This week in Central Asia: Kazakhstan rebrands a national airline with a Vietnamese partner, Kyrgyzstan celebrates international film success, Uzbekistan welcomes Krispy Kreme and a new tech university, and Tajikistan joins a global peace alliance. Here's a roundup of the most interesting developments.
Kazakhstan
Qazaq Air rebrands as VietJet Qazaqstan
VietJet and Qazaq Air announced a strategic partnership to launch a new airline brand called VietJet Qazaqstan. The news was revealed during a Kazakhstan-Vietnam business roundtable, held as part of the Vietnamese General Secretary To Lam’s state visit.
Source: tengrinews.kz
Almaty circus performers enter Guinness World Records
Batyr Zhanuzak and Marlen Maratov from the famous "SERBAT" acrobatic group have set a Guinness World Record in Milan. They achieved the fastest time ascending and descending two staircases while balancing a person doing a headstand — in just 36.66 seconds.
Source: inform.kz
Kazakh boxer Janibek Alimkhanuly ranked among world’s top 20
According to boxing journalist Stephen Edwards of Boxingscene.com, Janibek Alimkhanuly, WBO and IBF world middleweight champion, is now ranked 20th among the world’s best pound-for-pound fighters.
Source: sports.kz
Zhambyl tulips may join UNESCO heritage list
The international festival "Qyzgaldaq mura" — Tulip Heritage, kicked off in Zhambyl region. Scientists at a local conference proposed that native Kazakh tulips be recognized as a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site, along with creating a geopark to preserve them.
Source: tengrinews.kz
Astana to host international track cycling event
From May 16 to 18, Astana will host the Silk Way Series Astana 2025, an international track cycling competition. Athletes from 10 countries, including Kazakhstan, South Korea, Greece, and Uzbekistan, will compete.
Source: inform.kz
Kyrgyzstan
Kyrgyz film wins Grand Prix at major German film festival
The short film Zhaylooго Karai Uzak Zhol won two awards at the Oberhausen International Short Film Festival: the Grand Prix of the city of Oberhausen and the second prize from the North Rhine-Westphalia Ministry of Culture and Science.
Source: weproject.media
Kyrgyzstan to launch gold-backed stablecoin USDKG
A new gold-backed stablecoin called USDKG will be launched by Kyrgyzstan’s Ministry of Finance in Q3 2025. It will be pegged to the US dollar and mainly used for cross-border transactions.
Source: 24.kg
Kyrgyzstan ranks 117th in UN Human Development Index
In the 2025 UNDP Human Development Report titled “The Choice is Ours”, Kyrgyzstan ranks 117th out of 193 countries. The report highlights ongoing improvements in education, healthcare, and living standards.
Source: 24.kg
Uzbekistan
New tech university Tashkent Tech to launch with BCG support
Uzbekistan will open a new technical university called Tashkent Tech. The institution will be established in stages with support from Boston Consulting Group, based on the Tashkent State Technical University.
Source: gazeta.uz
T’way Air to start flights between Seoul and Tashkent
South Korean low-cost airline T’way Air is launching regular flights between Seoul and Tashkent starting May 23. The flights will run four times a week.
Source: weproject.media
Krispy Kreme coming to Uzbekistan
American donut chain Krispy Kreme is entering the Uzbek market. The first store is set to open in mid-July at the Alfraganus shopping mall in Tashkent.
Source: spot.uz
First Creative Economy faculty opens in Uzbekistan
With support from the Art and Culture Development Foundation, Uzbekistan has opened its first Faculty of Creative Economy at Westminster International University in Tashkent. It aims to train professionals in digital tech, cultural policy, and creative business.
Source: weproject.media
Greek embassy opens in Tashkent
The Embassy of Greece has officially opened in Tashkent. Uzbekistan’s Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov received the credentials of Ambassador Paraskevi Tseveleki and welcomed the start of diplomatic activity.
Source: weproject.media
Uzbekistan, ADB sign $3.6B project agreement
Uzbekistan and the Asian Development Bank have signed a program to implement 23 new projects between 2025-2026. These cover education, water, transport, and financial support. The total funding is $3.6 billion.
Source: spot.uz
Tajikistan
Tajikistan joins UN Alliance of Civilizations Friends Group
Tajikistan has become a member of the Group of Friends of the UN Alliance of Civilizations. A formal letter confirming the membership was delivered at the country's Permanent Mission to the UN.
Source: khovar.tj
ADB and Tajikistan to develop STEM education through 2030
Tajikistan’s Ministry of Education met with the Asian Development Bank to discuss their STEM education project, which will run until June 2030. The project includes training, resource support, and international collaboration to improve science and tech education.
Source: khovar.tj
