Preparations for World Nomad Games in Full Swing
The excitement is palpable as the World Nomad Games draw near, with preparations reaching their peak. In the heart of Kazakhstan, the Ethnoaul village has transformed into a vibrant hub of cultural celebration, with 17 regions proudly showcasing their heritage through the erection of traditional yurts. These structures not only serve as a testament to Kazakhstan's rich nomadic history but also as a welcoming space for visitors to experience the warmth of Kazakh hospitality.
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Image: Ilyas Otan[/caption]
The village is buzzing with activity as skilled craftsmen display their intricate handiwork, from ornate textiles to beautifully crafted jewelry, each piece telling a story of cultural legacies. Artists are bringing the village to life with vibrant performances and exhibitions, while chefs are preparing to tantalize the taste buds of attendees with traditional Kazakh cuisine, offering a culinary journey through the diverse flavors of the region.
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Image: Ilyas Otan[/caption]
Athletes, musicians, and performers from all corners of the globe have descended upon the village, each bringing their unique flair to the games. Among them, TCA met enthusiastic archers from France and Poland, whose passion for the sport is matched only by their eagerness to engage with fellow competitors and share in the cultural exchange that the games foster.
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Image: Ilyas Otan[/caption]
Nature has its own plans, however, with forecasts predicting rain, casting a shadow over the festivities. Yet, the spirit of the participants remains undampened, as they view the challenge as an opportunity to unite under a common cause, demonstrating their resilience and camaraderie.
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Image: Ilyas Otan[/caption]
Silk Road Treasures: Almaty’s Mountains
Under the banner of "Silk Road Treasures", TCA's people -journalists, editors, authors- share their personal experiences of Central Asia and her people, and by listing their favorite places, literature, films, architecture and archaeological sites, alongside encounters with customs and traditions, provide pointers for readers wishing to visit the region.
Vagit Ismailov, Journalist
The first thing a travelers notice when descending at Almaty International Airport are the towering snow-capped peaks of the Zailiyskiy Alatau mountains.
However, alongside their majestic presence which make this city unique, the mountains harbour a constant threat which anyone who has experienced an earthquake whilst inside a high-rise building, will both well understand and fear.
Almaty, capital of Kazakhstan until 1997, is one of those cities whose growth is independent of either metropolitan status or the presence of large enterprises.
Now one of the most dynamic cities in the post-Soviet space and, perhaps, one of the most prosperous in Central Asia, the ever-evolving city absorbs money from other regions and boasts a wealth of amenities, high-end restaurants and cosy cafes to welcome customers day and night.
Inevitably, the population continues to rise and as commented by one of Almaty's akims (mayors), every day, the number of people entering the city is equivalent to Latvia's population of over 1.5 million. As a result, the roads are constantly clogged with traffic, again showing the megacity's restless energy and the potential for further growth.
Amidst the boom in development which has spurred the construction of modern residential and business complexes, the city center remains quintessentially Soviet in style, flanked by streets of familiar communist apartment blocs from the sixties and seventies. Today's new builds reach for the sky but under the Soviet regime, high-rise construction was forbidden in Almaty. The only exception was the Kazakhstan Hotel, which standing 102 meters high, is now the city's third tallest building. Constructed in 1977, it was designed to withstand zone 9-point seismic activity, but nevertheless, its survival of several earthquakes is regarded as miraculous.
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Hotel "Kazakhstan" Image: @iStock[/caption]
The proximity of the mountains and unspoilt natural landscape, provide residents and tourists alike, a perfect place to relax and enjoy the great outdoors. The nearby resorts of Shymbulak and Medeo, home to the world's largest ice rink which sits like a diamond in a box of green velvet, offer a range of winter sports facilities. Cable cars traversing deep gorges, operate all year round, aiding access to the high pastures, and panoramic views of the Tien Shan ranges, and numerous, graded hiking trails wind through passes to lakes and waterfalls. Scenery aside, visitors can experience more of what Kazakhstan has to offer by sampling local fayre in various venues and watching demonstrations of eagle hunting, and for lovers of antiquity, there are petroglyphs to be discovered, carved on red rock, and the famous Boroldai Saka Burial mounds, dating back to V-VIII BC.
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Medeo. Image: @iStock[/caption]
But the threat of the Zailiyskiy Alatau is ever-present. In 1887, an earthquake of 9-10 points wiped the town off the face of the earth. The authorities discussed moving Verny (the Imperial Russian name for Almaty) to a safer place, but architect Andrei Zenkov and his colleagues convinced them instead, to start seismic strengthening of buildings.
Using the latest technologies of the time, the Ascension Cathedral was built, and at 54 meters, is one of the tallest wooden churches in the world and a spiritual symbol of Orthodoxy in Central Asia. In 1910, the city was hit be another powerful earthquake. Architect Zenkov ran through the crumbling, panic-stricken city, afraid to see his brainchild in ruins, but the cathedral survived, and today, its elegant facade sits like a jewel in one of Almaty's best parks.
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Ascension Cathedral, Image: TCA, Stephen M. Bland[/caption]
The fate of the cathedral and other stories about earthquakes in Almaty are by no means the stuff of legends. In January and March 2024, the city was again shaken by 5-6 point earthquakes. Inhabitants of high-rise buildings were terrified that they would not have time to get out. Walls and furniture swayed, and people fled from their houses in nothing but their underwear. Several people jumped out of windows and injured themselves, and within half an hour, the city's highways were blocked by unprecedented traffic jams as people tried to escape.
In the aftermath, commuters were always in a hurry to leave the city, and demand for apartments in high-rise new buildings dropped. Native Almaty residents who usually perceive earthquakes with a philosophical calm are frightened, too.
It's a scary place to live, say citizens raising their eyes to the snowy peaks, but the mesmerizing beauty of the mountains more than compensates for our fear.
The Onset of “Friend-Shoring” in Central Asia
As Central Asia’s significance for global supply chains grows, the world’s major economic powers are seeking closer economic ties with the region’s countries. China, Russia, and the West all curry favor through investments and initiatives to bolster the region’s exports and secure their supply chains. Bordering China and Russia, Central Asia spans a land surface area corresponding to 87% the size of the entire European Union (EU). The region has a combined market of 76 million people and gross domestic product of 450 billion U.S. dollars. It is critical to global energy supply chains as it possesses 20% of the world's uranium reserves, as well as 17.2% of total oil and 7% of natural gas deposits. Kazakhstan produces over half of the EU’s critical raw materials, i.e. substances used in technology which are subject to supply risks and are hard to replace with substitutes. In the first seven months of 2024, rail cargo across the Middle Corridor, a trans-Caspian trade route linking China to Europe, has increased 14-fold compared to the same period last year. As the region opens up and undergoes significant economic transformation, supply chains are increasingly directed there, sparking competition for control over its vast natural resources and production capabilities. Major economic powers are stepping in to strengthen bilateral ties to ensure reliable trade partnerships. These strategies, known as “friend-shoring,” aim to reduce geopolitical risks, enhance supply chain stability, and transform Central Asian countries into trusted allies by fostering strong bilateral relationships and deeper economic ties. China and Russia remain at the helm of regional activity China has been actively engaging with Central Asian countries through strengthening economic ties and building strategic partnerships. Through the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which aims to enhance infrastructure and trade connectivity across the region, China has helped strengthen the region’s rail network. China supplies equipment and invests in Uzbekistan’s electric vehicles, scooters, and leather production. Uzbekistan, in partnership with PowerChina and Saudi company ACWA Power, is also constructing the country’s first green hydrogen plant. Kyrgyzstan’s bilateral trade with China was up 30% in 2023 compared to 2022. This year, Turkmenistan has surpassed Russia in gas exports to China. In 2023, Kazakhstan's agricultural exports to China doubled to $1 billion compared to 2022, making China the largest importer of agricultural products from the country. Historically, Russia has been a major trading partner for Central Asian countries due to the Soviet legacy of a command economy, which established strong economic interdependencies that persisted in post-USSR period. While the region is aggressively diversifying its trade relationships, Russia is increasing gas supplies and energy infrastructure investments, specifically in renewables and nuclear facilities. Kazakhstan delivers most of its oil to Europe through Russia. Russian-led organizations, including the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), promote cooperation and economic integration with free movement of goods, services, and capital among member states. Russia's war against Ukraine has disrupted supply chains, but it has also opened up new trade opportunities, especially for Kazakhstan, as Western companies look for alternatives to conducting business in Russia. In 2022, over 50 international companies relocated to Kazakhstan. Are the EU and the U.S. doing enough to catch up? The EU is turning to partner countries in Central Asia to provide critical imports as a way to lessen its riskier dependencies (such as on Russian supplies). Various initiatives by the EU, Germany, France and the United Kingdom are working with Kazakhstan to further the green transition through harvesting critical raw materials (CRMs), green hydrogen and battery components to further the green transition. The EU is cooperating with Uzbekistan in the field of CRM development, as well as the import of green energy. The European Union's Generalized System of Preferences Plus (GSP+) program strengthens ties with developing countries with relatively low incomes through trade incentives. As beneficiaries of this program, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan have gained better access to the EU market via tariff reductions, most notably on exports of food, chemicals and textiles. Unlike China, Russia, and Europe, the U.S. lacks state-backed companies to carry out its trade and investments. However, a Chevron-Exxon project in Kazakhstan, budgeted at $48.5 billion, is by far the largest private sector investment in the region. Like China and Europe, the U.S. is also interested in developing and sourcing Central Asia’s critical materials deposits. In February 2024, the U.S. Department of State hosted the inaugural meeting of the C5+1 Critical Minerals Dialog (CMD) which aims to increase the region’s involvement in global critical minerals supply chains and strengthen economic cooperation. Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan participated in the U.S. Generalized System of Preferences (GSP), the largest and oldest U.S. trade preference program, until it expired on December 31, 2020. It fosters bilateral partnerships by promoting economic development through duty-free imports of thousands of products into the U.S. The program's renewal is currently pending action by the U.S. Congress. Unlike the EU’s GSP+, the U.S. version supports trade in goods that are produced less domestically, emphasizing areas of comparative advantage. It also encourages "friend-shoring," i.e., aiming to build robust supply chains with allied nations, thereby reducing reliance on rivals for essential materials. During a recent Senate Finance Committee hearing, U.S. Sen. Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) underscored the consequences of not renewing GSP: “For the United States, they [programs such as GSP] can help facilitate equitable market access and, strategically, help partners become more competitive vis-à-vis China”. In Central Asia, the U.S. has partners as well as a strategic need to source critical materials and diversify away from rivaling states such as Russia and China. A strategic contest Friend-shoring in Central Asia represents a strategic contest over the region's natural resources. As the countries of Central Asia seek to diversify their partnerships and engage with multiple countries, businesses from nations that actively reduce trade barriers (such as tariffs) and maintain favorable diplomatic relations with these countries will have a competitive edge in the region. Strengthening bilateral trade ties with Central Asia offers significant benefits for global supply chains, while neglecting these relationships could result in substantial economic and strategic losses.
Why Does Energy-Rich Kazakhstan Want Tajikistan’s Uranium?
Despite having significant uranium resources, Tajikistan does not plan to build a nuclear plant anytime soon, if it all. Quite aware of that, Kazakhstan – Dushanbe’s ally in the Russian-dominated Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) – is reportedly eyeing Tajikistan’s uranium. But why? "I would rather earn a profit from the resources of others than my own," John D. Rockefeller, a prominent industrialist, is often paraphrased as saying. Policymakers in Astana could soon begin implementing such a strategy in regard to uranium. Kazakhstan is the largest producer of natural uranium worldwide. In 2022, the energy-rich nation produced the largest share of uranium from mines (43% of world supply), followed by Canada (15%) and Namibia (11%) (ref). In spite of that, Astana could eventually start purchasing the radioactive element from Tajikistan. On August 22, following Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s visit to Dushanbe, the Tajik Rare-Earth Metals Company, TajRedMet, and Kazakhstan’s national atomic company, Kazatomprom, signed a memorandum of understanding and cooperation in the extraction and processing of uranium and rare-earth metals. Signing such a protocol aligns with Astana’s ambitions to build a nuclear power plant in the country. In that context, Kazatomprom – the world's largest uranium producer – is likely seeking to play an active role in producing uranium fuel for the proposed nuclear plant. Given the global resurgence of nuclear energy and the ensuing “race for uranium,” Kazatomprom is keen to assess the current status of Tajikistan's uranium reserves, and, if feasible, expand its resource base. Uranium is considered one of the main natural resources of Tajikistan. It is believed that the first atomic bomb developed by the Soviet Union contained raw materials from Tajikistan. But after the collapse of the USSR, uranium mining was curtailed in the mountainous country. According to various estimates, 14% of the world's reserves of uranium are located on the territory of the landlocked country of around 10 million people. But compared to other nations, Tajikistan does not have significant uranium mining operations, meaning its uranium deposits remain underdeveloped. However, the fact that Russian companies are interested in exploration and mining of uranium in the Tajikistan suggests that Kazatomprom might have serious competition. It is entirely possible that other foreign corporations will also eventually join the “race for uranium” in Tajikistan. Meanwhile, Kazakhstan will almost certainly be inclined to consolidate its own uranium market. In terms of uranium production in the largest Central Asian state, the Russian State Nuclear Energy Corporation Rosatom is the leader due to its shares in five enterprises operating in Kazakhstan. Since Astana aims to develop closer ties with the West, it is no surprise that France is looking to strengthen its position in the energy-rich country, particularly in its nuclear and uranium sectors. Russia and China are unlikely to give up easily on their ambitions to preserve their influence in the Central Asian nation, however. In 2022, Kazakhstan exported around half of its uranium to China. From January to October 2023, Astana shipped uranium worth $922.7 million to the People’s Republic, while over the ten months of 2023, Kazakh uranium exports to Russia reached $1.2 billion. Thus, due to its proximity to Moscow and Beijing, Kazakhstan will likely remain in Russia’s and China’s geo-energy orbit for the foreseeable future. That, however, will not prevent Astana from developing its nuclear sector. "Kazakhstan is a uranium producing and exporting country, so we are obliged to use this advantage to the maximum," Kazakhstan’s Vice-Minister of Energy, Sungat Yessimkhanov said on April 16. The problem for Kazakhstan is that out of the 14 uranium mining companies in the country, only two are 100% owned by Kazatomprom. Almost half of Kazakhstan's uranium is reportedly extracted by foreign companies. Since Kazakhstan, unlike Tajikistan, aims to advance its nuclear capabilities and potentially build a nuclear power plant, it will need to secure a sufficient supply of uranium for this purpose. In other words, if Astana continues exporting all the uranium it produces, it will potentially have to import the element from Tajikistan to make its nuclear power plant feasible. A referendum on the construction of the nuclear power plant is planned to take place on October 6. This decision reflects the government's push to address the country’s growing energy needs, although the issue remains sensitive as a consequence of the painful history of the Semipalatinsk nuclear test site in northeastern Kazakhstan, where more than 450 nuclear tests were carried out during the Soviet period. Despite the site’s closure in 1991, its effects continue to resonate strongly with the local population. However, recent opinion polls suggest that a majority of respondents (53.1%) support building a nuclear power plant. Therefore, it is highly probable that referendum will succeed, and Kazakhstan will soon acquire a strategically important nuclear facility, the construction of which may cost up to $15 billion. As to who will build the nuclear power plant – whether Rosatom, Chinese or Korean companies, or Western corporations – this is another sensitive and serious geopolitical issue.
A Model of Cooperation: Kyrgyzstan Selecting Dam Type for Kambarata-1 Hydropower Plant
On September 4, in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan’s Cabinet of Ministers and the World Bank organized a roundtable on dam type selection for the country’s flagship Kambarata-1 Hydropower Plant (HPP). As the Kyrgyz Ministry of Energy reported, Swiss engineering company AFRY presented possible dam types for the flagship energy project at the meeting. A feasibility study will be prepared by May 2025 based on the type of dam chosen. According to Maksudjon Safarov, Senior Energy Specialist with the World Bank, the institution is financing comprehensive preparations for the Kambarata-1 HPP's construction. “The Swiss company AFRY is preparing the project’s feasibility study, with world-class experts involved in the work to ensure that the project is efficient, environmentally friendly, and sustainable," Safarov stated. The Kambarata-1 HPP will be situated in the upper reaches of the Naryn River in Kyrgyzstan. Its installed capacity will be 1,860 megawatts, with an average annual generation of 5.6 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity. The preliminary construction cost for the project is more than $4 billion. At the roundtable, Deputy Chairman of the Kyrgyz Cabinet of Ministers, Bakyt Torobayev, emphasized that time is critical in developing the Kambarata-1 HPP. “As part of the construction, trilateral agreements were signed between the Ministries of Energy of the Kyrgyz Republic, the Republic of Kazakhstan, and the Republic of Uzbekistan. This is a unique case when three countries in the region come to a common understanding and support for the project. We are confident that joint work will create a high-quality project to provide Central Asia with clean and renewable energy, improve water and energy resources, and strengthen regional cooperation." Kyrgyz Energy Minister Taalaibek Ibrayev noted significant progress in the ongoing preparations. “To date, several important works have already been completed. On August 30, the construction of a 1,388-meter transport tunnel was completed. Work is underway to build 15 km of concrete roads. We are working to provide electricity [for the future construction site], with 80% of overhead transmission lines now complete. Completion of a 110 kv power transmission line and a substation is scheduled for the end of 2024. Construction of a bridge across the Naryn River is underway, and at the same time, a workers' camp is being built. All work is going according to plan, and we are confident that all preparatory stages will be completed by next May,” the Minister stated. To support the project, a Donor Coordination Committee for constructing Kambarata-1 HPP was established at the Kyrgyz Republic International Energy Investment Forum, held in Vienna on June 10, 2024. The Committee comprises major international financial institutions and development partners, including the World Bank, the OPEC Fund, the Asian Development Bank, the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, the Islamic Development Bank, and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.
Kyrgyzstan Wants to Extend Prison Terms for “Calls to Seize Power”
Kyrgyzstan's Interior Ministry has proposed toughening the criminal penalties for inciting violent seizures of power. The ministry has tabled an amendment whereby those found to have breached Article 327 of Kyrgyzstan's Criminal Code (“Public calls for violent seizure of power”) could face between three and five years in prison. The Criminal Code currently only sets out a fine of 20,000 to 50,000 som ($236 to $590), or imprisonment of up to three years. The draft law has been submitted for public discussion. In Kyrgyzstan, it is not uncommon for civic activists and those who criticize the current government to be arrested on charges of "public calls for violent seizure of power". Among Kyrgyz citizens to have been convicted of this charge are Zarina Torokulova and Kanykei Aranova, who are both currently in prison after posting messages on social media. Their sentences are harsher than the law currently calls for: Torokulova was sentenced to five years in prison in 2023, while this year Aranova was sentenced to three and a half years. In June 2024, 20 Kyrgyz citizens who peacefully protested against a land swap with Uzbekistan involving the Kempir-Abad reservoir were acquitted by the court, but the prosecutor's office appealed the court's decision, demanding that they be found guilty. Furthermore, the Interior Ministry proposes increasing the prison term to five to seven years if the offense is committed by a group of individuals, or by using the internet or mass media. The current punishment is a fine of 50,000 to 100,000 som ($590 to $1,185) or imprisonment for three to five years. The draft bill also proposes to criminalize public calls for extremist activity and possession of extremist materials if a person has previously received a warning. For this purpose, new articles will be added to the Criminal Code: “Possession of extremist materials” and “Public calls for extremist activities.”
In Uzbekistan, 74-Year-Old Pensioner Convicted of Agitating for Return of USSR
Ergashkul Khasanov, a 74-year-old resident of Samarkand, was convicted of conducting propaganda aimed at the restoration of the USSR. Hasanov was actively engaged in disseminating material through the Telegram group, Uzbek SSR/USSR, in which he claimed the collapse of the Soviet Union was illegal and temporary and that the independence of the former republics, including Uzbekistan, was informal and temporary. The court found him guilty of encroaching on Uzbekistan's constitutional order. Khasanov's story dates back to 2021, when he began listening to speeches by Russian citizen, Oleg Turishkin, who argued that the collapse of the USSR was both illegal and unjust. Turishkin suggested that Khasanov register as a Citizen of the USSR, and the Uzbek pensioner duly obtained a certificate of Soviet citizenship through the post office. He subsequently joined a Telegram group where he participated in discussions and published materials arguing that the Soviet Union had not legally been dissolved and that the former Union republics should reunite again. In early 2023, Khasanov traveled to Moscow, where he met with activists who advocated the restoration of the Soviet Union and a return to the constitution and laws from Joseph Stalin's time. They argued that the Union “legally” continued to exist, and prepared for its restoration. After visiting Moscow, Khasanov continued to publish materials claiming that Uzbekistan's independence was superficial and that all former republics should return to the fold of the USSR. In his case, the court considered Khasanov's age, lack of previous convictions, and status as a pensioner. As a result, he was sentenced to three years of restricted freedom. Khasanov is forbidden from leaving his apartment from 22:00 to 6:00, changing his place of residence without the permission of the supervisory authority, and from leaving the Samarkand region. In 2022, the public movement, Citizens of the USSR was included in a list of organizations deemed by the authorities in Russia to be extremist. Believing that the Soviet Union still exists, some supporters of the movement refuse to abide by the laws of modern Russia, obey the current authorities, or use Russian passports.
Uzbek President: Global Conflicts Undercut Anti-Terror Efforts
International conflicts and antagonism among the world’s most powerful countries are undermining “the fight against the threats of terrorism and extremism,” Uzbekistan’s president said at a regional anti-terror conference this week in Tashkent. President Shavkat Mirziyoyev didn’t mention any conflicts or countries by name, but he was possibly referring to Russia’s war against Western-backed Ukraine, the Gaza war that has raised fears of a wider Mideast conflict, and tension between the United States and China, the world’s two biggest economies. Uzbekistan and other Central Asian countries seek to balance their relations with these major powers, while also trying to address the threat of religious extremism that attracts some recruits from their region. “Unfortunately, geopolitical acrimony and the intensification of conflicts, the lack of mutual trust between the leading countries, the decline of the role of global security institutions have a negative impact on the development of open and effective international cooperation in the fight against the threats of terrorism and extremism,” said Mirziyoyev, who appealed for more dialogue and collaboration to counter the problem. He spoke to counter-terrorism delegates who were meeting under the umbrella of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the Commonwealth of Independent States, which promote cooperation on economic, security and other issues in the Eurasian region. The two-day meeting in the Uzbek capital, which ends on Thursday, is discussing education and other ways to prevent the spread of radical ideas, as well as how to prevent terrorist financing. In the biggest terror attack in the region this year, gunmen killed about 140 people at the Crocus City Hall in the Moscow area on March 22. The Islamic State group, which is believed to have successfully recruited people from Central Asia, claimed responsibility. The suspected gunmen were Tajik migrants in Russia. Threats in cyberspace are increasing, according to the Uzbek president. “Active work on illegal activities, recruitment and promotion of radical ideas is increasingly carried out through Internet networks and channels that do not recognize national borders and legal norms,” Mirziyoyev said. He warned that online manipulation is directing “relatively weak sections of the population” such as young people and labor migrants toward criminal activity.
Sunkar Podcast
Kazakhstan’s Return to Nuclear Power
