Page 20 – The Times Of Central Asia

19 Mar 2026

International Affairs, Central Asia, Turkmenistan Home, Home, Turkmenistan International Affairs, Turkmenistan, Turkmenistan Features, Features

Xi Jinping and Berdymuhamedov Sr. Discuss Expansion of China-Turkmenistan Partnership

March 19, 2026
By Vagit Ismailov

Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks with Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov, Turkmenistan’s former president and leader of its People’s Council, during the latter’s official visit to China. The meeting took place on March 18 at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, according to a statement from China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Xi noted that China had recently completed its annual parliamentary meetings, commonly referred to as the “Two Sessions,” during which key socio-economic priorities were outlined. He said the country’s new development agenda would support modernization efforts and create additional opportunities for international cooperation.

The Chinese president said that mutual political support remains central to the comprehensive strategic partnership between Beijing and Ashgabat. He reaffirmed China’s readiness to continue backing Turkmenistan on issues related to sovereignty, territorial integrity, and its internationally recognized policy of permanent neutrality.

Xi and Berdymuhamedov discussed expanding cooperation in the energy sector, particularly natural gas supplies, as well as in trade, investment, transport connectivity, agriculture, artificial intelligence, the digital economy, and clean energy. Both leaders also highlighted the importance of aligning China’s Belt and Road Initiative with Turkmenistan’s plans to revitalize historic Silk Road trade routes.

Humanitarian cooperation was another focus of the talks, including plans to develop educational and cultural exchanges and establish joint centers. The leaders also discussed coordination on regional security challenges, including efforts to counter terrorism, separatism, and extremism.

Berdymuhamedov reaffirmed Turkmenistan’s commitment to the One China principle and expressed readiness to deepen bilateral cooperation in energy, infrastructure, and trade. He said closer ties with China were important for Turkmenistan’s long-term economic development and again noted Beijing’s support for the country’s neutrality policy.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi also attended the meeting.

As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, the visit followed Berdymuhamedov’s trip to the United States in mid-February, the details of which were not fully disclosed.

Shortly after his return, Turkmenistan’s President, Gurbanguly’s son Serdar Berdymuhamedov, dismissed the country’s ambassador to the U.S. and its permanent representative to the United Nations. No official explanation was provided for the personnel changes.

19 Mar 2026

Environment, Turkmenistan, Turkmenistan Environment

Environmental Pressures Affect Up to 80% of Irrigated Land in Turkmenistan

March 19, 2026
By Sadokat Jalolova

Environmental pressures in Turkmenistan are intensifying, with desertification, water scarcity, and ecological degradation posing increasing risks to agriculture and public health, according to a recent analysis cited by News-Asia.

The study was prepared by experts from the Central Asia Climate Foundation (CACF)’s climate change and green energy project office ahead of a regional environmental summit scheduled for April 22–24 in Astana.

Researchers warn that desertification has reached critical levels across large parts of the country. The expansion of the Karakum and Kyzylkum deserts is described as among the fastest globally, threatening farmland, infrastructure, and living standards. Land degradation is being exacerbated by overgrazing, soil salinization and inefficient water use. As a result, up to 80% of irrigated land is affected by elevated groundwater salinity, reducing soil productivity.

Water scarcity remains another major challenge. Turkmenistan relies heavily on transboundary rivers, particularly the Amu Darya, leaving it vulnerable to upstream water management decisions. Climate change is also contributing to reduced flows in rivers such as the Atrek, Murgab, and Tejen. Much of the irrigation infrastructure dates back to the Soviet era and suffers from significant losses, while agriculture accounts for around 90% of total water consumption.

The analysis highlights the continuing regional impact of the Aral Sea crisis. The drying of the sea has increased the frequency of salt and dust storms carrying harmful substances across Central Asia. In northern regions, including Dashoguz, medical specialists have reported rising rates of respiratory illness and other health problems linked to deteriorating air quality.

Environmental risks are also growing along the Caspian Sea coast. According to the report, pollution from hydrocarbon extraction combined with declining water levels is affecting biodiversity and undermining fisheries.

At the same time, the government has taken steps to address environmental challenges through national climate programs and reforestation initiatives. Turkmenistan is also participating in international projects, including a regional effort launched earlier this year to combat marine litter in the Caspian Sea with support from the United Nations Development Programme and the United Nations Environment Programme.

The upcoming summit in Astana is expected to bring together around 1,500 participants, including government officials and representatives of international organizations, to discuss coordinated responses to environmental threats. Organizers say the meeting could result in a regional action program for 2026-2030 and a joint declaration by Central Asian leaders.

19 Mar 2026

Uncategorized

TotalEnergies Launches Wind Farm Project in Southern Kazakhstan

March 19, 2026
By Dmitry Pokidaev

French energy company TotalEnergies has launched construction of the Mirny wind farm, a 1-gigawatt renewable energy project in Kazakhstan’s Moyinkum District in the Zhambyl Region. Once completed, the facility is expected to become one of the largest wind power installations in Central Asia.

The project provides for the installation of around 150 wind turbines supplied by Envision and SANY. It will also include a 600-megawatt-hour energy storage system developed by the French battery manufacturer Saft, designed to improve grid stability and optimize power distribution.

Total investment in the project is estimated at about $1.1 billion. The wind farm is scheduled to be commissioned in the fourth quarter of 2028. Annual electricity generation is projected to reach up to 4 billion kilowatt-hours, which could reduce carbon dioxide emissions by at least 3.2 million tons per year.

Kazakhstan’s authorities view the expansion of renewable energy as a key component of efforts to reduce the country’s carbon footprint. National greenhouse gas emissions stood at 375.4 million tons in 2020, declined to 328.4 million tons in 2021, and rose again to 353 million tons in 2022, according to previously reported data.

The energy sector remains the largest source of emissions, accounting for approximately 281.9 million tons of greenhouse gases in 2022.

The Ministry of Energy has said the TotalEnergies project will contribute to the development of green energy, strengthen energy security, and support the country’s broader decarbonization goals.

Authorities also plan further expansion of renewable capacity. Ten new projects with a combined capacity of 245 megawatts are expected to be launched this year, covering wind, solar, and hydroelectric generation. Together with existing facilities, they are projected to produce around 8.8 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity.

In addition to the Mirny wind farm, other major renewable initiatives involving foreign investors are underway. These include a $1.4 billion wind power project backed by the United Arab Emirates’ Masdar, as well as wind and solar developments led by China Power and China Energy in several regions.

Competitive auctions remain the main mechanism for expanding renewable energy capacity. Kazakhstan plans to allocate 6.7 gigawatts of new capacity through auctions between 2024 and 2027.

In the longer term, the government aims to bring more than 8 gigawatts of renewable energy capacity online by 2035. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, officials have also said the country intends to eliminate its electricity deficit and begin exporting power by 2027.

19 Mar 2026

Business & Economy, Kyrgyzstan, Kyrgyzstan Business & Economy

Kyrgyzstan Urges EAEU to Remove Import Duties on Key Goods

March 19, 2026
By Times of Central Asia

Kyrgyzstan has appealed to its partners in the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) to eliminate import duties on a range of socially significant goods, arguing that the measure would help ease the impact of global inflation and slow domestic price growth, according to an official government statement.

The proposal was presented during a meeting of the Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC) held in Moscow on March 13. Kyrgyz officials stressed that the country’s economic conditions differ markedly from those of the bloc’s larger member states, making more flexible trade mechanisms necessary.

The initiative covers goods considered critical for food security, including flour, vegetable oil, fruits and vegetables, as well as cocoa powder used in the confectionery industry. Authorities in Bishkek believe that removing import duties on these items would lower procurement costs and reduce the transmission of global price increases to the domestic market.

“We are seeing rising inflation worldwide, including for the goods we import, particularly agricultural products. In effect, when we import goods at higher prices, we are also importing inflation. Eliminating duties will help reduce the cost of these products,” said Elimbek Kanybek uulu, head of the EAEU Coordination Department, at a press conference in Bishkek.

The full list of goods eligible for preferential treatment, along with import volume thresholds, is expected to be published within a month after the EEC formally approves the decision.

According to Kanybek uulu, Kyrgyzstan has previously sought similar temporary measures for meat imports. At that time, the suspension of duties contributed to a reduction of around 10% in the price of imported meat.

Food security remains a major policy priority. President Sadyr Japarov has said that Kyrgyzstan is currently self-sufficient in six of the nine staple food items included in the national food basket. The government plans to gradually expand domestic production of the remaining products, including flour, vegetable oil, and certain types of fruit.

Analysts say future food price dynamics in Kyrgyzstan will depend on both global commodity trends and decisions within the EAEU regarding trade preferences and tariff policy.

19 Mar 2026

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

Report Reveals Persistently High Air Pollution Levels in Bishkek and Osh

March 19, 2026
By Sergey Kwan

Air pollution remains one of Kyrgyzstan’s most serious environmental challenges, particularly in the cities of Bishkek and Osh, where coal-based heating and motor vehicle emissions are identified as the main sources of pollution, according to a report by the environmental organisation MoveGreen.

The study, covering the period from December 2024 to November 2025, found that Bishkek experienced between 118 and 120 days during which concentrations of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) exceeded permissible limits. Average annual levels were estimated at between 44 and 47 micrograms per cubic meter, significantly above the World Health Organization’s recommended guideline of 5 micrograms per cubic meter.

Air quality in the capital shows strong seasonal variation. Pollution levels rise sharply during winter due to increased coal consumption for heating and the accumulation of emissions linked to the city’s geographical setting. As a result, Bishkek has frequently ranked among the world’s most polluted urban areas in international air quality monitoring indices.

In Osh, pollution patterns were described as more stable but still concerning. Elevated PM2.5 levels were recorded for 159 days during the study period, nearly half the year. The city’s average annual concentration reached 74 micrograms per cubic meter, far exceeding international health recommendations.

The report’s authors also noted that concentrations of other pollutants, including nitrogen oxides and formaldehyde, tend to increase during warmer months.

Among the key recommendations outlined in the study are a gradual transition to cleaner heating sources, expansion and modernisation of public transport systems, measures to reduce dust pollution in urban areas, and improvements in air quality monitoring infrastructure.

19 Mar 2026

Business & Economy, Kazakhstan, Kazakhstan Business & Economy

Kazatomprom Negotiates Long-Term Uranium Supply Deal with India

March 19, 2026
By Dmitry Pokidaev

Kazakhstan’s national nuclear company Kazatomprom is negotiating a long-term uranium supply agreement with India as part of efforts to expand its presence in key global markets. The announcement was made by the company’s CEO, Meirzhan Yussupov, during a meeting with President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, according to a statement published on the presidential administration’s website.

The potential contract forms part of Kazatomprom’s development strategy for 2025-2034, which focuses on diversifying export destinations and strengthening the company’s competitive position. In 2025, the company has already concluded supply agreements with several international energy firms, including Switzerland’s Axpo Power AG, the Czech Republic’s ČEZ Group and Japan’s Kansai Electric Power Co.

Kazakhstan remains the world’s largest producer of uranium, accounting for roughly 21% of global output. Total production in the country reached 25,800 tons last year, with 13,500 tons generated by Kazatomprom’s own projects. The company’s sales volumes rose by 11% to 18,500 tons.

Kazatomprom is also expanding its resource base. Its exploration portfolio includes six new prospective sites covering more than 1,000 square kilometers. Investment in geological exploration through 2030 is projected at between $155 million and $176 million.

The company has placed increased emphasis on research and technological development, adopting a strategy through 2034 aimed at improving mining efficiency, reducing environmental impact, and introducing new production solutions.

Since its initial public offering in 2018, Kazatomprom’s market capitalization has increased more than seven times, reflecting stronger investor interest in the uranium sector amid rising global demand for nuclear energy.

The company also continues to invest in social initiatives in the regions where it operates. In 2025, more than $22 million was allocated to regional development projects, including about $12.5 million provided under contractual obligations.

The Times of Central Asia previously reported that Kazakhstan had amended its Subsurface Use Code, increasing the state’s regulatory role in the uranium industry and reinforcing Kazatomprom’s position in the sector.