Government Reviews Measures for the Development of Cross-Border Hubs
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At the Government session chaired by Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov, the issue of developing cross-border hubs was considered. Reports were delivered by Minister of Trade and Integration Arman Shakkaliev, Minister of Transport Nurlan Sauranbayev, Vice Minister of Industry Iran Sharkhan, as well as heads of several regions, primeminister.kz reports.
According to the Ministry of Trade, under the Concept for the Development of Transport and Logistics Potential until 2030, work continues on creating a network of border trade and economic hubs in the Zhetysu, Zhambyl, West Kazakhstan, Mangystau and Turkestan regions. To date, managing companies have been identified, technical documentation is being developed, construction of engineering and production infrastructure is underway, and pools of foreign investors are being formed. Railway and road access has been provided to the territories of the planned hubs.
The Prime Minister emphasized the strategic importance of developing cross-border hubs.
The Head of State has set the task of making Kazakhstan the main transport hub of Central Asia. Therefore, the creation of trade and logistics hubs is a strategically important direction for developing Kazakhstan’s cross-border economic relations. In an environment of growing competition for transit routes and investment, we must rapidly develop land transport infrastructure, industrial cooperation, and trade networks. The full-scale launch of cross-border hubs will significantly shorten cargo transit times, increase throughput capacity, expand production volumes, boost tax revenues, and increase exports. With a systematic approach, these projects will become centers of attraction for capital and new industries," Olzhas Bektenov emphasized.
In this regard, the need to accelerate the pace of work and strengthen coordination among all participants was highlighted. The Ministry of Trade must more effectively coordinate the activities of all interested government bodies and ensure ongoing monitoring of project implementation.
Attention was given to improving the investment attractiveness of the hubs. To achieve this, it is necessary to create comfortable conditions for business: availability of ready engineering infrastructure, establishment of special economic zones, transparent procedures, and timely responses from state bodies and local authorities. It is also important to develop not only logistics, warehousing, and cargo transshipment within the hubs, but also real production facilities that generate jobs.
Another focus was the work with investors. It was emphasized that predictability, speed, and minimizing administrative barriers are critically important to them: the higher the level of service, the faster hub territories will be filled with resident companies and the greater their economic return will be. It is necessary to establish regular dialogue with investors, operators, and manufacturers. Joint projects must be built on a mutually beneficial basis.
Local authorities were instructed to ensure access to basic infrastructure-land plots, engineering networks, and road and railway connections. This is the foundation for the sustainable operation of all hubs. Any arising issues must be resolved promptly.
The Prime Minister issued a number of instructions to responsible state bodies.
- The Ministry of Industry, together with relevant government bodies and local authorities, must develop a concept for establishing a Special Economic Zone for the Industrial Trade and Logistics Complex and the Eurasia Cross-Border Trade Center by December 20 of this year.
- The Ministry of Transport must place special control over the implementation of the container hub construction project at the Port of Aktau and report on results by the end of the 1st quarter of 2026.
- The Ministry of Trade must intensify efforts to identify and attract potential investors for forming and implementing joint projects aimed at developing cross-border hubs.
Oversight and coordination are assigned to Deputy Prime Minister - Minister of National Economy of the Republic of Kazakhstan Serik Zhumangarin.
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Kazakhstan and Algeria Discussed Cooperation in the Field of Digitalization
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Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan to Algeria Anuarbek Akhmetov held talks with the Minister of Knowledge Economy, Start-ups and Microenterprises of the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria Noureddine Ouadah, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan reports.
The parties discussed in detail promising areas of joint activity in the field of digitalization and the knowledge economy, as well as potential projects between public organizations and private companies of two countries.
A. Akhmetov briefed the Algerian minister on the Head of State's initiatives in development of digitalization and artificial intelligence in Kazakhstan, and provided him with the texts of the President's Address to the Nation and his speech at the forum “Digital Bridge 2025”.
N.Ouadah praised our country's success in developing a national digital ecosystem, the effective use of supercomputers, and the widespread implementation of artificial intelligence. He emphasized that political support for the digital vector of economic development at the level of the President of the country is a main factor for success.
The Algerian minister expressed interest in studying and implementing an experience of Kazakhstan as the main digital hub in the Eurasian region on the systemic development of this innovative sector and the formation of promising infrastructure.
During the meeting, the Algerian minister was presented with a draft memorandum of understanding and cooperation prepared by the Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
Overall, the interlocutors outlined a joint action plan, including exchanges of expert delegations, to achieve rapidly mutually beneficial results in this area.
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Kazakhstan submits draft roadmap for nuclear cooperation to IAEA
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A Kazakh delegation led by Deputy Chairman of the Kazakh Nuclear Energy Agency Gumar Sergazin and IAEA Deputy Director General Hua Liu held a meeting at the headquarters of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Vienna, Austria, Qazinform News Agency reports via the Agency.
During the talks, the current state and prospects of cooperation between Kazakhstan and the IAEA were discussed, including plans for engagement within the cycles of the IAEA Technical Cooperation Programmes for 2026/27 and 2028/29. The Kazakhstani side presented a draft roadmap for cooperation, prepared following agreements reached between Almassadam Satkaliyev, Chairman of the Nuclear Energy Agency, and IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi during the 69th IAEA General Conference in September 2025.
The draft roadmap outlines a set of comprehensive priority areas, including the safe development of nuclear power and strengthened regulation, human resource development, scientific and educational infrastructure, expanded use of nuclear medicine, as well as measures in environmental protection, climate change, food safety, veterinary science, and water resources.
Regarding the construction of nuclear power plants and the development of nuclear infrastructure, the Kazakhstani side highlighted the need for continued IAEA support in strengthening the national regulatory authority, as well as in developing and adapting the regulatory and legal framework for the design, construction, and operation of nuclear power plants.
As a result of the meeting, further steps were identified, including the establishment of an IAEA working team to review the draft roadmap and prepare recommendations.
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President of Kazakhstan Delivers Lecture at United Nations University
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President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev visited the United Nations University in Tokyo, where he delivered a lecture titled "Rebuilding Strategic Trust in an Era of Turbulence: Kazakhstan’s Vision for a More Just and Stable World", akorda.kz reports.
I am proud to stand here as the first Head of State from our part of the world to address this distinguished institution. I regard this as a sign of genuine trust in Kazakhstan’s growing international role and as recognition of our continued efforts to advance multilateralism and uphold global stability. The United Nations is of special significance for me, as I had the privilege of serving as Under-Secretary-General and Director-General of its Office at Geneva, as well as Secretary-General at the Conference on Disarmament," - said the President.
The Head of State congratulated the university’s staff on the anniversary marking 50 years since the start of its activities and highlighted the United Nations University’s contribution to developing practical solutions for the benefit of the entire international community.
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev also noted that the principles of Japanese ethics resonate with his own convictions, according to which true strength rests in harmony, wisdom and responsible leadership.
As Prince Shotoku wrote in the 7th century - "harmony is to be valued above all." Today, the same principle remains central to statecraft and international relations, and it is strongly reflected in Kazakhstan’s foreign policy," - noted the President.
The Head of State went on to outline his vision for building a more just and stable world amid escalating crises and the significant weakening of mechanisms of multilateral cooperation.
The number and intensity of armed conflicts worldwide has reached its highest level in decades, while global military spending last year hit a record 2.7 trillion dollars. At the same time, rivalry between major countries is gaining its highest extent of tension that has already made the Security Council of the United Nations unable to tackle any of large-scale international conflicts," - Kassym-Jomart Tokayev stated.
In his view, for international institutions to function effectively, the global community urgently needs to restore mutual trust and predictability.
A renewed culture of strategic trust must therefore anchor international cooperation and collective decision-making. In this spirit, Kazakhstan has been consistently advancing these pillars through initiatives such as the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia and the Congress of the Leaders of World and Traditional Religions. It is clear that no state can meet today’s challenges alone. Only principled and effective collective action can deliver lasting results. In this context, the United Nations must continue to play a central role in the multilateral system as the universal and indispensable organization," - the President of Kazakhstan emphasized.
At the same time, he drew attention to the fact that the United Nations’ capabilities are increasingly constrained by growing geopolitical polarization and declining trust among major powers. He went on to note that, as a result, comprehensive UN reform is no longer a matter of rhetoric, but a shared priority and a strategic necessity.
Any meaningful reform must begin with a renewed commitment to the UN Charter. Its core principles - sovereignty, territorial integrity, and peaceful settlement of disputes must be upheld universally and without exception. Yet, some provisions of the Charter no longer reflect the realities of the 21st century, including those that unfair to Japan and other countries greatly supporting the UN. The world has changed, while the Charter has not kept pace. I believe the time has come for a responsible dialogue on how to ensure that it remains credible and relevant for the future," - Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said.
The Head of State emphasized that Kazakhstan’s standing on the international stage is directly underpinned by the progress achieved at home. In his view, it is responsible domestic policy that forms the foundation of effective diplomacy.
I attach particular importance to developing education and international academic collaboration, especially in areas where global transformation is accelerating. These priorities are fully aligned with the mission of the United Nations University. This year, Kazakhstan became a home for the UN Regional Centre for Sustainable Development Goals for Central Asia and Afghanistan. Building on this foundation, Kazakhstan would be honored to host a regional branch of the United Nations University in Almaty. Its activities could focus primarily on water and climate security, conflict prevention and peacebuilding, sustainable development and AI governance," - Kassym-Jomart Tokayev proposed.
In conclusion, the Head of State stated Kazakhstan’s interest in further strengthening institutional partnership between the United Nations University and leading Kazakh universities in the areas of joint research, academic exchanges and graduate training programs.
The United Nations University is a global research and educational center headquartered in Tokyo, established by the UN General Assembly. It brings together 13 institutes located in 12 countries worldwide.
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Kazakhstan’s Senate approves amendments to subsoil use code
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Following two readings, the Senate approved the Law "On Amendments and Additions to the Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan on Subsoil and Subsoil Use," Qazinform News Agency reports.
The amendments are aimed at further improving the subsoil use system, particularly by attracting investment into subsoil development, enhancing transparency, and advancing the digitalization of subsoil use processes.
Specifically, the amendments provide for:
- granting strategic investors implementing large industrial and innovation projects valued at over 14.5 million MCI a priority right to explore and extract solid minerals;
- increasing the share of domestic content in works and services from 50% to 70% during exploration and extraction of minerals, including uranium;
- introducing mechanisms for conducting electronic auctions to grant subsoil use rights;
- granting subsoil use rights for facilities involving technogenic mineral formations located within populated areas;
- strengthening liability for concealing or deliberately providing false information on subsoil and subsoil use in reporting;
- prohibiting the extraction of rock mass and/or the movement of soil at solid mineral exploration sites without authorization or in violation of permit requirements, and other related provisions.
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Kazakh President signs amendments to administrative justice law
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President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signed amendments to the legislation on administrative justice, lawmaking, and the organization of legal aid, Qazinform News Agency reports, citing Akorda.
The Head of State signed the Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan "On Amendments and Additions to Certain Legislative Acts of the Republic of Kazakhstan on Issues of Administrative Justice, Rulemaking, and the Organization of Legal Assistance."
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President emphasizes energy independence, calls for clean coal technologies
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At least 200 energy facilities will be modernized, and 86,000 kilometers of power grids will be renovated in Kazakhstan by 2030, Qazinform News Agency quotes President Tokayev as saying.
Addressing a ceremonial meeting dedicated to Energy Workers’ Day, the Head of State reminded about the launch of the Tariff in Exchange for Investment program aimed at maintaining the infrastructure in a proper condition.
According to him, over the past three years more than 900 billion tenge in private investment has been attracted solely for the overhaul of enterprises.
The major task is to create a reliable and modern energy infrastructure, he said.
The President reminded that the Government had launched the National Project "Modernization of the Energy and Utilities Sectors," under which at least 200 facilities will be reconstructed and 86,000 kilometers of power grids will be renewed by 2030.
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Tokayev to pay official visit to Japan
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President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev is set to pay an official visit to Japan on 18–20 December, 2025, Qazinform News Agency learned from the Aqorda press office.
During the visit, the Head of State will hold meetings with Emperor Naruhito, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, as well as representatives of Japan’s business community.
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev will also take part in the Central Asia - Japan Summit.
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Head of Domestic Policy Department of Kazakh Presidential Administration named
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Aibek Smadiyarov is appointed the head of Domestic Policy Department of the Kazakh Presidential Administration, Qazinform News Agency cites the Akorda press service.
The Head of Stat decreed to appoint Aibek Smadiyarov as the head of the Domestic Policy Department of the Presidential Administration of Kazakhstan.
On December 9, Aibek Smadiyarov resigned from his post as an official spokesperson at the Kazakh Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
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