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Russia Kazakhstan Bilateral Cooperation Foreign Affairs Lavrov Diplomatic Talks Sergey Lavrov

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov: Kazakhstan Is Our Ally and Partner

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov arrived in Almaty this week to participate in two significant diplomatic events: a meeting of the CIS Council of Foreign Ministers and the eighth gathering of foreign ministers from Russia and Central Asia. On April 10, Lavrov held a bilateral meeting with Kazakh Foreign Minister Murat Nurtleu, during which both sides reviewed the implementation of earlier high-level agreements and discussed expanding cooperation in political, economic, and humanitarian spheres. “Maintaining the high dynamics of political dialogue and the consistent implementation of the agreements reached remain priorities in our bilateral cooperation. This is the direction set by our presidents,” Nurtleu stated. Lavrov, for his part, emphasized the depth of the strategic partnership between the two countries: “Kazakhstan is our reliable ally and neighbor. We traditionally support each other both at the bilateral level and on the international stage.” The foreign ministers also gave particular attention to strengthening trade and economic ties. On April 11, Lavrov will participate in a CIS Council of Foreign Ministers meeting. According to Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, the ministers will discuss major international and regional issues, including preparations for the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War, and matters related to cultural and humanitarian cooperation, as well as border security. Later that day, Lavrov is expected to take part in the eighth meeting of foreign ministers of Russia and Central Asian states, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. The agenda includes political and economic priorities, joint humanitarian initiatives, and measures aimed at enhancing regional stability. Discussions will also focus on global challenges, particularly the coordination of security efforts in Central Asia. Lavrov's last visit to Kazakhstan was in November 2024, as part of preparations for President Vladimir Putin’s official visit to the country. Earlier, in 2023, Foreign Minister Nurtleu had met Lavrov in Moscow, highlighting the ongoing diplomatic engagement between the two nations.

UNDP Water Irrigation Kazakhstan Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation Water Sector Agreement Water resources

Kazakhstan Advances Water Sector Reform at High-Level Coordination Meeting

On April 10, the Coordination Council of Partners for the Development of the Water Sector of Kazakhstan held its second official meeting in Astana, co-chaired by Nurzhan Nurzhigitov, Kazakhstan’s Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation, and Katarzyna Wawiernia, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Resident Representative in Kazakhstan. The Council, which first convened on September 30, 2024, comprises the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation, the UNDP, and more than 30 international partners, including financial institutions and global development organizations. At the meeting, participants reviewed the Council’s work over the past six months and discussed strategic priorities for sustainable water management. A key topic was the 2024-2030 Partnership Water Initiative, adopted in September 2024, which outlines long-term goals for resilience and innovation in the sector. Nurzhigitov discussed the Council’s role in forging productive cross-sector partnerships. “In just six months, we’ve reached concrete agreements and launched new projects with partner countries, development institutions, financial organizations, and major companies. The Ministry has signed three agreements and sixteen memorandums with international partners from the Netherlands, France, Germany, Spain, the USA, Israel, China, the Islamic Development Bank, the Eurasian Development Bank, the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, and UNDP,” he said. New Agreements Signed at the Meeting Five new cooperation agreements were concluded during the session: The Ministry signed a communiqué with Spain’s Xcalibur Smart Mapping to carry out underground water resource mapping in western Kazakhstan A Statement of Intent was signed with the Islamic Development Bank and UNDP to bolster the technical capacity of Kazakhstan’s water sector, with a focus on digitalization, flood forecasting, climate resilience, and policy development An agreement between the Ministry’s Information and Analytical Center for Water Resources and the Eurasian Development Bank established a grant to develop a National Water Resources Information System by 2026. The project aims to increase transparency, efficiency, and equity in water distribution Kazvodkhoz, the Ministry’s national enterprise, signed a communiqué with PowerChina International to expand cooperation, including training seminars in China for Kazakhstani specialists (the first group of 30 participants is already attending a two-week program) Kazvodkhoz also signed a memorandum of cooperation with Primus Capital Almaty LLP, aimed at developing small hydropower plants at national water facilities A Long-Term Challenge Kazakhstan has long faced serious water-related challenges from the shrinking Aral Sea, driven by reduced transboundary river flows, to destructive spring floods and chronic irrigation shortages in the southern regions. These challenges highlight the urgency of coordinated, international engagement and innovation in water governance.

Kazakhstan Crime incident trial Almaty international airport hostage airport security Mashrapbek Baratov

Trial Begins in Almaty for Man Who Took Airport Employee Hostage

A trial has opened in Almaty for Mashrapbek Baratov, a 67-year-old man accused of taking a female airport employee hostage and threatening to detonate a bomb inside the terminal. The incident occurred on March 7 at Almaty International Airport, where Baratov, armed with a kitchen knife, seized Botagoz Mukhtarova, a 23-year-old security screening officer. He claimed to be carrying explosives and demanded access through the security area without the proper documents. The situation was quickly defused thanks to the actions of Musa Abdraim, a bystander who had come to the airport to see off an acquaintance. Abdraim, 52, reportedly offered himself in place of the hostage and managed to disarm the attacker at a critical moment. The standoff lasted approximately seven minutes. Abdraim, a former martial artist, was later honored by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev with the “Yerligi Ushin” (For Bravery) medal for his selflessness and courage. During court proceedings, further details emerged about Baratov’s background. He has been charged under Part 3, Article 293 of the Criminal Code (“Hooliganism with the use of weapons”), Paragraph 4, Part 2, Article 261 (“Hostage-taking”), and Article 273 (“Knowingly false report of an act of terrorism”). According to prosecutors, Baratov, facing financial distress, spontaneously decided to fly to another city but lacked identification and a boarding pass. When Mukhtarova stopped him during screening, he claimed there was a bomb in his backpack, showed her an old button phone, and held a knife to her neck. Testifying in court, Mukhtarova recounted the traumatic experience through tears: “He was alone. I asked for his ID and boarding pass. He said he would blow up the airport in three minutes and showed me a button phone. He grabbed me, I fell. He pulled a knife out of my pocket. I panicked and screamed. He said if anyone came close, he’d detonate the bomb.” Baratov also presented his version in court, claiming he had arrived at the airport by mistake while riding a bus and impulsively decided to fly to Astana in search of work. He admitted to grabbing Mukhtarova and feigning possession of a bomb out of fear of being shot by police. He pleaded guilty to all charges. He also stated that he suffered a concussion while serving in Afghanistan in 1981, and that each spring he experiences bouts of aggression, allegedly due to long-term brain injuries. Reports indicate that in November 2024, Baratov attacked a woman on a bus for speaking loudly on the phone. The incident has raised public concern over airport security protocols. Questions persist over how Baratov managed to bring a knife into the terminal. According to Deputy Interior Minister Sanzhar Adilov, responsibility for airport security was transferred from the transport police to aviation security services in 2009. He has since pledged to revisit the legislative amendments from that period. “There were changes in 2009. Previously, the transport police managed security. Later, this responsibility shifted to the aviation security service,” Adilov said. “We will review the legislative amendments passed then. After investigation...

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Kazakhstan to Auction 50 Rare Metal Deposits in June 2025

Kazakhstan will grant exploration and development rights for 50 deposits of gold and rare metals through an electronic auction scheduled for June 2025, the Ministry of Industry and Construction has announced. Almas Kushumov, Director of the Ministry’s Department of Subsoil Use, shared the details through MINEX Kazakhstan (Mining and Exploration Forum). “We will auction off deposits with confirmed balance reserves, gold, coal, rare metals, and polymetals,” Kushumov said. “The information will be published soon on the Unified Platform of Subsoil Use, and in June we plan to hold the electronic auction. All participants will be able to submit their documents online.” The auction will be hosted on the Unified Subsoil Use Platform: minerals.e-qazyna.kz. Licenses will be awarded for both exploration and production, with production licenses valid for 25 years. Companies from the United States, European Union, and China have already submitted applications, according to the ministry. The full list of the 50 deposits will be made public in the coming days. Kazakhstan has prior experience with this auction format, between 2023 and 2024, 117 deposits were awarded through electronic auctions, generating over KZT29 billion ($55.9 million) in signing bonuses. Kazakhstan currently holds over 9,000 registered deposits, including 987 classified as solid mineral sites. Many of these were surveyed more than three decades ago, which is why the government is now prioritizing not only production rights but also geological exploration, with strong interest from both domestic and foreign investors. Kushumov noted that the introduction of the Code on Subsoil and Subsoil Use in 2018 significantly improved the investment climate, tripling the volume of private capital in the sector. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, the state mining company Tau-Ken Samruk is advancing work at the Kuirektykol rare earth deposit, where exploration began in 2022. Recent studies have identified new promising zones which, if confirmed, could place Kazakhstan among the global leaders in rare earth metal reserves.

Kazakhstan Railway Astana Railways railcars production Stadler Full Production Cycle National Railway

Stadler Begins Production of Railcars for Kazakhstan’s National Railway in Astana

Serial production of passenger railcars for Kazakhstan's national rail carrier, Passenger Transportation JSC, has officially commenced in Astana. The project is being implemented at the Stadler Kazakhstan LLP plant as part of a broader initiative to modernize the country's railway sector. Contract for 557 Cars The initiative stems from a long-term agreement between Passenger Transportation JSC and Swiss rail manufacturer Stadler Rail AG. Under the terms of the contract, 557 passenger cars of various types, including compartment and platzkart models, generator cars, and specially adapted trains for passengers with disabilities, are to be produced by 2030. The first 51 units are scheduled to enter service in 2025. The contract also includes a 20-year maintenance commitment by the manufacturer, aimed at ensuring the reliability and longevity of the rolling stock. Full Production Cycle During a recent visit to the plant, representatives of Passenger Transportation JSC inspected the facilities and reviewed completed bodies of passenger and generator cars. More than 400 specialists are currently employed at the plant, the majority of whom are Kazakh nationals. The manufacturing process encompasses a complete production cycle, from body welding and painting to the assembly of electrical components, bogies, and interior fittings. Each railcar undergoes both static and dynamic testing before leaving the production line. In the past two years, the facility has undergone significant modernization and localization, including workforce training in advanced technologies. Comfort and Safety The new Stadler cars are designed with passenger comfort and safety in mind. Each compartment coach will offer 40 sleeping berths and feature air conditioning, video surveillance, electric heating, and an automated fire suppression system. Passengers will have access to electrical outlets and USB ports in each compartment. The railcars will sport a distinctive exterior in corporate blue, yellow, and white, while the interiors will be tailored to suit Kazakhstan’s climate and long-distance travel requirements. Swiss Quality in the Steppe Stadler Rail AG is a leading European rail manufacturer with over 80 years of experience and operations in 45 countries. Renowned for producing reliable and technologically advanced railcars suited to harsh climates, the company has supplied equipment to regions including Scandinavia and Eastern Europe. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev personally discussed the establishment of the Kazakh production facility with Stadler Chairman Peter Spuhler in December 2022. Located in Astana’s industrial park, the plant spans over 31,000 square meters and has an annual production capacity exceeding 100 railcars. The launch of serial production marks a pivotal step in overhauling Kazakhstan's railway infrastructure. Beyond replacing outdated rolling stock, the project fosters technological advancement, local job creation, and the strengthening of the domestic rail manufacturing sector.

Rare Earth Elements Critical Minerals Rare Earth Metals Kuirektykol Deposit Kazakhstan

Kuirektykol Deposit May Elevate Kazakhstan to Global Leader in Rare-Earth Reserves

Kazakhstani geologists have identified several promising new areas within the Kuirektykol deposit in the Karkaraly District of the Karaganda Region. If confirmed, these reserves could position Kazakhstan among the world’s leading nations in rare-earth metal resources. Exploration of the Kuirektykol site began in 2022. By November 2024, surveyors had discovered commercially viable concentrations of rare-earth elements, including cerium and lanthanides, across four prospective zones. These were initially estimated to contain total resources of 935,400 tons, including 795,800 tons of proven reserves. At the time, experts predicted that with further in-depth exploration, total reserves could potentially double. That projection is now being borne out by new findings, according to the Ministry of Industry and Construction. In a recent statement, the ministry reported that LLP Tsentrgeolszemnadzor, working within the framework of the state program for geological subsoil research, had uncovered several additional promising areas at the Kuirektykol site. These areas are believed to contain a combined one million tons of rare-earth metals. The agency also announced the preliminary evaluation of a vast new prospective area named Zhana Kazakhstan. Following recent prospecting work, geologists now estimate the total predicted resources of rare-earth metals in the Kuirektykol area to exceed 20 million tons at depths of up to 300 meters. The average concentration of rare-earth elements in the ore is approximately 700 grams per ton. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, the state-owned National Mining Company Tau-Ken Samruk is preparing to begin development of the Kuirektykol deposit, a move expected to attract significant private investment in the sector. These developments come amid increasing global demand for rare-earth elements, which are essential to technologies ranging from renewable energy and electric vehicles to defense and telecommunications, and are set to be exempt from new U.S. trade tariffs. Kazakhstan's growing resource base could play a pivotal role in diversifying global supply chains and enhancing the country’s strategic economic importance.