UNDP - The Times Of Central Asia

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river transport

Kazakhstan Eyes Revival of Ili River Corridor as Logistics Artery

River transport has long offered a cost-effective and environmentally friendly alternative for moving cargo. Inland waterways present an alternative route that could unlock new logistics pathways for Kazakhstan and the broader Central Asian region. Yet the development of river navigation remains hindered by several challenges. Kazakhstan’s inland waterway system faces numerous obstacles: insufficient investment, underdeveloped port infrastructure, an aging fleet, and bureaucratic red tape. Despite these issues, reviving river navigation could significantly boost mutual trade, increase cargo volumes, and ease pressure on overburdened road and rail networks. The government has initiated several projects aimed at doing just that. One notable initiative is the proposed route along the transboundary Ili River in the Almaty Region, connecting the city of Konaev with Yining in China’s Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. Originating in the Tien Shan mountains, where the Kunges and Tekes rivers merge, the Ili River stretches 1,439 km, with 620 km or 43% within Kazakhstan’s borders. [caption id="attachment_38136" align="aligncenter" width="2560"] Image: Ili River Port LLP[/caption] The project is a joint venture between Kazakhstan’s Ili River Port LLP and China International Water & Electric Corp. In an interview with The Times of Central Asia, Marat Julaev, CEO of Ili River Port LLP, stated that the navigable section of the route spans 450 km. Historically, the Ili served as a key transport artery, facilitating trade and connectivity with remote regions. “This route was navigable and operational until 1980. It was used to transport dry goods, ores, petroleum products, and consumer goods from China,” Julaev explained. Following the collapse of the Soviet Union, navigation along the Ili declined sharply. Extensive water usage in China caused water levels to fall, compounding the route’s inability to compete with road and rail alternatives. However, with mounting congestion and capacity constraints in land-based infrastructure, the river’s strategic role is being reconsidered. “In the Almaty Region, we’ve been allocated a 100-hectare plot on the coast of the Kapshagai Reservoir, providing a strategic advantage in reducing delivery time and costs,” Julaev told TCA. “Our Chinese partners, operating in Kazakhstan since 2006, are developing the route between Yining and Konaev.” [caption id="attachment_38137" align="aligncenter" width="2560"] Image: Ili River Port LLP[/caption] A central component of the project is the creation of a transport and logistics hub to consolidate and distribute cargo across Central Asia. The river port will offer terminal services, storage, sorting, equipment maintenance, and passenger transport. Plans also include developing production facilities and cargo terminals on-site. Commissioning is expected in 2027, with an initial cargo turnover capacity of one million tons annually, potentially rising to three million. According to Julaev, this development will enhance Kazakhstan’s foreign trade with China. Julaev emphasized one of the route’s key advantages: the ability to transport oversized cargo, including materials for Kazakhstan’s first nuclear power plant under construction in the village of Ulken on Lake Balkhash, which is fed primarily by the Ili. An equally critical issue is water availability. According to the UN Development Programme in Kazakhstan, over 44% of the country’s river flow originates in...

Climate Action

Kyrgyzstan Releases Its First Climate Action Transparency Report

On October 7, Kyrgyzstan’s Ministry of Natural Resources, Environment, and Technical Supervision unveiled its first Biennial Climate Action Transparency Report, marking a key step in aligning with international climate obligations. The report was developed with contributions from government agencies, academic institutions, the private sector, and civil society, with support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). It outlines the country’s progress in addressing climate change, current greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, climate risk preparedness, and the external support it has received. According to the report, Kyrgyzstan’s total GHG emissions in 2023 amounted to 19.38 million tons of CO₂ equivalent. At the same time, the country’s forests, soils, and other ecosystems absorbed 10.31 million tons, resulting in net emissions of 9.07 million tons of CO₂ equivalent. The report notes that this “climate safety net” provides a valuable natural buffer that should be protected and expanded. The energy sector remains the largest source of emissions, accounting for more than half of the total. However, emissions from transport, electricity generation, and heating have declined significantly since the early 1990s, largely due to the adoption of cleaner technologies and improved energy efficiency. Agriculture is the second largest contributor to emissions, primarily driven by livestock farming, with levels remaining relatively stable over recent decades. The submission of the transparency report is a requirement under the Paris Agreement, the international climate treaty signed by Kyrgyzstan in 2016. Beyond fulfilling a global commitment, transparent reporting is also a pathway to unlocking funding from international financial institutions, climate funds, and private investors. According to the report, improved transparency can help attract investment in energy efficiency, renewable energy, sustainable water management, climate-smart agriculture, and disaster risk reduction, critical elements in Kyrgyzstan’s strategy to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.

Green economy

UNDP and Eldik Bank Partner to Advance Green Finance in Kyrgyzstan

Kyrgyzstan is taking a significant step toward building a greener and more resilient economy. On September 9, state-owned Eldik Bank and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) signed a memorandum of understanding to deepen cooperation in sustainable finance. The agreement aims to mobilize climate-related investments, develop sustainable financial products, and integrate Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles into Kyrgyzstan’s banking sector. It also outlines plans for joint research and knowledge exchange in climate finance, including the creation of tools to assess climate risks in lending operations. This initiative supports Kyrgyzstan’s updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC 3.0) under the Paris Agreement, which commit the country to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, expanding renewable energy, and enhancing climate resilience. It also aligns with the National Development Program through 2030, which prioritizes expanding the regulatory framework for green finance. “UNDP supports the development of sustainable finance solutions that reduce the carbon footprint of the economy, enable the green transformation of businesses, and create new opportunities for investment,” said Alexandra Solovieva, UNDP Resident Representative in Kyrgyzstan. For Eldik Bank, the partnership represents more than a financial commitment; it is a strategic step toward becoming a catalyst for climate-conscious economic development. “Together with UNDP, we aim to introduce products that promote green growth and sustainable business development for our clients,” said Ulanbek Nogaev, Chair of the bank’s Management Board. Green finance is gaining traction across Central Asia, a region still heavily reliant on extractive industries but increasingly vulnerable to climate risks such as water scarcity, extreme weather, and glacial melt. Kyrgyzstan’s efforts to empower domestic financial institutions signal that achieving climate goals will require more than policy declarations; it will demand concrete investments and innovation. The Eldik Bank-UNDP partnership also underscores the importance of regional cooperation. Similar initiatives are under discussion in neighboring countries, as Central Asia seeks to attract international capital for renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, and green infrastructure projects. If effectively implemented, Kyrgyzstan’s model could serve as a regional benchmark, demonstrating how national banks can help transform global climate commitments into tangible, growth-oriented outcomes.

Infrastructure

UNDP and Japan Launch Initiative in Uzbekistan to Reduce Emissions and Boost Energy Efficiency

Uzbekistan has launched a new international initiative aimed at cutting greenhouse gas emissions and improving energy efficiency in public infrastructure. Spearheaded by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in partnership with the Government of Japan and Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Economy and Finance, the project targets key sectors including schools, hospitals, kindergartens, and public transportation.z According to UNDP Uzbekistan, the initiative seeks to bolster the country’s resilience to energy-related challenges driven by increasingly extreme weather conditions. Many public buildings in Uzbekistan suffer from outdated infrastructure and significant energy loss, resulting in elevated emissions and burdensome utility expenses. The project will focus on upgrading facilities with thermal insulation, energy-efficient windows, heat pumps, and solar panels to address these inefficiencies. A central objective is to enhance indoor comfort throughout the year, particularly in regions experiencing extreme seasonal temperatures. The installation of modern heating and cooling systems is expected to make classrooms and hospital wards more sustainable and livable. The initiative will also extend to green mobility, supporting the introduction of electric buses, the development of charging infrastructure, and the deployment of air pollution monitoring systems along urban transport routes. A distinctive feature of the program is its use of the Joint Credit Mechanism (JCM), which provides Uzbekistan with access to advanced Japanese technology and investment. This mechanism facilitates international collaboration on carbon reduction and supports the country's transition toward cleaner technologies. The initiative aligns with Uzbekistan’s climate commitments under the Paris Agreement. The government has pledged to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 35 percent and raise the share of clean energy to 25 percent by 2030. According to UNDP representatives and officials from the National Agency for Energy Efficiency, the project is not only designed to meet environmental targets but also to improve public health and alleviate the financial strain caused by inefficient energy systems. This latest endeavor builds on previous sustainable development projects in Uzbekistan. Notably, a European Union and UNDP-backed program has supported the country’s fish farming industry by providing eco-friendly equipment to enhance water quality and reduce energy consumption.

Water

Kazakhstan Advances Water Sector Reform at High-Level Coordination Meeting

On April 10, the Coordination Council of Partners for the Development of the Water Sector of Kazakhstan held its second official meeting in Astana, co-chaired by Nurzhan Nurzhigitov, Kazakhstan’s Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation, and Katarzyna Wawiernia, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Resident Representative in Kazakhstan. The Council, which first convened on September 30, 2024, comprises the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation, the UNDP, and more than 30 international partners, including financial institutions and global development organizations. At the meeting, participants reviewed the Council’s work over the past six months and discussed strategic priorities for sustainable water management. A key topic was the 2024-2030 Partnership Water Initiative, adopted in September 2024, which outlines long-term goals for resilience and innovation in the sector. Nurzhigitov discussed the Council’s role in forging productive cross-sector partnerships. “In just six months, we’ve reached concrete agreements and launched new projects with partner countries, development institutions, financial organizations, and major companies. The Ministry has signed three agreements and sixteen memorandums with international partners from the Netherlands, France, Germany, Spain, the USA, Israel, China, the Islamic Development Bank, the Eurasian Development Bank, the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, and UNDP,” he said. New Agreements Signed at the Meeting Five new cooperation agreements were concluded during the session: The Ministry signed a communiqué with Spain’s Xcalibur Smart Mapping to carry out underground water resource mapping in western Kazakhstan A Statement of Intent was signed with the Islamic Development Bank and UNDP to bolster the technical capacity of Kazakhstan’s water sector, with a focus on digitalization, flood forecasting, climate resilience, and policy development An agreement between the Ministry’s Information and Analytical Center for Water Resources and the Eurasian Development Bank established a grant to develop a National Water Resources Information System by 2026. The project aims to increase transparency, efficiency, and equity in water distribution Kazvodkhoz, the Ministry’s national enterprise, signed a communiqué with PowerChina International to expand cooperation, including training seminars in China for Kazakhstani specialists (the first group of 30 participants is already attending a two-week program) Kazvodkhoz also signed a memorandum of cooperation with Primus Capital Almaty LLP, aimed at developing small hydropower plants at national water facilities A Long-Term Challenge Kazakhstan has long faced serious water-related challenges from the shrinking Aral Sea, driven by reduced transboundary river flows, to destructive spring floods and chronic irrigation shortages in the southern regions. These challenges highlight the urgency of coordinated, international engagement and innovation in water governance.

Healthcare

UNDP and GIZ Renovate Osh Laboratory to Strengthen Tuberculosis Diagnosis in Southern Kyrgyzstan

On April 7, the National Center for Phthisiology and the Osh Region Tuberculosis Center, with support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ), inaugurated a renovated building of the Osh Interregional Reference Laboratory in southern Kyrgyzstan. UNDP, in partnership with GIZ, carried out a full-scale renovation, upgraded staff capacities, and certified diagnostic equipment. The modernization enables the facility to enhance tuberculosis (TB) diagnostics and improve treatment effectiveness, UNDP Kyrgyzstan reported. Accurate and timely diagnosis is essential for effective TB treatment. In this context, UNDP supports the Kyrgyz government's efforts to expand diagnostic capacity, improve treatment outcomes, and reduce the national TB burden, advancing the goal of a TB-free Kyrgyzstan. Until 2019, Kyrgyzstan operated two reference laboratories equipped with advanced TB diagnostic technologies. The National Reference Laboratory oversaw supervision, mentoring, and quality control across the country, with a focus on drug susceptibility testing in northern regions. Meanwhile, the Osh facility served the southern regions of Osh, Jalal-Abad, and Batken. Despite having modern equipment, the laboratory was housed in a deteriorating building that compromised diagnostic quality. Operations were scaled down in 2019 due to poor conditions and resumed only after the facility’s renovation in December 2024. The lab now provides full diagnostic services for Osh city and the Osh and Batken regions. U.S. Support Bolsters National TB Response Kyrgyzstan has made substantial progress in TB detection and treatment in recent years, with strong backing from the U.S. government. Since 2019, the United States has invested over $20 million in TB-related programs through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). Declining TB Incidence and Mortality According to Abdullaat Kadyrov, Director of the National Phthisiology Center, Kyrgyzstan has seen a sustained decline in tuberculosis incidence and mortality over the past 15-20 years. In 2001, the country recorded 168 TB cases per 100,000 people and a mortality rate of 27 per 100,000. By 2024, this had fallen to 56.3 per 100,000, with mortality dropping to 2.6 per 100,000.