Page 386 – The Times Of Central Asia

24 Feb 2025

Home, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan Local Politics, Uzbekistan Features, Local Politics, Kazakhstan, Features, Kazakhstan Featurees, Uzbekistan Local Politics

Karimova and Nazarbayeva: Power, Prison, and Privilege – The Diverging Fates of Central Asia’s First Daughters

April 21, 2025
By Sadokat Jalolova

The lives of the eldest daughters of Kazakhstan’s first president, Nursultan Nazarbayev, and Uzbekistan’s first president, Islam Karimov, share striking similarities. Both once wielded immense influence in their respective countries, yet their destinies took drastically different turns.

Amid a flurry of media reports after Uzbekistan and Switzerland signed an agreement to return funds appropriated by Karimova, some recent articles have compared the trajectories of the two women. While Nazarbayev allowed his daughter, Dariga, to maintain her wealth and political standing, Karimov took decisive action against his daughter, Gulnara, stripping her of power and ensuring she faced legal consequences.

The Rise and Fall of Gulnara Karimova

Once a high-profile public figure, Gulnara Karimova built a vast business empire, pursued a career in fashion career, and even dabbled in pop music under the name ‘Googoosha.’ A former UN envoy and self-styled ‘Princess of Uzbekistan,’ – “From her desire for self-expression came her poems. From her poems came the music. Meet Googoosha…..poet, mezzo soprano, designer and exotic Uzbekistan beauty,” read Karimova’s X account and since removed official website. “A robber baron… a greedy, power-hungry individual who uses her father to crush business people or anyone else who stands in her way… She remains the single most hated person in the country,” asserted a leaked U.S. diplomatic cable.

With her political ambitions becoming increasingly apparent, alarming Uzbekistan’s leadership, however, the authorities closely monitored her activities and reported them to her father.

By 2014, Karimova had fallen from grace. Placed under house arrest, images of her detention were leaked to the media. After Islam Karimov’s death in 2016, legal proceedings against her intensified. In 2017, she was sentenced to nine years in prison on corruption charges. The Uzbek Supreme Court later extended her sentence to 13 years and four months, with the term officially calculated from August 21, 2015.

Karimova’s financial empire also crumbled. In 2020, the Swiss authorities froze her assets, valued at 800 million Swiss francs (approximately $880 million at the time). Uzbekistan recovered $131 million from these funds, and in February 2024, Uzbekistan and Switzerland signed an agreement to repatriate an additional $182 million. The funds, originally seized by the Swiss authorities in 2012 as part of a corruption case against Karimova, will be transferred to Uzbekistan through the UN Uzbekistan Vision 2030 Fund.

Dariga Nazarbayeva: From Power to Uncertainty

Unlike Karimova, Dariga Nazarbayeva remained a central political figure in Kazakhstan for years. Nazarbayeva held several high-ranking positions, including deputy prime minister and chair of the Senate. In 2019, when Nazarbayev stepped down, she was just one step away from the presidency.

Following the political turmoil in Kazakhstan in January 2022, Nazarbayeva disappeared from public life. While her current whereabouts remain unclear, she is frequently linked to luxurious properties in London and the UAE. A British court recently reviewed a case involving her London properties, which were initially seized as “unjustified wealth.” However, she and her family successfully proved that the assets were acquired legally.

The protests that erupted on January 2, 2022, in Kazakhstan were initially triggered by rising gas prices but quickly escalated into something far more sinister as Nazarbayev attempted to claw back the reins of power. In the aftermath, Nursultan Nazarbayev was stripped of many state privileges, and his relatives lost their leadership positions. According to official figures, 238 people were killed in the resulting crackdown.

Despite stepping away from politics, Dariga remains one of Kazakhstan’s wealthiest individuals. Forbes Kazakhstan ranked her 15th on its 2024 list of the country’s richest people, estimating her fortune at $590 million. However, this figure only accounts for officially confirmed assets.

Two Daughters, Two Legacies

According to Zhas Alash, the key distinction between the cases of the two daughters lies in how their fathers handled their ambitions. Karimov swiftly distanced Gulnara from power, ensuring she faced legal consequences. In contrast, Nazarbayev allowed Dariga to ascend within the government, leaving her influence largely unchecked.

Even after his resignation, speculation persisted that Nazarbayev might groom Dariga as his successor. While that failed to materialize, Dariga remained politically active for years before quietly retreating from public life.

Today, Gulnara Karimova remains behind bars, while Dariga Nazarbayeva’s future remains uncertain.

24 Feb 2025

Home, International Affairs

Russian Foreign Ministry Opposes Visa Regime for Central Asian Countries

February 24, 2025
By Sergey Kwan

Russia’s Foreign Ministry has voiced opposition to the introduction of a visa regime for citizens of Central Asian countries, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated during a session at the State Duma (Russia’s parliament).

Lavrov emphasized that tightening Russia’s approach to labor migrants from Central Asia “would not serve our long-term interests.” While acknowledging concerns over violations committed by migrants in various regions, he argued that increased oversight, not additional barriers, was the appropriate response.

“We believe that enhancing control over their activities is necessary, but erecting barriers, let alone introducing a visa regime, is not the right course of action,” Lavrov stated.

Lavrov noted that Russia’s latest measures regarding migration aim to improve monitoring rather than obstruct labor migration.

“We have held multiple meetings with ambassadors from Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) member states to discuss their concerns and clarify our policies. The EAEU’s founding documents guarantee equal rights for all member states’ citizens, allowing them to enter Russia without formal invitations or prior declarations of employment. However, these provisions now require further clarification. Authorities must track migrant arrivals, verify their employment status, and ensure compliance with Russian law. I am convinced this can be done without creating artificial obstacles in relations with our closest allies,” Lavrov stated.

In contrast, some Russian politicians have called for stricter migration controls. In late March 2024, just days after the deadly terrorist attack at Moscow’s Crocus City Hall, Sergei Mironov, chairman of the A Just Russia – For Truth party and head of its State Duma faction, proposed introducing a visa regime with Central Asian states.

Mironov argued that such a policy “should in no way be regarded as an unfriendly gesture toward our neighbors” and expressed hope that Central Asian governments would understand the rationale behind the move.

For the past 30 years, Russia has been the primary destination for hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of labor migrants from Central Asia. However, economic challenges, stricter migration policies, and growing anti-migrant sentiment in Russia have increasingly pushed many workers to seek opportunities elsewhere.

24 Feb 2025

Central Asia, Environment, Kyrgyzstan Environment, Kyrgyzstan

Kyrgyzstan Reports Increase in Irrigation Water Supply

February 24, 2025
By Sergey Kwan

As Kyrgyzstan seeks to expand the production and export of environmentally friendly organic agricultural products, ensuring a stable supply of irrigation water remains a crucial issue for both local farmers and government authorities responsible for the country’s irrigation infrastructure.

According to the Ministry of Water Resources, Agriculture, and Processing Industry, Kyrgyzstan has 498 reservoirs with a total storage capacity of 1.8 billion cubic meters of irrigation water.

During the 2025 growing season, this water will be used to irrigate 1.022 million hectares of farmland across the country.

Infrastructure Improvements and Modernization

To prevent water shortages in 2025, the ministry undertook extensive improvements to irrigation infrastructure in 2024. A total of 626 kilometers of irrigation canals were improved, including:

93 km repaired
32 km lined with concrete
500 km cleaned

Additionally, repairs were carried out on key pumping stations, and efforts to introduce drip and sprinkler irrigation methods are underway on 1,484 hectares of farmland.

Innovative Irrigation Solutions

Kyrgyzstan is also adopting new technologies to improve water management. British company Concrete Canvas is set to build a plant in the country to produce flexible concrete material designed to line irrigation canals, preventing erosion and reducing water seepage.

Minister of Water Resources, Agriculture, and Processing Industry Bakyt Torobayev emphasized the significance of this innovation. He noted that Kyrgyzstan has 30,000 kilometers of irrigation canals, including 11,000 km of unsurfaced canals, and that applying concrete lining will help reduce water losses and improve efficiency.

Water Cooperation with Kazakhstan

While Kyrgyzstan continues efforts to meet domestic irrigation needs, it also plays a key role in supplying water to downstream Kazakhstan, particularly its arid southern regions, where irrigation is vital for agriculture.

24 Feb 2025

Central Asia, Business & Economy, Kazakhstan, Kazakhstan Business & Economy, Features, Kazakhstan Featurees

Kazakhstan’s Mini Oil Refineries Urge Government to Lift Export Ban on By-Products

February 24, 2025
By Dmitry Pokidaev

Kazakhstan’s January ban on the export of naphtha, heating oil, and marine fuel should be reconsidered, as it threatens to shut down mini-oil refineries, Muratbek Makhanov, Managing Director of the Oil and Gas Sector and Ecology at the National Chamber of Entrepreneurs (Atameken) has warned.

Since January 29, Kazakhstan has imposed an official ban on exporting gasoline, diesel fuel, and certain petroleum products, including to other Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) member states. The restrictions cover by-products of mini-refineries such as naphtha, used as fuel for tractors, a gasoline additive, or a solvent in paint production, heating oil, and marine fuel. While Kazakhstan operates three major refineries, approximately 30 smaller facilities focus primarily on diesel production, which inevitably results in these by-products.

The issue, industry representatives argue, is that these by-products have little domestic demand and are primarily sold for export.

“The oil refining process makes it impossible to produce only diesel fuel. Other petroleum products, such as heating oil and naphtha, are unavoidable by-products that now fall under the export ban. Selling them domestically is not viable, which means we may have to suspend production entirely, leading to a diesel fuel shortage,” said Abdymanap Isabayev, a representative of one of Kazakhstan’s mini-refineries.

Isabayev proposed maintaining the export ban on diesel fuel while lifting restrictions on by-products.

His concerns were echoed by Atameken’s Makhanov.

“Restrictions on the export of refined oil by-products, such as naphtha, heating oil, and marine fuel, harm not only the financial stability of mini-refineries but also Kazakhstan’s broader economy. The government must reconsider this ban and allow mini-refineries to export these products,” he said.

Makhanov emphasized that selling surplus petroleum products abroad would generate additional export revenues, increasing budget inflows through customs duties, fees, and other charges.

Amanbai Sembekuly, another mini-refinery representative, warned that shutting down small processing plants, which primarily refine crude from marginal and unprofitable fields, could also halt oil production at those sites.

“This would be a significant loss to the national budget, which is already suffering from lower revenues due to the ban. The export customs duty on our high-sulphur oil products is 2.5 times higher than the duty on diesel fuel, so these restrictions are costing the government money,” Sembekuly said.

Kazakhstani naphtha is primarily exported to Turkey, Uzbekistan, Italy, and Greece, where it is refined into diesel fuel. According to industry representatives, similar refining processes could take place within Kazakhstan’s major refineries, but this would require setting up additional processing lines.

As The Times of Central Asia previously reported, Kazakh authorities announced at the end of January the liberalization of domestic oil product prices, abolishing 11 regulations that had controlled wholesale and retail fuel prices since 2014. The move is expected to address fuel shortages, which have worsened due to price disparities that drive fuel exports to neighboring markets.

24 Feb 2025

Central Asia, Uzbekistan, Uzbekistan Features, International Affairs, Features, Uzbekistan International Affairs

Uzbekistan Applies for UN Security Council Membership for 2035-2036

February 24, 2025
By Sadokat Jalolova

Uzbekistan has announced its bid for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for the 2035-2036 term. The move reflects the country’s growing ambitions on the global stage, as it seeks to enhance its role in international diplomacy and regional stability.

At a recent international meeting, Uzbek officials outlined the country’s key priorities in working with the UN. They emphasized Uzbekistan’s commitment to global cooperation, fostering regional security, and supporting Afghanistan’s economic recovery.

Strengthening Ties with Afghanistan

Uzbekistan’s expanding international engagement was further highlighted during a high-level visit by a delegation from the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, led by Deputy Prime Minister Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar. The delegation met with Uzbek officials, including Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov and Deputy Prime Minister Jamshid Khojayev, to discuss trade and economic cooperation.

Talks focused on strengthening trade, transit, and investment ties. Uzbekistan expressed its readiness to establish a joint trade zone on the border, featuring processing plants for pine nuts and cotton, packaging and logistics centers, and food production facilities. Uzbek investors also showed interest in Afghanistan’s oil and gas sector and industrial projects, including plans for a cement plant in Namangan.

Relations between Uzbekistan and Afghanistan have grown in recent years, with projects like the Termez International Trade Center boosting bilateral trade. Tashkent has also reaffirmed its commitment to tackling global challenges, including drug trafficking, terrorism, and organized crime.

Environmental and Development Initiatives

Uzbekistan has placed environmental protection at the center of its development strategy. The government has declared 2025 the “Year of Environmental Protection and Green Economy” and is taking steps to address the consequences of the Aral Sea crisis. Efforts include large-scale reforestation projects, water conservation measures, and the expansion of renewable energy sources. Uzbekistan has called for increased international support to sustain these initiatives.

Additionally, Uzbekistan invited UN member states to participate in the UN Public Services Forum, scheduled to take place in Samarkand in June 2025. The forum will focus on improving public services and accelerating progress toward global development goals.

24 Feb 2025

Central Asia, International Affairs, Kazakhstan International Affairs, Kazakhstan

Ethnic Kazakhs Returning to Their Historical Homeland

February 24, 2025
By Sergey Kwan

Ethnic Kazakhs holding foreign citizenship have received a total of 65 “Ata Zholy” cards, granting them the right to live and work in Kazakhstan for 10 years, the Kazakh Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Population has announced.

Of these, 27 cards were issued to business immigrants seeking to establish and develop enterprises in Kazakhstan, while 38 cards were granted to qualified professional, including physicists, mathematicians, chemical engineers, maxillofacial surgeons, and paediatricians. The recipients have arrived from Russia, Germany, Mongolia, China, the United States, Israel, France, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Finland, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan.

The Ata Zholy Program

The Ata Zholy (Path of Ancestors) card was introduced in July 2023 to strengthen ties between ethnic Kazakhs abroad and their historical homeland while attracting skilled professionals and entrepreneurs to Kazakhstan.

Holders of the card retain their foreign citizenship and receive a 10-year residence permit, allowing them to live anywhere in Kazakhstan. They enjoy equal rights with Kazakh citizens, including access to social benefits and employment opportunities, and can apply for Kazakh citizenship through a simplified process. However, as foreign nationals, Ata Zholy cardholders cannot vote, run for office, or hold public service positions.

Growing Number of Ethnic Kazakh Returnees

The Ministry of Labor and Social Protection also reported that since the beginning of 2025, 1,070 ethnic Kazakhs have returned to Kazakhstan and obtained “Kanda” status, a designation for ethnic Kazakhs and their family members who have never previously held Kazakh citizenship.

The Kandas who arrived in 2024 came from:

China – 51.9%
Uzbekistan – 37.5%
Turkmenistan – 7.1%
Russia – 1.8%
Other countries – 1.7%

Since gaining independence in 1991, Kazakhstan has welcomed over a million ethnic Kazakhs back to their homeland.