International Cooperation - The Times Of Central Asia

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Allied Biofuels

Allied Biofuels Details Export Routes for Planned $6.1 Billion Uzbekistan SAF Project

Allied Biofuels has disclosed planned export routes that would carry sustainable aviation fuel from its proposed facility in Uzbekistan to customers in Europe and the United Arab Emirates via rail and sea corridors crossing Kazakhstan, the Caspian Sea, the Black Sea, and the Suez Canal. The routes are set out in a logistics agreement with Latvia-based Pro Logistic Services that was signed during the 5th Tashkent International Investment Forum in June and announced on July 20. It covers the future transport of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and electro-synthetic sustainable aviation fuel (e-SAF), rather than immediate exports. The production facility has not yet been built, and Allied Biofuels has said commercial fuel supplies are expected to begin in 2030. Under the agreement, Pro Logistic Services will design and implement a multimodal transport network covering dedicated rail tank cars, port handling, freight forwarding, and marine shipping. The company would coordinate delivery from the project site in Uzbekistan to customers in Europe, the UAE, and other markets. The logistics partnership forms part of Allied Biofuels’ planned $6.08 billion renewable energy and sustainable fuel project in Uzbekistan’s Khorezm region. The development is backed by a project implementation agreement with the regional authorities and has received special economic zone status under a presidential decree. The planned complex would combine biomass processing, refining, green hydrogen, and power-to-liquid technologies. Allied Biofuels says it would produce about 160,400 tonnes of SAF, 257,000 tonnes of e-SAF, and 5,040 tonnes of green diesel annually. A proposed 4.45-gigawatt renewable energy system, supported by battery storage and hydrogen infrastructure, would supply the project. In June, Allied Biofuels signed an engineering agreement with Sinopec Engineering Group covering front-end and detailed design, systems integration, and cost development. The logistics program is expected to proceed alongside engineering, production planning, financing, and negotiations with potential fuel buyers. Uzbekistan Airports and Allied Biofuels also signed a memorandum of understanding in May on future SAF and e-SAF supplies. The May announcement said cooperation would begin in 2030. Allied Biofuels’ latest statement describes the memorandum as binding and says it covers annual purchases of 117,000 tonnes. For shipments to the UAE, fuel would travel by rail from Miskin Station through the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route. The proposed journey would cross Kazakhstan and the Caspian Sea before reaching the Georgian Black Sea ports of Poti or Batumi. The cargo would then be transferred to tankers and shipped through the Black Sea, the Mediterranean, and the Suez Canal to Fujairah and other UAE ports. European exports would use a separate corridor. Fuel would travel by rail from Miskin Station to the Port of Riga in Latvia, before continuing by sea to Hamburg and other European ports. The plan reflects Uzbekistan’s wider effort to improve rail links and secure more reliable access to distant seaports. Pro Logistic Services says it has direct forwarding agreements with the national railway operators of Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Turkmenistan, and Lithuania. Headquartered in Riga, the company operates more than 4,000 freight wagons and maintains a presence in...

Groundwater Management

Kazakhstan Hydrogeologists Complete Six-Month USGS Groundwater Training

Kazakhstani hydrogeologists have completed a six-month online training program led by experts from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). The Department of Groundwater at Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation organized the seminars for specialists at Kazhydrogeology, the country’s National Hydrogeological Service. Staff from its branches also took part. The training covered current approaches to groundwater monitoring and assessment. Participants also studied groundwater modeling and water resource management, drawing on international practices in hydrogeology. The USGS awarded certificates to 20 participants from Kazhydrogeology and its branches. Employees from the ministry’s Department of Groundwater and the Department of Strategic Development received certificates of appreciation. Bolat Bekniyaz, chairman of Kazhydrogeology’s management board, thanked the USGS for supporting the professional development of Kazakhstani specialists in groundwater research and management. He said the ministry would continue working with international partners through exchanges of professional experience and joint training. The seminars were held under ongoing cooperation between the ministry and the USGS. In May, Kazakhstani specialists attended training in Boise, Idaho, on U.S. groundwater-monitoring systems and modeling methods. They also studied techniques for protecting groundwater sources. Groundwater is important to water security in Central Asia’s arid and semi-arid areas. UNESCO estimates that it accounts for 98% of the world’s unfrozen freshwater. The organization says groundwater in Central Asia remains under-researched and under-governed, while cross-border cooperation is limited. Kazakhstan is also developing a national water information system that will integrate data on surface water and groundwater. As The Times of Central Asia previously reported, it is intended to support predictive water management.

Cultural Heritage

UNESCO Conference in Samarkand Highlights Uzbekistan’s Heritage

At the opening ceremony of the 43rd session of the UNESCO General Conference in Samarkand, Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev highlighted Uzbekistan’s growing role in global cultural dialogue and its expanding cooperation with UNESCO. Held on October 30, the event marked the first time in four decades that the conference had convened outside UNESCO’s headquarters in Paris. The ceremony welcomed high-level participants, including UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay, Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić, Slovak President Peter Pellegrini, and representatives from UNESCO member states. In his address, Mirziyoyev said that hosting such a prominent international forum reflects global recognition of Uzbekistan’s reform efforts and its active role in cultural and educational cooperation. He commended UNESCO’s decades-long contributions to education, science, culture, and media, noting Samarkand’s symbolic importance as one of the world’s oldest cities. “Samarkand has always been a crossroads of civilizations, science, and tolerance,” Mirziyoyev said. The president highlighted the 2023–2027 cooperation program between Uzbekistan and UNESCO, which focuses on cultural heritage preservation, educational reform, and digital innovation. He also noted that Khiva, Bukhara, Shahrisabz, and Samarkand are inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List, and that the Zarafshan-Karakum Corridor was recently added as part of the Silk Roads network. Uzbekistan’s rich intangible heritage, including Shashmaqom music, the Lazgi dance, Navruz celebrations, and traditional crafts such as embroidery and ceramics, has also earned UNESCO recognition, strengthening the country’s identity as a cultural hub in Central Asia. During the session, Mirziyoyev proposed several initiatives for UNESCO’s consideration: Establishing a UNESCO Platform for Inclusive Education with AI-integrated learning tools; Organizing a Global Summit on Vocational Education to prepare youth for future professions; Declaring November 19 as the International Day of Documentary Heritage; Creating an International Digital Heritage Institute under UNESCO auspices; Launching a UNESCO Academy for Women Leaders to advance women’s participation in science, culture, and education; and Hosting a World Forum of Women Researchers and Artists in Samarkand. Addressing global challenges, the president called for stronger international cooperation on climate issues and proposed designating a “UNESCO Ecological Capital” each year to recognize cities promoting sustainable environmental practices. Mirziyoyev also spoke about the dangers of misinformation, calling for improved media literacy among young people and greater support for responsible journalism and intercultural dialogue. Concluding his speech, the president reaffirmed Uzbekistan’s readiness to serve as a bridge between East and West and to actively support UNESCO’s mission to promote peace, sustainable development, and mutual understanding around the world.

Caspian Sea

Kazakhstan Leads Regional Efforts to Save the Caspian Sea

Today, Central Asia and the Caspian littoral states face growing challenges that extend well beyond national borders. Climate change, water scarcity, land degradation, and the shrinking of the Caspian Sea are no longer only environmental concerns but matters of regional security and sustainable development. The Caspian Sea, the world’s largest inland body of water, has become a symbol of crisis. Its rapid decline threatens ecosystems, navigation, fisheries, and food security from the Caucasus to Central Asia. Dushanbe: ecology as a new agenda for regional security A week ago, Dushanbe hosted two major international events: the “Central Asia–Russia” Summit and the meeting of the CIS Heads of State Council. At both forums, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev called for moving from declarations to concrete action, proposing to Establish a Council of Ministers for Ecology among the Central Asian countries and Russia Develop an Interstate Program for the preservation of the Caspian Sea’s water resources Expand the use of space technologies to monitor transboundary water bodies These initiatives are part of a broader effort to build a new environmental framework for Eurasia, positioning Central Asia as a laboratory for sustainable solutions rather than a zone of ecological risk. The environmental disaster of the Caspian Sea The Caspian Sea is shrinking rapidly. According to data from Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Ecology, since 2006 its surface area has decreased by more than 31,000 square kilometers, and water levels have fallen by about 1.5 to 2 meters. Projections indicate severe consequences for spawning grounds, the Caspian seal population, port infrastructure, and the regional economy. The crisis mirrors the Aral Sea disaster, where environmental degradation caused widespread illness and social disruption. Experts warn that toxic dust from the exposed seabed could lead to respiratory diseases among millions of people. According to estimates by Save the Caspian Sea, the shoreline could retreat by as much as 89 kilometers, pushing fishing communities to the edge of survival. Falling sea levels already threaten unique wildlife, navigation, water supply, and agriculture, creating risks of migration and conflict. Because the Caspian is landlocked and not connected to the world’s oceans, its water losses cannot be naturally replenished. A coordinated response is needed, including sustainable water management, pollution control, and climate adaptation. The Caspian Sea as a crossroads of interests and contradictions The Caspian region today is more than an ecosystem; it is a geopolitical nexus where the interests of coastal states and global powers converge. Key transport routes such as the North–South Corridor and the Middle Corridor meet here, linking the economic, energy, and political interests of Russia, Iran, Turkey, China, and the European Union. The United States has also shown growing interest, particularly through its support for infrastructure projects in the South Caucasus and initiatives related to the Zangezur Corridor. Yet logistics, energy, and trade risk losing their purpose if the region’s natural foundation disappears. An ecological collapse could undermine multibillion-dollar investments, threaten food security, and turn the Caspian from a zone of cooperation into a battleground over resources. That is why saving...

Diplomacy

Shared Values, Shared Voices: An Interview With Spain’s Ambassador to Kazakhstan

In recent years, cultural cooperation between Spain and Kazakhstan has gained new momentum. Although the two countries are separated by a vast geographical distance, their cultural ties are growing closer through shared values. The Embassy of Spain in Kazakhstan has implemented a number of major projects in this regard. TCA spoke with the Ambassador of Spain to Kazakhstan, Luis Martínez Montes. TCA: It’s been several months since you became the Ambassador to Kazakhstan. What aspects of our culture do you enjoy? LMM: In fact, this is my second diplomatic posting to Kazakhstan. The first was from 1999 to 2002, when Spain opened its embassy in Almaty before moving to Astana. Twenty-five years later, I’ve returned as Ambassador to a country I consider my second home. There are so many things I love about Kazakhstan, including its nature and its gastronomy, that it’s hard to choose. But if I had to pick one, it would be the people, especially the younger generations. I spend much of my time visiting schools and universities, where I see a tremendous energy and thirst for knowledge among Kazakh students. I organize weekly lectures, debate clubs, and informal lunches at my residence with students and Kazakh intellectuals. Their conversations enrich me and help me better understand the direction this country is taking. TCA: You once mentioned that you visited the Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi. What impression did it leave on you? LMM: I visited Turkistan in 1999, and I have a memorable anecdote from that trip. While visiting the mausoleum, the local guide found out I was from Spain and enthusiastically mentioned Ibn Arabi, the great Sufi poet from Al-Andalus [the name for Spain during its Islamic period]. She spoke of him as a near-contemporary of Ahmed Yasawi. I’m grateful for that moment because it was through this cultivated Kazakh woman who could recite at length poems by both Sufi sages that I developed my lifelong admiration for Ibn Arabi. I found it truly fascinating that two poets, Ibn Arabi and Khoja Ahmed Yasawi, living at opposite ends of the Eurasian continent, could produce such profound and beautiful poetry, inspired by the same spiritual quest for God. TCA: Abai Kunanbayuly, like Cervantes, elevated a nation’s literature and culture. We translated Cervantes into Kazakh many years ago, and Don Quixote has been reprinted many times. We also heard that Abai’s works have been translated into Spanish. How has the Spanish readership received him? LMM: As you know, the late Pope Francis, who was from Argentina, quoted Abai more than a dozen times at the opening of the Seventh Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions in 2022. Some works by Abai were translated into Spanish in 2020 by María Sánchez Puig, who received the Order of Dostyk for her work in bringing Kazakh literature closer to Spanish-speaking audiences. Another project is currently underway to translate selections from Abai’s Book of Words into Spanish this year. We’re also developing the first Kazakh-Spanish dictionary to make it...

Geology

Kazakhstan to Launch First International Full-Cycle Geo-Laboratory in Almaty

Kazakhstan is establishing GeoLab Eurasia, the first internationally certified full-cycle geological laboratory in Central Asia. Located in Almaty, the facility will provide high-precision analysis of ore composition and quality in accordance with internationally recognized standards, including NI 43-101, JORC, and ISO/IEC 17025. The creation of this domestic laboratory marks a strategic move to improve the accuracy and credibility of Kazakhstan’s mineral reserve assessments, enhance investor confidence, and reduce reliance on foreign laboratories. GeoLab Eurasia is expected to streamline the mineral certification process and boost the country’s competitiveness in global geological markets. International Collaboration and Scientific Sovereignty The project is being implemented through a tripartite partnership involving the Satpayev Institute of Geological Sciences, Kazakhstan’s Kepler Group, and Chinese firm Eurasia Mineral Standard, which serves as the project’s strategic investor. Founding documents were signed in Almaty on July 23. Askar Syzdykov, Director of the Satpayev Institute, emphasized the broader impact of the initiative: “We view this project as a long-term platform not only for rock and core analysis, but also for joint training programs and the exchange of best international practices. This marks a historic moment where science, technology, and Kazakhstan’s development strategy converge.” Sultan Kinzhekulov, Deputy Chairman of the Investment Committee under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, underscored the strategic value of the initiative: “GeoLab Eurasia represents a new level of Kazakhstan’s industrial and scientific sovereignty. Projects like this are crucial not only economically, but also in positioning Kazakhstan as a reliable player in global critical mineral supply chains.” Infrastructure and Timeline GeoLab Eurasia will consist of two main components: a laboratory and educational center housed at the Geological Institute in Almaty, and an industrial hub outside the city that will include sample preparation lines and core storage facilities. The laboratory is expected to open in October 2025, with the industrial complex slated for launch in the first quarter of 2026. Once operational, GeoLab Eurasia will serve as a regional center for geological research and mineral certification. The facility is positioned to elevate Kazakhstan’s technological and scientific capabilities in geology and to strengthen its standing in the global market for strategic mineral resources.