Over the past three decades, the post-Soviet space has embraced megaprojects with a fervour reminiscent of Soviet-era “gigantomania”. A new terminal, a new city, a new tech hub, a new railway – each presented as a leap into the future. Too many of these projects have turned out not to be engines of growth, but
Kyrgyzstan has put into operation the first phase of a new solar power plant, ROX Issyk-Kul, located in the village of Kyzyl-Oruk in the Issyk-Kul region. The facility has been constructed by Vietnam’s ROX Group, with the investment in the 175-megawatt first phase totaling $131 million. All phases of this solar power plant will have
Protecting nature requires effective systems that ensure resources are managed transparently, efficiently, and sustainably. Recognizing this, the UNDP Biodiversity Finance Initiative (BIOFIN) in Kyrgyzstan supported the Forest Service under the Ministry of Emergency Situation of the Kyrgyz Republic in modernizing its Automated Information System “Forest Management” (AIS), helping to strengthen financial administration and digital service
President Sadyr Japarov has signed amendments to legislative acts on road safety. The amendments were passed by the Jogorku Kenesh (parliament) on April 15, 2026, toughening penalties for drunk driving. The new legislation introduces criminal liability for drivers caught for repeated drunk driving. Drunk driving committed within a year after a first such offence will
The World Bank Group has approved the Kyrgyz Republic Innovative Finance for Resilient and Sustainable Energy Transition Project (iFIRST). This initiative is designed to help the country use electricity more efficiently, support reforms in the energy sector, and reduce emissions. The $50 million project financing will be provided via results-based finance, with $35 million in firm
Forty years after its establishment, the legendary Issyk-Kul International Forum is returning to Kyrgyzstan. The 40th-anniversary Issyk-Kul International Forum will take place from June 18 to 21 in Bishkek and on the shores of Lake Issyk-Kul. Founded in 1986 by legendary writer Chingiz Aitmatov, the forum has brought together outstanding scientists, writers, philosophers, public figures
Central Asia is often defined by its oilfields, mountain ranges, and the revival of the Silk Road trade routes. Yet its most valuable resource, above all, is its people. Since the 1990s, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and their neighbours have undergone profound demographic shifts. Fertility rates, once among the highest in the world, have declined; life
The English-language edition of an anthology of poems and ballads, “God and Love,” by Kyrgyz poet and composer Atantai Akbarov was presented at the MEGA Fest 2026 international festival in London. The book was published and brought to an international audience by the British publisher Hertfordshire Press. “God and Love” introduces English-speaking audiences to one
British publisher and public figure Marat Akhmedjanov has been awarded a medal from the International Organization of Turkic Culture, TÜRKSOY, which unites the states of the Turkic world and is dedicated to preserving their shared historical and cultural heritage. The award was presented in recognition of Akhmedjanov’s long-standing contribution to the development of literature, culture,
Kyrgyzstan’s airlines have been removed from the European Union’s Air Safety List, the Kyrgyz presidential press service announced on June 8. According to the press service, Kyrgyzstan was notified by the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Mobility and Transport that all air carriers certified in the country had been removed from the list, which includes airlines
Mountains are not passive backdrops to human history; they are dynamic, living systems that have shaped civilizations, economies, and ecosystems for millennia. Nowhere is this more evident than in Central Asia, home to some of the world’s most formidable ranges—the Pamirs, Tian Shan, Hindu Kush, Altai, and Ural. These mountains are more than geological formations;
Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan will gain more access to long-term financing following IFC’s commitment of up to $10 million to Highland Central Asia Fund II. The investment will support job creation, private sector growth, and the development of the region’s private equity market, said IFC, a member of the World
For the first time in its history, Kyrgyzstan has been elected as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for the 2027–2028 term. The UN Security Council has 15 members: five permanent members with veto power — China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States — and ten non-permanent members elected by
After many years of working with writers, artists, filmmakers, musicians, and creative professionals from across the world, I have noticed one thing: the most inspiring discoveries often come from the most unexpected places. Imagine this. A public servant from Kyrgyzstan. A member of the Jogorku Kenesh (Parliament) for two terms. An engineer by education, later
Central Asia and Mongolia will remain resilient to geopolitical shocks and record the highest growth rates of the EBRD countries of operation in 2026 and 2027, according to the latest Regional Economic Prospects report published by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). The economies of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan are projected to grow by 5.6 per cent
Afghanistan’s trade with Central Asian countries reached more than $1.27 billion in the first five months of 2026, including around $74 million of Afghanistan’s exports, TOLOnews reported citing the Afghan Ministry of Industry and Commerce. According to the ministry, dried fruits, fresh fruits, talc stone, vegetables, medicinal plants, and various types of juice are among
Kyrgyzstan and China have launched a strategic project aimed at increasing coal exports to China. Kyrgyz and Chinese officials last week attended a time capsule-laying ceremony in the village of Nura in the southern Osh region to mark the official launch of the project with a total investment of $430 million. The project is being
On May 21-23, government representatives, international organizations, tourism professionals, civil society organizations, and local communities gathered in Min-Kush village for the Touristic Forum “Development of Min-Kush Village through Sustainable Tourism – Revival of Forgotten Cities,” UNDP in Kyrgyzstan reported. The forum served as a platform to discuss sustainable tourism, local economic development, and new opportunities
In Central Asia, much of the conversation still revolves around oil, logistics, borders, and geopolitical influence. Yet the most decisive resource of the region’s future is neither hydrocarbons nor transit corridors. It is water. Stripped of diplomatic language, the reality is stark: the region is entering a phase where the Soviet-era water management system –
On May 20, at the initiative of the Kyrgyz Republic, the United Nations General Assembly adopted by consensus the resolution entitled “Peaceful Settlement of Border Disputes,” according to the Kyrgyz Foreign Ministry. More than 40 countries co-sponsored the document. The resolution was presented by the Kyrgyz Republic jointly with Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. The main purpose