Central Asia

The regional economy is actively expanding energy and transit infrastructure through bilateral partnerships. Kazakhstan is advancing hydropower projects and securing export deals with Mongolia, while Russia and Kazakhstan have reached nearly $30 billion in trade. Uzbekistan is engaging with Russia and Belarus on nuclear energy cooperation, and Pakistan has opened a new transit route to the region.

• 2VietJet Air to Launch Hanoi-Almaty-Prague Air Route in July
• 2Ambassador: Belarus and Kazakhstan working on new joint investment projects
• 1Pakistan eases export rules for Iran, opens transit route to Central Asia
• 1Three new hydropower plants to be built in Kazakhstan
• 1Trade turnover between Russia and Kazakhstan reaches nearly $30 bln — PM Mishustin

Politics is dominated by Kazakhstan's successful constitutional referendum, which received strong domestic and international endorsement from leaders like Uzbekistan's president and Pakistan's PM Shehbaz. Concurrently, major powers are actively courting the region, with Russian PM Mishustin visiting for EAEU talks, President Putin reaffirming partnership with Tokayev, and President Trump inviting Uzbekistan's leader to the G20.

• 3Russian PM Mishustin visits Kazakhstan for talks and EAEU meeting
• 3PM Shehbaz congratulates Kazakhstan president on successful constitutional referendum
• 3Kazakhstan approves new constitution: 87.15% vote in favour, election commission says
• 3Uzbekistan’s president congratulated Tokayev on holding the referendum
• 2Trump invites Uzbek president to G20 summit in Miami

Security concerns are bifurcated between a resumption of strategic space activity and persistent low-level threats. Russia successfully launched a rocket from the repaired Baikonur launch pad, while Kazakhstan opened a center for military innovations. However, reports of another drone crash in Kazakhstan and warnings about regional conflicts threatening transit routes indicate ongoing vulnerability.

• 1Police comment on reports about another drone crash in Kazakhstan
• 1Russia launches first rocket from repaired Baikonur launch pad
• 1Woman caught trying to smuggle 102-year-old anatomy textbook
• 1Kazakhstan opens center for military innovations in Almaty
• 1Security directive forces Israeli judo team to withdraw from Tashkent Grand Slam

Society is grappling with the dual pressures of significant immigration and environmental hazards. Migration from China and Uzbekistan for permanent residence in Kazakhstan is a leading trend, while the government addresses domestic issues like subsidizing children's airfare. Concurrently, authorities are issuing repeated warnings about extreme heat and flooding threats to dozens of settlements.

• 2How Kyrgyzstan built a system to support domestic violence survivors - Welcome to the United Nations
• 2Kazakhstan’s Foreign Ministry comments on reports of mass deportation of Russians - Tengrinews.kz
• 1“Kazakhstan is a country of limitless opportunities” — Tokayev to Paralympic athletes
• 130-degree heat to arrive in Kazakhstan
• 1First Youth Delphic Games of SCO member states open in Kyrgyzstan