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Uranium Purification Plant to be Rebuilt in Kyrgyzstan

The authorities in Kyrgyzstan will spend 1.6 billion som ($18m) to pay the Kara-Balta Mining Combine’s tax debts. In addition, the enterprise’s specialists will be paid wages they have yet to received in years.

Earlier, Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov instructed the government to take measures to preserve jobs and assets. He also demanded that all the plant’s facilities be restored for fully-fledged work with uranium.

“Thus, the enterprise has created favorable conditions for sustainable work, and most importantly all unique specialists have been preserved,” the General Director of the Karabalta Mining Company LLC, Kubanychbek Risbaev stated.

The Kara-Balta Mining Combine was built in 1955 and was one of the largest uranium processors for the nuclear industry of the USSR. In the 1990s, the plant was privatized and sold to a foreign company. Unsuccessful management by the new investors led to a sharp decline in production, and in 2016, the mill suspended its uranium operations and was declared bankrupt in 2022.

In 1998, Combine’s laboratory was accredited by the UKAS service and was tested by the London Precious Metals Association a year later. Since then, Kyrgyzstan has officially become a trading participant at the London Metal Exchange. The ongoing modernization work includes the launching of additional facilities, and the introduction of new technologies and modern equipment.

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Times of Central Asia

Askar Alimzhanov graduated from the journalism department of the Kazakh State University named after S. Kirov, then worked as a correspondent for the daily republican newspaper Leninskaya Smen. He then moved to the United States to be a reporter for the daily newspaper "Cape Cod Times" in Hayanis, Massachusetts, (USA) under the journalist exchange program between the Union of Journalists of the USSR and the New England Society of News Editors. Since then, he has helped build transparency and understanding of Central Asia region in various executive level positions at esteemed media organizations including "Akbar"(Alma-Ata) international center for journalism, the Khabar News agency, the Television and Radio Corporation "Kazakhstan" JSC, and MIR- Kazakhstan.

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Virtual Academy on Countering Corruption to Start Work in Uzbekistan

On January 1, 2025, Uzbekistan will launch the Virtual Academy on Combating Corruption. This electronic platform aims to continuously improve the knowledge of both civil servants and the public about fighting corruption. According to the press service of the Anti-Corruption Agency, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has signed a decree to this effect.

The decree outlines priority areas for continuously enhancing knowledge about combating corruption. These priorities include raising legal awareness and culture, fostering societal resistance to corruption, and instilling values of integrity in the younger generation. In addition, it aims to improve the knowledge, skills, and qualifications of employees responsible for combating corruption, and those in civil service positions that are most exposed to risks associated with corruption.

The system also includes assessing and certifying civil servants’ anti-corruption knowledge and maintaining a register of those who have received certification. The Anti-Corruption Agency and the Law Enforcement Academy will organize and conduct training activities in the virtual academy.

In addition to civil servants, the virtual academy is open to business entities, representatives of non-governmental, non-profit organizations, and other civil society institutions, students of educational organizations, and employees of enterprises with state participation. Training is organized into introductory and special courses. Basic courses will be free for all users, and advanced training in special classes will be on a paid contract basis.

Training will be mandatory for civil servants, who will have to take the course within three months of being hired. The periodicity of civil servants’ professional development will be at least once every three years. For other categories, training will be voluntary.

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Times of Central Asia

Askar Alimzhanov graduated from the journalism department of the Kazakh State University named after S. Kirov, then worked as a correspondent for the daily republican newspaper Leninskaya Smen. He then moved to the United States to be a reporter for the daily newspaper "Cape Cod Times" in Hayanis, Massachusetts, (USA) under the journalist exchange program between the Union of Journalists of the USSR and the New England Society of News Editors. Since then, he has helped build transparency and understanding of Central Asia region in various executive level positions at esteemed media organizations including "Akbar"(Alma-Ata) international center for journalism, the Khabar News agency, the Television and Radio Corporation "Kazakhstan" JSC, and MIR- Kazakhstan.

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Turkmenistan Province Bans Child Labor in Cotton Harvesting

The Chronicle of Turkmenistan reported that on 3 June, the governor of Lebap Province called a meeting with heads of agricultural associations of etraps – administrative-territorial units – to discuss issues regarding the production of cotton and in particular, the growing employment of children in harvesting.

In order to halt this worrying trend, he warned, “If children are seen in the fields, the heads of the agricultural associations will be held responsible and as such, should advise parents of the inadmissibility of child labor.”

He also recommended that families of tenants on neighboring plots form brigades and cooperate in agro-technical activities on each other’s plots.

In addition, heads of the associations were promised that if their tenants bought fertilizers at their own expense and provided receipts, the agricultural enterprise would provide compensation when paying for the harvest.

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Times of Central Asia

Askar Alimzhanov graduated from the journalism department of the Kazakh State University named after S. Kirov, then worked as a correspondent for the daily republican newspaper Leninskaya Smen. He then moved to the United States to be a reporter for the daily newspaper "Cape Cod Times" in Hayanis, Massachusetts, (USA) under the journalist exchange program between the Union of Journalists of the USSR and the New England Society of News Editors. Since then, he has helped build transparency and understanding of Central Asia region in various executive level positions at esteemed media organizations including "Akbar"(Alma-Ata) international center for journalism, the Khabar News agency, the Television and Radio Corporation "Kazakhstan" JSC, and MIR- Kazakhstan.

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Prominent Political Figure Akbarsho Iskandarov Detained in Tajikistan

The former Chairman of the Supreme Soviet of Tajikistan, Akbarsho Iskandarov, has been detained in Dushanbe. During the wave of conflicts in the early 1990s, he took over as the Chairman of Parliament and served as Tajikistan’s acting president. In recent years, he worked at the Institute of Philosophy, Political Science, and Law of the Academy of Sciences. Prior to this, for many years he served as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Tajikistan to Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, and Mongolia.

The General Prosecutor’s Office summoned Akbarsho Iskandarov for questioning on June 13 and 14, following which they did not release him. The reason he was interviewed and the grounds on which he has been detained are unknown.

“Investigators of the General Prosecutor’s Office questioned about 50 people during these days and released them on their recognizance, while Akbarsho Iskandarov was not released,” a source stated.

Officials and relatives of Akbarsho Iskandarov have refused to comment.

Iskandarov was detained after MP Saidjafar Usmonzoda and former Foreign Minister Hamrokhon Zarifi were also held in custody. It is not known whether these detentions are related.

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Times of Central Asia

Askar Alimzhanov graduated from the journalism department of the Kazakh State University named after S. Kirov, then worked as a correspondent for the daily republican newspaper Leninskaya Smen. He then moved to the United States to be a reporter for the daily newspaper "Cape Cod Times" in Hayanis, Massachusetts, (USA) under the journalist exchange program between the Union of Journalists of the USSR and the New England Society of News Editors. Since then, he has helped build transparency and understanding of Central Asia region in various executive level positions at esteemed media organizations including "Akbar"(Alma-Ata) international center for journalism, the Khabar News agency, the Television and Radio Corporation "Kazakhstan" JSC, and MIR- Kazakhstan.

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photo: UNDP Kazakhstan/ Roman Kopanev

UNDP and Samruk Kazyna Support Socially Vulnerable Young People in Kazakhstan 

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Kazakhstan and Kazakhstan’s National Welfare Fund Samruk-Kazyna JSC have signed a non-financial statement of intent on cooperation to support socially vulnerable young people in the regions of Kazakhstan.

According to a report issued by UNDP Kazakhstan, the agreement will also promote responsible business practices addressing potential human rights violation risks, and introduce principles of gender equality to overcome gender discrimination in companies associated with the Samruk-Kazyna Fund.

Gibrat Auganov, Managing Director for Corporate Governance, Social and Labour Relations and Occupational Health and Safety of Samruk-Kazyna JSC, commented: “As part of our cooperation with the UNDP, we are launching an internship programme at our companies to support socially disadvantaged young people from the various regions of Kazakhstan. We are also planning a number of initiatives in the field of human resources and social policy – based on global standards of gender equality and human rights protection.”

Over 300 young people from the Mangystau and Kyzylorda regions are expected to complete internships at Samruk-Kazyna companies this year.

The joint internship programme is a key component of the UNDP regional initiative “Strengthening Community Resilience to Prevent Violent Extremism in Central Asia,” funded by the government of Japan.

As part of the partnership, UNDP will also provide technical support to Samruk-Kazyna JSC to conduct a gender assessment of the holding’s activities, develop an action plan and provide training on human rights due diligence and gender equality.

“This partnership has three main objectives that reflect our shared desire to create a more just, responsible and inclusive future,” said Sukhrob Khojimatov, UNDP Deputy Representative in Kazakhstan. “Implementing human rights standards and gender equality strategies brings tangible economic benefits. This helps businesses attract and retain talented employees, encourages innovation, improves financial performance and enhances their reputation among consumers and investors.”

 

Times of Central Asia

Times of Central Asia

Laura Hamilton MA, is the former Director of the Collins Gallery at the University of Strathclyde. She first visited Kyrgyzstan in 2011 to research and curate a major exhibition of contemporary textiles and fashion. Since 2012, she has worked as an editor on over thirty translations of Central Asian novels and collections of short stories. In more recent years, her work has focused on editing translations of Kyrgyzstan's great epics -'Ak Moor', Saiykal', Janysh Baiysh', 'Oljobai and Kishimjan', 'Dariyka', 'Semetey' and 'Er Toshtuk' for The Institute of Kyrgyz Language and Literature, and the Kyrgyz-Turkish Manas University.

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Kyrgyzstan to Build New Checkpoint on Border with China

A bill regarding ratification of the intergovernmental agreement to open a new checkpoint named “Bedel” on the border with China was submitted to the Jogorku Kenesh (Parliament) by the Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan. This move is aimed at facilitating border crossings, enhancing trade relations, and improving bilateral cooperation between Kyrgyzstan and China. Establishing the Bedel checkpoint is expected to streamline customs processes and boost economic activity in the region.

The authorities in the Kyrgyz Republic have claimed the new checkpoint will reduce the delivery time of goods from the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region in China as compared to the current Kashgar—Torugart—Naryn—Bishkek transportation corridor. It is also assumed that trade turnover with China will increase exponentially.

According to reports, Kyrgyzstan plans to allocate approximately 77.9 million som ($896,000) from the state budget towards the creation of the checkpoint.

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Times of Central Asia

Askar Alimzhanov graduated from the journalism department of the Kazakh State University named after S. Kirov, then worked as a correspondent for the daily republican newspaper Leninskaya Smen. He then moved to the United States to be a reporter for the daily newspaper "Cape Cod Times" in Hayanis, Massachusetts, (USA) under the journalist exchange program between the Union of Journalists of the USSR and the New England Society of News Editors. Since then, he has helped build transparency and understanding of Central Asia region in various executive level positions at esteemed media organizations including "Akbar"(Alma-Ata) international center for journalism, the Khabar News agency, the Television and Radio Corporation "Kazakhstan" JSC, and MIR- Kazakhstan.

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