contributions to national heritage and was a mentor to many students. “Under his leadership, the ‘Uzbekistan Dorbozlari’ group successfully showcased their art in many foreign countries, including Poland, Germany, Egypt, Belgium, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Ecuador, and others,” the ministry said on Telegram on March 28. Toshkenboyev,...

Justice

prisoner transfer

Russia Ready to Transfer Over 3,000 Uzbek Prisoners

Russia is prepared to facilitate the transfer of more than 3,000 Uzbek citizens convicted on its territory to serve their sentences in Uzbekistan, but the process remains stalled due to legal obstacles, Kommersant reported, citing Russia’s Human Rights Commissioner Tatyana Moskalkova. Speaking at a meeting of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) Human Rights Commission, Moskalkova said Russia is willing to support the transfer mechanism. However, she noted that Uzbekistan cannot currently accept the prisoners because it has not ratified the 1998 Convention on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons. “Russia is ready to assist, but the country of citizenship cannot...

Crocus City Hall

Appeals Filed Against Life Sentences in Crocus City Hall Attack Case

Police

Tajik Police to Patrol Dushanbe on Electric Scooters

FLEX Exchange Program

Uzbek FLEX Finalist Returns Home After Alleged Harassment by Host Father in Indiana

India

Delhi Police Arrest Man After Large Theft Targeting Uzbek Visitor

Kashagan

Kazakhstan–Kashagan Dispute Heads to International Arbitration

Kazakhstan’s Vice Minister of Justice, Daniel Vaisov, announced that the country’s claims over the removal of sulfur storage limits at the Kashagan field, operated by North Caspian Operating Company N.V. (NCOC), will be heard under the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes framework, which is headquartered in Washington. NCOC includes Shell, TotalEnergies, Eni, ExxonMobil, CNPC, Inpex, and KazMunayGas. In March 2023, an inspection of the Kashagan consortium by Kazakhstan’s environmental authorities identified violations of environmental legislation, including the excessive storage of sulfur volumes exceeding permitted limits. The resulting claim was valued at around $5 billion, according to the authorities....

Internet Regulation

Kazakhstan Plans to Introduce Social Media Monitoring

Kazakhstan plans to introduce a system for monitoring the information space in order to identify illegal online content. This was reported by the country’s Financial Monitoring Agency (FMA). The agency has drafted rules on monitoring the information space aimed at detecting unlawful content, including on the internet, and enabling subsequent measures to restrict access to it. The draft document has been published on the Open Regulatory Acts portal. According to the proposal, monitoring would cover information published in open sources, including websites, social networks, messaging platforms, mass media outlets, and other information and communication channels. The Financial Monitoring Agency would...

Justice

Mirziyoyev: Violence Against Women and Children Will Not Be Tolerated in Uzbekistan

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has announced tougher measures against violence toward women and children, and unveiled new economic and education programs aimed at expanding opportunities for women across Uzbekistan. Speaking on March 6 at a ceremony in Tashkent marking International Women’s Day, the president referred to a decree he signed on March 3 that strengthens the country’s response to domestic violence. According to remarks reported by Uzbek media and the presidential press service, the decree introduces a stricter system for addressing harassment and violence against women and minors. Mirziyoyev said Uzbekistan has adopted the creation of an uncompromising environment against violence...

Extradition

Kazakhstan Suspends Extradition of Navalny Associate as Courts Weigh Asylum Claim

Kazakhstan has suspended the extradition of Yulia Yemelyanova, a former staff member of Alexei Navalny’s St. Petersburg office, to Russia. Yemelyanova was detained in Almaty in August 2025 after the Russian authorities requested her transfer. The Prosecutor General’s Office halted the extradition after her lawyers filed appeals linked to her asylum claim. Earlier this month, authorities approved Russia’s request despite her pending asylum application. Her lawyer subsequently stated that he would challenge that approval before the Supreme Court. Russian investigators have accused Yemelyanova of theft linked to a 2021 case. Her defense rejects the charge and argues that the prosecution...

Environment

Air Quality

Air Quality Report Shows Central Asia’s Air Getting Rapidly Worse

Tajikistan ranked as the world’s third most polluted country in 2025, according to the latest World Air Quality Report by IQAir. The report analyzed PM2.5 concentrations across 9,446 cities in 143 countries and territories. PM2.5, fine particulate matter measured in micrograms per cubic meter, is widely used as a key indicator of air pollution. The five most polluted countries in 2025 were Pakistan (67.3 µg/m³), Bangladesh (66.1 µg/m³), Tajikistan (57.3 µg/m³), Chad (53.6 µg/m³), and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (50.2 µg/m³). Only 13 countries and territories met the World Health Organization annual PM2.5 guideline of 5 µg/m³, including...

Mountains

Kyrgyzstan Elected First Vice-Chair of UN Mountain Partnership

Climate Change

Melting Glaciers Becoming an Increasing Threat to Central Asia’s Resources

Water

Kazakhstan Launches Water Spring Clean-Up Campaign

Desertification

Environmental Pressures Affect Up to 80% of Irrigated Land in Turkmenistan

Qosh Tepa Canal

Afghanistan Advances Qosh Tepa Canal While Urging Regional Water Cooperation

Uzbekistan just hosted the Tashkent Water Week forum, and the speaker many wanted to hear from was the representative from Afghanistan. Central Asia and Afghanistan are being hit hard by climate change. This region has endured several droughts already this decade, and indications are that this year will bring drought again. Hanging over the forum was Afghanistan’s plan to complete the Qosh-Tepa Canal in 2028, which will draw water from a river that Central Asian countries also use and further complicate the regional water situation. [caption id="attachment_18865" align="aligncenter" width="1280"] Qosh Tepa Canal, artist's rendition; image: TCA, Aleksandr Potolitsyn[/caption] Our Fair...

Air Quality

Uzbekistan Launches “Clean Air” Project to Cut Pollution by 2030

Uzbekistan has approved a nationwide environmental initiative aimed at improving air quality and reducing pollution over the next five years, according to a presidential decree published on March 25. The decree outlines the implementation of the “Clean Air” national project for 2026-2030. The program sets a target of reducing harmful emissions into the atmosphere by 10.5% and strengthening environmental monitoring across key industrial sectors. Under the plan, enterprises classified as having a significant environmental impact will be required to install automatic monitoring systems, as well as dust and gas purification equipment. The initiative also aims to reduce the number of...

Conservation

“Great News” for the Striped Hyena at Brazil Meeting, Conservation Group Says

Countries attending a U.N.-backed migratory species conference in Brazil have agreed to increased protections for the striped hyena, whose vast range includes parts of Central Asia, according to an international conservation group. Tajikistan and Uzbekistan had submitted the proposal to upgrade protections for the species during a meeting of the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals in Campo Grande this week. “The Committee agreed by consensus to the proposal to include the striped hyena in Appendices I and II,” and the approval will become official at a plenary meeting on Sunday, said Susan Lieberman, vice president for international policy...

Environment

Kyrgyz Retailers Prepare for Gradual Phase-Out of Plastic

Pressure is increasing on businesses in Kyrgyzstan to reduce their use of plastic. However, judging by the government’s latest initiatives, the transition to new environmental standards is expected to be gradual and shaped by compromise. The Ministry of Natural Resources, Ecology, and Technical Supervision has announced the launch of the “Green Entrepreneur” platform, through which companies willing to phase out plastic can obtain official recognition. The initiative comes alongside preparations for large-scale restrictions on the use of plastic bags, scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2027. Although a full ban has not yet been introduced, several major retailers have...

Iran Conflict Drives Food Price Pressures Across Central Asia

Latest

Features

Features

Referendums, Rockets, and the Rogun Dam

Latest

Sunkar Podcast

Referendums, Rockets, and the Rogun Dam

Sunkar Podcast

Opinions

Opinions

Aidar Borangaziyev

Javier M. Piedra

Dr. Bismillah Mangal

Raza Syed

Aidar Borangaziyev

Mian Nasser Hyatt Maggo & Engineer Arshad H. Abbasi

Dr. Eric Rudenshiold

Javier M. Piedra

Anvar Nazirov

Nilaya Magidish

Timur Serikuly

William Cui

Business & Economy

Business & Economy

Major Hydrocarbon Field Discovered in Kazakhstan

Kyrgyzstan to Install 300,000 Smart Electricity Meters Purchased from China

Kazakhstan’s SCAT Airlines Adds Two Boeing 737 MAX 8 Aircraft

Iran Conflict Drives Food Price Pressures Across Central Asia

Uzbekistan Becomes Top International Destination for Russian Airlines

Local Politics

Local Politics

Kazakh Lawmaker Proposes Tougher Penalties for Poaching

Kyrgyzstan Develops Territories Received from Tajikistan

Kazakhstan Proposes Creating a Digital Platform Within the EAEU to Coordinate Freight

Turkmenistan Promotes Tourism Abroad — While Keeping Its Borders Closed

Kazakhstan’s Constitutional Reform and the Logic of Modernization

International Affairs

International Affairs

Meeting of the Organization of Turkic States Held in Baku

Central Asia Pushes Back on “Not Free” Label as Debate Over Rankings Grows

Georgia May Replace Russian Oil with Imports from Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan

Global Terrorism Index: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan Show Zero Risk of Terrorism

Repeated Drone Incidents Expose Airspace Risks on Russia–Central Asia Frontier

Life & Culture

Life & Culture

Pannier and Hillard’s Spotlight on Central Asia: New Episode Coming Sunday

Khusanov Named Manchester City’s Player of the Month for March

Snow Leopard Designated as Official Mascot of World Nomad Games in Kyrgyzstan

Literary Competition Showcases Outstanding New Kazakh Novels

Olimjon Toshkenboyev, Uzbek Tightrope Master and Cultural Figure, Dies

Justice

Justice

Russia Ready to Transfer Over 3,000 Uzbek Prisoners