Kazakh First Deputy FM Umarov, UNODC Regional Representative to CA Ashita Mittal meet
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First Deputy Foreign Minister of Kazakhstan Kairat Umarov met with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Regional Representative in Central Asia Ashita Mittal during her official visit to Kazakhstan, Kazinform has learnt from the press service of the Kazakh MFA.
Umarov welcomed active cooperation with UNODC in such areas as the reform of law enforcement agencies and penitentiary systems, the rehabilitation and reintegration of those returned from conflict zones, countering cybercrime.
According to Regional Representative Mittal, "Kazakhstan is a bank of practical knowledge and experience in the region", which is important to disseminate and use in neighboring countries.
During the meeting the parties discussed the current state and priorities of cooperation, as well as plans for new projects and joint activities under the UNODC Program for Central Asia 2022-2025.
Mittal highly estimated the ongoing reforms in Kazakhstan, announced by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and the role of Kazakhstan in the region, as well as expressed the desire of UNODC to promote them.
The parties stressed the importance of the functioning of the Central Asian Regional Information and Coordination Centre for Combating Illicit Trafficking of Narcotic Drugs, Psychotropic Substances and their Precursors (CARICC), the membership of the Republic of Kazakhstan in the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs for 2020-2023, the hosting of the UN International Conference on Combating Human Trafficking in Kazakhstan this year, as well as the implementation of the Global Resource for Anti-Corruption Education and Youth Empowerment (GRACE) initiative in Kyrgyzstan.
During the meeting the parties expressed their readiness to continue cooperation on the issues of drug trafficking, organized crime, corruption, combating terrorism, etc.
As part of the visit, the UNODC delegation headed by the Regional Representative also held meetings with the relevant state bodies of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
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Official Opening Ceremony of the Embassy of the Republic of Cyprus Held in Astana
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As part of the first official visit of the President of the Republic of Cyprus Nikos Christodoulides to the Republic of Kazakhstan, a solemn opening ceremony of the Embassy of the Republic of Cyprus was held in Astana. The event represents an important milestone in the development of bilateral relations between Kazakhstan and Cyprus, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan reports.
The Embassy of Cyprus in Kazakhstan has become Nicosia’s first diplomatic mission in Central Asia. This step reflects Kazakhstan’s growing role as a key partner of Cyprus in the region and creates additional opportunities for expanding trade, economic and investment cooperation.
Addressing the ceremony, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan Yermek Kosherbayev underscored that Cyprus is an important partner of Kazakhstan within the European Union, and emphasized that the opening of the Embassy would contribute to the further strengthening of political dialogue and the development of interaction between Central Asia and the Mediterranean region.
For his part, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cyprus Constantinos Kombos noted the significance of opening Cyprus’s first diplomatic mission in the region and expressed confidence in the steady advancement of bilateral cooperation with Kazakhstan.
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Kazakhstan Opens Consulate General in Guangzhou
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A ceremonial opening of the Consulate General of the Republic of Kazakhstan took place in Guangzhou, the administrative center of China’s Guangdong Province, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan reports.
The event was attended by Kazakhstan’s Ambassador to China, Shakhrat Nuryshev, Assistant Foreign Minister of China Liu Bin, Chen Liangxian, a member of the Party Leadership Group of the Guangdong Provincial People’s Government, officials from the Guangzhou municipal administration, as well as representatives of Chinese government agencies and the business community.
Addressing the ceremony, Ambassador Nuryshev noted that Kazakhstan-China relations have reached an unprecedented level and continue to develop steadily within the framework of an everlasting comprehensive strategic partnership. He stated that the opening of the Consulate General in Guangzhou reflects the growing importance of interregional cooperation and creates new opportunities for expanding Kazakhstan’s engagement with southern regions of China.
The ambassador emphasized that Guangdong Province is one of China’s leading economic, innovation and industrial hubs, offering significant potential for cooperation with Kazakhstan in trade, investment, digital technologies, artificial intelligence, e-commerce, logistics, innovation, and cultural and humanitarian exchanges.
In his remarks, Liu Bin noted that the Consulate General in Guangzhou has become Kazakhstan’s fourth diplomatic and consular mission in China and will play an important role in further strengthening ties between Kazakhstan and the southern regions of the country. He reaffirmed China’s readiness to provide comprehensive support to the activities of the new diplomatic mission.
Chen Liangxian highlighted that Kazakhstan is Guangdong Province’s largest trading partner in Central Asia, underscoring the steady growth of cooperation in trade, investment, science and technology, education, and cultural and humanitarian exchanges.
The opening of the Consulate General of the Republic of Kazakhstan in Guangzhou marks an important milestone in the history of Kazakhstan-China relations. The new diplomatic mission is expected to contribute to the further strengthening of political dialogue, expansion of interregional cooperation, promotion of trade and investment ties, and deepening of cultural and people-to-people exchanges between the two countries.
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Kazakhstan and Cyprus Strengthen Bilateral Cooperation During the First Official Visit of the President of Cyprus to Astana
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Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan Yermek Kosherbayev held talks with Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cyprus Constantinos Kombos within the framework of the first official visit of President of Cyprus Nikos Christodoulides to Kazakhstan, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan reports.
The sides highlighted historic significance of the visit, which marks a new stage in Kazakh-Cypriot relations and reaffirm the mutual interest in further strengthening political dialogue.
During the meeting, the parties reviewed the current state and prospects of cooperation in trade, economic and investment spheres. Particular attention was paid to enhancing business ties, as well as expanding cooperation in digitalization, tourism and education.
The foreign ministers also exchanged views on current international issues, reaffirming their commitment to the principles of international law and the UN Charter.
The interlocutors welcomed the launch of the first direct flights on the Astana - Larnaca and Almaty - Larnaca routes, noting that this development would contribute to the expansion of tourism, business and people-to-people ties.
Following the meeting, the ministers expressed confidence that the implementation of the agreements reached during the talks between President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and President of Cyprus Nikos Christodoulides, would provide additional impetus to the further development of friendly relations between the two states.
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An Industrial Park to be Constructed in the Pavlodar Region
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Chairman of the Investment Committee of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan Gabidulla Ospankulov held a meeting with Deputy Chairman of the Board of Xinfa Group Zhao Tingyun, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan reports.
During the meeting, the parties discussed the implementation of a project to build an industrial park in the Pavlodar region. The planned investment volume is estimated at $15 billion, while the project is expected to create 10,000 jobs.
During the talks, Gabidulla Ospankulov presented information on government support measures, tax incentives, and the advantages of the country's investment climate.
Xinfa Group representatives noted that the industrial park will specialize in bauxite processing, aluminum production, electrolytic copper, soda ash, carbon materials, fluorochemicals, and environmentally friendly building materials. In addition, the development of projects in the fields of thermal power plant (GRES), coal chemistry, and energy infrastructure is being considered.
The participants confirmed their mutual interest in further strengthening cooperation and highlighted the strong potential of the industrial park investment project in the Pavlodar Region.
Xinfa Group is a modern, large industrial holding encompassing such industries as power generation, heat supply, alumina production, electrolytic aluminum, deep aluminum processing, polyvinyl chloride, caustic soda, and environmentally friendly building materials, as well as modern agriculture.
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The Head of the UN Environment Programme Praises the Results of the Regional Environmental Summit
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A meeting was held at UN Environment headquarters between the 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, and the Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Ms. Inger Andersen, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan reports.
During the meeting, the parties discussed current issues of Kazakhstan's interaction with UNEP, plans for developing cooperation in the field of the environment, as well as the results of the Regional Environmental Summit (RES), which took place in Astana on April 22-24, 2026.
In addition, special attention was paid to the initiative to create an International Water Organization within the UN structure, proposed by the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan K.Tokayev in December 2025 during his participation in the forum dedicated to the International Year of Peace and Trust.
I.Andersen highly praised Kazakhstan's efforts and initiatives to address environmental issues, expressed gratitude for Kazakhstan's support of UNEP's activities, and assured that UNEP is ready to provide expert assistance in implementing Kazakhstan's initiatives and projects in the field of ecology and sustainable development.
In addition, I.Andersen thanked Kazakhstan for its significant contribution to resolving global environmental issues, including through organizing and holding the RES in Astana.
Following the meeting, an agreement was reached to continue cooperation on issues of mutual interest in the environmental field, support for the implementation of environmental projects, and the holding of events at various levels. A willingness was also expressed to consider further joint measures to expand Kazakhstan's cooperation with the UN Environment Programme.
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Kazakhstan and Poland Expand Air Connectivity: New Direct Flight to Almaty Presented in Warsaw
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An official presentation of the new direct flight on the Warsaw - Almaty - Warsaw route to be operated by LOT Polish Airlines was held at Warsaw Chopin Frederic International Airport, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan reports.
The event brought together representatives of the Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan in Warsaw, government bodies, the business cricles, and the tourism sector, as well as the management of LOT Polish Airlines.
Speaking at the ceremony, a representative of the Embassy of Kazakhstan in Poland emphasized that the launch of the new route would be an important step toward further strengthening Kazakh-Polish cooperation. Direct air connection will create additional opportunities for expanding trade, economic, cultural, humanitarian and tourism ties, as well as enhancing people-to-people contacts the two countries.
It was noted that since 2017, LOT Polish Airlines has been successfully operating direct flights between Astana and Warsaw, ensuring air connectivity between Kazakhstan and Poland. The launch of the flight to Almaty - the largest financial, cultural, and tourism center of Kazakhstan - marks a new stage in the development of transport connectivity between Central Asia and Europe. The new route also aligns with Kazakhstan’s strategic course aimed at developing international transport connectivity and strengthening the country’s role as a key aviation and transit hub of Eurasia.
Participants of the event expressed confidence that the new route will contribute to the growth of passenger traffic, the expansion of business contacts, and the further development of bilateral cooperation.
Flights on the Warsaw - Almaty route will be operated four times a week using Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft.
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Kazakhstan and Russia Hold Interagency Consultations on Biological Security
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The latest interagency bilateral consultations between the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Russian Federation on ensuring biological security were held, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan reports.
During the consultations, the sides exchanged up-to-date information on the current situation in the field of biological security at the regional and global levels, and also discussed prospects for further development of cooperation in bilateral, regional, and multilateral formats.
Particular attention was paid to cooperation in the context of promoting the initiative of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, to establish an International Agency for Biological Security.
The parties confirmed their mutual interest in expanding cooperation in the areas of scientific exchange, training of specialized personnel, as well as conducting joint activities to monitor the epidemiological situation in border areas.
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