Kazakhstan Shows Strong Gains in Child Well-Being Index and Birth Registration

ALMATY — Kazakhstan has joined the rank of countries with the world’s highest rates of birth registration and consistently strong indicators of child well-being, as children make...


Kazakhstan Boosts Agricultural Output by 5.4% as Exports Reach $4.7 Billion

ALMATY — Kazakhstan’s agricultural output grew to 8.1 trillion tenge (approximately US$15.39 billion) in the January-October 2025 period, marking a 5.4% increase, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev was told...


Faster than Stroke: Kazakh AI Tool Transforms Emergency Medicine

ASTANA – Kazakh medtech startup Cerebra.AI is pushing the boundaries of neuroradiology with software that can detect a stroke within minutes, according to Beksultan Shakimov, the company’s...


Kazakhstan Launches Academy of IT Architects to Strengthen Digital Government Design

ASTANA — Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development has launched the Academy of IT Architects, a new training program aimed at improving the architectural and...


Kazakhstan, UNDP and EDB Launch Project to Modernize Irrigation and Water Management

ASTANA — Kazakhstan has signed a trilateral agreement with the UN Development Program (UNDP) and the Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) to launch a $5.3 million project aimed...


New Investment Strategy to Boost Kazakhstan’s GDP and Attract Foreign Capital

ASTANA — Kazakhstan is launching a new investment cycle to accelerate economic growth and modernize key industries.  At a Nov. 19 government meeting chaired by Prime Minister...


IMF Sees Inflation Staying Elevated, Urges Kazakhstan to Maintain Tight Monetary Policy

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s push for investment and continued subsidized lending through state-owned enterprises is keeping the broader public sector on an expansionary path, offsetting budget tightening and...


Southern Kazakhstan Advances Energy Capacity with New Plant

ASTANA — Construction has started on a new 50 megawatt (MW) combined-cycle power plant in Auliekol village of the Zhambyl Region, boosting southern Kazakhstan’s energy infrastructure and...


Exclusive: Estonian President Talks Economic Ties, Digital Trust, Academic Exchanges

ASTANA – President of Estonia Alar Karis highlighted key areas of cooperation with Kazakhstan, including digital governance, AI regulation, academic exchanges, and logistics development, in an interview...


Kazakhstan Advances Green Corridor Reforms to Boost Transit Efficiency

ASTANA — Kazakhstan outlined steps to implement the Green Corridor system and strengthen its role as a key Eurasian transit hub during a Nov. 18 meeting chaired...


Kazakhstan Seeks Expanded Grain Exports Through Estonia’s Baltic Ports

ASTANA — Kazakhstan and Estonia are strengthening cooperation in transit logistics to increase the flow of Kazakh grain and other agricultural products through Baltic ports, enhancing access...


Kazakhstan Supports UN Resolution to Halt Gaza Conflict

ASTANA — Kazakh Foreign Ministry welcomed the adoption of United Nations Security Council resolution 2803 (2025) on the comprehensive plan to end the Gaza conflict in a...


Kazakh PM Joins SCO Heads of Government Meeting in Moscow

ASTANA — Kazakh Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov participated in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Heads of Government Council meetings in Moscow, where member states discussed strengthening economic...


Silk Road of Energy: Hydrogen and Rewiring of Eurasia

At the Global Gateway Forum in Brussels, the European Union strengthened its energy partnership with Central Asia by signing agreements with Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic and Uzbekistan...


Uzbekistan’s Industrial Growth Opens New Prospects for Cooperation with Kazakhstan

ASTANA — Uzbekistan’s manufacturing output has doubled to nearly $60 billion as the sector shifts from raw materials to finished goods. According to experts, this growth opens...


Astana to Host FC Kairat’s UEFA Champions League Matches Against Olympiacos and Brugge

ALMATY – Kairat football club will play its upcoming UEFA Champions League home matches against FC Olympiacos on Dec. 9 and FC Brugge on Jan. 20 at...


Kazakh Teen Engineer Designs Robot That Solves Rubik’s Cube in 60 Seconds

ALMATY — Shakhnazar Kamalov, a seventh-grade student from Astana, has built a smart robot capable of cracking a Rubik’s Cube in just 60 seconds, signaling the rising...


Kazakhstan Rises 12 Spots in Global Mobile Internet Speed Ranking

ALMATY — Kazakhstan jumped 12 spots in the latest Speedtest Global Index, ranking 45th worldwide for mobile internet speeds between August and October, a notable rise compared...


Kyrgyz Republic’s Economy Shows Balanced Growth Across Sectors

ALMATY — The Kyrgyz Republic’s economy continued its steady growth in 2025, with the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) reaching 1.427 trillion soms (US$16.32 billion) since January.  The...


Kazakhstan, Estonia Secure $517 Million in Deals at Business Forum

ALMATY — Kazakhstan and Estonia signed 11 commercial agreements worth more than $517 million during a Kazakh-Estonian business forum in Astana on Nov. 18. During the forum,...


Kazakhstan Expands Global Rare-Earth Exploration with New Projects in Rwanda and Afghanistan

ALMATY — Kazakhstan is intensifying its global search for strategic minerals as the national mining company Tau-Ken Samruk launches geological exploration for rare and rare-earth metals in...


Kazakhstan, South Korea Discuss Plans to Expand Strategic Partnership in 2026

ALMATY — Kazakh Foreign Minister Yermek Kosherbayev met with Special Envoy of the Korean Foreign Minister Baik Joo Hyeon on Nov. 17 in Astana to discuss the...


Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan to Visit Kazakhstan This Week

ASTANA — At the invitation of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan will pay a state visit to Kazakhstan on Nov. 20–21. The visit will...


AI Starts with Awareness: Estonian President Talks About Digital Literacy in Guest Lecture to Kazakh Students

ASTANA — The key to managing artificial intelligence and future technology lies in education and early awareness, President of Estonia Alar Karis said in a Nov. 17...


How Digital Systems, Smarter Borders Boost Eurasian Connectivity

ROME — Kazakhstan presented its second national trade-facilitation report on Nov. 11, outlining reforms for 2023-2025 to digitize foreign trade and modernize the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route...


Caspian Sea Shrinks by 36,000 Square Kilometers, Raising Environmental and Economic Concerns

ASTANA — The Caspian Sea has lost 36,000 square kilometers of its surface area over the past 18 years, as water levels along Kazakhstan’s coast continue to...


Astana-Tallinn Partnership Gains New Momentum During Karis’ State Visit

ASTANA — The state visit of Estonian President Alar Karis to Kazakhstan on Nov. 17 marked a renewed push to strengthen cooperation in trade, digital technologies, logistics,...


Astana’s Airport Serves 7.8 Million Passengers in January-October

ASTANA — The Nursultan Nazarbayev International Airport has served nearly 7.8 million passengers in January-October, a 13% increase compared to the same period last year. Growth was...


Halyk Group Opens New Tenge Bank Office in Tashkent

ASTANA — Halyk Group has officially opened a new Tenge Bank office in Tashkent on Nov. 15, symbolically on Kazakhstan’s National Currency Day. The ceremony was attended...


Kazakhstan Adopts Central Asia’s First AI Law

ASTANA — Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has signed Central Asia’s first artificial intelligence law, establishing a sweeping regulatory framework aimed at ensuring the safe, transparent and ethical...


Dimash Qudaibergen to Make Egyptian Debut at Pyramids Echo Festival This Month 

ASTANA — The Pyramids Echo will host Kazakh singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Dimash Qudaibergen for his first performance in Egypt on Nov. 30, closing out the festival’s November...


Kazakh PM Inspects Advances in Oncology and Biomedical Research

ASTANA — Kazakhstan’s Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov reviewed major developments in national oncology and biomedical research during visits to the National Research Oncology Center (NROC) and the...


Kazakhstan Reaffirms Strong Commitment to Stable, Prosperous, and Secure Central Asia

ASTANA — Kazakhstan is fully committed to ensuring a politically stable, economically resilient, and secure Central Asia, Foreign Minister Yermek Kosherbayev said at the meeting of Foreign...


Tokayev Calls for Deeper Integration and Strategic Breakthroughs at Central Asian Leaders Meeting

ASTANA — Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev emphasized that Central Asia has entered a period of profound transformation, calling for deeper regional integration at the seventh consultative meeting...


Nura-Sarysu: Why Water Stress in Central Kazakhstan Can No Longer Be Ignored

Editor’s note: The Astana Times continues a section featuring articles by our readers. As a platform that values diverse perspectives and meaningful conversations, we believe that this...


Kazakh Cinema Emerges as Key Driver of Creative Economy

ASTANA – Zhanerke Rakhman, a senior expert at the Center for Regional Studies and Quality of Life, highlighted the economic and cultural potential of Kazakhstan’s film industry....


Behind Scenes at Astana Opera: Celebrating Artisans Who Make Magic Happen

ASTANA — Astana Opera hosted “Rigoletto” on Nov. 5-6, the famous opera by Giuseppe Verdi, filled with complex characters – the old hunchback, the cynical Duke, and...


Swiss Investor Plans World-Class Alpine Ski Resorts in Ridder and Katon-Karagay

ASTANA – A major Swiss tourism company, Bartholet, is set to develop premier alpine skiing destinations in East Kazakhstan, with projects in Ridder and Katon-Karagay, promising to...


How Do Foreign Tourists Spend Their Money in Kazakhstan?

ASTANA – Foreign visitors to Kazakhstan spend the largest share of their budgets on experiencing the country’s gastronomy, according to a recent analysis by Kazakh Tourism. On...


Tokayev, Mirziyoyev Advance Strategic Alliance at Supreme Interstate Council Meeting

ASTANA — Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev reaffirmed the rapidly expanding Kazakh-Uzbek partnership during the second meeting of the Supreme Interstate Council on...


Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan Presidents Hold High-Level Talks in Tashkent

ASTANA — Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev held comprehensive negotiations on Nov. 15 in Tashkent, reaffirming the strong partnership and strategic alliance between...


Landmark UNESCO Conference Propels Kazakhstan’s Regional Agenda

ASTANA — Kazakhstan’s delegation concluded its participation in the 43rd session of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) General Conference on Oct. 30 –...


Born of Steppe, Forged in War: Malik Gabdullin’s 110th Anniversary

ASTANA — There’s something deeply poetic about the way certain lives seem to echo the land they come from. Malik Gabdullin’s story begins on Nov. 15, 1915....


National Congress of Financiers Kicks Off in Almaty, Focuses on Market Development

ALMATY – The 13th Congress of Kazakh Financiers highlighted the challenges and opportunities facing the financial sector, bringing together leaders of domestic and foreign central banks, financial...


Kazakhstan Rallies Behind Kazakh Champion Golovkin Ahead of World Boxing Presidential Vote

ALMATY — A nationwide wave of online support has emerged in Kazakhstan as sports fans, athletes, and coaches rally behind Olympic silver medalist, Chair of the World...


News Digest: Foreign Media on Kazakhstan–US Relations, EU Partnership, Cultural Bridges and More

ASTANA – The Astana Times has selected articles from global media outlets covering Kazakhstan. This week’s foreign media digest features reports on the deepening Kazakh-U.S. partnership, Dimash...


Tokayev Sets New Agricultural Targets as Sector Reaches Record Output

ALMATY – Kazakhstan harvested a record 27 million tons of grain in 2025 and increased agricultural investment by more than 20%, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev announced at the...


From Opera to Circus: Your Weekend in Astana and Almaty

ASTANA –  From heart warming concerts and captivating theater performances to an exciting football match, both Astana and Almaty offer a delightful array of weekend experiences. The...


Kazakhstan’s Oil Exports Remain Unaffected After Drone Attack on Novorossiysk Terminal

ALMATY – Kazakh Ministry of Energy confirmed that the country’s oil shipments continue uninterrupted, following a Nov. 14 incident at Russia’s Novorossiysk port, where the Sheskharis oil...


Kazakhstan Performs First Robot-Assisted Heart Surgery in Central Asia

ALMATY – Kazakhstan has successfully conducted its first robot-assisted heart surgery, marking a historic milestone for the country and Central Asia. The procedure took place at the...


Kazakhstan Strengthens Role as Eurasian Transport Hub, Explores Space Cooperation

ALMATY – Kazakhstan is positioning itself as a central link between Europe and Asia, strengthening logistics networks along the Middle Corridor and exploring new frontiers in space...


Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic to Strengthen Economic and Cultural Ties 

ALMATY – Kazakhstan and the Kyrgyz Republic further advanced their strategic partnership during the 13th meeting of the Kazakh-Kyrgyz Intergovernmental Council, held in Astana on Nov. 13,...


Foreign Currency Sales Hit $660 Million in October

ASTANA – Sales of foreign currency from the National Fund reached $660 million in October, with the transactions accounting for 11% of overall market activity, or roughly...


Kazakhstan Approves Comprehensive Anti-Money Laundering Measures

ASTANA – The government of Kazakhstan has approved a comprehensive set of measures aimed at reducing the risks of money laundering, terrorist financing, and the proliferation of...


Kazakhstan Takes Part in COP30 in Belém

ASTANA – Kazakhstan is participating in the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Belém, Brazil, on Nov. 10-21. Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources Yerlan Nyssanbayev leads...


Nudging Against Corruption: Using Behavioral Economics in Kazakhstan

Editor’s note: The Astana Times continues a section featuring articles by our readers. As a platform that values diverse perspectives and meaningful conversations, we believe that this...


Kazakhstan Sends Emergency Humanitarian Aid to Earthquake-Hit Afghanistan

ASTANA — Kazakhstan has sent 18 tons of humanitarian aid to Afghanistan to assist those affected by the recent devastating earthquake, reaffirming the country’s commitment to humanism...


Kazakhstan’s Financial Sector Enters AI Era, Says National Bank Governor

ALMATY – Kazakhstan has been positioning itself as a regional leader in digital finance and artificial intelligence, as leading policymakers, regulators, and fintech innovators gathered in Almaty...


AI Reshapes Labor Market: Office Jobs at Risk, Blue-Collar Professions Gain Appeal Among Youth

ASTANA – Artificial intelligence is gradually transforming Kazakhstan’s labor market. While office and administrative roles face higher automation risks, blue-collar professions are increasingly attractive to Generation Z...


Kazakhstan, EU Reaffirm Joint Commitment to Peace and Stability in Afghanistan

ASTANA — Kazakhstan’s Special Representative for Afghanistan Yerkin Tukumov paid a working visit to Brussels to take part in the seventh meeting of the European Union and...


Tokayev’s Trip to Uzbekistan, Estonian President’s Visit to Kazakhstan Set for November

ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev will pay a state visit to Uzbekistan on Nov. 14-15 at the invitation of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. The program of the visit...


Kazakhstan Launches Unified Interbank QR Payment System

ASTANA – Kazakhstan has officially launched a unified interbank QR payment system, allowing consumers to pay with a single QR code regardless of their bank. The system,...


Belgian Journalist Derya Soysal Named Kazakhstan’s Tourism Ambassador

ASTANA – Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Belgium Roman Vassilenko presented Belgian journalist Derya Soysal with the honorary title of Kazakhstan’s Tourism Ambassador on behalf of the Kazakh...


PM Urges European Businesses to Expand Presence in Kazakhstan

ASTANA – Kazakh Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov called on European businesses to launch new joint projects, localize production, and expand their presence in Kazakhstan during the 18th...


Freedom Bank Unveils AI Voice Assistant for Kazakh Entrepreneurs

ASTANA — Freedom Bank Kazakhstan has unveiled a new digital service to make business management easier for local entrepreneurs. The voice-based Freedom AI Assistant, now available in...


Kazakhstan, Russia Sign Landmark Comprehensive Alliance Declaration

ALMATY – The declaration on elevating interstate relations between Kazakhstan and Russia to the level of a comprehensive strategic partnership and alliance marks a historic milestone, said...


Kazakhstan’s Reserves Hit $124.1 Billion on Growth in Gold and Foreign Assets

ALMATY — Kazakhstan’s international reserves rose to $124.1 billion at the end of October, driven by an increase in gold holdings and higher bank deposits with the...


Masdar Signs Battery Storage Deal to Boost Uzbekistan’s Renewable Energy Grid

ALMATY – Masdar, the United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) global clean energy leader, has signed a battery storage service agreement with Uzbek company Uzenergosotish on Nov. 11 to...


Kazakhstan Explores Climate, AI Transformation, Sustainable Corporate Governance

ALMATY — Nazarbayev University (NU) hosted the conference on Governing Transitions: Climate, Artificial Intelligence, and a Sustainable Future for Kazakhstan and Central Asia in Astana, bringing together...


Kyrgyz Republic to Fully Repay External Debt by 2035, Kyrgyz President Says

ALMATY – Kyrgyzstan plans to completely repay its external debt by 2035, President of Kyrgyz Republic Sadyr Japarov announced in a national address on Nov. 10, outlining...


The Steppe and the Star

There are moments in history when geography becomes revelation. When a nation built on the vast silence of the steppe lifts its eyes toward the horizon —...


Kazakhstan to Launch Investment Order Program to Boost Import Substitution in 2026

ALMATY — Kazakhstan will launch the investment order program in 2026 to stimulate domestic production and reduce import dependency, the government announced on Nov. 11, following a...


Kazakhstan, Israel Ink Deal to Strengthen Water Resource Management Cooperation

ALMATY — Kazakhstan and Israel have signed a memorandum of understanding to enhance cooperation in water resource management on Nov. 11. The agreement was signed by Kazakh...


President Tokayev Pays State Visit to Russia, Discusses Bilateral Cooperation

ALMATY – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Russian President Vladimir Putin held an informal meeting on Nov. 11 in Moscow as part of the state visit, reaffirming the...


Experts Stress Skills Development in Central Asia’s Booming Transport Sector

ASTANA – European officials say Central Asia’s transport expansion should go hand in hand with workforce development, as both areas are emerging as key pillars in Central...


Asman Airlines Launches Direct Flights from Almaty to Karakol in December

ASTANA – Asman Airlines will begin regular direct flights between Almaty and Karakol International Airport on Dec. 5, marking the first stable service on this route since...


Yevgeny Brusilovsky: Composer Who Gave Kazakhstan First Opera

ASTANA — This year marks the 120th anniversary of the birth of Yevgeny Brusilovsky, the composer behind Kazakhstan’s first operas and orchestral works.  His legacy includes nine...


Time for Washington to Recognize Central Asia’s Strategic Value, Experts Say

ASTANA — The Atlantic Council’s Eurasia Center convened visiting policymakers and regional experts on Nov. 7, following the C5+1 Presidential Summit, to discuss the future of United...


Dimash Qudaibergen Champions Peace and Love Ahead of London Concert at OVO Arena Wembley

ASTANA — Kazakh singer Dimash Qudaibergen spoke about his mission of peace and love during his live appearance on CNN’s “What We Know with Max Foster,” ahead...


Central Asian Agriculture Ministers Sign Joint Declaration and Food Security Plan Through 2030

ASTANA – Central Asian agriculture ministers signed the joint declaration and Central Asia Food Security Plan through 2030 during a Nov. 10 meeting in Tashkent, aiming to...


Kazakhstan, US Enter New Phase of Strategic Partnership, Experts Say

ALMATY — Kazakhstan’s role as a key strategic partner of the United States is expanding, experts say, as President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s recent visit to Washington yielded more...


Kazakhstan to Send Humanitarian Mission to Afghanistan Following Devastating Earthquakes

ASTANA – Kazakh Foreign Minister Yermek Kosherbayev expressed condolences to the Afghan people over the recent earthquakes and announced that Kazakhstan will soon send a humanitarian mission...


Kazakhstan, American LanzaJet to Partner on Sustainable Aviation Fuel Plant in Kostanai Region

ASTANA – Kazakh Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov met with LanzaJet CEO Jimmy Samartzis and Vice President of Commercial Stephane Thion to discuss industrial and technological collaboration on...


Kazakhstan Attracts Over $70 Million in Exploration Investment 

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Energy has attracted more than $71.6 million in exploration investment for the next six years. Speaking at a Nov. 11 government meeting...


Power, Minerals, and Meaning: Decoding What Trump 2.0 Wants in Central Asia

ASTANA — The panel Central Asia: Influence, Autocracy and Balancing Russia, organized by the Royal Society for Asian Affairs in London on Nov. 6, explored the shifting...


Kazakhstan’s Economy Expands 6.4% in Ten Months

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s gross domestic product surged by 6.4% from January to October compared to the same period last year, fueled by growth in industry, trade, and...


Kazakhstan Strengthens Ties with Singaporean Investors at AIFC Connect 2025

ALMATY – The Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC) hosted AIFC Connect: Singapore 2025, a business event aimed at boosting investment and financial cooperation between Kazakhstan and Singapore...


Kazakhstan’s Assets Shine as Global Investors Seek New Frontiers 

U.S. President Donald J. Trump vowed to make the stock market great again and to bring “Liberation Day” to global trade and tariff agreements. While the U.S....


Kazakhstan Rides Golden Wave of Sporting Achievements on Global Stage

ALMATY — Over the past week, Kazakhstan has seen an impressive series of victories across multiple sports, reaffirming its growing presence on the global athletic stage. From...


Almaty Unveils Monumental Mural Honoring UN’s 80th Anniversary

ALMATY — A unique large-scale mural by surrealist artist Adil Aubekerov, measuring 36 by 6 meters, was unveiled on Nov. 7 at an altitude of 3,200 meters...


Almaty to Host Central Asia’s Most Advanced Padel Facility by 2027

ALMATY — Kazakhstan is set to open the ADD Padel Arena complex in Almaty in 2027, featuring ten international-standard courts designed to host Premier Padel tournaments, President...


Almaty to Create Its Digital Twin to Modernize Urban Management by 2026

ALMATY – Almaty is preparing to create its own digital twin, a virtual model of the city, following the examples of Singapore and Shanghai by the end...


European Training Foundation Director Talks Skills Development, Engagement with Central Asia

TURIN – Pilvi Torsti, director of the European Training Foundation, sat down for an interview with The Astana Times on the sidelines of the fourth high-level group...


Kazakhstan Tops ICAO Safety Standards with 95.7% Compliance

ALMATY — Kazakhstan has achieved a remarkable 95.7% compliance with international aviation safety standards. It was anounce by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) following the comprehensive...


Kazakh Tennis Star Rybakina Secures Historic WTA Finals Win

ALMATY – Elena Rybakina etched her name into tennis history on Nov. 8, becoming the first Kazakh player to win the prestigious WTA Finals singles title. The...


190 Years On, Shokan Ualikhanov Still Lights Our Path

November marks the 190th anniversary of Shokan Ualikhanov’s birth. The exact day is lost to history, but we know he was born in 1835, in Amankaragai village...


Persian Chronicles Reveal Forgotten Ties Between Iran and Kazakh Steppes

ASTANA – There have long been close connections, cultural exchanges, and mutual influences between the Iranian and Turkic worlds, known since ancient times as Iran and Turan,...


Central Asia and US Reaffirm Commitment to Economic Cooperation

ASTANA — The governments of Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and the United States, collectively known as the C5+1 countries, have reaffirmed their commitment to...


News Digest: Foreign Media on C5+1 Summit, Kazakhstan’s Accession to Abraham Accords, EU Cooperation and More

ASTANA – The Astana Times has selected articles from global media outlets covering Kazakhstan. This week’s foreign media digest includes the C5+1 Summit, Kazakhstan’s decision to join...


Central Asia and US Pledge to Safeguard Cultural Heritage

ASTANA — The governments of Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and the United States, known collectively as the C5+1 countries, have agreed to deepen cooperation...