AGP Executive Report

Kazakhstan–Korea Talks: Kazakhstan and South Korea met in Astana to expand practical cooperation in AI, industry, infrastructure, and education, with both sides agreeing to keep close coordination on major bilateral and multilateral events. Energy & Industry: KMG and China’s CNOOC reviewed cooperation on the Zhylyoi geological exploration project in the northeastern Caspian, including reprocessing 2D seismic data and preparing 3D surveys, plus expanded oilfield services collaboration. Oil Market Watch: OPEC+ is expected to keep its October output policy unchanged, with seven core members including Kazakhstan joining an online meeting as Iran-war disruptions continue to affect Gulf supply flows. Nomad Games Spotlight: Kazakhstan’s athletes added medals at the World Nomad Games—including audaryspak gold for Tulebekov in zhamby atu and further team success in audaryspak events. Border & Travel Rules: Kazakhstan is moving ahead with electronic entry permits for foreigners, including updates affecting Kyrgyz citizens. Culture Abroad: Kazakhstan’s Cultural Center in Beijing marked its first anniversary, highlighting language, arts, and community events that drew tens of thousands of visitors. Sports (US Open): Elena Rybakina advanced at the US Open with a straight-sets win over Thea Frodin, easing concerns after a recent injury scare.

US Open Focus: Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina eased into the US Open second round with a 6-3, 6-2 win over 17-year-old Thea Frodin, managing a recent left-heel injury and keeping her sights on the world No. 1 ranking. Border & Travel Rules: Kazakhstan has started testing QazETA paid electronic entry permits for foreign citizens and stateless people, with phased mandatory rollout by transport type and border category; applications must be filed up to 72 hours ahead. Regional Sports: At the World Nomad Games in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan’s kokpar team opened with a dominant 12-1 win over Mongolia, while Kazakhstan is set to compete in group play. Economy Watch: Kazakhstan’s manufacturing downturn deepened in August, with a Freedom Holding Kazakhstan PMI slipping to 46.0 as new orders and output fell. Aviation Security: Kazakhstan will host ICAO Security Week 2026 in Astana, highlighting aviation cybersecurity and drone-related risks. Politics: Kazakhstan reinstated the vice presidency after 30 years, appointing Erlan Karin. SCO Diplomacy: Leaders adopted the Bishkek Declaration at the SCO summit, pledging deeper cooperation on security, trade and technology.

SCO Summit in Bishkek: Kazakhstan’s leaders joined a major Shanghai Cooperation Organisation push on security, trade and technology, with heads of state adopting the Bishkek Declaration and signing a package of cooperation documents. Terror and “double standards”: India’s PM Modi used the platform to call for dismantling the “terror ecosystem” and rejecting selective approaches. Water diplomacy: Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif told the summit that water is the region’s “lifeblood” and must never be weaponised, tying the message to the Indus Waters Treaty dispute. Kazakhstan policy at home: Kazakhstan is opening 57 new schools for the 2026-2027 year to ease overcrowding and improve safety. Travel rules: Kazakhstan is rolling out paid QazETA electronic entry permits for foreigners (pilot until Nov 1), including for Russian citizens. Local safety: A deadly crash on the Saryozek–Koktal highway killed six people. Community alert: Two Kazakh sisters were found dead in a Sharjah apartment; police are investigating.

SCO Summit in Bishkek: Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev joins leaders including Putin, Xi and Modi as the 26th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit opens, with talks focused on regional security, connectivity and people-to-people ties. Counter-Terror Push: Modi used the SCO roundtable to demand dismantling the full terrorism ecosystem and warned against “double standards.” Kazakhstan Education Safety: Nearly 4 million pupils start the new academic year as schools expand safety measures, including 283,000 surveillance cameras and police-linked monitoring. Visa/Entry Rules: Kazakhstan plans paid electronic entry permits (QazETA) for visa-free foreign arrivals, with phased rollout from late August into December. Digital Payments Tax: Kazakhstan is considering abolishing VAT on QR payment services and other cashless transfers. Sports & Culture: Kazakhstan’s athletes win multiple medals at regional events, while the World Nomad Games open in Bishkek with Kazakhstan among participating teams. Media Update: The Kazakh outlet Orda.kz has ceased operations, citing lack of funding.

SCO Summit in Bishkek: Kazakhstan’s President Tokayev arrived for the 25th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit as leaders from China, Russia and India push deeper ties and a multipolar agenda. Kazakhstan Appointments: Erlan Karin was appointed Kazakhstan’s vice president after parliament approved the nomination, as the country’s new constitutional setup takes shape. World Nomad Games: Tokayev attended the opening of the 6th World Nomad Games in Bishkek, with Kazakhstan fielding more than 150 athletes across 43 disciplines. Kazakhstan–Saudi Arabia: Kazakhstan and Saudi Arabia signed an air services agreement and discussed expanding transport and logistics cooperation, aiming to boost passenger and cargo flows. Digital Economy: The SCO-linked “Tree of SCO” training initiative is expanding digital skills across member states, while Kazakhstan is also set to join the Digital Cooperation Organization as it adds new members. Media Watch: Orda.kz announced it will shut down from September 1, citing financial strain. Regional Security/Trade: Kazakhstan’s role in SCO connectivity and regional projects remains a key theme as leaders meet amid Middle East and Ukraine tensions.

SCO Summit Diplomacy: Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has appointed longtime adviser Erlan Karin as vice president under the new constitution, as the country prepares for the wider regional spotlight around the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Bishkek. SCO 25th Anniversary: Xi Jinping arrived in Kyrgyzstan for the SCO summit and state visit, with leaders including Putin and Modi converging for talks that are expected to cover regional security and West Asia tensions. Modi-Iran Meeting: Reports say PM Narendra Modi will meet Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on the SCO sidelines, their first in-person contact since the West Asia conflict escalated. Investor Protection & Cooperation: Kazakhstan and Hong Kong are strengthening cooperation on investor rights, including practical legal mechanisms and dispute resolution. Children’s Safety in Schools: Kazakhstan is equipping schools with over 283,000 surveillance cameras and expanding road safety checks around education facilities. Investment Push: Kazakhstan is launching a new investment cycle focused on manufacturing, deep processing, and high-tech, backed by fast-track approvals and a digital investment platform. Rare Earths Deal: Lindian Resources secured exclusive access to a heavy rare earth stockpile in Kazakhstan, potentially feeding its SARECO processing facility. Disaster Update (Regional): Nepal-Tibet flash floods have left thousands missing, including hundreds of foreigners, keeping regional humanitarian and information-sharing concerns in focus.

SCO Summit in Bishkek: India’s PM Narendra Modi arrived in Kyrgyzstan for the 26th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit, with meetings expected alongside leaders including Russia’s Vladimir Putin and China’s Xi Jinping, as the bloc marks 25 years. Kazakhstan in the spotlight: Kazakhstan is listed among SCO members as regional leaders push security and connectivity themes tied to Central Asia’s wider cooperation agenda. Sports—US Open update: Kazakh tennis player Elena Rybakina says her heel injury is “all good” after retiring from Cincinnati, aiming to stay healthy at the US Open. Deaf judo in Lausanne: Kazakhstan topped the medal table at the Ecole Mont-Olivet Deaf Judo Masters Top 18, winning seven golds. Kok-boru officiating: A kok-boru judges seminar began in Bishkek for referees from Kazakhstan and other countries ahead of the VI World Nomad Games. Regional safety concern: Kazakhstan is among the nationalities with citizens listed as unaccounted for after a mudslide on the China-Nepal border, with 261 foreign nationals missing reported.

Disaster Response in the Region: China’s Xizang authorities say 261 foreign nationals from 23 countries are still unaccounted for after the Aug 26 mudslide at Gyirong Port on the China–Nepal border, with 546 missing and 16 dead reported earlier; the latest breakdown includes 104 Nepalis, 49 Indians, and one Kazakh national among the missing, and officials say embassies have been notified and no foreign tourists are currently stranded in Gyirong County. Climate Risk Link: Chinese officials attribute the disaster to glacier instability tied to long-term warming, after a glacier fractured in Nepal’s Langtang Lirung area and triggered an ice-rock avalanche and debris flow. Kazakhstan in Focus: Separate reports say Kazakhstan is expected to receive Russian Su-57 fifth-generation jets within two years, a major air-force modernization step. Local Incident: An 11-year-old FlyArystan Airbus A320 caught fire at Almaty Airport during scheduled maintenance; the blaze was contained and an employee was injured but later discharged. Culture & Sports: Kazakhstan’s film push includes “Jamilya in Paris” shooting in France, while Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina says she’s on track for the US Open after injury recovery.

Almaty City Planning: Residents in several Almaty districts say the draft general plan changes until 2040 could push land meant for private housing toward higher-rise and commercial development, with concerns about traffic, green zones, and infrastructure capacity, plus complaints that public hearings happened before key materials were fully available. Nuclear Test Remembrance: Kazakhstan marked International Day against Nuclear Tests, recalling the 1991 closure of the Semipalatinsk test site and the 35th anniversary of that closure, linking national memory to the global push for disarmament and the CTBT. New Parliament in Astana: Kazakhstan’s newly elected Kurultai held its first session as the government stepped down for the transition, with President Tokayev framing the unicameral shift as a major modernization of governance. National Fund Update: The National Bank reported National Fund returns of $2.92bn in Q2 2026 and expects assets to reach $70.6bn by 2029, while also updating rules for foreign-currency purchases by legal entities. Tech & Education: A Chinese robotics firm is bringing AI and robotics training to Kazakhstan, helping set up a digital-intelligence workshop at Al-Farabi Kazakh National University. Sports: Kazakhstan’s judoka Abylaikhan Zhubanazar won gold in the -81 kg final in Lausanne.

Kazakh Politics: President Tokayev opened the first session of Kazakhstan’s new unicameral Kurultai, setting a heavy agenda for legislative modernization and institutional reform; the 145-seat chamber saw major turnover, with Aibek Dadebay elected speaker and women taking 33.8% of seats. SCO & Diplomacy: India is set to push an inclusive, ethical AI agenda at the SCO summit in Kyrgyzstan, as China promotes its World AI Cooperation Organization and leaders gather in Bishkek for the bloc’s 25th anniversary. Security Cooperation: CSTO countries are preparing a joint anti-drug operation “Channel – Caspian Beacon,” targeting trafficking routes and financial networks ahead of its October 2026 active phase. Energy & Trade: China has overtaken Russia as Kazakhstan’s top trading partner in the first half of 2026, with bilateral trade reaching $16.65bn; meanwhile, China shipped its first overseas F-class heavy-duty gas turbine order to Kazakhstan. Public Safety & Environment: Kazakhstan’s weather forecast for Aug. 29 warns of dust storms in the south, fog in many regions, and extreme fire danger across multiple areas. Nuclear Legacy: Tokayev marked the International Day against Nuclear Tests, recalling Semipalatinsk’s closure 35 years ago and urging nuclear powers to resume talks and ban tests. Regional Disaster Watch: Nepal-Tibet flash floods and landslides have left about 2,478 people missing and at least 586 dead, with many foreigners unaccounted for.

Nepal-Tibet Flood Disaster: Flash floods and landslides along the Nepal–China border have killed at least 472 people and left more than 1,500 missing, with rescue teams still pulling survivors from debris-choked river valleys; Nepal’s death toll rose to 469 and China reported 558 missing in Tibet, including foreigners. India’s Missing Citizens: India says about 320 nationals remain uncontactable, while others have crossed into Nepal; India plans more relief flights and rescue support. SCO Summit Diplomacy: Leaders including Xi, Putin and Modi will gather in Bishkek for the SCO’s 25th anniversary, with Putin set to meet Xi on Sept. 1 and talks expected to cover Ukraine, the Black Sea and regional economic ties. Kazakhstan’s New Qurultay Leadership: Aibek Dadebay has been elected Speaker of Kazakhstan’s first unicameral parliament, with Tokayev’s nominations and a leadership lineup reflecting political and gender diversity. Women in Politics: Kazakhstan reports women now hold one-third of seats in the Qurultay, citing long-running gender equality programs and training initiatives. Trade & Industry Moves: Kazakhstan and Germany are pushing new joint investment and industrial projects, while Kazakhstan–Belgium talks focus on expanding flax processing cooperation. Transport & Economy: Rail freight between Kazakhstan and Russia rose 4% in seven months, and Kazakhstan’s grain harvest reached 7.7 million tons so far. Sports: Astana will host a Davis Cup tie between Kazakhstan and Thailand, with matches on Sept. 18–19.

Kurultai Launch in Kazakhstan: President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev marked Aug. 28 as the start of Kazakhstan’s political renewal, as the first session of the new unicameral Kurultai began and the Central Election Commission registered 145 deputies of the first convocation. Parliamentarism Update: The Kurultai seats were allocated after the Aug. 23 vote, with Adilet taking 110 mandates, Auyl 10, Respublica 9, and the Nationwide Social Democratic Party plus Ak Zhol each securing 8. Nepal-China Flood Disaster: Flash floods after a glacier collapse killed at least 359 people and left more than 1,400 missing, with hundreds of foreign nationals unaccounted for as rescue teams continue and authorities warn of fresh flood risk. Regional Connectivity Funding: The ADB approved a $400 million facility to modernize border crossing points across the CAREC region, aiming to cut logistics bottlenecks and improve movement of people and goods. Tenge and FX Watch: Kazakhstan’s tenge has been strengthening year-to-date, with analysts linking currency moves to oil prices and broader market factors. Health Industry Growth: Kazakhstan’s pharmaceutical production rose 37% over three years, with domestic output now covering a growing share of medicines and medical products.

Kurultai Update: Kazakhstan’s Central Election Commission has registered all 145 deputies of the new Kurultai, including 110 from the pro-government Adilet party, with powers starting immediately after registration. Parliament Reform Watch: A roundtable in Bishkek discussed how Kazakhstan’s shift to a unicameral Kurultai could shape cooperation with Kyrgyzstan on trade, transport and energy, including a goal to raise mutual trade to $3 billion. Diplomacy: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan congratulated Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on Kurultai elections, citing high turnout as support for reforms, and Erdoğan accepted Tokayev’s participation in upcoming high-level meetings in Türkiye. Consular Cooperation: Kazakhstan and the UAE agreed to expand consular collaboration and share best practices, including Kazakhstan’s interest in the UAE’s Smart Mission system. Disaster Impact: Flash floods on the Nepal–China border have killed hundreds and left over 1,400 missing; Nepal says at least 517 foreigners are unaccounted for, with reports that dozens of Americans remain missing. Business & Trade: Kazakhstan is pushing to diversify exports to South Korea beyond commodities, with a business forum in Almaty pairing Kazakh producers with Korean importers.

Kurultai & Politics: Kazakhstan has elected its first single-chamber Kurultai under the new constitution, with the pro-presidential Adilet party winning 110 seats and turnout reported around 74%, while opposition and independents were not allowed to run. Economy Forecast: The government approved a 2027–2029 outlook and draft budget projecting average real GDP growth above 5%, driven mainly by non-oil sectors like manufacturing, construction, transport and agriculture. Energy & Trade: Kazakhstan is cutting its 2026 oil output target after CPC disruptions and is also moving to refine more oil at home, including processing Russian crude and supplying fuel back amid refinery outages in Russia. Migration Rules: Kyrgyz citizens currently do not need QazETA pre-entry approval to enter Kazakhstan, after Kyrgyz officials raised concerns over Kazakhstan’s planned digital entry-permit rollout. Air Connectivity: Kazakhstan and Saudi Arabia agreed to raise permitted flights to 70 per week, with plans for direct Astana–Riyadh services. Green Transport: Astana opened CIS’s first solar-powered off-grid EV charging station, aiming to expand similar infrastructure nationwide. Regional Environment: A UN report warns Central Asia has degraded over 80 million hectares, threatening food security and livelihoods.

Education Reform: President Tokayev ordered a review of school textbooks, saying children must not be taught “imaginary heroes” or fabricated feats, after authorities found 700+ serious errors. AI & Digital Governance: The government approved a Digital Qazaqstan plan through 2029, pushing AI into education, healthcare, transport and public services, moving from pilots to wider rollout. Teachers Shortage: Tokayev said Kazakhstan has a shortfall of over 5,000 teachers and announced new scholarships and legal support, including amendments to the “Status of Teachers” law. Energy & Fuel Security: Kazakhstan is expanding refining capacity toward 40 million tonnes and is consulting on using the Baku–Supsa route after CPC disruptions; meanwhile, major refineries reportedly refused gasoline exports to Russia due to settlement and sanctions risks. Transport & Clean Tech: Astana opened a solar-powered autonomous EV charging station, designed to run off-grid. Diplomacy: Tokayev met Singapore’s Lee Hsien Loong, highlighting plans for a new Astana airport drawing on Changi’s experience and deeper AI cooperation. Public Safety: Kazakhstan’s Foreign Ministry says no citizens are among those dead or missing in Nepal-China border floods. Sports: Kazakhstan won 26 medals at Central Asian Athletics Championships.

Qurultay Kickoff: Kazakhstan’s President has signed a decree to convene the first session of the new Qurultay on Aug. 28, 2026, setting the next step in the country’s updated parliamentary system. U.S.-Kazakhstan Ties: Tokayev met a U.S. congressional delegation after Trump’s message via House Budget and Tax Committee chair Jason Smith, with both sides pointing to deeper trade, investment, tech, education and nuclear security cooperation ahead of Tokayev’s G20 trip to Miami. Energy Watch: Kazakhstan’s Kondensat refinery will start processing Russian crude, with about 70% of gasoline and diesel output shipped back to Russia and up to 30% staying for Kazakhstan, with deliveries planned by rail during reconstruction. AI & Education: A new push is underway to weave AI into Kazakhstan’s education system, including plans for a specialized AI research university, as policymakers debate how to adapt curricula for a changing job market. Caspian Safety: Kazakhstan’s Emergency Situations Ministry received a new DAMEN fast rescue vessel to speed up search-and-rescue and oil-spill response in the Caspian. Autism Support: A Qatar-led Global Autism Advocacy Coalition is expanding internationally, adding Kazakh partners and focusing on diagnosis, policy, investment, technology and lifelong support.