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Vagit Ismailov

Journalist

Vagit Ismailov is a Kazakhstani journalist. He has worked in leading regional and national publications.

Articles

Victory day

Turkmenistan to Pay WWII Veterans Around $10, Far Below Regional Levels

Payments to World War II veterans ahead of Victory Day continue to vary significantly across Central Asia, with Turkmenistan offering one of the lowest levels of support in the region. At a government meeting on April 24, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, discussing traditional commemorative events for May 9, instructed officials to organize the distribution of commemorative gifts to veterans and women who worked on the home front during the war. A cash payment is also expected. According to available information, as in previous years, it may amount to 200 manats, approximately $57 at the official exchange rate or about $10 at the unofficial rate. The latter figure is more commonly used for cross-country comparisons. Against this backdrop, support levels in neighboring countries appear significantly higher. In Kyrgyzstan, veterans are set to receive a one-time payment of around $2,300. In Uzbekistan, payments will amount to approximately $2,400. Kazakhstan offers the highest payments in the region, with veterans set to receive about $10,500 each. Final figures for Tajikistan have not yet been announced, although last year veterans received around 4,810 somoni (approximately $440-$480, depending on the exchange rate).

2 days ago

Regional Ecological Summit

Central Asia Seeks Solutions to Water Scarcity Amid Climate Risks

Central Asian countries must accelerate the transition from discussing climate goals to implementing them in practice, as water scarcity intensifies and the impacts of climate change deepen, participants at a regional conference said on Friday. A key event on the final day of the Regional Ecological Summit (RES 2026) in Astana was the Central Asian Climate Change Conference (CACCC), where government officials, international organizations, and experts discussed risks to the region’s water, energy, and food security. Participants noted that declining water availability requires a fundamental shift in resource management approaches. [caption id="attachment_47800" align="aligncenter" width="1280"] Image: TCA[/caption] “In conditions of reduced water availability, the priority is no longer increasing water intake but improving efficiency in water use. Today, government support for water-saving technologies covers up to 80% of costs. This represents a fundamental shift toward rational and economically sound water management,” said Kazakhstan’s Vice Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation, Talgat Momyshev. According to him, by 2030, the use of such technologies is expected to expand to more than 1.3 million hectares, potentially reducing agricultural water consumption by approximately 30%. “This is not just about saving resources, but about forming a new management model where data, forecasting, and cross-sectoral coordination play a central role,” he added. Kazakhstan is also developing a national water information system that will integrate data on surface and groundwater resources. More than 6,000 canals are expected to be digitized by the end of the year, enabling a shift toward predictive water management. Participants placed particular emphasis on the transboundary nature of water resources in the region. [caption id="attachment_47801" align="aligncenter" width="1280"] Image: TCA[/caption] “The development of joint monitoring systems and data exchange, the creation of resilient infrastructure, and the coordination of water and energy policies are becoming increasingly important. We believe that data, trust, and joint planning must form the foundation of effective climate adaptation,” Momyshev said. International partners confirmed their readiness to expand support for the region. “Our current efforts in the water sector are reflected in the Swiss Cooperation Programme for Central Asia for 2026-2029," said Tobias Werder, a representative of the Swiss government. "More than half of its $200 million budget is allocated to water-related projects. Since 2017, we have also actively promoted the Blue Peace Central Asia initiative, which helps strengthen regional coordination and move from dialogue to practical solutions.” Kazakhstan’s Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources, Yerlan Nyssanbayev, noted that the climate agenda in the region extends far beyond environmental issues. “For Central Asia, climate change is no longer a distant projection. It is a factor directly affecting water, energy, agriculture, infrastructure, and public health. Under these conditions, the climate agenda becomes a matter of economic resilience, regional security, and the quality of public governance,” he said. [caption id="attachment_47799" align="aligncenter" width="1280"] Image: TCA[/caption] According to Nyssanbayev, the region must accelerate the implementation of concrete projects. “It is now clear that we must focus on improving project preparation, expanding access to climate finance, and strengthening coordination. Without this, achieving our stated goals will be...

5 days ago

Science

Kazakhstan Student and Researcher Gain Global Recognition in Science

Two recent achievements from Kazakhstan have drawn attention from the international scientific community, highlighting advances by young Kazakhstani researchers in water technology and education. One standout is Dana Kadyrbek, an 11th-grade student at Gymnasium No. 79 in Almaty, who has been named among the world’s top three young inventors. She received this recognition at the Cleantech Days Forum 2026, held with the support of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) at the United Nations headquarters in Vienna. Kadyrbek has been working toward this achievement for several years. In 2024 and 2025, she became a prizewinner at the Kazakhstan Smart Space international competitions, later secured second place at the Olympiad USA, and won the YISF competition in Indonesia. However, her project on extracting water from air has drawn the most attention. Her development, titled “Synthesis of Metal-Organic Framework Structures Based on Aluminum Fumarate for Atmospheric Water Harvesting,” makes it possible to produce drinking water even in arid conditions. In July 2025, the project earned her a gold medal at the World Invention Creativity Olympic (WICO) in Seoul. Another researcher from Kazakhstan has gained recognition in the academic field. Assel Sharimova, a postdoctoral researcher at the Graduate School of Education at Nazarbayev University, has been awarded the Michael Fullan Emerging Scholar in Professional Capital and Community Award. According to the organizers, she is the first recipient of the award not only from Kazakhstan but from the entire post-Soviet region. Only two researchers worldwide received the award in 2026. Sharimova has been conducting research in education for several years. She holds a PhD from the University of Cambridge and previously worked within the Nazarbayev Intellectual Schools system. Her research focuses on the professional development of teachers. “My research examined how teachers build and mobilize professional capital within virtual professional communities, with a particular focus on Kazakhstan. I explored how social networks facilitate informal learning, especially in the context of reforms where access to professional support is uneven. I also integrate these insights into my teaching and work with educators and researchers to support the development of collaborative professional communities,” Sharimova said. The Michael Fullan Award is considered a notable recognition in the field of education. It is presented by the Journal of Professional Capital and Community for research with both academic and practical impact. Award recipients receive a monetary prize and international recognition within the academic community.

5 days ago

EU Sanctions

EU Removes Three Tajik Banks from Sanctions List

The European Union has removed three financial institutions in Tajikistan from its sanctions list. The decision was adopted on April 23, as part of the EU’s 20th sanctions package, according to the National Bank of Tajikistan. The move concerns Spitamen Bank, Dushanbe City Bank, and Commercebank of Tajikistan, which had previously been subject to restrictions introduced on November 12, 2025. “As a result of productive dialogue and cooperation between the relevant authorities of the Republic of Tajikistan and European partners, a favorable basis has been created for reviewing previously imposed restrictions,” the National Bank said. The National Bank also noted that the decision reflects strengthened cooperation between the regulator, government ministries, and the European Commission, as well as the consistent implementation of international compliance standards and improvements in anti-money laundering systems. “The adoption of this decision is viewed as a direct result of expanded cooperation with the European Commission, the consistent implementation of international compliance standards, and the strengthening of mechanisms to combat money laundering,” the statement said. The regulator believes the move will provide a strong boost to the development of the banking sector, increase investor confidence, and expand financial services in the country. The sanctions against the three Tajik banks had originally been introduced under the EU’s 19th package of restrictions against Russia. According to the Council of the EU, the measures included a ban on transactions with certain banks and companies from third countries suspected of facilitating sanctions circumvention. At the time, Brussels considered these institutions potential channels for bypassing restrictions imposed on Russia. The list also included financial entities from Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, the United Arab Emirates, Hong Kong, China, and India. However, specific cases or transaction volumes that led to the sanctions were not disclosed. The wording remained general, referring to “assistance in sanctions circumvention” and “support for the Russian economy.” In response, Tajik authorities worked to secure the removal of the restrictions, providing additional guarantees and information to the EU demonstrating that the banks’ financial operations comply with international standards. For its part, the EU showed readiness to reconsider the measures, taking into account changes in the banks’ financial practices and Tajikistan’s efforts to strengthen domestic financial regulation.

5 days ago

Fuel

Kazakhstan Launches Grain-Based Fuel at Gas Stations

Gas stations in Kazakhstan have begun selling gasoline blended with bioethanol produced from grain. Fuel marketed under the BI-95 brand has been launched by the KazFoodProducts holding. It contains bioethanol derived from processed wheat, creating a full production cycle from agricultural raw materials to finished fuel. A key component of the production chain is the BioOperations facility in the North Kazakhstan Region, the country’s only deep grain-processing complex, where bioethanol is produced. The fuel is then blended and distributed to market by BioPetrolCompany. BI-95 is a gasoline blend containing between 5% and 10% bioethanol. According to the manufacturer, the fuel maintains standard performance characteristics, including octane rating, while offering improved environmental performance. Bioethanol is considered a carbon-neutral component because it is produced from renewable raw materials. Such fuels have been widely used in the European Union, the United States, and Japan for more than two decades. Kazakhstan is only beginning to adopt these technologies, although BioOperations has been exporting its products to EU and UK markets since 2022. According to the developers, the use of BI-95 does not require vehicle modifications and is compatible with existing gasoline engines. Tests have shown comparable power and torque performance to conventional fuel. The primary benefit lies in emissions reduction. According to the company, particulate matter emissions decrease by more than 70%, nitrogen oxides by 25%, and greenhouse gas emissions by 60-70% compared to AI-92 gasoline. The new fuel is already available at retail stations. According to project head Laura Bergibayeva, the launch is aimed not only at expanding the product range but also at reducing environmental impact, particularly in major cities such as Almaty, where air quality remains a pressing concern. The Times of Central Asia previously reported that scientists at Aktobe Regional University had developed a gas purification technology capable of significantly reducing dust and harmful substances in industrial emissions.

6 days ago