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Turkmenistan and Russia Discuss Cooperation

On December 4th in Moscow, the Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan, Rashid Meredov met with Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation, Alexey Overchuk. The main topic of the talks was preparations for the upcoming 13th meeting of the Intergovernmental Turkmen-Russian Commission on Economic Cooperation, which will be held in Ashgabat early next year. It was emphasized that the upcoming meeting will be an important stage in the development of mutually beneficial trade and economic partnership between the two countries. Both sides noted that today, Turkmenistan and Russia are searching for new forms and areas of cooperation that meet modern realities, the needs and mutual potential of the two countries. In this context, the importance of improving the legal framework of bilateral economic and commercial relations was stated. The parties also discussed cooperation in the cultural and humanitarian sphere. In this regard, Overchuk noted the agreements reached on the construction of a new joint Turkmen-Russian secondary school named after Pushkin in Ashgabat, the new Russian Drama Theater, and the creation of a Turkmen-Russian university in Ashgabat.

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Police in Turkmenistan Apprehend Former RFE/RL Correspondent

The police in Koneurgench, northern Turkmenistan, have apprehended Hudaiberdy Allashov, a former correspondent for RFE/RL, on undisclosed charges. Family members informed RFE/RL that Allashov was taken into custody on December 1st following a summons from the police. They allege that during this encounter, he was subjected to physical abuse and electric shocks. His current location and the rationale behind his arrest remain unknown. Allashov's association with RFE/RL dates back to a brief three-month stint in 2016. However, his tenure ended abruptly when he and his mother were arrested on accusations of using chewing tobacco, an offense deemed unlawful in the tightly-governed former Soviet nation. Both Allashov and his mother, Kurbantach Arazmedova, refuted these charges at the time. Their initial arrest drew international attention, leading to their release in mid-February 2017, albeit with a court conviction for possession of chewing tobacco, each receiving a three-year suspended prison sentence. Following his release, Allashov chose to cease his work with RFE/RL, expressing concerns for his safety. Nevertheless, in October 2019, he was detained once again, enduring hours of questioning allegedly accompanied by physical assault. The situation took a toll on his mother, who fell ill and passed away in the hospital two days later. In a separate incident in May 2022, Allashov and his wife, Ejesh Arazgylyjeva, were allegedly subjected to violent treatment by an official in Koneurgench, resulting in Arazgylyjeva's hospitalization and necessitating medical attention for Allashov himself. Turkmenistan's government maintains a tight grip over media outlets, including newspapers, radio, television, and online platforms.

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Turkmenistan’s Mejlis Adopts Law on the State Budget for 2024

On November 24th, the Mejlis of Turkmenistan, during its fourth meeting of the seventh convocation, unanimously adopted the Law "On the State Budget of Turkmenistan for 2024". The budget, which is based on comprehensive calculations backed by the state's financial capacity, aims to serve the interests of the people and their well-being. The session was chaired by President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, who addressed the priorities of the state policy. The meeting also considered several significant normative legal acts developed in line with the country's comprehensive program for the modernization of the legal framework. The main financial-legal document for local budgets in the forthcoming year was also discussed. The budget for 2024 is set to reach a total of 102,313.5 million Turkmen manat (US $ 29.23 billion), marking a significant increase from the previous year1. In addition to the 2024 budget, the Mejlis also unanimously adopted the Resolution "On the Implementation of the State Budget of Turkmenistan for 2022". The meeting further deliberated on several draft laws such as the "International Convention on Civil Liability for Damage from Bunker Fuel Pollution", "Amendments and Additions to Some Legislations of Turkmenistan", and "Protection of Objects of National Historical and Cultural Heritage". These legislative drafts were all unanimously approved and adopted. The adoption of the state budget for 2024 and the discussion of various legislative drafts underscore the government's commitment to modernizing the country's legal framework and boosting economic growth.

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EDB Proposes Ten Steps to Preserve Irrigated Land Potential and Support Water Conservation in Central Asia

As outlined in a press release on the EDB website, in the summer of 2023, Central Asia was faced once again with water shortages, which have a significant impact on agriculture. The sector relies on irrigation, which consumes up to 80% of available water, and has a poor track record with regard to the efficient use of water resources. The irrigation infrastructure is over 50 years old. More than half of all irrigated land has become salinized, and 40% of water is lost through irrigation canals. A new Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) study entitled “Efficient Irrigation and Water Conservation in Central Asia” outlines ten practical steps for preserving irrigated land potential and promoting water conservation. The list includes four recommendations for adoption at a regional level and six at a national level. The measures are designed to save enough water each year to support sustainable development. Implementing the measures will require collaboration between governments, farmers and multilateral development institutions. The need for urgent action is intensified by the anticipated reduction in the flow of the Amu Darya River. Water deficit is a key structural constraint to socio-economic development in Central Asia. This region is among the most vulnerable to climate change, with temperatures rising at a faster rate than the global average. Periods of drought and low water are becoming more frequent, and the hydrological patterns of rivers and groundwater supplies are undergoing change. Glacier areas have been diminishing rapidly, with a 30% decrease over the last 50 years. Climate change is leading to reduced river flows at a time when the region’s demand for water is growing rapidly. The primary solution to the water deficit lies in improving irrigation practices. Agriculture in Central Asia is the largest consumer of water, with irrigation accounting for 100.4 km3 of the total 127.3 km3 (80%) of water used in the region in 2020. Historically, irrigation has played a vital role in developing agriculture and ensuring food security in the region. Central Asia boasts 10.1 million hectares of irrigated land, representing approximately 2.9% of the world’s total. This irrigated land generates nearly 66% of the region’s gross agricultural output in terms of value. However, Central Asia’s irrigation infrastructure is highly degraded and technically inadequate. It lacks the equipment needed for metering and distributing water for irrigation and controlling its use in the field. The average age of the irrigation infrastructure is over 50 years. Up to half of irrigated land is salinized. Water use in agriculture is inefficient, with 40% of water lost in the irrigation canal system. A commitment to conserving water appears to be the only solution to protecting the potential of irrigated land and food security in Central Asia. This shift in approach is imperative not only because of climate change and escalating water demand, but also to mitigate the anticipated decrease in the flow of the Amu Darya River from Afghanistan. By 2028, the combined effects of climate change, low-water periods and the commissioning of the Kosh-Tepa Canal in...

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