Kazakhstan

The results of the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) show that countries in the region have scores significantly below the average. Progress in Uzbekistan in science subjects, a setback in mathematics in Kazakhstan

The water level of the Caspian Sea has been falling since the mid-1990s and reached a historic low in 2025, dropping by 29 meters. The problem is having a negative impact on navigation, necessitating repairs to canals and piers in Azerbaijan. Meanwhile, new islands are emerging off the coast of Kazakhstan.

At the latest session held in Busan, the modernist buildings of Tashkent and the rock-cut mosques of the Mangistau region in Kazakhstan were added to the list. Meanwhile, Kyrgyzstan would like to have its only site – the sacred mountain of Sulayman-Too in Osh – removed from the list so that a cable car can be built there.

Relations between Moscow’s eastern neighbours remain largely in limbo, as they seek to reduce their dependence without severing ties with Russia for good. Meanwhile, in Bishkek, Xi Jinping has, yet again, rejected Putin’s call to unblock the ‘Power of Siberia 2’ gas pipeline project.

The state is establishing specialised research institutes, funding research and restoring monuments from the era of the Ulus Džoči – the Tatar-Mongol period of its history, which was marginalised by former Soviet historiography. Meanwhile, neighbouring Uzbekistan has for decades been constructing a national historical narrative centred on Tamerlane.

In the 2026 Global Soft Power Index, the country – which until a few years ago was confined to the stereotypes of the ‘post-Soviet space’ – has risen to 82nd place out of 193 countries. From pop stars who, breaking free from folkloric clichés, are crossing borders, to the Lonely Planet guide which has included Kazakhstan in its ‘Best in Travel 2025’ selection.

New temperature records have been set in many cities across Central Asia, in some cases exceeding 50 degrees. In this region, which is particularly vulnerable to climate change, roads have warped, power cuts linked to high consumption have occurred, and measures have been put in place to protect those working outdoors.

Progress has been made in large companies, where investments over three years have reduced energy intensity by 32 per cent. However, much remains to be done to improve the situation in public offices and private homes, which alone still account for 47.7 per cent of the country’s energy consumptionThe two sides of energy saving in Kazakhstan Progress has been made in large companies, where investments over three years have reduced energy intensity by 32 per cent. However, much remains to be done to improve the situation in public offices and private homes, which alone still account for 47.7 per cent of the country’s energy consumption

The region’s population is gradually ageing: in Kazakhstan, the number of elderly people has risen by around half a million in recent years. But the incidence of diseases such as Alzheimer’s and senile dementia is also on the rise, and families are often left to cope with them on their own.

The campaign for the parliamentary elections to the Kurultaj – the parliament provided for in the Constitution introduced by Tokaev – scheduled for 23 August, is getting underway. To mark the occasion, the formation of the new Adilet party has been announced; it has effectively absorbed the current ruling party, Amanat.

From Tajikistan to Kazakhstan, thousands of young people are currently studying at colleges and universities opened in recent years by Moscow, where teaching is conducted in Russian. The aim is to make a long-term investment in the new generation, who have no memory of the Soviet era and are increasingly exposed to Western and Chinese influences.

EU Special Representative Stiprais is calling for an update to cooperation policies that takes account of the increasingly close ties between the countries in the region, which have been highlighted by Kyrgyzstan’s election to the UN Security Council. The “shared” Kambarata hydroelectric power station and the local satellite internet connection system are the flagship projects.