Central Election Commission Completes Acceptance of Party Lists for Kurultai Elections
Kazakhstan's Central Election Commission (CEC) has completed the acceptance of party lists for candidates seeking election to the country's new Kurultai parliament, the agency's correspondent reports.
All seven registered political parties submitted the required documents to nominate their candidates.
The Adilet Party nominated the largest number of candidates, with 186. Respublica submitted a list of 76 candidates, followed by the People's Party of Kazakhstan with 72, the Auyl Party with 69, Ak Zhol with 63, Baytaq with 51 and the Nationwide Social Democratic Party (OSDP) with 33.
The CEC will review the submitted documents for compliance with electoral legislation and register the party lists by July 23. Once registration is completed, the official election campaign will begin and continue until the day of silence on August 22, one day before voting.
The first elections to the Kurultai are scheduled for August 23, 2026. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signed the decree calling the elections on July 1, following the entry into force of the country's new Constitution. On the same day, the Central Election Commission approved the official election timetable.
The Kurultai will become Kazakhstan's new unicameral parliament, replacing the previous bicameral legislature. It will consist of 145 deputies elected for five-year terms through party-list proportional representation in a single nationwide constituency.
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Kazakhstan to Tighten Oversight of Truck Crossings at Border Checkpoints
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Kazakhstan will strengthen oversight of freight traffic passing through road border checkpoints, the government said following an operational meeting chaired by First Deputy Prime Minister Nurlibek Nalibayev.
The meeting reviewed the situation at the Alimbet, Zhaisan, and Syrym border checkpoints. According to the Border Service of the National Security Committee (KNB), Kazakhstan's border crossing points are operating around the clock under normal conditions.
Amid a seasonal increase in transit freight traffic, the authorities have stepped up supervision of the modernization of road border checkpoints. The upgrades are expected to reduce the time required for border control procedures.
In addition, waiting and service areas for truck drivers will be established near priority border crossings. The work is scheduled to be completed by 2027.
Following the meeting, the Ministry of Transport and other government agencies were instructed to ensure the uninterrupted and faster processing of vehicles at border checkpoints. Operational headquarters have already been set up jointly with local executive authorities to coordinate the effort.
The government said the situation remains under close monitoring.
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Tokayev Congratulates Kazakhstanis on Abai Day
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President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has congratulated the people of Kazakhstan on Abai Day, the Akorda presidential press service reported.
"The creative and intellectual legacy of the great thinker holds a special place in the treasury of both world and Kazakh culture. His teachings serve as a moral compass and a guide for our nation. He spoke candidly about the problems facing society and warned against idleness and laziness," the president said.
Tokayev also recalled Abai's concept of Tolyk Adam ("The Complete Person"), which calls on individuals to continuously work on themselves, strive for spiritual growth, and pursue self-improvement.
The president noted that this year's Abai Day is being marked amid sweeping changes in the state and society.
"Kazakhstan's People's Constitution has entered into force, and the process of renewing all institutions of government has begun. This is truly a historic period that lays the foundation for the country's development for many years to come," the congratulatory message said.
Tokayev also recalled that the country's first-ever elections to the Kurultai will be held in August. In his view, the unicameral parliament will give fresh momentum and new quality to the reform process.
"The essence of these transformations is to provide a powerful impetus to Kazakhstan's progress and strengthen the values of constructive development in society. In shaping a new public ethic, reinforcing national identity, and promoting humanistic ideals, we consistently turn to Abai's works. The great poet and philosopher saw the nation's future in the pursuit of knowledge, diligence, and responsibility, and prophetically called for unity and harmony," the head of state said.
Tokayev also described The Book of Words as a source of the values underpinning modern Kazakhstan. According to him, the ideas of Adal Azamat ("Responsible Citizen"), Taza Kazakhstan ("Clean Kazakhstan"), and "Law and Order" form the foundation of the harmonious society that Abai envisioned.
"Today, we are building a Just, Strong, and Progressive Kazakhstan," the president stressed.
Concluding his message, Tokayev wished all Kazakhstanis good health, prosperity, and continued success.
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Kazakhstan Proposes AI Integration into EAEU Systems and Removal of Trade Barriers
Kazakhstan has proposed accelerating the integration of artificial intelligence into the Eurasian Economic Union's (EAEU) information systems and stepping up efforts to eliminate trade barriers between member states. Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov presented the initiatives at a meeting of the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council.
Bektenov noted that while the global economy remains volatile, EAEU member states continue to retain growth potential, making closer economic cooperation increasingly important.
"The free movement of goods is one of the fundamental principles of Eurasian integration. Intra-EAEU trade remains a key driver of economic growth for member states. Last year, trade within the EAEU totalled $95 billion, down 3.5% year-on-year. At the same time, growth is expected to recover this year, with intra-union trade projected to increase by 7.3% to $102 billion," Bektenov said.
The prime minister welcomed the signing of the EAEU Agreement on Electronic Trade in Goods and called on the Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC) to promptly prepare the necessary implementing regulations to ensure its effective implementation.
Bektenov also placed particular emphasis on digitalisation, proposing broader use of artificial intelligence technologies for trade analysis, forecasting, optimisation of cargo flows and transport routes.
At the same time, he said the implementation of common information processes across the EAEU is progressing too slowly. Of the 79 common information processes included in the programme, 50 have been launched, while only 23 have been fully implemented by all member states.
"I propose that the Commission, together with the member states, accelerate the rollout of common information processes and examine the introduction of artificial intelligence technologies within the EAEU's integrated information system," Bektenov said.
The head of government also raised the issue of market access for Kazakh food products within the union. He said exports of livestock products, crop products and processed food reached nearly $7 billion in 2025, while exports totalled $3.6 billion in the first five months of 2026.
According to Bektenov, businesses have reported difficulties exporting poultry meat and high-fat dairy products to partner countries. He therefore proposed establishing permanent monitoring of market access conditions for food products across EAEU member states and ensuring the prompt removal of unjustified restrictions.
"One of the key priorities in the development of Eurasian economic integration is the creation of a common financial market that ensures the free movement of capital. An important step towards this goal will be the adoption of an agreement allowing brokers and dealers from one member state to participate in organised trading on the exchanges of other EAEU member states," the Kazakh prime minister said.
Bektenov also recalled that digitalisation and artificial intelligence have been identified as strategic development priorities in Kazakhstan. The country is implementing its Digital Kazakhstan strategy through 2029, with one of its flagship projects being the creation of a data centre valley in Ekibastuz. The first 125 MW of computing capacity is scheduled to be commissioned in June next year.
Concluding his remarks, the prime minister reaffirmed Kazakhstan's commitment to advancing economic integration and enhancing the effectiveness of the EAEU during the country's chairmanship of the union.
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Expanded Session of the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council Underway in Kyrgyzstan
An expanded session of the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council has begun in Cholpon-Ata, an agency correspondent reports.
The council held its meeting in a narrow format on the previous day.
"During Kazakhstan's chairmanship of the Eurasian Economic Union, we have consistently advocated the development of artificial intelligence, the establishment of logistics hubs, the digitalisation of industry and the agro-industrial sector, the promotion of barrier-free trade, and the development of a global dialogue with external partners. These priorities were outlined by President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev in his address to the heads of the EAEU member states. I am confident that the agreements reached at today's meeting will make a significant contribution to achieving these objectives and to further strengthening mutually beneficial cooperation within the Eurasian Economic Union," Kazakhstan's Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov said.
During the narrow-format meeting, participants discussed food security in the EAEU member states and the further development of trade and economic cooperation with the union's key trading partners. They also exchanged views on creating favourable conditions for EAEU goods to enter new markets.
Bektenov noted that the new financial support mechanism for the agro-industrial sector, signed by the heads of state at the meeting of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council in Astana in May this year, will not only help maintain positive growth in agricultural production but also promote mutual trade and encourage joint cooperative projects.
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620 Inmates Released from Kazakh Prisons Under Amnesty
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Kazakhstan's Ministry of Internal Affairs has provided an update on the implementation of the amnesty law adopted in connection with the country's new Constitution.
"The courts have reviewed more than 1,000 applications. As a result, 620 people have been released from correctional institutions, and administrative supervision has been imposed following their release," the ministry said.
The ministry also reported that a further 724 individuals under probation supervision have been released from serving the remainder of their sentences, while prison terms have been reduced for more than 730 convicted offenders.
In total, more than 10,000 applications for the application of the amnesty have been submitted to the courts. Of these, nearly 4,400 were prepared by the penitentiary system, while more than 6,900 were submitted by the probation service.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs stressed that the amnesty is not granted automatically. Each case is considered individually by the courts following a legal assessment of the convicted person's circumstances.
Earlier, authorities reported that nearly 682,000 Kazakh citizens had been relieved of administrative penalties under the country's first-ever administrative amnesty.
On 1 July, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signed the amnesty law marking the adoption of Kazakhstan's new Constitution.
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Kazakh Prosecutors Develop AI Assistant for Criminal Case Analysis
Kazakhstan's prosecutors have developed the country's first artificial intelligence-powered tools for analysing criminal cases and crime statistics. The projects were presented to Prosecutor General Berik Asylov and global AI expert Kai-Fu Lee, the Prosecutor General's Office said.
According to the agency, more than 20 prosecutors completed training in developing AI solutions without programming skills and unveiled two pilot projects.
The first is an AI-powered investigator's assistant that analyses criminal case files, identifies links between suspects and other participants, and generates visual investigation schemes. The second is a big data AI analytics tool capable of processing a full year's worth of crime statistics in just 15 minutes and producing interactive analytical reports.
Following the meeting, the parties agreed to continue training prosecutors in AI development and to expand the use of artificial intelligence within the prosecution service.
Prosecutor General Berik Asylov said that, in the future, such technologies would help not only investigate crimes but also prevent them.
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Kazakhstan to Launch Racing Boat Production and Formula-1 H2O Pilot Academy
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Kazakhstan's Almaty Region plans to establish a sports racing boat manufacturing plant, open a Formula-1 H2O pilot academy, and form a national team to compete in the Formula-1 H2O World Championship, according to the regional administration's press service.
Over the next five years, the international Formula-1 H2O World Championship will be held at the Kapshagay Reservoir. In addition to hosting the races, the project предусматривает the development of sports infrastructure in the region.
Almaty Region Governor Marat Sultangaziyev discussed preparations for the tournament with the championship's organisers.
"Hosting international competitions of the Formula-1 H2O level will further strengthen our country's standing on the global stage. The regional administration will provide comprehensive support for this initiative," he said.
Raimondo di San Germano, a representative of H2O Racing, said Kazakhstan plans to establish an academy for training powerboat racers and build a factory to manufacture racing boats.
"We want the Formula-1 H2O World Championship to expand across Central Asia. That is why we decided to bring the world's premier powerboat racing series to Konaev. During this year's event at Issyk-Kul, we officially announced that the 2027 World Championship will be held in Kazakhstan. Going forward, we will open a pilot academy to train professional powerboat racers. We also intend to develop the national federation for this sport in Kazakhstan and across Central Asia. All of these projects will be based in the city of Konaev," di San Germano said.
According to him, Kazakhstan has every opportunity to assemble a national team capable of competing at the world championship within the next 12 months.
The Formula-1 H2O World Championship will be held in Kazakhstan in 2027. Organisers expect the races at the Kapshagay Reservoir to be broadcast to nearly one billion viewers worldwide, helping showcase Kazakhstan's tourism potential.
This year's Formula-1 H2O round was held on the shores of Lake Issyk-Kul in Kyrgyzstan, where the races were attended in person by the presidents of six countries.
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