Tiger Return, Leaders’ Summit and Comic Con: The Week in Kazakhstan
A meeting of Central Asian leaders, the return of a tiger to the wild, an international artificial intelligence olympiad and Comic Con in Astana - these and other developments feature in Kazakhstan Today’s weekly news digest for 31 July-6 August.
At the centre of the political agenda was an informal meeting of the leaders of the Central Asian countries and Azerbaijan in Kyrgyzstan. During the meeting, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev proposed developing and adopting an action plan to strengthen cooperation among the countries of the region. The meeting concluded with the adoption of the Cholpon-Ata Declaration aimed at advancing cooperation in key areas.
Turning to other developments on the international agenda, Kazakhstan’s Foreign Minister Yermek Kosherbayev held a telephone conversation with Romania’s acting foreign minister. The two sides discussed the development of bilateral cooperation, the situation surrounding the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC) and energy security.
Another major development was the return of the Amur tiger to the wild. For the first time in more than 70 years, a tigress named Ümit has been released into the wild in Kazakhstan. She is now exploring the territory of the Ile-Balkhash State Nature Reserve, while specialists monitor her adaptation using a GPS collar.
The week was also eventful in education, with Astana hosting the III International Olympiad in Artificial Intelligence (IOAI). The competition has brought together school students from more than 100 countries. Speaking at the opening ceremony, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said Kazakhstan had made a strategic choice in favour of digital development.
Rounding off the week’s highlights is a festival for film and pop culture fans: Comic Con Astana 2026 has opened in the Kazakh capital. Headliners include Game of Thrones star Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, actors Paul Anderson, Iñaki Godoy and Taz Skylar, as well as K-pop group Kandis.
Those were the week’s top stories. Follow Kazakhstan Today for the latest news.
This information may not be reproduced without reference to Kazakhstan Today. Copyright of materials of News Agency Kazakhstan Today.
relevant news
Landslide Hits Homes in Eastern China, Killing Five
Images | Niranjan Shrestha
A landslide struck residential buildings in eastern China after several days of torrential rain brought by Typhoon Saudel. Five people were killed and seven others remain missing, China Daily reports.
Rescue teams are continuing search-and-rescue operations and clearing the debris. Residents are being evacuated from areas at risk of further landslides and flooding. The full extent of the damage and the number of homes affected are still being assessed.
Severe weather conditions persist in the region because of the typhoon. Forecasters have warned of more heavy rain, stronger winds and possible flooding. Local authorities have urged residents to stay away from slopes, riverbeds and other hazardous areas.
Earlier, on 26 August, a major flood occurred on the China-Nepal border after a glacier collapsed. The disaster claimed the lives of more than 1,300 people.
This information may not be reproduced without reference to Kazakhstan Today. Copyright of materials of News Agency Kazakhstan Today.
UN General Assembly Backs Push to Rethink World Maps
Images | AI
On 4 September, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution titled "Correct the Map", with 164 countries voting in favour.
However, this does not mean the UN has approved a new "correct" world map or banned the familiar Mercator projection. Instead, the resolution calls for wider use of equal-area maps, such as the Equal Earth projection, in contexts where accurately representing the relative size of countries and continents is important.
The Mercator projection, which remains widely used today, dates back to the 16th century and was designed primarily for maritime navigation. While it is useful for plotting courses, it distorts the size of land masses: the farther a territory is from the equator, the larger it appears.
For example, Greenland can appear almost comparable in size to Africa, even though Africa is roughly 14 times larger.
The African Union has been one of the leading advocates for change. It argues that conventional maps visually understate Africa’s size, affecting perceptions of the continent’s scale and its place in the world. On an equal-area map, Africa appears significantly larger in relation to Europe and Greenland.
Cartographers, however, stress that there is no perfectly accurate flat map of the Earth. Some degree of distortion is inevitable when representing a three-dimensional planet on a two-dimensional surface.
This information may not be reproduced without reference to Kazakhstan Today. Copyright of materials of News Agency Kazakhstan Today.
40 Million Cubic Meters of Water Released Into Korgalzhyn Reserve to Protect Flamingo Habitats
Images | gov.kz
State water company Kazvodkhoz released 40 million cubic meters of water into the Tengiz-Korgalzhyn lake system to maintain the water balance and preserve biodiversity. The annual environmental releases are carried out in part to protect the habitats of flamingos and other birds, the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation said.
Three Kazvodkhoz branches took part in the operation: the K. Satpayev Canal, Karaganda and Akmola branches.
The Tengiz-Korgalzhyn lake system is located within the Korgalzhyn Nature Reserve. It provides an important habitat for flamingos and other waterbirds and shorebirds.
The Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation conducts environmental water releases in various regions of Kazakhstan each year. Water is directed to reservoirs and other bodies of water to maintain their balance and preserve local ecosystems.
During the releases, Kazvodkhoz specialists remain on duty around the clock at hydraulic facilities and reservoirs, overseeing water flows and conducting continuous monitoring.
To prevent the depletion of water bodies, the new Water Code adopted in 2025 introduced the concept of "environmental flow" for the first time. It refers to the minimum volume of water required to sustain the ecosystems of rivers, lakes and seas. The code also strengthened protections for small rivers and lakes and established a special conservation regime for wetlands and glaciers.
"Protecting water bodies from depletion and pollution is one of our most important priorities, alongside supplying farmers with irrigation water. The ministry is making extensive efforts to ensure a stable water supply to farmland without harming the environment. The introduction of water-saving technologies and modern metering tools allows us to distribute water efficiently while balancing the needs of the economy and the environment," Water Resources and Irrigation Minister Nurzhan Nurzhigitov said.
This information may not be reproduced without reference to Kazakhstan Today. Copyright of materials of News Agency Kazakhstan Today.
Kurultai Session, New Government Line-up and Nomad Games Success: Kazakhstan’s Week in Review
Images | AI
A Kurultai session, a reshuffled government, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit, Kazakhstan’s first victories at the World Nomad Games and the country’s first Kazakh Tazy and Tobet Day were among the key events that shaped the week from August 27 to September 3. Kazakhstan Today looks back at the main developments.
The week’s biggest domestic political event took place in Astana, where the newly elected Kurultai held its first session. Aibek Dadebay was elected chairman, with Nurlan Beknazarov, Dania Yespayeva and Dinara Zakiyeva appointed as his deputies. Eight standing committees were also formed.
Another major appointment saw Yerlan Karin named Vice President of Kazakhstan after his candidacy received the backing of the Kurultai.
The government line-up was also renewed. Olzhas Bektenov retained his post as Prime Minister, while four ministries saw changes at the top. Mukhtar Tileuberdi was appointed Foreign Minister, Alibek Kuantyrov took charge of the Ministry of Ecology, Arman Kyrykbayev became Minister of Culture and Information, and Murat Mukhanov was appointed Minister for Emergency Situations.
On the international stage, the week’s main event was the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Bishkek.
In his address, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev proposed enshrining the organisation’s key principles in a dedicated resolution of the UN General Assembly. He also called for a stronger role for the United Nations and greater efficiency in its work.
Turning to sport, Kazakhstan’s national team has delivered a strong performance at the sixth World Nomad Games in Kyrgyzstan.
After three days of competition, Kazakh athletes had won 34 medals - 16 gold, eight silver and 10 bronze - putting the country second in the overall medal standings.
Kazakhstan is represented by 152 athletes competing across 43 sports. The Games will continue until September 6.
We end this week’s round-up with a celebration of Kazakhstan’s national heritage.
On September 3, Kazakhstan marked Kazakh Tazy and Tobet Day for the first time, celebrating two native dog breeds that have been part of life on the Great Steppe for centuries.
Those were the key events of the week. Stay up to date with the latest developments with Kazakhstan Today.
This information may not be reproduced without reference to Kazakhstan Today. Copyright of materials of News Agency Kazakhstan Today.
Kazakhstan Celebrates First-Ever Tazy and Tobet Day
Images | qr-pib.kz
Today, 3 September, Kazakhstan is celebrating Kazakh Tazy and Tobet Day for the first time.
For centuries, these breeds lived alongside people across the Great Steppe. The swift and agile Tazy accompanied hunters and could pursue prey across open terrain. The powerful and resilient Tobet guarded herds and homes, serving as a reliable protector.
The Tazy holds a special place in Kazakh culture. The breed is one of the "Zheti Kazyna" - the seven treasures of the Kazakh people - and is regarded as a symbol of loyalty, agility and strength.
The ancient breed is now gaining renewed recognition. In 2024, the Tazy received preliminary recognition from the Fédération Cynologique Internationale, while Kazakhstan was officially designated as the breed’s country of origin.
Tazy dogs from Kazakhstan are already taking part in major international dog shows. Around 4,000 dogs have been registered in the studbook alone.
Meanwhile, a National Centre for Kazakh Dog Breeds is being built in the Zhetisu Region to preserve the Tazy and Tobet for future generations.
These are not simply beautiful and powerful dogs. They are a living legacy of the Great Steppe.
This information may not be reproduced without reference to Kazakhstan Today. Copyright of materials of News Agency Kazakhstan Today.
Kazakhstan has won its first two gold medals at the 6th World Nomad Games in Kyrgyzstan
Images | worldnomadgames.kz
Kazakhstan has won its first two gold medals at the 6th World Nomad Games, currently taking place in Kyrgyzstan.
Both medals were won in audaryspak - a traditional horseback wrestling competition in which athletes try to knock their opponents out of the saddle.
Nurtalap Kerim won the gold medal in the up-to-60 kg category, defeating an athlete from Kyrgyzstan in the final.
In the up-to-70 kg category, Saylau Mukhamedzhan claimed the gold. His final bout against a Kyrgyz opponent ended with a 2:1 score.
These are Kazakhstan’s first gold medals at this year’s World Nomad Games.
This information may not be reproduced without reference to Kazakhstan Today. Copyright of materials of News Agency Kazakhstan Today.
Sixth World Nomad Games Open in Bishkek
Images | world_nomad_games
6th World Nomad Games Kick Off in Bishkek
The 6th World Nomad Games have brought together around 3,000 athletes from more than 100 countries. The official opening ceremony was held at Bishkek Arena and attended by Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.
Kazakhstan is represented by more than 150 athletes, who will compete in all 43 disciplines, including traditional Kazakh sports.
The competitions are being held from 31 August to 6 September in Kyrgyzstan’s Issyk-Kul Region. The next World Nomad Games are planned to take place in Kazan.
The World Nomad Games are where ancient traditions come alive through competition.
This information may not be reproduced without reference to Kazakhstan Today. Copyright of materials of News Agency Kazakhstan Today.
SHUBAT FEST-2026 Draws More Than 15,000 Visitors in Aktau
Images | Gov.kz
The national SHUBAT FEST-2026 festival was held in Aktau, attracting more than 15,000 residents and visitors. The Birlik farm from Zhanaozen won the top prize in the competition for the best shubat, the Mangystau regional administration’s press service said.
The festival brought together producers from the Mangystau, Atyrau, Kyzylorda and Turkistan regions.
The competition for the best shubat received 83 entries. Forty-one contestants passed the preliminary selection, and 20 producers advanced to the final following laboratory testing.
The Birlik farm from Zhanaozen won the festival’s grand prize. The winner received a GWM Poer pickup truck from festival sponsor Astana Motors.
The Tolkyn farm from Aktau took first place, followed by Orynbasar from the Zhylyoi district of the Atyrau Region in second place and Nur-Abyl from the Beineu district of the Mangystau Region in third.
The festival also featured a competition for the best camel milk products. Producers presented kurt, balkaymak, desserts, coffee, ice cream and cocktails. Visitors selected some of the winning products in a public vote.
Organizers said the festival aims to promote shubat, preserve traditional production methods, support domestic producers and advance camel farming.
This information may not be reproduced without reference to Kazakhstan Today. Copyright of materials of News Agency Kazakhstan Today.