Page 457 – The Times Of Central Asia

12 Dec 2024

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

U.S. Ambassador to Kazakhstan Daniel Rosenblum Resigns

December 12, 2024
By Vagit Ismailov

U.S. Ambassador to Kazakhstan Daniel Rosenblum has announced his resignation, effective January 20, 2025. His departure coincides with similar resignations by U.S. Ambassadors Philip Goldberg in South Korea and Mark Libby in Azerbaijan, all stepping down from diplomatic service. The timing of these resignations has sparked speculation, as it aligns with the start of a new presidential term for Donald Trump.

End of a Distinguished Career

Rosenblum informed the Kazakh government of his decision on November 26, concluding a nearly 28-year career with the U.S. State Department. He has served as Chief of Mission in Kazakhstan since November 2022, representing the United States through five presidential administrations and eight secretaries of state.

“It has been a tremendous honor to serve as U.S. Ambassador to Kazakhstan. I have developed a deep respect for the country’s culture, traditions, and people,” Rosenblum said.

Under his tenure, bilateral relations flourished, with progress in trade, investment, cultural exchange, university partnerships, and security cooperation. Rosenblum also emphasized his admiration for Kazakhstan’s family-oriented values and expressed optimism about its future:

“Kazakhstan’s future is bright, and its opportunities are virtually limitless because the country is built on strong family traditions,” he remarked.

While Rosenblum plans to retire from the State Department, he expressed a desire to return to Central Asia, possibly as a tourist or in another capacity.

Transition at the U.S. Embassy

Deputy Chief of Mission Deborah Robinson will serve as Chargé d’Affaires until a new ambassador is appointed and confirmed. The U.S. Consul General in Almaty, Michelle Erkin, will also continue her work. Rosenblum’s predecessor, William Moser, ended his term in September 2021, preceding Rosenblum’s appointment in late 2022.

Resignations in South Korea and Azerbaijan

Rosenblum’s resignation coincides with similar announcements by Philip Goldberg, U.S. Ambassador to South Korea, and Mark Libby, U.S. Ambassador to Azerbaijan. Goldberg, who has served in diplomatic roles for nearly 35 years, plans to step down in January 2025. His tenure in South Korea began in July 2022, during the administration of President Yoon Suk-Yeol, and was marked by efforts to strengthen the U.S.-Korea alliance and enhance trilateral cooperation with Japan.

Mark Libby’s resignation reflects similar timing, with discussions focusing on the alignment of these departures with the return of Donald Trump to the U.S. presidency.

A Broader Diplomatic Crisis?

These resignations occur against the backdrop of challenges in the U.S. diplomatic service, highlighted in a report by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. The report detailed staffing issues during Trump’s first term, with several key State Department positions either unfilled or held by interim appointees.

The conclusion of Rosenblum’s distinguished career marks the end of a productive chapter in U.S.-Kazakh relations, leaving his successor with the task of continuing to foster this important bilateral partnership.

11 Dec 2024

Central Asia, Kazakhstan Local Politics, Business & Economy, Kazakhstan, Kazakhstan Business & Economy

Kazakhstan Faces Doubling of Construction Industry Labor Shortage by 2030

February 4, 2025
By Dmitry Pokidaev

Kazakhstan’s construction sector is grappling with a significant labor shortage, with approximately 111,000 positions currently unfilled. Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov warned at a recent government meeting that this figure is expected to double by 2030, forecasting a deficit of over 200,000 skilled workers in the industry.

Bektenov highlighted that the most affected roles include plasterers, painters, welders, masons, and concrete workers – essential positions for the sector’s operations.

While the construction industry ranks third among sectors facing workforce shortages, it holds a critical place in Kazakhstan’s economy. According to government forecasts, education leads in expected vacancies, with 331,000 unfilled positions projected by 2030, followed by trade at 228,000. Despite ranking behind these sectors in terms of unmet demand, construction contributes the most to Kazakhstan’s GDP among the three, accounting for 5.6% of the country’s total economic output, according to the Ministry of Industry and Construction.

This looming shortage poses challenges to sustaining growth in a sector vital to the nation’s development and economic stability.

11 Dec 2024

Central Asia, Environment, Tajikistan Life & Culture, Tajikistan, Tajikistan Environment

Endangered Great Bustard Named Tajikistan’s Bird of the Year

December 11, 2024
By Vagit Ismailov

The great bustard, also known as the red-breasted bustard, has been named the bird of the year for 2025 in Tajikistan. The decision, announced on December 11, followed a vote by the National Academy of Sciences.

The rare bird, locally called dugdogi zebo, is listed in both the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List and the Red Book of Tajikistan, signifying its endangered status.

Since 2007, Tajikistan has annually designated a bird of the year to raise awareness about avian conservation. Previous honorees include an owl, corncrake, pheasant, paradise flycatcher, Tibetan eagle, peregrine falcon, white stork, and oriole. The common turtle dove has held the title this year.

The great bustard resides in Tajikistan as both a breeding and migratory species. Experts estimate that only 23 breeding pairs inhabit the country, though the population temporarily rises to 50-60 individuals during migration periods. Slightly larger than a domestic hen, male great bustards have a body length of 65-75 cm and weigh between 1.8 and 3.2 kg, significantly smaller than the common bustard, which can weigh up to 15 kg.

Omnivorous by nature, the bird’s diet includes fruits, seeds, leaves, flowers, locusts, beetles, and small reptiles. Known for their cautious behavior, great bustards avoid human contact and prefer to hide or flee when threatened. Their average lifespan in the wild is approximately 20 years.

Globally, the International Bustard Conservation Foundation, supported by the UAE government, leads efforts to protect the species. To date, the foundation has bred over 480,000 bustards in captivity and released 285,000 into the wild.

In Kazakhstan, the foundation releases great bustards into the wild while simultaneously issuing hunting licenses for $1,280 per bird, catering to Arab hunters. Uzbekistan hosts an Emirati conservation center in the Kyzylkum Desert, dedicated to breeding and protecting the species, as well as releasing them into their natural habitat.

Despite these international initiatives, Tajikistan has yet to leverage Arab funding or hunting tourism to support conservation efforts. Utilizing such resources could bolster the great bustard population while generating additional economic benefits.

11 Dec 2024

Central Asia, Justice, Uzbekistan, Uzbekistan Justice, Uzbekistan International Affairs

Uzbek Government Files Criminal Case Against Citizen Over Jihadi Activities in Syria

December 13, 2024
By Sadokat Jalolova

The Uzbek Ministry of Internal Affairs has instigated a criminal case against Khudoyor Nuriddinov, also known as Abu Walid, who is accused of being a member of an international terrorist organization. The announcement was made via the ministry’s press service.

Born in 1994 in the Rishtan district of Ferghana, Nuriddinov faces multiple charges under Uzbekistan’s Criminal Code, including:

Article 155-2: Training or travel for the purpose of terrorist activities,
Article 159: Undermining the constitutional order of Uzbekistan,
Article 223: Illegal travel abroad or entry into Uzbekistan,
Article 244-2: Creation, management, or participation in extremist, separatist, or banned organizations.

According to the authorities, Nuriddinov left for Russia in 2016 as a labor migrant, where he became influenced by international terrorist ideologies. He later traveled to Idlib, Syria, where he engaged in propaganda activities. The Uzbek authorities report that his actions led to the deaths of several Uzbek citizens who were recruited and killed in fighting in Syria.

Nuriddinov continues to promote jihad through social networks and YouTube, giving a religious pretext for his activities. His accounts and pages are banned in Uzbekistan, and those found storing, distributing, or transporting his content face legal action.

11 Dec 2024

Central Asia, Kyrgyzstan, Business & Economy, Kyrgyzstan Business & Economy, Kyrgyzstan Features, Kyrgyzstan Home

World Bank Chief Economist Owes a Bottle of Wine to Kyrgyzstan’s Cabinet Chief

December 11, 2024
By Anton Chipegin

During a conversation with Hugh Riddell, head of the World Bank’s office in Kyrgyzstan, Akylbek Japarov, Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers, shared an anecdote about a wager made with the World Bank’s chief economist.

“In 2022, at a World Bank session in Washington, your chief economist and I bet that Kyrgyzstan’s economic growth over the next 3-4 years would remain stable and exceed 7%. He doubted this was possible and was ready to wager a bottle of fine wine,” Japarov recounted at a recent event focused on Kyrgyzstan’s development.

Japarov highlighted the latest economic figures to underscore his point: GDP growth for the first 11 months of 2024 stands at an impressive 9%. Confident in his position, Japarov announced his intention to claim his winnings.

The anecdote reflects broader optimism about Kyrgyzstan’s trajectory. According to data presented by World Bank experts during discussions with the presidential administration, 89% of Kyrgyz citizens believe the country is moving in the right direction regarding political, social, and economic reforms.

The World Bank is actively monitoring socio-economic trends in Kyrgyzstan through its “Listening to the Kyrgyz Republic” project. This initiative conducts monthly panel surveys of 1,500 households across all regions, using telephone interviews to track citizens’ well-being and gather insights into national development trends.

11 Dec 2024

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

Uzbekistan Proposes 10-Year Extension of Duty Free Export Benefits to the EU

December 11, 2024
By Sadokat Jalolova

On December 4-5, Uzbekistan participated for the first time in the meeting of the General Scheme of Preferences (GSP+) working group of the European Union in Brussels. The meeting included representatives from 28 EU member states and Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Investment, Industry, and Trade (MIIT).

Uzbekistan’s delegation highlighted the progress made since becoming a GSP+ beneficiary in 2021. During this time, the country’s exports to the EU nearly tripled, reaching $1.15 billion. Of the 6,200 products eligible for duty-free export, approximately 1,100 – primarily agricultural, textile, and chemical goods – are exported regularly.

To further enhance market stability and competitiveness, the delegation proposed adding new fruits and vegetables to the list of preferred goods and revising seasonal export quotas. They also recommended extending the GSP+ preferential trade regime for an additional ten years to foster long-term economic ties with the EU.

During the visit, Uzbek representatives held talks with European Commission officials to improve access to Uzbek products, adjust quotas for rolling metals, and secure technical assistance to align with EU standards. These discussions mark a significant step in expanding trade and economic cooperation under the GSP+ framework.