Central Asian Countries Research Articles

The impact of the New Silk Road on international maritime logistics

The article identifies the problem of transport corridors of the Eurasian continent, along which goods for various purposes are delivered. Promising areas of trade and economic cooperation between the countries of Central Asia have been identified within the framework of the New Great Silk Road project, taking into account the impact of cargo delivery along alternative routes, including sea.

Changes in the ethnic structure of the population of Central Asia countries in the post-Soviet period

Central Asia is the only macro-region of the post-Soviet space where population growth has been observed over the past three decades, accompanied by a significant restructuring of the ethnic structure. The purpose of the study is to identify the most significant factors that influenced the change in the national composition of the population of the countries of Central Asia that occurred in the post-Soviet era, or more precisely, in the period between 1989 and 2021. The study is based on statistical, graphical and cartographic methods. The analysis showed that the most important factor influencing the change in the ethnic structure of the population of Central Asia in the post-Soviet period was the high natural increase in the titular peoples of the countries of the macroregion, which led to a more than doubling of their numbers in their republics. The second important factor in the ethnic restructuring of the Central Asian states was the reduction in the size of the non-titular population of the republics as a result of their migration outflow and natural decline. The opposite dynamics of the titular and non-titular populations of the Central Asian republics in the post-Soviet period led to a sharp increase in the share of titular peoples in their populations. Currently, in all countries of Central Asia, the share of titular peoples exceeds 70 %, and Tajikistan can already be considered a mononational state.

Project for the development of the Eurasian transport framework in the countries of Central Asia

The paper puts the importance of an international transport corridor for the Republic of Kazakhstan. Two directions of railway communication within the latitudinal Central Eurasian Corridor have been identified. A technique has been developed for applying simulation modeling to identify the bottlenecks on the way of railway flows. Bottlenecks include the intersections of vehicular and pedestrian traffic with rail traffic. In such places, conflicting flows are formed, which may be accompanied by a merger of individual flows. Using the methods of structural analysis, synthesis, system analysis and step-by-step inclusion (or exclusion), the input parameters of simulation models of objects and processes have been established for the case study of Aktobe city in the Republic of Kazakhstan. A graphical model of the behavior of groups of objects for conflicting flows in bottlenecks has been developed, being the basis for the simulation model.

Потребительские предпочтения на мировом рынке мобильных устройств связи

The most important role in the daily life of modern Russian society and every individual is played by mobile communication, which has recently been implemented on the basis of a special kind of mobile devices – smartphones. The relevance of the research problem is determined by the huge range of smartphone use, model-oriented in almost all spheres of human activity – from household, educational, business, recreational to highly specialized: medical care, work in disaster zones, military purposes. The object of the study is the global market of mobile communication devices, the subject is consumer preferences of buyers. The aim is to study the current state of the smartphone market and predict its development. The objectives of the study are to identify the features of the global and Russian smartphone market and to determine the consumer preferences of buyers of mobile devices. The methodological basis of the study they are the dialectical principle and the principle of comprehensiveness, an integrated and systematic. Research methods: analysis, synthesis, induction, deduction. In the course of the research, the volumes of sales and sales of the global smartphone market in 2021–2022 were obtained and analyzed. The trend of sales growth is revealed – the largest share of the total sales of mobile phones falls on the countries of Central Asia and developed countries of Asia, the smallest – on the countries of Eastern Europe and developing countries of Asia and Eurasia. The analysis of sales has showed even the annual instability of this indicator. The leading smartphone manufacturers in 2020–2021, Apple and Samsung, were forced to quickly adapt to market requirements, in particular, by replacing model lines. The main factors determining consumer choice are revealed. The main directions of increasing sales efficiency in the Russian smartphone market are proposed, in particular, the method of segmenting consumers by the following types: demographic, psychographic, consumer solvency.

The Effectiveness of Foreign Aid in the Sphere of Media and Information Literacy in Central Asian Countries

The Effectiveness of Foreign Aid in the Sphere of Media and Information Literacy in Central Asian Countries

Трансформация направлений международной образовательной миграции в Калининградской области

In the context of modern globalization processes, the volume of population involved in international educational migration is growing increasingly intensive, and its results are having a more noticeable impact on socio-political and socio-economic processes. This article examines international educational migration as a source of potential labor resources for the country’s economy and as an indicator for assessing geopolitical and geoeconomic processes. Current trends in international educational migration show that North American and European countries are the main recipients of foreign students, while the donor countries are predominantly from Asia, Africa, and partially Latin America. The demand for and popularity of Russian education in the international educational services market is growing. Under the influence of geopolitical factors and sanctions, the flows of educational immigration to Russia are transforming and reorienting by country. Central Asian countries, China, and India occupy leading positions. Using the example of the Kaliningrad region, a comparative analysis of the transformation of volumes and directions of international educational migration is conducted, and the reasons for these changes are examined. The region is characterized by the expansion and diversification of flows, as well as a decrease in foreign students from geographically close countries and a reorientation to all-Russian trends.

Kyrgyzstan at a Crossroads: Democracy and the Struggle for Human Rights

This paper examines the current human rights situation in Kyrgyzstan, a Central Asian country with a complex history and a challenging human rights record. Despite gaining independence in 1991 and making strides towards democratization, Kyrgyzstan continues to grapple with serious human rights issues. This analysis focuses on three critical areas: the use of torture by law enforcement and security services, restrictions on free expression, and interference with the freedom of association. This paper highlights the gap between the government's commitments to human rights reforms and the reality of persistent abuses and systemic challenges. The study finds that these human rights abuses are not isolated incidents but are indicative of deeper societal and governmental issues that hinder Kyrgyzstan's democratic development. The paper concludes by emphasizing the need for comprehensive reforms and continued domestic and international efforts to address these human rights challenges.

Векторы экономического сотрудничества Узбекистана и Китая

Located in the center of Central Asia, Uzbekistan has become an important link in Beijing’s transport and logistics projects developed within the framework of the Chinese “One Belt, One Road” initiative. After Sh.Mirziyoyev came to power in the republic in 2016, there was an intensification of cooperation between the two countries, which contributed to the transformation of China into the main trading partner and investor of Uzbekistan. Based on the results of meetings between the leaders of the People's Republic of China and the Republic of Uzbekistan in 2023-2024. agreements were concluded that significantly strengthened the Chinese presence in the Uzbek economy and humanitarian sphere. Currently, one of the priorities of economic cooperation between the two countries is the electric power industry, with a special role being given to China’s assistance in the development of “green energy” in Uzbekistan. The growing dependence on China, and not only economic, limits the multi-vector foreign policy that Uzbekistan and other Central Asian countries have proclaimed.

The challenge of doing good: promotion of recycling in Almaty through civic community initiatives

Recycling is one of the key components in reduction of carbon emissions and improving environmental conditions, especially in the urban context. In Central Asia, the legislation and infrastructure necessary for waste management is still under development. Thus, the knowledge gap and public awareness campaigns are mostly done at the grassroots level. This paper looks at the case of recycling promotion through civic community initiatives that also have a charitable component in Almaty. It explores the ethical considerations that are being entangled with the introduction of recycling culture in the city and is grounded in the literature on civil society, environmental ethics and social entrepreneurship. The data was collected through semi-structured interviews with organizers of recycling fairs and NGOs working on recycling. The paper reveals that by appealing to the ethical considerations of people to “do good” and contribute to charitable cause, the organizers of the recycling fair also demonstrate the effects of over-consumerism, ways of doing waste management, and educate about reuse and upcycle culture. The single case of Darmarka in Almaty present a limitation of the study. Therefore, a more in-depth research on the organisation of Darmarka events in other cities in Kazakhstan and CIS, as well as on similar initiatives in other Central Asian countries would be beneficial in the future. This is an important contribution in understanding what challenges and opportunities exist in promotion of recycling in Central Asia, that can be useful to national governments, experts, and international organizations working in this area.

НЕКОТОРЫЕ ОСОБЕННОСТИ ГЕОСТРАТЕГИЧЕСКИХ ИНТЕРЕСОВ ЭКОНОМИЧЕСКОЙ ПОЛИТИКИ ЯПОНИИ В ЦЕНТРАЛЬНОЙ АЗИИ В НАЧАЛЕ ХХI ВЕКА

The article presents the features of Japan's economic policy in the five Central Asian republics in 2000-2024 on the basis of materials from authoritative sources in Russian, English and Japanese. On the basis of authoritative sources, the specifics of the geostrategic importance of Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan and Tajikistan for Japan in a developing multipolar world and Tokyo's vital need for stable partnerships in order to increase its influence are reflected. The main specific trends of economic relations between Japan and Central Asia are revealed. The period 2000-2024 of the study is a logical period of time defining Tokyo's policy in the five republics, as a successor to the previous 1993-1999. This shows the predictability and logic of building schemes for stable economic relations of Tokyo in the region. The specific trends of Japan's policy changes in Central Asia are revealed, taking into account the competitive advantages of the great powers in the region. Seoul's strategies have been taken into account, which are similar to Tokyo's course in the five republics. The main regions in Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan have been identified, where Japanese companies conduct main and contract economic activities at the beginning of the XX1 century, taking into account the dynamics of the previous period 1993-1999. The forecast of the prospects for the development of the dialogue between Japan and Central Asian countries in the 2030s is given.

FOOD SECURITY & MIGRATION: SOME INSIGHTS FROM CENTRAL ASIA

Food security and migration are two interlinked concepts which have not received desired attention in the discipline of international relations. Food insecurity, combined with other non-traditional security threats, has been responsible for political instability in many countries in recent decades. In Central Asia, both food insecurity and migration have been important issues; however, their impact on state varies from country to country in the region. The root cause of food insecurity in Central Asia goes back to second half of the 19th century, when this region gradually came under Tsarist Russia’s colonial rule and cotton monoculture was introduced replacing food crops cultivation in the region. In countries like Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan, the relationship between food security and migration is clearly visible as their youths in large numbers go to Russia seeking employment. Kazakhstan is self-sufficient in food supplies and does not face food problems like these three countries. Food insecurity is an issue in Turkmenistan also; however, lack of relevant data does not allow reaching any conclusions. The Central Asian countries have been dealing with food insecurity; however, they need regional cooperation in order to better handle this issue. This article would also highlight the potential for India-Central Asia cooperation to address food security concerns of the Central Asian countries.

THE ROLE OF AFGHANISTAN IN CENTRAL ASIA: RISKS AND FUTURE PROSPECTS OVERVIEW

In the International landscape Afghanistan encompasses a faltering polity with several arguments that support this claim. The state is known as the buffer state and a landlocked country, which is currently under the umbrella of the Taliban regime. The Central Asian Countries are specifically apprehensive and nervous regarding the uncovered system in Afghanistan, notably considering the withdrawal of international powers in 2014 and then in 2021. Central Asia exemplifies an intricate interplay of risks, challenges, and future. Similarly, this research paper highlights the geopolitical landscape of Afghanistan within the context of Central Asia, emphasizing both the current risks and potential opportunities for the region’s prospects. Besides, it also investigates the challenges and critical rebukes of modern international relations in Central Asia, while exploring avenues for the progress of the scenario examined in the proposed study. However, the researcher employed a descriptive method of inquiry, collecting secondary data from meritorious journals. The research study would be wholesome in analyzing alternatives of Afghanistan and Central Asian ties addressing regional challenges for modern international relations. Thus, the researchers would base new avenues for upcoming related domains in scholarly research. In this way, the present study is limited to investigating Afghanistan in central Asia, navigating its influence with the risk and prospects. It plays a key role in underscoring Afghanistan’s new journey with the Taliban, which aims to globalize the world under new leadership.

Impact of climate change on migration trends in rural Central Asia

Central Asia is considered a region highly vulnerable to climate change impact and susceptible to climate-induced migration. Rural populations throughout the region are particularly at risk of experiencing adverse effects of climate variability and (im) mobility due to increased exposure to environmental hazards and distress that can severely affect agricultural productivity. This paper explores how climate change impacts migration trends in rural areas of Central Asia with an aim to contribute to the research on climate mobility in the region focusing on most vulnerable inhabitants. By examining the ongoing region's environmental degradation with increased aridity and retreating glaciers that affect local agriculture, water and food security, this paper suggests possible outcomes of such effects on rural mobility trends across five Central Asian countries.

Unveiling the spatial distribution and transboundary pathways of FMD serotype O in Western China and its bordering countries.

Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is a severe, highly contagious viral disease of livestock that has a significant economic impact on domestic animals and threatens wildlife survival in China and border countries. However, effective surveillance and prevention of this disease is often incomplete and unattainable due to the cost, the great diversity of wildlife hosts, the changing range and dynamics, and the diversity of FMDV. In this study, we used predictive models to reveal the spread and risk of FMD in anticipation of identifying key nodes to control its spread. For the first time, the spatial distribution of FMD serotype O was predicted in western China and border countries using a niche model, which is a combination of eco-geographic, human, topographic, and vegetation variables. The transboundary least-cost pathways (LCPs) model for ungulates in the study area were also calculated. Our study indicates that FMD serotype O survival is seasonal at low altitudes (March and June) and more sensitive to temperature differences at high altitudes. FMD serotype O risk was higher in Central Asian countries and both were highly correlated with the population variables. Ten LCPs were obtained representing Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and China.

KAZAKHSTAN IN EURASIAN REGIONALISM: PROBLEM STATEMENT

This article raises an important issue of Kazakhstan’s potential to transcend the traditional understanding of Eurasian regionalism, which is mainly associated with the post-Soviet space, including the Eurasian Economic Union. The authors question the broadening of the definition of “Eurasian regionalism” and assess new opportunities for Kazakhstan’s participation in the Eurasian regional process within a broader continental context. Approaching Eurasian regionalism from a new perspective allows us to consider Kazakhstan not only as a participant in the post-Soviet space, but also as a key player at the continental level. The article raises the question of Kazakhstan’s capabilities in the context of Eurasian regionalism, given its geopolitical location and economic potential; the limitations of Kazakhstan’s participation in regional initiatives such as the EAEU and SCO compared to global trends and roles in the region. The article examines the new challenge for Kazakhstan and other Central Asian countries as maintaining independence in the face of changes in the geopolitical environment; the role of international cooperation and integration for Kazakhstan as a strategic element in its foreign policy and economic development. The necessity of diversity of external relations and strategic partnership for Kazakhstan in the conditions of multi-vector approach is emphasized. The article also points out the importance of Kazakhstan’s active participation in international integration processes and its role in global production chains and infrastructure projects to strengthen the economy and increase the country’s status in the global community.

Integration of the agricultural sector and water use system of Kyrgyzstan in the context of global integration programs

The peculiarities of agricultural development and water use system in Kyrgyzstan and Central Asian countries are revealed. The main features of the land-saving type of development of the industry, characterized by low labor productivity, predominant production in the household sector, and small size of land are defined. The current system of water use, utilization and management of water resources was assessed. In the context of OBOR global integration programs, the directions of development of the agrarian belt, integration of the agrarian sector and water use system are substantiated. The main aspects of this integration are considered, including agricultural policy and support, introduction of innovative technologies for efficient water use in the agricultural sector and ensuring sustainable development of agriculture and water use system.

Assessment of educational migration potential from Central Asia to the Sverdlovsk Region

The article analyses and assesses the prospects of educational migration of young people from Central Asian countries to the Sverdlovsk Region as one of the Russian regions with a developed educational infrastructure. Based on the results of a sociological survey of labour migrants in the Sverdlovsk Region, conducted by the authors in 2023, it is concluded that the level of professional education of labour migrants is quite low and does not meet the current needs of the Russian labour market. In the future, the observed population growth in Central Asian countries, including its youth contingent, may contribute to an increase in the flow of educational migration to Russia and its regions. In this regard, it will be necessary to adapt the entire educational system and, first of all, the system of vocational education and training to this process. Keywords: educational migration, labor migrants, vocational education and training, vocational education system

The Visibility of Religion and Religious Symbols in the Public Sphere in Central Asian Countries

The Central Asian countries endured nearly seven decades of Soviet rule under the USSR, during which all manifestations of religious expression were suppressed, and religion was systematically marginalized from the public domain. However, following their independence in 1991, there has been a discernible surge in the prominence of religion within the Central Asian states. Despite the contentious nature of its resurgence, there has been a rapid revitalization of religious practices, evidenced by the establishment of mosques and madrasas, and a noticeable integration of religion into public life. Concurrently, these nations have remained steadfast in their commitment to maintaining secular institutions, including politics and education. Through a sociological lens, this article endeavors to investigate the role of religion and the utilization of religious symbols within the public sphere of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan—representative of the Central Asian states in the post-independence era.

Problems of and prospects for the development of railway infrastructure in Kazakhstan

The rail transport remains and will in the foreseeable future remain the main mode of transport in Kazakhstan. Its importance is enhanced by the growing transit rail traffic between China and the European Union as well as between the Central Asian countries and Russia, by the fact that Kazakhstan is a landlocked country and by an active development of the Chinese Belt and Road Initiative. This is why it is so important to consider the problems of and prospects for the development of railway infrastructure in the country. The study is based on the relevant literature review and interviews with representatives of major market players and academia. The interviewees identified and discussed the major problems, recommended their solutions, and suggested ways forward. It is proposed to organize a thorough discussion of these solutions and to implement the approved ones. In general, the topic of this article is of serious importance for the country because the full utilization of its transport and transit potential will support the overall national development.

Some Discourses on the Human Development Model in Central Asia

This article analyses on the development of the concept of human development is one of the main factors in the performance of social, political and economic tasks in modern international relations. On this basis, human development issues are considered one of the most important and pending problems of the current era. All the reforms carried out in our country underlie human interests. During the period after independence, the Central Asian countries took bold steps towards the development of a legal democratic state. The cooperation of the countries of the region, including Uzbekistan, with world countries is expanding. Research into the position of Central Asian countries in the UN and its programs is becoming important. In 2000, the UN adopted the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) and in 2015 the Sustainable Development Goals, placing commitments to all countries that signed the document on its implementation. In 2005, the UN General Assembly approved ten-year activities to apply International Development Goals to countries. By the end of 2006, it was agreed to adopt national tasks to achieve the goals and objectives in the MRM declaration. In September 2015, the MDGs were replaced by 173 tasks embodied in 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for implementation.