DECODING: President Xi Jinping made an official visit to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan during the last SCO summit, his first trip since the pandemic. It’s a strategic destination for Pekin, which would seem to benefit from regaining influence in Central Asia,

Over the course of a webinar, several French specialists went over the recent clashes between Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. Various speculations about how the relations between the two states may develop were discussed. Novastan followed the discussions. This article was originally

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) invested 690 million dollars in Uzbekistan in 2021. The two partners have cooperated exceptionally well in the sectors of green energy and the economic development of the country. This article was originally

The Tajik government is intensifying repression. It is particularly violent in Gorno-Badakhshan and targets the Pamiri minority: observers speak of “ethnic cleansing”. This article was originally published on Novastan’s French website on November 19, 2022. “It happened six months ago, but we have

The counting is over: the final results of Sunday’s snap election were announced on Tuesday. According to the Central Election Commission, the current President of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, has won 81.31% of votes and therefore stays in office for the

The Turkmen authorities have announced the launch of an instant messaging and email platform developed by domestic companies. These new applications will provide the Turkmen people  with alternatives to Western websites − the majority of which are blocked in Turkmenistan

Isolated on the international scene and weakened domestically, Turkey seeks support. Turkish powers have chosen a proactive foreign policy in Central Asia and enjoy good relations with countries of the region. This article was originally published on Novastan’s French website on

Nurlan Duishobekov is a graphic designer and video illustrator. He studied graphic design in the Higher School of Economics in Moscow. His work took place in Almaty, London, New York and Los Angeles displayed at Coffee Festivals. The artist has

DECRYPTION. In January 2022, Kazakhstan was able to count on the support of Russia, through the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), to put an end to the demonstrations which shook several cities in the country. But since the start of

Hundreds of dead seals were discovered in Turkmenistan, with the cause of their death unclear.  Government officials seem to want to conceal the mass deaths of the Caspian seal, which is listed as an endangered species. This article was originally published

CENTRAL ASIA SCIENCE REVIEW − Thanks to images provided by US intelligence agencies, researchers have been able to observe the recession of glaciers in Central Asia.  In other news, Uzbek remains from the Iron Age have been examined to determine

A cooperation protocol has been signed between Rosatom and Kyrgyzstan’s Ministry of Energy to build miniature nuclear reactors. However, such a project cannot quickly resolve the country’s energy crisis. This article was originally published on Novastan’s French website on 29

A month after the advent of  “Bloody January” in Kazakhstan, a clear report of the protests is yet to be published. Despite this, an official report concerning the death toll of the events has been released, stating a total of

Doctors’ low salaries in Kyrgyzstan have been considered a chronic problem for years and explain certain deficiencies in the health system. Health Minister Alymkadyr Beishenaliev seems to have taken a step towards reform, but not everyone shares this hope, with

At the end of last April, the Uzbek fruit and vegetable exporter Global Export shipped 44 tonnes of beans to the world leader in canned vegetables, French company Bonduelle. As the result of a new partnership between the two companies,

A significant power shortage is expected in 2022 for Kyrgyzstan. In order to create power, the country relies on the Toktogul reservoir, which was built on the Naryn river. However, its level sharply decreased over the course of the last

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, Laurent Mahé, 44, of France decided to ride by bike from Brittany to Kazakhstan. Right before his departure, on the 4th of May, Novastan got the chance to meet him in Rennes. This article was originally published

Around 30 participants gathered on 20 November the year before last to discuss facets of Central Asian urbanity as part of the online event “The Future of the Past – Urbanity in Central Asia: Tashkent and Bishkek”. This article was originally