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World Nomad Games Highlight Central Asia's Nomadic Heritage
The Games were attended by around 3,000 athletes from 89 countries, including the United States, competing in 21 different sports based on Central Asian folk games.
Water Security Challenges in Central Asia and the South Caucasus
Azerbaijan plans to expand hydropower to reduce natural gas consumption, but climate models predict huge reductions in river flows in the coming decades, which will pose risks to energy production. This could affect gas exports through the Southern Gas Corridor, which supplies energy to Europe.
Central Asia Consumer Confidence in October 2024: Mixed Trends with Structural Shifts
In October, the Consumer Confidence Index (CCI) improved in two Central Asian countries.Kazakhstan demonstrated growth for the second month in a row and the best result in 2024. In Uzbekistan, the growth rate accelerated after the September decline, and the index turned out to be the highest since March of this year.
Culture
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Baku Hosts the Second High-Level Meeting of Culture Ministers during COP29.
Addressing the event, Azerbaijan`s Minister of Culture Adil Kerimli emphasized the importance of the event. He noted that the international community lauds country’s efforts in the field of green energy.
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Kyrgyzstan and Saudi Arabia Mull $330 Million in Joint Projects
The Intergovernmental Cooperation Committee discussed areas of bilateral cooperation, including development of energy sector, aviation, agriculture and water resources, transport, logistics, health care, education, science and culture.
Masdar Signs Power Purchase Agreement for 1GW Wind Farm in Kazakhstan
The signing took place on the sidelines of COP29 in Baku and was witnessed by Sungat Yessimkhanov, Vice Minister of Energy of Kazakhstan and Sharif Al Olama, Under-Secretary for Energy & Petroleum Affairs, Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure of the United Arab Emirates.
Iran and Uzbekistan Seek to Boost Railway Cooperation
“In order to activate the International North-South Transit Corridor (INSTC), the volume of exchanges must be increased, and despite the bottlenecks, if the volume of cargo is ensured, it is possible to increase the capacity.”
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
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.
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
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
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
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
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Trump's Comeback Could Indicate Shifts in Central Asia Strategy
Central Asia, with its history of balancing major powers, may find Trump's realpolitik approach beneficial, especially if he continues to prioritize economic partnerships over interventionist policies.
Caspian Sea: The New Hub of Offshore Energy for Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan
In 2022, the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC) published a ranking of countries with the greatest potential for offshore wind energy development, listing Australia, Sri Lanka, Türkiye, and Azerbaijan among the leaders. According to the report, offshore wind energy in these countries could become a competitive and promising source of clean energy.
Border Talks: Azerbaijan and Armenia Build Foundations of Stability
Border delimitation between Azerbaijan and Armenia is one of the main issues whose resolution will impact not only stability in the South Caucasus but also the creation of a new regional security agenda.
