The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) says it is extending a financing facility of up to US$ 50 million (€43 million) to Ipak Yuli Bank to support micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in Uzbekistan, improving access to green finance and stimulating green innovation. The package consists of two complementary components designed to
At a Government session on December 9 chaired by Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Olzhas Bektenov, the current water management situation was reviewed. Deputy Prime Minister Kanat Bozumbayev reported on the risks of the upcoming growing season and the preventive measures to ensure irrigation water supply for farmers. He reported on the results of working trips
On December 9, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev reviewed plans on financing for cotton and grain cultivation, as well as a new subsidy system for the agriculture sector. A total of 34.2 trillion soums is planned for the cotton and grain cultivation, subsidies and other expenses next year. Additionally, there are plans to attract an extra $200
SOCAR (State Oil Company of the Azerbaijan Republic) and Uzbekneftegaz, Uzbekistan’s oil and gas company have launched a joint exploration project in the Ustyurt region in Uzbekistan’s Karakalpakstan. The Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) for the exploration, development, and production in the Ustyurt investment blocks (Boyterak, Terenqquduq, Birgori, Kharoy, Korakalpok, and Kulboy) was signed in July
Governments of five Central Asian countries could raise GDP per capita by 6 to 14 percent above projected levels by 2050 by increasing investments in children’s health, education, and development, according to a new report released by UNICEF, the United Nations Children’s Fund. According to “Generation 2050 in Central Asia,” the Central Asian region has
The World Bank Group has released the Country Climate and Development Report (CCDR) for the Kyrgyz Republic providing a comprehensive roadmap toward helping the country reach its socio-economic goals and build economic resilience. Kyrgyzstan continues to experience more frequent and intense storms and landslides, severe heat waves, and droughts, which present real costs to the
The Anti-Corruption Agency of Uzbekistan on December 3 hosted the presentation of the National Integrity System Assessment (NISA) of Uzbekistan — a comprehensive study evaluating the country’s anti-corruption framework and its alignment with international standards. The event gathered over 80 participants, including senior representatives of the Government of Uzbekistan, such as the Ministry of Justice, General Prosecutor’s Office, Supreme Court
The Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) and Eurasian Logistics Park (ELP) have launched one of Kazakhstan’s largest Class A warehouse complexes. Covering more than 50,000 m2, the facility will become a key hub for e-commerce and international trade in Central Asia. The EDB began financing the project in 2024, providing KZT 16.6 billion to construct the Eurasian
On December 5, President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev took part in a ceremony marking the launch and start of construction of new energy capacities and infrastructure facilities. By pressing a symbolic button, the President launched the operation of 42 energy facilities and the construction of 21 new projects. The event was attended by Minister of
On December 5, President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev held a meeting with the heads of leading Chinese companies to discuss expanding cooperation and advancing joint projects aimed at introducing modern technologies and engineering solutions in the energy sector. The growing interest of Chinese companies in implementing projects in Uzbekistan was noted with satisfaction. This year
At a meeting in Ashgabat in mid-November, the Interstate Commission for Water Coordination of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan approved water distribution quotas for the 2025-2026 non-growing season (from October 1, 2025 to April 1, 2026) for the Syr Darya and Amu Darya river basins. The Amu Darya and Syr Darya are the two
Kazakhstan’s Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Nurzhan Nurzhigitov last week met with Dana Kadyrbek, a student at Almaty Gymnasium No. 79 who created a device for collecting water from the atmosphere using modern nanomaterials. The device effectively absorbs and condenses moisture from the air and works without connection to the electrical grid, according to
The 5th Voices of Friends: Poetry & Art festival transformed the popular Kazakh resort of Burabay into a key cultural hotspot in Eurasia. From November 29 to December 2, the festival brought together more than 70 authors, artists, musicians, filmmakers, and intellectuals from 20 countries, serving as a platform for international dialogue and creative exchange.
The Law Enforcement Academy of the Republic of Uzbekistan (LEA) on December 2 in Tashkent hosted the Model Conference of the States Parties to the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC), bringing together students, experts, practitioners, and representatives of international organizations for a full-day simulation focused on strengthening cross-border anti-corruption cooperation. The event was organized
In line with Uzbekistan’s strategy aimed at the accelerated development and digitalization of the chemical industry, by 2030 the country plans to at least double the production volume, increase the production of chemical fertilizers 1.5-fold, and bring the export volume of fertilizers to $1 billion. This was on the agenda of a government meeting on
Kazakhstan is strengthening its position as a key educational hub in Eurasia with 35,075 international students from 88 countries studying in the country’s universities in 2025, 11% more than in 2024, according to the Ministry of Science and Higher Education. Most of the international students are from India (9,959), Turkmenistan (9,089), Uzbekistan (4,136), China (3,367),
In recent months, the issue of air quality in Tashkent has become a focus of public attention. Some news outlets and social media reported that emissions from greenhouses located on the Kazakh side of the border may be one of the causes of the Tashkent smog. This suggestion has sparked widespread controversy as environmental issues
On December 3, Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev listened to proposals aimed at improving transportation management and reducing traffic congestion in Tashkent. In recent years, significant progress has been made in developing public transportation in the capital. The bus fleet has doubled to nearly 1,900 vehicles, and intervals have been reduced from 30 to 15 minutes.
The fifth anniversary Voices of Friends: Poetry & Art festival transformed Kazakhstan’s Burabay resort into a vibrant creative center of Eurasia. From November 29 to December 2, authors, artists, musicians, and filmmakers from 20 countries shared their work, made new connections, and inspired each other to embrace bold ideas. The Cinema Future youth film festival
The government of Kazakhstan has approved the conclusion of an investment agreement between the Ministry of Agriculture and the Turkestan Cotton Agro-Industrial Complex LLP for the cultivation and processing of cotton in the southern Turkestan region. The project will establish a full production cycle—from growing cotton to producing yarn, fabric, and finished garments. The project’s
