Week in brief: 10 key developments shaping Kazakhstan this week

1. Final debates of seven parties conclude on 24KZ TV Channel

The final televised debates of all seven political parties contesting the Qurultay elections were held on 24KZ TV Channel, focusing on economic growth and citizens' well-being. Kazakhstanis will elect 145 Qurultay deputies from seven party lists on August 23.

2. Kazakhstan ranks 13th among world's largest mineral fuel producers

Kazakhstan's 224.2 million metric tons placed it between Iraq, which ranked 12th with 225.2 million metric tons, and Qatar, which ranked 14th with 211.8 million metric tons. Kazakhstan's output was equivalent to 1.3% of global mineral fuel production.

3. 2,600 rural schools in Kazakhstan to adopt AI technologies

Starting September 1, 2026, projects will be piloted in 10 rural schools in Pavlodar and Kyzylorda regions to narrow the gap in education quality between urban and rural schools. The initial stage will cover 500 schools. The projects will be gradually introduced at all 2,600 small rural schools.

4. Kassym-Jomart Tokayev honors UNV executive coordinator with Order of Dostyq

President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has awarded Toily Kurbanov, Executive Coordinator of the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme, with the Order of Dostyq, 2nd Class. The state award was presented in recognition of his significant contribution to the development of volunteerism in Kazakhstan.

5. Rare animal populations rising in Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan is seeing steady growth in populations of rare and endangered wildlife, including saiga antelopes, kulan, goitered gazelles, argali and tugai deer. The country is also expanding conservation efforts, including the reintroduction of Przewalski’s horses and Amur tigers as part of plans to restore the Turan tiger.

6. Kazakh literature reaches 125 countries

Works by Kazakh authors have been translated into dozens of languages and distributed to libraries, universities and research centers worldwide. The country is also promoting its literary heritage through major international book fairs and 41 literature centers in national libraries abroad.

7. Kazakhstan announces squad for 2026 UEFA Nations League

The squad includes goalkeeper Stas Pokatilov, who plays for Azerbaijan’s Sabah and is still taking part in UEFA Champions League qualifying. Among the other notable call-ups are Dastan Satpayev, who plays for English club Burnley, as well as Maksim Samorodov, Galymzhan Kenzhebek, Nuraly Alip and Islam Chesnokov, who play for Russian clubs. The expanded squad also features several young players, including Ismail Bekbolat and Azamat Tuyakbaev.

8. Kazakhstan’s Kalmagambetov wins gold at 2026 U20 World Championships

Kalmagambetov claimed the title in the men’s 67kg weight class. In the final, he defeated Belarusian wrestler Mikhail Markouski 13-7. The victory secured Kazakhstan’s first medal of the 2026 U20 World Championships.

9. Kazakhstani taekwondo athletes win two gold medals at WT President's Cup event in Pakistan

Kazakhstani taekwondo athletes Batyrkhan Toleugali and Nazym Makhmutova won gold medals at the 8th World Taekwondo President's Cup - Asian Region international tournament in Lahore, Pakistan. Toleugali claimed the top spot in the men’s under 87 kg category, while Makhmutova won gold in the women’s under 73 kg division.

10.'Jamilya in Paris': First full-length Kazakhstani film starts production in the French capital

The full-length film is being shot in the French capital and is being produced by Kazakhstan’s largest film company, Tiger Films, with the support of the Embassy of Kazakhstan in France and the Embassy of France in Kazakhstan. 'Jamilya in Paris' is described as a dramedy, with its premiere scheduled for spring 2027.

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