This week, Central Asia advanced through innovation and achievement — from Uzbekistan’s golds at the Asian Youth Games and the launch of a UNESCO Park in Samarkand to Kazakhstan’s strengthened ties with Finland. Kyrgyzstan expanded digital education and celebrated global sports success, while Azerbaijan marked historic wins in wrestling and climate diplomacy. The region continues to build momentum on the world stage through collaboration and creativity.
Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan secures historic victory at U-23 World Wrestling Championship
The Azerbaijan national wrestling team made history at the U-23 World Championship in Novi Sad, Serbia, earning three gold, one silver, and three bronze medals — the team’s best result ever. Azerbaijan placed fourth overall, following Japan, Iran, and the United States.
Source: report.az
Baku to host the 2026 World Judo Championships
Baku, Azerbaijan, will host the 2026 World Judo Championships from October 4 to 11, marking the city’s return as a global judo hub after first hosting in 2018. The event will bring together the world’s top judoka to compete in fourteen weight categories and a mixed team event, serving as a key milestone on the road to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Source: report.az
Paris Peace Forum: COP30 to present new document “Roadmap from Baku to Belém”
At the Paris Peace Forum, COP29 President and Azerbaijani Presidential Representative for Climate Affairs Mukhtar Babayev announced that a new document titled “Roadmap from Baku to Belém” will be presented at COP30. He emphasized that the global climate crisis has become a daily reality, calling for shared responsibility, increased climate financing, and renewed trust between developed and developing nations to ensure justice, equity, and solidarity in global climate action.
Source: azertag.az
Kazakhstan
Kazakh artists selected for the British Council’s Global Creative Collaboration Program
Five Kazakh artists and organizations have been awarded the British Council’s 2025 Connections Through Culture CTC grants, joining 127 international projects that promote creative partnerships between the UK and global communities. Their initiatives span participatory art, sound design, inclusive music, and sustainability-focused storytelling, addressing themes such as climate change and community creativity.
Source: astanatimes.com
Kazakh boxing legend Gennadiy Golovkin nominated for World Boxing Presidency
Kazakh Olympic silver medalist and National Olympic Committee President Gennadiy Golovkin has been officially nominated for the presidency of the World Boxing Federation, with elections set for November 23 in Rome. As Chair of the World Boxing Olympic Committee, Golovkin has been instrumental in strengthening ties with the IOC and securing boxing’s place in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Source: astanatimes.com
Kazakh weightlifter breaks three records and wins gold at Youth Asian Games
Kazakh weightlifter Alikhan Askerbay delivered a stunning performance at the Youth Asian Games in Manama, Bahrain, claiming two gold medals in the 71 kg category. He won both the snatch and the clean and jerk events, lifting 172 kg — setting new world, Asian, and Youth Asian Games records.
Source: zakon.kz
Kazakhstan and Finland deepen economic and technological partnership
During the Kazakhstan-Finland Business Forum in Astana, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Finnish President Alexander Stubb reaffirmed their countries’ commitment to expanding cooperation in trade, energy, digital innovation, and sustainable transport. Finnish investment in Kazakhstan rose by over 80% last year, reaching nearly $500 million, with leading companies like Nokia, Fortum, and Wärtsilä contributing to projects in renewable energy, logistics, and industrial modernization.
Source: astanatimes.com
Kyrgyzstan
Kyrgyzstan’s RAY Team triumphs at World Cup Tournaments in Malaysia
Kyrgyzstan’s RAY team claimed victory at the Aesthetic Group Gymnastics World Cup tournaments in Kuala Lumpur, winning the Dato’ Malek Cup and taking silver in the Magga Cup. Competing in the 8-10 age category, the young athletes showcased outstanding skill and proudly represented Kyrgyzstan on the international stage.
Source: 24.kg
Kyrgyzstan launches Ustat Digital Platform for teacher training
Kyrgyzstan’s Ministry of Education has launched Ustat, a new digital platform for distance learning and professional development of teachers, developed by local IT company Ulut Soft.kg. The platform provides online courses, video lectures, and electronic certification tools, aligning with the country’s digital education strategy. Over 9000 teachers have already registered and begun training.
Source: 24.kg
Osh State University scientists uncover an ancient archaeological site in Kara-Suu
An expedition led by researchers from Osh State University discovered an ancient archaeological site in the Shut pasture of the Kara-Suu district, dating back to the 2nd-1st centuries BC. The team found pottery fragments, hand mill remains, and pre-Turkic petroglyphs, providing valuable insights into the region’s early culture and economy. The university plans to register the site as a protected historical monument.
Source: 24.kg
Uzbekistan
Serbia may open an Embassy in Tashkent
During talks between Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić, the possibility of opening a Serbian embassy in Tashkent was discussed, according to Uzbekistan’s Migration Agency head Behzod Musayev. The meeting resulted in the signing of several bilateral documents, including a key memorandum on labor migration cooperation, allowing Serbian companies to hire Uzbek workers through organized migration. Officials also discussed launching direct flights between Tashkent and Belgrade to reduce travel costs.
Source: uzdaily.uz
Construction of UNESCO Park begins in Samarkand
Samarkand has launched the creation of a new UNESCO Park, located next to the “Yangi Uzbekistan” park on a five-hectare site. The project will recreate miniature versions of nine legendary gardens founded by Amir Timur and feature over 4000 decorative trees and shrubs of 27 species, including chestnuts, Japanese sophora, oaks, tulip trees, roses, and lavender. The park will serve as both a leisure space and an environmental education center, hosting green initiatives and eco-awareness activities for youth.
Source: uzdaily.uz
Bahrain 2025: Uzbekistan wins gold in cycling, wrestling, and weightlifting
On October 28, Uzbekistan’s national team added to its medal tally at the Asian Youth Games, claiming multiple golds across several sports. Cyclist Gulkhayo Sattorova secured the first gold of the day in the 75 km road race, while wrestlers Ulugbek Rashidov 51 kg and Mukhlisa Masharipova 40 kg earned gold in freestyle wrestling. Weightlifter Marzhona Abdumutalova took two golds in the 58 kg category, setting new Asian Youth Games records with lifts of 88 kg and 111 kg. By the end of the day, Uzbekistan had won a total of 41 medals — 19 gold, 5 silver, and 17 bronze.
Source: uzdaily.uz