The Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the State of Israel Daulet Yemberdiyev met with Mr. Ruby Shemesh, Director General of the Israeli Ministry of Labour. The meeting focused on further developing Kazakhstan–Israel cooperation in the field of labour relations and expanding the bilateral legal framework for cooperation.
The Kazakh side emphasized its interest in expediting work on the documents currently under consideration by the Israeli side and expressed hope for the signing of the relevant international agreements in the near future.
Ambassador Yemberdiyev noted that work in this area has been ongoing since 2021, when the Israeli side put forward the relevant initiative. In this regard, the Kazakh side called for intensified interagency cooperation and accelerated coordination of the documents.
Particular attention was paid to the draft Agreement on the Regulation of Labour Activities of Citizens of the Republic of Kazakhstan in the State of Israel.
The sides also exchanged views on the draft Memorandum of Cooperation between the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection of the Population of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Ministry of Labour of the State of Israel.
Following the meeting, the sides reaffirmed their readiness to continue constructive dialogue and coordination between the relevant government agencies with a view to further strengthening bilateral cooperation in the field of labour.
As part of the Embassy’s efforts to expand and strengthen working contacts with the heads of Israeli government agencies, particularly those directly involved in creating favourable conditions for promoting Kazakhstani exports on the Israeli consumer market, on 19 August 2026, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the State of Israel Daulet Yemberdiyev held a meeting with Mr. Kfir Chen, Head of the Israeli Customs Directorate and Deputy Director of the Israel Tax Authority. The Customs Directorate is part of the Israel Tax Authority, which operates under the Ministry of Finance.
The Ambassador briefed his counterpart on Kazakhstan, the ongoing political and socio-economic reforms in the country, investment opportunities, and priority areas for the implementation of joint projects.
The Ambassador particularly emphasised that Kazakhstan is becoming an important transit hub, enabling the transportation of significant volumes of goods across its territory, primarily along the China–Europe route. Given the large number of customs posts in Kazakhstan, both external and inland, as well as the considerable distances involved, there is a strong need to introduce highly effective and innovative solutions. In this regard, Israel’s experience is regarded as one of the most advanced and successful.
The Head of the Israeli Customs Directorate, in turn, outlined the structure of the Customs Directorate and the activities of its territorial units, including those operating at airports, seaports and land border crossings, as well as the advanced technological solutions employed by the Israeli Customs authorities. In particular, Mr. Chen presented the “Global Gate” end-to-end IT platform, which connects importers, customs brokers, seaports and airports, and banks within a unified digital system, enabling paperless processing of cargo.
The parties noted with satisfaction the substantial progress made in expanding the bilateral legal framework for cooperation in the financial sphere, in particular the completion of negotiations on the draft Convention for the Avoidance of Double Taxation. The signing of this important document is expected to take place in the near future.
The Kazakh and Israeli sides agreed to maintain a high level of momentum in contacts and working meetings aimed at advancing cooperation between the customs authorities of the two countries, with a particular focus on the promising area of customs digitalisation. By mutual agreement, this area has significant potential to substantially enhance the efficiency of customs operations and border-crossing procedures.
The Kazakhstan–Israel Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation could also serve as an effective platform for further interaction. The next meeting of the Commission is scheduled to take place in Israel in November 2026.
On 8 July 2026, in Astana, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the State of Israel, Daulet Yemberdiyev, held a meeting with Acting Chairman of the Management Board of JSC “Center for International Programs”, Abay Rakhmet.
During the meeting, the parties discussed prospects for expanding academic cooperation with Tel Aviv University and enhancing collaboration within the framework of the Bolashak International Scholarship Program. Particular attention was given to creating additional opportunities for Kazakhstani professionals to study at one of Israel’s leading universities and to strengthening academic and research cooperation.
D.Yemberdiyev noted the interest of Tel Aviv University’s leadership in developing cooperation with the Bolashak Program, emphasizing that such a partnership would contribute to the training of highly qualified specialists and the expansion of academic exchanges between Kazakhstan and Israel.
Tel Aviv University is currently included in the list of recommended foreign universities under the Bolashak Program. Since the launch of the Bolashak and Research Internship programs, 145 Kazakhstani specialists have completed their studies and research internships in Israel.
At the conclusion of the meeting, the parties reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening cooperation in higher education and expanding academic ties between Kazakhstan and Israel.
The International Center for Interfaith and Interreligious Dialogue (ICIID) hosted an international online conference titled “The Role of Religious Leaders in Achieving Sustainable Peace and Development.” During the event, the Center presented two concept documents to its international partners: the “Ethical Code for the Use of Artificial Intelligence” and “The Role of Religions in Combating Climate Change.”
The conference brought together representatives of religious organizations, academic institutions, expert communities, and international organizations from Kazakhstan, the United Kingdom, Russia, Argentina, Thailand, North Macedonia, and India. Discussions focused on implementing the 2025 Astana Peace Declaration and the Development Concept of the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions for 2023–2033.
Opening the conference, Maksat Ramankulov, Deputy Chairman of the Committee on Religious Affairs under the Ministry of Culture and Information of the Republic of Kazakhstan, highlighted the importance of state-confessional partnerships. He noted that the Kazakhstani model demonstrates how civil peace demands joint efforts from both secular institutions and religious communities.
Gulsana Kozhabay, Chair of the Center's Board, emphasized that while faith-based diplomacy does not resolve every conflict, it helps preserve dialogue during periods of acute tension. Referring to the VIII Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, held in Astana in September 2025, she noted that Jewish and Muslim representatives remained at the same table and continued their engagement despite heightened sensitivities regarding developments in the Middle East.
She also stressed the need to transition faith-based diplomacy into practical action. These priorities include establishing ethical frameworks for artificial intelligence and mounting a collective response to climate change — two issues addressed by the Center’s current initiatives.
Marwan Sarwar Gill, President of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community of Argentina, spoke about the universal understanding of peace in the Islamic tradition. Citing the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad, he emphasized that human dignity must not depend on race, nationality, or origin. Imam Gill rejected the notion of selective peace, arguing that a holistic approach provides a crucial foundation for global security.
Yulia Shapoval, Acting Professor in the Department of Religious Studies at Gumilyov Eurasian National University, highlighted the rise of digital radicalization. She noted that religious and expert communities must keep pace with emerging challenges in the information age, arguing that educational and peace-oriented content must become more visible to counter destructive narratives in the digital space.
Ivan Ivanov, Chairman of the Board of the International Center “Alliance of Civilizations,” underscored the importance of critical thinking in preventing ethnic and religious violence. In his view, education should go beyond transmitting cultural identity; it should cultivate conscience, empathy, and responsibility. Philosophy and ethics, he argued, deserve a more prominent place in educational curricula.
Dr. Matthias Bodi of the University of Oxford's Faculty of Theology and Religion observed that deep faith and open dialogue are not in conflict. Intellectual honesty and respectful interfaith engagement, he stated, help build a culture in which disagreement does not turn into hostility.
Several speakers, including Rostislav Novgorodov, Head of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Kazakhstan; Tokzhan Kozhakhmetova, representative of the Baha’i Community of Kazakhstan; and Rudraksha Sakrikar, Rector of Somaiya Vidyavihar University, emphasized the special role of youth. They stressed that youth should be regarded not only as beneficiaries of education but also as active contributors to positive social change, mutual trust, and intercultural cooperation.
Sergei Melnik, Head of the Department of Philosophy at the Russian Academy of Sciences, proposed organizing an international roundtable in 2027 to mark the twentieth anniversary of the landmark document “A Common Word Between Us and You.” The initiative aims to further strengthen Christian-Muslim dialogue and deepen trust between religious traditions.
Concluding the conference, participants agreed on the importance of moving beyond interfaith dialogue toward practical cooperation, identifying sustainable peace, ethical governance of new technologies, climate responsibility, education, and the prevention of radicalization as key areas.
On the eve of the holy feast of Easter, the Embassy of Kazakhstan in Israel facilitated the efforts of a delegation of Orthodox citizens of Kazakhstan in delivering the Holy Fire from the Church of the Holy Sepulchre to Kazakhstan.
On April 12, 2026, the Holy Fire arrived in Almaty and will subsequently be distributed to regions across the country for Easter services.
We extend our sincere congratulations to Orthodox Christians on the occasion of Easter — a symbol of love, hope, and spiritual renewal.
President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev welcomes the achievement of an agreement on a full ceasefire and truce in the Middle East, reached with the mediation of Prime Minister of Pakistan Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Army Staff of Pakistan, Field Marshal Asim Munir.
This agreement became possible due to the goodwill and wisdom of the President of the United States, Donald Trump, and the senior leadership of Iran, as well as all countries involved in the military conflict.
President Tokayev expressed hope that the truce agreement will be long-lasting and will contribute to the development of global trade and the economic prosperity of all nations.