AGP Executive Report

Creative Industries Finance: The Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC) launched Creative Pitch Day 2026, a pilot that turns IP from Kazakhstan’s movie, music, game and digital content creators into investable projects, with finalists pitching at Astana Finance Days on Sept. 9–10. Cultural Bridge in Dubai: A new Kazakhstan-themed concept space at Design Dome in Dubai’s City Walk is bringing Kazakh art, fashion, food and storytelling to the Gulf, positioning Silk Road heritage as a living experience. Kazakh Culture Abroad: Spanish fans of Dimash Qudaibergen met with Kazakhstan diaspora and producers behind the Kazakh-Spanish film “La Tregua,” sharing music and traditions after Dimash’s “Altay – Golden Cradle of the Turkic World” gala. Sports & Youth Spotlight: Kazakhstan’s U18 women’s team is set to face Thailand in the Asia Cup qualification semi-final race, with the tournament’s remaining semi-final tickets still up for grabs. Legal & Social Impact: Kazakhstan’s prosecutors say recovered 1.3 trillion tenge in illegally withdrawn assets has already funded 350 social facilities, including schools, healthcare and sports infrastructure. Global Arts/Tech Context: UN Global Business Forum wrapped up with calls for a bigger private-sector role in delivering SDGs, with discussions touching innovation and AI. Travel & Lifestyle: A week of travel coverage highlights Kazakhstan’s growing presence in global destination branding, from Dubai culture spaces to broader Central Asia tourism narratives.

Kazakh Culture on the Global Stage: Pop icon Enrique Iglesias reposted a Kazakh artist’s spray-painted portrait on a carpet, “See you soon Kazakhstan,” ahead of his Sept. 3 Astana Arena and Sept. 5 Almaty concerts. Diaspora & Music Community: Dimash Qudaibergen fans in Spain met Kazakh diaspora members and discussed how his music connects cultures, with organizers noting the “Altay – Golden Cradle of the Turkic World” gala on July 11. Arts & Entertainment Spotlight: AMFA’s “The Comedy of Errors” runs as a fast-paced Shakespeare adaptation, while Kazakhstan-linked “Icons in Transformation” features a Kazakhstan-born artist now living in Sweden. Sports with a Kazakhstan link: Kazakhstan’s Nachyn Kuular is set to face Indian wrestler Kumar Mohit in a freestyle bout after Aman Sehrawat’s gold at a Budapest ranking event; meanwhile, Kazakhstan’s presence also shows up in international sports coverage. Public Life & Infrastructure: Prosecutors say recovered assets helped build 350 social facilities across Kazakhstan, including water, healthcare, education and sports sites.

Space & Kazakhstan Spotlight: A Soyuz MS-29 mission launched from Baikonur in Kazakhstan with NASA astronaut Anil Menon plus Russian cosmonauts Pyotr Dubrov and Anna Kikina, docking with the ISS about three hours later—another high-profile sign of ongoing space cooperation. Sports Speed Record: Tour de France Stage 11 (Vichy–Nevers) smashed a 27-year road-stage speed mark as the peloton averaged 50.91 kph, with Søren Waerenskjold winning the sprint. Kazakh Culture Abroad: Dimash Qudaibergen’s fans in Spain met Kazakh diaspora members, sharing stories and music that deepen cultural ties. Global Pop Meets Local Art: Enrique Iglesias reposted a Kazakh artist’s spray-painted portrait on carpet, “See you soon Kazakhstan,” ahead of his Astana (Sept 3) and Almaty (Sept 5) shows. Taekwondo Goes Orbital: World Taekwondo sent its federation flag into space on Soyuz MS-29 as a countdown to the 2027 championships in Astana. Film & Action Production: Jackie Chan began filming “Armour of God: Ultimatum” in Kazakhstan’s Mangystau region, highlighting the country’s growing appeal for international shoots. Arts & Community Music: Idaho International Choral Festival runs July 15–18, featuring the Kazakhstan-based Chorus of Change among international groups.

Film & Pop Culture: Jackie Chan has arrived in Kazakhstan’s Mangystau region to kick off filming “Armour of God: Ultimatum,” with Bozzhyra Canyon, Almaty and the Almaty region set as key locations—another sign Kazakhstan is becoming a go-to destination for global productions. Music & Community: Idaho International Choral Festival returns July 15–18, featuring a Kazakhstan-based choir “Chorus of Change” and culminating in a grand finale gala—music as a bridge across cultures. Sports & Youth: Kazakhstan is listed among teams for the inaugural FIH Under-18 Youth Hockey5s Asia Cup in Oman (July 20–25), with the India–Pakistan clash billed as the headline moment. Arts & Heritage: The Altai – Golden Cradle of the Turkic World festival drew about 50,000 visitors in East Kazakhstan, mixing poetry, national sports, crafts and regional music. Tech & Education (Arts-adjacent): Kazakh universities are turning AI projects into real products, including drone-based solar defect detection and industrial safety monitoring.

Jackie Chan in Kazakhstan: The martial-arts star has arrived in Mangystau to kick off filming “Armour of God: Ultimatum,” with Bozzhyra Canyon and other sites in Almaty and the region set for production through October—another big push for Kazakhstan’s film visibility. AI in the real economy: Kazakh universities are moving from demos to deployed AI products, from drone solar-panel defect detection (Astana IT University) to oil-and-gas analytics and mine safety monitoring, with support from major partners. Space ties with Baikonur: A U.S.-Russian crew launched from Baikonur in Kazakhstan for an eight-month ISS stint, underscoring continued cooperation in space despite wider tensions. Kazakhstan sports on the move: Kazakhstan is listed among teams for the Youth Hockey5s Asian Championship in Oman, while Elena Rybakina remains among the WTA’s top earners and rankings keep shifting after Wimbledon. Culture & festivals: East Kazakhstan’s Altai–Golden Cradle of the Turkic World drew around 50,000 visitors, featuring poetry, crafts, sports and Dimash Qudaibergen’s headline presence. Cars & consumer life: Kazakhstan’s June auto market shows resilient demand, with Chevrolet leading sales and brands competing harder on tech and service.

Film & Tourism Boom: Jackie Chan has begun filming “Armour of God: Ultimatum” in Kazakhstan, with principal photography running July–October across Almaty and Mangystau, including the dramatic Bozzhyra Canyon—an international push that local officials say could boost tourism and investment. Cultural Spotlight: East Kazakhstan’s Altai – Golden Cradle of the Turkic World festival drew about 50,000 visitors, blending poetry, crafts, national sports and Dimash Qudaibergen’s headline performance. Nomad Food Pride: Astana’s BaiQymyz 2026 set a national record with 56 tons of kymyz, bringing 59 producers and equestrian events to celebrate Kazakh heritage. Sports & Youth Energy: Kazakhstan’s sports scene stayed busy—from Games of the Future 2026 readiness checks in Astana to regional jiu-jitsu success and Kazakhstan-linked international competitions. Global Media & Creators: YouTube and FIFA launched the first YouTube FIFA Creator Cup in New York, underscoring how entertainment formats keep expanding worldwide.

Youth Sports in Oman: Muscat will host the inaugural FIH Under-18 Youth Hockey5s Asia Cup (July 20–25), with a headline India–Pakistan clash on July 24 and the winner set to qualify for the first-ever U18 Youth Hockey5s World Cup in Cairo (Dec 6–13, 2026). Kazakhstan Sports & Cities: Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov checked Astana’s readiness for the phygital “Games of the Future 2026” (opening July 29), with about 1,000 athletes from 35 countries and competitions across major venues. Equestrian Diplomacy: Turkmenistan’s ambassador met Kazakhstan’s Equestrian Federation chief, inviting him as an honorary guest for the Akhal-Teke World Championship and Beauty Contest in the Netherlands (Sept 4–6, 2026). Arts & Culture (Photography): Welsh photographer Claire Thomas will sign her debut book Altai: Hunters and Herders of Mongolia at the Royal Geographical Society on July 18, spotlighting Kazakh herders and eagle hunting. Local Culture & Food: Astana’s BaiQymyz-2026 gastronomy festival drew around 40,000 visitors on day one, with tastings of 200,000 liters of kumis and shubat plus folk crafts, horse shows, and concerts.

Kazakh Heritage & Arts: Altai festival gala in East Kazakhstan put Turkic roots center stage, with Governor Nurymbet Saktaganov welcoming guests and Dimash Qudaibergen headlining a Main Stage program blending neoclassical, folk and modern hits. Film & Culture: Jackie Chan met young Almaty artists and filmmakers at the official launch of a new Kazakh-Chinese production, with a traditional film-plate photo marking the start of filming. Museum Spotlight: Almaty Museum of Arts opened “Bill Viola: The Space of Time,” bringing major video-art works to Central Asia for the first time on a large scale. Sports & Community: Astana’s BaiQymyz-2026 drew about 40,000 visitors on day one, offering tastings of 200,000 liters of kumis and cultural shows plus equestrian competitions. Archaeology: Excavations at the Kultobe settlement uncovered new Kangju inscriptions and rare artifacts, adding hundreds of characters to the known corpus. World Stage (Kazakhstan in focus): Elena Rybakina stayed in the WTA top tier as Wimbledon momentum reshuffled rankings, while Kazakhstan’s BaiQymyz and cultural events kept the spotlight at home.

Turkic Heritage in Focus: Altai festival gala in Kazakhstan opened with a prologue to the region as a “cradle of Turkic civilization,” with greetings in Kazakh, Russian and English and remarks from East Kazakhstan governor Nurymbet Saktaganov. Nomad Food & Culture: Astana’s BaiQymyz-2026 drew about 40,000 visitors on day one, with tastings of 200,000 liters of kumis and one ton of shubat, plus masterclasses, folk crafts, equestrian shows and concerts. Music Spotlight: Dimash Qudaibergen headlined a Turkic world festival gala, blending neoclassical pieces with modern hits and premiering the folk song “Aqerke” in a contemporary arrangement. Film & Star Power: Jackie Chan officially launched filming of “Armour of God: Ultimatum” in Almaty, meeting young artists and filmmakers and marking production start with a traditional film plate. Art Exhibition: Almaty Museum of Arts opened “Bill Viola: The Space of Time,” Central Asia’s first major museum project devoted to video art, running through Jan. 17, 2027. Archaeology: Excavations at the Kultobe settlement in southern Kazakhstan uncovered new Kangju inscriptions and rare artifacts, including 14 inscription fragments on fired bricks. Sports Tech & Sport: Kazakhstan’s Games of the Future 2026 in Astana (starting July 29) will be a phygital event across four venues, combining traditional sports with digital disciplines. World Horse Day: Kazakhstan-linked World Horse Day coverage highlights Aqzhan, a rare Akhal-Teke mare named by President Tokayev, as part of the global celebration of horses’ cultural role.

World Horse Day: UN-backed World Horse Day (July 11) spotlighted horses’ cultural role, from nomadic heritage to modern conservation, including Kazakhstan’s Akhal-Teke mare Aqzhan named by President Tokayev and global record-holder Sampson. Astana Games of the Future: Prime Minister Bektenov visited Astana’s Games of the Future 2026 facilities ahead of the July 29 start, with phygital competitions across major venues and a volunteer team of 1,000+. Turkic music gala: Dimash Qudaibergen headlined a Turkic world festival gala in Kazakhstan, blending neoclassical works with contemporary hits and a live premiere of the folk song “Aqerke.” Almaty video art milestone: Almaty Museum of Arts opened “Bill Viola: The Space of Time,” Central Asia’s first large-scale museum project devoted to video art (July 1–Jan. 17, 2027). Kazakhstan sports on TV: World Cup 2026 quarterfinals set for July 12 (Argentina–Switzerland, Norway–England), with Kazakhstan viewers able to watch on Qazaqstan and Qazsport. Women’s hockey in Oman: Oman hosts the Asian Women’s Hockey Federation Cup, with Kazakhstan among the five teams competing July 13–18.

Almaty Arts & Culture: The Almaty Museum of Arts opened “Bill Viola: The Space of Time,” Central Asia’s first major museum exhibition devoted to video art, featuring 18 works by the pioneering American artist (July 1, 2026–Jan. 17, 2027). Film & Celebrity in Kazakhstan: Jackie Chan officially launched filming of “Armour of God: Ultimatum” in Almaty, meeting young artists and filmmakers and marking the start of a Kazakhstan–China production. Sports (Hockey): Oman is hosting the Asian Women’s Hockey Federation Cup, with Kazakhstan among five teams competing in Al Amerat (round-robin through July 18). Sports (Basketball): Oman’s U18 women’s team arrived in Bangkok for the FIBA U18 Women’s Asia Cup Division B, with Kazakhstan also in the field. Sports (Shooting): India’s Neeru Dhanda fired a perfect 75/75 to lead after three rounds at the ISSF Shotgun World Cup in Lonato, while men’s results lagged. Heritage & Outdoors: World Horse Day (July 11) spotlighted horses’ cultural and practical role, with Kazakhstan highlighted for Przewalski’s horses returning to the steppe. Weekend Guide (Astana/Almaty): The Astana Times roundup points to Kazakh heritage events, exhibitions, and live performances across the weekend.

Kazakhstan–China Cinema: Jackie Chan officially launched the Kazakhstan-China feature film “Armour of God: Ultimatum” in Almaty, meeting young artists and filmmakers and marking production start with a traditional film slate; filming runs July–October 2026 with Almaty and nearby regions as key locations. Classical Music: A spectacular open-air ballet gala will open the 15th Gabala International Music Festival on July 29, featuring stars from the Mariinsky, Bolshoi, Vienna State Ballet and more. Sports & Culture in Astana/Almaty: This weekend’s Kazakhstan roundup highlights BaiQymyz (kumys festival) at Kazanat Hippodrome, plus a solo exhibition by Nurbek Zhardemov at the National Museum and major live events like an FC Astana vs FC Aktobe match. Tennis Spotlight: Elena Rybakina is named among the world’s 10 highest-paid tennis players in 2026, ranking 10th with $16.3m total earnings. Heritage & Travel: International coverage spotlights Kazakhstan’s dombyra and National Dombra Day, while travel features promote the Zhetysu region’s natural wonders. Global Screen Culture: Apple TV’s “Star City” finale sparks speculation about what comes next for its Soviet-era space-race characters.

Kazakh Cinema Spotlight: Jackie Chan officially kicked off filming of “Armour of God: Ultimatum” in Almaty, with Kazakhstan-China cultural ties front and center and production set to run July–October 2026. National Culture & Music: International coverage highlighted Kazakhstan’s National Dombyra Day, underlining how the two-string instrument carries steppe identity and everyday emotion. Sports (Kazakhstan on the global radar): Elena Rybakina was named among the world’s 10 highest-paid tennis players in 2026, ranking 10th with $16.3m in earnings. International Arts & Events: Comic Con Astana 2026 announced Taz Skylar (“One Piece”) as a headline guest, adding more pop-culture buzz to the city’s summer calendar. World Nomad Games Build-up: Kyrgyzstan’s volunteer training for the VI World Nomad Games is nearing completion, with a multilingual, multi-country team preparing for national sports. Global Entertainment: Wimbledon drama continued as Coco Gauff’s run ended in a Muchova tiebreaker, while Jackie White released “Frozen Charlotte” and launched a North America tour.

Kazakhstan Cinema: Jackie Chan’s new film Armor of God: Ultimatum is set to begin production in Almaty, with filming scheduled from July to October 2026 and local officials backing the project. International Pop Culture: Comic Con Astana 2026 adds One Piece star Taz Skylar as a headline guest, alongside other creators and performers. Tennis Spotlight: Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina climbs into the world’s top 10 highest-paid tennis players, while Wimbledon drama continues as Coco Gauff’s run ends in a Muchova semifinal. Wimbledon & Sports Culture: Anett Kontaveit returns to Wimbledon for an invitational doubles event, keeping Kazakhstan-linked tennis fans in the spotlight. Arts & Heritage: Kazakhstan marks 100 years of opera legend Yermek Serkebayev, with celebrations in the capital. Music & Community: A Kazakh music project tied to dombyra culture and international outreach highlights the country’s living musical heritage. Sports Development: Kazakhstan’s “Golden Man” research gets fresh attention as ancient DNA points to inherited elite status among Scythian-era elites. Sports in Motion: Tour de France coverage keeps rolling, with Pogacar reclaiming yellow after a Pyrenees stage and Kooij taking a sprint win amid crashes. Chess & Youth: Turkmenistan’s young chess players set a national medal record at a youth championship that also included Kazakhstan. Regional Arts/Travel: Direct flights from Almaty to Tamchy are resuming, boosting travel links for culture and events.

Kazakhstan in Sport: Elena Rybakina’s earnings hit $16.3 million, placing her 10th among the world’s highest-paid tennis players after a big 2026 run that included winning the Australian Open. Comic Con Astana 2026: Netflix’s “One Piece” live-action star Taz Skylar has been named a headline guest for the Aug. 6–9 event, joining previously announced Nikolaj Coster-Waldau and adding K-pop act Kandis to the lineup. Kazakh Music & Culture: OYU Fest returned to Almaty for its fifth anniversary, spotlighting Kazakhstan’s contemporary scene without foreign headliners and expanding to a two-day format. Turkic Heritage Live: East Kazakhstan’s Katon-Karagay will host “Altai – The Golden Cradle of the Turkic World” with a July 11 gala concert, plus aitys and traditional horse racing during the day. Arts & Education via Chess: FIDE is using chess to build skills like leadership and confidence for young learners, showcased through a World Schools Team Championship outreach in Stellenbosch. Travel & Arts: Asman Airlines resumes direct seasonal flights from Almaty to Tamchy (near Issyk-Kul) starting July 10, making it easier for Kazakh travelers to plan cultural trips and excursions.

Tour de France (Kazakhstan ties): Dutch debutant Olav Kooij won Stage 5 in Pau after a late crash split the peloton, finishing ahead of Max Kanter (XDS Astana) and Tim Merlier. Torstein Træen kept the yellow jersey, while the race now turns to a brutal Stage 6 climb at Col du Tourmalet. Local travel & culture: Asman Airlines is resuming direct seasonal flights from Almaty to Tamchy (near Issyk-Kul) from July 10, twice weekly, with packages via Compass. Kazakh music spotlight: OYU Fest returned to Almaty for its fifth anniversary, growing into a major platform for contemporary Kazakh music without foreign headliners. Turkic heritage event: East Kazakhstan will host an international gala concert for Altai – The Golden Cradle of the Turkic World on July 11, featuring aitys and equestrian traditions. Sports (Kazakh presence): Elena Rybakina (Kazakhstan) is among the top names in the National Bank Open Toronto entry list. Arts & entertainment: Sacha Baron Cohen has reportedly wrapped a new Ali G movie, filmed in secret.