As a result of the official visit of Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to Japan and the Central Asia–Japan Business Forum on December 20, more than 60 documents were signed between Kazakh and Japanese business entities, totaling $3.72 billion, according to Kazakh Invest. Baiterek National Managing Holding JSC and Japan’s MUFG Bank, Ltd. signed a memorandum
On December 20 in Tokyo, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi welcomed the Presidents of the five Central Asian countries as she hosted the first Summit of the “Central Asia plus Japan” Dialogue (CA+JAD) at the leader’s level. Prime Minister Takaichi highlighted the importance and potential of the Central Asian region, including its geopolitical significance as
The Kazakhstan Agency of International Development (KazAID) is celebrating its fifth anniversary. The Agency was established by a Resolution of the Government of Kazakhstan dated December 15, 2020, as the national operator in the field of official development assistance and operates under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan. KazAID’s mission is to promote sustainable
Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation has signed a memorandum of cooperation with a consortium of Chinese companies Yellow River Engineering Consulting Co. Ltd., Leture Technology and Cheng Cheng Group for the construction of a plant to produce smart technologies for water resource management and irrigation systems in the southern Kazakh city of Taraz.
On December 16 in London, the British publishing house Hertfordshire Press organized an international event dedicated to Kazakhstan’s Independence Day and the 180th anniversary of Abai Qunanbaiuly’s birth. More than 80 guests from around the world, from the UK to Australia, participated, expressing their support for Kazakh culture. Hertfordshire Press, which has specialized in translating
The Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) has released a new report as part of its flagship project Monitoring of Mutual Investments. New data show that investment activity in the Eurasian region continues to expand despite the global decline in foreign direct investment (FDI). Mutual FDI between the region’s countries reached a record US $48.4 billion at the
Kazakhstan has opened two modernized motor vehicle checkpoints—Kazygurt on the border with Uzbekistan and Temir-baba on the border with Turkmenistan—in an effort to boost trade and cargo transportation in the region, primeminister.kz reported. The checkpoints were reconstructed as part of the state program to modernize border infrastructure. The program covers nine checkpoints located on Kazakhstan’s
The “Kazakhstan-China” microsatellite, jointly developed by Al-Farabi Kazakh National University (KazNU) and China’s Northwestern Polytechnical University, successfully entered orbit at an altitude of 530 km on December 13, according to Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Science and Higher Education. This scientific research satellite was launched into orbit by Ziwei Aerospace, using Kuaizhou-11 launch vehicle. In 2024, KazNU
Kazakhstan has prepared an Export Roadmap for Processed Oilseed Products for 2026–2028. According to the Ministry of Agriculture, the Roadmap includes steps to expand the raw material base, modernize processing plants, develop logistics, and support farmers. The main goal is to increase the export of processed oilseed products—sunflower oil and sunflower millcake, an important component
On December 11, Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian participated in the Kazakh-Iranian Business Forum in Astana. Tokayev reported that last year, bilateral trade exceeded $340 million. “We agreed to significantly increase trade turnover between our countries, with the goal of reaching $1 billion initially and $2 billion in the next stage.
Kazakhstan is launching an export hub in Southeast Asia. The national export development institute QazTrade and the Malaysian company Kaztera have signed a memorandum of cooperation under which Kaztera received the status of the official operator for promoting Made in Kazakhstan products in the ASEAN market. This partnership gives Kazakhstan direct access to one of
Kazakhstan’s Satbayev University, a technical university located in Almaty, has signed an agreement with the French energy company Total and the University of Lorraine for the launch of an educational program at Satbayev University to train personnel for the Mirny wind energy project in the Zhambyl region. The document was signed by Samgat Yermekbayev, First
At a Government session on December 9 chaired by Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Olzhas Bektenov, the current water management situation was reviewed. Deputy Prime Minister Kanat Bozumbayev reported on the risks of the upcoming growing season and the preventive measures to ensure irrigation water supply for farmers. He reported on the results of working trips
Governments of five Central Asian countries could raise GDP per capita by 6 to 14 percent above projected levels by 2050 by increasing investments in children’s health, education, and development, according to a new report released by UNICEF, the United Nations Children’s Fund. According to “Generation 2050 in Central Asia,” the Central Asian region has
The Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) and Eurasian Logistics Park (ELP) have launched one of Kazakhstan’s largest Class A warehouse complexes. Covering more than 50,000 m2, the facility will become a key hub for e-commerce and international trade in Central Asia. The EDB began financing the project in 2024, providing KZT 16.6 billion to construct the Eurasian
At a meeting in Ashgabat in mid-November, the Interstate Commission for Water Coordination of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan approved water distribution quotas for the 2025-2026 non-growing season (from October 1, 2025 to April 1, 2026) for the Syr Darya and Amu Darya river basins. The Amu Darya and Syr Darya are the two
Kazakhstan’s Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Nurzhan Nurzhigitov last week met with Dana Kadyrbek, a student at Almaty Gymnasium No. 79 who created a device for collecting water from the atmosphere using modern nanomaterials. The device effectively absorbs and condenses moisture from the air and works without connection to the electrical grid, according to
The 5th Voices of Friends: Poetry & Art festival transformed the popular Kazakh resort of Burabay into a key cultural hotspot in Eurasia. From November 29 to December 2, the festival brought together more than 70 authors, artists, musicians, filmmakers, and intellectuals from 20 countries, serving as a platform for international dialogue and creative exchange.
Kazakhstan is strengthening its position as a key educational hub in Eurasia with 35,075 international students from 88 countries studying in the country’s universities in 2025, 11% more than in 2024, according to the Ministry of Science and Higher Education. Most of the international students are from India (9,959), Turkmenistan (9,089), Uzbekistan (4,136), China (3,367),
In recent months, the issue of air quality in Tashkent has become a focus of public attention. Some news outlets and social media reported that emissions from greenhouses located on the Kazakh side of the border may be one of the causes of the Tashkent smog. This suggestion has sparked widespread controversy as environmental issues
