Astana, June 12, 2026 – Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan Alibek Bakayev received copies of credentials from the newly appointed Ambassador of the Republic of Korea Jung Ki-Hong.During the meeting, the parties discussed the current state and prospects for expanding bilateral cooperation in the political, trade, economic, cultural and humanitarian spheres, paying special attention to the schedule of mutual visits and high-level events planned for this year.Considering the significant volumes of bilateral trade and direct Korean investment in Kazakhstan, the interlocutors placed particular emphasis on the need to further deepen trade and economic cooperation.In addition, the diplomats expressed their readiness to continue close cooperation in multilateral formats, primarily within the UN and other international platforms.At the conclusion of the meeting, the Korean Ambassador expressed gratitude for the warm welcome and confirmed his readiness to make every effort to further strengthen the strategic partnership between the two countries.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mfa/press/news/details/1239961?lang=ru

The delegations of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the European Union successfully held another round of negotiations on the draft Agreement of Visa Facilitation and Readmission Agreement.During the negotiations, the parties continued substantive discussions aimed at further aligning their positions on the key provisions of the future agreements.Particular attention was paid to improving visa procedures for citizens of the Republic of Kazakhstan, including application processing times, the issuance of multiple-entry visas, the optimization of supporting documentation requirements, and other practical measures designed to facilitate people-to-people contacts.At the conclusion of the negotiations, the parties noted significant progress on the majority of provisions of both agreements and confirmed their readiness to continue the work.The results achieved reflect a high level of mutual understanding and provide a solid foundation for further enhancing the mobility of citizens, as well as expanding business, educational, scientific and humanitarian ties between Kazakhstan and the European Union.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mfa/press/news/details/1239841?lang=ru

Ahead of the 70th anniversary of the city of Arkalyk, large-scale projects are being implemented in the region in the social, infrastructural, cultural, and economic spheres. During a working trip, the Akim (Governor) of the Kostanay region, Kumar Aksakalov, visited a number of important facilities and reviewed the progress of the ongoing projects.Organizing and holding the anniversary at a high level is an important milestone on the path of the city's formation and development. This anniversary is not just a festive date, but an important stage for reflecting on the path traveled, summarizing the work done, and determining future development directions.In his Address to the People of Kazakhstan dated September 8, 2025, President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev noted that the development of the Torgay region should be in the special focus of the Government. Today, as part of the implementation of this instruction, large-scale projects for the development of the city are being implemented in Arkalyk."In recent years, the city's socio-economic indicators have shown steady growth. If in 2022 the budget of Arkalyk was 20.1 billion tenge, then in 2026 this figure reached 36.6 billion tenge, increasing 1.8 times. The funds are directed towards the development of education, healthcare, culture, sports, housing and communal services, engineering infrastructure, road construction, and improvement," noted the head of the region.A number of important projects have been implemented in the healthcare sector. In 2024, new paramedic-midwife stations were commissioned in the villages of Vostochnoye and Furmanova. The Arkalyk Regional Hospital was modernized into a multidisciplinary interregional hospital, and the major renovation of the maternity hospital building is nearing completion.Positive changes are also taking place in the field of education. In 2024, the first "Keleshek Mektebi" school in the region opened in Arkalyk. And in 2025, the Arkalyk Pedagogical Institute received university status. To expand its material and technical base, the building of the former agriculture department was converted into an academic building."Over the past three years, more than 30 social facilities have been renovated in the city. Housing construction is developing at an active pace. During this period, 20.8 thousand square meters of housing were commissioned. Last year alone, 9.5 thousand square meters of housing were built, which is 2.3 times more compared to 2022," said the regional Akim Kumar Aksakalov.Large-scale work is also being carried out in the field of sports. Last year, a wrestling hall, a boarding school for gifted children, and the "Kazakhstan" sports complex were commissioned. Currently, the renovation of the "Zhiger" stadium continues, and the construction of an indoor hockey rink is underway. Furthermore, a physical culture and health complex is being built with funds from the "Samruk-Kazyna" fund.To create conditions for systematic sports activities in courtyards, 43 sports grounds have been built.The cultural infrastructure is also developing consistently. The major renovation of the house of culture in the village of Ashutasty is nearing completion.In the direction of developing road infrastructure, 56 kilometers of roads have been repaired in recent years. As a result, 40 streets have been updated and 29 new bus stops have been installed.Transport infrastructure plays an important role in increasing the city's economic potential. In this regard, a section of the road to the Ulytau region has been repaired. Additionally, the construction of a new highway in the direction of Arkalyk - Torgay - Irgiz continues.To improve the region's transport accessibility, work is underway to restore the Arkalyk airport. The project to reconstruct the railway station is also nearing completion.To increase the city's investment attractiveness, a decision was made to create an industrial zone. This will allow for the placement of new production facilities, attracting investments, and creating new jobs.The modernization of utility infrastructure continues. Water supply networks have been updated in Arkalyk and the settlement of Severnoye, and new water supply systems have been built in the villages of Molodezhnoye and Ushtobe. In 2025, 1.6 kilometers of heating networks were restored. In the future, it is planned to repair 39 kilometers of sewer networks.To improve the city and enhance the quality of life for residents, several streets have been illuminated, with poles and 100 lamps installed. Over the past three years, the external appearance of 65 residential buildings has been improved. This year, the facades of another 25 apartment buildings will be updated. If 10 houses were renovated in 2022, last year this figure reached 67 houses.As part of the development of digital infrastructure, new base stations have been commissioned in the villages of Zhankala, Ekidin, Molodezhnoye, Angarskoye, Ashutasty, Zhalgyzgal, Rodina, and Tselinnoye, providing residents with quality internet access.Ahead of the 70th anniversary of Arkalyk, the state is creating all conditions for the further development of the region. At the same time, the social responsibility of business is also of particular importance. In this regard, it is important to attract entrepreneurs and patrons to actively participate in the implementation of social and infrastructure projects.This refers to initiatives such as the improvement of public spaces, repair and modernization of social facilities, support for educational, cultural, and sports organizations, landscaping of territories, construction of children's and sports playgrounds, aimed at improving the quality of life of the population."The events held as part of the 70th anniversary of Arkalyk should not only give a festive mood to the residents and guests of the city but also contribute to the broad promotion of the city's achievements and potential, demonstrating its investment and tourism opportunities. Clean streets, improved courtyards, renovated buildings, and comfortable public spaces form the new image of Arkalyk and create the foundation for its bright future," emphasized the head of the region.The head of the region instructed all institutions and organizations responsible for preparing and holding the anniversary events to perform their assigned tasks with quality and in a timely manner and to ensure readiness to receive the city's guests at the highest level. Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/kostanay/press/news/details/1239820?lang=ru

Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/almobl/press/news/details/1239448?lang=ru

Astana, June 11, 2026 – First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan Yerzhan Ashykbayev received Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Canada to the Republic of Kazakhstan Christopher Duggan.The parties discussed issues of bilateral cooperation between Kazakhstan and Canada in the political, trade, economic and legal areas.Special attention was paid to high-level contacts and issues of multilateral cooperation.Following the meeting, the parties agreed to continue efforts to expand bilateral interaction. Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mfa/press/news/details/1239453?lang=ru

A new mini-football pitch for children and teenagers has opened in the city of Arkalyk. The facility was commissioned on the eve of June 1st — International Children's Day — on Auelbekov Street.The sports facility was built with the support of socially responsible businesses. The project sponsor was the company "Arkalyk Qus," which allocated its own funds amounting to 8 million tenge for the construction.The opening ceremony was attended by representatives of the city akimat, the company's management, and residents of nearby houses. The new sports ground is located in the courtyard of residential buildings and is intended for children from several apartment buildings.The opening of the facility will allow children and teenagers to actively engage in mass sports and spend their free time productively. Such initiatives contribute to the promotion of a healthy lifestyle and the development of sports infrastructure in the city.Representatives of local authorities expressed gratitude to the sponsoring company and emphasized the importance of business support for social initiatives.The work on developing mass sports and creating comfortable infrastructure for children in Arkalyk will continue.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/kostanay/press/news/details/1238672?lang=ru

Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/almobl/press/news/details/1238642?lang=ru

Kazan, June 10, 2026 – Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Yermek Kosherbayev, participated in the regular meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO).During the meeting, the foreign ministers of the CSTO member states exchanged views on the international and regional situation and its impact on the security of the Organization's member states.In his remarks, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan noted that the Collective Security Treaty Organization remains an important pillar for ensuring peace, stability and sustainable development in the region. Through their joint efforts, the Organization’s member states effectively counter contemporary challenges and threats, coordinate actions in the field of defence, and respond promptly to crisis situations.He also informed the participants about Kazakhstan’s position and approaches regarding cooperation within the CSTO framework and put forward a number of proposals aimed at the Organization’s further comprehensive development.He emphasized the importance of coordinating efforts in the areas of information and cybersecurity. In this context, he briefed the participants on the development of digital technologies and artificial intelligence in Kazakhstan, highlighting, in particular, the adoption of the Digital Code, the launch of the Alem AI Center for Artificial Intelligence and a supercomputing cluster, as well as the establishment of the Data Center Valley and the implementation of the Astana Smart City project.He also expressed gratitude to Kazakhstan’s partners within the Collective Security Treaty Organization for their support in establishing the Asia-Pacific Regional Hub of Digital Solutions for Sustainable Development in Almaty.Following the meeting, the ministers approved the draft CSTO Counter-Terrorism Strategy until 2030.The Council of Foreign Ministers also adopted political statements on preventing an arms race in outer space, the need to counter threats arising from the use of information and communication technologies for sabotage and terrorist purposes, strengthening the role of international law and commitment to the principles of the UN Charter, as well as a statement marking the 85th anniversary of the beginning of the Great Patriotic War.Overall, the parties reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing cooperation within the CSTO framework and further strengthening the Organization.The next meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers, under the chairmanship of the Russian Federation, will take place in Moscow in November 2026 on the eve of the CSTO Collective Security Council session.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mfa/press/news/details/1238550?lang=ru

Minsk, June 9, 2026 – The XXXIII Meeting of the Consultative Council of Heads of Consular Services of the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) Member States was held.The meeting was attended by representatives of Kazakhstan, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Uzbekistan, and the CIS Executive Committee and also by representatives of Armenia and Tajikistan via videoconference. Representatives of Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan participated in the meeting as observers. The Kazakh delegation was headed by Bolat Katkenov, Deputy Director of the Department of Consular Service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan.During the meeting, participants discussed issues related to the implementation of the provisions of the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations of 24 April 1963, exchanged views on the implementation of the Convention on Legal Assistance and Legal Relations in Civil, Family and Criminal Matters of 7 October 2002, as well as other international agreements, including bilateral consular agreements concluded between CIS member states.The parties emphasized the importance of exchanging relevant information between competent authorities on matters related to the mutual recognition of documents issued within the framework of the conventions. The heads of consular services recommended intensifying direct cooperation and interagency interaction through the use of modern communication channels, including between the Ministries of internal affairs of CIS member states.Special attention was paid to the protection of the rights and interests of citizens, including support and assistance to persons temporarily residing, studying, and carrying out labor activities in the territories of CIS member states.At the conclusion of the meeting, the heads of the delegations signed the Protocol and noted that the negotiations had been held in a constructive and substantive atmosphere. They also agreed to continue the regular exchange of information on all areas of consular relations.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mfa/press/news/details/1237789?lang=ru

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New York, 28 May 2026 – First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan Yerzhan Ashikbayev took part in the meeting of the Group of Friends of Global Governance under the theme “Reforming and Improving Global Governance: Jointly Responding to Global Challenges” held under the chairmanship of Foreign Minister of China Wang Yi at UN Headquarters.In his remarks First Deputy Foreign Minister Yerzhan Ashikbayev reaffirmed Kazakhstan’s commitment to strengthening multilateral cooperation, upholding the central coordinating role of the UN, and promoting a more just, inclusive, and balanced system of global governance. The Kazakh delegation placed particular emphasis on the need to bridge the global digital divide, expand equitable access to emerging technologies and strengthen international cooperation in the field of artificial intelligence.In this regard, Kazakhstan presented a number of initiatives being advanced in Almaty, including the establishment of the Asia-Pacific Digital Solutions Centre for Sustainable Development under the auspices of UN ESCAP, as well as the UN Regional Centre for the SDGs for Central Asia and Afghanistan.The relevance of the initiative put forward by President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to establish an International Water Organization under the auspices of the UN was also underscored.Following the meeting, participating countries adopted a joint communiqué reaffirming their commitment to multilateralism, international law and the central role of the UN in the system of global governance.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mfa/press/news/details/1230295?lang=ru

Republican command-staff exercises "Fire - 2026" were held in the region. The akim of Kostanay region, Kumar Aksakalov, participated in the large-scale event.To prevent and avert large forest fires in the region, work is underway to strengthen and update the material and technical base. 51 fire trucks, 86 tractors, 36 forest fire complexes, 26 patrol vehicles, 16 units of trailer equipment, and 2 trailer firefighting modules have been purchased. The work to equip forestry institutions with modern specialized equipment and communication means will continue."This year, under the 'Village Rescuers' program, it is planned to open 18 new fire posts and modernize 12 existing posts. This will ensure the safety of 75 settlements with a population of over 34 thousand people," noted the head of the region.The conducted exercises contribute to improving the efficiency of the early fire detection system, enhancing space monitoring and patrolling of forest-steppe territories, as well as expanding capabilities to eliminate fire outbreaks in the first hours of their occurrence.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/kostanay/press/news/details/1230544?lang=ru

Moscow, 29 May 2026 - The latest interagency bilateral consultations between the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Russian Federation on ensuring biological security were held.During the consultations, the sides exchanged up-to-date information on the current situation in the field of biological security at the regional and global levels, and also discussed prospects for further development of cooperation in bilateral, regional, and multilateral formats.Particular attention was paid to cooperation in the context of promoting the initiative of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, to establish an International Agency for Biological Security.The parties confirmed their mutual interest in expanding cooperation in the areas of scientific exchange, training of specialized personnel, as well as conducting joint activities to monitor the epidemiological situation in border areas.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mfa/press/news/details/1230995?lang=ru

Astana, 29th of May 2026 – Within the framework of the Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement the 23rd meeting of the Cooperation Committee in Political Configuration was held under the chairmanship of Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan Arman Issetov and from the European side Deputy Managing Director for Eastern Europe and Central Asia of the European External Action Service Аudrone Perkauskiene.The parties held detailed exchange of views on the dynamics of political reforms in Kazakhstan, as well as dialogue in the areas of effective public administration, judicial reform and the rule of law.Special attention was paid to trade and economic cooperation, including the implementation of the Global Gateway initiative. Kazakhstan and the European Union identified strategic priorities for further strengthening partnership in such areas as enhancing transport and logistics connectivity, green energy, environmental protection, supplies of critical raw materials, and expanding the export potential of Kazakhstan.The importance of strengthening academic mobility and cooperation between research institutions under the Erasmus+ and Horizon Europe programmes was also highlighted.“The EU remains Kazakhstan’s largest trading and investment partner. Last year, our mutual trade reached 45 billion US dollars. Between 2005 and 2025, the European capital inflow has exceeded 200 billion dollars. Currently, more than 4,000 European companies are successfully operating in our country. We highly value the growing interest of European businesses in Kazakhstan and our region as a reliable partner and strategic transit hub connecting Europe and Asia”, noted Deputy Minister Issetov.For her part, Аudrone Perkauskiene highly commended the current dynamics of the strategic partnership with Kazakhstan, noting the European Union is eager to deepen cooperation across all directions and joining efforts to tackle common international challenges.A separate item on the agenda was devoted to discussing prospects for facilitating the visa regime for citizens of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The parties noted the importance of intensifying dialogue and further advancing cooperation in the consular and visa sphere.Following the meeting, the parties reaffirmed their mutual interest in further strengthening the partnership between the Republic of Kazakhstan and the European Union across the entire spectrum of bilateral cooperation.The dialogue platform serves as an active mechanism for discussing the current cooperation agenda and aligning positions between Kazakhstan and the European Union on a wide range of issues involving sectoral government agencies. Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mfa/press/news/details/1231015?lang=ru

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An official presentation of the new direct flight on the Warsaw - Almaty - Warsaw route to be operated by LOT Polish Airlines was held at Warsaw Chopin Frederic International Airport.The event brought together representatives of the Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan in Warsaw, government bodies, the business cricles, and the tourism sector, as well as the management of LOT Polish Airlines.Speaking at the ceremony, a representative of the Embassy of Kazakhstan in Poland emphasized that the launch of the new route would be an important step toward further strengthening Kazakh–Polish cooperation. Direct air connection will create additional opportunities for expanding trade, economic, cultural, humanitarian and tourism ties, as well as enhancing people-to-people contacts the two countries.It was noted that since 2017, LOT Polish Airlines has been successfully operating direct flights between Astana and Warsaw, ensuring air connectivity between Kazakhstan and Poland. The launch of the flight to Almaty – the largest financial, cultural, and tourism center of Kazakhstan – marks a new stage in the development of transport connectivity between Central Asia and Europe. The new route also aligns with Kazakhstan’s strategic course aimed at developing international transport connectivity and strengthening the country’s role as a key aviation and transit hub of Eurasia.Participants of the event expressed confidence that the new route will contribute to the growth of passenger traffic, the expansion of business contacts, and the further development of bilateral cooperation.Flights on the Warsaw – Almaty route will be operated four times a week using Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mfa/press/news/details/1231542?lang=ru

Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/almobl/press/news/details/1231982?lang=ru

Work continues in the Kostanay region to develop digital infrastructure and provide residents with quality communication services. At the beginning of the year, a memorandum of cooperation was signed between the regional administration and the telecommunications operator Tele2/Altel – Mobile Telecom-Service LLP, aimed at improving the quality of mobile internet and communication in the region.As part of the agreement, it is planned to install more than 60 new base stations by the end of the current year. The project covers single-industry towns, district centers, and remote settlements in the region.The first facilities have already been commissioned in the cities of Lisakovsk and Rudny. The new base stations will improve the quality of mobile communication and increase internet access speeds.In Lisakovsk, the installation of six more base stations is planned to strengthen the existing network. Two stations have already been launched in the first phase. This will improve communication quality both within the city limits and in the territory of cottage communities.Simultaneously, the city is modernizing its telecommunications infrastructure, developing fiber-optic networks, expanding the video surveillance system, and implementing modern digital solutions.The development of the communication network is also continuing in Rudny. It is planned to add 14 more facilities to the existing 37 base stations. The first of these has already been commissioned. The implementation of the project will provide quality communication to new residential neighborhoods, industrial zones, and areas with insufficient signal levels.The memorandum provides for the phased introduction of 4G and 5G technologies in the cities and settlements of the region. Furthermore, the construction of base stations creates additional opportunities for developing engineering infrastructure, installing lighting and video surveillance systems.According to the telecommunications operator, the launch of new facilities will increase internet accessibility for the population, reduce the load on existing networks, and ensure the stable operation of mobile communication.The implementation of the project is part of comprehensive work to develop digitalization, modernize telecommunications infrastructure, and improve the quality of life for residents of the Kostanay region.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/kostanay/press/news/details/1232248?lang=ru