Week in brief: 10 key developments shaping Kazakhstan this week

1. President Tokayev congratulates Kazakhstanis on Defender of Fatherland Day and Victory Day

Kassym-Jomart Tokayev emphasized the continuity of Kazakhstan’s traditions of valor, honoring both current defenders and those who sacrificed their lives during WWII. He highlighted the unity and resilience of Kazakh ancestors in protecting the nation’s vast steppes, calling it a sacred legacy for future generations.

2. From the Golan Heights to UN missions: How Kazakhstan has strengthened its role as a peacekeeping nation

On Defender of the Fatherland Day, marked on May 7, Kazakhstan highlights not only its national army but also its growing role in international UN peacekeeping operations.

3. Kazakh parliament passes draft law on Qurultay and status of its deputies

As Majilis Deputy Aidos Sarym said, the document introduced by parliament deputies to implement new constitutional norms aims at establishing a unicameral Qurultay. This new legislative body will consist of 145 members chosen through a proportional system, serving five-year terms.

4. Parliament approves new law on President of Kazakhstan

The draft law is designed to systematically implement a new structure of state power. This comprehensive draft law, consisting of eight chapters, 43 articles, aims to streamline the existing regulatory framework.

5. Head of State presents award to son of Great Patriotic War hero Kenzhebay Madenov

In 1944, at the age of 19, Madenov was appointed platoon commander of the 5th company, 2nd battalion, 1008th regiment of the 266th rifle division. On April 29, 1945, his platoon was tasked with raising the Red Banner on the top of the Berlin City Hall, the most important administrative center after the Reichstag.

6. What Dimash Qudaibergen’s parents reveal about his success

In an interview with Jibek Joly Radio, Kanat and Svetlana Aitbayev offer a rare opportunity to see the artist not as a global star, but as a son shaped by family and tradition.

7. Team Kazakhstan bags 12 awards at World Robotics Championship in Houston

The competitions were held at the George R. Brown Center and drew over 50,000 participants worldwide. In the junior FIRST LEGO League Explore category, the Alem Innovators team from Almaty won the Core Values Award, while the DeepSeekers from Haileybury Astana received the Team Model Award.

8. Kazakhstan becomes shareholder in AI giant Anthropic

According to a Facebook post by Timur Suleimenov, Chairman of the National Bank of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the National Investment Corporation of the National Bank of Kazakhstan joined Anthropic’s Series F funding round in late 2025.

9. Major sports events scheduled across Kazakhstan in May

Almaty will host the Summer Youth Ski Jumping Cup. In traditional sports, Almaty is also set to stage national championships and international tournaments in kokpar, asyk atu, zhamby atu (traditional archery on horses), tenge ilu, and Kazakh quresi. Almaty, Taldykorgan, Karaganda, Taraz, and Ust-Kamenogorsk will host competitions in taekwondo, rugby, archery, synchronized swimming, sport climbing, swimming, wrestling, and badminton.

10. Film shot in Almaty set to premiere at Cannes Film Festival

The short film Aryk! will debut at the Cannes Film Festival on May 16, as part of the straight 8 competition winners' screening. The film's director, Ilya Vrey, is a Kazakhstan-born and UK-raised director, screenwriter, and actor, as well as a graduate of the Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute and a Cambridge University Master’s program in screenwriting.

You can read last week’s 10 key developments shaping Kazakhstan here.