Kazakhstan strengthens political and economic ties with Azerbaijan and Serbia
Kazakhstan intends to strengthen cooperation with Azerbaijan and Serbia in the political, trade and economic spheres, while also expanding ties in technology, education and agriculture, the Kazakh Foreign Ministry’s press service said.
In particular, Kazakhstan’s Deputy Foreign Minister Alibek Kuantyrov visited Belgrade, where he held talks with senior Serbian officials. The two sides discussed the development of political, trade and economic cooperation.
Kazakhstan’s Deputy Foreign Minister Yermukhambet Konuspayev also received copies of the credentials of Alimirzamin Askerov, the newly appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Azerbaijan to Kazakhstan.
During the meeting, the two sides discussed prospects for further strengthening bilateral cooperation in the political, trade and economic, cultural and humanitarian spheres, as well as the schedule of upcoming bilateral events.
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Kazakhstan proposes international fund for nuclear test victims
Kazakhstan and Kiribati have proposed establishing an international trust fund to support people and countries affected by nuclear testing. The initiative was presented at an international meeting at UN headquarters in New York, Kazakhstan’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations said.
The meeting, co-chaired by Kazakhstan and Kiribati, was held to mark the International Day against Nuclear Tests. Participants discussed assistance for victims, the rehabilitation of contaminated areas and international cooperation.
Arsen Omarov, Director of the Department of International Security at Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, outlined the country’s experience in addressing the consequences of nuclear tests at the Semipalatinsk nuclear test site. He highlighted medical and social support for affected communities, research into the consequences of nuclear testing, radiation monitoring and the rehabilitation of contaminated areas.
Kazakhstan and Kiribati also presented their proposal for an international trust fund. The fund is intended to help mobilise financial, technical and scientific support for affected countries and communities.
Kazakhstan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Kairat Umarov, stressed that affected people and communities should remain at the centre of international efforts.
Kazakh artist and anti-nuclear activist Karipbek Kuyukov spoke about the consequences of nuclear testing at the Semipalatinsk site and the role of the international Nevada-Semipalatinsk anti-nuclear movement. Participants were also shown a short film about his life and activism.
Following the meeting, Kazakhstan and Kiribati will compile the proposals and recommendations for further implementation within the mandate of the UN General Assembly.
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Women make up 34% of new Kurultai
Women account for 34% of the first-term Kurultai, Kazakhstan's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Kairat Umarov, said at a high-level forum on the Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace, held under the theme "Women’s Leadership in Advancing a Culture of Peace", according to Kazakhstan’s Permanent Mission to the UN.
Umarov also said that a new National Action Plan for 2026-2028 had been approved to implement UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security.
According to the mission, 20 Kazakh women serving in the military have taken part in UN peacekeeping missions since 2018. Kazakhstan also promotes a culture of peace through the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions.
"The Astana Peace Declaration, adopted following the 2025 forum, serves as an important instrument for strengthening inter-civilisational dialogue and social cohesion within the UN agenda," the press service added.
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Switzerland appoints new ambassador to Kazakhstan
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Kristina Honegger has been appointed Switzerland’s new ambassador to Kazakhstan and Tajikistan, the Swiss Embassy in Kazakhstan said.
Honegger has more than 20 years of experience in the Swiss diplomatic service. During her career, she has held senior positions at the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs and served at Swiss diplomatic missions abroad.
Her areas of expertise include Eastern Europe and Central Asia. She previously headed the relevant division at the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, gaining extensive knowledge of the region.
Prior to her appointment as ambassador to Kazakhstan and Tajikistan, Honegger served as Switzerland’s ambassador to Belarus.
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Kazakhstan Offers Laos New Transport Route to Europe
Kazakhstan has invited Laos to use its transport corridors to ship goods to Central Asia and Europe, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said during talks with Lao President Thongloun Sisoulith, according to the Akorda presidential press service.
Tokayev said Kazakhstan could increase exports to the Lao market in sectors including metals, food, petrochemicals, agriculture, chemicals, mechanical engineering and pharmaceuticals.
The two sides placed particular emphasis on transportation and logistics.
"Our country handles about 85% of overland freight traffic between China and Europe. Kazakhstan operates terminals at the ports of Batumi in Georgia and Lianyungang in China. We have also opened a Kazakh logistics hub in the Chinese city of Xi’an, which Lao freight carriers can use. We see an opportunity for Lao products to reach markets in Central Asia and Europe through our transport corridors," Tokayev said.
The president proposed that the two governments sign agreements on transportation and logistics. Kazakhstan, for its part, is interested in using Laos as a gateway for its products to Southeast Asian markets.
Tokayev also invited Lao companies to use the Astana International Financial Centre. More than 6,300 companies from over 90 countries are currently registered at the AIFC, which has helped attract $27 billion in investment to Kazakhstan.
The two sides also discussed cooperation in education, culture and tourism, including academic exchanges, partnerships between universities and opportunities for Lao specialists to study in Kazakhstan.
Sisoulith highlighted Kazakhstan’s contribution to training Lao professionals.
"Hundreds of Lao citizens received their education and graduated from educational institutions in Kazakhstan. Today, many of them work in public service, run businesses and hold senior positions at the national and local levels," the Lao president said.
Following the talks, Tokayev and Sisoulith adopted a joint statement on further expanding cooperation between Kazakhstan and Laos.
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Tokayev Welcomes Lao President to Astana
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Lao President Thongloun Sisoulith arrived in Kazakhstan for an official visit and was welcomed in Astana by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, the Akorda presidential press service said.
The official welcoming ceremony was held at the Palace of Independence. The two leaders introduced members of their delegations before the national anthems of Kazakhstan and Laos were played.
Tokayev and Sisoulith then began talks in a restricted format.
The two sides are expected to discuss the development of Kazakh-Lao relations and further cooperation between their countries.
This year, Laos became the Shanghai Cooperation Organization’s 15th dialogue partner.
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Kazakhstan Deepens Ties with Japan and South Korea
Kazakhstan continues to strengthen its partnerships with Japan and South Korea, with officials discussing political and economic cooperation, humanitarian ties and prospective joint projects, the Kazakh Foreign Ministry’s press service said.
In Tokyo, Kazakhstan’s Ambassador Yerlan Baudarbek-Kozhatayev held talks with former Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba. The two sides discussed the development of political and interparliamentary ties, economic cooperation, as well as collaboration on global security, nuclear disarmament and sustainable development.
Climate change, water security, disaster prevention, tourism and culture were also discussed separately. Ishiba expressed interest in Kazakhstan’s environmental challenges, including the state of the Aral Sea and the country’s glaciers.
In Astana, Kazakhstan’s Deputy Foreign Minister Arman Isagaliyev met with Nam Jin, Director-General of the Northeast and Central Asian Affairs Bureau at South Korea’s Foreign Ministry. The talks focused on expanding cooperation in industry, artificial intelligence, infrastructure and education, as well as engagement within the Central Asia-Republic of Korea format.
The two sides agreed to continue coordinating bilateral and multilateral events.
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Kazakhstan-Vietnam Relations Set for Continued Growth, Kosherbayev Says
Relations between Kazakhstan and Vietnam will continue to develop rapidly, while joint efforts will create new opportunities for bilateral cooperation, Kazakh Foreign Minister Yermek Kosherbayev said in a congratulatory message to his Vietnamese counterpart, Le Hoai Trung, on Vietnam’s Independence Day.
"Kazakhstan and Vietnam are guided by their strategic partnership, mutual respect, trust and shared interests. Constructive dialogue between our foreign ministries plays an important role in advancing the bilateral agenda and developing new areas of mutually beneficial cooperation," he said.
Kosherbayev said Independence Day symbolizes the unity and statehood of the Vietnamese people, their determination to pursue development and their dedication to building the nation.
"In recent years, Vietnam has maintained steady economic growth, successfully advanced its modernization and expanded its international ties," Kosherbayev said.
He wished Le Hoai Trung happiness and success in his work, and the Vietnamese people well-being and prosperity.
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Kazakhstan and Belgium Discuss Prospects for Cultural Cooperation
Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Belgium Roman Vassilenko met with Yves Goldstein, CEO of KANAL-Centre Pompidou.
The meeting focused on the growing cultural and people-to-people ties between Kazakhstan and Belgium and opportunities for joint projects in contemporary art, architecture and performing arts. The Ambassador highlighted Kazakhstan’s cultural initiatives in Belgium in 2025-2026, including Shanyraq Fest Brussels, screenings of Kazakh films and the activities of Kazakh cultural centres.
Particular attention was given to establishing direct institutional links between KANAL-Centre Pompidou and the Museum of Contemporary Art in Almaty. Potential areas include joint exhibitions, presentations of Kazakh contemporary artists in Brussels, artist residencies, curatorial exchanges, as well as theatre, dance, music and multidisciplinary projects.
In this context, the Kazakh side proposed considering the signing of a cooperation agreement or Memorandum of Understanding between KANAL-Centre Pompidou and the Museum of Contemporary Art in Almaty during the upcoming State Visit of His Majesty King Philippe to Kazakhstan. The sides also discussed the concept and objectives of a special performance that KANAL plans to present at the Almaty museum during the State Visit.
At the conclusion of the meeting, the sides expressed interest in identifying concrete joint projects and expanding direct links between cultural institutions of Kazakhstan and Belgium.
KANAL-Centre Pompidou is a major new cultural institution in Brussels, located in the former Citroën complex of around 40,000 m². Developed in strategic partnership with Centre Pompidou in Paris, KANAL brings together contemporary art, architecture and performing arts. Its official opening is scheduled for 28 November 2026.
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