Tokayev, Hong Kong Chief Executive Discuss Investment, AI and Transport Connectivity
Images | aqorda
Kazakhstan's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and John Lee, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, discussed a range of practical bilateral issues and reaffirmed their mutual commitment to further strengthening trade and economic cooperation, the Akorda presidential press service said.
Welcoming the guest, Tokayev underscored the historic significance of the visit, noting that it is the first-ever visit by a Hong Kong chief executive to Kazakhstan. He expressed confidence that the trip would create new opportunities for expanding mutually beneficial cooperation, enhancing business ties and launching promising joint projects in investment, finance, digitalization, artificial intelligence, transport and logistics.
Tokayev also thanked John Lee for visiting Kazakhstan with a large business delegation, describing it as a clear sign of Hong Kong's strong interest in broadening cooperation with Kazakhstan.
For his part, John Lee reaffirmed Hong Kong's readiness to deepen comprehensive engagement with Kazakhstan.
This is the largest delegation that has accompanied me on an overseas visit. It includes 75 government officials and business representatives from a broad range of sectors, including logistics, green energy, mining, innovation and technology, as well as education," Lee said.
The Hong Kong chief executive also noted that the Belt and Road Initiative, proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping, originated in Kazakhstan and serves as a vivid testament to the strong and friendly ties between the two sides.
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Kazakhstan and the Czech Republic jointly hold a WTO session on the role of water in international trade
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The World Trade Organization (WTO) headquarters in Geneva hosted a joint panel session of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Czech Republic entitled "Water Across Borders: Trade, Production, and Sustainable Development", organized within the framework of WTO Trade and Environment Week, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan reports.
Kairat Torebayev, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the WTO and International Economic Organizations and Manira Alagudzhaeva, Vice-President of KAZWATER, who joined the session online from Astana took part at the event.
Permanent Representative K.Torebayev emphasized that for Central Asia, water has become a matter of economic resilience and competitiveness. Against this background, Kazakhstan views water efficiency not as a separate environmental agenda, but as a cornerstone of a new trade strategy. The country is consistently moving towards a model of high value-added agricultural exports, underpinned by water-saving technologies, the modernization of irrigation, and the digitalization of the water sector.
Turning to the role of the WTO, Permanent Representative K. Torebayev noted that public investments in water conservation and climate-resilient agriculture should be recognized as a contribution to global food security, rather than as a distortion of trade. He further encouraged the international community to take today's climate realities into account when shaping the future of global trade.
Alaguzhayeva presented the technological framework of Kazakhstan’s solutions under this agenda, and also put forward an initiative to establish a regional digital platform for monitoring water resources in Central Asia.
In turn, the Czech side expressed support positively assessing Astana`s efforts in this area.
The joint organization of the session by Kazakhstan and the Czech Republic underlined that the two states, located in different parts of the world, share common approaches to the management of transboundary water resources and their linkages with international trade.
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Kazakhstan Ready to Make Every Effort to Expand Cooperation with Cyprus, Tokayev Says
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Kazakhstan is prepared to make every effort to further strengthen cooperation with Cyprus, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said during talks with Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides, according to the presidential press service Akorda.
I believe we have significant potential to expand bilateral cooperation. For my part, I am ready to make every effort to further develop our partnership across a wide range of areas," the Kazakh leader said.
Christodoulides, in turn, expressed confidence that the talks would contribute to the expansion of bilateral ties.
At the same time, I am visiting Kazakhstan in another capacity. My country currently holds the presidency of the Council of the European Union. Given the importance of this region, and Kazakhstan in particular, I am also ready to discuss ways of further developing cooperation between the European Union and Kazakhstan," he said.
The Cypriot president noted the growing importance of relations between the European Union and Central Asia, emphasizing Kazakhstan’s key role as a strategic partner in the region.
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Tokayev Welcomes Cypriot President on Official Visit
Images | akorda.kz
A formal welcoming ceremony for the President of Cyprus, who arrived in Kazakhstan on an official visit, was held at the Palace of Independence, the presidential press service Akorda reported.
During the ceremony, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Nikos Christodoulides introduced members of their official delegations.
The commander of the honour guard delivered a welcoming report, after which the national anthems of Kazakhstan and Cyprus were played.
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Cyprus President to Pay Official Visit to Kazakhstan
President of the Republic of Cyprus Nikos Christodoulides will pay an official visit to Kazakhstan on June 2-4 at the invitation of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, the Akorda presidential press service reported.
According to the statement, the two leaders are scheduled to hold talks on June 3 to discuss prospects for expanding bilateral cooperation, with a particular focus on strengthening trade, economic, investment, and cultural-humanitarian ties.
A number of bilateral documents are also expected to be signed during the visit, Akorda said.
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Kazakh Businesses Showcase Franchise Concepts in New York
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A delegation of Kazakh entrepreneurs has arrived in the United States to participate in the International Franchise Expo 2026 and hold a series of meetings with representatives of the American business community, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan reports.
The delegation includes founders and executives of companies operating in the food service, agricultural technology, advertising, printing and visual communications sectors.
The visit aims to explore opportunities for promoting Kazakh brands and franchise concepts in the U.S. market, identify potential partners and investors, gain insights into advanced business practices, and strengthen international commercial cooperation.
As part of the programme, the delegation met at the Consulate General of Kazakhstan in New York with members of the Kazakh business community who have successfully established businesses in the United States.
Participants exchanged views on adapting business models to the U.S. market and highlighted the importance of expanding commercial ties between entrepreneurs from Kazakhstan and the United States.
A key event of the visit was participation in the International Franchise Expo 2026, held at the Javits Convention Center in New York City. Kazakh companies presented their franchise offerings, held talks with potential partners and investors, and examined the experience of leading international franchise brands.
According to Kazakhstan's Foreign Ministry, participation in such international events helps promote Kazakh brands abroad, expand the country's export potential, and strengthen trade and economic cooperation between Kazakhstan and the United States.
The International Franchise Expo is one of the world's largest franchising events, bringing together franchisors, investors, consultants and entrepreneurs from dozens of countries each year. The exhibition provides a platform for networking, knowledge-sharing and the presentation of new business concepts.
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Kazakhstan and Cambodia Sign Agreement on Mutual Visa Exemption for Holders of Diplomatic and Official Passports
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A signing ceremony for the Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Government of the Kingdom of Cambodia on the Mutual Exemption of Holders of Diplomatic and Official Passports from Visa Requirements was held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Kingdom of Cambodia, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan reports.
The Agreement was signed by Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and concurrently accredited to the Kingdom of Cambodia, Kanat Tumysh, and Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Kingdom of Cambodia, Eat Sophea.
The signing of the Agreement marks an important step towards further strengthening Kazakh-Cambodian relations and enhancing bilateral cooperation. The implementation of the document will facilitate the expansion of official contacts between the state institutions of the two countries and contribute to closer interstate interaction.
During the meeting, the parties expressed satisfaction with the steady development of bilateral relations and reaffirmed their mutual commitment to further deepening political dialogue and expanding cooperation in areas of common interest.
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