PM Bektenov orders to develop new drug policy
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Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov of Kazakhstan chaired a meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission on Crime Prevention with the participation of ministers, with a focus on efforts against drugs, Kazinform News Agency reports.
Interior Minister Yerzhan Sadenov said on Thursday that in the first half of 2025, 6.4 tons of drugs were seized, over 17,000 websites offering drugs were blocked, as well as 474 drug offenders, including 28 administrators of Telegram channels, were jailed.
21 criminal proceedings were initiated against organized crime groups, including three trans-international. Up to 11,000 drug combating activities were conducted, he said.
In the reporting period, the Ministry identified 107,000 facts of drinking alcohol in public places as well as 7,000 violations in the circulation of alcohol. 11,000 persons were banned from consuming alcohol.
During the meeting, Prime Minister Bektenov ordered to take action to enhance mechanisms to detect and block drug websites and similar advertisements, to address freezing of money transfers related to drug trafficking.
The Kazakh Premier also instructed to develop a new drug policy prioritizing the fight against the root causes of drug distribution.
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Tokayev says Kazakhstan sees 6-fold rise in science funding in past 5 years
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President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on Thursday met with scientists at the Al Farabi Kazakh National University in Almaty, Qazinform News Agency reports, citing Akorda.
In his remarks, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev stated the "tight race for technological supremacy between countries is unfolding." The Kazakh leader highlighted the importance of prioritizing digitalization and AI adoption to unleash the country’s potential.
In the past five years, total investment in science has risen 6-fold, said the president. "The number of research universities in our country is growing, and their ties with real-sector production are being strengthened. The government data indicates more than 200 commercial projects have been launched to date, helping to shape the ‘university - research - innovation - commercialization’ ecosystem. Science cities are being created, and the construction of technoparks and engineering centers has begun," he said.
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev stressed that under the new Constitution, Kazakhstan recognizes advancement of education, science, innovation as a national strategic priority.
There are more than 420 research organizations operating in Kazakhstan, employing over 27,000 scientists and research personnel. This is a very large academic community. It is particularly encouraging that the scientific environment is becoming younger - nearly half of Kazakhstan’s scientists are under 40 years old, said the president.
Tokayev said he maintains a positive outlook on science in Kazakhstan, highlighting that he is far from idealizing the current state of science in the country, and certainly far from any ‘euphoria over success.’
Both the Government and the scientific community share a common strategic goal, which is to create a more effective scientific environment, stimulate innovation in the economic sphere, and bring science as close as possible to production, stated Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.
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Kazakhstan ratifies readmission agreement with Austria
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President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signed the Law ratifying the Agreement on the Readmission and Transit of Persons with Illegal Stay between the Governments of Kazakhstan and Austria, Qazinform News Agency has learned from the Akorda press service.
The document seeks to establish a legal framework for effective cooperation between Kazakhstan and Austria in combating illegal migration, as well as introduce fast and orderly procedures for identifying and safely returning individuals who do not meet, or no longer meet, the conditions for entry and stay in the territories of the two countries.
The agreement provides for a system of legal, administrative, and procedural measures aimed at implementing mechanisms for the readmission and transit of persons with illegal stay. It also outlines procedures for dispute resolution, its entry into force, duration, and conditions for termination.
Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs and Austria’s Federal Office for Immigration and Asylum have been designated as competent authorities responsible for implementing the document.
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Tokayev signs decree giving effect to new Constitution
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President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on Tuesday signed a decree on measures to implement the Constitution of the Republic of Kazakhstan adopted during the nationwide referendum on March 15, 2026, Qazinform News Agency cites Akorda.
The Head of State decreed to publish the text of the Constitution adopted on March 15 in Yegemen Kazakhstan and Kazakhstanskaya Pravda newspapers.
Under the decree, the original copy of Kazakhstan’s Constitution adopted on August 30, 1995, will be transferred to the Archive of the Kazakh President. It also establishes that the original copy of the Constitution will be held and preserved by the President.
The Central Referendum Commission is tasked to transfer the text of the Constitution to the Institute of Legislation and Legal Information to ensure its availability in the Reference Control Bank of Regulatory Legal Acts.
The decree provides that under the Kazakh President’s legislative initiative, draft constitutional laws on the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan and on Khalyk Kenesi of Kazakhstan will be submitted for consideration to the Majilis, while the Presidential Administration together with government agencies concerned are instructed to design and submit for the President’s consideration these drafts.
It also defines that under the Kazakh Government’s legislative initiative, draft constitutional laws on the status of the Kazakh capital and on the administrative-territorial structure will be put forward to the Majilis for consideration.
The Government, central, and local authorities are charged with taking necessary measures to align regulatory legal acts with the Constitution. The Government is also tasked to approve a plan for promoting the Constitution before April 7, 2026.
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President: The Constitution can rightfully be called a truly People’s Law
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Upon completion of the procedure of signing the Constitution of Kazakhstan and the decree "On the measures of implementation of the Constitution of the Republic of Kazakhstan adopted on March 15, 2026", the President addressed the attendees of the ceremony, Qazinform News Agency reports, citing the Akorda press service.
We have adopted the People’s Constitution, deeply realizing our imperative duty to the future generations. The Constitution is a new foundation for a strong, energetic, and competitive Kazakhstan. This document continues the tradition of the Great Steppe laws, demonstrating unbreakable historical ties and continuity of generations," said the President.
The Head of State emphasized that the new Constitution meets the requirements of modern times and at the same time, it continues the centuries-long history of our statehood.
He underscored that the Constitution can rightfully be named a truly People’s Law, since within it "the spirit of patriotism and heroism, traditions inherited from our ancestors, are closely interwined with creativity and innovation."
The Constitution is a steel shield guarding the interests of the state. One of its main goals is to protect territorial integrity, independence and sovereignty of the country, the rights and freedoms of citizens, and to guarantee the strengthening of social justice, and the rule of law. It also creates conditions for the development of education, science, innovation, and culture, while ensuring environmental protection. The Fundamental Law of Kazakhstan is an unshakable symbol of solidarity and indestructible unity of our nation," concluded the President.
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Final results of referendum on new Constitution of Kazakhstan announced
The Central Referendum Commission of Kazakhstan has announced the final results of voting across the country, Qazinform News Agency reports.
According to the Commission, 7,954,667 citizens of Kazakhstan voted in favor of adopting the new Constitution, that is 87.15% of those who cast ballots. A total of 898,099 people voted against.
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