Baghdad, October 18, 2026 – During the 52nd Session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC CFM), held in the capital of the Republic of Iraq, Ambassador Bagdat Amreyev, representing the Republic of Kazakhstan, was unanimously elected to the position of Assistant Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation for Administration and Finance. During the session, Ambassador Bagdat Amreyev also took the oath of office, officially assuming his duties.
The election of Kazakhstan’s representative to one of the senior leadership positions within the OIC General Secretariat, the second-largest intergovernmental organization after the United Nations in terms of the number of Member States, reflects the high level of trust placed in Kazakhstan by OIC Member States and recognition of its contribution to strengthening multilateral cooperation. This decision is expected to further enhance cooperation between Kazakhstan and the OIC and promote joint initiatives in the interests of the Organization’s Member States.
On October 2, Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Lebanon Rasul Jumaly met with
Mr. Amer Bisat, Lebanon’s Minister of Economy and Trade. The discussion
focused on ways to advance trade, economic and investment cooperation between
Kazakhstan and Lebanon, as well as to expand direct engagement between the
business communities of the two countries.
The parties also touched upon potential areas of cooperation in agricultural
products, food security, tourism and logistics. Following the meeting, they agreed
to maintain working-level contacts with a view to further expanding economic
cooperation between Kazakhstan and Lebanon.
On September 21, Kazakhstan’s Ambassador to Lebanon, Rasul Jumaly, met with Ahmad Abdullah Al Shawish, President of the Arab Commission for Building Citizens and Nations. They discussed opportunities to expand Kazakhstan’s cultural cooperation and people-to-people ties with Lebanon and other Arab countries.
The discussions placed particular emphasis on strengthening educational cooperation, building connections among young people, deepening understanding of each other’s history and culture, and expanding ties between civil society organizations. The Ambassador emphasized that sharing information and experience in culture and education helps bring peoples closer together. To advance these goals, the Lebanese representative has proposed opening a Kazakh cultural center in Lebanon in the near future. The proposal is under consideration.
The Embassy of Kazakhstan in Lebanon held a briefing for representatives of the local media on the results of the election of deputies to the Qurultai. Ambassador Rasul Zhumaly informed the participants about the voting results and explained the significance of the elections in the context of the country’s ongoing political reforms and transition to a new unicameral Parliament.
During the event, Ali Noureddine, Editor-in-Chief of Lebanon’s National Broadcasting Network (NBN), who travelled to Kazakhstan specifically to observe the electoral process, also shared his impressions. He particularly highlighted the high level of organization of the elections, the transparency of the voting process, and the constructive outlook of Kazakh society.
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On August 19, the Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Lebanon, Rasul Zhumaly, met with Rana Mokaddem, Director of the Economic Cooperation Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants of the country. During the conversation, the parties discussed the revitalization of political dialogue between Kazakhstan and Lebanon, as well as the further development of trade, economic, investment, and business ties. In particular, special attention was paid to strengthening cooperation between the foreign ministries of the two countries, expanding contacts between the business circles of Kazakhstan and Lebanon, and promoting practical cooperation in areas of mutual interest.
On August 17, Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Lebanon Rasul Jumaly met at Lebanon’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs with Salim Baddoura, Director of the Department of International Organizations. The meeting focused on mutual support for Kazakhstan’s and Lebanon’s initiatives in multilateral formats, as well as on ways to further deepen cooperation on international platforms.
The parties also underscored the importance of strengthening dialogue between the foreign ministries of the two countries, exchanging views on issues on the international agenda and continuing coordination in areas of mutual interest.
On August 4, Kazakhstan's Ambassador to Lebanon, Rasul Jumaly, met with Colonel Prasun Singh, Commander of the Indian Peacekeeping Battalion in the UN Interim Forces in Lebanon (UNIFIL). The meeting was held as part of the resumption of the participation of Kazakhstani peacekeepers in the Indian battalion since July of this year. Colonel Singh briefed them on the progress of Kazakh peacekeepers, describing them as highly trained personnel.
The parties discussed the current situation amid the ongoing conflict in the region in relation to the role of UNIFIL. They also considered possible scenarios regarding the expiration of UNIFIL's mandate by the end of 2026 and its possible reformatting.
The Ambassador thanked the Indian side for its assistance in organizing the meeting and hosting the newly arrived 11 military personnel from Kazakhstan, expressing hope for continued successful cooperation between the two countries in peacekeeping.
The meeting was attended by Colonel Arman Dyusekeyev, Military Attaché of the Kazakhstan Embassy in Lebanon, and accompanying personnel from UNIFIL.
On July 27, Kazakhstan's Ambassador to Lebanon, Rasul Jumaly, met with Saleh Khaled, a renowned public figure and head of the Jamiat Al-Fitr organization. During the conversation, the current state of relations and prospects for their development were discussed. In particular, the importance of developing humanitarian cooperation between Kazakhstan and Lebanon was noted, as well as the possibility of organizing cultural and educational forums and joint information projects. Furthermore, the study and preservation of Mamluk heritage, a shared heritage of the two peoples, and ways to develop ties with Tripoli, one of the major centers of the Mamluk era, were discussed.
Religious leaders in Lebanon have expressed support for the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, which is held in Astana. Among them is His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Armenian Apostolic Church of Cilicia, who highly praised Kazakhstan’s policy of promoting peace and mutual understanding among peoples and religions.
The Catholicos described the Congress as one of the world's most respected international platforms for interfaith dialogue. In his view, the Astana initiative not only brings together representatives of different faiths around shared values, but also makes a tangible contribution to promoting tolerance, peaceful coexistence, and the search for common responses to global challenges. Aram I further stressed that the Congress should evolve beyond a forum for exchanging views into a sustainable international process capable of making a practical impact on society while strengthening trust and mutual respect among peoples.
In his message, the Catholicos emphasized that the mission of religions in today's world should not be limited to dialogue alone. According to him, religious communities should work together to counter extremism and social polarization, actively promote a culture of peace, uphold human dignity, and strengthen mutual respect. He also highlighted the responsibility of religious communities in preventing conflicts, safeguarding moral values, and protecting the environment.
“A genuine and meaningful interfaith dialogue contributes to strengthening mutual understanding and respect. It fosters mutual trust and acceptance of one another. Religions must stand against intolerance, fundamentalism, and all forms of extremism by promoting the values of tolerance and peaceful coexistence,” concluded His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of Cilicia.
On April 28, Ambassador of Kazakhstan in Lebanon Rasul Jumaly held a meeting with Mr. Madi Abrao, Head of the Lebanese company EastMed Invest. The discussion focused on prospects for strengthening Kazakhstan-Lebanon business engagement, including the promotion of Kazakhstan’s investment potential among Lebanese and regional business circles.
Ambassador Jumaly noted Kazakhstan’s interest in advancing the economic agenda between the two countries and emphasized readiness to facilitate contacts between interested investors, companies, and relevant institutions in Kazakhstan and Lebanon. In this regard both sides addressed opportunities to enhance Kazakhstan’s visibility in Lebanon, including options of media and information platforms.
Following the meeting, the sides agreed to continue developing the initiatives discussed, with a view to strengthening Kazakhstan-Lebanon cooperation in investment, trade and economic engagement and information outreach.