How the Pandemic Changes City Life: Turkistan City

19.10.2020-25.10.2020 • No: 277

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HOW THE PANDEMIC CHANGES CITY LIFE: TURKISTAN CITY EXAMPLE? The COVID-19 infection, which started to the Turkistan region were allocated 23.1 bil- A number of changes were introduced to the spread in many countries of the world in lion tenge (53.8 million USD) from the na- cultural life of the city. For example, resorts, early 2020, caused the World Health Organ- tional budget. Moreover, special aids were libraries, and museums started working ization (WHO) to declare the coronavirus as made to small and medium-sized enterprises online. In particular, the "Hazret Sultan Re- a global pandemic. The rapid spread of the in order to keep open the enterprises with serve Museum", the "Sattar Yerubayev Me- pandemic around the world caused the clos- decreasing income. morial Museum", and the "Regional History ing of the borders between countries, the The epidemiological situation in Turkistan and Ethnography Center" are worth men- weakening of the industry at the global level is considered one of the biggest epidemics tioning. For instance, the "Sattar Yerubayev and the slowdown of economic develop- in Kazakhstan. Dense population of the re- Memorial Museum" published press materi- ment. In this context, countries have devel- gion and the presence of a connecting corri- als under the title of "Yellowed Newspa- oped various programs depending on the dor between south and west regions are pers" in the museum’s collection. These press materials are composed of Sattar impact of the coronavirus pandemic. Special among the reasons for the rapid spread of the Yerubaev’s poems and works of art. The attention has been paid to strategic programs infection. This situation is also reflected in "Azret Sultan Reserve Museum" organized aimed at preserving the socio-economic sta- the region’s close relations with other re- special online conferences and virtual mu- tus of the society. The instability of the gions of Kazakhstan. The lockdown of the seum tours for museum professionals and global economic situation causes major regional center has played an important role scientists. This revealed the need for effec- problems. As an indication of this, it has in the rapidly developing life of the city. For tive use of social media platforms by online been revealed that basic industries such as instance, major events approved at the be- services of the museums during the pan- production, service sector, and international ginning of the year were postponed, and demic. Social media isconsidered one of the trade are not ready to continue their activi- transport links to the city of Turkistan were most effective and accessible ways of using ties under the isolation measures. suspended under the strict quarantine re- the activities of regional museums. In addi- The pandemic situation announced by the gime.The importance of Almaty - Turkistan tion, many museums has been reassessed the WHO has also affected Kazakhstan, and – Kentau and Turkistan - Shymkent bus ser- work of the exhibition, making their activi- various difficulties have arisen due to the vices has decreased, especially for city resi- ties more competitive. Moreover, during different structures of the regions. For in- dents. isolation, cultural centers and museums stance, within the framework of the quaran- After the cessation of transportation outside have become more accessible to city resi- tine measures implemented in Kazakhstan, and restrictions on transportation inside, dents via online methods of use. In general, interregional isolation was provided by changes have been observed in the social ap- such steps taken in cultural centers revealed placing special barricades on the determined pearance of the city as social distancing the need for cultural tourism in the city to routes. Keeping the epidemiological situa- measures became an important part of daily develop in a new direction. In particular, tion under control in densely populated cit- social relations. Restrictions such as ban- online lectures and videos made it possible ies like Almaty, Nur-Sultan and Turkistan ning entry without a mask to all institutions for the history and culture of the region to be have been relatively difficult. For instance, and closed areas such as shops have been explained to the public. In addition, these the first coronavirus infection in the Turki- imposed on activities in the service sector. events have become an advertising base for stan region was reported on March 31st, This created a huge problem for a newly de- cultural objects. Turkistan’s cultural centers also contributed to stabilizing the epidemio- 2020, and today this number has reached veloping city like Turkistan. As for service logical situation in the country. For instance, 3408. The number accounts for about 10% delivery, some shortcomings started to be on social media platforms, ads promoting of coronavirus patients nationwide. Kazakh- noticed when online platforms entered the social distancing, wearing masks, personal stan has taken several measures to prevent circuit. For instance, the weakness of the in- hygiene and staying at home were designed. the spread of the pandemic. One of theseis ternet network in the region has started to In short, social media platforms of museums the declaration of a state of emergency start- show itself in the processes of receiving in- have become tools that play an active role in ing March 15th. In order to fulfill the state formation electronically and other transac- combating the pandemic. of emergency measures, a quarantine re- tions of the city residents. This brings to at- To conclude, the lockdown situation in the gime was implemented under strict supervi- tention the necessity of reconsideration of Turkistan region has changed the daily life sion in regional centers and big cities. For software projects such as E-government and of people of the region in many ways. Espe- instance, strict controls over educational in- Digital Kazakhstan. This shortcoming also cially the fact that the population lives stitutions and crowded places were en- put a huge burden on the education system within the determined limits revealed the forced, public institutions, private busi- and healthcare services. need for many new programs. One of them nesses and other service buildings were Citizens who spent their free time with rela- is the need for many rational measures in the quarantined. Meetings and events are held in tives, friends or in parks were forced to ac- field of cultural development, health and ed- open spaces or online. Prayers performed in cept social order and restrictions under con- ucation. New initiatives, such as video tours congregation in mosques were prohibited. ditions of mass isolation. The majority of and live presentations, adapted to the isola- 7% of Kazakhstan's population has been people who are out of their daily work have tion of Turkistan city in the field of tourism, subjected to isolation. It can be stated that become more active in social media. Keep- would make a great contribution to the de- these strict measures had greatly damaged ing track of developments in the spread of velopment of the future tourism industry of the social and economic situation of the so- the COVID-19 pandemic has become one of the ancient city of Turkistan. Besides, it can ciety. Accordingly, social assistance in the the people’s daily routines. In addition, the be stated that these conditions, which oc- amount of 42,500 tenge (99 USD) per month closure of wedding palaces and restaurants, curred in the first wave of COVID-19 infec- was allocated to citizens who lost their in- which are essentially important for the Tur- tions, lead to strengthening of the level of come during the emergency situation in the kistan region, caused changes in the tradi- preparedness against possible pandemics country. 544.5 thousand citizens living in tional lifestyle of the city residents. that may occur later.

Written by Daulet Zhailybayev, Eurasian Research Institute, Kazakhstan

Politics, Foreign Affairs, and Security Economy, Finance, and Energy Society and Culture  The Eurasian Development Bank pre-  The Gazi University in Turkey hosted the  Kyrgyzstan’s newly appointed Foreign th Minister, Ruslan Kazakbaev, made his sented its forecast report for the economy 12 Conference on "Turkish as a World of Kazakhstan. According to the bank’s re- Language" dedicated to the 100th anniver- first foreign visit to Moscow. Kazakbaev port, average GDP growth of the country declared that the new government would sary of the Grand National Assembly of will be almost 5% in 2021-2022. The the Republic of Turkey. The conference continue to support close contacts on all economy of Kazakhstan decreased by was held in an online mode and was orga- levels to strengthen political dialogue with 1.8% during the first half of 2020. The nized by the Ministry of Culture and Tour- Russia, stating that the country is the ma- bank experts expect that by the end of ism of Turkey in cooperation with the Gazi jor partner and ally of Kyrgyzstan. During 2020, GDP will decline by 2.5%. The gov- University, TURKSOY, the Yunus Emre the meeting with its counterpart Sergey ernment of Kazakhstan conducted stimu- lating monetary and fiscal policies and Institute, Khoja Akhmet Yassawi Interna- Lavrov, Foreign Minister Kazakbayev used state support measures, which tional Kazakh-Turkish University and the thanked the Russian side for a special con- amounted to 8-9% of the country’s GDP Turkish Language Institution. A Painting tribution to stabilization of the political sit- (Kazakh TV, 22.10.2020). Exhibition entitled "From Altai Mountains uation in Kyrgyzstan in the post-election  The customs service of Belarus achieved to the Balkans" was also inaugurated crisis period (Kommersant, 23.10.2020). significant progress in development of within the framework of the symposium  The director of the Russian Foreign Intel- cost-saving automation processes. Re- (Turksoy, 21.10.2020). ligence Service, Sergei Naryshkin has met cently, the State Customs Committee re-  The newly appointed Ambassador Ex- with President of Belarus Alexander ported that the country’s customs service traordinary and Plenipotentiary of Hun- was able to clear 60% of exported goods gary to Kazakhstan Mihay Galoshfay vis- Lukashenko and joined a meeting of spe- in an automatic mode without assistance ited the International Turkic Academy. cial services of Belarus and Russia which of customs personnel. Digitalization of the Galoshfay met with the head of the organ- was held in Minsk. In an interview with customs services allows the country to ization, Darkhan Kydyrali, and discussed journalists, Naryshkin stated that external clear 91% of transit goods within 10 plans for mutual work and cooperation in forces are trying to change the state struc- minutes and 88% of exports within 5 education and sciences. The parties ex- ture of Belarus using unconstitutional minutes. The officials noted that the works pressed willingness to take active part in methods (DW, 22.10.2020). towards full transition to digital technolo- joint projects launched by the initiatives of th gies were continuing (BelTA, the Academy (Twesco.org, 22.10.2020).  The 18 meeting of the Prosecutors Gen- 21.10.2020). eral of the SCO Member States was held  Uzbekistan demonstrated positive changes  The Kazakh Embassy in Belgium, the in videoconference format. The meeting in production and export of textile prod- Honorary Consulate of Kazakhstan in was dedicated to modern practices and ef- ucts. According to data from the State Sta- Luxembourg and the Kazakhstan-Luxem- bourg Cooperation Association organized fective mechanisms for preventing and tistics Committee of Uzbekistan, in 9 th combating corruption. Participants dis- month of 2020, the country exported 455 a concert devoted to the 175 anniversary different type items of textile products of the prominent Kazakh poet and philos- cussed active participation of member opher Abai Qunanbaiuly. During the states in the UN Office on Drugs and worth $1.3 billion. This volume of export exceeds the indicator of the same period event, Abai’s work was read and presented Crime, as well as monitoring procedures last year by $171.6 million, or 14.6%. For in Kazakh, Russian, French, German, Eng- under the Istanbul Anti-Corruption Action the same period, Uzbekistan’s import of lish, Turkish and Swedish. A photo exhi- Plan of the Organization for Economic the textile goods decreased by 8.2%. Rus- bition about Kazakhstan was also held by Cooperation and Development (SCO, sia, a top export destination for Uzbeki- the Luxembourg Philharmonic Orchestra 23.10.2020). stan, imported products worth $486.5 mil- as part of the event (Kazinform, 21-  Minister of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan lion (UzDaily, 23.10.2020). 22.20.2020). Abdulaziz Kamilov in an interview to a  The European Bank for Reconstruction  Acting Deputy Director of the United newspaper gave his vision about the coun- and Development continues to support States Agency for International Develop- projects in Ukraine. The country plans to ment (USAID) Mission in Tajikistan Wil- try’s foreign policy. In particular, he noted attract €63 million from the bank to mod- that foreign policy should not follow in the liam Hall announced completion of the ernize its national postal operator USAID HIV Project in the region. The wake of international events but be proac- Ukrposhta. The government has approved project helped to reveal major problems of tive. Kamilov also noted that the Foreign a resolution to attract the loan where the people living with HIV in the region, such Ministry, together with other bodies, was Ukrposhta plans to direct the raised funds as discrimination and obstacles in getting studying key issues of world politics and for the implementation of the "Logistics access to HIV treatment. This contributed economy and working out proposals to Network" and the "Rural Branch" projects. The postal operator will attract an addi- to the development of guidelines for treat- further build up bilateral and multilateral tional €30 million loan from the European ment and care for people with HIV in pris- cooperation with partners (Kun.uz, Investment Bank to continue digitalization ons. A new USAID HIV project called 23.10.2020). of the postal services (Ukrinform, “Achieving Goals and Keeping Control of  President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon 22.10.2020). the Epidemic” will be launched addressing met with the Commander of the United  The Eurasian Development Bank fore- stigma and discrimination against people States Central Command, General Ken- casted the GDP of Kyrgyzstan. According living with HIV (Avesta.tj, 21.10.2020). to the estimates, average GDP growth of  Monuments dedicated to Abai’s 175th an- neth F. Mckenzie, who made a working th visit to Tajikistan. During the meeting, is- the country will be equal to 4.4% in 2021- niversary and Al Farabi’s 1150 anniver- 2022. The specialists of the bank expect sary were opened in Turkestan. The cere- sues of cooperation between Tajikistan that in 2020, GDP of Kyrgyzstan will de- mony was attended by the Secretary of and the U.S. in the field of security were cline by 5.9% given that during the first State of Kazakhstan, Krymbek Kusherba- discussed. Attention was paid to issues of half of the year the economy declined by yev, Deputy Prime Minister of Kazakh- regional peace and stability. The parties 5.3%. The pandemic-induced lockdowns, stan, Yeraly Tugzhanov and Governor of also exchanged views about Afghanistan lower external demand, border closures, Turkestan region, Umirzak Shukeyev. The and peace talks in the neighboring country difficulties with transportation and sharp delegation led by Krymbek Kusherbayev (Avesta, 22.10.2020). reduction of migrant remittances have sig- also visited the Alley of Glorious Prede- nificantly contributed to the economic de-  A meeting of the High-level Dialogue on cessors in the Otyrar district (Kazinform, cline (24.kg, 22.10.2020). 23.10.2020). Political and Security Issues “Central Asia  The Eurasian Economic Commission pro- - European Union” was held via videocon- posed a gradual reduction of roaming  Minister of Supporting Mahalla and Fam- ference. The participants discussed issues charges within the Eurasian Economic Un- ily of Uzbekistan Rakhmat Mamatov held of sustainable development of the region, ion. The commission representatives plan an online meeting with representatives of including cooperation in the field of ra- to start the suggested policy from July 1, the Korea International Cooperation tional joint management of transboundary 2021 and complete it in 2025. The com- Agency (KOICA). During the meeting, the mission set up a special working group and sides signed a memorandum on the imple- water resources, solving environmental mentation of the project “Program for sup- problems and climate change. During the analyzed international practices in de- creasing roaming charges. As an initial port of vulnerable population of Syr Darya meeting, building up cooperation in the step, the commission recommends to re- region.” The project envisages profes- field of healthcare and border management duce charges by no more than 90% of the sional training of residents of mahallas in and developing joint approaches to the Af- charges in the home region, gradually de- Syr Darya region and delivery of free tar- ghan and other issues were discussed (Ka- creasing it to 0% in 2025 (BelTA, geted assistance by qualified specialists zakhstan MFA, 20.10.2020). 22.10.2020). and psychologists (Uza.uz, 22.10.2020).

Prepared by Saule Akhmetkaliyeva and Kanat Makhanov