Page 491 – The Times Of Central Asia

19 Nov 2024

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

Caspian Sea Water Decline Requires Urgent Action, Says UNEP Chief

November 19, 2024
By Sergey Kwan

By the end of this century, the water levels of the Caspian Sea could drop by up to 18 meters, a decline that would devastate ecosystems and species, threaten livelihoods, and jeopardize food security and regional stability. Inger Andersen, Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), highlighted this concern during the event, “Caspian Sea Water Decline in Light of Climate Change” at COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, on November 18.

According to Andersen, the Caspian Sea, the largest enclosed body of water on Earth, “is under siege from the triple planetary crisis: the crisis of climate change, the crisis of nature, land and biodiversity loss, and the crisis of pollution and waste.” Andersen warned that without urgent action, this environmental and human crisis may result in as many as five million people being displaced from the Caspian basin by the middle of the century.

Inger Andersun; image: UNEP

The UNEP chief mentioned the impacts of the Caspian crisis: declining fisheries, salinization threatening agriculture, and the critically endangered Caspian seal — a species found nowhere else on Earth — facing extinction. Andersen emphasized the critical importance of the Tehran Convention — “the cornerstone for regional cooperation on the Caspian Sea.” The Framework Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Caspian Sea (Tehran Convention) was signed by the five Caspian littoral states — Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Russia, and Turkmenistan — in 2003 and entered into force in August 2006 after being ratified by all five governments.

Aktau, Kazakhstan; image: TCA, Ola Fiedorczuk

The Tehran Convention “provides a platform to align our efforts, to unite science and policy, and to prioritize sustainable development across this unique region. As the interim Secretariat of the Tehran Convention, UNEP is proud to support these vital efforts and remains firm in its commitment to providing technical expertise, fostering collaboration, and supporting innovative financing mechanisms to address this urgent challenge,” said Andersen, emphasizing that robust monitoring and predictive models are essential to understanding and managing the drivers of Caspian water level changes.

“Science must inform every decision we take, whether on climate adaptation, biodiversity protection or pollution control,” Andersen stated, calling for regional cooperation to be strengthened. “The challenges the Caspian faces transcend borders. Solutions must do the same. Through trans-boundary collaboration, we can craft integrated solutions that safeguard ecosystems, support livelihoods, and promote equitable economic growth,” she stated.

The Times of Central Asia earlier reported that the abundant floodwater in April-May 2024 raised Kazakhstan’s Caspian Sea water level by over a meter. On July 1, Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation announced that the water level in the northeastern part of the Caspian Sea had risen by 119 cm since the beginning of 2024.

The COP29 summit has been widely criticized for its “theatrics,” “slow progress,” and handing out the “red carpet” treatment to fossil fuel bosses.

19 Nov 2024

healthcare, Central Asia, Life & Culture, Kyrgyzstan Life & Culture, Kyrgyzstan International Affairs, Local Politics, Kyrgyzstan, Kyrgyzstan Local Politics, Kyrgyzstan Features

Unified Digital Health System to Transform Kyrgyzstan’s Healthcare

November 19, 2024
By Anton Chipegin

The United Nations Office in Kyrgyzstan, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, has launched a program to create a unified digital health system in the country.

The Ministry of Health stated that the digitization initiative aims to harmonize Kyrgyzstan’s healthcare system. By providing easier access to medical information, the program is expected to expedite the delivery of medical services, even to the most remote and underserved communities. As part of this effort, specialists will enhance government e-services and telemedicine.

According to the UN, the project will require an investment of over $4 million, and is scheduled to run until 2027. “One of the key features of the program is to improve the digital health profile, giving citizens access to information about their health,” the Ministry of Health noted in a press release.

The authorities plan to integrate a unified registry of citizen vaccinations, which currently holds approximately 3 million records, with a national electronic medical records platform.

The program will also focus on supporting vulnerable groups. For example:
• 120,000 people will receive digital disability certificates; and
• 280,000 people will gain access to digital sick leave documentation, reducing hospital queues and making medical services faster and more convenient.

Telemedicine will be expanded to 10 districts, offering medical consultations to more than 700,000 children under the age of 14.

Additionally, 60 healthcare facilities will provide specialized care to 140,000 mothers and newborns, all connected to the unified electronic health records (EHR) platform.

“This digital health initiative is an important step forward for Kyrgyzstan. By improving access to important medical information, we can make healthcare more efficient and improve outcomes for all,” said Bakyt Dzhangaziev, Deputy Minister for Digital Development of Kyrgyzstan.

UN Resident Coordinator in Kyrgyzstan Antje Grave added: “Digital technologies are transforming our world, opening up new opportunities. It is necessary to bridge the digital divide between countries, promote the goals of sustainable development, and ensure that no one is left behind.”

The program is being implemented with support from international organizations, including the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, the UN Population Fund, and the UN Development Programme (UNDP).

19 Nov 2024

Central Asia, Kazakhstan International Affairs, Kazakhstan, Business & Economy, Kazakhstan Business & Economy

EDB Conference in Almaty to Focus on Sustainable Development in Central Asia

November 19, 2024
By Sergey Kwan

The Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) will host its annual conference, titled “Promoting Sustainable Development in Central Asia,” on December 6 in Almaty, Kazakhstan.

The EDB, an international financial institution focused on fostering economic cooperation and development across Eurasia, counts Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, and Tajikistan among its member countries. Kazakhstan alone accounts for nearly 60% of the Bank’s investment portfolio, reflecting its pivotal role in regional development efforts.

The conference will focus on the EDB’s most pressing priorities for 2024, including the urgent need for sustainable and rapid economic growth to alleviate poverty in Central Asia. Discussions will address the persistent challenges of transport connectivity, which are particularly acute for the landlocked countries of the region.

Additionally, the event will explore the integrated development of the water, energy, and food nexus, which the EDB views as essential for ensuring the region’s security, peace, and sustainable development.

Participants will also examine trade facilitation, investment strategies, and innovative solutions for infrastructure development. These topics are considered crucial for advancing the region’s economic prospects and improving the quality of life for its citizens.

The conference will host representatives from leading international organizations, including the World Bank, the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) and its Institute, the World Food Programme, and the UN Development Programme. Other participants include the Development Bank of Kazakhstan, the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), and the UN Climate Technology Centre & Network (CTCN), alongside government officials and regional stakeholders.

This annual event is expected to provide a platform for actionable discussions, fostering collaboration among key players and paving the way for sustainable economic development in Central Asia.

19 Nov 2024

Central Asia, International Affairs, Kyrgyzstan, Local Politics, Kyrgyzstan International Affairs, Kyrgyzstan Local Politics, Business & Economy, Kyrgyzstan Business & Economy

Gold Reserves in Kyrgyzstan May Reach Up to 4,000 Tons

November 19, 2024
By Vagit Ismailov

Kyrgyzstan holds over 5,000 deposits of various minerals, including valuable resources such as gold, rare earth elements, uranium, and thorium. This was announced by Deputy Minister of Natural Resources Narynbek Satybaldiev during a briefing.

According to official state data, Kyrgyzstan has just over 1,000 tons of confirmed gold reserves. However, geologists estimate that the country’s total potential exceeds 4,000 tons. Many deposits are complex, containing other metals such as antimony, copper, and zinc alongside gold.

Satybaldiev highlighted that the recent lifting of a moratorium on deposit development presents new opportunities for mining gold and other strategically important metals essential for the global economy.

The Kyrgyz government is developing a comprehensive strategy to fully utilize its mineral resources. The plan includes exploration, mining, and processing initiatives, with a particular focus on rare earth metals. These resources are critical for producing high-tech products and advancing green energy technologies.

The implementation of this strategy is expected to boost mining revenues, strengthen Kyrgyzstan’s economic independence, and attract foreign investment.

In June 2024, Kyrgyzstan lifted a ban on developing uranium and thorium deposits, a restriction that had been in place since 2019. The decision reflects the government’s aim to balance environmental safety with the need to harness strategically important resources for economic growth.

The policy change is expected to attract investment, create jobs, and increase revenues from mineral exports.

19 Nov 2024

Central Asia, Tajikistan Justice, Tajikistan Life & Culture, Home, Justice, Tajikistan Local Politics, Tajikistan, Local Politics, Tajikistan Features, Tajikistan Home, Features

Tajik MMA Fighter Chorshanbiev, Imprisoned For Criticizing Authorities, Faces New Charges

November 19, 2024
By Vagit Ismailov

In Tajikistan, the well known MMA fighter and prominent blogger Chorshanbe Chorshanbiev, already serving an 8.5-year prison sentence, has been handed an additional four years on new charges. Journalist Anora Sarkorova reported the development on November 18, which was later confirmed by sources at Radio Ozodi.

Chorshanbiev, known for criticizing Tajik authorities in the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region while residing in Russia, was deported to Tajikistan in December 2021. By May 2022, he was convicted of “public calls for violent change of the constitutional order” and sentenced to 8.5 years in prison. Details of the additional sentence remain unclear, but it is speculated to be related to either violations of prison regulations or involvement in a fight. Recently, Chorshanbiev was transferred from a penal colony in Khujand to a pre-trial detention center in Dushanbe.

Chorshanbiev’s legal troubles began in December 2021 when he was deported from Russia for traffic violations. Upon his arrival in Dushanbe, he was arrested, and the Tajik prosecutor’s office initiated charges against him, alleging incitement of social and national discord and calls to overthrow the state system. However, during the investigation, the first charge was dropped.

His trial garnered significant public attention. Prominent athletes in Russia voiced their support for him, and his defense team argued that the case rested on a single piece of evidence: a video recorded in November 2021. In the video, Chorshanbiev commented on violent clashes in Khorog, during which three people were killed and dozens injured. The prosecution claimed his statements amounted to incitement of protests against the government.

A political scientist’s analysis, presented during the trial, characterized Chorshanbiev’s remarks as a call for rebellion. However, his lawyers contested this interpretation and requested a re-evaluation of the video. In court, Chorshanbiev maintained that he had no intention of destabilizing the country.

Despite the divided expert opinion, Chorshanbiev was convicted, and his case continues to provoke debate.

19 Nov 2024

Central Asia, Justice, Uzbekistan, International Affairs, Local Politics, Uzbekistan Justice, Uzbekistan International Affairs, Uzbekistan Local Politics

Uzbekistan Enacts Law on “Undesirable” Foreigners

November 19, 2024
By Sadokat Jalolova

On November 15 a new law regulating foreign citizens deemed “undesirable” came into effect in Uzbekistan. The government claims that the strict measures, previously reported on by The Times of Central Asia in June, are aimed at safeguarding the country’s “sovereignty, security, and unity”.

The legislative process began on June 25 when Uzbekistan’s Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis (parliament) approved amendments to the law on the legal status of foreign citizens and stateless persons. These amendments introduced the concept of “undesirable elements” among foreign nationals. The Senate subsequently approved the legislation on September 21, paving the way for its implementation.

Under the new law, foreign citizens and stateless persons can be classified as undesirable if they can be said to:
• Threaten Uzbekistan’s sovereignty, security, or unity;
• Incite enmity or hostility; or
• Disrespect the honor, dignity, or history of the Uzbek people.

Those designated as undesirable face a five-year ban on entering Uzbekistan, opening bank accounts, purchasing property, participating in privatizations, or engaging in financial and contractual transactions. They are, however, permitted to sell or transfer any property they own within the country.

If the grounds for being deemed undesirable are not addressed during the five-year ban, the restriction is automatically extended for another five years. Conversely, individuals may apply for early removal from the list if they resolve the identified issues or if the government recommends their delisting.

Individuals deemed undesirable must leave Uzbekistan voluntarily within 10 days of receiving notification. Failure to comply will result in forcible deportation.