Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on Aug. 31 signed a decree appointing Yerlan Karin as vice president after nominating him earlier that day; the Kurultai (parliament) approved the nomination. Karin was serving as first deputy head of the presidential administration. Tokayev said the vice president will work closely with lawmakers and the government and perform duties assigned by the head of state under the constitution.

China Council for the Promotion of International Trade said at a press briefing that in the first seven months of the year it approved 976 exhibition projects for 2026 to countries co‑building the Belt and Road, involving 67 organizer groups across 48 countries and planning 599,000 sq m of exhibition space. Of those, 347 projects have been implemented, delivering 126,600 sq m of exhibition space and nearly 9,000 participating companies.

The Strategic Political and Defense Committee set up under the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement between Turkey, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia will hold its inaugural meeting today in Istanbul. Ahead of the meeting, Turkey’s defense minister met Pakistan’s defense minister; Turkey’s chief of general staff attended.