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
The Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Kyrgyz Republic and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) are continuing their joint efforts to strengthen the national system for monitoring, forecasting, and early warning of climate-related emergencies, UNDP Kyrgyzstan reported. As part of this cooperation, a new component of the early warning system has been commissioned in
Hosted by the President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, an informal Summit of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) was held on 15 May in Turkistan, the spiritual capital of the Turkic World. The summit was also attended by President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov, President of Türkiye Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, President
Of course, the transition of the Former Soviet Republics from Communism to Market Economy witnessed a dramatic fall in infrastructure spending. Consequently, different republics progressed at different speeds, though with an increasing realization that such spending is necessary to develop their economies. Ironically, it is their western counterparts who are arguably underinvesting in their own
An informal summit of the Council of Heads of State of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) will be hosted by Kazakhstan on 15 May 2026 in Turkistan, the spiritual capital of the Turkic World, under the theme “Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development.” The summit will bring together the heads of state and government of
The collapse of the Soviet Union is rarely seen as a deliberate project. Rather, it is viewed as a crisis or a chain of events that spiralled out of control. Yet, when the early years of independence across the post-Soviet space are examined through the lens of sustainable development, it becomes clear that this period
The first sale of refined gold took place on the Kyrgyz Stock Exchange on April 30. The transaction amounted to about $45,000. State gold company Kyrgyzaltyn was the seller and the Kyrgyzstan accumulative pension fund was the buyer, according to the Kyrgyz Stock Exchange. The transaction follows an agreement signed on April 3, 2026