Page 36 – The Times Of Central Asia

18 Nov 2025

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

Lifting Off: Kazakhstan’s Push Into Next-Gen Aviation Technologies

November 18, 2025
By Times of Central Asia

Kazakhstan’s plans to create an air taxi system based on electric eVTOLs in the city of Alatau have drawn attention to the country’s readiness to take the lead in implementing advanced unmanned technologies. The project would require large-scale changes in regulation and technological infrastructure, as well as personnel training and risk assessment.

The Times of Central Asia discussed these futuristic developments with Aslan Satzhanov, acting CEO of the Aviation Administration of Kazakhstan JSC.

Goals and Expected Results

TCA: What is the Concept for the Development of Civil Unmanned Aviation in Kazakhstan, and what does it provide for? What are the key goals set out in the document?

Satzhanov: In accordance with the government decree, the main goals for the development of civil unmanned aviation are to increase the volume of work using unmanned aerial systems (UAS), de-bureaucratize, digitize, and transform existing requirements, procedures, and processes. The principal aim is to simplify the formalities for performing UAS flights in designated airspace as much as possible.

The development of the industry is based on the principles of safety, minimization of risks to people and objects, and the creation of the most favorable conditions for technological growth. Key approaches include establishing a scientific foundation, improving the training system, and expanding the scope of UAS applications.

By 2031, it is planned that at least 80% of secondary and vocational education institutions will teach the basics of unmanned aviation. The share of enterprises in the agro-industrial complex (AIC), industry, and energy that use UAVs will grow by at least 30%. The localization of production of key UAS components in Kazakhstan will increase to 10%. In addition, Kazakhstani companies will be able to enter promising segments of the global market for unmanned aerial vehicles and software.

Regulation and Legislative Framework

TCA: How is the regulation of UAV flights and production structured today? To what extent does the regulatory framework meet modern requirements?

Satzhanov: The fundamental document is the Rules for the Use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems, adopted back in 2020. Kazakhstan became the first country in the post-Soviet space to approve comprehensive rules for the use of UAS in its airspace.

Later, amendments were made to the Law on the Use of Airspace. Based on these amendments, the rules for the use of airspace for UAS operations were updated in 2023.

Thus, the regulatory framework has been fully established. It is in line with global trends from urban air mobility to unmanned taxis and strikes a balance between technological development and flight safety.

The transition to eVTOL and urban air mobility will create a new transport ecosystem: it increases population mobility, reduces the load on ground infrastructure, improves the environmental situation, and promotes innovation.

Training

TCA: What measures are planned for training UAV operators and introducing unmanned technologies into educational programs?

Satzhanov: The concept provides for the creation of a multi-level training and professional development system. Modules on civil unmanned aviation will be introduced into secondary and vocational education programs, covering at least 80% of educational institutions by 2031. The number of certified operators and external UAS pilots will increase to 5,000.

Interdisciplinary programs at the intersection of aviation, engineering, and IT will be developed. Subsurface resource users will be able to train personnel as part of their contractual obligations.

A special role will be assigned to the Civil Aviation Academy, which will become a key center of expertise. The educational institution will provide methodological support, operator certification, and training for public sector specialists on a “one-stop shop” basis. All programs will comply with ICAO, EASA, and JARUS standards.

Test Sites, Research Centers, Test Bases

TCA: What is the current state of unmanned aviation infrastructure? Are there any test sites and laboratories?

Satzhanov: The infrastructure is currently being developed. Test sites are already in operation at the Civil Aviation Academy, numerous technical colleges and universities, and as part of private sector pilot projects.

The concept envisages the creation of a national network of test centers for static, dynamic, and certification tests, as well as research and engineering centers at leading technical universities. Regional test sites will be created for different types of UAVs, including agricultural, logistics, search and rescue, and urban eVTOL.

At the same time, research centers will be developed with the involvement of universities and the private sector, which will allow for the creation of proprietary technologies and the expansion of the scientific base.

Areas of Application

TCA: Which sectors of the economy will be the main users of UAVs?

Satzhanov: UAVs are most in demand in agriculture, geological exploration, energy, transport, ecology, construction, and security.

In the agro-industrial complex, UAVs are used for crop monitoring, fertilization, irrigation control, and aerial chemical work. In geological exploration, they are used for aerial photography, mapping, and geophysics. In energy, they are used to inspect power lines, main pipelines, power plants, and renewable energy facilities.

In transportation, they are used to deliver cargo to hard-to-reach areas and develop air mobility. In ecology, for monitoring the environment, water bodies, forests, and identifying illegal dumps. In construction, for engineering surveys and 3D modeling. In the field of emergencies, for aerial reconnaissance and search and rescue operations.

The UAS market also has a multiplier effect on IT, instrument engineering, telecommunications, and component manufacturing.

International Integration: ICAO and JARUS

TCA: Is Kazakhstan working to integrate into international unmanned aviation regulatory structures?

Satzhanov: Yes, Kazakhstan is actively cooperating with ICAO and JARUS. We are not a direct participant in the UAS Advisory Group or RPAS Panel, but we use the recommendations, SARPs standards, and the Manual on RPAS (Doc 10019), gradually harmonizing our standards with global requirements.

In July 2023, Kazakhstan officially joined JARUS. We became the first Central Asian country to join the organization. This provides access to an international expert platform, best regulatory practices, and uniform methodologies that are integrated into ICAO standards.

Thus, national standards and certification procedures are gradually being brought into line with international ones.

Domestic Production

TCA: Is the creation of domestic production of UAVs and components in Kazakhstan being considered?

Satzhanov: Yes. The concept and action plan explicitly provide for support for domestic manufacturers, localization of key components, development of engineering competencies, and creation of conditions for serial production of UAS. At the same time, R&D aimed at developing our own solutions will be supported.

TCA: How is the safety of UAV flights ensured, and how are incidents and cyber threats prevented?

Satzhanov: These areas are priorities. We are implementing a set of measures: coordination and monitoring systems, remote identification, geo-zones, interagency cooperation, and ensuring cyber resilience.

We plan to introduce an integrated airspace coordination system. In the future, UAS flight applications will be submitted electronically, which will minimize violations.

The flight monitoring system will operate in specially designated areas. A model of state or public-private management is being considered.

From 2023, all UAV flights within the administrative boundaries of cities of republican and regional significance must be performed using a Remote ID, which allows flights to be tracked quickly and unauthorized activity to be prevented.

A mechanism of geo-zones is envisaged, software restrictions on flights near aerodromes, critical infrastructure, and strategic facilities.

The effective operation of all systems requires the combined efforts of ministries and the Aviation Administration. The creation of a single center for the coordination and monitoring of UAV flights is currently being considered.

18 Nov 2025

Central Asia, Home, Life & Culture, Kazakhstan Life & Culture, Kazakhstan, Kazakhstan Home

Meet Nurxat Nuraje, One of Kazakhstan’s Most Impressive Scientists

November 18, 2025
By Duisenali Alimakyn

Nurxat Nuraje is a Kazakh scientist who is now well known in the global scientific community. He has spent more than two decades studying and conducting research in the United States.

Drawn to science from an early age, he earned his PhD in chemistry from the City University of New York in 2008, successfully launching his research career.

His main field of research is nanotechnology and its applications. At a time when nanoscience was still emerging, his bold approach to the subject quickly gained recognition. His first major publication was in the Journal of the American Chemical Society – one of the world’s leading chemistry journals.

The paper introduced innovative ideas about nanocircuit fabrication, methods and challenges in their development, computational power, and potential applications. This paper was considered a major contribution to the field at the time.

Soon after, he joined the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), one of the world’s foremost technology universities, as a postdoctoral researcher. There, he succeeded in finding ways to increase computer storage capacity, which is a crucial question for modern computing. His research on the development and application of specific nanoparticles was published in Advanced Materials, once again establishing his name in global science.

His work was later awarded a silver medal at the International Materials Research Society conference in San Francisco.
“Science doesn’t deliver results overnight. It evolves gradually,” says Nuraje. “The true mission of a scientist is to reshape the world’s thinking through discovery. In the future, we must move from oil to hydrogen energy. That is the energy of tomorrow.”

Since 2013, Nuraje has worked as a research scientist at MIT. He is also credited with developing conductive polymer nanoparticles, which are now widely used.

Together with his students, he continues to design and create practical, everyday-use technologies. In 2015 he received the Joseph Award for his outstanding contribution to nanotechnology. He became the first Kazakh scientist to win this American honor.

Why did MIT invite him to join their team? The answer lies in his PhD dissertation, which was recognized by experts as one of the best in the field. Harvard University, the University of California, and MIT each offered him postdoctoral positions.

One of Nuraje’s remarkable achievements was the development of anti-fogging materials – the kind used on smartphone screens today. Working with MIT professor Angela Belcher, he co-created a new type of photocatalytic material through genetic engineering of the M13 virus. This groundbreaking work was published in Advanced Materials in 2012 and resulted in five international patents. This is a true testament to the Kazakh proverb: “Knowledge conquers all.”

In 2015, he joined Texas Tech University as a professor of chemical engineering, where he established his own research laboratory, The Nurxat Nuraje Lab. There, his team developed solar-powered water-splitting technology to produce hydrogen. His breakthroughs in conductive polymers earned him the American Chemical Society’s Petroleum Research Award in 2016.

In the following years, he was named “Most Distinguished Scientist” at Texas Tech University, and in 2018, the Journal of Materials Chemistry A listed him among the world’s top researchers.

Nurxat Nuraje with his students

In 2019, he returned to Kazakhstan to continue his scientific work at Nazarbayev University. Within three years, he founded four major research laboratories focusing on membranes, conductive plastics, solar hydrogen production, and biomass. These labs now employ over forty young Kazakh researchers.

When we asked Nuraje about the innovations that his team has achieved, he replied: “We’ve developed flexible, conductive rubber materials that can stretch and conduct electricity without breaking, unlike metal. They can be used for sensors, bacterial testing, even TV screens. That’s a major success, and our findings have been published in a high-impact scientific journal.”

Nuraje believes that science must be trusted and valued before it can truly flourish. Together with his students, he continues to promote Kazakhstan’s scientific achievements globally. Recently, his team developed a hydrogen detection sensor. This is a clear example of how passion and dedication to science can yield tangible progress.

18 Nov 2025

Draft, Home, Uzbekistan, Uzbekistan Features, Business & Economy, Uzbekistan Business & Economy, Features

Uzbekistan Emerges as Key Market for China’s Real Estate Giants

November 18, 2025
By Yunis Sharifli

Since 2021, China’s property sector has been navigating one of the most severe downturns in its history. A combination of mounting developer debt, strict government lending rules, and a large stock of unsold housing has pushed the country’s real estate giants into prolonged distress.

As speculative construction slows at home, Chinese companies are increasingly turning outward. Similar to firms in renewable energy, waste-to-energy, and electric vehicle industries, real estate developers now see foreign markets as essential for restoring balance and sustaining growth.

In this broader search for new opportunities, Uzbekistan has emerged as a highly compelling destination for Chinese investment. The country offers a rare mix of rapid demographic growth and urgent housing needs that few markets can match. Uzbekistan’s population is expanding at a fast pace, and more than 60,000 new households form every year. This demographic surge is placing enormous strain on the country’s already limited housing stock.

Official data shows that around 85,000 families are waiting for housing, yet annual construction increases the existing stock by only one to two percent. The result is a persistent shortage that cannot be resolved without sustained and large-scale capital investment. If this deficit remains unaddressed, it risks creating long-term social frustration.

Against this backdrop, the interests of Chinese real estate developers and Uzbekistan’s housing priorities are beginning to align. Chinese firms looking for stable and high-demand markets increasingly view Uzbekistan as an attractive place to expand. Tashkent, in particular, has become a center of growing cooperation with Chinese partners.

Several recent agreements illustrate this momentum. The Chinese firm TSC HK Investment is preparing a $340 million project for a residential complex and business center in the Chilanzar district of Tashkent. The city authorities have also signed agreements worth about $1 billion with CSCEC, including a major housing development valued at $440 million. Beyond the capital, another Chinese investor plans to allocate $250 million to build a modern complex covering 55 hectares in the city of Babur in the Andijan region.

For Chinese companies, Uzbekistan offers a large and expanding market that helps absorb China’s massive overcapacity in construction services, heavy machinery, and industrial materials such as steel and cement. Investing in Uzbekistan not only eases domestic economic pressure but also allows Chinese firms to demonstrate their capabilities in shaping the daily lives of Uzbek families.

Large residential projects provide opportunities to familiarize local communities with Chinese standards, technologies, and urban design practices. When these projects are executed successfully, they can contribute to a positive image of China and strengthen its soft power presence in the country.

For Uzbekistan, China’s growing involvement brings several advantages. Chinese investment can help meet the country’s rapidly rising demand for housing and reduce the likelihood of long-term social frustration linked to shortages. Chinese developers often work with integrated models that go beyond simple residential blocks. They build high-density and multi-functional complexes combining housing, business centers, educational facilities, and public services.

This approach aligns closely with Uzbekistan’s strategy to encourage sustainable urbanization, improve living conditions, and move away from unplanned urban sprawl. Most importantly, these investments generate employment. The TSC HK Investment project alone is expected to create 1,000 new jobs.

Alongside these benefits, there are legitimate concerns that require attention. The entry of large Chinese construction companies can put Uzbek firms at a disadvantage. Chinese developers typically operate through highly efficient global supply chains and may rely heavily on imported materials and sometimes labor.

Their ability to control everything from raw materials to the final construction creates a fully integrated ecosystem that local firms often cannot compete with. If Chinese companies consistently bypass Uzbek contractors, local businesses may face declining revenues and lose opportunities to develop their own industrial capacities.

The overall picture shows that the growing presence of Chinese real estate companies in Uzbekistan brings significant opportunities, but also risks. To maximize the benefits, Uzbekistan would gain from encouraging structured cooperation between Chinese and local firms. Policies that require the partial use of local contractors, materials, and labor can strengthen the domestic construction sector.

At the same time, Uzbek companies can learn from the international experience of their Chinese counterparts, which would raise local standards and capacities in the long term. A balanced and well-managed partnership can therefore support Uzbekistan’s development goals while offering Chinese companies a valuable external market, creating a mutually beneficial outcome for both sides.

17 Nov 2025

Life & Culture, Uzbekistan, Uzbekistan Life & Culture

Uzbek Students Invited to First International PROD Software Engineering Competition

November 17, 2025
By Sadokat Jalolova

High school students in Uzbekistan are now eligible to participate in the inaugural international PROD software engineering competition, the organizers confirmed to The Times of Central Asia.

The Olympiad is open to English-speaking students in grades 8–12 from any country and is designed to introduce participants to the principles of large-scale software development. It offers hands-on experience that reflects workflows used by leading global IT companies.

Participants will work on real business cases, study automation in modern organizations, and develop digital solutions aimed at improving efficiency and streamlining operations. The format focuses on teamwork, analytical thinking, and cross-border collaboration. While most stages will take place online, finalists will be invited to Moscow for the team-based final stage, with accommodation and meals covered by the organizers.

The competition is organized by major Russian institutions, with mentorship provided by experienced IT professionals who will guide students through the challenges and methodologies of contemporary digital product development.

Registration is open until December 2 on the official PROD website.

No prior programming experience is required, but participants should have a basic understanding of computer science and strong logical reasoning skills. This is the first time the competition is being held internationally, with parallel tracks in both English and Russian.

17 Nov 2025

Home, Environment, Kyrgyzstan Environment, Kyrgyzstan, Kyrgyzstan Features

Green Power Pivot: Bishkek Debuts Waste-to-Energy Plant

November 17, 2025
By Sergey Kwan

On November 14, Bishkek’s newly constructed waste-to-energy plant received its first pilot batch of municipal solid waste, marking a major milestone in Kyrgyzstan’s efforts to modernize waste management and expand sustainable energy infrastructure.

According to the Bishkek municipality, 17 garbage trucks delivered 126 tons of solid waste to the facility. Once the accumulated volume reaches 1,000 tons, the incineration process will begin, generating electricity from waste.

The pilot delivery was attended by Minister of Natural Resources, Ecology, and Technical Supervision Meder Mashiev and Bishkek Mayor Aibek Junushaliev, underscoring the project’s national significance as Kyrgyzstan’s first major waste recycling initiative.

Located at Bishkek’s primary landfill site, the plant was constructed by China’s Hunan Junxin Environmental Protection Co. Ltd. In its initial phase, the facility is expected to process 1,000 tons of waste daily, with plans to scale capacity up to 3,000 tons per day. Total investment in the project stands at $95 million.

The official inauguration is scheduled for December 26, 2025.

The project represents a critical step in addressing the capital’s growing waste management challenges while advancing Kyrgyzstan’s clean energy goals. Solid waste disposal has become increasingly urgent, particularly in Bishkek, the country’s largest city.

According to the 24.kg news agency, Kyrgyzstan collected 1.792 million tons of solid waste nationwide in 2023, up from 1.177 million tons in 2019, equating to approximately 279 kilograms per capita annually. Bishkek’s sanitary landfill alone receives about 200 tons of waste per day from the city and its surrounding areas, according to landfill director Nurlan Jumaliev.

In June, Hunan Junxin also began constructing a similar waste-to-energy facility in Osh, Kyrgyzstan’s second-largest city. That plant will produce both electricity and heat from incinerated waste.

The company is expanding its presence in Central Asia. In August, Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources announced that Hunan Junxin will build the country’s first waste-to-energy plant in Almaty.

17 Nov 2025

Justice, Kazakhstan Justice, Kazakhstan

Survey Finds Decline in Kazakh Women Who Justify Domestic Violence

November 17, 2025
By Vagit Ismailov

Recent data reveals a marked shift in attitudes toward domestic violence among women in Kazakhstan. While the number of women who justify abuse has declined, certain demographic groups continue to condone it under specific circumstances. These findings are based on a study conducted by analysts at Finprom.kz.

Sharp Decline in Justifying Abuse

Multi-indicator surveys conducted by the National Statistics Bureau in 2015 and 2024 show a significant decrease in the number of women who view domestic violence as acceptable. Approximately 14,400 women aged 15 to 49 participated in the survey. In 2015, 15.1% of respondents said a man has the right to hit his wife or partner. By 2024, this figure had dropped to just 4%.

Respondents who deemed such violence acceptable were asked to specify the justification. The most commonly cited reason was neglect of children (2.8%), followed by refusal to do housework (1.6%), disobedience to the husband (1%), and leaving the house without permission (0.8%). Smaller shares justified violence due to refusal of intimacy (0.3%) or “burning food” (0.2%).

Analysts interpret the declining acceptance of these views as a sign of changing social norms and an evolving understanding of women’s roles within the family.

Who Is More Likely to Justify Violence?

The study revealed a notable divide between urban and rural populations. In rural areas, 6.8% of women still justify domestic violence, down from 20.6% a decade ago. In urban areas, only 2.6% expressed similar views.

Regional disparities were also evident. In the Turkestan region, 10% of respondents believed a husband has the right to beat his wife. High levels of acceptance were also recorded in the Zhetysu region (9.5%) and Kostanay (8.8%). In contrast, the Mangistau region (0.2%), Aktobe (0.4%), and Atyrau (0.5%) reported the lowest figures.

Age was another key factor. Older women were more likely to justify domestic violence: 4.7% of women aged 45-49 and 3.1% of those aged 40-44 approved of it under certain conditions. Younger women, particularly newlyweds, overwhelmingly rejected violence under any circumstances.

Legal Reforms and Shifting Statistics

Finprom.kz analysts compared these survey results with changes in criminal justice data. According to the Committee on Legal Statistics, reported criminal offenses related to domestic violence have increased 7.2 fold over the past decade. However, this spike is attributed to legal reforms. Until mid-2024, charges such as “Assault” and “Causing minor harm to health” were considered administrative violations. Following criminalization, reported cases rose sharply.

From January to October 2025, 3,000 criminal offenses related to family or domestic violence were recorded, up 21.4% year-on-year. Assaults accounted for more than half of the cases (1,700, up 36.8% from June to October 2024), followed by “intentional infliction of minor bodily harm” (680 cases).

Meanwhile, serious crimes showed a decline. Murders fell by 30.1%, rapes by 16.7%, and cases of “intentional infliction of serious harm to health” by 10.5%.

Regional commissions on women’s affairs have also reported encouraging trends. The number of calls to crisis centers dropped from 30,500 in 2013 to 12,900 in 2024. Of these, 7,400 were related directly to violence. The number of women who received assistance declined to 11,400, a 12.2% decrease. Consultations with psychologists and crisis center specialists remain the most requested services, while legal support continues to be used less frequently.