On 5 September 2026, in the village of Korgalzhyn, Akmola Region, representatives of the founding states of the IFAS to the Executive Committee participated in the second Flamingo Fest cultural and tourism festival. They explored the culture of the region, the art and craftsmanship of local artisans, and its natural heritage, visited the lakes, and had the opportunity to see one of the region’s most remarkable birds — the pink flamingo. The Korgalzhyn State Nature Reserve is home to the northernmost breeding site of the pink flamingo in the world.
Located in the steppes of Central Kazakhstan, the reserve covers more than 540,000 hectares and is one of Kazakhstan’s largest specially protected natural areas. It is also a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site as part of the “Saryarka – Steppe and Lakes of Northern Kazakhstan” property. In 1976, the Tengiz Lakes within the reserve were included in the Ramsar List of Wetlands of International Importance.
