Page 1059 – The Times Of Central Asia

04 Jan 2024

Environment, Kazakhstan Environment, Kazakhstan, Features, Kazakhstan Featurees

Kazakhstan Now Chairs International Fund for Saving Aral Sea

June 27, 2024
By Times of Central Asia

From 2024, the chairmanship of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea (IFAS) has passed to Kazakhstan, after President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev was elected as head of IFAS until the end of 2026, the Kazakh Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation said.

The International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea, which includes Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, is engaged in the implementation of joint interstate environmental, scientific and practical programs and projects aimed at saving the Aral Sea and improving the environmental situation in the region, as well as solving common social and environmental problems.

“We are aiming to deepen cooperation both with the states of Central Asia and other international organizations and financial institutions,” said the Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation of Kazakhstan, Nurzhan Nurzhigitov. “This year we plan to begin the second phase of the project to preserve the Northern Aral Sea, implemented together with the World Bank. Saving the Aral Sea is a task that can only be accomplished through the joint efforts of all IFAS founding states. In the next three years, we intend to achieve significant results in this direction.”

Speaking in September 2023 in Dushanbe at a meeting of the Council of Heads of State–Founders of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea, Tokayev said that IFAS has become the most important institution facilitating regional cooperation on issues of transboundary water resources sharing, as well as solving environmental and socio-economic problems in the Aral Sea basin. Tokayev also emphasized the need to create a mechanism for long-term and sustainable cooperation for the effective use of water and energy resources in Central Asia, taking into account the interests of all countries in the region.

To ensure transparency of water use in the region and strengthen the dialogue and friendship between Central Asian nations, Tokayev proposed the development of a work plan which would introduce a unified automated system of accounting, monitoring, management and distribution of water resources in the Aral Sea basin. Tokayev also called on Kyrgyzstan to resume its full participation in IFAS.

04 Jan 2024

Environment, Uzbekistan Environment, Uzbekistan, Uzbekistan Features, Features, Uzbekistan Life & Culture

Air Pollution in Tashkent Reaches “Very Harmful” Level

June 27, 2024
By Times of Central Asia

The level of air pollution in Tashkent rose to “very harmful,” with an increase in the concentration of toxic substances in the atmosphere. According to the latest information from the international service IQAir, at 18:00 on January 3^rd, Tashkent recorded an air quality index of 223, placing the capital second in the world in terms of cities with the highest levels of air pollution, between Delhi (273), and above Dhaka (220).

According to data from this time, the concentration of particulate matter PM2.5 reached 173 μg/m3. Air quality in the city was rated as “very unhealthy.” The highest level of pollution was recorded in the Yunusabad district of the capital.

The situation is fluctuating wildly, however, and by 18:00 local time on the evening of January 4^th, Tashkent had dropped to number 37 on the rankings, with an air quality index of 67.

04 Jan 2024

Business & Economy, Kazakhstan, Kazakhstan Business & Economy, Kazakhstan Home

Kazakhstan Seeks to Increase Investment Attractiveness of Exploration for Hydrocarbons

June 27, 2024
By Times of Central Asia

On December 28^th, a law “On Amendments and Additions to Certain Legislative Acts of the Republic of Kazakhstan on Subsoil Use and Ecology” was signed, which, among others, is aimed at increasing the investment attractiveness of geological exploration for hydrocarbons, encouraging investment in depleting deposits, and fixing the minimum amount of equity participation (50% or more) of the national company in the field of hydrocarbons in large deposits.

In an address to the nation on September 1^st, President Tokayev had stated that “Geological exploration requires special attention. In 2018, in order to replenish the mineral resource base, new legislation was adopted to manage the mining sector. However, it did not work in full. As a result, there have been no significant geological discoveries in our resource-rich country for a long time. This situation urgently needs to be rectified.”

The relevant departments were then tasked with modernizing the mining sector management system as soon as possible, reducing the time-frame and procedures for approving projects by introducing comprehensive state expertise and the complete digitization of the process. The implementation of the law will give additional impetus to investment in geological exploration in the field of hydrocarbons in Kazakhstan, the Energy Ministry stated.

04 Jan 2024

Kazakhstan, Business & Economy, Kazakhstan Business & Economy, Kazakhstan Home

Twelve Regional IT-Hubs Operating in Kazakhstan

October 8, 2024
By Times of Central Asia

The development of regional IT hubs is one of the priorities of the Ministry of Digital Development, Innovation and Aerospace Industry of Kazakhstan, the ministry stated on January 3^rd. The goal of regional IT hubs is the development of innovative projects in the regions and the training of specialists in the field of information technology. These platforms are also a space for creating local IT communities, bringing together startups and investors.

The main task of regional IT hubs is to help young entrepreneurs organize startup projects.

President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev also spoke about the importance of expanding the innovation ecosystem at a regional level when delivering his Address to the Nation last year.

Today, 12 regional IT-hubs are officially open and successfully functioning across Kazakhstan: Abai IT Valley (Semey, Abai Oblast), Kyzylorda Hub (Kyzylorda city), Digital Jetisu (Taldylkorgan city), Zhambyl Hub (Taraz city), Oskemen IT Hub (Oskemen city), Jaiq Hub (Uralsk city), Turkistan IT Hub (Turkistan city), Qostanai IT Hub (Qostanai city), Aqtobe IT Hub (Aqtobe city), Pavlodar Hub (Pavlodar city), Aqmola IT Hub (Kokshetau city), and Terricon Valley (Karaganda city).

These IT-hubs have presented 194 promising startup projects from the regions.

04 Jan 2024

Turkmenistan Home, Turkmenistan Life & Culture, Turkmenistan

Conference in Ashgabat Discusses Creating First National Park

June 27, 2024
By Times of Central Asia

Participants in the “Rustamov Readings” conference discussed the possibility of creating the first National Park in Turkmenistan, to be named after Magtymguly Fragi. The meeting, which brought together famous scientists and practitioners in the field of ecology and conservation, was held at the Academic Council of the National Institute of Deserts, Flora and Fauna. The idea for the park arose in connection with the project, “Strengthening the efficiency of management of the system of specially protected natural areas of Turkmenistan,” carried out with financial support from the Global Environment Facility and UNDP.

At the meeting, scientific reports were presented and speeches made and discussed, Turkmenistan: Golden Age reported.

04 Jan 2024

Tajikistan Life & Culture, Tajikistan, Tajikistan Home

Scientific Olympiad “Chiloi Donish” Begins in Dushanbe

June 27, 2024
By Times of Central Asia

The scientific Olympiad “Chiloi Donish” has begun in Dushanbe, and will be held in thirteen different academic subjects. Four districts will participate in the city stage of the Olympiad, of which 3,783 students are in the field of social and humanitarian studies, and 1,986 in natural sciences and mathematics, said the Dushanbe City Hall Education Department.

According to the Department, in accordance with the Regulations on Scientific Olympiads, the most successful participants will advance to the republican stage. The Olympiad began on January 2^nd, and will continue until the 6^th. This came following an order from President Emomali Rahmon that three republican competitions be staged, for 3,785,000 somoni ($345,000) was allocated.

The purpose of the competition is to search for new talents in music, performing arts, painting and design, improve professional skills, and to promote and revive folk crafts.