Central Asia

10:55, january 12

CENTRAL ASIA

Attempt to smuggle medicines worth over 1 billion soums from Uzbekistan to Tajikistan Foiled

Uzbekistan’s State Security Service (SSS) Border Troops, in cooperation with customs authorities, have prevented an attempt to illegally transport a large consignment of medicines to Tajikistan.

15:04, january 9

CENTRAL ASIA

Legendary U.S. investor buys shares on Uzbekistan’s stock exchange

Prominent American investor Jim Rogers has fully exited the U.S. stock market and redirected a significant portion of his capital to Uzbekistan. By the end of 2025, he had sold all his U.S.

10:28, january 8

CENTRAL ASIA

"It’s too early to talk about power transition," says Kazak president on his health and colleagues in the CIS

In an interview with Turkistan newspaper, Kazakhstan's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev addressed rumors about his health, stating that he is currently in good health.

10:35, january 6

CENTRAL ASIA

Uzbekistan launches program to train five million AI specialists

The government of Uzbekistan has approved an ambitious educational initiative titled Five Million AI Leaders .

14:03, december 30, 2025

CENTRAL ASIA

Uzbekistan launches foreign currency savings program for orphans

Over 8,000 orphans and children without parental care in Uzbekistan have received personalized deposit accounts funded by the state.

09:32, december 30, 2025

CENTRAL ASIA

Uzbekistan to toughen penalties for marriages with minors and close relatives

Uzbekistan has proposed new legislative measures aimed at strengthening the protection of women's and children's rights.

15:35, december 29, 2025

CENTRAL ASIA

Former Kyrgyz President Almazbek Atambayev stripped of state honors

Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov has signed a decree revoking all state awards previously granted to former president Almazbek Atambayev.

09:00, december 26, 2025

CENTRAL ASIA

Uzbekistan adopts comprehensive strategy to protect children from all forms of violence

Uzbekistan has introduced a new, extensive strategy to protect children from all forms of violence.

16:57, december 25, 2025

CENTRAL ASIA

Salaries for teachers and doctors in Kyrgyzstan expected to double starting April 2026

Starting April 1, 2026, the salaries of teachers and healthcare workers in Kyrgyzstan will be increased by an average of 100%, as announced by President Sadyr Japarov on December 25.

10:33, december 24, 2025

CENTRAL ASIA

Uzbek national gets a jail term of three years for participating in war in Ukraine

A 38-year-old man from Uzbekistan has been sentenced to three years in prison for participating in the military service of a foreign state, specifically for his involvement in the Russian military

10:01, december 24, 2025

CENTRAL ASIA

Trump invites Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan leaders to G20 summit in Miami

U.S. President Donald Trump announced Tuesday that he had invited the presidents of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan to the G20 summit, set to take place next year in Miami, Florida.

16:48, december 23, 2025

CENTRAL ASIA

Uzbekistan’s security service reports two large drug hauls

Uzbekistan’s State Security Service (SSS) has reported the seizure of large quantities of narcotics smuggled into the country from Tajikistan, totaling nearly 110 kilograms.

17:14, december 22, 2025

CENTRAL ASIA

China expands soft power through education and economic engagement in Central Asia

Eurasianet reports that China is strengthening its influence in Central Asia, leveraging education, economic initiatives, and cultural diplomacy to expand its soft power in the region.

16:15, december 17, 2025

CENTRAL ASIA

Chinese banks to finance half of China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway project

A syndicate of Chinese banks will provide a US$2.3 billion loan for the construction of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway, with a repayment term of 35 years.

13:42, december 15, 2025

CENTRAL ASIA

Uzbeks facing hardship in Russia to receive free temporary housing

Uzbek citizens who find themselves in difficult life situations while in Russia will be eligible for free temporary housing for up to 30 days, the Uzbek Agency for External Labor Migration has

12:25, december 12, 2025

CENTRAL ASIA

Uzbek court convicts organ trafficking group

A court in Tashkent has sentenced an organized criminal group of 12 individuals involved in the illegal trade of human organs and tissues, Fergana News reports , citing the Millar program .

15:52, december 11, 2025

CENTRAL ASIA

Kyrgyzstan's Constitutional Court rejects president’s proposal to reinstate death penalty

Kyrgyzstan's Constitutional Court has ruled that President Sadyr Japarov’s proposal to reinstate the death penalty for especially grave crimes, including the murder and rape of children, is

16:15, december 10, 2025

CENTRAL ASIA

Kazakhstan’s culture minister comments on criminal cases against KazTAG and Orda.kz

Kazakhstan’s Minister of Culture and Information Aida Balayeva has responded to the ongoing criminal investigations involving the leadership of independent news agencies KazTAG and

16:09, december 9, 2025

CENTRAL ASIA

Uzbekistan’s solar and wind power output reportedly hits 10 billion kWh, saving billions of cubic meters of gas

Uzbekistan’s solar and wind power stations generated a record 10 billion kWh of electricity by December 8, 2025, Fergana News reported on December 9, citing the press center of

15:36, december 4, 2025

CENTRAL ASIA

Kyrgyzstan faces growing energy crisis, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan step in to help

As winter approaches, concerns over potential heating and electricity shortages in Kyrgyzstan are intensifying, with neighboring Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan stepping in to prevent a full-scale crisis.

10:20, december 4, 2025

CENTRAL ASIA

Kazakhstan approves penalty for wearing niqab in public places

Kazinform reports that the lower house of Kazakhstan's parliament has approved, in the second reading, a bill titled "On Preventing Offenses," which introduces penalties for wearing

10:26, december 3, 2025

CENTRAL ASIA

Uzbekistan reopens border with Afghanistan for the first time since 2021

Uzbekistan has reopened its border crossing with Afghanistan at the Termez–Hairatan Bridge for the first time since August 2021, allowing citizens of both countries to travel directly and

15:00, december 2, 2025

CENTRAL ASIA

Uzbekistan developing Samarkand-2028 satellite with AI for environmental, agricultural, and forestry monitoring

Uzbekistan has launched the development of the Samarkand-2028 satellite, which will be equipped with an artificial intelligence (AI) module.

17:38, december 1, 2025

CENTRAL ASIA

Kyrgyzstan holds early parliamentary elections with 37% voter turnout

On November 30, Kyrgyzstan held early elections to its national parliament, the Jogorku Kenesh. Around 4.3 million citizens were on the voter rolls, but only slightly over 1.

09:53, november 26, 2025

CENTRAL ASIA

Kyrgyz deputy prime minister orders dismissal of up to 20% of school teachers

Kyrgyzstan’s Deputy Prime Minister Edil Baisalov has instructed the Ministry of Education to conduct a large-scale evaluation of school teachers and dismiss up to 20% of those deemed

12:59, november 25, 2025

CENTRAL ASIA

Electricity for water: three Central A sia’s nations agree on mutual support amid hydrological crisis

Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan have reached a mutual agreement to support each other in managing water and energy resources, as the region faces worsening hydrological conditions.

09:00, november 25, 2025

CENTRAL ASIA

Kazakhstan temporarily restricts rail freight transportation to Central Asian countries

Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (Kazakh Railways, or KTZ), the national railway company, has imposed a ban on the transportation of all types of cargo to stations in Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan,

14:09, november 21, 2025

CENTRAL ASIA

Kyrgyzstan launches world’s first government-issued gold-backed stablecoin

Kyrgyzstan has become the first country in the world to officially issue a government-backed stablecoin fully backed by physical gold.

13:54, november 20, 2025

CENTRAL ASIA

Uzbek president appoints his daughter to oversee employment of people with disabilities

President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev has appointed his youngest daughter, Shahnoza Mirziyoyeva, to oversee the coordination of employment issues for people with disabilities.

10:11, november 20, 2025

CENTRAL ASIA

Russia removes 160,000 Uzbek citizens from migration watchlist

Around 160,000 Uzbek nationals have been removed from Russia’s registry of controlled persons, a list of foreign nationals subject to potential deportation and legal restrictions.