A new report shows that despite the ongoing efforts to expand the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in all spheres of life, Central Asian countries still lag significantly behind the world leaders in AI adoption. Kazakhstan is Central Asia’s leader in AI use, ranking 72nd among 147 countries, with 13.7% of the working age population
Kazakhstan’s Cybernet AI startup has unveiled an automatic speech recognition (ASR) model for Turkic languages. This is the first-ever AI model designed specifically for the Turkic language group, not adapted from existing English-language solutions, according to the Kazakh Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development. The project was implemented with the support of the Astana
China-Central Asia economic and trade cooperation made considerable progress in 2025, with the total value of trade in goods reaching $106.3 billion, an increase of 12% compared to the previous year, Xinhua news agency reported citing the Chinese Ministry of Commerce. The trade volume between China and Central Asia exceeded the $100-billion mark for the
The first cross-Caspian Sea China-Central Asia freight train from north China’s Tianjin Municipality to Baku, Azerbaijan, departed on January 19, carrying goods such as stainless steel pipes and household appliances, Xinhua reported. The train, operated by China Railway Beijing Group, will leave China via Khorgos Port in northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, traverse Kazakhstan,
Hideki Tanabe is a senior international development expert who stood at the origins of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in Tajikistan. Having completed his tenure as the first Head of JICA’s independent office in the country, which he led since its establishment in 2017, he played a key role in integrating Japanese technical assistance
Chinese and Uzbek archaeologists have found early city walls constructed and modified between the 3rd century BC and the 10th century AD at the ancient city of Kuva in Uzbekistan, Xinhua reported. Located in the Fergana Valley in eastern Uzbekistan, the Kuva site, now spanning about 110,000 square meters, used to be a very important
At a government meeting on January 15, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev emphasized the need to link cultural projects with tourism development objectives. It was noted that in 2025, the number of tourists visiting Uzbekistan exceeded 11 million, exports of tourism services reached $4.8 billion, and the number of countries whose citizens are eligible for visa-free travel
On January 15, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev chaired an expanded meeting on the activities of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Uzbek diplomatic missions abroad. The President emphasized that in the current global environment, an ambassador is not just a person who conducts political dialogue. An ambassador is a state representative who attracts investment and technologies,
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) says it continues to invest in renewable energy power generation and in the safe and reliable connection of variable renewables to Uzbekistan’s power grid by organizing a financing package of up to US$195.5 million (€168.5 million) for the construction and operation of a 300 MW greenfield solar
The official opening ceremony of the 240 MW Khizi-Absheron wind power plant, constructed by Saudi Arabia’s ACWA Power, was held on January 8 in Baku, Azerbaijan’s state news agency AZERTAC reported. Approximately $340 million in foreign investment has been attracted for the project. The plant’s annual electricity generation is expected to reach 1 billion kilowatt-hours,
A large-scale series of trainings aimed at strengthening anti-corruption practices at the regional level has concluded in Uzbekistan. Covering all 14 regions of the country, the initiative enhanced the practical capacities of territorial anti-corruption councils, developed region-specific recommendations, and laid the groundwork for subsequent action plans to reduce corruption risks, increase transparency, and strengthen public
Kyrgyzstan’s Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers Edil Baisalov has suggested Bishkek reassess its visa-free regime for Americans following the imposition of visa bond requirements for Kyrgyz citizens traveling to the United States. The United States has included Kyrgyzstan in a list of countries subject to visa bonds. Visa applicants from these countries are
In 2026, Kazakhstan has assumed the chairmanship of the Union of Turkic Chambers of Commerce and Industry (TCCI). The role was held by Azerbaijan last year. The transition of the chairmanship took place during the 3rd General Assembly of the TCCI, held on January 8 in Astana. This shift coincided with a period of steady
According to data from the tourism online platform Qunar, the number of airline bookings from China to Uzbekistan doubled during the New Year holiday period, from 1 to 3 January, compared to the same period last year, reflecting a significant increase in the country’s appeal to Chinese travelers, the Tourism Committee of Uzbekistan reported citing
The United States has included Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan in a list of countries subject to visa bonds. Visa applicants from these countries are required to post visa bonds of up to $15,000 to enter the U.S., according to a notice published on the U.S. State Department’s travel website. For Turkmenistan, the measure took effect on
The Ambassador of Uzbekistan to the United Kingdom, Ravshan Usmanov, has met with Gosia Kwiatkowska, Director of the RIX Inclusive Research Centre at the University of East London, Dunyo information agency reports. The meeting addressed the establishment in Uzbekistan of teacher and specialist training programs in the field of inclusive education, as well as professional
Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev late in December signed a law ratifying the Agreement between the Government of Kazakhstan and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) on the renewal of the status of the Central Asian Regional Glaciological Centre in Kazakhstan as a Category 2 Centre under the auspices of UNESCO for eight
For more than twenty-five years, I have worked to build cultural bridges between Uzbekistan and the wider world. As a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer, a translator of Uzbek literature, and the founder of Suhbat LLC, I have dedicated a significant portion of my life to introducing Uzbek voices to English-speaking audiences. In 2019, that work
A 45-container China-Europe freight train loaded with photovoltaic modules belonging to the China Energy Engineering Group has departed from the city of Xi’an, Azerbaijan’s AZERTAC state news agency reported. This is the first train to depart from China via the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, or the Middle Corridor, in 2026. The train, which departed on
A delegation from Iran, led by Jabbar Ali Zakeri, head of the country’s railway administration, has visited Afghanistan to explore connecting Iran’s railway network to China through Afghan territory, TOLOnews reported. The primary focus of the project is the Herat–Balkh railway corridor, considered a vital transit route that would link Central Asian countries and China
