• KZT/USD = 0.00213
  • TJS/USD = 0.10810
  • UZS/USD = 0.00008
  • TMT/USD = 0.29850
  • KZT/USD = 0.00213
  • TJS/USD = 0.10810
  • UZS/USD = 0.00008
  • TMT/USD = 0.29850
  • KZT/USD = 0.00213
  • TJS/USD = 0.10810
  • UZS/USD = 0.00008
  • TMT/USD = 0.29850
  • KZT/USD = 0.00213
  • TJS/USD = 0.10810
  • UZS/USD = 0.00008
  • TMT/USD = 0.29850
  • KZT/USD = 0.00213
  • TJS/USD = 0.10810
  • UZS/USD = 0.00008
  • TMT/USD = 0.29850
  • KZT/USD = 0.00213
  • TJS/USD = 0.10810
  • UZS/USD = 0.00008
  • TMT/USD = 0.29850
  • KZT/USD = 0.00213
  • TJS/USD = 0.10810
  • UZS/USD = 0.00008
  • TMT/USD = 0.29850
  • KZT/USD = 0.00213
  • TJS/USD = 0.10810
  • UZS/USD = 0.00008
  • TMT/USD = 0.29850
07 August 2026

Our People > Dmitry Pokidaev

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Dmitry Pokidaev

Journalist

Dmitry Pokidaev is a journalist based in Astana, Kazakhstan, with experience at some of the country's top media outlets. Before his career in journalism, Pokidaev worked as an academic, teaching Russian language and literature.

Articles

Kazakhstan Police Robot Dog Raises Privacy Questions

Kazakhstan’s police used a mobile facial-recognition robot to scan crowds during Metallurgist Day celebrations in Karaganda Region, saying the machine helped identify four people sought over legal or administrative violations. The deployment extends the country’s rapidly expanding surveillance network beyond fixed cameras, allowing police databases to be accessed through a platform that can move through crowded public spaces. The four-legged robot was used during celebrations held on July 17-18 in the industrial cities of Balkhash and Temirtau, which attracted more than 115,000 visitors. More than 1,000 police officers were also deployed to maintain public order, according to the Karaganda police. Robot dogs equipped with facial-recognition cameras have also been deployed at Astana’s railway stations in January, and by police in Aktau since May. Karaganda's robodog carries surveillance cameras and is connected to police databases. Authorities say it can scan faces within its field of view and compare them with records of people sought by law enforcement. Its main advantage over a fixed facial-recognition camera is mobility. During the earlier trial at Astana’s Nurly Zhol railway station, a robot moved through waiting rooms, escalators, and other public areas while transmitting live video to a police command center. The system was also able to compare images with police wanted lists and broadcast warnings through an onboard speaker. Police said the Karaganda robot helped identify one person wanted for evading child support payments, two people owing debts under enforcement proceedings, and a previously convicted man who had breached a court order requiring him to remain at home during specified hours. Officers took legal measures against all four. The authorities did not explain how the facial-recognition matches were verified by officers, how many false alerts the system generated, or how many people were scanned before the four matches were produced. The robot dog forms part of a much larger surveillance system operating across Kazakhstan. The country has approximately 1.6 million surveillance cameras, according to figures provided by the Interior Ministry to the independent outlet Vlast.kz. Around 545,000 are connected to police command centers, while more than 24,000 use artificial intelligence capable of recognizing faces. Vlast’s investigation found that Kazakhstan’s surveillance infrastructure has expanded rapidly, with facial recognition, biometric identification, and networked cameras becoming central elements of the government’s smart-city programs. Supporters argue that such systems can help police locate wanted people and respond more quickly to emergencies. Critics warn that the same infrastructure can be used to track activists, protesters, and other members of the public. Kazakhstan-based digital-rights specialists have called for tighter safeguards governing facial recognition. The Eurasian Digital Foundation has recommended restrictions on mass and indiscriminate surveillance, alongside greater transparency and clearer rules on how government agencies process biometric information. The organization has also argued that Kazakhstan needs stronger independent oversight of the collection, storage, and use of biometric data, as well as procedures allowing people to challenge the processing of their information by law enforcement agencies. The Interior Ministry’s account of the Karaganda deployment did not disclose the cost or the manufacturer of...

3 weeks ago

Kazakhstan and China Launch IBI Digital Economy Hub in Almaty

Kazakhstan and China have opened the IBI Digital Economy Hub in Almaty, establishing a new platform aimed at expanding bilateral cooperation in digital trade, investment, industrial development, and cross-border logistics. According to Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Trade and Integration,the new hub is designed to serve as a focal point for cooperation in the digital economy, e-commerce, trade, investment, industrial collaboration, and transport and logistics between the two countries. The opening ceremony was attended by Vice Minister of Trade and Integration Aidar Abildabekov, along with representatives of government agencies from Kazakhstan and China, development institutions, national companies, financial organizations, and private businesses. Officials said the platform would help companies from both countries develop joint investment projects and connect with international partners. It is also intended to expand digital commerce and online services while improving cross-border supply chains. The hub will support industrial cooperation and transport and logistics projects. It will also help companies deploy technology and localize production, with better access to markets in both countries. A central component of the initiative is the development of a large high-tech industrial park, which is expected to be built in phases over the next five to eight years. Potential locations include the Zhambyl, Almaty, and Karaganda regions, as well as the Khorgos International Centre for Boundary Cooperation on the Kazakhstan-China border. Infrastructure investment in the project is estimated at $2 billion. Once fully operational, the industrial park is expected to generate more than $10 billion in annual economic activity, while the joint venture managing the project is projected to earn more than $1 billion in annual revenue. Between five and ten major industrial and manufacturing companies are expected to become anchor tenants. Speaking at the launch, Abildabekov pointed to record growth in bilateral trade. “Trade between Kazakhstan and China reached a record $48.7 billion in 2025. During the first five months of 2026, bilateral trade totaled $22 billion, up 27% year-on-year. Our task now is not only to increase trade volumes but also to improve their quality through digitalization, industrial cooperation, and the creation of modern production and logistics chains,” he said. Abildabekov described the IBI headquarters as an important addition to the digital infrastructure supporting international trade and investment. "We see this project not simply as an expansion of Chinese business in Kazakhstan, but as a contribution to the development of the country's digital ecosystem. The new platform will become an effective center for cooperation between government, business, and the expert community, helping implement joint projects and introduce advanced digital solutions," he added. China remains one of Kazakhstan’s largest trading and investment partners. According to the Ministry of Trade and Integration, Chinese foreign direct investment reached a record $2.826 billion in 2025, while cumulative Chinese investment in Kazakhstan since 1993 has exceeded $30.7 billion. The hub adds a commercial element to Kazakhstan’s technology ties with China. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev offered Astana as the venue for the first meeting of the World AI Cooperation Organization...

3 weeks ago

Kazakhstan Waste-to-Energy Plants to Undergo Major Expansion

Kazakhstan is preparing a major expansion of waste-to-energy plants backed by Chinese investors, potentially giving waste incineration a central role in a system that still sends most municipal refuse to landfill. Astana plans to complete negotiations with China Tianying Inc. and submit an investment agreement for approval within two weeks. The proposed agreement would cover waste-treatment plants in at least three major cities, although the government has not disclosed their locations, cost, or construction timetable. The plans could add at least three facilities to Chinese-backed waste-to-energy plants already under construction in Almaty, Astana, and Shymkent. Together, the existing projects are designed to process 4,500 metric tons of municipal waste per day and generate 134 megawatts of electricity. If operated year-round at their stated capacity, they would handle around 1.64 million tons annually — equivalent to roughly one-third of the municipal waste Kazakhstan currently produces. The expansion follows years of limited progress in Kazakhstan’s waste sector. The country generates between 4.2 million and 4.8 million tons of municipal solid waste annually, while much of the material recorded as sorted or recycled ultimately ends up in landfill. In 2024, only 49,200 tons were processed into secondary raw materials, equivalent to around 1.1% of all municipal waste generated. Kazakhstan also has around 3,000 landfill sites, only about 20% of which meet environmental standards, according to the Ministry of Ecology. More than 1,000 illegal dumps were identified in 2024. The government is attempting to make waste-to-energy projects attractive to investors through investment agreements and a state-set electricity tariff of up to KZT55 ($0.12) per kilowatt-hour. The tariff provides operators with a revenue stream from the electricity produced by burning municipal waste, helping compensate for the weak economics of the wider waste-processing sector. Kazakhstan announced the plans after Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov met Cao Debiao, party secretary and president of China Tianying on July 16, 2026. The two discussed both large plants and smaller facilities capable of processing between 250 and 500 tons of waste per day, which could serve regional cities without enough waste to support the major complexes planned for Kazakhstan’s largest urban centers. According to the government, China Tianying has worked in waste treatment and new energy for more than 20 years and operates in more than 30 countries. Cao said the company handles around 4,000 tons of municipal waste per day through its existing facilities and plans to increase this capacity to 7,000 tons. Three Chinese-backed projects worth a combined KZT293.3 billion, or approximately $622 million, are already under construction. In Almaty, Junxin Environmental Protection is building a KZT145.5 billion ($308 million) facility designed to process 2,000 tons of municipal waste per day and generate 60 megawatts of electricity. In Astana, EAST HOPE is developing a plant capable of processing at least 1,500 tons daily and producing 50 megawatts. The project is valued at KZT94.4 billion, approximately $200 million. Shaanxi Construction Engineering Kazakhstan is building a smaller plant in Shymkent with daily capacity of 1,000 tons and generating capacity of 24...

3 weeks ago

Kazakhstan and China Agree to Expand Scheduled Air Services

Kazakhstan and China have agreed to significantly expand scheduled air services between the two countries following aviation consultations held in Beijing between Kazakhstan’s Civil Aviation Committee and the Civil Aviation Administration of China. According to Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Transport, the talks focused on bilateral cooperation in civil aviation. The two sides agreed to increase the number of scheduled passenger flights operated by airlines of both countries from 124 to 152 flights per week. They also expanded the list of major Chinese destinations available for air services with Kazakhstan to 11 cities, adding Chongqing, one of southwestern China’s largest industrial, logistics, and transportation hubs, with a population of more than 32 million. The consultations also covered plans to launch direct flights between Astana and Shanghai, with airlines from both countries expected to participate. Another key issue was the creation of a third international air corridor between Kazakhstan and China. The new route is expected to increase the capacity of regional airspace, optimize flight paths, reduce congestion on existing air routes, and support further growth in passenger and cargo traffic between the two countries. The parties also discussed the allocation of airport slots for Kazakh airlines at Chinese airports, expanded access to Chinese airspace for Kazakh carriers operating international transit flights, and the conclusion of an interagency agreement on civil aviation search-and-rescue cooperation. “The two sides confirmed their mutual interest in further developing cooperation in civil aviation and agreed to continue joint efforts aimed at expanding air connectivity, improving transport links, and strengthening the strategic partnership between Kazakhstan and China,” the Ministry of Transport said. The agreement comes as Kazakhstan continues to expand its international aviation network. Earlier this month, Kazakhstan’s low-cost carrier FlyArystan announced the launch of a new Atyrau-Batumi route to Georgia beginning July 14, with weekly flights operated by Airbus A320 aircraft. From August 2026, Turkish carrier AJet will also increase frequencies on both the Astana-Ankara and Almaty-Ankara routes from two to seven weekly flights. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, Hong Kong’s flagship carrier Cathay Pacific plans to launch scheduled cargo services to Astana in August 2026, followed by regular passenger flights between Hong Kong and Almaty in January 2027.

3 weeks ago

Kazakhstan Allocates $73 Million for August Kurultai Elections

Kazakhstan has allocated 34.3 billion KZT, approximately $73 million, from the government’s reserve fund to finance elections for the country’s newly established Kurultai, the unicameral parliament created under the country’s new Constitution, according to Central Election Commission (CEC) member Mikhail Bortnik. Kazakhstan’s new Constitution entered into force on July 1, replacing the previous bicameral parliament with the Kurultai. Elections for the new legislature are scheduled for August 23. A total of 145 deputies will be elected from party lists. Under the new electoral rules, at least 30% of candidates nominated by each political party must come from three combined categories: women, young people, and persons with disabilities. Speaking on July 14, Bortnik said the election budget would be financed from the government’s reserve because the 2026 state budget had been approved before the constitutional reform and therefore did not include funding for the parliamentary elections. “The budget for the upcoming elections has been prepared based on the needs identified by territorial election commissions and in accordance with electoral legislation, including all expenditures necessary to ensure the legality, transparency, and proper organization of the electoral process,” Bortnik said. The largest share of the funding will cover the work of Kazakhstan’s election administration. More than 70,000 election officials will operate 10,674 polling stations nationwide. Around 8.5 billion KZT, or more than $18 million, roughly 25% of the total budget, has been allocated for organizational expenses, including travel, transport, technical support, ballot printing, equipment, and the establishment of 47 new polling stations. The funding will also cover the preparation of voter information materials, methodological guidance for election officials, public information campaigns, and the operational costs of the Central Election Commission. The CEC is expected to complete the registration of party candidate lists by 6:00 p.m. on July 23. So far, seven political parties have submitted their candidate lists. According to CEC Secretary Shavkat Utemisov, the Adilet Party submitted the largest list, with 186 candidates, while the Nationwide Social Democratic Party submitted the smallest, with 33 candidates. The remaining parties submitted lists ranging from 63 candidates for the Ak Zhol Democratic Party of Kazakhstan to 76 for the Respublica Party. The candidate lists are currently being reviewed by the relevant government agencies to verify that all nominees meet the legal requirements for election. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, Kazakhstan’s Constitutional Court recently ruled that President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev remains eligible to seek another presidential term under the country’s 2026 Constitution.

3 weeks ago

Kazakhstan Joins World’s Top 30 Countries in Cardiac Surgery Development

Kazakhstan has entered the world’s top 30 countries for cardiac surgery, according to the Ministry of Health, citing the country’s growing use of advanced cardiovascular procedures, including heart transplantation and other high-tech surgical interventions. In 2025, Kazakhstan performed 13,106 open-heart surgeries, a 7.2% increase from the previous year. Coronary artery bypass grafting accounted for the largest share of procedures, at 46.1%. It is the standard surgical treatment for severe coronary artery disease and restores blood flow to the heart by bypassing blocked or narrowed arteries. Operations for acquired and congenital heart defects together accounted for 35.8% of all open-heart procedures. “Kazakhstan continues to expand high-tech cardiology and cardiac surgery services, allowing the country to join the world’s 30 leading nations in this field,” the Ministry of Health said. In addition to conventional cardiac surgery, hospitals in Kazakhstan increasingly perform endovascular procedures. These minimally invasive interventions are carried out through small vascular punctures using catheters and other specialized instruments guided by X-ray or ultrasound imaging. According to the ministry, the country’s cardiology centers now provide more than 80 types of high-tech cardiovascular procedures. One of the country’s most notable achievements came in 2025, when surgeons completed Kazakhstan’s 100th heart transplant, highlighting the growing capabilities of the national transplant program and the increasing expertise of domestic specialists. The ministry also reported steady improvements in cardiovascular health indicators. Over the past five years, the incidence of cardiovascular diseases has declined by 15%, while mortality from circulatory system diseases has fallen by 35.1%. The positive trend continued during the first five months of 2026. Cases of circulatory system diseases declined by 6.6%, arterial hypertension by 9.7%, and coronary heart disease by 10.1%. The number of acute myocardial infarctions decreased by 5.7%, while strokes fell by 6.1%. According to the Ministry of Health, these improvements have been driven by the expansion of specialized stroke and cardiac centers, wider availability of high-tech medical care, implementation of modern clinical protocols, improvements in emergency medical services, broader preventive screening programs, and increased access to medicines for patients with cardiovascular diseases. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, Kazakhstan has become an increasingly attractive destination for medical tourism, driven by the competitive cost and quality of its healthcare services. In 2025, the country treated approximately 80,000 foreign patients, 4.5 times the 2021 figure. Earlier this year, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev also argued that Kazakhstan has developed several healthcare advantages that compare favorably with those available in some advanced Western countries.

3 weeks ago

Kazakhstan’s GDP Growth Tops 4% in First Half of 2026 Despite Lower Oil Output

Kazakhstan’s economy expanded by 4.1% in the first half of 2026, driven primarily by strong growth in non-oil sectors despite a decline in crude oil production, according to the Ministry of National Economy, citing data from the Bureau of National Statistics. Economic growth accelerated from 3.7% recorded during the first five months of the year, while manufacturing continued to outperform the broader economy. According to the ministry, real GDP growth reached 4.1% in January-June, even as oil production fell 8.4% compared with the same period last year. “The non-oil sector remains the main driver of growth, expanding by more than 5% during the first half of the year,” the ministry said. “More than 80% of GDP growth came from manufacturing, construction, trade, and transport.” Construction remained the fastest-growing sector, with output increasing 15.2% year on year. Kazakhstan commissioned 8.5 million square meters of housing during the first six months of the year, 6.7% more than during the same period in 2025. Manufacturing output expanded 9.8% during the first half of the year. Total manufacturing production reached $34.1 billion, surpassing mining output of approximately $33.6 billion. Although growth slowed in metallurgy, which accounts for more than 40% of Kazakhstan’s manufacturing sector, other industries posted strong gains. Production of fabricated metal products increased 39.9%, automobile manufacturing rose 31.6%, pharmaceutical output grew 43.6%, chemicals expanded 20.7%, rubber and plastic products increased 21.8%, construction materials rose 14.1%, and food production climbed 14.7%. Other sectors also maintained positive momentum. Trade expanded 5.7%, agriculture grew 4.4%, telecommunications services increased 4.3%, and transport and logistics services rose 7.1%. Growth in transport was supported by a 14% increase in auxiliary transport services, while rail freight volumes rose 4.9% and road freight transportation increased 11.4%. Investment activity also remained robust. Investment in fixed capital increased 9.6% compared with the first half of 2025. The strongest gains were recorded in information and communications, where investment more than doubled, electricity supply at 61.4%, manufacturing at 33.3%, agriculture at 24.6%, and transport at 11.6%. “The dynamic development of non-resource sectors and strong investment activity continue to provide a solid foundation for Kazakhstan’s economic growth,” the ministry said. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, Kazakhstan’s GDP could reach $320 billion by the end of 2026, up from $306 billion a year earlier. S&P Global Ratings projects GDP growth of 4.1% in 2026, down from 6.5% in 2025. Kazakhstan’s National Development Plan through 2029 sets a GDP growth target of 6.2% for 2026.

3 weeks ago

Cathay Flights to Bring Cargo Service to Astana and Passenger Service to Almaty

Cathay, Hong Kong’s flagship airline, plans to launch regular cargo flights to Astana in August 2026 and begin passenger services between Hong Kong and Almaty in January 2027, Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Transport said. Cathay is based at Hong Kong International Airport and is among the world’s leading passenger and cargo airlines. The carrier also holds a five-star rating from Skytrax, the British aviation consultancy that evaluates service quality at airlines and airports worldwide. The airline’s plans to enter the Kazakhstan's market were discussed during a meeting between Saltanat Tompiyeva, chair of Kazakhstan’s Civil Aviation Committee, and Oliver Coelho, Cathay’s regional manager for the Middle East. According to the ministry, Cathay intends to begin regular cargo flights to Astana on August 1, operating up to five services a week with Boeing 747 aircraft. The airline also plans to launch scheduled passenger flights between Hong Kong and Almaty from January 2027. The route is expected to operate three times a week using Airbus A330 aircraft. Tompiyeva said Kazakhstan was ready to provide the necessary support for both projects. The two sides agreed to continue work on the regulatory and operational procedures required to launch the services and to coordinate closely on developing air links between Kazakhstan and Hong Kong. Kazakhstan’s authorities expect the new routes to support trade and tourism. They also expect the services to improve logistics and deepen economic ties with Hong Kong. Cathay currently operates around 237 aircraft and serves more than 100 passenger destinations. Its cargo subsidiary, Cathay Cargo, operates scheduled freight services to 41 destinations and transports more than 1.67 million tons of cargo annually, placing it among the world’s largest air-freight operators. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, Kazakhstan’s Transport Minister Nurlan Sauranbayev said in May that direct flights between Astana and Tokyo were expected to begin in the fourth quarter of 2026, while a direct Astana-New York service could be launched in the second quarter of 2027. In early July, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev also called for construction of a second airport in Astana to begin as soon as possible amid rising passenger traffic and intensifying competition between Central Asia’s transport and logistics hubs.

4 weeks ago

Kazakhstan to Establish Committee to Regulate Digital Asset Market

Kazakhstan will establish a dedicated committee under the National Bank to oversee the development, regulation, and supervision of the country’s digital asset market, and expand oversight of the national payments system, National Bank Governor Timur Suleimenov has announced. The decision follows President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s signing last week of the decree “On Measures to Stimulate and Develop the Digital Assets Industry in the Republic of Kazakhstan”. Developed jointly by the Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development and the National Bank, the decree lays the groundwork for a regulated digital asset market while expanding the use of innovative financial technologies. Among its key provisions, the decree authorizes the use of digital assets and stablecoins for cross-border settlements, opening new channels for Kazakhstan’s exporters and importers. It also introduces a voluntary disclosure mechanism allowing digital assets currently held on unregulated foreign platforms to be transferred into Kazakhstan’s regulated ecosystem. In addition, individuals will be exempt from personal income tax on profits generated through digital asset transactions conducted on platforms licensed in Kazakhstan, creating further incentives for investors to use the country’s regulated infrastructure. The authorities are also expanding the practical use of cryptocurrencies in everyday commerce. Alatau City Bank has announced the launch of its Crypto Pay service, enabling customers to pay for goods and services using cryptocurrency through QR code payments at point-of-sale terminals. According to Suleimenov, cryptocurrency payments are already accepted at approximately 5,000 retail outlets in Astana and Almaty, with plans to expand the network nationwide. “In the future, this functionality will not be limited to Alatau City Bank. Other banks are developing similar solutions, which will eventually become part of a unified QR payment system. That system will integrate not only banks but also payment organizations and cryptocurrency wallets,” Suleimenov said. As Kazakhstan’s digital asset market continues to expand, the government believes a specialized regulator has become necessary. The new committee will have two principal responsibilities: providing oversight of and ensuring transparency in the national payments market, and regulating and supervising digital financial assets. “These instruments are developing extremely rapidly, and without a dedicated institution that understands them as well as the market itself, it will be difficult to effectively oversee all ongoing processes,” Suleimenov said. The National Bank is currently finalizing the committee’s organizational structure and preparing the legal framework required for its operation. According to Suleimenov, the institutional setup should be completed within the next three months, allowing the new regulator to begin operations in the second half of 2026. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, Kazakhstan is also considering the creation of a national cryptocurrency reserve. In addition, senior National Bank officials have indicated that part of the country’s National Fund assets and foreign exchange reserves could eventually be allocated to cryptocurrency investments.

4 weeks ago

Kazakhstan Electronic Waste Project Targets Low Recycling Rates

Discarded phones, computers, and household appliances are becoming a growing waste problem in Kazakhstan, where only a small share of old electronics is formally collected and recycled. A 2023 UN-backed report estimated that the country generated 136,100 metric tons of electronic waste in 2019. Yet company reports recorded only 1,300 metric tons, suggesting that official statistics capture only a fraction of what is thrown away. Kazakhstan has now launched a project to improve collection, recycling, and monitoring. Officially unveiled in Astana on June 30, the initiative is backed by a $5 million grant from the Global Environment Facility. It will test household collection schemes in selected cities and provide technical support to recycling companies. The same assessment estimated that 11,900 metric tons, or 8.8% of the electronic waste generated in 2019, was collected and recycled. It projects that Kazakhstan’s annual electronic waste could more than triple to 432,000 metric tons by 2050. Discarded electronic equipment often contains hazardous substances that pose risks to human health and the environment if improperly handled. At the same time, obsolete electronics contain valuable metals, such as copper and nickel, that are frequently lost when devices are disposed of instead of being recovered and recycled. Kazakhstan’s Environmental Code prohibits electronic waste from being sent to landfills and requires it to be collected separately before being transferred to specialized companies. The KazWaste industry association estimates that about 19 businesses collect or process electronic waste in the country. However, the assessment found that household collection infrastructure and recycling technology remain limited. The project, formally titled “Promoting Circularity and Resource Efficiency Across the Electronics Life Cycle,” forms part of the Global Electronics Management Program. The wider initiative is led by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization in partnership with the United Nations Environment Programme and other international organizations. Ruslan Tukenov, director of the Waste Management Department at the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources, said “electronic waste management extends far beyond environmental policy alone,” adding that the issue also affects industrial policy and access to valuable raw materials. Vera Mustafina, executive director of the Sustainable Development Promotion Center, an environmental NGO, said the project would provide a platform for cooperation between government agencies, businesses, recyclers, importers, experts, and civil society organizations. “Such cooperation is essential if electronic waste is to become part of a modern circular economy rather than remain a hidden environmental problem,” she said. Alongside the household collection pilots, the project will help recycling companies improve sorting and safe handling, recover valuable metals, and introduce tools for identifying hazardous substances. It also aims to establish a more reliable system for tracking what happens to discarded electronics. The ministry’s announcement did not name the pilot cities, participating recyclers, or collection targets. These details should provide a clearer indication of whether the project can narrow the gap between Kazakhstan’s estimated electronic waste and the volumes recorded by its formal waste system.

4 weeks ago