Page 333 – The Times Of Central Asia

26 Mar 2025

Central Asia, Home, Uzbekistan, Uzbekistan Business & Economy, Business & Economy

Opportunities and Challenges in Uzbekistan’s Mining Industry

March 26, 2025
By Sadokat Jalolova

Uzbekistan is well-positioned to become a key global supplier of critical minerals, but the stakes are high. If not managed prudently, the country risks falling victim to the very challenges that have historically plagued resource-rich nations. According to Nodir Ruzmatov, founder of One Nexus Group and a Master’s candidate in Public Policy at UC Berkeley, Uzbekistan faces a pivotal moment.

In his article, “Striking Gold or Courting Disaster in Uzbekistan’s Mining Boom,” Ruzmatov writes:

“Uzbekistan stands at a crossroads. Global demand for critical minerals, key to clean energy and high-tech manufacturing, is growing at an unprecedented rate. With gold, copper, lithium, and rare earth elements in abundance, Uzbekistan has an opportunity to become a major global supplier. But as history has shown, such riches can be a double-edged sword.”

Rising Demand, Rising Stakes

Global demand for critical minerals has surged due to the rapid expansion of electric vehicles, renewable energy systems, and digital infrastructure. Uzbekistan, already a top gold producer and an emerging copper exporter, holds significant reserves of the minerals needed to power the global energy transition.

Properly harnessed, this sector could attract billions in investment, create thousands of jobs, and elevate Uzbekistan’s standing in the global economy. Yet, the path forward is fraught with risks.

Ruzmatov warns of the “resource curse”, a paradox where natural wealth leads to economic mismanagement, environmental degradation, and political instability. The Syr Darya River serves as a cautionary example: already burdened by industrial waste from neighboring Kazakhstan, it now faces growing contamination from heavy metals, arsenic, and other toxins. These pollutants threaten agriculture, food security, and public health across the region.

Learning from Global Experience

Ruzmatov draws parallels between Uzbekistan’s situation and water management conflicts in other parts of the world. Disputes over the Colorado River between the United States and Mexico, and environmental challenges in Southeast Asia’s Mekong River basin, show that resource tensions can be addressed through strong legal frameworks and cross-border cooperation.

For Uzbekistan, this means not only protecting its rivers but also developing a governance model that prioritizes environmental integrity, transparency, and regional collaboration.

A Sustainable Path Forward

To avoid repeating past mistakes, Ruzmatov advocates for:

Strict environmental regulations to guide mining operations
Investment in cleaner, more efficient technologies
Enhanced regional partnerships to manage shared natural resources equitably
Greater public involvement and scientific research to inform decision-making

As he concludes, “The question is no longer whether Uzbekistan should develop its critical minerals sector but rather how it will do so. The Syr Darya crisis and the Aral Sea disaster serve as stark warnings. If Uzbekistan fails to address its water pollution issues now, the consequences will be irreversible.”

Uzbekistan has the potential to lead Central Asia in responsible, sustainable mining. Realizing this potential will depend on careful planning, international engagement, and a long-term commitment to environmental and social resilience.

26 Mar 2025

Central Asia, Environment, Uzbekistan Environment, Home, Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan to Generate Electricity from Household Waste

March 26, 2025
By Sadokat Jalolova

Uzbekistan is advancing plans to build waste-to-energy (WTE) plants across several regions as part of a broader strategy to improve waste management and generate electricity. Presidential decrees have approved investment projects in Tashkent and the regions of Andijan, Namangan, Ferghana, Tashkent, Kashkadarya, and Samarkand.

These projects aim to modernize the country’s waste processing infrastructure while enhancing environmental sustainability and attracting direct investment into the energy and utilities sectors.

Under the agreements, project companies will supply the electricity generated from waste to “Uzenergosotish” JSC through 30-year guaranteed purchase contracts. Equipment launches are scheduled between 2025 and 2027, with the following projected processing capacities:

Tashkent Region: 2,500 tons of waste processed daily, generating 390 million kWh annually
Andijan Region: 1,500 tons for 240 million kWh
Kashkadarya Region: 1,500 tons for 240 million kWh
Samarkand Region: 1,500 tons for 240 million kWh
Namangan Region: 1,500 tons for 227.5 million kWh
Ferghana Region: 1,500 tons for 227.5 million kWh

Global Models for Waste-to-Energy

The concept of converting household waste into energy is widely used in countries with advanced waste management systems. Sweden, for instance, has developed a highly efficient WTE infrastructure that provides heating to over 1 million households and electricity to approximately 680,000 homes. As of 2013, the country was importing roughly 800,000 tons of waste annually from neighboring states to meet the fuel demands of its power plants.

Japan has also embraced WTE technology, largely due to its limited landfill capacity. By 2020, Japanese incineration plants had a combined power generation capacity of approximately 2,200 megawatts, contributing significantly to the national grid.

Challenges and Considerations

Despite its promise, WTE technology is not without challenges. If not properly managed, waste incineration can result in harmful emissions and air pollution. Ensuring that Uzbekistan’s facilities meet modern environmental standards will be critical to the success and sustainability of the initiative.

The government’s move reflects a growing recognition of the need for cleaner, more sustainable energy sources while addressing the persistent issue of urban waste. If implemented effectively, these projects could mark a significant step toward Uzbekistan’s green energy transition.

26 Mar 2025

Home, International Affairs, Kazakhstan, Kazakhstan International Affairs, Opinions, Kazakhstan Opinions, Features, Kazakhstan Featurees

Opinion: Kazakhstan Caught in the Crossfire of Caspian Pipeline Strikes

March 28, 2025
By Andrei Matveev

The developing peace process between Russia and Ukraine, initiated by U.S. President Donald Trump, offers a glimmer of hope for stability. Yet Kazakhstan finds itself in a difficult position, caught in the crosshairs of a conflict that continues to spill across its borders, at least economically. Over the past few months, the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC), through which more than 80% of Kazakhstan’s oil is exported, has become the target of repeated drone attacks linked to the war in Ukraine.

Despite a tentative ceasefire agreement, damage to CPC infrastructure continues. In mid-March, the Kavkazskaya oil depot in Russia’s Krasnodar region, part of the CPC system, suffered a major fire following a suspected Ukrainian drone attack. According to Reuters, the blaze lasted nearly a week before being extinguished, raising concerns about the vulnerability of energy infrastructure in the region.

Western outlets have confirmed that the CPC’s Kropotkinskaya pumping station was targeted around the same period. S&P Global reported that drone strikes on March 18-19 damaged a key facility transferring oil from rail tankers to the pipeline system. Business Insider noted the attack caused serious financial disruption, particularly for CPC shareholders such as Chevron-led Tengizchevroil.

Kazakhstani journalist Oleg Chervinsky has stated that the CPC was included in a ceasefire moratorium on mutual strikes, reportedly agreed upon by both sides. If accurate, the March attacks could suggest a violation of those terms. AP News has also highlighted ambiguity in the ceasefire framework, with Russia and Ukraine each accusing the other of non-compliance.

The economic stakes for Kazakhstan are high. According to oil and gas analyst Olzhas Baidildinov, the CPC distributed $1.3 billion in dividends in 2024, with KazMunayGas, Kazakhstan’s national oil company, receiving an estimated $250 million, approximately $85 million of which was channeled into the state budget.

At a time when Kazakhstan is still recovering from a budget deficit, further disruptions to CPC operations are more than technical, they threaten fiscal stability. Yet the response from Astana has remained subdued.

Political analyst Andrei Chebotarev recalled that following an an earlier attack in February, the Kazakh Ministry of Foreign Affairs pledged to engage with its Ukrainian counterparts. What emerged from those talks remains unclear. Chebotarev also noted that Ukraine has yet to appoint a new ambassador to Kazakhstan, despite generally constructive relations.

Fellow analyst Daniyar Ashimbayev has speculated that geopolitical rivalries may be at play, including competition with the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline and Kazakhstan’s recent overproduction within OPEC+, though these claims remain unverified.

In a brief official comment, Deputy Foreign Minister Alibek Kuantyrov confirmed that Kazakhstan remains in contact with Ukraine and that discussions are ongoing.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Energy has stated that Kazakh oil continues to flow through the CPC pipeline without restriction. Yet, for many observers, Kazakhstan’s measured diplomacy, perhaps aimed at avoiding antagonism with either side, is beginning to feel inadequate. As key infrastructure remains exposed to cross-border conflict, the case for a firmer and more public diplomatic posture grows stronger.

26 Mar 2025

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

Kyrgyzstan Combats Pastureland Degradation to Safeguard Livestock Farming

March 26, 2025
By Sergey Kwan

Pastureland is a strategic asset for Kyrgyzstan, where agriculture forms the backbone of rural livelihoods. A majority of the population depends on raising sheep, cattle, and horses for food and income. However, widespread degradation of pastureland, especially near settlements, now poses a growing threat to the country’s livestock sector.

Farmers and herders increasingly favor grazing their animals on easily accessible village pastures, leaving more remote areas underused. This uneven distribution has led to overgrazing and deterioration of pastures near populated areas. According to the Ministry of Water Resources, Agriculture and Processing Industry, more than 139,000 hectares of village pastures have been degraded and require restoration.

Policy Response: Grazing Restrictions and Seasonal Rotation

In response, the ministry has issued a directive mandating seasonal rotation of grazing lands. Under the new policy, farmers must move their livestock to distant pastures between April 15 and September 15 each year.

This initiative aims to:

Preserve natural ecosystems
Promote responsible use of state-owned pastureland
Enhance livestock productivity through improved pasture management

Grass Reseeding Campaign Underway

To rehabilitate affected areas, the government has launched a nationwide reseeding campaign. For the 2025 season, the Ministry of Agriculture has procured 94,462 kilograms of sainfoin seeds and 137,725 kilograms of other pasture grass seeds. These have been distributed across regions for use by local farmers and pasture users.

The reseeding effort is expected to help restore 15,299 hectares of degraded pastureland. As of now, 2,810 hectares have already been sown with a mix of sainfoin and pasture grasses.

This proactive approach underscores Kyrgyzstan’s commitment to sustainable agriculture and long-term food security. Ensuring the health of its pastures is not just an environmental necessity, it’s an economic imperative for the thousands of families who depend on livestock farming for their livelihoods.

26 Mar 2025

Central Asia, Home, Tajikistan International Affairs, International Affairs, Tajikistan, Tajikistan Features, Tajikistan Home, Features

EU Pledges Steady Support for Tajikistan Ahead of Historic Central Asia Summit

March 31, 2025
By Vagit Ismailov

The European Union will maintain its current level of assistance to Tajikistan despite the recent suspension of U.S. funding through USAID, EU Ambassador to Tajikistan Raimundas Karoblis has confirmed. He emphasized that European and American aid programs operate independently and that EU support will remain unaffected.

“Aid from the EU will continue and will not be reduced,” Karoblis stated. He added that the EU’s assistance framework for Tajikistan is already set through 2027 and cannot be revised before then. Discussions about increased support may take place after that period.

EU and Central Asia: Toward a Historic Summit

On March 27, Ashgabat will host the 20th meeting of foreign ministers from the European Union and Central Asia. The key objective of this gathering is to prepare for the first-ever EU-Central Asia Summit, scheduled for April 3-4 in Samarkand. The summit will bring together the President of the European Council, the head of the European Commission, and the leaders of all five Central Asian states.

According to the EU Delegation in Tajikistan, the summit will mark a new milestone in EU-Central Asia relations, reflecting the EU’s deepening political engagement with the region.

Financial Assistance and Strategic Priorities

Between 2021 and 2027, the EU has committed more than €550 million in aid to Central Asia, with €142 million allocated to Tajikistan. The focus areas include building an inclusive green economy, investing in human capital, and ensuring sustainable management of natural resources.

Under its Global Gateway initiative, the EU is working to develop smart and sustainable connectivity across transport, digital infrastructure, energy, and education. A key initiative is the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor, to which the EU has allocated more than €88 million. Other efforts target enhanced digital and energy integration in the region.

In the strategic domain of critical raw materials, the EU has earmarked €16 million to support local value chains and promote sustainable investments. Additionally, through the European Fund for Sustainable Development Plus (EFSD+), €30 million in guarantees have been allocated for renewable energy and raw material extraction projects.

Security, Education, and Youth Engagement

The EU plays an active role in regional security initiatives. Its BOMCA program supports border management and the fight against transnational crime, while the CADAP program focuses on drug use prevention.

In Tajikistan specifically, the EU, in partnership with the OSCE, is implementing a project to strengthen the capacity of border guards along the Tajik-Afghan frontier. The EU also contributes to counter-terrorism efforts and collaborates with the government on related initiatives.

Education and youth empowerment are additional EU priorities. From 2013 to 2027, €95 million has been directed toward reforming Tajikistan’s education sector. The Erasmus+ program received €73 million for 2021-2027, enabling students from Central Asia to study at European universities.

Youth employment is also being addressed through the €10 million DARYA program, and the recently launched €4.5 million Regional Civil Society Fund (as of September 2024) is aimed at strengthening civic engagement.

Karoblis reaffirmed the EU’s long-term commitment to Tajikistan, noting that assistance will remain consistent, structured, and aligned with the broader goals of sustainable development.

26 Mar 2025

Central Asia, Home, International Affairs, Kazakhstan, Kazakhstan International Affairs, Kazakhstan Home

Mysterious Drones on Kazakhstan’s Border with Russia: Third Drone Found in a Month

March 26, 2025
By Vagit Ismailov

A third unidentified drone has been discovered in Kazakhstan’s West Kazakhstan region near the Russian border, heightening security concerns and prompting official investigations. Law enforcement and relevant agencies are currently inspecting the latest find.

New Fragments in Zhanibek District

The most recent wreckage, believed to be part of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), was found in Zhanibek district. According to a statement from the West Kazakhstan Region Police Department, the debris was located in a remote, uninhabited area.

“The West Kazakhstan Region Police Department, together with authorized services, is conducting verification activities regarding the discovery of objects resembling fragments of an unmanned aerial vehicle,” the department stated.

Authorities are working to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident, including the drone’s origin and potential flight path.

Third Case in a Month

This is the third such incident in the region within the span of a month. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, on March 18, residents of Atameken village, approximately 60 kilometers north of Taskala, reported the crash of a drone approximately three meters in length.

A similar incident occurred on February 18 in the village of Uyaly, Bokeyordinsky district, where authorities recovered an unidentified flying object measuring 120 centimeters in length. In both previous cases, police and emergency services responded to secure and analyze the sites.

Assumptions and Unofficial Theories

While there has been no official identification of the drones, some regional media outlets suggest a possible match between one of the recovered UAVs and the French-made “Crecerelle” reconnaissance drone, produced by Sagem.

The lack of confirmation has done little to quell speculation, particularly amid rising concerns about the drones’ potential connection to the war in Ukraine. In Russia’s neighboring Saratov region, Ukrainian UAVs have repeatedly targeted strategic infrastructure, including airfields and fuel depots. This geographic proximity raises questions about whether Kazakhstan is inadvertently becoming a transit zone, or even a crash zone, for drones involved in that conflict.

Local officials and residents alike are increasingly uneasy about the repeated discoveries. Investigations remain ongoing, with experts aiming to identify the drones’ origins and assess any security risks. Law enforcement agencies have refrained from commenting on possible links between the drone crashes and the military conflict in Ukraine until further evidence is gathered.