Foreign media on Kazakhstan: Kazakhstan to host regional climate conference in 2026; Kazakhstan increasing oil exports, expanding its presence in European energy market
From recent news about Kazakhstan’s plans to host a regional climate conference in 2026, expand its presence in the European oil and energy market, and the Kazakh tradition of Betashar being officially recognized by UNESCO, Kazinform News Agency presents a weekly review of Kazakhstan’s coverage in foreign media.
Trend News Agency: Kazakhstan to host regional climate conference in 2026, Tokayev says
Kazakhstan will host a regional climate conference in 2026, in partnership with the United Nations, said President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev as he addressed the One Water Summit in Riyadh this week, Trend reports.
“Kazakhstan will host a regional climate conference in 2026 in partnership with the United Nations. We encourage all nations to support and contribute to this important initiative,” Tokayev stated.
The president highlighted his country’s strong commitment to global water security and climate action. As Chair of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea, he emphasized the importance of regional cooperation and collaborative frameworks in addressing the global water crisis, particularly for those on the front lines of climate change.
Tokayev stressed Kazakhstan’s dedication to fostering dialogue and international partnerships to address water scarcity, stating, “It is critical to foster dialogue, advance international partnerships, and pool resources to implement water-related projects for those who are on the front lines of climate change”.
Kazakhstan’s support for the One Water Vision Coalition, which aims to unite diverse stakeholders in managing water resources effectively, was also emphasized.
Tokayev said, “For exactly this purpose, Kazakhstan is proud to join today the One Water Vision Coalition. This coalition aims to bring together diverse stakeholders to address the global water crisis and promote integrated water resource management”.
Tokayev also reinforced the significance of water in achieving the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, saying, “The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development places water at the heart of global priorities. Water security is not just a technical or environmental issue, it is a moral imperative”.
Euractiv: Kazakhstan increasing oil exports, expanding its presence in European energy market
Kazakhstan plans to significantly increase crude oil exports through the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) pipeline, potentially reaching 20 million metric tons annually from the current 1.5 million, Euractiv reports.
Energy Minister Almasadam Satkaliyev described the BTC route as promising, citing growing cooperation with Azerbaijani partners. In 2024, Kazakhstan expects to export 68.8 million tons of oil, primarily via Russian routes, with smaller volumes sent to China and across the Caspian Sea. Oil production for 2023 is estimated at 88.4 million tons, slightly below target due to maintenance and OPEC+ commitments. By 2026, production is projected to exceed 100 million tons annually, supported by large-scale projects and $21 billion in planned investments by 2030.
The government is also designing a new refinery with a capacity of 10 million tons per year, planned for construction by 2032 to address a predicted shortage of light oil products by 2036.
Additional projects include increased bitumen production to meet export demands. Kazakhstan is expanding oil exports to Europe, with plans to double shipments to Germany to 2.5 million tons annually via the Druzhba pipeline. Hungary has also strengthened ties with Kazakhstan, investing in oil production and signing agreements for technological and resource cooperation.
Kazakhstan is also developing alternative trade routes like the Middle Corridor, which connects the country to Europe via the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway. However, the high cost of transporting oil through the BTC pipeline, at $120 per ton, remains a challenge compared to cheaper Russian routes. Despite this, diversifying export routes is critical, as 60% of Kazakhstan’s export revenue depends on oil and gas.
The Times of Central Asia: Kazakh rituals included in UNESCO’s intangible cultural heritage list
According to the Times of Central Asia, the Kazakh wedding tradition of Betashar, or “revealing the face” has been officially recognized by UNESCO as part of its Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
This milestone emphasizes the cultural richness of Kazakhstan and the importance of preserving its ancient traditions. Betashar is a symbolic wedding ritual that introduces a bride to her husband’s family. Historically, the bride’s face was covered with a cloth and unveiled during a formal ceremony where a zhirshy, or singer, performed a song introducing family members. Gifts were exchanged, and the ritual concluded with the bride serving tea to her in-laws. While modern weddings often simplify the ceremony, its significance remains deeply valued.
Kazakhstan joined UNESCO’s Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2011, committing to protect traditions like Betashar. Today, 13 Kazakh cultural practices, including the yurt (kiiz үi), instrumental music (kүi), and the Nauryz spring festival, are on the list.
Other traditions include Salburyn, an ancient hunting ritual featuring falcons and hounds, and Tusau Kesu, a ceremony celebrating a child’s first steps. The ceremony includes laying out a symbolic “white path” (ak zhol), representing a prosperous future. Items such as money, a whip, a dombra, or a book are placed along the path to hint at the child’s potential destiny.
Ebrd.com: EBRD helps to consolidate Kazakhstan’s power system
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is boosting Kazakhstan’s energy security and power reliability by arranging €267 million in financing for the Kazakhstan Electricity Grid Operating Company (KEGOC), ebrd.com reports. The funding includes a €252 million loan from the EBRD and a €15 million concessional loan from Canada under the High Impact Partnership on Climate Action.
This project will enable KEGOC, which manages over 27,800 km of transmission lines, to build 600 km of 500kV transmission lines. It will also integrate the West Kazakhstan Power System into the Unified Power System, addressing the historical separation of Kazakhstan’s power grids. Previously, the EBRD connected the northern and southern grids, but western Kazakhstan’s grid remains isolated.
The project aims to improve power supply in western Kazakhstan and support the integration of up to 12 GW of renewable energy by 2030, aligning with Kazakhstan’s goal of carbon neutrality by 2060. It includes constructing the 500kV Karabatan-Ulke power line and related infrastructure, reducing CO2 emissions by over 200,000 tons annually.
The EBRD will also help KEGOC integrate digital technologies, enhance cybersecurity, and introduce gender-responsive training. This initiative is part of the EBRD’s broader investment of over €10.4 billion in Kazakhstan, mainly supporting private businesses.
