This week in Central Asia — Kazakhstan launched a free AI tutor for school students. Kazakh teams are competing in the FIRST Robotics Championship, and local women earned top spots at Mrs. Globe in China. In Kyrgyzstan shuttle buses will serve Ala-Archa Park. Uzbekistan will modernize Urgench Airport with Incheon Airport and host the 2025 UN Public Service Forum. All this and more in our weekly digest.
Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan launches free AI tutor for school students
A free AI-powered tutor is now available on the Testter.kz platform for schoolchildren in Kazakhstan. It helps explain topics, gives assignments, identifies knowledge gaps, and prepares students for national and international exams. The tool adapts to each student’s level and aims to improve education accessibility.
Source: zakon.kz
Kazakh students compete at World Robotics Championship in the U.S.
Seven school teams from Kazakhstan are participating in the prestigious FIRST Robotics Championship in Houston, USA. This year's theme focuses on exploring and protecting the underwater world. The Kazakh delegation, selected through the Almaty Tech Cup, includes teams from Pavlodar, Almaty, Astana, and Karaganda. Notably, Kazakhstan is a three-time champion of the FIRST Global Challenge, highlighting the country's growing prominence in international school robotics.
Source: zakon.kz
Kazakh women shine at Mrs. Globe 2025 in China
Kazakh participants achieved remarkable success at the Mrs. Globe 2025 pageant in China, with Marina Asherbekova-Voevodina earning the title of second runner-up. The event featured 80 contestants from around the world, and Kazakh women secured spots among the top 30, showcasing their strength, beauty, and limitless potential on the global stage.
Source: zakon.kz
Dias Zhiyenbayev wins gold at Kazakhstan's Winter Spartakiad
Dias Zhiyenbayev, representing Astana, secured first place in men's figure skating at the VI Winter Spartakiad held in Ust-Kamenogorsk. He outperformed Artur Smagulov from Kyzylorda Region and Oleg Melnikov from Shymkent, who took silver and bronze respectively.
Source: zakon.kz
Halyk Bank introduces WeChat QR payment for Chinese tourists
Halyk Bank has launched a new cashless payment service using the popular Chinese messenger WeChat. Kazakhstani merchants can now accept payments from Chinese citizens through a universal QR code scanned via the WeChat Pay app on the bank's POS terminals. This initiative aims to simplify transactions for Chinese tourists by providing them with a familiar and accessible payment method.
Source: tengrinews.kz
Construction of tourist center begins in Bozzhyra
On April 13, construction commenced on a modern visitor center in the Bozzhyra tract of Mangystau Region, Kazakhstan. The project includes a 450-square-meter visitor center, 17 glamping pavilions, 50 hotel rooms, and an ethno-café. Funded by a local private investor, the complex is designed to meet environmental standards, incorporating solar energy and waste sorting systems. The initiative aims to boost regional tourism and provide economic opportunities for local communities.
Source: tengrinews.kz
Kyrgyzstan
Uzbekistan plans free trade zones on Kyrgyz Border
Uzbekistan intends to establish free trade and industrial zones in the border districts of Andijan Region, adjacent to Kyrgyzstan. President Shavkat Mirziyoyev announced the initiative during a meeting on April 16, highlighting the annual $200 million export volume from Andijan to Kyrgyzstan. The proposed zones aim to boost regional trade and economic cooperation. A master plan will be developed in consultation with local entrepreneurs.
Source: 24.kg
Shuttle buses to Ala-Archa National Park for May holidays
From May 1 to 11, Bishkek will operate a special bus route to Ala-Archa National Park. Buses will run from 08:00 AM to 07:00 PM, with fares set at 50 KGS for cash payments and 40 KGS for cashless transactions. Additionally, two free electric shuttles will transport visitors within the park. The city administration encourages residents to use public transportation to avoid traffic congestion.
Source: 24.kg
Kyrgyzstan and Japan strengthen cooperation
Kyrgyzstan and Japan discussed expanding cooperation in investment, education, IT, and cultural exchange. Kyrgyzstan shared plans to modernize hydroelectric plants, with Japan offering investment and technology support. The countries also addressed labor migration and social protection, reaffirming their commitment to strengthening strategic ties.
Source: 24.kg
Kyrgyzstan and Russia promote Green Public Procurement
Kyrgyzstan and Russia are working to stimulate green public procurement. Russian experts presented global approaches, including financial incentives and competitions for the best suppliers. Kyrgyzstan's Ministry of Finance is improving the public procurement portal and making legislative changes to support green initiatives.
Source: 24.kg
First Kyrgyz student association opens in Japan
The first Association of Kyrgyz Students in Japan was launched in Tokyo, aiming to support and integrate students through cultural and academic exchanges. The event featured presentations on Kyrgyzstan, traditional music, and an excerpt from the "Manas" epic.
Source: 24.kg
Uzbekistan
Incheon Airport to manage Urgench Airport
South Korea’s Incheon Airport Corporation will modernize and operate Urgench Airport in Uzbekistan under a 19-year agreement. The project aims to improve passenger and cargo terminals, boosting the region’s tourism potential.
Source: spot.uz
Samarkand to host 2025 UN public service forum
Samarkand, Uzbekistan, will host the 2025 United Nations Public Service Forum from June 23 to 25. The event, themed "Five Years to 2030: Accelerating Public Service Delivery for a Sustainable Future," is co-organized by UN DESA and Uzbekistan's Ministry of Digital Technologies. It will convene global leaders to discuss public service innovation, digital transformation, and strategies to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.
Source: gazeta.uz
Mass run "Yangi Nafas" held across Uzbekistan
On April 13, the 7th Tashkent International Marathon took place, gathering a record number of participants, including corporate teams, students, and amateur runners. The event featured various distances and aimed to promote healthy lifestyles and community engagement.
Source: gazeta.uz
IsDB grants $40M to Uzbekistan for education development
The Islamic Development Bank will provide Uzbekistan with a $40 million grant to support the development of preschool and school education. This funding aims to enhance educational infrastructure and resources across the country.
Source: gazeta.uz
Uzbekistan expands QR code payments
Uzbekistan launched a QR-online service to promote cashless payments. Businesses can now accept payments by generating QR codes, with transactions processed via mobile apps. The system aims to simplify payments and boost electronic transactions.
Source: gazeta.uz
Tajikistan
Youth lead gender equality efforts in Tajikistan
A roundtable in Dushanbe marked 30 years since the Beijing Women's Conference, highlighting progress in gender equality in Tajikistan. Experts emphasized the importance of youth taking the lead in addressing gender issues, stressing the need for better implementation of existing laws.
Source: asiaplustj.info
Tajikistan and Uzbekistan aim for $2B trade by 2030
Tajikistan and Uzbekistan aim to increase trade turnover to $2 billion by 2030. Over the past five years, trade between the two countries has doubled, and over 300 joint ventures have been established. However, there is still significant untapped potential for growth.
Source: asiaplustj.info
France to triple quotas for Tajik Students
France will increase the number of scholarships for Tajik students in its universities from 50 to 150, according to the Ministry of Education and Science of Tajikistan. This expansion aims to enhance educational opportunities and strengthen bilateral ties between the two countries.
Source: asiaplustj.info