Page 71 – The Times Of Central Asia

23 Oct 2025

Home, Environment, Uzbekistan Environment, Uzbekistan, Uzbekistan Features, Features

Beyond Infrastructure: China’s New Environmental Footprint in Central Asia

October 24, 2025
By Yunis Sharifli

Uzbekistan’s economy is expanding at one of the fastest rates in Central Asia, creating new opportunities for businesses and citizens alike. Yet this rapid growth also brings challenges that the country must learn to manage. Among them, one of the most pressing issues is the growing problem of waste management, which has become an unfortunate consequence of economic progress.

Over the past decade, the volume of municipal solid waste in Uzbekistan has increased steadily. It rose from about 6.1 million tons in 2010 to 7 million tons in 2017, and current projections suggest that annual waste generation could reach as high as 16 million tons by 2028.

Currently, the country generates around 14 million tons of waste annually, but only a small portion of this – approximately 5% – is recycled. Landfills now release more than seven million tons of greenhouse gases every year, and more than forty thousand tons of toxic waste seep into the soil, threatening both the environment and public health.

The government of Uzbekistan has recognized the urgency of the issue and placed waste management at the heart of its green development agenda. Alongside the promotion of renewable energy and electric vehicles, the authorities are investing in waste-to-energy projects that can help convert solid waste into electricity. This approach can reduce the amount of waste going to landfills while providing a cleaner source of energy.

China’s Role in Uzbekistan’s Waste-to-Energy Development

To implement these projects, Uzbekistan is actively cooperating with foreign partners who can bring technology, investment, and experience. Among these partners, China has emerged as a leading player. Chinese companies, facing a saturated domestic market, are increasingly looking abroad for new opportunities. Uzbekistan’s ambitious targets in waste management perfectly align with this interest, creating a partnership that benefits both sides.

Several large-scale projects have already been launched. China’s CAMC Engineering is investing about $350 million to build two waste-to-energy plants in the Andijan and Tashkent regions. Another Chinese company, Shanghai SUS Environment, has signed an agreement with Uzbekistan’s Waste Management Agency to develop projects using advanced green technology.

In addition, China Everbright Environment Group has announced the creation of joint ventures with Uzbek partners Maxsus and CR No.17 Second Engineering. These partnerships will result in two new plants in Namangan and Ferghana, each with an estimated cost of $283 million.

Opportunities and Risks

These initiatives promise significant benefits. For China, they open the door to exporting green technologies, generating new revenue, and deepening economic ties in Central Asia. The growing demand for waste-to-energy projects across the region also creates opportunities for China to share its proven technological model, helping partner countries build capacity while integrating more closely into China’s expanding technological ecosystem.

Beyond the economic gains, this cooperation is shaping China’s broader image. Through such environmentally focused projects, Beijing is gradually being seen not only as a builder of physical infrastructure but also as a provider of innovative and sustainable solutions. This transformation strengthens China’s soft power and adds new depth to its Belt and Road cooperation with Central Asian countries.

For Uzbekistan, waste-to-energy projects offer a valuable solution to the country’s growing waste challenge. The projects implemented by China Everbright Environment are expected to process more than one million tons of waste each year. Similarly, Shanghai SUS Environment’s projects in Uzbekistan will handle up to 1,500 tons of waste per day while generating an estimated 240 million kilowatt-hours of electricity annually.

These initiatives not only reduce the burden on landfills but also diversify Uzbekistan’s energy sources. Together with the expansion of renewable energy and the gradual increase in electric vehicle use, waste-to-energy plants can play an important role in strengthening the country’s overall energy resilience.

However, alongside these benefits come a number of potential risks. Waste-to-energy plants are often controversial due to concerns about environmental and health impacts, particularly the emission of pollutants such as dioxins and furans. If such projects are carried out with limited environmental oversight, they can cause serious harm to public health and the surrounding ecosystem.

There is also a risk that Chinese companies, driven by the goal of reducing costs, may implement less stringent standards. Such an approach could undermine the environmental credibility of these projects and raise public concerns about China’s growing economic footprint in Uzbekistan. In the long term, this could weaken the positive image that Beijing seeks to project through its cooperation in green development.

Navigating Opportunity and Responsibility

Uzbekistan’s growing engagement with Chinese companies in the waste-to-energy sector reflects both opportunity and caution. On one hand, these projects offer practical solutions to one of the country’s most pressing environmental challenges while contributing to energy diversification and green development. On the other hand, the success of this partnership will depend on ensuring that environmental and safety standards remain uncompromised. By prioritizing transparency, sustainability, and long-term public benefit, Uzbekistan can turn its waste problem into a cornerstone of its clean energy transition.

For China, maintaining high environmental standards will be equally crucial, as it can reinforce Beijing’s image as a responsible partner and enhance its soft power in the region. If managed wisely, the cooperation between the two countries can serve as a model for economic growth and environmental responsibility.

23 Oct 2025

Business & Economy, Kazakhstan, Kazakhstan Business & Economy

Kazakhstan to Maintain Grain Exports in 2025 to 2026 Season

October 23, 2025
By Dmitry Pokidaev

Kazakhstan plans to maintain grain exports above 12 million tons in the 2025–2026 marketing season, Deputy Minister of Agriculture Azat Sultanov said at a recent briefing.

Grain exports for the current 2024–2025 season reached a record 13.4 million tons, according to Sultanov. “Taking into account this year’s harvest, we forecast that next year’s exports will not fall below last year’s level, that is, more than 12 million tons,” he said.

To date, 15.6 million hectares, 88.6% of the total planted area, have been harvested, yielding an average of 16.9 centners per hectare and producing 26.6 million tons of grain. This output will fully meet domestic needs for food, fodder, and seeds, while reinforcing Kazakhstan’s position in its traditional export markets.

Wheat has been harvested from 12 million hectares, 99% of the cultivated area, at a yield of 16.5 centners per hectare, resulting in approximately 20 million tons. Barley and oats produced 2.4 million tons, and corn yielded 852,000 tons.

Sultanov also noted that Kazakhstan has re-entered several previously lost markets, including Kyrgyzstan, Azerbaijan, and Armenia, where demand for Kazakh wheat is on the rise. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, Kyrgyzstan has increased its imports of Kazakh wheat eightfold.

Licensed grain receiving enterprises have already received 6.7 million tons from the new harvest, twice the volume recorded at the same time last year.

As part of efforts to diversify crop production, special attention has been given to legumes and oilseeds. This year’s legume harvest reached 1 million tons, and the country expects a record oilseed yield of about 4 million tons, of which 3.3 million tons have already been collected.

Potatoes have been harvested from 99 percent of the planted area, totaling 130,000 hectares and producing 2.9 million tons. Sultanov said this volume should prevent the shortages and price surges experienced earlier this year. The vegetable harvest totaled 3.9 million tons, while melon crops reached 2.6 million tons.

23 Oct 2025

Central Asia, Home, Kazakhstan Local Politics, Local Politics, Kazakhstan, Kazakhstan Home

Explosion of Unknown Drone Reported in Western Kazakhstan

October 23, 2025
By Vagit Ismailov

Debris believed to be from an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) has been discovered in the Burlin district of West Kazakhstan region. Preliminary information indicates that the explosion occurred early in the morning near the village of Kyzyltal.

According to Uralskaya Nedelya, representatives from the district akimat (local government), emergency services, and local police are currently investigating the scene. The military prosecutor’s office has also been dispatched and has opened a criminal case.

“This morning, a drone of unknown origin exploded near Kyzyltal village in the Burlin district. The roofs of houses in the village were nearly blown off,” eyewitnesses told local media.

The incident coincides with an air threat alert declared in Russia’s neighboring Orenburg region, where authorities reported a potential UAV incursion. The “Kover” plan, a protocol enacted during airspace threats, was implemented at the airports in Orenburg and Orsk.

Police in West Kazakhstan confirmed the incident and stated that a full investigation is underway.

“The police department, in cooperation with authorized agencies, is conducting an investigation into the discovery of what appears to be UAV debris in the Burlin district. All circumstances are being reviewed,” the department’s press service said.

Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Defense also responded, noting that no casualties or material damage had been reported.

“In cooperation with relevant state bodies, verification efforts are underway to determine the circumstances and origin of the object. The Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Kazakhstan has implemented additional measures to enhance airspace control and prevent unauthorized aerial border crossings. Consultations are ongoing with foreign partners who may potentially be linked to the UAV,” the ministry said in a statement.

This incident follows a similar discovery on June 19, when suspected UAV fragments were found in the Karakiyan district of the Mangistau region, near the Bolashak border station. As The Times of Central Asia previously reported, in March 2025 there were three drone-related events in West Kazakhstan in one month, raising concerns about airspace security near the country’s border with Russia.

23 Oct 2025

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

Kyrgyzstan Expands Mineral Reserves Amid New Exploration Drive

October 24, 2025
By Sergey Kwan

Kyrgyzstan now boasts over 1,000 deposits of 51 different types of minerals, including precious, base, and rare earth metals, as well as coal and hydrocarbons, according to the Ministry of Natural Resources, Ecology, and Technical Supervision.

Among the most prominent is the Kumtor gold mine, situated at an altitude of 4,000 meters in the Issyk-Kul region. Kumtor ranks among the world’s ten largest gold deposits and remains a cornerstone of the national mining sector.

Approximately 400 deposits across the country are currently under development or active exploration, while operations at around 600 sites have been suspended pending reserve reassessments and upgrades to mining technologies.

The mining sector is considered a strategic priority for Kyrgyzstan’s economy. After years of limited geological activity, the government allocated 1 billion soms in 2024 to Kyrgyzgeology for equipment modernization and intensified exploration of polymetals and rare earth elements.

Between January and September 2025, the industry recorded stable growth in both output and reserves. As of January 1, 2025, Kyrgyzstan’s confirmed reserves included 973 tons of gold, 1,100 tons of silver, and 960,400 tons of copper, along with significant quantities of other minerals.

Recent exploration efforts yielded an additional 5.8 tons of gold, 3.7 tons of silver, and substantial volumes of non-ferrous metals, coal, and construction materials.

In the first nine months of 2025, Kyrgyzstan produced 17 tons of gold, 198,000 tons of oil, 18.9 million cubic meters of gas, and 2.3 million tons of coal.

To support industry growth, the government conducted 26 auctions for subsoil use rights, generating $1.6 million in revenue. As of September 2025, a total of 2,005 mining licenses had been issued, including 103 granted to state-owned enterprises.

23 Oct 2025

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

Uzbekistan Expands Nuclear Energy Cooperation with Italy’s Ansaldo Energia

October 23, 2025
By Sadokat Jalolova

Uzbekistan and Italy are deepening their cooperation in the field of nuclear energy, according to a statement from the press service of the Uzatom Agency. A delegation led by Uzatom Director Azim Akhmedkhadjaev has just returned from a working visit to Genoa, Italy, where talks focused on advancing Uzbekistan’s first nuclear power plant project.

The visit included meetings with representatives of the regional government, the Genoa Chamber of Commerce, leading universities, and major Italian energy firms. A key session was held with Ansaldo Energia and its nuclear subsidiary, Ansaldo Nucleare, one of Europe’s leading providers of power generation technologies.

Discussions focused on integrating Italian technical solutions into Uzbekistan’s planned nuclear facility, with particular emphasis on adapting auxiliary systems to local climatic and geological conditions. The Italian side shared its experience in safety system design, nuclear software development, and fuel management, expertise gained through projects in China, Belgium, Slovenia, Hungary, and Ukraine.

Both sides explored the potential role of Italian companies as technical consultants during construction, ensuring the project aligns with international safety standards. Cooperation in radioactive waste management and deployment of advanced Italian fuel-handling technologies was also discussed.

Italy also expressed readiness to support Uzbekistan in developing a national regulatory framework for nuclear energy and licensing procedures. Further, the two parties considered launching joint research and engineering initiatives to train Uzbek nuclear specialists, part of a broader effort to build local capacity and ensure the safe, long-term operation of the country’s future nuclear infrastructure.

The talks come as Uzbekistan diversifies its energy portfolio. Energy Minister Jurabek Mirzamahmudov recently announced that Saudi-based Pemco will begin constructing a 200-megawatt gas-piston power plant in Samarkand. Meanwhile, Uzbekistan continues to expand its solar and wind capacity through ongoing projects with ACWA Power.

23 Oct 2025

Cultural Heritage, Silk Road Treasures, Central Asia, Home, Life & Culture, Kazakhstan Life & Culture, Kazakhstan, Features, Kazakhstan Featurees, Kazakhstan Home

East Kazakhstan Falconry Festival Brings Together Guardians of Steppe Traditions

October 23, 2025
By Times of Central Asia

The fifth International Falconry Festival was held this month in East Kazakhstan, bringing together falconry masters and custodians of ancient culture from seven countries.

A Festival That Brings the Steppe to Life

Traditionally held in Ulan district near the village of Bozanbay, the event, also known as Shygys Salburyny, drew more than 100 participants, including falconers and cultural figures from Kazakhstan, as well as guests from Spain, Hungary, Russia, Mongolia, China, and Kyrgyzstan.

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Shygys Salburyny is a celebration of nomadic civilization, where customs and crafts are revived, ancestral songs are sung, ancient rituals performed, and golden eagles once again soar over the steppe.

Every gesture of the participants reflects respect for the past, for the harmony between humans and nature, and for the spirit that nurtures strength and nobility.

‘Berkutchi’ and Golden Eagles: Guardians of the Sky and Steppe

For as long as the Kazakh steppe has existed, golden eagles have ruled its skies. Revered for their strength and freedom, their cries louder than the wind, their flight graceful over mountains and rivers, the birds inspired the development of sayat, the art of hunting with birds of prey. From this tradition emerged the berkutchi, a unique brotherhood of falconers.

A berkutchi is more than a hunter. He understands nature’s rhythm, reads the wind’s breath, and senses his bird’s mood. The bond between falconer and eagle cannot be imposed; it must be earned.

Historically, hunting with golden eagles was a matter of survival, especially in the harsh winter months when eagles provided both meat and feathers for warmth. Over time, sayat evolved into a symbol of spiritual strength, courage, and reverence for nature. A true berkutchi was revered like a batyr, a warrior, respected for his calm, fairness, and poise.

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Training a young eagle is an intricate art, requiring patience and reverence. Eaglets are taken from the nest and slowly trained to accept the falconer’s hand and voice. Trust is built gradually, as the bird learns to recognize and respond to its handler.

Every detail is vital from hand movements to shadows on the ground. Before a hunt, the falconer dons an iyanga (sturdy glove) and fits a tomaga (leather hood) on the bird’s head to block light until the moment of release. A whispered prayer to the spirits of the steppe precedes the flight, reminding all that hunting is not conquest, but a respectful exchange with nature.

Sayat Today

The sayat tradition endures in many parts of Kazakhstan, but East Kazakhstan remains its heartland.

“Not every bird flies in immediately,” said Daniyar Nurbek, chief judge of the festival, speaking to The Times of Central Asia. “What matters isn’t force, but mutual understanding. There must be a deep, almost spiritual bond between hunter and eagle, it cannot be commanded, only nurtured.”

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Youngsters and Masters

The festival welcomed both seasoned falconers and novices. Among them, seven-year-old Abdurashid Mamyrkhan drew particular attention. His father, Mamyrkhan Manayuly, explained that his son has been learning about birds since the age of five.

“This isn’t just hunting, it’s in our blood and memory,” he said. “By teaching my son, I pass on our respect for nature and our ancestors.”

Foreign guests also shared their impressions. Hungarian falconer Gergely László Bodis noted that in the steppes of East Kazakhstan, he felt “the breath of antiquity” for the first time.

“In Hungary, we also practice falconry, but here it feels like a living ritual, part of the soul,” he said.

Russian participant Alexander Malakhov, attending for the second time, described the event not as a competition, but a philosophy.

“The essence lies not in technique, but in respect. Kazakhstan inspires: its people, its culture, and its nature call for reflection,” Malakhov said.

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Luis Guijarro Panadero from Spain came to study Asian falconry traditions.

“We also have bird hunting in Spain, but the methods are quite different. Here, it’s not just sport, it’s a cultural code,” he noted.

Ethno-Site and Traditions

Beyond the competitions, guests enjoyed a vibrant cultural program. On the Burkit Tobe site, a traditional village of 40 yurts was assembled, each serving as a miniature museum of Kazakh life and ritual.

Regional delegations from East Kazakhstan staged scenes from ancient Kazakh life: weddings, rituals for newborn children, and the symbolic “adding oil to the fire.”

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The Spirit of Competition

In addition to falconry events, participants competed in shooting and traditional equestrian games. Serikbol Oktyabr won the shooting competition, citing the importance of spiritual strength.

“This tests not only physical power but inner resolve. Through such events, we revive ancestral traditions and set an example for our youth,” he said.

Aqzhan Merke triumphed in the horse-riding competition. “Equestrian sport is a vital tradition, and we must preserve and develop it,” Merke said.

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Spectators were captivated by the birds soaring, then plunging in response to their handler’s call.

Baitbay Omirkhan from Almaty won the eagle and hawk competitions, while Kenzhetaev Erlan from Akmola region claimed victory in the falcon category.

“The falcon is a noble bird, and working with it carries great responsibility,” Omirkhan said. “This year, I felt the spirit of the festival more deeply than ever. It’s not just a competition, it’s unity.”

Kenzhetaev added: “This is my third Shygys Salburyny. The level of competition keeps rising, and the organization is exceptional. Festivals like this are vital to preserving our heritage.”

As one participant aptly summarized: “As long as the golden eagle soars over the steppe, as long as fathers pass down the tomaga and iyanga, as long as Kazakh songs are sung, our culture will endure.”