BRITISH KAZAKH SOCIETY
BKS / Olzhas Suleimenov Expeditions for Young Kazakhs

On Thursday 22 January 2026 BKS Chairman Rupert Goodman OBE DL in the presence of 120 guests including Her Excellency Sally Axworthy, His Majesty’s Ambassador to the Republic of Kazakhstan; Mr Ruslan Karabulov, Chargé d’Affaires at the Embassy of Kazakhstan in the United Kingdom; and His Excellency Minister Sayasat Nurbek, Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan announced a new initiative –

the BKS / Olzhas Suleimenov Expeditions for Young Kazakhs.

 

For our first expedition we will be recruiting, with the help of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education, 15 Kazakh citizens who are university undergraduates or postgraduates. In future we will extend to school and college leavers, and to young professionals.

 

The aim is:

• to develop the self-confidence and leadership skills of young Kazakhs;

• to contribute to vital scientific research including on climate and the environment in line with the UK–Kazakhstan Strategic Partnership and Cooperation Agreement on energy, ecology, climate change, science, and education, and

• to provide support to remote communities.

 

The first expedition will take place in July–August 2026. Stage 1 will focus on the rapidly changing glaciers of the Tien Shan mountains, which are critical for Kazakhstan’s water and food security. The young Venturers will work alongside Kazakh and international experts to test the operation of Automatic Weather Station sensors, undertake basic data analysis, collect and process meteorological information and help build the evidence base needed for climate adaptation and water-management strategies.​ We are working in association with the Central Asian Regional Glaciological Centre.

 

This will be followed by Stage 2, a challenging 100km mountain trek in the Tien Shan in association with the Kaz Alpine Club.

 

For both stages detailed reconnaissance has been carried out and detailed risk assessments and plans developed.

 

BKS has now established bases in London and Almaty, supported by volunteer staff and a strong network of partners. In Kazakhstan, the Nature First Foundation, a Public Environmental Fund, will be the administrative base for the operations. Professor Chokan Laumulin is Chairman of its Board of Trustees and Vice-Chairman of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe Committee on Sustainable Energy. He is expeditions Chairman in Kazakhstan. We are delighted that Aigazy Kussainov, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of the International Educational Corporation and his team are actively engaged. We are proud and privileged to be supported by renowned environmentalist Olzhas Suleimenov.

 

Our Almaty base is managed by Alexandra (Sasha) Forbes-Cable, a master’s graduate of Edinburgh University and holder of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Gold Award.

 

In the UK, BKS Directors David Hardy (Expeditions Chairman), Nicholas Pomeroy (Venturer selection) and Fergus Robertson (Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards link) along with BKS member and mountaineer Indira Weaver (Operations Co-ordinator and Fundraising), are leading on programme design, selection of Venturers and international outreach. Indira undertook a reconnaissance to the glaciers and has worked with the Kaz Alpine Club in the planning of the Stage 2 mountain trek along with British diplomat Sam Mills based in Astana.

 

Initial funding for the reconnaissance was secured, and more is now being sought to cover the ongoing costs of the bases and the expeditions. Both the London and Almaty bases will be active in expedition organisation and securing further sponsorship.

 

Adventurer and explorer Rosie Stancer has provided, and continues to provide, enthusiastic guidance – BKS supported Rosie in her trek across the desert which was the Aral Sea and the links forged remain strong. John Blashford-Snell, with his extraordinary breadth of experience including his establishment of Operations Drake and Raleigh, is also offering great support, invaluable advice and plenty of encouragement. And we are delighted that His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales sends his best wishes to everyone participating in the British Kazakh Society’s expeditions.

 

We are now seeking financial support from organisations and individuals who share our commitment to youth development and environmental stewardship. Initial funding is required to cover:​

• promotion and fundraising activities in London, Astana and Almaty;

• Venturer selection weekends and associated training in Kazakhstan;

• the purchase of necessary equipment and insurance for Venturers; and

• mechanisms to secure sustainable funding for this and future expeditions.

 

Supporters of the BKS / Olzhas Suleimenov Expeditions will help develop a new generation of Kazakh leaders with the skills, resilience and international outlook needed in a rapidly changing country.

 

If you are interested in being involved in any way do contact Indira in the UK or Sasha in Kazakhstan - indira.weaver1@gmail.com and a.forbescable@gmail.com

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