Weekly Newsletter Featuring the Central Asian Republics and the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan

Home , Abdulla Aripov, Burchmulla, President of Kyrgyzstan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev

Green Central Asia - Weekly Newsletter featuring the Central Asian Republics and the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan

Period: 05/03/2021-12/03/2021

Content: Climate Change and Environment………………………………2 Nationwide tree planting campaign to be held in Turkmenistan; UNDP’s bio-laboratory to fight pest species damaging biodiversity in Burchmulla, help preserve 10,000hectares of forest area; Water Resources…………………………………………………..3 Azimjon Nazarov becomes First Deputy Minister of Water Resources; Rustam Karshiev appointed Deputy Minister of Water Resources; Energy Sector………………………………………………………4 EPSILON (EDC): Obtaining industrial inflow of gas from new Ayzavat-11 well;

UNDP and Turkmenistan develop cooperation in the field of renewable energy sources; Afghanistan’s multilateral relationship with CA countries…5 Tajikistan resumes air communication with Afghanistan on March;

Uzbekistan plans to use Pakistani seaports to increase trade volume; Abdulaziz Kamilov meets with Pakistan Army Chief General Qamar Bajwa;

Disclaimer: The Green Central Asia Weekly Newsletter provides a summary of publicly available media reports and press releases and may not under any circumstances be regarded as stating an official position of Deutsche Gesellschaft für internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH.

Cooperation between Central Asian countries…………………………………………………………….6 Ashgabat is to host ECO summit and high-level meeting Turkmenistan-Azerbaijan- Turkey; Uzbekistan and Germany: 29 years of mutually beneficial cooperation; Kyrgyz MP demands that Uzbekistan pay for oil; President of Kyrgyzstan to visit Uzbekistan; Tajik and Kyrgyz Foreign Ministers Hold Phone Conversation; Kyrgyzstan to host Days of Kazakhstan Culture; Presidents of Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan start negotiations in Tashkent; A reception was held in honor of the President of Kyrgyzstan; The talks of Uzbek and Kyrgyz Presidents take place in a spirit of mutual readiness; Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan sign 22 documents; Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan intend to bring trade turnover to US$2 billion; Shavkat Mirziyoyev: There is a potential to double the trade turnover The Presidents of Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan "synchronized watches" on topical issues of strategic partnership;

ISMI: Strategic partnership between Uzbekistan and Germany is designed for the long term;

The Leaders of Uzbekistan and Germany hold an online summit; Prime Minister of Uzbekistan Abdulla Aripov meets with the President of the Kyrgyz Republic; President of the Kyrgyz Republic and the Chairman of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis holds talks; Presidents of Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan get acquainted with Industrial Exhibition at Technopark; Uzbekistan donates 20 ambulances to Kyrgyzstan;

Climate Change and Environment Nationwide tree planting campaign to be held in Turkmenistan 06/03/2021

Nationwide tree planting campaign will be held in Turkmenistan on March 20. President

Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov has signed a Resolution regarding this at a session of the country’s Cabinet of Ministers on March 5.

Under the document, ministries, regional authorities, sectoral departments and the Ashgabat mayor’s office are ordered to ensure a high level of organization of the ecological campaign.

Read more: here

UNDP’s bio-laboratory to fight pest species damaging biodiversity in Burchmulla, help preserve 10,000hectares of forest area 12/03/2021

The Burchmulla forest of Tashkent region is located on the foothills of the Western Tien Shan, with natural conditions favorable for the growth of more than 70 tree and 80 shrub species. Nevertheless, if prompt measures are not applied to preserve this forest’s beauty, it is likely that insect pests will destroy it. According to experts, such pests can cause fruit and foliage losses of up to 40 to 45 percent.

Previously smoke bombs were used to fight tree pests and forest diseases. While this method showed good efficiency, it turned out to be inapplicable for environmental reasons because it destroyed pests and beneficial insects alike. To create a means of combating “enemies” of the forest, a joint solution was planned with the “Sustainable use of natural resources and forest management in key mountain regions important for globally significant biodiversity” project of GEF, UNDP and the Government of Uzbekistan.

Read more: here

Water resources Azimjon Nazarov becomes First Deputy Minister of Water Resources 10/03/2021

Azimjon Nazarov has been appointed First Deputy Minister of Water Resources.

Prior to his appointment to this position, Nazarov worked as Deputy Minister of Innovative Development.

Azimjon Nazarov was born in 1976. In 1997, he graduated from the Tashkent Institute of Irrigation and Agricultural Mechanization Engineers, and in 2000 from the Texas

University of Agriculture and Mechanics.

He has also led a private consulting company for over 10 years providing services in agriculture, water management, environmental protection, social welfare, and renewable energy.

Read more: here Rustam Karshiev appointed Deputy Minister of Water Resources. 11/03/2021

Rustam Karshiev has been appointed Deputy Minister of Water Resources.

Prior to his appointment to this position, Karshiev worked as the head of the department for the introduction of water-saving technologies at the Ministry of Water Resources.

Rustam Karshiev was born in 1983. In 2005, he graduated from the Tashkent Institute of Irrigation and Agricultural Mechanization Engineers.

Earlier it was reported that the former Deputy Minister of Innovative Development had been appointed First Deputy Minister of Water Resources.

Read more: here Energy sector EPSILON (EDC): Obtaining industrial inflow of gas from new Ayzavat-11 well 07/03/2021 On March 7, drilling into pay horizon at Ayzavat-11 well was followed by a strong gas show. EDC obtained an industrial inflow of gas during open- hole testing.

Projected drilling depth – 3,100 m – will be reached within 10 days. The expected flow rate is around 1 million m3 of gas per day. On the same day, the well will be connected to the main pipeline to begin supplying gas to the population.

All works are in strict compliance with relevant sanitary-epidemiological requirements and environmental standards.

Read more: here UNDP and Turkmenistan develop cooperation in the field of renewable energy sources 10/03/2021

Within the framework of the project of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Ministry of Agriculture and Environmental Protection of Turkmenistan “Sustainable Cities in Turkmenistan: Integrated Green Urban Development in Ashgabat and Awaza”, an online seminar was organized to study international experience in the development of regulatory technical documentations for the development of renewable energy in Turkmenistan.

The event was attended by representatives of relevant ministries, specialists from the Research and Production Center “Renewable Energy Sources” under the State Energy Institute of Turkmenistan, employees of international agencies, including the Regional Environmental Center for Central Asia (CAREC), representatives of the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ), as well as the Nature Conservation Society of Turkmenistan.

The webinar was aimed at raising awareness among participants on use of renewable energy sources (RES) in the country and international experience in the development of regulatory documentations and best practices in this area.

The participants were briefed on activities on development of drafts of new Laws of Turkmenistan “On Renewable Energy Sources” and “On Energy Efficiency and Energy Saving”; the National Strategy for the Development of Renewable Energy of Turkmenistan for the period up to 2030, which was approved by Resolution of the President of Turkmenistan on December 4, 2020, was presented.

Read more: here

Afghanistan’s multilateral relationship with CA countries Tajikistan resumes air communication with Afghanistan on March 10 09/03/2021

Tajikistan resumes regular air traffic with Afghanistan, suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The Civil Aviation Agency of Tajikistan reported that the decision to resume flights was made in connection with the improvement of the epidemiological situation in the country and on the basis of the decision of the Central Headquarters for Combating the Spread of Coronavirus.

The first flight from Dushanbe to Kabul is expected on March 10. Flights on the Dushanbe – Kabul – Dushanbe route will be operated by the Tajik Airline Somon Air and the Afghan Airline Kam Air. The flights will be conducted in compliance with the mandatory sanitary and epidemiological requirements.

Initially, each airline will operate one flight per week, but in the future it is planned to Disclaimer: The Green Central Asia Weekly Newsletter provides a summary of publicly available media reports and press releases and may not under any circumstances be regarded as stating an official position of Deutsche Gesellschaft für internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH.

5 increase the number of flights.

Read more: here Uzbekistan plans to use Pakistani seaports to increase trade volume 10/03/2021

As the MFA press service reports, the minister conveyed a message from President Shavkat Mirziyoyev to Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan.

“During the talks, key aspects of bilateral relations, promising directions for further development of cooperation in the political, trade-economic, investment, transport and communication, cultural, humanitarian and other spheres were discussed,” the statement reads.

Special attention was paid to regional issues, primarily ensuring peace and stability in Afghanistan. In this context, an exchange of views took place on cooperation in the implementation of infrastructure projects to help restore the Afghan economy, the most important of which is the Mazar-i-Sharif – Kabul – Peshawar railway line.

Read more: here Abdulaziz Kamilov meets with Pakistan Army Chief General Qamar Bajwa 11/03/2021

During the talks, agreements were reached to continue close coordination to facilitate a peaceful settlement of the conflict in neighboring Afghanistan in both bilateral and multilateral formats.

The Pakistani military leader expressed full support for the initiative of the leadership of Uzbekistan to hold an international conference “Central Asia and South Asia: Regional Connectivity. Challenges and Opportunities”.

Read more: here Cooperation between Central Asian countries

Ashgabat is to host ECO summit and high-level meeting Turkmenistan- Azerbaijan-Turkey 07/03/2021

President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov during a meeting with Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavushoglu today has said that Turkmenistan, which took over the presidency of

6 the Economic Cooperation Organization from the Republic of Turkey, will benefit from its experience gained in this position.

It was also noted that this year, on the day of founding the ECO on November 28, the Summit of the Heads of Organization’s Member States will be held in the new Garagum Hotel which was built in Ashgabat by the Turkish Company Rönesans Holding.

According to the President, Ashgabat also schedules to host the Turkmenistan- Azerbaijan-Turkey High-Level Summit, previously postponed due to the pandemic. The Turkmen party is ready to organize this tripartite meeting at any suitable time, Berdimuhamedov said.

The ambassador plenipotentiary expressed gratitude for the support provided to Turkish companies in Turkmenistan, including Çalyk Enerji which is carrying out a Turkmenistan- Afghanistan-Pakistan power transmission lines construction project.

It was also specified during the meeting that the trade turnover between Turkey and Turkmenistan in 2020 increased by 8%, amounting to about 2 billion US dollars.

Read more: here

Uzbekistan and Germany: 29 years of mutually beneficial cooperation 07/03/2021

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) – On 5 March 2021, an Uzbek-German videoconference, dedicated to the 29th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Uzbekistan and Germany, was held.

The event was organized by the Institute for Strategic and Interregional Studies under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan together with the representative office of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation in Central Asia with the support of diplomatic missions of Uzbekistan and Germany. It was attended by Dilorom Fayzieva, Chairperson of the Legislative Chamber’s Committee on International Affairs and Interparliamentary Relations, German Ambassador to Uzbekistan Gunther Overfeld, Ambassador of the Republic of Uzbekistan to Germany Nabijon Kasimov, deputies of the Oliy Majlis, experts from think tanks and educational institutions of the two countries, as well as representatives of German business circles.

Read more: here Kyrgyz MP demands that Uzbekistan pay for oil 09/03/2021

The Kyrgyz government should demand payment from Uzbekistan for the use of the Northern Sokh and Chongara-Galcha gas and oil fields located in Batken region. Deputy Beyshenaly Nurdinov stated this at a meeting of the Jogorku Kenesh Committee on Fuel

7 and Energy Complex and Subsoil Use, 24.kg reports.

The MP said that Uzbekistan has been using the gas and oil fields in Kyrgyzstan for 30 years.

Read more: here President of Kyrgyzstan to visit Uzbekistan 09/03/2021

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- At the invitation of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, on 11-12 March 2021, the President of the Kyrgyz Republic Sadyr Japarov will visit our country on a state visit.

During the upcoming high-level talks, it is planned to consider the entire range of issues of further development and strengthening of Uzbek-Kyrgyz relations of friendship, good- neighborliness and strategic partnership.

Read more: here Tajik and Kyrgyz Foreign Ministers Hold Phone Conversation 10/03/2021

DUSHANBE, 10.03.2021 (NIAT Khovar) – Yesterday, the Minister of Foreign Affairs Sirojiddin Muhriddin had a telephone conversation with his Kyrgyz counterpart Ruslan Kazakbaev. The conversation focused on bilateral cooperation, as well as regional and international issues.

In the light of the upcoming events this year, the parties exchanged views on the organization of events at the high levels, including within the framework of the Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asia, the CSTO and SCO summits.

Read more: here

Kyrgyzstan to host Days of Kazakhstan Culture 10/03/2021

BISHKEK. KAZINFORM – Minister of Culture and Sports of Kazakhstan Aktoty Raimkulova held talks with her Kyrgyz counterpart Minister of Culture, Information, Sport and Youth Policy Kairat Imanaliyev, Kazinform has learnt from the ministry’s press service.

During the talks, Minister Raimkulova revealed the plans to hold the Days of Culture of Kazakhstan in the Kyrgyz Republic in 2021 and the Days of Culture of the Kyrgyz Republic in Kazakhstan in 2022. Aktoty Raimkulova went on to praise active dynamic in the development of partnership ties between the ministries of two countries.

Read more: here Presidents of Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan start negotiations in Tashkent 11/03/2021

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) -- The official meeting ceremony of the President of the Kyrgyz Republic Sadyr Japarov has taken place at Kuksaroy Residence.

Presidents Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Sadyr Japarov posed for photographs, and then rose to the podium.

National anthems of Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan have sounded. The two leaders walked along the guard of honor.

Read more: here A reception was held in honor of the President of Kyrgyzstan 11/03/2021

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- At the end of the events, an official reception was given on behalf of the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev in honor of the visit of the President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov.

The ceremony was attended by members of the delegations of the two countries, statesmen and public figures, representatives of the Kyrgyz diaspora in Uzbekistan.

Joint photographing and conversation took place in a sincere atmosphere.

Read more: here The talks of Uzbek and Kyrgyz Presidents take place in a spirit of mutual readiness 11/03/2021

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- At a meeting with representatives of the media, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev noted with satisfaction that the negotiations were held in a special, trusting atmosphere, were filled with the spirit of mutual readiness to jointly solve large-scale tasks based on mutual respect and consideration of each other's interests.

- We touched upon the whole range of bilateral issues of mutual interest. At the same time, priority attention was paid to expanding trade and economic cooperation. We agreed to take measures to further increase the volume of mutual trade. To this end, favorable conditions will be created for enhancing business contacts, new cooperation projects will be implemented in the field of trade, industry, agriculture, transport, infrastructure with a total value of over US$900 million. All of them were included in the newly adopted road map. I am sure that the creation of a joint investment fund will serve to promote these projects.

Read more: here

Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan sign 22 documents 11/03/2021

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan signed documents after the negotiations between the presidents of the two nations.

Presidents of Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan adopted a Joint Statement. The heads of the ministries and regions of the two countries also exchanged signed documents. 22 documents were signed during the visit, covering almost all areas of multifaceted partnership.

Read more: here Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan intend to bring trade turnover to US$2 billion 11/03/2021

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- On 11 March 2021, within the framework of the state visit of the President of the Kyrgyz Republic to the Republic of Uzbekistan in Tashkent, on the territory of the Yashnabad technopark, the Uzbek-Kyrgyz business forum and the first meeting of the Business Council between the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Kyrgyz Republic.

The events were attended by the heads of key ministries and departments, as well as representatives of the business communities of the two countries. The Kyrgyz delegation was headed by Vice Prime Minister - Minister of Economy and Finance U. Karmyshakov, and the Uzbek delegation - by Deputy Prime Minister - Minister of Investments and Foreign Trade S. Umurzakov.

Read more: here Shavkat Mirziyoyev: There is a potential to double the trade turnover 11/03/2021

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- Talks between the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and the President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov continued with the participation of official delegations of the two countries.

The main attention wass paid to the issues of further development of trade and economic cooperation.

It should be noted that positive dynamics is observed in this direction. Thus, the volume of mutual trade has grown more than fivefold over the past four years and exceeded US$900 million.

Read more: here The Presidents of Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan "synchronized watches"

10 on topical issues of strategic partnership 11/03/2021

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- Negotiations between the Presidents of Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan in a narrow format were held at the Kuksaroy residence.

At the beginning of the meeting, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev again congratulated Sadyr Japarov on his election as President of the Kyrgyz Republic and expressed support for his efforts to ensure a peaceful life and well-being of the Kyrgyz people.

During the meeting, which took place in an open and friendly atmosphere, the heads of state highly assessed the current level of bilateral relations. The leaders discussed a wide range of issues for the further development of cooperation in political, trade and economic, transport, communication and other areas.

Read more: here ISMI: Strategic partnership between Uzbekistan and Germany is designed for the long term 12/03/2021

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- The online talks, held on 12 March between President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and German Chancellor Angela Merkel, became a logical continuation of the consistent development of Uzbek-German cooperation, which in recent years has acquired a progressive, dynamic character.

This was also a confirmation of the high level of mutual trust between the leaders of the two countries, which has developed thanks to the regular political dialogue, which began with the meetings of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, held in Berlin and Tashkent in 2019, with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Federal President Frank Walter Steinmeier.

Read more: here The Leaders of Uzbekistan and Germany hold an online summit 12/03/2021

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- On 12 March, the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev held talks with the Federal Chancellor of Germany Angela Merkel, via videoconference.

Germany, being one of the leading global powers, confidently occupies a leading position in various sectors and spheres of the global economy as a recognized industrial and technological flagship. Click here to watch video.

Read more : here Prime Minister of Uzbekistan Abdulla Aripov meets with the President

11 of the Kyrgyz Republic 12/03/2021

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- President of the Kyrgyz Republic Sadyr Japarov met with the Prime Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan Abdulla Aripov on 12 March 2021.

An exchange of views took place on the priority areas of Kyrgyz-Uzbek bilateral cooperation, including in trade and economic, water and energy, transport, cultural and recreational and other spheres.

Read more: here President of the Kyrgyz Republic and the Chairman of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis holds talks 12/03/2021

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- On 12 March 2021, a meeting was held between the President of the Kyrgyz Republic Sadyr Japarov and the Chairman of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis Tanzila Narbaeva as part of the state visit of the head of Kyrgyzstan to Uzbekistan.

During the talks, the parties discussed issues of interaction between the two states, including at the parliamentary level.

It was noted that close contacts between parliamentarians are called upon to play a huge role as a kind of catalyst in enhancing cooperation in many areas, including in the development of interregional ties.

The parties expressed interest in intensifying contacts between parliamentarians of the two countries at all levels of interaction and continuing the practice of exchanging visits by the heads of the parliaments of Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan.

Read more: here Presidents of Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan get acquainted with Industrial Exhibition at Technopark 12/03/2021

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- President of the Kyrgyz Republic Sadyr Japarov, accompanied by the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, has visited Technology Park in Tashkent.

This modern complex was established under the Presidential Resolution of May 1, 2019 “On measures for further development of industrial cooperation and expansion of production of popular products”. 17 projects worth $365 million are being implemented here.

The President of Kyrgyzstan was informed about products manufactured at technopark’s enterprises, including household appliances, electronic gas meters, elevators, water pumps, industrial air conditioners and refrigeration equipment.

Read more: here Uzbekistan donates 20 ambulances to Kyrgyzstan 12/03/2021

According to the presidential press service, Sadyr Japarov familiarized himself with the production of technology park enterprises, including household appliances, electronic gas meters, lifts and water pumps, industrial air conditioners and refrigeration equipment.

Shavkat Mirziyoyev noted that Kyrgyzstan also has a high industrial potential, for the implementation of which Uzbekistan is ready to organize cooperation and share experience. Industry managers were instructed to establish close collaboration with Kyrgyz counterparts and to implement joint projects.

“On behalf of the people of Uzbekistan, ambulances manufactured in our country have been donated to Kyrgyzstan. Sadyr Japarov expressed his gratitude for constant assistance and support,” the press service said.

Read more: here