Astana and London Strengthen Bilateral and Multilateral Dialogu

During a working visit to the Grand Est region, Ambassador of Kazakhstan to France Gulsara Arystankulova met with the head of the Lorraine region, Franck Leroy, the Mayor of Metz, François Grosdidier, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan reports.

During the meeting, special attention was given to expanding cooperation in the fields of culture and education. In this context, it was noted that the opening of a branch campus of the University of Lorraine at Abai Kazakh National Pedagogical University, offering a program in International Law, is a vivid example of the strategic partnership between the two countries and one of the most significant educational projects of recent years.

The parties also discussed prospects for strengthening cultural ties between Kazakhstan and the Lorraine region, as well as the possibility of showcasing the work of Kazakh artistic groups in the city of Metz.

In addition, both sides expressed mutual interest in attracting investment, strengthening interregional relations, and developing mutually beneficial economic cooperation.

Following the meeting, the parties agreed to further develop cooperation in the above-mentioned areas.

The branch campus of the University of Lorraine, one of France’s leading universities, was opened at Abai Kazakh National Pedagogical University in May 2024. Currently, the branch offers dual-degree bachelor’s and master’s programs in International Law. Six educational programs are also being implemented, including foreign language teacher training, international relations and diplomacy, management, finance, and marketing.

 

Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Morocco and Permanent Representative of Kazakhstan to the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) Saulekul Sailaukyzy participated in the 46th session of the ICESCO Executive Council at the Organization’s headquarters in Rabat, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan reports.

The session was conducted in a hybrid format with the participation of 44 representatives from 53 Member States. The working sessions covered activity reports of ICESCO's sectors, divisions, and specialized centers, and featured discussions on the Organization's Draft Strategic Plan 2026-2029, which integrates the Sustainable Development Goals into ICESCO’s institutional framework.

ICESCO Director-General Dr. Salim Al-Malik highlighted the Organization’s continued commitment to reform and modernization, noting that the Organization has recently obtained around fifteen accreditations and certifications across various fields. He further pointed out that the forthcoming session will see the development of a strategy that goes beyond phased planning to anticipate post-2030 requirements.

The Kazakh delegation, in turn, took an active part in the discussion of key agenda items, articulating the country’s positions on the advancement of cooperation in the fields of education, science, and culture across the Islamic world.

Particular attention was given to the request of Turkmenistan to join the Organization as an Observer State. Elections were also held for the new Chair of the Executive Council, members of the Council Bureau, and the Financial Control Committee.

As an outcome of the session, Kazakhstan was elected as Vice-Chair of the ICESCO Executive Council. This reflects the high level of confidence that the Organization’s Member States place in the Kazakh side, and reaffirms Astana’s active role in advancing multilateral cooperation in the fields of education, science, and culture.

 

As part of a working visit to the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, the Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan to Belgium and Luxembourg, Roman Vassilenko, held meetings with representatives of Luxembourg’s government institutions, parliament, academic community, and media outlets, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan reports.

The parties discussed the current state and prospects of bilateral cooperation, engagement with the European Union, the development of interparliamentary relations, as well as the expansion of educational and humanitarian ties.

At the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of Luxembourg, Ambassador Vassilenko met with Mr. Gilles Bauer, Deputy Political Director of the Ministry. During the talks, the sides reviewed issues related to further strengthening political dialogue and holding inter-ministerial consultations between the foreign ministries of the two countries.

The Kazakh side informed its counterparts about the political and constitutional reforms being implemented in the country, as well as the key priorities of Kazakhstan’s foreign policy.

At the Parliament of Luxembourg, a meeting was held with Mr. Gusty Graas, Chairman of the Committee on Foreign and European Affairs. The parties discussed ways to enhance interparliamentary cooperation, including exchanges of visits and the development of contacts between parliamentary friendship groups.

At the University of Luxembourg, the Ambassador met with Vice-Rector for International Relations Professor Marie-Hélène Jobin. The discussions focused on prospects for expanding academic cooperation, joint educational programmes, scientific research, and academic mobility.

In addition, Ambassador Vassilenko held a press briefing for representatives of Luxembourg media, during which he spoke about the political and economic reforms in Kazakhstan, cooperation with the EU, and the country’s main foreign policy priorities.

Following the visit, the parties reaffirmed their mutual interest in further strengthening political dialogue, interparliamentary contacts, as well as educational and humanitarian cooperation.

 

A ceremonial opening of the Honorary Consulate of the Republic of Kazakhstan took place in Rostock, the largest city of the federal state of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan reports.

The event was attended by State Secretary for Economy, Infrastructure, Tourism and Labour of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Jochen Schulte, the State Secretary of the Ministry of the Interior and Construction, Ina-Maria Ulbrich, the Parliamentary State Secretary for Western Pomerania and Eastern Mecklenburg, Heiko Miraß, Lord Mayor of Rostock Eva-Maria Kröger, as well as representatives of local political, business and public circles and the media.

In his welcoming remarks, Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Germany, Nurlan Onzhanov, highlighted the high level of strategic partnership between Kazakhstan and Germany, emphasizing the growing role of interregional cooperation and business contacts. He expressed confidence that the opening of the Honorary Consulate would become an effective instrument for promoting economic, investment, humanitarian and regional ties, and would also contribute to a stronger presence of Kazakhstani businesses in the region.

For his part, State Secretary for Economy, Infrastructure and Tourism of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Jochen Schulte, noted that the opening of the Honorary Consulate in Rostock marks an important step in further strengthening German-Kazakh relations. According to him, this development reflects the steady growth of partnership between the two countries, fosters interregional cooperation, and expands business ties.

Johann Killinger was appointed Honorary Consul of Kazakhstan in Rostock and was ceremonially presented with the consular patent. Johann Killinger is the Managing Partner of "Buss Group GmbH" and has also served as the Honorary Consul of the Republic of Kazakhstan in the federal state of Hamburg since 2013. He has made a significant contribution to strengthening Kazakh-German humanitarian, economic and cultural relations at the regional level.

The appointment was made as part of the expansion of Johann Killinger’s consular district to include the federal states of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Hamburg, and Schleswig-Holstein. The activities of the Honorary Consul (without the provision of consular services) will cover these federal states.

The guests of the event expressed confidence that the Honorary Consulate will become an important platform for dialogue among representatives of business, academia and culture, and will contribute to strengthening mutual understanding between the peoples of Kazakhstan and Germany.

At the conclusion of the ceremony, an informal exchange took place among the participants, during which prospects for further cooperation were discussed and concrete steps for developing partnerships at the regional level were outlined.

 

Columbia University hosted a roundtable discussion focused on identifying practical solutions for reducing plastic waste, advancing the circular economy, and ensuring a balance between Kazakhstan’s environmental commitments and economic priorities, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan reports.

The event was organized by Kazakh students with academic support from Columbia University professor Beizhan Yan, Executive Director of the Petrochemical Association of the Republic of Kazakhstan Gaini Seitenova, and Professor Eldar Kopishev, Head of the Department of Chemistry at L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University. The discussion brought together members of the academic community and international experts.

One of the central topics of the discussion was the outcome of the Regional Ecological Summit (RES 2026), held in Astana on April 22-24, 2026, as well as the Summit’s final declaration, Ecological Solidarity of Central Asia, which reaffirmed the readiness of regional countries to pursue joint action in sustainable development, combating plastic pollution, waste management, and advancing a coordinated environmental agenda on international platforms.

Participants placed particular emphasis on the need to develop a balanced approach that takes into account both environmental objectives and the structure of Kazakhstan’s national economy, where the petrochemical sector remains an important component of industrial and investment development.

Welcome remarks were delivered by Alexis Abramson, Dean of the Columbia Climate School, and Rauan Tleulin, Consul General of the Republic of Kazakhstan in New York.

During the expert discussion, Professor Beizhan Yan noted that RES 2026 set an important benchmark for moving from declarative environmental commitments to practical implementation. According to him, the outcomes of the Astana Summit confirmed that environmental sustainability must be addressed in close connection with economic stability, technological development, and industrial policy.

Gaini Seitenova emphasized the importance of a systemic approach to plastic waste management in Kazakhstan, including improved regulation, expansion of recycling capacity, and the introduction of technological solutions in the circular economy.

Participants underscored that the practical implementation of the RES 2026 agreements would strengthen regional cooperation and provide new momentum for Central Asia’s transition toward a more sustainable and economically balanced development model.

 

An event dedicated to reviewing the outcomes of the Regional Ecological Summit (RES-2026), recently held in Astana, took place in London. The discussion brought together representatives of the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, business and expert communities, British journalists, as well as participants of the Summit who attended from the United Kingdom. Participants exchanged views on the results achieved in Astana and shared perspectives on future cooperation with Kazakhstan in the areas of green economy, water security, and sustainable development, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan reports.

Opening the event, the Chairman of the British-Kazakh Society, Rupert Goodman, noted: "The Summit was a landmark event, bringing together the leaders of 11 states, international organisations, financial institutions, business, academia, and civil society. One of its key outcomes was the adoption of the Joint Declaration of the Heads of State of Central Asia, ‘Environmental Solidarity of Central Asia’, which reaffirmed a shared commitment to strengthening regional cooperation."

He also highlighted the strong interest in the Summit in the UK: "His Grace the Duke of Richmond addressed a written message to the President of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, and to the participants of the Summit, underlining the importance of the regional environmental agenda and international engagement around it. The message particularly emphasised that water is one of our most precious resources, and its responsible management will be key to ensuring sustainability and prosperity for future generations. In this context, the strong attention given in Astana to the initiative of establishing an International Water Organisation is highly encouraging."

Welcoming the guests, Chargé d’Affaires of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the United Kingdom, Ruslan Karabulov, noted the significant scale and level of engagement at the Summit. Over three days, 58 sessions were held, including 21 high-level panels, with more than 8,000 participants in total. Senior representatives of the UN and leading international organisations took part in the discussions, including the OSCE, the European Union, the Asian Development Bank, the EBRDS, and the World Bank.

A substantial package of initiatives and investment agreements was also announced, including more than 30 regional environmental projects with total funding exceeding USD 2 billion, as well as additional agreements worth over USD 2.3 billion in areas such as renewable energy, waste management, and sustainable industrial development.

Sharing her impressions of the Summit, Dr. Undala Alam, Regional Climate Adviser at the UK Foreign Office, welcomed Kazakhstan’s initiatives and highlighted key areas for strengthening bilateral cooperation. These include environmental sustainability, biodiversity protection, regenerative agriculture, carbon market development, strengthening regulatory frameworks for environmental security, improvements in public governance, and heating system reforms. She noted that the United Kingdom is interested in deepening dialogue with Kazakhstan across these areas, including knowledge exchange and the deployment of green technologies.

Kristian Carraretto, Head of Energy Transition at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, stated that a Memorandum of Understanding was signed during the Summit on the establishment of Kazakhstan’s country investment platform for energy transition, "QaJET". "By 2035, Kazakhstan plans to commission at least 10 GW of renewable energy capacity, attract around USD 20 billion in investment, and reduce emissions by more than 20 million tonnes annually," he said.

British broadcaster and RES session moderator Charlotte Kann highlighted Kazakhstan’s leadership in climate diplomacy. She noted that the Summit demonstrated the important role that middle powers can play in an increasingly multipolar world.

The event also featured a Q&A session and a screening of the documentary Tasbaqa, which tells the story of the Central Asian tortoise on the Ustyurt Plateau and highlights the importance of biodiversity conservation in the region.

Participants concluded that the RES was not merely a platform for dialogue, but a meaningful step towards practical implementation of agreements - strengthening partnerships and shaping a more coordinated, forward-looking environmental agenda for Central Asia.

 

The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan Alibek Bakaev received the Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran Ali Akbar Jowkar, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan reports.

The diplomats discussed the current state and prospects of Kazakhstan-Iran cooperation, reaffirming their commitment to the implementation of previously reached agreements.

Particular attention was paid to trade, economic, transport and logistics cooperation, as well as to the importance of maintaining regular dialogue at all levels.

The meeting also addressed topical issues on the regional and international agenda, including the situation in the Middle East.

 

Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the State of Kuwait Yerzhan Yelekeyev held a meeting with Isam Al-Sager, Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors and Group Chief Executive Officer of the National Bank of Kuwait, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan reports.

During the meeting, the parties discussed the current state and prospects for the development of investment, trade and economic cooperation between Kazakhstan and Kuwait.

The Ambassador briefed the Kuwaiti side on Kazakhstan’s current economic performance, noting the country’s steady economic growth. It was emphasized that Kazakhstan demonstrates stable economic growth of around 5-6% annually, while the country’s gross domestic product exceeds USD 300 billion, reflecting its strengthening position among the largest economies in the region.

Particular attention was given to the Alatau City project, one of the largest urban development projects in Kazakhstan, being developed as a modern digital city of accelerated development - a next-generation city with advanced digital infrastructure. It was noted that the project has attracted significant interest from investors from Asia and USA. In this regard, the Kazakh side expressed its interest in attracting investors from the Gulf countries, including Kuwait, taking into account the strong interest of Kuwaiti businesses in projects related to real estate, construction and modern urban infrastructure.

In continuation of this topic, it was noted that a working visit of the Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kanat Bozumbayev to the State of Kuwait is scheduled for this autumn. During the visit, investors will be provided with more detailed information on the Alatau City project and opportunities for participation in its implementation.

For their part, representatives of the NBK expressed interest in expanding cooperation with Kazakhstan and confirmed their readiness to support the development of investment cooperation. It was noted that the Bank will consider opportunities to participate in the implementation of investment projects in Kazakhstan.