Page 207 – The Times Of Central Asia

11 Jul 2025

Home, Environment, Kyrgyzstan Environment, Kyrgyzstan, Kyrgyzstan Features

Heavy Rains Flood Newly Renovated Streets and Market in Southern Kyrgyzstan

July 11, 2025
By Anton Chipegin

A sudden downpour on July 10 inundated parts of Osh, southern Kyrgyzstan’s largest city, flooding recently renovated streets, a newly opened municipal market, and multiple residential and public buildings. According to the Ministry of Emergency Situations (MES), the city’s drainage system overflowed after several hours of heavy rainfall.

Three private homes and the basement of an apartment block were submerged, along with the Family Medicine Center and the State Archive. Emergency services evacuated nine residents to safety, while 80 personnel, including firefighters and rescue teams, were deployed to respond to the crisis.

Authorities blamed the flooding on clogged drainage canals and irrigation ditches.

“The primary cause of the flooding was the failure to properly clean drainage systems in several districts,” the MES reported. “Accumulated garbage and debris blocked water flow, leading to road flooding and hindering pedestrian movement.”

Despite earlier instructions from Emergency Situations Minister Boobek Azhikeev to clear stormwater infrastructure in anticipation of the rainy season, the preparation appears to have been incomplete or ineffective.

Osh Mayor Jenishbek Toktorbaev toured the affected areas, met with residents and business owners, and ordered an expedited cleanup operation. Videos released by city authorities show the mayor wading through flooded streets and assessing damage.

@mchs.gov.kg

The timing of the flooding was particularly ironic. Just days earlier, Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers Kamchybek Tashiev had visited Osh, praising Toktorbaev’s urban development initiatives and presenting him with a ceremonial car. Under Toktorbaev’s leadership, the city has invested in infrastructure upgrades, including road reconstruction and the demolition of illegal structures.

However, traders at the newly inaugurated municipal market voiced frustration over poor planning. Speaking to local media, they said the site lacked adequate drainage and roofing, leaving commercial aisles waterlogged.

“They rushed the relocation,” one vendor said. “The market should have been completed before moving us from the old site.”

Residents noted that such flooding has become a recurring issue during Osh’s rainy season, with stormwater systems consistently overwhelmed by downpours.

11 Jul 2025

Central Asia, Kyrgyzstan Life & Culture, Life & Culture, Kyrgyzstan

Rare Dinosaur Fossils Discovered in Kyrgyzstan

July 11, 2025
By Sadokat Jalolova

Rare dinosaur fossils unearthed in Kyrgyzstan have been identified as species endemic to the region, according to Ayzek Bakirov, acting director of the M.M. Adyshev Institute of Geology at the National Academy of Sciences of Kyrgyzstan. Bakirov shared the findings in an interview with 24.kg.

The discoveries stem from a series of joint expeditions in 2025 involving scientists from Kyrgyzstan, Germany, and the United Kingdom. As a result, new Jurassic-era sites, dating back approximately 165 million years, were located near the town of Tash-Kumyr in southern Kyrgyzstan. While these sites hold significant scientific promise, excavation has been temporarily suspended due to a lack of funding.

Notably, a new species of theropod, a group of predatory dinosaurs, was discovered in the Tash-Kumyr area last year during earlier fieldwork conducted with researchers from Munich’s Paleontological Museum.

“Discoveries of dinosaur remains began in the early 20th century and still continue. New sites are being found, and new species are being studied,” Bakirov noted. He added that more than 30 dinosaur fossil sites are now known across Kyrgyzstan, highlighting the steady progress of local scientific efforts.

Elsewhere in the region, significant paleontological discoveries have also been made. In November 2024, scientists unearthed dinosaur fossils estimated to be 85 million years old in Tajikistan’s Sughd region. Excavations took place in the village of Kansai, a site long recognized for its wealth of prehistoric remains, including reptiles, turtles, crocodiles, amphibians, and fish from the Cretaceous period.

That expedition, led by Russian and Tajik researchers, built upon Soviet-era studies. Among the participants were Umed Nabiev, a master’s student in paleontology, and ecologist Gafurjon Karimov. The team focused on recovering smaller vertebrates to help expand the understanding of prehistoric ecosystems in Central Asia.

11 Jul 2025

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

Comic Con Astana 2025: Kazakhstan’s Premier Geek Culture Festival Set to Break Records

July 11, 2025
By Andrei Matveev

Geek culture has become a vibrant facet of Astana’s tourist appeal, and on July 9, the city kicked off the fourth edition of Comic Con Astana, Kazakhstan’s flagship festival for anime, comics, and cosplay. Over the years, festival-goers have become a familiar sight in the capital’s summer streets, embodying characters from across the worlds of comics, gaming, and fantasy.

While other Central Asian capitals, including Tashkent, have made similar attempts, it is Astana that has succeeded in establishing a sustainable and growing comic convention. The inaugural Comic Con Astana was held in 2019, but subsequent years were disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic and the political turbulence of 2022. In 2023, however, the festival returned with renewed energy, drawing not only domestic fans but also international guests eager to meet Hollywood actors Michael Rooker and Sean Gunn, known for their roles as Yondu and Kraglin in Guardians of the Galaxy. The guest list also included top Eurasian video bloggers and prominent cosplayers, names that may be unfamiliar to the broader public, but are iconic within the global geek community.

That year, organizers reported at least 60,000 attendees.

Image: TCA

In 2024, the festival built on that momentum. A major highlight was the appearance of Danish actor Mads Mikkelsen, famed for his portrayal of Hannibal Lecter in the eponymous TV series, whose popularity kept him signing autographs late into the night, well past the scheduled program. He was joined by Canadian actor Percy Hynes White, who had recently risen to prominence through his role in Netflix’s Wednesday.

Now, in 2025, Comic Con Astana is aiming to surpass its own benchmarks.

Image: TCA

“This year, we decided to scale up and break our own record: two venues, Astana Arena and Barys Arena, and an extended five-day program,” said Natalina Abrashkin, general producer of Comic Con Astana. “Every year, Comic Con grows in terms of guests, international stars, and economic impact. In 2025, we expect more than 75,000 attendees, including at least 10,000 foreign tourists.”

Organizers estimate that each foreign visitor spends around 118,000 KZT ($228) per day. With an average stay of three days, the festival is projected to generate over 3.5 billion KZT (nearly $7 million) in economic activity through accommodation, food, transportation, entertainment, and shopping.

This year’s expanded program reflects that ambition. Even the two arenas may struggle to accommodate the crowds expected to attend appearances by three Hollywood stars: Andy Serkis, renowned for his motion-capture roles as Gollum in The Lord of the Rings and Caesar in Planet of the Apes, will headline. He will be joined by Esai Morales (Ozark, Titans, Mission: Impossible, La Bamba) and Scott Adkins (John Wick 4, Doctor Strange, Ip Man 4). Their public sessions are scheduled for the festival’s final weekend.

Image: TCA

A central feature of Comic Con Astana remains the cosplay competition. This year, organizers have raised the prize fund to 15 million KZT ($29,000).

Cosplay has been a cornerstone of the festival’s popularity. By embodying their favorite characters, often from Japanese and Korean pop culture, young people unleash creativity stifled by conventional social expectations. For many, cosplay provides an escape, a platform for artistic expression, and a chance to rewrite the rules. Masterclasses help participants refine their costumes and makeup, turning resource limitations into opportunities for imaginative design. In this community, sincerity and passion matter more than perfection.

Image: TCA

As this year’s older participants demonstrate, cosplay isn’t just for the young; it’s a lifelong invitation to embrace fantasy, creativity, and the freedom to play.

11 Jul 2025

Home, Environment, Kyrgyzstan Environment, Kyrgyzstan

Kyrgyzstan Endorses National Program to Strengthen Climate Cooperation with Green Climate Fund

July 11, 2025
By Sergey Kwan

Kyrgyzstan has taken a step toward climate resilience by approving its Country Program for Cooperation with the Green Climate Fund (GCF) through 2027. The program defines national priorities for climate action and outlines a portfolio of projects seeking international funding.

The GCF, the principal financial mechanism under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), supports developing nations in mitigating and adapting to the impacts of climate change.

Kyrgyzstan’s newly approved framework highlights several priority initiatives:

Reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the housing sector
Enhancing ecosystem resilience and introducing climate-smart water treatment systems in the Issyk-Kul region
Promoting climate-resilient agriculture and water resource management in the Batken region
Improving disaster preparedness and access to climate data
Expanding climate finance mechanisms for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and households

According to the Ministry of Natural Resources, Ecology and Technical Supervision, Kyrgyzstan mobilized significant international climate finance between 2010 and 2023. Major contributors included the World Bank ($303.7 million), the Asian Development Bank ($194.4 million), German institutions and climate funds ($73.1 million), and the United Nations Development Programme ($63.1 million). These funds were disbursed as a mix of grants and concessional loans.

Data from the International Aid Transparency Initiative (IATI) indicate that energy projects received the largest share of this climate financing ($306.6 million), followed by agriculture, forestry, and fisheries ($140.5 million), and water-related projects ($122.8 million).

Between 2011 and 2021, Kyrgyzstan received approximately $620 million in international technical assistance for climate-related initiatives, with grants comprising about 81% of total funding.

The new Country Program reflects Kyrgyzstan’s broader commitment to sustainable development and climate adaptation, particularly in vulnerable regions such as Batken and Issyk-Kul. National priorities continue to focus on energy efficiency, risk reduction, and scaling green finance solutions for local communities and businesses.

11 Jul 2025

Home, Business & Economy, Kazakhstan, Kazakhstan Business & Economy, Features, Kazakhstan Featurees

Kazakh Foreign Minister Visits Kabul, Signs $500M Railway Deal as Mining Push Gathers Momentum

July 11, 2025
By Stephen M. Bland

In a major step toward deepening regional engagement, Kazakhstan’s Foreign Minister Murat Nurtleu arrived in Kabul this week, signaling a continuing shift towards pragmatic engagement in Astana’s policy towards Afghanistan. The visit resulted in significant diplomatic and economic developments, including the signing of a $500 million agreement on the Herat-Torghundi railway.

During his visit, Nurtleu met with Afghanistan’s acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi and other senior officials in the Taliban-led government. In a joint statement, the two sides emphasized their commitment to expanding bilateral ties in transit, trade, education, and regional security. Nurtleu pledged Kazakhstan’s support for Afghanistan’s stabilization, food security, and comprehensive development, stating that Astana is seeking to expand its partnership with Kabul based on shared regional interests.

A highlight of the visit was the signing of a memorandum of understanding for the construction of the Torghundi–Herat railway. The 115-kilometer line will link western Afghanistan to Turkmenistan, and is expected to extend connectivity into Iran and further south to the Arabian Sea. Afghanistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Abdul Ghani Baradar welcomed the agreement, stating that the deal will lay the foundation for establishing a logistics hub in Herat. As reported by Baradar’s office, discussions also covered the possibility of relaxing visa regulations for Afghan traders, resuming direct flights between Kabul and Astana, and increasing bilateral trade volumes.

The two sides emphasized expanding economic collaboration through joint initiatives in key industries, including mining, transportation, communications, energy, and infrastructure. They also considered formalizing accords on agricultural product safety, cross-border logistics, and reduced transit costs — steps aimed at potentially raising trade between the countries to $3 billion.

In parallel to these diplomatic overtures, Kazakhstan’s mining giant Kazakhmys Barlau is exploring Afghanistan’s untapped mineral resources. CEO Galym Nurzhanov confirmed that his team has already begun reconnaissance operations in the mineral-rich Nuristan Province. Nurzhanov described the terrain as a geological time capsule, stating that “For our geologists and miners, it’s like stepping into the 19th century. We looked at lead-zinc deposits, grades of nearly 39%, with concentrates reaching 41%. That’s ready ore, you can crush it and send it straight to the plant.”

As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, despite lingering tensions over issues such as Afghanistan’s controversial Qosh Tepa Canal project, Kazakhstan has emphasized an approach to relations with Kabul based on “practicality, not ideology,” highlighting the shared need for regional security, trade corridors, and energy development.

11 Jul 2025

Central Asia, Business & Economy, Kazakhstan, Kazakhstan Business & Economy

Kazakhstan’s Oil Exports to Germany Drop Sharply in June

July 11, 2025
By Vagit Ismailov

Kazakhstan’s oil exports to Germany via the Druzhba pipeline fell by 1.4 times in June 2025 compared to May, according to new data from KazTransOil.

Supply Targets vs. Delivery Volumes

In June, KazTransOil transported 160,000 tonnes of crude oil to Germany through the Russian Transneft pipeline network, down from 230,000 tonnes in May. The shipments were delivered to the Adamova Zastava entry point on the German border.

KazTransOil has not yet disclosed its supply plans for July.

Despite the recent dip, Kazakhstan plans to export 1.5 million tonnes of oil to Germany in 2025, mirroring the 2024 target. In 2023, the volume reached 993,000 tonnes.

Kazakhstan’s Energy Minister Erlan Akkenzhenov stated in May that Astana is in talks with partners to potentially increase the annual supply to 2.2 million tonnes. His predecessor, Almasadam Satkaliyev, had earlier voiced similar intentions, indicating the figure could be raised to 2 million tonnes if demand from Germany rises. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has also expressed readiness to boost exports.

Deepening Energy Ties

Kazakhstan launched regular oil deliveries to Germany through Druzhba in 2023 as part of its broader strategy to diversify export routes. The first shipment was dispatched in February of that year.

KazTransOil received a 2023 quota from Transneft for 1.2 million tonnes of oil, and in August, Karachaganak Petroleum Operating (KPO), operator of the Karachaganak field, announced plans to maintain that volume in 2024.

In June 2023, KazMunayGas signed a supply agreement with Rosneft Deutschland GmbH for monthly deliveries of 100,000 tonnes to the PCK Raffinerie in Schwedt, Germany. The contract involved KazMunayGas Trading AG as the seller and Rosneft Deutschland, one of the refinery’s co-owners, as the buyer.

Why Use the Druzhba Pipeline?

The Druzhba pipeline originates in Samara, Russia, and branches into two routes after Bryansk and Mozyr: the northern branch runs through Belarus to Poland and Germany, while the southern route passes through Ukraine to Hungary, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic.

Following Germany’s decision to halt imports of Russian oil in early 2023, capacity became available within the Druzhba system. Kazakhstan capitalized on this opening, with oil shipments technically routed through Russia’s Transneft network under intergovernmental agreements.

Germany, in its search for alternatives to Russian crude, has turned to Kazakhstan as a reliable supplier. Technical compatibility with the Druzhba pipeline and Kazakhstan’s neutral foreign policy have made it a strategic energy partner.