AKIPRESS.COM – The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Uzbekistan conducts raids to detain criminal groups in Syrdarya, Khorezm, Samarkand, Surkhandarya, Tashkent, Bukhara and other regions of the republic. Raids are aimed to curb criminality in the country.

Bakhtiyor Kudratullayev, known as “Bakhti Tashkentsky,” was detained in Tashkent as part of a criminal investigation into large-scale extortion, according to the capital city police department. He is suspected of large-scale extortion and possession of narcotic drugs. The arrest took place in his apartment last week, some reports say.

Law enforcement agencies also arrested Dilshod Sharipov and Anvar Mirzakhanov, who were engaged in extortion through threats and the use of force. An investigation is underway.

Employees of the Tashkent Central Internal Affairs Directorate detained Saidaziz Saidaliev, known as “Sayidaziz medical town.” According to the Directorate, he and several other people were taken into custody as suspects in an extortion case. It is reported that they extorted debts from people for money.

A number of arrests were made in Fergana region. 22 members of criminal gangs were taken into custody. Among them is Khumoyun Tukhtamurodov, nicknamed “Borz”. He was detained after he inflicted bodily injuries on two citizens and fled the scene of the crime.

A. Mamirov was also arrested at the crime scene. The group he organized embezzled money and property from citizens, reports the Fergana Regional Internal Affairs Directorate.

In addition, law enforcement agencies of Fergana region checked the residential addresses of 248 people involved in criminal activities. 66 crimes were solved, 4.75 kilograms of narcotic drugs, 78 psychotropic and potent substances, 41 weapons and ammunition, and religious literature were seized. Law enforcement agencies detained 37 persons hiding from trial and investigation.

Source: Akipress

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Tajikistan pushes for $1 billion power grid project to Afghanistan
The President of Tajikistan proposed to the World Bank to connect the energy systems of Central and South Asia for a billion dollars at COP28

The CASA-1000 power transmission line project from Tajikistan to Afghanistan and Pakistan should continue, says Tajik President Emomali Rahmon. He advanced this idea in a conversation with World Bank President Ajay Banga during the COP28 climate conference in Dubai.

The leader of the Turkmen nation believes that the resumption of the project will unite the energy markets of Central and South Asia.

It is planned to finance the CASA-1000 project with the active participation of several major global financial systems, including the World Bank, the project involves the unification of the energy transmission networks of Central and South Asia in terms of electricity exports. The cost of CASA-1000 is estimated at one billion dollars, the planned length of the networks should be 1227 kilometers.

In 2021, the implementation of part of the project in Afghanistan was stopped when the government there changed; the decision to continue work on this site is planned to be resumed before the end of this year. Moreover, Afghanistan accounts for the longest part of the power transmission lines – 570 kilometers.

Source: Oil Capital

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Legislation under debate stipulates share of state language on television and radio should grow to 70%

Kazakhstan has announced efforts to promote the use of the Kazakh language over Russian in its media, amid growing scepticism over Moscow’s influence in the country since the invasion of Ukraine.

Kazakh is the official language of the former Soviet republic in central Asia, but Russian is recognised too and is widely spoken among the tightly controlled country’s population of about 20 million.

“The draft law on the media stipulates an increase in the share of the state language in television and radio from 50% to 70%,” the culture minister, Aida Balayeva, told reporters in the capital, Astana.

The legislation is being debated by lawmakers but is likely to be approved by parliament, which is seen as loyal to the president, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.

“This transition will take place at a rate of 5% per year from 2025 onwards,” Balayeva said, referring to government plans to promote the Kazakh language since the collapse of the Soviet Union three decades ago.

Kazakhstan, where ethnic Russians comprise about 15% of the population, shares a long border with Russia and retains close political, economic and military ties with Moscow. It has sought to strengthen ties with western countries and China since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022.

Neighbouring Kyrgyzstan, where Russian is a recognised language, passed similar legislation earlier this year. The law requires civil servants in the former Soviet country to be fluent in Kyrgyz, and for the media to produce 60% of content in the local language.

In Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan – other ex-Soviet countries in central Asia – Russian has no official status but is used by residents and officials.

Source: The Guardian

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SHAHRINAV: The Saudi Fund for Development (SFD) Chief Executive Officer, Sultan Al-Marshad, officially inaugurated today in Tajikistan, Shahrinav School, with the Deputy Minister of Education and Science of the Republic of Tajikistan, Abdullzoda Ziyodullo.

The school was inaugurated as part of the fourth phase of the “Constructing and Equipping of Secondary Schools” project in Tajikistan, for which SFD had previously made a contribution of $35 million USD, and which will benefit 25,000 students in the country.
Attending the inauguration ceremony were the Representative of the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan, Akramzoda Mahmadyusuf, the Saudi Ambassador to Tajikistan, Waleed Alreshiadan, the Chairman of Shahrinav district, Valizoda Abduqodir, and the Director of PIU, Vohidzoda Umeda, alongside other officials from both sides.

The new school will contribute toward meeting the country’s educational needs, and will accommodate 36 classrooms and 620 students. It is one of 34 new schools built as part of the fourth phase of the project.

Additionally, it will contribute toward the achievement of the UN SDGs, specifically SDG 4, Quality Education, and SDG 8, Decent Work and Economic Growth.
The Deputy Minister of Education and Science of the Republic of Tajikistan, Abdullzoda Ziyodullo, said: “I would like to thank the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the development support they have provided in the education sector, through SFD. Education is vital toward supporting Tajikistan’s development plans, and is closely tied to socio-economic growth in our country, and the prosperity of our people.”

On his part, the CEO of the SFD, Sultan Al-Marshad, said: “SFD believes in the importance of education, which is key to empowering all students. It raises their competencies, develops their skills, enhances their capabilities, and qualifies them for vital opportunities in their lives. This school’s inauguration is part of a broader educational project, aimed at enhancing the educational landscape of Tajikistan across the entire country.”
The school’s inauguration comes as a continuation of SFD’s support toward Tajikistan’s education sector. SFD has financed 4 development projects in the education sector to construct and equip 57 secondary schools across 4 phases, in different regions, with a total funding amount of $75 million USD. SFD has financed 12 development projects in Tajikistan, worth over $193 million USD, in different key sectors.

Source: Arab News

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Berlin (24/10 – 67)

UN Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief, Nazila Ghanea, visited Tajikistan from April 11 to April 21 to conduct research on issues in this field. The UN expert will assess religious freedom and its interaction with the right to freedom of expression, discuss gender equality, women’s rights, and children’s rights.

She stated that the implementation of religious freedom and belief in the country is a cause for concern. Ghanea, the newly appointed UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief, called on Tajikistan to adapt and review its laws, policies, and practices regarding religion or belief following her 10-day visit.

Nazila Ghanea, the UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief, called on Tajikistan to adapt and review its laws, policies, and practices regarding religion or belief. She pointed out that the boundaries of implementing freedom of religion or belief are far from international human rights standards.

During her visit, she met with government officials, representatives of religious or denominational communities, civil society organizations, and the UN. In addition to Dushanbe, she also visited Khorog and Khujand.

The Special Rapporteur’s observations will focus on promoting peaceful coexistence among religious communities and countering extremism and terrorism in Tajikistan.

Following the visit, Ghanea will present her observations at a press conference at the UN representation in Dushanbe on April 21st, with limited access approved only for journalists.

A preliminary assessment of the visit will be presented at the UN Human Rights Council in March 2024. In July 2022, the Human Rights Council appointed Dr. Nazila Ghanea from Iran as the Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief. She began her duties on August 1, 2022.

Ghanea is a professor of international law and has conducted research in the field of human rights, serving as a consultant to various agencies in this area.

Special Rapporteurs are part of the so-called special procedures of the Human Rights Council. They examine situations in specific countries or thematic issues worldwide. These experts operate on a mandate based on principles of impartiality and do not work as UN employees, nor do they receive compensation for their work. They are independent of any government or organization.

Tajikistan on the “Blacklist” Tajikistan is included in the U.S. Department of State’s “blacklist,” which lists countries with violations of religious freedoms. Reports state, among other things, that “persistent, continuous, and unacceptable violations of religious rights in the country” cause serious concern for the State Department.

Tajikistan disagrees with the criticism from the U.S. Department of State, with official statements consistently asserting that all religious rights are upheld in the country, and foreign assessments of the state of religious rights are “biased and inaccurate.”

The last time a UN Special Rapporteur on religious matters, Asma Jahangir, visited the country was in 2007. After her visit, she expressed concerns about the situation of religious minorities in Tajikistan and the status of Tajik women’s rights, which are violated due to traditions.

Source : Asia Plus

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Tajikistan—a nation heavily dependent on crude oil imports—is looking to develop its green hydrogen industry, with a goal of producing 1 million tons of hydrogen by 2040, the country’s Minister of Energy and Water Resources Daler Juma told Reuters on Monday.

Tajikistan plans to have 10 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030.

Tajikistan currently generates almost all of its electricity with hydropower and imports almost all of its crude oil from Russia.

Its interim goal is to have 500,000 tons of green hydrogen capacity by 2030, before it’s doubled by 2040, “thanks to affordable competitive electric power,” Juma said. And 75% of that green hydrogen is set to be exported to other Central Asian countries that are currently using fossil fuels.

Tajikistan is looking to diversify its power sources away from hydropower, hoping to have at least 10% of its electricity come from other sources—like solar and wind—by 2030.

Hydrogen, an abundant element found in water, natural gas, and other organic compounds, can be used as a fuel source or as an energy carrier in applications such as transportation, heating, and electricity generation. Green hydrogen is produced through electrolysis, which involves splitting water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen using electricity from renewable sources such as solar or wind power. The resulting hydrogen gas is then compressed and stored for use as a clean energy source. Unlike traditional hydrogen production methods, which rely on fossil fuels like coal or natural gas, green hydrogen production emits no greenhouse gases and has zero carbon footprint—it also hopes to solve the intermittency issues with renewables like solar and wind.

Source: Oil Price

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The First Global Challenge robotics competition is currently taking place in the Kazakh capital, with 40 teams and over 200 young engineers competing in the national stage. The winners will represent the country at the final round next month in Singapore. Young talents from all over Kazakhstan are showcasing their innovations in hydrogen energy and renewable energy sources. Additionally, the school students’ task is to demonstrate their robot assembly skills and practical abilities using the latest green technologies. The event also includes a separate qualification round for participants from Central Asian countries.

This year, Kazakhstan has been granted the right to issue quotas to children from Mongolia and Uzbekistan. The country gained such recognition following last year’s phenomenal victory of Kazakh school students at the competition in Geneva, where the national team won gold and received two top awards from the jury. This year, young Kazakh citizens are aiming to set records and claim the top spot once again.

“This year’s theme is hydrogen and the utilization of green hydrogen as an energy source, reflecting our exploration of alternative energy sources in Kazakhstan. The competitions take place on a large field with an area of seven-by-seven meters. The teams are tasked with purifying water into hydrogen and oxygen with the help of robots, earning points in the process, allowing us to identify the winners. These children are the future engineering leaders of Kazakhstan, and we aim to equip them with 21st century skills through engineering and team games,” Nurdaulet Dosmagambet, event’s organizer, said.

Source: Silkway

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Trucks and trains may have replaced the camel caravans of old, but there are still many joys to be had from simply getting around in Uzbekistan, from the stunning Soviet-era decor of Tashkent’s magnificent metro to overnight train trips across the Central Asian steppe. 

Using a combination of trains, shared taxis and even car hire, you can travel along ancient Silk Roads between Khiva and Bukhara, or follow in the footsteps of Genghis Khan and Alexander the Great en route to such storied places as Bactria or the Fergana Valley. Indeed, getting from A to B in Uzbekistan is half the fun.

Read on for our best travel tips, whether you are planning a trip by train or shared taxi, taking a private tour or even driving yourself.

Source: Lonely Planet

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Astana, Berlin (21/08 – 50)

The Sports Day is celebrated in Kazakhstan on the third Sunday of August. This year it falls on August 20. This holiday is of great importance for sportsmen, coaches, children and teens engaged in sport.

At the 1st session of the Parliament of Kazakhstan of the VIII convocation, the Head of State was assigned to create conditions to make children interested in sport. There are more than 43,000 sports facilities in Kazakhstan, more than half of them are situated in the rural areas.

The Sports Day is celebrated in Kazakhstan on the third Sunday of August. This year it falls on August 20. This holiday is of great importance for sportsmen, coaches, children and teens engaged in sport. This year, Kazakhstan approved the physical culture and sport concept by 2029. It aims at ensuring continuous training of national teams, sports reserves, and attracting population to mass sports.

This year, Kazakhstan approved the physical culture and sport concept by 2029. It aims at ensuring continuous training of national teams, sports reserves, and attracting population to mass sports.

Since the beginning of the year Kazakhstani athletes won 586 medals at the official international tournaments.

Kazakhstan won 373 medals in Olympic sports, including 121 gold, 111 silver, and 141 bronze medals, as well as 118 medals in non-Olympic sports. Kazakh para-athletes added 95 medals to the country’s tally securing 33 gold, 33 silver, and 27 bronze.

Another highlight, Kazakhstan took four gold, one silver, and second place in the team scoring at the World Boxing Championship in Tashkent. Notably, Kazakh Ruslan Kurbanov won the country’s first-ever bronze medal at the Fencing World Championship in Italy.

Coming up on September 8-15, Astana will host one of the main sports events – the 8th World Nomad Games. It is organized by the Kazakh Culture and Sports Ministry with the support of the Association of the National Sports of Kazakhstan.

Source

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Frankfurt (21/08 – 44.44)

The Kazakh capital, Astana will play host to the first-ever international scientific conference Central Asian Oncology Week on September 6-8, as announced by the Kazakh Healthcare Ministry’s press service.

The leading experts from Central Asia, CIS and non-CIS countries are expected to share the best practices, hold satellite symposiums, and debate reports aimed at promoting and introducing international practice of oncologists in Kazakhstan.

Speakers from Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Türkiye, Russia, Belarus, the UK, Germany, the U.S. and South Korea are expected to attend the conference.

It is organized by the National Scientific Oncology Centre and Society of Surgical Oncologists with the support of the Kazakh Healthcare Ministry.

The conference will be held offline as well as online in Kazakh, Russian and English.

Astana will play host to the first-ever international scientific conference Central Asian Oncology Week on September 6-8, 2023.

Source

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