A $2 Billion Exploration Push in Ustyurt: bp, SOCAR and Uzbekneftegaz Prepare the First Well
A managing committee meeting in Tashkent on 7 September confirmed that 3D seismic fieldwork is complete. The agreement covers six blocks in Karakalpakstan; bp holds 40%, SOCAR 30% and Uzbekneftegaz 30%.
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Kazakhstan Exports Billions in Gold but Records Just $7.2 Million in Jewellery Output
Three destinations took roughly $2 billion of Kazakh gold in 2025. The government is tightening hallmarking and control over precious-metal turnover.
FIDE Elects Its President in Samarkand: Three Tickets and ~200 Federation Votes
The vote falls on 26 September at the FIDE General Assembly held alongside the 46th Chess Olympiad. Incumbent Arkady Dvorkovich suspended his powers in July after EU sanctions.
Five Activists Sentenced in Almaty: 5 to 5.5 Years in the Alleged "Akorda Seizure" Case
The Almaly district court delivered its verdict on 8 September. Prosecutors had asked for eight years each; the hearings were held behind closed doors.
Kazakhstan to Build Its First Food Cluster on the South Korean Model
Shin-Line Group, Central Asia's largest ice cream maker, signed a memorandum in Seoul with the Korea Food Industry Cluster Promotion Agency. The Korean side will provide consulting and expert support on cluster management.
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.
Uzbekistan Relists Unsold State Assets at ~$83 Opening Bids
84 state assets that found no buyer for years will be re-auctioned at a starting price of just 1 million soum (~$83). The required down payment is cut from 35% to 15%.
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.