Page 256 – The Times Of Central Asia

18 Sep 2025

Environment, Kazakhstan Environment, Kazakhstan

Astana Forum Signals Growing Momentum for Green Projects

September 19, 2025
By Times of Central Asia

Kazakhstan is positioning itself as a regional hub for green energy, with hydrogen emerging as a central focus. This direction was highlighted at the Second Central Asian and European Forum on Decarbonization Diplomacy, where hydrogen featured prominently on the agenda.

At the forum, the Ministry of Energy presented an updated Concept for Hydrogen Energy Development aimed at attracting investment and laying the groundwork for the country’s first large-scale hydrogen projects.

“By the end of this year, we expect to adopt legislation that will provide the foundation for hydrogen energy development in Kazakhstan. For us, this is not merely a goal, it is a strategic choice, just like green energy more broadly. Forums like this one help transform ideas into tangible partnerships,” said Deputy Energy Minister Ilyas Bakytzhan.

The central question raised at the forum was how to convert growing interest into actual investment. Institutions including the World Bank, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), Asian Development Bank (ADB), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) expressed willingness to consider pilot projects in Kazakhstan. However, experts warned that financial commitments will depend on the establishment of long-term hydrogen supply contracts and a transparent certification framework.

Deputy Energy Minister Bakytzhan Ilyas, @gov.kz

While viable business models are still evolving, Kazakhstan has the potential to become a key hydrogen supplier to Europe and Asia. In the early stages, however, building domestic demand, in sectors such as metallurgy, transportation, and energy, will be critical. A balanced strategy that prioritizes both export orientation and local industrialization is seen as essential for long-term project sustainability.

Forum participants identified several key challenges:

High capital requirements and extended payback periods
Integration with renewable energy infrastructure
Exposure to volatile global pricing and certification standards
The need for green financing tools and risk insurance mechanisms

A significant development at the forum was the signing of a cooperation agreement between Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Energy and the Hydrogen Diplomacy Office (H2-Diplo GIZ). The agreement provides access to European technical expertise and advisory support, including the design of financing structures.

Experts agree that the next few years will be decisive. Kazakhstan must show that it can provide a stable and predictable investment climate. The Astana forum made clear that international institutions and private investors are already showing interest. The determining factor now will be the quality and credibility of the regulatory framework the country establishes.

18 Sep 2025

Business & Economy, Uzbekistan, Uzbekistan Business & Economy

Uzbekistan Aims to Cut Poverty Rate to 6% by End of 2025

September 18, 2025
By Sadokat Jalolova

Uzbekistan aims to cut its national poverty rate to 6 percent by the end of 2025, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev announced at the opening of the third international forum From Poverty to Prosperity in Namangan on September 17.

The forum brought together representatives from more than 30 organizations and approximately 200 experts, including Islamic Development Bank President Muhammad Al-Jasser, Asian Development Bank Vice President Yingming Yang, Japan International Cooperation Agency Senior Vice President Sachiko Imoto, United Nations Special Representative for Central Asia Kaha Imnadze, and World Bank Global Director for Poverty Reduction Luis Felipe López-Calva.

Mirziyoyev warned that the world is entering a period of increasing instability, citing climate change, water scarcity, pandemics, and slowing economic growth. Since 2015, global economic growth has averaged just 3 percent annually, while the number of people living in poverty has risen from 650 million to over 800 million.

In Uzbekistan, poverty reduction has become a national priority. Over the past eight years, government reforms have focused on human rights, employment, and income generation, supported by international institutions such as the World Bank and the United Nations. According to official data, 7.5 million people have been lifted out of poverty, bringing the national poverty rate down to 8.9 percent in 2024. “By the end of this year, we aim to reduce it further to 6 percent,” Mirziyoyev said.

Uzbekistan’s economy has doubled in size in recent years, with per capita income projected to reach $3,500 by the end of 2025. Growth has been driven by targeted social programs, mahalla-based community initiatives, and land reforms. During the COVID-19 pandemic, more than 2 million families received social assistance, while the redistribution of 235,000 hectares of farmland provided an additional source of income for 800,000 families.

“Every neighborhood is becoming a hub for business, and every family is seeing the benefits of prosperity,” Mirziyoyev said. He added that Uzbekistan is on track to halve poverty by 2030, in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, and could eradicate absolute poverty by the end of the decade.

The president also called for a “new financial architecture” to mobilize global resources for sustainable development. He proposed hosting an international conference in Khiva in 2026, with the participation of donor organizations, financial institutions, and partner governments.

“Uplifting human dignity through decent living conditions and poverty reduction lies at the heart of all our reforms,” he concluded.

18 Sep 2025

Kazakhstan, Life & Culture, Kazakhstan Life & Culture

Kazakhstan Football’s European Breakthrough Amid Grassroots Struggles

September 18, 2025
By Vagit Ismailov

Kazakhstan’s football is undergoing a pivotal transformation. While FC Kairat made history this year by qualifying for the UEFA Champions League group stage and is set to face Real Madrid later this month, youth and grassroots football remain critically underdeveloped, according to a recent analysis by Ranking.kz.

Mass Participation, Mixed Results

Football remains the most popular sport in Kazakhstan. In 2024, approximately 1.5 million people played the game, accounting for a quarter of all those involved in organized sports. These figures exclude informal games played on streets or university campuses.

There were 18,600 football groups and 8,100 futsal groups across the country in 2024, reflecting year-on-year growth of 5% and 26.8%, respectively. The number of coaches also rose, reaching 7,400 in football and 2,400 in futsal.

Despite these numbers, development at the youth level remains modest. Only 43,500 young players trained in sports schools, and fewer than 1,000 achieved a first-class sports rank. Not a single Kazakh footballer earned the title of International Master of Sport in 2024. Women’s football continues to decline: the number of girls enrolled in sports schools dropped by one-third to 155, while the number of coaches fell from 11 to just eight.

Structural Deficiencies

Experts highlight a shortage of qualified coaches and inadequate training infrastructure as major barriers. Only two-thirds of current coaches have formal sports education, and just four nationwide hold the highest coaching category. Winter training remains especially problematic, with many teams forced into small gyms or school halls due to the lack of proper facilities.

As of 2024, Kazakhstan had only 220 football arenas and 28 stadiums. Following the national team’s recent defeat to Belgium, Kazakhstan Football Federation (KFF) President Marat Omarov acknowledged the long-standing infrastructure issues. “My responsibility is to develop systemic football. For many years, infrastructure has been the main challenge, and I am responsible for addressing it,” he said.

According to a 2024 Youth Research Center survey, 15% of urban youth and over 25% of rural youth do not play sports due to a lack of nearby facilities. Nevertheless, grassroots football remains vital for developing elite talent. FC Kairat academy graduate Dastan Satpayev is expected to join Chelsea in 2026, Nuraly Alip currently plays for Zenit St. Petersburg, and 14-year-old Nurkanat Nurmakhanuly from Turkestan region has received an invitation to join Atletico Madrid’s academy.

State and Private Sector Engagement

Youth sports in Kazakhstan remain predominantly state-funded, but private investment is increasing. In summer 2025, Alatau City Bank became the general sponsor of the KFF, title partner of the Premier League, and official sponsor of national teams, covering league operations and supporting youth football development.

Kazakhstan has also become a focus for international partnerships. It is one of 11 countries selected by FIFA for the FIFA Arena project, which aims to build 100 modern mini-football pitches in schools across the country.

Kazakhstan’s breakthrough in European football marks a visible success for a sport on the rise. Yet experts note that lasting progress will require systemic investment: training qualified coaches, expanding infrastructure, and making the game accessible to all. Only then can today’s street matches evolve into tomorrow’s Champions League campaigns.

18 Sep 2025

Home, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan International Affairs, Turkmenistan, Turkmenistan International Affairs, International Affairs, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan Features, Kyrgyzstan, Kyrgyzstan International Affairs, Kazakhstan, Kazakhstan International Affairs, Features, Uzbekistan International Affairs, Kazakhstan Featurees

Opinion: Ex-U.S. Ambassador Warns Washington Has Ceded Information Space in Central Asia

September 26, 2025
By Sadokat Jalolova

Former U.S. Ambassador to Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, Daniel Rosenblum, has warned that Washington has “surrendered” its influence in Central Asia’s information sphere, allowing Russia and China to dominate the narrative. His remarks were reported by the Yale Daily News following a lecture at Yale University on September 15.

Rosenblum, who served as U.S. ambassador to Uzbekistan from 2019 to 2022 and to Kazakhstan from 2022 to 2025, delivered a speech titled “Battling the Firehose of Falsehood: Confronting Russian Disinformation in Central Asia.” He described how Russian disinformation campaigns frequently portrayed U.S. diplomats as destabilizing actors. In one example from 2023, Russian outlets falsely claimed a NATO base had opened in Kazakhstan. “While it is easy to joke about such an absurd idea,” Rosenblum said, “the intent behind such Russian information operations is deadly serious.”

Rosenblum noted that U.S. embassies attempted to counteract these narratives by highlighting tangible achievements, including COVID-19 health initiatives, agricultural partnerships, and academic exchange programs. However, he argued that much of this work has unraveled since 2023, citing the dismissal of over 1,300 State Department personnel, the elimination of USAID programs in the region, and recent cuts to Voice of America and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. “Eight months into the second Trump administration, it seems clear that the information war is over in Central Asia, not because the Russians won. We have simply surrendered,” he said.

Rosenblum also emphasized China’s expanding influence through the Belt and Road Initiative, observing that Beijing “was doing a pretty good job of winning friends and influencing people” via infrastructure investment and cultural outreach.

In a post-lecture interview, Rosenblum underscored that the challenge is now largely domestic. “The biggest challenge today is ourselves,” he said. “We have to decide as a country, do we want to be engaged in the world or not? If we cut ourselves off from the world, we will ultimately be less secure and less prosperous.”

This concern was echoed in earlier analysis for The Times of Central Asia by Arman Amini, a term member of the Council on Foreign Relations and an Atlantic Council Millennium Fellow. “Over the past decade, China has steadily expanded its presence in Central Asia, not through military force, but by building roads, trade corridors, and digital infrastructure,” Amini noted. “As the United States scaled back its regional footprint following its withdrawal from Afghanistan, Beijing moved quickly to fill the void. Today, China has positioned itself as the region’s dominant external power, while the U.S. risks being left on the sidelines.”

The lecture was attended by approximately 80 people in person and online. It was organized by the Central Asia Initiative of the MacMillan Center, the Edward J. and Dorothy Clarke Memorial Fund, and Asian Crossroads, a student group dedicated to raising awareness of Central Asia.

18 Sep 2025

Life & Culture, Kyrgyzstan Life & Culture, Kyrgyzstan

Bishkek to Host Kyrgyzstan’s First-Ever Full Marathon as Part of Snow Leopard Run 2025

September 18, 2025
By Sergey Kwan

The Bishkek Snow Leopard Run 2025 will take place in the Kyrgyz capital on September 21, combining long-distance running with wildlife conservation. This year’s event will mark a milestone for the country, featuring Kyrgyzstan’s first-ever 42.2 km marathon.

Organized by the Public Association Nomad Sport, the race is part of the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS) calendar and has also joined the Turkic Alliance of Long Runs (TAN), the first such alliance in Central Asia and the Caucasus.

In addition to the full marathon, runners will compete in 5 km, 14 km, and 21.1 km races. All routes will begin at Bishkek’s central Ala-Too Square and pass through the city’s main thoroughfares.

Nomad Sport General Director Arslan Maldybaev said more than 5,000 runners are expected this year, including participants from Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine. “It is important to us that people learn about Kyrgyzstan and our symbol, the snow leopard, through sport. This is an opportunity to make a name for ourselves and become a magnet for sports tourism,” he told local media.

A portion of the entry fees will support snow leopard conservation. Proceeds from this year’s race will fund the purchase of telescopes for wildlife monitoring.

First held in 2019, the Bishkek Snow Leopard Run drew 3,600 runners from 20 countries in its inaugural year.

The event highlights the growing symbolic role of the snow leopard in Kyrgyzstan. In December 2023, The Times of Central Asia reported that President Sadyr Japarov had signed a decree officially designating the snow leopard as a national emblem.

18 Sep 2025

Business & Economy, Kazakhstan, Kazakhstan Business & Economy

Future Games 2026 in Kazakhstan Face Possible Delay Over Funding

September 18, 2025
By Dmitry Pokidaev

Kazakh MP Sergey Ponomarev has proposed postponing the third edition of the Future Games, currently scheduled to be held in Kazakhstan in the summer of 2026, citing fiscal constraints.

The Future Games are international competitions that combine traditional sports with their digital counterparts, with overall results determining the winners. The inaugural event took place in Kazan, Russia, in early 2024. The second edition, originally planned for Kazakhstan in 2025, was moved to the United Arab Emirates after the Kazakh government redirected funds to flood recovery efforts. The UAE is now set to host the event in December 2025.

Speaking at a plenary session of the Mazhilis, Kazakhstan’s lower house of parliament, Ponomarev submitted a formal request to Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov urging the postponement of the 2026 event. He estimated the cost of hosting the Games at 62 billion tenge (approximately $115 million), warning that such expenditures may not be prudent amid current budgetary pressures.

“In 2024, the national budget posted a shortfall of 570.8 billion tenge (over $1 billion). Given the economic circumstances, it is worth questioning whether such large-scale spending in 2026 is appropriate,” Ponomarev stated. He noted that the estimated cost is equivalent to building at least six new schools.

The lawmaker stated that postponing the tournament would not diminish its importance for Kazakhstan’s IT sector or international reputation but would allow more time to prepare under better conditions. “We are confident that our partners will understand, and that the Head of State will support this decision,” he said.

The government has not yet issued an official response. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, the 2026 Future Games in Astana are expected to draw more than 1,500 athletes from nearly 100 countries, competing in 13 physical disciplines. The total prize fund is projected at $10 million.