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Uzbekistan to Get Two More Wind Farms to Support Domestic Energy Sector

Saudi company ACWA Power will build two more wind farms in Uzbekistan with a total capacity of 800 MW. One of them will be located in the Kungrad district of Karakalpakstan, and the second in the Gijduvan district of Bukhara region. The agreement, signed back in November 2023, envisages an investment of almost $1.1 billion. Under the agreement, ACWA Power will sell electricity generated by these power plants to JSC National Electric Networks of Uzbekistan for 25 years. The Saudi company considers Uzbekistan promising in terms of energy investments. According to the republic's national strategy, it plans to increase its share of green energy up to 25% nationally by 2030. ACWA has already invested $7.5 billion in the republic's energy sector. The largest of its projects are the construction of a combined cycle heat-power plant (CCHP) with a capacity of 1.5 GW in the Syrdarya region, a wind farm with a capacity of 1.5 GW in Karakalpakstan, and two CCHPs with a total capacity of 1 GW in Bukhara region. The company also plans to produce green hydrogen in Uzbekistan. This project, which was finalized and launched in November of last year, will be realized in two stages. To start, a 2.4 GW power plant will produce 500 thousand tons/year of green hydrogen, which will then be used for the production of nitrogen fertilizers. According to experts' calculations, this will save 33 million tons of natural gas. The company has launched the first such project in its home country, and the second oneis scheduled for the end of this year. In recent years, the republic has embraced green energy, which now accounts for only 10% of the country's total electricity output. By comparison, in Germany in 2023, renewable energy sources provided up to 60% of the total electricity generated in the country. The President of Uzbekistan has repeatedly emphasized in his speeches that the country's green energy capacity exceeds its needs by 10-12 times. For Uzbekistan, decarbonization of the energy sector is becoming a priority not only from an economic point of view. It's also required by pressing environmental conditions in hot, dry Central Asia - conditions which are deteriorating by the day. According to a World Bank report titled Country Report on Climate and Development, by 2030 at least eight million people across the country will live in areas threatened by very high climate risks. According to the authors of the report, abandoning traditional energy sources will enable Uzbekistan not only to strengthen the country's energy security, but also to rid itself of one of the main causes of high mortality - air pollution.

10 months ago

Central Asia Uzbekistan Environment Environment Uzbekistan Uzbekistan Home Uzbekistan Local Politics

Centre for Environmental Diagnostics of Vehicles Opens in Tashkent

On March 5th, Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev visited a new centre for environmental diagnostics of motor vehicles in Tashkent. Environmental issues have become a major concern in Uzbek’s capital city, especially air pollution caused by harmful emissions from traffic. In a measure to stall the sharp increase in air pollution, the centre first assesses the level of harmful substances emitted by motor vehicles and depending on results, attaches color-coded stickers with chips to vehicles’ windshields. Plans are in place to divide the city's territory into several ecological zones. Entry will be limited in accordance with the level of pollutants emitted by vehicles, identified by their red, yellow, or green stickers. Drivers of vehicles that violate the rules will be automatically fined and the resulting revenue, invested in incentives to further improve the environment. The government plans to expand the initiative by installing some 100 automatic air monitoring stations and creating 84 registration and diagnostic centres for vehicles across the country. In a move towards tackling air pollution, the government will also encourage the purchase of greener, electric vehicles by reducing the fee for state license plates.

10 months ago

Central Asia Environment Kyrgyzstan Environment Kyrgyzstan

Smog in Bishkek Decreases by 10-15%

Kyrgyzstan’s Ministry of Natural Resources, Ecology and Technical Supervision has announced that smog in Bishkek has decreased by at least 10-15% resulting from the government's efforts to improve the air quality in the capital city. Welcome news at a time when pollution had reached a critical level. In recent years, IQAIR has frequently ranked Bishkek among the worst cities in the world for the highest levels of air pollution. The Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) brief, “Tackling Air Pollution in Bishkek: A Road Map to Cleaner Air,” released in November 2023, stated that air pollution in Bishkek exceeded the WHO air quality guidelines by up to 30 times in winter. The brief referenced several studies on the main sources of air pollution. A UNICEF report showed PM2.5 concentrations are highest where households rely on coal for heating, in areas around the city's coal-fired thermal power plant and where solid waste is burned. UNDP-UNEP similarly cited coal as the primary source of pollution, followed by road transport. Transport was estimated by ADB to contribute around a third of annual emissions, particularly diesel trucks and minibuses. In conclusion, the ADB report recommended that to arrest air pollution, top priority be given to phasing out coal and investing in clean public transport. According to government reports, in 2023, nine residential neighborhoods comprising over 14 thousand households were supplied with natural gas. Today, 31 of the 47 residential suburbs, previously reliant on coal for heating, are connected to gas. The ministry also stated that the Bishkek landfill, which had been burning for decades adding to the city’s air pollution woes, was completely extinguished last year. Its territory is currently being reclaimed, with 850 tree saplings planted so far on an area of 2.3 hectares. In addition, 850 new environmentally friendly buses running on liquefied gas have been purchased for Bishkek. Mild weather and heavy rainfall were contributory factors but the decrease in smog this winter bodes well for the city's environment.

10 months ago

Central Asia Uzbekistan Environment Uzbekistan Uzbekistan Local Politics

Tashkent to Introduce Monthly ‘Car-Free Day’

One working day each month will now be "Car-Free Day" in the capital of Uzbekistan. The plan is to reduce the environmental impact of vehicles and encourage people to use bicycles to get around the city. Restrictions will not apply to public transportation, or emergency vehicles. Government officials have been instructed to "set a personal example by arriving at the workplace on public transportation." The idea for car-free days originated in Switzerland in 1973, during a fuel crisis, before spreading to other European countries. In 1998 the European Union initiated a campaign called "In town, without my car!," which is held from September 16 to 22 every year. The need to reduce air pollution in Tashkent is especially acute. The Uzbek capital is among the five cities worldwide with the worst air quality -- and often tops the ranking. This was the case on February 21, for example, when the content of fine particulate matter (PM2.5 measurement) in the city's air amounted to 140.3 µg/m3 (micrograms per cubic meter) -- which exceeded the WHO recommendations by a whopping 28.1 times (5 µg/m3). The public is sounding the alarm and calling on the Tashkent authorities to take urgent measures to prevent an ecological disaster. Specialists believe that single actions are not enough to preserve clean air in big cities; comprehensive work is needed to address the root causes of the pollution. This critical situation has prompted the government to include measures to improve the country's ecology in the large-scale state program for implementing the "Uzbekistan-2030" strategic roadmap. For example, it plans to phase out vehicles from the capital and regional centers that do not meet Euro-5 standards by 2030, and to ban trucks weighing more than 10 tons from driving through Tashkent -- except for those of the Armed Forces and municipal services. From March 1, the population will be notified about excessive content of fine particles in the local atmosphere, and measures will be taken to protect against dust at large construction sites (500 square meters and larger) in the country. Special attention will be paid to persons with diseases of the cardiovascular system and respiratory tract. In addition, Uzbekistan plans to abandon the production of 80-octane (AI-80) gasoline by 2026, in part to help popularize the use of electric cars and electric urban transport. Currently, the only countries that still produce AI-80 gasoline are Uzbekistan and Afghanistan. Medical experts believe that automotive exhaust is one of the main causes of lung cancer in humans. Yahye Ziyayev, Secretary General of the Uzbekistan Oncology Association, noted that "when AI-72 and AI-76 were banned in Uzbekistan, the incidence of lung cancer decreased over the course of ten years."

11 months ago

Environment Uzbekistan Environment Uzbekistan

Central Asia’s First Green University Opens in Uzbekistan

The Central Asian University of Environmental and Climate Change Studies (Green University) was opened in Uzbekistan’s Tashkent Region on February 10th. The goal of the Green University is to introduce innovative ideas, practices and technologies for solving local, regional and global environmental problems, and strengthening regional cooperation in the field of ecology and environmental protection. The university’s opening ceremony was attended by the director general of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Grethel Aguilar, Uzbekistan’s Minister of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change, Aziz Abdukhakimov, and the environment ministers from all the Central Asian countries. Speaking at the event, Aguilar said: “We congratulate the government of Uzbekistan on the opening of the Central Asian Green University, a major regional initiative that serves to develop environmental leadership and education. This university will help solve the triple planetary crisis of biodiversity loss, climate change, and pollution. Through environmental education, the university will contribute to the conservation of a region rich in nature.” On the same day, the Green University hosted the opening of the first office of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in Central Asia. Aguilar commented: “Today, our planet faces three major challenges – climate change, biodiversity loss, and air pollution. all countries must work together to solve these problems. Together with Uzbekistan and the countries of Central Asia, we are implementing new projects aimed at protecting the region’s ecosystem. The opening of the IUCN office is an important step in this direction”.

11 months ago

Uzbekistan Environment Uzbekistan

Inspection of TPP in Tashkent Region Reveals Harmful Emissions

The Ecology Department of the Tashkent Region has inspected the Novo-Angren thermal power plant (TPP) and found violations related to the emission of harmful substances and the insufficient efficiency of dust and gas cleaning equipment. It was discovered that emissions exceeded the established norms, and the efficiency of the equipment had decreased by 80%. These violations resulted in significant air pollution. In addition, the dumping of industrial waste in unsanctioned places was identified. In total, over a billion som ($80,000) of damage was caused. To prevent further atmospheric pollution, a plan of urgent measures was developed to improve the efficiency of dust and gas cleaning equipment. In addition, with regard to 11 officials from TPP, relevant documents were sent to law enforcement authorities to take any necessary legal measures.

11 months ago

Central Asia Uzbekistan Environment Environment Home Uzbekistan Uzbekistan Features

Uzbekistan’s “Plant 100 Saplings” Initiative: A Green Response to Illegal Tree-Felling

In a bid to counter the alarming rate of illegal tree-felling, the president of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, has given the green light to an innovative ecological program. Launched by the Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change on January 29th, the initiative involves planting 100 saplings for every tree unlawfully cut down. This move comes as air pollution in Tashkent has reached alarming levels, with PM2.5 pollution recently surpassing the World Health Organization's recommended limit by 23.2 times. Tashkent regularly features as one of the worst cities globally for air pollution due to factors like increasing emissions from coal-burning heat, power plants and motor vehicles, unauthorized construction, and illegal tree-felling.[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image="14150" img_size="full" el_class="scond-image" parallax_scroll="no" woodmart_inline="no"][vc_column_text woodmart_inline="no" text_larger="no"]Approximately 2,427 instances of illegal tree-felling were recorded in the first nine months of 2023 alone - including 714 bushels of precious trees - contributing to the shrinking of wildlife reproduction areas and natural reserves. The situation is particularly dire in the country's “Red Book” areas, which are home to endangered flora and fauna. One significant casualty has been the Tajik kavragi, a naturally occurring medicinal plant. Between July and September, 11,550 bushes were illegally harvested in the Surkhandarya Region’s Bobotog State Forestry, resulting in environmental damage totaling 5.7 billion som ($462,000). At the January 29th meeting it was announced that 22,000 new industrial enterprises have been launched in the country since 2020, and industry and transport together now emit more than two million tons of pollutants into the atmosphere a year. In many cases, construction projects are implemented without environmental assessment. To reverse this trend, the government is planning substantial green efforts over the next five years. These include creating at least 3,000 hectares of green belt and 200 hectares of “green parks” encircling the city of Tashkent and its surrounding districts. Additionally, "green gardens" will be established on former garbage landfills, covering 23 hectares in Ohangaron and 37 hectares in Yangiyol in the Tashkent region.[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image="14168" img_size="full" el_class="scond-image" parallax_scroll="no" woodmart_inline="no"][vc_column_text woodmart_inline="no" text_larger="no"]As part of this ambitious project, the Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change has created a digital map, pinpointing the coordinates of more than 254 million trees. Each tree in the city of Tashkent will be registered and given a 'passport' on the Green Space electronic platform. This will reflect crucial information, such as the tree's type, age, height, condition, and location. Trees older than five years covering all regions and districts of Uzbekistan were accounted for during the survey. This comprehensive registration process was made possible through the use of satellite imagery, remote sensing, geo-information systems, and artificial intelligence technologies. The initiative also drew on the experiences of several countries, including the U.S., Canada, China, India, Australia, Russia, and Germany. Uzbekistan's "Plant 100 Saplings" initiative marks a significant step towards environmental conservation. By leveraging technology and international experiences, the country is taking steps to protect its flora and fauna, demonstrating a commitment to sustainable development and environmental stewardship.[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image="14148" img_size="full" el_class="scond-image" parallax_scroll="no" woodmart_inline="no"][vc_column_text woodmart_inline="no" text_larger="no"]Other measures currently...

11 months ago

Central Asia Uzbekistan Uzbekistan Life & Culture Uzbekistan Local Politics

Tashkent To Introduce Cable Car To Help Resolve Transport Problem

The Tashkent municipality and Chinese company Beijing North Bartholet Ropeway Technology Co., Ltd. have agreed on a project to introduce a cable car service to help in solving the Uzbek capital’s transport and environmental problems, the press service of the Tashkent municipality said. The agreement was signed during the Tashkent mayor’s visit to the Chinese city of Shenzhen on January 23rd, where he met with the management of Beijing North Bartholet Ropeway Technology, a joint venture with the Swiss company Bartholet Maschinenbau AG, a world leader in ropeways production. According to the agreement, the Chinese company is going to invest in a project to duplicate ground municipal transport in Tashkent with cable taxis. The project will first be presented to the public, whose recommendations and suggestions would be taken into account by the Chinese company’s designers, the municipality said. The Uzbek Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change earlier this month stated that emissions from motor vehicles largely the cause for increasing levels of air pollution in Tashkent. On average 730,000 vehicles are on the move in Tashkent every day, with between 160,000 to 300,000 entering the capital from the regions. To resolve the problem, the Tashkent municipality intends to develop green public transport.

11 months ago

Central Asia Uzbekistan Environment Uzbekistan Life & Culture Uzbekistan Life & Culture

Uzbekistan’s senators amend legislation to improve environmental safety

During a meeting on January 20th, the Senate of the Oliy Majlis introduced amendments to legislation aimed at improving environmental safety. The amendments are aimed at reducing the negative impact on the environment. They will also contribute to increasing the responsibility of state bodies. The amendments establish clear mechanisms and procedures for responding to threats to the life and health of the population. According to the senators, the increase in construction, production and urbanization leads to increased emissions of pollutants into the environment. Urbanization is often accompanied by the expansion of production capacity, construction of factories, enterprises and infrastructure, which leads to an increase in emissions of harmful substances into the atmosphere. In Uzbekistan this takes place due to the active development of industry, construction of new infrastructure facilities, increase in motor traffic, and poor quality of waste treatment systems. In accordance with the proposed amendments, the legislation now provides for the possibility of limiting and temporarily suspending the operation of facilities that have a negative impact on the environment for a period of up to 10 working days, in order to prevent possible emergencies, epidemics and other threats to people’s health. According to the senators, these changes contribute to improving the environmental situation and protecting enterprises, as well as fighting corruption and increasing the responsibility of government agencies. However, Senate chairwoman Tanzila Narbayeva expressed doubts and noted that environmental laws should not contain ambiguous norms that can be interpreted and applied differently. "In practice, such a situation can cause various problems, misunderstandings, discontent and, worst of all, cases of corruption. From this point of view, these amendments are very important. Because the level of industrialization in our country is growing every year. Under such conditions, the scale of environmental impact will increase. Especially today, in our big cities, such as Tashkent, such clear legal norms are very important for prevention of exceeding the level of air pollution." Due to this, additional changes are possible in the future, which will more precisely justify the laws "On Nature Protection", "On Atmospheric Air Protection" and "On Environmental Control".

12 months ago

Uzbekistan Environment Uzbekistan Business & Economy Uzbekistan Business & Economy

Uzbekistan and China: Cooperation in Ecology

A meeting was held at the Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change to discuss the prospects of cooperation and strategic partnership between China and Uzbekistan in the field of ecology and environmental protection. Important issues, including a number of promising projects based on the idea of constructing buildings that meet the principles of energy efficiency and environmental cleanliness were deliberated upon. In addition, the active introduction of green technologies and the development of strategies to recycle household and solid waste, including the recycling of batteries and the prevention of air pollution were proposed. Such projects are oriented towards the creation of a sustainable and environmentally friendly infrastructure, and reducing the negative impact on the climate. The meeting also focused on the establishment of global environmental standards, the widespread use of digital technologies, and studying China's experience in the field of ecology and creating mechanisms for environmental protection. At the meeting, China's best practices in the greening of barren desert areas was discussed. China is successfully implementing innovative methods, including the creation of specialized farms for planting seedlings. Measures to attract investors to implement the latest technologies in the systematic treatment of urban wastewater was also on the agenda. The Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources provided valuable information on the activities the government is actively pursuing to ensure the sustainable development of various sectors, including important work on environmental protection. In addition, the parties discussed the establishment of a national taxonomy of green projects and the establishment of a Green Fund. As a result of the meeting, the parties agreed to hold additional negotiations on these issues, emphasizing their intent and commitment to find the best solutions available.

12 months ago

Business & Economy Kazakhstan Kazakhstan Business & Economy

EBRD Helps Improve Efficiency of Agricultural Production in Kazakhstan

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) on December 29th said it is extending a US $10 million loan to Atameken-Agro, one of the largest vertically integrated agricultural holdings in Kazakhstan, thus contributing to greater efficiency of agricultural production in the Central Asian country. Atameken-Agro will use the funds to support the modernization, energy efficiency and environmental improvements of its agricultural machinery, including tractors, harvester-threshers and sprayers, the EBRD said. It is also expected that new agricultural machinery, procured with the help of the EBRD loan, will contribute to environmental improvements across Kazakhstan by increasing fuel efficiency and reducing air pollution. As part of the project, Atameken-Agro will also train workers in more advanced agricultural skills and thus contribute to the development of human capital in the sector. The loan is complemented with an investment under the Agrifood Nexus Program, funded by the Government of Germany through its International Climate Initiative. The Agrifood Nexus Program is part of a broader consortium program among the EBRD, the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) and the Scientific-Information Center of the Interstate Commission for Water Coordination of Central Asia (SIC ICWC), as well as ministries from participating countries. The consortium will address the challenges posed by the interdependence of energy, water and land use, which are exacerbated by climate change.

1 year ago

Uzbekistan Uzbekistan Business & Economy Features

Uzbekistan’s Transition to Market Economy to Accelerate

Uzbekistan’s Transition to Market Economy to Accelerate The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors on December 8th approved a Development Policy Operation to financially support the Government of Uzbekistan in implementing a new generation of economic, social, and climate reforms. The objective of these reforms is to expedite the country’s transition to a market economy, ensuring that economic opportunities are accessible to all citizens and creating a strong foundation for sustained growth. In Uzbekistan, despite significant progress in the transition to a market economy, there is a need to complete this process and to shift urgently towards a greener and more equitable economic model which would help the country achieve its development and environmental goals. The government aims to halve the poverty rate by 2026, and elevate the country to the status of an upper-middle-income economy by 2030. Achieving these objectives requires much faster growth, which is possible through reducing state control over the economy and empowering the private sector to become the primary driver of economic development. “The World Bank’s new operation supports key government priorities, including reducing state dominance in crucial sectors such as agriculture, railway, chemicals, and energy,” said Marco Mantovanelli, World Bank Country Manager for Uzbekistan. “This will allow for greater private sector participation in the given areas. The operation also aims to strengthen social and legal protection for vulnerable groups, and address pressing issues of climate change and environmental protection.” The World Bank will provide financial support to the government through a combination of highly concessional and low-cost loans totaling $800 million. The financing will offer the government a low-cost, long-term repayment option compared to what would be available in international financial markets, resulting in a significantly lower loan repayment cost. This, in turn, will free up more resources for the country’s urgent development priorities. “The Government has a strong commitment to reforms that will transform Uzbekistan into a more open and competitive market economy. The World Bank is supporting the country in achieving this goal by providing the necessary expertise, international experience, and financing,” said Jasur Karshibaev, Deputy Minister of the Economy and Finance of Uzbekistan. The financing from the World Bank operation will support the government’s reforms and actions in a number of critical areas, including: Energy sector: Establishing an independent energy regulator and implementing energy tariff reform to improve the energy sector’s performance, enhance the efficient use of energy resources, attract private investment in modernizing energy infrastructure, and promoting competition and private sector participation in the industry. Railway sector: Undertaking institutional reforms in the railway sector to modernize price setting for passenger and freight transportation and strengthen competition and the institutional environment in the industry. Chemical sector: Establishing a framework for institutional reforms in the chemicals sector and privatizing FerganAzot JSC, a large state-owned chemical plant, to liberalize the sector, attract private investments for its modernization, and enhance competition and efficiency in the industry. Agriculture sector: Abolishing the crop placement system for all crops to promote greater diversity and productivity in crop...

1 year ago

NEWS

Kazakhstan’s capital to buy Chinese electric buses

NUR-SULTAN (TCA) — The city administration of Kazakhstan’s capital Nur-Sultan will purchase 100 new electric buses jointly developed by Chinese and Kazakh vehicle makers, Xinhua reported with reference to local media. Continue reading

5 years ago

NEWS

Kyrgyzstan: Forum helps local suppliers find partners in mining business

BISHKEK (TCA) — The first Forum of suppliers of goods and services for the mining industry of Kyrgyzstan was held in Bishkek on June 27. It was not a traditional meeting when all the invitees are sitting in the hall while speakers perform reports in a planned manner. Establishing B2B contacts During six hours, the ten largest mining companies, including KAZ Minerals Bozymchak, Kumtor Gold Company, Altynken and Highland Exploration, and 28 supplier companies from various sectors of the economy established B2B contacts and concluded preliminary agreements in several halls of Hyatt Regency Bishkek. In front of the hotel, the companies demonstrated modern heavy mining equipment including excavators and bulldozers, while inside the hotel there were representatives of the largest subsoil users and local suppliers. Subsoil users explained the procurement procedures to suppliers and answered their questions. Suppliers presented their products and services at stands and in presentations. Along with suppliers of direct goods and services such as design, exploration, testing, drilling and blasting, the exhibition also included related services — food supply, workwear, lighting equipment and much more that can be purchased in the country. Askar Sydykov, Executive Director of the International Business Council (IBC) based in Bishkek, told how the idea of holding the forum appeared. “Suppliers of goods and services often turned to IBC with a request to acquaint them with purchasers, and not only for the mining industry, but also for other sectors of the economy. We decided to bring together suppliers of goods and services in one place to help them establish contacts for further joint projects,” the IBC head explained. Lack of information The cooperation often fails due to the lack of information. For example, not everyone knows that the country produces materials for mining and recycles industrial waste. Subsoil users do not always have information on where and what purchases can be made in Kyrgyzstan. At the same time, they are ready to buy more from local companies and enterprises. “Recently, the mining industry has been developing rapidly in our country, and the need for services is increasing. We support the initiative to ensure that as many local companies operate in Kyrgyzstan. The more local people work, study and develop, the less problems with local communities will investors face,” said Aigerim Omokoeva, Executive Director of the Aji Service LLC that provides special equipment and other services for the mining industry. The main activity of the company is blasting and sale of explosive materials for industrial explosions. “In terms of safety, we have a great responsibility towards people and comply with all international and local safety and environment standards,” she added. Efficiency of local suppliers could be improved if local companies are given open access to tenders. “Kyrgyzaltyn (Kyrgyz Gold) state enterprise’s information about tenders is the only source for us to participate in tenders. We learn about tenders through our colleagues, geologists, who have been working in the industry for a long time,’” Omokoeva said. How to become a Kumtor supplier Kumtor Gold...

6 years ago

NEWS

ADB to help modernize Uzbekistan’s railway fleet

TASHKENT (TCA) — The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $170 million loan to help improve Uzbekistan’s railway fleet through the procurement of 24 state-of-the-art electric locomotives. The new locomotives will enhance the performance of the railway system by offering cleaner, more reliable, and efficient passenger and freight transport services, ADB’s country office in Uzbekistan said. “Transport and connectivity are crucial for the growth and development of a double landlocked country like Uzbekistan, and remains a high priority for our support to Uzbekistan,” said ADB Country Director for Uzbekistan Ms. Cindy Malvicini. Rail transport plays a significant part in Uzbekistan’s economy, particularly in moving large amount of freight in long distances as well as in moving passengers between the country’s densely populated cities. The 4,669-kilometer (km) rail network in Uzbekistan carries about 40% of total freight volume and about 4% of total passenger volume of the country’s land transport needs. In terms of electrification rate, more than 50%, or 2,350 km, of the country’s railway network is currently electrified. “Having a cleaner, more efficient, and reliable transport network, in the form of electrified railways, will help boost Uzbekistan’s growth and maximize the country’s potential as a transport hub at the heart of Central Asia,” said ADB Senior Transport Specialist for Central and West Asia Mr. Ko Sakamoto. The project will provide 24 electric locomotives, 16 of which are optimized for freight trains and 8 for passenger trains. These locomotives will help cut greenhouse gas emissions by 900,000 tons per year, while also reducing local air pollution. The locomotive depot in Tashkent, called O’zbekiston, will also be upgraded to effectively cater to service and maintenance needs of the new electric fleet. O’zbekiston Temir Yo’llari, the publicly owned railway company, will implement a long-term development strategy to equip itself for the emerging transport needs of the country. The project will help reduce travel times on Uzbekistan’s railway network, improve service quality and reliability in the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) transport network, and strengthen the conditions for the private sector in the country to grow. It is also aligned with the goals under the CAREC Railway Strategy 2017–2030, which notes railways’ role as an engine for economic growth in Central Asia. Total cost of the project is $218.3 million, with the Government of Uzbekistan contributing $48.3 million. The project is expected to be completed by June 2025. ADB’s $170 million assistance directly complements other projects in Uzbekistan for the electrification of the country’s railway network, two of which are supported by ADB. In September 2011, ADB approved a $100 million loan for the electrification of 140 km of railway between Marakand and Karshi, while an $80 million loan was approved in April 2017 for the electrification of 145 km of railway linking the cities of Pap, Namangan, and Andijan in the Fergana Valley.

6 years ago

Opinion Head

Central Asia: modern public transport to solve traffic challenges, benefit environment

BISHKEK (TCA) — The number of private vehicles is growing in Central Asia countries. For instance, the number of cars registered in Bishkek has increased from 240 thousand to 420 thousand over the past five years. This indicates a weak urban infrastructure development, experts say. Transport is also among the main sources of air pollution. Continue reading

6 years ago

Opinion Head

Solving environmental, and economic, problems in Central Asia

BISHKEK (TCA) — Kyrgyz Parliament Deputy Ekmat Baikabayev proposed introducing an additional tax for gasoline and diesel fuel use and allocating the raised funds to improve the environmental situation in the country. A draft Government Resolution on this issue has been submitted for public discussion. Continue reading

6 years ago

NEWS

Weekly Digest of Central Asia

BISHKEK (TCA) — The Publisher’s note: Throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, Central Asia was the scene of intense geopolitical struggle and the Great Game between the British and Russian Empires, and later between the Soviet Union and the West, over Afghanistan and neighboring territories. Into the 21st century, Central Asia has become the area of a renewed geopolitical interest, dubbed the New Great Game, largely based on the region’s hydrocarbon and mineral wealth. On top of that, the region now is perhaps the most important node in the implementation of China’s One Belt, One Road initiative through which Beijing aims to get direct access to Western markets. Every week thousands of news appears in the world’s printed and online media and many of them may escape the attention of busy readers. At The Times of Central Asia, we strongly believe that more information can better contribute to peaceful development and better knowledge of this unique region. So we are presenting this Weekly Digest which compiles what other media have reported on Central Asia over the past week. KAZAKHSTAN Oil-rich Kazakhstan’s green transition Kazakhstan pursues a strategy to help the country become more environmentally friendly and move away from its oil dependency Dec 17 — “Nursultan Nazarbayev has been Kazakhstan’s one and only president since the country gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. Described by the leader as “a democracy that kept electing the same leader”, the country is guided by the principle of “economy first and then politics”. READ MORE: https://www.theneweconomy.com/strategy/oil-rich-kazakhstans-green-transition Book Review | A long-awaited account of Kazakhstan’s famine At least a quarter of Kazakhstan’s population died when Stalin decided the nomads must be settled in the 1930s Dec 18 — ““Can you get to socialism by camel?” This question is chosen by academic Sarah Cameron as a chapter title in her newly published book on the famine that devastated Soviet Kazakhstan in the early 1930s. Sultanbek Khodzhanov, a Soviet Kazakh official later shot in Stalin’s purges, quipped during heated debates about how communism was to be implanted in a land roamed by nomads and their herds that “you can’t get to socialism by camel!” READ MORE: https://eurasianet.org/book-review-a-long-awaited-account-of-kazakhstans-famine Has Kazakhstan forgotten about its Polygon test survivors? The Kazakh government officially recognized 1,323,000 people as being negatively affected by Soviet-era nuclear tests at the Semipalatinsk Test Site Dec 20 — “On a bright, bitterly cold day in early November, Aigul Suleimenova went home during her lunch break to check up on her daughter, Assee, who has a condition that weakens her nervous system. “She was born like that,” Aigul said. Assee, now 29, spends her days in a wheelchair and is under constant supervision.” READ MORE: http://www.wvxu.org/post/has-kazakhstan-forgotten-about-its-polygon-test-survivors#stream/0 Over 400 Kazakh Muslim Students Refused to Eat Pork in China, Get Locked in Freezer with Pig Carcasses Authorities in China press on Uighur and other Muslim minorities in their country to denounce their religion Dec 20 — “An independent US-based news site just revealed some shocking details about the condition...

6 years ago

Opinion Head

Kyrgyzstan: Governments change but the environmental problems remain

BISHKEK (TCA) — Kyrgyzstan’s capital Bishkek is gradually turning from one of the greenest cities of the former Soviet Union into a gassed and smoggy one. The public outrage intensifies in cold seasons, when a shroud of smog covers Bishkek, and subsides in spring. The Government and state agencies regularly make decisions to improve the environmental situation in the capital but it is getting worse every year. Continue reading

6 years ago

NEWS

Weekly Digest of Central Asia

BISHKEK (TCA) — The Publisher’s note: Throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, Central Asia was the scene of intense geopolitical struggle and the Great Game between the British and Russian Empires, and later between the Soviet Union and the West, over Afghanistan and neighboring territories. Into the 21st century, Central Asia has become the area of a renewed geopolitical interest, dubbed the New Great Game, largely based on the region’s hydrocarbon and mineral wealth. On top of that, the region now is perhaps the most important node in the implementation of China’s One Belt, One Road initiative through which Beijing aims to get direct access to Western markets. Every week thousands of news appears in the world’s printed and online media and many of them may escape the attention of busy readers. At The Times of Central Asia, we strongly believe that more information can better contribute to peaceful development and better knowledge of this unique region. So we are presenting this Weekly Digest which compiles what other media have reported on Central Asia over the past week. KAZAKHSTAN Is Kazakhstan’s political opposition creeping back? As President Nazarbayev will turn 78 this year, the power succession issue is becoming even more relevant in Kazakhstan, prompting a re-emergence of the country’s opposition on the political scene May 28 — “After a long hibernation, organized political opposition is making a comeback in Kazakhstan. For over five years, the country’s political scene has been utterly moribund. The parties that are allowed to exist sing from the same hymn sheet as the authorities. Dissenters have either found their organizations banned or have withered away into insignificance.” READ MORE: https://timesca.com/index.php/news/19800-is-kazakhstan-s-political-opposition-creeping-back Minister: Developing digital economy is matter of national security for Kazakhstan In an interview, Kazakh Minister of Information and Communication tells about the Digital Kazakhstan programme and the country’s plan to join the world’s digital giants May 29 — “Kazakhstan is developing its digital technologies in many fields, such as the economy, agriculture or administration, and the Central Asian country also wants to become a pioneer in digital innovation, with the creation of technology hubs and parks.” READ MORE: https://www.euractiv.com/section/central-asia/news/minister-developing-digital-economy-is-matter-of-national-security-for-kazakhstan/ Kazakhstan: Russian military to leave Baikonur base? The civilian status of Baikonur would make it possible to attract more private-sector interest in the cosmodrome May 30 — “A senior official in Kazakhstan has confirmed that the government is considering options for Russia to end its military presence at Baikonur cosmodrome, which is currently leased to Russia. Speaking on May 30, Defense and Aerospace Industry Minister Beibut Atamkulov said, however, that a definitive decision on the issue has yet to be made.” READ MORE: https://eurasianet.org/s/kazakhstan-russian-military-to-leave-baikonur-base Copied Free Birds: Plagiarism Allegations Hit Kazakhstan's Government Again The subject of the matter is the bird-shaped logo of a state program aimed at the modernization of society. The concept, shape, and colors of the logo are suspiciously similar to the one used by L’Aigle de Patmos, a French theater company, in 2009 May 30 — “Kazakhstan’s government has come under...

7 years ago

NEWS

Weekly Digest of Central Asia

BISHKEK (TCA) — The Publisher’s note: Throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, Central Asia was the scene of intense geopolitical struggle and the Great Game between the British and Russian Empires, and later between the Soviet Union and the West, over Afghanistan and neighboring territories. Into the 21st century, Central Asia has become the area of a renewed geopolitical interest, dubbed the New Great Game, largely based on the region’s hydrocarbon and mineral wealth. On top of that, the region now is perhaps the most important node in the implementation of China’s One Belt, One Road initiative through which Beijing aims to get direct access to Western markets. Every week thousands of news appears in the world’s printed and online media and many of them may escape the attention of busy readers. At The Times of Central Asia, we strongly believe that more information can better contribute to peaceful development and better knowledge of this unique region. So we are presenting this Weekly Digest which compiles what other media have reported on Central Asia over the past week. KAZAKHSTAN What Nazarbayev Hopes to Achieve The honorary secretary of the Singapore Press Club on the Kazakh president’s efforts to modernize the country Feb 9 — “The 10 priority tasks that President Nursultan Nazarbayev announced on Jan. 9 indicate that the statesman is in a hurry to modernise Kazakhstan. The resourceful leader knows that his developing Central Asian republic cannot afford to lag behind if it is to achieve his goal of becoming one of the top 30 economies of the world by 2050.” READ MORE: https://astanatimes.com/2018/02/what-nazarbayev-hopes-to-achieve/ Meet the Woman Charged With Saving the Kazakh Banking System Kazakhstan’s banking system still remains weak, with non-performing loans undermining the system Feb 12 — “After a decade of financial turmoil, Kazakhstan is looking to the head of its largest lender to restore the banking system to health. Umut Shayakhmetova, the 48-year-old chief executive officer of Halyk Bank, is weighing the lender’s first dividend since 2015. The potential payout is a sign of stabilization in the banking system after years of turmoil culminated in Halyk being drafted in to recapitalize its main competitor, Kazkommertsbank.” READ MORE: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-02-12/meet-the-woman-charged-with-saving-kazakhstan-s-banking-system Kazakhstan’s new secularity In October 2018, Astana will host the 6th Congress of World Religions, as the issues of religious freedom and extremism remain high on the regional agenda Feb 13 — “The upcoming congress of religious leaders may offer the Kazakh government insights into better ways of fighting national security threats related to religion. If not, the Palace of Peace and Reconciliation built in 2006 especially for inter-confessional conferences may itself become a threat to Astana’s new definition of secularity.” READ MORE: http://neweasterneurope.eu/2018/02/13/kazakhstans-new-secularity/ Kazakhstan: Businessman Alleges Torture The ill-treatment and torture of detained people is widespread in Central Asian countries and Kazakhstan is no exception Feb 15 — “Kazakh authorities should provide immediate medical assistance to a detained businessman who has alleged that he was beaten and ill-treated, the Norwegian Helsinki Committee and Human Rights Watch said today.”...

7 years ago

NEWS

Kazakhstan launches online platform for monitoring greenhouse gases

ASTANA (TCA) — An online platform for monitoring, reporting and verifying emission sources and greenhouse gases (GHG) was officially launched on February 5 by the Ministry of Energy of Kazakhstan and the World Bank. Continue reading

7 years ago

Opinion Head

Smog over Kyrgyzstan capital city: causes, effects, and solutions

BISHKEK (TCA) — Air pollution has become one of the most discussed topics in Bishkek. A shroud of smog over Kyrgyzstan’s capital has become stronger in recent years, and it is clearly visible when looking at the city from above, even from villages located to the south Bishkek, at the foot of the mountains. Continue reading

7 years ago

NEWS

World Bank to help Kyrgyzstan improve heat supply

BISHKEK (TCA) — More than 200,000 people in Kyrgyzstan will benefit from the improved efficiency and quality of heating during cold winter months, thanks to the Heat Supply Improvement Project, approved on October 27 by the World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors. The project will be financed by the combination of a US $23 million credit and a US $23 million grant. Continue reading

7 years ago

NEWS

Iran launches country’s largest solar power plant

TEHRAN (TCA) — Iran has launched a major solar power plant as the country is pressing ahead with an ambitious agenda to use renewable energy resources, Iran’s PressTV news agency reported on April 27. Continue reading

8 years ago

NEWS

Kazakhstan developing online platform for greenhouse gases reporting

ASTANA (TCA) — The Ministry of Energy of Kazakhstan and the World Bank on January 26 launched a new project aimed at designing and developing Kazakhstan’s greenhouse gases (GHG) electronic reporting platform and its supporting institutional and legal frameworks, the World Bank said. Continue reading

8 years ago

Opinion Head

Regional solutions key for Asia-Pacific’s transition to sustainable energy

BISHKEK (TCA) — As the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) established an intergovernmental Committee on Energy that will meet for the first time in Bangkok 17-19 January, we are publishing this OP-ED by Dr. Shamshad Akhtar, an Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and the Executive Secretary of ESCAP: Continue reading

8 years ago

NEWS

Turkmenistan to host Global Sustainable Transport Conference

ASHGABAT (TCA) — UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon will convene the first ever global conference on sustainable transport, on November 26 and 27 in Turkmenistan’s capital Ashgabat. Continue reading

8 years ago

NEWS

Coal revival helps cope with power shortages but poses emissions threat in Kyrgyzstan

BISHKEK (TCA) — With the launch of the winter heating season, hundreds of coal-fired small boilers began to supply heat to the homes of Kyrgyzstan’s population. Some boilers this year have been transferred to natural gas, because the gas supply is more stable, effective and environmentally friendly. The others are still burning coal. Continue reading

8 years ago

NEWS

China relocating heavy enterprises to Kyrgyzstan

BISHKEK (TCA) — As Kyrgyzstan badly needs to provide support to existing industries (many of which close to bankruptcy and with obsolete equipment) and create a new industrial zone to attract foreign investment and technology for domestic export-oriented production, we are republishing the following article by Cholpon Orozobekova, originally published by The Jamestown Foundation’s Eurasia Daily Monitor: Continue reading

9 years ago

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