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Kazakhstan’s Senate Speaker Highlights Major Laws Passed in 2023

Maulen Ashimbaev, the Speaker of the Senate, emphasized during the final plenary session of the chamber this year that the Parliament had passed a total of 92 laws in 2023, with significant implications for the political, economic, and social spheres of the country. Ashimbaev stated that 2023 was a year of substantial change and believed it marked a period of genuine political modernization within the framework of constitutional reforms under the President's leadership. "This year, constitutional amendments relating to Parliament were implemented. As a result of these constitutional reforms, the role of the chambers of Parliament has been enhanced. The legislative procedure has evolved, with laws being considered using new methodologies," said the Senate Speaker. He recollected that at the start of 2023, the Head of State appointed 10 Senate deputies by decree, including five nominees from the ANC for the first time. Regular elections of Senate deputies also took place in the regions, leading to a significant refreshment of the upper house of Parliament. "In January, the President issued a decree to dissolve the Mazhilis of Parliament; the Senate dutifully performed the functions of Parliament for two months," Ashimbaev recalled. "In total, Parliament passed 92 laws this year, ensuring the country's political stability and sustainable socio-economic development." The laws included constitutional legislation on judicial system issues, the prosecutor's office activities, and administrative reform matters. The adoption of the new Social Code was particularly noteworthy. Additionally, several critical laws were enacted, such as those relating to the return of illicitly obtained assets to the state and public control. "We approved the country's main financial document last month – the Republican budget for 2024-2026," concluded Maulen Ashimbaev. On December 27, 2023, the Mazhilis held its final plenary meeting of the year. Erlan Koshanov, the Speaker of the chamber, also reviewed the deputies' work over the year.

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Investing in the Future: Upgrading Kazakhstan’s Heating and Power Infrastructure

As nations around the globe grapple with the urgency of climate change and the need for sustainable development, one country that stands out is Kazakhstan. With its vast natural resources and strategic location, Kazakhstan has the potential to become a leader in renewable energy and sustainable infrastructure. However, upgrading Kazakhstan's heating and power infrastructure is a significant undertaking that requires substantial time and financial investment. The Challenge Kazakhstan is no stranger to the harsh realities of tough winters. With temperatures often dropping below -30 degrees Celsius and even reaching lows of -52 degrees Celsius in some northern regions, the capacity and resilience of the country's heating infrastructure is tested annually. In a country where winter can last up to six months, maintaining a reliable heating supply isn't just a matter of comfort—it's a matter of survival. However, the extreme weather conditions put a considerable strain on Kazakhstan's heating infrastructure and lead to several challenges. Many of Kazakhstan's heating systems, built during the Soviet era, are showing their age and inefficiency, necessitating an expensive overhaul. These outdated systems often break down, leading to extended periods without heat in the coldest months. A striking example was the 2022 incident in Ekibastuz, a city known for its harsh winters, where residents endured nearly three months without heat due to a power plant failure, which subsequently sparked a government-led corruption investigation. Compounding these issues, Kazakhstan's heating sector heavily relies on fossil fuels, primarily coal. This reliance not only exacerbates environmental pollution but also leads to energy inefficiency. Due to poor insulation in buildings and obsolete heating systems, much of the produced heat is lost, demanding more energy and resources to maintain warmth in homes and businesses. The cost of heating is a significant expense for many Kazakh households, particularly those in rural areas where incomes are lower. The government provides subsidies to help offset these costs, but with energy prices rising globally, this is becoming an increasingly heavy burden on the national budget. The financial aspect of such upgrades is undoubtedly substantial. One source estimates that upgrading transmission and distribution infrastructure alone for all of Central Asia could cost between $25 billion to $49 billion. Additionally, infrastructure projects of this magnitude can take several years to over a decade to implement. For instance, Denmark began its transition to district heating systems and combined heat and power plants in the 1970s, and is still implementing improvements today. Similarly, Germany started its Energiewende (energy transition) initiative in 2000, with goals set for 2050. What Steps Have Been Taken? Efforts are made to upgrade aging systems, improve energy efficiency, and transition to more sustainable sources of energy. In 2023, Kazakhstan significantly upgraded its energy infrastructure, as reported by the Astana Times. The launch of the second Beineu-Zhanaozen gas pipeline and a new distribution pipeline in Mangystau Region improved gas supply, while the completion of the Makat-North Caucasus pipeline met regional demands. The western zone's energy network was fortified with five new power transmission lines. Renewable energy saw...

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Kazakhstan Aligns with UN Practice, Lifts Ban on Taliban

Kazakhstan, located 1,566 km from the Afghanistan border, has announced the removal of the Taliban from its list of proscribed organizations. Aibek Smadiyarov, Spokesperson for the Kazakh Foreign Ministry, declared this policy shift, signifying a significant change in Kazakhstan's approach towards the Taliban. Smadiyarov stated that this decision aligns with Kazakhstan's regular update of its national list of terrorist organizations, ensuring consistency with international standards and practices. The United Nations (UN) does not include the Taliban in the list of organizations recognized as terrorist by the UN Security Council. "These resolutions are binding, and we adhere to them," affirmed Smadiyarov, underscoring Kazakhstan's commitment to follow international norms set by the UN. Originating in 1986-1987, the Taliban - a group labeled as a terrorist organization by numerous countries worldwide - ruled Afghanistan from 1996 to 2001 and returned to power in 2021 following the withdrawal of U.S. troops. The group is now striving to establish diplomatic relationships with various countries, including Kazakhstan. European countries have varied responses towards the Taliban. While no European nation has officially recognized the Taliban government, some degree of interaction has been initiated due to humanitarian and regional security concerns. For instance, the European Union has engaged in dialogue with the Taliban to address immediate humanitarian issues and evacuation efforts. Similarly, countries like Germany and Norway have been part of diplomatic negotiations with the Taliban, each guided by their respective foreign policies and national security considerations. The United States has also begun engaging with the Taliban albeit in a complex manner. Despite the Doha Agreement leading to the withdrawal of U.S. forces from Afghanistan and outlining commitments from both parties, it did not equate to formal recognition of the Taliban government. The U.S.'s approach, termed 'pragmatic engagement', emphasizes that Afghanistan's future hinges on mutual engagement between the Taliban and the international community. However, there remains global apprehension about the Taliban's policies, particularly concerning women's rights and education. The Taliban has been widely criticized for its harsh treatment of women and girls, including banning girls from receiving secondary education. Many international entities continue to condemn the Taliban's actions and demand an end to human rights abuses. Kazakhstan, being a secular nation, is naturally concerned about the oppressive ideology of the Taliban, especially its potential ramifications on women. The recent decision to remove the Taliban from its list of banned organizations highlights the complex geopolitical challenges Kazakhstan faces. It also demonstrates Kazakhstan’s commitment to aligning with the United Nations charter and the positions of its respective organs.

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Raids Target Illegal Medicine Sales in Remote Turkmen Villages

Law enforcement agencies in the Mary Velayat district have initiated crackdowns on citizens engaging in the unauthorized sales of medicines,Radio Azatlyk has reported. While these actions target what authorities deem to be illegal, individuals conducting the trades in remote areas argue that they're simply filling a crucial gap in essential healthcare access. Sellers in remote villages assert that they offer commonly used medications like analgin and paracetamol, which, to their understanding, don't require a doctor's prescription. These traders claim to have procured these medicines from city pharmacies and to simply be reselling them at a slight markup in areas lacking facilities. "Our village lacks pharmacies. Ambulance services have substantial delays, sometimes failing to arrive. People turn to us for antipyretics when they're stricken with a fever at night. We offer a service that pharmacies don't provide. We aren't breaking any laws," emphasized one villager engaged in medicine sales. Another trader echoed this sentiment, stating, "We're simply providing a service to our community." Moreover, these merchants assert that they inform local district police officers about their activities, believing this communication suffices as adherence to the regulations. However, plainclothes police officers have been actively involved in operations targeting this unauthorized trade. During these raids, authorities confiscate medicines and detain the traders, issuing substantial fines. The scenario underscores a wider issue of inadequate medical facilities and pharmacy access in rural areas. Rural residents complain about delayed and inadequate ambulance services, exacerbating their struggle to access essential medical aid. Shortages of crucial medicines in both rural and urban pharmacies have been recurrent issues in Turkmenistan. Inconsistent availability of medications was reported earlier this year, highlighting a systemic challenge. Additionally, instances of medical professionals capitalizing on pharmaceutical shortages for extra profits surfaced in December of the previous year. Trading medicines in Turkmenistan requires the possession of a valid license, and according to local legislation, sales should be conducted exclusively by individuals with a secondary or higher pharmaceutical education. This tension between unauthorized sales and healthcare gaps in remote regions presents a complex challenge in need of resolution.

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OCCRP Reports on Corruption Linked to Berdimuhamedov family

The Center for Aesthetic Medicine in Ashgabat was sold at a huge discount to a company called Ashgabat International Aesthetic Medicine Center (AIATC), associated with the Berdimuhamedov family, the Center for Research on Corruption and Organized Crime (OCCRP) has reported together with the publications Turkmen.news and Gundogar. According to investigators, the Government of Turkmenistan built the center at a cost of U$51 million dollars; its official opening took place in October 2020. However, two days before the opening, the President of Turkmenistan at that time, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, signed a decree authorizing the privatization of the center without a tender. As a result, the center was sold for $ 6.5 million less than the state spent on its construction. Journalists believe that the real discount the buyers received may be much higher taking into account the unofficial exchange rate. (In 2020, the unofficial exchange rate was 23.6 manat per dollar, whilst the official rate was 3.5.). AIATC belongs to a group of seven legal entities, investigators learned from a data leak about members of the Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs of Turkmenistan. Two of these seven companies are related to the Berdymukhamedov family. Despite the fact that the Center for Aesthetic Medicine was bought by AIATC, it is managed by the Center for Beauty and Aesthetics, the director of which is Doctor Gulya Annanepesova, who is the head of both the selling and the buying enterprise. Annanepesova has allegedly accompanied Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov on official trips at least twice. In March 2017, they traveled to Qatar, and in November 2019 to Italy. Annanepesova is listed as a cosmetologist and a doctor in the lists of participants of the delegations. In 2016, Annanepesova was awarded a medal in honor of the 25th anniversary of Turkmenistan's independence. At that time, she worked at the state Center for Internal Medicine, and among her colleagues was one of the younger sisters of the president, who worked as a nurse. A year after the opening of the Center for Aesthetic Medicine, Berdimuhamedov awarded Annanepesova with a commemorative badge for services to the development of health care in Turkmenistan. She was listed in the list of awardees as the director of the Center for Beauty and Aesthetics. Annanepesova, according to the sources of the publications, is married to Maksat Geldiev, who worked in the Ministry of National Security and played an important role in the introduction of internet censorship in Turkmenistan. The Center for Aesthetic Medicine offers a wide range of cosmetology and wellness treatments, from weight loss programs to hairdressing services. The journalists drew attention to the fact that all these services do not coincide with the initiatives of the authorities, which prohibit, among other things, bright make-up and plastic surgery. The imposition of restrictions on women intensified shortly after Serdar Berdimuhamedov succeeded his father as president of the country in March 2022.

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Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan Agree on Another Border Section

Delegations from Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan have conducted more work on the definition and designation of the state border, agreeing on the divination of another 11.88 km at a meeting in Buston held between the 17th and 23rd of December. The two parties also agreed to continue determining the remaining sections oat the next meeting to be held in Kyrgyzstan. A long-standing source of conflict between the two nations, it is emblematic of the problem that even the length of the border - sometimes cited as being 975-kilomtres long, and at others times 972-kilomteres - is rarely agreed upon. In January 2023, Tajikistan’s President Rahmon stated that 614-kilometres have been agreed upon, backtracking on a previously stated figure of 664. With its scant natural resources and dwindling water supplies, the border between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan has been the scene of numerous skirmishes for many years. In 2014, all borders between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan were closed indefinitely to Kyrgyz and Tajik citizens following clashes over a bypass road in disputed territory; mortars were fired and both armies suffered casualties. In 2021 and 2022, troubles flared up again. Several hundred kilometers of the border have not yet been defined. This situation developed after the collapse of the USSR, leaving the parties unable to agree on dozens of disputed areas. The non-delimited territories become a conflict zone between the local population, and the border guards of the two countries became involved. The last major conflict occurred on September 16th 2022, as a result of which hundreds of people were killed and injured on both sides, and massive damage was caused to the infrastructure in Sughd and Batken. The Presidents of Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan, Emomali Rahmon and Sadyr Japarov, have repeatedly discussed delimitation of the border. The situation in the disputed areas is also closely monitored by the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO). In recent years, the authorities of the two countries have been actively negotiating to resolve this issue. Meetings have been held alternately on the territory of the two republics. Currently, more than 90%, or about 885 km of the border has been mutually recognized by States.