U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio to visit Kazakhstan
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U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said he plans to visit five Central Asia countries in 2026, Kazinform News Agency reports.
I personally intend to visit all five countries in the coming year. So I know it would probably be a week-long trip. So we’ve got to work on that and make that happen together," Rubio said.
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The Reforms Being Implemented in Kazakhstan were Supported in the State Assembly of Hungar
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Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Hungary Abzal Saparbekuly and Lajos Olah, the Vice-Speaker of the Hungarian National Assembly (Parliament), Deputy Chair of the Hungary-Kazakhstan Inter-Parliamentary Friendship Group, discussed the pressing issues on the bilateral agenda within the framework of the Kazakh-Hungarian strategic partnership, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan reports.
The parties mentioned the importance of inter-parliamentary ties and highly valued the current dynamics of their development. In addition, the interlocutors exchanged views on the complex situations in Central and Eastern Europe and the Middle East, especially their negative impact on the global economy and energy supply chains.
A. Saparbekuly informed the Vice-Speaker about the Republican referendum to be held in Kazakhstan this Sunday, highlighting the key provisions of the new constitution that will determine the country's fate. In particular, on the future Parliament's name, structure, and powers, as well as theses on reforming socio-political and state power institutions, were presented.
L. Olah, in turn, shared his views on pressing issues on the international agenda and expressed his thoughts on the parliamentary elections to be held in Hungary on April 12.
He mentioned he had reviewed the project of our country's new constitution, praised the public debates held during its preparation and the suggestions made, and expressed his positive intent, calling the upcoming referendum an important and historic stage in Kazakhstan's path to renewal.
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Kazakhstan and Belgium hold 6th Round of Political Consultations in Astana
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The sixth round of political consultations between the foreign ministries of Kazakhstan and Belgium was held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan reports.
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan Arman Issetov headed the Kazakh delegation, while Director General for Bilateral Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation of Belgium Birgit Stevens led the Belgian delegation.
The parties held a substantive exchange of views on the current state and prospects of Kazakh-Belgian cooperation in the political, trade, economic, and cultural-humanitarian spheres.
The parties expressed interest in further strengthening ties between Kazakhstan and the European Union, including in the context of the Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (EPCA) between Kazakhstan and the EU. Views were also exchanged on key regional and global issues.
Following the meeting, the parties expressed their readiness to further enhance bilateral relations based on mutual respect and pragmatic partnership.
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Kazakhstan Expands Cooperation with the European Public Law Organization
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Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Greece Timur Sultangozhin held talks with the Director of the European Public Law Organization, Spyridon Flogaitis, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan reports.
During the meeting, the parties discussed the current state and prospects of cooperation between Kazakhstan and EPLO in the fields of public law, public administration, as well as academic and expert interaction. Particular attention was given to the development of partnerships with Kazakh universities and research centers, the implementation of joint educational and research projects, academic mobility programs, and the participation of Kazakh specialists and scholars in international events and expert initiatives organized by the organization.
Ambassador of Kazakhstan informed his interlocutor about the political and institutional reforms being implemented in the country at the initiative of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, including the upcoming referendum on the adoption of a new Constitution. It was noted that the constitutional reforms are aimed at further strengthening the rule of law, developing democratic institutions, and improving the system of public administration.
In turn, Spyridon Flogaitis highly appreciated the reforms being carried out in Kazakhstan, noting their importance for strengthening the rule of law and modernizing state institutions. He also positively noted the active participation of Kazakh educational and research institutions in the activities of EPLO, including cooperation with several leading universities of the country and the involvement of Kazakh experts in the organization’s international programs and expert structures.
Following the meeting, the parties confirmed their mutual interest in further expanding cooperation and outlined promising areas for future interaction.
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Regions receive more resources, maslikhats must enhance control - President
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Regions must focus on scrupulous planning of their budgets and increasing incomes. This is what President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said at the III Republican Forum of Maslikhat Deputies, Qazinform News Agency reports, citing the press service of Akorda.
We gradually strengthen the potential of local authorities and financial independence of regions. Last year, budgets of rural areas exceeded 442 billion tenge. Meanwhile, the average budget of rural areas reached 190 million tenge. This is a good indicator," said the President.
From 2026, budgets of rural areas will receive additional sources of income, including tax on the extraction of widespread mineral resources, the use of groundwater, and therapeutic mud.
In line with my instructions, the Government is now working on the issue of transferring part of the property tax paid by legal entities and individual entrepreneurs to fourth-level budgets. Regions may also receive funds from license fees for certain types of activities and from environmental fines," the President noted.
Revenue should contribute to the development of the territories where it is generated. In short, regions are gaining more and more resources, and the task of the maslikhats is to ensure proper oversight of their use. It is extremely important to improve the quality of budget planning and execution in the regions," the Head of State emphasized.
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Kazakhstan and Egypt Discuss Intergovernmental Cooperation Agenda
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Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Egypt, Askar Zhenis, held a meeting with the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Egyptians Abroad, Samar al-Ahdal, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan reports.
In light of the large-scale restructuring of the Egyptian Cabinet in February 2026, the parties discussed new organizational mechanisms and prospects for cooperation within the framework of the Kazakhstan-Egypt Intergovernmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, and Technical Cooperation.
In this regard, the primary focus of the discussion was the preparation for the sixth meeting of the Commission, scheduled to take place in Astana this year. The Deputy Minister emphasized that following the government reorganization, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs now oversees the commission's activities.
As part of an exchange of views, the parties discussed regional security issues in the Middle East, noting the importance of the recent telephone conversation between the Foreign Ministers of the two countries on this topic. The Kazakh diplomat also briefed his counterpart on the progress of preparations for the upcoming constitutional referendum scheduled for March 15.
In conclusion, the parties reaffirmed their commitment to accelerating the coordination of the IGC meeting dates and continuing an active dialogue across all areas of sustainable development.
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Kazakhstan’s Experience in Consolidating Gender Equality Presented at UNESCO
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Gender equality, human rights, justice and responsibility are integral principles of national policy and ongoing reforms in the Republic of Kazakhstan, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan reports.
The delegation of Kazakhstan delivered this message in a speech at a high-level event attended by the UNESCO member states and its leadership to mark the International Women’s Day and the 70th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women, taking place in New York.
In his remarks at the meeting, UNESCO Director-General Khaled El-Enany outlined the Organization’s efforts to ensure gender equality in education, science, and cultural policy.
Permanent Delegate of Kazakhstan to UNESCO, Ambassador Askar Abdrakhmanov briefed the participants on Kazakhstan’s experience in promoting gender equality and strengthening the role of women in the country’s social, political, and economic life.
Within the context of UNESCO’s mandate, Ambassador Abdrakhmanov emphasized the measures undertaken to expand participation of women in education, science, and innovation sector, taking into account the rapid development of digital technologies and artificial intelligence.
It was noted that women make up 52.5 % of university students in Kazakhstan. Women own over 48 % of small and medium-sized enterprises, and their share in the civil service personnel is 55.8 %. Furthermore, there are projects being implemented in the country to support women in STEM (science, technologies, engineering and mathematics) research and tackle discrimination against women in the digital environment and in judicial processes.
Kazakhstan is firmly committed to UNESCO’s global priority of gender equality. In its turn, the UN Regional Centre for the Sustainable Development Goals for Central Asia and Afghanistan, as well as the UNESCO Almaty Office’s projects serve as a useful platform for regional dialogue and cooperation in this important area," said the Kazakh diplomat.
Concluding his speech at the event, Ambassador Abdrakhmanov reaffirmed Kazakhstan’s commitment to the collective efforts of the international community to eradicate gender inequality worldwide and in all spheres of public life.
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