Kazakhstan Seeks to Strengthen Position in Critical Minerals Market, PM Bektenov Says
Critical materials are becoming a key resource of the new industrial era, and Kazakhstan intends to strengthen its position in the global critical minerals market by leveraging the country's substantial mineral resource base, Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov said at the 16th Astana Mining & Metallurgy Congress 2026.
Possession of advanced technologies, processing capabilities, and participation in global value chains are gaining particular importance. The market for critical minerals represents a distinct and strategically important segment. Today, these materials already form the foundation for the production of batteries, semiconductors, energy storage systems, digital infrastructure, and many other advanced technologies. In effect, critical minerals are becoming one of the key resources of the new industrial era," Bektenov said.
The prime minister noted that Kazakhstan possesses significant mineral and raw material potential and is well positioned to play an important role in these global processes.
Our country is among the world leaders in reserves of a number of mineral resources, while products from Kazakhstan’s mining and metallurgical sector are in demand across major international markets. We view the development of this industry as one of the strategic priorities of the country’s new industrial policy," Bektenov stressed.
He added that the mining and metallurgical sector is becoming one of the key determinants of countries’ global competitiveness.
The world is entering a new industrial era in which the development of the energy sector, the digital economy, artificial intelligence, electric vehicles, microelectronics, and the aerospace industry depends directly on reliable access to metals and mineral resources," Bektenov said.
According to assessments by international experts, global demand for many types of metals is expected to grow steadily over the coming decades, driven by the energy transition and the technological transformation of the global economy.
This information may not be reproduced without reference to Kazakhstan Today. Copyright of materials of News Agency Kazakhstan Today.
relevant news
阿拉木图将设立亚太数字解决方案中心
据哈萨克斯坦总统府新闻局（Akorda）消息，哈萨克斯坦总统卡瑟姆若马尔特·托卡耶夫在世界人工智能大会（WAIC）上表示，联合国亚洲及太平洋经济社会委员会（ESCAP）可持续发展亚太数字解决方案中心将落户阿拉木图。
托卡耶夫表示："作为世界人工智能合作组织的创始成员之一，哈萨克斯坦高度评价中国在创建这一重要平台过程中发挥的引领作用。我们坚信，这一新成立的全球性组织拥有巨大潜力，有望成为引领全球人工智能未来发展的重要国际机构。哈萨克斯坦十分荣幸能够在阿斯塔纳举办世界人工智能合作组织成立后的首次会议。我们还建议将该组织中亚地区代表处设在哈萨克斯坦。"
托卡耶夫认为，哈萨克斯坦具备成为技术互联互通、数字贸易和国际合作重要枢纽的所有条件。
他说："丰富的能源资源、多种关键矿产资源储量、现代化交通运输走廊以及快速发展的数字基础设施，为连接市场、技术和创新生态系统创造了新的机遇。数字化转型是哈萨克斯坦国家发展战略的重要方向之一。"
此前，托卡耶夫曾提议建立"哈中数字桥梁"，以促进两国数字贸易发展和数字经济融合。
Almaty to Host UN Asia-Pacific Centre for Digital Solutions
A UN Asia-Pacific Digital Solutions Centre for Sustainable Development will be established in Almaty under the auspices of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev announced during the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC), according to the presidential press service, Akorda.
Kazakhstan, as one of the founding members of the World Organization for Artificial Intelligence Cooperation, highly appreciates China's leading role in establishing this important platform. We firmly believe that this newly created global organisation has enormous potential to become the leading international institution shaping the future of global AI. It would be an honour for Kazakhstan to host the inaugural meeting of the World Organization for Artificial Intelligence Cooperation in Astana. We also propose establishing the Organisation's Regional Office for Central Asia in Kazakhstan," Tokayev said.
According to the president, Kazakhstan has all the prerequisites to become a dynamic hub for technological connectivity, digital trade and international cooperation.
Our energy resources, deposits of critical minerals, modern transport corridors and rapidly developing digital infrastructure create new opportunities to connect markets, technologies and innovation ecosystems. Digital transformation is one of the central pillars of our national development strategy," Tokayev said.
Earlier, Tokayev proposed establishing a Kazakhstan-China Digital Bridge to promote digital trade and integrate the two countries' digital economies.
This information may not be reproduced without reference to Kazakhstan Today. Copyright of materials of News Agency Kazakhstan Today.
AI Development Must Serve Peace, Not Military Competition, Tokayev Says
Images | Akorda
Artificial intelligence development must be guided by the principles of peace and sustainable development rather than confrontation or military competition, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said while addressing the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC), according to the Akorda press service.
I call on all participating states and stakeholders to establish a permanent expert platform on the regulation, standards and ethics of artificial intelligence. Ultimately, the future of AI will be determined by people. That is why competition for talent in this field will only intensify," the head of state said.
In his view, it is essential to equip the younger generation with digital skills, as well as the ability to think critically, remain intellectually curious, and uphold a strong sense of ethical responsibility.
In this regard, Kazakhstan proposes establishing an international network of schools, centres of excellence and academic partnerships under the auspices of the World Organization for AI Cooperation," Tokayev said.
In conclusion, the president stressed that Kazakhstan is ready to work closely with all partners to harness the potential of artificial intelligence in the interests of long-term peace, sustainable development and shared prosperity.
Earlier, Tokayev said that artificial intelligence is evolving into a fully-fledged industry with its own comprehensive infrastructure.
This information may not be reproduced without reference to Kazakhstan Today. Copyright of materials of News Agency Kazakhstan Today.
Diplomacy and Peacebuilding: Tokayev Says AI Is Becoming a Fully-Fledged Industry
Artificial intelligence is evolving into a fully-fledged industry with its own infrastructure and is set to play a decisive role in the future of the global economy, trade and connectivity, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said at the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC), according to the presidential press service, Akorda.
According to the United Nations, investment in AI infrastructure and related technologies has grown by an average of 47% annually. By 2033, the global AI market is expected to reach nearly $5 trillion. It is therefore evident that AI governance must be comprehensive, covering the entire value chain - from semiconductors and data centres to ethics, education and the protection of human dignity," Tokayev said.
At the same time, he noted that this technological transformation is taking place amid growing geopolitical fragmentation, uncertainty and a lack of trust between major world powers.
Unfortunately, the overwhelming majority of countries devote far more effort to dealing with the consequences of conflicts than to preventing them. Artificial intelligence gives us a historic opportunity to change this irrational logic by advancing early warning systems, preventive diplomacy, humanitarian response and peacebuilding," the president said.
Tokayev also stressed that artificial intelligence has the potential to become a driving force for a more equitable and inclusive model of development.
No country should remain merely a consumer of AI. Every nation must have the opportunity to build its own human capital, digital infrastructure and institutional capacity. Once again, this is a matter of fairness and equity. Our shared task is to ensure that artificial intelligence serves the interests of both the economy and society," he said.
At the same time, the president stressed that AI must remain under responsible and prudent human oversight.
That is why Kazakhstan believes the decision to establish a World Organization for Artificial Intelligence Cooperation is of historic significance. I am confident that this organisation can become the foundation of a universal global architecture for AI governance. It should serve as an instrument of mutually beneficial cooperation for the prosperity and security of all humanity," Tokayev said.
This information may not be reproduced without reference to Kazakhstan Today. Copyright of materials of News Agency Kazakhstan Today.
Temirtau Mayor Announces Resignation
Images | Insragram/galym__ashimov
Temirtau Akim (Mayor) Galym Ashimov has announced that he is stepping down from his post. He made the announcement in a message published on his Instagram page.
Today I conclude my tenure as Akim of the city of Temirtau. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to every resident of Temirtau for your care, active civic engagement and open dialogue, which helped us identify real challenges and work together to find solutions. It has been a great honour for me to serve the city of Temirtau and its people," Ashimov wrote.
Earlier on Friday, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev dismissed the akims (governors) of the Atyrau and Ulytau regions.
Bolat Akchulakov was subsequently appointed Akim of the Atyrau Region.
This information may not be reproduced without reference to Kazakhstan Today. Copyright of materials of News Agency Kazakhstan Today.
Kazakhstan Proposes New Air Travel Rules
Images | Depositphotos
Kazakhstan's Ministry of Transport has drafted amendments to the country's air transport regulations. The proposed changes introduce new rules for the carriage of musical instruments and animals, additional protections for passengers with disabilities, and stricter liability for airlines, the ministry's press service said.
Under the draft regulations, passengers would be allowed to carry musical instruments, including the dombra and kobyz, in the aircraft cabin either as hand luggage, on a separate passenger seat, or as checked baggage. If transported in the cabin, the instrument must be placed in a secure protective case and must not exceed 110 × 35 × 30 cm in size or 10 kilograms in weight.
The amendments also propose formally allowing animals to travel in the cabin in accordance with individual airline policies and introducing legally established air travel benefits for passengers with disabilities.
Another proposed measure concerns situations in which an airline replaces an aircraft with one that has fewer seats. In such cases, boarding priority would be given to minors, passengers with disabilities, people with serious medical conditions, pregnant women, and pensioners.
In addition, the Ministry of Transport proposes requiring airlines to pay compensation for delays in passenger transportation no later than 10 calendar days after a passenger submits a claim. The draft amendments would also introduce airline liability for damage to unchecked baggage where the carrier's fault has been established.
The draft regulations have been published on Kazakhstan's Open NPAs public consultation portal and are now open for public discussion.
This information may not be reproduced without reference to Kazakhstan Today. Copyright of materials of News Agency Kazakhstan Today.
Ulytau Region Governor Dastan Ryspekov Dismissed
Images | gov.kz
Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has signed a decree dismissing Dastan Ryspekov from his post as Akim (Governor) of the Ulytau Region, the presidential press service, Akorda, said.
Dastan Ryspekov was born on 23 June 1984. He graduated from Al-Farabi Kazakh National University with a degree in State and Local Administration, from the Almaty Law Academy of Kazakh Humanities and Law University (KazGUU) with a degree in Law, and later earned a Master's degree in Public Administration from the Academy of Public Administration under the President of Kazakhstan.
Ryspekov began his career in 2006 at the Almaty Department of Economy and Budget Planning. He subsequently held a number of senior positions in the fields of economic policy, budget planning and state audit. He also served as Chief Accountant of NC EXPO-2017 JSC, headed the Pavlodar Region Department of Entrepreneurship, Trade and Tourism, and later chaired the Tourism Industry Committee at Kazakhstan's Ministry of Culture and Sports.
Between 2023 and 2024, he served as Deputy Akim of the Ulytau Region, before being appointed State Inspector of the Presidential Administration of Kazakhstan.
Ryspekov had served as Akim of the Ulytau Region since 9 October 2024.
This information may not be reproduced without reference to Kazakhstan Today. Copyright of materials of News Agency Kazakhstan Today.
Bolat Akchulakov Appointed Governor of Kazakhstan's Atyrau Region
Images | gov.kz
Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has appointed Bolat Akchulakov as Akim (Governor) of the Atyrau Region, according to the presidential press service, Akorda.
He succeeds Serik Shapkenov, who previously held the post.
Bolat Akchulakov was born on 9 April 1971 in Guryev (now Atyrau). He is a Kazakh statesman and oil and gas industry expert who has served as Chairman of the KAZENERGY Association since February 2025.
He graduated from the Kazakh State Academy of Management in 1993 with a degree in economics. He also completed professional training programmes in Subsoil Use Contract Evaluation and Petroleum Production Economics.
Akchulakov began his career in the banking sector before joining Kazakhoil, KazMunayGas, Samruk-Kazyna, and PSA. During his public service career, he held the posts of Vice Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, Vice Minister of Oil and Gas, and Vice Minister of Energy.
In January 2022, he was appointed Minister of Energy of Kazakhstan, a position he held until April 2023. He subsequently served as an adviser to the President of Kazakhstan.
Since February 2025, Akchulakov has headed the KAZENERGY Association, Kazakhstan's association of oil, gas and energy sector organisations.
This information may not be reproduced without reference to Kazakhstan Today. Copyright of materials of News Agency Kazakhstan Today.