Central Asia

The economy is focused on securing foreign investment and expanding export markets for energy and critical minerals. Kazakhstan restored output at the Tengiz field and secured a critical minerals deal with the UK, while QazMoly neared $240M in US funding for a tungsten project. Concurrently, Kyrgyzstan faces EU scrutiny over potential sanctions circumvention related to Russia.

• 2Belarusian tractor maker MTZ reports 115% growth rate of export to Uzbekistan in 2025
• 2Growing trade with Belarus: Indonesia-EAEU cooperation discussed in Kazakhstan
• 2Kazakhstan is turning Tien Shan gorges into one ski circuit
• 1QazMoly nears $240M US funding for tungsten project in Kazakhstan
• 1Interview: Chinese market offers great potential, says proUmid general manager

Kazakhstan's foreign policy is characterized by high-level diplomatic engagement with a wide range of global actors. President Tokayev held talks with the President of Serbia, met with the US ambassador, and signed a historic document with Pakistan's Prime Minister. A draft of Kazakhstan's new Constitution also proposes making Russian a co-official language.

• 3President of Serbia arrives in Astana
• 3Trump says five nations to send troops to Gaza force
• 3Tokayev holds talks with Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari
• 2Tokayev sends congratulatory telegram to Emperor of Japan
• 2Russian recognized as co-official language in draft of Kazakhstan’s new Constitution

Security operations are active domestically, but the primary external concern is the threat to critical oil infrastructure from the Ukraine conflict. Kazakhstan's NSC and Interior Ministry detained 20 people in a large-scale operation, while the Russian ambassador expressed major concerns that Ukrainian attacks threaten the CPC pipeline, which is vital for Kazakh exports.

• 1Migrant who caused fatal crash flees to Uzbekistan without paying compensation
• 1Serbia's Vučić asks Kazakhstan's Tokayev for help training special forces
• 1Ukraine drone war threatens Kazakhstan's oil exports
• 1A Su-30SM fighter jet crashes in Kazakhstan, pilots survive — Defense Ministry
• 1Kyrgyzstan extradites to Kazakhstan a suspect in a serious crime

A deepening regional water crisis is the dominant societal tension, as leaders clash over control of the resource. This occurs alongside public health challenges, including a fivefold increase in measles cases in Almaty and an earthquake at the Afghanistan-Tajikistan border.

• 2Magnitude 5.5 earthquake hits Afghanistan-Tajikistan border
• 1More Than 700 Potential Springs Identified Across Kazakhstan
• 1Central Asia's Water Crisis Deepens as Leaders Clash Over Control
• 1Kazakhstan Advances Admissions Reform Through Partnership with Global Research Institute
• 1Islamic civilization center in Tashkent