Kazakhstan officially confirmed as host of International Olympiad in AI Bagdat Mussin, Head of the Sports Programming Federation, announced the signing of a contract to host the International Olympiad in Artificial Intelligence (IOAI) in Kazakhstan, Photo credit: Qazinform The prestigious competition will take place in Astana in August 2026 and will bring together the world’s top young AI specialists in Kazakhstan for the first time. Mussin announced the decision on social media, emphasizing that the choice of Kazakhstan as the venue is no coincidence and reflects the growing strength of the country’s technological ecosystem. According to him, in recent years, the country has established a solid foundation for the development of competitive programming and the training of world-class talent. In particular, in 2024, Kazakhstan hosted the finals of the ICPC World Programming Championship, and in 2025, the Kazakh national team achieved one of the best results in its history— finishing fourth in the global competition in China. Bagdat Mussin also specifically highlighted the contribution of Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development Zhaslan Madiev, emphasizing that the synergy between government policy and the professional community enables the achievement of systemic results. The Federation stressed that hosting the IOAI is not only a prestigious international event but also a strategic development tool. First, participation in such competitions provides direct access to the global talent market. Major tech companies are already using the finals of international competitions as a recruitment platform, identifying the top participants while they are still in school. Second, this represents a new level of human capital export — Kazakhstani participants are becoming part of the world’s leading AI teams. Third, such events attract international partnerships, universities, and investments in the technology sector to the country. Furthermore, hosting world-class competitions boosts domestic competition and the quality of specialist training, while also establishing a strong image of Kazakhstan as a regional technology hub. It is specifically noted that hosting the IOAI in Astana is directly linked to the country’s declared Year of Artificial Intelligence and is part of a systematic policy to develop the digital economy. “This is a major recognition of Kazakhstan as a reliable partner in an era of global technological competition,” The Federation is confident that the Olympiad will serve as a magnet for talent, ideas, and international partnerships, and will also enhance the country's position on the global technology map. , Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev declared 2026 as Year of Digitalization and Artificial Intelligence. Artificial Intelligence

World leaders congratulate President Tokayev and all Kazakhstanis on Nauryz Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has received congratulatory telegrams from heads of states and international organizations, News Agency reports, citing the Akorda press service. Photo credit: Viktor Fedyunin/Qazinform In his message, Russian President Vladimir Putin emphasized the high level of cooperation between the two countries. “Relations between Russia and Kazakhstan are characterized by a comprehensive strategic partnership and allied relations. I am confident that these relations will continue to develop fruitfully for the benefit of our friendly peoples and in the interests of strengthening security and stability in the Eurasian region,” Chinese President Xi Jinping congratulated the Head of State and all Kazakhstani citizens on the holiday of Nauryz, wishing President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev splendid health and success in his work. “Last year, I met with you twice, and we reached significant agreements on the development of bilateral relations and cooperation in various fields, which has propelled the China-Kazakhstan comprehensive strategic partnership into a new phase of accelerated development. I am ready to join forces with you to deepen mutual political trust, strengthen comprehensive cooperation, and advance the building of the China-Kazakhstan community with a shared future toward further deepening and practical implementation,” wrote the Chinese leader. Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev believes that this ancient holiday serves to strengthen relations between the two countries and rightfully holds a special place in the hearts of the Uzbek and Kazakh peoples. “I am convinced that thanks to the intensification of our highest-level dialogue and joint efforts, the strategic partnership and allied relations between Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, based on mutual respect and support, will continue to steadily reach a qualitatively new level,” Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov wished Kassym-Jomart Tokayev success in his state duties and peace and development to the brotherly people of Kazakhstan. “May this spring holiday, which embodies the greatness of our culture and embodies the best traditions, continue to strengthen the friendship between our peoples and bring prosperity,” President Emomali Rahmon of Tajikistan also sent his warm wishes to President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and the brotherly people of Kazakhstan. “I am confident that Tajik-Kazakh relations of friendship, strategic partnership, and allied cooperation, in the spirit of the finest traditions of this ancient holiday, will continue to develop and strengthen, further enriched with new practical content for the benefit of our peoples,” wrote the Head of State of Tajikistan. President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov extended his best wishes on the occasion of Nauryz. “This radiant holiday, recognized as an integral part of the rich cultural heritage of all humanity and embodying lofty humanistic ideals, holds special significance in strengthening friendship and unity among nations. May this wonderful holiday be marked by happiness, joy, and new successes for you and the people of your country,” noted Serdar Berdimuhamedov. Head of State Kassym-Jomart Tokayev also received congratulations from Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Prime Minister of Pakistan Shahbaz Sharif, and Secretary General of the Organization of Turkic States Kubanychbek Omuraliev. Earlier, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev Kazakhstanis on Nauryz holiday. President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev Akorda Presidential Residence

Head of State takes part in public celebrations marking Nauryz holiday Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev visited the Keruen-Saray complex, where he participated in festive events dedicated to the holiday of Nauryz, Q News Agency reports, citing Akorda. A thematic program showcasing the nation’s historical and cultural legacy was staged for the President. On display were works by masters of ceramics and woodworking, examples of sewing and jewelry art, leather goods, as well as works by artists reflecting the richness and diversity of national traditions. In addition, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev inspected the venues where national sports competitions were held. The techniques of qazaq kuresi (Kazakh traditional wrestling), weightlifting competitions, arm wrestling, asyk atu, arkan tartu, togyz kumalak, langi tebu, and koshkar keteru, among others, were demonstrated at the event. Qazinform News Agency reported earlier today that President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev of Kazakhstan has arrived in the Turkistan region for a working visit. The Head of State the Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi in Turkistan. President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev

Kazakh President addresses nations in conflicts Meeting with the Turkistan region’s community, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev made a speech, addressing the nations involved in military conflicts, News Agency reports, citing Akorda. "As you know, recently, the global geopolitical situation has remained extremely complex and unstable. Armed conflicts and even wars have intensified in many countries, exerting a negative impact on the global economy. We see what is happening in the Middle East. The conflict has escalated severely. In my view, no state will ultimately benefit from this confrontation. Kazakhstan is situated in a region where such clashes are occurring. Therefore, from this hallowed ground, I wish to address all the nations. Above all, I call for an end to armed attacks on civilian and economic targets. Following this, it is essential to go to the negotiating table. Kazakhstan does not seek the role of a mediator in this challenging situation. However, we are ready to provide our venue for peace talks. I believe such a dialogue could be organized in Turkistan. Of course, the resolution to this issue depends on the states directly involved in the conflicts. My initiative is a manifestation of the Kazakh people’s goodwill. Before it is too late, it is necessary to cease military actions and begin negotiations. Otherwise, the peaceful lives of many nations will be shattered, and the foundations of global stability undermined, aside from the onset of a global economic crisis," the President of Kazakhstan noted. Qazinform News Agency reported earlier today that President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev of Kazakhstan has arrived in the Turkistan region for a working visit. The Head of State the Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi in Turkistan. President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev

EU Ambassador to Kazakhstan: Constitutional reforms open new opportunities for cooperation Kazakhstan and the European Union continue to deepen cooperation across several key areas, including energy, transport, and human rights. In an exclusive interview with , European Union Ambassador to Kazakhstan Aleska Simkic spoke about the outcomes of the constitutional referendum, ongoing bilateral dialogue, and prospects for strengthening partnership between Astana and Brussels. European Union Ambassador to Kazakhstan Aleska Simkic Photo credit: EU Delegation to Kazakhstan The ambassador noted that the European Union closely followed discussions surrounding Kazakhstan’s new Constitution and the decision to hold a referendum. She highlighted the strong voter turnout and public support for the proposed changes, while stressing the importance of aligning future legislation with international commitments. “I can congratulate the government on an impressive turnout as well as strong support for the new Constitution. I understand that new legislation will now be adopted to bring the legal framework in line with the Constitution. The only thing we as the European Union will be looking at is whether this legislation will be in line with Kazakhstan’s international commitments, and we will continue to monitor further developments,” said Simkic. At the same time, Simkic emphasized that the Constitution is ultimately a sovereign decision of the Kazakhstani people and that the EU respects this process while maintaining constructive dialogue with the country. “The Constitution is the decision of the Kazakh people. That is not something for the European Union to decide. What I see is that relations between the EU and Kazakhstan continue to develop in a very positive direction. We are continuing dialogues on many topics within the Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement and the discussions are very productive,” noted European Union Ambassador. According to the ambassador, the strength of EU-Kazakhstan relations lies in open and honest dialogue, where both sides exchange views candidly while continuing to cooperate. “I like the fact that this is not two monologues. We really discuss issues. We have positive and negative things to say to each other, but the point is that we cooperate, and I do not see any reason why this would change in the future,” added Simkic. Simkic also spoke about a series of EU-Kazakhstan subcommittee meetings currently taking place in Astana, describing them as part of a regular institutional dialogue under the Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement. “This is a regular annual process. One year it takes place in Astana and the next year in Brussels. This year we are meeting in Astana. We are happy to welcome the Head of the Central Asia Unit in the European External Action Service, who together with many people from the Kazakh government is discussing human rights, justice and home affairs, as well as energy and transport,” Energy cooperation remains one of the central topics of the dialogue, with discussions focusing both on supply security and the transition toward sustainable energy sources. “On energy, we are talking about two things. First, energy security for both Kazakhstan and the European Union. Of course, for us, Kazakhstan is an important energy supplier, with oil that we receive from the country. I think about 12% of all our oil needs are now coming from Kazakhstan, and we would like to strengthen this cooperation, added European Union Ambassador. At the same time, the ambassador highlighted growing interest in cooperation on renewable energy and climate-related initiatives: “And the second part on energy is very much green energy, so we are talking about the sustainability agenda and about where we can cooperate on renewables, on green hydrogen, and on other topics.” Looking ahead, Simkic stressed that the European Union views Kazakhstan as an important partner within its multi-vector foreign policy and in broader multilateral cooperation. She added that cooperation between Kazakhstan and the EU extends beyond economic issues to global challenges such as peace and stability. “We continue strong cooperation in multilateral forums, including within the United Nations, the OSCE, and other international organizations. I think we share similar views, although we may have different perspectives. I am convinced that beyond all the areas mentioned, transport, climate, and energy, we also have much to discuss when it comes to peace and global stability. And here I believe Kazakhstan and the European Union share the same positions and are strong partners,” said Simkic. News Agency reported that Dr. Riccardo Pelizzo, Acting Dean and Professor at Nazarbayev University’s Graduate School of Public Policy, views the 2026 constitutional referendum in Kazakhstan as a Constitutional reform

Investigation of AZAL plane crash near Aktau reaches its final stage Kazakhstan completed the collection of all necessary expert assessments for the technical investigation into the causes of the AZAL aircraft crash near Aktau, Qazinform News Agency Photo credit: Kazinform Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister Kanat Bozumbayev told reporters that results are now being summarized with the participation of an international commission. According to him, expert reports have been received from equipment manufacturers, including GPS trackers, navigation systems, and from the aircraft manufacturer, Embraer. He stressed all necessary examinations have been obtained. The current stage involves consolidating and agreeing on the results with commission members. The commission consists of representatives from Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Russia, as well as specialists from the manufacturer and international aviation organizations. In line with international standards, final technical conclusions are expected to be presented in the months to come. As written before, an Embraer 190 aircraft operated by Azerbaijan Airlines on December 25, 2024, near Aktau while flying from Baku to Grozny. There were 67 people on board, including citizens of Azerbaijan, Russia, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan. Among the victims were 38 were killed, while 29 survived. Preliminary data suggested the aircraft may have been affected by air defense systems during its approach to land in Grozny. Earlier it was reported that the two black boxes belonging to the Azerbaijan Airlines plane that crashed near Aktau had been to Kazakhstan from Brazil. On February 4, 2025, the Kazakh Transport Ministry published a Government of Kazakhstan Zhanna Nurmaganbetova

New Constitution is a transition to dynamic state-political model – Erlan Karin The adoption of the new Constitution marks a transition to a modern and dynamic state-political model, State Counselor Erlan Karin posted on his Qazinform News Agency The results of voting confirmed the high level of consolidation of our society around the President’s course of reforms, Karin says. According to Karin, the adoption of the Constitution is only the first stage. "As the Head of State has said, much greater work lies ahead in harmonizing the legislative framework. At the first stage alone, it will be necessary to adopt five new constitutional laws and about 60 codes and laws. Then new institutions will need to be formed: the Qurultay and Kazakhstan People’s Council. And third, most importantly, systematic work must be carried out to instill the new constitutional principles and values in the society. These are, first and foremost, Independence and Sovereignty, the idea of a Fair Kazakhstan, the principles of Law and Order, unity and solidarity, interethnic and interfaith harmony, human capital development, the values of culture, education, science and innovation, diligence, progress, and careful attitude to nature. Thus, with the adoption of the Constitution, a unified semantic framework of the new social ethics is being built at all levels: constitutional, institutional, and ideological." the publication reads. As it was reported, on March 15, Kazakhstan held a nationwide referendum on adoption of the draft of new Constitution. According to the Central Referendum Commission, 7,954,667 citizens voted in favor of adopting the new Constitution , that is 87.15% of those who cast ballots. A total of 898,099 people voted against. . State Counselor of Kazakhstan Constitutional reform Arailym Temirgaliyeva

Astana to host World Athletics Indoor Championships Astana has been selected to host the World Athletics Indoor Championships, Qazinform News Agency cites the National Olympic Committee of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Photo credit: The National Olympic Committee of the Republic of Kazakhstan The announcement was officially made at the World Athletics Council meeting in Toruń, Poland. The international federation also named hosts of other upcoming world championships. The global event in Kazakhstan’s capital will take place from March 15 to 17, 2030. Odisha, India, will host the 2028 World Athletics Indoor Championships, while Hefei, China, will stage the 2028 World Athletics Race Walking Team Championships. It is worth noting that Astana previously hosted the Asian Indoor Athletics Championships in 2023 and stages of the World Indoor Tour Gold series in 2024 and 2025. Qazinform News Agency reported that freestyle wrestlers from Almaty have at the Kazakhstan U23 Championship held in Taraz.

Air taxis to connect Alatau and Almaty in 15 minutes Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister Kanat Bozumbayev explained the concept of the low-altitude economy and how it will be implemented in the new city of Alatau, Qazinform News Agency According to him, Alatau will become the first location outside China where aerotaxis or drones can be tested over long distances at altitudes above 120 meters. Bozumbayev said this is currently only available in Shenzhen, China. He stressed talks are already underway, and agreements have been signed with U.S. company Joby Aero, one of the industry leaders, as well as with Chinese company AutoFlight. He noted that Kazakhstan plans to build quadriports to connect the cities of Alatau, Konaev, parts of Almaty, and tourist destinations. This direction is estimated to attract around 8 million tourists annually. Aerotaxis fly at speeds of 300–350 km/h, so traveling between Alatau, Almaty, and the Almaty region will take only 10–15 minutes by air along designated routes. Earlier, it was reported that Kazakhstan intends to purchase a fleet of electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft from U.S. company Joby Aviation worth 300 million US dollars to launch the air taxi project in Alatau. Last November, in Dubai, the first electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) air taxi successfully Zhanna Nurmaganbetova

Nauryz weather forecast for Kazakhstan Kazhydromet has released the weather forecast for Kazakhstan for March 21–23, 2026, Qazinform News Agency Photo credit: Aleksandr Pavskiy/Qazinform News Agency On some days, the north and south may experience rain and snow with strong winds, while thunderstorms are possible in southern areas during the daytime. Fog and icy conditions are forecast across parts of the country, while other areas are expected to see dry weather. Daytime temperatures are set to rise to 12–17°C in western regions, reaching 18–23°C in the Mangistau region. In the north and central parts of the country, temperatures will range from 3–8°C, while in the Ulytau region they are expected to reach 15–20°C. In the east, temperatures will range from 5–15°C, in the south from 20–25°C, and in the southeast from 15–23°C. Qazinform News Agency reported that President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has the people of Kazakhstan on the occasion of Eid Al-Fitr (Oraza Ait), noting the symbolic coincidence of the holiday with Nauryz this year. Weather in Kazakhstan