PANNIER: Central Asia’s population is growing, but its water resources are rapidly shrinking

The data can no longer be ignored. Demand and supply no longer add up. Severity of situation needs treating with some urgency.

Kazakhstan's November services PMI shows first contraction in eight months

Despite lapse in demand, firms said to retain positive attitude on 12-month outlook for activity, which remained historically elevated. Inflationary pressures continued to retreat.

COP28: Greenpeace asks if nine European oil and gas majors are “getting away with murder”

Releases study showing 360,000 people could die prematurely before the end of the century because of global heating caused by companies’ 2022 greenhouse gas emissions alone.

Transition risks for petrostates higher than ever, says report

Petrostates are currently confronted with significant challenges arising from the ongoing energy transition. The diminishing demand for oil and gas is exerting downward pressure on commodity prices, which in turn threatens future revenue streams.

Former Kazakh leader Nazarbayev confesses to polygamy with Miss Kazakhstan 1999

Ex-president releases shocking memoir detailing hidden life that led to a second family with two sons. Rumours had swirled for years.

Training of “Tajik Taliban” suicide bombers shows threat to Central Asia from Afghanistan is growing, say analysts

Ranks of Jamaat Ansarullah movement based near border with Tajikistan said to be swelling.

COP28: All the climate crisis warning lights flashing red – in charts and maps

The great and good have assembled in UAE’s capital of Dubai for the COP28 conference to hash out a plan to avert the looming environmental disaster, but its probably too late.

Turkey equipping Moscow’s war machine, data shows

While Ankara records show “dual-use” goods going to Central Asia and Caucasus, trade registry discrepancies across region indicate items actually go to Russia.

Kazakhstan introduces digital national currency

Officials say that it will make government spending more transparent.

Uzbekistan’s president urges UN Central Asia summit to “not leave Afghanistan alone with its problems”

Calls for more regional cooperation in address to United Nations Special Programme for the Economies of Central Asia (SPECA).

Kazakhstan: Government tackles personal debt mountain, but not everyone is happy

New legislation will place stronger requirements on lenders to ensure people taking out loans are able to pay back.

INTERVIEW: Eurasian Development Bank brings Central Asia together with sustainable green investments

Central Asia is once again the “navel of the world” as overland trade between Asia and Europe takes off.

COMMENT: Governments are failing us on climate change as COP28 nears

The outcome of COP28 won’t save the world from climate chaos. That much is clear, with major economies failing on climate change, the US continuing to drill fossil fuels and China building more coal-burning plants.

Iran to sign free trade agreement with Eurasian Economic Union in 2 months

Kazakhstan: Authorities to gingerly allow LPG prices to rise

It was a price rise of this fuel that led to nationwide unrest in 2022.

INTERVIEW: Green transition must be a just transition, says EBRD chief economist

EBRD research shows majority in transition countries believe climate change will severely affect the children of today, but fewer people are willing to pay to address the climate emergency.

SDS storms fed by sand and dust equal in weight to 350 Great Pyramids of Giza, says UNCCD

Sometimes known as the sirocco, haboob, yellow dust, white storm or harmattan, the phenomenon that engulfs everything in its path can be a costly disaster.

Kazakhstan: Death of ex-official’s wife sparks conversation around domestic abuse

Kuandyk Bishimbayev is said to have had a long history of assaulting his wife.

Central Asia land degradation data demonstrates rapid advance of crisis worldwide says UNCCD

Data shows that in region an area almost four times the size of Kyrgyzstan is degraded.

UK engagement with Central Asia “lacks seriousness” says report by British MPs

Overcoming the “inadequate” approach is “a geopolitical imperative” amid great power competition, while a crackdown is needed on London enabling region’s corrupt elites, it adds.