Amid Large-Scale Reforms in Kazakhstan, the Portuguese Business Community Shows Interest in Strengthening Partnership

Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Greece, Timur Sultangozhin, participated in the International AgriBusiness Forum "Agri-Food Sector in the New Geopolitical Environment" held in Athens. The event focused on the transformation of agri-food systems amid increasing geopolitical and climate instability, with particular emphasis on food security, resilience, and the development of international cooperation, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan reports.

The Forum brought together representatives of government bodies, international organizations, academia, and the business community from Greece and other countries. Special attention was given to supply diversification, innovation, and strengthening international cooperation in the context of achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

In his remarks, Ambassador emphasized that ensuring food security is one of the key priorities of Kazakhstan’s state policy. Possessing significant agricultural potential and being one of the world’s leading grain producers, Kazakhstan maintains a high level of self-sufficiency in key food products and acts as a reliable supplier to international markets.

It was highlighted that Kazakhstan actively promotes comprehensive international initiatives in the fields of food and water security, viewing them as interrelated elements of global sustainability. In this regard, particular attention was drawn to the initiative of the President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to establish an International Water Organization under the auspices of the United Nations, aimed at strengthening global coordination in water resource management, facilitating technology exchange, and developing common approaches to preventing water crises.

The Ambassador also informed participants about the preparations for the Regional Environmental Summit to be held in Astana in April 2026, which will serve as an important platform for discussing water security, climate change, sustainable agriculture, and ecosystem restoration.

 

Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Japan, Yerlan Baudarbek-Kozhatayev, held a meeting with the Minister of the Environment of Japan, Hirotaka Ishihara, during which he briefed the Japanese side on the results of the national referendum on the adoption of the country’s new Constitution, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan reports.

The parties also discussed prospects for bilateral cooperation in the field of sustainable development and addressing environmental challenges, with particular focus on joint efforts to combat climate change and promote the introduction of green technologies.

The Ambassador informed the Japanese minister about Kazakhstan’s initiative to establish an international water organization under the auspices of the United Nations, and also presented the country’s approaches to ensuring water security, the rational use and conservation of water resources, and adaptation to the impacts of climate change.

Ambassador Yerlan Baudarbek-Kozhatayev presented the program of the Regional Ecological Summit, which will be held on April 22-24, 2026 in Astana and will serve as a key Central Asian platform for attracting green investment, as well as for discussing climate change and sustainable development issues with the participation of business representatives and the expert community.

On his part, Minister Hirotaka Ishihara emphasized Tokyo’s proactive stance in addressing global environmental challenges and confirmed Japan’s participation in the Regional Ecological Summit at the political level. He noted the importance of the Memorandum of cooperation between the relevant authorities of the two countries, signed during the first official visit of the President of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, to Japan, and also expressed interest in implementing projects under the Joint Credit Mechanism (JCM) aimed at introducing environmentally friendly technologies and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

 

As part of the Nauryz celebrations, a cultural event dedicated to the Day of Kazakhstan was held at the Warsaw University of Technology, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan reports.

The event brought together more than 100 participants, including students and representatives of the academic community.

In their opening remarks, the organizers emphasized the importance of developing academic and cultural cooperation between Kazakhstan and Poland, as well as the role of the university environment in strengthening international ties.

During the official part of the event, the leadership of the Warsaw University of Technology highlighted the importance of international educational initiatives, academic mobility, and the contribution of Kazakhstani students to the educational landscape of Polish universities.

Representatives of the Embassy of Kazakhstan in Warsaw underscored the symbolic significance of holding the event during the Nauryz celebrations - an ancient holiday of spring and renewal that embodies the values of friendship, mutual understanding, and cultural diversity.

In this context, attention was also drawn to the referendum held in Kazakhstan on the further development of the constitutional foundations of the state, aimed at strengthening democratic institutions and building a modern, open society.

It was noted that Kazakhstan and Poland are connected by strong partnership relations based on mutual respect, shared historical memory, and active intergovernmental dialogue. The dynamic development of cooperation in the fields of education, science, and youth policy was also emphasized.

Participants were also introduced to Kazakhstan’s modern development, its scientific and technological potential, and achievements across various sectors.

The cultural program featured a tasting of traditional Kazakh dishes, allowing participants to gain a deeper appreciation of Kazakhstan’s rich gastronomic traditions.

The event served as an important platform for cultural exchange and for strengthening academic ties between the two countries. Participants had the opportunity to learn more about Kazakhstan’s history, traditions, and contemporary achievements.

 

Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the Republic of Kenya and Permanent Representative of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the UN Office at Nairobi Barlybay Sadykov took part in a briefing of the UN Environment Secretariat on the initiative of UN-80, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan reports.

During the event, B.Sadykov informed participants about Kazakhstan's initiative to establish an international water organization within the UN, noting that water supply issues are becoming increasingly important on countries' agendas, due to the fact that water is fundamental to environmental sustainability, social stability, and economic development.

It was also noted that, within the framework of the current process of reforming the UN system, it is important to begin discussions on the future consolidation of the Organization's mandate in the field of water resources with the aim of transforming the existing disparate frameworks and coordination platforms into a specialized organization on water resources within the UN system.

In addition, participants were informed that international consultations on this initiative will take place within the framework of the Regional Environmental Summit in Astana on April 22-24, 2026.

 

On the margins of the 69th session of the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs, Kazakhstan delegation organized a side event titled "The Digital Shield: The Role of Innovative Technologies in Detecting Illicit Drug Trafficking and Laundering of Criminal Proceeds". The event was co-organized by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), the Central Asia Drug Action Programme (CADAP), and the Foundation for the Internationalization of Public Administrations (FIAP), Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan reports.

 Mukhtar Tileuberdi, Permanent Representative of Kazakhstan to the International organizations in Vienna, in his opening remarks emphasized the importance of international cooperation in countering the drug threat. He noted that new technologies can serve as a "Digital Shield", enabling states and international organizations to more effectively detect illicit flows and disrupt the activities of criminal networks.

Key speakers at the event included Oliver Stolpe, Regional Representative of UNODC; Alexey Rogov, Head of the OSCE Programme Office in Astana; and Tobias Jung Altrogge, Secretary General of FIAP.

During the side event, representatives of the Prosecutor General’s Office of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and the Agency for Financial Monitoring presented reports on the process of digital transformation of the drug control system and the introduction of modern technological solutions into the activities of Kazakhstan’s law enforcement agencies. They also outlined the set of measures implemented in the country to combat drug crime, as well as approaches to detecting crimes involving the use of virtual assets, including monitoring suspicious transactions and applying advanced analytical systems.

The event also highlighted the important contribution of civil society to drug crime prevention. In particular, representatives of the public foundations "Hak Nazar" and "Esbol Qory" spoke about the role of cooperation between the state and the civil sector in forming a comprehensive approach to combating drugs.

More than two hundred participants representing states, international organizations, the expert community, and civil society attended the event. The discussion generated strong interest among participants, confirming the relevance of the topic and the need to strengthen cooperation in this field.

 

Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Jordan Talgat Shaldanbay met with Minister of Transport of Jordan Nidal Murdi Abdullah Katamin, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan reports.

During the meeting, the parties discussed issues related to the development of Kazakh-Jordanian cooperation in the transport and logistics sphere and prospects for expanding bilateral interactions. The interlocutors emphasized the high level of political dialogue and confirmed their mutual interest in further strengthening the partnership.

Particular attention was paid to the implementation of agreements previously reached at the highest level, including the consideration of establishing air links between Kazakhstan and Jordan.

The parties also highlighted the importance of expanding cooperation in transport infrastructure and logistics, including the development of international transport corridors between Central Asia and the Middle East.

Following the meeting, the parties confirmed their readiness to continue engagement through the relevant authorities to further advance cooperation in the transport sector.

 

Ambassador of Kazakhstan in Belgium, Roman Vasilenko, held a meeting with students representing the Kazakh association QazSociety, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan reports.

During the meeting, the Ambassador thanked the activists for their civic engagement and their contribution to the development of the Kazakh community in Belgium. He spoke about the current political and socio-economic development of Kazakhstan, the priorities of the country’s foreign policy, the ongoing process of digitalization, and prospects for cooperation with European partners.

Special attention was given to the upcoming Republican referendum on the draft of the new Constitution of Kazakhstan, scheduled for 15 March.

Participants expressed interest in the details of the constitutional reform, its implementation mechanisms, as well as the prospects for developing Kazakhstan’s political system and strengthening cooperation with European partners. The discussion took place in an open format, and students asked questions and received clarifications, including on consular and legal matters.

 

The role of the expert community in advancing Kazakh-Czech relations was discussed during the visit of the Ambassador of Kazakhstan to the Czech Republic, Kairat Abdrakhmanov, to the Centre for Asia-Pacific Studies (CAPS) at CEVRO University in Prague, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan reports.

Chairman of the Centre’s Advisory Board Jan Zahradil and Executive Director Jan Železný presented the main areas of CAPS’s activity in the academic and educational fields. In this context, growing interest was noted in research on the political and economic dynamics of Central Asia.

Against this backdrop, Czech analytical circles attach particular importance to the large-scale reforms underway in Kazakhstan, especially the draft new Constitution submitted to a nationwide referendum.

It was highlighted that these reforms are aimed at modernizing public administration, strengthening the rule of law, enhancing the transparency and accountability of public institutions, and fostering a diversified and competitive economy.

Given the profile of CAPS and the relevance of its research to official and business circles, the sides confirmed their mutual interest in expanding expert dialogue and developing working-level contacts between the analytical centers and academic communities of Kazakhstan and the Czech Republic.