Kazakhstan’s First Nuclear Power Plant to Be Named "Balkhash"
Images | Pixabay
Kazakhstan has selected the name of Balkhash for its first nuclear plant following a nationwide competition, Qazinform News Agency reports.
According to the Kazakh Nuclear Energy Agency, the competition was initiated by Head of State Kassym-Jomart Tokayev as of August 11, 2025, and took place from September 25 to October 10 on the eGov Mobile platform.
The Competition Commission announced at its final meeting on Monday the name of Balkhash Nuclear Power Plant was chosen following 882 proposals from citizens. The Agency specified that the name chosed in line with international practice of naming nuclear power plants based on their geographical location.
A total of 27,157 citizens aged over 16 took part in the competition, with each suggesting one name.
This information may not be reproduced without reference to Kazakhstan Today. Copyright of materials of News Agency Kazakhstan Today.
relevant news
Kazakhstan ratifies readmission agreement with Austria
Images | Akorda
President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signed the Law ratifying the Agreement on the Readmission and Transit of Persons with Illegal Stay between the Governments of Kazakhstan and Austria, Qazinform News Agency has learned from the Akorda press service.
The document seeks to establish a legal framework for effective cooperation between Kazakhstan and Austria in combating illegal migration, as well as introduce fast and orderly procedures for identifying and safely returning individuals who do not meet, or no longer meet, the conditions for entry and stay in the territories of the two countries.
The agreement provides for a system of legal, administrative, and procedural measures aimed at implementing mechanisms for the readmission and transit of persons with illegal stay. It also outlines procedures for dispute resolution, its entry into force, duration, and conditions for termination.
Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs and Austria’s Federal Office for Immigration and Asylum have been designated as competent authorities responsible for implementing the document.
This information may not be reproduced without reference to Kazakhstan Today. Copyright of materials of News Agency Kazakhstan Today.
Tokayev signs decree giving effect to new Constitution
Images | Akorda
President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on Tuesday signed a decree on measures to implement the Constitution of the Republic of Kazakhstan adopted during the nationwide referendum on March 15, 2026, Qazinform News Agency cites Akorda.
The Head of State decreed to publish the text of the Constitution adopted on March 15 in Yegemen Kazakhstan and Kazakhstanskaya Pravda newspapers.
Under the decree, the original copy of Kazakhstan’s Constitution adopted on August 30, 1995, will be transferred to the Archive of the Kazakh President. It also establishes that the original copy of the Constitution will be held and preserved by the President.
The Central Referendum Commission is tasked to transfer the text of the Constitution to the Institute of Legislation and Legal Information to ensure its availability in the Reference Control Bank of Regulatory Legal Acts.
The decree provides that under the Kazakh President’s legislative initiative, draft constitutional laws on the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan and on Khalyk Kenesi of Kazakhstan will be submitted for consideration to the Majilis, while the Presidential Administration together with government agencies concerned are instructed to design and submit for the President’s consideration these drafts.
It also defines that under the Kazakh Government’s legislative initiative, draft constitutional laws on the status of the Kazakh capital and on the administrative-territorial structure will be put forward to the Majilis for consideration.
The Government, central, and local authorities are charged with taking necessary measures to align regulatory legal acts with the Constitution. The Government is also tasked to approve a plan for promoting the Constitution before April 7, 2026.
This information may not be reproduced without reference to Kazakhstan Today. Copyright of materials of News Agency Kazakhstan Today.
President: The Constitution can rightfully be called a truly People’s Law
Images | Akorda
Upon completion of the procedure of signing the Constitution of Kazakhstan and the decree "On the measures of implementation of the Constitution of the Republic of Kazakhstan adopted on March 15, 2026", the President addressed the attendees of the ceremony, Qazinform News Agency reports, citing the Akorda press service.
We have adopted the People’s Constitution, deeply realizing our imperative duty to the future generations. The Constitution is a new foundation for a strong, energetic, and competitive Kazakhstan. This document continues the tradition of the Great Steppe laws, demonstrating unbreakable historical ties and continuity of generations," said the President.
The Head of State emphasized that the new Constitution meets the requirements of modern times and at the same time, it continues the centuries-long history of our statehood.
He underscored that the Constitution can rightfully be named a truly People’s Law, since within it "the spirit of patriotism and heroism, traditions inherited from our ancestors, are closely interwined with creativity and innovation."
The Constitution is a steel shield guarding the interests of the state. One of its main goals is to protect territorial integrity, independence and sovereignty of the country, the rights and freedoms of citizens, and to guarantee the strengthening of social justice, and the rule of law. It also creates conditions for the development of education, science, innovation, and culture, while ensuring environmental protection. The Fundamental Law of Kazakhstan is an unshakable symbol of solidarity and indestructible unity of our nation," concluded the President.
This information may not be reproduced without reference to Kazakhstan Today. Copyright of materials of News Agency Kazakhstan Today.
Final results of referendum on new Constitution of Kazakhstan announced
The Central Referendum Commission of Kazakhstan has announced the final results of voting across the country, Qazinform News Agency reports.
According to the Commission, 7,954,667 citizens of Kazakhstan voted in favor of adopting the new Constitution, that is 87.15% of those who cast ballots. A total of 898,099 people voted against.
This information may not be reproduced without reference to Kazakhstan Today. Copyright of materials of News Agency Kazakhstan Today.
President Tokayev inks decree for 2026 military conscription and discharge
Images | gov.kz
President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has signed the Decree "On the discharge from active military service of personnel who have completed their term of service, and the next conscription of citizens of the Republic of Kazakhstan for military service in March-June and September-December 2026," Qazinform News Agency reports, citing the Akorda press office.
In accordance with Subparagraph 11) of Clause 2 of Article 5 of the Law "On defense and the Armed Forces of the Republic of Kazakhstan" and Article 31 of the Law "On military service and the status of military personnel," I HEREBY DECREE:
To discharge and transfer military personnel, who have completed their prescribed term of active service, to the reserve from the Armed Forces, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Ministry of Emergency Response, the National Security Committee, and the State Security Service of the Republic of Kazakhstan in March-June and September-December 2026.
To conscript male citizens between the ages of 18 and 27, who are not entitled to a deferment or exemption, for active military service in the Armed Forces, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Ministry of Emergency Response, the National Security Committee, and the State Security Service of the Republic of Kazakhstan in March-June and September-December 2026.
Local executive bodies are directed to organize and ensure the military conscription process in March-June and September-December 2026 through the respective local military administration offices.
The Government, the National Security Committee, and the State Security Service of the Republic of Kazakhstan are directed to organize the financial and material support for the deployment of citizens conscripted into the Armed Forces, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Ministry of Emergency Response, the National Security Committee, and the State Security Service of the Republic of Kazakhstan, as well as for the discharge of personnel who have completed their required terms of service.
This information may not be reproduced without reference to Kazakhstan Today. Copyright of materials of News Agency Kazakhstan Today.