Page 948 – The Times Of Central Asia

01 Dec 2023

Kyrgyzstan Environment, Kyrgyzstan Life & Culture, Kyrgyzstan

WFP and Switzerland to Strengthen Rural Communities’ Resilience to Extreme Weather

June 27, 2024
By Times of Central Asia

As outlined in a release on its website, the United Nations World Food Program (WFP) in the Kyrgyz Republic, with financial support from the Government of Switzerland, is launching the Weather Index-Based Insurance Pilot Project, an initiative aiming to strengthen the resilience of rural communities to extreme weather-related risks and shocks.

The project, implemented in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture and other line ministries, will integrate climate and disaster risk financing into national social protection systems.

Developed in collaboration with international experts and piloted in three districts of the mountainous Naryn province – Jumgal, Ak-Talaa and Naryn – the insurance project aims to assist local governments in protecting livestock farmers from extreme weather events, such as low fodder availability in pastures and the high price of fodder during extreme winters and drought. Based on the pilot results, it will be expanded to other priority regions.

“The Kyrgyz Republic, with its beautiful landscapes and natural wonders, is unfortunately no stranger to the impacts of extreme climate and the accompanying risks. The vulnerability of this region calls for immediate action, and it is inspiring to see the proactive measures being taken to mitigate risks associated with the changing climate and enhance the resilience of local communities,” says Kojiro Nakai, WFP Kyrgyz Republic Representative and Country Director. “The Government of Switzerland’s funding this vital project demonstrates our joint commitment towards creating a sustainable and resilient future for the country.”

Under the 2023 pilot, the project will be rolled out during the extreme summer period. The pilot will insure local governments against drought for a maximum sum of around US$ 1.2 million, with an estimated premium amounting to US$ 200,000. The insurance coverage is expected to benefit 4,500 smallholders from vulnerable communities.

This initiative marks a significant step forward in building climate resilience within the Kyrgyz Republic. By leveraging international expertise and collaboration, WFP and its partners are actively engaged towards reducing vulnerability and exposure to shocks, by strengthening the adaptive capacities of rural communities.

01 Dec 2023

Central Asia, Environment, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan Life & Culture, Turkmenistan, Life & Culture, Kazakhstan Life & Culture, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan Environment, Uzbekistan Life & Culture

Central Asia Particularly Vulnerable to Climate Risks, Primarily Due to Water Scarcity, Says EDB

June 27, 2024
By Times of Central Asia

By 2050, the available resources in the Syr Darya and Amu Darya basins – the region’s two largest sources of water – situated in southern Kazakhstan and along Uzbekistan’s southern border with Turkmenistan – could decrease by 10% to 15%. Water shortages inevitably impact the region’s agricultural sector, which relies on water as a critical factor in food production, the Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) has stated in a news release.

The reduction in wheat yields in seven oblasts of Kazakhstan could result in direct economic losses exceeding U$1.2 billion by 2030. These concerns were highlighted by Conrad Albrecht, Managing Director and Head of the Directorate of Sustainability at the Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) during the recent Seventh North and Central Asia Multistakeholder Forum on the Implementation of the SDGs in Almaty.

“Kazakhstan, being the only Eurasian nation to have implemented a carbon pricing system, faces the additional challenge of a potential carbon tax amounting to U$250 million. Most economies in the region rely heavily on carbon-intensive industries, necessitating a transition towards more sustainable production methods”, Albrecht said. He also pointed out that the region’s carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions significantly exceed its contribution to the global economy in terms of both GDP and population. However, countries such as Armenia, the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan have a share of global CO2 emissions lower than their share of the world’s population, indicating that the region’s economies are critically carbon intensive.

“All countries in the Eurasian region are taking climate change extremely seriously, acknowledge their direct contribution to the global agenda and are ready to make ambitious commitments to decarbonization”, Albrecht stressed. “Nevertheless, Central Asian countries still require substantial support from multilateral development banks, and while climate finance to the region is increasing, it remains significantly smaller compared to other low- and middle-income countries”.

01 Dec 2023

Kyrgyzstan Environment, Kyrgyzstan Life & Culture, Kyrgyzstan, Kyrgyzstan Home

Blogger and Activists Placed in Pretrial Detention Following Protest over Drinking Water

June 27, 2024
By Times of Central Asia

As reported by RFE/RL on July 18^th, the Sokuluk district court in northern Kyrgyzstan has ordered the detention of prominent blogger Ertai Iskakov along with activists Bakyt Balbaev and Baktybek Bekbolotov until September 15. Their detention relates to a recent demonstration held by two villages urging the restoration of drinking water supplies.

The charges against the men include hooliganism and the unlawful obstruction of a highway. Lawyers representing the men informed said that their clients pleaded not guilty.

Iskakov, a well-known blogger recognized for addressing social issues in his content.

Several villages in close proximity to Bishkek, the capital, have encountered prolonged shortages in drinking water supplies.

01 Dec 2023

Promoting Sustainable Development in Central Asia: Key Highlights from the Eurasian Development Bank’s Roundtable

June 27, 2024
By Times of Central Asia

According to a press release issued by the Eurasian Development Bank (EDB), on November 16th, 2023, Almaty, Kazakhstan, served as the venue for a critical roundtable hosted by the EDB, titled “Promoting Sustainable Development in Central Asia”. This gathering saw the participation of representatives from a wide range of international organizations and multilateral development banks. Attendees included the likes of the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank, the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, the Islamic Development Bank, FAO, UNIDO, UNEP, ESCAP, UNDP, the World Health Organisation, the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea, and CICA. The agenda was packed with discussions revolving around irrigation, water challenges, environmental and social standards of international financial institutions, and case studies that showcased collaborations in project implementation12.

The EDB’s latest report, “Efficient Irrigation and Water Conservation in Central Asia”, was introduced during the roundtable’s first session. Nikolai Podguzov, Chairman of the EDB Management Board, underscored the essential interrelationship between water, food, and energy in Central Asia. He declared the development of the region’s water and energy resources as a strategic priority for the EDB. He also expressed concerns over an impending water deficit in Central Asia within the next five years, urging for collective action supported by multilateral development banks3.

Tatiana Proskuryakova, the Regional Director for Central Asia at the World Bank, also spoke at the event. She emphasized the importance of sustainable development in Central Asia to international organizations and multilateral financial institutions. She revealed that the World Bank has allocated approximately a quarter of its $12 billion investment portfolio in Central Asia to water, energy, and environmental sectors. This proportion is expected to rise to almost half in the near future4.

Following this, Evgeny Vinokurov, EDB Chief Economist, presented the study “Efficient Irrigation and Water Conservation in Central Asia”. He proposed a ten-step solution to address the prevalent issues. The steps include establishing an International Water and Energy Consortium; fostering collaboration among multilateral banks; creating a regional cluster to produce irrigation equipment; consolidating efforts to strengthen cooperation with Afghanistan; using PPP instruments; instituting proper water accounting; gradually integrating investment charges into the tariff structure; improving land conditions; implementing digital technology, and leveraging state-of-the-art irrigation technology and laser levelling.

01 Dec 2023

Tajikistan Justice, Tajikistan Local Politics, Tajikistan, Tajikistan Features

Tajik Political Activist Sentenced to 8 ½ Years in Prison

June 27, 2024
By Times of Central Asia

A court in Dushanbe has sentenced Nizomiddin Nasriddinov, a former activist of the Group 24 opposition movement, to 8 1/2 years in prison on a charge of making public calls to forcibly change Tajikistan’s constitutional order, RFE/RL’s Tajik Service reported.

According to an anonymous source involved in the trial, RFE/RL was informed on October 5^th that the Ismoili Somoni district court delivered Nasriddinov’s verdict and sentence on September 29^th. The source added that the former activist pleaded not guilty.

Court officials and Nasriddinov’s relatives declined to comment on the matter. The court requested RFE/RL to submit an official letter for comment.

Recently, the Norwegian Helsinki Committee, Human Rights Watch, Freedom for Eurasia, and Freedom Now jointly urged Tajik authorities to drop what they deemed as “fabricated” charges against Nasriddinov and release him immediately.

Nasriddinov was detained by Belarusian authorities in January at the request of Dushanbe when he entered Belarus from Lithuania. Subsequently, he was extradited to Tajikistan in July. Notably, Nasriddinov holds refugee status in Germany.

His affiliation with Group 24, which was designated as a terrorist and extremist organization and banned in the tightly governed former Soviet republic in 2014, has been highlighted. In March 2015, the movement’s founder, businessman Umarali Quvatov, was assassinated in Istanbul.

Tajik President Emomali Rahmon, known for his nearly 30-year firm grip on the Central Asian nation, has faced criticism from international human rights groups. They accuse his administration of disregarding independent media, religious freedoms, civil society, and political diversity.

In the past year, Tajik courts sentenced seven journalists and bloggers to prison terms ranging from seven to 21 years. They were charged with spreading false information, involvement in extremist activities, and association with banned groups. Both the accused and their supporters, alongside human rights organizations, have labeled these charges as baseless and politically motivated

01 Dec 2023

Uzbekistan, Uzbekistan Opinions

What Will the Future Hold for Uzbekistan’s Gas Problems?

June 27, 2024
By Times of Central Asia

What Will the Future Hold for Uzbekistan’s Gas Problems?

Can the infrastructure of Uzbekistan carry the country into a geopolitical resource hub? The country has certainly benefited from energy exports: In terms of available reserves, Uzbekneftegaz remains the sacred cow of the state, which has generated significant foreign exchange earnings. Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov even started to switch industrial enterprises “of no social significance” from natural gas to coal so that more gas would be available for export.

In 2019, natural gas was sold on the domestic market at a price of US$118 per thousand cubic meters while Uzbekistan sold gas for export at US$145 per thousand cubic meters. The money came in foreign currency. The conversion of small and medium-sized businesses (such as restaurants and factories for the production of building materials) to coal made it possible to free up over 2.1 billion cubic meters of gas, that is, around US$315 million.

On the other hand, gas supply on the domestic market left much to be desired. During the winter period, temperatures unexpectedly dropped below -20 degrees Celsius. Due to a lack of heat in residential buildings in November and December in several regions like Andijan, Karakalpakstan, Nukus, Fergana and Khorezm, the population began to attend unauthorized rallies. In 2020, the Ministry of Energy reluctantly admitted that there was a shortage of gas due to depletion of gas fields.

On December 16, 2020, the government decided to reduce the export of gas and direct it towards domestic needs. That said, exports were being reduced even earlier than this. In fact, the first reports of the suspension of fuel supplies to other countries appeared in March 2020, when the global COVID-19 pandemic began and the main gas consumer, China, reduced imports from Uzbekistan.

In 2021, Uzbekistan once again experienced extremely low air temperatures. Gas exports were again limited. Even though Deputy Chairman of Uzbekneftegaz, Bakhodir Sidikov, said that fuel reserves would last for several decades (in his words, “We have very large, promising areas for geological exploration, but the current approved hydrocarbon reserves will last for 20-30 years”) the coming months proved that these forecasts to be overly optimistic. Soon after, the Ministry of Energy announced that even with limited exports, Uzbekistan lacked about 20 million cubic meters of gas per day.

On the night of December 31, 2022, supplies to Uzbekistan from Turkmenistan stopped due to burst gas pipelines. Unusual frosts caused increased gas consumption, resulting in a shortage of fuel for power plants and boiler houses. The country began experiencing long-term power outages, problems with heating, hot water, and gas pressure in homes. Against the backdrop of the emerging energy shortage, the authorities were forced to close gas stations and industrial enterprises in order to distribute the remaining gas to the population and social facilities.

And thus, what was already known by many Uzbeks became apparent to the rest of the world. More than half of the gas pipelines in Uzbekistan (45 thousand km) were laid more than 30 years ago. The general deterioration of the gas transportation system was such that even in the best years, the country lost about 25% of fuel due to inefficient infrastructure. And not much had been done to invest in the modernization of the gas transportation systems in years. Gas loss was paid for by consumers, and as such, service providers had little incentive to invest in repairs.

According to the director of the Ma’no Center for Research Initiatives, Bakhtiyor Ergashev, Uzbekistan is gradually reducing the volume of natural gas produced. Over the past 30 years, it has decreased this by about 10 billion cubic meters. Reserves are limited, and new deposits are not enough to provide a sharp uptick in production. The domestic market has grown along with the country’s population, and supply has not been able to keep up with demand.

It was in this environment that the Ministry of Energy of Uzbekistan welcomed Russia’ proposal to create a gas hub with the signing of the Gas Supply Roadmap with Gazprom. But it is still unclear how much international cooperation will improve the domestic situation. If all remains the same on the home front, Russian and/or Turkmen gas will likely continue to leak through a sieve of worn-out pipes. Uzbekneftegaz talks about Public Private Partnership, or PPP, mechanisms while at the same time underlining the strategic nature of the gas transportation systems, which should not be transferred to foreign investors. As explained above, losses appear to be too profitable in the current setup.

In Uzbekistan, problems related to the gas supply infrastructure are naturally associated with the country’s head of government, Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov. What is needed is qualified state personnel capable of upgrading the collapsing infrastructure and willing to help the country’s economy, not only working as problem solvers but also as technical specialists able to take responsibility and motivate natural monopolists to take specific and decisive actions. One such name that has been brough up by local experts is the Water Resources Minister, Shavkat Khamrayev, citing previous examples of his capability in solving large-scale problems. For instance, his supporters say, Khamrayev managed to build numerous reservoirs in Uzbekistan against the backdrop of an acute water shortage in the country, so as not to depend on the upstream countries along transboundary rivers during the growing season. He is also credited for effectively modernizing hydraulic structures built in Soviet times and for establishing relations between Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan on the rather difficult issue of mutual water supply. At the 70th meeting of the International Executive Council of the International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage (ICID), Khamrayev was unanimously elected vice-president of the ICID for a three-year term between 2019 and 2022.

It remains to be seen weather President Shavkat Mirziyoyev will be able to assemble a new team to manage the country’s gas resources. What is clear is that new commitment and improvements are still urgently needed.