Astana, February 9, 2026 – Alibek Kuantyrov, Deputy Minister of the Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan met with Nenad Popović, Minister of the International Economic Cooperation of the Republic of Serbia.During the meeting, the parties discussed a wide range of issues, including political cooperation, trade and economic relations. They also reviewed the schedule of bilateral events and visits planned for 2026.“Serbia is one of our most important partners in the Balkan region. We have established an effective institutional framework for cooperation, which includes regular political dialogue at the highest and high levels, interaction between the Friendship Groups in the Parliaments of our countries, as well as the work of the Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation,” noted Deputy Minister Kuantyrov.During the meeting, particular attention was paid to the implementation of the agreements reached following the official visit of the President of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, to Serbia on November 18-19, 2024, as well as the decisions of the 4th meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation, held on August 8,2025 in Almaty. In particular, satisfaction was expressed with the launch of direct air services between Astana and Belgrade, which is expected to stimulate the development of bilateral interaction between the peoples and business communities of the two countries.At the conclusion of the meeting, the parties reaffirmed their intention to further develop Kazakh-Serbian relations based on mutual trust and mutually beneficial cooperation.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mfa/press/news/details/1157937?lang=kk

Riga, February 9, 2026 - The Latvia-Kazakhstan Business Conference was held in Riga, organized by the Association of Latvian Stevedoring Companies in cooperation with Latvian Railways and with the assistance of the Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan in the Republic of Latvia.Kazakhstan's Ambassador Dauren Karipov reported on the consistent development of the transit and transport potential of the Republic of Kazakhstan, a key international hub in both the East-West and North-South directions. He emphasized the timeliness of the measures being taken to commission new railways and highways in Kazakhstan, build modern transport and logistics centers, and create an effective digital ecosystem. This creates additional favorable conditions for the expansion and deepening of Kazakh-Latvian relations, the Kazakh diplomat noted. State Secretary of the Ministry of Transport of Latvia Andulis Židkovs confirmed the interest in strengthening cooperation between the two countries in the field of transport and logistics based on the use of the country's developed port and railway infrastructure. He informed about the measures taken by the Government to increase the volume of international cargo transit. Kazakhstani products account for a significant share of this, added Andulis Židkovs. In this regard, he made a number of proposals for the development of multimodal logistics routes.The participants exchanged views on the practical implementation of previously reached agreements in the field of transport and discussed the prospects for new joint projects.The conference was attended by representatives of the Ministry of Transport and Customs Service of the Republic of Latvia, as well as business and industry associations from both countries.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mfa-riga/press/news/details/1157932?lang=kk

The water volume of the Northern Aral Sea has increased to 24 billion cubic meters. This is higher than the planned result. These figures were achieved in three years. Initially, it was planned to bring the water level to 20.5 billion cubic meters. This was announced by the industry ministry, according to 24KZ.Over 20 years of systematic restoration work, the area of the Northern Aral Sea has grown by 36 percent, the volume of water has almost doubled, and mineralization has halved.The ministry holds regular meetings with the population of the Aral Sea region. On the agenda are options for the further restoration of the Northern Aral Sea. As a result, a decision was made to expand the existing Kokaral dam. It is expected that this will increase the volume of water in the Northern Aral Sea to 34 cubic kilometers, with a filling period of up to five years. The technical version of the project is currently under review by an interdepartmental expert commission.At a meeting of the National Kurultai in Kyzylorda, the President once again raised the issue of the Aral Sea. Kassym-Jomart Tokayev stressed that the issues require a systematic and international approach. Moreover, it is not only the fate of the Aral Sea that is at stake. Kazakhstan will have to build agreements with neighboring countries on other strategic water bodies – the Caspian Sea, the Irtysh, and Lake Balkhash.Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, President of the Republic of Kazakhstan:- Most of Kazakhstan's major rivers originate in neighboring countries. The volume of the Syr Darya's flow into the sea varies depending on the water policies of the states located in the upper reaches of the river. Consequently, the solution to many problems is linked to skilful water diplomacy. Agreements on the joint use of water resources have now been concluded with all the countries of Central Asia.An international environmental summit will be held in Astana in April. There, the heads of state participating in the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea will discuss the problems of the sea.Source: https://24.kz/ru/news/ekologiya/750693-plan-na-operezhenie-v-severnom-arale-uvelichili-obem-vodySource : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mfa-geneva/press/news/details/1157912?lang=kk

On February 6, 2026, an Open Day was held at the State Revenue Department of Ust-Kamenogorsk. As part of the event, specialists from the East Kazakhstan Regional Department of State Revenues and the State Revenue Department of Ust-Kamenogorsk, together with a professional accountant from the Professional Association of Accountants “Uchet.kz,” provided consultations to taxpayers on issues related to the new Tax Code, tax reporting, special tax regimes, VAT, and the use of information systems.The campaign will run until June 30, 2026. Consultations are held on a regular basis: in January–February — on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.; starting from March — twice a week.Address: Ust-Kamenogorsk, 86 N. Nazarbayev Avenue, 3rd floor.For residents of other districts, consultations are available via video call: +7 771 123 80 84.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/kgd-vko/press/news/details/1157841?lang=kk

Jeddah, 8 February 2026 - Kazakhstan took part in the annual charity festival “A Cup for a Good Cause”, which was held in Jeddah from February 5 to 7, 2026.The event was organized by the Jeddah First Women's Charity Association and brought together over 100 participants from various countries, who presented cultural and national exhibitions from their respective nations, as well as the Consulates General of 13 countries. The funds raised during the festival were allocated to support underprivileged families and children.The participation of the Republic of Kazakhstan in the event was facilitated through the active support of the Consulate General of the Republic of Kazakhstan in Jeddah and formed part of ongoing efforts to develop cultural and humanitarian cooperation with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.The female members of the Kazakh diaspora in Jeddah distinguished themselves admirably. Kazakh women residing in the KSA contributed to the preparation of the national pavilion, warmly welcomed visitors, and offered traditional Kazakh dishes, including baursaks, kazy, bureks, chak-chak, samsa, irimshik, khvorost, tar cheesecakes, tea, and, of course, the famous Kazakh chocolate.The Kazakhstan national exhibition attracted significant interest from participants and guests of the festival, providing them with the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the country’s culture, national traditions, aspects of daily life, and the distinctive features of Kazakh cuisine. Promotional materials and displays effectively showcased the rich historical and cultural heritage of the Kazakh people.Additionally, festival visitors were introduced to Kazakhstan’s cultural and educational tourism routes, which include historical cities, architectural monuments, cultural heritage sites, and ethno-tourism locations reflecting the traditions and lifestyle of the Kazakh people. Local residents and foreign guests had the opportunity to learn more about the country’s natural diversity—from scenic canyons and vast steppes to mountainous landscapes and lakes.The three-day cultural event concluded with the presentation of commemorative gifts and letters of appreciation to festival participants. The Consulate General of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Kazakh diaspora were awarded a special commemorative gift for “Active Participation and Promotion of the Culture and Traditions of their Country.”The organizers, the Jeddah First Women's Charity Association, and personally the Chair of the Association, Dr. Hala Ali Hasan Al Shaer, expressed gratitude to the Kazakh participants for their exemplary presentation of national culture and traditions and confirmed their readiness to continue cultural collaboration.In turn, the Consul General of Kazakhstan in Jeddah, R. Kospanov, noted that Kazakhstan’s successful participation in the festival was made possible by the active involvement of the Kazakh diaspora in Jeddah and their coordinated teamwork.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mfa-jeddah/press/news/details/1157796?lang=kk