Kazakhstan Officially Establishes Merke Nature Park
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Kazakhstan has officially established the Merke Nature Park in the Zhambyl region to enhance biodiversity conservation and support climate resilience, with assistance from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Xinhua reports.
Spanning more than 86,000 hectares in the Western Tianshan Mountains, the park is home to rare and endemic species. A recent wildlife survey recorded eight snow leopards, 120 argali sheep, 20 Indian gazelles and 22 Central Asian lynxes within its territory, according to the UNDP.
Beyond ecosystem protection, the park will foster ecotourism, environmental education and sustainable land use. Its plans include developing key infrastructure, creating employment opportunities, promoting scientific research and working with local communities to ensure long-term stewardship of the park's natural resources.
The establishment of the park represents an important step toward the effective management of natural resources and the preservation of ecosystems, said Daniyar Turgambayev, chairman of the Committee for Forestry and Wildlife under the Kazakh Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources.
Merke Nature Park sets an example of how local action underpins global biodiversity goals and climate resilience," said UNDP Resident Representative in Kazakhstan Katarzyna Wawiernia.
As part of a broader cooperation, Kazakhstan and the UNDP have established 10 new protected areas, while six existing reserves have been expanded. Kazakhstan has also established two new ecological corridors for the first time to safeguard the migration routes of rare wildlife, covering a combined area of 2.9 million hectares.
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Kazakhstan and the International Labour Organization Strengthen Strategic Partnership
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Permanent Representative of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the United Nations Office and other international organizations in Geneva, Erzhan Kazykhan, held meeting with the Director-general of the International Labour Organization (ILO), Gilbert F. Houngbo, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan reports.
During the meeting, the Ambassador conveyed warm greetings from the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, and reaffirmed Kazakhstan’s unwavering commitment to strengthening its strategic partnership with the ILO.
Particular emphasis was placed on the importance of the Director-General’s historic visit to Kazakhstan in September 2024 - the first such visit by an ILO head since the country joined the Organization in 1993.
The interlocutors highlighted the joint achievements, including the successful implementation of the 2024-2025 Roadmap on Decent Work and the recent ratification of ILO Convention No. 131 concerning Minimum Wage Fixing.
Both sides underlined the central role of tripartism and social dialogue in Kazakhstan’s labour policy and expressed readiness to further deepen cooperation.
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The Shymkent Youth Theatre Won the Grand Prix at the International Sahara Festival
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The Shymkent Youth Theatre took part for the first time and won the Grand Prix at the International Cultural Festival of Desert Theatre held in the Algerian city of Adrar on December 1-7, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan reports.
The international festival was held under the auspices of the Algerian Ministry of Culture and Arts and Administration of Adrar Region located in the heart of Africa's Sahara Desert.
Theatre groups from 30 countries presented their art to audiences, which was judged by a prestigious international jury.
A Kazakh theatre troupe performed under the Sahara night sky, against the backdrop of the ancient Berber citadel of Tamasakht, dating back to the 4th century, with an original, contemporary production of the classic tragedy "Antigone".
Local and international audiences were impressed by the talented performances and energy of our young actors, their skill, and vibrant creativity.
Festival Commissioner Sheikh Okbaui thanked the Kazakh theatre delegation for their vibrant performance and expressed hope for further collaboration in the cultural sphere, and the promotion of new projects and programs.
At the official ceremony, the festival's main prize, the Grand Prix, was presented to the Shymkent Youth Theatre by the Minister of Culture and Arts of Algeria, Malika Mendouda. She praised the theatre's work and expressed interest in developing cooperation with our country. She emphasized that Kazakh actors demonstrated a high level of theatrical skill and brilliantly represented Kazakhstan on a unique international stage.
The delegation of the theatre could participate in this international event with the support of the Shymkent City Administration, the Department of Culture, Language Development, and Archives, and the assistance and support of the Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan in Algeria.
Overall, a cultural diplomacy of Kazakhstan strengthens our country's image, allows for the expansion of productive contacts in Algeria and its regions, initiates joint projects in various fields, and enriches mutual humanitarian exchanges between the peoples of the two countries.
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Opera Theaters of Kazakhstan and Oman are Developing Cultural Cooperation
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The Astana Opera Theatre presented Roland Petit’s ballet Coppélia, set to the music of Léo Delibes, on the stage of the Royal Opera House Muscat in the Sultanate of Oman. This work is widely recognized as one of the significant pieces of world ballet heritage, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan reports.
The performances, held as part of the international touring program, demonstrated the high professional standards and artistic mastery of the Astana Opera company. The productions attracted considerable interest from Omani audiences, and the ballet itself was noted as one of the key cultural events of the Royal Opera House Muscat’s 2025-2026 season.
Audience members particularly highlighted the virtuoso performances of the leading soloists, distinguished by refined acting interpretation and impeccable technique, as well as the harmonious combination of contemporary directing solutions with classical ballet traditions. The exceptional artistry and precision of the Astana Opera Orchestra also received high praise, significantly enhancing the overall emotional and musical expressiveness of the production. The professionalism of the entire creative team resulted in a performance of high artistic value and powerful stage presence.
The staging made a significant contribution to strengthening cultural cooperation between the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Sultanate of Oman, fostering the further development of bilateral relations in the humanitarian sphere and opening new prospects for collaboration in the field of arts.
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Cold spell to grip Kazakhstan
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Kazhydromet Meteorological Service warns of increasingly challenging weather conditions in Kazakhstan this week, Qazinform News Agency reports.
Snow, snowstorms, ice-slick and fog are forecast to batter Kazakhstan, it said in a statement. Air temperature is reported to plunge starting from December 9.
The temperature will drop from –13–18 degrees Celsius to –20–25 degrees Celsius since December 9.
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Two strong class M flares were recorded on the Sun
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On the evening of December 5, two strong Class M solar flares were recorded, iz.ru reports.
A double strong M flare in area 4299 (formerly 4274) in the center of the disk after several days of silence. In the left (red) video, one can observe the ignition of extended flash ribbons on the surface of the Sun - a sign of a large mass ejection," the Laboratory of Solar Astronomy at the Institute of Space Research (IKI) of the Russian Academy of Sciences says.
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Almaty sees 13% decline in crime rate - Sadenov
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Kazakh Minister of Internal Affairs Yerzhan Sadenov announced a 13% drop in crime in Almaty during a working visit to the city, Qazinform News Agency cites Polisia.kz.
Almaty is the country’s largest metropolis. The security and peace of millions of its residents and visitors depend directly on the professionalism of Almaty's police officers," the minister noted.
According to Yerzhan Sadenov, a comprehensive set of anti-crime measures is yielding tangible results. Crime has fallen by 13%, with even greater decreases recorded in categories such as homicide, grievous bodily harm, theft, fraud, robbery, assault, repeat offenses, and street crime.
The minister placed a special emphasis on public order and patrol policing. He set tasks to enhance the professional standards of the patrol police, military details, and integrated law enforcement forces. He underscored that the core principles must remain professionalism, along with courtesy and strictness.
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Black ice, blowing snow to hit Kazakhstan
On December 7, large parts of Kazakhstan are expected to face severe weather conditions, with black ice, blowing snow, and fog, Qazinform News Agency has learned from Kazhydromet National Weather Service.
In Astana, icy conditions are expected throughout the day. In the Akmola region, forecasters predict blowing snow and black ice, with fog lingering in the west, north, and east. Wind gusts may reach 15-20 m/s.
The Abai region is also expected to see blowing snow, ice, and fog. The East Kazakhstan region will face low-drifting snow, ice, and fog, with winds of 15-20 m/s.
In the Aktobe region, icy conditions are likely in the north, east, and south during the daytime, while the Atyrau region will experience patches of fog in northern districts. The West Kazakhstan region will see fog and ice. In the Mangistau region, icy conditions are expected.
In the mountainous areas of the Zhambyl region, fog and icy conditions are forecast, with winds reaching 15-20 m/s. Fog is expected across the western, southern, and central parts of the Turkistan region, including mountainous areas. The western part of the Kyzylorda region will face both fog and ice.
In the Zhetysu region, fog and ice are expected in the mountainous and foothill zones, with southwesterly winds strengthening to 15-20 m/s near the Alakol lakes.
Blowing snow and black ice are likely in the west, north, and east of the Kostanay region, with patchy fog expected in the west, east, and south. In the Pavlodar region, blowing snow is forecast for northern and western districts, with southwesterly winds strengthening to 15-20 m/s. The North Kazakhstan region will see blowing snow, ice, and fog in the west and north.
Daytime conditions in the Ulytau region will bring ice and fog to the north and east. The Karaganda region is forecast to experience ice and widespread fog in the north, east, and south.
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Favorable conditions must be created for small business - Tokayev
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President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev emphasized that he pays special attention to the development of small and medium-sized businesses at the awards ceremony for the winners of the Altyn Sapa, Paryz prizes and The Best Goods of Kazakhstan competition, Qazinform News Agency has learnt from the Akorda press service.
As Head of State, I pay special attention to the development of small and medium-sized businesses, personally overseeing all key issues. The Government is undertaking extensive efforts to stimulate entrepreneurship and eliminate barriers to its growth. At the same time, it must be openly recognized that significant challenges and unresolved problems still exist," the Kazakh President said.
He stressed that it is crucial to create favorable conditions, especially for small businesses that produce high value-added products.
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