New Social Code regulations went into effect in Kazakhstan on July 1 which cover a wide range of issues related to social support, including employment, labor safety, social insurance, and support for senior citizens (Astana Times, Office of Kazakhstan’s PM). For instance, the government increased the payment duration for childcare to 1.5 years in order to boost social protection for motherhood and childhood. According to Kazakhstan’s Prime Minister Alikhan Smailov, the measures proposed in the code will restructure the social protection system to conform to international norms. Kazakhstan also underlined its position as an active and responsible participant in the process of developing international standards in the area of protecting human rights and freedoms on June 26 by confirming its international commitments aimed at eliminating torture (Astana Times, Kazakhstan Newsline). These statements come only one week after Kazakhstan assumed chairpersonship of the Dialogue of Women of Central Asia, an informal forum to discuss critical concerns and promote collaboration among women in the region (Astana Times). 

Meanwhile, following public concerns over the war in Ukraine and the situation with the Wagner paramilitary group in Russia, Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev chaired an extraordinary meeting of the Security Council on June 25 in Astana over the situation (Astana Times, Kaz Inform). Speaking to Russian President Vladimir Putin over the phone, Tokayev reaffirmed Kazakhstan's strategic partnership with Russia as well as his support for the Russian government's efforts to restore constitutional order. According to the Bureau of National Statistics, Kazakhstan's exports to Russia generated $3.2 billion in income between January and April of this year. However, it is important to note here, that the total weight of exports only amounted to 9.6 million tons, which is a 23.7% decrease over the same period last year (Kursiv Media). These figures suggest that Kazakhstan is aware of Western caution and has already sought other export markets for coal, including Poland (+80.5%), Turkey (+560%), Kyrgyzstan (+19%), and Uzbekistan (+180%) (Kursiv Media). 

In other news, President Tokayev received Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg Jean Asselborn in the Akorda presidential residence this week (Kaz Inform, Kazakhstan Newsline). The trade turnover between the two countries increased 2.5 times in 2022 and 4.5 times from January to April of this year (Kaz Inform). The visit is described as having served to strengthen economic cooperation between the two states, paving the way for further development of bilateral cooperation in a variety of sectors. Both countries decided to increase the number of transit flights via Astana International Airport by threefold, from seven flights to twenty-one flights, in order to establish Kazakhstan as a significant transit hub between Europe and Southeast Asia (Qaz Monitor). Luxembourg is also particularly interested in cooperating with Kazakhstan to develop outer space technology (Kaz Inform, Kazakhstan Today). 

Additionally, media sources emphasized the development of relations between Kazakhstan and Switzerland and Kazakhstan and Iran. Kazakhstan stated its willingness to increase its exports to Switzerland by 90 commodities worth $546.4 million at the June 27 meeting of the Kazakh-Swiss Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation(Astana Times, Kaz Tag). Switzerland is Kazakhstan’s third largest foreign investor, following the Netherlands and the United States. Swiss-based companies have invested nearly $31 billion in Kazakhstan’s economy since 2005. On June 27, during the Kazakhstan-Iran Business Forum in Astana, both countries reviewed a draft of a joint road map aimed at increasing the mutual trade turnover by up to $3 billion (Astana Times, Qaz Monitor, Pakistan Observer). The main emphasis was placed on agricultural sector projects worth roughly $1 billion. Last year, trade turnover between Kazakhstan and Iran totaled $528 million, a 19.8% increase compared to the previous year. 

Elsewhere, Tajikistan's and Sweden's Ministries of Foreign Affairs convened for their tenth meeting at the EU Cooperation Council in Luxemburg (MFA Tajikistan, Asia Plus). The two parties engaged in discussions on the bilateral relations between Tajikistan and the EU, encompassing topics such as political and socio-economic developments, trade, and regional and international matters. Furthermore, both sides expressed contentment with the initiation of negotiations for a new Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (EPCA). The EPCA demonstrates significant progress in EU-Tajikistan relations, as it facilitates the expansion of cooperation into previously unexplored areas and enhances the overall scope of their interactions. While concerns were raised over the safety of human rights in Tajikistan, especially regarding the prosecution of specific bloggers and journalists, and Tajikistan was urged to enhance the safeguarding of fundamental freedoms, the EU restated its steadfast commitment to supporting Tajikistan in its efforts to improve the socio-economic well-being of its people and harness the country’s renewable energy resources. 

Finally, in Afghanistan and on the occasion of the commemoration of Eid al-Adha (also known as Kurban Bayram), an important occasion widely celebrated in the Muslim community across the globe, security restrictions were lifted to provide a sense of safety for people to freely celebrate the Eid (Ariana). During the celebration, the leader of the Islamic Emirate emphasized the global significance of enhancing security and expressed concerns over the potential harm faced by Muslims worldwide, also reacting to the incident of an individual burning a copy of the Quran in Sweden on the day of the Eid (Ariana, Bakhtar News). The act, labeled as an instance of Islamophobia, garnered criticism not only across the Muslim world and from the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), but also from the United States, the Pope, and many other non-Muslim communities and leaders (Aljazeera, Reuters, Jerusalem Post).