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New Flag of Kyrgyzstan Raised in Ala-Too Square

On January 1st, 2024, the new flag of Kyrgyzstan was raised in Ala-Too Square. Photos of the updated flag were shared by the AKIpress News Agency. On December 22nd, President Sadyr Japarov signed a law “On State Symbols of the Kyrgyz Republic,” which was adopted to improve the country’s flag. In particular, the adopted law changed the shape of the sun’s rays on the flag of Kyrgyzstan from wavy to straight. Earlier, at the People's Kurultai, Japarov had stated that changing the flag was his personal initiative, and also added that the state would not bear the costs.[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image="13481" img_size="full" el_class="scond-image" parallax_scroll="no" woodmart_inline="no"][vc_column_text woodmart_inline="no" text_larger="no"]Several rallies protesting the change have been held since the proposal in October. Also on December 22nd, Human Rights Watch (HRW) urged the Kyrgyz authorities to drop all charges against activist Aftandil Jorobekov, and to release him after he was arrested for openly protesting changes to Kyrgyzstan’s national flag and charged with calls for mass disorder and civil disobedience. In a statement, HRW said that the charges brought against Jorobekov “violate his freedom of expression and right to peaceful assembly.” The 39-year-old activist was detained on December 7th, a day after he voiced his disapproval of the bill and announced his plan to hold a peaceful protest in Bishkek’s Gorky Park on December 9th. “Criticizing the government and calling for peaceful protest is not the equivalent of stoking mass unrest, and it is certainly not criminal,” Sultanalieva said. “The Kyrgyz authorities should drop this absurd case against Jorobekov, and uphold his right to free speech and peaceful assembly.” Meanwhile, many politicians, activists, and public figures in Kyrgyzstan continue to question the idea to change the national flag. Prominent Kyrgyz athlete and two-time world wrestling champion Jolaman Sharshenbekov wrote on Twitter on December 21st that he will continue raising the country’s old national flag at international tournaments and competitions. The head of the country’s State Committee of National Security, Kamchybek Tashiev, immediately commented on Sharshenbekov’s post, threatening unspecified repercussions for athletes who “even try” to raise anything other than the amended national flag at sports events. “The law is adopted, and we, the citizens, must obey,” Tashiev wrote.

Environment Kazakhstan Environment Kazakhstan Features Kazakhstan Featurees

Kazakhstan Seeks to Resolve Water Management Issues with Regional Neighbors

In the modern world, water is as valuable a resource as minerals. For that reason, on September 1st, 2023, the President of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev by decree created the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation. “Water resources are no less important for our country than oil, gas or metals. I believe that the effective development of the water management system should be handled by an independent department,” Tokayev said at the time. Despite the short period of its work, the new Ministry has already had concrete results, the official website of the Prime Minister of Kazakhstan (primeminister.kz) stated in reviewing the country’s economic performance in 2023. In particular, the concept for the development of a water resources management system for 2024-2030 has been developed. It will allow for the area of irrigated agricultural land in Kazakhstan to increase up to 2.2 million hectares, increase the share of water-saving technologies up to 40%, and reduce the loss of irrigation water during transportation down to 15%. The Ministry has also prepared a plan for the development of the water sector of Kazakhstan for 2024-2030. Its implementation will increase the volume of the country's water resources by 3.7 cubic kilometers, reduce losses of irrigation water and increase its volume by three cubic kilometers, provide water to 41 settlements with a population of more than 55,000 people, and also reduce Kazakhstan's dependence on water supplies from neighboring countries by 25%. In 2024-2026, it is planned to begin construction of 20 new reservoirs and reconstruct 15 reservoirs across the country. A total of 339 canals with a length of 3,5000 km will be reconstructed. The Ministry also conducted negotiations with neighboring states on water security. As a result, it is expected that by April 1st, 2024, 11.1 cubic kilometers of water will flow into the Syr Darya River, and 487 million cubic meters of water are expected to be taken through the Dostyk interstate canal. This will allow for the accumulation of the volume of water required for growing season in Kazakhstan’s Turkestan and Kyzylorda regions, as well as sending 1.6 cubic kilometers of water to the Aral Sea.[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image="13383" img_size="full" el_class="scond-image" parallax_scroll="no" woodmart_inline="no" title="Butakov Bay, Small Aral Sea. Photo: TCA"][vc_column_text woodmart_inline="no" text_larger="no"]An agreement was reached with upstream Kyrgyzstan on the supply of irrigation water to the Zhambyl region in southern Kazakhstan, which experienced a severe water shortage this past summer. The Ministry is also negotiating with upstream China on more than 20 rivers that flow to Kazakhstan, including the Ertys, Ili, and Emel. Today, the two neighboring countries have reached a consensus on a number of issues regarding water distribution. Finally, a draft agreement is being developed on a mechanism for water and energy cooperation between the countries of Central Asia, with the participation of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.

Uzbekistan Life & Culture Uzbekistan Life & Culture Features

President Promises Support for Youth and Business in Uzbekistan in 2024

In his New Year address, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev said that the outgoing year had been successful for the country and its people, emphasizing the importance of peace and tranquility, and an atmosphere of inter-ethnic friendship and harmony in the country. “For the first time in our history, in a nationwide referendum, we adopted a new version of the Constitution of the country. We have begun to implement the Uzbekistan 2030 strategy, which determines our development for the future,” Mirziyoyev said. The Uzbek leader stated that the country had ensured sustainable rates of economic growth, and that high-tech industrial enterprises, modern logistics and infrastructure networks, kindergartens and schools, cultural and sports facilities are being built. Mirziyoyev said that 2024 has been declared the Year of Support for Youth and Business in Uzbekistan. “In the new year, we will intensify the attraction of foreign investment and the creation of broad opportunities for entrepreneurship and private property. We will pay special attention to the development of science, innovation, the IT sector, and the creation of green and digital technologies,” he said. The focus will be on creating new jobs and increasing the income of the population, Mirziyoyev said, promising to raise the development of the social sphere to a new level.

Kazakhstan Local Politics Kazakhstan Features Kazakhstan Featurees

Optimism and Gratitude are Main Sentiments of Kazakhstan President’s New Year’s Speech

As 2023 came to a close, Kazakhstan's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev delivered his New Year address to the population, with a focus on the country's progress as well as the main challenges it has faced over the past year. Critically, he emphasized the increased significance of rule of law in Kazakhstan and noted measures being taken to ensure its endurance. Tokayev also thanked citizens for their role in creating a Just Kazakhstan, where equal opportunities are being made available to everyone. In delineating the country's future trajectory, the President underlined the importance of reforms and modernization, while also citing ambitious projects already undertaken in education and healthcare, as well as the need to strengthen the foundation of nationhood. He expressed belief in Kazakhstan's capacity to tackle upcoming challenges and tasks, with the goal of building a prosperous and competitive state. He also cited population growth as a factor ensuring strength and prosperity. On the economic front, Tokayev highlighted the government’s successful efforts in attracting foreign investment, job creation, and support for small and medium-sized enterprises. He specifically mentioned the ongoing repatriation of illegally acquired assets, which have replenished the state's funding base and have been earmarked for beneficial causes, such as construction of new schools. Regarding foreign policy, Tokayev noted that Kazakhstan has bolstered its international standing through balanced and constructive strategies. Tokayev expressed appreciation for various professionals including teachers, health workers, engineers, farmers, military personnel, law enforcers, and volunteers, whose tireless efforts he lauded as being instrumental to the nation's progress. Tokayev concluded by urging all Kazakhstanis to value the peace and stability in their country. He extended wishes for joy, happiness, good health, and a prosperous 2024.

Environment Kyrgyzstan Environment Kyrgyzstan Life & Culture Kyrgyzstan Features Kyrgyzstan Features

Snow Leopard Becomes National Symbol of Kyrgyzstan

On December 30th, Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov signed a Decree “On recognizing the snow leopard as a national symbol of the Kyrgyz Republic,” the presidential press service has reported. The snow leopard has the status of a rare or endangered species in 12 countries. This animal is an indicator of the stability and health of the mountain ecosystem, which occupies a third of the globe. The loss of snow leopards from the wild would risk upsetting the delicate ecological balance, which would have detrimental effects on various animal species and humans. “In the culture of the ancient Kyrgyz people, the snow leopard personified greatness, nobility, courage, courage and endurance. Therefore, according to legends, the leopard was the totem animal of the great Manas,” the presidential press service reported. The poem "Manas" is one of the greatest works of Kyrgyz folklore, and is included in the list of masterpieces of the oral and intangible cultural heritage of humanity by UNESCO, as well as in the Guinness Book of Records as the most voluminous epic in the world. Kyrgyzstan is an active participant in global wildlife conservation programs. At the first International Forum on Snow Leopard Conservation in Bishkek in 2013, with the support of representatives of 12 snow leopard range countries and the international community, the Bishkek Declaration on the Protection of the Snow Leopard was unanimously adopted and the Global Snow Leopard and Ecosystem Protection (GSLEP) Program was approved. In order to further state support for initiatives to preserve the snow leopard and its ecosystem in the Kyrgyz Republic, the presidential decree instructed the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic to take measures to protect the snow leopard population and as its ecosystem, and to take measures to popularize the new national symbol.

Environment Tajikistan Business & Economy Tajikistan Features Features Tajikistan Environment

Tajikistan to Achieve Energy Independence and Become Green Country

In 2023, Tajikistan’s GDP increased by 8.3% compared to the previous year, and over the past seven years the country’s GDP has grown 1.5-fold while the national economy has developed at an average pace of 7.5%, the President of Tajikistan, Emomali Rahmon stated addressing parliament on December 28th. The President said that prioritizing the prevention of potential risks to the national economy, making efficient use of available resources, industrialization and creating jobs have been the main priorities of the government in recent years. Among Tajikistan’s main concerns, the President said, are the establishment of a “green economy,” accelerating the economy’s digitization, developing human resources, raising the competitiveness of domestically produced goods, bolstering exports, and enhancing the standards of social services. Rahmon said that given the abundance of hydropower resources in Tajikistan, the high production capacity of "green energy" and its export, the Government is making confident steps towards achieving its strategic goal of energy independence. In 2023, Tajikistan’s energy capacity exceeded 6,000 megawatts, and electricity production amounted 22 billion kilowatt-hours, which is 4.8 billion kilowatt-hours or 28% more than in 2017. Rahmon said that Tajikistan will take urgent measures over the next seven years to increase energy exports up to 10 billion kilowatt-hours taking into account the implementation of CAЅA-1000 power transmission line project and re-connection to the Central Asia energy system. The country will also construct power plants using renewable energy sources and increase the "green energy" production capacity up to 1,000 megawatts by 2030. With the implementation of these measures, the President said, by 2032 electricity production in the country will be entirely from renewable sources, that is, 100% will be provided by “green energy, and Tajikistan will truly become a green country,” President Rahmon said.