Page 941 – The Times Of Central Asia

04 Dec 2023

Uzbekistan, Uzbekistan Business & Economy

Uzbekistan to Expand Investment in Renewable Energy

June 27, 2024
By Times of Central Asia

Uzbekistan to Expand Investment in Renewable Energy

The Ministry of Investment, Industry and Trade and the Ministry of Energy of Uzbekistan and the Ministry of Investment of the UAE have signed a Memorandum of Understanding aimed at developing investment cooperation in priority sectors of the economy, including the production, transmission and distribution of renewable energy.

The document seeks to create a solid basis for attracting investments, implementing joint research programs, and exchanging technical knowledge, skills and experience between government agencies, regulatory authorities and private sector enterprises of both countries. The forms of cooperation provided for by the agreement include the identification, exchange and assessment of projects and investment opportunities for the production of wind, solar, and hydroelectric power plants, and the construction of energy storage facilities.

To ensure the effective implementation of the document, a joint plan for further activities will be developed, including specific mechanisms and responsible structures for its timely implementation.

04 Dec 2023

Uzbekistan, Justice, Uzbekistan Features, Uzbekistan Business & Economy, Uzbekistan Justice, Uzbekistan Life & Culture, Uzbekistan Local Politics

Uzbekistan to Take Measures for Rational Use of Water Resources in Agriculture

June 27, 2024
By Times of Central Asia

Uzbekistan’s President, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, led a government session last week focused on strategies for the efficient utilization of water resources. Discussions highlighted that 20% of Uzbekistan’s water resources originate within the country, while the rest is sourced from neighboring territories. Ongoing climate shifts are progressively diminishing these water sources, with forecasts projecting potential water deficits of up to 15 billion cubic meters in Uzbekistan by 2030.

Despite these challenges, there’s notable inefficiency in water usage. A staggering 90% of Uzbekistan’s water resources are allocated to agricultural purposes. For instance, irrigating a single hectare of cotton fields consumes 10-11 thousand cubic meters of water yearly, whereas countries with similar climates and soil profiles use 2-3 times less water.

The annual expenditure on water management in Uzbekistan amounts to approximately $1 billion, making it the fourth-largest recipient of budget allocations following education, healthcare, and agriculture. Regrettably, due to flawed calculations and persisting outdated methodologies in water resource management, the desired efficacy isn’t realized.

The president emphasized that the upcoming year will be a transitional phase, shifting toward an emergency mode to conserve water. A primary goal is the concrete lining of canals and ditches. It’s estimated that about 14 billion cubic meters, or 36%, are lost annually in natural irrigation systems without yielding any economic benefit. Most significant losses are observed in regions like the Republic of Karakalpakstan, Namangan, Navoi, Khorezm, and Bukhara.

The water sector has declared a pivotal year for canal concreting, aiming to concrete 1,500 kilometers next year—four times more than in 2023. By 2025, the target is to concrete at least 2,000 kilometers of canals.

Another crucial objective is the adoption of water-saving technologies. Uzbekistan, with 4.3 million hectares under irrigation, has introduced water-saving technologies in 30% of these areas. In these clusters and farms, efficiency gains of 30-40% in water usage alongside increased productivity have been achieved.

04 Dec 2023

Kazakhstan, Kazakhstan Business & Economy, Features, Kazakhstan Featurees

Kazakhstan Signs Twenty Deals Worth $4.85 Billion in Dubai

June 27, 2024
By Times of Central Asia

On December 2nd, during his visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), President of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, oversaw the signing of twenty commercial agreements. These agreements, facilitated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan and the National Company KAZAKH INVEST, are collectively worth $4.85 billion.

A landmark agreement was reached between the governments of Kazakhstan and the UAE for a $1.4 billion construction project of a 1 GW wind power station in Kazakhstan. The project will be implemented with the assistance of Masdar, a UAE-based renewable energy company.

Furthermore, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Ministry of Energy of Kazakhstan, JSC Samruk-Kazyna, and the Ministry of Investments of the UAE. This MoU outlines plans for implementing low-carbon energy projects with a combined capacity of 10 GW. In addition, JSC Samruk-Kazyna and ACWA Power agreed to jointly develop a project for the construction of wind power stations with a total capacity of 1 GW and an energy storage system in the Zhetysu region in Kazakhstan.

An investment agreement was also inked between the Government of Kazakhstan and French company Total Energies. This agreement pertains to the development, construction, and operation of a wind power station with a total capacity of 1 GW in the Zhambyl region of Kazakhstan.

In terms of venture funding, the Qazaqstan Investment Corporation established a co-investment platform with ADQ, an Abu Dhabi-based investment and holding company, on strategic partnership for creating a joint financing mechanism for venture projects. Moreover, a joint venture agreement was signed between JSC National Company Kazakhstan, Temir Zholy, and the Abu Dhabi Ports Group. The agreement covers collaboration in five key areas: maritime transportation, maritime and dry ports, railway logistics, digitization, and trading5.

Lastly, the JSC National Company KAZAKH INVEST and Emirati company Al Amana Power Solutions agreed to initiate the development of renewable energy projects with investments exceeding $100 million.

Overall, these agreements underscore Kazakhstan’s commitment to sustainable energy and international collaboration in pursuing green initiatives.

01 Dec 2023

Central Asia, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan Environment, Features, Tajikistan Environment

By 2035, the Capacity of Hydroelectric Power Plants in Central Asia Will Increase by 8,900MW

June 27, 2024
By Times of Central Asia

By 2028-2029, Central Asia will face a permanent and persistent water scarcity, with a deficit estimated to be between 5-12 cubic kilometers annually. At the same time, the demand for electricity in Central Asia is expected to increase significantly over the next ten years, Nikolai Podguzov, Chairman of the Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) Management Board said this week at the World Hydropower Congress in Bali.

“In the Central Asian region, hydropower plays a key role not only in generating electricity, but also in regulating river runoff for irrigation purposes,” Podguzov stated. “In this regard, the countries of the region are interested in the multipurpose use of their water resources, and wish to attract investment to develop water resources potential”.

According to Podguzov, the construction of new hydroelectric power plants with reservoirs and the modernization of already functioning HPPs will both serve to reduce the impact of climate change and ensure the steady economic and social development of the region, which is highly reliant on affordable, environmentally-friendly energy and a sustainable irrigation supply.

“According to our estimates, Central Asia is one of the few regions in the world where the hydropower potential has been developed by less than 25%”, Podguzov said. “Currently, there are more than 80 hydroelectric power plants operating in the region, with a total installed capacity of about 14,000 MW. In the period up to 2035, it is planned to increase the capacity of local hydroelectric power plants by 8,900 MW through the modernization of already functioning HPPs and the construction of new ones. The largest new projects being implemented include the construction of the 1,860 MW Kambarata HPP-1 in the Kyrgyz Republic, and the 3,600 MW Rogun HPP in Tajikistan”.

01 Dec 2023

Uzbekistan, Uzbekistan Life & Culture

USAID Announces the Launch of Tuberculosis-Free Uzbekistan

June 27, 2024
By Times of Central Asia

The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), in partnership with Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Health and Abt Associates, is launching TB-Free Uzbekistan, a five-year initiative investing $18 million to provide comprehensive support services and increase access to key tuberculosis (TB) services across the country.

Uzbekistan is dealing with high rates of multidrug-resistant TB, which pose a significant threat to Uzbekistan’s public health system and the country’s economic development. Uzbekistan is making steady progress, but TB remains one of its most pressing public health threats. According to Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Health, in 2022, 8% of new TB cases in the country had resistance to two of the most commonly used and effective treatment drugs.

USAID leads the U.S. Government’s global TB efforts, and has been a partner to the Government of Uzbekistan in the fight against TB. As the world’s largest bilateral donor, USAID uses new innovations and research to accelerate efforts to end TB.

USAID had a robust presence at the United Nations high-level meeting on TB on September 22^nd, 2023. USAID’s Assistant Administrator for Global Health, Atul Gawande, participated in multiple events, culminating in a high-level meeting at which he launched the Global Accelerator to End TB Plus, an enhanced package of interventions that will accelerate the development of strategies to achieve a more accountable, responsible, and inclusive TB response.

From 1993 to 2023, the total amount of the U.S. Government assistance to Uzbekistan in health has totaled over $155 million of which nearly $60 million was focused on TB mitigation.

01 Dec 2023

Turkmenistan Justice, Turkmenistan International Affairs, Turkmenistan

Turkmenistan Strengthens Cooperation with UNODC

June 27, 2024
By Times of Central Asia

A significant meeting convened at the United Nations headquarters in Vienna on November 8, 2023, witnessing the collaboration between Turkmenistan’s Deputy Prosecutor General-led delegation and the leadership of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). Central to the discussions was Turkmenistan’s recent decision to become a part of the Global Operational Network of Anti-Corruption Law Enforcement Authorities, known as the GlobE system. Both parties acknowledged this step and expressed their mutual readiness to engage in robust collaboration within this network, indicating a shared commitment to combatting corruption.

The meeting delved into the comprehensive efforts under the UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and its three additional Protocols, signifying the mutual dedication to addressing transnational criminal activities. Additionally, discussions encompassed the implementation and impact of the UN Convention against Corruption, reflecting the shared pursuit of curbing corruption on a global scale.

Amidst the dialogue, the participants explored the future potential for collaboration between Turkmenistan and UNODC, highlighting the ongoing commitment to foster partnerships and initiatives aimed at promoting security, justice, and the rule of law.