Uzbekistan

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.

​​Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian oil facilities are also having repercussions in Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, with rising prices, a shortage of aviation fuel and growing uncertainty over energy security. Meanwhile, Moscow is seeking supplies from Kazakhstan, which has restricted exports to protect its domestic market.

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.

With Japan’s elimination in the round of 16 – the only team to have progressed beyond the group stage – the continent now has no teams left in the competition. The stark contrast with Africa and the wave of resignations, from South Korea to Saudi Arabia. The case of Iran, which remained unbeaten but was eliminated on goal difference (and due to hostile politics). The players’ message: “May peace and friendship prevail”.

Even during the Soviet era, the region had a unified energy system linking Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. Today, the idea of an electricity grid that optimises infrastructure is gaining traction again, given that energy demand in the region could rise by around 40 per cent by 2030.

In West Bengal, the new BJP government wants to hand over school meals to ISKCON, an organisation that plans to eliminate eggs from school meals and impose a vegetarian diet. But data show a different India with most Indians eating meat or fish. Meanwhile, malnutrition and childhood anaemia remain widespread, even in Kolkata.

The lack of recognised legal status exposes thousands of Central Asian women to serious dangers in Turkey. The case of two Uzbek women whose bodies were found in rubbish bins caused a stir in Istanbul this year. Without documents, working in private homes is often their only option for survival, but at the same time it is a trap.

Following the entry into force of new EU regulations providing for facilities in third countries, Astana and Tashkent are being cited as possible locations. These proposals are linked to their proximity to Afghanistan and the availability of vast tracts of land. Brussels would offer visa facilitation in return. However, the two countries in question have denied the reports, partly due to domestic opposition.

In Uzbekistan, approximately 107 boys are born for every 100 girls; in Tajikistan, the figure is as high as 110. This imbalance cannot be explained by natural causes and must be attributed to the practice of abortion when prenatal tests reveal that the foetus is female. This sex selection not only reflects gender discrimination but also entails serious social risks.

From the FIFA Peace Prize to Trump to short-term visas for Iranian players, the 2026 edition will be the biggest with 48 teams and 104 matches, but also very controversial. Nine Asian teams will take part, with two newcomers: Jordan and Uzbekistan. The hopes of a continent rest with South Korea and Japan. Despite billions invested in football, China failed to qualify.

According to a study conducted in Uzbekistan by the UN in collaboration with the local anti-corruption agency, only 22.5% of men believe that women can be competent leaders. This confirms a gender imbalance in access to resources and power that reinforces the social, political, and economic marginalization of women..

At the CAU Arch Summit 2026, architects, urban planners, and designers discussed the future of the urban environment, the role of technology, and the region’s cultural heritage. Star architect Bjarke Ingels: “This region preserves a centuries-old conception of space: the challenge for the new generation is not whether to modernize, but how to develop this heritage without destroying it.”