<Governor Saktaganov Nurymbet of East Kazakhstan Region>
Governor Saktaganov Nurymbet of East Kazakhstan Region, Kazakhstan, submitted an application for NEAR associate membership to the NEAR Secretariat through the Embassy of Kazakhstan in Korea on Monday, November 3.
The official approval of East Kazakhstan Region’s associate membership will be determined at the NEAR High-Level Officers Meeting to be held next year in the Republic of Buryatia, Russia, following prior written consent from NEAR member regional governments.
If approved, East Kazakhstan Region will become NEAR’s fourth associate member, following Ho Chi Minh City of Vietnam (2017), Chuy Region of Kyrgyzstan (2024), and Turkestan Region of Kazakhstan (2025). NEAR is currently promoting the “NEAR + 2 (Southeast Asia and Central Asia)” policy to expand its regional network of local and regional governments.
The application of East Kazakhstan Region was made with strong support from Nurgali Arystanov, Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Korea.
East Kazakhstan Region, located in eastern Kazakhstan, has a population of approximately 720,000 and covers an area of 283,967 km². Its administrative center is Oskemen City. The region’s major industries include metal ore mining, production of precious and non-ferrous metals, and food processing. It is regarded as a key center for Kazakhstan’s mining and metallurgy industries.
Governor Saktaganov Nurymbet graduated from Kyzylorda University and the Moscow State University of Economics, Statistics and Informatics. He has served in the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Economy and Budget Planning, and the Presidential Administration. His previous posts include Deputy Governor of Kyzylorda Region (2022–2023) and First Deputy Governor of East Kazakhstan Region (2012–2018, 2023–2025). He was appointed Governor of East Kazakhstan Region in February 2025.