Page 250 – The Times Of Central Asia

23 Sep 2025

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

Billion-Dollar Agreements and a Boeing Deal: Inside Mirziyoyev’s Visit to New York

September 25, 2025
By Vagit Ismailov

On September 20, President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev arrived in New York to participate in events marking the 80th session of the UN General Assembly. At John F. Kennedy Airport, he was welcomed by Paolo Zampolli, Special Envoy of the U.S. President for Global Partnerships, Carolyn Lamm, Chair of the American-Uzbekistan Chamber of Commerce, and other officials.

Finance and Critical Minerals Cooperation

On September 22, Mirziyoyev held a series of high-level meetings with executives from leading corporations and international institutions. Uzbekistan is seeking to position itself as a reliable supplier in the global critical minerals chain. With reserves of copper, gold, uranium, and rare earths, officials have prioritized foreign partnerships to accelerate exploration and processing capacity, while also ensuring environmental and governance standards are met.

In talks with IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva, the two sides discussed expanding cooperation on monetary policy, statistical reform, and educational programs. Georgieva commended Uzbekistan’s economic reforms and reaffirmed the Fund’s support.

A $1 billion package of initiatives was finalized with Traxys, the Colorado School of Mines, FLSmidth, McKinsey, and Go Green Partners. These projects focus on critical minerals mining and processing, alongside the creation of a Competence Center in Uzbekistan.

Discussions with BlackRock board member Adebayo Ogunlesi centered on establishing a joint infrastructure fund. With Citigroup Chairman John Dugan, the president addressed IPOs of state-owned enterprises, Eurobond issuance, and trade finance mechanisms.

Franklin Templeton CEO Jenny Johnson confirmed agreements related to the transformation of state-owned companies and the development of the Tashkent Stock Exchange. President Brian Friedman of the New York-based global investment banking and capital markets firm, Jefferies, meanwhile, expressed interest in helping attract strategic investors to Uzbekistan’s National Investment Fund.

Franklin Templeton’s management of Uzbekistan’s $1.7 billion National Investment Fund signals growing trust in U.S. asset managers. Meanwhile, Jefferies’ potential involvement in attracting strategic investors highlights the rising role of global capital markets in Uzbekistan’s privatization and modernization agenda.

NASDAQ CEO Adena Friedman discussed the modernization of the Tashkent Stock Exchange and the introduction of a government bond trading platform. Oppenheimer Holdings CEO Robert Lowenthal pledged support for Uzbekistan’s private sector and participation in Eurobond issuance.

Image: president.uz

Strategic Agreements Signed

A signing ceremony was held in the presence of President Mirziyoyev and U.S. Presidential Special Envoy Sergio Gor. Agreements were exchanged with Boeing, FLSmidth, Cleveland Clinic, Citigroup, Cargill, Pangea Filtration Technology, SLB, Biologic International, and others.

During a meeting with WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Mirziyoyev reaffirmed Uzbekistan’s commitment to aligning its legislation with international standards, with the goal of completing WTO accession by 2026. Uzbekistan’s WTO accession is being closely watched in Central Asia, as its success could set a precedent for other countries still outside the organization. For investors, WTO membership would mean greater legal predictability and integration into global trade frameworks.

The president also met with Air Products CEO Eduardo Menezes. The company has already invested over $1 billion in Uzbekistan, with projects at the GTL plant, Ferghana Refinery, and “Navoiazot.” Both parties agreed to expedite the construction of a gas-chemical complex in Bukhara.

Boeing and Uzbekistan Airways Ink Landmark Deal

A standout announcement came from U.S. President Donald Trump, who revealed a major agreement between Uzbekistan Airways and Boeing on Truth Social. According to Trump, Uzbekistan will purchase 22 Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft valued at more than $8 billion. Trump noted that the deal will support over 35,000 jobs in the United States.

“President Mirziyoyev is a man of his word, and we will continue to work together on many other issues,” Trump stated.

According to a May 2025 report by Ranking.kz, Uzbekistan places among the top three post-Soviet countries in both its number of airlines and the size of its aircraft fleet. As of that date, the former Soviet nations had approximately 1,100 aircraft and 96 airlines. Russia led with 39 carriers and 748 planes. Uzbekistan held second place by number of airlines (12) and third in fleet size (93 aircraft). Kazakhstan followed with 10 airlines and 98 planes, surpassing Uzbekistan in aircraft count but trailing in carrier numbers.

Deepening Engagement

Mirziyoyev’s program in New York underscores Uzbekistan’s expanding engagement with global corporations, financial institutions, and international organizations. The agreements signed mark a significant step forward in investment, energy, infrastructure, and aviation, reinforcing the country’s strategic pivot toward global economic integration.

Mirziyoyev’s New York visit demonstrates Uzbekistan’s determination to anchor itself more firmly in global markets. The combination of multibillion-dollar aviation and energy deals, commitments from major U.S. financial institutions, and progress on WTO accession illustrates how Tashkent is blending domestic reform with international engagement. For Washington, the agreements also reflect a deepening U.S. stake in Central Asia’s most populous country, one positioned as both a logistics hub and a rising source of critical resources. If implemented effectively, the initiatives announced in New York could accelerate Uzbekistan’s transformation into one of the region’s most dynamic economies and a key partner in the evolving Eurasian trade and investment landscape.

23 Sep 2025

Central Asia, Local Politics, Kyrgyzstan, Kyrgyzstan Local Politics, Kyrgyzstan Home

Survey Reveals 41% of Bishkek Residents Use Private Cars, Exacerbating Air Pollution

September 23, 2025
By Sergey Kwan

As part of preparations for a new urban development plan, Bishkek’s municipal authorities have conducted a comprehensive survey to understand how residents of the capital and its suburbs navigate the city.

According to the results, 41% of respondents rely on private transportation, including personal vehicles and taxis, while 38% use municipal public transport, primarily buses. The remaining 21% get around on foot, by bicycle, or by scooter, including electric scooters.

The most frequented destination for city residents is the downtown area, which accounts for the majority of work-related and other daily trips.

The Bishkek City Administration stated that the survey data will be used to design a more efficient and balanced urban transportation system aimed at enhancing public transit services.

Traffic congestion remains a critical issue in Bishkek, a city experiencing rapid population growth. According to the Ministry of Natural Resources, Ecology, and Technical Supervision, motor vehicles, particularly older models lacking catalytic converters, are responsible for approximately 30% of the city’s air pollution.

Vehicle numbers in the capital have surged in recent years. Bishkek now hosts more than 700,000 vehicles, nearly double the road infrastructure’s intended capacity of 350,000. Over 300,000 of these vehicles are more than 15 years old, making them significant contributors to harmful emissions.

In response, the city has taken steps to modernize its public transportation fleet. Recent initiatives include replacing diesel-powered buses with larger, more environmentally friendly models powered by liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).

23 Sep 2025

Central Asia, Uzbekistan, International Affairs, Uzbekistan Home, Uzbekistan International Affairs

Swiss Ambassador: Returned Funds to Uzbekistan Support Schools and Social Projects

September 23, 2025
By Sadokat Jalolova

Switzerland’s Ambassador to Uzbekistan Konstantin Obolenskiy has reaffirmed that Switzerland is repatriating assets obtained from criminal sources to Uzbekistan, with the funds being directed toward projects that reduce poverty and improve social infrastructure.

Speaking to Dunyo at the III International Forum “From Poverty to Prosperity” in the Uzbek city of Namangan, Obolenskiy expressed admiration for Uzbekistan’s reported progress. “I had the privilege to attend the opening of the forum, and I was deeply impressed by the outcomes announced, how many people have been lifted out of poverty, how new economic and social assistance is being provided, the conditions being created so people can live a dignified life. This information is very important,” he said.

The ambassador underscored Switzerland’s direct involvement in supporting Uzbekistan’s anti-poverty efforts. “We are returning to Uzbekistan funds taken from criminal sources, and these funds are being used for social projects that directly contribute to poverty reduction,” he stated.

As an example, Obolenskiy pointed to a new initiative being signed at the forum. “Documents are being signed for a project to modernize over forty schools, improving sanitation and hygiene facilities such as toilets and showers, and enhancing the energy efficiency of buildings. All this is done in the interest of the people, for the country’s future.”

He emphasized that the asset repatriation process reflects the shared will of both the Swiss and Uzbek governments. “The results achieved in reducing poverty are remarkable and these pleased not only me but all forum participants. In Uzbekistan, we believe every person has the right to fully realize their economic and social potential and live in dignity.”

Swiss authorities have long been involved in legal proceedings related to Gulnara Karimova, the daughter of Uzbekistan’s late president. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, Switzerland has agreed to return approximately $182 million in confiscated assets linked to Karimova. These funds were seized during Swiss criminal investigations and will be transferred to Uzbekistan through the UN-managed Uzbekistan Vision 2030 Fund.

A separate, earlier agreement between the two countries involved the return of around $131 million, also tied to Karimova, using the same trust fund mechanism.

23 Sep 2025

Central Asia, Environment, Kazakhstan Environment, Kazakhstan

New Kazakh-German Nexus Institute to Tackle Central Asia’s Climate Challenges

September 23, 2025
By Sergey Kwan

The Kazakh-German University (DKU), the National Academy of Sciences of Kazakhstan, and the Kazakh National Agrarian Research University (KazNARU), with support from Germany’s Hanns Seidel Foundation, have announced the creation of a new scientific and educational hub, the Kazakh-German Nexus Institute.

A New Center for Sustainable Solutions

The Nexus Institute will be headquartered at KazNARU in Almaty and aims to integrate the expertise of Kazakhstani and international scientists to address Central Asia’s pressing environmental issues. Its core mission is to develop comprehensive solutions in land and water management, energy, and ecology.

Key priorities include:

Developing effective policies for sustainable land and water use
Introducing digital tools for monitoring natural resources
Training professionals to respond to climate-related challenges
Promoting practices that prevent land degradation and desertification

German Support and Collaboration

German institutions, led by the Hanns Seidel Foundation, will offer both technical and financial support. Planned initiatives include joint research projects, strategic planning sessions, and the development of modern educational platforms.

The establishment of the Nexus Institute is considered a significant milestone in strengthening Kazakh-German scientific collaboration. It also contributes to building institutional capacity that aligns with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in the areas of environmental sustainability and climate resilience.

Forum in Almaty: A Platform for Regional Dialogue

The initiative gained further momentum during the international forum “Central Asia’s Sustainable Development Goals in a Changing Global Order,” held in Almaty on September 19. Co-organized by DKU, the National Academy of Sciences of Kazakhstan, and Germany’s University Alliance Ruhr, the event convened stakeholders from academia, government, business, and international organizations.

Participants underscored shared priorities, including:

Climate resilience and energy transition
Scientific integration into public policy
Cross-border cooperation
Development of sustainable value chains

Future areas of collaboration include:

Creating roadmaps tailored to the region’s mountainous and glacial ecosystems
Expanding academic mobility and research exchange
Strengthening technology transfer mechanisms
Advancing frameworks for climate risk financing

The launch of the Nexus Institute and the Almaty forum signal a new phase in Kazakh-German cooperation, focused on forging actionable strategies for sustainable development and climate adaptation across Central Asia.

23 Sep 2025

Central Asia, Home, Justice, Uzbekistan, Uzbekistan Features, Uzbekistan Home, Uzbekistan Justice, Features

Uzbekistan Uncovers Criminal Network Trafficking Human Organs

September 23, 2025
By Sadokat Jalolova

Uzbekistan’s State Security Service and Ministry of Internal Affairs have uncovered a transnational criminal network involved in the illegal trafficking of human organs.

Authorities report that the group included 12 individuals from Tashkent and the Tashkent, Fergana, Bukhara, and Kashkadarya regions. The suspects allegedly used social media platforms to identify patients with kidney and liver conditions, while simultaneously recruiting healthy individuals willing to sell their organs in exchange for large sums of money.

With the help of accomplices abroad, the group reportedly forged identity documents to present donors as close relatives of patients, thereby enabling organ transplants to be carried out at a private clinic in a neighboring country.

Investigators said that between 2023 and 2025, at least 32 patients underwent kidney or liver transplants arranged by the network. Large payments were collected from recipients, with portions paid to the clinic and donors, while the remainder was divided among the organizers. In cases where patients experienced complications or failed to improve post-surgery, the group allegedly sold them strong painkillers at inflated prices.

Criminal charges have been filed under provisions of the Criminal Code related to illegal organ trafficking, document forgery, smuggling, and drug-related offenses. The case has now been referred to the court system for further proceedings.

Illegal organ trade has emerged as a broader regional issue. In April 2024, Kyrgyzstan’s State Committee for National Security (SCNS) announced the arrest of individuals connected to an international network facilitating black-market organ sales. According to the SCNS, the group identified wealthy foreign patients willing to pay high prices for transplants and recruited Kyrgyz citizens as donors using fraudulent methods. Donors received between $1,000 and $7,000 for a kidney, while the organizers reportedly earned up to $70,000 per operation.

23 Sep 2025

Environment, Central Asia, Home, Kazakhstan Environment, Kazakhstan, Kazakhstan Featurees, Kazakhstan Home

Asia’s Top Three Towns for Air Quality All in Kazakhstan, Finds New Study

September 23, 2025
By Jonathan Campion

A new study into global air quality by the independent website HouseFresh has found that Kazakhstan is home to some of the world’s cleanest towns. The report also notes that one Kazakh city is also among the most polluted.

Using data from IQAir’s 2024 research, HouseFresh examined the average PM2.5 level – the number of small particles in the air – for over 8,800 towns with a population over 10,000. It found that the world’s most polluted town is Byrnihat in India, with a PM2.5 level of 128.2 particles per cubic meter (µg/m³). The cleanest air globally is in the Kazakh town of Shu.

Shu, a rail freight hub in the country’s southeastern Zhambyl region, close to the border with Kyrgyzstan, had an average PM2 level of 1.5 µg/m³ in 2024.

Kazakhstan is in fact home to the three cleanest towns in Asia, with the next places after Shu being Zhezkazgan in the central Ulytau region (2.3 µg/m³), and the southwestern town of Beyneu, outside Mangystau (3.4 µg/m³).

Kazakhstan’s government has pledged that the country will become ‘climate neutral’ by 2060. It is aiming for its towns to follow the lead of cities such as New York and Beijing, which have more than halved their air pollution with measures such as cleaner public transport, modernized heating systems, and emissions regulation.

However, Kazakhstan generally ranks highly in lists of the most polluted countries, due to its large-scale and outdated industrial infrastructure. Dust in the south of the country can also affect air quality.

Due to this, the much larger central city of Karaganda, a center for Kazakhstan’s coal mining industry, remains one of the world’s most polluted cities. With average PM2.5 levels of 104.8 µg/m³ in 2024, the impact on the health of its half a million residents is equivalent to them smoking over 1,700 cigarettes per year.