President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev announced in his address to the people that Almaty region will be divided into two - Zhetysu and Almaty regions.

Their administrative centers will be located in Taldykorgan and Kapchagay.

The president also decided to separate the Ulytau region from the Karaganda region, and the Abay region from the East Kazakhstan region in the Semipalatinsk region.

"In the Semipalatinsk region Abay region will be created, Semey city will become the regional center of the new region," he said.

Ulytau region will be formed in place of the former Zhezkazgan region (now Karaganda region).

"Zhezkazgan will again become a regional center. The creation of an independent region is an important decision not only economically, but also spiritually," Tokayev added.