Environment - The Times Of Central Asia

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Kazakhstan Establishes Forest Protection Service

On May 4, Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Olzhas Bektenov signed a government resolution establishing a national Forest Protection Service. Administered by the Ministry of Ecology, the agency is tasked to enhance the efficiency of forestry institutions in dealing with emergency situations, including forest fires, as well as instilling a more scientific approach to subsequent forest rehabilitation and clearance. In addition to improving coordination between government agencies in the elimination of large-scale wildfires, the Forest Protection Service will ensure that personnel responsible for preventing and extinguishing forest fires are fully qualified. Machinery and equipment required for the job will also be updated and increased. Kazakhstan currently has 15 national civil defense services, including the Firefighting Service, Medical Service, Chemical Protection Service, Radiation Protection Service, and Hydrometeorological Service.

Strategic dialogue Strategic Partnership Environment UN Turkmenistan

Outcome of First Turkmenistan- UN Strategic Advisory Council Meeting

On May 3, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan hosted the first meeting of the Turkmenistan-UN Strategic Advisory Council. In addition to its approval of a Roadmap for the development of a new Framework Program for Cooperation in the Field of Sustainable Development between Turkmenistan and the UN for 2026-2030, the council discussed projects concerning youth policy, digitalization, demography, green energy, and climate change. Following the meeting, delegates signed official agreements on several projects. The Ministry of Environmental Protection of Turkmenistan and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (UN FAO) pledged their commitment to ‘Enhancing capacities for climate-resilient water management’; the Ministry of Agriculture of Turkmenistan and UN FAO, on ‘Developing digital solutions for sustainable pasture management’; and the Ministry of Finance and Economy of Turkmenistan and UN FAO, on ‘Development of the aquafeed value chain and aquatic animal health management capacity’. The Government of Turkmenistan and the UN Development Program also signed an agreement on the procurement of products for the control of infectious diseases in 2024-2025 for the Ministry of Health and Medical Industry of Turkmenistan.

Chinese aid Kazakh Floods Environment

Chinese Сompanies’ Generous Aid for People Hit by Kazakhstan’s Floods

Some fifteen members of the Association of Chinese Entrepreneurs in Kazakhstan have stepped in to provide generous aid for people badly affected by unprecedented spring floods that hit the country in April. In addition to funds totalling around 300 million tenge (over $675 thousand), the Chinese companies have donated special equipment, fuel, and other necessary resources. According to a report by Kazakh Invest, PetroChina International Kazakhstan and its subsidiaries donated more than 100 million tenge, JAC automobile concern and Allur,100 million tenge, and the Kazakhstan branch of Chinese oil and gas corporation Geo-Jade Petroleum, 70 million tenge. A donation of over 3 million tenge was made by Chinese grain company Xi'an Aiju to the North Kazakhstan Disaster Relief Fund, and the Chinese National Chemical Engineering Corporation and China Tianchen jointly contributed 1.7 million tenge to flood relief. JXC donated engine oil for 1.8 million tenge.

business and economy International investment Kambarata Water Management Environment Uzbekistan Kyrgyzstan

Tashkent Investment Forum Focus on Kyrgyzstan’s Kambarata HPP-1

The construction of the Kambarata hydroelectric power plant (HPP)-1 on Kyrgyzstan’s Naryn River was at the forefront at the Third Tashkent International Investment Forum attended by Uzbekistan’s Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov and representatives of international organizations and financial institutions. At the panel session on energy, on 2 May, Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic Akylbek Japarov, outlined the master plan behind Kambarata HPP-1, investment indicators, and its potential benefits to water resources management and Central Asia’s electricity market. Japarov explained that generated by hydropower, almost all electricity in Kyrgyzstan is green, but stated, “We have so far used only about 13% of our existing potential. Taking into account global challenges and trends in the development of green energy, the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic has actively begun to implement infrastructure energy projects. The large-scale construction of Kambarata HPP-1, strategically important for the entire region, will up the pace of development in this field.” Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan recently signed a Roadmap for joint construction of Kambarata HPP-1. If completed, Kambarata HPP-1 will have a capacity of 1860 MW and will generate 5.6 billion kWh of electricity per year. A forum for further discussions on foreign investment in the project is scheduled for early June in Vienna . Turning to plans for hydroelectric power plants elsewhere in the country, Kyrgyzstan’s Prime Minister, stated, “Work is underway to implement projects for the construction of a cascade of hydroelectric power plants on the Chatkal River, as well as a cascade of Kazarman hydroelectric power plants on the Naryn River. Our country needs foreign investment to develop energy, which is the main sector of the economy. We invite foreign companies to consider the possibility of participating in the construction of small and medium-sized hydroelectric power stations and renewable energy sources in Kyrgyzstan.”

Hydrogeology Water Access Environment Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan Engages Hydrogeology to Address Water Issues

On 30 April, a government resolution was signed by the Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Olzhas Bektenov for the establishment of a national hydrogeological service under the name of Kazhydrogeology. Increasingly used worldwide, hydrogeology records movement and storage of water in the crust of the Earth, maps and quantifies water stored in underground 'acquifiers', identifies pathways of flow and discharge, and assesses the chemical composition of underground water. Kazhydrogeology is tasked with making a full inventory of the country's groundwater deposits and water intake wells to create an extensive database of 4,300 explored groundwater areas and in addition, provide comprehensive digitalization of the hydrogeological industry through the introduction of an automated groundwater monitoring system. Prospecting and exploration work will be undertaken to increase the volume of available underground water resources in regions where water is scarce, to optimize provision for the general population, the economic sector, and irrigation. The new agency also plans to explore the use of geothermal groundwater, as an alternative source of energy, to meet the needs of thermal power engineering, greenhouses, and fish farms.

Transport Tajikistan EBRD Environment Women-owned Enterprises business and economy

EBRD Helps Improve Dushanbe’s Environment and Support Tajikistan’s Banking Sector

During a visit by Odile Renaud-Basso, President of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development to Tajikistan, on 29-30 April, the EBRD committed funds to upgrade Dushanbe's infrastructure, develop sustainable transportation solutions , and support for women’s entrepreneurship. The EBRD’s loan of up to €28.45 million will help improve transportation in the city’s riverside area through the reconstruction of roads and a bridge across the Varzob River, as well as the construction of dedicated bus and trolleybus lanes, and purpose-built routes for walking, cycling, electric wheelchairs etc. “We are very pleased to sign this project with the authorities of Dushanbe,” commented EBRD's president. “They have been committed to the green agenda ever since the city joined the EBRD Green Cities programme in 2019.” The Dushanbe Green City Action Plan was developed in collaboration with the EBRD to address environmental and development issues affecting the 800, 000 residents of Tajikistan’s largest municipality. Investment to promote a strategic shift from carbon-intensive, traditional transportation towards more eco-friendly, sustainable alternatives, aims to reduce annual carbon dioxide emissions by 37 percent. Joined by the Chairman of the National Bank of Tajikistan, Firdavs Nazrimad Tolibzoda, Renaud-Basso then signed a memorandum of understanding to support the country’s development of the Women Entrepreneurs Finance Code. Representing providers of financial services, regulators, development banks and other stakeholders, the WE Financial Code was formed to increase financial assistance to women-led micro, small and medium enterprises, and as a globally accepted multi-stakeholder approach, help eliminate constraints and gaps in financing women entrepreneurs in Tajikistan. The EBRD has now provided fresh funds and created new growth opportunities for women-owned and managed businesses in Tajikistan. Under the auspices of its Women in Business (WiB) programme for Central Asia, a loan of US$ 5 million (€4.6 million) has been granted to one of the country’s largest lenders, Bank Arvand, alongside technical assistance to help the bank promote women’s entrepreneurship and business activity. In addition, and under the EBRD’s Trade Facilitation Programme, a limited loan of US$ 1 million (€0.9 million) was offered to country’s leading microlenders, MDO HUMO, to help local clients both import goods, services, and equipment, and export their products.