Astana, January 20, 2026 – Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan Yermek Kosherbayev held a telephone conversation with Deputy Prime Minister – Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia Tanja Fajon.During the call, the foreign ministries reviewed the current state and future prospects of Kazakh-Slovenian cooperation, noting the steady momentum of political dialogue, the expansion of inter-parliamentary and inter-agency contacts, as well as the progressive development of trade, economic, and cultural-humanitarian ties.The Kazakh Foreign Minister congratulated the Slovenian side on the successful chairmanship of Slovenia in the UN Security Council in 2024-2025, highly commending Ljubljana’s contribution to the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms, conflict prevention in various regions of the world.The parties expressed satisfaction that the opening of the Embassy of Kazakhstan in Ljubljana in October 2024, as well as the official visit of the President of Slovenia Nataša Pirc Musar to Kazakhstan in 2025, served as clear evidence of the mutual commitment to elevating bilateral relations to a qualitatively new level.Particular attention was given to the practical implementation of the agreements reached at the highest level. It was emphasized that the Joint Statement of the Heads of State serves as a “roadmap” for further deepening political dialogue, expanding economic cooperation, and developing new areas of interaction.In conclusion, the diplomats underscored the special importance of the activities of the Intergovernmental Commission on Trade, Economic and Scientific-Technical Cooperation, and also exchanged views on key issues of the regional and international agenda. Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mfa/press/news/details/1144757?lang=kk

Almaty, in 2025, the microfinance organization "Almaty" MFI LLP, a subsidiary of "Almaty" Regional Financial Center JSC, extended 72 concessional loans to small and micro businesses in Almaty under the regional entrepreneurship development program "Almaty Business-2025." Both aspiring and established entrepreneurs received business development financing at preferential annual rates of 2% and 6%.The total volume of loans disbursed over the past year exceeded 3.2 billion tenge. The funding limit per borrower was 78.64 million tenge, with a maximum loan term of up to 7 years.Sector-wise, the largest share of loans was allocated to projects in manufacturing and processing, accounting for 32% of all funded projects. Projects in the services sector (24%) and healthcare (21%) also represented significant portions. These were followed by education (8%), the creative economy (7%), and tourism and sports (4% each).Since the launch of the "Almaty Business-2025" program in 2019, "Almaty" MFI has financed 659 projects in Almaty, amounting to 16.5 billion tenge. The largest volume of support was directed to manufacturing projects (29%) and healthcare projects (16%). A further 10% of funding was allocated to social entrepreneurship projects, which received loans at the minimum preferential rate of 2% per annum.Geographically, the highest number of projects were supported in the Bostandyk district (141 loans), followed by Alatau (110), Almaly (88), Medeu (80), Auezov (77), Nauryzbay (67), Zhetysu (49), and Turksib (47) districts.Through this concessional lending initiative, "Almaty" MFI has facilitated the creation of nearly 3,000 jobs in the city. Furthermore, as a result of business growth, program borrowers have contributed approximately 3 billion tenge in tax payments to the budget.Consideration is currently being given to extending the "Almaty Business" program, with further details to be announced in due course.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/almaty/press/news/details/1144331?lang=kk

In 2025, the Wuxi city of the People's Republic of China hosted the final of the World Robotics Competition World Robot Contest Final (WRCF), which brought together young inventors from all over the world. In this prestigious international competition, young roboticists representing the Republic of Kazakhstan demonstrated a high level of training.In particular, Aubakir Khaknazar and Duissenbai Beknur, students of Amantogai Secondary School, Amangeldy district of Kostanay region, took part in the competition and successfully defended their engineering projects. They are pupils of the "Robosheberkhana" circle at the children's and youth creativity center "Shugyla". The preparation of the participants for the international competition was provided by the head of the Zhetibayeva group, Laura Yerbolkyzy.During the international competition, participants demonstrated theoretical knowledge and practical skills in the field of robotics, engineering thinking, as well as a culture of teamwork. The jury paid special attention to technical solutions, innovative projects and the quality of their implementation.This achievement was the result of the purposeful work of the students, the high professionalism of the mentor, as well as the comprehensive support from parents and the school. Such contests increase the interest of schoolchildren in science and technology and give impetus to the innovative development of the country.The success of young roboticists in Kostanay region is a significant achievement not only for the region, but also for the country as a whole. In the future, the students of the Robosheberkhan circle intend to conquer new heights and adequately represent Kazakhstan in the international arena.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/kostanay/press/news/details/1144230?lang=kk

Kazakhstan aims to become one of the top three global sunflower oil suppliers and increase its oil and fat exports to over $1 billion by 2028. To achieve this, the country is transitioning from disparate export support measures to systemic industry management, building complete export chains from raw materials and processing to logistics and target markets.The first meeting of the Export Headquarters for the Promotion of Non-Resource Exports this year was held in Astana, chaired by Aidar Abildabekov, Vice Minister of Trade and Integration of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The focus was on new approaches to developing agricultural exports and removing systemic barriers faced by Kazakhstani producers in foreign markets.In 2025, the Export Headquarters' work was transformed into a fundamentally new format. While discussions had previously been focused on a case-by-case basis, five industry meetings were held at QazTrade from May to December, each dedicated to specific product groups: agricultural products, the oil and fat industry, grain processing, honey, and industrial and IT products. This resulted in a refocusing of the headquarters on developing systemic solutions based on the real economics of the industries.A key outcome of this work was the development of a Roadmap for the Development of Oil and Fat Industry Exports for 2026–2028. For the first time, the industry was examined across the entire value chain. As part of the document's preparation, a diagnostic assessment was conducted of more than 30 enterprises engaged in oilseed cultivation in the northern, eastern, and southeastern regions of the country, as well as processing in the Abay, East Kazakhstan, Akmola, Zhetysu, and Almaty regions. More than 50 representatives from the public and private sectors participated in the work, ensuring cooperation between three relevant ministries and utilizing the international methodology of the International Trade Centre with the support of the European Union.The roadmap defined measurable benchmarks for industry development, including increasing processing capacity utilization, expanding export geography, and Kazakhstan's entry into the top three global sunflower oil exporters by 2028. In essence, the industry received a unified, coordinated action plan focused on foreign market demand.The lessons learned served as the basis for scaling up the industry approach to other areas of the agricultural sector. Lentils, a crop demonstrating high export growth rates and surpassing traditional grains in terms of marginality, resilience to climate risks, and export attractiveness, were discussed as an example at the meeting. Special attention was given to systemic barriers to non-resource exports: freight prioritization by rail, phytosanitary and veterinary inspection procedures, registration of Kazakh companies in Chinese registries, reimbursement of export costs, and access to financial support instruments."The roadmap for developing fat and oil exports has created the foundation for the strategic development of the industry. At the same time, it is necessary to expedite the inclusion of oil mills in the register of EAEU commodity producers and simplify quarantine procedures, which will reduce costs and increase export potential," said Yadykar Ibragimov, representative of the National Association of Oilseed Processors."We have created a register of problematic issues, which allows unresolved cases to be manually escalated to the level of the Ministry of Trade and Integration and, if necessary, the Government Executive Office. It was decided to hold headquarters meetings on a regular basis, once a month, based on the industry," noted Aidar Abildabekov. As noted, since the establishment of the Export Headquarters, approximately 20 meetings have been held, including an Exporters' Forum in 2025. QazTrade continues to implement export acceleration programs, organize trade and economic missions, exhibitions, and business forums, as well as provide consulting and financial support to exporters.At the end of the meeting, representatives of the export community and industry associations noted the effectiveness of the Export Headquarters' new format. Exporters emphasized that this approach enables them to quickly find solutions to specific cases and strengthens interactions between businesses and government agencies when entering foreign markets.For reference: To support exporters, 109 industrial and innovation entities received reimbursement for expenses totaling 6.1 billion tenge in 2025. Domestic exporters are now gaining greater access to financial resources. The Export Credit Agency's financial support volume for 2025 reached 650.9 billion tenge, almost 1.9 times higher than the 2024 level (336 billion tenge). The focus is on trade and pre-export financing, which totaled 88.4 billion tenge, a nearly three-fold increase compared to last year. Support was provided to 113 exporters (SMEs accounted for 69%, and medium and high value-added enterprises accounted for 87%) (96 in 2024).Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mti/press/news/details/1144238?lang=kk

In Astana, as part of the implementation of the “Taza Kazakhstan” environmental culture development concept, the environmental initiative “Taza Úi – Taza El” has been launched. The project was initiated by JSC “Zhasyl Damu” with the support of the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Akimat of Astana, and the Nationwide Social Democratic Party. The practical implementation of the project is being carried out by Astana Qaqazy LLP.Within the framework of the initiative, special containers for the separate collection of paper and plastic waste have been installed in courtyards and residential complex areas across the capital. Residents are now able to sort and hand over cardboard, paper, plastic, and bottles in clean condition. All collected waste is sent to recycling plants, where it is given a “second life.”The project is being implemented under the EcoQolday program. The installation of the containers has become an important practical step toward building infrastructure for separate waste collection and engaging citizens in environmentally responsible behavior.“Separate waste collection is not only an issue of ecology and economics, but also an indicator of the level of environmental culture in society. The ‘Taza Úi – Taza El’ initiative aims to ensure that every resident of the capital feels personal responsibility for the cleanliness of their home, city, and country as a whole, while also having the opportunity to earn income and use the funds for household needs,” said Nurzhan Kabdoldanov, Deputy Chairman of the Management Board of JSC “Zhasyl Damu.”The EcoQolday digital platform (https://apps.apple.com/kz/app/ecoqolday/id6475673696) helps reduce the volume of waste sent to landfills, supports the development of the recycling industry, and fosters a conscious approach to resource consumption. For residents, it is a convenient and user-friendly tool for participating in the environmental agenda without additional costs or complications.JSC “Zhasyl Damu” and the project’s partners plan to gradually expand the geography of the initiative, engaging more and more residents in the separate waste collection system and consistently fulfilling their mission to create a clean, sustainable, and environmentally responsible environment in Kazakhstan.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/ecogeo/press/news/details/1144196?lang=kk

In his Address, the Head of State emphasized the need to develop the deep processing potential of the agricultural sector.Therefore, everything produced in the region must be processed.Thus, a deep grain processing project, “Qostanai Grain Industry”, is being implemented, with a project cost of 71.0 billion tenge, a designed capacity of 415.0 thousand tons, and the creation of 650 jobs.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/kostanay/press/news/details/1144055?lang=kk

Within the framework of the Year of Digitalization and Artificial Intelligence proclaimed by the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan, jointly with the UNESCO Regional Office, officially launched a project to assess national readiness for the use of artificial intelligence.This UNESCO project is aimed at conducting a comprehensive analysis of the national artificial intelligence ecosystem. The assessment covers key dimensions of AI development in Kazakhstan, including the legal and regulatory framework, as well as sociocultural, economic, scientific and educational, and technological aspects.Special emphasis within the project is placed on ensuring effective cross-sectoral and inter-agency coordination as a key prerequisite for the development of a balanced and inclusive artificial intelligence policy.To date, a National Stakeholder Team has been established to implement UNESCO’s Readiness Assessment Methodology (RAM). The Team includes representatives of the Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development, the Ministry of Science and Higher Education, the Ministry of Culture and Information, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Population, the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the National Chamber of Entrepreneurs “Atameken”, Astana IT University, Ozim Academy, the Association for the Development of Artificial Intelligence in Kazakhstan, the NGO “Technowomen”, the UNESCO Regional Office, the National Commission of the Republic of Kazakhstan for UNESCO and ICESCO, as well as civil society organizations directly involved in the implementation of the project.Based on the results of the assessment, practical recommendations will be developed aimed at fostering a human-centred AI ecosystem in Kazakhstan.The implementation of this UNESCO project represents an important step in advancing Kazakhstan’s strategic course toward the development of artificial intelligence, grounded in international cooperation and respect for universal values, human rights, and fundamental freedoms.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mfa/press/news/details/1143949?lang=kk

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О внесении изменений в решение маслихата города Шымкент от 31 января 2020 года № 60/521-6с «Об утверждении Правил благоустройства территории города Шымкент» опубликован на интернет-портале «Открытые НПА».В связи с этим, просим принять участие в общественном обсуждении проекта данного постановлениеПобдробнее ссылка для входа:  https://legalacts.egov.kz/npa/view?id=15740931Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/shymkent/press/news/details/1143455?lang=kk

During the 100th anniversary of the Grüne Woche international exhibition and the Global Forum for Food and Agriculture international conference, Kazakhstan confidently established itself as a dynamic and reliable partner in the agro-industrial complex and trade. A delegation from the Republic of Kazakhstan, led by Arman Shakkaliyev, Minister of Trade and Integration of the Republic of Kazakhstan, participated in key Green Week events, bringing together leaders in agricultural policy, business, and international organizations.The central event was the opening of the Kazakhstan National Pavilion, which served throughout the exhibition as a platform for dialogue, presentation of export potential, and discussion of prospects for industrial cooperation. The exhibition showcased Kazakhstan's capabilities in the production and advanced processing of agricultural products, the implementation of modern agricultural technologies, and the development of sustainable agricultural systems. The pavilion generated strong interest from German and international partners, confirming the growing demand for Kazakhstani products and joint projects.On the sidelines of the GFFA, Minister Arman Shakkaliyev held a series of bilateral meetings with key international partners, including Alois Rainer, Federal Minister for Agriculture, Food, and Regional Identity of Germany; Thomas Steffen, State Secretary of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy; Michael Harms, Executive Director of the Committee on Eastern European Economic Relations; and Jean-Marie Paugama, Deputy Director-General of the World Trade Organization. Discussions focused on practical issues of expanding trade, removing barriers, resilient food chains, and strengthening mutual market presence.A separate set of talks was devoted to developing agricultural cooperation and technology partnerships. The Kazakhstan delegation held substantive meetings with Pakistan's Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research, Rana Tanveer Hussain; Markus Schick, State Secretary of the German Federal Ministry of Agriculture; Per Brodersen, Director of the German Agribusiness Alliance; Michael Bayer, Vice President of CLAAS for Eastern Europe and Central Asia; and APD Project Manager Jon Klaus and ADT Project Manager Uwe Weddige. The discussions focused on production localization, agricultural machinery modernization, the implementation of German quality standards, seed production development, and water-efficient solutions.The Kazakhstan delegation also actively participated in relevant discussions of the German Agribusiness Alliance, including a panel session on sustainable water use and innovative agricultural technologies, as well as the "Kazakhstan–Germany Agro & Water Nexus" roundtable. These platforms allowed for a transition from general approaches to the discussion of specific cooperation models, joint pilot projects, and technology transfer.Amid a busy business agenda, it was noted that trade and economic relations between Kazakhstan and Germany continue to strengthen. From January to November 2025, trade turnover between the two countries reached USD 3.91 billion, while Kazakhstan's exports to Germany increased by 7.9% to USD 1.17 billion, reflecting the German market's continued interest in Kazakhstani suppliers and high-value-added products.An important practical outcome of the visit was the agreement between Minister Arman Shakkaliyev and Michael Harms, Executive Director of the Committee on Eastern European Economic Relations (CEER), to hold a videoconference in March with the participation of businesses and relevant agencies. Specific cooperation projects in the agro-industrial complex and export-oriented industries are planned to be discussed in detail during the videoconference. Additionally, the parties confirmed plans to organize a visit by a German delegation to Kazakhstan in April, where the main focus will be on launching joint investment and production initiatives. Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mti/press/news/details/1143220?lang=kk

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Kostanay region consistently implements measures to develop cultural and sports infrastructure aimed at improving the quality of life of the population, creating conditions for leisure, self-realization of young people and strengthening a healthy lifestyle.Over the past three years, 5 cultural facilities have been built in rural settlements of the region:in the villages of Prigorodnoye of the Zhitikarinsky district, Bolshaya Churakovka of the Altynsarinsky district, Arka of the Kamystinsky district, Yershovka and Troebratskoye of the Uzunkolsky district.Modern conditions have been created in all new institutions for organizing youth leisure activities, cultural and creative events.Special attention is paid to the development of sports infrastructure.In 2025 alone, 8 sports complexes, 6 hockey courts, including 4 indoor ones, as well as 2 indoor gyms were built in the region. Of the total number of sports complexes, 3 facilities have been commissioned in cities — one in the city of Arkalyk and two in the city of Rudny.Construction of a table tennis complex has begun in the city of Kostanay and the Octopus water park is being reconstructed. A sports and recreation center is being built in the city of Gitikara at the expense of private investments.The new cultural and sports facilities are designed to be visited by all age groups of the population, including children and youth, and will become an important contribution to the socio-cultural development of Kostanay region.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/kostanay/press/news/details/1143025?lang=kk

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Astana, January 16, 2026 – Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan Arman Issetov met with Ambassador of the Republic of Latvia Dace Rutka.During the meeting, the parties discussed the current state and prospects for the development of Kazakh-Latvian cooperation in the political, trade, economic, cultural, and humanitarian spheres.Particular attention was paid to expanding cooperation in the transport and logistics and agricultural sectors, which are of key importance for increasing the volume of mutual trade.The sides expressed their readiness to continue close cooperation in various areas of mutual interest, and the schedule of bilateral events for 2026 was also discussed.Following the meeting, the diplomats reaffirmed their commitment to continuing a substantive dialogue and further deepening comprehensive cooperation between the two countries.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mfa/press/news/details/1142955?lang=kk

A seminar meeting was held in the regional departments of construction, architecture and urban planning, the state architectural and construction control with the participation of the head of the NGO "ADAL DOS Prevention" A.Baylin and Ethics Commissioner K. Syundikov.The issues of compliance with the legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the norms of the Ethical Code of Civil Servants of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the prevention of offenses, disciplinary offenses, the implementation of the "Adal Azamat" Concept, countering illegal gambling and ludomania, the "Law and Order" Concept, and compliance with the principles of a secular state were considered. The Ethics Commissioner focused the employees' attention on improving their professionalism and customer orientation.The cases from the practice of regional construction are considered: construction of a school in the BEREK district, facilities of the regional center along the ave. Nazarbayeva and St.Tolstoy and also the decision of the court on a corruption offense in 2025 with the participation of deputies of the maslikhat of the district of Beimbet Mailin.A.Baylin informed about the work carried out by the public association to prevent corruption in government agencies and the quasi-public sector, in the field of public procurement through public monitoring. He also drew attention to the prevention by employees of mistakes without malicious intent, which lead to criminal liability. Kazakhstan has improved its position in the Corruption Perception Index, reaching 88th place among 180 countries in the world. This was also facilitated by the adoption of the Law on Public Control.Measures are being taken to combat corruption in the public sector. In 2025, one official of the local executive body, 2 police officers, the prosecutor of the city of Rudny, 2 deputies of the district maslikhat, 5 employees of territorial divisions of central state bodies (border phytosanitary and veterinary control and supervision of the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Kazakhstan), 6 quasi–public sector persons (4 specialists of Karabalyk LLP) were convicted of corruption in Kostanay region. agricultural experimental station, 2 forestry workers").Following the results of the seminar, the employees were given recommendations and information booklets were distributed.   K. Syundikov Ethics CommissionerState Institution "Office of Akim of Kostanay region".Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/kostanay/press/news/details/1142934?lang=kk