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21 Apr 2025

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

Pope Francis Championed Central Asia’s Role in Promoting Peace in a Multicultural Region

July 22, 2025
By Jonathan Campion

Pope Francis was a tireless advocate for peace and dialogue on the global stage, spotlighting Central Asia not as a zone of conflict but as a unique crossroads of cultures, religions, and geopolitical influence—an embodiment of tolerance and coexistence.

In 2022, amidst the escalating Russia-Ukraine war and rising geopolitical tensions, Pope Francis made a historic pastoral visit to Kazakhstan to attend the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions. Kazakhstan, a predominantly Muslim nation, has a Christian minority comprising 17.2% of the population, primarily Russian Orthodox, alongside Catholics and Protestants.

President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, the event’s host, reaffirmed his country’s dedication to religious tolerance, presenting Kazakhstan as a model of “interfaith dialogue in creating a more peaceful and harmonious global society.” Notably, religiously motivated violence against minorities is virtually unheard of in Kazakhstan. Tokayev later visited the Holy See to continue discussions with Pope Francis, focusing on strengthening collaboration for global peace and interfaith understanding.

Tributes and Reflections on His Legacy

Central Asian leaders are expressing their condolences following the death of Pope Francis at age 88.

“The deceased, with his extensive activity as a great Pontiff, made a significant contribution to world affairs and gained fame throughout the world with his creative initiatives and actions,” President Emomali Rahmon of Tajikistan said in a message to Cardinal Giovanni Battista, dean of the College of Cardinals.

Rahmon, who met Francis last year at the Vatican, said the pontiff had promoted dialogue, peace and stability. Tajikistan’s leader said he recalled the pope’s “continuous efforts to strengthen and expand the good relations between Tajikistan and the Holy See.”

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan said Francis had made “a worthy contribution to the development of relations between Uzbekistan and the Vatican, strengthening interfaith and interfaith friendship, supporting people in need around the world, and widely promoting noble ideas.”

Mirziyoyev’s message was posted on Telegram by Sherzod Asadov, Uzbekistan’s presidential press secretary. President Sadyr Japarov of Kyrgyzstan, who met the pope in the Vatican last year, has also expressed condolences.

Tokayev offered his condolences through his X account (formerly Twitter): “I express my deepest condolences on the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis. [The Pontiff] was an extraordinary spiritual leader who spared no effort to promoting the noble ideals of humanism, justice and compassion.”

Kazakhstan will hold a nationwide prayer on Tuesday, according to the state-run Kazinform News Agency. It said the prayer will be broadcast live from the Our Mother of Perpetual Help Cathedral in Astana.

A Legacy of Peace and Dialogue

Pope Francis’ engagement with Central Asia highlighted the region’s growing geopolitical significance in a rapidly changing global order. His efforts emphasized shared responsibilities in building a more peaceful and equitable world—a mission he championed throughout his papacy.

These interactions serve as a powerful reminder that even in today’s fragmented global landscape, communities can transcend divisions to forge partnerships rooted in shared human dignity. Through his outreach, Pope Francis strengthened Central Asia’s connection to the Vatican, showcasing the potential of faith-driven diplomacy in achieving universal peace.

21 Apr 2025

Home, Business & Economy, Kyrgyzstan Business & Economy, Kyrgyzstan Features

Kyrgyz Prime Minister Kasymaliev in Washington for IMF, World Bank Meetings

April 22, 2025
By Anton Chipegin

Kyrgyz Prime Minister Adylbek Kasymaliev has arrived in Washington, D.C. to participate in the Spring Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank Group. During his visit, Kasymaliev is expected to meet with senior World Bank officials to discuss ongoing and future investment projects in Kyrgyzstan.

Following the IMF and World Bank sessions, Kasymaliev is scheduled to hold high-level talks with Anna Bjerde, the World Bank’s Managing Director for Operations, and Antonella Bassani, Vice President for Europe and Central Asia. A key item on the agenda will be the planned construction of the Kambarata-1 Hydropower Plant (HPP) on the Naryn River.

The Kyrgyz government hopes to secure an interest-free loan of $500 million from the World Bank to support the project, which is estimated to cost $3.6 billion in total. Kambarata-1 is seen as a strategic initiative that could make Kyrgyzstan fully self-sufficient in electricity generation.

To date, approximately 4 billion Kyrgyz soms (about $46 million) have been allocated from the state budget for preliminary construction works. These funds are being used to build vital infrastructure including roads, a transportation tunnel, a bridge over the Naryn River, power lines, and temporary housing for workers.

In addition to his meetings with international financial institutions, Kasymaliev will also engage with executives from leading U.S. corporations. These discussions will not only cover the hydropower sector but will also highlight other government-led investment opportunities in Kyrgyzstan across various industries.

The Kyrgyz leadership has intensified efforts to attract foreign partners for its infrastructure and energy projects, as part of a broader strategy to enhance economic independence and modernize the national energy grid.

21 Apr 2025

Home, Uzbekistan, Local Politics, Uzbekistan Local Politics

Ultra-Nationalist Russian Lawmaker Sets Sights on Uzbek Community Leader

April 21, 2025
By Sadokat Jalolova

A senior Russian lawmaker has called on prosecutors to investigate Bahrom Ismailov, the former head of the Uzbek National and Cultural Autonomy Council in Moscow. Leonid Slutsky, leader of the Liberal Democratic Party of Russia (LDPR), said he will formally request an inquiry into Ismailov’s past activities and the process by which he acquired Russian citizenship. An ultra-nationalist, Slutsky has previously led anti-migrant rhetoric, including calls for a “Migrant Code“, and a bill designed to restrict the right of migrant workers to bring their families into the country.

This time, Slutsky’s demand follows an interview in which Ismailov reportedly stated, “Uzbeks want to settle in Russia,” and referred to an ongoing cultural “expansion,” citing the spread of Uzbek teahouses, traditional cuisine, and the presence of large Uzbek families across the country.

Slutsky accused Ismailov, who is ethnically Uzbek and now a Russian citizen, of promoting illegal migration and questioned his loyalty. “He got our citizenship, but his heart seems to be in another country,” Slutsky said. “We will check everything from how he entered Russia and legalized his stay, to how he received his education, built his business, and interacted with the Uzbek diaspora.”

While describing Ismailov’s remarks as naive, Slutsky argued they raise legitimate concerns about unchecked migration and its perception among the Russian public. He also alleged that Ismailov had previously pledged to facilitate the entry of more Uzbek nationals into Russia by assisting with documentation, housing, and access to social benefits.

The comments come amid heightened scrutiny of migration policy in Russia, particularly following recent security incidents and increasing nationalist sentiment. The LDPR has long advocated for stricter controls on migration and closer monitoring of ethnic and cultural organizations. Ismailov has yet to publicly responded to the allegations or the calls for investigation.

21 Apr 2025

Central Asia, Kyrgyzstan, Local Politics, Kyrgyzstan Local Politics

Kyrgyz-Chinese Initiative to Establish Large-Scale Tree Nursery in Bishkek

April 21, 2025
By Sergey Kwan

Chinese partners from the city of Qingdao are working with the Bishkek municipality to establish a major nursery for tree and shrub saplings, aimed at greening the Kyrgyz capital. The initiative is part of a broader environmental restoration effort and represents a significant step toward improving the city’s ecological conditions.

Over the weekend, Bishkek Mayor Aibek Junushaliyev visited the site of the future nursery, where more than 12,300 tree saplings and 9,000 shrubs have already been experimentally planted across five hectares. According to city officials, the total area of the nursery is expected to eventually span approximately 100 hectares.

Initial cultivation efforts have focused on tall deciduous tree species, including Norway maple, Chinese acacia, linden, poplar, and beech. Once mature, these saplings will be planted throughout Bishkek to help restore its long-lost greenery.

Historically one of the greenest cities in the former Soviet Union, Bishkek has lost much of its tree cover over the past three decades, largely due to rapid construction in and around the city center. Environmental experts have advised local authorities to shift away from the prevalent use of coniferous trees and instead prioritize tall, shade-giving deciduous trees that also offer better noise absorption.

The new nursery is expected to play a crucial role in reversing urban deforestation and improving air quality in Bishkek. It also supports Kyrgyzstan’s nationwide “Jashyl Muras” (Green Heritage) campaign, launched in March 2022 by President Sadyr Japarov. The initiative aims to plant 5-6 million saplings annually across the country.

In 2024, the Ministry of Natural Resources, Ecology and Technical Supervision reported that more than 8.1 million saplings were planted nationwide under the program.

21 Apr 2025

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

Kazakhstan’s Institute of Nuclear Physics Launches Advances in Nuclear Science and Applications Journal

April 21, 2025
By Sergey Kwan

Kazakhstan’s Institute of Nuclear Physics has officially launched a new international scientific journal, Advances in Nuclear Science and Applications. The presentation of the first issue took place at the Institute’s headquarters and marks a significant step in the country’s efforts to promote nuclear research and academic exchange on a global scale.

According to the Ministry of Science and Higher Education, the journal is designed as a high-level international platform that integrates both fundamental and applied research in nuclear science and technology. It aims to foster open knowledge exchange and collaboration across borders.

The inaugural issue, published in March 2025, features six peer-reviewed articles covering current topics in nuclear science. The journal will be published quarterly in English, in March, June, September, and December, and will follow international academic publishing standards.

All submitted articles undergo a rigorous double-blind peer review process, and the journal is fully open access via its official website. The publication is also seeking inclusion in major global scientific databases such as Scopus and Web of Science.

The editorial board consists of more than ten recognized experts from eight countries: Russia, Italy, Japan, the United States, Turkey, Poland, Romania, and Kazakhstan, reflecting the journal’s international scope and ambitions.

Sayabek Sakhiev, Director General of the Institute of Nuclear Physics, emphasized the significance of the launch: “We have been working towards creating the journal for more than a year. This is the result of serious and purposeful work. Today we have big plans and high expectations. We strictly follow international standards and are confident that Advances in Nuclear Science and Applications will take its rightful place in world science.”

The journal’s Editor-in-Chief, Prof. Mikhail Itkis, has also extended an invitation to early-career scientists, encouraging young researchers to submit their work for publication in upcoming issues.

21 Apr 2025

Central Asia, Life & Culture, Kazakhstan Life & Culture, Kazakhstan, Kazakhstan Featurees

Half of Marriages in Kazakhstan End in Divorce; Deputies Propose State Alimony Fund

April 21, 2025
By Dmitry Pokidaev

Nearly half of all marriages in Kazakhstan ended in divorce by the close of 2024, prompting renewed calls for the establishment of a state-backed alimony fund. Justice Minister Yerlan Sarsembayev addressed the issue during a recent speech to members of Parliament, citing the breakdown of family values and widespread failure to support children as key social concerns.

“Unwillingness to support their children and evasion from paying alimony are consequences of the crisis in family and marital relations,” Sarsembayev said. “The values that were once inherent to our people are being lost, unfortunately. As a result, families suffer and, above all, the children.”

As of early 2024, Kazakhstan recorded over 283,000 enforcement orders related to child support payments, with around 12,000 cases, roughly 4%, categorized as problematic. The main obstacles to enforcement, according to Sarsembayev, include lack of stable income, absence of property, and in some cases, the deliberate concealment of earnings by one parent.

To address the issue, the state has attempted to find employment for debtors without permanent income. However, more severe measures have also been implemented: in 2024, 4,642 individuals were held administratively liable, while 461 cases were brought to court under Article 139 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Of these, 391 resulted in convictions.

“Nevertheless, we believe that these punitive measures alone cannot fully resolve the issue of non-payment,” Sarsembayev added. “If a person does not understand the value of family and responsibility toward their children, no punishment will help.”

Proposal for a State Alimony Fund

During the same government session, Mazhilis deputy Magerram Magerramov once again proposed the creation of a state alimony fund to address chronic payment failures. The country’s total child support arrears now exceed 16 billion tenge (approximately $30.5 million), and the amount continues to grow.

Magerramov’s proposal has been floated before but failed to gain traction. The Ministry of Justice previously objected to the idea, citing concerns about the financial burden on the state and the risk of encouraging dependency.

“This idea has not been supported in the past because it would place a strain on the national budget,” Sarsembayev explained. “Moreover, establishing such a fund could promote a sense of dependency among those obliged to pay alimony, who might assume the state will cover their obligations.”

As The Times of Central Asia previously reported, a survey conducted last year revealed that 78% of young Kazakhs believe in the importance of officially registering a marriage, a statistic that reflects a continuing societal emphasis on formal family structures despite rising divorce rates.