Page 1078 – The Times Of Central Asia

08 Dec 2023

Kyrgyzstan Life & Culture, Kyrgyzstan, Kyrgyzstan International Affairs, Kyrgyzstan Home

Korea Helps Build Firefighting Station in Cholpon-Ata, Kyrgyzstan

June 27, 2024
By Times of Central Asia

On December 8^th, a landmark ceremony was held in the city of Cholpon-Ata to mark the successful completion of the construction of a fire and rescue station built by cooperation between the Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Kyrgyz Republic, the Government of the Republic of Korea, the Korean International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the UNDP website stated.

The Plenipotentiary Representative of the Kyrgyz President in the Issyk-Kul region, the Minister of Emergency Situations of the Kyrgyz Republic, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Korea to the Kyrgyz Republic, KOICA Country Director, and the UNDP Resident Representative attended the ceremony.

This construction is part of a broader initiative to construct four fire and rescue stations across Kyrgyzstan, with the other three to be in Bishkek, Osh, and Suzak (Jalal-Abad region). The collaboration aims not only to bolster the Kyrgyz Republic’s disaster management capabilities with the supply of modern firefighting equipment and machinery, and to enhance the overall quality of firefighting services. Along with technical assistance, the UNDP improved the working conditions of firefighters, mainstreamed gender equality, expanded universal access to fire services, and ensured adherence to sustainable development principles.

Boobek Azhikeev, the Minister of Emergency Situations of the Kyrgyz Republic, noted the project’s timeliness, given the annual increase in the number of fires. “Major fires around the world, which have claimed many lives and turned mountain forests into ash, are once again calling for firefighters and rescuer services in Kyrgyzstan to strengthen their efforts,” he said. “As part of our cooperation, we have successfully implemented the initial stages of a grant project to increase the capacity of the fire and rescue service with a total amount of $8 million.”

The Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to the Kyrgyz Republic, Mr. Lee Won-jae stated that “since establishing diplomatic relations in 1992, Korea and Kyrgyzstan have expanded cooperation in various fields, and we hope that exchanges and cooperation between the two countries will expand and deepen in the future. The Korean government plans to continue to strengthen development cooperation to assist Kyrgyzstan’s socioeconomic development and improve the quality of life of its people.”

Ms. Alexandra Solovieva, the UNDP Resident Representative, emphasized the importance of disaster risk reduction and climate emergency response. “We joined hands to expand access to more than 400,000 people to receive timely assistance in case of emergencies,” she stated. “We worked to reduce incident response times by providing modern equipment and technology that play a key role in saving the lives of people in the Issyk-Kul region.”

While the Cholpon-Ata fire and rescue station is now operational, construction in Bishkek, Osh, and Suzak is progressing and is expected to be completed by next year.

08 Dec 2023

Uzbekistan Environment, Central Asia, Kyrgyzstan Environment, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan Home, Kazakhstan, Kazakhstan Home, Kyrgyzstan Home

Green Pitching Event at COP28 Focuses on Central Asia’s Sustainable Future

June 27, 2024
By Times of Central Asia

As reported on the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) website, the UNDP in Kazakhstan organized a Green Projects Pitching Event for the countries of Central Asia, which aimed to spotlight innovative and sustainable initiatives across the region, showcasing a collaborative commitment to green growth and climate resilience.

The 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference, or COP28, kicked off on November 30^th and continues through to December 12^th in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, with a growing urgency to increase action for meaningful change. The countries of Central Asia are presenting a common regional position on the most pressing climate issues at global scale, adopting the cooperative approach: Five countries – one region – one vote.

As part of a region particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change, the Central Asian nations are actively participating in the COP28 climate policy negotiations, advocating for commitments to reduce emissions, achieve carbon neutrality, and secure access to climate finance for the region.

“The climate crisis knows no borders; it is a challenge that transcends individual nations,” said Nuri Ozbagdatli, UNDP Climate Change Specialist for Europe and Central Asia. “Success in addressing this global issue requires collective action. Together, the global community must pool our expertise, resources, and innovation to tackle climate change comprehensively, ensuring a sustainable future for all. In the countries of Central Asia, we strongly believe in the vast potential offered by the region’s nature, population, and especially its youth. These factors form crucial elements in our joint endeavors to confront and overcome the challenges posed by climate change.”

The event was opened by the Ministers of Ecology from three Central Asian countries: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan.

“Achieving a substantial reduction in greenhouse gases requires significant financial investment,” said Yerlan Nyssanbayev, Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources of Kazakhstan, in his welcoming speech. “The strategy of low-carbon development adopted by Kazakhstan this year estimates a net investment of US$610 billion in low-carbon technologies. At the same time, the importance of climate financing, which helps societies and economies build resilience and adapt to the impacts of climate change, cannot be overstated.”

08 Dec 2023

Tajikistan Life & Culture, Tajikistan, Tajikistan Features

ADB $40 Million Grant to Strengthen STEM Secondary Education in Tajikistan

June 27, 2024
By Times of Central Asia

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) on December 8th approved a $40 million grant to help the Government of Tajikistan strengthen science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) subjects in secondary education, including developing climate change awareness and promoting girls’ participation in STEM studies, the ABD announced in a news release on its website.

“Enhancing STEM education is vital for preparing students for sectors such as transport, manufacturing, construction, and information and communication technology, which will contribute significantly to poverty reduction and sustainable development in Tajikistan,” said ADB Director General for Central and West Asia Yevgeniy Zhukov. “As Tajikistan is highly vulnerable to climate impacts, it is also essential to integrate climate change knowledge and best practices into general education to strengthen the country’s resilience against climate-induced hazards.”

The project will improve STEM teaching and learning methods in Grades 5–11 by adopting a skills-based approach that will help students develop abilities such as critical analysis and collaboration to enable them to solve real-world problems. It will train STEM teachers and modernize learning materials. The project will upgrade the facilities of 20 selected schools in four regions and improve school management. It will also support the inclusion of climate change-related topics into the STEM curricula and learning materials.

The project will directly benefit 11,500 students—including 5,600 girls—in targeted schools, as well as about 4,000 STEM teachers and college students training to become STEM teachers, education officials, school management staff, and communities in project areas.

“We are the first development partner to help Tajikistan tackle its STEM teachers’ shortage, integrate climate change into secondary education, and shape an enabling environment for girls and women to pursue STEM fields,” said ADB Principal Social Sector Specialist Xin Long. “To expand girls’ participation in STEM studies and help steer more women’s careers towards high-productivity sectors, the project will offer stipends and scholarships to girls studying at the schools and higher education institutions targeted by the project. It will also prioritize women STEM teachers and teacher candidates for information and communication technology courses.”

08 Dec 2023

Turkmenistan Justice, Turkmenistan Life & Culture, Turkmenistan

Turkmen Activist Malikberdy Allamyradov Disappears in Russia

June 27, 2024
By Times of Central Asia

About three days ago, Turkmen activist Malikberdy Allamyradov, who lives in Russia, ceased to be in contact, his associates reported.

Allamyradov is best known for his single picket protest against restrictions on currency conversion imposed by the Turkmen authorities which he staged as a student at Kalmyk State University in the city of Elista in 2021. Allamyradov was detained by the police for violating the laws on protesting, but a court acquitted him, finding no wrongdoing in his actions.

Allamyradov has since continued to criticize the Turkmen authorities on the internet. A few months ago, he was forced to change his place of residence after receiving a warning from an acquaintance that he was going to be deported to Turkmenistan. According to his friends, traces of a struggle and blood were found in Allamyradov’s place of residence.

08 Dec 2023

Tajikistan International Affairs, Tajikistan

Tajikistan Establishes Diplomatic Relations with Botswana

June 27, 2024
By Times of Central Asia

As reported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic, a joint communique on the establishment of diplomatic relations between Tajikistan and Botswana was signed by the Permanent Representative of Tajikistan to the UN, Jonibek Hikmat, and the Foreign Minister of the African Republic, Lemogang Kwape.

Recently, within the framework of the 18th session of the Intergovernmental Committee on the Intangible Cultural Heritage of UNESCO in Botswana, the Tajik arts of atlas and adras, as well as the Garden festival, were recognized as part of the intangible cultural heritage of mankind. Tajikistan is actively working to expand its cooperation with promising partners from friendly states.

08 Dec 2023

Kyrgyzstan, Kyrgyzstan Business & Economy

Chinese Investors to Build Trade and Logistics Complex in Chui Region

September 26, 2024
By Times of Central Asia

Chinese investors are set to build a trade and logistics complex in the Chui region at a total cost of over $700 million. Akylbek Japarov met with a delegation from the Chinese Chamber of Commerce for International Cooperation headed by Deputy Chairman Liu Yan. During the meeting, the head of the Cabinet of Ministers proposed the issue of investment by the Chinese side in projects in the field of renewable energy sources. In turn, Yan expressed the Chinese sides readiness to develop further bilateral cooperation in the sphere of investment.

Within the framework of the meeting, a signing ceremony was held between the Cabinet of Ministers and OcOO Kyrgyz-Chinese Investment Holding on the implementation of the investment project, Eurasian Trade and Logistics Complex. The complex will include a shopping center, an international exhibition center, a warehouse and logistics center with bonded areas, large equipment marketplaces, and housing and hotel complexes.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]