Our People > Vagit Ismailov

Vagit Ismailov

Journalist

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

Articles

Energy Security

Putin Visit Puts Nuclear Power and Oil Transit at Center of Russia-Kazakhstan Ties

Russian President Vladimir Putin’s state visit to Kazakhstan is becoming more than a diplomatic event. It is increasingly being seen as a demonstration of how Russia and Kazakhstan are shaping one of Eurasia’s key energy and logistics axes amid the restructuring of global markets, sanctions pressure, and the continued shift of economic flows toward Asia. Symbolically, ahead of the visit, Putin published a programmatic article in Kazakh media titled “Russia-Kazakhstan: An Alliance at the Heart of Eurasia,” in which he outlined a new framework for bilateral relations. The Russian president focused on nuclear energy, oil and gas cooperation, transport corridors, and Eurasian integration, describing the partnership between the two countries as a factor of stability and development for the wider continent. For Moscow, the current visit carries particular significance. It is Putin’s second state visit to Kazakhstan during a single presidential term. A rare occurrence in international diplomatic practice. Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov said the move was intended to emphasize the “unprecedentedly high level of relations between our two countries.” The main outcome of the talks is expected to be the signing of agreements related to the construction of Kazakhstan’s first nuclear power plant with the participation of Russia’s state nuclear corporation, Rosatom. According to Ushakov, the two sides are expected to finalize “the main parameters for the creation of the nuclear power plant and financing of the project through a Russian state export credit.” For Kazakhstan, the nuclear project is about far more than electricity generation. The country faces growing domestic power demand, aging infrastructure, and the need to ensure long-term energy security. At the same time, the project reflects a broader geopolitical calculation. Nuclear energy has traditionally been one of the most sensitive forms of strategic cooperation. A country building a nuclear power plant enters into a long-term technological partnership involving fuel supplies, engineering maintenance, personnel training, and technical support lasting for decades. Russia’s role in constructing Kazakhstan’s first nuclear power plant would therefore allow Moscow to preserve a deep technological presence in Central Asia despite its growing international isolation. For Astana, however, cooperation with Russia in the nuclear sector remains a pragmatic choice rather than a purely political one. Kazakhstan is the world’s largest producer of uranium, yet it still lacks its own nuclear power generation sector. Amid intensifying competition between global power centers, Kazakhstan appears less interested in choosing sides than in strengthening its resilience and turning its geography into a strategic advantage. The same logic is evident in the oil and gas agenda surrounding Putin’s visit. Moscow and Astana are discussing increasing the transit of Russian oil to China through the Atasu-Alashankou pipeline from 10 million to 12.5 million tons annually. Ushakov said prospects for the negotiations were “optimistic” and noted that the legal framework for the agreements was already in its final stages. According to KazTransOil, approximately 832,000 tons of Russian oil were transported to China through the route in April alone, while first-quarter transit volumes reached 2.5 million tons. Kazakhstan’s dependence on Russian...

2 weeks ago

Waste Processing

Tajikistan Waste Recycling Plant Put on Hold After Iranian Investors Withdraw

A planned Tajik-Iranian waste recycling plant in Tajikistan’s northern Sughd Region has been put on hold after Iranian investors were unable to travel to the country amid the conflict U.S.-Israeli war with Iran. The facility was to be built in the Sughd Free Economic Zone in Khujand and had been promoted by local officials as the region’s first large-scale modern waste processing plant. Muhammad Muhammadzoda, head of the free economic zone, told Asia-Plus that the project was to be jointly financed by Tajikistan and Iran, with the Iranian side covering 40% of the costs and the Tajik side financing the remaining 60%. The first phase of construction was expected to require $5 million in investment and create between 30 and 50 permanent jobs. The plant was expected to convert waste into petroleum products and lubricants, with projected annual output of around 200 tons. Muhammadzoda said that Iranian investors had visited Khujand, inspected the proposed site in the city’s third microdistrict, and approved the plan. He said they had delivered one container of equipment and asked municipal authorities to allocate two hectares of land for construction. The Khujand city administration had reportedly agreed to allocate the land, but the process was interrupted before a formal decree could be issued. “We were happy that a waste processing enterprise would be built, that new jobs would be created, and that the waste problem would finally begin to be addressed,” Muhammadzoda was quoted as saying. “But the war involving Iran destroyed all of that. Iranian entrepreneurs tried several times to come but never arrived and eventually stopped communicating altogether.” The delay leaves Sughd without a large-scale modern recycling facility at a time when local officials say household and industrial waste volumes are increasing. In the absence of processing capacity, much of the region’s waste continues to accumulate in landfills, raising environmental and public health concerns. Local officials had therefore presented the joint Tajik-Iranian project as a potentially significant step toward addressing the region’s waste management problems. The Sughd Free Economic Zone was established in 2009 as an industrial and innovation zone offering investors tax and customs benefits, simplified registration procedures, and other preferential conditions. It covers approximately 320 hectares and has a special legal status intended to remain in force for 50 years.

3 weeks ago

ARYK.AI

From Ancient Aryks to AI: Almaty Student Proposes Digital Water Solution

In Almaty, 10th-grade student Amir Alniyazov has developed an artificial intelligence project called ARYK.AI that aims to help city services respond more quickly to clogged aryk channels, localized flooding, and water overflow after heavy rainfall. At first glance, the issue may appear purely municipal: aryks, trash, leaves, rainwater, and utility workers clearing blocked channels. But the aryk system is tied to a much longer urban history. In Central Asia, an aryk is not simply a ditch. It is a traditional water channel that has helped sustain settlements in dry climates for centuries. Aryks irrigated gardens, cooled streets, supplied water, and made urban life possible in parts of the region where summer heat and limited rainfall shaped daily life. In foothill cities such as Almaty, they also became part of the city’s drainage infrastructure. Almaty’s modern aryk network developed during the Verny period, when the city was under Russian imperial rule. By the late 19th century, aryks had become an important part of urban infrastructure. In 1899, a main aryk was built to help distribute water through the city. During the Soviet period, many aryks were lined with stone or concrete, gradually shifting from simple irrigation channels into a visible part of the city’s stormwater system. But the 21st century has brought new pressures. Almaty has expanded rapidly, traffic has increased, and more of the city has been covered with asphalt. Leaves, garbage, and household debris continue to accumulate in aryks. As a result, a system that once quietly carried water through the city is now also expected to help manage urban flooding. [caption id="attachment_49362" align="aligncenter" width="1200"] From a personal photo archive[/caption] Where residents once monitored aryks through daily observation, modern Almaty faces a more complex problem: heavier traffic, denser construction, more paved surfaces, and faster information flows. Alniyazov’s project attempts to bring one of the city’s oldest water systems into the digital age. That is the idea behind ARYK.AI. The system combines AI, water-level sensors, a Telegram bot, an online monitoring map, and routing technology for municipal services. The concept is straightforward. If water levels in an aryk rise sharply, or if trash, silt, leaves, or fallen branches begin to accumulate, the system is intended to issue an early warning before the problem turns into flooding on city streets. The project has two main components. The first is citizen reporting. Residents and visitors to Almaty can use a Telegram bot based on a “single-window” principle to report flooding, blockages, and other problems. Users can attach photos, videos, and geolocation data. AI then processes the information, identifies the nature of the problem, and assesses how urgently municipal services need to respond. The second component relies on sensor data. Water-level sensors installed above aryks can transmit real-time information to the digital platform. If the water rises to a critical level, the system records an alert and sends it to the monitoring program. This is where the system’s more advanced functionality begins. The AI does not simply collect complaints and sensor readings for later...

3 weeks ago

Counterterrorism

China to Supply Tajikistan With Intelligence and Counterterrorism Equipment

China will provide Tajikistan with intelligence, police, and counterterrorism equipment worth more than $7.6 million under a grant assistance program approved by the two governments. The governments of the two countries signed the corresponding memorandum of understanding on May 8. The agreement provides for the transfer of equipment by China for the needs of Tajikistan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs. Under the terms of the deal, the Chinese side will deliver 34 intelligence devices along with additional police and counterterrorism equipment. The shipment is expected to enter Tajikistan through the Karasu border crossing. China will also dispatch eight specialists to Tajikistan to install and configure the equipment and train Tajik personnel. Their mission is expected to last 45 days. The total value of the equipment and services amounts to 52 million Chinese yuan, or approximately $7.64 million. All associated costs will be fully covered by the Chinese side. Tajikistan, for its part, has agreed to handle customs clearance, transportation and storage of the equipment once it arrives in the country. Authorities will also exempt the deliveries from taxes and customs duties and provide the necessary conditions for the Chinese specialists, including visas, accommodation, and security arrangements. A special working group will be established to coordinate with Chinese engineers during installation and personnel training. The document separately emphasizes that after delivery the two sides will jointly inspect the quality, quantity and technical specifications of the equipment before signing a formal acceptance certificate. Future operation and maintenance costs will then become the responsibility of the Tajik side. China remains one of Tajikistan’s largest strategic partners. Following President Emomali Rahmon’s recent state visit to China, Tajik officials said more than 80 cooperation documents were signed as a result of high-level talks and business meetings, while China’s Foreign Ministry referred separately to more than ten state-level cooperation documents. Earlier, Tajikistan’s parliament also approved an agreement under which China would finance the construction of nine border facilities along the Tajik-Afghan frontier. The new grant comes amid renewed scrutiny of China’s expanding role in Tajikistan’s security sector. Reports and speculation about a possible Chinese military facility in Gorno-Badakhshan have surfaced periodically, including in 2021 and again in 2024. However, Tajikistan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs and Ministry of Foreign Affairs have denied the existence of a Chinese military base on the country’s territory.

3 weeks ago

Water

Turkmenistan Has World’s Highest Freshwater Withdrawal Per Capita

Turkmenistan has recorded the world’s highest annual freshwater withdrawal per capita, a ranking that points to the heavy strain placed on water resources by irrigated agriculture, particularly cotton production, according to international data based on statistics from the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Bank. The country’s position at the top of the ranking is driven not by household consumption, but by the massive use of water in agriculture, particularly in the cotton sector. The ranking is therefore less a measure of individual water use than an indicator of structural dependence on irrigation in an extremely arid country. According to the data, more than 3,631 cubic meters of freshwater are withdrawn annually for every resident of Turkmenistan. The calculations include not only domestic water usage, but also volumes consumed by agriculture, industry, and municipal infrastructure. The figure reflects Turkmenistan’s dependence on large-scale irrigation systems established during the Soviet period to support cotton production. Vast amounts of water are diverted from the Amu Darya River to agricultural land in one of the world’s driest climates. Researchers note that these irrigation projects were among the major causes of the environmental catastrophe that devastated the Aral Sea. Agriculture remains the world’s largest consumer of freshwater. According to international estimates, the agricultural sector accounts for roughly 70% of global freshwater use. As a result, the highest positions in the ranking are largely occupied by countries with arid climates and extensive irrigated farming systems. The top 15 countries also include Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Azerbaijan, and Iran. At the opposite end of the ranking are countries with the world’s lowest levels of freshwater withdrawal per capita. These include the Democratic Republic of Congo, with just seven cubic meters per person annually, as well as Equatorial Guinea and the Maldives, with 11 cubic meters each. Climate change is already increasing pressure on water resources across many regions of the world. Droughts, rising temperatures, and growing agricultural demand are making efficient water management an increasingly urgent issue, including for the countries of Central Asia. For Central Asia, the figures underline a familiar problem: water use remains shaped by Soviet-era irrigation systems, while climate change is making the region’s rivers, reservoirs, and agricultural systems more vulnerable.

3 weeks ago

Eurasian Development Bank (EDB)

EDB to Provide Tajikistan With $18.5 Million for Road Construction in Gorno-Badakhshan

The Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) will finance the construction of a section of the Labidjar-Kalaikhumb highway in Tajikistan in a project aimed at improving transport connections with the country’s remote Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region (GBAO) and increasing access to mountainous areas. The financing agreement was signed by the EDB’s country director for Tajikistan, Vladimir Yakunin, and Tajik Finance Minister Fayziddin Kakhhorzoda. Under the agreement, the bank will provide Tajikistan with concessional financing totaling $18.5 million. Of that amount, $17 million will be issued as a loan, while an additional $1.5 million will be allocated as a targeted grant. The funds will be used for the construction and reconstruction of the first section of the Labidjar-Kalaikhumb road. The project includes the construction of ten kilometers of roadway and three bridges. Project developers say the new infrastructure will improve cargo transport safety, enhance access to remote mountain regions, and create additional opportunities for business development and trade. The project is also expected to strengthen transport links between Tajikistan’s centrally administered districts and the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region. “The project will become part of a broader effort to modernize Tajikistan’s transport infrastructure and will contribute to the country’s socio-economic development, the expansion of interregional ties, and increased population mobility,” Yakunin said. He added that support for infrastructure projects remains one of the bank’s key strategic priorities. The Eurasian Development Bank has operated across the Eurasian region for nearly two decades. The institution finances projects in transport, digital infrastructure, agriculture, industry, and green energy. According to the bank, by the end of 2025, its portfolio included 326 projects with a combined investment volume of approximately $19.6 billion. A significant share of those projects is linked to the development of transport corridors and deeper economic integration among participating countries. The EDB also states that its activities are guided by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and ESG principles.

3 weeks ago

Forced Labor

Turkmen State Employees Forced Back Into Cotton Harvest Campaign

The authorities in Turkmenistan have again mobilized public-sector employees for the annual cotton harvest, forcing teachers, doctors, municipal workers, and other state employees either to work in the fields or pay for replacement laborers from their own salaries. The renewed campaign comes as international brands continue to face growing risks that what activists describe as “toxic” Turkmen cotton may still be entering global supply chains. According to Dialectic, the authorities have abandoned even the limited relaxations introduced in some regions during previous harvest seasons. Cotton remains one of Turkmenistan’s key export commodities. Each year, the state sets a harvest target of roughly 1.25 million tons of raw cotton from approximately 580,000 hectares of farmland. State procurement prices for farmers remain extremely low. The government currently pays around 5,000 manat per ton of first-pass medium-fiber cotton, about $256 using the unofficial exchange rate. Against a backdrop of deteriorating agricultural infrastructure, soil degradation, and declining yields, the authorities are continuing to compensate for structural problems in the sector through the mobilization of state employees. According to the report, the system remains largely unchanged. Employees of schools, hospitals, utility services and cultural institutions are ordered either to participate personally in the cotton harvest or hire replacement workers using their own wages. Refusal, sources say, can result in dismissal, financial penalties, or other administrative consequences. Monitors also report the continued use of child labor. Although Turkmen law prohibits involving anyone under the age of 18 in cotton harvesting, poverty and quota pressure push some families to bring children into the fields. The harvested cotton subsequently enters international supply chains through third countries. Turkey and Pakistan remain the largest transit and processing hubs for Turkmen cotton products. According to the publication, Turkish enterprises alone imported $96.6 million worth of Turkmen cotton products in 2024, while Pakistani companies imported an additional $33.8 million. After processing, both raw materials and finished textile products are exported to European Union markets, including Italy, Poland, Portugal, and Bulgaria. International experts say this stage of the supply chain presents the greatest risks for global apparel brands. Despite commitments by more than 140 international companies to avoid Turkmen cotton, products made with such raw materials may still be entering the supply chains of some of the world’s largest clothing manufacturers. The government in Ashgabat continues to deny allegations of forced mobilization, insisting that participation in the cotton harvest is voluntary. However, according to the report, attempts by the International Labour Organization (ILO) to conduct independent monitoring during 2024-2025 were accompanied by route restrictions and carefully staged official demonstrations. International pressure on Turkmenistan’s cotton sector has nevertheless continued to increase. The United States banned imports of Turkmen cotton and cotton products in 2018. In addition, the EU’s Forced Labour Regulation is due to apply from December 2027, banning products made with forced labor from the EU market regardless of origin. Inside Turkmenistan, however, little appears to be changing for public-sector workers. The annual autumn cotton campaign remains a heavy burden for those forced...

3 weeks ago

IPO

Uzbekistan Conducts First Dual IPO in London and Tashkent

Uzbekistan has completed its first international equity offering, as the state-backed National Investment Fund of Uzbekistan (UzNIF) began trading through a dual listing on the London Stock Exchange and the Tashkent Stock Exchange. UzNIF raised $603.6 million by selling a 31% stake to international and domestic investors. The proceeds could rise to about $692 million if an overallotment option is exercised in full, bringing the total stake sold to 35%. At the offer price, the fund was valued at about $1.95 billion. The offering was managed by Franklin Templeton, while cornerstone investors included funds and accounts managed by BlackRock, Franklin Resources, and Redwheel. The shares were sold by Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Economy and Finance, so the proceeds will go to the state rather than directly to the fund. The listing attracted more than $2.8 billion in investor demand. Julia Hoggett, chief executive of the London Stock Exchange, described UzNIF as the first international IPO from Uzbekistan and the largest IPO on the exchange’s markets so far this year. Saida Mirziyoyeva, head of Uzbekistan’s presidential administration, framed the transaction as part of the country’s effort to deepen capital-market reforms and draw long-term foreign investment. Speaking at the London Stock Exchange, she said the IPO was not only about raising capital, but also about building trust in a new generation of Uzbek institutions. “Uzbekistan has become a more open and reliable partner for the global capital market,” Mirziyoyeva wrote on Telegram. Uzbek officials say the country’s economy has nearly tripled in size in recent years, while investor protections and corporate governance standards have been strengthened. The listing comes as Uzbekistan intensifies efforts to position itself as a new investment destination in Central Asia. During a visit to London, Mirziyoyeva held talks with British officials, financial executives, and investors as Tashkent seeks to expand private-sector participation and develop plans linked to a proposed Tashkent International Financial Centre. Official figures show that British businesses have already invested more than $1 billion in Uzbekistan’s economy. Trading in London opened at $25 per global depositary receipt, with shares rising roughly 12% to $28 within the first hours of trading. On the domestic market, a separate tranche was made available through the Tashkent Stock Exchange, giving Uzbek investors access to a vehicle that had primarily been aimed at international institutions. UzNIF holds stakes in 13 state-linked companies in sectors including transport, energy, banking, telecommunications, utilities, and aviation. Its major holdings include Uzbekistan Airways, Uzbektelecom, Uzbekhydroenergo, and other infrastructure and energy operators. The fund was established in 2024 as part of Uzbekistan’s broader privatization and capital-market reform program. By grouping stakes in strategic state-owned enterprises into a single listed vehicle, the government is offering investors exposure to several parts of the Uzbek economy while retaining state control over the underlying assets. For Uzbekistan, the successful dual listing is a significant market-opening moment. It gives the government a benchmark for future privatizations, broadens access to Uzbek equities, and tests whether investor interest in the country’s reform story can be...

3 weeks ago

Regional Security

Tokayev Urges Central Asia and China to Strengthen Law Enforcement Cooperation

Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev hosted the interior and public security ministers of the “Central Asia-China” format in Astana during the second meeting of regional law enforcement agencies. The meeting was attended by Chinese Minister of Public Security Wang Xiaohong, Kyrgyz Interior Minister Ulan Niyazbekov, Tajik Interior Minister Ramazon Rahimzoda, Turkmen Interior Minister Muhammet Hydyrov, and Uzbek Interior Minister Aziz Tashpulatov. Participants discussed transnational crime, drug trafficking, cybercrime, and extremism. Tokayev said strengthening cooperation between the law enforcement agencies of Central Asia and China is essential for maintaining regional stability. “Transnational organized crime is becoming increasingly flexible and interconnected. Cybercrime has evolved into a highly profitable global industry,” the president said. According to Tokayev, criminal groups are increasingly using digital platforms to coordinate activities, launder money, and carry out attacks that transcend national borders. He emphasized that Central Asia’s position at the crossroads of major transport and trade routes leaves the region particularly vulnerable to transnational criminal networks. Tokayev said Kazakhstan considers the rule of law a strategic state priority and is continuing the implementation of its “Law and Order” governance concept. He called for stronger efforts to block the financial flows of criminal organizations, suppress the spread of extremist ideology, and detect preparations for terrorist attacks. The president devoted particular attention to cybersecurity threats. “Artificial intelligence in the hands of destructive actors is becoming an information weapon,” Tokayev said. According to him, illegal content and disinformation are spreading online on an industrial scale, while existing mechanisms of international cooperation require substantial modernization. Tokayev also linked security concerns to the expansion of regional transport infrastructure, including the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route. “The growth of cargo traffic is associated with certain risks, including transnational crime and the trafficking of contraband, drugs, and weapons,” he said. In Tokayev’s view, the “Central Asia-China” format should evolve into a platform for developing coordinated and practical security measures across the region. Participants in the meeting reaffirmed their intention to expand operational information-sharing, strengthen professional cooperation, and introduce modern technologies into law enforcement activities.

4 weeks ago

Glacier Melt

Pamir Glaciers Rapidly Melting Even Above 5,000 Meters, Tajik Scientists Warn

Tajik scientists have conducted the country’s first direct winter field measurements of snow dynamics on a Pamir glacier since independence, with findings showing a sharp decline in snow reserves and accelerated melting even in high-altitude zones previously considered relatively stable. The expedition took place from May 6-15 on Glacier No. 457, located in the upper basin of the Nukhchashma River, also known as Tokuzbulak, a tributary of the Gunt River. The research was carried out by specialists from the Mountain Societies Research Institute at the University of Central Asia (UCA), together with the Center for Research of Glaciers of Tajikistan’s National Academy of Sciences, as part of the United Nations initiative “Decade of Action for Cryospheric Sciences, 2025-2034.” The scientists’ primary objective was to study the glacier’s winter mass balance by analyzing snow accumulation, density, and distribution across the glacier surface. According to the organizers, these are the first direct winter field measurements of glacier winter snow dynamics conducted in Tajikistan since the country gained independence. The work comes as glacier preservation is receiving growing international attention. The United Nations says rapid glacier melt threatens billions of people, especially those who depend on glaciers for drinking water, agriculture, and energy. Tajikistan’s glaciers are particularly important for Central Asia because they feed rivers that support downstream communities, irrigation, and hydropower. Previous glacier monitoring efforts in Tajikistan were largely limited to summer expeditions and satellite observations. Denis Samyn, senior research fellow and professor of Earth and environmental sciences at UCA, said Central Asia’s glaciers had remained insufficiently studied for decades. “Now, with support from the state and international partners, the region is gradually developing its own school of cryospheric research and a new generation of specialists,” he said. Scientists expressed particular concern over the latest monitoring results. UCA researcher Hofiz Navruzshoev said Glacier No. 457 has been monitored annually since 2020, although previous studies primarily focused on summer melting. “The 2025 observations revealed a critical situation: the glacier’s thickness decreased by more than one meter, which is a very significant indicator,” he said. According to Navruzshoev, seasonal snow cover in the glacier’s accumulation zone at elevations above 5,100 meters has virtually disappeared over the past five years. This means the glacier is no longer replenishing lost ice even in its upper accumulation areas, which traditionally served as long-term snow storage zones. That trend is significant because the accumulation zone is the part of a glacier where winter snow normally survives long enough to compact into ice. If that zone stops gaining snow, the glacier can lose mass even before lower-elevation melting is taken into account. The expedition operated under difficult high-altitude conditions, with researchers working at elevations of around 5,000 meters amid rapidly changing weather, snowfall, strong winds, and near-zero visibility. During the mission, scientists dug five snow pits at elevations ranging from 4,790 to 5,012 meters, measured snow depth and density, and collected data on glacier snow reserves. The findings add to wider scientific concern about the Pamirs. The Times of...

4 weeks ago

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