Government reviewed preparations for the 25th Winter Olympic Games in 2026
Images | olympic.kz
At the Government meeting chaired by Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov, the progress of preparations of the country’s national teams for the 25th Winter Olympic Games in 2026 was reviewed. A report on the work being carried out was delivered by Minister of Tourism and Sports Yerbol Myrzabosynov. Presentations were also made by Secretary General of the Union of Biathletes of Kazakhstan Manas Usenov and Vice President of the Kazakhstan Figure Skating Union Murakerim Burkhan, primeminister.kz reports.
The Prime Minister emphasized the important role of the Olympic Games in strengthening the country’s international image. Kazakhstani athletes compete on the world’s major sporting stages, representing not only themselves and their coaches, but the entire republic.
The Head of State consistently emphasizes the priority of mass and professional sports. Therefore, Kazakhstan is implementing comprehensive measures to develop sports and create conditions for high-quality athlete training. From 2023 to 2025, more than 360 billion tenge has been allocated from the budget for these purposes. For the development of winter sports, our country has the necessary basic infrastructure and favorable climatic conditions," Olzhas Bektenov noted.
In addition, the key role of specialized sports federations in the development of sports and comprehensive athlete training was highlighted. It is at this level that national teams, coaching staffs, and the sports reserve are formed, as well as long-term development strategies for specific sports disciplines.
A significant result of developing the sports reserve was the successful performance of Kazakhstani athletes at the 2024 Youth Olympic Games held in Gangwon.
This success must be strengthened and multiplied at the upcoming Winter Olympic Games in Italy. We are confident that the determination, discipline, and team unity of our athletes will ensure a достойное performance. We wish them fair competition, confidence in their abilities, and high results. President of the National Olympic Committee Gennady Golovkin, by his personal example, motivates our athletes to demonstrate confidence in their abilities and a focus on achieving maximum results. The entire country is proud of and supports each of our athletes," the Prime Minister emphasized.
Olzhas Bektenov noted that very little time remains before the main sporting event. In this regard, all preparatory measures must be completed in full.
Following the Government meeting, the Prime Minister issued a number of instructions to the relevant ministries.
The Ministry of Tourism and Sports, together with the National Olympic Committee, was instructed to ensure the full readiness of the national team.
Issues related to final team rosters, logistics, equipment, medical support, and organizational assistance must be resolved as soon as possible, without bureaucratic delays," Olzhas Bektenov stressed.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs was instructed to provide comprehensive assistance through diplomatic channels.
Emphasis was placed on the efficiency of budget fund utilization.
Support for promising athletes must be targeted and transparent. The heads of the ministry, federations, and subordinate organizations bear personal responsibility for this. Work should also continue on attracting non-budgetary funds for the development of professional sports," the Prime Minister noted.
The Ministry of Tourism and Sports, together with the National Paralympic Committee, was instructed to strengthen preparations for the Winter Paralympic Games.
The participation of Paralympians in major international competitions is of great importance for fostering strength of spirit, resilience, and promoting the values of an inclusive society," Olzhas Bektenov emphasized.
The Ministry of Tourism and Sports, together with the Ministry of Culture and Information, was instructed to ensure proper information support, as well as television broadcasting of the participation of Kazakhstani athletes in the Olympic Games.
Following the Games, a detailed analysis of the results must be presented, with an objective assessment of achievements and specific proposals for the further development of Olympic sports.
Overall control and coordination were assigned to Deputy Prime Minister - Minister of Culture and Information Aida Balayeva.
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Tokayev chairs Security Council meeting on energy resilience
Images | Akorda
Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on Monday chaired a meeting of the Security Council, focusing on national energy system resilience, Qazinform News Agency cites Akorda.
The meeting saw reports made by energy Minister Yerlan Akkenzhenov, Water Resources and Irrigation Minister Nurzhan Nurzhigitov, and a number of heads of government agencies.
The Kazakh President said that in today's reality, energy security ensures independence and economic resilience, noting that the country’s existing resources are generally enough for self-sufficiency in electricity. He also stressed that growing demand requires rational and efficient use of resources.
The meeting also highlighted the need to develop domestic maneuvering capacities. Alongside the development of gas generation and energy storage, hydropower’s potential remains relevant.
The Head of State also pointed to the importance of broad implementation of water conservation technologies across agriculture, industry, and other economic sectors.
Special attention was placed to address scientific-technological and personnel challenges facing the sector. Training of skilled personnel for the development of a scientific research base for hydropower was also highlighted.
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Kazakhstan’s capital prepares for autonomous taxi rollout
Images | Depositphotos
A memorandum of cooperation on the development of an autonomous taxi service has been signed in Astana, Qazinform News Agency learned from the Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development.
The memorandum was signed with the participation of the Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development, the Ministry of Transport, Astana Mayor’s Office, and Yandex Qazaqstan. The parties agreed to jointly work on and, in the future, launch a driverless taxi service in the capital.
The memorandum provides for a stage-by-stage preparation of the driverless taxi project - from regulatory and technological development to pilot launches. The project implementation is scheduled for 2026 and will be carried out in close cooperation with government agencies and city services," the ministry says.
Driverless taxis are viewed as part of a long-term development of urban mobility. According to international studies, autonomous technologies can reduce accidents by minimizing the human factor, optimize traffic flow, and improve transport accessibility for various groups of the population, including people with limited mobility. In addition, such services may become an important element of a sustainable transport system in major cities.
Chairman of the Digital Assets and Breakthrough Technologies Committee, Gizzat Baiturssynov, emphasized the importance of advancing the issues of safety, responsibility, human-algorithm interaction, as well as developing a regulatory framework.
“Driverless taxis are part of a broader ‘smart city’ ecosystem, where technologies serve the interests of people,” he said.
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Kazakhstan to launch first Soyuz-5/Sunkar from Baiterek in Q1 2026
Images | roscosmos.ru
The first launch of the Soyuz5/Sunkar rocket from the Baiterek launch complex is expected in the first quarter of 2026, Qazinform News Agency reports, citing Deputy Prime Minister - Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development, Zhaslan Madiyev.
This is our own Kazakh launch complex, designed to deploy launch vehicles in the medium-to-heavy class segment. Preparations are currently in an active phase, and the rocket is now on the territory of Kazakhstan. We expect the first test launch to take place in the first quarter of next year," the minister said.
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President signs law boosting investment in hydrocarbons and uranium
Images | kazatomprom.kz
President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has signed the Law introducing amendments to the Subsoil and Subsoil Use Code, enhancing hydrocarbon and uranium extraction regulation, Qazinform News Agency cites Akorda.
Firstly, the amendments formally define the status of poorly explored territories-areas where regional geological studies have not been conducted or where no promising sedimentary basins have previously been identified.
Secondly, to bolster investor confidence, the law introduces a provision that allows any company conducting geological research at its own expense to receive exclusive and guaranteed priority for subsequent exploration and extraction licenses.
The third direction concerns improving the efficiency of using reserve subsoil plots. Currently, 53 hydrocarbon sites are assigned to national companies, but active operations are underway on only about 20% of them. In the meantime, others languish for years, remaining undeveloped. The new law limits reservation periods and requires unused plots to be put up for electronic auctions, increasing competition, accelerating geological exploration, and attracting new market participants.
The fourth major provision is related to the uranium sector. In light of growing global interest in nuclear energy, the national company is granted priority rights to explore and develop new uranium deposits. The measure is intended to help maintain Kazakhstan’s energy balance and strengthen its position in the global nuclear energy market.
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