Page 402 – The Times Of Central Asia

30 Jan 2025

Business & Economy, Turkmenistan International Affairs, Turkmenistan, Turkmenistan Business & Economy, Kazakhstan International Affairs, Kazakhstan, Kazakhstan Business & Economy

Afghanistan Advances TAPI Gas Pipeline Construction as Kazakhstan Explores Participation

January 31, 2025
By Times of Central Asia

Afghanistan has made significant progress in constructing the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline. According to Ariana News, citing the Herat provincial governor’s office, approximately six kilometers of pipeline have already been laid since work began last month.

Herat Governor Maulana Islam Jar assured project representatives of his full support, stating that TAPI will play a crucial role in strengthening the economy and promoting regional stability.

Afghanistan’s section of the pipeline is expected to take approximately two years to complete and represents a significant milestone for the broader project. TAPI is designed to connect Central Asia’s vast gas reserves with the rapidly growing energy markets of South Asia.

During a recent meeting, TAPI’s general director in Afghanistan, Abdullah Yoof, updated Governor Jar on construction progress and outlined further plans for the project, including job creation and infrastructure development in Herat province.

Meanwhile, Kazakhstan is actively exploring the possibility of joining the TAPI pipeline. The country’s Ministry of Energy has confirmed ongoing negotiations between the national gas company, QazaqGaz, and Turkmengaz, which owns an 85% stake in TAPI Pipeline Company Limited. However, officials have refrained from disclosing details, citing the confidentiality of the discussions.

Kazakhstan’s interest in the project was first officially announced by Deputy Energy Minister Yerlan Akkenzhanov. Speaking at the Kazakhstan-Afghanistan Business Forum in October 2024, he highlighted that participation in TAPI could provide Kazakhstan with access to new markets, including Pakistan and India while attracting additional investment to the country’s gas sector.

The TAPI pipeline, spanning over 1,800 kilometers, will traverse:

Turkmenistan – 214 kilometers
Afghanistan – 774 kilometers
Pakistan – 826 kilometers

The pipeline will terminate in India, providing a crucial energy link between Central and South Asia.

30 Jan 2025

Home, Kyrgyzstan International Affairs, Kyrgyzstan, Features, Kyrgyzstan Features

Kyrgyzstan’s Leadership and U.S. Partnership in Central Asia

February 4, 2025
By Stephen M. Bland

Kyrgyzstan, or the Kyrgyz Republic, may be one of the smallest nations in Central Asia by population, but it has consistently played an outsized role in the region’s history and geopolitics. From bold governmental experiments to fostering regional cooperation, Kyrgyzstan continues to exceed expectations. Under President Sadyr Japarov’s leadership, the nation has made substantial progress in diplomacy, economic reform, and cultural preservation, while strengthening its relationships with the United States.

On January 29, 2025, the Central Asia-Caucasus Institute located at the American Foreign Policy Council and TCA co-hosted a virtual event to examine the evolving U.S.-Kyrgyz bilateral relationship. The event focused on economic collaboration, security cooperation, cultural and educational exchanges, and a shared commitment to democratic values. It underscored the strengthening ties between the nations and their joint efforts to promote growth and stability in the region.

Dr. S. Frederick Starr, Chairman of the Central Asia-Caucasus Institute at the American Foreign Policy Council, led a panel of experts, including Dr. Almazbek Beishenaliev, Professor at the Regional Institute of Central Asia, and Elena Son, Executive Director of the U.S.–Kyrgyzstan Business Council. Together, they explored Kyrgyzstan’s diplomatic milestones, economic collaborations, and its rising profile in Central Asia.

A Journey Toward Democracy and Cultural Significance

Dr. Starr recounted Kyrgyzstan’s transition from Soviet rule to a developing democracy after gaining independence in 1991. Its first president, Askar Akayev, charted a vision of neutrality and openness, once calling Kyrgyzstan the “Switzerland of Central Asia.” The nation experimented with a parliamentary system before reverting to a presidential model under President Japarov. Despite facing challenges, Kyrgyzstan remains culturally influential, particularly through the works of Chingiz Aitmatov, whose literary contributions continue to resonate across the globe.

Transformative Leadership Under President Japarov

President Japarov’s leadership since 2020 has, as highlighted by Dr. Starr, been marked by critical national reforms aimed at fostering stability and modernization. These efforts include tackling corruption, reclaiming control over vital national assets such as the Kumtor gold mine, and prioritizing energy and infrastructure investments to ensure long-term growth.

Dr. Starr also emphasized President Japarov’s success in uniting Kyrgyzstan’s historically divided northern and southern regions. By enhancing connectivity through new transportation networks, such as airports and roads, Japarov has created economic opportunities while promoting national cohesion.

On the regional front, Dr. Starr pointed to the landmark summit hosted by President Japarov in 2022 at Cholpon-Ata. This pivotal meeting resulted in agreements on 26 collaborative initiatives aimed at advancing shared objectives, further demonstrating Kyrgyzstan’s commitment to regional leadership and cooperative development within Central Asia.

Strengthening Ties with the United States

Dr. Almazbek Beishenaliev, Professor at the Regional Institute of Central Asia and former Minister of Education of Kyrgyzstan, highlighted the growth of U.S.-Kyrgyz relations, which date back to Kyrgyzstan’s independence in 1991. The U.S. played a key role in Kyrgyzstan’s accession to the World Trade Organization in 1998 and has provided substantial support over the last three decades, with $9 billion in assistance to Central Asia, $50 billion in loans, and investments exceeding $31 billion. These initiatives have fostered democratic reforms, economic growth, and educational exchanges, benefiting thousands of Central Asians.

Culturally, the U.S. has contributed significantly to preserving Kyrgyzstan’s heritage and improving border security through funding and training programs. Collaborative projects, such as the CASA-1000 energy initiative, further exemplify the partnership’s tangible impact. The American University of Central Asia also stands as a symbol of shared educational values.

Dr. Beishenaliev detailed Kyrgyzstan’s promising IT and innovation sectors, which increasingly align with U.S. technological counterparts. Initiatives like establishing over 50 startup hubs in Kyrgyz universities and advancements in medical technology, such as distance surgery, demonstrate the growing potential of this partnership to address critical challenges and elevate Kyrgyzstan’s global standing.

Private Sector Collaboration

Elena Son, Executive Director of the U.S.–Kyrgyzstan Business Council (as well as The American-Uzbekistan Chamber of Commerce, the US-Tajikistan Business Council, and the US-Afghanistan Business Initiative) discussed the vital role of the U.S.–Kyrgyzstan Business Council in fostering trade and investment. The council has facilitated business delegations and virtual platforms, connecting U.S. companies to Kyrgyz economic opportunities in sectors like IT, healthcare, and agriculture. Kyrgyzstan’s entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to transparency have made it a reliable partner for American businesses, with significant potential for future growth.

The U.S.–Kyrgyzstan Business Council has also played a pivotal role in addressing challenges that might deter foreign investment, such as navigating regulatory complexities and ensuring market access. Through targeted workshops and expert consultations, the council has provided American businesses with critical insights into Kyrgyzstan’s evolving policies and economic landscape. A notable success story is the collaboration with General Electric, which contributed advanced medical equipment to Kyrgyz healthcare facilities, improving access to modern diagnostics. Additionally, agricultural partnerships have seen U.S. companies introducing innovative processing technologies, boosting Kyrgyzstan’s export competitiveness. Looking ahead, the council aims to deepen ties through initiatives focused on green energy and digital transformation, underscoring its commitment to fostering sustainable and forward-looking economic relations.

A Unified Vision for Central Asia

Dr. Starr concluded by emphasizing the importance of unity in Central Asia, where regional collaboration multiplies opportunities and strengthens collective resilience. Kyrgyzstan’s position as a convening power, as demonstrated by President Japarov’s initiatives, is crucial in fostering cohesion within Central Asia. Balancing relationships with major powers while maintaining strong ties with the United States has positioned Kyrgyzstan as a unique leader in the region.

Economic growth, Starr asserted, is the foundation for sustained prosperity and greater regional cooperation. With active engagement from the United States, Kyrgyzstan can continue to serve as both a regional leader and a valued global partner, paving the way for a promising future.

To view the full discussion, click here

30 Jan 2025

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

Kazakhstan Trains a Thousand Specialists for Future Nuclear Power Plants

June 9, 2025
By Times of Central Asia

Six universities in Kazakhstan are currently training personnel for the nuclear and atomic industries. According to Gulzhan Dzharasova, Deputy Chairman of the Committee of Higher and Postgraduate Education at the Ministry of Science, approximately 1,000 students are pursuing engineering degrees related to the nuclear sector.

Kazakhstan’s decision to build its first nuclear power plant (NPP) was made last fall following a referendum, in which more than 70% of the population voted in favor of nuclear energy. The first plant is set to be built in the Almaty region and is expected to be operational by 2035, as the country anticipates an energy shortage by that time. The plant will require a workforce of at least 2,000 employees, and the Ministry of Energy aims to train specialists domestically to meet this demand.

To support this initiative, local colleges will introduce training programs for key technical roles, including dosimetrists, steam turbine equipment repair specialists, nuclear power plant maintenance and mechanical repair specialists, and IT professionals specializing in nuclear energy. Currently, 921 students are enrolled in nuclear engineering programs at Kazakhstan’s higher education institutions, with nearly all (96%) receiving government-funded scholarships.

“As part of a strategic partnership in this field, branches of leading foreign universities are being established. The National Research Nuclear University has been created at the Kazakh National University (KazNU). Additionally, a consortium of German technical universities has launched a new training format for engineers in the electric power industry. In 2024, a branch of Anhalt University opened at the Almaty University of Power Engineering and Communications, where specialists in electrical and power engineering are being trained,” Dzharasova said.

Kazakhstan’s Growing Need for Nuclear Energy Experts

Kazakhstan’s Minister of Energy, Almasadam Satkaliyev, addressed concerns about the demand for nuclear energy specialists. He stated that the country will need at least three nuclear power plants, which would require a workforce of 5,000 to 6,000 trained professionals.

“The sites for all three plants will be selected based on a comprehensive plan. It is not feasible to plan one station first and then another separately. We must first analyze the network configuration, power distribution schemes, cross-border energy flows, grid voltage levels, the necessary number of substations, and the feasibility of using direct current (DC) technology for long-distance transmission,” Satkaliyev explained.

Accelerating Nuclear Power Plant Construction

At a recent briefing, Satkaliyev also stated that the first nuclear power plant unit in Kazakhstan could be completed within eight years.

“Even considering the average global timeline for such projects, we will push vendors to explore the possibility of expediting construction so that we can have the first unit operational within eight years,” he said.

The Times of Central Asia previously reported that Kazakhstan plans to select a contractor for the construction of its first nuclear power plant in the first half of this year.

30 Jan 2025

International Affairs, Uzbekistan, Uzbekistan Business & Economy, Uzbekistan International Affairs

Turkey, Uzbekistan, and Azerbaijan Plan New Trade Route Connecting Asia and Europe

January 30, 2025
By Vagit Ismailov

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan met with delegations from Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan on January 29 to discuss strengthening regional trade and connectivity. At the meeting, Uzbekistan’s Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov delivered a letter from President Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

“We conveyed the warmest greetings and a letter from His Excellency the President of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev. The strong ties between our leaders form the foundation for close cooperation in all areas. Our peoples, connected by a shared history, traditions, and customs, are working together for a better future,” Saidov wrote on Telegram.

Saidov was in Ankara for a trilateral forum with his Turkish and Azerbaijani counterparts. Ahead of the event, he held talks with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov.

During the forum, the three countries discussed expanding trade routes between Asia and Europe, as reported by the Anadolu Agency. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan stated that the Middle Corridor — which runs through Central Asia, the Caspian Sea, the Caucasus, and Turkey — has proven to be the most reliable and cost-effective trade route between the two continents.

Fidan stressed the importance of regional cooperation in the economic, transport, and energy sectors, particularly in light of recent global disruptions caused by the pandemic and conflicts. He also noted Turkey’s growing role as an energy hub amid ongoing challenges in global energy supply.

Beyond trade, the ministers addressed regional security concerns, including the situation in Syria. Fidan described recent developments there as a “new window of opportunity” for reconstruction and stability. He called for joint efforts to support Syria’s rebuilding process, emphasizing that stability in the region would enhance trade, transport, and energy cooperation.

During the forum, Turkey, Azerbaijan, and Uzbekistan outlined a joint declaration and road map for future cooperation, covering foreign policy and regional cooperation between the three countries; expanding trade, economic, and investment ties to boost regional commerce; and developing transport routes and enhancing regional connectivity.

Transport ministers from all three nations will now work on improving logistics and transit routes to further facilitate trade.

30 Jan 2025

Central Asia, Kyrgyzstan Justice, Justice, Kyrgyzstan, Kyrgyzstan Home

Prisons Being Relocated from Kyrgyzstan’s Major Cities

January 30, 2025
By Anton Chipegin

Construction of a new detention center has begun in Kyrgyzstan’s Chuy region as part of a broader effort to relocate prisons from major urban areas. The facility will replace the aging SIZO-1, which has operated for 50 years in the center of Bishkek. Deputy Chairman of the Correctional Service Kemel Sydykov announced the initiative during a parliamentary session.

Many of Kyrgyzstan’s prisons and detention centers were built in the 1950s and 1960s and no longer meet modern standards for housing inmates. In addition to their outdated infrastructure, these facilities occupy valuable city land, prompting authorities to systematically phase them out.

“Construction work has begun on the relocation of SIZO-1. The new detention center will be situated in the Issyk-Ata district of Chuy region. We have been given strict deadlines—to complete construction by the end of the year. The vacated land will be transferred to the state,” Sydykov told MPs.

Nationwide Prison Relocation Efforts

The Correctional Service has been implementing similar projects across the country. Last year, a new detention center was commissioned in the city of Jalal-Abad, designed to meet modern incarceration standards. Sydykov also confirmed that remand centers in Karakol and Osh are set to be relocated, with land already allocated and construction work expected to begin soon.

A few years ago, authorities in Bishkek demolished Colony No. 47, which was located on the city’s western outskirts. The site was redeveloped into a residential microdistrict with 900 apartments. Notably, former Kyrgyz President Almazbek Atambayev served part of his sentence in that facility.

As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, many detention facilities in Kyrgyzstan fail to meet international standards, underscoring the urgent need for modernized infrastructure.

30 Jan 2025

Central Asia, Home, Uzbekistan, Uzbekistan Features, International Affairs, Uzbekistan Home, Kazakhstan, Kazakhstan International Affairs, Features, Uzbekistan International Affairs, Kazakhstan Featurees, Kazakhstan Home

Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan’s High-Stakes Race for Pakistan

May 15, 2025
By Dr. Robert M. Cutler

In recent years, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan have embarked on distinct yet complementary paths to enhance their connectivity with Pakistan. Kazakhstan has embedded itself within such institutionalized frameworks as the Middle Corridor (also known as the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, or TITR). In this context, it has also sought to align with trans-Eurasian logistics designed to integrate South Asian trade routes into established infrastructural regimes.

Uzbekistan, by contrast, marginalized from World Bank-backed corridors, has adopted a more adaptive and tactical approach by advancing alternative linkages such as the Termez–Karachi transport corridor and the Trans-Afghan Railway. Both strategies reflect the imperative to reduce dependence on Russian-controlled northern routes while leveraging Pakistan’s maritime infrastructure to reposition Central Asia within the matrix of regional and global trade.

Thus, a few days ago, at a meeting with Uzbekistan’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Pakistan, the prospect of developing the Termez–Karachi transport corridor was discussed. Termez is on Uzbekistan’s border with Afghanistan; the goods would travel via Kabul and Kandahar to Quetta, then to the Karachi port. The possibility of establishing an advanced logistics terminus in Termez with the assistance of Pakistan’s National Logistics Corporation was explored. The two sides noted the need to create a permanent platform for business communications between them, such as an Entrepreneurs’ Council coordinated by their respective Chambers of Commerce.

This road route should not be confused with the Trans-Afghan Corridor (TAC, also called the Trans-Afghan Railway Project or the Uzbekistan–Afghanistan–Pakistan Railway Project), a $4.8 billion project to connect the three countries via 573 kilometers of rail. This rail route would run from Termez through Mazar-e-Sharif and Logar in Afghanistan, reaching Pakistan at the Kharlachi border crossing and extending to Kohat District, where a rail link southward already exists.

In August 2024, the governments of Kazakhstan and Pakistan agreed to extend the TAC’s route into northeast Kazakhstan to create the Trans-Afghan Multimodal Transport Corridor: multimodal because goods would arrive from Kazakhstan at Uzbekistan’s Termez terminus by truck, for transshipment by rail to Pakistani ports. From there, they can reach a broad range of countries from Southeast Asia to South Asia to the Middle East.

Kazakhstan, pursuing its goal to diversify its export pathways and reduce dependence on traditional northern routes, has explored several connectivity projects that have either direct or indirect implications for trade routes to Pakistan. Of these, the three most significant are the Trans-Afghan Multimodal Transport Corridor (TMTC), the Middle Corridor, and the Quadrilateral Traffic in Transit Agreement (QTTA).

The Middle Corridor is the best-known of the three. Seeking to connect China to Europe via the Caspian region, it is not directly pertinent for Pakistan, but it would offer the potential to integrate with Pakistani trade routes, offering an alternative pathway for goods.

The QTTA includes China, Kyrgyzstan, and Pakistan along with Kazakhstan. This transit deal aims to facilitate Kazakhstan’s foreign trade by providing it with access to Pakistani ports via the Karakoram Highway, which connects Pakistan and China, thereby bypassing Afghanistan. It was agreed in 2017 and is related to China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in Pakistan. Indeed, the Karakoram Highway, a major segment of the QTTA, is a crucial component of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

The CPEC, however, has itself encountered significant problems and has lost a great deal of momentum since the late 2010s. Various earthquakes — not to mention the social and economic effects of the state-imposed lockdowns in the early 2020s — have directly affected progress on the renovation of the Karakoram Highway and its integration into a reinvigorated CPEC corridor. Therefore, the QTTA must today be judged as being aspirational. This assessment does not even take into account significant security and financial constraints.

The emergent connectivity architectures that Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan are pursuing manifest structural transformations in Eurasian economic corridors. These transformations will condition the evolution not only of the regional international system but also of the general international system, as global political chaos deepens over the next two decades. Uzbekistan’s pivot toward road and rail corridors through Afghanistan is an adaptive maneuver responding to its marginalization from formally sponsored transcontinental and intercontinental transit corridors.

By prioritizing pragmatic, country-to-country agreements, Uzbekistan is seeking to circumvent bureaucratic and financial obstacles posed by large institutional frameworks. Trying to increase its agility, it is instead relying on targeted investment and partnerships to carve out independent transit routes linking it to global markets.

Kazakhstan’s strategy, by contrast, consists of embedding itself within multilateral transport agreements that have international support. This strategy aligns with China’s BRI, which prioritizes trans-Eurasian corridors, while simultaneously reducing reliance on Russian-controlled infrastructure. Moscow, wary of losing influence, has sought to maintain leverage through alternative connectivity agreements.

The long-term success of initiatives such as the Middle Corridor and the QTTA will depend not only on material infrastructure investments but also on the resilience of their underlying geopolitical foundations. Here, Pakistan’s policy recalibrations and security conditions in Afghanistan are key.

As an overall restructuring of the international system is projected for the years around mid-century, the fate of these corridors will shape and constrain Central Asia’s broader and longer-term strategic realignment. Much like the dissolution of Soviet-era transit dependencies and the post–Cold War realignment of regional economies, these emerging corridors signify not just infrastructural projects, but the ongoing reconfiguration of geoeconomic power in Eurasia.