The year 2024 was a remarkable one for Central Asia. Athletes brought home medals from global arenas, cultural projects gained international acclaim, and significant advancements were made in the fields of economy and technology. Here's a roundup of the year's most outstanding achievements.
Kazakhstan
Olympic Games 2024
Kazakhstan concluded the 2024 Paris Olympic Games with seven medals.
Judoka Yeldos Smetov claimed gold in the under-60 kg category. Silver medals were won by gymnast Nariman Kurbanov, Greco-Roman wrestler Demeu Zhadraev, and boxer Nurbek Oralbay. Bronze medals went to shooters Islam Satpayev and Alexandra Le, judoka Gusman Kyrgyzbayev, and female boxer Nazym Kyzaibay.
Rizabek Aitmukhan
Kazakh freestyle wrestler Rizabek Aitmukhan won the U20 World Championship in Pontevedra, Spain. He also secured the U23 World Champion title in freestyle wrestling in Tirana, Albania.
Cannes Lions
For the first time, representatives from Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan joined the jury of the Cannes Lions. The members were Nikita Yermolayev, creative director of RA Kombinat, and Temur Saadiy, design director of MA'NO Branding.
Golden Lion
Kazakhstan's advertising agency GForce won the prestigious "Golden Lion" award at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity. This marks the country's first such achievement.
Guinness World Record
Kazakh grandmothers set a new Guinness World Record at the World Nomad Games. Over 450 artisans crafted a massive quilt in the traditional "quraq korpe" technique, setting a world record.
Central Asia Innovation Hubs
IT Park Uzbekistan and Astana Hub, the largest tech parks in Central Asia, united to promote the region’s startup ecosystem and innovation under the brand "Central Asia Innovation Hubs."
Global Digital Governance Ranking
Kazakhstan improved its position in the global digital governance ranking. According to the UN E-Government Survey 2024, the country climbed to 24th place, four spots higher than the previous report.
Conde Nast Italia
Conde Nast Italia ranked Kazakhstan among the top five skiing destinations globally. Alongside the Kazakh resort, the list includes Troll Peninsula in Iceland, Denali Mountain in Alaska, Kazbegi in Georgia, and Zao Ski Resort in Japan.
Green Destinations Story Awards
Katon-Karagai was named one of the world's most eco-friendly destinations. The national park made it to the top three finalists of the prestigious Green Destinations Story Awards.
Wanderlust Magazine
Kazakhstan was ranked among the top five most promising travel destinations by Wanderlust Magazine in the "Most Desirable Emerging Destination" category.
Neo Nomad Visa
Kazakhstan introduced the Neo Nomad visa for "modern nomads" — international tourists who combine work and leisure while traveling and working remotely.
Telegram Office
Telegram opened an office in Astana. The office is registered at the Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC) and operates from Astana Hub.
Kaspi.kz
Kaspi.kz acquired Turkey's leading marketplace, Hepsiburada. Additionally, the company launched QR code payment options across China in partnership with Alipay+ this year. Harvard Business School also published its second case study featuring Kaspi.kz.
Moody's Rating
Kazakhstan achieved its highest-ever rating from the international Moody's agency — Baa1 with a "Stable" outlook. The upgrade reflects an improved institutional environment and sustainable economic diversification.
Euronews Representation
A Central Asia hub for Euronews opened in Astana. The channel will broadcast "Modern Nomads," highlighting Kazakh culture, "The East-West Link," covering business events in the country, "Voices from Central Asia," featuring interviews with regional figures and "Focus," showcasing major events. Training sessions for Kazakh media staff will also be organized.
Kyrgyzstan
Olympic Games 2024
At the 2024 Olympic Games, athletes from Kyrgyzstan achieved remarkable success. Munarbek Seyitbek uulu became the first boxer in the country’s history to win a silver medal in the under-57 kg category. Meerim Zhumanazarova earned the nation’s only silver in freestyle wrestling in the under-68 kg category. Aisuluu Tynybekova confirmed her status as one of the world’s best wrestlers by winning a bronze medal, marking her second Olympic title.
Zholaman Sharshenbekov, Akzhol Makhmudov, and Uzur Dzhuzupbekov also delighted fans, each earning bronze medals in Greco-Roman wrestling in their respective categories.
Aktan Arym Kubat
Kyrgyz film director Aktan Arym Kubat won the Kazakh Film Critics Association Award for "Best Supporting Actor" for his role in the film Little Samurai. Additionally, his films were showcased in France at the Fema film festival in La Rochelle.
"Mountain Wagtail"
The film Mountain Wagtail by Kyrgyz director Begaly Nargozu received the "Best Directorial Debut" award during the February season of the Hawaii International Film Festival in the United States.
"Kyz Ala Kachuu"
The film Kyz Ala Kachuu by Kyrgyz filmmaker Mirlan Abdykalykov was awarded the prize for "Best Directing" at the Cinema Heritage International Film Festival, held under UNESCO's patronage in Paris.
Zhanylsynzat Turganbayeva
Zhanylsynzat Turganbayeva, an entrepreneur from Kyrgyzstan, is developing the "Supara" recreation zone near Bishkek. In 2024, she was named one of the BBC’s 100 Most Inspiring Women of the World.
HTP House in Silicon Valley
In April 2024, the official opening of the Kyrgyz Republic's High Technology Park House took place in Silicon Valley. This initiative aims to develop local startups and attract entrepreneurs to Silicon Valley for experience sharing, knowledge exchange, and networking opportunities.
Uzbekistan
Olympic Games
The 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris were outstanding for Uzbekistan. The country won a total of 13 medals — eight gold, two silver, and three bronze — placing first in the medal tally among Central Asia and CIS countries.
WCCE
For the first time, Uzbekistan hosted the World Conference on Creative Economy (WCCE), founded in Indonesia in 2018. The conference brought many notable figures to Tashkent, including Naomi Campbell.
Comic Con
The first Comic Con Tashkent was also held in the capital. The two-day event featured voice acting stars, bloggers, and Hollywood actor Peter Facinelli, best known for his role in the Twilight saga, as the headliner.
ELLE
The globally renowned French women’s magazine ELLE launched its editorial office in Tashkent. Uzbekistan became the 50th country to publish this international glossy magazine.
Forbes
The American magazine Forbes included Uzbekistan in its list of the top travel destinations to visit in 2024.
"Dreamers"
The Uzbek documentary Dreamers won the Best Educational Film award at the World Film Festival in Cannes.
Akmal Nuriddinov
The Japanese government awarded the Chairman of the Academy of Arts of Uzbekistan, Akmal Nuriddinov, the Order of the Rising Sun.
Dilorum Yuldosheva
Dilorum Yuldosheva, an entrepreneur from Uzbekistan, turned a tragic accident into an opportunity by starting a clothing business and training dozens of other women. In 2024, she was named one of the BBC’s 100 Most Inspiring Women of the World.
Tajikistan
2024 Olympic Games
At the 2024 Paris Olympics, Tajik athletes won three bronze medals. The medalists were judokas Somon Makhmadbekov and Temur Rakhimov, along with boxer Davlat Boltaev.
International Exhibition
Tajikistan's historical heritage is being showcased at the Great Silk Road exhibition held at the British Museum from September 26, 2024, to February 23, 2025.
World Bank
A permanent office of the World Bank Group has opened in Tajikistan, providing a single point of contact for access to the full range of World Bank Group products and services.
Credit Rating
The international rating agency Standard & Poor's Global Ratings upgraded Tajikistan's long-term credit ratings for foreign and local currency obligations from "B-" to "B."
Artificial Intelligence
A project by Commercial Bank International and zypl.ai was recognized at the AI World Series by ARCET, showcasing achievements in artificial intelligence.
Turkmenistan
Dovletjan Yagshimuradov
In April, Turkmen MMA fighter Dovletjan Yagshimuradov defeated Slovenian Jacob Nedoh at the PFL 2 tournament. In August, he triumphed over Australian Rob Wilkinson in the PFL Grand Prix semifinals, and in November, he won the Professional Fighters League Grand Prix by defeating American Impa Kasanganay.
Alp Arslan Begendzhov
Turkmen wrestler Alp Arslan Begendzhov made history by becoming the first U-20 World Champion in freestyle wrestling from Turkmenistan. This historic achievement occurred at the tournament in Pontevedra, Spain.
One Future
From July 25 to 28, Vienna hosted the 10th World Orchestra Festival, "One Future." The Youth Chamber Orchestra, led by Rasul Klychev, received the jury's highest score of 40 points.
UNESCO Certificate
The city of Arkadag received a UNESCO certificate recognizing the inclusion of "Akhal-Teke Horse Breeding Art and Horse Decoration Traditions" in the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
New Flight Routes
In 2024, airlines launched several new routes from Turkmenistan, including Kuala Lumpur, Jeddah, Ho Chi Minh City, and Milan. Additional flights to Delhi, Urumqi, and Frankfurt were also introduced.
World Smart City Expo
The Turkmen city of Arkadag received three awards at the 2024 World Smart City Expo: the Excellence Award, the Foreign City Award, and the WSCE 2024 Contribution Award.