The Times Of Central Asia | Eurasian Publication & News Online

More than 1.3 billion people worldwide live with some form of disability, yet disability remains one of the least visible dimensions of social and economic life. In Central Asia, that invisibility is especially pronounced. As governments focus on infrastructure, growth, and modernization, far less attention is paid to whether people...

Gaza Peace Council

Uzbekistan Agrees to Join U.S.-Proposed Peace Council on Gaza

Water Management

More Valuable Than Oil: Why Kazakhstan Is Overhauling Its Water Code

For Kazakhstan, a country with vast territory and high dependence on transboundary rivers, water is becoming an increasingly critical constraint on economic development. Amid climate change, industrial expansion, and deteriorating infrastructure, water scarcity is emerging as a strategic risk, on par with fluctuations in global commodity markets. Recognition of the...

Art and Culture

A Breakout Year for Contemporary Art in Kazakhstan

Parliamentary Reform

Tokayev Floats Vice President Post at National Kurultai as Kazakhstan Weighs Political Overhaul

President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev used the fifth session of Kazakhstan’s National Kurultai on January 20 to propose creating a vice president’s post and embedding the new institution in the constitution, as part of a broader package of political reforms aimed at reshaping the country’s system of governance. Under the proposal, the...

Air Pollution

Tashkent Choked by Smog: What 2025 Revealed and How Residents Are Responding

The year 2025 proved especially challenging for air quality in Uzbekistan’s capital, with Tashkent repeatedly ranking among the world’s most polluted cities during peak smog episodes. At times, short-term air quality readings placed it alongside major Asian megacities during severe pollution spikes. These rankings were more than just statistics. Thick...

Abraham Accords

Kazakh Diplomacy: Why Tokayev Aligned Kazakhstan With the Abraham Accords

On November 6, 2025, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev confirmed that Kazakhstan had formally acceded to the Abraham Accords, aligning the Central Asian state with the U.S.-brokered diplomatic framework. Launched during Trump’s first presidential term, the Abraham Accords seek to expand diplomatic normalization between Israel and Muslim-majority states. Initially signed in September...

Sunkar Podcast

Central Asia and the Troubled Southern Route

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Opinions

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

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

Business & Economy

Solar Energy

Asian Development Bank Awards $1 Million Grant to Support Floating Solar Energy in Tajikistan

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $1 million grant to support the development of floating solar photovoltaic (PV) systems in Tajikistan, an emerging technology for the mountainous Central Asian country. According to Ko Sakamoto, ADB’s Country Director in Tajikistan, the initiative leverages the nation’s abundant solar and water resources. “This innovative initiative aims to make the most of what Tajikistan has to offer: sun and water,” he said. The project is designed to establish the foundation for a year-round, reliable, and environmentally sustainable energy supply. With 93% of its territory covered by mountains, Tajikistan faces limited availability of...

Trade

Uzbekistan Signals Possible Retaliation Over Increased Trade Costs in Tajikistan

Gold

Canadian Silvercorp to Develop Major Gold Deposits in Kyrgyzstan

Water Management

More Valuable Than Oil: Why Kazakhstan Is Overhauling Its Water Code

Trade

Central Asia Trade with China Tops Record $100 Billion in 2025

Export

Kazakhstan Targets Top Three Global Rank in Sunflower Oil Exports by 2028

Kazakhstan is aiming to become one of the world’s top three exporters of sunflower oil and raise its total exports of oil and fat products to $1 billion by 2028, according to the Ministry of Trade and Integration. Russia remains the global leader in sunflower oil exports, having shipped 4.4 million tons last year. In comparison, Kazakhstan achieved record results in 2025, exporting over 523,400 tons of sunflower oil between January and October, 2.4 times more than its domestic sales. These exports generated $532 million in revenue, placing Kazakhstan among the top ten sunflower oil exporters globally. To further increase...

data center

Kazakhstan Plans ‘Data Center Valley’ in Pavlodar Powered by Coal Energy

Kazakhstan intends to establish a major data center hub in the Pavlodar region, powered by the coal-rich Ekibastuz basin. The announcement was made by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev during a meeting of the National Kurultai (Assembly), where he outlined key steps in the country’s digital and energy strategies. The initiative is part of Kazakhstan’s broader goal to develop a fully-fledged digital economy by 2029. As Tokayev noted, 2026 has been declared the Year of Digitalization and Artificial Intelligence. In line with this vision, the government recently established the Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development to oversee technological transformation. “The introduction...

Power Deficit

Kyrgyzstan to Continue Electricity Imports in 2026 to Cover Power Deficit

Kyrgyzstan’s Cabinet of Ministers has confirmed that the country will continue importing electricity in 2026 to compensate for a persistent shortfall in domestic power generation, Deputy Energy Minister Altynbek Rysbekov said during a meeting of a parliamentary committee. According to Rysbekov, Kyrgyzstan currently produces around 14.5 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity per year, while overall demand exceeds domestic supply by approximately 4.5 billion kilowatt-hours. To bridge the gap, the country imported about 4.3 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity in 2025, and officials expect similar volumes will be required next year. Rysbekov said electricity imports remain necessary to meet consumption needs, particularly during...

Tax Reform

Kyrgyzstan Increases Excise Taxes on Alcohol and Sweetened Beverages

The Kyrgyz Cabinet of Ministers has approved a rise in excise tax rates on alcoholic beverages and sugar-containing drinks, including children's juices, as part of a broader phased tax reform strategy According to the State Tax Service (STS), the adjustments are part of a long-term initiative that will continue incrementally through the end of the decade. The excise tax on vodka and spirits has increased from approximately $1.8 to $2.2 per liter, with an additional annual increase of about $0.2 expected in the coming years. Rates for other alcoholic beverages have also been revised: Wine: increased by approximately $0.05 per...

Local Politics

Political Reforms

Tokayev Unveils Major Political Reforms as Kazakhstan Moves to Replace the National Kurultai

The fifth and final session of the National Kurultai in Kazakhstan, held on January 20, marked the announcement of plans to dismantle and replace two key institutions: the National Kurultai and the Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan, structures that have played central roles in the country’s civic dialogue, particularly over the past three decades. In a sweeping address, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev declared that these legacy institutions would be replaced by new mechanisms for state-society interaction, crafted with an eye toward modern governance models and constitutional reform. The move reflects Tokayev’s long-running criticism of consultative bodies that, while symbolically inclusive, have...

Parliamentary Reform

Tokayev Floats Vice President Post at National Kurultai as Kazakhstan Weighs Political Overhaul

DUMK

Kazakhstan to Launch AI-Powered Imam App

Parliamentary Reform

Kazakhstan Debates Parliamentary Reform as Inflation Pressures Living Standards

Democracy

Mandatory Participation in Elections Proposed in Kyrgyzstan

Healthcare Reform

Kazakh Government Transfers Control of Controversial Medical Fund to Ministry of Finance

The Kazakh government has restructured the management of the Social Medical Insurance Fund (SMIF), transferring oversight of its operations to the Ministry of Finance. The decision was formalized by Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov following a comprehensive audit of the fund’s financial activities conducted over the past month. The SMIF serves as the principal operator of Kazakhstan’s Compulsory Social Medical Insurance (CSMI) system. It collects contributions from employees, employers, and the state, then allocates these funds to medical institutions based on the volume of services rendered. However, the fund’s operations have faced sustained public and parliamentary criticism. In January 2025, members...

Migrant Rights

Uzbekistan Urges Diplomats to Actively Defend Citizens Abroad

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has directed Uzbekistan’s diplomats to take a more proactive role in protecting the rights of citizens living and working abroad, amid rising public concern over reported abuses during migration checks and raids in foreign countries. The issue was raised during a video conference chaired by Mirziyoyev on the performance of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the country's diplomatic missions overseas, according to the president’s press secretary. Mirziyoyev noted that the presence of Uzbek citizens residing abroad illegally remains a pressing issue for the state. In 2025, Uzbekistan secured a migration amnesty for more than 150,000 of...

Road Safety

Kazakh Politician Proposes Allowing Private Laboratories to Conduct Driver Intoxication Tests

Zhanna Asanova, a member of the Senate, the upper house of Kazakhstan’s parliament, has proposed allowing private medical laboratories to conduct examinations for alcohol and drug intoxication in drivers. The proposal was submitted as a parliamentary inquiry addressed to the government. At present, such medical examinations are conducted exclusively by state-run medical institutions equipped with laboratory facilities. However, Asanova argued that the capacity of this system is severely limited. Citing Almaty as an example, she noted that Kazakhstan’s largest city, with a population exceeding two million, currently has only two state laboratories handling all intoxication-related cases. This, she said, hinders...

Online Content

Uzbekistan’s Supreme Court Updates List of Banned “Extremist” Online Content

Uzbekistan has released an updated list of sources and materials banned for promoting extremism and terrorism, according to the press service of the Supreme Court. The revised register, current as of 10 January 2026, includes online content deemed to pose a threat to public safety and the country’s constitutional order. The Supreme Court reported that the updated list contains 1,593 profiles, channels, and other materials, most of which are linked to content distributed via social networks and messaging platforms. The listed materials were found to promote extremist ideologies, justify violence, or encourage terrorist activity. Telegram was the most frequently cited...

International Affairs

Trump Administration

Tokayev to Join Trump at Davos for Board of Peace Ceremony

President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev of Kazakhstan will visit Davos, Switzerland on Thursday for the signing ceremony of the “Board of Peace,” an international mechanism set up by U.S. President Donald Trump to help rebuild war-torn Gaza and possibly address other conflicts in the world. Tokayev will attend the board’s signing ceremony at Trump’s invitation, Kazakhstan’s presidential press office said on Wednesday. The ceremony will occur during the annual World Economic Forum meeting in the mountain resort of Davos, where national leaders, business executives and other influential people gather to discuss global issues. This year’s event comes amid a widening rift between...

Abraham Accords

Kazakh Diplomacy: Why Tokayev Aligned Kazakhstan With the Abraham Accords

Alexander Dugin

Russian Philosopher Sparks Outrage by Questioning Sovereignty of Former Soviet States

Afghanistan

Tajik Border Guards Kill 4 Gunmen From Afghanistan

Labor Migration

Uzbekistan Seeks Talks With U.S. on Seasonal Work Program

Gaza Peace Council

Uzbekistan Agrees to Join U.S.-Proposed Peace Council on Gaza

Uzbekistan has received and accepted an official invitation from U.S. President Donald Trump to join a new international initiative aimed at promoting peace and resolving conflicts in the Middle East, according to the press secretary of the President of Uzbekistan. The invitation, addressed to President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, proposes Uzbekistan’s participation as a founding member of a newly established Peace Council. The initiative is anchored in a comprehensive plan to end the conflict in Gaza, which was announced on September 29, 2025, supported by several global leaders, and endorsed by United Nations Security Council Resolution 2803, adopted on November 17, 2025,...

Black Sea Tanker Attacks

Second Malta-Flagged Vessel Hit in Black Sea as Shipping Risks Rise

The Maltese government has officially condemned recent attacks on commercial vessels in the Black Sea after a second ship flying the Maltese flag was damaged in a missile strike. This marks the second such incident within a week involving Maltese-registered ships. A spokesperson for Malta’s Ministry of Transport confirmed that the latest vessel, a Malta-flagged commercial ship, sustained minor shrapnel damage during a missile strike targeting port infrastructure in the Black Sea. The ship remains seaworthy, although one crew member was injured. The earlier incident involved the Matilda, an oil tanker also registered in Malta and chartered by the Kazakh shipping...

Peace Initiative

Tokayev Aligns Kazakhstan With Trump’s Gaza Peace Initiative

Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has agreed to join a new international body initiated by U.S. President Donald Trump that is intended to address post-war governance and reconstruction in Gaza, with the possibility of later expanding its remit to other global conflicts. Tokayev’s press secretary, Ruslan Zheldibay, said President Tokayev has accepted Trump’s invitation and sent a letter expressing his readiness to participate. The “Board of Peace” is a structure initiated by Trump as part of his broader Middle East agenda. Draft documents outline a body that would coordinate political oversight, reconstruction funding, and security arrangements in Gaza following the current...

Black Sea Tanker Attacks

Security Risks Around Kazakhstan’s Oil Exports Ripple Through European Markets

Europe’s oil market is becoming increasingly exposed to disruption as security risks rise along export routes used by Kazakhstan, which the European Union has long viewed as a reliable alternative to Russian supply. The risks extend far beyond Ukraine itself. “Russia continues escalating its attacks and targeting civilians and civilian infrastructures,” an EU spokesperson told The Times of Central Asia. “Russia’s brutal and unacceptable attacks have left people without hot water, heating and electricity in the current weather conditions. Russia’s war of aggression has also severely impacted Black Sea maritime security, including through its use of shadow fleet vessels to...

Life & Culture

Podcast

Spotlight on Central Asia: New Episode This Sunday with Eduards Stiprais, EU Special Representative for Central Asia

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 is joined by the EU Special Representative for Central Asia, Eduards Stiprais, to discuss connectivity, critical minerals,...

Disability Inclusion

Disability Inclusion Is Emerging as Central Asia’s Next Social Frontier

Religion

Epiphany in Central Asia: Orthodox Traditions and Regional Unity

Local News

4 Killed in Bus Accident in Kazakhstan; Reports Say Dozens Injured

Aviation

Kazakhstan’s Transport Ministry to Investigate “Serious Aviation Incident” Involving Russian and Uzbek Flights

Sports

Guardiola Praises Uzbekistan’s “Top” Khusanov After Champions League Start

Manchester City head coach Pep Guardiola has praised Uzbek defender Abduqodir Khusanov for his standout performance and professionalism, before the club’s UEFA Champions League clash with Norway’s Bodo/Glimt. Guardiola’s remarks were shared by City Xtra on X following the pre-match press conference. “Just read the media, how they praised Khusanov. They’re right. He’s top,” Guardiola said. “We don’t have complaints. The last game he was exceptional and the previous one as well. We’re really pleased.” Manchester City lost 3-1 to Bodo/Glimt on January 20, in the seventh round of the Champions League. Khusanov started the match and played the full...

Art and Culture

A Breakout Year for Contemporary Art in Kazakhstan

The year 2025 marked not only a busy period for contemporary art in Kazakhstan but also a decisive acceleration. Art moved beyond professional circles, claimed urban spaces, entered international agendas, and ceased to be a conversation “for insiders only.” The Kazakhstani art scene spoke with growing confidence both at home and abroad. New institutions, landmark exhibitions, festivals, and global collaborations signaled a pivotal shift: contemporary art has become a visible and integral component of the country’s cultural fabric. New Museums and Art Spaces in Kazakhstan Geographically, Almaty emerged as the epicenter of contemporary art activity in 2025. The city saw...

Uzbek Art

Mapping the Inner Landscape: An Interview with Oyjon Khayrullaeva

In recent years, a new generation of Uzbek artists has begun to reshape how culture, history, and identity are visually narrated. Among them is Oyjon Khayrullaeva, whose practice moves fluidly between photography, digital collage, and large-scale public installations. Born after independence and largely self-trained outside formal art institutions, Khayrullaeva works with inherited visual languages such as Islamic ornament and traditional textiles, reassembling them into contemporary forms that speak to the present moment. Her recent project for the Bukhara Biennial, called “Eight Lives,” marks a turning point in this exploration. Installed in the public and historical spaces of the ancient city,...

Yenlik

Kazakhstan’s Yenlik Brings Her Sound to COLORS

Kazakhstani singer and songwriter Yenlik has made history by becoming the first artist from Kazakhstan to be featured on the international music platform COLORSxSTUDIOS. Founded in Berlin in 2016, COLORSxSTUDIOS, commonly known as COLORS, has grown from a small creative experiment into one of YouTube’s most influential music platforms. Recognized for its minimalist visual style, each performance is filmed against a single-color backdrop without set design or special effects, placing the focus squarely on the music, the voice, and the artist. The channel now counts more than 8.2 million subscribers and over 3.5 billion views, cementing its status as a...

Justice

Drug Trafficking

Former Head of Turkmen Railways on Trial in Russia Over Alleged Drug Smuggling

The former head of Turkmenistan’s state rail company is facing trial in Russia on charges of large-scale drug smuggling, as reports emerge of a covert, high-level campaign to secure his release. Khydyr Rakhmanov, who led Demiryollary JSC (Turkmen Railways), was detained on October 4, 2025, at Moscow's Domodedovo airport while allegedly attempting to import LSD. Russian authorities subsequently opened a criminal case under Article 229.1 of the Criminal Code, “Smuggling of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.” He has been held in custody since October 6, and on December 4, the Domodedovo court extended his pretrial detention by another two months....

Fraud

Kazakhstan Blocked Nearly 85 Million Fraudulent Phone Calls in 2025

Migrant Workers

Uzbek Migrants Face Growing Risks in Russia as Tashkent Seeks Probe Into Alleged Abuse

Anti-Corruption

Tajikistan Expands Asset Disclosure Requirements for Officials

Marriage Law

Uzbekistan Proposes Ban on Marriages Between Relatives

Social protection

“We Can’t Help You”: How Turkmenistan’s Ministry of Justice Handles Citizens’ Complaints

A recent public reception at Turkmenistan’s Ministry of Justice has highlighted the formal and often unproductive nature of interactions between citizens and state institutions in the country. On January 10 the ministry held a legal consultation session, officially scheduled to run from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. In practice, however, visitors were not admitted until 10:00 a.m. According to Chronicles of Turkmenistan, more than 50 citizens attended the reception, many of whom had previously appealed to state agencies multiple times. They arrived with letters, formal statements, and supporting documentation in hand. Entry was granted in groups of three. The commission...

Caspian Pipeline Consortium

Kazakhstan Opens Criminal Probe Over Calls to Attack CPC Oil Pipeline

Kazakhstan has opened a criminal investigation into public statements that authorities say encouraged attacks on the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC), the main export route for the country’s crude oil, after months of disruption at the system’s Black Sea terminal turned a foreign security risk into a domestic legal and political issue. Prosecutor General Berik Asylov confirmed the case in a written reply to a parliamentary inquiry on January 6. "On December 17, 2025, the Astana City Police Department launched a pre-trial investigation under Part 1 of Article 174 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan (incitement of social,...

Digital Fraud Prevention

Kazakhstan Introduces Mandatory Biometric ID for Mobile Phone Subscribers

Kazakhstan is implementing mandatory biometric identification for all new mobile phone subscribers as part of broader efforts to combat telephone and internet fraud, the Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development has announced. The ministry noted that the country already enforces several measures to address SIM card misuse, including efforts to prevent fraud, illegal SIM registration, and the use of devices for mass calls and bulk messaging. From the start of 2026, these safeguards will be tightened further. Under the new regulations, SIM cards will only be issued after biometric identification is completed. Communication services will not be activated until...

AZAL Plane Crash

Russia Closes Criminal Case Into AZAL Plane Crash Near Aktau

Russia has closed its criminal investigation into the crash of an Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) aircraft near Aktau, a move that has drawn sharp criticism from Baku, according to Azerbaijani news outlet Minval Politika. Citing Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov, the outlet reported that a letter from Alexander Bastrykin, the head of Russia’s Investigative Committee, notifying Baku of the case's closure caused “serious surprise” on the Azerbaijani side. Bayramov stated that Azerbaijan had issued a detailed and principled response to the letter and expects the process to proceed in accordance with public commitments made by Russian President Vladimir Putin in Dushanbe, as...

Environment

Public Hearing Set for Sea Breeze Uzbekistan Project Near Charvak Lake

A public hearing on the environmental impact assessment of the Sea Breeze Uzbekistan tourist complex is scheduled for January 23 in the Bostanlyk district of Tashkent region, according to the State Center for Environmental Expertise. The hearing will take place at the Bostanlyk district administration building in the town of Gazalkent. Officials stated that the event aims to review the potential environmental effects of the proposed development and to gather feedback from residents, environmental specialists, and other stakeholders. The Sea Breeze Uzbekistan project is planned for the eastern shore of the Charvak reservoir in Bostanlyk. It envisions a large-scale, modern...

Air Pollution

Tashkent Choked by Smog: What 2025 Revealed and How Residents Are Responding

Environment

Kyrgyzstan Moves to Tighten Vehicle Emissions Rules as Air Pollution Worsens

Uranium

IAEA Extends Central Asia Uranium Cleanup Plan Through 2030

Natural Disasters

Families in Tajikistan Relocated from Zones at High Risk from Disasters

Syr Darya River

Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan to Install Hydro Posts on Syr Darya River

Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan are moving forward with the installation of ten automated hydro posts along the Syr Darya River, five in each country, as part of a joint initiative to enhance transparency and accuracy in transboundary water accounting and distribution for irrigation. The project is supported by the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ). The initiative was a key item on the agenda during a January 19 meeting between Kazakhstan’s Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation, Nurzhan Nurzhigitov, and Uzbekistan’s Minister of Water Resources, Shavkat Khamrayev, held in the Kazakh city of Turkestan. The Syr Darya River is critical for...

Desertification

Ashgabat to Host Regional Center for Combating Desertification in Central Asia

A regional center dedicated to combating desertification will be established in Turkmenistan's capital Ashgabat. The center aims to coordinate efforts among Central Asian nations to address environmental and water management challenges. According to Pirli Kepbanov, Director of the National Institute of Deserts, Flora and Fauna under Turkmenistan’s Ministry of Environmental Protection, the new institution will consolidate regional scientific and practical capacities to tackle transboundary issues affecting agriculture and water resources. “Based at the center, the region’s states will be able to cooperate on shared concerns related to agricultural production and water infrastructure,” Kepbanov said. Ashgabat’s selection as the host city...

Water Shortages

Kazakhstan Warns of Severe Water Shortages as Syr Darya Levels Drop

Kazakhstan’s Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation, Nurzhan Nurzhigitov, gave a sober warning to the country on January 13 that this year there could be significantly less water for agriculture in the southern parts of the country. Nurzhigitov said that as of January 12, there was 1.9 billion cubic meters (bcm) less water in the reservoirs of southern Kazakhstan than on that date in 2025. The Importance of the Syr-Darya These areas are part of the Syr Darya Basin. The Syr Darya is one of Central Asia’s two large rivers, the other being the Amu Darya to the south, which...

Glaciers

Glacier Growing Despite Global Warming Discovered in Tajikistan

While most of the world’s glaciers are retreating due to climate change, a rare anomaly has been discovered in the Pamir Mountains. Researchers have identified a glacier in eastern Tajikistan that is not melting but is, in fact, growing. The discovery, reported by Popular Mechanics, concerns the Kon-Chukurbashi ice cap, a rare formation demonstrating resilience in the face of global warming. Located in the Sarykol Range of the Pamirs, near the Chinese border, the glacier lies on the slopes of the peak bearing the same name. The expedition reached an altitude of approximately 5,810 meters (nearly 19,000 feet) above sea...

Tokayev Unveils Major Political Reforms as Kazakhstan Moves to Replace the National Kurultai

Latest

Features

Features

Latest

Sunkar Podcast

Sunkar Podcast

Opinions

Opinions

Nilaya Magidish

Timur Serikuly

William Cui

Altair Akhmetov

Timur Serikuly

Dr. Robert M. Cutler

Andrei Matveev

Mavlon Bobokhonov

Timur Serikuly

Dr. M. Assem Mayar

Uzma Parveen

Dr. Robert M. Cutler

Business & Economy

Business & Economy

Asian Development Bank Awards $1 Million Grant to Support Floating Solar Energy in Tajikistan

Kazakhstan Targets Top Three Global Rank in Sunflower Oil Exports by 2028

Kazakhstan Plans ‘Data Center Valley’ in Pavlodar Powered by Coal Energy

Kyrgyzstan to Continue Electricity Imports in 2026 to Cover Power Deficit

Kyrgyzstan Increases Excise Taxes on Alcohol and Sweetened Beverages

Local Politics

Local Politics

Tokayev Unveils Major Political Reforms as Kazakhstan Moves to Replace the National Kurultai

Kazakh Government Transfers Control of Controversial Medical Fund to Ministry of Finance

Uzbekistan Urges Diplomats to Actively Defend Citizens Abroad

Kazakh Politician Proposes Allowing Private Laboratories to Conduct Driver Intoxication Tests

Uzbekistan’s Supreme Court Updates List of Banned “Extremist” Online Content

International Affairs

International Affairs

Tokayev to Join Trump at Davos for Board of Peace Ceremony

Uzbekistan Agrees to Join U.S.-Proposed Peace Council on Gaza

Second Malta-Flagged Vessel Hit in Black Sea as Shipping Risks Rise

Tokayev Aligns Kazakhstan With Trump’s Gaza Peace Initiative

Security Risks Around Kazakhstan’s Oil Exports Ripple Through European Markets

Life & Culture

Life & Culture

Spotlight on Central Asia: New Episode This Sunday with Eduards Stiprais, EU Special Representative for Central Asia

Guardiola Praises Uzbekistan’s “Top” Khusanov After Champions League Start

A Breakout Year for Contemporary Art in Kazakhstan

Mapping the Inner Landscape: An Interview with Oyjon Khayrullaeva

Kazakhstan’s Yenlik Brings Her Sound to COLORS

Justice

Justice

Former Head of Turkmen Railways on Trial in Russia Over Alleged Drug Smuggling