UNJournal Lee Sung Jun | On May 8, 2026, President of Kazakhstan Tokayev signed the Constitutional Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan "On the Special Legal Regime of the City of Alatau." 

The primary objective of the law is to create favorable conditions for the accelerated and sustainable development of Alatau city. This unique legal status represents a fundamentally new approach to forming an independent ecosystem for innovation, investment, and economic growth within the city.

The Constitutional Law also introduces a new model of state administration for Alatau city and establishes fundamental approaches to regulating entrepreneurship, customs affairs, digital assets, gaming activities, the social sphere, the financial market, architecture and urban planning, ecology and environmental protection, culture, sports, and other areas.

The legal status of “Alatau Resident” has been established and will be granted by the City Administration to individuals and legal entities across several categories. These categories will determine the applicable scope of the special regime, as well as the corresponding rights, obligations, and compliance requirements.

The long-term investment and technological development of the city will be ensured on the basis of strategic documents, including the long-term development plan, the master plan, and the development strategy of Alatau City.

To ensure the security, efficient functioning, and development of Alatau City as a “Smart City,” all data related to infrastructure facilities and public safety systems will be integrated into a unified urban digital platform for city space management.

The Constitutional Law also regulates the investment climate and guarantees for investors, fiscal and tax policy, urban design, and land relations.

The development project for the city of Alatau was previously showcased at the "Alatau Rise with Kazakhstan" roadshow held in Seoul (South Korea) in October 2025. The event aimed to present the new Alatau city project to Korean businesses and investors. The delegation was led by the Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Kanat Bozumbayev. The 88,000-hectare smart city project in the Almaty region is designed to become a new industrial and innovation hub. Investors are offered tax preferences and partnership opportunities in the fields of AI and high technology.