Our People > Dmitry Pokidaev

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

Digital assets

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.

2 months ago

Recycling

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.

2 months ago

Traffic Offenses

Kazakhstan Olympic Boxing Champion Jailed for Drunk Driving After Multiple Crashes

Kazakhstan’s 2016 Olympic boxing champion Daniyar Yeleussinov has been sentenced to 20 days of administrative detention and banned from driving for seven years after being found guilty of driving under the influence and causing several traffic accidents in Astana. According to Astana’s Specialized Interdistrict Administrative Court, Yeleussinov admitted his guilt during the hearing. The ruling has not yet entered into legal force and may be appealed within 10 days. The incident occurred in Astana on July 9, when police detained Yeleussinov after he allegedly drove while intoxicated, causing a series of collisions and leaving the scenes of the accidents. According to the court, Yeleussinov first struck the supporting structure of an underground parking entrance. He then collided with another vehicle, causing it to hit a third car. In a subsequent collision, he struck another vehicle, which was pushed into a Toyota Hilux. The accidents caused mechanical damage to several vehicles and resulted in financial losses. Evidence presented to the court included a medical examination confirming mild alcohol intoxication, police reports, accident diagrams, video recordings, and witness statements. Yeleussinov admitted full responsibility. He was convicted under Article 608, Part 3 of Kazakhstan’s Code of Administrative Offenses, which covers driving under the influence resulting in property damage. The provision carries a mandatory penalty of 20 days of administrative detention and a seven-year driving ban. “The court found no circumstances preventing the application of administrative detention. Since the sanction under Article 608, Part 3 provides no alternative punishment, the court imposed 20 days of administrative arrest and deprivation of the right to drive vehicles for seven years,” the court said. Yeleussinov, who was born in Kazakhstan’s West Kazakhstan Region, enjoyed one of the country’s most successful amateur boxing careers. He won the 2013 World Championships in the 69-kilogram category, claimed Asian Championships and Asian Games titles between 2013 and 2015, and won Olympic gold at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games. After turning professional in 2018, Yeleussinov signed with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing and won the International Boxing Organization welterweight title in 2021. His professional career subsequently slowed, and he has fought only twice since returning to the ring in 2024. In March 2025, he became the first Kazakhstani boxer to sign with Dana White’s Zuffa Boxing promotion, although he has yet to make his debut under the new banner. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, another prominent Kazakhstani boxer, Zhanibek Alimkhanuly, was stripped of one of his two middleweight world titles in March after testing positive for a banned substance.

2 months ago

Aral Sea

Kazakhstan’s Aral Geopark Under Review for UNESCO Global Status

Kazakhstan's Aral Geopark is undergoing an international assessment that could make it the country's first UNESCO Global Geopark, giving new visibility to a region long associated with the environmental collapse of the Aral Sea. Kyzylorda Region governor Murat Yergeshbayev met international experts José Brilha and Somayeh Saediyounesi, who are assessing whether the site meets UNESCO requirements, regional authorities said. The main evaluation mission will take place from July 6 to 13 and will examine the park's natural sites, infrastructure, management system, scientific potential, and efforts to preserve the region's heritage. Kazakhstan sent the official application for the Aral Geopark's inclusion in the UNESCO Global Geoparks Network to the organization's headquarters in November 2025. Four tourist and educational routes have also been prepared as part of the application process. UNESCO Global Geoparks are single, unified geographical areas where sites and landscapes of international geological significance are managed through a concept that combines protection, education, and sustainable development. According to UNESCO, the network currently includes 241 geoparks in 51 countries. For Kazakhstan, recognition would give the Aral region greater international visibility. The geopark is intended to preserve the region's geological, natural, historical, and cultural heritage while supporting research, tourism, and local economic development. The project is also part of wider efforts to restore the Aral region and broaden its economic base. Yergeshbayev said Kazakhstan is paying close attention at the national level to the area's recovery, including the development of the geopark as a scientific and natural site. The Aral Geopark covers a landscape shaped by the retreat of the sea. According to the geopark's official description, its sites include the Barsakelmes State Nature Reserve, the Akespe hot spring, the Zhaksykylysh salt deposits, Lake Kamystybas, mausoleums, and settlements on the former seabed. UNESCO recognition is not automatic. A territory must first operate as a geopark, prepare a full application through national structures, undergo document checks, and host a field evaluation. Recommendations are then reviewed by UNESCO bodies before a final decision by the organization's Executive Board. If approved, the Aral Geopark would become Kazakhstan's first internationally recognized global geopark. Regional authorities say the status would help raise tourist interest, expand scientific research, and improve living standards for local residents. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev proposed in December 2025 creating a dedicated United Nations body to address global water management challenges, including the deteriorating ecological conditions of the Aral and Caspian seas. In January 2026, Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov instructed ministries to accelerate the second phase of Kazakhstan's Northern Aral Sea restoration plan. The goal is to increase the sea's volume by around 10 to 11 billion cubic meters over the next four to five years.

2 months ago

Fuel Exports

Kazakhstan Weighs Kyrgyz Fuel Request as Export Ban Extension Looms

Kazakhstan is considering Kyrgyzstan’s request for gasoline supplies following an official appeal from Bishkek, Deputy Energy Minister Kaiyrkhan Tutkyshbayev has said. At the same time, the Kazakh government plans to extend its ban on fuel exports until May 2027. In late June, Russia, which supplies around 90% of Kyrgyzstan’s fuel imports, imposed a full ban on exports of gasoline and jet fuel. In early July, Kyrgyzstan’s Ministry of Energy announced that it had begun negotiations with several countries to diversify fuel imports. Speaking after a government meeting on July 7, Tutkyshbayev confirmed that Kazakhstan had received an official request from Bishkek. “We have received an official request from the Kyrgyz side, and it is currently under consideration,” Tutkyshbayev said. “All decisions will be made with due regard to Kazakhstan’s national interests and domestic market balance. However, I can state officially that fulfilling such a request would not lead to higher fuel prices within Kazakhstan. We will review the request in the near future and provide our response.” The deputy minister did not specify the volumes requested. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, Kyrgyzstan has also sent official requests to the relevant authorities in Russia, Belarus, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan as part of efforts to secure alternative fuel supplies following Russia’s export restrictions. Tutkyshbayev also said Kazakhstan’s Energy Ministry had not received an official Russian request for fuel supplies, despite Reuters reporting earlier that Moscow was in talks to import about 50,000 metric tons of AI-92 gasoline from Kazakhstan after refinery outages and drone strikes cut Russian gasoline output by roughly 25%. Tutkyshbayev acknowledged a sharp increase in gasoline consumption in Kazakhstan’s three regions bordering Russia, West Kazakhstan, Pavlodar, and Aktobe, which may indicate cross-border fuel flows. “Some motorists install additional fuel tanks on their vehicles,” he said. “We are monitoring the situation closely, and together with other government agencies we have stepped up efforts to combat the illegal export of fuel from Kazakhstan.” Meanwhile, Kazakhstan is preparing to extend its existing ban on fuel exports from November 22, 2026, until May 22, 2027. A draft order published on the government’s Open NPA portal would prohibit exports of gasoline, diesel fuel, and certain petroleum products by road and rail, including shipments to fellow members of the Eurasian Economic Union. The draft also proposes a separate ban, from January 1 through June 30, 2027, on exports outside the Eurasian Economic Union customs territory of light distillates, jet fuel, diesel fuel, gas oil, toluene, xylene, and petroleum bitumen. The proposed restrictions underline the tension in Kazakhstan’s fuel policy: Astana wants to protect its domestic market in the short term, even as it plans major oil and petrochemical investments and has set a long-term goal of increasing fuel exports.

2 months ago

Healthcare

Kazakhstan’s Al-Farabi University Joins Central Asia’s First Flying Hospital Project

Al-Farabi Kazakh National University (KazNU) has joined a project to create what Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Science and Higher Education described as Central Asia’s first flying hospital, a specialized medical aircraft intended to provide healthcare in remote parts of the region. A launch ceremony was held in Almaty last week for the Central Asian Flying Hospital Mission for Ophthalmology and ENT Care. The project uses a C909 aircraft and is being implemented under the global Air Silk Road of Health initiative. The initiative involves KazNU, the Eye and ENT Hospital of Fudan University, and the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC). COMAC has developed a specialized medical aircraft using the C909 regional jet platform. Passenger versions of the aircraft can carry between 78 and 97 passengers, depending on configuration, while extended-range versions can fly up to 3,700 kilometers. The medical version has a flexible cabin that can be reconfigured for medical teams and emergency care in remote areas. It can also be used for patient evacuation. The aircraft presented in Almaty will provide ophthalmology and ear, nose, and throat services. It is equipped with an operating room and telemedicine systems. It also uses artificial intelligence technology to diagnose eye diseases. The platform is intended to support care from screening and diagnosis through surgery and rehabilitation. Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Science and Higher Education said the project is being implemented for the first time in Kazakhstan and Central Asia. During the presentation, KazNU and the Eye and ENT Hospital of Fudan University signed a cooperation agreement to develop medical education and research, as well as professional training. A multilateral agreement was also signed to expand cooperation in ophthalmology between China and Central Asian countries. “The C909 flying hospital mission will give new momentum to cooperation between Kazakhstan and China in medicine, science, and higher education, expanding opportunities for academic mobility, research, and the introduction of innovative medical technologies,” said Bakytzhan Omarov, a board member at Al-Farabi Kazakh National University. The Air Silk Road of Health project is expected to help introduce advanced medical technologies and support joint research. It is also intended to expand access to high-tech healthcare in Central Asia. The initiative comes as Kazakhstan seeks to expand its scientific and medical research infrastructure. The Times of Central Asia previously reported that Kazakhstan opened Central Asia’s first brain research institute this summer.

2 months ago

Digital Development

Kazakhstan to Host ITU Acceleration Centre as It Expands Regional Digital Ambitions

Kazakhstan and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) have agreed to establish an ITU Acceleration Centre in Kazakhstan to promote artificial intelligence, GovTech, and digital skills across Central Asia. The agreement was reached during a meeting in Geneva between Kazakhstan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development, Zhaslan Madiyev, and ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin. The ITU, a specialized agency of the United Nations founded in 1865, develops global telecommunications standards, coordinates radio-frequency spectrum use, and promotes cooperation in information and communication technologies. It has 193 member states. According to Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development, the new center will serve as a regional hub for digital transformation. Its priorities will include building artificial intelligence expertise, strengthening digital skills, supporting GovTech adoption, and helping narrow the digital divide across Central Asia. “We are pleased that our cooperation with the International Telecommunication Union is producing concrete practical results. We see this center as an important platform for digital innovation, AI skills development, capacity building, and regional cooperation,” Madiyev said. During the meeting, Madiyev was also named one of the founding members of the ITU’s AI for Good Global Commission. AI for Good, launched by the ITU in 2017, promotes the use of artificial intelligence to address social and economic challenges. The agreement comes as Kazakhstan continues to expand its digital infrastructure and position itself as a regional technology hub. The government has launched a series of initiatives aimed at attracting international investment in artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and data infrastructure. Earlier, The Times of Central Asia reported that SuperX was considering building a 1-gigawatt AI data center in Kazakhstan. Kazakhstan has also joined OpenAI’s “Education for Countries” initiative, which supports the integration of artificial intelligence into national education systems. In addition, the government has established an AI Fund, backed by the National Bank of Kazakhstan, to finance strategic digital projects, research, and AI education programs. The center adds another international component to Kazakhstan’s digital development strategy and supports Astana’s effort to position the country as a regional hub for artificial intelligence, GovTech, and digital skills.

2 months ago

Global Plastic Pollution Treaty

Kazakhstan Participates in Negotiations on Global Treaty to Combat Plastic Pollution

Kazakhstan set out its approach to a planned global treaty on plastic pollution at informal talks held from June 30 to July 3 at the United Nations Office in Nairobi, Kenya. Deputy Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources Zhomart Aliyev led Kazakhstan’s participation in the meeting of heads of delegation to the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee, which is developing a legally binding international agreement to combat plastic pollution. Kazakhstan's delegation presented the country’s national approaches to the key elements of the future treaty and took an active part in discussions on possible ways of bridging differences among participating states. The Nairobi discussions will result in a reference document summarizing the proposals and positions of participating countries. The document will serve as the basis for further informal consultations scheduled for September 2026 and preparations for the resumed fifth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee, tentatively planned for March 2027. “Kazakhstan will continue to play an active role in the negotiation process, advocating the development of an effective and balanced international agreement to combat plastic pollution,” the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources said. The ministry also highlighted the successful development of the EcoQolday information system, which was launched in 2024 to digitalize waste collection and recycling processes, including plastic waste. According to the ministry, the volume of waste processed through the system has increased steadily. In 2024, 11,070 metric tons of waste were sent for recycling through EcoQolday. That figure rose to 49,340 tons in 2025, while during the first half of 2026 alone it reached 70,630 tons, reflecting both the system’s growing effectiveness and increasing business participation. Since the platform became operational in August 2024, a total of 131,040 tons of waste has been directed for recycling through EcoQolday. Paper accounted for the largest share at 92,050 tons, followed by glass at 28,860 tons. The platform has also facilitated the recycling of 8,740 tons of used tires, 1,320 tons of plastic waste, and 70 tons of composite-material waste. EcoQolday connects households and businesses with waste collectors and recycling companies. Individuals and companies submit requests to dispose of recyclable waste, while collectors provide service offers and receive government incentives for participating in the system. “Within approved budget allocations, participants in the system have received total incentive payments of $7.1 million,” the ministry said. “This included approximately $10,000 in 2024, $1.8 million in 2025, and about $5.2 million so far in 2026.” The ministry added that EcoQolday is increasingly engaging both businesses and the public. As of the reporting date, 1,081 waste disposal requests totaling 3,540.52 tons had been registered in the system. Of these, 629 requests came from individuals, who submitted 2,276.42 tons of waste for recycling, primarily glass, paper, and used tires. Another 452 requests were submitted by legal entities, accounting for 1,264.1 tons of waste, mainly paper and used tires. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, members of Kazakhstan’s parliament proposed introducing a “green” tax on environmentally unfriendly packaging last summer to help finance plastic waste recycling.

2 months ago

Lithium

Kazakhstan Lithium Processing Method Tested on Low-Grade Ore

Kazakh scientists say they have tested a method for recovering lithium from low-grade ore, a development that fits into the country’s wider effort to build a role in critical minerals processing. The Ministry of Industry and Construction described the work as an innovative technology for processing lithium-bearing aluminosilicate ores. These ores contain lithium, but in relatively low concentrations, meaning the challenge is not only mining the metal, but separating it economically. Lithium is used in rechargeable batteries, including for electric vehicles and energy storage systems. Demand for lithium and other critical minerals has risen with the expansion of clean-energy technologies, while governments are paying closer attention to where these materials are mined and processed. The United Nations has warned that rising demand for energy-transition minerals brings risks, including environmental damage and unequal distribution of benefits, if extraction and processing are not properly managed. The Kazakh announcement centers on carbothermic smelting, a high-temperature process that uses carbon to help separate useful components from ore. According to the ministry, the method allows lithium to be concentrated in slag in a chemically active form, making it easier to process further into lithium salts. Feruza Berdikulova, the project leader, said the process produces a concentrate containing 12-14% lithium oxide, whereas conventional methods usually produce concentrate with no more than 5-6% lithium oxide. The ministry said the process has other potential advantages, including reduced use of aggressive sulfuric acid solutions, potentially lower production costs, and less environmental impact. These claims are potentially significant, but they should be treated with some caution. The ministry statement does not say whether the process has been tested beyond laboratory or pilot conditions, nor does it provide precise details on cost or scalability. Kazakhstan has large mineral resources and a long-established mining sector, but building a competitive lithium industry would require more than laboratory results. Financing to ensure reliable processing at scale remains one of the biggest challenges. The work was carried out by the National Center for Complex Processing of Mineral Raw Materials, a state research body that includes several mining and metallurgical institutes and laboratories, among them a rare metals laboratory. Kazakhstan has been trying to present itself as a future supplier of critical minerals at a time when the global market is looking for alternatives to concentrated supply chains. The Times of Central Asia previously reported that new geological surveys at the Kuirektykol rare earth deposit in the Karaganda region had raised estimates of commercially viable rare earth elements to 28.2 million tons, up from an initial estimate of 20 million tons. The country is also preparing to open an internationally accredited rare earth metals laboratory in Astana, under the National Geological Service, with certification from RCI Inspection and PARAGON. The facility is intended to improve Kazakhstan’s ability to test and certify critical minerals for international markets. The lithium processing announcement should be read in that context. It is not proof that Kazakhstan is about to become a major lithium producer. It is, however, another sign that...

2 months ago

Foreign Investment

Kazakhstan Expands Technology Agenda, Inviting Investors into Space and Artificial Intelligence

Kazakhstan is stepping up its focus on the digital economy and high technology, expanding its investment agenda beyond the resource sector. At a meeting of the Foreign Investors’ Council on July 2, officials presented several areas they see as potential new growth drivers: artificial intelligence, digital infrastructure, space technology, and the innovation hub of Alatau City. For Astana, the push is part of a broader economic development strategy. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said Kazakhstan’s economy grew by 6.5% in 2025, while GDP has exceeded $300 billion. According to Tokayev, accumulated net foreign direct investment has surpassed $150 billion, making Kazakhstan Central Asia’s largest recipient of foreign investment. Against this backdrop, the government is increasingly focused on the next stage of development: building digital industries that could help shape the region’s economic architecture in the coming years. Artificial intelligence is central to this strategy. Tokayev described AI as one of the key drivers of the global economy and confirmed that 2026 has been declared the Year of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development in Kazakhstan. The country has adopted a new package of sector-specific legislation, including the Digital Code and the Law on Artificial Intelligence, and has created the Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development. One of the most prominent projects in this sector is Data Center Valley, an infrastructure cluster intended to host large-scale computing and data-processing facilities. According to the president, the project has already attracted interest from Amazon, G42, and other international technology companies. For Kazakhstan, the development of data centers has strategic importance. As global demand for computing power and AI infrastructure grows, countries with access to energy, favorable logistics, and clear regulation are becoming increasingly attractive destinations for international capital. A separate part of the strategy focuses on the space sector. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development Zhaslan Madiyev invited foreign investors to participate in building a joint space ecosystem. According to Madiyev, Kazakhstan sees the sector as broader than traditional satellite infrastructure, viewing it as a technological platform that can combine spacecraft manufacturing, launches, maintenance, Earth observation, and AI-driven analytics. This approach reflects a wider global trend. The space technology market is entering a new phase of growth, driven by private investment, satellite communications, geo-analytics, and big data services. For Kazakhstan, this creates an opportunity to use its accumulated expertise and infrastructure, including its space-sector legacy at Baikonur, which remains leased to Russia until 2050. Another pillar of the digital strategy is Alatau City, an innovation hub being built near Almaty. The authorities view it as an experimental platform for digital assets, fintech, autonomous transport, and artificial intelligence technologies. According to Madiyev, Alatau City is expected to become one of the first sites in the region for testing autonomous vehicles, drones, and tokenized solutions. Tokayev said the city will be built on a “digital by default” principle, meaning that administrative and public services will be designed in digital form from the outset. The Times of Central Asia previously reported that Astana...

2 months ago

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