Today, on April 26, the city of Zhanaozen hosted the republican team-based national arts competition “Bes Asyl,” featuring performers from Mangystau Region and the city of Shymkent. The cultural event was attended by the First Deputy Akim of Mangystau Region, Askhat Oralov.This large-scale cultural event was organized at the initiative of the International Union of Aitys Akyns and Zhyrshy-Termeshi, with the support of the Mangystau Region Akimat and the AMANAT Party.The competition was held to promote national values outlined in the addresses of the President of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, to foster the development of traditional arts, and to strengthen interregional cultural ties.The main objective of the event was to enhance the creative potential of aitys akyns and representatives of traditional arts, create opportunities for their professional development, and engage young people in national culture.As part of the competition, participants performed in various traditional aitys genres, including sure aitys, ture aitys, qaiym aitys, and aitys between young men and women. Additional performances included kyui, zhyr, terme, and traditional songs.In the team competition format, each team consisted of a team leader, four aitys akyns, as well as a termeshi, zhyrshy, traditional singer, kuishi, and presenter. Participants were evaluated based on their improvisational skills, depth of content, preservation of national traditions, and stage culture.The performances were judged by a distinguished panel of cultural and artistic figures, including Chairman of the International Union of Aitys Akyns and Zhyrshy-Termeshi Zhursin Erman, zhyrshy researcher Berik Zhusipov, poet Kalkaman Sarin, kuishi researcher Murat Abugazy, singer Serik Ospanov, poet-journalist Zhanarbek Ashimzhanov, and poet-expert Kopbosyn Omirzhan. The evening was hosted by poet and Deputy of the Mazhilis of the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan Amanzhol Altai.According to the results of the event, the aitys akyns of Mangystau Region secured victory and advanced to the next stage. Participants from both teams were awarded diplomas, cash prizes, and special honors from the organizers.It is noted that this project is aimed at reviving national art, supporting young talents, and promoting cultural cooperation between regions.Press Service of the Akim of Mangystau Region.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/akimat-goroda-zhanaozen/press/news/details/1208776?lang=kk

Doha, 26 April 2026 – As part of his visit to the State of Qatar Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan Yermek Kosherbayev held meetings with the management of Qatari companies Power International Holding and Milaha.During the talks with Chairman of Power International Holding Moutaz Al-Khayyat, the parties reviewed prospects for the implementation of joint investment projects in the fields of energy and telecommunications. It was noted that gas processing, gas transportation, and electricity generation represent key areas of investment cooperation between Kazakhstan and Qatar. Minister Kosherbayev emphasized that the implementation of large-scale projects in these sectors would make a significant contribution to strengthening the country’s energy security.During the meeting with Chief Executive Officer of Milaha Fahad Saad Al-Qahtani, the parties discussed prospects for cooperation in the transport and logistics sector, including the development of multimodal transportation, expanded access to port infrastructure, and increased cargo transit through Kazakhstan’s ports on the Caspian Sea. The Minister highlighted Kazakhstan’s important role as a transcontinental trade and logistics hub, as well as the significance of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (Middle Corridor) in enhancing transport connectivity between Europe and Asia.Following the meetings, the parties reaffirmed their intention to continue intensifying bilateral cooperation and agreed to further develop dialogue on the implementation of promising investment and infrastructure projects.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mfa/press/news/details/1208765?lang=kk

The Kostanay region has joined a large-scale nationwide environmental campaign, held in the format of a teleconference with the participation of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. The initiative is being implemented as part of the nationwide program "Taza Kazakhstan" and is considered one of the key tools for shaping the country's modern environmental agenda.During the live broadcast, the Head of State outlined the strategic significance of the project, emphasizing its dual focus — practical improvement of territories and the formation of an environmental culture in society. According to the President, greening settlements is a long-term investment in the nation's health and a sustainable future.The central venue for the campaign in the region was the Triathlon Park in Kostanay — one of the focal points of the urban environment, where the environmental initiative gained the broadest public reach. Here, representatives of authorities, businesses, the volunteer movement, and city residents took part in tree planting. The work was led by the region's akim, Kumar Aksakalov. Among the participants were representatives of the industrial sector, including enterprises from the automotive industry and light industry, as well as agricultural producers."On the President's instructions, we in the region are not just holding campaigns, but building systematic work. 'Taza Kazakhstan' for us is about real results: clean streets, new trees, improved courtyards. We want the residents of the Kostanay region to see these changes every day and become part of these changes themselves," noted the head of the region.Residents of the region support environmental initiatives and note real changes."The city is indeed becoming cleaner and more comfortable. It's clear that the work is ongoing, not one-off: new trees are appearing, courtyards are being improved. I wish we ourselves would also treat what is being created with more care," shared Dana Tokzhanova, a resident of Kostanay.A symbolic yet practical result of the campaign was the planting of about 12 thousand trees in just one day. At the same time, as emphasized at the regional level, the key priority remains not only the scale of planting but also the subsequent systematic care of the green spaces.In a broader context, the region's environmental transformation is already showing tangible results. In 2024–2025, 40.3 billion tenge has been allocated for the implementation of specialized projects. During this period, over 400 public spaces have been improved, more than 250 children's and sports grounds have been created, about 600 unauthorized landfills have been eliminated, and over 1,250 dilapidated structures have been demolished. Concurrently, approximately 277 thousand trees have been planted, 1.3 thousand hectares of territories have been cleaned, and about 50 thousand tons of waste have been removed.Special emphasis has been placed on the development of public spaces as an element of a quality urban environment. The region has already established 80 such facilities, and in 2026, the implementation of another 25 projects is planned. Over the past three years, an additional 94 parks and squares have been created, significantly expanding the infrastructure for recreation and leisure.The comprehensive renewal also affects the housing stock. In the region, roof and facade repairs have been carried out on 180 apartment buildings. Plans include further planting of 77 thousand seedlings, roof and facade repairs for another 63 buildings, installation of 31 new children's and sports grounds, and continuation of work on demolishing dilapidated housing.The high involvement of the population and businesses confirms the sustainability of the emerging environmental culture: more than 105 thousand people and about 1.9 thousand enterprises participated in the sanitary measures.Thus, the implementation of the "Taza Kazakhstan" initiative in the Kostanay region goes beyond individual campaigns, forming a systematic approach to territorial development. It is not only about environmental changes but also about the transformation of the urban environment, improving the quality of life, and strengthening the region's long-term investment attractiveness.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/kostanay/press/news/details/1208764?lang=kk

Doha, April 26, 2026 – As part of an official visit to the State of Qatar, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan Yermek Kosherbayev held talks with Prime Minister – Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of Qatar Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani.During the meeting, the parties discussed the current state and prospects for the development of the Kazakh-Qatari strategic partnership, with particular emphasis on further strengthening political dialogue, expanding trade, economic and investment cooperation, as well as deepening cultural and humanitarian ties.It was emphasized that active political dialogue at the highest and high levels continues to play a key role in advancing bilateral relations and ensuring the consistent implementation of the agreements reached.Special attention was paid to investment cooperation. The parties noted the importance of the timely and effective implementation of joint projects in priority sectors of mutual interest, including energy, telecommunications, digital technologies, agriculture, and transport and logistics, among others.“Qatar is a close and reliable partner for Kazakhstan in the Arab world. We highly value the existing level of political dialogue, the atmosphere of mutual trust, and the strategic nature of our bilateral relations,” said Minister Kosherbayev.In turn, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani commended the steady development of relations between Kazakhstan and Qatar, reaffirming Doha’s commitment to further strengthening the strategic partnership and advancing joint initiatives across key areas of bilateral cooperation.Particular attention was also given to cultural and humanitarian cooperation. The successful holding of the Days of Culture of Kazakhstan in Qatar in February this year was noted with satisfaction as an important contribution to enhancing mutual understanding and bringing the peoples of the two countries closer together.During the talks, the parties also noted the growth in mutual tourist flows and emphasized the importance of further developing direct air connectivity between Kazakhstan and Qatar.An in-depth exchange of views was held on pressing international and regional issues, particularly in the context of the current situation in the Middle East. Minister Kosherbayev reaffirmed Kazakhstan’s consistent position that all conflicts should be resolved exclusively through political and diplomatic means in accordance with the principles of international law and the UN Charter.In this context, the Minister emphasized that the Kazakh side welcomes the efforts of the Qatari leadership to promote peaceful dialogue aimed at restoring peace and stability in the region. He also noted Kazakhstan’s readiness to provide a platform for peace negotiations in Turkestan.The interlocutors underscored the importance of continued coordination within international and regional organizations, including the UN, the OIC, and the CICA, and confirmed the convergence of their approaches on key global and regional issues.Following the meeting, both sides reaffirmed their mutual interest in further strengthening multifaceted Kazakh-Qatari cooperation, implementing joint projects, and giving new impetus to bilateral relations.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mfa/press/news/details/1208761?lang=kk

Based on the results of comprehensive monitoring of the "Dina" wholesale market, facts of significant price inflation for socially important products by one of the individual entrepreneurs have been identified. Analysis of electronic invoices showed that trade markups on carrots, potatoes, and cabbage repeatedly exceeded permissible norms.Carrots: with a purchase price from farms in the Pavlodar region at 170 tenge/kg, the goods were resold with a markup of up to 35% (up to 230 tenge/kg).Potatoes: in February, a batch of over 30 tons was purchased in the Abai region at 150 tenge/kg. In March, these potatoes were sold in Ust-Kamenogorsk at prices ranging from 250 to 280 tenge/kg. The actual markup ranged from 70% to 86%.Cabbage: with a purchase from agricultural producers at 130 tenge/kg, sales were conducted at prices of 200–220 tenge/kg. The markup varied from 53% to 69%.These vegetables were subsequently sold to the public in "convenience" stores with an additional trade markup.Materials on these facts have already been reviewed at a meeting of the Regional Commission. Currently, materials are being prepared to register an unscheduled inspection regarding the individual entrepreneur. If violations are confirmed, the entrepreneur will be held administratively liable, and an order to reduce the price of vegetables will also be issued.The Department of Trade for the East Kazakhstan Region reminds: according to legislation, the maximum trade markup on socially important food products (SIFP) must not exceed 15%.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mti/press/news/details/1208750?lang=kk