Page 165 – The Times Of Central Asia

08 Aug 2025

Central Asia, Life & Culture, Kazakhstan Life & Culture, Kazakhstan

Future of Chess: Young Central Asian Players Excel at School Contest in US

August 8, 2025
By Times of Central Asia

Central Asian chess talent shone this week at the 2025 World Schools Team Championship in the United States, where players from dozens of countries competed in an event last held two years ago in Aktau, Kazakhstan.

India’s Velammal MHS School won gold, winning all eight of their matches at the event on a high school campus in Alexandria, Virginia.

Three teams from Kazakhstan were in the top ten final standings: the National School of Physics and Mathematics in second place, Astana 2 RSPM in fourth place and Seed Educational Complex in eighth. A team from Uzbekistan, Wisdom, came ninth.

Also, two of three players who received medals for individual performances were from Central Asia. The competitors who finished with perfect scores (eight out of eight) were Imangali Akhilbay from Kazakhstan’s National School of Physics and Mathematics, Edisa Berdibaeva from Kyrgyzstan’s School-Gymnasium No.11, Karakol and Pranav K. P. from India’s Velammal MHS School.

The competition, which ended Wednesday, was held under the auspices of FIDE, the international governing body of chess. It was sponsored by Freedom Holding Corp., an Almaty-based financial services company. The group’s CEO, Timur Turlov, is also president of the Kazakhstan Chess Federation. Turlov has led a drive to introduce chess into hundreds of schools in Kazakhstan, whose top players are also having an impact at elite international levels of the game.

“We believe that maybe this could be one of the solutions that can help our kids to better adapt to this fast-moving world,” Turlov said, according to Freedom Holding.

The Kazakhstan Chess Federation said some of its players in Alexandria were as young as 12 years old and “gained useful experience playing with strong opponents from all over the world.”

08 Aug 2025

Central Asia, Turkmenistan Home, Home, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan Features, Uzbekistan Home, Turkmenistan Business & Economy, Uzbekistan Business & Economy, Kazakhstan, Business & Economy, Kazakhstan Business & Economy, Turkmenistan Features, Features, Kazakhstan Home

Tentative Armenia-Azerbaijan Plan Could Boost the Middle Corridor for Central Asia

August 14, 2025
By Times of Central Asia

A tentative U.S.-facilitated agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan could open a new transport route through Armenia’s southern Syunik region, linking mainland Azerbaijan to its exclave of Nakhchivan and onward to Türkiye. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has confirmed that Washington proposed managing a 32-kilometer corridor through Syunik to connect the two Azerbaijani territories. While this outline has been discussed publicly, the legal and operational details remain undisclosed, and officials say more information will be released if the agreement is finalized.

According to U.S. mediators and regional leaders, the route is part of ongoing efforts to normalize Armenia-Azerbaijan relations after decades of conflict. A U.S. official told reporters the plan could “open Armenia to the world” by providing new options for regional trade and transit. Both sides stress that key issues—such as governance, security, and financing—still need resolution. The corridor is one of the main sticking points in peace talks: Azerbaijan wants it free from exclusive Armenian control, while Armenia rejects any arrangement that would compromise its sovereignty.

If realized, the route could become a new link in the Trans-Caspian “Middle Corridor”, which connects Central Asia to Europe via Kazakhstan, the Caspian Sea, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Türkiye. It would offer Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan an additional westward route, bypassing Russian and Iranian territory.

Traffic along the Middle Corridor has grown rapidly as shippers sought alternatives to northern routes. Cargo volumes along the Middle Corridor increased markedly—from around 600,000 tons in 2021 to approximately 1.5 million tons in 2022, representing a 2.5-fold rise and climbed further to approximately 4.1 million tons by late 2024. The EU has committed billions of euros to upgrade ports, railways, and logistics hubs, and the World Bank forecasts the volumes potentially reaching up to 11 million tonnes per year. route’s freight volumes could triple by 2030. An Armenian segment could further cut transit times and build redundancy, improving supply chain resilience for Central Asia.

The proposal’s framing as a U.S.-supported project signals a shift in South Caucasus diplomacy. Russia has long mediated between Armenia and Azerbaijan, but its influence has waned amid the war in Ukraine. Olesya Vartanyan, a South Caucasus expert at the International Crisis Group, told AP News, “Russia has been left on the sidelines, because the Kremlin has nothing to offer to Armenia and Azerbaijan.” The initiative also concerns Iran, which fears losing its role as a north–south transit hub.

For Central Asia, the corridor could add a politically diversified channel for exports, reinforcing “multi-vector” trade strategies. It would provide new access to Turkish and European markets, potentially strengthening regional bargaining power.

The proposed corridor is expected to include rail transport as well as oil and gas pipelines and fiber‑optic cables, though construction would be carried out by private firms under a U.S.-negotiated lease agreement as reported by PanArmenian news service.

This could allow Caspian energy exports from Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan to reach Türkiye and Europe more directly, and improve Central Asia’s digital connectivity by reducing reliance on Russian telecom routes.

However, no technical designs or financing commitments have been confirmed. U.S. officials say public funds will not be used, leaving construction to private consortia or development banks. Until contracts are signed, these features remain possibilities rather than guarantees.

Domestic politics in Armenia are a key variable. Sovereignty over Syunik is highly sensitive, and opposition figures have warned against any arrangement resembling extraterritorial control. Pashinyan has insisted no agreement will violate Armenia’s territorial integrity, framing the plan as unblocking roads under Armenian law.

Iran and Russia may seek to influence or slow the process to protect their transit interests. Iran views the route as bypassing its territory, while Russia risks losing a lever in the South Caucasus. Both could apply diplomatic or economic pressure if they see their positions eroding.

Logistically, building and securing infrastructure in mountainous terrain will require large-scale investment and technical expertise. Without clear funding and security arrangements, implementation could be delayed even if a peace deal is signed.

The tentative Armenia–Azerbaijan corridor proposal could significantly strengthen Central Asia’s connectivity to Europe via the Middle Corridor. By adding a direct link from the Caspian to Türkiye through Armenia, it offers the potential to diversify export routes, reduce geopolitical vulnerabilities, and enhance energy and digital ties.

Yet these benefits remain hypothetical. The agreement’s terms are not finalized, and political, financial, and engineering challenges could slow or derail the project. For now, Central Asian policymakers and businesses will watch closely as negotiations continue, weighing both the opportunities and the risks of a new route that could reshape regional trade.

08 Aug 2025

Central Asia, Turkmenistan Home, Turkmenistan, Turkmenistan Business & Economy, Kazakhstan, Business & Economy, Kazakhstan Business & Economy, Kazakhstan Home

Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Turkmenistan Push Ahead with Digital Corridor Across Caspian

August 8, 2025
By Sadokat Jalolova

Marine research is underway to determine the optimal route for the Trans-Caspian fiber-optic cable, a vital component of the ambitious “Digital Silk Way” initiative aimed at building a high-capacity digital corridor connecting Europe and Asia, Media.az reported.

The ongoing survey, which includes shoreline assessments and detailed seabed analysis, will define the shortest, safest, and most environmentally sustainable path for the cable. Research began simultaneously from the Azerbaijani and Kazakhstani coasts and is expected to take up to four weeks.

Emil Masimov, Chairman of AzerTelecom’s Board, visited the Turkan research vessel, where the survey is being conducted. During his visit, he reviewed the ship’s technical capabilities and met with the crew and engineering teams.

“The Trans-Caspian cable project is progressing rapidly. With the launch of this marine survey, we are entering a crucial phase of construction,” Masimov said. “This step will boost regional digital connectivity and position the Caspian Sea as a key link in global digital infrastructure. Both Azerbaijani and Kazakh teams are using cutting-edge technology and professional expertise, and I am confident the work will be completed on schedule.”

The 380-kilometer underwater cable will run from Sumgayit, Azerbaijan, to Aktau, Kazakhstan, and is expected to offer a transmission capacity of up to 400 terabits per second. Once operational, the line will significantly strengthen intercontinental data flows. Construction is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2026.

Kazakhtelecom is leading the project on the Kazakh side, while U.S.-based Pioneer Consulting is providing technical oversight and consultancy services.

The Trans-Caspian cable is a central element of the broader “Digital Silk Way” initiative, which envisions a modern telecommunications corridor passing through Azerbaijan, Georgia, Turkey, Kazakhstan, and Turkmenistan. The project aims to deliver high-speed, low-latency data routes that promote regional cooperation, digital integration, and sustainable economic development.

08 Aug 2025

Local Politics, Kyrgyzstan, Kyrgyzstan Local Politics

Thousands of Illegal Structures Demolished in Bishkek as City Pushes Urban Renewal

August 8, 2025
By Anton Chipegin

More than 6,300 residential and commercial structures have been demolished in Bishkek during the first half of 2025, as part of an ongoing urban renovation program, according to the city administration. Authorities report that over 80,000 square meters of municipal land have been cleared as a result.

The sweeping effort follows a comprehensive review of land use across the Kyrgyz capital. In recent weeks, tensions have flared in the Kok-Zhar residential area, where officials began enforcing demolition orders against homes built on land the government claims was illegally occupied.

During one such operation, five individuals were detained and administrative cases were opened against 17 others who protested the demolition of their homes. Approximately 120 residents reportedly blocked roads in an attempt to halt construction equipment and defend their properties.

Many disputed homes were built on land formerly designated for agricultural use, which had been sold and developed for residential purposes over the past decade. The area now includes around 1,200 plots, with some 700 single and two-story houses.

City officials argue that updated urban planning requires the reclamation of these areas for future public infrastructure projects. A prominent example includes the demolition of private homes and fences along the southern section of Bishkek’s government highway, currently under renovation for official use.

This redevelopment, which followed the construction of new government and presidential offices nearby, has resulted in dozens of families losing part or all of their properties. Some residents, however, have managed to successfully challenge the demolitions in court.

In response to mounting public criticism, Bishkek Mayor Aibek Dzhunushaliev has proposed a subsidized state mortgage program for families affected by the demolitions. Supported by city council members, the initiative also includes the rapid allocation of municipal land for multi-apartment housing and the creation of a transparent waiting list.

“Several dozen families whose homes were removed during the reconstruction of Bishkek’s northern bypass have already received housing under the program,” the city administration stated.

Mayor Dzhunushaliev emphasized the administration’s commitment to fulfilling President Sadyr Japarov’s directive that every Kyrgyz family should have a home. At the same time, he stressed the importance of aligning land use with current legislation, especially in areas originally zoned for agriculture.

Despite official assurances, many residents remain skeptical. Some insist their homes were built legally and that they possess valid documentation. While a few court decisions have favored homeowners, most have lost their legal challenges against the city.

08 Aug 2025

Central Asia, Environment, Uzbekistan Environment, Home, Uzbekistan, Uzbekistan Home

Climate Study’s Dire Forecast Undermined by Faulty Uzbekistan Data

August 8, 2025
By Sadokat Jalolova

A widely publicized climate study predicting severe global economic losses from climate change is under scrutiny following the discovery of a critical data error involving Uzbekistan. As reported by The Washington Post on August 7, the error significantly skewed the study’s projections, prompting renewed debate over the reliability of economic modeling in climate science.

Published in Nature in 2023, the original study warned that unchecked climate change could reduce global GDP by 19% by 2050 and by an alarming 62% by 2100, nearly three times higher than earlier forecasts. The study attracted substantial media attention and became the second-most-cited climate paper in 2024, according to CarbonBrief. Its projections were used by U.S. government agencies and the World Bank in financial planning.

However, a new commentary in Nature, led by Solomon Hsiang, director of Stanford University’s Global Policy Laboratory, revealed that the study’s extreme forecasts were largely driven by distorted GDP data from Uzbekistan. Once researchers excluded Uzbekistan from the model, the projected global GDP losses dropped sharply from 62% to 23% by 2100, and from 19% to 6% by 2050.

The flawed dataset suggested that Uzbekistan’s GDP plummeted by nearly 90% in 2000, then rebounded by over 90% in certain regions by 2010, figures inconsistent with historical records. According to the World Bank, Uzbekistan’s actual annual growth between 1980 and 2020 ranged between -0.2% and +7.7%.

“These extreme swings warped the study’s model, creating the illusion that global GDP was far more sensitive to climate than it really is,” Hsiang told The Washington Post.

The original study’s authors, based at Germany’s Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, acknowledged the error but stood by their conclusions. After revising the Uzbekistan data and adjusting the model, they reduced their 2050 forecast from a 19% to a 17% GDP loss.

“We’re grateful for the scrutiny,” said co-author Leonie Wenz of the Technical University of Berlin. “But the main conclusions still hold.”

Still, critics argue that retroactive methodological adjustments raise concerns about scientific integrity. “Science doesn’t work by adjusting experiments to get the answer you want,” Hsiang cautioned.

The incident highlights both the power and the fragility of large-scale climate modeling and the importance of validating every data point, regardless of a country’s size.

08 Aug 2025

Justice, Tajikistan Justice, Tajikistan

Tajikistan May Revisit Sentences for Social Media ‘Likes’ and Comments

August 8, 2025
By Vagit Ismailov

Tajikistan may review criminal cases in which individuals were convicted solely for “likes” and other digital interactions on social media. This was announced on August 7 by Rustam Mirzozoda, Chairman of the Supreme Court of Tajikistan.

Possibility of Sentence Review

According to Mirzozoda, existing legislation permits the review of such cases, though most convictions to date have been based on additional charges.

“If the sentence was handed down solely on the basis of ‘likes and reposts,’ the courts are ready to review such decisions,” Mirzozoda stated.

He added that no appeals have yet been filed with Tajikistan’s courts on this issue, and no cases have been reviewed.

Navruz Odinaev, founder of the Khimoya law firm, previously explained to Asia-Plus that the Criminal Code allows for retroactive application of laws if they reduce penalties or decriminalize offenses. This means that recent amendments may apply not only to future prosecutions but also to previously issued sentences.

Origins of the “Like Law”

In 2018, amendments to Article 179 of the Criminal Code introduced penalties for public calls for terrorist activity and the justification of terrorism, including online actions.

These changes allowed likes, reposts, and comments on extremist content to be treated as evidence of criminal involvement. Convictions under this article carried sentences ranging from 5 to 15 years. Similar amendments to Article 307 (“Public calls for extremism”) imposed prison terms of 3 to 12 years.

President Rahmon’s Reversal

In October 2024, President Emomali Rahmon publicly condemned the prosecution of individuals for social media interactions, describing the practice as excessive and misguided.

“Recently, the authorities have considered the fact that some citizens like shared materials and videos on social media as evidence, which has caused them enormous difficulties,” Rahmon stated. “In other words, some authorities are unjustifiably bringing criminal cases against them, and these actions must be stopped.”

His comments came amid growing scrutiny of citizens for engaging with content posted by religious or opposition figures.

On May 14, 2025, Rahmon signed legislation decriminalizing digital reactions on social media, even those related to content previously deemed extremist or a threat to public order.

What Prompted the Shift?

According to Deputy Prosecutor General Umed Karimzoda, more than 1,500 people were imprisoned in 2024 for social media activity deemed extremist.

Lawyer Ranjet Yatimov attributes the president’s policy reversal to several factors. He notes that prosecutions for digital expression have damaged Tajikistan’s international reputation, especially given its membership in global human rights organizations. Domestically, the increase in such cases has fueled public dissatisfaction and eroded trust in law enforcement. Legal ambiguities also played a role, as vague statutory language enabled selective enforcement, prompting urgent legislative reform.