Our People > Vagit Ismailov

Vagit Ismailov

Journalist

Vagit Ismailov is a Kazakhstani journalist. He has worked in leading regional and national publications.

Articles

Energy Infrastructure NPP Economic Cooperation Nuclear Energy Potential Nuclear Partners Energy Security Atomic Energy South Korea

Kazakhstan’s Energy Ministry Discusses Nuclear Plant Construction With South Korea

From October 22 to 25, a delegation from Kazakhstan led by Energy Minister Almasadam Satkaliev visited South Korea. As part of the visit, meetings were held with representatives of leading Korean energy companies and government agencies. The key topics of the talks were cooperation issues in the nuclear power industry. In addition, at the meeting with the South Korean Minister of Trade, Industry, and Energy, they discussed opportunities to expand cooperation in the oil and gas sector and renewable energy. Satkaliev also met with the management of major Korean companies, including Doosan Enerbility, Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP), Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO), Korea National Oil Corporation (KNOC), and Samsung C&T. During the talks, the parties considered the prospects of Korean companies participating in an international consortium, which Kazakhstan is studying as a model for implementing the project to build a nuclear power plant. As the minister specified, the final decision on this issue is expected in 2025. Negotiations with Doosan Enerbility concluded with the signing of a memorandum of understanding. This document provides for studying opportunities to localize the Korean company's operation in Kazakhstan and establish a representative office of the plant in Astana. Now, Doosan Enerbility cooperates with Kazakhstan to construct a gas turbine power plant with a capacity of 1000 MW in the Turkestan region. In addition, the company, together with KEPCO KPS, is conducting a technical audit of Kazakhstan's energy infrastructure to reduce emissions and extend the life of the equipment. After the October 6 referendum, in which Kazakhstanis supported the construction of the first nuclear power plant, President Kasym-Jomart Tokayev proposed the creation of an international consortium to implement the project. He emphasized that this project requires the participation of the world's leading companies with modern technology and experience to ensure the safety and efficiency of construction. Russia's Rosatom, South Korea's KHNP, France's EDF, and China's CNNC are considered potential participants. These companies are expected to work together to transfer technology and attract investment, which is particularly important for Kazakhstan as it seeks to reduce energy dependence and strengthen the country's energy security. Construction of the plant is planned to begin on the shores of Lake Balkhash and be completed by 2035. A final decision on the structure of the consortium is expected by 2025.

4 months ago

International Diplomacy Foreign Affairs US sanctions International Relations EU Sanctions Sanctions Russia

Authorities Rail Against Use of Kazakhstan in Circumventing International Sanctions Against Russia

Kazakhstan's Deputy Foreign Minister Roman Vassilenko emphasized in an interview with the Polish publication PAP that the country seeks to prevent its territory from being used to circumvent international sanctions imposed against Russia. According to Vassilenko, although Kazakhstan has not officially imposed sanctions nor joined the anti-Russian measures, the republic's authorities consider it essential to prevent risks associated with possible secondary sanctions against its companies. This is especially important in regard to its close economic ties with Western countries. At the same time and in acknowledgement of its position concerning both its Western partners and Russia, Kazakhstan has emphasized the need for balance and an avoidance of circumvention of restrictive measures. Vassilenko also noted that Kazakhstan is actively cooperating with the European Union on the sanctions regime, and as part of these consultations, reported that he had been in dialog with David O'Sullivan, the EU special envoy for sanctions. Vassilenko denied speculation about growing tensions between Kazakhstan and Russia, and pointing out that the countries maintain close ties, explained: “There are different issues because we are neighbors and have diverse relations. We are working with Russia to solve these issues before they become problems. This is our approach not only to the Russian Federation but to any other country." After the start of the Russian military operation in Ukraine, Kazakhstan took a neutral stance and did not support Western sanctions against Moscow. Nevertheless, the Kazakh authorities have repeatedly stated that they will not allow the country's territory to be used to circumvent these restrictions. President Kasym-Jomart Tokayev, in his speeches, adheres to the principle of compliance with the international sanctions regime and aims to conduct a constructive dialog with the EU and the U.S. to avoid possible secondary sanctions that could affect Kazakh companies.

4 months ago

Agriculture Legislation Cotton Human rights ILO

Teachers in Turkmenistan Demand Money from Pupils to Hire Cotton Pickers

Following Turkmen President Serdar Berdymukhamedov's recent directive to speed up the cotton-picking campaign, the Chronicles of Turkmenistan has reported that schools in Lebap province have started collecting money from students to hire workers for the task. The established daily norm for each class is 200-300 kilograms of cotton, depending on the number of students. Based on the requirements, schools must hire 5-6 pickers, each of whom must pick at least 50 kg of cotton daily. In addition to schools, health facilities have also been obliged to provide workers under the cotton-picking campaign. However, despite the ban on collecting money from their subordinates, teachers and medical workers have to look for laborers among the local population, offering payment of 35-40 TMT per day ($10-12). According to a roadmap signed in June by Turkmenistan and the ILO, forced labor in cotton harvesting, including the mobilization of children and government employees, should be eliminated. Nevertheless, mobilizing workers and schoolchildren to fulfil plans for the cotton harvesting campaign continues. In addition, students and civil servants, including teachers, are systematically forced to work in the cotton fields under threat of dismissal from their jobs or expulsion from educational institutions.

4 months ago

military equipment Military Information Army Defense Industry Turkey

Kazakhstan May Manufacture Turkish Bayraktar Drones

A delegation headed by Kazakhstan's Minister of Defense , Colonel General Ruslan Zhaksylykov, attended the IV International Exhibition of Defense and Aerospace Equipment SAHA EXPO-2024 opening ceremony in Istanbul. The event brought together leading representatives of the military-industrial complex of Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. It demonstrated the latest developments, including automatic troop and battle management systems, robotic systems, communications, air defense, radio reconnaissance, electronic warfare, radio countermeasures, unmanned aerial vehicles, and laser technologies. During the exhibition, Zhaksylykov held talks with Turkish Minister of National Defense Yaşar Güler and Chairman of the Defense Industry Agency Haluk Görgün. He also met with Mohammed bin Mubarak Fadel Al Mazroui, UAE Minister of State for Defense Affairs. Special attention was paid to the talks with Baykar Defense CEO Haluk Bayraktar. The parties agreed on developing a roadmap for the localization of the production of tactical unmanned aircraft systems and barrage munitions at the operational level in Kazakhstan. Kazakhstan is actively developing the production of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) with the involvement of foreign partners. One of the significant projects is the joint production of Anka drones with Turkey, which will start in 2024. The agreement between Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) and Kazakhstan Engineering provides for technology transfer and the creation of an assembly line, allowing Kazakhstan to produce drones independently in the future. In addition to Turkey, Kazakhstan cooperates with South Korea and China on drones. In 2023, Petropavlovsk established local drone production using components from China. Such steps contribute to the development of Kazakhstan's defense industry and reduce dependence on imports.

4 months ago

Social Media Crime Media Freedom Justice Court Cases Criminal Responsibility

Woman in Kazakhstan Sentenced for Inciting Ethnic Hatred

In Almaty, a Kazakh woman, Maral Zhalelova, was sentenced to two years in prison for inciting ethnic hatred. The court found that in her video messages in TikTok, she called on Russians to leave Kazakhstan and insulted the ancestors of Kazakh nationality who fought against Nazi Germany during the Second World War. In doing so, she used obscene language and expressed sympathy for Adolf Hitler. Even though Zhalelova did not admit guilt, she apologized for her words. The prosecutor insisted on a five-year sentence, but the court took her apology into account and handed down the minimum sentence, considering that she deserved a “more humane punishment.” The sentence has not been enforced yet. The case began in July 2024 after complaints about Zhalelova's provocative online statements. The investigation recognized that her words offended the feelings and dignity of citizens with Russian nationality, and hurt the memory of ancestors who fought against fascism. During the trial, Zhalelova explained that her reaction was triggered by the events following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. According to her, she sought to support the Kazakh language, but during the broadcasts, insults were directed at her, and she reacted to provocation. In April 2024, another resident of Almaty, Elina Liu, also received two years in prison for making disparaging remarks about the Kazakh people and language, which the court considered as incitement to discord.

4 months ago