Kazakhstan - The Times Of Central Asia

Viewing results 3253 - 3258 of 4858

Kazakhstan and U.S. Issue Joint Statement on Methane Reduction

Kazakhstan and U.S. Issue Joint Statement on Methane Reduction The Special Representative of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan for International Environmental Cooperation, Zulfiya Suleimenova, and Special U.S. Presidential Envoy for Climate Change, John Kerry issued a joint statement on accelerating methane reductions to meet the Global Methane Pledge (GMP). Kazakhstan and the United States declared their mutual commitment to accelerate the development and implementation of policies and projects to rapidly reduce methane emissions, especially in the fossil energy sector. Building on more than 30 years of successful partnership between Kazakhstan and the United States, this statement commemorated the fifth anniversary of the Enhanced Strategic Partnership between Kazakhstan and the United States and expanded opportunities for cooperation in the field of methane control. The statement: recognized the key role the two countries play in creating a greener, safer and better world; stressed the importance of rapidly reducing methane emissions by 2030 to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius; recognized the significant potential of the fossil energy sector to reduce methane emissions and the need to rapidly reduce emissions in this sector. The statement also served as a memorandum of understanding of the importance of voluntary action in promoting collective efforts to reduce global methane emissions; highlighted the need to seek to mobilize global action and strengthen support for existing international initiatives to reduce methane emissions through effective bilateral action; and recognized the critical participation of the private sector, development banks, financial institutions and international aid agencies in supporting the implementation of the Pledge.

Kazakhstan Signs Twenty Deals Worth $4.85 Billion in Dubai

On December 2nd, during his visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), President of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, oversaw the signing of twenty commercial agreements. These agreements, facilitated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan and the National Company KAZAKH INVEST, are collectively worth $4.85 billion. A landmark agreement was reached between the governments of Kazakhstan and the UAE for a $1.4 billion construction project of a 1 GW wind power station in Kazakhstan. The project will be implemented with the assistance of Masdar, a UAE-based renewable energy company. Furthermore, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Ministry of Energy of Kazakhstan, JSC Samruk-Kazyna, and the Ministry of Investments of the UAE. This MoU outlines plans for implementing low-carbon energy projects with a combined capacity of 10 GW. In addition, JSC Samruk-Kazyna and ACWA Power agreed to jointly develop a project for the construction of wind power stations with a total capacity of 1 GW and an energy storage system in the Zhetysu region in Kazakhstan. An investment agreement was also inked between the Government of Kazakhstan and French company Total Energies. This agreement pertains to the development, construction, and operation of a wind power station with a total capacity of 1 GW in the Zhambyl region of Kazakhstan. In terms of venture funding, the Qazaqstan Investment Corporation established a co-investment platform with ADQ, an Abu Dhabi-based investment and holding company, on strategic partnership for creating a joint financing mechanism for venture projects. Moreover, a joint venture agreement was signed between JSC National Company Kazakhstan, Temir Zholy, and the Abu Dhabi Ports Group. The agreement covers collaboration in five key areas: maritime transportation, maritime and dry ports, railway logistics, digitization, and trading5. Lastly, the JSC National Company KAZAKH INVEST and Emirati company Al Amana Power Solutions agreed to initiate the development of renewable energy projects with investments exceeding $100 million. Overall, these agreements underscore Kazakhstan's commitment to sustainable energy and international collaboration in pursuing green initiatives.

By 2035, the Capacity of Hydroelectric Power Plants in Central Asia Will Increase by 8,900MW

By 2028-2029, Central Asia will face a permanent and persistent water scarcity, with a deficit estimated to be between 5-12 cubic kilometers annually. At the same time, the demand for electricity in Central Asia is expected to increase significantly over the next ten years, Nikolai Podguzov, Chairman of the Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) Management Board said this week at the World Hydropower Congress in Bali. "In the Central Asian region, hydropower plays a key role not only in generating electricity, but also in regulating river runoff for irrigation purposes,” Podguzov stated. “In this regard, the countries of the region are interested in the multipurpose use of their water resources, and wish to attract investment to develop water resources potential". According to Podguzov, the construction of new hydroelectric power plants with reservoirs and the modernization of already functioning HPPs will both serve to reduce the impact of climate change and ensure the steady economic and social development of the region, which is highly reliant on affordable, environmentally-friendly energy and a sustainable irrigation supply. "According to our estimates, Central Asia is one of the few regions in the world where the hydropower potential has been developed by less than 25%”, Podguzov said. “Currently, there are more than 80 hydroelectric power plants operating in the region, with a total installed capacity of about 14,000 MW. In the period up to 2035, it is planned to increase the capacity of local hydroelectric power plants by 8,900 MW through the modernization of already functioning HPPs and the construction of new ones. The largest new projects being implemented include the construction of the 1,860 MW Kambarata HPP-1 in the Kyrgyz Republic, and the 3,600 MW Rogun HPP in Tajikistan”.

Kazakhstan: Convicted Former Security Chief Massimov Faces New Charges

New charges of money laundering and taking a bribe have been levelled at the imprisoned former chief of Kazakhstan’s National Security Committee (KNB), Karim Massimov. On November 14th, the KNB's press service said that Massimov is currently in a pretrial detention center in Astana awaiting trial on the new charges. No further details regarding the charges were provided. In April, Massimov, a close ally of former President Nursultan Nazarbayev, was sentenced to 18 years over his role in the deadly events which followed unprecedented anti-government protests in January 2022. His deputies, Anuar Sadyqulov and Daulet Erghozhin, were sentenced to 16 years and 15 years in prison in respectively. A court in Astana found all three men guilty of high treason, attempting to seize power by force, and the abuse of their offices and power. Another former deputy of Massimov, Marat Osipov, was sentenced to three years in prison on a charge of abuse of office at the same trial. Massimov's first deputy, Samat Abish, a nephew of Nazarbayev, was dismissed from his post, but did not face any charges. The 58-year-old Massimov was arrested days after the initially peaceful protests turned into widespread violent unrest and coordinated attacks on government installations which left at least 238 people, including 19 law enforcement officers, dead. The protests began in the southwestern town of Zhanaozen early January 2022 over a sudden hike in the price of fuel, before demonstrations quickly spread into broader unrest against corruption, and perceived injustice.

Court Cases

Qairat Boranbaev Released from Prison After Returning Assets to Kazakhstan Treasury

On November 6th, Qairat Boranbaev, a renowned Kazakh businessman with close connections to the family of former President Nursultan Nazarbayev, was released from custody as his prison term was converted into a parole sentence. Boranbaev, once one of the wealthiest businessmen in Kazakhstan, had built his fortune on the country's thriving oil and gas industry. His initial eight-year sentence on embezzlement charges, shared with two co-defendants, was reduced to six years following a retrial in Astana. In a surprising turn of events during a new hearing on August 22nd, Boranbaev changed his plea. His lawyer, Daniyar Qanafin, announced that Boranbaev had admitted to embezzling 14.6 billion tenge (over $32 million) and had returned the stolen funds and properties to the State Treasury. Qanafin also revealed that Boranbaev was prepared to make a deal with investigators and prosecutors. As part of this deal, Boranbaev voluntarily transferred state ownership of assets worth over 90 billion tenge, including the Comfort Hotel complex, a network of fitness centers, an oil-producing company, and an oil field in western Kazakhstan. Additionally, he made a significant contribution of 30 billion tenge to the Education Infrastructure Support Fund. Boranbaev's connection to the Nazarbayev family comes through his daughter, Alima Boranbaeva, who was married to Nazarbayev's late grandson, Aisultan Nazarbayev. The arrest of the 56-year-old tycoon followed unprecedented anti-government protests and coordinated attacks on government properties in early January 2022. Boranbaev, along with other associates of the Nazarbayev regime, faced charges of orchestrating a coup attempt.

Taraz and Ancient Olympia: A Union of Cultural Exchange and Growth

On November 4th, a historically significant twinning ceremony was held between the city of Taraz in Kazakhstan and Ancient Olympia in Greece. The agreement was signed at the Temple of Hera, an ancient site revered by the Greeks. It's here that the rules of the original Olympic Games were kept, and where the Olympic Flame is ceremonially lit every two years, symbolizing the continuation of an ancient sporting tradition. Bakhytzhan Orynbekov, the Akim (Mayor) of Taraz, views this partnership as an opportunity to foster mutual growth. He believes that it will enhance exchanges in various sectors, including culture, sports, tourism, science, and education. These fields are seen as key areas of development that can benefit from international cooperation. Georgios Georgiopoulos, the Mayor of Ancient Olympia, echoed these sentiments. He expressed enthusiasm about forming bonds of friendship and brotherhood with Taraz. With a rich history stretching back 2000 years, Taraz has been a significant cultural crossroads between the East and West. This makes it an ideal partner for Ancient Olympia, which itself has a storied history dating back to antiquity. In a meeting with representatives from Ilia's business community, both parties agreed to strengthen economic ties and cultivate relations between their respective regions and business circles. This agreement underscores the importance of international collaboration in fostering economic growth and development. Ancient Olympia is renowned for its UNESCO World Heritage Sites and also for hosting the International Olympic Academy. This institution is the primary educational and cultural arm of the International Olympic Committee and plays a vital role in promoting the values and ideals of the Olympic movement. The initiative to twin Taraz and Ancient Olympia was spearheaded by the Embassy of Kazakhstan in Greece and the Kazakh-Hellenic Business Council, demonstrating the importance of diplomatic and business relations in fostering cultural ties.