Astana Proposes Restrictions on High-Rise Housing Construction on Outskirts Until 2035
Astana authorities are proposing restrictions until 2035 on the construction of apartment buildings in outlying areas of the city that lack the necessary infrastructure. Altynbek Akhmetov, head of the capital’s Department of Architecture, Urban Planning and Land Relations, announced the proposal during a meeting of the city maslikhat, or local council.
The amendments are expected to be introduced to Astana’s existing rules governing architectural development and urban planning, which were approved by the maslikhat on August 27, 2024.
"It is proposed to amend the rules by adding a provision introducing a temporary restriction, until 2035, on the allocation of land plots and the construction of apartment buildings in peripheral areas of the city that are not served by main utility networks and social infrastructure," Akhmetov said.
The proposed restriction would therefore not apply to all areas on the outskirts of Astana, but only to those that lack main utility networks and the necessary social infrastructure.
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Kazakh Ambassador Outlines Vision for Future Leadership at International Youth Festival
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A Kazakh delegation led by Kazakhstan’s Ambassador to Russia, Dauren Abayev, took part in the International Youth Festival in Yekaterinburg, the Kazakh Foreign Ministry’s press service said.
Speaking at a session titled "Leadership in a Multipolar World: What Determines a Country’s Position in the New Architecture of International Relations," Abayev discussed Kazakhstan’s role amid changes in global politics.
He said the country’s priorities include domestic resilience, the development of human capital, technology, infrastructure and logistics, as well as strengthening ties between countries.
"The first is domestic resilience. That is why we are developing human capital, technology, infrastructure and logistics. Second, we must be able to connect countries and continents and create a space for interaction. Third is trust. Kazakhstan must be an honest and equal partner that always keeps its word," Abayev said.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, for her part, highlighted Kazakhstan’s role in promoting dialogue between civilisations.
"Kazakhstan has already made an enormous contribution to the world and to our Eurasian continent, and one of those contributions is inter-civilisational. It was in Kazakhstan that work began on organising and holding various international events related to dialogue between cultures, religions and civilisations. It was a breakthrough. We were proud of our colleagues and did everything we could to promote these ideas," Zakharova said.
At another session, titled "Skills of the Future: An Informal Dialogue," Abayev also outlined what he considers to be the key skills of the future.
"The first ability is to learn anew. The second is the ability to ask the right questions. The third is the ability to reach agreement and listen to others," the ambassador said.
He added that people of the future would also need emotional maturity, self-discipline and the ability to remain focused in conditions of uncertainty.
"My advice to future leaders is, first and foremost, to be a good person, a professional in your field and to continuously build your social capital," Abayev told the young participants.
The International Youth Festival is being held in Yekaterinburg from September 11 to 17. It brings together 10,000 people aged between 14 and 35 from 191 countries, including 200 participants from Kazakhstan.
The festival’s main themes include science and education, digitalisation and IT, entrepreneurship, creative industries, public administration, media, civic engagement and sport.
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Hyundai Motor Group Plans to Expand Production and Localisation in Kazakhstan
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Hyundai Motor Group plans to expand its presence and deepen the localisation of production in Kazakhstan, following a meeting between President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Sung Kim, President and Head of the Strategy and Planning Division at Hyundai Motor Group, according to the Akorda presidential press service.
The two sides discussed expanding investment, industrial and technological cooperation, as well as new projects in Kazakhstan. Representatives of Hyundai Engineering and carmaker Kia also attended the meeting.
Tokayev highlighted Hyundai Motor Group’s contribution to the development of Kazakhstan’s automotive industry and said further localisation was needed, along with increased production of automotive components and greater export potential for the sector.
The president also highlighted the existing Hyundai plant in Almaty and Kia plant in Kostanay. He said Kazakhstan aims to become a major regional hub for vehicle production and exports, with the development of a full-cycle manufacturing industry.
Electric mobility could become another area of cooperation, including the production of electric vehicles and components, as well as the development of charging infrastructure.
Sung Kim, for his part, said Kazakhstan was not only a market for Hyundai Motor Group but also an important regional hub for its operations across the CIS. He confirmed the company’s plans to expand its presence and deepen the localisation of production in the country.
Representatives of Hyundai Engineering also expressed their readiness to expand cooperation with Kazakhstan in the oil and gas sector, industry and infrastructure.
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Kazakh National Detained in Florida Over Immigration Status
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Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has commented on social media reports concerning the detention of a Kazakh national in the United States.
"A citizen of Kazakhstan was detained by US immigration authorities in the state of Florida because she did not have lawful immigration status," the ministry said.
Kazakh diplomats are in contact with both US authorities and the woman’s family and are providing the necessary consular assistance.
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Kazakhstan Invites South Korea’s Hanwha Group to Join Technology Projects
Tokayev said Kazakhstan highly valued its strategic partnership with the Republic of Korea and regarded Hanwha Group as one of the country’s leading business groups, with a strong presence in strategically important industries.
The president outlined Kazakhstan’s efforts to develop a national artificial intelligence ecosystem and digital infrastructure. He invited Hanwha Group to undertake joint projects and use Kazakhstan as a technology hub for expansion into Central Asian markets.
Tokayev also reaffirmed Kazakhstan’s readiness to deepen its partnership with Hanwha Group and expressed hope that the agreements reached would lead to concrete joint projects.
Kim Dong-won said Hanwha Group was among the first South Korean corporations to begin working with Kazakhstan, having launched cooperation in 1997. He added that the company was interested in contributing to the country’s digital transformation and participating in new projects.
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CSTO Launches Active Phase of Rubezh 2026 Military Drills in Kazakhstan
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The active phase of the Rubezh 2026 joint military exercise involving the Collective Rapid Deployment Forces of the Central Asian Region has begun at the Koktal training ground in Kazakhstan, the press service of the Collective Security Treaty Organisation reported.
During the drills, troops are practising preparations for and the conduct of combat operations aimed at eliminating illegal armed groups that have entered the territory of a CSTO member state.
The opening ceremony was attended by CSTO Deputy Secretary-General Mirlan Turgunbekov; Major General Askar Zholamanov, deputy chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Kazakhstan; Lieutenant General Ruslan Shpekbayev, deputy chief of the CSTO Joint Staff; and other invited officials.
"Rubezh 2026 is being conducted under a unified concept and plan alongside the Armed Forces of Kazakhstan’s Reshitelny Otpor 2026 strategic command-and-staff exercise," Turgunbekov said.
He said the Collective Rapid Deployment Forces of the Central Asian Region must be prepared to conduct joint operations within the CSTO’s area of responsibility amid a complex military and political situation and regional instability.
Zholamanov stressed the importance of joint training for command bodies and troops to prevent and eliminate sources of threats, including terrorism, separatism and extremism.
Shpekbayev said the exercise was also intended to improve coordination among command bodies, strengthen the skills of commanders and headquarters, and enhance the combat training of personnel from the participating national contingents.
He added that recent armed conflicts had demonstrated changes in the nature of warfare, including the widespread use of precision weapons, drones and reconnaissance systems.
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Tokayev Arrives in South Korea for State Visit
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Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has arrived in the Republic of Korea for a state visit, Akorda reported.
Tokayev was welcomed at Seoul airport by Bae Kyung-hoon, South Korea’s deputy prime minister and minister of science and ICT.
The Kazakh president is visiting the country at the invitation of South Korean President Lee Jae-myung.
The two leaders are due to hold high-level talks in Seoul on 15 September. They will discuss prospects for strengthening the enhanced strategic partnership between Kazakhstan and South Korea. Tokayev is also expected to meet executives from leading South Korean companies.
On 16 September, the Kazakh leader will attend the first Central Asia-Republic of Korea Summit.
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Tokayev Arrives in New Delhi for BRICS Summit
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Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has arrived in New Delhi to attend the 18th BRICS Summit, the Akorda presidential press service said.
The president was welcomed at the airport by Indian government officials.
During his visit, Tokayev will address an Outreach/BRICS Plus plenary session and hold a series of bilateral meetings.
The BRICS Summit is being held in New Delhi on Sept. 12-13.
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