Can Agricultural Growth Make Kazakhstan Regional Food Security Hub?
ASTANA – The global food system is facing several pressures at once. Population growth and rising incomes, particularly in middle-income countries, are changing consumption patterns. Demand for meat, dairy products, and other protein sources is increasing.

Photo credit: Shutterstock

At the same time, agriculture faces growing climate risks. Water scarcity, higher input costs and…
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Kazakh Foreign Ministry Condemns Attacks in Saudi Arabia, Issues Advisory for Kazakh Citizens
ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has urged citizens in Saudi Arabia to exercise heightened caution following attacks on the country’s civilian infrastructure that caused casualties, according to the ministry’s spokesperson Zhanbolat Ussenov.

The ministry advised Kazakh citizens to follow instructions from local authorities, avoid airports unless necessary and check flight statuses with…
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Kazakhstan’s Business Tourism Market Expands: Which Region Attracts Most Visitors?
ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s resort areas received 510,800 visitors traveling for business and professional purposes in the first half of 2026, with the Almaty Mountain Cluster accounting for 77.3% of the total, according to an analysis by Ranking.kz. The figures highlight the growing role of business tourism in the country’s tourism industry, as companies increasingly…
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Almaty Expands International Air Links With New Routes to Dubai, Hanoi and Prague
ASTANA – Flydubai has launched regular cargo flights between Dubai and Almaty, establishing a direct air freight connection between two major logistics hubs in the Middle East and Central Asia, Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Transport reported on Oct. 12.

Photo credit: Ministry of Transport.

Almaty International Airport welcomed the airline’s first cargo flight from Dubai…
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Belgian Royal Visit Signals Central Asia’s Growing Importance to Europe, Expert Says
ASTANA – The first state visit of King Philippe and Queen Mathilde to Kazakhstan reflects growing European interest in Central Asia, where expanding transport links, critical minerals and new economic opportunities are drawing greater diplomatic attention.

President Tokayev, King Philippe and Queen Mathilde visit the National Museum of Kazakhstan on Oct. 13. Photo credit:…
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Aktau Port Dredging Project Aims to Cut Shipping Costs and Boost Cargo Capacity
ASTANA – Dredging works at the Port of Aktau on the Caspian Sea are expected to increase cargo volumes along the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR) by up to 30% and reduce maritime shipping costs by 10-15%, according to the port administration.

Photo credit: Ministry of Transport.

The main phase of the project began…
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Hong Kong Electronics Fairs Showcase AI, Robotics and Industrial Innovation
HONG KONG – Hong Kong is seeking to strengthen its position in advanced manufacturing and emerging technologies as growing demand for artificial intelligence and electronic components drives exports, officials said on Oct. 13 at the opening of two major technology fairs bringing together more than 3,200 exhibitors from 15 countries and regions.

Hong Kong-based…
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Kazakhstan’s Economy Grows 4.2% as Manufacturing and Private Investment Drive Expansion
ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s economy grew 4.2% in the first nine months of 2026, supported by non-oil sectors, rising private investment and expanding industrial production, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Economy Serik Zhumangarin said at a government meeting on Oct. 13.

Photo credit: Shutterstock

The non-resource sector grew 5.4%, while construction, manufacturing, transport…
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Kazakhstan to Hold Early Maslikhat Elections This November
ASTANA – Kazakhstan will hold early elections for local representative bodies, known as maslikhats, on Nov. 29, the Central Election Commission announced at an Oct. 13 meeting.

The elections will fill 3,447 seats across 228 maslikhats at the regional, city and district levels, Deputy Chair of the Central Election Commission Mukhtar Yerman said. Of…
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Kazakhstan, Belgium Seek Deeper Trade and Investment Ties at Business Council
ASTANA – Kazakhstan and Belgium are seeking to deepen cooperation in transport and logistics, critical minerals, energy, advanced technologies and manufacturing, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and King Philippe said at the Oct. 13 fourth meeting of the Kazakh-Belgian Business Council during the Belgian monarch’s state visit to Kazakhstan.

President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and King Philippe…
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Water After Glaciers: Preparing Kazakhstan for Different Water Future
ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s water future may depend less on how much water reaches its rivers than on when it arrives. Climate change is shifting snowmelt, glacier runoff and river-flow peaks across Central Asia, forcing the country to rethink how it stores, forecasts and uses water.

A view of the Tian Shan mountain peaks near…
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Kazakhstan, Belgium Expand Academic Cooperation at Rectors’ Forum Attended by Tokayev and Royal Couple
ASTANA – Kazakhstan and Belgium agreed to expand academic mobility, joint research and artificial intelligence cooperation as President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, King Philippe and Queen Mathilde attended a bilateral Rectors’ Forum on Oct. 13, bringing together leaders of 29 universities and research organizations.

Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium attended…
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Kazakhstan Claims Two Golds at U23 World Wrestling Championships in Las Vegas
ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s Greco-Roman wrestlers have secured two gold medals at the U23 World Wrestling Championships on Oct. 14 in Las Vegas, with Aibek Aitbekov and Yusuf Ashrapov winning their finals and Temirlan Turdakyn advancing to the title bout.

Photo credit: kazwrestling_official

Aitbekov claimed the title in the 60-kilogram category, defeating Azerbaijan’s Elmir Aliyev,…
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Kuwait’s Jazeera Airways Eyes Resumption of Direct Flights to Kazakhstan
ASTANA – Kuwait’s airline Jazeera Airways is interested in resuming direct flights to Kazakhstan once regional conditions stabilize, potentially restoring a route suspended after its launch in 2021.

Kazakhstan’s Ambassador to Kuwait Yerzhan Yelekeyev discussed restoring direct air connectivity with Jazeera Airways CEO Barathan Pasupathi, the Kazakh Foreign Ministry reported on Oct. 13.

The…
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From Reading Culture to Reading Competence: What PISA 2025 Tells Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan has set itself an ambitious goal: to become a reading nation. In May, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signed a decree placing the development of reading culture among the country’s national priorities. The policy includes new libraries, a national digital library platform and a Reading Nation concept for 2027–2031. These are welcome developments. The latest…
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Norway, Central Asia: Interests, Engagement and Strategic Capacity
Norwegian companies are finding customers in Kazakhstan. The relationship now includes a bilateral business council, regular commercial missions and exchanges on resource management and higher education. These developments make Kazakhstan a useful starting point for understanding Norway’s interests in Central Asia and the institutions through which it pursues them.

Glenn Agung Hole. Photo credit:Author’s…
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Kazakhstan Targets 100 Million Tons in Annual Transit Cargo by 2035
ASTANA – Kazakhstan plans to increase annual transit cargo volumes to 100 million tons by 2035 as it expands transport infrastructure and strengthens connections between major Eurasian trade corridors, Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov said at Kazakhstan Transport Week in Astana on Oct. 15.

Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov. Photo credit: PM’s press service.

The forum…
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Kazakhstan Wins Five Medals, Finishes Second at U23 World Wrestling Championships
ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s Greco-Roman wrestling team won five medals, including two golds, at the U23 World Wrestling Championships in Las Vegas, the United States, finishing second in the team standings.

Temirlan Turdakyn. Photo credit: United World Wrestling.

Kazakhstan collected 114 points, behind Iran with 119 points and ahead of Russia, which finished third with…
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What Kazakhstan Expects to Earn From Oil in 2027
ASTANA – Kazakhstan expects to receive nearly 3.78 trillion tenge (US$7.9 billion) from oil-sector organizations for its National Fund in 2027, according to a draft national budget for 2027-2029.

Photo credit: CNBC

The draft budget was approved in the first reading by deputies of the Kurultai on Oct. 14. The forecast is based on…
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Trust Emerges as Journalism’s Defining Asset in Age of AI, Media Leaders Say
ASTANA – As artificial intelligence reshapes news production and digital platforms fragment audiences, media organizations must strengthen editorial accountability, provide context and build trust to remain relevant, international media representatives said at the 10th Astana Media Week, which opened in the Kazakh capital on Oct. 14.

Panelists at the 10th Astana Media Week discuss…
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