At the beginning of 2026, Uzbekistan ranked 75th out of 137 countries in terms of the average IQ, according to the International IQ Test portal. The country’s average IQ is 96.51, Tashkent Today reported. This represents a drop in the ranking compared to 2025, when Uzbekistan ranked 69th. Among the Central Asian countries, the rankings
The last ethnic Karakalpak with Uzbek citizenship who was facing possible extradition to Uzbekistan has left Kazakhstan for a Western country, according to the Kazakhstan International Bureau for Human Rights and Rule of Law. Karakalpak activist Rasul Zhumaniyazov was detained in Astana last March at the request of Uzbekistan. Zhumaniyazov had received offers from Tashkent
On February 4, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan Yermek Kosherbayev took part in the inaugural Critical Minerals Ministerial Conference at the invitation of U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The event was attended by representatives from more than 50 countries and executives of Kazakhstan’s mining companies, and featured remarks by U.S. Vice President JD
Two years ago, Kazakhstan launched the project of Alatau City, intended to become a platform for the implementation of advanced technologies, a magnet for investors, and a generator of public wealth. Economist Aidar Alibayev shared his opinion on the mega-project’s prospects with Orda.kz. “How did the idea of Alatau City appear? Initially, there was talk
Alexander Kachkurkin, a 25-year-old DevOps engineer and IT developer who had been living in Almaty for the past few years, has been deported from Kazakhstan to Russia, where he was detained right upon the plane’s arrival on treason charges, the rights project Первый отдел (Department One) reported. Kachkurkin was born and raised in Crimea. After
South Korea may suspend the issuance of visas for Uzbekistan citizens if the share of illegal migrants reaches 10%, according to Alisher Abdusalomov, the Ambassador of Uzbekistan to South Korea, Tashkent Today reported. Currently, 9% of Uzbek citizens in Korea stay there illegally. The Ambassador emphasized that many Uzbeks who arrive in Korea for study
The World Health Organization (WHO) has clarified media reports saying that Uzbekistan has lost its measles-free status, and explained that measles transmission has resumed in the country since 2019, while rubella elimination status remains in place, Daryo reports. WHO’s conclusions are based on evaluations by the European Regional Verification Commission for Measles and Rubella Elimination,
Kazakhstan has been ranked among the countries with the lowest national cuisine score in the world, according to the World Population Review, which published a ranking of the cuisines of 99 countries. The ranking was an attempt to answer the question: What country has the best food? In 2025, Kazakhstan scored 3.9 points, ranking 92nd.
Uzbekistan has been officially recognized by the organization ASIA Records as the Asian country with the most UNESCO-listed Islamic historic cities, according to the Uzbek Tourism Committee. Representatives of the Tourism Committee of Uzbekistan and the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Malaysia took part in the award ceremony held in Kuala Lumpur. Under this recognition, Samarkand,
From March 20 to 25, 2026, the international tourist train Jibek Joly will connect Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan as part of a single cultural and educational route. For the first time in the project’s history, the route has been extended to Dushanbe, according to Kazakhstan’s national railway company Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ). The journey will
An event was held on January 28 at Riga International Airport to mark the launch of cargo flights by the Uzbek airline Flykhiva on the Tashkent–Riga route, Dunyo information agency reported. As part of the event, a ceremonial reception was held for the airline’s first cargo plane arriving in the Latvian capital. The event was
The European Union and UN Women officially launched the Zero Violence Against Women and Girls (Zero VAWG) initiative at an inception and signing event held on 23 January in Bishkek. The event brought together senior representatives of the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic, development partners, and UN agencies to reaffirm their shared commitment to preventing
Uzbekistan has launched the second phase of the “Islands of Integrity” anti-corruption methodology, expanding a local governance approach that has already shown practical results in several regions of the country, the Delegation of the European Union to Uzbekistan reported. The launch took place in Turtkul District and brought together national and international partners, including the
On January 27, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan Yermek Kosherbayev held talks with Minister of Foreign Affairs of Israel Gideon Sa’ar, who arrived in Astana on an official visit. The sides discussed the current state and prospects for the development of political dialogue, trade, economic and investment ties, cooperation in the field of tourism,
Uzbekistan participated in one of the largest international tourism exhibitions of the United States — Travel & Adventure Show 2026, which took place on January 24-25 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York, Uzbekistan’s Tourism Committee reported. The exhibition brought together representatives of leading US travel agencies, airlines, investment structures, and mass
Deputy Prime Minister – Minister of National Economy of Kazakhstan Serik Zhumangarin held a meeting with Deputy Prime Minister of Mongolia Khasuuriyin Gankhuyag on January 24. Zhumangarin noted that Mongolia is an important partner of Kazakhstan in the Asian region, and that bilateral cooperation has been consistently developing in the spirit of mutual respect and
Air Products and the U.S. Embassy in Uzbekistan announced the opening of the American Makerspace in Qarshi, a state-of-the-art collaborative workspace designed to empower youth and foster innovation. This initiative reflects a shared commitment to advancing education, creativity, and technical skills, aligned with the U.S. dedication to excellence in science and technology. Providing its educational
The 3rd meeting of the Steering Committee of the project “EU for a Green Turkmenistan: Policy Dialogue and Climate Action 2024–2028,” co-financed by the European Union and the German Federal Foreign Office and implemented by GIZ was held in Ashgabat on January 22, the Delegation of the European Union to Turkmenistan reported. The co-financed European Union project “EU for a green
Kazakhstan is making progress with the restoration of the North Aral Sea, an ambitious project initiated in response to the catastrophic shrinkage of the Aral Sea. During the next 4-5 years, the water volume in the North Aral is to be increased to 34 cubic kilometers and its area expanded to 3,913 square kilometers, Minister
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
