October 27, 2017, New York – The First (Disarmament) Committee of the United Nations General Assembly today expressed unanimous support for the renewal of Assembly Resolution 64/35 establishing the International Day against Nuclear Tests. The Committee did so by approving, without a vote, the draft resolution contained in document A/C.1/72/L.36, which will now go before the full Assembly for adoption later in December this year.The new draft resolution specifically requests the President of the General Assembly to organize an annual high-level plenary meeting to commemorate and promote the International Day against Nuclear Tests.The International Day, August 29, was established by the General Assembly on 2 December 2009, at the initiative of the Republic of Kazakhstan. As is known, it was on this day, in 1991, that President Nursultan Nazarbayev of Kazakhstan, by decree, closed the Semipalatinsk test site, which was the second largest nuclear test site in the world.Since 2010, the Day has been widely celebrated all over the world, including annual observances at UN Headquarters that have been organized as informal meetings under the auspices of the General Assembly President. Such annual observances were conducted despite the lack of a clear mandate for the Assembly President to organize them.This year, Kazakhstan took the initiative to include in the text of the resolution the necessary mandate by adding language in which the General Assembly "requests the President to organize an annual high-level plenary meeting to commemorate and promote the International Day against Nuclear Tests".Approval of the draft resolution demonstrates Member States unanimous support for including the necessary language, and reflects the unity of views on the relevance of the International Day in achieving a complete ban on nuclear testing. By its action, the world community also stressed the importance of the International Day as a tribute to the victims of nuclear tests and a reminder to all humankind of the continuing serious threat to international stability and security.Speaking before the First Committee took action on the proposed draft resolution, Kazakhstan's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Kairat Umarov, observed that 29 August is a day of historical significance not just for Kazakhstan, but for many other countries around the globe and many millions of people affected by the harmful consequences of nuclear weapons. He called on the world to speak with one powerful and united voice, as well as with firm conviction to continue the struggle to achieve a complete ban on nuclear testing."We are bound by a common shared destiny, and while, in the terminology of the Sustainable Development Goals, we say, 'leave no one behind', in disarmament we should say 'we take care of each other' to save people and this precious planet imperative of ending nuclear weapons tests for the safety and security of humankind," the Kazakh diplomat stated, while requesting support for the continuation of the observance of the International Day against Nuclear Tests.Ambassador Umarov expressed his gratitude to all countries that actively participated in the informal consultations on elaborating the updated draft resolution, as well as its 42 co-sponsors.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mfa/press/news/details/30863?lang=kk

ASTANA, 30 October 2017 – Minister of Foreign Affairs Kairat Abdrakhmanov hosted Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs David M. Satterfield who arrived in Kazakhstan to participate in Astana process as an observer.The parties noted progressive development of strategic partnership between Kazakhstan and the United States. The foreign-policy establishments of the two countries will continue to cooperate tightly on the implementation of the arrangements reached during the telephone conversation between Presidents Nursultan Nazarbayev and Donald Trump in September this year.The talkers exchanged views on the possibilities of resolving the Syrian crisis. The US representatives highly appreciated the role of the Astana process in the de-escalation of the situation in Syria and the cessation of violence.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mfa/press/news/details/30860?lang=kk

ASTANA, November 20, 2017 - A group of foreign journalists arrived in Kazakhstan to get acquainted with modern Kazakh culture. The week-long press tour organised jointly by the Kazakh Foreign Ministry and the Ministry of Culture and Sports, includes visits to Astana, Almaty, Shymkent and Turkestan.The tour involves more than twenty journalists and bloggers specialising in culture and art from Australia, Austria, Brazil, Canada, Egypt, France, Great Britain, Italy, Japan, Korea, Switzerland, South Africa, Spain and the United States.As Kazakh Foreign Minister Kairat Abdrakhmanov explained during the meeting with the participants of the press tour, Kazakhstan this year started the implementing a major programme initiated by President Nursultan Nazarbayev under the title of “Modernization of Kazakhstan's Identity," which includes the intensification of efforts to promote modern Kazakh culture internationally. The press tour will help the journalists get a broad view of Kazakhstan's cultural diversity and potential.In Astana, the journalists familiarised themselves with the activities and expositions of the National Museum and the Kazakh pavilion at the EXPO 2017. Kazakh writers and scholars – Umitkhan Munalbayeva, Tursyn Zhurtbai, Bolat Komekov, Alimzhan Bayangali, Turzhan Onaygul and Ulyqbek Yesdaulet – addressed the press tour participants at the National Academic Library. Meetings were also held with Prof. Adil Akhmetov and a patron and traveler Sapar Iskakov. At the Astana Opera theatre, foreign media representatives attended the opening night of the Carmen opera.Tours to the ancient city of Otrar, the mausoleums of Arystanbab and Khoja Ahmed Yassawi and the Azret Sultan State Historical and Cultural Museum-Reserve were organised jointly with the Akimat (governor's office) of the South Kazakhstan region.The tour to Almaty was made possible with the support of the city Akimat and includes visits to the Abylkhan Kasteyev State Museum of Arts, the Esentai Gallery, Platforma Theatre Centre, the Multimedia Centre for Traditional Music, the Qazaq-Oner Crafts Centre and a meeting with aspiring young Kazakh poets among other events.The Kazakh Foreign Ministry arranges press tours for foreign journalists to cover political and economic events in Kazakhstan on a regular basis. The current press tour within the “Contemporary Kazakh culture in the global world" project, the first of its kind, is also designed to enhance tourism development and Kazakhstan's overall positive image as a dynamically developing nation.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mfa/press/news/details/30661?lang=kk

20 November, 2017, London – The Foreign Minister of Kazakhstan, Kairat Abdrakhmanov, met today with UK Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, as part of the Kazakh-British Strategic Dialogue.The two Foreign Ministers confirmed their intention to maintain high-level contacts and mutual interest in developing relations in all areas of bilateral cooperation.During the meeting, Foreign Minister Abdrakhmanov said: "Kazakhstan will continue to strengthen its strategic partnership with the UK in order to modernise its economy and increase investment and trade between the two countries." He added that for the last 25 years since the establishment of bilateral diplomatic relations, the United Kingdom has played and continues to play an important role in the development of Kazakhstan's economy.Meanwhile, Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson noted the great importance of Kazakhstan for the UK and expressed London's intention to strengthen all-round cooperation with Astana. He said: “Kazakhstan will be the first Central Asian nation to chair the UN Security Council. I look forward to further cooperation on global security."The two sides also discussed important issues on the international agenda, including the priorities of the forthcoming chairmanship of Kazakhstan in the UN Security Council, the Astana Process on the settlement of the situation in Syria, the situation in Afghanistan, the implementation of the Minsk agreements on Ukraine, countering terrorism, non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and regional cooperation in Central Asia.The Foreign Minister of Kazakhstan also held meetings with the management of the British company 'Metalysis', as well as 'TheCityUk', and discussed current and prospective investment projects and opportunities in Kazakhstan.In addition, the Foreign Minister attended the annual meeting of the Board of Trustees of the international affairs think-tank 'Eurasian Council of Foreign Affairs'.Mr Abdrakhmanov said during his speech: "Kazakhstan is working to further improve its investment climate, and we are interested in expanding investment cooperation with European companies, including British." It was noted that this year Kazakhstan ranked 36th in the World Bank's Doing Business ranking.The participants also discussed ways to further develop relations between Kazakhstan and other Central Asian countries with Europe, especially in the field of transport, logistics, energy and financial technologies. Kazakhstan's unique geo-economic position in the centre of Eurasia, as well as the country's efforts to develop its transit potential and contribution to the implementation of the 'One Belt One Road' Programme, were also discussed.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mfa/press/news/details/30659?lang=kk

LONDON, November 22, 2017 – Speaking at Chatham House, the Royal Institute of International Affairs in London, Kazakh Foreign Minister Kairat Abdrakhmanov focused on the priorities of Kazakhstan's chairmanship in the UN Security Council in January 2018.The head of the Ministry elaborated on the implementation of President Nursultan Nazarbayev's international initiatives, such as the achievement of a nuclear-weapon- free world and the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions. He noted that as a member of the UNSC, Kazakhstan also attaches particular importance to issues of security in Central Asia, peace and stability in Africa, countering international terrorism and extremism, resolving the Syrian crisis, settling the situation in Afghanistan, as well as the UN reform. Meeting participants showed interest in the EXPO 2017 legacy and the implementation of such projects as the Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC) and the international centre for the development of green technologies among other things.While in London, Abdrakhmanov also met with the Members of Parliament and the members of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Kazakhstan headed by its Chairman Bob Stewart. The Minister briefed the British Parliamentarians on the main provisions of President Nazarbayev's article “Course towards the future: modernisation of Kazakhstan's identity”, the implementation of the 100 Concrete Steps National Plan, the privatisation programme, as well as the project on creating and developing the AIFC. Members of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Kazakhstan noted the high dynamics of the Kazakh-British relations' development and expressed their readiness to support the implementation of joint projects.The development of trade, economic and investment cooperation was an important priority of the Kazakh Foreign Minister's visit to London. He discussed current and prospective joint projects with the President of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) Suma Chakrabarti. According to the head of the EBRD, Kazakhstan is the Bank's model partner. In recent years, the number of joint projects with the state and private sector has significantly risen, Kazakhstan's role in the region and the world has increased. The EBRD intends to strengthen cooperation with Kazakhstan in implementing public-private partnership projects, the One Belt One Road initiative, as well as to promote the country marketing on foreign markets.Business cooperation was the main topic for discussion at the foreign minister's meeting with influential business executives who are also the members of the British-Kazakh Society. Investments in the Kazakh economy and the launch of new companies were discussed during separate meetings with the leadership of Independent Power Corporation and United Green companies, which show interest in investing in non-oil projects of Kazakhstan.Abdrakhmanov also met with the society of Kazakh students studying in the UK under the Bolashak programme. The foreign minister noted that young Kazakh citizens who received foreign education are an important asset for the country that is facing the strategic tasks of comprehensive modernisation and joining the top 30 developed countries of the world and wished the students success in their academic achievements.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mfa/press/news/details/30654?lang=kk

LIMA, 28 November 2017 – Kazakhstan and Peru held the first round of political consultations. The Kazakh delegation was headed by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Yerzhan Ashikbayev, while the Peruvian delegation was headed by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nestor Popolizio.In the course of the consultations, the sides expressed mutual desire to intensify the political dialogue further for enhancing bilateral ties and filling them with practical content, as well as the steps aimed at strengthening trade and economic partnership and developing cultural and humanitarian contacts.In addition to the need to deepen bilateral cooperation, the sides exchanged views on international issues. In particular, they discussed topical issues on the agenda of the UN Security Council, and confirmed the similarity of approaches in solving key issues in international politics, readiness to expand cooperation in combating new challenges and threats, as well as interaction in maintaining international peace and security.The Kazakh diplomat handed over a personal invitation from the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan, Kairat Abdrakhmanov to the Head of the Peruvian Foreign Office to participate in the UN Security Council Ministerial Debate on Central Asia and Afghanistan in January next year within the framework of Kazakhstan's chairmanship in the UN Security Council.Ashikbayev noted that Kazakhstan counts on close cooperation with Peru on all items of the UN Security Council agenda, as well as on common priorities within the Council during the period of joint membership in the Organization. The Peruvian diplomat, after welcoming the first official visit of the Kazakh delegation to Lima, agreed that expansion of bilateral cooperation between the two states is very important, especially in the light of Peru membership in the UN Security Council from January 2018.Following the talks, the representatives of foreign ministries of the two countries signed a Memorandum for the Establishment of a Mechanism for Political Consultations, thus broadening the Kazakh-Peruvian legal framework.At the end of the visit to Peru Ashikbayev held a meeting with the Director of Peru Export and Tourism Promotion Agency – PROMPERU, whom he handed the list of the most high-priority export goods of Kazakhstan in order to expand business contacts between the countries and to diversify bilateral trade.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mfa/press/news/details/30575?lang=kk

November 29, 2017, New York – The UN Security Council held an emergency meeting in response to North Korea's launch of the intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), at which all Council members strongly condemned, in no uncertain terms, the third launch of an ICBM within the span of just the last six months.The United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs, Mr Jeffrey Feltman, informed the Council that the North Korean missile “Hwasong-15” was a considerably improved and updated model of ICBMs with a range of up to 13,000 kilometers, with the ability to reach the territory of the United States. He also stressed that over the past two years, nuclear tests and rocket launches conducted by Pyongyang led to serious tension on the Korean peninsula and beyond. “Given the grave risks associated with any military confrontation, in exercise of its primary responsibility, the Security Council needs to do all it can to prevent an escalation. Unity in the Security Council is critical,” warned USG Feltman.Ambassador Kairat Umarov, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the United Nations and representing the country as an elected member of the Council, expressed extreme concern about this latest provocative missile launch by Pyongyang. According to the Kazakh delegation, this launch runs counter to the demands of the international community and gravely violates all relevant resolutions of the UN Security Council. Such further provocations would only generate even greater confrontation and spur a new wave of escalations with untold consequences. At the same time, according to Kazakhstan, he indicated that there is no alternative to a peaceful solution to the North Korean crisis, and the stalemate can only be overcome through negotiations, dialogue and goodwill by all parties."We must avoid sliding down the military path. We need to focus on finding possible political and diplomatic measures to resolve the issue. Therefore, Astana stands for the tireless search for a comprehensive and collective solution of the issue through new decisive political and diplomatic actions. It is only through meaningful communication and collective deliberations, accompanied by confidence-building measures, that we will be able to find a way out of this very complex situation," Ambassador Umarov said.The meeting concluded with Security Council reaffirming the importance of maintaining peace and stability on the Korean peninsula, and also its commitment to search for political and diplomatic paths, accompanied by the effective implementation of all previous sanctions measures against Pyongyang.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mfa/press/news/details/30551?lang=kk

The main heroes of the evening arethe Astana Opera Chorus and Symphony Orchestra. Honoured Worker of Kazakhstan Yerzhan Dautov will be conducting.The unique combination of delightful operatic melodies and exquisite choral parts will undoubtedly delight the audience.It is known that after the work’s premiere, Giacomo Meyerbeer sent Rossini an enthusiastic letter with the words, “May God graciously allow you to live a hundred years and create a few more of these masterpieces, and may He let me live as many, so I can admire these new works of your immortal genius!”Petite Messe Solennelle (Little Solemn Mass) crowns the list of works of one of the greatest and most prolific European opera composers Gioacchino Rossini –the author of more than 40 operas. He composed the mass during his retirement from operatic career. Petite Messe Solennelle is a musical conclusion and contemplation of the composer’s eventful life.Thework was namedPetite Messe Solennelle not because of its size, but because of rather austere original accompaniment – piano and pump organ or harmonium (an instrument similar to physharmonica). The author rightly chose such accompaniment, as an orchestra would have emphasized to the higher degree the operatic nature of Rossini’s style that he was unable to hide. The orchestrated version was first performed after the composer’s death. This is the version which will be presented to the audience of the Astana Opera. Petite Messe Solennelle is a bright and pure composition.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/tsm/press/news/details/30094?lang=kk

Distinguished Representatives of the Media,The 8th high-level meeting of the Astana Process on Syria will take place on December 21-22, 2017.Journalists are invited to provide media-coverage of the plenary session which will be held on December 22 at the «Rixos President Astana» Hotel (time of the beginning of the session will be announced additionally).In order to get accredited it is necessary to fill out an accreditation form (https://goo.gl/forms/rVhgFK2BIJ8PF7gx1) and to send scanned copy of a passport and an official letter of the Chief/Editor in Chief under the “Syrian Talks 8" email subject, to the accreditation@mfa.kz email address, by 12 p.m. (time of Astana) December 15.Time and place of a press conference (if any) following the meeting will be announced additionally.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mfa/press/news/details/29601?lang=kk

A graduate of the master’s program of Arizona State University (USA), specializing in Opera Singing, finalist of the regional stage of the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions competition (2006, USA) Yevgeni Chainikov is actively mastering the opera house’s repertoire. Among the particularly memorable portrayals created by Yevgeni Chainikov at the Astana Opera – Zhirenshe in the opera Abai by A.Zhubanov – L. Khamidi, Scarpia in the opera Toscaby G. Puccini, Amonasro in the opera Aidaby G. Verdi. The new hero in his repertoire is Sharpless, the United States consul at Nagasaki.“I started working on this part at a very young age, wanted to sing it for a long time. Nevertheless, in order to feel and understand my character, inner maturity is a must. With age, I began to rethink the opera Madama Butterfly. It is a very touching story. I see Sharpless, as, first of all, humane, paternal, and caring. He warns Pinkerton not to play with love, because then young Butterfly would begin to trust him and truly fall in love with him, which is exactly what happens afterwards. Sharpless can only observe it all from the outside, empathizing with the title character. At the moment I am working not only on the vocals, but also on the character portrayal. I watched many different world productions, and I try to find the fine line not to overplay and to not seem implausible,” shared Yevgeni Chainikov.It is interesting that ever since the premiere, for a year already, the son of Yevgeni Chainikov– Nikita Chainikov participates in this production, he plays the role of Butterfly’s son.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/tsm/press/news/details/29533?lang=kk

On July 25 the meeting of the Deputy of the Akim of the oblast Bekenov K., of the Head of the Department of Environment Imankulov Zh., the Head of the Department of Property and Land Relations of Aktobe Mynbayev W. and the president of "Akbulak" JSC Ibraev A. with the community of "Batys - 2" Aktobe was held in the new Health Park.In easy conversation in the Health Park, people could ask their questions about the ecological situation of the city. All was interested in the question what measures the government bodies take to ensure environmental safety of citizens and when sources of foul smell in Aktobe will be eliminated.Imankulov Zh., Mynbayev U., and Ibraev A answered the people’s questions.According to the deputy of the Akim of the oblast Bekenov K., stern measures will be taken to the subjects which are the sources of environmental pollution of Aktobe.On July 25 the similar meeting with the community of Kirpichny village Aktobe was held in the constructional sewerage draining station.  Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/cerc/press/news/details/29493?lang=kk

ASTANA, January 1, 2018. - From January 1st to 31st, Kazakhstan, for the first time in its history, assumes the Presidency of the United Nations Security Council.As part of its role, the Presidency coordinates the Council's activities and, with the assistance of the UN Secretariat, ensures continuity within the Council's daily work. The Presidency also makes statements on behalf of the Council, in consultation with the Security Council members, as well as releasing press statements following discussions within informal consultations and whenever the Security Council reaches agreement on the text of a document.It is expected that on January 2, the permanent representatives of the UN Security Council will review the programme of the Presidency for the month ahead. It is also planning to hold briefings on the Council's programme of work for UN member states that are not members of the Security Council, as well as for the media and NGOs. Following a proposal by Kazakhstan , the Security Council, will for the first time, hold an official ceremony where the flags of Côte d'Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea, Kuwait, the Netherlands, Peru and Poland will be flown to honour their election as new non-permanent members of the Council for the next two years.The UN Security Council Thematic Debates entitled “WMD Non-proliferation: Confidence-building Measures", chaired by President Nursultan Nazarbayev, are also planned to take place on 18th of January. UN Secretary-General António Guterres, as well as the Chair of the Governing Board of the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) Ambassador Jan Eliasson, former Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, have been invited to address the debates.On January 19th, the UN Security Council will hold a Ministerial-level debate on the threats to international peace and security focusing on the topic: “Building a Regional Partnership in Afghanistan and Central Asia as a Model to Link Security and Development.” It is expected that Foreign Ministers of Central Asian nations and Afghanistan, as well as heads of foreign-policy establishments of the UNSC member states, will attend.On January 25th, the UNSC will hold its quarterly open debate on the topic “the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question” which will focus on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. It will be attended by permanent representatives of UN member states.In addition, open and closed discussions of the Council, on the situation in Syria, Libya, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Central African Republic, Darfur, West Africa and Sahel, South Sudan, Mali, Somalia, Cyprus and Colombia will be held under the Presidency of Kazakhstan in January.Several resolutions and Presidential statements are scheduled to be adopted.The priorities of Kazakhstan as a member of the UN Security Council in 2017-2018 are indicated in President Nursultan Nazarbayev's policy address to the UNSC “Kazakhstan's Concept and Vision for Sustaining Global Partnerships for a Secure, Just and Prosperous World.” These include: 1) achieving a world free of nuclear weapons; 2) eliminating the threat of a global war and reaching the settlement of local conflicts; 3) promoting the interests of Central Asia while strengthening regional security and cooperation; 4) countering terrorism; 5) peace and security in Africa; 6) ensuring an inextricable link between security and sustainable development; 7) adapting the Security Council and the entire UN system to the threats and challenges of the 21st century.Presidency of the UNSC has a significant international status because the Security Council can make decisions regarding coercive measures, economic sanctions and collective military action. According to the UN Charter, the Security Council bears the primary responsibility for maintaining peace and international security, and all UN member states are obliged to help in implementing its decisions.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mfa/press/news/details/29443?lang=kk

The draft standards for the maximum allowable emission of contaminants into the atmosphere for Kumkol, Maybulak and Aryskum fields of the facilities of PetroKazakhstan Kumkol Resources JSC (hereinafter - JSC) for 2018 were considered at the meeting of the expert council of the state ecological expertise of the Department of Ecology of Kyzylorda oblast.During the meeting, the customers' reports with a brief explanation of the objectives of these projects were heard.Further, members of the expert council have suggested including measures on implementation of automated monitoring of remote data transmission in real time mode.The meeting was attended by representatives of the Kyzylorda branch of the Chamber of Entrepreneurs "Atameken", the regional socio-ecological newspaper "Tabigat Tynysy", the Public Health Department of the Kyzylorda oblast, ArtNefStroyProject LLP, Citrine LLP, Kyzylorda branch of the RSE on REU Kazgidromet and others.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/cerc/press/news/details/29426?lang=kk

A Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development of Canada on a property contribution in the form of a Radionuclide Monitoring Station for noble gases to strengthen monitoring of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty implementation was signed on November 29, 2017.Within the Memorandum, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development of Canada is delivering to the Republic of Kazakhstan a radionuclide station for noble gases monitoring on a gratuitous basis.The station will strengthen the air monitoring in the region for signs of radioactive inert gases formed as a result of nuclear tests and will contribute to strengthening the non-proliferation regime of mass destruction weapons around the world.The Republic of Kazakhstan and Canada are parties of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) and the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), share the interests of strengthening the multilateral regime of nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament.Thanks to the policy of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan in the sphere of non-proliferation of nuclear weapons, recognized by the world community, the Canadian side offers to install a radionuclide station in Kazakhstan.The station, costing 1,600,000 Canadian dollars, was assigned to the subordinate enterprise of the Ministry of Energy - the National Nuclear Center of the Republic of Kazakhstan.The National Nuclear Center of the Republic of Kazakhstan is the leading scientific organization of Kazakhstan in the field of peaceful use of nuclear energy and support of the nuclear non-proliferation regime, ensuring nuclear and radiation safety.During the operation of the station, Canada and Kazakhstan will actively cooperate with the Organization of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty in order to strengthen the policy of a nuclear-free world.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/cerc/press/news/details/29416?lang=kk

At the moment, the Astana Opera Ballet Company has already started rehearsals at the New Stage of the eminent St. Petersburg opera house. On the other hand, even before that Mariinsky Theatre Orchestra had begun working on the score together with their Kazakhstani colleagues: Music Director of the production Arman Urazgaliyev, soloist of the Astana Opera Symphony Orchestra, Honoured Worker of Kazakhstan Bagdat Abilkhanov, concertmaster of flutes Alexey Kosyrev, harpist Lyubov Tkachenko and three musicians of the percussion group.“The upcoming performance at one of the world’s major opera houses is a great honor and responsibility for us. Strong and productive collaboration between the two companies is continuing for more than a year. We are certainly delighted that the Saint Petersburg’s audience is showing a great interest in our tour, we hope that the performances will be held with great success,” said the General Director of the Astana Opera Galim Akhmedyarov.A masterpiece of French choreography, created in 1965 on the novel by Victor Hugo, to this day continues to be relevant. This is proved by endless interest of the audience for this production. Sophisticated, impeccable taste, inexhaustible imagination and thirst for innovation of its authors – winner of three Academy Awards, avant-garde composer Maurice Jarre, a recognized ballet classic of the XX century Roland Petit, one of the best fashion couturiers of all time Yves Saint Laurent and the famous theatre designer Rene Alliot – served as a basis for the creation of this miracle – a true ‘gem’ of neoclassicism.Let us remind that at the new Stage of the Mariinsky Theatre the part of Quasimodo will be performed by the Grand Prix winner of numerous international competitions Bakhtiyar Adamzhan, Honoured Worker of Kazakhstan Rustem Seitbekov, Esmeralda – Honoured Workers of Kazakhstan Aigerim Beketayeva, Madina Basbayeva, Phoebus – international competitions laureates Olzhas Tarlanov, Arman Urazov, Frollo – international competitions laureates Gaziz Ryskulov, Serik Nakyspekov. The Artistic Director of the Astana Opera Ballet Company – People’s Artist of Russia Altynai Asylmuratova.The performance of Notre Dame de Paris at the Astana Opera was received with great enthusiasm by both the audience and the critics. The production has taken a special place in the opera house’s repertoire. Art critic Lira Bekbolatova expressed her admiration for the ballet on the pages of the Esquire magazine, “It is no exaggeration to say that the Notre Dame de Paris was the most extraordinary premiere of the Astana Opera.” Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/tsm/press/news/details/29390?lang=kk

Dear citizens!You can participate in shaping the future of our country by expressing your opinion on draft laws posted on the "Open Regulatory Legal Acts" portal.The portal provides everyone with the opportunity to:- View draft regulatory legal acts- Leave comments and suggestions- Discuss initiatives with other citizens- Influence the content of future lawsWhy is this important?Public discussion allows citizens' opinions to be taken into account at the early stages of legislative development. This makes laws more fair, transparent, and effective.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/kostanai-mendykarin-audany-akimat/press/news/details/1082044?lang=kk

The portal was created in order to simplify citizens' representation about the notion of "budget planning" in the state and promote the development of an active civic position through public control over spending budget funds.  According to the Law “On access to information”, the Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Kazakhstan annually publishes Open Budgets:- budgetary reporting;- consolidated financial statements; - information on the results of state audit and financial control;- draft budget programs.Also there is a public discussion: draft budget programs, reports on the implementation of budget programs for the past fiscal year.Public discussion is aimed at strengthening the interaction of citizens and government through active participation of the population in the distribution of state budget funds. Citizens have the right to send proposals, comment on draft budget programs / reports on the implementation of budget programs, so that government agencies can take into account these proposals in the future work.aSource : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/cerc/press/news/details/29376?lang=kk

As of December 1, 2017, the total amount of disbursed investments since the beginning of operation of the special economic zone "National Industrial Petrochemical Technopark" (hereinafter - the SEZ "NIPT") amounted to 185.7 billion tenge, 6.7 billion tenge of which in 2017. 1244 jobs were created, including 794 in 2017 (for the construction period - 739). The volume of tax deductions was 20 billion tenge, 940 million tenge of which in 2017.In order to attract investment by the state, such state support measures as financing the construction of SEZ infrastructure are provided, projects are provided with raw materials on a long-term basis, there are tax and customs privileges, direct application of international norms is allowed during design and construction, and the procedure for attracting foreign labor is simplified.For reference:The SEZ "NIPT" was established by the Decree of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan dated December 19, 2007 № 495 for the period until December 31, 2032.Currently, two large projects are being implemented on the territory of the SEZ "NIPT": the construction of a gas turbine power plant (hereinafter - "GTES") with a capacity of 310 MW (Karabatan Utility Solutions LLP) and the production of polypropylene with the capacity of 500 thousand tons / year (KPI Inc. LLP); a project for the production of polymer products (Polymer Production LLP) has been implemented.Under the GTES project, the main technological equipment was installed (4 gas turbine units with a capacity of 50 MW, 4 steam turbine units with a capacity of 55 MW, 4 heat recovery boilers), and construction works are underway. Since the beginning of the project, the number of jobs created is 831 people.For reference:As of December 1, 2017, the readiness of the infrastructure of the 1st stage on SEZ is 31.5%.The following infrastructure facilities were built: Zavodskaya railway station, access railway (15.6 km), extension of Karabatan railway station, flyover with alternative highway, access road (5.3 km) and power line.The polymer production plant, commissioned in late 2015, produced a bi-axially oriented polypropylene film, a three-layer polyethylene film and polypropylene bags for a total amount of 1.8 billion tenge in 2017. The number of personnel is 296 people.The project for the production of polypropylene went into the active phase, in particular, the project team of the general contractor was mobilized and detailed engineering was started. Work is underway to determine the list of long lead time equipment for the implementation of the order. In the second half of 2018 it is planned to start construction work.For reference:The project applicant is KPI Inc. LLP (Participant of KPI Inc. LLP is United Chemical Company (100% subsidiary of Samruk-Kazyna JSC).The cost of the project for the production of polypropylene is $ 2.6 billion.Number of jobs: for the construction period - 3000 people, operation - 500 people.In addition, the possibility of implementing projects for the further processing of paraxylene in polyethylenterephtalate (with a capacity of 430 thousand tons / year) and benzene in cyclohexane (capacity of 150 thousand tons / year) is being studied. The project of production of polyethylenterephtalate received a positive conclusion of the state expertise on the feasibility study of the project; a strategic partner is being searched for.A feasibility study is being carried out for the cyclohexane production project.Thus, the implementation of the above projects on deep processing of hydrocarbon raw materials on the territory of the SEZ "NIPT" is the basis for the creation of an oil and gas chemical cluster.In turn, cluster interaction will create new production by lengthening the chains of added values.As it is known, the development of the oil and gas chemical industry is multiply reflected in other sectors of the economy.Every dollar invested in oil and gas chemistry gives 2-3 dollars of growth and each new workplace in the industry contributes to the creation of up to 7 new jobs in the economy.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/cerc/press/news/details/29371?lang=kk

Open Dialogue is an open platform for dialogue between the population and the state, which excludes barriers such as distance, a living queue and lack of awareness about compliance with mandatory conditions.The main goal of the portal is to involve citizens in the activities of state bodies: users can directly submit an appeal and send proposals to a specific state body or local Akimat, report on the quality of the cellular network, and participate in socially significant surveys. The portal consists of three main services:Blog-platform of the first leaders of the SBInternet conferencesPollsOn a permanent basis, the blog platform of the Minister of Energy of the Republic of Kazakhstan is functioned: https://dialog.egov.kz/blogs/32779/welcome.In 2017, on the "Open Dialogue" portal of the Open Government, the Ministry held Internet conferences on the following topics:Amendments to the Environmental Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan;Public services in the field of ecology;Innovations in the power industry (100 steps);On the modernization of the three refineries;About advanced obligations of producers (importers);Development of Renewable Energy Sources in Kazakhstan.Creation of intellectual power system of Kazakhstan (Smart Grid);Establishment of the International Center for Green Technologies;Stimulating the development of the subsoil use sector;10. Prices for fuels and lubricants and liquefied petroleum gas.On the "Open Dialogue" portal, the Ministry conducts 10 polls on public services (https://dialog.egov.kz/surveycontroller/index#/list?govAgency=9):1. Issuance of a license to handle devices and installations generating ionizing radiation;2. Issuance of conclusions of the state ecological expertise for facilities of the 1st Category;3. Issuance of environmental permits for facilities of the 1st Category;4. Issuance of a license to perform works and provide services in the field of environmental protection;5. The questionnaire on public services of the Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Kazakhstan for customersIt is planned to conduct surveys on the following public services of the Ministry:6. Accreditation of gas network organizations;7. Issuance of a license for the design (technological) and (or) operation of mining operations (hydrocarbon raw materials), petrochemical productions, operation of main gas pipelines, oil pipelines, oil product pipelines in oil and gas sphere;8. Issuance of a license to perform works and provide services in the field of environmental protection;9. Issuance of a license for activities related to the handling of nuclear materials;10. Issuance of permits for the construction or placement of offshore structuresSource : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/cerc/press/news/details/29368?lang=kk

-“I would like to thank the Minister of Culture and Sports of Kazakhstan Arystanbek Mukhamediyuly for the support of the Astana Opera tour. Thanks to cultural exchange, we grow as performers, and have the opportunity to present our creative work to audiences in different cities and countries, which is very important for us. Today’s performance was a great success. We, the artists, felt the audience, the warmth and delight with which we were received by the Almaty listeners, and we give our thanks for their love for high art,” said Honored Artist of Kazakhstan Maira Mukhamedkyzy.This evening the leading roles were presented by the artists of the capital’s opera house. Honored Worker of Kazakhstan Sundet Baigozhin brilliantly performed the title role, both in the vocal and acting aspects. International competitions laureate Meir Bainesh beautifully performed the part of Aidar. Honored Artist of Kazakhstan, opera prima Maira Mukhamedkizy in the role of Azhar showed wonderful acting skills, her voice sounded soft and velvety. Scholarship holder of the Foundation of the First President of the Republic of Kazakhstan – Leader of the Nation Tatyana Vitsinskaya performed the role of Karlygash. Talented Talgat Galeev presented the part of Kokbai. Azim – Beimbet Tanarykov, People’s Artist of Armenia Barseg Tumanyan portrayed Syrttan, Evgeni Chainikov sang Zhirenshe. Narymbet – Ramzat Balakishiyev, Mes – Haidar Mustapin.“It was a very interesting performance. It is a classic example of national opera with splendid scenery and costumes, melodic richness of folk songs and dances. Of course, such names as M. Auezov, A. Zhubanov and L. Khamidi make this opera immortal and brilliant. All the artists were at a good level today, the orchestra and choir sounded great! I will say only one thing: “Astana Opera, bravo!” listener Dulat Omarov shared his impressions.Prominent cultural, political and public figures praised the performance of Abai. Among them are Alibek Dnishev, Asanali Ashimov, Yesmukhan Obayev and many others. During the intermission, they noted the virtuosity of the conductor, the scale of his personality, spoke about the quality work of the vocalists.“I was very impressed with the new edition of the opera, magnificent sets and costumes. The finale of the opera Abai makes us proud of our country, our history, our literature, our people,” the famous Kazakh opera singer Alibek Dnishev said after the performance.“The tour is taking place within the framework of the remarkable program “Rukhani Zhangyru”. It gives an opportunity to show the whole world the high level of culture of our country. I am very pleased with this tour, as our opera houses conduct creative dialogue, strengthen our friendship. Today we performed in the Southern capital of Kazakhstan, at the Abai Opera House – ‘Kara Shanyrak’ of our operatic art. Here the premiere, the birth of the opera Abai took place in 1944. This performance is an important exam for our company. The Almaty audience is very enlightened, cultured, and its incessant, stormy ovations, which sounded today, were a great reward and high appreciation of our work,” maestro Alan Buribayev said.Principal Conductor of the Astana Opera added that it is not his first production of Abai, stressing the international significance of this opera.“In 2013, I realized a new production of the opera Abai in Germany, which was a huge success. Moreover, this was the year of the 200th anniversary of composers R. Wagner and G. Verdi. It is impossible to imagine any world opera house without their works. Three productions were nominated for the Production of the Year – Das Liebesverbot by R. Wagner, Un Ballo in Maschera by G. Verdi and Abai by A. Zhubanov, L. Khamidi, and the on the anniversary year of R. Wagner and G. Verdi, the opera Abai was named the Production of the Year! The work conquers its listeners. In 2014, with the company of the Abai Opera House we performed this opera in France, where it was a resounding success. I always advocate Kazakh art and whenever I play with orchestras I try to include Kazakh symphonic music in the program. I recorded the dances from the third act of the opera Abai – the Wedding suite – on the BBC Radio 3 in London. The last time I played dances from Abai in Japan, and one of the leading Japanese newspapers Yomiuri Shimbun expressed their delight with our music. As soon as people hear this opera they come and say to me: “Give me the score! How can I learn more about this opera? Who is Abai?”... The opera Abai opens the hearts of people of different nations like a key!” Alan Buribayev added.“I used to think that Kazakh operas, first and foremost, are interesting for us, because it is important for us to learn more about ourselves, but it turned out that the music of this opera is universal, it is perceived with equal enthusiasm all over the world. The opera Abai has become a hallmark of our art. We will always perform this opera, and there will always be a special reverent attitude towards it. Abai is a sacred subject for us,” the maestro concluded.Stage Director – Giancarlo Del Monaco, Set Designer – outstanding contemporary set designer Ezio Frigerio, Costume Designer – the Academy Award winner Franca Squarciapino, Projection Designer – Sergio Metalli, Lighting Designer – Vinicio Cheli. The Astana Opera Choir and Symphony Orchestra. Principal Choirmaster – Honoured Worker of Kazakhstan Yerzhan Dautov.Let us remind that tomorrow, on February 11, there will be a second performance of the opera Abai. A young promising singer, marvelous mezzo-soprano, international competitions laureate Malika Minisini will debut as Karlygash. Baritone Yerzhan Saipov, who is preparing the part of Kokbai, will also be debuting that evening. The ballet Manon by the famous 20th century choreographer Kenneth MacMillan will be featured on February 14 at 19.00. The ballet Notre Dame de Paris by outstanding French choreographer Roland Petit to the music of Maurice Jarre, which will be held on February 17 and 18 at 18.00, will conclude the tour.Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/tsm/press/news/details/29230?lang=kk