Kazakhstan Referendum Approves First Nuclear Power Plant
More than 71 percent of voters have approved the October 6 referendum for constructing Kazakhstan’s first nuclear power plant (NPP). Turnout was over 63 percent, easily surpassing the 50-percent barrier for validation. This result closely tracks the results of a telephone survey conducted by the Democracy Institute on September 30 and released by the Kazakhstan Institute for Strategic Studies. That survey found 73 percent of those asked to favor construction of a nuclear power plant. It also found that 62 percent of respondents intended to vote, not far from the actual participation rate. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev had announced the referendum initiative in a message to the public in September 2023. In that address, he emphasized that Kazakhstan, as the world's largest producer of uranium, should also have its own nuclear-power generation capabilities. Following this announcement, a series of meetings between representatives of various government agencies and the public were organized across all regions of the country. During these meetings, the plans for constructing an NPP were discussed in detail, with an emphasis on the potential benefits of nuclear energy for Kazakhstan’s energy independence. Kazakhstan has held a significant position in the global nuclear-energy market since the late 2000s, accounting for approximately 40 percent of global uranium production. Despite this advantageous position, the country faces severe electricity shortages, which are projected to worsen by 2025, especially in the rapidly growing southern regions. Reliance on aging thermal power plants, many of which are equipped with components that have been in service for over 50 years, has only exacerbated the problem. Frequent energy shortages in multiple regions have left citizens without heat during harsh winter conditions, often with temperatures dropping well below zero. The proposed site for the nuclear power plant is in Ulken, located in the Almaty region. The shortlist of potential builders for the NPP includes companies from China, South Korea, Russia, France, and the United States. The inclusion of companies from multiple countries is aimed at ensuring competitive bidding and securing the best possible technology for the project. Tokayev has indicated a personal preference for an “international consortium made up of global companies equipped with cutting-edge technologies.” Developing an NPP will help the country to achieve energy independence and meet carbon-neutrality goals. Without an NPP, rolling blackouts will be necessary and dependence on electricity imports from Russia will continue. However, the legacy of the Semipalatinsk test site looms large, creating a challenging decision for Kazakh citizens. Kazakhstan's nuclear history spans from Soviet-era testing to present-day energy challenges. The Semipalatinsk nuclear test site, established in 1947, was where the Soviet Union conducted over 468 nuclear tests, leaving long-lasting environmental and health impacts on the local population. The fallout from these tests has burdened the national health-care system for decades, exacerbated by nuclear fallout from Chinese testing at Lop Nor. In response to these consequences, then-President Nursultan Nazarbayev closed the Semipalatinsk site in 1991, and by 1994, Kazakhstan had relinquished its nuclear arsenal and became a non-nuclear state. Nazarbayev’s rise to power in the late 1980s was partly fuelled by the transnational “Nevada-Semei” movement, which mobilized Kazakhstani civil society against Soviet nuclear policies. The national health-care delivery system has been burdened for decades with the effects of nuclear fallout on the population, stemming from the above-ground testing at Semipalatinsk (Semei) during the Soviet era, not to mention fallout blown by winds from Chinese nuclear testing at their own Lop Nor site. In 1991, then-President Nursultan Nazarbayev officially closed the Semipalatinsk site; by 1994, Kazakhstan had relinquished its nuclear arsenal and become a non-nuclear state. In the run-up to the referendum just held, various media platforms enabled the government to address fears related to nuclear accidents and waste disposal. The public discourse drew comparisons to other countries that have successfully integrated nuclear power. It argued for the feasibility and safety of the proposed plant while addressing fears about nuclear accidents and waste management. The issue is critical for Kazakhstan's energy security and has the side benefits of promoting job creation and foreign investment. In the lead-up to the recent referendum, various media platforms were used to address public concerns about nuclear accidents and waste disposal. The government highlighted the safety and feasibility of the proposed plant, drawing comparisons to other countries that have successfully integrated nuclear power. By emphasizing stringent safety standards and international oversight, the campaign helped alleviate fears and promote the benefits of nuclear energy, such as job creation, foreign investment, and improved energy security. Initially, public opinion was evenly split between supporters and opponents, but by highlighting the need to address energy shortages, reduce dependence on hydrocarbon fuels, and leverage nuclear power for a sustainable economy, the campaign successfully swayed public sentiment. The promotion of benefits such as job creation, foreign investment, and improved energy security further bolstered public support, making the referendum outcome relatively predictable.
Mideast Conflict Disrupts Flights with Central Asia
The growing conflict between Israel and Iran has disrupted international air travel in the Middle East, and Central Asia is grappling with cancellations and rerouted flights to and from the region. Flynas, a low-cost Saudi airline, and Qeshm Air, an Iranian carrier, have temporarily canceled flights to Uzbekistan “due to the escalation of tensions in the Middle East and the closure of part of the airspace,” the state-run Uzbekistan Airports company said on Telegram on Wednesday. The cancellations were a Flynas flight on the Jeddah-Tashkent-Jeddah route; another roundtrip Flynas flight from Jeddah to the Uzbek city of Namangan and back; and a Qeshm Air flight from Tehran to Tashkent and back to the Iranian capital, according to the Uzbek company. It advised travelers to check departure information with airline representatives. Air Astana, Kazakhstan’s national carrier, said it had decided to bypass Iran’s airspace on its flights to Dubai after analyzing the situation in the Middle East and following guidance from the national aviation authorities. “As a result, the flight routes from Astana and Almaty to Dubai will be altered, and flight time will be extended,” Air Astana said on Telegram. “Flights to Jeddah will remain unchanged but may be reconsidered if military activity in the region escalates. If necessary, the airline will implement additional changes to ensure flight safety.” Aviation authorities of Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Transport have advised domestic airlines to avoid Iranian airspace, according to Kazinform, a state-run news agency. The flight disruptions came after Iran launched hundreds of missiles at Israel on Tuesday, and Israel warned that it will respond forcefully to the attack. The confrontation threatens a broader conflict in the region as Israel is already conducting military operations against two Iran-backed groups, Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Kazakhstan’s Youth Suicide Crisis: Unraveling the Complex Web of Societal Challenges
A wave of suicides among teenagers and young adults has swept across Kazakhstan. Parents and the Children's Ombudsman have said children were provoked to do dangerous things by the internet, and deputies have demanded that social networks should be blocked. The media, meanwhile, has been accused of creating a “Werther effect,” fixating on the rash of suicides and thus encouraging teenagers to repeat these acts of self-harm. However, experts believe the cause is much more nuanced and cannot be eliminated by blocking harmful content alone. Chronicle of a Fateful September On September 13, a teenager fell from an eighth-story window in Astana. The boy died of his injuries. The very next day, a schoolgirl plummeted from a fifth-floor window in Shchuchinsk. The 12-year-old girl is in hospital, and the causes of both incidents are still under investigation. On September 16 in Almaty, two seventh-grade students from school No. 25 named after the writer I.Esenberlin, left class and climbed to the attic of a neighbor's apartment complex. The girls both fell to their death from the roof. “I came, and I saw two girls lying there. They had jumped from the roof," an eyewitness stated. "The girls were about 13 years old; seventh graders. One had a backpack next to her, and the other had no shoes and was wearing black tights. She had taken her shoes off and placed them neatly. One fell on a car, and her body rolled away. The second was immediately killed on the asphalt.” Later, it became known that one of the girls was the daughter of a famous Almaty ecologist and artist. Deputy Interior Minister Igor Lepekha said that what happened "is a suicide; the case was opened based on it being suicide." On September 21, another schoolgirl fell from a high-rise in Almaty. Allegedly, the girl left the house to perform a routine task, but climbed to the 13th floor, from where she plunged. The Almaty Police Department confirmed the girl's death and has opened a criminal case. By this time, in schools, online, and on social networks, parents had started to spread panicked rumors about the impact on children of a particular computer game, similar to the semi-mythical game “Blue Whale.” In the past, Blue Whale has been decried as a malicious game which encourages teenagers to commit suicide and acts of violence, but no convincing evidence has ever been presented. The Almaty police stated that gossip regarding the involvement of dangerous internet games in the girls' deaths is not valid and reminded the public about their responsibility vis-à-vis spreading false information. On September 22, in the yard of a multi-story residential building in Almaty, the body of a 3rd-year cadet from the Border Academy of the National Security Committee (NSC) who was on regular leave was found. “The cause of death was a fall from a height,” the NSC press service reported. On September 23, also in Almaty, multiple sources reported that a young man had tumbled from a high-rise building. Police confirmed this information and the young man's death. The seventh tragic case in the largest city in Kazakhstan was the death of a student at the prestigious Almaty Management University (AlmaU) on September 25. The student's body was found on a sports field near a high-rise. The student was in his 20s, was studying to be a director, and was the son of a prominent official. The cause of his death is also believed to be suicide; however, there is no official statement as of yet. Search for the Guilty Given that this September has been filled with unexplained tragic incidents, the level of anxiety in Kazakhstan, especially in Almaty, has risen sharply. The media has been chock-full of stories about how a game called “Red Dolphin” has allegedly affected children in the same way it was said Blue Whale did. Photographs of books reportedly found among the belongings of the girls involved in the September 16 suicide were also shared, with unfounded rumors indicative of the widespread panic claiming these books were only available in marketplaces and were not sold in stores; it later transpired that the teen fantasy books were widely available. The Ministry of Internal Affairs announced it was checking the schoolgirls' phones. “Participation in suicidal game is not established. The Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) constantly monitors networks to identify and respond to illegal content. Since the beginning of the year, about 22,000 illegal foreign internet resources have been identified. Information has been sent to the authorized body to block access to them. The participation of Kazakhstani citizens in internet games with a suicidal orientation has not been established,” the Interior Ministry stated. The Almaty Education Department also announced the formation of a commission to investigate all aspects of the case, involving representatives from relevant government agencies. Additionally, many schools across the city have held meetings with parents focused on suicide prevention. Children's Ombudsman Dinara Zakieva published a memo on her social networks, which is being distributed among teachers and parents. The memo mentions Red Dolphin and dozens of other internet resources that, according to some sources, push children to suicide. It also mentions the teen fantasy books allegedly found in possession of the dead girls. According to the Interior Ministry, the average age among children who take their own life in Kazakhstan is 15-17 years old. The Ombudsman notes, however, that cases are increasingly common among the age group 11-13. “The main reasons are loneliness, relationships with parents, relatives, peers, and bullying. In addition, social networks significantly impact the modern world,” Zakieva wrote. The Ombudsman also stated that a pilot implementation of the KIVA anti-bullying program has begun in 110 schools, and will be introduced in all schools next year. From January, all schools should have one psychologist per 500 children. Currently, there is one per 1,500. Editorial staff at Factcheck.kz analyzed the pertinent internet materials and books, finding they “do not contain any calls for dangerous actions or information promoting suicide, but some of them are intended for the age category 16+. Red Dolphin and other groups associated with the RNBWN online community do contain information normalizing homicide and suicide. However, the actual effect of these resources is not entirely clear as of now. History shows that the impact of death groups tends to be greatly exaggerated,” the study concluded. Several psychologists, meanwhile, have spoken to the media pointing to the “Werther effect,” where the publication of news about suicides increases the risk of copycat actions. The psychologists' recommendations included increasing control over a child's phone use, and advising parents to build more trusting relationships with their children. Without waiting for the results of the investigation, meanwhile, Mazhilis deputy Zhuldyz Suleimenova has called on the authorities to block social networks and messengers across the country. Fictitious and Real Threats Unfortunately, youth suicide in Kazakhstan is not a rare phenomenon. At the same time, computer games, books, and social networks do not, in principle, play a significant role in these tragedies. In this climate of misinformation, in May of this year a schoolgirl threw herself from a multi-story building in Taldykorgan and died. According to some reports, the girl was driven to take such a step after receiving unsatisfactory results in the Unified National Test (UNT), which determines the possibility of receiving a grant to study at university. However, the school said the girl was yet to sit the UNT at the time of her death. In August, two sisters were hospitalized in Shymkent after trying to end their lives. They told police they had decided to commit suicide because they were being blackmailed over an intimate video they were filmed participating in. A criminal case was opened under the article “Driving to suicide.” Overall, according to the General Prosecutor's Office, 2,389 cases of suicide were registered in Kazakhstan in the first eight months of 2024, including 128 cases among children between the ages of 5 and 18. According to information for 2023, the number of suicides among minors in Kazakhstan increased by 48% - from 94 to 139, and the number of attempted suicides from 210 to 233 cases. In this regard, a Comprehensive Plan for 2023-2025 to protect children from violence and prevent suicide was adopted. The Comprehensive Plan envisages the development of anti-bullying programs based on foreign experience and several other measures that include rapid responses to incidents of violence. In February of this year, Aigul Kadirova, coordinator of the adolescent and youth development program of the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) in Kazakhstan, outlined the leading causes of mortality among children and youth. Kadirova said that according to the Bureau of National Statistics, the leading causes of death among young people aged 10 to 34 includes accidents, poisoning, injuries, transportation accidents, and suicide. She noted that the study shows that traffic accidents and self-harm are the leading causes of death among young people. “This conclusion applies to all age groups of adolescents. Starting from the age group of 15-19 years, self-harm, which includes suicide, comes in first place,” said Kadirova. In 2023, a statement by Professor Muslim Hasenov, a PhD in law and associate professor at the Narikbayev KazSLU, argued that according to his data, about 170 children end their lives by suicide every year in Kazakhstan. There is a “very high latency, very unclear reasons in many cases. I analyzed all the statistics for eight years and came to shocking conclusions. Every year in Kazakhstan, an average of 172 children commit suicide, and the number of suicide attempts among minors reaches 350 cases a year,” wrote Hasenov. But, he noted, only about 40 cases a year are registered under the article, Driving to suicide. “We should not simplistically perceive suicide as a voluntary departure from life, especially if it concerns a child, because this is a very cynical and dangerous approach," Hasenov stated. "We must realize that any suicide, especially child suicide, has reasons when a person, especially a child, is driven to despair, and, in addition to internal psychological factors, there are external ones. And the science of criminal law has already formed the concept of 'criminal suicide' [where] a suicide is caused by an external negative impact of a physical, mental, or informational nature.” According to statistics, 40% of all child suicides in Kazakhstan are committed for unspecified reasons, leading Hasenov to argue it is impossible to establish the reasons behind such actions if this remains the case. "If there is no investigation or collection of evidence, it is practically impossible to establish guilt and bring the guilty to justice. There are also facts when relatives of persons who committed suicide, for some reason, do not apply or refuse to initiate proceedings due to fear, bribery, or simply unwillingness due to the tragic circumstances,” said Hasenov in calling for a full investigate into all the facts in cases of children's suicides. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has also expressed his opinion on the situation, stating that violence provokes children to commit suicide. “Unfortunately, cases of abuse and even violence among students do not stop, which, in turn, provokes children into suicide. Bullying causes irreparable damage to the mental state and health of children and adolescents, hurts the learning process, and leads to exclusion from the social environment and mental disorders. The State must ensure the protection of the rights and safety of children. It is necessary to eradicate bullying forever,” the president said last year, adding that he constantly receives letters from desperate parents. Tokayev instructed his administration to take control of the situation regarding the safety of children in schools. “The Prosecutor General's Office should finally fulfill the duties assigned to them as far as the safety of children is concerned. The Ombudsman for Children's Rights should record all such cases and report to me. We will take the toughest measures,” said Tokayev. Immediately after the wave of suicides, on September 30, Children's Rights Ombudsman Zakieva published a report on her trip to the Turkestan Oblast; the report clearly identifies the leading causes of children's suicidal behavior. Located in the country's south, Turkestan Oblast is Kazakhstan's most populated and “multi-child” region. It is also heavily influenced by religion and patriarchal traditions, including the subordinate, dependent position of women and children. “In a rural school in the Saryagash district, children complained of bullying and extortion in questionnaires and surveys. In the same school, a boy committed suicide in the spring; at the same time, a 15-year-old girl was found to be pregnant after being raped. It transpired that these students had earlier signaled in their drawings, which psychologists had collected, that they felt bad. However, no one paid attention,” Zakieva said. At a school in the Tole Bi district, four children from the same class wrote that they had been beaten, including with a stick, and were being mistreated at home. However, as the Ombudsman noted, psychologists and school administrators failed to report this to the authorized bodies, and the necessary actions were not taken. “A girl made a suicide attempt at school in the Sairam district, but no further work including the involvement of health services and psychiatrists was done,” Zakieva wrote. Several other similar cases are cited in the report. No matter how attractive the idea of declaring social networks, books, or computer games the cause of suicides may be, the facts do not bear out this theory. On the contrary, there is evidence that Kazakhstan's children decide to kill themselves because of violence, adult indifference, and disenfranchisement. According to the World Health Organization, more than 720,000 people commit suicide each year. Suicide is the third leading cause of death for people aged 15 to 29. Globally, 73% of suicides occur in low- and middle-income countries. There are helplines for people who find themselves in a difficult life situation in Kazakhstan. Kazakhstanis of any age can call this number with their problems and worries - the operators will not refuse them in counseling. The call is anonymous. The contact center is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. National helpline for children and youth at 150 or 1303. You can also write to WhatsApp at +7 708 106 08 10.
Observers From 30 Countries Will Follow the Referendum on NPP in Kazakhstan
The secretary of the Central Referendum Commission, Mukhtar Erman, has announced that 177 international observers will monitor the referendum on constructing a nuclear power plant (NPP) in Kazakhstan. Erman specified that observers represent 30 countries and four international organizations. Major international organizations invited by Kazakhstan include the OSCE, SCO, CIS, and Organization of Turkic States; however, the OSCE will not participate due to its high workload. Deputy Foreign Minister Roman Vasilenko added that 200 foreign journalists from 37 countries, including international media representatives, will work on the day of the referendum. According to Vasilenko, this will ensure transparency and objectivity. The idea of holding the referendum, which will be held on October 6, 2024, emerged against the backdrop of regular problems with energy supply and the need to modernize infrastructure. An active debate has characterized the build-up to the referendum, a project supported by the authorities as a solution to combat energy shortages and carbon dioxide emissions, whilst some quarters of the population remain concerned about environmental risks and Kazakhstan's historical connection to nuclear testing.
China Officially Joins the Middle Corridor
It was announced during the 8th International Silk Road Expo in Xi’an in September 2024 that China will formally join the Middle Corridor under the guise of participation by the China Railway Container Transport Corporation (CRTC). This move signals a growing reliance on Central Asia’s trade-route infrastructure potential. China's shift to overland routes is part of a broader strategy to diversify away from traditional maritime routes through chokepoints like the Strait of Malacca, which carry geopolitical risk. Kazakhstan's strategic geographic location naturally makes it indispensable to China’s trade, and infrastructure projects currently underway represent a key component of the Middle Corridor’s potential. In July 2024, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev ratified agreements with China aimed at further developing the Middle Corridor, enhancing both road and rail infrastructure. The country has already been upgrading its rail infrastructure, modernizing dry ports like Khorgos on the Chinese border, and expanding transit facilities at the Caspian Sea port of Aktau. The increased flow of goods through Kazakhstan is evident: over 212 container block trains have passed through the country by September 2024, with the number projected to exceed 300 by the year’s end. These build-outs, and particularly Kazakhstan’s modernization of its railways, go hand-in-hand with the recently finished improvements along the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars (BTK) line, which connects Azerbaijan to Turkey via Georgia. The expansion of the BTK line's capacity from 1 million to 5 million tons per year has now been completed. As a result of all these efforts, the travel time for goods from China to the Black Sea has been reduced to just 10–12 days, highlighting the efficiency of the corridor. Azerbaijan also plays a crucial role in this economic ecosystem. Baku’s port of Alat serves as a critical transit point for cargo crossing between Central Asia and the South Caucasus. Azerbaijan’s collaboration with Kazakhstan, Georgia, and Turkey has led to significant investments in expanding port facilities and upgrading railway systems beyond the crucial BTK link mentioned above. The result is a smoother, more reliable flow of goods from China to Europe. Azerbaijan is winning its bet to become a regional logistics hub. In addition, a Chinese consortium recently secured the contract for the construction of the Anaklia deep-sea port in Georgia, a strategically important site on the eastern edge of the Black Sea. The project was initially awarded to a Georgian-American consortium, but was cancelled in 2020 due to political and legal disputes. Following a new tender process this year, the Chinese consortium emerged as the sole bidder. If supporting infrastructure is adequately developed and the Black Sea’s cargo transit capacity can be significantly enhanced, then the Anaklia port could become a critical node in the Middle Corridor, enhancing its role in Eurasian trade and bolstering regional connectivity. China’s increased reliance on Central Asian, trans-Caspian, and South Caucasus routes is not just about efficiency. It is also a strategic diversification to mitigate the risks posed by geopolitical instability in other regions. Traditional sea routes through maritime choke-points as well as overland routes like the Northern Corridor through Russia have become problematic, all for different reasons. Due to global geoeconomic complications arising from Russia's ongoing war against Ukraine, not only China but also Europe has expressed concerns about the reliability of the Northern Corridor. The Middle Corridor offers an alternative bypassing these risks while leveraging Central Asia’s increasingly sophisticated logistical integration. In addition to economic and strategic benefits, the Middle Corridor offers what are viewed as environmental advantages. Overland routes, particularly those relying on rail, tend to be less carbon-intensive than long-distance maritime shipping, which is a major contributor to global carbon emissions. China thus showcases its shift toward rail and multi-modal transport along the Middle Corridor as an element in its policies to align with global sustainability goals. This has provided it with opportunities for successful public diplomacy around UN-driven development goals. It also plays well in the European Union, where reduced carbon footprints in international trade are still a major policy point. It seems likely that China may contribute to initiatives for the Middle Corridor's integration and logistical efficiency in such technological domains as advanced tracking systems, real-time data sharing, and seamless customs procedures. Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, and Georgia have been cooperating on digital platforms to facilitate smoother and more efficient border crossings; these reduce delays while ensuring the integrity of goods. Such advances also ensure Central Asian competitiveness as a transport link. China’s integration into the Middle Corridor marks a qualitatively new stage in the country’s trade strategy, where Central Asia's role becomes indispensable to it. It confirms the emergence of Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan as vital players in Eurasian logistics. Countries along the route are poised to benefit from China’s investments and their own efforts to modernize infrastructure. For Central Asia, the Middle Corridor is more than just a transit route. It represents a gateway to greater economic integration and regional stability.
Lukashenko Turns Up Charm After Kazakhstan Kerfuffle
In August, Belarusian leader Aleksandr Lukashenko drew a Kazakh rebuke after he criticized Kazakhstan for what he described as its tepid support for Russia. Lukashenko was a model of diplomatic etiquette on Tuesday, effusively praising Kazakhstan as a close ally during a ceremony at which he received credentials of foreign ambassadors. “Today there are practically no areas where we do not have common interests. Annual $1 billion trade turnover and successful projects in industrial interaction testify to the high dynamics of bilateral cooperation,” the longtime Belarusian ruler said of Kazakhstan. Lukashenko´s comments were reported by Belarus Today, a state-run media group. The Belarusian president also thanked Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev for supporting Belarus when it became a member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, a regional security group, earlier this year, according to Belarus Today. Kazakhstan was chair of the organization at the time. Things weren’t as convivial in August when Lukashenko, a backer of Russian President Vladimir Putin, suggested in an interview with Russian state television that Kazakhstan was exploiting Russia, now in a third year of war since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. “We are not starting to cheat like some post-Soviet states. They want to take something from Russia, but give nothing in return,” Lukashenko said at the time. The longtime leader of Belarus, who has crushed opposition over 30 years in power, referred to the dispatch of troops from regional countries to Kazakhstan in a show of support after protests and riots erupted there in January 2022, killing more than 200 people. Most of the troops were Russian; a small contingent came from Belarus. Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned the Belarusian ambassador after Lukashenko’s remarks and said, in an apparently oblique reference to the Ukraine war, that “all disagreements between states should be resolved by political and diplomatic means.” Kazakhstan’s new ambassador in Belarus is Yerlan Baizhanov, formerly the country’s top diplomat in Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos.
The Geopolitical Battle for Kazakhstan’s First Nuclear Power Plant
Nuclear power plants currently operate in only 32 countries in the world. Kazakhstan seems poised to join their ranks in the near future; but what does this shift mean for the energy-rich Central Asian nation? Following the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, Kazakhstan has been a strong advocate for nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament. Astana not only eliminated its nuclear arsenal, which was one of the largest in the world at the time, but also closed the Semipalatinsk nuclear test site, where the Soviet Union conducted more than 450 nuclear tests over 40 years. Thousands of people in Kazakhstan experienced birth defects and cancer linked to nuclear testing. This history makes the construction of a nuclear power plant in the former Soviet republic a particularly sensitive issue. Nevertheless, a majority of the population in Kazakhstan is expected to support building a nuclear facility in the national referendum scheduled for October 6. But what comes after the vote? If the citizens of Kazakhstan approve the government’s plans to go nuclear, the country might get its first nuclear power plant no earlier than 2035. In the meantime, Astana will have to find a strategic partner to participate in the development of the facility. Building and operation a nuclear power plant requires advanced technology, engineering expertise, and rigorous safety standards – areas where Kazakhstan currently lacks experience. “As a result, the country will likely need to rely on international partners to design, build, and possibly even operate its first nuclear power plant,” said James Walker, CEO and Head of Reactor Development at NANO Nuclear Energy, in an interview with The Times of Central Asia. Although most policymakers in Kazakhstan would like Western companies to build a nuclear power plant in Ulken, on the western shore of Lake Balkhash, at this point the Russian State Nuclear Energy Corporation Rosatom seems to have the best chance of playing a key role in the project. In Walker’s view, Russia has a long history of cooperation with Kazakhstan in the nuclear sector and could be a logical partner, especially given its extensive experience in building and operating nuclear power plants in other countries. “Rosatom has been actively involved in Kazakhstan’s nuclear sector for years, including uranium mining and nuclear fuel cycle activities. This established presence, coupled with Russia’s geopolitical influence in Central Asia, makes Rosatom a strong contender,” stressed the CEO of NANO Nuclear Energy, pointing out that Chinese corporations are also very interested in the potential construction of the first Kazakh nuclear power plant. Indeed, according to reports, the China National Nuclear Corporation offered to build a 1.2 GW nuclear power plant unit in Kazakhstan for $2.8 billion, with the construction taking five years. Another candidate for the project is South Korea’s Korea Electric Power Corporation. The largest electric utility in the East Asian nation reportedly proposed building a water-cooled power reactor –using water as a coolant to transfer heat away from the core. Walker, however, argues that while South Korea has a competitive edge due to its reputation for building cost-effective and high-quality nuclear reactors, such as those in the United Arab Emirates, it lacks the deep geopolitical ties to Kazakhstan that Russia and China possess. “This may make Seoul a less likely candidate, unless Kazakhstan seeks to diversify its energy partnerships,” Walker emphasized, claiming that energy security and diversification are major reasons why Astana is pushing for the construction of a nuclear power plant. As he sees it, developing a robust nuclear energy sector would ensure a stable, long-term supply of electricity, particularly as energy demands grow with economic development. It would also allow Kazakhstan to export excess electricity to neighboring countries, further solidifying its role as a key energy player in the region. “By developing nuclear energy, Kazakhstan can diversify its energy mix, reducing dependence on fossil fuels and enhancing energy security. Moreover, it would enhance Kazakhstan's position in the global nuclear energy market, transitioning from a raw material supplier to a country with advanced nuclear technology capabilities,” the NANO Nuclear Energy expert stressed. Presently, nearly 80% of electricity in Kazakhstan is generated by burning coal, approximately 15% is produced by hydropower, and the remainder comes from renewable energy sources. Although Astana is seeking to develop its green energy sector, hoping to eventually begin exporting “green electricity” to Europe, it is unlikely it can achieve such an ambitious goal without nuclear power. As the US author Michael Shellenberger highlighted in his 2016 New York Times article, the only countries that have successfully moved from fossil fuels to low-carbon power have done so with the help of nuclear energy. It is, therefore, no surprise that the European Union, particularly France, which is very interested in Kazakh energy, is aiming to develop a nuclear partnership with Astana. But will French, or other European corporations, be involved in the construction of the first Kazakh nuclear power plant? “Companies like EDF (Électricité de France) or Framatome have significant experience and a reputation for high safety and environmental standards. However, European involvement would likely come with strict regulatory requirements and potentially higher costs, which might be less attractive to Kazakhstan compared to the more financially flexible and geopolitically aligned options presented by Russia or China,” Walker concluded. It is no secret that Russian companies officially control about 25% of Kazakhstan’s uranium, and that Rosatom plans to build a small nuclear plant in neighboring Uzbekistan. Also, the fact that Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Kazakh counterpart Kassym-Jomart Tokayev discussed energy cooperation amid Astana’s plans to hold a referendum on the construction of a nuclear power plant, clearly indicates that Moscow has significant nuclear ambitions in Kazakhstan. The Kremlin is undoubtedly aiming to preserve Central Asia in its energy sphere for influence, fully aware that its potential involvement in the construction of a nuclear power plant in Kazakhstan would make Astana dependent on Rosatom’s maintenance. Consequently, the former Soviet republic would, at least in the field of energy, remain in Moscow’s geopolitical orbit.
The Future of Transit in Kazakhstan
Increasing the volume of transit cargo through Kazakhstan is a strategic priority for the nation as it aims to become a transportation and logistics hub in Central Asia and the Caspian region, with its railways at the forefront of this effort. TCA spoke with Asem Mukhamedieva, Managing Director for New Projects at KTZ Express JSC, about the company’s current capabilities, prospects, and new projects in this direction.
Kazakhstan’s Role in Transit Cargo
TCA: Kazakhstan, has become a vital land transportation corridor between Asia and Europe. How does Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ) contribute to further increasing transit cargo, and what trends have you observed?
Mukhamedieva- The volume of transit handled by KTZ Express in the first eight months of this year reached approximately 350,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU). The China-Europe-China route saw a 36% increase, while the China to Central Asia route grew by 17%. Notably, the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR) dispatched 220 container trains, a twenty-fold increase from last year.
TCA: What new routes have been launched, and what is KTZ doing to increase them?
- KTZ is continuously expanding its transportation network and logistics services. One significant development is the Trans-Afghan route, which was launched this May. Under a pilot project, containers with aluminosilicate hollow microspheres were shipped from Pavlodar to Jebel Ali Port via Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and the UAE. Offering competitive terms and tariffs has encouraged more cargo traffic along this route.
In July, we cut delivery times in half — down to just five days — on the Xi’an-Altynkol-Tashkent route, compared to the previous 10-12 days. This success is largely due to the new terminal in Xi’an, built by KTZ and its Chinese partners. The terminal consolidates cargo from various Chinese provinces, streamlining logistics processes and significantly improving efficiency.
We also launched several new logistics services to boost cargo traffic and strengthen international links. For example, in June, we introduced a regular South Korea-China-Kazakhstan-Central Asia route. We also reopened a previously unprofitable route from China to Iran and back, reducing costs by collaborating with Chinese partners.
The Growing Importance of the Trans-Caspian Route
TCA: You mentioned the growth of the TITR. Could you elaborate on the regions of China involved, the types of cargo, and what steps are being taken to attract more shipments?
- The Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR) has become a critical link in Eurasian logistics. This year, the route achieved remarkable growth. In September, we welcomed the 200th train dispatched via TITR at the Port of Aktau. Transit volumes for the first eight months of this year surpassed annual totals from previous years. Xi'an province leads in shipments, accounting for 57% of the total volume on this route. Other key provinces include Yiwu, Chongqing, Sanping, and Henan.
Major markets for these shipments are Azerbaijan (62%), Georgia (23%), Turkey (7%), and EU countries (9%). Over 200 different commodity items were transported, with automobiles, components, textiles, and electronics making up 56% of the total.
To maintain this momentum, we are working with all participating countries to reduce delivery times and establish competitive tariffs.
Reducing Delivery Times
TCA: What steps are being taken to further reduce delivery times along these routes?
- The current transit times have been reduced by 2-3 times. For example, cargo dispatched from the Xi’an terminal passes through China in 3-4 days and through Kazakhstan, including trans-shipment at the Port of Aktau, in another four days. Containers arrive in Azerbaijan within 11-12 days and at Georgian ports in 14-15 days.
These impressive results were made possible through the launch of the Xi’an terminal and close cooperation between Kazakhstan Temir Zholy, Chinese railways, and port authorities in Azerbaijan, Georgia, and other TITR participants. To further increase capacity, the governments of Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Turkey signed a Roadmap to synchronize problem-solving along the route. Additionally, unified pricing principles and digitization efforts are underway.
We also launched container shuttle trains on fixed schedules from Altynkol to Poti/Batumi, and from Batumi port to Turkey and Europe. In Aktau, we are developing a container hub to streamline cargo delivery from road and rail to maritime transport.
The North-South International Transport Corridor
TCA: The International Transport Corridor North-South (ITC North-South) is a promising initiative. Can you provide more details on Kazakhstan's involvement in this project?
- We're actively working to attract cargo to the eastern branch of the North-South ITC, which opens a direct rail link for goods between Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, India, and Persian Gulf countries. We are establishing a unified logistics operator for this route with Russia and Turkmenistan.
A technical audit was conducted to identify bottlenecks and technological barriers at key rail junctions, leading to a joint action plan for improvements. Kazakhstan, Russia, Turkmenistan, and Iran have also developed competitive tariffs for container and rail car shipments along this corridor.
The Single Digital Window Initiative
TCA: KTZ recently introduced the Single Digital Window (SDW) for customers. Could you explain how it works and what the results are so far?
- The SDW aims to consolidate the services of all KTZ subsidiaries into a single platform, allowing customers to manage logistics more efficiently. Previously, customers had to coordinate separately with each participant in the transportation process, but now everything can be done through the SDW portal or its mobile app, EGOV Business portal, or Single Contact Center.
The project is currently in test mode, and we plan to expand its services to include road, air, and sea transport partners. This integrated system will save customers time and simplify the logistics process.
Challenges and Solutions for Kazakhstan's Transit Development
TCA: What barriers are hindering Kazakhstan’s transit development, and what measures could enhance it?
- Kazakhstan is already a key transit hub, but as trade volumes grow, we need to strengthen supply chain integration through the development of logistics hubs. Expanding railway infrastructure is crucial, and KTZ has approved a program to enhance existing infrastructure by 2030. This includes repair, modernization, and the construction of new tracks.
Four major projects are underway: the construction of the Dostyk-Moyinty railway line, the third railway border crossing at Bakhty-Ayagoz on the Chinese border, a bypass around Almaty, and the Darbaza-Maktaaral railway line toward Uzbekistan. These projects are expected to significantly increase transit capacity and efficiency.
Kazakhstan’s strategic position and ongoing infrastructure developments position the country as a key player in Eurasian logistics. With ambitious projects and international collaboration, the future of trans-Kazakhstan transit looks bright.
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