Week in Brief: 10 key developments shaping Kazakhstan this week

1. Today is birthday of outstanding Kazakh poet Zhambyl Zhabayev

Kazakhstan celebrates the 179th anniversary of Zhambyl Zhabayev, a renowned Kazakh poet and improviser. His works remain an important part of Kazakh literature.

2. Kazakhstan selects site for its first Nuclear Power Plant

The Government of Kazakhstan has chosen the location for the country’s first nuclear power plant. According to the decree, the facility will be located in the Zhambyl district of the Almaty region.

3. UN reform, SDGs, and diplomacy: Key takeaways from Kazakhstan’s UN panel

The Presidential Center of Kazakhstan hosted a panel marking Kazakhstan’s UN anniversary. The event gathered representatives of diplomatic and government agencies to discuss the nation's contributions and the organization's evolving role. A key theme of the session was dedicated to strengthening multilateral cooperation.

4. President Tokayev holds meeting with Omani FM Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi

During the meeting, the Kazakh President noted that there is considerable potential yet to be unleashed to enhance Kazakhstan-Oman interaction on the bilateral level as well as within the regional and international agenda. Taking the opportunity, Tokayev conveyed his greetings to Sultan of Oman Haitham bin Tariq and invited him to pay a visit to Kazakhstan.

5. Jochi’s image through ages: From epics to comics

This article explores how the image of Jochi, the eldest son of Genghis Khan, has evolved over time in various forms of storytelling, including historical epics and modern adaptations like comics.

6. How can Kazakhstan attract investments for sustainable growth

Exclusively for Kazinform News Agency, Zafar Khashimov, International Finance Corporation (World Bank Group) Country Manager for Kazakhstan and the Kyrgyz Republic, shares insights on attracting long-term capital, supporting private sector growth, and creating new opportunities for sustainable development.

7. We have a lot of different initiatives that we're doing with different parts of the government – Stephen O'Malley on UN-Kazakhstan ties

In an exclusive interview with Kazinform Stephen O’Malley, UN Resident Coordinator in Kazakhstan, outlined key initiatives in policy reform, sustainability goals, and digital transformation.

8. Over 1,000 ethnic Kazakhs return to historical homeland since January 2025

More than 1,000 ethnic Kazakhs have returned to Kazakhstan in early 2025. More than 51.9% of repatriates, who have arrived in Kazakhstan since the year beginning, are from China, 37.5% are from Uzbekistan, 7.1% are from Turkmenistan, 1.8% are from Russia and 1.7% are from other countries.

9. Kazakhstan's Oralbay and Nurdauletov secure 1st wins at International Boxing Tournament Strandja in Bulgaria

Kazakhstani boxers Aibek Oralbay and Bekzad Nurdauletov achieved their first victories at the Strandja international boxing tournament in Bulgaria.

10.Kazakhstani Yevgeniy Koshkin claims sensational gold at ISU World Cup Speed Skating in Poland

Yevgeniy Koshkin of Kazakhstan secured a gold medal at the ISU World Cup Speed Skating competition in Poland.

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