Page 940 – The Times Of Central Asia

04 Dec 2023

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

04 Dec 2023

Environment, Kazakhstan Environment, Kazakhstan, Kazakhstan International Affairs

Kazakhstan and U.S. Issue Joint Statement on Methane Reduction

June 27, 2024
By Times of Central Asia

Kazakhstan and U.S. Issue Joint Statement on Methane Reduction

The Special Representative of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan for International Environmental Cooperation, Zulfiya Suleimenova, and Special U.S. Presidential Envoy for Climate Change, John Kerry issued a joint statement on accelerating methane reductions to meet the Global Methane Pledge (GMP). Kazakhstan and the United States declared their mutual commitment to accelerate the development and implementation of policies and projects to rapidly reduce methane emissions, especially in the fossil energy sector.

Building on more than 30 years of successful partnership between Kazakhstan and the United States, this statement commemorated the fifth anniversary of the Enhanced Strategic Partnership between Kazakhstan and the United States and expanded opportunities for cooperation in the field of methane control. The statement: recognized the key role the two countries play in creating a greener, safer and better world; stressed the importance of rapidly reducing methane emissions by 2030 to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius; recognized the significant potential of the fossil energy sector to reduce methane emissions and the need to rapidly reduce emissions in this sector.

The statement also served as a memorandum of understanding of the importance of voluntary action in promoting collective efforts to reduce global methane emissions; highlighted the need to seek to mobilize global action and strengthen support for existing international initiatives to reduce methane emissions through effective bilateral action; and recognized the critical participation of the private sector, development banks, financial institutions and international aid agencies in supporting the implementation of the Pledge.

04 Dec 2023

Kyrgyzstan, Kyrgyzstan Business & Economy, Features

Foreign Investors Look to Build Power Plants in the Kyrgyz Republic with a Capacity of 3.6 Gigawatts

June 27, 2024
By Times of Central Asia

Energy companies from France and the UAE plan to invest in hydropower and renewable energy projects with a total capacity of 3.6 gigawatts in Kyrgyzstan. The capacity of the Toktogul hydroelectric station is already more than 1.2 gigawatts. The President of the Kyrgyz Republic expressed confidence that the practical implementation of the agreements will soon begin.

As part of the World Climate Summit in Dubai, the Ministry of Energy of the Kyrgyz Republic, the French company EDF, and the UAE state company, Masdar signed a memorandum in the energy sector. The foreign partners assured that summit they are ready to cooperate with the Kyrgyz Republic and implement the projects provided for in the memorandum.

In his speech, Energy Minister, Taalaibek Ibraev focused on the potential of Kyrgyzstan in the field of electricity generation and further cooperation with investors. The signing ceremony took place in the presence of President Sadyr Japarov, after which further negotiations took place with representatives of both companies. Japarov emphasized that the Kyrgyz side will provide everything necessary to ensure high-quality implementation of the terms of the memorandum, the presidential press service reported. Japarov also called on participants at the meeting to pay special attention to the hydropower potential of the Kyrgyz Republic, which today no more than 13% of has been utilized. He emphasized that the country has taken a firm course towards the development of a “green” economy.

Masdar representatives noted the importance of the solar power plant construction project being implemented in the Issyk-Kul region, and stated that they would use their experience “to support Kyrgyzstan’s clean energy goals”.