Addis Ababa, 3 October 2026 – Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan to Ethiopia Zh.Adilbayev met with Vice President of Ethiopian Airlines L.Yadecha.During the meeting, the two sides discussed prospects for expanding cooperation in the field of civil aviation and air connectivity.The Ambassador of Kazakhstan underscored that Kazakhstan and Ethiopia stand as economic drivers of Central Asia and East Africa regions, respectively. In this context, he emphasized the growing interest of Kazakh citizens in the African continent, and Ethiopia in particular, as an attractive travel destination renowned for its unique landscapes, authentic culture, and centuries-old heritage. The Kazakh diplomat also noted that Ethiopia is globally recognized as the birthplace of coffee and the “cradle of humankind,” which continues to draw substantial tourist interest. In addition, he highlighted the expanding interest in fostering direct business ties between the commercial communities of both countries.In this regard, Ambassador Adilbayev noted Kazakhstan’s keen interest in establishing a long-term partnership with the airline to launch direct flights connecting the capitals and major cities of the two nations.For his part, the Vice President of Ethiopian Airlines stated that the Ethiopian Airlines, as the largest and fastest-growing airline on the African continent possessing significant operational capacity, is keen to explore opportunities in establishing direct flights between Ethiopia and Kazakhstan. He also conveyed the airline’s readiness to share its extensive industry experience with the Kazakh side and to build a long-term, mutually beneficial partnership.In conclusion, the Ambassador of Kazakhstan briefed his interlocutor on the bilateral meeting between the political leaders of two state held on the sidelines of the XVIII BRICS Summit. He noted that the successful advancement of aviation cooperation, encompassing passenger and cargo traffic between Astana and Addis Ababa, will make a tangible contribution to broadening trade, economic, investment, and cultural and humanitarian ties.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mfa-addis-ababa/press/news/details/1304901?lang=ru

For the third consecutive week, agricultural fairs under the “Dala Dami” initiative are being held across Kazakhstan. With the support of the Ministry of Trade and Integration of the Republic of Kazakhstan, domestic farmers are selling their products directly to consumers, without intermediaries.This week, the fairs across the country feature 7,568 tonnes of agricultural products. In Astana, the total volume exceeds 400 tonnes.Prices at the fairs remain affordable. Last week, a number of products were sold at prices 15–20% lower than market levels. For example, in Astana, a kilogram of beef and horse meat was offered at KZT 3,500, while in Kostanay, beef was priced at KZT 3,200–3,500 per kilogram, and horse meat and lamb started from KZT 3,000 per kilogram.This weekend, farmers from the East Kazakhstan and Aktobe regions are presenting their products in the capital.The fairs offer a wide range of locally produced goods, including meat and dairy products, fruits and vegetables, fish, grains and other products. Meat products remain particularly popular among consumers.A key feature of the “Dala Dami” fairs is that farmers can sell their products directly to consumers. Trading spaces are provided free of charge to local agricultural producers.The “Dala Dami” fairs are held in all regions of the country every weekend.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mti/press/news/details/1304903?lang=ru

Jeddah, October 4, 2026 – Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the Islamic Cooperation Organization Madiyar Menilbekov met with the newly appointed Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, Mr. Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed.During the meeting, the Ambassador congratulated the Secretary-General on his election to the position and wished him every success in his tenure as Secretary-General of the OIC, as well as in advancing the Organization’s international mission.The Ambassador presented the Secretary-General with the original congratulatory letter from Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan Mukhtar Tileuberdi on the occasion of his election as the new Secretary-General of the OIC.The parties also discussed the current state and prospects for developing cooperation between the Republic of Kazakhstan and the OIC General Secretariat, as well as ways to further strengthen collaboration in areas of mutual interest. Particular attention was paid to enhancing engagement within the OIC framework, strengthening solidarity and unity among Member States, and promoting Kazakhstan’s international initiatives within the Organization.The parties reaffirmed their interest in further developing constructive engagement and strengthening cooperation between Kazakhstan and the Organization.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mfa-jeddah/press/news/details/1304884?lang=ru

Jeddah, October 4, 2026 – Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the Islamic Cooperation Organization Madiyar Menilbekov met with Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the OIC Khalid Al-Sharif.During the meeting, the sides discussed the current state and prospects of Kazakhstan-Saudi Arabia relations and exchanged views on upcoming events within the framework of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.The sides also discussed ways to further strengthen cooperation and coordination of positions within the OIC on issues of mutual interest.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mfa-jeddah/press/news/details/1304886?lang=ru

In the period from September 21 to September 25 of this year, a seminar "Radiological Security Awareness and Response First Responder" was held in Ust-Kamenogorsk on the basis of the Anti-Crisis Training Center of the National Guard of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan.The event was organized within the framework of bilateral cooperation with the US Department of Energy with the participation of the Office of Radiological Safety (ORS) of the National Nuclear Safety Administration and the Atomic Supervision and Control Committee of the Agency of the Republic of Kazakhstan for Atomic Energy (hereinafter referred to as the Committee).The training course was attended by officials responsible for responding in the field of radiological safety.The main purpose of the seminar was to raise the awareness of specialists and improve practical skills in responding to incidents related to radiological threats, strengthen professional knowledge and interagency cooperation in the event of radiological incidents.During the seminar, the participants expanded their theoretical knowledge and practical skills in ensuring radiological safety, including issues of identifying potential sources of radiation hazard, organizing an initial response, discussing the procedure for informing, and interaction between competent authorities during the response.The seminar contributes to improving the professional competence of specialists and the level of preparedness for possible radiological incidents and improving their prevention and response system.The training was attended by employees of government agencies and organizations, namely:Committee;National Guard of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan;Committee of the Administrative Police of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan (employees of the administrative police units of the Abai region and East Kazakhstan region);RSE on REM «National Nuclear Center of the Republic of Kazakhstan» Agency of the Republic of Kazakhstan for Atomic Energy;JSC «Ulba Metallurgical Plant».According to the results of the event, participants were provided with an international certificates. Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/atomic-control/press/news/details/1304874?lang=ru

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan Arman Issetov held a meeting with the Special Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office for Promotion of Dialogue and Confidence-Building Serge Rumin.During the meeting, the parties exchanged views on the priorities of Switzerland's OSCE Chairmanship in 2026, as well as preparations for the Ministerial Council, which will take place this December in Lugano (Switzerland).Particular attention was paid to the activities of the Special Representative, including issues of promoting dialogue, confidence-building, the current international agenda, as well as interreligious and interfaith cooperation.The Deputy Minister highlighted Kazakhstan's rich experience in promoting interreligious and interfaith dialogue. In this regard, the role of the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions was noted as a unique international platform for open dialogue, mutual understanding, and strengthening trust among representatives of various faiths.Special emphasis was placed on Kazakhstan’s active role in cooperation in Central Asia.The parties confirmed their mutual interest to further developing contacts and exchanging experience to promote dialogue, strengthen mutual trust, and find joint approaches to important issues on the international agenda.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mfa/press/news/details/1304847?lang=ru

On October 2, 2026, Chairman of the Board of the Kazakhstan Agency for International Development "KazAID" Amb. Nurgali Arystanov met with Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Kazakhstan Katarzyna Wawiernia.During the meeting, Amb. Nurgali Arystanov provided an overview of the Agency's activities and projects aimed at supporting partner countries in Central Asia and Afghanistan. He also expressed interest in organizing joint events under the signed Statement of Intent between KazAID, UNDP, and the Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development of the Republic of Kazakhstan.In turn, Ms. Katarzyna Wawiernia expressed interest in implementing joint projects in priority areas.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/kazaid/press/news/details/1304852?lang=ru

September 30, 2026, Żarska Wieś, Poland – The Embassy of Kazakhstan presented the investment and business opportunities of the Republic of Kazakhstan at the 2nd Polish-German Business Meeting.The event brought together about 80 business representatives and organizations from Poland, Germany and other countries working in the fields of logistics, heavy and defense industries, high technologies and artificial intelligence.The participants of the meeting were presented with a presentation on the investment and business climate of Kazakhstan, the main directions of the country's economic development, as well as prospects for international business cooperation.The role of Kazakhstan as one of the key economic and logistics centers of Central Asia, the possibility of Polish and German companies entering the Kazakh market, as well as using the country as a platform for further expansion of activities in the region were considered separately.The business meeting was organized by the Economic Council (Wirtschaftsrat der CDU e.V.) and the Polish-Asian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Izba Przemysłowo-Handlowa Polska-Azja). Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mfa-warsaw/press/news/details/1304784?lang=ru

The Constitutional Court reviews the compliance with the Constitution of regulatory legal provisions affecting the rights and freedoms of individuals and citizens.Decisions of the Constitutional Court are binding and affect the subsequent application of the relevant provisions of laws and other regulatory legal acts.The types of regulatory legal acts are established by the Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan “On Legal Acts” (Article 7).Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/ksrk/press/news/details/1304755?lang=ru

Туристическая отрасль приносит значительные доходы в бюджет Алматинской области. За восемь месяцев текущего года за счет туристов в казну поступило 3,9 млрд тенге. Это на 39,3% больше, чем за аналогичный период прошлого года. За первые шесть месяцев прошлого года в бюджет поступило 2,8 млрд тенге.Рост налоговых поступлений связан с увеличением числа туристов и расширением перечня услуг, предоставляемых им. Так, в январе–июне этого года гостиницы и зоны отдыха области приняли 263 776 туристов. За этот период объем оказанных гостям услуг достиг 8,34 млрд тенге. В прошлом году этот показатель составлял 6,39 млрд тенге. Таким образом, за год объем услуг вырос на 30,5%.По мере роста туристического потока увеличивается и количество объектов, принимающих гостей. По словам руководителя управления туризма Алматы области Куанышбека Мирамбекулы, если в прошлом году в регионе насчитывалось 285 объектов размещения туристов, то в этом году их количество достигло 308.«Каждый турист вносит свой вклад в экономику региона. Он останавливается в гостинице, питается, пользуется транспортом, посещает экскурсии, приобретает товары на местном рынке. То есть с каждым прибывающим туристом растут доходы местных предпринимателей. Это, в свою очередь, увеличивает налоговые поступления в бюджет. За первые восемь месяцев этого года от туризма в бюджет поступило 3,9 млрд тенге. Туризм не только приносит доход региональному бюджету, но и создает новые рабочие места, открывает дополнительные возможности для предпринимателей. Поэтому наряду с увеличением числа туристов мы уделяем внимание созданию условий, чтобы они проводили в регионе больше времени и получали качественные услуги», – отметил Куанышбек Мирамбекулы.Все больше иностранных туристов приезжают познакомиться с достопримечательностями Алматинской области. Согласно данным системы «eQonaq», с начала года регион посетили 113 659 иностранных путешественников. По этому показателю регион занимает третье место в республике.Наибольшей популярностью у туристов пользуются национальные парки «Іле-Алатау», «Көлсай көлдері»  и «Шарын». В общей сложности за восемь месяцев этого года три национальных парка посетили 1,92 млн туристов. Из них государственный национальный природный парк «Іле-Алатау» посетили 1 324 393 человека, «Көлсай көлдері»  – 399 063, «Шарын» – 202 117.Кроме того, в этом году побережье Капшагайского водохранилища в городе Қонаев посетили 2 млн отдыхающих. Сегодня в сфере туризма Алматинской области работают 48 туроператоров и 24 гида.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/almobl/press/news/details/1304659?lang=ru

“Our country is rich in wisdom when it has elders,” says a wise Kazakh proverb. The older generation, having passed through many stages of life and made an invaluable contribution to the development and prosperity of the country, is a source of wisdom, guidance and life experience for the younger generation.In this regard, a festive event dedicated to the International Day of Older Persons was held in our district today.During the meaningful gathering, District Akim Zhandos Yerkinbek congratulated the veterans on the significant occasion and expressed his sincere respect and warm wishes to representatives of the older generation.“Respecting and honoring our elders is a tradition passed down to us from our ancestors. Your life experience and wisdom are of particular importance to us. We know well the contribution each of you has made to the development and prosperity of our native land. The peaceful life we enjoy today is the result of your hard work, dedication and many years of effort. We will always remain indebted to our elders who devoted their entire lives and energy to serving the well-being of the people,” the district head said.Highlighting the importance of the traditional “Ardagelderdi ardaktaiyk” (“Let Us Honor Our Veterans”) project, the district akim noted that over the past four years, educational and cultural trips to the cities of Baikonur, Kyzylorda and Turkistan had been organized for nearly 300 veterans. He also emphasized that efforts to provide veterans with social, household, material and other necessary assistance would continue in the future.During the festive event, the veterans were honored, and a number of citizens were presented with letters of congratulations from the district akim.The evening was complemented by a concert program featuring local performers. Zhyrshy and artistic groups from the district performed beautiful songs and created a warm and festive atmosphere for the audience.In addition, speeches were delivered by Askар Мerekov, Chairman of the District Council of Veterans; Abdirakhman Kulduisenov, Chairman of the District Public Council; Yerbolat Uzakbayev, Chairman of the Zhosaly Settlement Council of Veterans; as well as chairpersons of the councils of veterans of rural districts, who conveyed their heartfelt wishes.It should be noted that there are currently 5,590 pensioners in the district, more than 5,300 of whom are members of the veterans’ organization and continue to make a valuable contribution to the social life of the district.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/kyzylorda-karmakshy/press/news/details/1304633?lang=ru

The environmental impact fee is charged for emissions and discharges of pollutants (emissions into the environment), the open-air placement of sulfur on sulfur storage pads, and the disposal of waste carried out on the basis of the relevant environmental permit and environmental impact declaration in accordance with the environmental legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan.Payers of the fee are operators of Category I, II and III facilities as defined by the Environmental Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan.A legal entity may, by its decision, recognize its structural subdivision as an independent payer of the fee with respect to the environmental emissions generated by such structural subdivision.A decision of a legal entity, or the revocation of such decision, shall take effect from January 1 of the year following the year in which the decision was made.Taxpayers applying the special tax regime for peasant or farm households are not payers of the environmental impact fee with respect to negative environmental impacts arising from activities covered by the special tax regime for peasant or farm households.The taxable object is the actual volume of negative environmental impact (mass or, for radioactive waste, the unit of activity) during the reporting period, including the volume established based on the results of state environmental control carried out by the authorized environmental protection body and its territorial divisions to monitor compliance with the environmental legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan:for Category I and II facilities — within the established standards and limits;for Category III facilities — within the declared volume.The taxable object includes:emissions of pollutants;discharges of pollutants;disposed waste;sulfur placed in open-air sulfur storage pads and generated during exploration and/or production operations involving hydrocarbons.The fee rates are established as multiples of the monthly calculation index (MCI) effective as of the first day of the tax period and are set out in Article 639 of the Tax Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/kgd-astana/press/news/details/1304602?lang=ru

Regional Akim Murat Ergeshbayev inspected the progress of construction work aimed at developing transport infrastructure and improving road quality.At the fifth meeting of the National Kurultai, the Head of State noted: "Construction of the Kyzylorda–Zhezkazgan road section within the Kyzylorda region was recently completed. The Western Europe–Western China highway is one of the most important in Kazakhstan. However, the section between Kyzylorda and Aktobe is narrow, and traffic accidents frequently occur there. I previously issued instructions to widen this road. Construction of a new four-lane highway in this direction will begin this year. You also know that in my previous Address, I instructed that construction of the Beineu–Saksaulsk road be accelerated. Work there is also starting this year."In August, the construction of the Kyzylorda–Saksaulsk, Ulgaysyn–Saksaulsk, and Beineu–Saksaulsk highways was launched via a teleconference. During the event, First Deputy Prime Minister Nurlybek Nalibayev reported on the readiness to implement the projects and emphasized their importance for the development of the country's transport infrastructure.The regional head visited the construction sites for the Kyzylorda city bypass road (on the Kyzylorda–Aktobe route) and the Kyzylorda–Saksaulsk highway.The Kyzylorda bypass road spans 25.8 km, with a contract value of 39.5 billion tenge. Funding is provided by the Islamic Development Bank. The general contractor is Kyran LLP, and the design firm is Semdorproekt LLP. The project is scheduled for implementation between 2026 and 2029. The site currently employs 150 workers and utilizes 85 units of specialized machinery.The cost of the project to construct the 130.8 km "Kyzylorda – Saksaulsk" highway is 242.3 billion tenge. The Islamic Development Bank is providing funding; the general contractor is Integra Construction KZ LLP, and the subcontractor is Elite Stroy Komplekt LLP. The project will be carried out from 2026 to 2029. Currently, 70 workers and 43 units of specialized machinery are engaged in the construction work.Implementing these projects will modernize the region's road transport infrastructure, enhance road safety and travel comfort, and improve the throughput capacity of transit routes.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/kyzylorda/press/news/details/1304512?lang=ru

The Head of State addressed the Astana AI Film Festival – the first international competition for films created using artificial intelligence.The President highlighted the unique nature of the event.“The Astana AI Film Festival is a one-of-a-kind project through which proactive, educated, innovative, and creative citizens can showcase their talents. This is a competition of sharp minds and bold initiatives. The modern era is defined by knowledge, science, and innovation. Artificial intelligence has brought about fundamental changes across all sectors of the global economy. In short, technological progress has taken on a truly global scale,” Kassym-Jomart Tokayev stated.The Head of State described the festival as clear evidence of the rapid development of Kazakhstan’s creative industries. As he noted, the country is taking concrete measures to build a fully-fledged ecosystem in this sector and provide comprehensive support for talented individuals.Kassym-Jomart Tokayev emphasized the necessity of using artificial intelligence responsibly.“Today, as technology continues to advance at an unprecedented pace, many politicians, scientists, and tech leaders have raised concerns about the growing power of AI and the risks of its uncontrolled use. At the same time, one thing is clear: this tendency or way of things is irreversible. I think no one will argue with this. Throughout history, we have seen how the fire of Prometheus was regarded as a symbol of progress and a source of destructive power. Nuclear energy is one example. Therefore, we need to consider safety with the highest duty and establish common “rules of the game” for the responsible development and use of Artificial Intelligence for the secured future of the younger generation. At the same time, we must do everything we can to unlock the enormous creative potential of future tech. That is the main idea behind the AI Film Festival,” the President said.According to the Head of State, AI offers young people unique opportunities to unlock their potential“Today, even small creative teams can compete effectively with major studios. Creative professionals and film crews no longer need to knock on the doors of production companies or seek out sponsors to make films. Entry into the market has become far more accessible. On one hand, this heightens competition; on the other, it paves the way for truly talented individuals to realize their vision. This represents a qualitative shift in the landscape – one we must leverage as effectively as possible within a united creative community. Of course, artificial intelligence cannot replace human inspiration, but it can serve as an indispensable tool for all those who have dedicated their lives to creativity,” the President remarked.Concluding his speech, the Head of State expressed confidence that the project would open up new horizons for ambitious talent and contribute to the growth of the global creative economy. “It is no coincidence that such a major international event is being held in Astana. Kazakhstan is a young country, with an average population age of 33. I believe our younger generation is well-educated, eager for knowledge, open to new ideas, and forward-thinking. Furthermore, a respectful attitude toward all people and a complete rejection of discrimination are noble qualities deeply rooted in our society and recognized globally. Indeed, over 8,000 entries from 125 countries have been submitted for today’s festival, including works from the USA, India, China, South Korea, the UK, Indonesia, Japan, Brazil, France, and other nations. I would like to note that the jury includes world-renowned experts in art and technology, and I am sincerely grateful for their contribution. I am confident that participants will have ample opportunities to exchange ideas and launch joint projects in the future,” Kassym-Jomart Tokayev concluded.The opening ceremony also featured addresses by Almas Zhaly, founder of the Astana AI Film Festival; Timur Turlov, CEO of Freedom Holding Corp; Balaji Srinivasan, founder of Network School; festival participant Jamin Tasker; and Audrey Azoulay, Chair of the AAIFF Jury.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/kyzylorda-satyp-alu/press/news/details/1304518?lang=ru

Regional Akim Murat Ergeshbayev visited military units and facilities of the Kyzylorda garrison.He first visited military unit 66597 of the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The unit comprises 526 military personnel—including 42 conscripts—and 17 civilian specialists; it is also equipped with 107 vehicles.At military unit 99215, which also falls under the Ministry of Defense, infrastructure improvements are being carried out using local budget funds. Allocations for these purposes totaled 278.8 million tenge in 2024 and 369.8 million tenge last year, with 151 million tenge earmarked for the current year. The unit consists of six buildings and a staff of 90 military personnel and 10 civilian employees.The next stop was the Department of the Border Service of the National Security Committee (KNB) for the Kyzylorda region. Including its structural subdivisions, the agency operates 118 buildings and employs over 700 military personnel and more than 90 civilian staff; there are no conscripts stationed there.The regional head also inspected the status of National Guard military unit 5547. The unit’s personnel consists of 540 military members and three civilian employees. The military training ground under the unit's jurisdiction covers an area of 70 hectares and contains five buildings; three military personnel and four conscripts serve at the site.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/kyzylorda/press/news/details/1304503?lang=ru

Ahead of Teacher’s Day, celebrated in Kazakhstan on October 5, special attention is given to the educators who shape the professional knowledge and skills of future officers. The Academy of the National Guard of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan is one of the country’s leading military higher education institutions and a key center for training officers for the law and order troops.Over the years, the Academy has held 26 graduation ceremonies. More than 6,000 of its graduates are currently serving in the National Guard and other law enforcement agencies of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Many of them hold leadership positions and continue to contribute to the development of the system for ensuring public safety and law and order.The Academy employs and has in its ranks 15 specialists holding academic degrees and/or academic titles. Among them are three Candidates of Sciences and eight Doctors of Philosophy (PhD). Eight specialists hold the academic title of Associate Professor, four of whom have the academic title without an academic degree.The Academy’s scientific potential forms the foundation for improving the educational process, advancing military science and training qualified officers. The research activities of its faculty focus on current issues of military service, improving teaching methods and introducing scientific developments into the practical activities of the National Guard.International scientific and practical conferences, seminars and other academic events are regularly held at the Academy. They bring together representatives of military educational institutions, the academic community and law enforcement agencies, creating a platform for exchanging experience and discussing current issues in military education and service.Since 2022, the Academy has operated a points-based rating system for assessing the research activities of departments, academic divisions and faculty members. It makes it possible to systematically evaluate scientific activity, publication work, participation in academic events and the practical significance of research conducted.Servicemen and faculty members who make a significant personal contribution to the development of scientific activities, demonstrate high publication activity and achieve strong results in research are regularly recognized and encouraged.Academy cadets are also actively involved in research activities. Such work helps future officers develop analytical thinking, deepen their professional knowledge and find practical solutions to current challenges in military service.Today, the Academy continues to strengthen its academic and educational traditions. Behind every trained officer stand the knowledge, experience and professional dedication of teachers who make a significant contribution to developing personnel for the National Guard and the country’s overall security system. Press Service of the National Guard of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of KazakhstanSource : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/kvv/press/news/details/1304505?lang=ru

As part of the AI & Digital Bridge 2026 international technology forum, the winners of the annual AI & Digital Bridge Awards 2026 were announced. The awards recognize the best projects, companies, and teams that have contributed to the development of artificial intelligence, digital technologies, and digital transformation.The award ceremony took place on October 3, on the final day of AI & Digital Bridge 2026. The ceremony was attended by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Olzhas Bektenov, who addressed the forum participants and presented awards to the winners of the AI & Digital Bridge Awards 2026.In his speech, Olzhas Bektenov highlighted the development of Kazakhstan’s digital infrastructure, the introduction of artificial intelligence into the real sector of the economy, and the significance of international technological cooperation. The Prime Minister also emphasized the role of AI & Digital Bridge as a platform bringing together the government, business, technology companies, investors, and the international expert community.An international perspective on the development of Kazakhstan’s technological ecosystem was presented by the ceremony participants: Sebastian Kurz, Co-Founder and President of Dream, former Federal Chancellor of Austria; Timur Turlov, CEO of Freedom Holding Corp.; Jamie Beaton, Founder of Crimson Education; and Alex Mashrabov, Co-Founder and CEO of Higgsfield AI.“This is my third visit to Kazakhstan over the past 12 months, and it is no coincidence. Kazakhstan is among the leaders in digitalization, IT, and artificial intelligence. The country is becoming a technological hub thanks to the development of AI infrastructure, supercomputers, its own language model, Data Center Valley, and the digitalization of public services. In the technological race between the US and China, it is especially important that there are countries like Kazakhstan that are at the forefront and can at the same time serve as a bridge between East and West,” said Sebastian Kurz, Co-Founder and President of Dream, former Federal Chancellor of Austria.Timur Turlov continued the discussion on the opportunities that AI development opens up for Kazakhstan and businesses. “A new window of opportunity is opening up for Kazakhstan right now—this time in artificial intelligence. Project by project, Kazakhstan is securing its place on the global AI map, no longer as an observer, but as a full-fledged participant in the AI race. The architecture of digital transformation has already been established. The task for business is to fill it with content and be a reliable partner to the state. We will walk the path of AI transformation together,” emphasized Timur Turlov, CEO of Freedom Holding Corp.Jamie Beaton spoke about Kazakhstan’s potential as a platform for developing a new generation of technology entrepreneurs.“The government of Kazakhstan plays a significant role in shaping a new generation of entrepreneurs, and Kazakhstan’s entrepreneurs are well-positioned to first scale up regionally, attract global venture capital, and then enter the global market. Kazakhstan’s strong international ties can serve as a powerful launchpad for technology companies. The country has strong energy resources, government support, and an educational system—essential conditions for development in the AI era,” said Jamie Beaton, Founder of Crimson Education.Against this backdrop, the AI & Digital Bridge Awards recognize specific projects and teams that are already developing digital solutions and bringing them to market.In 2026, awards were presented in seven categories: GovTech Project of the Year, EdTech Project of the Year, Startup of the Year, Corporate AI Transformation of the Year, International Breakthrough of the Year, VC of the Year, and Creative Industry Project of the Year.The selection process took place in two stages. First, a shortlist of five nominees in each category was compiled using artificial intelligence technologies. The finalists were then submitted to an online jury vote, which determined the winners.The winners of the AI & Digital Bridge Awards 2026 are:GovTech Project of the Year — eGov.GPT, National Information Technologies JSC (NIT JSC)EdTech Project of the Year — GoPrep, Aleem Labs LLPStartup of the Year — Rette (Defect AI);Corporate AI Transformation of the Year — Aventa, QazCode;International Breakthrough of the Year — Higgsfield AI, Higgsfield Ltd.;VC of the Year — MA7 Ventures;Creative Industry Project of the Year — ōzen, «OZEN XO» LLP.The award winners represent various sectors of the technology economy—from digital public services and education to healthcare, corporate AI, the venture capital market, and the creative industries. One example of a technology project created in Kazakhstan and expanding into global markets is Higgsfield AI, which received the International Breakthrough of the Year award.“Over these past three days, we have seen that Astana has become a hub attracting leading global technology leaders. At Higgsfield, we are building this bridge in the opposite direction—from Kazakhstan to the world. We have created a product that has entered the global generative media market. And our main resource is not models or products, but the people and talent from Kazakhstan. It is especially important to me that today we are bringing talent back to Kazakhstan to build Higgsfield together with us from Kazakhstan. Astana Hub has created a foundation that allows us to build an international technology leader from Kazakhstan to international standards. We became Kazakhstan’s first AI unicorn primarily thanks to the ecosystem and the conditions created here. And we believe this is just the first example—other unicorns will follow,” emphasized Alex Mashrabov, Co-Founder and CEO of Higgsfield AI.Thus, the AI & Digital Bridge Awards 2026 brought together winners from various segments of Kazakhstan’s technology ecosystem—GovTech, EdTech, HealthTech, generative AI, venture capital, and the creative industries.Concluding the ceremony, Olzhas Bektenov outlined the next priority: transitioning from individual technological solutions to their large-scale implementation across the economy.“The next stage is the large-scale rollout of technologies that have proven their effectiveness, as well as the introduction of new technologies and digital standards into our economy. To achieve this, the state, the scientific community, and international technology companies must join forces. Digital Bridge serves precisely as a platform that will strengthen ties between business partners. More than 60 new agreements were signed this year,” said Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan Olzhas Bektenov.AI & Digital Bridge 2026 took place in Astana from October 1 to 3, bringing together representatives of government, business, technology companies, startups, investors, and the international expert community.The organizers of AI & Digital Bridge 2026 are the Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Astana Hub, and the Akimat of Astana.AI & Digital Bridge 2026 is made possible through the support of the forum’s partners and sponsors. All forum expenses are covered by sponsorship funds.Gold Partners: Freedom Bank, Kaspi Bank, Samruk-Kazyna JSC, and Kazakhtelecom JSC. Silver Partner: Halyk Bank. Business Partner: Beeline Kazakhstan. Bronze Partner: Yandex Qazaqstan. Telecom Partner: Freedom Telecom Operations LLP. Technology Partner: Transtelecom JSC. Official Airline Partner: Air Astana.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/maidd/press/news/details/1304384?lang=ru

Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mod/press/news/details/1304343?lang=ru

Vienna, 29 September – 1 October 2026. A series of events was held in Vienna to mark the 30th Anniversary of the opening for signature of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT).On 29 September, a commemorative ceremony took place at Vienna City Hall, bringing together representatives of CTBT Signatory States, international organizations and the diplomatic community. Opening remarks were delivered by Robert Floyd, Executive Secretary of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO); Beate Meinl-Reisinger, Austria’s Federal Minister for European and International Affairs; and Rafael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).Participants underscored the historic significance of the Treaty in establishing an international norm against nuclear testing, as well as the vital role of the International Monitoring System in safeguarding global security and strengthening the international nuclear test monitoring and verification regime.The anniversary programme concluded on 1 October with a public screening of the CTBTO’s short film The Road to Zero. The film highlights the international community’s key achievements over the past three decades, tracing the history of global efforts to end nuclear testing through the testimonies of diplomats, scientists and technical experts. Particular attention is given to the progress made by the international community, from an era of more than 2,000 nuclear tests to a substantial reduction in testing following the opening of the CTBT for signature.The film was produced with the support of Kazakhstan, which has consistently advocated a comprehensive ban on nuclear testing for many years. As noted in the film by Mukhtar Tileuberdi, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the country’s commitment to this goal is one of the key priorities of its international engagement.Kazakhstan continues to make a significant contribution to strengthening international nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament regimes. The closure of the Semipalatinsk Nuclear Test Site stands as a historic example of this commitment. Today, Kazakhstan continues to uphold this legacy through its active participation in the work of the CTBTO and its efforts to advance international initiatives aimed at bringing the Treaty into force.The film is available at the following link:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uMN9QkWra7k Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mfa-vienna/press/news/details/1304286?lang=ru

Bern, October 2 – A roundtable dedicated to the constitutional reform and the prospects for Kazakhstan’s socioeconomic development took place in Switzerland. The event brought together members of the Federal Assembly and representatives of the Confederation’s government bodies, expert community and academic circles.Addressing the event, Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Switzerland Kairat Sarzhanov provided information on the adoption of the new Constitution, the establishment of the unicameral Quryltai and the results of the parliamentary elections, the work of the advisory body, the Halyk Kenesi, and the introduction of the instutite of Vice President.The diplomat noted that these steps aim to establish an optimal balance in relations between the branches of government and to redistribute powers effectively among them, helping to create favourable conditions for the development of the economy, human capital, education, science and innovation as part of the drive to build a Just Kazakhstan. The steady and dynamic development of the Kazakh–Swiss partnership across all areas was also highlighted.Particular attention was paid to Kazakhstan’s foreign policy priorities as a middle power seeking to strengthen ties across Eurasia, achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, strengthen the role of the United Nations, and promote peace and security in the region and globally.Participants showed keen interest in the information on Kazakhstan’s political transformation and economic development priorities. The ensuing discussion highlighted the strong momentum of political dialogue between the two countries, including active interparliamentary engagement, and the significant potential for deepening trade and investment cooperation. In 2025, bilateral trade amounted to 1.5 billion dollars, while cumulative Swiss direct investment in Kazakhstan’s economy exceeded 36 billion dollars, making Switzerland the country’s third-largest foreign investor. These views were echoed by Roland Büchel, a member of the lower house of the Federal Assembly, Filippo Lombardi, a representative of the municipality of Lugano and former President of the upper house of the Swiss Parliament; Jochen Janssen, an adviser at the Federal Department of Economic Affairs; and representatives of the federal diplomatic service and the board of the Swiss Foreign Policy Association. Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mfa-bern/press/news/details/1304250?lang=ru