Kazakhstan Sets August 16 Accreditation Deadline for Foreign Media Covering Kurultai Elections
Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has reminded representatives of foreign media outlets that the deadline is approaching for applications for accreditation to cover the elections to the Kurultai.
The deadline for applications is August 16, 2026. The elections will be held on August 23.
To obtain accreditation, foreign journalists must submit a letter from their editor-in-chief, a copy of a valid passport, a completed accreditation form, a digital 3×4 cm photograph, and background information about their media outlet.
Applications should be sent by email to accreditation@mfa.kz with the subject line "Kurultai Elections 2026".
The Foreign Ministry also reiterated that foreign journalists may carry out professional activities in Kazakhstan only if they hold permanent or temporary accreditation issued by the ministry.
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Kazakhstan to expand waste recycling and forest restoration
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Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has instructed officials to explore the construction of waste-to-energy plants in Astana, Almaty and Shymkent, according to the Akorda presidential press service.
The president discussed the issue during a meeting with the newly appointed Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources, Alibek Kuantyrov.
The experience gained from building such facilities is expected to be extended to other regions of the country in the future.
Tokayev also tasked the ministry with restoring forests, developing infrastructure in national parks and expanding waste recycling as part of efforts to promote a circular economy.
The president also instructed the ministry to continue implementing the Taza Kazakhstan initiative and work to raise environmental awareness among the public.
Alibek Kuantyrov was appointed Kazakhstan’s Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources on 3 September, replacing Yerlan Nyssanbayev.
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Tokayev outlines priorities for Kazakhstan’s new foreign minister
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Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev received newly appointed Foreign Minister Mukhtar Tleuberdi, the Akorda presidential press service said.
During the meeting, Tokayev instructed the Foreign Ministry to consistently advance Kazakhstan’s national interests, maintain a balanced foreign policy and strengthen economic diplomacy.
The president also emphasised the need to step up multilateral cooperation and improve efforts to protect the rights and interests of Kazakh citizens abroad.
The meeting also covered the schedule of upcoming international events involving the president.
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Kazakh, Lao Foreign Ministries Sign MoU on Political Consultations
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Kazakhstan and Laos have signed a memorandum of understanding between their foreign ministries providing for political consultations, the Akorda presidential press service said.
The signed intergovernmental documents were exchanged in the presence of Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Lao President Thongloun Sisoulith.
The two sides also exchanged a memorandum of understanding between Kazakhstan’s Prosecutor General’s Office and the Office of the Supreme People’s Prosecutor of Laos.
Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development and Laos’ Ministry of Technology and Communications signed a memorandum on cooperation in information and communications technology and e-government services.
Astana and Vientiane also signed a memorandum establishing sister-city relations.
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Kazakhstan Forms New Government
Kazakhstan has formed a new government. Olzhas Bektenov remains prime minister, while four ministries have new leaders, a Kazakhstan Today correspondent reported.
Bektenov was reappointed prime minister on Aug. 31.
The heads of four ministries were replaced in the new Cabinet. Mukhtar Tileuberdi was appointed foreign minister, Alibek Kuantyrov became minister of ecology and natural resources, Arman Kyrykbayev was named minister of culture and information, and Murat Mukhanov was appointed minister of emergency situations.
The heads of all other ministries retained their posts.
Dauren Kosanov will continue to head the Defense Ministry, Yerzhan Sadenov the Interior Ministry, Yerlan Sarsembayev the Justice Ministry and Madi Takiyev the Finance Ministry.
Yerlan Akkenzhenov retained his post as energy minister, Aidarbek Saparov as agriculture minister, Zhuldyz Suleimenova as education minister and Akmaral Alnazarova as health minister.
Sayasat Nurbek was reappointed minister of science and higher education, Nurzhan Nurzhigitov as minister of water resources and irrigation, Yerbol Myrzabossynov as minister of tourism and sports, and Nurlan Sauranbayev as transport minister.
Askarbek Yertayev retained his post as minister of labor and social protection, Yersayin Nagaspayev as minister of industry and construction, and Arman Shakkaliyev as minister of trade and integration.
Nurlуbek Nalibayev was reappointed first deputy prime minister. Galymzhan Koishybayev retained his post as deputy prime minister and chief of staff of the government, while Kanat Bozumbayev remains deputy prime minister.
Serik Zhumangarin will continue to serve as deputy prime minister and minister of national economy, while Zhaslan Madiyev remains deputy prime minister and minister of digital development, innovation and the aerospace industry.
Kazakhstan’s government resigned on Aug. 28. Cabinet members continued performing their duties until the new government was formed.
President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev had previously said the government would undergo personnel changes. He said the reshuffle was needed to give fresh impetus to its work.
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Mukhtar Tileuberdi Appointed Kazakhstan’s Foreign Minister
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Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has replaced the country’s foreign minister, the Akorda presidential press service said.
Under a presidential decree, Mukhtar Tileuberdi was appointed foreign minister and relieved of his previous position.
Tileuberdi succeeds Yermek Kosherbayev, who had headed the Foreign Ministry since September 2025.
Mukhtar Tileuberdi was born June 30, 1968. He graduated from the S.M. Kirov Kazakh State University and completed internships at Moscow State University and Yonsei University in South Korea.
He joined the diplomatic service in 1993. Tileuberdi has served at the Foreign Ministry’s central office, Kazakhstan’s embassies in South Korea and Israel, and the presidential administration. He has also served as vice foreign minister, first deputy foreign minister, Kazakhstan’s ambassador to several countries and permanent representative to international organizations in Geneva.
Tileuberdi became Kazakhstan’s foreign minister in 2019. From January 2021 to April 2023, he served as deputy prime minister and foreign minister. Before his latest appointment, he was Kazakhstan’s ambassador to Austria.
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Kazakhstan Designates New Areas for Casinos and Gaming Halls
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Kazakhstan’s government has designated areas where casinos, slot machine halls, bookmakers and betting pools may operate. Separate zones have also been approved for casinos and gaming halls open exclusively to foreign visitors.
Casinos, slot machine halls, bookmakers and betting pools may operate:
Along the shore of the Kapshagay Reservoir in the Almaty region;
In the Burabay district of the Akmola region.
Gambling zones open exclusively to foreigners have been designated:
- In the Talgar and Uygur districts of the Almaty region;
- Along the Caspian Sea coast in the Mangystau region;
- Along the shore of Lake Alakol and in the Panfilov district of the Zhetysu region;
- In the Markakol and Zaysan districts of the East Kazakhstan region;
- In the Bayterek district of the West Kazakhstan region;
- Along the shore of Lake Alakol in the Abai region.
Only foreign nationals and stateless persons will be permitted to visit casinos and slot machine halls in these areas. Employees of gambling establishments and others who are there for work-related purposes will be exempt from the restriction.
The government resolution will take effect Sept. 11.
Gambling in Kazakhstan is tightly regulated by law and permitted only in designated zones. Under current legislation, casinos and slot machine halls may operate exclusively in Konayev and Burabay.
Organizing gambling outside these zones, including through websites and mobile applications, is prohibited and subject to criminal penalties. The ban applies to both unauthorized physical casinos and all forms of illegal online gambling, including poker platforms and unlicensed betting services.
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Tokayev Congratulates Vietnamese People on Independence Day
Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev congratulated Vietnamese leader To Lam and the people of Vietnam on Independence Day, the Akorda presidential press service said.
In his message, Tokayev said the significant occasion symbolizes the national unity and constructive spirit of the Vietnamese people, as well as the country’s commitment to sustainable development and prosperity.
The Kazakh president expressed confidence that the two countries’ strategic partnership would continue to develop steadily through their joint efforts for the benefit of both nations.
Tokayev wished To Lam success in his important work and the Vietnamese people happiness and prosperity.
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Kazakhstan to Strengthen Strategic Partnership With China, Tokayev Says
Kazakhstan intends to steadily strengthen its strategic partnership with China and expand cooperation in key areas, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said in an interview with Xinhua News Agency.
Tokayev said relations between Kazakhstan and China have reached an unprecedented level.
"Our strategic partnership has become truly comprehensive, encompassing all key areas - from trade, investment, energy and transportation to industrial cooperation, agriculture, digitalization, health care, science, education and culture," the president said.
He noted that China is Kazakhstan’s largest foreign trading partner and that bilateral trade continues to set new records.
Tokayev identified transportation and logistics as a strategic area of cooperation. The two countries attach particular importance to developing the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, also known as the Middle Corridor, which is becoming an important transport link between China and Europe.
"Our shared objective is to make this route as competitive as possible. That is why we attach particular importance to introducing smart customs systems, digitalizing documentation, integrating information systems and automating border procedures," Tokayev said.
He added that cooperation between Kazakhstan and China was entering a new phase.
The president also identified technological cooperation as a promising area. Kazakhstan and China are interested in joint projects involving the digital economy, smart manufacturing, e-commerce, scientific research and professional training.
"Technological cooperation could become one of the most important areas in the new phase of Kazakh-Chinese cooperation," Tokayev said.
He stressed that Kazakhstan would continue coordinating with China within the United Nations, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia, and fully supports cooperation through the Central Asia-China format.
Tokayev also noted the growth of people-to-people contacts between the two countries. In particular, the introduction of mutual visa-free travel has helped boost tourism. Kazakhstan welcomed 962,000 tourists from China in 2025, an increase of 47% from the previous year.
Tokayev said Kazakhstan was ready to continue strengthening its comprehensive strategic partnership with China by expanding existing areas of cooperation and developing new ones.
Next year will mark the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Kazakhstan and China.
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