The Times Of Central Asia | Eurasian Publication & News Online

Turkmenistan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs has rejected a request to initiate early release procedures for imprisoned human rights activist Mansur Mingelov, despite his confirmed serious medical diagnosis and the legal provisions that would permit such action. According to an official response dated October 20, the Department for the Enforcement of...

TCA Interviews

Kazakhstan’s Independence Day: Plenty to Cheer, More to Consider

Oil Export

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...

Sunkar Podcast

Central Asia and the Troubled Southern Route

00:00 / 00:00

Opinions

Opinion: Is Uzbekistan Importing a Future Crisis?

William Cui

Opinion: Kazakhstan Bets Big on AI to Power Local and Global Growth

Altair Akhmetov

Opinion: After the UN Gaza Resolution – Kazakhstan’s Potential Role

Timur Serikuly

Opinion: Abraham Accords Can Help Kazakhstan Reshape Its Energy Future

Dr. Robert M. Cutler

Opinion: Kazakhstan’s Electoral Reforms – Why Officials and Experts Are Reconsidering Local Democracy

Andrei Matveev

Opinion: Central Asia Is Consolidating Its Role as a Full-Fledged Actor in Global Processes

Mavlon Bobokhonov

Opinion: Multi-Vectorism 2.0 – Kazakhstan Seeks Balance in a Shifting Geopolitical Landscape

Timur Serikuly

Opinion: The Integration of Afghanistan into Central Asia

Dr. M. Assem Mayar

Opinion: Kazakhstan Joins Abraham Accords – More Than a Symbolic Gesture

Uzma Parveen

Opinion: A Trump Visit to Central Asia Would Deliver Results and Anchor a Corridor Strategy

Dr. Robert M. Cutler

Opinion: China’s Diplomatic Power Play Unfolds in Tianjin

Andrei Matveev

Opinion: Gas, Geopolitics, and Realism: U.S.–Turkmenistan Talks Signal Shift

Javier M. Piedra

Business & Economy

Starlink

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...

Foreign debt

Opinion: Is Uzbekistan Importing a Future Crisis?

Oil Export

Kazakhstan Looks to Reduce Dependence on Russian Oil Transit Routes

Gold Mining

Kyrgyzstan Advances Underground Project at Kumtor Mine

Investments

South Korean Firm Invests $12 Million in Kyrgyz Meat Processing Facility

Education reform

World Bank Approves $250 Million Loan to Expand Student Financing in Uzbekistan

The World Bank has approved a $250 million loan to support Uzbekistan’s ambitious reform of its student financing system, the institution announced on December 11. The funding will back the Edulmkon Program, a three-year initiative aimed at expanding equitable access to higher and vocational education across the country. Scheduled for implementation between 2026 and 2028, the program is expected to benefit approximately 600,000 young people. Roughly 80% of the loan will be allocated to tuition loans for students from low-income families and for women, groups that continue to face significant barriers to accessing higher education. Uzbekistan, home to around 10...

Organization of Turkic States (OTS)

Organization of Turkic States Discusses Key Eurasian Energy Projects

At the 5th meeting of ministers responsible for energy within the Organization of Turkic States (OTS), held on December 10 in Istanbul, OTS Secretary General Kubanychbek Omuraliev outlined major joint energy initiatives underway among member states. Founded in 2009, the OTS comprises Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkey, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan. Hungary and Northern Cyprus participate as observer states. Omuraliev touched upon the following projects: Major oil and gas routes such as the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) oil pipeline, Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum (BTE) gas pipeline, South Caucasus Pipeline, Trans-Anatolian Natural Gas Pipeline (TANAP), Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP), and the Iğdır-Nakhchivan gas pipeline; A strategic partnership between...

Economic Growth

ACRA Raises Kazakhstan Economic Growth Forecast

The Analytical Credit Rating Agency (ACRA) has released its updated forecast for Kazakhstan’s economy for 2026-2028, projecting annual growth of 5.3-5.9%. These figures exceed the government’s recent targets. According to the published report, the next three years will mark a period of accelerated expansion, driven by industry and construction, alongside strengthening value chains in services and agribusiness. The government's earlier forecast projected GDP growth of 5.4% in 2026, followed by stabilization at 5.3%. While ACRA offers a more optimistic outlook, it notes that achieving the targeted 6% growth will require a sharp increase in investment activity and a boost in...

Electricity supply

Uzbekistan Announces New Electricity Rationing Amid Power Shortages

Uzbekistan has announced a new electricity rationing schedule as power shortages strain the national grid. The Ministry of Energy said temporary evening outages would help stabilize supply while repairs and emergency measures continue. The outages, which began this week, are concentrated during peak hours between 5:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. and are expected to last until mid-January. Causes of the Shortfall The crisis stems from a major failure at the Syrdarya thermal power plant, one of the country’s largest. A newly installed Mitsubishi gas turbine suffered a mechanical fault in late November, forcing the station to shut down part of...

Local Politics

Diplomacy

Uzbekistan, Paraguay Deepen Ties During First-Ever Presidential Visit

Uzbekistan and Paraguay have agreed to enhance political and economic cooperation following high-level talks in Tashkent, according to the presidential press service. The meeting between Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Paraguayan President Santiago Peña took place at the Kuksaroy residence, with participation from both countries’ official delegations. Mirziyoyev welcomed his counterpart and highlighted the historical significance of the visit, noting it as the first time a president from a Latin American country has traveled to Uzbekistan. The visit is expected to usher in a new era of bilateral relations. The two leaders discussed expanding cooperation across several sectors. Talks focused...

Digitalization

Face Pay, Palm Scans, and AI Cameras: Inside Kazakhstan’s Digital Transformation

Higher Education

Kazakhstan to Train Nuclear Energy Specialists Abroad Through Bolashak Program

Society

Women Who Wear Niqab in Public in Kazakhstan to Risk Fines Under New Law

Kyrgyzstan Elections

Kyrgyzstan Election Delivers Wins for Women and the President’s Allies

Neutrality

Turkmenistan Marks 30 Years of Neutrality

On December 12, 2025, Turkmenistan marks the 30th anniversary of a UN decision granting Turkmenistan the status of a neutral country. Defining what “permanent neutrality” means for Turkmenistan is impossible, as it is a flexible term used to justify a range of policies, both domestic and foreign. This vague special status has not provided many benefits, but has helped Turkmenistan’s leadership isolate the country and create one of the most bizarre and repressive forms of government in the world today. Last Item on the Day’s Agenda On Tuesday, December 12, 1995, the UN General Assembly’s (UNGA) 90th plenary meeting...

Energy cooperation

Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan Strengthen Energy Ties as Kambarata-1 Project Advances

Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan are deepening their energy partnership as progress continues on the Kambarata-1 Hydropower Plant (HPP), one of Central Asia’s most ambitious infrastructure projects. Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev met with Kyrgyz Energy Minister Taalaibek Ibrayev in Tashkent to discuss regional energy cooperation, according to Kyrgyz news agency 24.kg, citing the Kyrgyz Ministry of Energy. The talks focused on strengthening strategic ties between the two countries, with particular emphasis on hydropower development. Both sides acknowledged the growing momentum in bilateral relations and reaffirmed their commitment to joint regional energy initiatives. Mirziyoyev underscored the importance of collaborative water and energy projects,...

Human rights

New CIVICUS Report Warns of Mounting Restrictions on Freedoms in Turkmenistan

The global civil society alliance CIVICUS has published an updated report on the worsening state of rights and freedoms in Turkmenistan. The document, compiled by the International Partnership for Human Rights (IPHR) and the Turkmen Initiative for Human Rights (TIHR), covers the period from June to November 2025 and outlines several disturbing trends. According to the report, Turkmen authorities continue to target individuals they deem politically “inconvenient.” This includes former political prisoners, who, despite their release, remain under tight surveillance and face ongoing restrictions. The report highlights an intensifying crackdown on freedom of expression. While state-controlled media project an image...

Import

Over Half a Million Tons of Cargo Blocked from Entering Kyrgyzstan in 2025 Over Phytosanitary Violations

In the first 11 months of 2025, Kyrgyzstan’s Department of Plant Protection, Quarantine, and Chemicalization detected 35 cases of non-compliance with phytosanitary requirements at border checkpoints. As a result, 562.5 tons of agricultural cargo were denied entry and returned to the countries of origin. According to the agency, authorities also blocked the import of more than 70,000 plant seedlings, over 11,000 flowers, and 136 cubic meters of lumber. Diplomatic notes regarding the violations were formally sent to China and the Netherlands. Violating shipments were either returned, destroyed, or decontaminated, the agency said. Officials emphasized that phytosanitary controls are a vital...

International Affairs

Media

Nomad TV: Russia’s Latest Media Venture in Kyrgyzstan

Kyrgyzstan has a new TV station. At first glance, it’s the kind of cozy, local news channel satirized in 2004’s Anchorman. The headline item on December 10th was the fact that it had snowed in Bishkek, with the on-screen reporter treading around the city asking residents whether they felt cold. “Not really,” is the general response, given that plummeting temperatures are hardly a new phenomenon in the Kyrgyz capital. “What kind of precautions did you take against the weather?” the reporter asks one gentleman. “Put on a hat and gloves,” comes the droll reply. This piece is followed by an...

Bilateral Trade

Kazakhstan and Iran Discuss Trade on Pezeshkian’s Visit to Astana

Baikonur

Soyuz Crew Lands Safely in Kazakhstan After Space Mission

Urban development

Pakistani Developer Proposes “New Uzbekistan” Complex in Islamabad

Caspian Pipeline Consortium

Protecting Critical Infrastructure: Lessons from the CPC Drone Attack

International Year of Peace and Trust

Ashgabat Hosts Forum Marking International Year of Peace and Trust

An international forum marking the 30th anniversary of Turkmenistan’s permanent neutrality has opened at the Maslahat Köşgi Palace in Ashgabat. The event has drawn high-level delegations and representatives of international organizations. Among those attending are President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov, President of Russia Vladimir Putin, and the presidents of Turkey and Iran, Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Masoud Pezeshkian. The forum has also brought together the presidents of the Central Asian states, including President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov, President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, and President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon. Other participants include Prime Minister of Pakistan...

Visa

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...

Pope

Vatican, Uzbekistan United in Pursuit of Diplomacy and Peace

On 6 December 2025, Pope Leo XIV accepted the credentials of thirteen new ambassadors, among them Abat Fayzullaev of Uzbekistan, in Vatican City’s splendid, fresco-festooned Sala Clementia in the Apostolic Palace. The accreditation of Uzbekistan’s ambassador marks a further milestone in the development of Tashkent’s relations with the Holy See. Addressing the new diplomats, Pope Leo XIV asserted the primacy the Holy See accords peace and diplomacy, and its conviction that peace can take root whenever the will to embrace it exists. “Peace is not merely the absence of conflict, but an active and demanding gift, one that is built...

Goa Fire

Kazakh Dancer Recounts Escape from Deadly Goa Fire

A Kazakh artist's narrow escape from a deadly nightclub fire in the Indian state of Goa has become one of the most widely discussed accounts of the tragedy. The dancer credits her survival to a warning from a colleague, whom she later called her “Indian god.” Footage of Kristina, a professional belly dancer from Kazakhstan, performing on stage at the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub circulated rapidly on social media. The video shows her finishing her routine, unaware that a fire had already begun backstage. Moments later, flames erupted in the dressing room she was about to enter. It was...

Life & Culture

Cultural Ties

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...

Özgecan Kesici-Ayoubi

Özgecan Kesici-Ayoubi on How the Alash Movement Is Studied in the West

Renewable energy

Kazakhstan Launches First Domestic Green Hydrogen Production Station

Healthcare

Uzbekistan Performs First Liver Transplant on Seven-Month-Old Infant

Podcast

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

Day J

Almaty Hosts Winter Edition of Day J With JingleBendz 2025

On December 12, Almaty hosted the winter edition of Day J, a festive gathering titled JingleBendz 2025 that brought together journalists, public relations specialists, editors, bloggers, and communications professionals from across the country. This year, organizers chose a “Multiverse” theme. Guests arrived dressed as characters from Disney films, anime, and Soviet era cartoons, giving the evening a playful, informal atmosphere. Beyond the entertainment, JingleBendz 2025 served a familiar role in the communications community, a year end moment to take stock of professional milestones and recognize standout work. Informal awards were presented to individuals and teams across several categories. The event...

TCA Interviews

Kazakhstan’s Independence Day: Plenty to Cheer, More to Consider

As Kazakhstan prepares to celebrate its Independence Day on December 16th, The Times of Central Asia (TCA) sat down with its special correspondent, Javier M. Piedra, a banker, corporate executive, writer, and seasoned international development expert whose professional ties to Kazakhstan date back to 2000. Piedra lived in Kazakhstan for 16 years. Over that time, he headed KPMG’s M&A (2007 – 2012), set up a credit bureau - the only one in the region at the time - and was a senior advisor for a private equity fund. He also taught corporate finance at Narxoz University. Back in Washington, he...

Electricity

How Tajikistan Is Struggling to Keep the Lights On Amid Winter Power Shortages

As winter grips Tajikistan, severe electricity restrictions have become a daily reality. While officials claim that recent rainfall has helped partially stabilize the country’s largest hydroelectric power plant, residents across multiple regions report worsening shortages, with power barely available for a few hours each day. Government officials say that water inflow into the Nurek Reservoir has increased following recent rains. Kurbon Ahmadzoda, a representative of the state energy company Barki Tojik, reported an increase of 30-40 cubic meters per second, enabling authorities to supply electricity for four to five hours daily. Earlier, the government had attributed stricter electricity limits to...

Cultural Heritage

Kobyz Musical Instrument and Karakalpak Yurt Added to UNESCO Heritage List

At the 20th session of the UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, held in New Delhi from December 8-13, Uzbekistan’s nominations for the kobyz musical instrument and the Karakalpak yurt were officially approved for inclusion in the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List. As part of the application process, researchers documented the historical and cultural significance of the zhyrau (oral storytellers), whose performances are traditionally accompanied by the kobyz. A documentary film was also produced in Karakalpakstan, an autonomous republic within Uzbekistan, highlighting the craftsmanship involved in making the kobyz. The nomination emphasized the urgent need...

Justice

Human Trafficking

Dozens of Human Trafficking Attempts Prevented in Kazakhstan

Kazakh law enforcement agencies have disrupted dozens of serious human trafficking attempts during the nationwide STOP-Traffic operational and preventive campaign, according to the Ministry of Internal Affairs. The ministry reported 39 recorded cases of attempted human trafficking, including six involving minors. In Almaty, authorities dismantled a criminal group engaged in the illegal sale of newborns. According to investigators, the suspects exploited vulnerable young women by persuading them to give up their babies in exchange for money. More than 20 criminal cases have been opened, and all suspects have been detained. If convicted, they face up to 18 years in prison...

Human rights

Turkmenistan Denies Early Release to Activist Mansur Mingelov Despite Serious Illness

Saltanat Law

Saltanat Law One Year On: Domestic Violence Crackdown, Hidden Barriers Remain

Tajik-Afghan Border

Taliban Arrests Suspects After Deadly Attacks on Chinese Citizens Near Tajik-Afghan Border

Trump Administration

Turkmenistan Included as Trump Tightens U.S. Immigration Ban After D.C. Shooting

Shooting

Uzbek Student Among Two Killed in Brown University Shooting

Two students were killed, and nine others were injured in a shooting on the campus of Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, a tragic event that has drawn international attention. Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed that one of the deceased was an Uzbek national. The shooting occurred overnight on December 13-14 at the Ivy League institution. The death of Muhammad Aziz Umurzoqov was first reported by family members through a fundraising appeal on the GoFundMe platform and later officially confirmed by the press secretary of Uzbekistan’s Foreign Ministry. In the GoFundMe statement, Umurzoqov was remembered as a kind,...

Crypto-mining

Tajikistan Introduces Prison Terms for Crypto Mining Using Stolen Electricity

Tajikistan has formally introduced criminal liability for the unauthorized use of electricity to mine cryptocurrency. On December 3 the country’s parliament approved amendments to the Criminal Code, adding Article 253(2): “Illegal use of electricity for the production of virtual assets.” Under the new law, violators face penalties ranging from fines of $1,650 to $8,250 or prison sentences of two to eight years, depending on the severity of the offense. The base-level offense, using stolen electricity for mining, carries a fine equivalent to $1,650 to $4,070. If committed by a group acting in coordination, penalties increase to $4,125-8,250 or two to...

Freedom of Speech

Information Sovereignty? Central Asia Tightens Control Over Its Information Space

Across the post-Soviet space, governments are adopting new measures that affect the scope of free expression. Similar trends are visible in Central Asia, the Caucasus, and parts of Eastern Europe, reflecting wider global shifts in how states manage their information environments. In Central Asia, where journalism has long faced political constraints, recent policies indicate a renewed emphasis on controlling the flow of information. From Georgia to Kazakhstan: Pushback Against Foreign Narratives Recent events in Georgia highlight these changes. The adoption of a controversial “foreign agents” law, widely described as a Russian-style or “pro-Russian” measure, reflected the ruling party’s growing hostility...

Human rights

Human Rights Groups Urge Turkmenistan to Release Activists Ahead of Neutrality Anniversary

As Turkmenistan prepares to mark the 30th anniversary of its policy of permanent neutrality, international human rights organizations are urging the government to commemorate the occasion by releasing civil society activists imprisoned for peacefully expressing their views. In a joint appeal, the International Partnership for Human Rights (IPHR), the Turkmen Initiative for Human Rights (TIHR), Turkmen.News, and the Norwegian Helsinki Committee (NHC) called on Turkmen authorities to use the milestone as an opportunity to take a humanitarian step by pardoning activists jailed on politically motivated charges. The organizations emphasized that presidential pardons remain the only available legal mechanism for early...

Environment

Nature

Tajikistan’s Forests on the Brink of Extinction

Tajikistan's forests, already scarce, covering just 3% of the country's territory, are facing unprecedented threats due to climate change and human activity. These fragile ecosystems, vital for maintaining the country’s ecological balance, are rapidly disappearing, with far-reaching consequences for the environment and public safety. Since the early 1990s, Tajikistan’s forest area has shrunk significantly. Currently, forests cover approximately 423,000 hectares, compared to about 20% of the national territory a century ago. In the 19th century, tugai forests alone spanned one million hectares, now reduced more than eightfold. The causes of deforestation are complex: widespread logging during past energy crises, land...

Environment

Tajikistan Struggles to Fund Cleanup of Soviet-Era Uranium Waste

News Round-Up

Hydropower, Social Media and Climate Change: Some News From Tajikistan That You May Have Missed

Electric Vehicles

China’s Expanding Electric Bus Footprint in Central Asia

Water resources

Central Asian Countries Agree on 2026 Water Allocations from Amu Darya and Syr Darya

Water resources

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...

Wildlife

Kyrgyzstan Adopts Online Tools to Combat Illegal Wildlife Trade

Customs and border officers in Kyrgyzstan haven’t traditionally focused on the smuggling of animals and plants, even though conservationists say the country is a transit point in Central Asia’s illegal wildlife trade. Backed by international expertise, Kyrgyzstan’s government is working to change that in a campaign that supporters hope will foster more regional collaboration. “We recognize that this work must be done step by step; we cannot build everything at once,” said Bakytbek Tokubek uulu, Central Asia program manager of TRAFFIC, a Britain-based conservation group. Some species considered to be vulnerable to illegal commerce in Central Asia include Saker falcons,...

Irrigation

South Kazakhstan Braces for Irrigation Water Shortages in 2026

On December 4–5, Kazakhstan’s Deputy Prime Minister Kanat Bozumbayev, accompanied by Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Nurzhan Nurzhigitov and Minister of Agriculture Aidarbek Saparov, visited the southern regions of Turkistan, Kyzylorda, and Zhambyl. The delegation met with local farmers to address the growing risks posed by declining transboundary water inflows and to discuss measures to ensure efficient water use during the 2026 irrigation season. Agriculture in these arid regions depends heavily on water from the Syr Darya River, which originates in Kyrgyzstan. According to the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation, Kazakhstan’s agricultural sector consumed 11.01 billion cubic meters...

Climate Change

Journal Retracts Climate Study After Discovering Errors in Uzbekistan’s Economic Data

The scientific journal Nature has retracted a high-profile article on the economic impacts of climate change after significant inaccuracies were discovered in economic data related to Uzbekistan. The study, originally published online on April 17, 2024, examined how rising global temperatures could affect economic output by mid-century. According to the retraction notice, the dataset contained serious errors in Uzbekistan’s economic indicators from 1995 to 1999, which substantially altered the study’s findings. The authors acknowledged that the results were highly sensitive to the inclusion of Uzbekistan. Upon review, they found the country’s reported economic figures during that period were inaccurate. They...