Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov chaired a meeting of the Monitoring Center overseeing the implementation of the President’s “Taza Qazaqstan” initiative. The meeting addressed the use of digital technologies in environmental protection and the formation of environmental culture among the population.

The Prime Minister emphasized the importance of enshrining the principles of a high level of environmental culture and a careful attitude toward nature in the draft of the new Constitution.

“I would like to especially emphasize that the promotion of responsible and constructive patriotism, as well as the formation of a high environmental culture, are included among the fundamental principles of the draft of the new Constitution. This will shape a sustainable culture of cleanliness, respect for nature, and personal responsibility of every citizen,” Olzhas Bektenov noted.

According to the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources, throughout the entire period of the President’s “Taza Qazaqstan” initiative, 1,294 events have been held, 844 thousand tons of waste have been collected, 1 million hectares of territory have been cleaned, and 2.9 million trees have been planted. A total of 6.9 million people took part.

Within the framework of the Year of Digitalization and Artificial Intelligence declared by the Head of State Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, special attention was paid to the use of digital technologies in environmental protection. Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources Yerlan Nysanbayev reported on the implementation of the National Environmental Data Bank project. The online platform consolidates indicators from a number of other systems, including emissions monitoring, industrial environmental control, the pollutant release and transfer register, the state waste cadastre, the carbon cadastre, and others.

In the field of waste management, the EcoQolday digital platform is operating. A forest fire early detection system is also being introduced, while the Tasqyn system, integrated with Kazhydromet data, is used to forecast flood situations. Work is underway to automate checkpoints at the most visited specially protected natural areas of Kazakhstan.

In the sphere of natural resources, the interactive map Tabigat.gov.kz has been implemented. First Vice Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development Rostislav Konyashkin reported that in 2025, space monitoring identified 3,828 unauthorized waste accumulation sites and more than 1,000 landfills.

The need for a comprehensive approach using artificial intelligence and available computing capacity was emphasized. The introduction of digital solutions will increase transparency, control, and efficiency in implementing the “Taza Qazaqstan” concept.

The meeting also reviewed the results of efforts to form environmental culture among the population. Minister of Education Zhuldyz Suleimenova reported the start of work on developing a Unified Environmental Education Standard for all levels—from schools to universities—with a focus on the values of “Taza Qazaqstan.” Regional school and extracurricular formats are being developed, including the “Green Clubs” project and the “Zhasyl El” program.

Deputy Minister of Science and Higher Education Gulzat Kobenova reported that environmental clubs and student eco-units have now been established at all universities, and bicycle days are being held. As part of the separate waste collection project, boxes and big bags have been installed at 26 universities, and more than 36 tons of plastic have been sent for recycling.

The role of information support for the “Taza Qazaqstan” presidential initiative was highlighted separately. Vice Minister of Culture and Information Kanat Iskakov reported that more than 1,000 events were held in 2025 with the participation of around 1 million young people. Together with public councils and non-governmental organizations, public oversight is being carried out on issues of territorial cleanliness and the preservation of order at historical and cultural heritage sites.

The Prime Minister drew attention to the failure to meet the planned indicators of the “Taza Qazaqstan” Concept action plan in a number of regions. In particular, in Almaty Region, insufficient work was noted in introducing irrigation systems and water-saving technologies, providing grants, and financing non-governmental organizations. In Ulytau Region, there is no inventory of green spaces, and reverse vending machines have not been installed in places of mass gatherings. In addition, the digitalization of water supply and wastewater systems has not been carried out. In Abai Region, planned indicators for the creation of “green infrastructure” and the conduct of environmental and cultural events have not been achieved. Reports on the work carried out in these areas were heard from the akims of Almaty Region Marat Sultangaziev, Ulytau Region Dastan Ryspekov, and Abai Region Berik Uali.

Following the meeting, the Prime Minister instructed regional akimats to ensure the implementation of all planned measures.

“The implementation of the ‘Taza Qazaqstan’ initiative has already delivered tangible results and clearly demonstrated a high public demand for environmental transformation. Therefore, the task now is to move to the next level—building a systematic and manageable approach based on the use of modern digital tools, regular and objective monitoring, and a clear distribution of responsibility among all participants in the process. Such an approach will ensure the achievement of long-term results,” Olzhas Bektenov emphasized.

Additional instructions were given to ministries to ensure sustainable transmission of environmental data and access to computing capacity, expand the coverage and regularity of space monitoring, and complete the scaling of the forest fire early detection system. The Ministry of Culture and Information was tasked with ensuring continuous information coverage of the “Taza Qazaqstan” concept.

#Olzhas Bektenov #Ecology #President's instruction

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