Kazakhstani Students in Finland Briefed on Upcoming Elections and Political Reforms
Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Finland Azamat Abdraimov held a meeting with Kazakhstani students pursuing their studies in Finland. During the meeting, Ambassador briefed the students on the large-scale political reforms being implemented in Kazakhstan at the initiative of the Head of State.
Particular attention was given to the upcoming elections to the Kurultai. The Ambassador provided the young Kazakhstani citizens with detailed information on the voting procedures and emphasised the importance of active and informed participation of the younger generation in the country’s social and political life.
The Kazakh diplomat also stressed the importance of obtaining a high-quality education and putting acquired knowledge and skills into practical use. The students were encouraged to comply with and respect the laws, social norms and traditions of their host country.
The meeting also addressed current issues of particular interest to Kazakhstani students, as well as the Embassy’s upcoming events and activities. The participants actively exchanged views and proposals on a range of topical issues.
This information may not be reproduced without reference to Kazakhstan Today. Copyright of materials of News Agency Kazakhstan Today.
relevant news
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.
This information may not be reproduced without reference to Kazakhstan Today. Copyright of materials of News Agency Kazakhstan Today.
Switzerland appoints new ambassador to Kazakhstan
Images | Depositphotos
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.
This information may not be reproduced without reference to Kazakhstan Today. Copyright of materials of News Agency Kazakhstan Today.
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.
This information may not be reproduced without reference to Kazakhstan Today. Copyright of materials of News Agency Kazakhstan Today.
Tokayev Welcomes Lao President to Astana
Images | Akorda
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.
This information may not be reproduced without reference to Kazakhstan Today. Copyright of materials of News Agency Kazakhstan Today.
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.
This information may not be reproduced without reference to Kazakhstan Today. Copyright of materials of News Agency Kazakhstan Today.
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.
This information may not be reproduced without reference to Kazakhstan Today. Copyright of materials of News Agency Kazakhstan Today.
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.
This information may not be reproduced without reference to Kazakhstan Today. Copyright of materials of News Agency Kazakhstan Today.
Tokayev Calls for UN Resolution on Key SCO Principles
Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has proposed enshrining the key principles of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in a special resolution of the United Nations General Assembly. He put forward the initiative at an SCO Plus meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the organization’s member countries.
Tokayev said a common strategic goal should be to build a world order in which the pursuit of power and confrontation gives way to mutual responsibility, shared development and long-term cooperation.
"The SCO’s many years of experience clearly demonstrate that the ‘Shanghai Spirit’ is an exemplary model of such cooperation on the international stage. The principles of equality and consensus underpinning our organization have rightly become the ‘gold standard’ for the successful development of multilateral cooperation and genuine multilateralism," Tokayev said.
Against this backdrop, the president proposed enshrining the SCO’s key principles in a special UN General Assembly resolution to mark the International Day of Multilateralism and Diplomacy for Peace.
Speaking about the role of the United Nations, Tokayev said there was no alternative to the organization despite the criticism it faces.
"Kazakhstan believes that the United Nations must remain at the core of the international system, while its Charter must serve as the universal foundation of international law," the president stressed.
Tokayev also highlighted the growing role of responsible middle powers.
"They can and should facilitate dialogue between different centres of power and help develop collective solutions. Their positions and initiatives should be reflected in global governance mechanisms. Kazakhstan is ready to actively contribute to this process," Tokayev said.
He stressed that institutional reform of the United Nations would be impossible without strengthening preventive diplomacy.
"Collective efforts are needed to foster a culture of conflict prevention and the peaceful settlement of disputes. In line with this approach, in July this year Kazakhstan supported the initiative of the People’s Republic of China by becoming a member of the Convention on the Establishment of the International Organization for Mediation," Tokayev said.
The president also addressed the development of artificial intelligence. He said the world needs universal rules that would enable countries to harness the potential of AI, prevent its uncontrolled use and narrow the digital divide.
This information may not be reproduced without reference to Kazakhstan Today. Copyright of materials of News Agency Kazakhstan Today.