AGP Executive Report

Kazakhstan’s New Constitution: Reuters reports the new Basic Law has entered into force, kicking off political reforms including a Vice President post and a smaller Parliament election set for August. AI & Digital Sovereignty: At the Foreign Investors’ Council in Astana, the Islamic Development Bank Group was admitted as an Observer, with discussions focused on AI and national tech ecosystems. Cybersecurity: Kaspersky named the Armored Likho actor behind a BusySnake Stealer campaign targeting government agencies and power operators across Russia, Kazakhstan, and Brazil. Health Tech: US scientists developed a nose-spray vaccine concept aimed at tuberculosis, designed to work alongside existing treatments. Space/Tech Policy: Kazakhstan continues expanding its tech agenda, including AI and space initiatives, while also pushing digital connectivity with Central Asia. Energy & Industry: OPEC+ agreed to modestly expand output next month, including Kazakhstan among the participating countries. Water & Climate: Japan pledged $3m via UNDP to help Kazakhstan manage Caspian Sea water-level decline. Research & Culture: Kazakhstan marked Dombra Day with UNESCO-linked cultural events nationwide.

Constitutional Reset: Kazakhstan’s new Constitution has entered into force, launching political reforms including a Vice President post and a smaller Parliament election set for Aug. 23, as President Tokayev frames a major overhaul of state power. Energy & Trade Routes: Kazakhstan and Georgia agreed to expand oil exports via the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline after talks in Astana, with BTC shipments a key focus. Digital Kazakhstan in Action: Kazakhstan showcased digital initiatives in Beijing, highlighting a Data Center Valley project in Ekibastuz and pushing standards and expertise sharing for Central Asia–China digital cooperation. AI Governance at UN Level: The UN and ITU launched the “AI for Good” Global Commission, bringing top AI executives to the same table as heads of state, with Kazakhstan among participating countries. Cybersecurity Alert: Kaspersky named a new threat actor, Armored Likho, targeting government agencies and power operators in Russia, Kazakhstan and Brazil, using AI-assisted malware and credential theft. Gold Reserves Push: World Gold Council data shows Kazakhstan bought about 7 tonnes of gold in May, as central banks globally keep stacking reserves. Uranium Supply: Cameco reported record Q2 production at McArthur River/Key Lake, adding supply buffer amid a looming uranium deficit. Tech & Culture: Kazakhstan marked National Dombra Day with nationwide events, while Astana also celebrated Yermek Serkebayev’s 100th anniversary.

Digital Kazakhstan in China: Kazakhstan showcased digital initiatives at a Central Asia–China forum, highlighting a push toward automation in public services and plans like Ekibastuz’s Data Center Valley to attract global tech and AI players. AI governance at UN level: The UN and ITU launched the “AI for Good” Global Commission, bringing AI CEOs into the same governance table as heads of state, with Kazakhstan among participating ministers. Cybersecurity: Kaspersky named the Armored Likho APT targeting government agencies and power operators in Russia, Kazakhstan, and Brazil, including a Python-based BusySnake Stealer and AI-generated malware loaders. Blockchain & smart cities: Solana-linked entities signed on to support Kazakhstan’s $6B Alatau City, aiming to blend blockchain, AI, and crypto payments into a smart-city model. Investment & research infrastructure: EBRD backed Kazakhstan’s first large-scale refractory gold ore processing facility (€255m), while Astana’s Global Businesswomen Council announced the G-Index Institute to build research capacity for women’s entrepreneurship. Trade & tech cooperation: Kazakhstan and India moved toward expanded pharma cooperation, and Kazakhstan–China business talks featured high-tech sectors from smart warehousing to medical equipment.

AI & Cybersecurity: Kaspersky warns of Armored Likho, an AI-assisted malware campaign hitting government agencies and the electric power sector in Russia, Brazil and Kazakhstan, including a new Python infostealer “BusySnake” and a Rust-based macOS stealer “PamStealer.” Digital Economy & Smart Services: Kaspi.kz launched “Kasper,” a personal AI assistant inside Kaspi Shop to help shoppers choose products by natural language. Government Tech Push: Kazakhstan is scaling digital public services via “Smart Point” self-service hubs with an eGovGPT multi-agent AI assistant. AI for Growth Agenda: President Tokayev framed 2026 as the Year of AI and Digital Development, highlighting Data Center Valley and new AI governance tools. Crypto & Urban Tech: Solana-backed partners signed on for Kazakhstan’s $6B Alatau City, aiming for blockchain payments, AI integration and “everyday crypto” pilots. Research & Heritage: Ancient DNA work links Scythian elite status across Eurasian kurgans, including Kazakhstan’s “Golden Man” genome. Investment & Industry: EBRD approved up to $300M for a Pavlodar gold processing complex to boost local, more eco-friendly refining. Regional Tech Diplomacy: Kazakhstan’s EU ties got a boost after Tokayev’s Brussels visit, with focus on digitalization and critical raw materials.

Gold Reserves Push: World Gold Council reports central banks bought a net 41 tonnes of gold in May, with Poland, China, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan among the biggest buyers. AI & Digital Policy: President Tokayev used the Foreign Investors Council to stress Kazakhstan’s AI and digital push, including Data Center Valley and new AI/digital legislation. Smart Government Services: Astana opened an Apple Store-style “Smart Point” service center with self-service terminals and an eGovGPT multi-agent AI assistant. AI for Everyday Shopping: Kaspi.kz unveiled “Kasper,” an AI assistant in Kaspi Shop that helps users describe needs in plain language and then selects and compares products. Crypto Megacity Plan: Solana-linked entities signed on to support Alatau City, a $6B smart-city/crypto initiative mixing blockchain, AI and crypto payments. AI Supply-Chain Diplomacy: Kazakhstan joined the US-led Pax Silica push aimed at securing AI-related supply chains, with Taiwan also participating. Cybersecurity Alert: Kaspersky links “Armored Likho” to attacks on government and power sectors across Russia, Brazil and Kazakhstan; Jamf warns of PamStealer malware targeting macOS via fake Maccy sites. Mining & Processing Investment: EBRD backs a up-to $300M Ertis hydrometallurgical complex in Pavlodar to expand domestic gold processing.

AI & Digital Finance: VEON and Mastercard are teaming up to expand inclusive, intelligent financial services in Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Pakistan and Uzbekistan, including AI-powered credit scoring, embedded finance and digital wallets. Telecom Infrastructure: VEON says it’s pushing Kazakhstan’s Digital Qazaqstan agenda and progressing “Direct to Cell” with satellite coverage planned for August 2026, alongside new cloud/AI compute plans. Investment & Policy: President Tokayev met US Chamber of Commerce leadership and EBRD head Odile Renaud-Basso, highlighting cooperation in critical minerals, energy, digital infrastructure, AI, transport and financial services, plus a new National Digital Investment Platform. Energy Transition: Kazakhstan expects to meet full electricity demand by early 2027 and move to a surplus by 2029, with renewable capacity set to be doubled. Rare Earths: Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan are moving from declarations toward rare-earth cooperation with joint exploration and a $1bn investment target. Science in Kazakhstan: Neolithic burials (7th–5th millennia BC) were discovered in Kostanay region, a rare Stone Age find. Education/Tech Ecosystem: Kazakhstan’s Alatau is pitched as the first fully digital city, built on a unified digital ecosystem and digital-asset regulation.

Digital Infrastructure & AI: President Tokayev met VEON CEO Kaan Terzioglu, backing the company’s extra $1bn investment, cloud and computing plans, and Kazakhstan’s push to use AI as a growth engine. Investment & Finance: Tokayev also met EBRD President Odile Renaud-Basso, highlighting 11bn euros invested in 354 projects and welcoming a new framework to expand sustainable development support. Digital Cities: Tokayev said Kazakhstan is developing Alatau as its first fully digital city, with a “digital by default” governance model and a regulatory base for digital assets and tokenization. Energy Transition: Kazakhstan expects to fully cover domestic electricity demand by early 2027 and reach a surplus by 2029, including a planned doubling of renewable capacity. Education & STEM: The education ministry says Kazakhstan ranks second globally for public recognition of teaching, with women making up over 80% of teaching staff. Smart Transport & Testing: Minister Madiyev said Alatau will act as a tech testing ground for new tech, including autonomous vehicles, drones, and space-industry ecosystem development. Regional Tech Cooperation: UN SPECA’s innovation working group met in Almaty, showcasing Kazakhstan’s ASAN Service model and AI tools in public services. Tech Ecosystem Funding: Uzbekistan launched its President Tech Award ($5m) plus a President AI Award, aiming to scale startups via grants, mentoring, and international market access.

AI & Digital Finance: VEON and Mastercard are teaming up to expand accessible financial services across Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Pakistan and Uzbekistan, including AI-powered credit scoring, embedded finance and digital wallets. Smart Transport: UAE firm Presight AI signed with Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Transport to develop smart road technologies, with plans to plug into Astana Smart City and explore Data Center Valley. Consumer AI in Retail: Kaspi.kz introduced “Kasper,” an AI assistant in Kaspi Store that helps shoppers describe needs in plain language and compare options. Trusted AI Supply Chains: Kazakhstan joined the U.S.-led Pax Silica initiative to boost trusted AI infrastructure and high-tech manufacturing, with cooperation on critical minerals and AI computing. Space & Disaster Monitoring: China and Central Asian partners, including Kazakhstan, are building a satellite constellation for earthquake and flood monitoring, with AI processing planned from a data center in Xinjiang. Energy & Infrastructure Finance: EBRD investments in Kazakhstan are set to exceed €1.3bn this year, with talks also covering digitalization and AI. Construction Regulation Update: Kazakhstan’s new Construction Code takes effect July 1, introducing a digital urban planning cadaster and tighter state control. Public Health & Earthquake Readiness: WHO urged stronger earthquake-ready health systems, warning Central Asia—including Kazakhstan—faces high seismic risk. Regional Diplomacy: Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan signed a landmark treaty and held inter-ministerial consultations in Ashgabat.

AI & Trusted Tech: Kazakhstan became the first Central Asian country to join the U.S.-led Pax Silica initiative, aiming to attract investment and build AI-related infrastructure and high-value manufacturing around critical minerals and AI supply chains. UN AI Governance: The UN and ITU launched an “AI for Good” global commission, with Kazakhstan among the participating policymakers and Big Tech leaders, as the group prepares to discuss AI infrastructure and safety. Digital in Sports & Tourism: Kazakhstan plans to expand AI use in sports and tourism, including an e-Sport platform to unify athlete and competition data and add tools for training analysis and injury prevention. Construction Tech & Regulation: Kazakhstan’s new Construction Code takes effect July 1, introducing a digital urban planning cadaster and tighter state control over architectural and construction supervision. Water & Energy Security: The World Bank flagged that 2.1 billion people still lack safe drinking water services, while also warning that gas flaring wastes about $54bn annually—an energy security and emissions problem. Space for Disasters: China and Central Asian partners, including Kazakhstan, are developing a satellite constellation to monitor earthquakes, glacial floods, and other risks using AI processing. Health System Scrutiny: Kazakhstan is investigating medical insurance fraud after clinics allegedly billed for women-only procedures performed on men, with reported losses of 221 million tenge. Regional Cooperation: Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan signed a 2027–2028 foreign ministries cooperation program and reaffirmed plans to deepen trade, transport, energy, and cultural ties. Infrastructure Finance: The World Bank and Kazakhstan delivered 50+ projects worth $8bn across transport, education, digitalization, and green technologies.

Constitution & Human Capital: Kazakhstan’s new Constitution is now in force, with experts saying it boosts the role of education, science and innovation in state policy, while also pushing more public services online. AI Governance: The UN and ITU are launching an “AI for Good” global commission in Geneva on July 8, with Kazakhstan among the policymakers and major tech leaders involved. Urban Air Mobility Rules: Kazakhstan created a legal framework for air taxis/eVTOL and vertiports, formally setting up the Urban Air Mobility market and certification steps. Investment Cycle: President Tokayev says Kazakhstan is entering a new investment cycle to diversify into manufacturing, transport/logistics, digital infrastructure and finance, tied to the Alatau special legal regime. Energy & Industry Push: Government plans include over 200 new industrial productions in two years and more than 1 trillion tenge for energy/utilities modernization. Digital Economy: Google appointed Coob Ads as an official Google Ads sales representative across Moldova, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, Georgia and Armenia, extending its Kazakhstan role. Public Health: Kazakhstan recorded 13,000+ tick-bite cases since the season began, with 90% receiving emergency prevention; separately, a restaurant in Aktobe region was found operating without permits after 188 people were poisoned.

Advanced Aviation Rules: Kazakhstan has adopted a new legal framework for air taxis, eVTOL aircraft and drones, creating a regulatory base for urban air mobility and defining “Advanced Air Mobility,” including vertiports and certification steps. Energy Modernization Push: President Tokayev says Kazakhstan is funding a major energy and utilities upgrade with over 1 trln tenge this year, aiming for full reconstruction of critical infrastructure. Industrial Expansion: Over 200 new production facilities are planned in two years, with investments around 3 bln tenge and tens of thousands of jobs expected. Renewables Build-Out: Masdar-led construction has started on a $1.4 bln, 1 GW wind farm in Zhambyl with large battery storage, targeting operations in 2029. Nuclear Roadmap: Tokayev ordered three new thermal power plants and said construction of the first nuclear plant will begin next year, framing nuclear as energy-sovereignty for a future digital economy. Digital Megacity Tech: Solana Company signed an MoU with Alatau City to build blockchain and digital-asset infrastructure, positioning the planned megacity as a Central Asia hub. Regional Tech Diplomacy: Kazakhstan and the U.S. discussed investment and tech cooperation at an Astana roundtable, with the U.S. cited among top investors. Governance & Debate: Tokayev urged that key draft laws undergo open public discussion using digital tools, tied to the new Kurultai direction. Global Context: World Bank data shows gas flaring rose again in 2025, reaching the highest level since 2019.

Clean Energy Deal: Masdar broke ground on a $1.4bn, 1GW wind farm in Kazakhstan’s Zhambyl region, pairing it with a 600MWh battery storage system and 400+ km of transmission lines to support 24/7 renewable plans. Nuclear Safety & Policy: Kazakhstan and Spain discussed expanding nuclear safety cooperation via the IAEA as Kazakhstan pushes its first civilian nuclear power plant. Digital & Blockchain: Solana Company signed an MoU with Alatau City to build a Central Asia blockchain and fintech hub. Strategic Partnership (Georgia): Kazakhstan and Georgia elevated ties to a strategic partnership, signing a joint statement and MoUs covering transport, digitalization, tourism, and energy. Green Power Corridor: Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, and Uzbekistan advanced plans for a Caspian Green Energy Corridor to export renewables to Europe via a planned submarine cable. Mining Lab Cooperation: Kazakhstan’s VNIItsvetmet shared modern ore testing and lab quality methods with Uzbekistan. AI/Tech Infrastructure: Kazakhstan’s Data Center Valley is drawing Firebird and NVIDIA partnerships, while China’s LineShine topped global supercomputer rankings. Space Update: ISS repairs are set to hinge on a July 14 spacewalk to fix Canadarm2.

Renewables & AI-ready power: Masdar broke ground on a $1.4bn, 1 GW wind farm in Kazakhstan’s Zhambyl region, paired with a 600 MWh battery storage system to support 24/7 clean power ambitions and strengthen southern grid stability. Strategic partnership: Kazakhstan and Georgia elevated ties to a strategic partnership, with cooperation flagged across transport, energy, digital government, IT, tourism and industry. AI infrastructure push: Kazakhstan joined the US-led Pax Silica initiative and the AI Opportunity Partnership, aiming for trusted AI, tech transfer and high-tech industry growth. Digital sovereignty focus: The IsDB chairman will visit Astana for the Foreign Investors’ Council plenary on “AI and Digital Sovereignty,” discussing investment in infrastructure, water security and digital transformation. Data center valley: Firebird is set to join Kazakhstan’s planned “data center valley” in Pavlodar/Ekibastuz to scale domestic AI computing capacity. Space tech milestone: NASA astronauts will conduct a spacewalk to repair Canadarm2, a key step for ISS operations ahead of a July 14 Soyuz crew launch. Water security tech: US firms will help Kazakhstan improve snow monitoring, runoff forecasts and early flood warnings using aerial data collection. Cyber/Internet access: RFE/RL Kazakh sites reported “throttling” after an investigation, with OONI pointing to signs of deliberate blocking.

AI & Digital Sovereignty: Kazakhstan joined the US-led Pax Silica AI and trusted supply-chain frameworks in Washington, signing the AI Opportunity Partnership as part of a push for “digital sovereignty” and national tech ecosystems. Energy Security: Russia’s fuel disruptions are spilling into Central Asia, with rising prices hitting consumers and transport workers in the region. Trusted AI Supply Chains: Pax Silica keeps expanding—10 more countries joined, but diplomats still worry about “kill switch” style controls on advanced AI access. Media Under Pressure: KazTAG says journalists and its platforms faced a bot-driven information attack, including spam messages and fake Telegram channels. Space & Disaster Monitoring: China and Central Asian partners plan the Tianwu satellite constellation for earthquake, flood and glacier risk monitoring. Industry Investment: Air Liquide is investing €70m in Kazakhstan for nitrogen production tied to Silleno’s mega polyethylene project. Infrastructure Upgrade: Kazakhstan reopened modernized railway stations in East Kazakhstan (Ridder and Shemonaikha). Earthquake Report: A quake was recorded in Turkestan and Zhambyl regions, with the epicenter reported in Afghanistan.

AI & Supply Chains: Kazakhstan joined the US-led Pax Silica initiative, signing the AI Opportunity Partnership in Washington, D.C., with Deputy Prime Minister Zhaslan Madiyev saying it should unlock investment, tech transfer, and high-tech sectors like semiconductors and critical minerals processing. Space Tech: China and Central Asian partners signed deals to build the “Tianwu Constellation”—an initial five-satellite network for disaster monitoring (earthquakes, landslides, pests, glacial floods) with data processed in Xinjiang using AI. Trusted Tech Standards: A guide explains EAC certification under the Eurasian Economic Union, clarifying that EAC-marked products meet regional compliance rules and warning buyers to avoid unverified electronics. Transport Modernization: Kazakhstan reopened upgraded railway stations in Ridder and Shemonaikha in East Kazakhstan, part of a broader national station modernization push. Energy & Climate: World Bank data shows gas flaring rose again in 2025, reaching a six-year high and costing about $54bn. Archaeology: Excavations in Karagandy uncovered a mound with burials from two eras, including an Early Iron Age Tasmola culture grave and an older Middle Bronze Age Nurin burial.

AI & Supply Chains: Kazakhstan joined the US-led Pax Silica initiative and signed the “AI Opportunity Partnership” in Washington, D.C., with Deputy PM Zhaslan Madiyev backing trusted AI cooperation and tech/supply-chain resilience. EU Deals: During Tokayev’s Brussels visit, Kazakhstan and the EU reportedly agreed on strategic documents and about €10B in commercial deals, including Airbus aircraft and Alstom locomotive services. Space for Disasters: China and Central Asian partners signed a deal to build the “Tianwu Constellation” of five satellites for earthquake, glacial flood, and pest monitoring, with AI processing planned in Xinjiang. Trusted AI in Governance: Kazakhstan hosted discussions on using AI in public services while keeping transparency, data protection, and human involvement at the center. Transport Upgrades: East Kazakhstan reopened modernized railway stations in Ridder and Shemonaikha as part of a wider national station modernization push. Local Tech/Science: Kazakhstan’s land enforcement in Almaty returned unused commercial plots to the state, while archaeology in Karaganda uncovered burials from two historical periods.