Development In Central Asia Research Articles

Political stability in authoritarian regimes: the case of Central Asia

ABSTRACT Existing research indicates that political stability is a prerequisite for good governance and economic development in Central Asia. All five countries in the region are authoritarian regimes but it is unclear which factors impact on political stability. Using data for the period 2002–2022, this paper examines the variables which make a significant contribution to political stability and finds that the rule of law, personalist rule, a free media, freedom of assembly, political polarization and gross domestic product (GDP) growth, respectively have a positive effect on political stability while government accountability, exclusions by social group and civil society participation have a negative effect. Some of the findings are at odds with other studies on autocratic regimes, illustrating the importance of geo-political context.

Strategic priorities for digitalization of the mining sector of Kazakhstan

Global uncertainty has transformed the economy of Kazakhstan, which is striving to become a center of innovative development in Central Asia. According to the authors, one of the reasons for the raw material orientation of the country's economy, along with the predominance of energy-intensive types of production, is the technological backwardness of the mining sector. The article shows that the strategic goal of the Kazakhstan mining complex to integrate into the world economy involves a focus on innovative development. PEST analysis of the most important micro- and macroeconomic factors made it possible to assess the current situation of enterprises. It was revealed that one of the significant reasons for the innovative lag in the mining sector of Kazakhstan is the lack of a strategic vision of digital transformation and change management mechanisms among enterprises. The authors conclude that the continuous complication of mining and geological conditions and the growing demands of stakeholders require enterprises to build internal production processes, promote R&D, improve the organization of analytical work based on an engineering and economic approach to the selection of tools for the digital basis of production, and active interaction with external partners and startups. It is substantiated that for further progress an integrated approach to the creation of intra-production digital competencies is necessary; enterprises should focus on organizational and technological transformation, including changes in the organizational structure and transformation of the business model. The results of the study are of interest to industrial enterprises when they develop proactive innovative strategies focused on reorganizing operational activities and increasing investment to promote business.

Historical Trajectories and Modern Dynamics of Islamic Financial Law in Central Asia

Abstract This paper examines the historical development and contemporary landscape of Islamic financial law in Central Asia. Rooted in Sharia principles such as avoiding riba (usury), gharar (uncertainty), and maysir (gambling), Islamic finance has evolved into a sophisticated framework that promotes equity, transparency, and social welfare. In Central Asia, a predominantly Muslim region shaped by diverse cultural influences, Islamic financial jurisprudence reflects a unique blend of traditional practices and modern regulations. The growth of Islamic finance in this region is driven by increasing awareness, regulatory support, and integration with global markets. Key principles like the prohibition of interest, risk-sharing, and asset-backed financing underpin the operations of Islamic financial institutions. Case studies from Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan illustrate successful implementation strategies. The paper concludes by emphasizing the potential for Islamic finance to drive sustainable economic development in Central Asia and the need for ongoing research, collaboration, and policy support to navigate the complex dynamics of this evolving field.

The Contribution of Green, Blue, and Energy Sources to Economic Development in Central Asia

Central Asia (CA) is a young integrated region formed after the collapse of the Soviet Union, with most of its infrastructure based on fossil fuels. The traditional energy and water infrastructure is facing huge inefficiency and technical losses. This study investigates the transition of the green, blue, and energy economies in Central Asia using a small-dimensional panel dataset on five countries, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan, over the period 1995–2018. The authors analyze the impact of ecological footprint, water withdrawal, and energy consumption on gross domestic product. In applying the Panel Vector Error Correction Model, evidence was found supporting the long-running association between variables. Furthermore, the adjustment coefficients suggest that only GDP growth will adjust toward equilibrium. Overall, the findings suggest a more effective role of green transition compared to blue and energy transitions.

ЮЕ - ЧЖИЛАРНИНГ МАРКАЗИЙ ОСИЁГА ЖОЙЛАШУВИ ҲАМДА ЎТРОҚ ВА КЎЧМАНЧИ АҲОЛИ ВАКИЛЛАРИНИНГ ЎЗАРО МУНОСАБАТЛАРИ ТАРИХИДАН

In the world, a number of studies are being carried out on the traditions of ancient statehood and urban development in Central Asia, migration processes in the region and their impact on the lives of the peoples of the country. This article analyzes the location of the Yue-zhi in Central Asian latitudes and the interaction between the representatives of the settled and nomadic population.

Projected near-surface wind speed and wind energy over Central Asia using dynamical downscaling with bias-corrected global climate models

Wind energy development in Central Asia can help alleviate drought and fragile ecosystems. Nevertheless, current studies mainly used the global climate models (GCMs) to project wind speed and energy. The simulated biases in GCMs remain prominent, which induce a large uncertainty in the projected results. To reduce the uncertainties of projected near-surface wind speed (NSW) and better serve the wind energy development in Central Asia, the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model with bias-corrected GCMs was employed. Compared with the outputs of GCMs, dynamical downscaling acquired using the WRF model can better capture the high- and low-value centres of NSWS, especially those of Central Asia's mountains. Meanwhile, the simulated NSWS bias was also reduced. For future changes in wind speed and wind energy, under the Representative Concentration Pathway 4.5 (RCP4.5) scenario, NSWS during 2031–2050 is projected to decrease compared with that in 1986–2005. The magnitude of NSWS reduction during 2031–2050 will reach 0.1 m s−1, and the maximum reduction is projected to occur over the central and western regions (>0.2 m s−1). Furthermore, future wind power density (WPD) can reveal nonstationarity and strong volatility, although a downward trend is expected during 2031–2050. In addition, the higher frequency of wind speeds at the turbine hub height exceeding 3.0 m s−1 can render the plain regions more suitable for wind energy development than the mountains from 2031 to 2050. This study can serve as a guide in gaining insights into future changes in wind energy across Central Asia and provide a scientific basis for decision makers in the formulation of policies for addressing climate change.

THE MAIN OBJECTIVES OF THE EUROPEAN UNION'S (EU) SPECIAL STRATEGY FOR CENTRAL ASIA (2007–2013)

The article examines the European Union's approach to Central Asia from 2007 to 2013, highlighting key objectives and initiatives designed to strengthen cooperation between the EU and nations in the region. This strategy encompasses a diverse range of issues, including economic growth, governance, energy security, educational development, and regional collaboration. The overarching goals of the strategy include: Economic Development: The strategy emphasizes the importance of economic partnerships, trade, and investment in promoting growth and integration of the region into the global economy. Governance and Anti-Corruption: The European Union supports governance and anti-corruption reforms that are essential for sustainable development. Energy Security: Given the significant energy resources in Central Asia, measures have been taken to diversify energy sources and increase the EU's energy independence. Education: Educational programs and initiatives aim to improve skills of the population and develop human capital in the region. Regional Cooperation: The EU actively promotes regional cooperation among Central Asian countries to contribute to peace and stability in the region. The article emphasizes the flexibility and adaptability of the EU's approach to the challenges and changing circumstances in the region. This demonstrates the European Union's commitment to playing a proactive role in promoting positive development in Central Asia and creating the conditions for long-term collaboration and shared prosperity.

Development of high‐resolution monthly precipitation datasets for geomorphological applications in the Tianshan Mountains from 2000 to 2050

AbstractPrecipitation has a fundamental influence on landscape evolution and erosion rates. Accurate predictions of precipitation changes are crucial for landscape evolution modelling and erosion modelling. The Tianshan Mountains are known as the ‘Water Tower in Central Asia’, where precipitation is the main water supply for the surrounding lakes and rivers and also supports the population and economic development in the plain areas. This study developed a global climate model (GCM) and digital elevation model (DEM)‐based downscaling method and simulated high‐resolution monthly precipitation in Tianshan from 2000 to 2050, with a resolution of 90 m. The datasets developed from 30 surface observation stations had a high degree of precision and simulated the precipitation processes well in the historical period. The simulation results indicated that precipitation will increase at a rate of 11 mm/decade under the SSP245 scenario and 5 mm/decade under the RCP4.5 scenario from 2022 to 2050. Spatially, precipitation was projected to increase in the central and eastern regions and decrease in the western region. In the Kaidu, Urumqi and Manas river basins in the central Tianshan Mountains, precipitation was projected to increase at a rate of 20 mm/decade. The datasets developed here have important theoretical and practical implications for water resource management, and sustainable development in Central Asia.

The cultural policy of Central Asia countries in the sphere of museums

ABSTRACT The focus is the museum development in Central Asia from 1991–2022, with the intent to identify the current trends in the development of museums, and to explore issues of museum cooperation in these countries. The main research method was historical periodization. This article includes information on the development of museums in five countries since 1991, the change of cultural policy with independence, general problems of museums, differences in the cultural policy of Central Asian countries, statistics on the number of museums, and funding issues related to museums in the region. The central thesis asserts that museums play a central role in cultural and historical conversations in Central Asia, emphasising their significance as cultural archives and vibrant hubs for education, interaction, and the development of identity.

A Brief Discussion on the Construction of Practical Teaching System for the Traditional Chinese Medicine Resources and Development Major

China’s traditional medicine, science, and technology industry has great development potential. However, thereis a problem of insufficient practitioners in the current industrial development. At the same time, the capabilities of existing practitioners do not match the demand standards. Therefore, it is necessary to actively promote the education of resources and development in Central Asia. As an institution for cultivating talents, colleges and universities must establish a practical teaching system for cultivating talents. Based on the requirements put forward by China in education, this article studies the development status of the traditional Chinese medicine resources and development major, determines the talent training goals, starts from the practical teaching aspect, and locates the industry’s requirements for the capabilities of personnel in the fieldof traditional Chinese medicine. It also puts forward the overall idea of the construction of the practical teaching system, summarizes the reform content of the practical teaching system, and lastly provides the specific path of the reform.

Sustainable Political Foundations for Nuclear Energy Development in Central Asia

This article examines the policy framework for nuclear energy development in Central Asia, which is an important step towards ensuring sustainable development and energy security in the region. Nuclear energy, as an environmentally friendly and stable source, can help Central Asian countries reduce their dependence on fossil fuels. The article analyses the current political and institutional conditions and assesses the experience of leading countries in the field of nuclear energy, which can be adapted for Central Asia. The study focuses on the need to create a sustainable policy framework for nuclear energy development, which includes political stability, international cooperation, compliance with safety standards, and effective management of nuclear materials. The research concludes that nuclear energy can play a key role in achieving sustainable development goals in Central Asia by contributing to the transition to clean energy and reducing carbon emissions.

The Organization of Turkic States and Post-Colonialism in Central Asia: Possible Contributions, Prospects, and Limitations

This paper explores the Organization of Turkic States’ (OTS) support in aiding Central Asian republics to address their historical legacies, focusing on the period following Russian influence from the 18th century. Employing a postcolonial theoretical lens, it examines the post-independence phase of these republics, highlighting the OTS’s role in promoting regional cooperation, cultural revitalization, and social unity. The paper discusses the challenges faced by these nations in various sectors such as economics and linguistics, assessing the OTS’s capacity to support their development, given its resources and relative position amidst other significant regional entities. Additionally, it delves into broader regional developmental strategies and their implications for the OTS’s objectives. The paper underscores the importance of strategic autonomy for Central Asia in the context of evolving regional dynamics. It concludes by recognizing the OTS’s potential in contributing to the region’s progress, presenting a comprehensive view of the intricate regional landscape and the OTS’s part in fostering growth and development in Central Asia.

ANALYSIS OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF UZBEKISTAN'S REGIONAL ECONOMY

Uzbekistan is committed to integrating into economic globalization and actively participating in regional integration construction. From the beginning of the period President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Sh.Mirziyoyev has regarded the development of relations with neighboring countries and the strengthening of interregional economic cooperation as the priority of foreign relations of Uzbekistan's diplomatic and economic work, and is committed to building its own regional integration strategy. At the same time, Uzbekistan's economic strategy is of great significance to the stability and development of Central Asia, and will further promote the extensive international cooperation of the “The Belt and Road” initiative.

The impact of financial innovation and infrastructure on inbound tourism in Central Asia

This empirical study investigates the effect of financial innovation and infrastructure on inbound tourism in Central Asia, along with trade openness as a control variable. This study developed an infrastructure index for Central Asia comprised of different parameters of infrastructure. The data has been assessed for cross-sectional dependence, unit root and coefficients of parameters were obtained by pooled mean group autoregressive distributed lagged model and simultaneous quantile regression. Results show that financial innovation and trade openness have a significant and positive effect on inbound tourism in the long run whereas infrastructure has an insignificant effect. Dynamic stability analysis confirms that the model of the study is stable and will adjust itself from any imbalance within three years of span. The results of quantile regression highlight that financial innovation is positively associated with tourism development in Central Asia irrespective of quantile (Q25, Q50, Q75). Policy implications are provided based on research findings.

Civil society, social capital and development in Central Asia

ABSTRACT There is a paradox of social capital in Central Asia. Despite the efforts of the international community to promote civil society in the region, Central Asia has one of the most restrictive environments for associational life. Accordingly, the main goal of this paper is to change discourses about civil society in Central Asia and call for more research on the impact of social capital on development outcomes. Development efforts should recognize that besides non-governmental organisations, other networks and associated norms of reciprocity can foster positive social capital for the transformation of the region.

К ВОПРОСУ О МЕРАХ БОРЬБЫ С САРАНЧОВЫМИ НАСЕКОМЫМИ В ТУРКЕСТАНСКОМ КРАЕ В НАЧАЛЕ XX В.

The article studies the role of the Turkestan Society of Agriculture, the Turkestan Department of the Russian Agricultural Society and the Locust Committee under the Turkestan Society of Agriculture in organizing research activities for the study and eradication of locust insects in the Central Asian region at the turn of the 19th – 20th centuries. The main challenge for agricultural development in Central Asia was insect pests and, above all, locusts. There were more than 70 species of locust insects in the Turkestan region. The author, based on archival sources of the Russian State Military Historical Archive, analyzes measures taken by the Russian government and scientific institutions in the Turkestan Region to remove and eliminate the spread of locust insects in order to prevent an epidemic and restore agriculture in Central Asia. The author comes to the conclusion that the systematic study of locust insects and the implementation of anti-locust measures was of great practical importance for the development of the Central Asian region. Zoogeographic and etymological studies were carried out in the scientific context, which contained important information on the insect population, as well as the causes of their spread and harmful effects on plant crops in Central Asia.

ТЮРКСКИЙ МИР БОЛЬШОГО АЛТАЯ: ИСТОРИКО-КУЛЬТУРНОЕ НАСЛЕДИЕ КАК ФАКТОР СУВЕРЕНИЗАЦИИ И РЕСУРС ИНТЕГРАЦИИ

The paper discusses strategies and practices for preserving the cultural heritage of the Turkic peoples of the Greater Altai - within the borders of Central Asia. Its assessment as a factor of sovereignty and the building of interethnic interactions determines the relevance of the study. The paper shows that the processes of actualization of the cultural heritage of the countries of the macroregion developed dynamically. The establishment of national priorities in this area did not contradict the multivector international cooperation. The formation of variable integration models has determined one of the main trends in the development of Central Asia at the beginning of the XXI century.

China’s emergence and development challenges that China faces in Central Asia

Development in Central Asia faces intensifying headwinds in various aspects. Terrorism and political instability have been the primary sources of concern for this chessboard of rivaling great powers. The US’s withdrawal from Afghanistan left a power vacuum, and the region’s future is further clouded by elevated uncertainty. The so-called ‘new Cold War’ discourse is becoming a self-fulfilling prophecy that contextualizes regional geopolitical maneuverings. These developments present a pressing need to evaluate development challenges in Central Asia in the context of China’s rising influence in the region through the Belt and Road Initiative and other regional frameworks, such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and China Pakistan Economic Corridor.This paper seeks to examine the shifting geopolitical and geoeconomic landscape in Central Asia in the context of global ideological confrontations and the regional Great Game between China and Russia. Drawing on think tank reports, English-language media reports, and scholarly works, it argues that China’s investment and development strategy in Central Asia can be improved by giving geopolitical and geoeconomic factors full consideration. The changing political dynamics in the region have significant implications for China’s engagement with Central Asian countries, its broader Belt and Road Initiative extending through Central Asia to Europe, and development challenges that transcend the dualistic categorization of development and security.

Evaluation of development potential of cropland in Central Asia

With population growth and rapid urbanization, agricultural land has become a relatively scarce resource. Given the vast land area in Central Asia, exploring the potential of agricultural land development in Central Asia is a realistic guide to the rational use of land and the alleviation of strained human-land relations and food shortage problems. In this study, Multi-criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) and Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) were used to construct a cropland development potential evaluation system in Central Asia. The results showed that: (1) The development of current cropland basically adapts to local natural conditions in Central Asia. Suitable irrigated cropland is mainly located in areas with low elevation and close to water sources such as rivers and canals. Suitable rain-fed cropland is mainly located in the areas with flat terrain and sufficient rainfall. (2) The land resources of Central Asia still have a large potential for development: 1,008,000 km2 for the irrigated cropland and 217,124 km2 for the rain-fed cropland, mainly concentrated in Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan. The final evaluation results on a province-level scale presented in this study provide a direct and effective reference for future cropland development in Central Asian countries.

SOURCES OF THREATS TO REGIONAL SECURITY IN CENTRAL ASIA AND MEASURES TO COMBAT THEM

The countries of the region are pursuing an active foreign policy on the path to peace and sustainable development in Central Asia. Making Central Asia a zone of peace and good neighborliness has also been identified as a priority of Uzbekistan's foreign policy. The relevance of this article is that in today's era of increasing sources of global threats, ensuring regional security in Central Asia has become one of the main tasks facing the countries of the region. Trade, economic, transport and transit-logistics, security and stability, equitable use of water resources, strengthening cultural and humanitarian ties, friendship and good neighborly relations between the peoples are being developed between the two countries.