Kazakhstan to Tighten Oversight of Food Markets and Intermediaries
Kazakhstan is strengthening oversight of food markets and supply chains. Since the beginning of the year, authorities have removed 150 unproductive intermediaries from the sector as part of efforts to increase transparency in trade, combat shadow-market practices and stabilize prices for socially significant food products, the Ministry of Trade said in a statement.
To date, 63 key food markets with the greatest influence on regional pricing have been identified. Inspections, monitoring and awareness campaigns are being carried out at these sites. An examination of 18 markets, including Altyn Orda and Barys-4, revealed 486 violations.
Inspections uncovered a number of systemic issues, including the sale of counterfeit and unlabelled products, shadow trading activities, violations of cash register regulations, informal employment and the repeated subleasing of trading spaces.
Particular attention has been paid to combating the illegal circulation of goods. In several regions, authorities identified cases of imported chicken eggs being sold without the required documentation and labelling. Approximately 32,500 eggs were removed from illegal circulation.
The Ministry of Finance inspected 38 major food markets and analysed the activities of businesses operating there. A further 67 markets, involving more than 16,600 trading entities, were selected for continued monitoring. The review found that 4,843 businesses had been conducting retail trade without registering cash registers, 5,846 lacked registered POS terminals, and 247 entities showed signs of underreporting income.
Authorities also identified cases of unregulated street trading and illegal business activity.
Regional authorities have been instructed to strengthen market oversight, install video surveillance systems, intensify efforts to identify unproductive intermediaries and ensure compliance with maximum permitted trade mark-ups.
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Tokayev Congratulates Gennadiy Golovkin on Induction into Boxing Hall of Fame
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Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has congratulated Gennadiy Golovkin on his official induction into the International Boxing Hall of Fame, presidential spokesman Aibek Smadiyarov said.
This historic event demonstrates the special significance of our legendary compatriot’s legacy for global sport, as well as his substantial contribution to promoting an objective image and reputation of Kazakhstan on the international stage," the president said.
According to Tokayev, Golovkin is a symbol of Kazakhstan’s sporting glory and serves as the country’s ambassador within the international sporting community.
The president expressed confidence that the success story of one of the world’s greatest boxers will continue to inspire young athletes to pursue ambitious goals and achieve sporting excellence.
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Kazakhstan to Launch Registry of Unscrupulous Developers
Kazakhstan will introduce a registry of unscrupulous developers from July 1, 2026. The corresponding order approving the standard rules for its creation and maintenance was signed by Acting Minister of Industry and Construction Kuandyk Kazhkenov.
According to the document, the registry will be established to systematize information on developers deemed unreliable in the residential construction sector. Publicly accessible information from the registry will be published on the website of the Unified Operator.
Developers included in the Registry will be prohibited from attracting funds from individuals and legal entities for a period of three years from the date of their inclusion in the registry," the order states.
In addition, amendments concerning the operation of the unified digital system for shared-equity housing construction will come into force on July 12, 2026.
The system will be used to record and systematize shared-equity construction agreements, contracts concluded within urban renewal projects, as well as information on the assignment of claims and rights under such agreements.
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Prosecutor of Karaganda Region Appointed
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By order of the Prosecutor General, Senior Counsellor of Justice Murat Tleuberdiev has been appointed Prosecutor of the Karaganda Region, the regional prosecutor's office said in a statement.
Tleuberdiev began his career as an assistant prosecutor in Almaty's Bostandyk District. Over the years, he served as prosecutor of the city's Auezov and Almaly districts, deputy prosecutor of Almaty, and head of the Human Resources Department at the Prosecutor General's Office.
Since May 2023, he has served as Prosecutor of the Turkistan Region.
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Tokayev Signs Laws on Teachers’ Status, Child Protection and Anti-Corruption Measures
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Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has signed a package of laws introducing amendments in the areas of education, healthcare, child protection, teachers’ status, and anti-corruption policy.
According to the Akorda presidential press service, the head of state signed the law "On Amendments and Additions to Certain Legislative Acts of the Republic of Kazakhstan on Issues of Teachers’ Status, Education, Healthcare and Child Protection," as well as the law "On Amendments to the Code of Administrative Offences of the Republic of Kazakhstan on Issues of Teachers’ Status."
The new provisions stipulate that teachers will be responsible for students only during the educational process. At the same time, parents’ responsibility for the life, health and safety of their children is being expanded.
The legislation also prohibits teachers from maintaining duplicate reporting systems in both paper and electronic formats. In addition, unified rules for the use of mobile devices in secondary education institutions are being introduced. The measures also provide for greater involvement of schoolchildren in scientific activities at the local government level.
The law further establishes a legal framework aimed at creating favourable conditions for the effective operation of leading foreign universities in Kazakhstan. Branch campuses will be allowed to operate provided they comply with Kazakhstan’s state educational standards.
A separate set of amendments is focused on improving the higher education system. The reforms introduce an integrated medical education model consisting of six years of university study followed by one year of full internship training. Upon completion, graduates will be eligible to begin medical practice, with the internship serving as a stage of clinical training.
Tokayev also signed the law "On Amendments and Additions to Certain Legislative Acts of the Republic of Kazakhstan on Anti-Corruption Issues."
The adopted measures introduce criminal liability not only for giving and receiving bribes, but also for promising, offering or soliciting a bribe. Penalties are being strengthened for unlawful remuneration in state organisations and quasi-public sector entities, while administrative liability for legal entities involved in corruption offences is also being increased.
In addition, the statute of limitations for administrative corruption offences committed by individuals has been extended from one year to three years. Restrictions on individuals convicted of corruption crimes have also been clarified, including a lifetime ban on employment in positions involving the performance of state functions.
The legislation further prohibits civil servants and individuals with equivalent status from using their official powers for personal gain. It also introduces mandatory declarations of personal interests and establishes clear procedures for addressing conflicts of interest.
Restrictions on the employment of relatives and affiliated persons within the same public service structures have been tightened. These restrictions will apply not only to cases of direct subordination, but also to situations involving indirect influence, personnel oversight and internal control functions. In particular, relatives of senior officials - including nephews, sons-in-law and other close family members by marriage - will be prohibited from working within the same government agency.
The scope of anti-corruption restrictions has also been expanded. The new provisions will now apply to employees of the quasi-public sector and participants in projects financed through the state budget and Kazakhstan’s National Fund.
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Children Sent 167,000 Reports of Rights Violations Through QR-111 Service
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Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev met with Children's Rights Commissioner Dinara Zakieva, who reported that between October 2024 and June 2026, the QR-111 service received 167,000 messages and 4,523 phone calls from children.
According to Zakieva, the introduction of QR-111 codes in schools has helped establish direct communication with children and identify cases involving violations of their rights. The information is received through the state-run contact centre 111.
The commissioner also briefed the president on the implementation of the "Children of Kazakhstan" concept, adopted earlier this year. Based on the concept, a five-year action plan has been developed, containing 158 measures aimed at strengthening social support and legal protection for children. The document covers healthcare, education, social protection, and child safety.
Zakieva reported that regional child rights protection departments have been established under local administrations, with their functions now enshrined in legislation. Organisational procedures for launching the new units are currently underway.
In addition, monitoring was carried out in nine regions of the country in 2026 to assess the effectiveness of measures designed to promote children's psychological well-being and prevent violations of their rights.
The commissioner also outlined the work of psychological support centres and the introduction of a unified programme for assessing children's psychological well-being. According to Zakieva, this has made it possible to provide systematic support to children requiring special attention.
The meeting also addressed the development of child-related infrastructure, including in rural areas, as well as measures to support parents and strengthen their responsibility for ensuring children's safety.
President Tokayev stressed the importance of close cooperation between the Children's Rights Commissioner, the government, and local executive authorities to ensure the effective implementation of the "Children of Kazakhstan" concept.
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UN Regional Centre in Kazakhstan: Criteria for Selecting Projects Revealed
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A United Nations Regional Centre for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for Central Asia and Afghanistan is set to begin operations in Kazakhstan. The criteria that will be used to select projects implemented by the centre were outlined by Kazakhstan's Deputy Foreign Minister Yerzhan Ashikbayev during a Senate session.
The focus will primarily be on regional projects. Through synergy and coordination of the strategic development plans of each individual state, the UN Centre will implement relevant projects in participating countries. These projects will cover economic, social, and environmental areas, and each country will develop a comprehensive cooperation plan based on these priorities," Ashikbayev said.
He stressed that all programmes would be implemented in accordance with the strict requirements of the United Nations. In addition, the centre will provide annual reports on implemented projects, as well as on its financial position and the use of allocated funds.
Earlier on Thursday, the Senate of Kazakhstan's Parliament approved the law "On the Ratification of the Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the United Nations on the Establishment of the UN Regional Centre for Sustainable Development Goals for Central Asia and Afghanistan."
The centre will focus on expanding technical assistance, facilitating the exchange of expertise and analytical support, and strengthening cooperation between Kazakhstan, the United Nations, and the countries of Central Asia and Afghanistan.
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Kazakhstan's Parliament Approves Amnesty Law Following Adoption of New Constitution
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Kazakhstan's Senate has approved the law "On Amnesty in Connection with the Adoption of the New Constitution of the Republic of Kazakhstan," an agency correspondent reports.
According to the explanatory note accompanying the bill, individuals who committed criminal misdemeanours and minor offences, as well as those convicted of medium-gravity crimes that did not result in damages, or where damages have been fully compensated, or where no civil claim has been filed, will be eligible for release from criminal liability or from serving their principal sentence.
For other individuals convicted of medium-gravity offences, the remaining unserved or unenforced portion of their principal sentence will be reduced by one half.
For those convicted of serious and especially serious crimes, the remaining unserved or unenforced portion of their sentences will be reduced as follows:
- By one third for those convicted of serious crimes and by one quarter for those convicted of especially serious crimes, provided that all damages have been fully compensated;
- By one quarter for other individuals convicted of serious crimes and by one fifth for those convicted of especially serious crimes;
- By the full remaining portion of the principal sentence for individuals with no negative behavioural record who have one year or less remaining to serve at the time the amnesty is implemented.
The amnesty will not apply to persons convicted of terrorist, extremist, or corruption-related offences; crimes committed as part of organised criminal groups; torture; repeat offences; individuals serving life sentences; crimes against the sexual integrity of minors; or persons convicted in absentia," the document states.
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