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20 Jan 2026

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A Breakout Year for Contemporary Art in Kazakhstan

January 20, 2026
By Tamila Olzhbaekova

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 the opening of key institutions that became new focal points for artists, curators, and audiences.

Opening of the Almaty Museum of Arts (ALMA)

On September 12, 2025, the Almaty Museum of Arts (ALMA) opened its doors in Almaty, becoming one of the largest contemporary art museums in Central Asia. From the outset, ALMA signaled serious institutional ambitions, with a mission to support and study contemporary art processes and situate them within a global cultural context.

The museum’s collection includes around 700 works, more than 70% of which are by notable Kazakhstani artists of the 20th century, such as Zhanatai Shardenov, Tokbolat Togyzbayev, Makym Kisameddinov, and Shaimardan Sariyev. Contemporary artists like Rustem Khalfin, Saule Suleimenova, and Said Atabekov are also prominently featured.

Designed by the British architectural bureau Chapman Taylor, the 10,000-square-meter museum includes expansive exhibition halls (“The Great Steppe,” “Saryarka”), an Art Street atrium, storage and restoration facilities, and a creative workshop, setting a new standard for museum infrastructure in the region.

Installation view of “I Understand Everything” – Almagul Menlibayeva (12 September 2025 – May 2026), Almaty Museum of Arts; image: Alexey Naroditsky

Tselinny Center of Contemporary Culture: Reclaiming a Building and Its Meaning

Just days earlier, on September 5, 2025, the Tselinny Center of Contemporary Culture was inaugurated in Almaty. Housed in a restored 1964 Soviet-era cinema, the building underwent nearly seven years of renovation led by British architect Asif Khan. Notably, the facade’s unique sgraffito by artist Evgeny Sidorkin was preserved.

The transformed space now features an exhibition hall, library, cafe, and workshop areas. Its opening was marked by the performance BARSAKELMES, with initial public access free of charge. Tselinny now operates three days a week and serves as a vital platform for exhibitions, education, and creative dialogue.

The Tselinny Center of Contemporary Culture; image: SAPARLAS/Zhanarbek Amankulov

A. Kasteev State Museum of Arts: A New Status and Contemporary Focus

Kazakhstan’s primary national art institution also redefined its role in 2025. Celebrating its 90th anniversary, the A. Kasteev State Museum of Arts was granted National Museum status. In conjunction with this milestone, a new gallery dedicated to contemporary Kazakhstani art from the independence period was unveiled.

The exhibition Memory. Space. Progress brought together works from leading artists, charting the development of artistic practice from the 1990s to the present. Contributors included members of the Shymkent-based Red Tractor group, Almaty conceptualists, and key avant-garde figures such as Sergey Maslov, Rashid Nurekeyev, Almagul Menlibayeva, Shamil Guliyev, Bakhyt Bapyshev, and Said Atabekov. The exhibition featured installations, video art, and futuristic projects, affirming the place of contemporary art in the nation’s cultural heritage.

Major Exhibitions and Art Events Across the Country

Alongside institutional growth, 2025 saw a dynamic program of exhibitions and festivals. Astana, the capital, increasingly positioned itself as a hub for large-scale art events.

BARSAKELMES Performance @Tselinny Center

BARSAKELMES Performance @Tselinny Center

Astana Art FAIR (June, Astana)

Held in the summer, Astana Art FAIR 2025 was one of the largest contemporary art festivals in Central Asia. Centered on the theme Human and Technology, the fair featured artists from more than 15 countries. Astana’s urban spaces hosted expansive outdoor installations and public artworks, while the program included lectures, performances, and multimedia shows, exploring the cultural implications of the digital age and engaging diverse audiences.

TIREK: The Thread of Her Life (December, Almaty)

In December, the socially significant data-art exhibition TIREK was held at Almaty Gallery in collaboration with UN Women. The project addressed women’s health through visual and artistic practices.

Meanwhile, the National Museum of Kazakhstan in Astana hosted a traveling exhibition from the Louvre, featuring antiquities, strengthening cultural ties with leading international institutions. Traditional cultural events such as the Spirit of Tengri ethno-festival and the 10th anniversary of the Almaty Film Festival continued across the country, with contemporary visual art standing alongside music and cinema as a central cultural form.

Urban Mosaic @Tselinny Center

Kazakhstani Artists on the Global Stage

If 2025 saw institutional growth domestically, it also marked a confident international presence. Kazakhstani artists were featured in biennials, fairs, and museum projects worldwide, securing a stronger position on the global art map.

Bukhara Biennial 2025

Held from September 5 to November 20 in historic Bukhara, the first Bukhara Biennial featured over 70 art projects. Kazakhstani artists were prominently represented, including Saule Suleimenova, Gulnur Mukazhanova, and Aisultan Seit. Themed Recipe for Broken Hearts, the biennial brought together regional voices, with Kazakhstani contributions emphasizing women’s creative experience and cultural dialogue in the post-Soviet space.

International Art Fairs

Aspan Gallery, based in Almaty, participated for the sixth time in Art Dubai (April 16-20), presenting Gulnur Mukazhanova’s solo project Shadows of Hope. In November, the gallery made its debut at Abu Dhabi Art with works by Erbosyn Meldibekov, whose practice explores post-Soviet architecture, monumentality, and memory.

Recognition and Awards

In July, Belgium’s M HKA Museum of Contemporary Art acquired Said Atabekov’s photographic series Prayer of a Thousand Horsemen, marking an increased European interest in Central Asian art.

At the VIDEOFORMES 2025 media art festival in France, video artist Lyazzat Khanim received a special award from the Puy-de-Dôme Department Council for her project, fresh film, selected from 720 submissions from 63 countries, highlighting a new generation of digital artists from Kazakhstan.

@Tselinny Center

Residencies, Grants, and Cultural Exchange

Summer 2025 saw the launch of the Art Future international residency at Esentai Gallery in Almaty, in partnership with the Embassy of Spain. Spanish photographer Juan Saliket was the central resident, conducting urban research, collaborating with local artists, and culminating in a final exhibition.

Domestically, cultural support continued. At the start of the year, 75 leading cultural figures received state scholarships, supporting a broad range of artistic disciplines, including contemporary visual arts.

Trends and Significance of 2025

Collectively, the events of 2025 signal a new phase in Kazakhstan’s cultural development. With new museums, festivals, major exhibitions, and a growing international footprint, Kazakhstan is increasingly asserting itself as a regional center for contemporary artistic innovation, where a strong connection to cultural heritage is balanced by a forward-looking vision.

20 Jan 2026

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

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

January 20, 2026
By Dmitry Pokidaev

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 of parliament declared that the SMIF had lost the public’s trust and called for tighter oversight of its expenditures.

Delayed Audit and Financial Irregularities

Despite growing concerns, a large-scale audit had long been postponed. It was not until December 2025 that the Prime Minister tasked the Ministry of Finance with analyzing the fund’s financial flows.

Finance Minister Madi Takiev presented the audit’s findings last week. According to the government press service, the results raised serious concerns about the overall effectiveness of the country’s healthcare financing model.

Despite a steady rise in expenditures, the Ministry of Finance found that SMIF’s efficiency had not improved. Since 2020, the fund’s investment income totaled $1.1 billion, including $383 million in 2025 alone. A significant portion of these funds, however, was not allocated toward medical services, and instead accumulated in the fund’s reserves.

Overbilling and Digital System Failures

An IT audit of the healthcare information system revealed extensive violations in service reporting. These included billing for fictitious patients, services provided without medical necessity, and instances of double financing. Numerous cases documented implausibly high volumes of procedures performed within short timeframes.

Several high-profile anomalies stood out. In some reports, medical services were recorded for individuals who were deceased at the time. In another case, minors were allegedly prescribed more than a thousand medications in a single day.

Tax authorities also conducted a desk audit of the directors of medical institutions, comparing declared incomes with actual property holdings.

Transition to Centralized Oversight

In response to the audit, Bektenov ordered that all materials be forwarded to law enforcement agencies for further investigation.

This marks the effective dismantling of SMIF’s former autonomous governance model in favor of centralized control by the Ministry of Finance.

The move comes amid rising fiscal pressure on the healthcare system. In 2026, the government will continue to fund medical insurance premiums for socially vulnerable groups. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, the state will finance insurance coverage for over one million unemployed citizens.

20 Jan 2026

Central Asia, Environment, Kazakhstan Environment, Home, Kazakhstan, Kazakhstan Home

Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan to Install Hydro Posts on Syr Darya River

January 20, 2026
By Sergey Kwan

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 agricultural irrigation across Central Asia, particularly in Kazakhstan’s southern regions, Turkistan, Kyzylorda, and Zhambyl, which depend heavily on its waters. The river originates in Kyrgyzstan and flows through Uzbekistan before entering Kazakhstan.

Nurzhigitov highlighted that Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan signed an intergovernmental agreement last year on the joint management and rational use of transboundary water resources. “The agreement is a significant contribution to the development of water diplomacy in Central Asia and clearly defines key areas for further mutually beneficial cooperation. We intend to continue developing our bilateral partnership in the spirit of good neighborliness, mutual respect, and constructive dialogue,” Nurzhigitov stated.

The ministers also reviewed progress on the maintenance and repair of the interstate Dostyk (Friendship) Canal, which channels irrigation water from Uzbekistan into Kazakhstan. Last year, Kazakhstan undertook mechanized cleaning of the canal’s bed, slopes, and collectors, and carried out repairs on gates and barrier structures. These efforts will continue in 2026.

Given the Syr Darya’s importance to regional agriculture, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan have also launched a joint project to revise irrigation regimes within the basin. The goal is to optimize agricultural water use and improve environmental sustainability.

According to the Kazakh Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation, the Aral-Syr Darya basin supplies water to more than 35% of Kazakhstan’s irrigated land, with agriculture accounting for 98% of water withdrawals.

Kazakh officials recently presented water inflow forecasts for 2026 and emphasized the urgency of boosting water-use efficiency amid continued low-flow conditions. Declining inflows into the Naryn-Syr Darya system pose a threat to irrigation supplies for the upcoming growing season.

20 Jan 2026

Home, Kazakhstan Local Politics, Local Politics, Kazakhstan, Features, Kazakhstan Featurees

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

January 27, 2026
By Stephen M. Bland

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 vice president would be appointed by the president and confirmed by parliament by a simple majority vote. The president would define the vice president’s authority, which could include representing Kazakhstan at international forums and negotiations, representing the head of state in parliament, and engaging with domestic and international organizations in political, scientific, cultural, and educational fields.

“The establishment of this position will stabilize the process of state governance, and will also bring final clarity regarding the hierarchy of power,” Tokayev said at the Kurultai.

Kazakhstan does not currently have a vice president. Executive authority is vested in the presidency, while the government is led by a prime minister, with succession procedures defined by the constitution. Tokayev said the key provisions governing the new post, including its functions, should be enshrined directly in the constitution.

The vice presidency was presented as part of a wider administrative restructuring. Tokayev said several administrative structures that support the current parliament would be abolished, along with the position of state counselor. He added that the functions, structure, and management system of the Presidential Administration would be reformed in line with practical needs.

The Kurultai session in Kyzylorda took place as the administration advances a more far-reaching overhaul of the legislature. Tokayev has promoted a transition from Kazakhstan’s bicameral parliament, composed of the Senate and the Mazhilis, to a unicameral system, arguing that the change would simplify governance and shorten decision-making chains.

President Tokayev at the National Kurultai; image: Akorda.kz

He outlined parameters for a future unicameral parliament, saying it could consist of around 145 deputies, be led by three vice-chairs, and operate with no more than eight standing committees. He also proposed renaming the legislature the “Kurultai,” saying the term reflects historical traditions of popular representation.

The parliamentary reform agenda is being developed by a working group that began reviewing constitutional options in late 2025. The idea of moving to a unicameral system was first raised in Tokayev’s national address on September 8, 2025.

On January 19, Tokayev held a meeting with the working group on parliamentary reform in Astana, where aides reported that the group had reviewed constitutional approaches to reshaping the legislature and discussed key approaches to constitutional reform based on proposals from citizens, experts, and civil organizations.

Tokayev has tied the parliamentary overhaul to a nationwide vote. He reaffirmed that citizens would make the final decision through a referendum and said Kazakhstan is targeting 2027 for a public vote on abolishing the Senate and moving to a unicameral legislature.

The latest reform proposals build on constitutional changes adopted after the unrest of January 2022. In June 2022, Kazakhstan held a nationwide referendum on proposed constitutional amendments, with more than 77% of participating voters approving changes that altered about one-third of the constitution and sought to expand the role of parliament and reshape state governance. The vote followed President Tokayev’s decree in May 2022.

Later in 2022, Kazakhstan’s parliament and Constitutional Council endorsed a shift to a single, non-renewable seven-year presidential term, replacing the previous two-term five-year limit.

Alongside the vice presidency, Tokayev proposed dismantling existing consultative bodies and replacing them with a new institution, the People’s Council of Kazakhstan, known in Kazakh as Qazaqstannyn Khalyk Kenesi. He said the Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan and the National Kurultai had largely fulfilled their historical missions.

Under the proposal, the People’s Council would become the country’s highest consultative body. It would consist of 126 members drawn from ethnocultural associations, public organizations, maslikhats (local elected councils), and regional public councils. All members would be appointed by the president, while the chair would be elected from among the council’s members.

The proposal represents a significant shift for the Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan, established in 1995 and chaired by the president. The Assembly includes more than 500 members and functions as a civil-society platform aimed at preserving interethnic harmony.

Tokayev said proposals raised at previous National Kurultai sessions have resulted in the adoption of 26 laws, including measures related to women’s rights, child protection, gambling restrictions, drug policy, onomastics, and reforms to the state awards system.

The National Kurultai was created in 2022 and holds annual sessions in different regions. Previous meetings took place in Ulytau, Turkestan, Atyrau, and Burabay.

If implemented, Tokayev’s proposals would amount to the most far-reaching institutional redesign since the 2022 constitutional reset, combining a new vice presidency with a unicameral parliament and a reconfigured consultative system. The president did not specify when draft constitutional amendments would be submitted.

Taken together, the proposals would centralize the redesign of executive, legislative, and consultative institutions within a single reform cycle, while deferring questions about the balance of power to a future constitutional debate.

19 Jan 2026

Business & Economy, Kyrgyzstan, Kyrgyzstan Business & Economy

Kyrgyzstan Increases Excise Taxes on Alcohol and Sweetened Beverages

January 19, 2026
By Vagit Ismailov

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 liter (now around $0.2)
Cognac: increased by about $0.4 per liter (now about $1.6)
Beer: increased by roughly $0.03 per liter (now approximately $0.2)

The tax agency highlighted that the changes are being implemented gradually to mitigate potential inflationary effects on retail prices. Officials stated that the reform has a social dimension, aiming to curb consumption of products deemed harmful to public health.

In the first 11 months of last year, Kyrgyzstan collected approximately $228.5 million in excise tax revenues. Of that total, around $55 million came from domestically produced goods, including $38.8 million from alcohol sales.

New Tax Introduced on Sugar-Containing Beverages

The reform also introduces an excise tax on sugar-containing beverages for the first time, including products previously classified as baby food. Previously, such items were exempt, leading to regulatory loopholes.

The STS explained that some manufacturers registered sweetened beverages as baby food to avoid excise duties, creating unfair competition in the market. To close this gap, all sugar-containing beverages, including children’s juices, will now be taxed at a minimum rate of about $0.03 per liter.

Given the typically small packaging sizes, authorities estimate the retail price increase per unit will be modest, approximately $0.01.

The reform reflects a growing regional trend of leveraging fiscal policy to discourage unhealthy consumption habits while generating revenue for public spending.

19 Jan 2026

Environment, Uzbekistan Environment, Home, Uzbekistan, Uzbekistan Features, Features

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

January 20, 2026
By Tamila Olzhbaekova

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 smog became a daily reality for residents, disrupting everyday life and intensifying concerns over public health and long-term environmental sustainability.

Coal, Cars, and Construction: What’s Fueling the Smog

Officials from Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Ecology and independent environmental researchers say Tashkent’s air pollution is primarily caused by human activity.

The heaviest blow came from municipal furnaces and boiler houses. Amid ongoing natural gas shortages, many public facilities, including schools, kindergartens, and hospitals, were converted to coal or fuel oil, resulting in a surge of emissions. Uzbekistan’s coal consumption jumped from 3.9 million tons in 2019 to 6.7 million tons in 2023.

Emissions from these sources accumulate in the lower atmosphere during the cold season, exacerbating pollution.

Vehicle emissions are another major contributor. Tashkent has approximately 193 vehicles per 1,000 residents, roughly double the national average. Many cars run on low-octane AI-80 gasoline, which contains high levels of harmful impurities. While coal use has surged, vehicle emissions remain a serious issue. In 2019, motor transport accounted for the majority of urban air emissions in several districts of the city.

Adding to the problem are industrial plants on the city’s outskirts, frequent dust storms during dry seasons, and unregulated urban development. High-rise construction has created wind barriers that disrupt air circulation, while green spaces, Tashkent’s natural air filters, have steadily disappeared. Despite an official moratorium on tree cutting, official and environmental group estimates indicate that around 49,000 trees have been felled since 2019, often by developers who face only minimal penalties.

According to Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Ecology, PM2.5 concentrations in Tashkent routinely exceed World Health Organization guidelines. During peak smog episodes in early February 2024, pollutant levels were recorded at up to 22 times the WHO’s recommended annual limits. These fine particles penetrate deep into the lungs, triggering allergies, inflammation, and cardiovascular issues. A 2019 World Bank report cited air pollution as the cause of 89 deaths per 100,000 people in Uzbekistan, the highest rate in Central Asia. Winter smog episodes have intensified since then.

Living Under a Haze: Residents Speak Out

For many Tashkent residents, smog has become part of everyday life. People commonly report throat and eye irritation, a constant dusty haze, and difficulty breathing.

“It’s dusty and hard to breathe, you feel it all the time,” said Victoria Son, 18, a student at Bucheon University.

Karina Sagidullina, 19, a videographer and programmer with severe dust allergies, said the polluted air significantly affects her health. “My nose often gets blocked, I sneeze a lot. I have to do wet cleaning at home every day,” she said.

Some residents, however, say they are less affected. “So far, I don’t really feel the air pollution. I breathe normally and don’t wear a mask,” said Toligen Nuriddinov, 22.

Others find the situation increasingly difficult. “There’s nothing to breathe. The air is very polluted, that’s why I left,” said Rufina Aminova, 19, an e-business student.

Kristina Lee, 19, described similar conditions: “It’s dusty, smoggy, hard to breathe, especially if you stay outside for a long time.”

Davud Kobulov, 25, an electrical fitter, noted that air quality varies by season. “Tashkent is very dusty. Your nose gets clogged, the air feels toxic. But in winter, when there’s precipitation, it becomes easier, the air feels fresher,” he said.

Young Activists Push for Change

Until recently, air pollution attracted little public attention in Uzbekistan. But in 2025, youth-led environmental movements pushed the issue into the national spotlight.

Student groups launched grassroots campaigns, planting trees, distributing face masks, and promoting cycling over driving. Some young developers began experimenting with mobile tools to track air quality, while universities formed student clubs focused on sustainability and urban greening.

In a rare alignment, the government has supported these initiatives. Uzbekistan designated 2025 as the Year of Environmental Protection and the “Green” Economy, and adopted a national strategy to engage young people in climate action.

Government Response and Public Expectations

Mounting public pressure has pushed the government to address the issue. Until recently, Uzbekistan lacked a formal PM2.5 standard or a comprehensive air protection plan. That is now beginning to change.

In its updated Third Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), Uzbekistan pledged to expand renewable energy production and raise installed capacity to 25,000 megawatts by 2030.

The Ministry of Ecology has introduced a 12-point plan to combat air pollution. Key proposals include:

Establishing a “green belt” of forest plantations around Tashkent
Mandating gas and dust filtration at industrial sites
Strengthening air quality monitoring
Banning the sale of AI-80 gasoline
Restricting fuel oil use to emergencies
Phasing out pre-2010 vehicles
Increasing penalties for illegal tree cutting
Launching a nationwide tree-planting campaign with a goal of 200 million new plantings

Officials describe these steps as part of an evolving policy response rather than a single, fully implemented program.

Many Tashkent residents say they hope the city’s air pollution will improve, particularly during the winter months, when smog levels are often at their worst.