Our People > Sergey Kwan

Sergey Kwan

Journalist

Sergey Kwan has worked for The Times of Central Asia as a journalist, translator and editor since its foundation in March 1999. Prior to this, from 1996-1997, he worked as a translator at The Kyrgyzstan Chronicle, and from 1997-1999, as a translator at The Central Asian Post.
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Kwan studied at the Bishkek Polytechnic Institute from 1990-1994, before completing his training in print journalism in Denmark.

Articles

Regional Ecological Summit

Central Asian Countries to Jointly Address Cryosphere Threats

As part of the Regional Ecological Summit (RES 2026) in Astana, the UNESCO Regional Office in Almaty organised a session titled “The Cryosphere of Central Asia: From Scientific Assessment to Joint Climate Adaptation Action,” in cooperation with Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources and Ministry of Science and Higher Education. The event was held under the GEF-UNDP-UNESCO Cryosphere project and in collaboration with Central Asian countries. The session focused on discussing the Joint Subregional Action Programme (JSAP) on the cryosphere, a framework document developed by Central Asian countries with UNESCO’s support. The programme is aimed at strengthening regional cooperation in monitoring and research on glaciers, snow cover, and permafrost, as well as aligning approaches to climate change adaptation, according to Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources. Central Asia is experiencing accelerated glacier melt. Under a high-emissions scenario, the region could lose up to 85% of its glacier volume by 2100 compared to 2020 levels. This would increase pressure on water resources, infrastructure, and communities, while also heightening the risk of natural hazards, including glacial lake outburst floods. As these processes are regional in nature, they require coordinated responses across Central Asian countries. “UNESCO has been actively supporting Central Asian countries in strengthening the scientific basis and advancing regional cooperation on the cryosphere. Today, the key priority is to move from scientific assessment to concrete action. The Joint Subregional Action Programme provides a practical framework for this transition and enhances coordination of adaptation efforts across the region,” said Amir Piric, Director of the UNESCO Regional Office in Almaty. As a key outcome of the session, heads of relevant government authorities from Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan responsible for environmental protection issued a joint statement supporting JSAP implementation, reaffirming their commitment to strengthened regional cooperation. “Today it is clear that no country can effectively address climate change challenges alone. Regional cooperation is therefore essential. The Joint Statement reflects the readiness of Central Asian countries to join efforts and develop coordinated approaches to climate change adaptation,” said Nurlan Kurmalayev, Deputy Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources of Kazakhstan. The JSAP provides a foundation for coordinated action among countries and partners, defines cooperation priorities, and supports the advancement of climate adaptation measures in the region. The joint statement also opens opportunities to mobilise funding from various sources, including donors, international financial institutions, and the private sector.

3 days ago

Energy Transition

Kazakhstan Launches QaJET Investment Platform for Just Energy Transition

Kazakhstan has announced the launch of the QaJET (Just Energy Transition) investment platform, supported by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), to attract international financing and accelerate the decarbonization of its economy. A corresponding memorandum was signed on April 23 during the Regional Environmental Summit in Astana. Signatories included Energy Minister Yerlan Akkenzhenov, Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources Yerlan Nysanbayev, and EBRD Managing Director for Central Asia and Mongolia Hüseyin Özhan. The QaJET platform reflects Kazakhstan’s ambition to accelerate the transition to clean energy through a large-scale expansion of renewable energy capacity. According to current plans, the country aims to commission 10 GW of new green capacity by 2035. According to EBRD estimates, achieving these targets will require approximately $20 billion in investment from both public and private sources. This is expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by more than 20 million tonnes annually, equivalent to roughly 7% of the country’s energy-related emissions. The creation of the platform is of strategic importance for Kazakhstan, whose economy remains highly carbon-intensive and heavily dependent on coal-fired power generation. At the request of the Kazakh government, the EBRD participated in developing the QaJET concept and will continue to coordinate its implementation with national and international partners. The platform is also intended to support Kazakhstan’s international climate commitments, including achieving carbon neutrality by 2060 and reducing greenhouse gas emissions by up to 25% by 2030 compared to 1990 levels. QaJET is expected not only to reduce emissions but also to strengthen energy security, enhance economic competitiveness, and promote the development of local high-tech manufacturing in the renewable energy sector. Key areas of cooperation within the platform include expanding renewable energy capacity, modernizing power grids and energy storage systems, electrifying businesses and households, and supporting a just transition, technology transfer, and the development of research and innovation capacity. Authorities expect QaJET to become the central mechanism for coordinating climate finance, bringing together international financial institutions, donors, private investors, and the government to accelerate Kazakhstan’s energy transition.

3 days ago

Inclusivity

Kazakhstan Expands Accessible Transportation for People with Disabilities

Kazakhstan is expanding efforts to improve accessible transportation for people with disabilities. At a government meeting on April 21, Transport Minister Nurlan Sauranbaev reported on progress in implementing an inclusive policy in the transport sector. He said that, as part of the Inclusive Policy Concept for 2025-2030, Kazakhstan is taking measures to ensure accessibility across three key areas: infrastructure, transport, and services. In the rail sector, approximately 90% of trains have been equipped with lifts and compartments adapted for passengers with disabilities. By 2030, every train is expected to include at least one specialized carriage. Railway stations are being modernized to include essential accessibility features such as ramps and lifting devices. Ticket offices and restrooms are also being upgraded. Passengers with disabilities receive a 50% discount on train tickets, and online booking for specialized compartments is available. In 2025, around 580,000 passengers with disabilities traveled by rail in Kazakhstan. In aviation, accessibility is also improving. Ten airports, including those in Astana and Almaty, now operate 13 lifts for passengers with disabilities. A further five airports are expected to be equipped by the end of the year. In 2025, more than 9,000 passengers with disabilities traveled by air. In the road transport sector, 80% of bus stations and 79% of city buses now meet accessibility requirements. Kazakhstan is also continuing to develop the Invataxi project, which provides specially adapted minivans for passengers with limited mobility. The fleet has expanded by 30%, reaching 1,426 vehicles. Cities across the country are working to improve accessibility more broadly. Infrastructure is being adapted to meet modern standards, while businesses and public institutions are increasingly responding to the needs of people with disabilities by improving access to buildings and interior spaces. According to the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection, more than 29,500 social infrastructure facilities -- 68% of the total -- are now accessible to people with disabilities across Kazakhstan. By the end of 2026, this figure is expected to rise to over 34,000.

4 days ago

Waste Disposal Technology

Kyrgyzstan to Build Modern Landfill Using Japanese Waste Disposal Technology

A pilot project to construct a modern landfill based on the Fukuoka Method is planned for the city of Kara-Balta in Kyrgyzstan’s northern Chui region, about 60 km west of Bishkek. The project aims to reduce environmental impacts and support the transition to modern waste management standards. The Fukuoka Method is a semi-aerobic landfill waste disposal technology developed jointly by Fukuoka University and the city of Fukuoka in the 1970s. It has since become a standard approach for local governments in Japan. By maximizing the aeration of waste, the method accelerates biodegradation and can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by an estimated 20-50%. The method uses natural ventilation through pipes and leachate collection systems to promote aerobic decomposition of waste. This accelerates stabilization, reduces methane emissions, and improves odor control. It is considered a relatively low-cost solution and is often cited as suitable for developing countries. On April 21, Kyrgyzstan’s Ministry of Natural Resources, Ecology, and Technical Supervision discussed implementation of the project with representatives of the Asian Development Bank and the Japan Foundation, including grant financing, technical support, and the use of the Fukuoka Method. The project is expected to reduce soil and groundwater pollution in the area, improve sanitary conditions for local residents, and provide a basis for wider use of the technology across the country. The transition to modern environmental technologies is seen as important for protecting public health and supporting the country’s sustainable development. Kyrgyzstan has also introduced Chinese technology for municipal solid waste disposal that generates electricity through incineration. In December 2025, Bishkek officially inaugurated Central Asia’s first waste-to-energy plant, located at the city’s primary landfill and constructed by Hunan Junxin Environmental Protection Co. Ltd.

5 days ago

Hydropower

Kyrgyzstan Expands Small Hydropower to Tackle Rising Energy Deficit

Kyrgyzstan is accelerating its development of small hydropower plants as it seeks to close a widening electricity gap driven by surging demand and limited domestic generation capacity. On April 20, two new small hydroelectric power plants (HPPs) were commissioned in the country's northern Chui region. The Sokuluk-3 HPP has a capacity of 9.5 MW, while the Tuyuk HPP has a capacity of 5.9 MW. Combined, they are expected to generate between 60 million and 70 million kWh of electricity annually. Speaking at the launch ceremony, President Sadyr Japarov underscored the strategic importance of small-scale hydropower. “Such projects increase the resilience of the energy system and facilitate the gradual reduction of the energy deficit. Today, 48 small hydroelectric power plants with a total capacity of 180 MW are operating in Kyrgyzstan. They play a significant role in strengthening energy independence and reducing dependence on imports,” he said. The government is scaling up efforts in the sector, with 50 small HPPs currently under construction across the country. Of these, 13 are scheduled to be commissioned in 2026. Electricity demand in Kyrgyzstan continues to rise rapidly. In 2025, total consumption reached 19.3 billion kWh, up by 900 million kWh compared to the previous year. Domestic generation accounted for 15.4 billion kWh, while the remaining 3.9 billion kWh was covered through imports from Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Russia. According to Minister of Water Resources, Agriculture, and Processing Industry, Bakyt Torobayev, electricity consumption has grown by more than 25% over the past five years, rising from 15.4 billion kWh in 2020. “If current electricity consumption rates continue, it could reach 25 billion kWh by 2030,” Torobayev said. The surge in demand has been driven by rapid housing construction and the launch of new industrial facilities. With Kyrgyzstan’s population now exceeding 7.4 million, the number of electricity consumers is expanding steadily. Over the past three years alone, 4,192 industrial facilities and 96,975 households have been connected to the national grid, according to the Energy Ministry. Despite the expansion of generation capacity, supply continues to lag behind demand, prompting authorities to prioritize small hydropower as a flexible and scalable solution to improve energy security and reduce reliance on imports.

6 days ago