Kazakhstan chaired the CIS regional council on radioactive waste
In Kurchatov, former Soviet nuclear hub, a conference on final radioactive waste isolation was held July 21–23, 2026.
Ecology
China has tamed the country's largest desert — and is now sharing its experience with Central Asia
In November 2024, China completed a 3,046 km green belt around the Taklamakan Desert, named one of 2025’s top ten engineering feats by WFEO.
World Bank to allocate $20 million to address Central Asia's water issues — 40 million people to benefit
The World Bank’s Board approved the new CAWEC regional program — $20M to boost Central Asian cooperation on transboundary water resource management.
French Ecology Minister resigns over authorization of two banned pesticides — and remains in office
French Ecology Minister Monique Barboux resigned to President Macron, protesting a law that temporarily allows two bee-harming pesticides.
Kashagan. The $4.9 billion fine has still not been paid. Will there be criminal prosecution?
Kazakhstan's Justice Ministry sent NCOC Managing Director Giancarlo Ruiu an official warning of administrative and criminal liability for non-payment of an environmental fine.
China ramps up climate initiatives: what it means for Central Asia
The number of global climate projects launched or managed by China has been steadily increasing since 2009. However, whether this will form the basis for full-fledged climate leadership from Beijing remains an open question, according to Dr. Song Yixian, co-author of the study and professor at the University of Bath.
Living plastic" disappears in six days: scientists create material without microplastics
Researchers from the US and China created a new "living plastic" that fully degrades in just six days after special activation, leaving no microplastics.