Central Asia
Pax Silica vs WAICO: Kazakhstan Is in Both AI Blocs, Uzbekistan Has Applied
Kazakhstan joined the US-led Pax Silica initiative on 25 June and China's WAICO on 16 July. Reuters reported that Washington is preparing to ask dozens of countries to choose.
EU–Uzbekistan: EPCA in Force Since 1 March, GSP+ Rules Change in 2027
The Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement was signed on 24 October 2025 and has been provisionally applied since 1 March 2026. Requirements under the EU's preferential trade scheme tighten next year.
Seoul Hosts the First Central Asia–Republic of Korea Summit
On September 16 President Lee Jae Myung received the leaders of all five Central Asian states. A cooperation forum that had run at ministerial level since 2007 was raised to the level of heads of state; a Seoul Declaration was set to be adopted.
Karachaganak Halts for Maintenance: Kazakh Output to Fall by up to 450,000 Tonnes
The field is under planned maintenance from 7 September to 1 October. Kazakhstan had already cut its 2026 oil plan from 98 to 96 million tonnes because of attacks on CPC infrastructure.
Labour Migration From Central Asia to Russia Falls 15%; Kyrgyzstan Down 16.7%
Russian border-service data show work-related entries by citizens of three Central Asian states fell from 2.3 million to 1.9 million in the first half of 2026. Kyrgyzstan recorded 289,100 entries.
Is the Hijab Banned in Kazakhstan? The School Ban and the Secularism Debate
Short answer: there is no blanket ban — but in schools the hijab is prohibited under uniform rules. That restriction has sparked fierce debate over secularism and religious freedom in Kazakhstan.
China Becomes Central Asia's Top Trade Partner — Russia Left Behind
In 2025, China–Central Asia trade crossed $100 billion for the first time, hitting a record $106.3 billion. China became the region's largest trade partner for the first time.
Tokayev Meets US Envoy at BRICS — Trump Sends a Personal Message
On the sidelines of the BRICS summit in New Delhi, Kazakh President Tokayev met US Special Envoy Sergio Gor, who conveyed a personal message from President Trump.
Why Is Uzbekistan Losing Its Women Engineers?
Women engineers are leaving the profession — especially in the energy sector — under family pressure, hiring barriers and poor workplace conditions. The attrition starts at the education stage.
The Largest Chess Olympiad in History in Samarkand: 400 Teams, 1,980 Players
The 46th Chess Olympiad will be held in Samarkand from Sept. 15 to 27. According to FIDE, the number of participating teams is 20 more than the 2024 record in Budapest. Uzbekistan's men's team starts as the third seed.
Nearly 100,000 Uzbeks Returned From Russia in 10 Days
According to the Migration Agency, 96,415 citizens returned home between Aug. 25 and Sept. 5 — against the backdrop of Russia's tightening migration policy.
Uzbekistan and South Korea Sign 13 Documents in Seoul
Talks between Mirziyoyev and Lee Jae-myung concluded with an exchange of cooperation documents on critical minerals, artificial intelligence and defense. The meeting came on the eve of the first Korea–Central Asia summit on Sept. 16.
Conference of Central Asian Women Journalists in Tashkent: A Regional Program Through 2029 Under Discussion
The second conference, held Sept. 14–15, brought together more than 100 journalists and media managers from five countries. The main themes were digital security and deepfakes.
Indian Company Brings Gold Mine Online in Kyrgyzstan: $34.2 Million Spent on the Altyn Tor Project
President Sadyr Japarov opened the processing plant in an online ceremony on Sept. 13. The project is expected to create close to 400 jobs.
Javokhir Sindarov Outscores Carlsen and Nepomniachtchi at the Global Chess League
At the tournament held in Bengaluru from Sept. 5 to 13, the Uzbek grandmaster scored the most points on the Icon board. His team finished third overall.
CSTO “Rubezh-2026” Exercises Begin in Kazakhstan, With a Cross-Border Incursion as the Main Scenario
From Sept. 12 to 19, rapid deployment forces are training in mountain and desert conditions at the Koktal range in the Zhetysu region.
Tokayev Meets U.S. Special Envoy Sergio Gor on the Sidelines of the BRICS Summit
Cooperation in artificial intelligence and digitalization was discussed at the Sept. 12 meeting in New Delhi. Gor conveyed Donald Trump's personal congratulations; Tokayev reiterated his invitation for Trump to visit Kazakhstan.
Elena Rybakina Beats Sabalenka in the US Open Final and Becomes World No. 1
The Kazakh player won 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 in the final in New York on Sept. 12. It is her third Grand Slam title.
Mirziyoyev and Pashinyan Hold Phone Call: Trade Up 2.1-Fold Over Seven Months
The Sept. 11 conversation covered industrial cooperation and the unblocking of regional communications.
A $350 Million Fuel Processing Complex Is Being Built in the Talas Region
On Sept. 11, Kyrgyzstan's Ministry of Economy and the Kazakh company QAZAQ BITUM Processing signed a memorandum of intent.
Uzbekistan–Japan Economic Committees Meet in Tashkent: A Portfolio of 75 Projects Worth $12 Billion
More than 130 Japanese participants attended the 18th meeting. The priority areas are energy, chemicals, machine building, critical minerals, health care and IT.
PISA 2025 Results: Uzbekistan Leads the Region in Science, Kazakhstan's Math Score Declines
In the OECD study, Uzbekistan posted the highest result in Central Asia with 438 points, a gain of 83 points over 2022 — the largest jump among all participants.
Two Men Given Two Aggravated Life Sentences Each for Killing Two Uzbek Women in Istanbul
The Istanbul Anadolu 17th High Criminal Court found Dilshod Turdimurotov and Gofurjon Kamolkhojayev guilty of murdering Durdona Hakimova and Sayyora Ergashaliyeva. The case began in January with a body found in a dumpster in the Şişli district.
Senate Approves New Version of the Uzbek Alphabet: 28 Letters and One Apostrophe
On Sept. 10, the Senate of the Oliy Majlis approved a law replacing the letters Sh, Ch, O‘ and G‘ with Ş, Ç, Ö and Ğ. If the law takes effect, first-grade textbooks will switch in 2027, with the full transition completed by 2031.
Saida Mirziyoyeva Appointed Manager of the Tashkent International Financial Centre
Under a presidential decree, the head of the Presidential Administration will perform the new role concurrently. The center operates under a separate regime based on English law and is scheduled to launch in 2027.
Summer 2026 Was the Second-Hottest in Uzbekistan's History
According to Uzhydromet, seasonal temperatures ran 1.2 to 2.6 degrees above normal. Some areas recorded their hottest summer on observational record; August was record-hot across much of the country.
The Sary-Tash Logistics Center Near the Chinese Border: Up to $100 Million in Investment Planned
Kyrgyzstan's National Investment Agency signed a memorandum on Sept. 10. The route covers the China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan–Afghanistan corridor, with later access to Pakistan.
Astana Finance Days: Debating How to Reduce Kazakhstan's Reliance on Banks
At the forum held on the AIFC platform on Sept. 9, senior financiers pointed to the need to deepen the capital market.
The 126-Megawatt Sarimay Solar Plant in Khorezm Comes Fully Online
184,328 panels have been installed at the plant; annual output is roughly 252 gigawatt-hours. Uzbekistan plans to add 6.7 GW of new capacity by the end of 2026.
Freight Along the Middle Corridor Rose 22 Percent, but Eastbound Cargo Lags
In January–August 2026, the westbound direction accounted for 80 percent of container flows on the Trans-Caspian route. Only 20 percent moved east.
Kyrgyzstan's Economy Grew 11.1 Percent in Seven Months, With Inflation Above 11 Percent
The growth rate remains the highest in the region. According to the National Bank, annual inflation stood at 11.7 percent as of Aug. 24.
“Space Days Kazakhstan 2026”: A Nine-Satellite International Constellation and Plans Beyond Baikonur
At the forum held Sept. 7–9 in Astana and Baikonur, Kazakhstan presented a plan to assemble a constellation of Earth observation satellites by 2030.
The Hijab Debate in Kazakhstan: Private Schools Could Lose Their Licenses
On Sept. 8, Education Minister Zhuldyz Suleimenova said private schools that permit the hijab could lose their licenses. The muftiate proposed finding a legal mechanism; the debate spread widely on social media.
Uzbekistan and Serbia Establish a Strategic Partnership: 20 Documents Signed in Belgrade
A joint declaration was signed at the close of Mirziyoyev's first visit to Belgrade. The two sides agreed to open negotiations on a free trade agreement, launch direct Belgrade–Tashkent flights and support the Middle Corridor.
Uzbekistan Appoints Its First-Ever Ambassador to Syria
Ayubkhon Yunusov presented copies of his credentials to Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani. The two sides discussed creating an intergovernmental commission on trade and economic cooperation and a mechanism for political consultations.
“China Conference: Central Asia 2026” in Astana: China–Region Trade Passes $100 Billion
The forum held on the AIFC platform on Sept. 7 was organized in Central Asia for the first time by a Hong Kong publication. The themes were capital, resources and the digital Silk Road.
HUMO Stablecoin Pilot Begins in Uzbekistan: Token Pegged 1:1 to the Soum to Be Tested at More Than 20 Retail Locations
The National Agency of Perspective Projects has registered Humo Digital. The token is backed by government securities, and the trial will run for 12 months.
World Nomad Games Conclude: 113 Countries, 3,000 Athletes, Kazakhstan Leads the Medal Count
The sixth World Nomad Games ran from Aug. 31 to Sept. 6 in Kyrgyzstan and were the largest edition in the competition's history. The opening was held in Bishkek and the closing ceremony in Cholpon-Ata.
Nomad Games Conclude: Popularity Exposed Organizational Shortcomings
Problems with transport, sanitation and ticketing were recorded at the 6th World Nomad Games, which closed Sept. 6. Of 7,000 tickets sold for the kokpar final, 2,500 were found to be invalid.
Witkoff and Kushner Hold Three Hours of Talks With Putin in Moscow
The U.S. special envoys discussed Trump's proposal on Sept. 5. No official breakthrough was announced after the meeting; the Kremlin called the conversation “constructive.”
Uzbekistan Developing an “Adaptive Social Protection” Strategy With the World Bank and UNICEF
A discussion held Sept. 4 examined mechanisms for rapidly supporting families hit by climate, natural and economic shocks.
Kyrgyzstan Announces an $850 Million Climate Adaptation Plan
The national plan, running through 2035, has been put up for public discussion. According to the document, the country's glacier area has shrunk 16 to 17 percent since the start of the 21st century, and the rivers' peak flow period has shifted 50 days earlier.
Direct Almaty–Urgench Flights Launch, Shortening the Trip to Khiva
FlyArystan has been flying the route twice a week since Sept. 3. Flight time is 2 hours 35 minutes.
Uzbekistan's Economy Over Seven Months: Retail Trade Up 20.2 Percent, Market Services Up 16.7 Percent
According to statistical data, consumer demand and the services sector were the main sources of growth. The number of operating enterprises passed 509,800.
Construction Begins on Central Asia's Tallest Building in Dushanbe: 340 Meters, 77 Floors
Emomali Rahmon laid the foundation stone for the Dushanbe Tower complex on Sept. 3. The project covers 29 hectares and is scheduled for completion in five years.
Kyrgyzstan and Pakistan Sign 17 Documents in Bishkek, Targeting $200 Million in Trade
A transit trade agreement, an extradition treaty and a series of memorandums were signed during Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's visit. Bilateral trade currently stands at around $16 million.
Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan Move From Trade to Production Chains: $2.8 Billion in Half a Year
Kazakhstan is Uzbekistan's third-largest trading partner. The two countries are carrying out 80 joint projects worth $1.8 billion.
Mirziyoyev Proposes an “SCO-2040: Common Space of Development” Concept
At the Bishkek summit, Uzbekistan's president called for making the SCO Development Bank operational, creating an Industrial Cooperation Map, building an open multilingual data corpus and restoring regular dialogue with Afghanistan.
The SCO Summit in Bishkek: 28 Documents Signed, Strikes on Iran Condemned
The summit marking the Shanghai Cooperation Organization's 25th anniversary was held in Bishkek on Aug. 31–Sept. 1. The final declaration assessed the military strikes on Iranian territory as a violation of international law, and the chairmanship passed to Pakistan.
Migration Controls Widen in Moscow From Sept. 1: The “Amina” Requirement Now Applies to Non-Working Foreigners
The pilot regime has been extended to citizens of visa-free countries staying more than 90 days in Moscow and the surrounding region, including students. Entries from Central Asia for work fell 15 percent in half a year.