Page 120 – The Times Of Central Asia

29 Dec 2025

Central Asia, Environment, Home, Kyrgyzstan Environment, Kyrgyzstan, Kyrgyzstan Home

Bishkek Officially Inaugurates Central Asia’s First Waste-to-Energy Plant

December 29, 2025
By Sergey Kwan

Bishkek marked a major environmental milestone on December 27 with the official inauguration of Central Asia’s first waste-to-energy plant. President Sadyr Japarov attended the ceremony, underscoring the project’s strategic and environmental importance.

The facility received its first pilot batch of municipal solid waste on November 14 and has since become the region’s first operational plant generating electricity through waste incineration.

Located at Bishkek’s primary landfill, the plant was constructed by China’s Hunan Junxin Environmental Protection Co. Ltd., which invested $95 million in the project. Initially, the facility will process 1,000 tons of waste per day, with future expansion plans to increase capacity to 3,000 tons.

The plant is equipped with advanced technology and complies with international environmental standards. It also includes a processing line to convert slag and ash from incineration into construction materials.

Speaking at the ceremony, Japarov said the plant would significantly improve the capital’s environmental conditions and contribute to electricity generation. He noted that the facility was built in just 1.5 years and operates under a 35-year concession agreement, after which it will be fully transferred to the state.

Designed to process up to 365,000 tons of waste annually, the plant features a 30 MW turbo-generator power unit that will save approximately 80,000 tons of coal and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by about 100,000 tons per year.

Japarov also met with residents living near the landfill. Many shared that they had long suffered from health issues due to constant smoke from burning garbage and waste blown by the wind. They expressed hope that the new plant would dramatically improve local living conditions.

Opened in 1974, Bishkek’s municipal landfill has accumulated around 20 million tons of waste. In recent years, the city has struggled to manage growing volumes of solid waste, receiving up to 1,500 tons per day which has severely impacted the urban environment.

The Bishkek plant is the first of three waste-to-energy projects by Hunan Junxin in Kyrgyzstan. In June 2025, the company began constructing a similar facility in Osh, the country’s second-largest city. On October 25, it launched another plant in Karakol, the administrative center of Issyk-Kul region.

Hunan Junxin is also expanding regionally. In August, Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources announced that the company would build Kazakhstan’s first waste-to-energy plant in Almaty.

29 Dec 2025

Home, Uzbekistan, Life & Culture, Uzbekistan Features, Kazakhstan Life & Culture, Kazakhstan, Features, Uzbekistan Life & Culture, Kazakhstan Featurees

Kazakhstan vs. Uzbekistan: A Footballing Derby with an Uncertain Outcome

December 29, 2025
By Andrei Matveev

The Uzbekistan national football team has qualified for the 2026 World Cup, which will take place across three North American countries: the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. Meanwhile, one of Kazakhstan’s leading clubs, FC Kairat Almaty, continues to gain experience competing in the UEFA Champions League. Football in Central Asia has become a mirror of the region’s growing economic and political ambitions, with Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan at the forefront. Their rivalry, which dates back to the Soviet era, has adapted to this new chapter.

Kazakhstan and the Road to Europe

Matches between Almaty’s Kairat and Tashkent’s Pakhtakor were once marquee events during the Soviet era, filling stadiums and energizing fans across the republics. Following the collapse of the USSR, however, the footballing paths of these two historical rivals began to diverge.

Initially, both Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan joined the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), which includes countries from across Asia and parts of the Pacific, including former Oceania Football Confederation members such as Australia and Guam.

Kazakhstan became a full member of the AFC in 1992, followed by Uzbekistan in 1994. However, Kazakhstan soon grew disillusioned with the level of competition within the AFC and began to explore other avenues. Its early attempts to join UEFA were rebuffed in the mid-1990s. Rakhat Aliyev, then head of the Football Union of Kazakhstan and son-in-law of former President Nursultan Nazarbayev, later described the process as being dismissed “without really getting to the heart of the matter.”

Despite this, both Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan quickly showed they were a cut above most AFC members at the time. Kazakhstan won the inaugural Central Asian Cup in 1992, while Uzbekistan claimed gold at the 1994 Asian Games in Hiroshima, defeating China 4-2 in the final.

Eventually, Kazakhstan succeeded in joining UEFA. Spearheaded by Aliyev, the Football Union of Kazakhstan (FSC) lobbied hard for admission, culminating in meetings with FIFA and UEFA presidents Lennart Johansson and Joseph Blatter in Moscow in late 2000 and early 2001. The AFC issued a statement on May 10, 2001, allowing Kazakhstan to make its own decision, and five days later Johansson confirmed that UEFA would welcome Kazakhstan as its 52nd member.

“Joining UEFA has given all of us who work in football a powerful boost,” Aliyev said at the time. “We will strive to use this momentum to raise the level of our national football.”

Uzbekistan and the Central Asian Football Association

Unlike Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan chose to remain in the AFC, where it has steadily risen in prominence. In 2014, it became a founding member of the Central Asian Football Association (CAFA), a regional sub-group within the AFC. Officially operational since 2015, CAFA also includes Afghanistan, Iran, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan. The organization is currently chaired by Rustam Emomali, son of Tajik President Emomali Rahmon.

Uzbekistan is ranked second in the CAFA, behind Iran, and has consistently reached the quarterfinals of the AFC Asian Cup in 2004, 2007, 2015, and 2023. Much of this success is due to sustained investment in youth development, training systems, and football infrastructure.

“Uzbekistan is the best country in Central Asia in terms of football development,” said former Kyrgyz national team coach Alexander Krestinin, who currently manages a club in Tashkent.

These efforts culminated in a historic moment: Uzbekistan qualified for the 2026 World Cup. A goalless draw with the UAE in the ninth round of the third stage of Asian qualifiers secured second place in Group A with 18 points, clinching a direct berth with a game to spare.

Though it remains to be seen how the team will perform in North America, experts widely regard this iteration of the national team as its strongest ever. Former head coach Srečko Katanec, a seasoned Slovenian tactician, spent four years building a disciplined, tactically mature squad with a strong youth foundation. Fabio Cannavaro, the former Italy captain and 2006 Ballon d’Or winner, will lead Uzbekistan at the 2026 World Cup

Key players include defender Abdokadir Khusanov, who plays for Manchester City, attacking midfielder Abbosbek Faizullaev of CSKA Moscow, Roma striker Eldor Shomurodov, and creative midfielder Oston Urunov, currently with Persepolis in Iran.

“Compared to Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan has made great strides in football development. They were the first in Central Asia to reach the World Cup, and Khusanov is now playing in the English Premier League,” noted Andrei Kanchelskis, the former Manchester United and Russia winger who has coached in both Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan. “Yes, Kazakhstan has some good players, but persistent problems hinder progress. Uzbekistan’s infrastructure is now among the best in the post-Soviet space.”

Kanchelskis’ assessment may sting for Kazakh fans, but FIFA rankings echo his sentiment. Uzbekistan currently sits at 50th in the world, while Kazakhstan lags at 114th, just ahead of Mauritania.

At least for now, this round of the Central Asian football rivalry appears to go to Uzbekistan.

29 Dec 2025

Business & Economy, Kazakhstan, Kazakhstan Business & Economy

Kazakhstan Meat Exports Surge in 2025

December 29, 2025
By Dmitry Pokidaev

Kazakh meat producers surpassed their total 2024 export figures within the first 10 months of 2025, according to the Ministry of Agriculture.

In 2024, Kazakhstan boosted exports of processed beef by 1.4 times to more than 22,000 tons, and lamb by 2.2 times to 18,000 tons. These milestones were exceeded in 2025. Between January and October, beef exports rose 1.7 times year-on-year to reach 30,200 tons, while lamb exports increased 1.9 times to 25,500 tons.

“This growth is due to high demand for high-quality Kazakh meat from foreign partners,” the ministry stated.

In 2025, the Ministry of Agriculture implemented several measures aimed at expanding export markets and strengthening Kazakhstan’s presence in the global meat trade. Negotiations with seven countries resulted in the signing of 16 veterinary certificates. New export channels were opened for a range of products, including:

Milk, beef, lamb, poultry, honey, and fish to Azerbaijan
Live cattle to Mongolia
Animal feed to Morocco
Hides and wool of ungulates to Iran

Additionally, the European Union opened its market to Kazakhstani beekeeping products.

Efforts are also underway to expand exports to 12 more countries, including Japan, Malaysia, South Korea, the UAE, Jordan, and Pakistan. Discussions are ongoing with Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Hong Kong regarding potential exports of dairy products, feed, and honey.

The ministry highlighted veterinary welfare as a cornerstone of Kazakhstan’s export strategy. A nationwide modernization program is currently in progress: 400 new veterinary stations have been constructed and 890 units of specialized equipment and machinery procured.

A key development is the opening of a modern veterinary laboratory in East Kazakhstan, supported by China. This facility will help unlock exports of livestock products, including cattle hides, poultry meat, and by-products, to the Chinese market. Required protocols have been signed, and Kazakh enterprises have already passed the necessary inspections.

As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, Kazakhstan is also preparing to enter the Turkish market, where Kazakh beef prices could be roughly double those in China.

29 Dec 2025

Central Asia, Tajikistan Life & Culture, Home, Life & Culture, Tajikistan, Tajikistan Home

EBRD to Allocate $6 Million for Modernization of Dushanbe’s Heat Supply System

December 29, 2025
By Vagit Ismailov

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) will provide $6 million to Tajikistan for the implementation of the “Heat Supply in Dushanbe” project. The decision was approved by parliament on December 12.

According to MP Nigina Sharifzoda, the financing will comprise a $3 million grant and a $3 million loan. The funds will be used to reconstruct and expand the capital’s central heating infrastructure.

The project includes the modernization of Dushanbe’s heating networks, with the aim of ensuring reliable heat supply during the winter months. By 2028, over 500,000 residents are expected to benefit from stable heating services.

This initiative is part of an ongoing program. The initial credit line has been in place since 2021, and the current stage was formalized as an additional credit agreement. The document was signed on October 6 between the Ministry of Finance, the Dushanbe mayor’s office, the state-owned Dushanbe Heat Network company, and the EBRD.

First Deputy Minister of Finance Yusuf Majidi noted that the project is intended not only to modernize infrastructure but also to address long-standing systemic issues in the sector.

Currently, more than 43% of Dushanbe’s residential buildings, schools, kindergartens, hospitals, and businesses are connected to centralized hot water supply. By the 2025-2026 heating season, an estimated 3,300 facilities are expected to be integrated into the system.

Despite progress, challenges remain. Residents in several districts continue to report inadequate heating. A recent inspection by the Energy Supervision Agency revealed that in some heating stations, the temperature of the heat carrier was just 55°C, well below the standard 75°C.

Separately, the EBRD, in partnership with the European Union, has announced another major initiative: the modernization of Tajikistan’s electricity distribution infrastructure, with €43 million allocated for the project.

29 Dec 2025

Central Asia, Home, Kazakhstan Local Politics, Local Politics, Kazakhstan, Kazakhstan Home

Kazakhstan’s IT Exports Grew by Almost a Third in 2025

December 29, 2025
By Dmitry Pokidaev

Kazakhstan’s IT sector continued its rapid expansion in 2025, with service exports increasing by more than 30% to reach $1 billion, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development Zhaslan Madiyev announced at a year-end press conference.

At the close of 2024, Kazakhstan’s IT service exports totaled $690.7 million, a 30.5% increase over the previous year. Moreover, export volumes exceeded imports by a factor of 2.1. In 2025, exports grew by another 31%, pushing the total to the $1 billion mark, Madiyev confirmed.

A key driver behind this growth has been the Astana Hub ecosystem, which unites around 2,000 IT companies and continues to serve as the cornerstone of Kazakhstan’s digital economy. According to Madiyev, the combined revenue of Hub participants exceeded $1.5 billion in 2025, marking a 20% year-on-year increase.

“Through international hubs, more than 100 Kazakhstani startups have entered foreign markets,” said Madiyev. “The ecosystem has also produced the region’s first technology unicorn, Higgsfield.ai. To boost venture financing, the Qazaqstan Venture Group has been established with a target fund of $1 billion, of which $115 million has been raised so far.”

Kazakhstan has also advanced in several global digital rankings. Madiyev noted that the country has solidified its position in the e-Government Development Index (EGDI), currently ranking 24th, and is among the top 10 globally in the Online Services Index (OSI). The national supercomputing cluster, alem.cloud, was launched in 2025 and is now ranked 86th in the TOP500 list of the world’s most powerful supercomputers, a benchmark achievement that places Kazakhstan at the forefront of computing power in Central Asia.

In parallel, the country is advancing its artificial intelligence agenda. Kazakhstan has developed a national AI strategy and launched Qyzmet AI, a training initiative that has already covered 50,000 civil servants. Madiyev announced that AI proficiency will soon become a prerequisite for employment in the public sector.

“We are making AI training mandatory for civil servants,” he said. “In the future, a lack of AI competencies will be a barrier to entering government service.”

Kazakhstan is also laying the groundwork for integrating autonomous vehicles into its transport system. Madiyev revealed that a pilot project for unmanned vehicle technologies is in the works. Based on the outcome, national standards and minimum infrastructure requirements will be introduced to support broader deployment.

As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, Kazakhstan is also developing a system of digital passports for intercity highways to accommodate driverless transport.

29 Dec 2025

Home, Kyrgyzstan, Local Politics, Kyrgyzstan Local Politics, Features, Kyrgyzstan Features

Japarov Signs Decree Stripping Ex-Leader Atambayev of State Honors

December 30, 2025
By Stephen M. Bland

Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov has signed a decree revoking state awards previously granted to former President Almazbek Atambayev, including the title Hero of the Kyrgyz Republic, the Order of Manas (Second Class), the Order of Danaker, and the Dank medal. The order follows a decision by Bishkek’s Pervomaisky District Court, and authorities have been instructed to confiscate the medals and transfer them to the state awards fund, according to reports citing the presidential press service.

Atambayev, who led Kyrgyzstan from 2011 to 2017, has been at the center of long-running criminal and political disputes since leaving office. His fallout with successor, Sooronbay Jeenbekov, culminated in the 2019 Koi-Tash confrontation, when security forces tried to detain him at his residence outside Bishkek, and the clashes left a security officer dead. That episode became part of later court proceedings and deepened the elite polarization in Kyrgyz politics.

The immediate legal basis for stripping the awards is tied to a 2025 court verdict. In June, the Pervomaisky District Court sentenced Atambayev in absentia to more than eleven years in prison on charges of corruption and participating in mass unrest, along with confiscation of property and deprivation of state awards. Atambayev has remained abroad since he left Kyrgyzstan for medical treatment, and did not return for the trial proceedings.

The latest decision formalizes the court-ordered loss of honors and triggers the administrative step of retrieving medals and certificates, but it does not add a new criminal penalty beyond the existing sentence. The move is also political. State awards carry symbolic weight in Kyrgyzstan, and revocation is rare for former heads of state. By linking the decision explicitly to a court verdict, Japarov’s administration is framing it as enforcement rather than a discretionary act. For Atambayev’s supporters, it is likely to be read as another escalation in a feud that has shaped Kyrgyz politics for years.