«Astana Eurasian Book Fair 2026»: International Book Exhibition and Fair to Take Place in the Capital From April 22 to 26, the IX International Book Exhibition and Fair Astana Eurasian Book Fair 2026 will be held at the Presidential Center in the capital. It is one of the largest cultural and educational events in Central Asia, according to the official website of the city administration. The event is organized by Foliant Publishing House with the support of the Ministry of Culture and Information of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Akimat of Astana. Approximately 80 companies representing the publishing, printing, bookselling, and academic sectors will take part in the fair. Around half of them are Kazakhstani organizations, while some 40 companies are expected from Russia, Turkey, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, Mongolia, Spain, China, Iran, Belarus, Portugal, Venezuela, and the United Kingdom. The five-day program will feature a wide range of cultural and business events, including book presentations, meetings with authors, autograph sessions, and special masterclasses at the children’s activity zone. Among the highlights are presentations of the following publications: «Turkish Cuisine» (published with the support of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of Turkey), Bekarys Shoibekov’s collection of aitys «Bekarys — The Golden Voice of Aitys», Marzhan Yershu’s poem «A Solitary Hand», «Yeldos Smetov. Endurance. Faith. Victory» from the «Contemporaries» series, Yerlan Kozhabayev’s photo album «Kazakh Ornaments», Andrzej Sapkowski’s fantasy novel «The Witcher», Ularbek Daley’s historical novel «Batu Khan», «The Ownerless Shadow» by Alisher Rakhat, «The Journey of Hope» by Spanish writer Javier Moro, «For Whom the Bell Tolls» by Ernest Hemingway, «A Poem-Woman» by Azerbaijani poet Rasmia Sabir, Baiyt Kabanuly’s «Mongol Poetry», «The Tears of the White Zhaiyk» by Nursultan Myktybay, as well as the album books «Turkestan — Eternal and Ever New» and «Dimash Qudaibergen. Infinite Music». On April 23, in celebration of the National Book Day, an official award ceremony will be held for the winners of the national competition Ulttyq Kitap, organized by the Ministry of Culture and Information of Kazakhstan. The official opening ceremony of the exhibition will take place on April 22 at 11:00, with the participation of government and public figures, prominent writers, and foreign ambassadors.
The Regional Ecological Summit (RES) 2026 will take place on April 22-24 bringing together around 1,500 participants from government bodies across the region, international organizations, development institutions, experts, businesses and civil society, according to the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources. The forum seeks to address regional solutions to climate and environmental challenges in partnership with the United Nations. The initiative was announced by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev during the 78th session of the UN General Assembly in 2023 and was reaffirmed at the 80th session in 2025. International support RES 2026 is supported by major partners, including the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), International Energy Agency (IEA), and other global and regional institutions. The UN formally endorsed the initiative through UN General Assembly Resolution 78/147 on Dec. 19, 2023, which emphasizes strengthening regional solidarity to address Central Asia’s environmental challenges. Political support has also been reaffirmed at the highest level through key multilateral documents, including the Karabakh declaration of the informal summit of the organization of Turkic States in July, 2024; the joint statement of the sixth consultative meeting of Central Asian Heads of State in August, 2024; and the Bishkek Declaration of the eleventh summit of the Organization of Turkic States in November, 2024. Further recognition came in 2025 at the Astana International Forum, during the opening of the UN Regional Center for the Sustainable Development Goals for Central Asia and Afghanistan, with the participation of UN Secretary-General António Guterres, and at the third UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries. Goals and expected outcomes The summit aims to develop agreed-upon, actionable solutions and mechanisms that reflect a regional approach to addressing climate and environmental challenges, including the tragedy of the Aral Sea—now a global symbol of environmental degradation—and the continued decline in the level of the Caspian Sea. Key priorities include identifying Central Asia’s real needs in green financing, supporting adaptation measures, advancing low-carbon technologies, and strengthening regional environmental resilience. The summit is also intended to serve as a permanent platform for dialogue and cooperation among governments, international organizations, scientific institutions, and the private sector. Expected outcomes of RES 2026 include the adoption of a joint declaration of the Heads of State of Central Asia on regional cooperation in ecology and sustainable development; approval of a Regional Program of Action with UN agencies (2026–2030) for a sustainable future of Central Asia, including regional initiatives under the summit’s thematic areas. Launch of new environmental projects and initiatives across the summit’s key directions. Eight key thematic areas The summit agenda will focus on eight interconnected areas. The first is supporting the climate transition by reducing emissions, improving energy efficiency, and expanding renewable energy. The second is adaptation and economic resilience, aimed at protecting communities and ecosystems from climate and natural risks. The third area addresses food security and ecosystems, promoting sustainable agriculture and integrated resource management. The fourth focuses on the sustainable management of natural resources, including preserving ecosystems and safeguarding water resources such as the Aral and Caspian Seas. The fifth area focuses on combating air pollution and advancing waste management to advance circular economy approaches. The sixth emphasizes mechanisms for achieving environmental ambitions, including green finance, technology transfer, and Paris Agreement market mechanisms. The seventh area highlights a just and inclusive transition, with a focus on job creation, retraining, gender equality, and support for vulnerable groups. Finally, the eighth area is ecological and digital competencies, encompassing environmental education, digital solutions, and the use of artificial intelligence for resource management. Road to RES 2026 Preparations for the summit have been shaped through a series of regional and international consultations held in 2025 across Central Asia and Europe, as well as at major UN platforms, including COP30, the UN Environment Assembly (UNEA-7), and the UN General Assembly. These discussions led to the approval of the updated summit concept, a draft joint declaration, and the launch of more than 20 regional initiatives. Additional details can be found on the official website of the RES 2026.
On September 3, 2025, the opening of the exhibition dedicated to the 120th anniversary of the outstanding artist Oral Tansykbaev took place in Tashkent. At the Gallery of Fine Arts of Uzbekistan, one of the most significant events in the cultural and artistic life of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan was held — the grand opening of the exhibition dedicated to the work of the eminent 20th-century artist Oral Tansykbaev (1904–1974). The exhibition was organized by the Art and Culture Development Foundation of Uzbekistan at the initiative of the Head of the Administration of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Saida Shavkatovna Mirziyoyeva, with the support of the Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan in the Republic of Uzbekistan. The exposition, consisting of about 124 works of the master from the collections of leading museums of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, was presented by the renowned art historian Zelfira Tregulova, coordinator and curator of other famous international exhibition projects. The event was attended by the First Deputy Chairman of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Sadyk Safayev; Head of the Department of Creative Economy and Tourism of the Presidential Administration of the Republic of Uzbekistan and Chairperson of the Art and Culture Development Foundation of Uzbekistan, Gayane Umerova; prominent artists and art historians from Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan; representatives of the creative intelligentsia, the diplomatic corps of various countries, the media, as well as residents and guests of the capital. The exhibition of Oral Tansykbaev is a unique opportunity to see legendary canvases that reflect the beauty and spirit of Central Asia. Among the works on display are famous landscapes, portraits, and thematic paintings in which the artist masterfully combined national color with innovative artistic techniques. The exhibition is intended not only to pay tribute to the great master but also to inspire the younger generation of artists. In his speech, the Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Uzbekistan, Beibut Atamkulov, emphasized that “Tansykbaev’s legacy is not only the heritage of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan but also of our common home — Central Asia. His paintings are our history and our soul. His art helps us better understand the roots that unite the peoples of the region.” 🖼 The exhibition will run until November 20, 2025.
Ташкент, Галерея изобразительного искусства Узбекистана 🇰🇿🚑🇺🇿 The Unique Project — Kazakhstan Medicine Days — has started in Uzbekistan. About 100 doctors from Kazakhstan representing various medical specialties are taking part. They will conduct master classes, consultations, surgical operations, and training seminars in medical institutions across Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara, and Fergana regions, as well as in the Republic of Karakalpakstan. The Medicine Days will last for five days and will conclude with a large bilateral medical forum attended by the Ministers of Health of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. During the project, the Ministry of Health of Kazakhstan will provide four mobile medical units to carry out primary examinations for residents of Syrdarya and Jizzakh regions.
Ташкент, Фергана, Самарканд, Бухара, Нукус The 2 nd Edition of the Astana Think Tank Forum to Unite Global Decisionmakers Around New Strategies for Cross-Border Collaboration The Astana Think Tank Forum 2025 , unfolding on 15–16 October 2025 in the Kazakh capital, will unite policymakers, opinion leaders and heads of major think tanks from Kazakhstan and abroad to identify new strategies for global collaboration that can restore trust in the international system and mitigate growing polarization. Now in its second year, the Forum is held under the aegis of the Astana International Forum (AIF) and organized by the Kazakhstan Institute for Strategic Studies under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan (KazISS). Last year’s inaugural event brought together more than 45 experts from 22 countries, establishing the event as a respected and inclusive platform for expert-led debates on today’s most pressing international issues. The 2025 programme will offer nine sessions that explore actionable steps for improving multilateral cooperation amid great-power competition. The topics discussed will include the transformation of the security architecture and the future of nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation; Central Asia’s positioning within a shifting geopolitical landscape; effective investment strategies in an era of fragmented global markets; the development of trade and transport corridors across Eurasia; the opportunities and ethical dilemmas associated with artificial intelligence; and the impact of climate change and water scarcity on demographic dynamics and migration. The Astana Think Tank Forum is designed to foster open, constructive dialogue among researchers, experts, international organizations, government representatives, and business leaders. Its goal is to produce knowledge-based recommendations that can incentivize cooperation and strengthen global stability and trust - while reinforcing Kazakhstan’s role as a responsible and proactive middle power contributing to the strength of the international system. Further information is available on the AIF website: astanainternationalforum.org.
Kazakhstan`s Capital to Host Astana Finance Days 2025 Forum: Where Capital Empowers the Future On 4-5 September 2025, one of the year`s most significant financial events – the 8th Astana Finance Days – will be held in the capital of Kazakhstan, under the auspices of the Astana International Forum (AIF). This year`s theme, "Where Capital Empowers the Future" , plays on the dual meaning of the word capital : referring both to Astana – Kazakhstan`s capital city and a rapidly developing financial hub bridging East and West – and to capital as a driving force for sustainable growth. In an era of global competition for capital, the effective use of these resources is essential to overcoming the challenges of our time – from tackling climate change to fostering economic development and technological progress. This year, Astana Finance Days is expected to attract over 5 000 participants from more than 70 countries, including professionals from the financial and technology sectors – such as brokers, bankers, investors and innovators – as well as representatives from government bodies and quasi-state organisations. The 2025 forum will focus on three core thematic areas: financial capital, infrastructural capital, and institutional capital. This broad scope will enable discussions on a wide range of topics – from current trends in finance, fintech, and sustainability, to regulatory developments and emerging financial products, spanning everything from traditional portfolio investments to cryptocurrencies. One of the forum`s headline speakers will be Brett King – a renowned futurist, entrepreneur, and author of global bestsellers including Bank 4.0: Banking Everywhere, Never at a Bank ; The Rise of Technosocialism: How Inequality, AI and Climate will Usher in a New World ; and Augmented: Life in the Smart Lane . Other confirmed speakers include: Oraz Zhandossov, Director of the RAKURS Center for Economic Analysis; Timur Turlov, Chief Executive Officer of Freedom Holding Corp.; Galim Khusainov, BoD Member at Teniz Capital Investment Banking; Jad Ellawn, Managing Partner and Head of the Middle East at Brookfield; Ryad Yousuf, Partner at Goldman Sachs; Hani Kablawi, Senior Executive Vice President and Head of International at BNY Mellon; and Meshal Jaber AlFaras, Head of the Middle East, Africa and Central Asia at Janus Henderson Investors – along with other senior figures from private enterprise, government, and quasi-state organisations. A key feature of this year`s forum will be the AFD Exhibition Hub – a unified exhibition platform of Astana Finance Days. It will bring together companies operating in the capital markets and digital innovation sectors, providing a space to showcase solutions, strengthen market positioning, and establish direct links with strategic partners. The forum is organised by the Astana International Financial Centre, ranked the leading financial hub in Eastern Europe and Central Asia by the Global Financial Centres Index. Astana Finance Days 2025 is supported by gold partners Freedom Broker and KAZ Minerals; silver partners Solidcore Resources, ITS and MYD Production; bronze partners ERG, LMAX Group and Teniz Capital Investment Banking; industrial partner Allur; and others. For full details of the Astana Finance Days programme and to register, please follow this link .
