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Geological Exploration Initiative

Kazakhstan to Expand Geological Exploration Area by One-Third by 2026

Kazakhstan plans to increase its geological exploration area by one-third by early 2026, according to Margulan Baibatyrov, Deputy Chairman of the Geology Committee under the Ministry of Industry and Construction. Baibatyrov made the announcement during an international mining congress. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev previously highlighted this initiative at the October 2024 meeting of the Foreign Investors Council, noting that geological exploration currently covers approximately 1.6 million square kilometers. He instructed that this figure be expanded to 2.2 million square kilometers. “By 2026, we plan to increase the area of geological exploration by 680,000 square kilometers,” Baibatyrov confirmed. Investment and Resource Development Over the past five years, the mining industry in Kazakhstan has attracted around $1 billion in private investment. Of this, KZT 41 billion ($80.3 million) has come from major international companies specifically for geological exploration. Since 2018, Kazakhstan has issued 2,906 exploration licenses and 111 production licenses. The country's mineral resource base includes more than 980 solid mineral deposits. Exploration activities are ongoing at 12 sites, with notable recent discoveries such as the Kuyrektykol deposit, which contains approximately 800,000 tons of rare earth metals. Sector Challenges Despite these advancements, Baibatyrov noted several persistent challenges in the geological exploration sector, including: A shortage of qualified scientific personnel; Low levels of natural resource replenishment; Insufficient public funding for geological studies. Upcoming Auctions As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, Kazakhstan plans to auction exploration and development rights for 50 gold and rare metal deposits in June 2025. This move aims to attract further investment and strengthen the country’s mineral resource base.

kazakh lawmakers Boys HPV Vaccination Initiative

Kazakh Lawmakers Advocate HPV Vaccination for Boys

Kazakh lawmakers are urging the government to expand its human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination program to include boys, arguing that the virus poses serious health risks to both sexes. Askhat Aimagambetov, a deputy of the Mazhilis (the lower house of parliament), announced the initiative on his Telegram channel, stating that the proposal reflects the concerns of Kazakhstani parents. Along with fellow parliamentarians, Aimagambetov has formally appealed to the Ministry of Health. “Currently, girls in Kazakhstan can receive free HPV vaccinations. This is a major achievement and a decision that saves thousands of lives. But HPV is not a ‘female virus.’ It can cause not only cervical cancer, but also cancers of the larynx, mouth, rectum, and in men,” Aimagambetov wrote. He emphasized that many countries already offer HPV vaccination to boys on an equal basis with girls. “That is why we have proposed to make the vaccine available voluntarily. It is hard to find in pharmacies, so the state must ensure access for all who want it. Boys are also at risk. Their health should not be overlooked,” he added. Health Minister Akmaral Alnazaraeva recently stated that the ministry is considering expanding the eligibility list for HPV vaccination to include boys and adults. Since September last year, Kazakhstan has offered voluntary HPV vaccination to 11-year-old girls as part of efforts to prevent cervical cancer.

Extremists Reintegration Initiative Counterterrorism Radicalization

Tajikistan Launches Program to Reintegrate Convicted Extremists into Society

Tajik authorities have launched a state-backed program aimed at reintegrating citizens convicted of extremism and terrorism into peaceful civilian life. The initiative, which will run from 2025 to 2029, seeks to reduce the likelihood of re-engagement with radical movements and support the return of these individuals to society. New State Initiative: Goals and Budget According to official documents, the program is set to receive 38.5 million Tajikistani somoni (approximately $3.6 million) in funding. Nearly half of the funds will come from the state budget, with the remainder provided through international grants and extra-budgetary sources. The initiative includes a comprehensive set of measures: physical and psychological rehabilitation, vocational training, employment support, and involvement in patriotic and cultural activities. These components are designed to assist former prisoners in adjusting to life outside correctional facilities. Upon release, participants will be closely monitored to prevent any return to extremist ideologies. Implementation and oversight will be managed by local authorities and specialized agencies under the Ministry of Justice, which is tasked with submitting regular progress reports to the government. Understanding Pathways to Radicalization The drivers of radicalization in Central Asia are complex and multifaceted. Rustam Azizi, a specialist in countering violent extremism, told Asia-Plus that economic hardship alone does not account for why some individuals are drawn to extremist groups such as ISIS, Ansarullah, or the Taliban. “Economic difficulty doesn't automatically lead to radicalization, other negative outcomes like crime or social withdrawal are also possible,” Azizi explained. “Moreover, real-life cases show that not all recruits come from impoverished backgrounds.” Migration, while often discussed as a risk factor, does not directly cause radicalization, according to Azizi. Rather, it can create an environment where individuals are more exposed to recruitment efforts, particularly among youths aged 18 to 26. Azizi identifies three main categories of individuals most susceptible to radicalization: 1. Identity crisis: Often from secular, modernized, or mixed-background families, these individuals turn to religion as a way to find belonging, purpose, or self-worth. Frequently recent converts or newly observant Muslims, they may express a sentiment such as: “I may not be a good Tajik, but I am a very good Muslim.” 2. Individuals with criminal tendencies: For this group, terrorist organizations offer a platform to continue illicit activities under the cover of religious struggle. Notable examples include Abu Khalid Kulobi (Nusrat Nazarov) and Abu Usama Noraki (Tojiddin Nazarov), both of whom were involved in drug trafficking before joining ISIS. 3. Marginalized citizens: Representing the largest group, these individuals often come from remote areas and have limited access to education and economic opportunity. Lacking formal religious training, they are especially susceptible to simplistic, binary religious narratives—such as Muslims versus infidels, halal versus haram, jihad versus martyrdom—and are particularly vulnerable to recruitment. It is this demographic that the new government program primarily targets, with an emphasis on prevention, education, and structured support after incarceration. Authorities believe these efforts will promote national stability and help curb the threat posed by radical movements.

Initiative WHO tuberculosis Healthcare

Central Asia Launches Joint Initiative to Eliminate Tuberculosis by 2030

All five Central Asian nations have launched a regional campaign titled “Central Asia Free of Tuberculosis” with the ambitious goal of eliminating tuberculosis (TB), including drug-resistant strains, across the region by 2030, according to Turkmenportal. The initiative is led by the WHO Regional Office for Europe and supported by international health organizations. Health ministers and senior officials from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan convened in Astana to formally launch the campaign and sign a joint declaration. The agreement outlines commitments to work closely with the World Health Organization (WHO), the Stop TB Partnership, the Global Fund, civil society organizations, and other partners. Over the past decade, the five countries have made significant strides in combating TB through the introduction of new treatments and improved disease surveillance systems. The new initiative aims to accelerate these efforts toward total eradication. Key Objectives of the Initiative Include: Testing Coverage: Ensure that at least 95% of all new and recurrent TB cases are diagnosed using rapid WHO-recommended diagnostic tools, which are already in place across the region. Treatment Expansion: Broaden access to shorter, injection-free treatments for drug-resistant TB, which have demonstrated success rates of over 85%. Vaccine Preparedness: Prepare national health systems for the rollout of new TB vaccines once they become available. Primary Healthcare Integration: Incorporate TB diagnosis and treatment into each country’s primary healthcare system, with support from WHO’s Primary Health Care Centre in Almaty. WHO Regional Director Dr. Hans Kluge commended the political leadership demonstrated by the Central Asian governments. He emphasized that the region is now closer than ever to achieving TB elimination but must sustain its commitment through continued investments and stigma-reduction efforts to ensure equitable access to care. The regional strategy is expected to yield significant results by 2027 and will serve as a framework for monitoring and accelerating progress toward TB elimination in Central Asia.

National Cryptobank Crypto market Initiative Cryptocurrency

Kazakh Lawmakers Propose Creation of National Cryptobank

Azat Peruashev, leader of the Ak Zhol political party's faction in the Mazhilis, the lower house of Kazakhstan’s parliament, has proposed the establishment of a national cryptobank. The initiative would involve the National Bank of Kazakhstan and second-tier commercial banks. In a formal inquiry addressed to Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov, Peruashev highlighted the growing interest among Kazakhstanis in digital currencies, which are increasingly viewed as tools for investment, capital preservation, and peer-to-peer transactions. However, Kazakhstan currently lacks a legal framework for the use of digital assets, and the circulation of cryptocurrencies remains officially prohibited. Peruashev warned that this prohibition has driven the crypto market underground, with up to 90 percent of cryptocurrency transactions taking place outside the legal economy. "The ban has only fostered a shadow market, illegal exchanges, grey schemes, tax evasion, and the financing of illicit activities," he said. "Citizens are losing vast sums to scammers, pyramid schemes, and unregulated platforms. Billions in crypto assets are being transferred abroad without oversight, and the state is losing out on substantial tax revenues." Peruashev believes that establishing a cryptobank, a state-recognized institution for the regulation, exchange, and storage of digital assets, could serve as a vital tool for bringing the crypto sector into the legal domain. He proposed involving the National Bank and select commercial banks that already employ digital financial instruments. Such a system, he argued, would allow the state to reclaim control over the majority of crypto-assets circulating within the country and better protect users from fraud. The MP pointed to international precedents. In the United States, Anchorage Digital Bank, Kraken Bank, and Custodia Bank operate with federal oversight. Switzerland is home to SEBA Bank and Sygnum Bank both pioneers in integrating traditional finance with digital assets. “If something can’t be resisted, there’s only one solution, engage and lead. In this case, that means legalize and regulate,” Peruashev stated. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, Binance has officially launched operations in Uzbekistan, while Kyrgyzstan is considering legislation to establish licensed cryptobanks to manage digital assets within a regulated framework.

Almaty United Nations UN Center Initiative

UN General Assembly Backs Kazakhstan’s Initiative to Establish UN Center in Almaty

The United Nations General Assembly has unanimously adopted a resolution supporting the establishment of the UN Regional Centre for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for Central Asia and Afghanistan in Almaty. The initiative was put forward by Kazakhstan on behalf of the Central Asian states. According to the Kazakh Foreign Ministry, 152 UN member states co-sponsored the resolution, underscoring its broad international support and high significance. Kazakhstan’s Role in Regional Development The idea to establish the UN SDG Centre was first proposed by Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev during the 74th session of the UN General Assembly. He suggested locating the center in Almaty’s new Building of International Organizations, which already hosts 18 UN agencies. Tokayev emphasized that, as the largest economy in Central Asia, Kazakhstan is committed to strengthening regional cooperation and promoting sustainable development. He highlighted the growing role of middle powers in global governance, positioning Kazakhstan as a key player in fostering regional integration and international collaboration. A Hub for Regional Cooperation The new UN SDG Centre will serve as a platform for coordinating international and regional efforts, facilitating best practice exchanges, providing technical assistance, and implementing joint projects. It will work closely with governments, international organizations, the private sector, and civil society to achieve measurable development outcomes. Additionally, the center will play a crucial role in revitalizing the UN system at the regional level. Its mission includes enhancing coordination between UN agencies, adapting global initiatives to regional priorities, and promoting inclusive multilateral cooperation, a goal aligned with ongoing UN reforms aimed at improving efficiency and effectiveness. Supporting Afghanistan’s Economic Stability A key focus of the center will be economic development in Afghanistan, as the country’s stability and prosperity are directly linked to the security and well-being of Central Asia. By addressing Afghanistan’s economic challenges, the center aims to contribute to long-term regional stability and growth.