Astana, August 31, 2026 – The second round of political consultations between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan and Oman took place in Astana.The consultations were co-chaired by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan Arman Issagaliyev and Undersecretary for Political Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Sultanate of Oman Khalifa Al Harthy.The sides discussed the current state and prospects of Kazakhstan-Oman relations, reaffirming their mutual interest in further strengthening the trust-based political dialogue.Particular attention was paid to expanding trade, economic and investment cooperation. The importance of continuing mutually beneficial partnership in the energy and mining and metallurgical sectors was emphasized. The sides discussed joint projects in food production, transport and logistics, artificial intelligence and new technologies.The sides exchanged views on current issues of the regional and global agenda, as well as cooperation within the UN, OIC, CICA and IOFS. They also discussed prospects for interregional cooperation within the “Central Asia – Gulf Cooperation Council” format.Following the meeting, the sides agreed on a schedule of upcoming events at the highest and high levels.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mfa/press/news/details/1283233?lang=ru

Abu Dhabi, 31 August 2026 – Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the United Arab Emirates R. Zhumabek met with Dr. Ali bin Tamim, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre.During the meeting, the sides discussed further development of cultural and humanitarian cooperation between Kazakhstan and the UAE, as well as collaboration in the field of Arabic language teaching and promotion.The sides paid particular attention to the prospects for translating literary and academic works from Arabic into Kazakh and from Kazakh into Arabic, implementing joint cultural and educational projects, as well as expanding ties between academic and educational institutions of the two countries.At the conclusion of the meeting, the sides expressed mutual interest in further strengthening practical cooperation in the fields of culture, language and literature and confirmed their readiness to implement joint initiatives aimed at further deepening the friendly ties between Kazakhstan and the UAE.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mfa-abudhabi/press/news/details/1283216?lang=ru

Kostanay region – among the top three leaders in the republic by the number of railway stations put into operationThe reconstruction of the railway station in Kostanay has been completed, which, after more than 50 years of operation, has received a modern appearance and updated infrastructure. The grand opening of the renovated station complex took place today.«Kostanay region has fully fulfilled the instruction of the Head of State on the large-scale modernization of railway stations across the country. Since the beginning of the year, stations at Amankaragay, Kushmurun, Zhelezorudnaya, Arkalyk, and Tobol have resumed operation after major repairs in the region, and the final chord was the modernization of the main railway station in Kostanay», – noted Akim of Kostanay region Kumar Aksakalov.The Kostanay railway station is one of the key objects of the city's transport infrastructure. The average daily passenger flow has increased from 1.2 thousand to 2 thousand people and provides railway communication between Kostanay and the internal districts of our region, as well as with the northern, central, southern, and western directions of the republic.The history of railway communication in Kostanay spans more than a hundred years. The current three-story station building was built in 1974.Today, after more than five decades, the station has been completely renovated taking into account modern requirements for safety, comfort, and accessibility of passenger infrastructure.During the reconstruction, the building area was increased from 7.3 thousand m2 to almost 8.5 m2 – by more than 1,100 m2. As part of the project, engineering systems were fully modernized, and modern passenger escalators and elevators were installed.As noted by Vice Minister of Transport of the Republic of Kazakhstan Zhanibek Taizhanov, Kostanay region has entered the top three leaders of the republic by the number of completed and commissioned railway stations.«Along with this, new railway lines are being built, network capacity is increasing, passenger rolling stock is being renewed, and modern digital technologies are being introduced. All these projects are aimed at making railway transport even safer, more comfortable, and accessible for citizens», – said Zh. Taizhanov.Special attention has been paid to the improvement of the territory adjacent to the station. At the expense of the regional budget, repairs and improvement of the station square were carried out. Modern building materials, technologies, and equipment, a significant part of which was produced in Kazakhstan, were used during the work.Thus, a completely renovated station complex (station and station territory), which will become an important part of the modern transport infrastructure of the city and region, providing passengers with more comfortable, safe, and accessible service conditions.The implementation of the project was the result of joint work of the Akimat of Kostanay region and JSC «NC «Kazakhstan Temir Zholy», as well as designers, builders, and technical specialists.The renovated station will continue to serve as one of the most important transport hubs of Kostanay, providing comfortable passenger service and maintaining the connection of generations through its more than a century-long history.  Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/kostanay/press/news/details/1283219?lang=ru

      Today, a regular meeting of the Kurchatov City Akimat was held under the chairmanship of Mayor B. T. Abdraliev.During the meeting, a number of pressing issues were discussed, including preparing the city for the upcoming heating season, ensuring child safety in schools and preschools, and the readiness of comprehensive schools for the new 2026-2027 academic year.Special attention was paid to the implementation of youth policy in the city and the work being carried out as part of the "Taza Kazakhstan" environmental campaign.Responsible officials presented reports on all the issues discussed, the current situation was discussed, and future tasks were identified. Bolat Tansykbaevich instructed that special attention be paid to the high-quality and timely preparation of social facilities, life support services, and housing for the heating season, ensuring safe conditions for children, and creating the necessary conditions for their education and development.Work in all these areas will continue on an ongoing basis.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/abay-kurchatov/press/news/details/1283188?lang=ru

Digital Labeling of Beer in Glass Bottles Becomes Mandatory from September 1, 2026Starting from September 1, 2026, mandatory digital labeling of beer and beer-based beverages in glass bottles will be introduced in Kazakhstan. Products manufactured or imported after this date must carry a Data Matrix labeling code.The labeling of beer will be introduced in stages:— from February 1, 2026 – for products in kegs;— from September 1, 2026 – for products in glass bottles;— from January 1, 2027 – for products in metal cans.In the future, full traceability of products will be ensured through the electronic processing and confirmation of documents when products are transferred between participants in the supply chain.Participants in the market are required to register in the Product Marking and Traceability Information System (PMTIS) through the tanba.markirovka.kz portal and begin registering product cards.Registration is recommended to be completed in advance in order to obtain labeling codes.Unlabeled stocks of beer and beer-based beverages produced before the introduction of mandatory labeling may be sold for one calendar year, in accordance with the established list.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/kgd-zko/press/news/details/1283160?lang=ru

🏡 Income from Capital Gains on Real Estate🏡 Income from capital gains on real estate located in the Republic of Kazakhstan arises upon its sale or transfer as a contribution to the authorized capital of a legal entity if the property has been owned for less than two years.🌎 Income from capital gains on real estate received free of charge and located outside the Republic of Kazakhstan arises upon its sale or transfer as a contribution to the authorized capital of a legal entity, regardless of the period of ownership.💹 Income from capital gains on real estate is:🧾 Upon sale – the positive difference between the sale price and the original cost of the property;🏢 Upon transfer of property as a contribution to the authorized capital – the positive difference between the value at which the property is contributed to the authorized capital, but not exceeding the amount against which such property is contributed, and its original cost.The value at which the property is contributed to the authorized capital is determined based on a document confirming the acceptance and transfer of such property.📜 The original cost of a real estate property is the documented:🏷 Purchase price of the property;✏ Purchase price of the real estate property being sold or transferred after a change in its functional and/or intended purpose, where such change occurred between the date of acquisition and the date of sale or transfer.🎁 The original cost of property received free of charge is:📝 The value previously included as income from property received free of charge – where the value of such property was included in the taxable income of an individual entrepreneur or an individual;🪙 The market value;🔍 The appraised value;🗺 The cadastral (appraised) value – in the case of the sale or transfer of a land plot;0️⃣ Zero value – in all other cases.🌍 The original cost of real estate located in a jurisdiction with preferential taxation is considered to be zero.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/kgd-zko/press/news/details/1283146?lang=ru

In 2026, the Declaration of Income and Property (Form 270.00) must be submitted for the 2025 reporting year.The deadline for submitting the declaration is no later than September 15, 2026.The obligation to submit Form 270.00 applies to the following categories of individuals:civil servants and persons equated to them, as well as their spouses;major shareholders or participants of banks, securities market entities, and insurance organizations, as well as their spouses;heads and founders (participants) of legal entities who own more than 10% of the share in the authorized capital;individuals engaged in private practice;individuals who received income subject to independent taxation;individuals holding funds in accounts with foreign banks, if the total amount exceeds 1,000 MCI;individuals who own digital assets;individuals who, during the reporting tax period, acquired property with a total value exceeding 20,000 times the Monthly Calculation Index (MCI), including property acquired outside the Republic of Kazakhstan;individuals who submitted an application to a tax agent for the application of tax deductions in the form of a preliminary amount of other deductions.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/kgd-zko/press/news/details/1283132?lang=ru

A roundtable dedicated to the investment potential of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the prospects for expanding economic cooperation with the Republic of South Africa was held in Pretoria. The event was organised by the Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan with the support of the South Africa–Kazakhstan Trade and Cultural Association (SAKTCA). Representatives of the local business community, investors and the media attended the meeting.Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the Republic of South Africa Yerkin Akhinzhanov briefed participants on the country’s ongoing political and economic reforms. “The entry into force of Kazakhstan’s new Constitution on 1 July 2026, together with the recent elections to the Kurultai, is creating institutional conditions to strengthen the resilience and diversification of the national economy, while fostering a favourable environment for long-term business development,” the Kazakh diplomat noted.The presentation highlighted key areas of Kazakhstan’s socio-economic development and promising sectors for investment, including transport and logistics, agriculture, tourism, metallurgy, mining, innovation and technology. Particular attention was drawn to the opportunities offered by the Astana International Financial Centre, as well as special economic and industrial zones, which provide foreign companies with a wide range of incentives and support mechanisms.The event also provided an opportunity to exchange views on the development of Kazakhstan–South Africa economic cooperation, followed by a question-and-answer session. Representatives of the South African business community expressed interest in Kazakhstan’s investment opportunities and their readiness to continue a practical dialogue aimed at developing a mutually beneficial economic partnership between Kazakhstan and South Africa.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mfa-pretoria/press/news/details/1283135?lang=ru

The “other economy” enterprises include taxpayers other than those classified as enterprises under national monitoring, as approved by Order No. 786 of the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Kazakhstan dated December 18, 2025. There are 12 enterprises under national monitoring registered in the East Kazakhstan Region.During the first 7 months of 2026, tax payments to the Republican Budget from enterprises in the other economy sector amounted to KZT 78.3 billion, including the amount of VAT refunds at the 0% rate transferred to taxpayers’ bank accounts.The share of revenues from the other economy sector in the total revenues of the Republican Budget amounted to 40.3%.Breakdown of Revenues by Budget Classification Codes (BCC):BCC 105101 — VAT on goods produced, works performed, and services provided in the territory of the Republic of Kazakhstan: 44.4% of total revenues;BCC 105115 — VAT on goods imported from the territories of EAEU member states: 15.5%;BCC 105102 — VAT on goods imported into the territory of the Republic of Kazakhstan: 13.2%;BCC 101110 — Corporate income tax (CIT) from legal entities classified as large businesses: 10.4%.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/kgd-vko/press/news/details/1283128?lang=ru

The bankruptcy framework in Kazakhstan, which has been developing since March 2023, has fully transitioned to an electronic format. Automation of interaction between administrators, creditors, and the state has eliminated paper-based document flow and reduced procedural timelines to a minimum.Rehabilitation and bankruptcy procedures for legal entities and individual entrepreneurs are available through the Taxpayer Cabinet.The following services have been launched nationwide:official bankruptcy notices are received and published automatically;creditors and government authorities can monitor the progress of procedures in real time;prompt electronic access to information about debtors is provided.At the same time, clear deadlines have been established for reapplying for bankruptcy after a refusal, as well as for submitting the final report and liquidation balance sheet to the court.The calculation of additional remuneration for bankruptcy administrators has been revised, and administrative expenses incurred when procedures are extended have been clarified.The rehabilitation procedure does not apply if an enterprise has no creditors other than the state in respect of taxes and mandatory payments.The out-of-court bankruptcy procedure for individuals has become as accessible as possible. The Qoldau system enables creditors to promptly submit complaints electronically if they disagree with decisions of the state revenue authorities.New legislative amendments have significantly accelerated procedures for individuals: for debtors whose total debt does not exceed 1,600 Monthly Calculation Indices (MCI) and whose obligations have remained unfulfilled for more than 5 years, the period for conducting the out-of-court bankruptcy procedure has been reduced to 1 (one) month.Obligations to pawnshops are no longer taken into account when applications are considered, and pawnshops themselves have been completely excluded from the list of creditors under this procedure.If technical issues or system failures arise, users can promptly contact the support service at support.ecc.kz.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/kgd-almaty/press/news/details/1283114?lang=ru

Column 31 of the goods declaration "Cargo spaces and description of goods – Labeling and quantity – Container numbers – Quantity and distinguishing features" is intended to reflect detailed information that allows identifying the declared goods and comparing the information stated in the declaration with the goods actually being transported.What should be considered when filling in this column?When declaring a product to a foreign economic activity participant, it is necessary to ensure the completeness, reliability and unambiguity of its description.In column 31, depending on the nature of the goods and the specifics of their movement, the information necessary for their identification is indicated, including: the name of the goods; information about the model, brand, article and other distinctive characteristics; composition, material of manufacture and main technical characteristics (if they are relevant to the identification of the goods); information about the manufacturer and trademark (if applicable); quantity of goods and unit of measurement; information about packaging, cargo items and their labeling; container numbers, if the goods are transported in containers; other information provided by the customs legislation and necessary for the identification of the goods.Important: the product description must be specific and informative.The use of exclusively general formulations that do not allow us to unambiguously determine the characteristics and type of product, may lead to the need for additional clarification of information and additional control measures.For example, instead of a general description of "equipment", "spare parts", "plastic products", "electronics", it is necessary to specify the specific name and characteristics of the product that allow it to be identified.Why is this important?The information contained in column 31 is used by customs authorities during customs control, including for: identification of goods; verification of compliance of the declared information with the submitted documents; comparison of the declaration data with the goods actually transported; determination of applicable customs tariff and non-tariff regulation measures; verification of compliance with established prohibitions and restrictions; application of a risk management system; conducting subsequent customs control.Thus, the more accurately and fully the product is described, the less likely there are to be questions during its customs clearance. It is recommended that participants in foreign economic activity check the compliance of the information in column 31 with commercial, transport and other documents accompanying a foreign economic transaction before submitting the DT.The SRC urges participants in foreign economic activity to take a responsible approach to filling out declarations for goods. A complete and reliable description of the goods contributes to more effective customs control, reduces the number of additional requests and reduces the risk of delays in customs operations.At the same time, we would like to inform you that administrative liability is provided for violating the procedure for filling out a declaration for goods.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/kgd-pavlodar/press/news/details/1283112?lang=ru

The annual national charitable campaign "Road to School" is currently underway across Kazakhstan. The primary objective of this meaningful initiative is to provide comprehensive, targeted assistance to children from low-income and large families, as well as children left without parental care, as they prepare for the upcoming academic year.The Chairman and deputies of the Kostanay City Maslikhat actively joined the cause. The local representatives met with students from families in need and presented them with school uniforms, sportswear, backpacks, and essential learning supplies.Expressing their warm wishes, the deputies emphasized the vital importance of quality education and personal growth. May the new 2026–2027 school year bring children immense joy, outstanding achievements, and exciting opportunities! Thanks to the ongoing generosity and support of the community, these students are ready to step into their classrooms with confidence and enthusiasm. Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/kostanai-kalasy-akimat/press/news/details/1283096?lang=ru

According to Alimbek Turaliev, head of the youth policy department, 23,703 students will study at the region's three universities. 4,860 students have been enrolled in their first year. Ten dormitories with a total capacity of 4,378 beds are available for student accommodation. Currently, 3,174 students are accommodated in these dormitories, and occupancy is ongoing.Ahead of the academic year, the condition of these dormitories was monitored jointly with youth organizations. Based on the results, all facilities were deemed ready to receive students.At the K. Zhubanov Aktobe Regional University, four dormitories with a capacity of 2,000 beds currently house 1,491 students. One building has undergone major renovations, while two are undergoing minor repairs. Check-in is handled through an online platform, with priority given to socially vulnerable groups.At M. Ospanov West Kazakhstan Medical University, five dormitories have a total capacity of 2,174 beds, of which 1,633 are occupied. Two dormitories have been renovated. Agreements have been signed with private hostels to accommodate the medical university's international students, providing 314 beds. The university also plans to build a new 600-bed dormitory.At S. Baishev University, a 204-bed dormitory is fully ready for students after renovations. It currently accommodates 50 people.Speaking about the dormitory preparations, Askhat Shakharov emphasized that the issue has not only educational but also social significance. A significant number of students come from rural areas and other regions of the country, so the dormitory becomes their primary residence during their studies.The regional governor instructed that the heating, water supply, sewerage, and electricity systems be ensured to operate smoothly, with special attention paid to fire safety, sanitary, and technical requirements. He also instructed that security measures be strengthened, including video surveillance, alarms, and security."Ensuring the full readiness of dormitories is an important factor directly impacting the quality of education for young people, improving living conditions, and strengthening social stability. All utility systems in each dormitory must be ensured to operate smoothly. It is important to ensure transparency during occupancy and prevent corruption risks, giving priority to students from low-income and large families, as well as those arriving from rural areas. Any identified deficiencies must be addressed promptly, and all conditions for safe and comfortable student accommodation must be created," the governor emphasized.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/aktobe-zhastar1/press/news/details/1283070?lang=ru

According to Order No. 786 of the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Kazakhstan dated December 18, 2025, 12 enterprises under national monitoring are registered in the East Kazakhstan Region: KazZinc LLP; Vostoktsvetmet LLP; Orica-Kazakhstan JSC; Ust-Kamenogorsk Metallurgical Plant JSC; Ust-Kamenogorsk Titanium-Magnesium Plant JSC; Ulba-TVS LLP; Altyn Shyghys LLP; OblShygysZhol LLP; Ust-Kamenogorsk Thermal Power Plant LLP; Ust-Kamenogorsk Poultry Farm JSC; United Energy Service Company LLP; AK NIET GROUP LLP.During the first 7 months of 2026, tax payments to the State Budget from the above-mentioned enterprises amounted to KZT 127.4 billion, including KZT 19.0 billion to the Local Budget and KZT 108.4 billion to the Republican Budget, taking into account the VAT refund at the 0% rate transferred to taxpayers’ bank accounts in the amount of KZT 25.8 billion.The share of tax revenues from enterprises under national monitoring in the total State Budget revenues of the region amounted to 40.1%, including 15.4% of Local Budget revenues and 55.8% of Republican Budget revenues.The growth rate of tax revenues from enterprises under national monitoring for the first 7 months of 2026 compared with the same period of 2025 amounted to 204.5% for the State Budget, representing an increase of KZT 65.1 billion. For the Republican Budget, the growth rate amounted to 271.7%, representing an increase of KZT 68.5 billion.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/kgd-vko/press/news/details/1283062?lang=ru

On August 26, 2026, DRV Destination Forum 2026, one of the key events of Germany’s tourism industry, was held in Astana. Kazakhstan hosted the forum for the first time, bringing together around 130 participants, including 69 representatives of the German tourism sector.Vice Minister of Tourism and Sports of the Republic of Kazakhstan Miras Tulebaev took part in the official opening of the forum.The event was organized as a result of cooperation between Kazakh Tourism National Company and the German Travel Association Deutscher Reiseverband (DRV).As part of the forum, German delegates visited Almaty and Almaty Region, Mangystau and East Kazakhstan Regions, as well as Shymkent and Turkistan Region, exploring their tourism potential and infrastructure.An important part of the programme was B2B meetings between representatives of Kazakhstan’s tourism industry and German tour operators. Air Astana also contributed to promoting Kazakhstan’s tourism potential and strengthening the country’s international connectivity.DRV brings together more than 3,000 tourism companies in Germany. Around 100,000 visitors from Germany travel to Kazakhstan annually.Hosting the forum in Astana creates new opportunities to promote Kazakhstan’s tourism products on the German market, expand business ties and increase tourist arrivals from Germany.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mangystau-tourism/press/news/details/1282934?lang=ru

The International Institute for Middle East and Balkan Studies (IFIMES) in Ljubljana regularly analyzes developments in the Middle East, the Balkans and around the world. In this analysis, IFIMES examines how Kazakhstan has transformed its historical nuclear legacy and decision to renounce nuclear weapons into an active policy of nuclear non-proliferation, regional cooperation and the strengthening of global nuclear security. In this context, 2026 represents an important historical and symbolic milestone. Below, we present the key findings and most significant insights from the analysis entitled “Kazakhstan 2026 : From Semipalatinsk to Global Nuclear Diplomacy.”The year 2026 holds a special place in Kazakhstan’s history, marking three significant anniversaries: 35 years since the closure of the Semipalatinsk Nuclear Test Site, 30 years since the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) was opened for signature, and 20 years since the signing of the Treaty on a Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone in Central Asia, known as the Semipalatinsk Treaty.Together, these anniversaries trace a single historical trajectory – from Kazakhstan’s direct experience of the devastating consequences of the nuclear arms race to the development of a distinctive national policy centred on nuclear disarmament, non-proliferation and international security.Semipalatinsk – from nuclear legacy to strategic choiceKazakhstan’s nuclear experience is inextricably linked to Semipalatinsk, where the Soviet Union conducted its first nuclear test in 1949. By 1989, a total of 456 nuclear tests had been conducted at the site, leaving profound and lasting consequences for the population and environment of the wider region. For Kazakhstan, therefore, nuclear weapons are not an abstract matter of strategic balance, but a deeply rooted part of its national memory and lived human experience.In the late 1980s, the Nevada–Semipalatinsk anti-nuclear movement emerged, bringing the issue of nuclear testing out of the closed military sphere and into public debate. On 29 August 1991, Kazakhstan closed the Semipalatinsk Nuclear Test Site, even before the dissolution of the Soviet Union. At Kazakhstan’s initiative, the UN General Assembly subsequently designated 29 August as the International Day against Nuclear Tests in 2009.Following the collapse of the Soviet Union, Kazakhstan inherited the world’s fourth-largest nuclear arsenal, comprising more than a thousand nuclear warheads, intercontinental ballistic missiles, strategic bombers, and associated infrastructure. For a newly independent state, such an arsenal could have represented a major source of strategic leverage. Kazakhstan, however, chose a different path.Kazakhstan renounced nuclear weapons and acceded to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) in 1994 as a non-nuclear-weapon state. By 1995, all nuclear weapons had been removed from its territory.This decision became a cornerstone of Kazakhstan’s foreign-policy identity. It demonstrated that a state could renounce nuclear deterrence without relinquishing its strategic autonomy, instead building its security and international standing through diplomacy, international law, cooperation, and active engagement in global non-proliferation efforts.From national decision to global diplomacyKazakhstan did not stop at renouncing its inherited nuclear arsenal. It developed its anti-nuclear policy into a distinctive and sustained pillar of its foreign policy. Kazakhstan signed the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) in 1996 and ratified it in 2002.Today, Kazakhstan also contributes to the Treaty’s practical implementation. Five facilities of the International Monitoring System (IMS) operate on its territory as part of the global network for detecting potential nuclear explosions. In 2008, the former Semipalatinsk test site hosted an international exercise designed to prepare for future on-site inspections.Semipalatinsk has therefore evolved from a symbol of the destructive legacy of nuclear testing into an important site for international monitoring, verification, and cooperation on nuclear risks. The Kazakh experience should be understood primarily as a model of political choice rather than a universal security formula. Its broader significance lies in demonstrating that a state can pursue strategic autonomy and international influence without possessing nuclear weapons.Central Asia as a nuclear-weapon-free zoneKazakhstan’s anti-nuclear policy has also acquired a significant regional dimension. On 8 September 2006, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan signed the Treaty on a Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone in Central Asia in Semipalatinsk, which entered into force in 2009.The Treaty established a regional security framework based on nuclear non-proliferation, mutual commitments, and cooperation among the Central Asian states.Central Asia thus demonstrated that even non-nuclear-weapon states can actively shape their own regional security architecture and make a meaningful contribution to global nuclear stability.In 2026, marking the Treaty’s 20th anniversary, Kazakhstan will assume the rotating chairmanship, further strengthening its role in advancing regional nuclear non-proliferation and cooperation with international organizations.From non-proliferation to peaceful uses of nuclear energyKazakhstan’s policy clearly distinguishes between nuclear non-proliferation and the peaceful use of nuclear energy. As one of the world’s leading uranium producers, Kazakhstan also regards nuclear energy as an important component of its energy security and technological development.A notable example is the IAEA Low Enriched Uranium Bank in Kazakhstan, which provides countries with reliable access to nuclear fuel for peaceful purposes while reducing the need to develop their own uranium-enrichment capabilities.The Kazakh experience demonstrates that nuclear safety, non-proliferation, and the peaceful use of nuclear energy can be mutually reinforcing, provided they are grounded in effective safeguards, rigorous verification, international cooperation, and mutual trust.From nuclear legacy to global responsibilityOperation Sapphire, conducted in 1994 and involving the removal of approximately 600 kilograms of highly enriched uranium from Kazakhstan, stands as one of the most significant examples of the country’s concrete contribution to global nuclear security. During the turbulent period following the collapse of the Soviet Union, Kazakhstan helped reduce the risk of the uncontrolled proliferation of sensitive nuclear materials, demonstrating that disarmament requires not only political decisions, but also concrete measures, international cooperation, and sustained monitoring.Kazakhstan’s experience also has a profound humanitarian and environmental dimension. The closure of the Semipalatinsk Nuclear Test Site did not erase the consequences of decades of nuclear testing. Kazakhstan therefore views nuclear disarmament not only as a matter of international security, but also as a responsibility towards affected communities and the environment. The country has signed and ratified the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) and supports measures aimed at assisting victims and addressing the environmental legacy of nuclear testing.gainst the backdrop of intensifying strategic competition, the modernization of nuclear arsenals, and declining trust among the major powers, this approach has acquired renewed relevance. Kazakhstan advocates a concept of security based not solely on nuclear deterrence, but also on international law, verifiable commitments, dialogue, and effective multilateral institutions.Its active engagement within the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), which links non-proliferation, nuclear disarmament, and the peaceful use of nuclear energy, reflects this broader approach. Kazakhstan’s experience should therefore not be viewed as a universal security formula, but as a compelling example of how a state can transform a difficult nuclear legacy into a long-term contribution to international peace and security.Kazakhstan's multi-vector diplomacy and the future of nuclear securityKazakhstan’s multi-vector diplomacy is built on cooperation with diverse centers of power while preserving strategic autonomy. In the field of nuclear security, this approach is reflected in its engagement with Russia, the United States, China, the European Union, the United Nations, and the IAEA, as well as in its efforts to strengthen regional cooperation across Central Asia. Kazakhstan’s anti-nuclear policy is therefore directed against neither a particular state nor a geopolitical bloc. Rather, it is rooted in the recognition that nuclear risks transcend national borders and geopolitical divisions.Over time, Kazakhstan has transformed its historical experience into foreign-policy capital, linking nuclear disarmament, non-proliferation, the peaceful use of nuclear energy, humanitarian responsibility, and regional security. For a medium-sized state, this represents an important source of international influence—one based not on military power, but on an active role in addressing issues of global significance.The year 2026 symbolically connects this development with three major anniversaries: 35 years since the closure of the Semipalatinsk Nuclear Test Site, 30 years since the CTBT was opened for signature, and 20 years since the signing of the Treaty on a Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone in Central Asia. Together, they represent three interconnected stages of the same historical process: ending nuclear testing, renouncing the inherited nuclear arsenal, and institutionalizing non-proliferation at the regional and global levels.The broader significance of Kazakhstan’s experience lies precisely in this transformation. A country that was once the object of a great power’s nuclear strategy has transformed its historical legacy into diplomatic capital and an instrument of strategic autonomy. The three anniversaries of 2026 are therefore not merely occasions to look back, but an opportunity to consider how medium-sized states can contribute to strategic stability and to an international order grounded in law, verifiable commitments, and cooperation.At the same time, the international nuclear security architecture is facing growing pressure. The modernization of nuclear arsenals, the weakening of arms-control regimes, and declining strategic trust are increasing the risks of miscalculation and escalation. In this environment, Kazakhstan’s experience should not be presented as a universal security formula, but as a concrete example of long-term state policy.Its distinctive feature is the way Kazakhstan has linked the renunciation of nuclear weapons with international law, non-proliferation, regional cooperation, and active diplomacy. Yet the Kazakh model should not be idealized. Nuclear-weapon states continue to modernize their arsenals, the CTBT has not yet entered into force, the NPT faces significant pressures, and the security dilemma between nuclear- and non-nuclear-weapon states persists. Kazakhstan must also continue to balance its multi-vector diplomacy among the interests of Russia, China, and the Western powers.For this reason, Kazakhstan’s experience is not a final answer, but an ongoing political process. Its broader message is that national security can be strengthened not only through military capabilities, but also through trust, international law, verifiable commitments, regional cooperation, and sustained diplomacy.Kazakhstan’s Experience as a Lesson for the Future of Nuclear SecurityThe year 2026 is therefore not merely a year of historical remembrance, but also an opportunity to reflect on the future of global nuclear security. The three anniversaries mark distinct yet interconnected stages of the same process: the closure of the Semipalatinsk Nuclear Test Site, the consolidation of the global nuclear test-ban regime, and the establishment of a regional nuclear-weapon-free zone in Central Asia.Kazakhstan’s experience demonstrates that strategic stability does not depend exclusively on military power. It can also be strengthened through international law, verifiable commitments, regional cooperation, dialogue, and sustained diplomacy.This is the broader significance of the Kazakh experience. Semipalatinsk is no longer merely a reminder of the devastating consequences of the nuclear arms race; it has also become a symbol of how a difficult historical legacy can be transformed into a foundation for a more responsible approach to international security.The year 2026 is therefore, above all, a year of responsibility. At a time of renewed geopolitical tensions, nuclear security remains a shared responsibility of the international community. The future of global strategic stability will depend to a significant extent on the ability of states to rebuild trust, restore meaningful dialogue, and strengthen effective mechanisms for arms control, verification, and international cooperation.Ljubljana/Brussels/Astana, 26 August 2026     https://www.ifimes.org/en/researches/kazakhstan-2026-from-semipalatinsk-to-global-nuclear-diplomacy/5981? Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mfa-ljubljana/press/news/details/1282836?lang=ru

Dear compatriots, Today, the international community observes the International Day against Nuclear Tests, established by the United Nations General Assembly at the initiative of our country.Exactly 35 years ago, amid a complex international situation, the Semipalatinsk Nuclear Test Site was closed. For decades, it inflicted irreparable damage on human health and the environment, leaving a painful mark on the fate of our people. This date will serve as a reminder to all humanity of the tragic consequences of nuclear testing and as a call to prevent such tragedies from ever happening again.By voluntarily renouncing the fourth-largest nuclear arsenal on the planet, Kazakhstan made a historic choice in favor of peace, security, and sustainable development. This decision fulfilled the aspirations of the people of Kazakhstan and demonstrated our state’s responsibility for the fate of future generations.Our commitment to peace and friendship with all states, enshrined in the preamble of the New Constitution, remains an unwavering principle of Kazakhstan’s foreign policy. Our country’s position as one of the leaders of the global nuclear- weapons-free movement remains unchanged: we call for dialogue and negotiations among the nuclear-weapons states, the earliest possible entry into force of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty, and decisive multilateral action aimed at eliminating the threat of the use of nuclear weapons.Nuclear energy must serve exclusively peaceful and constructive purposes. In a nationwide referendum, our people firmly supported the course towards the development of nuclear energy, laying a solid foundation for Kazakhstan’s economic, scientific, and technological progress for decades to come.This strategic choice is an important part of the transformations opening a new chapter in the country’s sustainable development. Large-scale reforms across all spheres of public life are aimed at building a Just, Progressive, and Clean Kazakhstan.I am confident that together we will achieve this noble goal.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mfa-stockholm/press/news/details/1283225?lang=ru

According to the results of the last week, the SZPT index amounted to 100.0%. Since the beginning of August, prices have decreased by 0.2%. Since the beginning of the year, the index amounted to 101.4% against 107.9% for the same period last year.Thus, the growth of prices for SZPT since the beginning of the year remains minimal and is more than 5 times lower than last year's level.The current dynamics are facilitated by the seasonal arrival of the new harvest. The decrease in prices for vegetable products helps to restrain the overall index and compensate for the growth in individual goods.The positive dynamics in SZPT are also reflected in food inflation. In annual terms, it decreased from 13.5% in December last year to 10.1% by the end of July.At the same time, the work is not limited to seasonal measures. The main focus is on factors that directly affect the final cost of products: intermediaries, markets, transportation costs, and producer selling prices.On the instructions of Deputy Prime Minister – Minister of National Economy S.M. Zhumangarin, a survey of food markets is being conducted in the regions. Supply chains, rental conditions, and the formation of the final price are being analyzed. Special attention is paid to identifying unnecessary intermediaries.To reduce transportation costs, a preferential tariff for rail transportation of food products is in effect. To date, more than 50 companies have used it, and 38 thousand tons of products have been transported.Work continues with domestic producers. A 20% reduction in the electricity tariff is provided for SZPT producers. Support is provided upon acceptance of counter-obligations to restrain selling prices.At the same time, the mechanism of operation of stabilization funds is being revised. The approach will change from simple purchase of products and utilization of funds to assessment of a specific result – the impact on the price.For this purpose, stabilization mechanisms will be applied in a targeted manner, based on the situation for a specific product and region. The traceability of product movement and control over the effectiveness of funds channeled through the SPC will also be strengthened.By the end of the year, the work will be focused on maintaining the current dynamics, ensuring sufficient food supply, and preventing unjustified price growth.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mti/press/news/details/1282616?lang=ru

On August 27, 2026, a seminar for representatives of the business community and taxpayers was held in Ust-Kamenogorsk. The event was organized by the Department of State Revenues of the East Kazakhstan Region (hereinafter referred to as the Department). The main topic of the seminar was current issues of tax legislation.The event was attended by representatives of the Department, the East Kazakhstan Regional Branch of the National Chamber of Entrepreneurs of the Republic of Kazakhstan “Atameken”, taxpayers, participants in foreign economic activity, representatives of consulting companies, and the media.During the seminar, heads of the Department’s specialized divisions explained the key changes and innovations in tax legislation that came into effect in 2026. Particular attention was paid to universal declaration, as well as to expenses not subject to deduction for corporate income tax purposes when purchasing goods, works, and services from entities applying the special tax regime based on a simplified declaration. Changes concerning value-added tax (VAT) and the new procedure for submitting tax reports were also discussed.“The main objective of our event is not simply to familiarize taxpayers with the new provisions of tax legislation, but also to help them properly understand the specifics of their practical application in their day-to-day activities. We are open to dialogue with businesses and interested in ensuring that entrepreneurs receive the necessary clarifications in a timely manner,” said Sayat Bimagambetov, Head of the Department.The seminar concluded with a “Questions and Answers” session, during which participants received clarifications on tax administration and the application of tax legislation.Holding such events helps maintain an open dialogue with the business community, improve tax literacy, and ensure that taxpayers are promptly informed about changes in legislation.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/kgd-vko/press/news/details/1282672?lang=ru

Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mod/press/news/details/1282744?lang=ru