Viewing results 1 - 6 of 17
Singaporean firm GK Hyperscale Ltd will participate in the construction of two major data processing centers (DPCs) in Kazakhstan's Akmola and Karaganda regions, according to Minister of Digital Development, Innovation and Aerospace Industry Zhaslan Madiev. Speaking at the AlmatyFair.ai exhibition, Madiev informed Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and his Uzbek counterpart Shavkat Mirziyoyev of Kazakhstan’s plans to expand the use of artificial intelligence (AI) across industrial and social sectors. He emphasized that large-scale AI deployment requires robust infrastructure, including high-capacity data centers. To this end, two centers with a combined capacity of 200 megawatts will be built with Singaporean investment. During the same event, an investment agreement was signed between the Kazakh government and GK Hyperscale Ltd. The deal will bring $1.5 billion in foreign direct investment to construct Tier 3-compliant data centers, an international standard defined by the Uptime Institute that ensures high reliability and availability. According to the ministry, these facilities will provide essential infrastructure for the growth of cloud computing, AI, and high-performance computing in Kazakhstan. “This project, in both scale and quality, will attract global technology giants such as Microsoft, Google, and Amazon, as well as companies specializing in big data and AI,” Madiev said. “It will bolster Kazakhstan’s position as a digital hub in Central Asia and drive the expansion of IT service exports.” An additional $1.2 billion will be invested in acquiring and upgrading a power plant to serve the new infrastructure. Funds will also support the construction of a wind farm and an energy storage system to ensure a stable power supply. Construction is scheduled to begin in the first quarter of 2026, with the first data center module expected to come online in 2027. As The Times of Central Asia previously reported, Kazakhstan is also developing legislation to regulate artificial intelligence, ensuring human oversight in its application.
The Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) and Kyrgyzstan’s Ministry of Economy and Commerce have signed a technical assistance agreement to initiate a pre-feasibility study for the Hydropower Plant (HPP) Cascade Project. The announcement was made on March 26 and marks a significant step forward in the development of one of Kyrgyzstan’s most ambitious energy infrastructure projects. This agreement builds on the existing partnership between the EDB and the Ministry, established under a Memorandum of Cooperation signed in December 2024. Scope of the Study Under the agreement, the EDB will finance the pre-feasibility study, which will include: Estimating preliminary capital expenditures Developing key technical solutions Assessing environmental and social impacts Outlining state support measures needed for project implementation The study will be carried out in collaboration with the Ministry and a designated consulting firm. Strategic Importance of the Suusamyr-Kokomeren Cascade The planned hydropower cascade will be situated on the Kokomeren River and consist of three power plants with a combined installed capacity of 1,305 MW. The project is expected to significantly enhance Kyrgyzstan’s electricity generation capacity, help meet growing domestic energy demands, and contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Hydropower is a cornerstone of Kyrgyzstan’s renewable energy strategy, and the Suusamyr-Kokomeren project is envisioned as a key driver of energy security and regional development. Regional and International Cooperation The EDB is a multilateral development institution comprising six member states: Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, and Tajikistan. It finances regional development projects that foster economic integration across Eurasia. It is worth noting that in early 2024, Kyrgyzstan’s Ministry of Energy signed memorandums of understanding with China National Electric Engineering Co. Ltd. These agreements include cooperation on the construction of both the Suusamyr-Kokomeren HPP Cascade and the Kara-Kechin thermal power plant. Together, these initiatives underscore Kyrgyzstan’s strategic push to diversify its energy portfolio and strengthen infrastructure through international partnerships and sustainable energy investments.
After nearly two decades of discussions, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan have officially determined the junction point of their shared borders. Kamchibek Tashiyev, head of the Kyrgyz National Security Committee, presented the final border demarcation to Kyrgyz lawmakers, AKIpress reported. On March 19, Tashiyev stated that trilateral negotiations on this issue had been ongoing since 2007. Government delegations from the three countries held six meetings before reaching an agreement. The dispute over the exact location of the border junction remained unresolved until a March 2025 meeting in Dushanbe, where representatives of Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan finalized the demarcation. During the meeting, Tashiyev displayed a map marking the agreed border point in blue. He noted that Uzbekistan had previously suggested a location marked in green, while Tajikistan proposed a spot marked in red. Accepting these alternative proposals would have left key roads outside Kyrgyzstan's territory. Under the final agreement, Kyrgyzstan retains approximately 100 hectares of land, which, although uninhabited, includes an important road. This breakthrough follows a March 13 border agreement between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, aimed at ending long-standing tensions that had made their shared border the most volatile in Central Asia for over a decade. The deal was underscored by Tajik President Emomali Rahmon’s first visit to Bishkek in nearly 12 years, highlighting its importance. As part of the agreement, the two countries also agreed to reopen the Kairagach (Leilek district) and Kyzyl-Bel (Batken district) border checkpoints, which had been closed for nearly four years. Both checkpoints resumed operations on March 13.
A delegation from Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Water Resources visited Turkmenistan on March 13-14 to discuss bilateral cooperation on water management, Dunyo reports. Officials from both countries met in Turkmenabat to address key issues, including the maintenance and modernization of water infrastructure, flood prevention, riverbank reinforcement, and efficient water use. As part of the discussions, the sides reaffirmed their commitment to implementing agreements reached during the fourth Uzbek-Turkmen intergovernmental meeting on water management. They agreed to collaborate on hydrotechnical projects aimed at minimizing water losses in the Amu Darya River and optimizing resource use. The two countries also plan to conduct joint research on shared water bodies, exchange expertise on water-saving technologies and digital management systems, and enhance training programs for water management specialists. During the visit, the Uzbek delegation toured the Tuyamoyin hydroelectric complex, where representatives discussed potential improvements to its operations. Previously, The Times of Central Asia reported that Kazakhstan is set to receive 11 billion cubic meters of irrigation water by April 2025 under an agreement signed in Dushanbe. Meanwhile, on World Rivers Day of Action, environmental groups raised concerns about growing threats to Central Asia’s rivers and lakes. Organizations such as Rivers Without Boundaries and Friends of the Earth US have called on international financial institutions to reconsider funding for hydropower projects in the region.
Regular flights between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan will resume in April 2025, marking a significant step in restoring air connectivity between the two countries. A test flight on the Bishkek-Khujand-Bishkek route was successfully conducted by Kyrgyz airline Asman Airlines. Regular operations on this route will begin on April 8, with flights scheduled once a week. The approximate cost of a one-way ticket is expected to be around $90. Additionally, Tajikistan's national carrier, Somon Air, has resumed regular flights between Dushanbe and Bishkek after nearly four years. The first flight was made possible following an agreement between the two governments to restore air service. “This important development significantly strengthens air connectivity between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, creating new opportunities for passengers and businesses. With the support of the presidents of both countries, regular flights between the capitals will become more accessible, contributing to the growth of economic and cultural ties,” said Manasbek Samidinov, Chairman of the Board of Manas International Airport Company. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, the resumption of air travel comes shortly after a historic border demarcation agreement between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. On March 13, Presidents Sadyr Japarov and Emomali Rahmon signed a treaty finalizing all border sections. The landmark deal was the result of three years of negotiations, mutual concessions, and land swaps.
On March 13, the presidents of Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan met in Bishkek, where Sadyr Japarov and Emomali Rahmon signed a landmark agreement on the delimitation and demarcation of the Kyrgyz-Tajik border. Following the signing, the agreement will be sent to the parliaments of both countries for consideration. Deputies must approve the ratification bill before it returns to the heads of state for final endorsement. The presidents are expected to exchange instruments of ratification on March 31 during the Fergana Valley summit, where Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev is also set to attend. Only then will the demarcation process, marking the border with physical infrastructure, begin. The Kyrgyz-Tajik border stretches 1,006 kilometers. As of 2011, only 520 kilometers had been officially defined. In the past three years, both nations have settled on an additional 487 kilometers of the border. During a recent parliamentary session, Kamchybek Tashiyev, head of Kyrgyzstan’s State Committee for National Security (GKNB) and chair of the intergovernmental commission on border negotiations, outlined key principles that guided the discussions. Notably, Tajikistan agreed to use 1991 documents to define border territories instead of relying on maps from 1924-1927. The negotiations aimed to balance both nations' interests while avoiding unilateral decisions that could lead to renewed tensions. Beyond the border agreement, both governments also signed intergovernmental deals on cooperation between their Foreign Ministries, as well as agreements on water and energy management and road transportation infrastructure. Additionally, the two sides agreed to officially reopen the Kairagach (Leilek district) and Kyzyl-Bel (Batken district) border checkpoints, which had been closed for nearly four years. Both checkpoints resumed operations on March 13.
