The former Soviet republic has defeated the Philippines in the run-off for one of the non-permanent seats. A sign of the shift in the geopolitical balance of Central Asia, which until now had been represented for a single two-year term by Kazakhstan. Beijing’s support (hostile to Manila over the South China Sea dispute) proved decisive, bringing with it many votes from countries in the Global South.
Despite a ban under Islamic law and doctrine, amulets and exorcism performed by mullahs or shaman are widespread in Tajikistan. According to a well-known legend, 40 inseparable spirits rule the world, believed to be able to ward off all human misfortunes.
His son issued an appeal trying to mobilise the international community. Zhenghis Reskhan is a prominent figure in Xinjiang's literary circles. For now, neither Kazakhstan’s embassy in China nor Chinese authorities have made any official statement about the case.
In recent years, alongside conventional loans and deposits, this sector has grown significantly in the country and is no longer a niche market: the volume of financing based on Islamic principles has reached 21.1 billion som, an increase of almost sixfold.
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.”
The Tajik president’s trip has confirmed just how strategic a region Central Asia is for China today, a strategic importance made all the more vital by the various geopolitical fault lines. Beijing is banking on the gas pipeline running through the region, but also on its significance for the security of its own borders. And in relations with local governments, its proximity – not just geographical – gives it an advantage over its Western rivals.
