Stories
Cryptocurrency Ownership Growing in Central Asia - Says New Report

Cryptocurrency Ownership Growing in Central Asia, Says New Report

The report, supported by the Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC), the National Payment Corporation of Kazakhstan, Mastercard, and KPMG Caucasus and Central Asia, offers insights into key trends, regulatory frameworks, and countries’ specifics in the digital assets market.

Stories
Provocation or Misstep? Polish President Duda's Armenia Visit Raise Concerns

Provocation or Misstep? Polish President Duda's Armenia Visit Raise Concerns

Baku issued a protest against Duda’s visit, describing it as “another demonstration of the anti-Azerbaijani policies of various EU member countries and European institutions.”

Stories
The West's Role in Addressing Central Asia's Water Crisis

The West's Role in Addressing Central Asia's Water Crisis

Central Asia’s imperiled water system is one of the most urgent regional issues requiring a rapid response from local governments, businesses, and their international partners.

Kazakhstan’s Betashar Wedding Ritual Added to UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage List

Kazakhstan’s Betashar Wedding Ritual Added to UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage List

The ritual unites new family members and neighbors. It also serves as a medium for passing down traditional knowledge and cultural expressions, such as folk songs and the craftsmanship of wedding attire.

50

Number of wooden mosques in Georgia’s Adjara district

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$150-$300

The fine for graffitiing on administrative buildings in Tbilisi, Georgia

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5000km

The annual journey Omid, the Siberian Crane takes

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16kg

The weight of the Lelo Burti ball

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3200

The number of contenders Azerbaijani film Hadis was chosen from to be shown at 2023 Annecy International Animated Film Festival

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Politics & Economy

Uzbekistan and EU Discuss Strengthening Cooperation

The parties discussed strengthening relations between Uzbekistan and the European Union, which have demonstrated stable positive dynamics and are reaching a new level of interaction in recent years.

Politics & Economy

Samarkand hosts Azerbaijan-Uzbekistan NGO Cooperation Forum

The Azerbaijani delegation got acquainted with the House of Friendship, where non-governmental non-profit organizations, national and cultural centers of the region operate.

Politics & Economy

Eurasian Development Bank Invested $7.7 Billion in Central Asia Since 2006

The main areas of financing include industry ($2 billion), infrastructure ($1.8 billion), energy ($1.6 billion), transport ($1 billion), and the agro-industrial complex ($600 million).

Saiga Steaks: Kazakhstan to Cull Thousands of Once-Endangered Antelope as Numbers Rebound
Central Asia, Stories

Saiga Steaks: Kazakhstan to Cull Thousands of Once-Endangered Antelope as Numbers Rebound

Due to the once-endangered saiga antelope population increasing tenfold, the Kazakh government plans to cull 337,000 to protect farmers from agricultural damage caused by the animal’s grazing habits.

Uzbekistan’s Tourism Villages
Central Asia, Stories

Uzbekistan’s Tourism Villages

Uzbekistan’s tourism village scheme is highlighting best practice in community-based tourism by supporting the rural tourism industry, with one village, Sentob, winning the 2023 UNWTO award for Best Tourism Village.

Yurt Central Asia
Central Asia, Opinion

Are Glamping Yurts Yet Another Cultural Appropriation in The West?

Traditional housing used among many Central Asian nations today is utilized as an eco-friendly glamping option in the Western world. This is not the first instance when the heritage of the oppressed and underrepresented ethnic groups is used for profit. Yet who is to say what makes it cultural appropriation?

Caspian Region Gets New UNESCO Listings
Caucasus, Central Asia, Culture

Caspian Region Gets New UNESCO Listings

On September 18, Unesco unveiled 27 new World Heritage features including three in the Caspian Region countries, plus the extension of another in Azerbaijan.

How Kazakhstan Is Reviving the Aral Sea that the Soviet Union Destroyed
Central Asia, Stories

How Kazakhstan Is Reviving the Aral Sea that the Soviet Union Destroyed

Kazakhstan is leading the charge in reviving the Aral Sea, which while once a vital ecosystem, now remains a stark reminder of environmental consequences.

In Kazakhstan, the Fight Against Animal Cruelty is Far from Over
Stories

In Kazakhstan, the Fight Against Animal Cruelty is Far from Over

Despite new laws regarding animal abuse, incidents continue to make headlines in Kazakhstan, but what more is being done to prevent these horrific acts of cruelty?

Opinion

The Ruble’s Fluctuations and the Future of the Russian Economy

One of the primary drivers of the ruble’s depreciation is the surge in government spending to support objectives related to the Special Military Operation. This increase extends beyond defense procurement to encompass a broader array of economic initiatives.

Opinion

Hungary-Azerbaijan Ties Reach New Heights: Strategic Insights from Dr. Laszlo Vasa

"Hungarian-Azerbaijani relations are at their highest point, characterized by a genuine strategic partnership built on mutual trust and respect. This strong partnership has driven significant growth in Hungarian trade and investment in Azerbaijan and fostered flourishing cultural, educational, and scientific ties."

Opinion

Azerbaijan and Kyrgyzstan: A Strategic Path to Economic Cooperation

Azerbaijan and Kyrgyzstan have established an extensive legal framework with 105 agreements signed to date. These documents cover various aspects of economic, political, cultural, and humanitarian cooperation.

China's Influence in Central Asia and Russia's Response: A Strategic Tug-of-War – Analysis

China's Influence in Central Asia and Russia's Response: A Strategic Tug-of-War – Analysis

Bounded by the Caspian Sea to the west, Afghanistan and Iran to the south, Russia to the north, and China’s Xinjiang province to the east, Central Asia is both geographically and strategically significant. Today, the rivalry between China and Russia over influence in the region epitomizes the complexities of modern geopolitics.