Astana hosted the Run for Autism charity race, bringing together around 5,000 participants from 26 cities across Kazakhstan.

Organised by the Bolashak Corporate Foundation, the event aimed to raise awareness about autism spectrum disorders and support inclusive education initiatives.

Participants of different ages and backgrounds joined the race, which organisers described as a platform to promote understanding and equal opportunities for people with developmental disabilities.

Funds raised during the event will help finance new inclusion support centres and educational facilities for children with autism.

Since 2015, the foundation says it has opened dozens of inclusion support rooms in schools across Kazakhstan as part of its broader education programme.