Kazakhstan and Kenya Expand Cooperation in the Space Sector

With a view to enhancing the activities of the Kazakhstan-Israel Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation, an online meeting of the Co-Chairpersons of the Commission was held on June 8 of this year between Deputy Prime Minister - Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development of the Republic of Kazakhstan Zhaslan Madiyev and Minister at the Ministry of Finance of the State of Israel Ze’ev Elkin, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan reports.

The main focus of the discussion was the preparation for the next session of the Intergovernmental Commission, scheduled to take place in Israel later this year, tentatively in November.

The interlocutors noted the high level of intensity and substantive nature of bilateral contacts, particularly the recent visits to Astana by Israel’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Gideon Sa’ar, accompanied by a high-level business delegation, and by President Isaac Herzog, who was accompanied by the heads of leading governmental agencies and companies in the fields of innovation, cybersecurity and artificial intelligence.

Special attention was paid to issues related to the expansion of the bilateral legal and regulatory framework, as well as to the implementation of joint projects and initiatives, primarily in such priority areas as digitalization, cybersecurity and artificial intelligence, water resources management, high-tech agriculture, healthcare, and others.

The parties concurred that the Intergovernmental Commission remains one of the key mechanisms for advancing the bilateral agenda.

 

President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has sent a congratulatory telegram to King Abdullah II bin Al-Hussein of Jordan and the Jordanian people on the occasion of the country's national holiday, the Accession to the Throne Day, the Akorda press service reported.

Tokayev expressed confidence that the multifaceted cooperation between Kazakhstan and Jordan, built on friendship and mutual support, will continue to develop dynamically for the benefit of both nations.

The Kazakh president also wished King Abdullah II success in his state duties and extended his wishes for prosperity and well-being to the people of Jordan.

 

Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has congratulated Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on the victory of his Civil Contract party in Armenia’s parliamentary elections, the Akorda presidential press service reported.

Tokayev wished Pashinyan continued success in his work in pursuit of Armenia’s long-term national interests.

The president noted that Kazakhstan is ready to continue active cooperation with friendly Armenia in all areas of mutual interest.

The head of state also wished the Armenian people success in the development of their country, as well as peace and prosperity.

According to media reports, preliminary data released by the Central Election Commission showed that the Civil Contract party received 49.81% of the vote, while the Strong Armenia bloc secured 23.29% and the Armenia bloc won 9.94%.

 

The Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Slovenia, Altay Abibullayev, participated in the 11th Bled Water Forum (BWF) held under the theme: "Water and the Blue Economy - New Strategies in the Field of Water Resources", Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan reports.

The forum, attended by Aleš Musar, spouse of the President of Slovenia and Chairman of the BWF Board of Trustees, and Diana Nausėdienė, the First Lady of Lithuania, brought together participants from over 60 countries. Attendees included experts and representatives from relevant agencies of EU member states, countries of Central and Eastern Europe, the Balkan region, the Caucasus, Central Asia, the Middle East, Latin America, and Singapore, as well as the IAEA, other international organizations, scientific institutions, and the private sector. The forum has earned well-deserved recognition for its innovative approach, including international awards and accolades.

In his address to the participants, the Ambassador of Kazakhstan outlined the key outcomes of the Regional Environmental Summit held this April in Astana, which brought together heads of state from Central Asia and the Caucasus alongside international partners. He emphasized that water issues currently represent a critical element of regional and global security.

Altay Abibullayev paid special attention to the initiative of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, to establish an International Water Organization under the auspices of the UN, as well as the outcomes of the first round of international consultations held on the sidelines of the Summit. These steps are aimed at strengthening global coordination, enhancing the efficiency of international water governance, eliminating fragmentation, and promoting a more coherent and impactful water agenda in the run-up to the 2026 UN Water Conference in Abu Dhabi.

Participation in the forum marked a significant step forward in advancing the national and regional water agenda, promoting Kazakhstan's initiative to create a specialized water organization, and exploring opportunities for cooperation with international partners on joint water resource projects.

The Head of State’s initiative to establish the International Water Organization garnered keen interest from all forum participants. Following the event, Kazakhstan was officially invited to join the Expert Council of the Bled Water Forum.

 

Ambassador-at-Large of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan Alua Nadirkulova held a meeting with Secretary General of the Norwegian Helsinki Committee Berit Nising Lindeman, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan reports.

During the meeting, Ambassador-at-Large Nadirkulova briefed her counterpart on the implementation of Kazakhstan’s constitutional reforms aimed at strengthening the protection of human rights and freedoms. She noted that the Constitution clarifies provisions related to the right to work and the right to peaceful assembly, strengthens guarantees of judicial protection and the inviolability of the home, and for the first time enshrines the protection of personal data.

Particular attention was paid to the reform of Kazakhstan’s penitentiary system. It was noted that Kazakhstan is currently developing the Concept for the Further Development of the Penal Enforcement System for 2026-2030.

For her part, Secretary General of the Norwegian Helsinki Committee Lindeman expressed appreciation for Kazakhstan’s support of the Committee’s Regional Representative Office in Almaty and highly praised Kazakhstan’s achievements in penitentiary reform, torture prevention, gender equality, and the protection of women’s rights. She particularly noted the active role of civil society in the country.

At the conclusion of the meeting, the parties expressed their interest in further developing cooperation and maintaining a constructive dialogue on the rule of law, human rights protection, and support for ongoing reforms in Kazakhstan.

 

Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has sent a congratulatory telegram to King Frederik X on the occasion of Denmark’s national holiday, Constitution Day, the Akorda presidential press service reported.

The head of state noted the special significance of the day for the Danish people as a symbol of democratic values, social cohesion and sustainable development.

Tokayev also expressed confidence that relations between Kazakhstan and Denmark would continue to strengthen in the spirit of friendship and mutual support.

The president wished King Frederik X success in his state duties and extended his wishes for prosperity and well-being to the people of Denmark.

 

Ambassador of Kazakhstan in Japan Yerlan Baudarbek-Kozhatayev held a meeting with the Governor of Tokyo Yuriko Koike, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan reports.

During the conversation the Governor expressed her sincere gratitude for the warm hospitality extended to her during her recent visit to Astana, noting the impressive pace of modernization and dynamic growth of the capital of Kazakhstan. According to her, mutual interest in innovation, digital transformation, and green energy opens up new horizons for business and institutional partnerships between the two cities.

The Japanese politician highly praised the role of Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, in the international community, emphasizing Japan's readiness to expand strategic cooperation with Astana across all key sectors.

Ambassador noted that the Japanese politician is a close friend of Kazakhstan, who for many years has consistently contributed to strengthening relations between Kazakhstan and Japan. He also emphasized that the intensification of cooperation between Tokyo and Astana was one of the practical outcomes of the official visit of the Head of State to Japan in December 2025.

It was stressed that MOU on digital development and urban sustainability signed between Astana and Tokyo in December 2025 will create additional opportunities for implementing joint projects aimed at improving the quality of the urban environment and governance efficiency.

Governor Koike’s also participated the ceremonial raising of the State Flag of the Republic of Kazakhstan, held to commemorate the Day of State Symbols of Kazakhstan.

 

Mazhilis deputy Irina Smirnova has commented on the Ministry of Education’s plans to abolish Summative Assessment for a Unit (SOR) and Summative Assessment for a Term (SOCh).

In her view, any such changes should be preceded by a thorough review of the system.