The forum “Kazakhstan–Uzbekistan: Cooperation in Healthcare, Technology, and Personnel” opened in Tashkent on October 17, as part of the Days of Kazakh Medicine in Uzbekistan. “Our countries share a common desire to develop sustainable, accessible, and technologically advanced healthcare systems. Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan are addressing similar challenges in modernization, personnel training, digital transformation, and innovation.
A new evaluation by the Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) Independent Evaluation Department (IED) calls for a strategic shift in ADB’s engagement in Kazakhstan. ADB should leverage its successful project-level investments and fully tap its diverse tools—lending modalities, knowledge work, capacity building, and policy dialogue—for an integrated approach that drives deeper engagement and tackles both urgent
The 5th Korkut Ata Film Festival of the Turkic World was held early in October in the Kazakh city of Aktau, the Cultural Capital of the Turkic World 2025. Organized under the coordination of the International Organization of Turkic Culture (TURKSOY) and hosted by the Ministry of Culture and Information of Kazakhstan, the festival was
Qazaq Air (Vietjet Qazaqstan) has announced the launch of two new international routes connecting the capital of Kazakhstan with key cities in Central Asia — Bishkek and Samarkand. The airline’s expansion in Central Asia is part of the strategic initiative of Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev aimed at strengthening ties between Central Asian countries to promote
On October 16, a Government meeting discussed the implementation of the President’s instruction on streamlining the course of the economic reform program in the interests of citizens. The meeting adopted the following decisions.
Deputy Prime Minister–Minister of National Economy Serik Zhumangarin presented Kazakhstan’s investment and economic potential to American businesses in Washington, D.C., during a roundtable of the U.S.–Kazakhstan Business Council (USKZBC) at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Zhumangarin noted that Kazakhstan and the United States maintain a high level of economic relations. More than 600 enterprises with
Despite being landlocked, Central Asia has turned into a key transit hub in Eurasia due to its strategic location at the heart of the vast continent and the implementation of major transport infrastructure projects. According to the Eurasian Development Bank (EDB), from 2020 to 2024 transit freight volumes through the Central Asian region increased by
The 2025 irrigation season has ended in Kazakhstan. According to the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation, the agricultural sector used 11.01 billion m³ of water, with 98% of the total volume consumed in the country’s arid southern regions. During the irrigation season, the Almaty region used 1.6 billion m³ of water to irrigate 136,000
Askhat Khasenov, Chairman of the Management Board of KazMunayGas (KMG), Kazakhstan’s national oil and gas company and Johannes Bremer, General Director of Rosneft Deutschland GmbH have extended the current agreement for Kazakh oil supplies to Germany until the end of 2026. The new agreement increases monthly oil deliveries from 100,000 to 130,000 tons. Additional oil
U.S. President Donald Trump’s meeting with the leaders of Azerbaijan and Armenia in August culminated in the signing of a trilateral Joint Declaration, which, among others, envisions the U.S. entering the South Caucasus region as the primary driver of the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP) project, according to an article published by
In a significant boost to energy and water security in Central Asia, the European Union together with partners announced new investments in hydropower infrastructure in Central Asia, according to the Delegation of the European Union to the Kyrgyz Republic. Particularly, the Kambarata-1 hydropower plant megaproject in Kyrgyzstan marked noticeable progress, with a total of €900 million
On October 3–4, Kazakhstan’s Mangystau region was the venue of a commemorative event dedicated to the 275th anniversary of the renowned religious figure and Sufi, Beket Myrzagululy. Beket Myrzagululy (approximately 1750-1813), also known as Beket Ata, was a great figure who paved the way for the spiritual revival of the Kazakh people and the dissemination
On October 8, Aidar Abildabekov, Vice Minister of Trade and Integration of Kazakhstan, met with Khurram Teshabayev, Deputy Minister of Investment, Industry, and Trade of Uzbekistan. It was noted at the meeting that Uzbekistan remains one of Kazakhstan’s priority trading partners in Central Asia. The two countries are consistently working to achieve the mutual trade
On October 9, the Second “Central Asia–Russia” Summit was held in Dushanbe. The event, chaired by the President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon, was attended by the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin, the President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, the President of the Kyrgyz Republic Sadyr Japarov, the President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov, and the
Over the past 34 years of independence after the breakup of the Soviet Union, Central Asia has faced problems that require joint efforts for their solution. These include water and energy shortages, access to the sea and international transport routes, environmental risks, and instability in Afghanistan. In recent years, however, Central Asian countries have strengthened
A Government meeting on October 7, chaired by Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov, discussed measures to reduce the shadow economy. “The Head of State has set the goal of reducing the share of the shadow economy in GDP to 15% this year. We must continue striving for a consistent decline in this indicator. We need a
The 2025 Human Development Report was launched in Kazakhstan at the Digital Bridge 2025 forum last week. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Kazakhstan organized a panel session titled “The Power of Choice: Human Development at the Crossroads of Artificial Intelligence.” The event brought together diplomats, government officials, academics, civil society, educators, and thought leaders
From November 29 to December 2, 2025, the Borovoe resort (Burabay, Kazakhstan) will shine with the spirit of a Christmas fairy tale as it will host the 5th festival Voices of Friends, a place where art meets magic. The Voices of Friends V will feature author’s concerts, film festivals, art exhibitions, and master classes that
On October 2 in Astana, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan hosted the jubilee award ceremony for the winners of the 10th Annual International Contest “Kazakhstan Through the Eyes of Foreign Media”. This year, by decision of the jury, the works of journalists from Armenia, Belgium, Pakistan, the United States, and Uzbekistan were recognized
On October 1, Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev held the first meeting of the Council for the Development of Artificial Intelligence. Tokayev emphasized that without the development of artificial intelligence, it is impossible to withstand global competition. He stated that digital systems and artificial intelligence have become essential for the country’s sovereignty and a driving force
