Kazakhstan Sends Nearly 319 Tonnes of Humanitarian Aid and Medical Team to Afghanistan
Kazakhstan has delivered 318.8 tonnes of humanitarian aid and dispatched a team of doctors to Afghanistan. A Kazakh delegation arrived in Kabul on a humanitarian and business mission, the Kazakh government’s press service said.
The aid shipment included 1.867 tonnes of medicines and medical supplies, 300 tonnes of sugar, 100 summer tents, bedding and other essential goods.
The bulk of the cargo - eight railway wagons - was delivered to Hairatan station in Afghanistan’s Balkh Province. Part of the medical supplies arrived by air together with the delegation.
The delegation also included paediatricians, gastroenterologists, surgeons, trauma specialists and doctors from other medical fields.
According to the United Nations, around 30 million of Afghanistan’s 45 million residents currently require humanitarian assistance. More than 1.3 million children under the age of five need treatment for malnutrition.
Kazakhstan remains the largest provider of humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan among Central Asian countries. Over the past five years, the republic has supplied tens of thousands of tonnes of food, medicines, medical equipment, tents and other essential goods to the country.
Kazakhstan’s first humanitarian medical mission to Afghanistan took place in November 2025. During the ten-day mission, 13 Kazakh doctors performed 44 operations and provided medical assistance to more than 100 patients.
On 17 June, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev ratified a memorandum of understanding between the Government of Kazakhstan and the United Nations on the establishment of a UN Regional Centre for Sustainable Development Goals for Central Asia and Afghanistan.
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Kazakhstan Considers Pension System Reform
Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Labour and Social Protection is considering several options for modernising the country’s pension system, including the introduction of a social pension benefit, the redistribution of employers’ pension contributions, and the possibility of taking a 40-year employment record into account when determining retirement eligibility.
According to the ministry, one of the proposals put forward by the State Social Insurance Fund is the introduction of a social pension payment scheme. Under the proposal, the size of the benefit would depend on an individual’s average monthly income relative to the median wage, as well as their length of employment. The developers believe such a model would reduce the risks associated with a purely funded pension system and make future pension payments more predictable.
The Unified Accumulative Pension Fund has proposed a model under which 4% of mandatory employer pension contributions would be directed to an individual retirement account, while 1% would be allocated to a solidarity-based insurance component. The initiative is intended to provide lifelong financial support to pensioners regardless of life expectancy.
In addition, discussions are underway regarding a proposal by Senate deputy Amangeldy Nugmanov to establish a mandatory 40-year employment record as one of the conditions for retirement. For public-sector employees who have exceeded this threshold, the proposal would allow them to decide independently when to retire.
The discussions involve a number of prominent Kazakh experts, including Alikhan Baimenov, Bolat Zhamishev, Oraz Jandosov and Yelena Bakhmutova.
The Ministry of Labour stressed that all proposals remain at the discussion stage and are advisory in nature. Final decisions will be made only after assessing their financial sustainability, social effectiveness and potential impact on citizens.
The ministry also noted that since the beginning of 2026, both basic and solidarity pensions have been increased by 10%, while the maximum basic pension has risen to 118% of the subsistence minimum. This figure is expected to reach 120% by 2027.
In addition, Kazakhstan continues the gradual increase of mandatory employer pension contribution rates, which are scheduled to reach 5% by 2028.
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Tokayev Issues Instructions to Regional Governors on Development Priorities
Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev held telephone conversations with the governors of the Atyrau, Zhambyl, Mangystau and Ulytau regions, instructing them to accelerate the construction of social infrastructure, strengthen regional economic potential and intensify engagement with local communities, the Akorda press service said.
The governors briefed the president on key socio-economic indicators in their regions and outlined plans for the coming period.
Tokayev told Serik Shapkenov, Yerbol Karashukeyev, Nurdaulet Kilybay and Dastan Ryspekov that regional development requires new approaches. He instructed them to take concrete measures aimed at strengthening the economic potential of their respective regions and addressing social issues affecting citizens.
The president ordered the acceleration of construction projects involving social infrastructure for children and young people, including children's rehabilitation centres, outpatient clinics and hospitals. He also stressed the importance of continuing large-scale efforts under the Taza Kazakhstan environmental campaign.
In addition, the governors were instructed to maintain constant contact with residents and respond promptly to emerging issues. Regional leaders were told to pay particular attention to environmental conditions, as well as efforts to combat crime and deliberate violations of the law.
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Kazakhstan's Judicial System Plays a Crucial Role in National Progress, Tokayev Says
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Kazakhstan's judicial system plays a crucial role in the progress and prosperity of any civilized nation, President of Kazakhstan Kasym-Jomart Tokayev said during a meeting with chief justices of the supreme courts of member states of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS), according to the presidential press service Akorda.
Therefore, strengthening ties between our supreme courts fully serves the common interests of our brotherly nations," Tokayev said.
The president emphasized that many countries today are pursuing dynamic development in an effort to meet the challenges of the modern era and keep pace with rapid global technological change.
We need to join forces and work together in this direction. At tomorrow’s conference in Turkistan, participants will comprehensively discuss the digitalization of the judicial sector, the protection of investors’ rights, and other important issues. It can be said that such an agenda is both timely and highly relevant," the head of state stated.
Tokayev said that the exchange of views on these matters would provide significant momentum for the development of the Organization of Turkic States and help strengthen its international standing.
As is well known, Kazakhstan supports all constructive initiatives within the OTS and will continue to do so in the future," he added.
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Astana Medical University to Be Granted National Status
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Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has endorsed an initiative to name specialised medical universities after prominent figures in the field of medicine, according to the presidential press service.
One of the recognised institutions of Kazakhstan’s higher education system is Astana Medical University, which has been successfully developing digital healthcare and biomedicine. Given the university’s evident achievements, the government believes it deserves the highest designation - National University status. I support this proposal," Tokayev said.
The president also approved the proposal to name the capital’s medical university after the distinguished scientist and founder of Kazakhstan’s school of nutrition science and preventive medicine, Toregeldy Sharmanov, who was awarded the country’s highest honour, the title of Qazaqstannyn Enbek Eri (Hero of Labour of Kazakhstan).
Tokayev further backed the initiative of the government and the medical community to name the Karaganda Medical University after its founder and long-serving rector, Pyotr Moiseyevich Pospelov.
On the eve of the 125th anniversary of this legendary founder of the renowned Karaganda medical school, such a decision would represent an act of genuine historical justice," the president said.
Earlier, Tokayev congratulated healthcare workers on their professional holiday.
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Tokayev Congratulates Healthcare Workers on Their Professional Holiday
A ceremonial event dedicated to Medical Workers’ Day was held at the Akorda presidential residence, according to the presidential press service.
Doctors play a special role in the life of society. Undoubtedly, the work of every healthcare professional who is devotedly serving people deserves public recognition. Our nation holds you in high regard as representatives of one of the most respected professions. Ultimately, healthcare workers make an immeasurable contribution to protecting the health of citizens, which is the greatest asset of our country. As Head of State, I express my sincere gratitude to all specialists who work tirelessly in this field," President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said.
Tokayev also stressed that healthcare issues have been given special attention in the updated Constitution. According to him, the health of the nation has, for the first time, been enshrined as a priority at such a high level, reflecting the importance of safeguarding the lives and well-being of citizens.
During the ceremony, the president thanked healthcare workers for their active civic engagement and participation in socially significant initiatives, noting their contribution to the country’s development and to strengthening social unity.
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Unified QR Code System to Launch in Kazakhstan in July
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A unified cashless payment system will be launched in Kazakhstan in July, Chairman of the National Bank of Kazakhstan Timur Suleimenov announced during a Senate session, the agency's correspondent reported.
On July 19 this year, a unified interbank QR payment system will be launched. With the support of Parliament, a legal framework was established on May 1 to create a new sector of the economy - the digital assets industry. A modern, transparent and institutional environment has been formed," Suleimenov said.
According to him, more than 30 innovative projects in the field of digital financial assets have already been launched through the National Bank’s regulatory sandbox.
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Tokayev Signs Law on Establishment of UN Regional Centre in Kazakhstan
Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has signed a law ratifying the agreement between the Government of Kazakhstan and the United Nations on the establishment of the UN Regional Centre for Sustainable Development Goals for Central Asia and Afghanistan in Kazakhstan, the presidential press service Akorda reported.
The head of state also ratified a Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of Kazakhstan and the United Nations regarding the UN Regional Centre for Sustainable Development Goals for Central Asia and Afghanistan.
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