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
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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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Kazakh President signs decree expanding National Security Committee’s powers
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Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on Thursday signed a decree on measures to improve public administration, expanding the National Security Committee's powers, Qazinform News Agency reports.
According to the decree, the Kazakh National Security Committee is granted powers and functions from the Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development Ministry on the exercise of state control in the informatization field, specifically regarding information security of critical assets of information and communications infrastructure.
Under the document, the Government, together with the National Security Committee, is instructed to prepare necessary legislative amendments and adopt measures to implement the decree.
In addition, the National Security Committee was assigned with submitting to the President draft amendments and additions to the Regulations of the Committee for consideration, with control over the decree’s implementation resting with the Presidential Administration.
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Kazakhstan rightfully serves as a golden bridge between East and West - Tokayev
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Head of State Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has held a meeting with the authorities and residents of Zhambyl region, Qazinform News Agency reports citing the press service of Akorda.
In his remarks, the President highlighted the large-scale reforms underway in the national economy. He noted that economic growth reached 15.8% in the past five years, exceeding 6% in 2025 - the highest indicator since 2012. Per capita GDP increased by 47%, with gold and currency reserves of the National Fund surpassing 125 billion US dollars.
Tokayev reminded that the second line of the Dostyk-Moiynty railroad was commissioned ahead of schedule.
This is one of the largest railroad projects implemented in Kazakhstan in the years of Independence. In just a few months, an additional 6 million tons of cargo was transported along this route. The construction of the Moiynty-Kyzylzhar section is underway too," he noted.
Emphasizing Kazakhstan’s strategic role, the President declared: "Kazakhstan is rightfully named a golden bridge between East and West. Our objective is to use this advantage as efficiently as possible."
He further recalled that 13,000 kilometers of highways were built and repaired in the outgoing year. Special attention is being given to the modernizing air communication, with 36 new flights launched, establishing direct ties with the major global cities.
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Digital Code submitted for President’s signature
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Senators have approved today the Digital Code of Kazakhstan in two hearings, Qazinform News Agency reports.
According to the senators, the goal of the document is to create a unified, transparent, and effective system of legal regulation of the digital environment.
The Code determines the goals, objectives, and principles of digital legislation, aimed at consolidating the mechanisms of implementation of unified state policy in digital environment, strengthening legality and law and order in digital environment, as well as creating conditions for attraction of investments into the digital environment development.
The Code also defines and regulates the activities of subjects and objects of the digital environment. In particular, it consolidates the fundamental rights and obligations of subjects of the digital environment, including the rights to digital identity and its protection, as well as to deletion, anonymization, and restriction of personal data processing. The provisions concerning digital environment onjects provide for the regulation of digital data and types of digital objects, including digital records, assets, resources, and more.
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Kazakh President arrived in Zhambyl region for working visit
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Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev arrived in Zhambyl region for a working visit, Qazinform News Agency learnt from the Akorda press service.
President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev visited the Amir & D LLP as part of his working visit to Zhambyl region to survey enterprises producing medical devices and pharmaceuticals.
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev inspected the main production workshops and samples of finished products.
The Amir & D LLP manufactures more than 200 types of medical products, including express tests for the diagnosis of socially significant diseases such as hepatitis B and C, HIV infection, myocardial infarction, as well as tests for detecting narcotic and psychotropic substances. It currently employs 94 staff members.
The President also got acquainted with the operations of Super-pharm LLP, one of Kazakhstan’s leading producers of medical devices. More than 600 people work there. It supplies about 30% of the country’s demand for disposable medical products. In particular, the company manufactures surgical and procedural kits for various types of operations, all types of medical masks, protective disposable clothing, and sanitary-hygienic products. It also produces medical syringes, infusion systems, blood transfusion systems, and other items.
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Astana has a special status and should serve as example of modern urban planning - Tokayev
Addressing a meeting on the development of Astana city, President Tokayev said that priority attention should be given to the formation of a harmonious urban space, Qazinform News Agency reports citing the Akorda press service.
Creating the most comfortable conditions for citizens’ lives and work must be the top priority for akims at all levels. The capital has a special status and should serve as an example of modern urban plannign. In this regard, Astana has already achieved certain results, with a unified approach to shaping the urban environment. This was noted by heads of state during the global summits held here in the summer of this year. President Xi Jinping gave a positive assessment, saying that our city has significantly improved its appearance. This shows that even such major leaders of world powers pay attention to the state of our cities when visiting Kazakhstan. This must certainly be kept in mind," said the President.
He also pointed out positive changes in landscaping the city in the past two years:
According to him, 150 facades in the historic part of the city are planned to be renovated over the next five years, with street landscaping works to be carried out simultaneously.
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