A meeting of the Kostanay Region Digital Headquarters was held under the chairmanship of the regional head, Kumar Aksakalov. The Head of State declared 2026 the Year of Digitalization and Artificial Intelligence.Within the agenda, the issue of implementing the Strategy for building "smart cities" in the Kostanay Region was considered.A report was presented by the head of the Department of Informatization, Provision of Public Services and Archives of the Kostanay Region Akimat, Azamat Kashiev. Co-reporters included the Akim of the city of Kostanay, Marat Zhundubaev, the acting head of the Department of Energy and Housing and Communal Services of the Kostanay Region Akimat, Azamat Sabirzhan, as well as the director of ECO-SERVICE-2030 LLP, Vitaliy Siukhov.The meeting presented the current results of the digitalization of the city of Kostanay and the region's housing and communal services, implemented within the framework of the Republic of Kazakhstan's "Smart City" Reference Standard.It was noted that by the end of 2025, 6 key digital projects with a total value of approximately 242 million tenge had been implemented in the regional center. Among the priority areas are the development of the Situation Center and the "AiKey" information system, the introduction of digital control services in the utility sector, and the development of the urban digital platform "Smart Qostanai," which integrates 78 services for the population.Special attention during the meeting was paid to issues of urban infrastructure development. Measures for automating street lighting, modernizing traffic light facilities, introducing "smart" bus stops, digitalizing utility service accounting, and improving public safety levels were considered.Projects planned for implementation in 2026 were also discussed. They are aimed at further introducing artificial intelligence technologies, developing video surveillance systems, and implementing pilot solutions in the areas of "smart" transport and urban environment monitoring.During the meeting, the regional Akim, Kumar Aksakalov, emphasized the strategic importance of the region's digitalization:"We must systematically make efforts to transform the region into a modern digital region. Within the current year, the launch of a number of projects to introduce advanced technologies, including solutions in the field of artificial intelligence, is envisaged. However, not only the technologies themselves are important, but also their quality, as well as their real contribution to the region's economy. More than 900 industrial enterprises operate in the region; 117 industrial 'smart' robots have been introduced at the KIA and KamlitKZ plants (in 2023, there were only 3). 28 robots are also used in the mining industry. In agriculture, 100% of arable land, 90% of pastures, and 95% of hayfields have been digitized. In livestock farming, 7 modern 'smart' dairy farms are operational, and precision farming technologies have been introduced in crop production. Significant progress is also observed in the Smart City direction — over the past three years, the number of cameras connected to the Regional Operational Management Center has increased from 102 in 2023 to 285 in 2025, that is, by 2.8 times."Following the meeting, the necessity of continuing systematic work on digitalization aimed at improving the quality of life of the population, the efficiency of urban management, and the formation of a modern, safe, and technologically advanced urban environment was noted.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/kostanay/press/news/details/1193644?lang=kk

Within the framework of the event, you will have the opportunity to:familiarize yourself with current vacancies in government agencies;receive consultations on the procedure for entering the civil service;learn about the requirements for candidates and the stages of the competitive selection;ask questions to representatives of government institutions.📅 Date: April 10, 2026📍 Venue: 98 Pushkin Street (the "Ai-komek" building)🕒 Time: 11:00 AMInvited to participate are: graduates of educational institutions, young professionals, unemployed youth, as well as all interested citizens.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/kostanay/press/news/details/1193620?lang=kk

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Astana, April 2, 2026 – Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan Yermek Kosherbayev received the Ambassador of Mongolia to the Republic of Kazakhstan Dorj Bayarkhuu on the occasion of the completion of his diplomatic mission.During the meeting, the parties discussed the current state and future prospects of Kazakh-Mongolian cooperation. The positive dynamics of political dialogue, as well as the steady expansion of interaction in priority areas were noted.Particular attention was paid to the schedule of upcoming bilateral visits and events at various levels planned for the current year as well as cooperation within multilateral frameworks.For his part, the Ambassador expressed gratitude for the support extended during his diplomatic mission and reaffirmed Mongolia’s readiness to further strengthen cooperation with Kazakhstan based on mutual respect and trust.At the conclusion of the meeting, Yermek Kosherbayev on behalf of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev presented Dorj Bayarkhuu with the Order of “Dostyk” (Friendship) of II degree, in recognition of his contribution to the development of bilateral relations.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mfa/press/news/details/1192937?lang=kk

Podgorica, April 1, 2026 – The second round of Kazakhstan–Montenegro political consultations was held under the co-chairmanship of Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan Arman Issetov and State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Montenegro Periša Kastratović.During the visit, the Kazakh diplomat held a meeting with Deputy Prime Minister – Minister of Foreign Affairs of Montenegro Ervin Ibrahimović. The parties noted the high level of friendly relations between the Astana and Podgorica. Particular attention was paid to the prospects for cooperation in the trade, economic, cultural and humanitarian spheres, as well as to coordination of efforts in the international arena.In discussions with Periša Kastratović, particular emphasis was placed on expanding political dialogue, including the exchange of high-level visits. Both sides noted the considerable potential to enhance and diversify trade and investment cooperation. In particular, tourism, transport and logistics, healthcare and digital technologies were identified as key promising areas.During the meeting Deputy Minister Issetov emphasized: «Kazakhstan attaches great importance to developing cooperation with Montenegro and is committed to actively expanding bilateral relations across all priority areas».In turn, Periša Kastratović congratulated Kazakhstan on the successful conduct of the referendum and the adoption of a new Constitution, expressing confidence in the country’s continued progress. He also reiterated Montenegro’s readiness to deepen multifaceted cooperation covering the full spectrum of bilateral relations.The heads of delegations also exchanged views on key regional and global issues and expressed their intention to further advance multilateral engagement within international organizations.Following the consultations, an agreement was reached to expand the legal framework and to adopt a new Cooperation Program between the foreign ministries of the two countries. Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mfa/press/news/details/1192926?lang=kk

In the city of Arkalyk, the work to provide housing for the population is consistently ongoing. This year, as part of the implementation of the instructions of the Head of State to support socially vulnerable segments of the population, another significant project has been realized.Thus, at the address 51 Shakshaka Zhanibek Street, an 18-apartment residential building has been commissioned, and families in need are already celebrating their housewarming.It is worth noting that work in this direction in the city is carried out in stages. In 2025, a 48-apartment residential building at 13 Baitursynov Street was renovated and transferred to socially vulnerable categories of citizens. In 2026, a 55-apartment residential building at 12 Baitursynov Street was also purchased for 983 million tenge and provided to families in need.The new apartment building has also been fully modernized in accordance with modern requirements. The facility was purchased for 281 million 967 thousand tenge with the aim of providing housing for socially vulnerable categories of citizens. The building includes 12 two-room and 6 three-room apartments.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/kostanay/press/news/details/1192474?lang=kk

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Akims of the Kostanay region, Kumar Aksakalov, visited the villages of Ayet and Varvarinka in the Beimbet Maylin district during a working trip, where he familiarized himself with the progress of flood control measures.To protect the region's settlements from floods, measures have been carried out for bank reinforcement works, the construction and strengthening of protective embankments, the building of diversion channels, and the erection of earth fills. Work continues to prevent potential flooding. Not a single household in the region has been flooded.As of today, the total water volume in the two major reservoirs is at 70% capacity (939.51 million m3), against a standard of 1.4 billion m3.A task force of 2,815 personnel, 392 units of equipment, 123 watercraft units, and 336 motor pumps has been designated for flood and inundation response.Since the beginning of March this year, water passage structures have been cleared. Round-the-clock duty has been organized in flood-prone areas.The flood situation is under special control.In the Beimbet Maylin district, two ice jams were observed on the Ayet River: the first in the village of Ayet, the second in the village of Mayskoye.Thanks to the riverbed clearing and deepening works carried out last year, as well as the preventive measures this year, ice drift began on both sections of the Ayet River by the evening of April 1, and water flow was restored.The peak of the high-risk period has passed. The situation is stable, and there is no cause for concern. Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/kostanay/press/news/details/1192361?lang=kk

Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/almobl/press/news/details/1192237?lang=kk

Astana, April 1, 2026 – Bilateral interagency consultations were held under the chairmanship of Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan Alibek Kuantyrov and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Oleхandr Mischenko.During the meeting, the parties discussed pressing issues of bilateral cooperation in trade, economic, investment, and cultural and humanitarian spheres.Particular emphasis was placed on increasing mutual trade turnover, expanding cooperation in agriculture, improving logistics, and diversifying exports.At the conclusion of the meeting, the sides agreed to continue the dialogue between their foreign ministries in order to further strengthen bilateral cooperation.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mfa/press/news/details/1192136?lang=kk

Astana, April 1, 2026 – Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan Yermek Kosherbayev received the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Faisal Alkahtani.During the meeting, the two sides discussed the pressing issues of regional and global agenda, including the situation in the Middle East, as well as the current state of bilateral cooperation.Minister Kosherbayev expressed concern over the dangerous military escalation in the region and emphasized the importance of resolving conflicts through diplomatic means in accordance with the principles of international law. In this regard, the Kingdom's important role in de-escalating the conflict and stabilizing the situation was highlighted.The Kazakh Foreign Minister expressed gratitude to the Saudi Ambassador for his assistance in evacuating Kazakh citizens from the Kingdom. It was noted that ensuring the safety and return of compatriots to the homeland is a priority for our country.For his part, the Saudi diplomat confirmed his readiness to closely collaborate with the Kazakh Foreign Ministry to deepen our multifaceted bilateral cooperation.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mfa/press/news/details/1192128?lang=kk

With the onset of the flood period in the region, efforts to ensure the safety of the population have been intensified. The flood situation in the region is under the special control of the head of the region."To date, the total water volume in two large reservoirs is 939.5 million m3, which is 70% of capacity, against a norm of 1.4 billion m3. A task force of 2,815 personnel, 392 units of equipment, 123 watercraft, and 336 motor pumps has been designated for flood and inundation response," noted the regional Akim, Kumar Aksakalov.On the roads, there are 3 overflows, of which 1 is of republican significance and 2 are of district significance.The overflow on the road to the village of Karynsaldy in the Amangeldy district has been eliminated, and traffic has been restored.There is 1 settlement (the village of Mirnoye in the city of Arkalyk) without transport access.No instances of washouts have been recorded in the region. No flooding of private residential houses has been registered in the region, and there are no flooded houses under monitoring. The constructed barrier made it possible to prevent water from reaching nearby houses.More than 1.3 million cubic meters of snow have been removed from the regions.Cleaning of aryks (3) and drainage canals (51) is underway, reinforcement of protective embankments (2,515 m) is being carried out, snow removal from residential yards (1,578 households) has been organized, and over 8,500 bags of inert materials have been laid.Blasting operations to break up ice on rivers and water bodies in the region have been completed. The volume of work performed amounted to 225 thousand cubic meters.To carry out preventive flood control measures and pre-position forces and means in the regions, consolidated task forces totaling 272 personnel, 32 units of equipment, and 7 watercraft were dispatched from March 16 to 27 of this year to the city of Arkalyk and the Amangeldy, Zhangeldin, Nauryzym, Karasu, and Auliekol districts.As part of flood control measures, evacuation points, feeding stations, and temporary accommodation centers for the population have been established in rural settlements prone to flooding. Currently, round-the-clock duty is organized at flood-prone sections of the region, and constant monitoring of the situation is ensured. Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/kostanay/press/news/details/1192124?lang=kk

Kumar Aksakalov, the Akim of the Kostanay Region, paid a working visit to the villages of Karamyrza and Oktyabrskoye in the Karasu district, where he reviewed flood control measures. The district has prepared 20 thousand bags, 450 thousand units of inert materials, and mobilized over 110 personnel and 20 pieces of equipment.As of now, no incidents of residential house flooding have been registered in the village of Karamyrza. In the spring of 2025, work was carried out to embank 56 flood-prone yards in Karamyrza. To date, additional embankment work has been completed for the village. 1000 units of bag containers have been laid.Additionally, clearance of drainage channels into the Tyuntyugur River is being conducted.The first and second stage hydraulic structures on the river ensure the safe passage of floodwaters on the Tyuntyugur River.The first stage was commissioned in 1956, the second – in 1972. Over decades of service, the structures have undergone significant wear.To ensure the safe passage of floodwaters and prevent flooding, repairs to the hydraulic structures were carried out in 2025.The repair work was completed in December 2025. This has not only restored the facilities but also extended their service life and protected adjacent areas from the threat of flooding.Currently, 8 units of heavy machinery and 10 personnel are deployed on duty at the hydraulic structures.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/kostanay/press/news/details/1192123?lang=kk

Under the chairmanship of the Akim (Governor) of the Kostanay Region, Kumar Aksakalov, a regular meeting of the regional headquarters for coordinating the activities of state bodies on drug addiction prevention and countering drug-related crime was held. The meeting was attended by heads of law enforcement and state agencies, as well as, via video conference, the akims (mayors/heads) of cities and districts of the region.Statistics for the first two months of the current year show a decrease in the number of registered drug-related offenses. However, the volume of substances seized from circulation has increased 10-fold (exceeding 220 kg) compared to the same period last year. Over 2.3 thousand bank cards and 703 crypto wallets used in criminal schemes have been blocked. Property worth 371 million tenge has been seized in connection with 38 criminal cases.This trend confirms that preventive measures combined with targeted operational work yield the expected effect, allowing for the neutralization of criminal activity and the disruption of major distribution channels, including those using cryptocurrency for transactions.In the context of implementing the Law "On the Prevention of Offenses," which came into force on March 2, 2026, the head of the region emphasized that the focus should shift from punitive measures to prevention and providing early assistance to at-risk youth.The akims of cities and districts have been instructed to ensure the real involvement of non-governmental organizations, enhance the activities of youth resource centers in blocking drug-related graffiti and internet advertising, and engage opinion leaders and experts to build a conscious immunity to drug use.Only through a comprehensive approach, combining the efforts of the state, society, and citizens, and applying modern, targeted, and more effective methods, will we be able to effectively counter the drug threat and ensure the safety of our citizens.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/kostanay/press/news/details/1192086?lang=kk

Another meeting of the Interdepartmental Commission on Crime Prevention was held at the akimat (administration) of the Kostanay region. The meeting was chaired by the akim (governor) of the Kostanay region, Kumar Aksakalov, with the participation of the heads of law enforcement and state bodies.During the meeting, issues relevant to the region were considered - crime prevention in the cities of Kostanay and Rudny, as well as the ongoing preventive work with minors.The akims of the cities of Kostanay and Rudny reported on the work being done, problems in their regions, and informed about upcoming plans to improve public safety.On the issue of protecting the rights and interests of children, the Commissioner for Children's Rights of the Kostanay region, N.Z. Basenova, the Deputy Head of the Regional Police Department, K.A. Mendybaev, and the Head of the Education Department, A.E. Ibrayeva, were heard.The Chairman of the commission pointed out the need to strengthen interdepartmental cooperation, increase the targeted nature of preventive measures, and take measures to timely identify persons in the "risk group".Following the meeting, a number of instructions were given to improve the effectiveness of the ongoing preventive work based on the principle of "zero" tolerance.Prevention, detection, and the inevitability of punishment should become a unified set of measures for each offense.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/kostanay/press/news/details/1192080?lang=kk

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At the akimat of the Kostanay region, as part of legal education aimed at improving the financial and legal literacy of employees, a specialist from the Department of State Revenue was invited. The specialist explained in detail the algorithms for filling out declarations of income and property, the procedure for reporting digital assets, securities, and liabilities to other persons, as well as the methods for submitting documents through the mobile application "E-Salyk Azamat".Mandatory declaration is an important tool for ensuring transparency and strengthening public trust in government bodies, and is one of the elements of the state's anti-corruption policy.In the future, it is planned to continue the practice of holding such meetings in the format of "direct dialogue" to maintain a high level of professional competence among employees.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/kostanay/press/news/details/1191599?lang=kk

Tashkent, March 31, 2026 – As part of an official visit to Tashkent the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan Yermek Kosherbayev was received by the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev.During the meeting, President Mirziyoyev noted with satisfaction the positive dynamics in the development of multifaceted cooperation between the two countries, emphasizing the importance of further deepening the allied relations between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.In turn, Minister Kosherbayev conveyed warm greetings and best wishes on behalf of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and informed about the progress in implementing the agreements reached at the highest and high levels.“Today, Kazakh-Uzbek relations serve as a model of reliable and long-term cooperation in the international arena. This is primarily facilitated by regular and trust-based political dialogue at the highest level,” Kosherbayev stated.The sides also discussed current issues on the regional and international agenda.The high level of interaction between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan within multilateral structures was underscored, along with the importance of further developing regional cooperation and joint efforts to strengthen peace and stability in Central Asia.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mfa/press/news/details/1191158?lang=kk

Tashkent, March 30, 2026 – As part of an official visit to Tashkent, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan Yermek Kosherbayev held talks with Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan Bakhtiyor Saidov.During the meeting, the foreign ministers reviewed a wide range of issues of multifaceted Kazakh-Uzbek cooperation, as well as discussed prospects for further strengthening political, trade-economic, investment, transit-transport, water-energy, and cultural-humanitarian cooperation.The sides expressed their commitment to deepening strategic partnership and alliance based on friendship, mutual understanding and good neighborliness.“Thanks to the political will of the heads of state in recent years, Kazakh-Uzbek relations have been brought to a qualitatively new level of interaction and demonstrate high dynamics of development at all levels,” Minister Kosherbayev noted during the conversation.In turn, Minister Saidov confirmed that the presidents of the two states have set a long-term course for the progressive expansion of cooperation in both bilateral and multilateral formats.In this context, the foreign ministers thoroughly discussed measures for the practical implementation of the agreements reached at the highest level during the first and second meetings of the Supreme Interstate Council in 2024-2025, and expressed readiness to further promote the inter-parliamentary and intergovernmental relations.Special attention was paid to further development of trade-economic and investment cooperation.“Significant progress has been made in recent years in deepening economic cooperation. Kazakhstan consistently ranks among Uzbekistan’s top three trading partners. In 2025, the bilateral trade increased by 16.2 percent and approached $5 billion,” Minister Kosherbayev said. In the context of the implementation of the agreements reached at the highest level, the ministers confirmed their intentions to facilitate further deepening of the economic partnership, including increasing bilateral trade to $10 billion.The interlocutors also noted progress in industrial cooperation, which currently includes 78 investment projects worth $1.8 billion.In this context, the implementation of such projects as the construction of the International Center for Industrial Cooperation “Central Asia”, hotels “Tashkent” in Astana and “Astana” in Tashkent, as well as the “Astana” district in “Yangi Tashkent” was also reviewed.During the meeting, the sides highlighted the significant potential for cooperation in the development of transport corridors enabling both countries to access markets of the Middle East, South Asia and Europe. The sides expressed mutual readiness to promote fruitful interaction in this area.In addition, the substantive agenda of cultural and humanitarian cooperation was emphasized as the foundation of strong and long-term relations between the two states.The sides also underscored the importance of implementing projects in the educational field, and in particular, the activities of the branch of the Tashkent Institute of Irrigation and Agricultural Mechanization Engineers in Almaty and the Chirchik branch of South Kazakhstan Research University named after Mukhtar Auezov.The ministers also exchanged views on current regional and international issues, confirmed their interest in strengthening cooperation within multilateral structures and expressed readiness to continue mutual support in promoting the initiatives of both countries.The foreign ministers emphasized the importance of developing regional cooperation and joint efforts to strengthen peace and stability in Central Asia.Following the talks, the Cooperation Program between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Republic of Uzbekistan for 2026-2027 was signed.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mfa/press/news/details/1191166?lang=kk