The Government of Kazakhstan has adopted the Concept for the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Biodiversity for 2026-2035, a strategic document defining state policy in nature conservation, ecosystem restoration, and the sustainable use of biodiversity. The concept is the result of joint work between the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources and the scientific community,
Last year, the number of marriages in Kazakhstan continued to decline amid a rise in divorces. In 2025, an all-time low of 114,500 marriages were registered in the country, 7.4% fewer than the previous year, finprom.kz reported with reference to data from the Bureau of National Statistics. The number of divorces increased by 11.9% to
The Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) and Kazakhstan have signed two landmark agreements under the Development of Economic and Industrial Zones Project, with a total IsDB contribution of $1.307 billion. The signing followed discussions between IsDB President Dr. Muhammad Al Jasser and Kazakh Minister of Industry and Construction Yersayin Nagaspayev, reaffirming a strategic partnership with cumulative
In Uzbekistan, industrial enterprises will now be encouraged to take action aimed at reducing their impact on the environment. This is stipulated in the Resolution “On the Procedure for Incentivizing the Efforts of Industrial Enterprises of Categories I and II to Reduce Their Environmental Impact,” according to the National Committee on Ecology and Climate Change.
On March 3, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev signed a decree strengthening the system for protecting the rights of women and children, as well as preventing cases of harassment and violence against them. In Uzbekistan, continuous attention is devoted to preventing early marriages and births, as well as violence against women and children, as key priorities in
In 2025, for the first time ever, Kazakhstan exported more ice cream than it imported: exports totaled 14,167 tons, while imports stood at 12,194 tons, reflecting the growing competitiveness of Kazakhstani products, according to the Ministry of Trade and Integration. According to Omarbek Zhuldyz, Vice President of Corporate Affairs at Shin-Line, the largest ice cream
Asian Development Bank (ADB) President Masato Kanda on March 2 met with President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to reaffirm ADB’s strong partnership with the country and announced up to $5.4 billion in indicative financing during 2026–2029 in support of Kazakhstan’s development agenda. “ADB is committed to supporting Kazakhstan’s development priorities that promote sustainable, inclusive economic
Uzbekistan’s electricity generating capacity has reached 25,800 MW, including 8,000 MW, or 31 percent of the total, accounted for by solar, wind, and hydropower generation, according to the Uzbek Ministry of Energy. In 2026, Uzbekistan plans to produce 90 billion kWh of electricity, a 40 percent increase compared to 2020. This year, amid economic growth
From June 16 to 19, 2026, Tashkent will host the 5th Anniversary Tashkent International Investment Forum (TIIF 2026), the leading investment platform in Central Asia bringing together global investors, government representatives, international financial institutions, and major business leaders, the Uzbek Ministry of Investment, Industry and Trade has announced. The anniversary forum will build upon the
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) says it is helping to create favourable conditions for the growth and development of domestic pharmaceutical production in Uzbekistan by supporting the operations of its long-term client, Samarkand England Eco-Medical (SEEM). The Bank is providing a loan of up to €20 million to SEEM and its sister-company, Bayan
On February 25, Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev reviewed proposals for the development of urbanization processes and the expansion of green areas in Tashkent. In recent years, the economy and agglomeration of the capital have been developing dynamically, and the permanent population of Tashkent has exceeded 3.1 million. It is projected that the city’s population will
In 2025, Kazakhstan’s foreign trade turnover, according to preliminary data, reached $143.9 billion—$1.8 billion more than in 2024. Compared to 2020, trade turnover increased by two-thirds, according to finprom.kz. Exports in 2025 amounted to $79 billion—slightly below the 2024 level and the 2022 peak. Imports, on the contrary, continued to grow: from $38.9 billion in
On March 1, 2026, Uzbekistan will officially launch a state rainfall induction project. The initiative, approved by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, aims to combat drought and water shortages in the Tashkent region, drawing on the experience of France, China, and Saudi Arabia. The technique is expected to increase precipitation by 10–20%, ensuring agricultural stability, Tashkent Today
A dialogue between President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and the country’s youth took place on February 24. More than 60,000 young people participated in the meeting via studios in Karakalpakstan, across the regions, and in the city of Tashkent. The president noted that the country’s more than 22 million young people represent a powerful economic, social, and
In 2025, Uzbekistan’s public debt increased by $6.6 billion or 16.5%, reaching $46.9 billion. In the fourth quarter of the year alone, the debt grew by $2.9 billion, Tashkent Today reports. The country’s external debt amounted to $39.8 billion, an increase of $6.1 billion over the year. Domestic debt increased to $7 billion (+$542 million
There’s a growing discussion on social media that Kazakhstanis have allegedly started buying pork more often due to high prices of beef, which is almost twice as expensive. Social-media users claim the price difference has defined the consumer choice. Orda.kz investigated whether this is true. According to a meat vendor, “It’s not that everyone has
Chairman of Kyrgyzstan’s Cabinet of Ministers Adylbek Kasymaliev on February 20 attended the capsule-laying ceremony marking the launch of construction of the Tamchy Special Financial Investment Territory, a special legal and regulatory jurisdiction located on the northern shore of Lake Issyk-Kul. Kasymaliev emphasized that the Tamchy zone is intended to become an international financial center,
On February 20, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev chaired a meeting to define priority tasks for the socio-economic development of the Republic of Karakalpakstan. It was noted that due to its vast territory and mineral reserves, Karakalpakstan has considerable economic and investment potential. Tangible changes have taken place in Karakalpakstan’s economy in recent years. Eight years ago, the
Since the beginning of 2026, employers have posted 102,700 job vacancies and job seekers have submitted 162,400 resumes on the Enbek.kz online job exchange in Kazakhstan, according to the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection. The number of job seekers exceeds the number of vacancies, with an average of 1.58 resumes per vacancy. Over 80%
The Central Bank of Uzbekistan has published a report on inflation expectations of the country’s households and businesses as of early 2026. According to the report, the average price growth forecast for the next 12 months has been decreased by 0.3% to 11.2%, Tashkent Today reports. The highest price growth expectations among households are traditionally