At Almaty Management University (AlmaU), an intensive training and retraining program for civil servants from all regions of Kazakhstan has been launched. The program brings together professionals working in architecture, urban planning, construction, and land relations.The program is being implemented under the instructions of First Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan Roman Sklyar and is aimed at developing modern professional competencies in the field of urban studies and urban planning. The program is being implemented under the instructions of First Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan Roman Sklyar and is aimed at developing modern professional competencies in the field of urban studies and urban planning.The program “Urban Development Management: Evidence-Based Approach and Project Methods in Urbanism” focuses on building skills in data-driven decision-making and the use of modern analytical tools.From April 6 to 10, 2026, the first cohort is being held at the university. The course covers key areas of urban development, including modern approaches to spatial planning, urban environment analysis, public space development, sustainable mobility, infrastructure financing mechanisms, and the application of digital technologies in urban planning. Participants study both international and local case studies and take part in practical sessions aimed at integrating acquired knowledge into management practice.A distinctive feature of the program is its practice-oriented and interdisciplinary nature. It combines tools from urbanism, strategic and spatial planning, and project management. Special emphasis is placed on the evidence-based approach — the use of data and comprehensive research in decision-making related to urban development. In addition to lectures, the program includes field sessions at urban facilities, including the Almaty City Center for Labor Mobility and the Almaty Transport Holding ONAY!. Here, participants analyze real-life cases of transport planning and participatory design.The program is organized and hosted by the AlmaU Institute of Urban Studies, a research and educational center specializing in training professionals in urban planning and urban environment management. The university provides the academic and methodological foundation of the program and engages expert practitioners with international experience.“The quality of the urban environment is primarily determined by the quality of management decisions. Our goal is to equip civil servants with modern tools and an understanding of international standards so they can apply best practices in their daily work,” noted program coordinators Zarina Dauletkan and Ainur Zhubanova.The second cohort is scheduled for April 20–24, 2026. Upon completion, participants will receive certificates of professional retraining.Founded in 2020, the AlmaU Institute of Urban Studies is one of Kazakhstan’s leading educational centers in urbanism and city management. Its programs have received international recognition, including the Smart City Award (Shanghai). Since 2024, the institute has been a member of AESOP (Association of European Schools of Planning).

Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mod/press/news/details/1195366?lang=kk

Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mod/press/news/details/1195275?lang=kk

Kassym-Jomart Tokayev congratulated To Lam, General secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee (CPVCC) on his election as the state president.  “Your victory in the election confirms the strong public support for your strategic initiatives aimed at Vietnam’s political and economic progress and the protection of its national interests on the international stage. I am confident that under your wise leadership, the country will attain new impressive milestones, the telegram says.The Head of State emphasized that Vietnam is one of Kazakhstan’s key partners in Asia and expressed confidence in further expansion of the strategic partnership for the benefit of the peoples of both nations.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mfa-hanoi/press/news/details/1195303?lang=kk

On the eve of the heating season's end, Akim of the Kostanay Region, Kumar Aksakalov, inspected the condition of the heating networks in an apartment building in the city of Kostanay.«The Head of State has repeatedly instructed to ensure the uninterrupted progress of the heating season. In our region, the heating season is proceeding normally. No major accidents have been recorded. Even when they occurred, they did not affect the quality of heat supply. This is undoubtedly the result of repair work carried out in advance. Considering that last heating season there were emergency situations related to boiler equipment and ruptures in main networks, this indicates that we have drawn the right conclusions», – noted the head of the region.The Head of State particularly emphasizes the importance of modernizing the energy and utilities sectors. The task is set to reduce the wear and tear of heating networks to 42% by the end of 2029.Significant financial resources are allocated annually for the modernization of heat supply facilities and engineering infrastructure. As a result:the number of heating network damages has decreased by 84%: from 830 cases in the 2022–2023 heating season to 134 in the current season;the wear and tear level has been reduced from 50% in 2022 to 43% in 2025.The work will continue within the framework of the National Project for the Modernization of the Energy and Utilities Sectors. Even at the stage of completing the current season, it is important to plan the necessary steps in advance for a successful start of the next heating period.«The next issue I would like to address is the tariff. People should pay for the heat, water, and electricity they actually consume. This is only possible with the installation of 'smart' metering devices. While the level of stationary meter equipment is high, we are only at the initial stage regarding automated systems. Today, the installation of such devices in the region is progressing dynamically: if in 2023 they were installed in 433 houses, then in 2025 – already in 1,132 houses, an increase of almost three times. Meters allow residents to save on heating services. However, this potential is not fully utilized. For example, with the onset of warm spring days, many open windows and essentially 'heat the street,' while continuing to pay in full. This is wrong», – emphasized Kumar Aksakalov.The population should have both individual apartment meters and building-wide meters. Furthermore, they should be automated so that readings are transmitted remotely, without human involvement. This eliminates data distortion, discrepancies with actual consumption, and, consequently, overcharging for services. Such situations cause distrust and dissatisfaction among the population, as well as reluctance to pay for heating services.«Our task is to install as many heat metering units as possible. Enterprises and local manufacturers already operating in the region should participate in this work. All these measures are aimed at saving. In the current heating period, savings amounted to more than 890 thousand tenge from one apartment building. These are funds that remain in the pockets of our citizens», – noted the Akim of the region.Furthermore, heat-generating enterprises will also incur lower costs. With an increase in the number of meters, fuel consumption and heat losses decrease. This will become possible with 100% heat metering.The work on installing metering devices will continue at the same pace, which will allow for 100% coverage in the next 5 years.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/kostanay/press/news/details/1195181?lang=kk