Central Asia in Focus: Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan Event Held in Dubai
Speakers highlighted the growing role of Central Asia as one of the world’s most dynamic
The event "Central Asia Focus: Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan" was held at the Eurasia Gulf Club in Dubai, bringing together representatives of the business community, investment circles, diplomatic corps, and international companies, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan reports.
The event was attended by the Consul General of the Republic of Kazakhstan in Dubai and the Northern Emirates, Almaz Tasbolat, as well as Adviser to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates to the Holy See (Vatican), Omar Saif Ghobash.
During the event, speakers highlighted the growing role of Central Asia as one of the world’s most dynamic regions and emphasized the strengthening of regional cooperation among Central Asian countries.
Participants were presented with information on the political and economic reforms being implemented in Kazakhstan, as well as the country’s achievements in attracting foreign investment, developing the digital economy and artificial intelligence, expanding transport and logistics infrastructure, advancing agriculture, and promoting renewable energy projects.
Special emphasis was placed on the dynamic development of Kazakhstan-UAE relations. It was noted that the United Arab Emirates is among the largest foreign investors in Kazakhstan, with direct investments from the UAE reaching USD 1.6 billion.
At the conclusion of the event, representatives of Dubai’s business community were invited to further explore Kazakhstan’s investment opportunities and expand mutually beneficial cooperation with the countries of Central Asia.
The event served as another platform for promoting Kazakhstan’s economic interests, strengthening business ties, and fostering investment cooperation between Kazakhstan, the UAE, and the countries of Central Asia.
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Tokayev Extends Condolences to Qatar's Emir Following the Death of His Father
Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has sent a telegram of condolences to the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, following the death of the country's former Emir and the Emir's father, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the Akorda presidential press service reported.
President Tokayev said he received the news of Sheikh Hamad's passing with deep sorrow and extended his sincere condolences to the Emir of Qatar, his family, and the people of the country.
Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani was an outstanding statesman who laid a solid foundation for Qatar's prosperity and the well-being of its people, while sincerely contributing to the cause of international stability. The people of Kazakhstan will always remember your father as a wise leader, a respected statesman of international standing, and a historic figure who made an immense contribution to strengthening bilateral cooperation," the telegram reads.
Former Qatari Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, who ruled the country from 1995 to 2013, died at the age of 74.
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Kazakhstan and Pakistan Have Officially Established the Exchange Rates of Their National Currencies
Images | Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan
As a result of the work carried out, the Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, together with the National Bank of Kazakhstan and the State Bank of Pakistan, established official exchange rates in national currencies.
On July 8 this year, the National Bank of Kazakhstan published the official exchange rate of the Kazakhstan tenge to the Pakistan rupee at the rate of 1.68 PKR/1 KZT, while the official exchange rate of the Pakistan rupee to the Kazakhstan tenge, set by the State Bank of the Republic of Kazakhstan, is 0.59 KZT/1PKR.
Currently, the second-tier banks of the two countries, in particular Bank CenterCredit, Freedom Bank and Meezan Bank, are working to activate previously established correspondent accounts in national currencies.
In the near future, it is expected that these correspondent accounts in national currencies will be available for use by individuals and legal entities for mutual transactions and settlements.
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Kazakhstan Builds Dialogue Between Different "Centers of Power," Former Senator Says
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Kazakhstan consistently pursues a multi-vector, good-neighbor foreign policy and fosters dialogue between different "centers of power," Kazakh politician and former senator Yevgeny Bolgert said at the Third Extraordinary Congress of the Ädilet Party, an agency correspondent reports.
Today, Kazakhstan occupies an important position as what is known as a middle power - a state that does not aspire to become a global leader, yet is capable of exerting a significant constructive influence on many international processes thanks to its predictability, pragmatism and ability to build dialogue between different centers of power," Bolgert said.
According to him, Kazakhstan also seeks to strengthen its role as an important link in international transport and logistics routes.
Such a Kazakhstan - open, independent, fair and responsible - is capable of strengthening its role in the world and effectively protecting its national interests on the international stage," Bolgert said.
On July 1, 2026, Kazakhstan's revised Constitution entered into force, resulting in the dissolution of the Senate and the Mazhilis. Under the constitutional reform, the bicameral parliament will be replaced by the Kurultai. The first elections to the Kurultai are scheduled for August 23, 2026.
Yevgeny Bolgert is a Kazakh politician and former member of the Senate of the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan. He holds a university degree in law.
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Kazakhstan and Germany to Expand Cooperation in Water Resource Management
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Kazakhstan and Germany are set to expand cooperation in water resource management. The agreement was discussed during a meeting between Kazakhstan's Vice Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation, Aslan Abdraimov, and Carolina Milow, Head of the Programme at the German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ), the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation said.
Germany is a reliable partner of Kazakhstan in the water sector. Our joint projects - from groundwater management to promoting a culture of water conservation - are delivering tangible results, and we intend to further strengthen this cooperation," Vice Minister Aslan Abdraimov said.
The two sides also discussed the further implementation of joint initiatives, including GIZ's financial support for equipping the Situation and Analytical Center of the National Hydrogeological Service Kazhydrogeology with hardware and software for groundwater resource management.
In addition, GIZ representatives reaffirmed their readiness to continue providing the ministry with expert and technical assistance, including support for the development of basin-level water resource management plans.
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Kazakhstan's Interior Minister Addresses UN Police Summit in New York
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Kazakhstan's Minister of Internal Affairs, Yerzhan Sadenov, paid a working visit to New York from July 5 to 10, where he participated in the Fifth UN Police Summit, Polisia.kz reported.
During the visit, he also held meetings with representatives of the United Nations, the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the New York City Police Department (NYPD).
Speaking at the summit's plenary session, Sadenov outlined Kazakhstan's efforts to strengthen international security, advance police peacekeeping, and combat transnational organized crime and cybercrime. He emphasized the importance of sharing expertise and expanding cooperation among law enforcement agencies worldwide.
As part of the visit, the minister met with UN Under-Secretary-General Jean-Pierre Lacroix. The sides discussed Kazakhstan's participation in UN peacekeeping operations, the training of police contingents, the introduction of digital technologies into law enforcement, and prospects for further cooperation.
Separate talks were held with James Barnacle, head of the FBI's New York Field Office. The discussions focused on joint efforts to combat organized crime and cyber threats, professional training, and the exchange of operational experience. The Kazakh delegation also visited the FBI's Joint Operations Center.
In addition, representatives of Kazakhstan's Interior Ministry toured the NYPD's Real Time Crime Center, where they reviewed advanced video surveillance systems, digital analytics tools, and real-time patrol management technologies.
On the sidelines of the summit, Sadenov also met with senior law enforcement officials from several countries. The parties discussed expanding bilateral cooperation, exchanging best practices, and strengthening joint efforts to address emerging security threats.
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Tokayev Appoints New Kazakh Ambassadors to Five Countries
Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has appointed new Ambassadors Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to a number of countries, the Akorda presidential press service reported.
Abylkair Skakov has been appointed Kazakhstan's ambassador to Kyrgyzstan, Bakhyt Batyrshayev as ambassador to Qatar, and Anel Bakytbekkyzy as ambassador to Hungary.
Bolat Imanbayev has been appointed Kazakhstan's ambassador to Serbia. In connection with his new appointment, he has been relieved of his duties as Kazakhstan's ambassador to Armenia.
Kazakhstan's Ambassador to India, Azamat Yeskarayev, has also been accredited concurrently as ambassador to Bangladesh, Bhutan, the Maldives, and Nepal.
By presidential decrees, the following ambassadors have also been relieved of their duties:
- Rapil Zhoshybayev - Ambassador to Kyrgyzstan;
- Arman Isagaliyev - Ambassador to Qatar;
- Abzal Saparbekuly - Ambassador to Hungary;
- Madi Atamkulov - Ambassador to Serbia.
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Kazakhstan's National Pavilion "Kazakhstan - AI and Digital Hub of Eurasia" Opens in Geneva
Kazakhstan's national pavilion "Kazakhstan - AI and Digital Hub of Eurasia" was officially opened on the margins of the AI for Good Global Summit 2026 in Geneva. The ceremony took place with the support of the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the World Trade Organization (WTO) in Geneva.
The opening ceremony was attended by Deputy Prime Minister - Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development of the Republic of Kazakhstan Zhaslan Madiyev, Kazakhstan's Permanent Representative to the WTO Kairat Torebayev, as well as representatives of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Astana Hub, and KT-TELECOM.
The pavilion showcases Kazakhstan's digital ecosystem - the result of more than 25 years of consistent digital transformation. According to the UN E-Government Development Index, Kazakhstan ranks 24th globally and is among the top ten countries by the Online Services Index. Today, approximately 93% of public services are provided to citizens and businesses through a single mobile super-app, free of charge and without exception.
The pavilion's exhibition is organized around three thematic zones. The Innovation Cluster zone presents Astana Hub as Kazakhstan's largest innovation cluster. Residents benefit from a zero-tax regime, digital nomad visa and residency options, streamlined visa and labor procedures, and modern working and living spaces for ecosystem participants.
The GovTech zone is presented by the Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development of the Republic of Kazakhstan jointly with the National Supercomputing Cluster. The zone showcases the architecture of public digital services based on a data-driven and AI-empowered approach. Kazakhstan has been placed in Group A of the World Bank's GovTech Maturity Index and ranks 24th in the UN E-Government Development Index. The Smart Data Ulttyq project has been recognized as the best analytical solution in the field of big data. The country operates more than 1,300 online government services, more than 450 AI agents on the National AI Platform, and 120 integrated government databases.
The Data Center Valley zone, presented by KT-TELECOM, is dedicated to a project to develop a hyperscalable AI infrastructure platform in Kazakhstan. The project envisages the construction of a data center with capacity of up to 1 GW near one of the country's largest energy hubs.
According to the official participant catalog of the AI for Good Global Summit 2026, Kazakhstan's national pavilion is registered under the name "Kazakhstan Pavilion" with the participation of Astana Hub (Autonomous Cluster Fund) and KT-TELECOM LLP.
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Kazakhstan Delegation Participates in the Ninth Session of the UN ESCAP Committee on Environment and Development
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The delegation of the Republic of Kazakhstan participated in the ninth session of the Committee on Environment and Development of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), held from 1 to 3 July 2026 at the Commission’s headquarters in Bangkok.
During the session, ESCAP member States, representatives of international organizations and experts discussed priority areas for regional cooperation on sustainable development, including climate change adaptation, sustainable natural resource management, circular economy, biodiversity conservation and sustainable urban development.
At the side event "Realizing Synergies in Asia and the Pacific through a Sustainable Bioeconomy" and the expert group meeting "Strengthening Resilient and Sustainable Urban Development in Asia and the Pacific," the Kazakh delegation presented Kazakhstan’s ongoing efforts to advance the national environmental agenda. These include enhancing climate policy, developing renewable energy, promoting green economy principles, conserving biodiversity, and modernizing waste and natural resource management systems.
Kazakhstan’s participation in the Committee’s work reaffirmed the country’s readiness to contribute to initiatives aimed at promoting environmentally sustainable and inclusive development in the Asia-Pacific region.
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