A competition promoted by the respective broadcasters chose the most representative athletes from each of the five countries. From the judoka rejected by the Russians who climbed onto the podium at the Olympics for Tajikistan to the Uzbek footballer who plays in the Premier League and led his national team to World Cup qualification. And the Kazakh who discovered he was a marathon runner after an illness.

The 12th annual session of the Dialogue between the European Union and Central Asian countries was held in Dushanbe. During the summit, Tajikistan agreed to conclude a wide-ranging partnership agreement with the EU, joining the processes underway in various forms in other countries in the region.

The ruins of several medieval tombs discovered by chance in the area of what was once the ancient city of Sogda are arousing great interest among archaeologists. Among the discoveries are mixed forms of burial, not typical of the strict canons of this religious tradition.

Meetings and projects for new cooperation initiatives between Mongolia's political leadership and Central Asian heads of state and government are multiplying. In a network of relations that not only has political and commercial significance but also represents a form of historical and commercial reunification.

For some time now, the authorities in Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Turkmenistan have banned end-of-school-year celebrations in order to ‘avoid excesses’. However, these celebrations continue to take place in secret in country houses or basements, with spending on gifts increasing year after year.

According to data from the country's Hydrometeorological Agency, the phenomenon has increased more than tenfold in the last thirty years as a result of climate change and intensive access to water sources. The dust worsens air quality and accelerates glacier melt. Urgent measures are needed, such as those taken by Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, which are planting a million shrubs at the bottom of the Aral Sea.