Page 205 – The Times Of Central Asia

07 Jul 2025

Business & Economy, Tajikistan, Tajikistan Environment

Tajikistan’s Energy Paradox

November 3, 2025
By Vagit Ismailov

Tajikistan stands out among developing countries for having achieved near-universal access to electricity by 2022. This milestone, documented in the international SDG7-2025 report by the UN, World Bank, WHO, IEA, and IRENA, places the country alongside Eastern European and South Caucasus states in electrification. However, beneath this achievement lie persistent vulnerabilities, particularly in rural and mountainous regions, where winter brings regular power outages due to seasonal dips in hydropower generation and surging demand.

Firewood and Coal Still Dominant

Despite near-total electrification, Tajikistan remains significantly behind in access to clean cooking fuels. Fewer than 40% of the population use modern, safe technologies. In villages, the majority of households still rely on coal, firewood, or even manure for heating and cooking, practices that pose serious environmental and health risks, especially for women and children.

Tajikistan’s power sector is heavily dependent on hydropower, which accounts for over 90% of electricity production. While this results in low CO₂ emissions, it also creates structural vulnerabilities. Climate change and glacial retreat threaten the reliability of this single energy source. Meanwhile, the potential of solar and wind energy remains largely untapped due to a lack of investment, insufficient institutional frameworks, and limited support for decentralized energy projects.

Lagging in Energy Efficiency

Tajikistan is one of the most energy-intensive countries in the region. Aging heating systems, poorly insulated buildings, and inefficient technologies in agriculture and industry all contribute to this inefficiency.

The SDG7 report emphasizes the need to upgrade buildings and adopt energy-saving technologies. Some progress has been made: with assistance from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), thermal upgrades are underway in schools and hospitals.

In 2021, Tajikistan received approximately $100 million in international support for energy projects, most of it allocated to hydropower. Major donors include the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank (ADB), and various UN agencies. However, investment in solar and wind energy, as well as broader energy efficiency initiatives, remains negligible. Experts are urging international partners to revise their priorities and fund projects that directly improve living standards, particularly in remote and rural areas.

A Regional Disparity in Investment

The pace of energy transition varies across Central Asia. While electrification is largely complete, access to clean cooking fuels remains uneven. Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan are notably behind in this area. In contrast, Uzbekistan has emerged as a regional leader, securing the bulk of international energy investment. Uzbekistan, on the contrary, entered the top five world leaders in attracting investments in green energy.

Globally, progress toward Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG 7) is slowing. As of 2022, 91% of the world’s population had access to electricity, but over two billion people still rely on harmful fuels for cooking. Energy efficiency improvements are lagging, advancing at just one-quarter of the pace needed to meet 2030 targets.

Charting a Path Forward

Experts recommend three immediate priorities for Tajikistan. First, scaling up decentralized solar and wind energy projects. Second, investing in the energy efficiency of buildings and infrastructure. Third, expanding access to clean cooking fuels through local production, targeted subsidies, and educational programs.

To support this transition, Tajikistan must also invest in workforce training and deepen cooperation with international donors. Without a strategic shift in investment and policy, the country risks falling short of its sustainable energy goals, despite its early progress in electrification.

07 Jul 2025

Life & Culture, Kazakhstan Life & Culture, Kazakhstan

QazElles Brings Kazakh Culture to France

July 7, 2025
By Times of Central Asia

Since 2023, the Association of Kazakh Women in France — QazElles, a name blending “Kazakhstan” with the French word elles (meaning “women”) — has gained international recognition for its impactful initiatives well beyond the borders of France.

Today, QazElles unites 40 accomplished women living in cities across France, all of whom have personal or professional ties to Kazakhstan. Its diverse membership includes students from leading Parisian universities, engineers at prominent French companies, entrepreneurs, and professionals in the creative industries.

The association was established a few years ago in cooperation with the Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan in France.

“QazElles represents bright, strong, and accomplished daughters of their homeland who dedicate their free time to promoting Kazakh identity in France, building a supportive community of like-minded women,” says Madina Kulmanova, president of QazElles, who has lived in France for over 20 years. “Many of us have no close family here in France. This association became our family.”

Despite its relatively recent founding, QazElles has already organized several high-profile cultural events, all carried out on a fully volunteer basis by Kazakh women living in Paris.

In 2023, the group operated a chalet at La Défense, the largest Christmas market in the Paris region, for over a month. Showcasing Kazakh artisans, it quickly became a crowd favorite. Long queues formed for traditional manti (steamed dumplings filled with meat, pumpkin, and dough) and handmade felt slippers.

For two consecutive years, a miniature Kazakh aul (village) has come to life during Nauryz (March 21–22) on Place des Ternes, just steps from the Arc de Triomphe. Much like in Kazakhstan, the celebration features a yurt, traditional games, folk music, and festive cuisine.

This year, several thousand visitors, mostly local Parisians, many encountering Kazakh culture for the first time, explored the aul. Inside the yurt, guests experienced a guided audio tour written and narrated by Aliya Syzdykova. Outside, dancers from the Kazakh city of Shymkent performed in the square, while artisans sold out of tyubeteikas (traditional embroidered caps). Among the exhibitors was QazElles member Kamila Florenti, a jeweler who creates a distinctive line of delicate silver pieces inspired by Kazakh motifs.

“We love this project because it brings people together. There was so much kindness, warmth, and friendship. I think we truly gave Parisians a little journey into a real Kazakh celebration,” shares Madina Kulmanova, her emotion clearly visible.

QazElles quickly discovered that the way to a Parisian’s heart is through culinary exploration. One of the association’s most celebrated initiatives was a “four-hands” dinner featuring two renowned chefs: Artem Kantsev from Astana and Frédéric Simonin from Paris. The event was held at Simonin’s Michelin-starred restaurant, where the two chefs collaborated on a unique menu that blended the bold flavors of Kazakh cuisine with the finesse of French culinary tradition.

Among the standout dishes was camel meat manti wrapped in coffee-infused dough, served with a sauce made from kurt (a salty, dried fermented dairy product popular in Central Asia) and French cheeses.

The success of the event marked the beginning of what would become known as “gastronomic diplomacy,” a budding culinary partnership between Kazakhstan and France.

“We are equally enthusiastic about our social projects, both those supporting the development of the Kazakh diaspora in France and those that contribute back home, to our beloved country. We’ve taken part in projects big and small. One of our members, Maya Khanna, recently created a miniature yurt complete with interior furnishings. A true museum piece!”

At its heart, QazElles is about unity and shared purpose. The association has succeeded in bringing together compatriots to collaborate for the common good. As its membership continues to grow, so does its impact, strengthening community ties and raising the profile of Kazakh culture far beyond national borders.

07 Jul 2025

Home, Uzbekistan, Uzbekistan Features, International Affairs, Features, Uzbekistan International Affairs

Uzbekistan and China Deepen Ties Across Strategic, Economic, and Soft-Power Fronts

July 11, 2025
By Dr. Robert M. Cutler

Uzbekistan and China have significantly expanded their bilateral relationship in the last month. The meeting between Presidents Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Xi Jinping on June 17, 2025, in Astana, during the second China–Central Asia Summit, formally endorsed what both states termed a “multi-dimensional strategic partnership.” The occasion marked the conclusion of bilateral negotiations on Uzbekistan’s accession to the World Trade Organization. This membership is both procedural and symbolic, as it signals Uzbekistan’s intensifying participation in global economic architecture. In particular, it serves to legitimize the country’s market-opening reforms in the eyes of international partners.

Strategic Dialogue and the Evolution of Political Ties

The June 2025 summit meeting built upon groundwork laid during Mirziyoyev’s January 2024 state visit to China, when a suite of agreements were reached that catalyzed the creation of a Strategic Dialogue between the two countries’ foreign ministries. A year later, in January 2025, this was formally upgraded to an “all-weather comprehensive strategic partnership”.

This phrase signifies that the dialogue was acquiring operational substance in the form of diversified sectoral initiatives spanning infrastructure, innovation, security, and energy. For Uzbekistan, this initiative marks a sustained effort to define itself not only as a recipient of foreign capital but as a co-architect of regionally significant configurations.

Trade and investment data point to a structurally intensifying relationship. Bilateral trade stood at $14 billion in 2024, up from $13 billion the previous year, with both sides aiming for $20 billion in the near term. As of February 2025, 3,467 Chinese firms were active in Uzbekistan, an increase of over 1,000 from the prior year. However, the $9.8 billion trade deficit in China’s favor remains politically sensitive, highlighting asymmetries even as cooperation deepens.

Sectoral Investment and Institutional Coordination

A joint investment portfolio exceeding $60 billion undergirds this integration. Key projects include special economic zones, technoparks, and localized production of BYD electric vehicles. The sectoral spread extends to renewable energy, mining, logistics, metallurgy, pharmaceuticals, and smart agriculture. Financial institutions such as the Silk Road Fund and China Eximbank are underwriting emblematic initiatives, including the Olympic Village in Tashkent. On June 28, 2025, Uzbekistan’s Deputy Minister of Investments, Industry and Trade met with Chinese leather industry representatives to coordinate manufacturing projects in Andijan and Ohangaron.

These dynamics were further institutionalized at the Uzbekistan–China Interregional Forum held June 1–2, 2025, in Samarkand, where Uzbekistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Jamshid Khodjaev emphasized that Chinese investment has increased fivefold since 2017. Although this was technically a regional event, it reinforced — as a public-facing moment of alignment between central planning and international economic engagement — a national-level policy architecture receptive to external capital, particularly from China.

Infrastructure and Energy

At the infrastructural core of bilateral cooperation stands the China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan (CKU) railway. Both presidents re-emphasized the project’s strategic relevance, identifying it as essential to transcontinental logistical continuity from East Asia to Europe. The project has not only economic but also geopolitical significance, situating Uzbekistan as a connective node rather than a peripheral conduit. If completed on time, it may also reduce Uzbekistan’s dependency on northern or western transit corridors.

Uzbekistan’s natural gas exports to China saw a substantial increase of over 60% year-on-year in the first five months of 2025. According to official data from Uzbekistan’s National Statistics Committee, gas exports to China reached $288 million between January and May 2025. Interestingly, physical volumes have not been officially reported or unofficially hinted at. Based on typical regional prices, however, a reasonable estimate of quantities would be 1.0–1.5 billion cubic meters (bcm), or an annual rate of 2.4–3.6 bcm. This development reinforces the dual commercial and energy linkages that increasingly characterize the bilateral channel.

China’s expanding role in Uzbekistan’s energy sector now also includes a strategic shift toward green infrastructure and technological modernization. Since 2023, Chinese state and private enterprises have committed to over 5,000 megawatts (MW) of new solar and wind capacity in Uzbekistan, including flagship facilities in Andijan, Karakalpakstan, and Jizzakh. Uzbekistan’s Atomic Energy Agency is also in exploratory talks with China National Nuclear Corporation to deploy small modular reactors and expand uranium production, signaling a long-term alignment on low-carbon energy strategies.

Human Mobility and Soft-Power Engagement

Effective June 1, 2025, a mutual 30-day visa-free regime was implemented for citizens of both countries. Announced by Foreign Ministers Wang Yi and Bakhtiyor Saidov, the policy aims to facilitate not just tourism and business but also people-to-people connectivity. The agreement is expected to normalize short-term mobility for professionals, students, and cultural figures. In this connection, Beijing has established a branch of Northwest Agricultural and Forestry University and the International Mathematics Center with Peking University in Uzbekistan.

Public sentiment within Uzbekistan remains, nevertheless, cautious. A mid-June 2025 incident in which a local official appeared to suggest farmland transfers to Chinese investors ignited controversy. The Ministry of Agriculture swiftly denied any such transactions, but the viral video triggered a broader reaction over land sovereignty and, by extension, economic dependency. These concerns are not new but have gained visibility as China’s economic footprint expands. Tashkent has sought to manage public discourse with narratives emphasizing national benefit and regulatory oversight, all while denying the reports. While elite consensus remains favorable toward Chinese investment, societal perception introduces an enduring constraint, shaping how far and how fast integration can proceed without risking political backlash.

Beyond trade and infrastructure, the relationship is being expanded to issue areas of human and social development. The two governments have pledged cooperation on poverty reduction initiatives, aligning with Uzbekistan’s domestic policy agenda. Coordination in smart agriculture, logistics, and green energy development has also been framed as a long-term platform for mutual benefit. Whether such diversification will insulate the relationship from any geopolitical shocks remains uncertain, but the effort to institutionalize its breadth is evident.

Balancing Growth and Sensitivities

Uzbekistan and China have consolidated a high-density bilateral relationship, combining formal diplomatic upgrades with tangible projects and policy coordination. The July 2025 milestone of mutual visa liberalization and expanding logistical access serves as both a signal and substance of this convergence. However, structural asymmetries and public sensitivities temper the otherwise smooth trajectory.

The Uzbek government must now navigate between the material benefits of Chinese capital and the symbolic costs perceived domestically. Going forward, the pace of implementation, particularly of the China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan railway, and the durability of public consent will serve as bellwethers for the sustainability of this accelerated bilateralism. Much will hinge on whether economic gains are sufficiently distributed to justify the strategic momentum.

07 Jul 2025

Central Asia, International Affairs, Kazakhstan International Affairs, Kazakhstan

Azerbaijani Crew Films in Kazakhstan for Plane Crash Documentary

July 7, 2025
By Times of Central Asia

A film crew from Azerbaijan has visited Kazakhstan to make a documentary about the deadly crash of an Azerbaijan Airlines plane that Azerbaijan says was hit by Russian ground fire.

Lada.kz, a media organization based in the city of Aktau in western Kazakhstan, talked to the three-member team from the CBC Azerbaijan TV channel about the project. The filmmakers went to Aktau because the plane crashed on the approach to the city’s airport on December 25 last year after diverting across the Caspian Sea from its planned landing in Grozny, Chechnya.

“Several films have already been made in Azerbaijan on this topic, but in our project we want to reconstruct the chronology of events in detail, literally minute by minute,” senior editor Gulzar Mustafayeva told Lada.

“It is very important to show how the people of Kazakhstan reacted, how the residents of Aktau united and came to the rescue,” she said, referring to emergency response teams that rushed to help survivors as well as the donation of blood from people in Kazakhstan.

The crash killed 38 of the 67 people on board and soured relations between Russia and Azerbaijan, which accused Russian officials of failing to take responsibility. Russian President Vladimir Putin apologized to Azerbaijani leader Ilham Aliyev, but did not acknowledge that Russian fire damaged the plane. Russia has said the area was under attack by Ukrainian drones at the time.

Kazakhstan issued a preliminary report on the crash in February. It said the plane had been hit by metal objects, an assertion that appeared to confirm that the aircraft was shot at from the ground. But the report didn’t say Russia was to blame.

Mustafayeva and her colleagues visited the crash site, where a simple memorial has been installed.

“Despite the fact that everything was cleaned, tidied up, and the main fragments were taken away long ago, small details still remain on the site – scraps of clothing, remnants of shoes, a wheel from a suitcase in which someone was carrying their things,” she told Lada. “This makes a very strong impression. You stand and understand: human lives were cut short here.”

She said CBC Azerbaijan TV plans to show the documentary later this year.

05 Jul 2025

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

#SaveChorvoq: Experts and Bloggers Demand Answers on Sea Breeze Uzbekistan Project

July 5, 2025
By Sadokat Jalolova

The Times of Central Asia earlier reported that Azerbaijani businessman Emin Agalarov plans to build “Sea Breeze Uzbekistan,” a huge tourist complex on the shores of the Charvak (Chorvoq) reservoir.

The center will cover 500–700 hectares and include hotels, cottages, pools, sports areas, shops, restaurants, and a bridge connecting both sides of the reservoir. It will also host festivals, concerts, and cultural events.

News of this project has sparked a strong public reaction. Many people wonder why such a big plan was made without any open discussion. The project is discussed under the hashtag #SaveChorvoq, which many use to call for action.

The idea first appeared in December when Agalarov presented it to President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. In April, the president reviewed the master plan. Since then, social media has been full of debates about the environmental risks and possible water shortages.

An Instagram video by environmental blogger Urikguli (Mutabar Khushvaqtova) gathered opinions from experts and influencers about how Sea Breeze Uzbekistan might affect Charvak’s water balance.

Temur Ahmedov, a sustainable construction specialist, said: “Tashkent has 3.5 million people, and New Tashkent is being built too. Where will all that water come from? If Charvak’s balance is broken, we have a big problem.”

Dr Yulduzkhon Abdullaeva, a doctor of natural sciences, warned: “First, biodiversity will suffer. Charvak reservoir and its surroundings house rare plants and animals. A lot of materials must be brought in that way. Because we don’t have waterways, transport will use roads, which can pollute the air.

Pools and fountains will need water from Charvak, which may disturb its hydrological balance. An environmental impact assessment is necessary. The results must be made public.

If the assessment is negative, the project should be cancelled. That’s why public involvement is very important.” Abdullaeva also noted: “Rare plants grow near the reservoir, and animals live there. Pools and fountains will use Charvak water, which could upset its balance. A project evaluation must be done, and if bad, construction should be stopped.”

Urban planner Iskandar Soliyev expressed doubts about the developer’s promises. “I think building such a large project around the reservoir is a mistake. Even Agalarov says in his videos that first we will install water-cleaning devices, then start construction. But we know those promises are often broken. That is the main worry.”

Urikguli stressed: “If errors happen or water is polluted at Charvak, we could lose our only source of drinking water. That is why a thorough environmental check and transparency are essential.”

Alisher Khudoyberdiev, a hydrometeorology researcher, pointed out that motorboats could pollute the water and harm both drinking supplies and farmland.

Blogger Samandar Nizomov questioned the idea of a VIP zone. “Why let the rich go in and make the poor watch from afar? Charvak is not a sea or an ocean. I don’t want to drink water with impurities.”

His view echoed that of Umida Odilova: “Our reservoir is our drinking water source—for us and our children. There’s already too much building in the city. Only the mountains have clean air.”

The Times of Central Asia asked Urikguli whether the Ministry of Ecology or other officials had responded to the study of these concerns. She informed that Rasul Kusherbayev, advisor to the Minister of Ecology, expressed his opinion on this matter. “I am against any construction near Charvak reservoir. Not only Sea Breeze but also hotels or recreation areas, even boat rides—I reject them fully. The more we protect Charvak, the more we will thrive. If we pollute it, we force future generations to abandon this place. The Ministry of Ecology is now reviewing this matter. We don’t have full documents yet. The Ministry has publicly opposed motorboats on the reservoir since last year. Our response will reflect this position,” said Kusherbayev.

The Times of Central Asia also emailed Agalarov Development to request details about the environmental side of the Sea Breeze Uzbekistan project. In our message, we asked:

Did you carry out any environmental assessments or consult local ecological experts before proposing the project?

How do you respond to concerns from environmental activists and bloggers about risks and the lack of public discussion?

So far, Agalarov Development has not replied to our request.

With so many voices calling for caution, it is clear that people want to protect Charvak’s unique ecosystem. The debate shows the need for careful planning, open dialogue, and strong environmental safeguards before building such a large project near this vital water source.

05 Jul 2025

Home, Uzbekistan, Uzbekistan Opinions, Opinions, Uzbekistan Life & Culture

Opinion: Uzbekistan Shows the World How Distance Education Can Work in a Crisis

July 5, 2025
By Times of Central Asia

A new study from Uzbekistan offers a powerful counter-narrative to the global trend of learning losses during the COVID-19 pandemic. While many countries struggled to maintain academic progress amid widespread school closures, Uzbekistan managed to not only sustain but improve learning outcomes — a feat made possible through swift and innovative education responses.
In our latest paper, we draw on unique longitudinal data to evaluate the impact of pandemic-induced school closures. The findings are striking.

Key Findings

• Grade 5 mathematics scores improved by 0.29 standard deviations during the pandemic.
• Students tested in both 2019 and 2021 gained 0.72 standard deviations, indicating continued learning.
• Uzbekistan maintained learning continuity despite massive disruptions to traditional schooling.
It was with some trepidation that I looked towards distance education done right to alleviate the situation. I am glad I was proven right, but, of course, this is all due to the students, families, teachers, administrators, and the Ministry of Education of Uzbekistan.

The Uzbekistan Model: Distance Learning via TV

What made this success possible? We credit Uzbekistan’s rapid deployment of daily televised lessons, taught by the country’s best teachers, ensuring nationwide coverage even where internet access was limited.
Despite limited internet access in rural areas, 100% digital TV penetration made broadcasting the most viable mass learning platform. By April 2020, over 350 video lessons were airing nationally and uploaded online for supplementary access.

Implications for Global Education Policy

Uzbekistan’s experience illustrates that learning loss is not inevitable. With well-designed, inclusive, and adaptive policies, countries can maintain — and even accelerate — learning during crises.
The study contributes to the growing body of evidence on educational resilience and can inform crisis responses worldwide.