Kazakhstan’s Interior Ministry has proposed a major change to the country’s drug laws that could remove criminal liability for some offences involving drugs intended for personal use rather than sale. The proposal is contained in a regulatory policy consultation document published on August 14, 2026 and opened for public discussion until September 8. It concerns amendments aimed at decriminalising certain forms of illegal handling of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and their analogues when there is no intention to sell them. The ministry is proposing that parts 1 and 2 of Article 296 of Kazakhstan’s Criminal Code be repealed or substantially reworked. Under the current law, part 1 covers non-medical drug consumption in public places, while part 2 covers illegal manufacture, processing, acquisition, possession and transportation without intent to sell. The latter can currently result in a fine of up to 160 monthly calculation indices, corrective labour, up to 160 hours of community service or arrest for up to 40 days. This does not amount to legalising drugs. The ministry is considering several models, including decriminalising possession without intent to sell when quantities remain within legally established limits, retaining criminal liability for manufacturing and processing, and introducing administrative penalties that could escalate for repeat offences.

New Taldykorgan–Ust-Kamenogorsk highway shows signs of deterioration after costing more than 180bn tenge

A highway between Taldykorgan and Ust-Kamenogorsk that cost more than 180 billion tenge is already showing signs of deterioration , prompting activists to demand further inspections and a longer warranty period. The road was constructed between 2018 and 2025 using borrowed funds from China’s Export-Import Bank. But an inspection conducted on August 21, 2026, by a group of activists led by Rollan Mashpiyev found numerous areas where the asphalt appeared to be peeling, cracking or deteriorating. In some locations, the problems appeared to extend beneath the asphalt to the road foundation. Mashpiyev said the group travelled from Semey to the Ayagoz area to examine the road and found that damage had become noticeably worse. The activists argue that the problem may extend beyond the quality of the asphalt itself. Mashpiyev said cracks had reappeared even in areas where asphalt had already been replaced, suggesting that defects could exist in the lower layers of the road.

Kazakhstan builds $78.6bn pipeline of investment projects targeting more than 88,000 jobs

Kazakhstan has assembled a portfolio of 215 investment projects worth $78.6 billion , as the government seeks to shift foreign and domestic capital towards manufacturing, advanced processing, technology and higher-value industries. The portfolio managed by KAZAKH INVEST is expected to create more than 88,000 jobs. Of the 215 projects, 93 worth $32.2 billion are already being implemented, while another 122 worth $46.4 billion remain under development. The strategy follows President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s 2025 address, Kazakhstan in the Era of Artificial Intelligence: Current Tasks and Solutions Through Digital Transformation. Rather than focusing solely on attracting larger amounts of capital, the government says it wants to change the structure of investment by prioritising manufacturing, deep processing, high-tech production and the localisation of goods with greater added value. Since rules governing investment agreements were introduced, Kazakhstan has signed 66 agreements worth more than 17.8 trillion tenge. Six were concluded in 2024, followed by 30 agreements worth around 11.2 trillion tenge in 2025.

Kazvodkhoz returns to profit after overhaul cuts receivables by 90%

Kazakhstan’s state water-management company Kazvodkhoz has returned to profitability after a restructuring programme that included management reforms, digitalisation, asset transfers and tighter financial controls. The Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation said the state enterprise had eliminated its losses and ended 2025 with a profit, while its accounts receivable fell by 90%. One major change involved merging the Nurinsky Group Water Pipeline state enterprise with Kazvodkhoz. The government has also approved a roadmap to transfer non-core assets, including group water pipelines, into municipal ownership so Kazvodkhoz can concentrate more closely on its core water-management responsibilities. Financial management has also been digitalised. Since the beginning of 2026, Kazvodkhoz has completely stopped accepting cash payments for irrigation water. All contracts with water users are now concluded electronically through a new billing system. Vice Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Zhandos Salimov said the transformation includes redesigning and automating business processes, creating systems for planning and assessing the performance of branches, centralising revenue and expenditure management and introducing project-management principles.

More than 283,000 cameras installed as Kazakhstan strengthens security in 7,656 schools

Kazakhstan has installed more than 283,000 surveillance cameras across 7,656 general education schools , as authorities strengthen security measures ahead of the new academic year. The Interior Ministry has declared 2026 the Year of Children’s Safety within the ministry, with measures focused on protecting children not only at school but also on streets, in public places and online. Of Kazakhstan’s 7,656 schools, 7,159, or 93.5%, are directly connected to police operational control centres or duty units, allowing law-enforcement agencies to respond more quickly when security incidents are detected. The ministry said its approach goes beyond surveillance. Preventing juvenile offences remains a priority, with authorities focusing on legal education, identifying problems at an early stage and providing individual support to children and families. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has also emphasised the importance of developing what authorities describe as a law-abiding generation, arguing that respect for the law and Constitution is important both to young people’s individual well-being and to Kazakhstan’s broader development.

That cooperation is taking shape in various ways: wind turbines turning the Kazakh steppe's strong winds into electricity, salt-tolerant plants taking root on the edge of the shrinking Aral Sea, electric buses running through Pakistan's busy streets, and mountains of waste in Kyrgyzstan being transformed into power.

Their emerging experience suggests that green development does not have to mean choosing the environment over the economy. These solutions can accelerate the energy transition, create new livelihood opportunities, and unlock investment, jobs and innovation across the region. 

Powering the future: The SCO's shift to clean energy

With a population representing around 42% of the world's total and economies that are continuing to grow, SCO countries are facing rising demands for energy.

Meeting those demands without deepening dependence on high-carbon energy is a major challenge. But it also presents a significant opportunity.

SCO countries are rich in renewable energy resources, from abundant sunlight and wind to hydropower potential. They are increasingly turning these natural endowments into new sources of energy.

Making that transition work at scale also requires technology and regional cooperation. Sohail Khan, Deputy Secretary-General of the SCO, said high-tech products, particularly those produced in China, could help SCO countries implement energy projects and strengthen regional energy connectivity.

And the results are already significant. According to China’s National Energy Administration, SCO countries had a total renewable energy installed capacity of 2.31 billion kW as of the end of 2024, about 14.5 times the level when the organisation was founded in 2001 and accounting for about half of the world's total.

Kazakhstan offers one example of how such cooperation can work in practice and how it can create economic value.

In the country's Akmola region, about 50 kilometres away from the capital Astana, one of Kazakhstan's largest wind power projects is adding renewable capacity to an electricity system that has long relied heavily on conventional energy sources. Built and operated by a Chinese company, the project generates around 843 million kilowatt-hours of electricity annually, helping meet the power needs of local communities.

According to chief engineer Zhang Liang, the renewable electricity generated each year helps avoid nearly 690,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions. This is roughly equivalent to taking more than 200,000 gasoline-powered cars off the road for a year, assuming each car travels 15,000 kilometres and consumes 10 litres of fuel per 100 kilometres.

Keeping the turbines running is not always easy. In winter, temperatures in the Akmola can plunge to minus 40 degrees Celsius, while heavy snow increases the risk of ice buildup on the turbines.

Engineers have adapted the turbines to these harsh conditions, using smoother surfaces to reduce ice formation. In addition, a control system periodically activates the turbines when conditions are safe, using the rotation of blades to shed accumulated ice.

Turning ecological restoration into opportunity

The SCO's green-development efforts extend well beyond the energy transition, with members also working together to address ecological challenges across the region. 

The Aral Sea, once the world's fourth-largest lake, offers one of the region's most painful reminders of the ecological costs of development.

Since the 1960s, intensive use of water for agriculture, together with other human activities, has dramatically reduced the sea's size. Today, its area is only around 10% of its original size, according to NASA Science. As the water receded, more than 67,000 square kilometres of the seabed were exposed, forming a vast desert landscape. Salt left behind on the exposed land has contributed to soil salinisation and alkalization, as well as salt-dust storms. The ecological disaster has become known as the “dry tears of Central Asia.”

Reversing such damage is a long-term task, requiring not only restoration efforts but also a better understanding of the changing ecosystem. Since 2013, China and Central Asian countries have worked together through the CAS Research Center for Ecology and Environment of Central Asia, headquartered in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. 

More than 80 monitoring stations have been established around the Aral Sea to track ecological conditions, surface and groundwater, and salt-dust storms. Based on the data collected, researchers have classified the region into seven ecological types, providing a scientific basis for restoration efforts.

One area of cooperation draws on China's experience in tackling saline-alkali soil, particularly methods developed through restoration efforts in Xinjiang. Researchers from China and Uzbekistan are testing and selecting plant species that can survive in highly saline soils and potentially help absorb or reduce salt in the soil. By 2026, five experimental plant gardens had been established, with two more planned. 

Moreover, more than 40 salt-tolerant plant species from China have also been introduced for testing to determine whether they can adapt to the region's harsh conditions. 

Apart from restoring the soil condition, some of the plants also offer economic opportunities. Bakhitjan Khabibullaev, director of the International Innovation Centre for the Aral Sea Basin, pointed to cistanche as one example. The plant has medicinal value and is found in parts of Central Asia, but its potential has not yet been fully explored. China, he said, has developed more systematic research and practical experience in utilising the plant, offering lessons for Central Asian countries.

Green solutions for growing cities

The green transition is also reshaping how SCO countries manage their cities, from waste treatment to public transportation .

In Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan, a new waste-to-energy plant is turning a longstanding environmental problem into a source of electricity. Backed by Chinese investment and built with Chinese technology, the first phase of the facility began operations late last year. Currently, it can process around 1,000 tonnes of waste a day and generate about 146 million kilowatt-hours of electricity annually.

The groundbreaking ceremony for the second phase of the project was held in June this year. Once completed, the entire facility is expected to process up to 3,000 tonnes of waste a day and generate around 480 million kilowatt-hours of electricity annually, making it the first waste-to-energy plant of its kind in Central Asia.

The project addresses a problem that had long plagued the city. Before the plant was built, much of Bishkek's waste was dumped at landfills, where decomposing waste generated methane and contributed to the risk of fires.

This offers more than simply an environmental solution. It also represents an investment of about $95 million and is expected to create nearly 100 local jobs, linking better waste management with economic activity.

The same principle is being applied to urban transportation. In Pakistan, where a population of more than 240 million generates enormous demand for daily mobility, cities are under growing pressure to expand transportation without worsening air pollution. 

The government is responding with a push to accelerate the country's transition to electric mobility. In 2025, it set a target for electric vehicles to account for 30% of new vehicle sales by 2030.

Chinese companies are becoming part of that transition. In 2025, 400 electric buses made by Chinese manufacturer Yutong were delivered to 19 cities in Pakistan, creating around 1,500 job opportunities, according to project information. This year, another 600 electric buses from Beijing Automotive Group have been put into operation in the country.

Dr. Naveed Arshad of the Lahore University of Management Sciences sees new-energy transportation as an emerging opportunity for urban development. As Pakistan's electricity infrastructure improves, he said, electric vehicles can offer greater energy efficiency and lower operating and maintenance costs. Chinese companies, he added, have technological expertise and experience that can support Pakistan's development of new-energy transportation.

The SCO's green transition is increasingly becoming a development strategy in its own right. The goal is not simply to cut carbon, but to build a cleaner development model that can strengthen energy supplies, create livelihoods, improve cities and generate new economic opportunities.

As SCO leaders prepare to gather in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, over the coming days, the focus will be on how to turn these emerging opportunities into deeper cooperation for a greener and more sustainable region.

The article solely represents the views of Chen Ziqi, a Beijing-based journalist with CGTN, known for covering cross-cultural and international stories.

Kazakhstan has officially named a new First Deputy Prime Minister, Nurlybek Nalibayev , signalling an important development in the country’s political and administrative leadership structure. The appointment comes at a time when Kazakhstan continues to balance economic modernisation, regional diplomacy, and domestic reform priorities. Changes at this level of government are closely watched because the role carries substantial influence over economic management, coordination between ministries, and implementation of national development strategies. The move also reflects the government’s continuing effort to position experienced leadership at the centre of policy execution during a period of regional uncertainty and shifting global economic conditions.

Kazakhstan and Kuwait move to deepen economic cooperation through infrastructure projects

Kazakhstan and Kuwait are working to strengthen bilateral economic relations through a series of infrastructure-focused initiatives aimed at expanding long-term cooperation. The discussions highlight Kazakhstan’s ongoing strategy of attracting foreign investment and reinforcing ties with Gulf states that are seeking broader partnerships in Central Asia. Infrastructure cooperation is particularly significant because it supports Kazakhstan’s ambitions to improve transport corridors, logistics connectivity, energy cooperation, and trade capacity across the region. For Kuwait, the partnership offers opportunities to diversify economic engagement beyond traditional markets while increasing its presence in strategic Eurasian projects.

Kazakhstan joins regional climate project to protect vulnerable soils

Kazakhstan has joined other Central Asian countries in developing a major climate initiative focused on protecting soils and addressing environmental degradation across the region. The project comes as climate pressures increasingly threaten agricultural sustainability, water security, and rural livelihoods throughout Central Asia. Soil degradation, desertification, and changing weather patterns have become critical regional concerns, particularly for countries with large agricultural sectors and fragile ecosystems. Kazakhstan’s participation demonstrates growing recognition that climate risks cannot be managed through isolated national policies alone.

Kazakhstan explores joint digital initiatives with the Digital Cooperation Organisation

Kazakhstan is exploring new digital partnerships with the Digital Cooperation Organisation (DCO) as part of its wider push toward technological modernisation and digital transformation. The discussions focus on collaborative digital initiatives that could strengthen innovation, connectivity, and technology-driven economic growth. Kazakhstan has increasingly prioritised digital development in recent years, viewing technology as a key driver of competitiveness, public sector efficiency, and economic diversification. Cooperation with the DCO could support initiatives linked to digital infrastructure, cybersecurity, e-governance, and innovation ecosystems. It also positions Kazakhstan within broader international conversations about the future of digital economies and cross-border technological cooperation.

Young Kazakh students research melting glaciers in the Tien Shan mountains

Young students in Kazakhstan are researching the melting glaciers of the Tien Shan mountains, drawing attention to one of the region’s most urgent environmental challenges. The research reflects growing concern over the long-term effects of climate change on Central Asia’s water systems. The Tien Shan glaciers play a critical role in supplying freshwater to communities, agriculture, and ecosystems across multiple countries. Accelerated melting threatens future water availability and could intensify regional competition over shared water resources. The involvement of students is particularly notable because it highlights increasing public awareness and educational engagement around environmental science and climate resilience. Their work also underscores how climate change is no longer viewed solely as a scientific or policy issue but as a generational concern affecting future economic and environmental stability throughout the region.

Arisha has been part of the Mountain Training Centre for three years. She regularly takes part in training exercises with the Armed Forces’ Special Operations Forces and is involved in activities such as scaling mountainous terrain alongside soldiers.

Data from Budget Your Trip indicates that in parts of South, Southeast and Central Asia, travellers can comfortably get by on as little as $23 per day, covering accommodation, food, transport and basic activities.

Kazakhstan and Laos emerge as the cheapest destinations, both averaging around $23 a day. At this level, a traveller can typically afford a simple guesthouse or hostel, eat three local meals, move around using public transport or shared taxis, and still pay entry fees for local sights.

These low costs reflect inexpensive living standards and tourism sectors designed around budget travellers rather than high-end visitors.

Mongolia follows closely with an average daily cost of about 30 dollars. While long distances can make transport more expensive, daily expenses such as accommodation and food remain low, often involving homestays and locally run eateries.

South Asia continues to be one of the best-value regions for travellers. Nepal and India both average just over 40 dollars per day, while Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Pakistan range between the mid-50s and low-60s.

At these prices, travellers can usually stay in budget hotels or well-rated guesthouses, eat at local restaurants, travel between cities by bus or train, and visit cultural sites, temples or hiking routes without stretching their budget. In destinations such as India and Nepal, careful planning can even allow for domestic flights or multi-day trekking within this spending range.

Vietnam and Indonesia average in the mid-60s per day, while the Philippines comes in slightly higher at around 73 dollars. These budgets typically cover comfortable hostels or budget hotels, street food with the occasional café meal, local transport or scooter hire, and activities such as city tours or island excursions. In the Philippines, higher transport costs between islands contribute to the higher average.

The contrast becomes clear when compared with Asia’s most expensive destinations. Daily travel costs in places such as the Maldives, Hong Kong and Singapore can reach well into the hundreds, largely due to accommodation prices and service-driven tourism models. In practical terms, what a traveller spends in one day in the Maldives could fund nearly two weeks of travel in Laos or Kazakhstan.

The figures from Budget Your Trip reflect average daily spending by travellers and are intended to represent realistic travel conditions rather than luxury or extreme backpacking. They generally include accommodation, food, local transport and activities, but exclude international flights and visa fees, which vary widely.

Indonesia, the world’s largest archipelago , stretches between Asia and Oceania, with the easternmost islands of Papua forming its easternmost reach. According to the CIA World Factbook, Indonesia encompasses over 17,000 islands, making its transcontinental footprint both vast and culturally diverse.

Russia remains the most iconic transcontinental nation, divided between Europe and Asia by the Ural Mountains. Roughly 77% of Russia’s landmass lies in Asia, but 75% of its population resides in the European portion, a contrast that has historically shaped its foreign policy and identity. Russia uses its European–Asian reach to justify political involvement across two major regions, shaping both European security and Asian energy strategies.

Egypt, long celebrated as the cradle of ancient civilisation, bridges Africa and Asia through the Sinai Peninsula. This region, in global headlines due to Red Sea tensions and shifting trade routes, underscores Egypt’s strategic role. Egypt’s Suez Canal handles about 12% of global trade. Current Houthi attacks in the Red Sea show how dependent the world still is on Egypt’s geography.

Kazakhstan, the world’s largest landlocked country, spans both Europe and Asia with a small but symbolically important portion west of the Ural River. Since the launch of China’s Belt and Road Initiative, Kazakhstan has become a pivotal transit hub for Eurasian trade. Kazakhstan also profits from rail and pipeline routes linking Europe and Asia.

Panama, linking North and South America, owes its global prominence to the Panama Canal , which now faces pressure from drought-induced restrictions on international shipping. Its transcontinental nature enhances its geopolitical value as both a physical and economic connector.

And Turkey, positioned between Europe and Asia, remains a central player in current diplomatic efforts involving Ukraine, NATO expansion, and Middle Eastern stability. The Bosporus Strait, one of the most critical shipping lanes, literally divides the country into two continents.

The Sultanate of Oman and the Republic of Kazakhstan signed an MoU on the sidelines of the Astana Financial Conference to enhance cooperation in financial regulation, expertise exchange, and market infrastructure. The deal, signed by Abdullah bin Salem Al Salmi, CEO of Oman’s Financial Services Authority, and Madina Abylkasimova, Head of Kazakhstan’s financial regulator, covers support for the ‘Tabadul’ platform to enable cross-market trading and boost regional integration. It also includes sharing regulatory expertise, joint research, capacity building, fintech collaboration, and initiatives in financial education and inclusion.

Omanis watch lunar eclipse in awe

Crowds gathered outside their homes and on rooftops to witness the total lunar eclipse on Sunday. The spectacle began with the penumbral phase at 7:28 pm Muscat time, followed by the partial eclipse at 8:27 pm, and reached its peak at 9:31 pm when the Moon was fully immersed in Earth’s shadow. For nearly an hour, the Moon glowed in deep crimson, a phenomenon popularly known as the “Blood Moon.” Unlike solar eclipses, which are harmful to view with the naked eye, lunar eclipses can be safely watched without special equipment. To mark the occasion, astronomers set up telescopes and large screens, allowing enthusiasts to enjoy the celestial event in greater detail.

Falaj project completed in Sur

The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources has completed the rehabilitation of Falaj Al Jeela in Sur, South Al Sharqiyah. The falaj, one of five in Oman listed on UNESCO’s World Heritage list, underwent maintenance that included renovating the water collection area, a 150-metre open channel, and repairing damaged sections. Salah Salim Al Mahjari, Head of Dams, Aflaj and Protection Walls Division, noted that Oman’s aflaj represent not only water sources but also a historic and cultural heritage that sustained communities. Falaj Al Jeela, an eye falaj in Al Jeela village, stretches 415 metres and draws its water from the upper course of Wadi Al Shaab.

Proposal to establish a centre for artificial intelligence in Oman

The fourth symposium on security and safety in vital facilities wrapped up in Salalah after three days of presentations and knowledge exchange. Over 30 experts from Oman, the Gulf, Arab countries, and Europe presented research and shared real-world experiences, making the event a prominent annual platform for security and safety dialogue. The symposium addressed challenges, proposed solutions, and explored future trends. Key recommendations included establishing a regional AI centre in Oman, enhancing early warning systems in smart cities, promoting community resilience, protecting documents and archives, and adopting virtual simulations for emergency training. Brigadier General Eng. Saeed bin Suleiman Al-Asimi praised the symposium’s scientific approach and highlighted Oman’s readiness to become a regional hub for facility and AI safety.

Oman participates in 164th session of Arab Foreign Ministers Council in Cairo

Oman took part in the 164th session of the Arab Foreign Ministers’ Council in Cairo, led by Sheikh Khalifa Ali Al Harthy, Undersecretary for Political Affairs. The Council condemned Israeli actions in Gaza, called for an immediate ceasefire, and urged unimpeded humanitarian aid. It also praised states recognizing Palestine, urged wider recognition, and reaffirmed rejection of interference in Arab affairs. The Council called for ending Israeli occupation, halting settlements, and placing all regional nuclear facilities under IAEA supervision to advance peace and security.

Kazakhstan’s service sector continued its expansion in July, marking the seventh consecutive month of growth with a Services PMI of 54.0, still well above the 50.0 growth threshold, despite rising input costs, according to. Although inflationary pressures intensified, driven by increases in raw materials, utilities, taxes, and currency fluctuations, firms reported easing cost burdens compared to earlier months. Domestic demand remains steady, but businesses are cautious about exchange rate risks and potential fiscal tightening.

'Clean Kazakhstan' campaign reshapes environmental thinking

President Tokayev’s nationwide Taza Kazakhstan campaign is transforming how citizens view environmental responsibility. Since its launch, over 9 million people have joined, taking part in 900+ clean-up events and planting nearly 2.5 million trees. The initiative blends grassroots action with advanced tools like satellite monitoring to unify communities in the green transition. These efforts aim not just to reduce waste but also to foster a shift in public attitudes toward conservation.

Iran and Kazakhstan accelerate North–South Corridor development

Iran’s Minister of Roads and Urban Development, Farzaneh Sadegh, and Kazakhstan’s Transport Minister agreed to fast-track development of the International North–South Transport Corridor (eastern branch). They endorsed a five-year roadmap to strengthen multimodal links, including maritime, rail, and flight connections, and study a prospective “Caspian Bridge” transit project via the Caspian Sea. This builds on earlier agreements to quadruple transit volumes between the two nations.

Azerbaijan–Kazakhstan deepen transport engagement

Kazakhstan’s Advisor to the President, Asel Janasova, and the head of Kazakhstan Railways met with Azerbaijan’s Digital Development and Transport Minister, Rashad Nabiyev, to discuss transport cooperation. The talks signal intent to enhance railway linkages and boost regional connectivity.

Kazakhstan’s Bank CenterCredit to repay final $56m in state aid

Kazakhstan’s Bank CenterCredit will repurchase 30 billion tenge ($55.8M) in bonds to clear the last of its 2023 government support, originally due in 2032. The bank has already prepaid 30 billion tenge since late 2024 and aims to complete repayment by 2026. Authorities have restricted dividend payments for aid recipients to encourage early repayment.