Kazakhstan to cut costs for hosting World Nomad Games and EXPO 2025 participation

ASTANA. April 16 (Interfax) - Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has announced budget cuts for the World Nomad Games and participation in the World Exhibition in Tokyo in response to recent floods, according to the president's press service.

"The decision to cancel a major international forum was aimed to save funds. We'll also be cutting costs for the upcoming World Nomad Games, although canceling such an event is no longer feasible. Additionally, our country will reduce its budget for participating in the World Expo in Tokyo," the president said.

The president also directed government, central, and local executive bodies to refrain from organizing large events and stressed the importance of learning from these floods.

Tokayev emphasized the importance for all government agencies to draw lessons from the aftermath of the floods.

"We lack an early warning system and experts for such disasters. A decision has been swiftly made to train hydraulic engineers," Tokayev said.

Previously, funds from the canceled Astana International Forum were redirected to address severe flooding in nine regions, the worst in 80 years.

The 5th World Nomad Games are scheduled for September 8-14, 2024, in Astana, while the World Expo 2025 will be held in Osaka, Japan, from May 3 to November 3, 2025.