Page 936 – The Times Of Central Asia

04 Dec 2023

Kyrgyzstan, Kyrgyzstan Business & Economy, Kyrgyzstan Features

UNDP Supports the Development of Adventure Tourism in Kyrgyzstan

June 27, 2024
By Times of Central Asia

As per a press release on its website, the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in Kyrgyzstan, in collaboration with the Fair and Sustainable Development Solutions (FSDS) Foundation, said it is launching activities to strengthen the value-added chain (VAC) of adventure tourism. The project, Aid for Trade in Central Asia, aims to develop adventure tourism in target regions of Kyrgyzstan, creating new jobs, increasing the competitiveness of the sector, and strengthening its export potential.

Tourism plays an important role in expanding economic opportunities and contributes to infrastructure development, which has a positive impact on other sectors of the economy. There are also opportunities to make the sector green and sustainable, the project stated. Kyrgyzstan needs to be positioned as a new tourism destination, as the country has a wide range of tourism resources. However, this will require coordinated efforts.

“We support the promotion of adventure tourism, which is one of the fastest growing sectors and has a great potential for developing the local economy”, said Aid for Trade project coordinator, Aisulu Mambetkazieva. “Moreover, adventure tourism will allow as many people as possible to learn about the beautiful culture and nature of Kyrgyzstan. We hope that the project can become a driver for the development of adventure tourism in Kyrgyzstan and create new opportunities for sector participants”.

The activities on strengthening the VAC of adventure tourism will be carried out in Issyk-Kul, Jalal-Abad, and Osh provinces. The project includes several key tasks on which the UNDP has already begun work: Increasing the potential of VAC participants and introducing joint adventure tourism products. New tourism products will be developed and promoted through various trading platforms; Increasing access to innovative and environmentally sustainable technologies that contribute to sustainable development; Creation of favorable conditions for the development of safe adventure tourism at a local level.

The UNDP in Kyrgyzstan pays great attention to supporting women’s entrepreneurship and the business initiatives of people with disabilities. In this regard, it is expected that appropriate measures will be taken to create examples of tourism entrepreneurship among women and people with disabilities for further replication and scaling.

04 Dec 2023

Kazakhstan, Business & Economy, Kazakhstan Business & Economy, Kazakhstan Home

Kazakhstan Increases Oil Supplies to Germany via Russia by 54% in November

June 27, 2024
By Times of Central Asia

Kazakhstan Increases Oil Supplies to Germany via Russia by 54% in November

The volume of transportation of Kazakh oil through the system of trunk oil pipelines of Russia’s Transneft PJSC in the direction of the Adamova Zastava oil delivery point in Russia for further delivery to Germany will increase from the planned 100,000 tons to 154,000 tons, the director of the transportation department of KazTransOil JSC, Abai Beisembayev said on November 30^th. KazTransOil JSC is the national operator of the main oil pipeline in Kazakhstan.

“Despite difficult meteorological conditions in the Black Sea, KazTransOil JSC fully fulfills its obligations to shippers”, Beisembayev said. “There are no restrictions on the part of Transneft PJSC today. Due to the limitations of oil transportation through the system of the Caspian Pipeline Consortium JSC, a number of shippers who would like to pump oil through our system have applied to KazTransOil JSC. Operational work was carried out with Transneft PJSC on additional pumping of the resources of Karachaganak Petroleum Operating B.V. In November, it was planned to deliver 100,000 tons of oil to Germany, but by the end of the month, the volume of transportation of Kazakh oil through the system of trunk oil pipelines of Transneft PJSC in the direction of the Adamova Zastava oil delivery point for further delivery to Germany will amount to 154,000 tons”.

KazTransOil JSC confirmed its technical capability to supply 1.2 million tons of Kazakh oil a year towards the Adamova Zastava oil delivery point for further transportation to Germany, but the actual volume depends on requests from oil companies.

04 Dec 2023

Environment, Central Asia, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, International Affairs, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Business & Economy, Turkmenistan Environment, Tajikistan Environment, Features

CAREC Countries Endorse New Vision to Fight Climate Change Together

June 27, 2024
By Times of Central Asia

Member countries of the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) program committed to working together to cut greenhouse gas emissions and build resilience to climate change. “We endorse the Regional Action on Climate Change: A Vision for CAREC to help countries implement their commitments under the Paris Agreement”, said a joint ministerial statement issued at the 22nd CAREC Ministerial Conference held on November 30th in Tbilisi. The statement was endorsed by ministers and high-level officials from Azerbaijan, the People’s Republic of China, Georgia, Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Mongolia, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.

“I am confident this shared Vision will enhance the CAREC program’s impact on this most critical climate challenge facing the subregion”, said Asian Development Bank (ADB) President, Masatsugu Asakawa. “I look forward to concrete progress on bringing forward more climate projects – including in renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, efficient water use, economic diversification, and strengthening supply chains – to improve the region’s climate resilience and adaptation”.

The Vision emphasizes the importance of energy transition and the improved use of renewable energy sources, strengthening the regional electricity trade, deploying innovative financing solutions, and investing in climate-resilient infrastructure and policies. It calls for strengthened collaboration and coordination with the program’s development partners in supporting the region’s climate agenda.

A scoping study published earlier this year showed climate change is expected to have severe impacts in the CAREC region, including higher-than-average temperature rises, water scarcity, expanded desertification, and glacial melting. To address water issues in the region, CAREC will support countries to improve their expertise and capacities in transboundary water management, water productivity, and to invest in more efficient irrigation systems to boost agricultural productivity.

CAREC will also support efforts to decarbonize transport and continue deepening regional connectivity with efficient transport technologies and infrastructure. Other priority areas include developing climate-smart cities with electrified mass transit systems and promoting climate and disaster resilience through regional risk management and financing initiatives.
The CAREC program is a partnership of countries and development partners working together to promote sustainable development, accelerate economic growth, and reduce poverty. The ADB hosts the CAREC secretariat.

04 Dec 2023

Tajikistan International Affairs, Tajikistan

Russia and Tajikistan will Strengthen Fight Against Terrorism, Extremism, Illegal Migration

June 27, 2024
By Times of Central Asia

In a document published on the website of the Russian Foreign Ministry, which was prepared by the Russian Federation, it was stated that Russia, Tajikistan, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan will strengthen the fight against terrorism in the OSCE space. CIS countries, meanwhile, advocated “promoting a positive agenda, and openness to discussing the most difficult issues and challenges”. “We consider it important to comply with the rules of procedure and other decisions of the OSCE decision-making bodies, as well as to follow the principles of impartiality, transparency and accountability”, the statement said.

In addition, the countries advocated a “commitment to a de-ideologized, pragmatic dialogue to resolve common security problems”. In particular, the authorities of these countries stated they would take measures to combat the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, the document notes. Russian Foreign Minister, Sergei Lavrov recently participated in a plenary meeting of the OSCE Ministerial Council in Skopje, and held a number of bilateral contacts and a trilateral meeting with the current and future chairmen of the organization.

04 Dec 2023

Tajikistan Justice, Tajikistan Life & Culture, Tajikistan Local Politics, Tajikistan

Son of Former Minister Faces 7-day Administrative Arrest Following Dushanbe Restaurant Altercation

June 27, 2024
By Times of Central Asia

A clash at the Bukhoro-Palace Restaurant in Dushanbe led to the detention of four individuals, including Alisher Gulov, the 25-year-old son of former Minister of Energy and Industry Sherali Gul, and Sherdil Sirojev, son of a prominent Tajik businessman linked to the Jal-Jam bazaar’s demolition in 2019. The Dushanbe Police Directorate’s official website disclosed this incident on December 1, noting the involvement of Alisher Gulov and Sirojev in a major altercation that occurred on the night of November 30.

The detained individuals, comprising Alisher Gulov, Rahmon Mahmadbekov (26), Jasour Khojayev (26), and Suhrob Sharipov (27), all residents of Dushanbe, were confirmed to be in a state of inebriation following a medical examination, as per the official statement.

In adherence to Article 460 of the Administrative Code, classifying disorderly conduct, authorities filed an administrative offense report against them, subsequently transferring the case to a Dushanbe court located in the Ismoili Somoni district. Each individual received a reported sentence of seven days of administrative arrest.

Reports from Radio Liberty’s Tajik Service, known locally as Radio Ozodi, shed light on the confrontation between Alisher Gulov, an Interior Ministry officer, and Sherdil Sirojev. This altercation resulted in injuries sustained by two associates of Gulov, along with Sirojev and his friend Mirsaid, who were subsequently admitted to a hospital for treatment.

04 Dec 2023

Turkmenistan Home, Turkmenistan Justice, Turkmenistan

Police in Turkmenistan Apprehend Former RFE/RL Correspondent

June 27, 2024
By Times of Central Asia

The police in Koneurgench, northern Turkmenistan, have apprehended Hudaiberdy Allashov, a former correspondent for RFE/RL, on undisclosed charges.

Family members informed RFE/RL that Allashov was taken into custody on December 1^st following a summons from the police. They allege that during this encounter, he was subjected to physical abuse and electric shocks. His current location and the rationale behind his arrest remain unknown.

Allashov’s association with RFE/RL dates back to a brief three-month stint in 2016. However, his tenure ended abruptly when he and his mother were arrested on accusations of using chewing tobacco, an offense deemed unlawful in the tightly-governed former Soviet nation. Both Allashov and his mother, Kurbantach Arazmedova, refuted these charges at the time.

Their initial arrest drew international attention, leading to their release in mid-February 2017, albeit with a court conviction for possession of chewing tobacco, each receiving a three-year suspended prison sentence.

Following his release, Allashov chose to cease his work with RFE/RL, expressing concerns for his safety. Nevertheless, in October 2019, he was detained once again, enduring hours of questioning allegedly accompanied by physical assault. The situation took a toll on his mother, who fell ill and passed away in the hospital two days later.

In a separate incident in May 2022, Allashov and his wife, Ejesh Arazgylyjeva, were allegedly subjected to violent treatment by an official in Koneurgench, resulting in Arazgylyjeva’s hospitalization and necessitating medical attention for Allashov himself.

Turkmenistan’s government maintains a tight grip over media outlets, including newspapers, radio, television, and online platforms.