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Kazakhstan-China Freight Traffic Rises 8% in First 10 Months of 2026

By Ayana Birbayeva in Business on 13 November 2026

ASTANA – Freight traffic between Kazakhstan and China reached 31.8 million tons in the first 10 months of 2026, an 8% increase compared to the same period last year, when 29.4 million tons were transported, reported Kazakhstan’s national railway company Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ). Growth was recorded in both directions. From …

Kazakhstan Considers Unified Strategy for Three Financial Platforms

By Ayana Birbayeva in Business on 13 November 2026

Cultural Weekend: Music, Art and More

By Fatima Kemelova in Editor’s Picks,Tourism on 13 November 2026

Tokayev Calls for Stronger Logistics and Digitalization at Security Council Meeting

By Aida Haidar in Editor’s Picks,Nation on 13 November 2026

News Digest: Foreign Media on Kazakhstan’s Global Partnerships, AI Ambitions and International Recognition

By Dana Omirgazy in Editor’s Picks,International on 13 November 2026

IMF: Uzbekistan’s Next Growth Challenge is Productivity and Regional Integration

By Aida Haidar in Central Asia on 13 November 2026

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Editor's Picks

Tokayev Calls for Stronger Logistics and Digitalization at Security Council Meeting

ASTANA — President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev called for greater efficiency and modernization of Kazakhstan’s transport and logistics sector during an operational...

News Digest: Foreign Media on Kazakhstan’s Global Partnerships, AI Ambitions and International Recognition

BY Dana Omirgazy

ASTANA – The Astana Times has selected articles from global media outlets covering Kazakhstan. This week’s foreign media digest explores...

Cultural Weekend: Music, Art and More

BY Fatima Kemelova

ASTANA – As winter approaches, warm up your weekend with art, music and theater. From multimedia exhibitions and classical concerts...

Tokayev Orders Measures to Curb Corruption in Kazakhstan’s State-Owned Companies

BY Ayana Birbayeva

ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has ordered the government and oversight bodies to submit proposals to reduce corruption in state-owned...

Kazakhstan Plans to Issue Tokenized Government Bonds in First Quarter of 2027

BY Ayana Birbayeva

ASTANA – Kazakhstan plans to issue tokenized government bonds in the first quarter of 2027, National Bank Governor Timur Suleimenov...

Kazakhstan Develops Medical Tourism Packages for International Patients

BY Ayana Birbayeva

ASTANA – Kazakhstan has developed packages combining medical treatment, rehabilitation and wellness services to attract international patients, as part of...

Kazakhstan Tightens Physical Security Requirements for Radioactive Waste

BY Ayana Birbayeva

ASTANA – Enterprises handling radioactive waste in Kazakhstan must protect it against unauthorized access, theft and sabotage under new physical...

Kazakhstan’s Tenge: Currency Surprise of 2026

BY

Kazakhstan’s tenge has emerged as one of the most remarkable currency stories of 2026. According to Bloomberg data, the tenge...

Kazakhstan to Build Settlement for 33,000 Near Balkhash Nuclear Power Plant

BY Dana Omirgazy

ASTANA – Kazakhstan plans to transform the village of Ulken on the shore of Lake Balkhash into a modern settlement...

Central Asia Needs Institutions That Work Between Summits

BY Sobir Kurbanov

The C6 has rebuilt political trust since 2018. Turning more than 200 regional initiatives into results now depends on permanent...

Kazakhstan Signs $1.2 Billion in Energy Agreements at COP31

BY Dana Omirgazy

ASTANA – Kazakhstan has signed agreements worth approximately $1.2 billion to develop renewable energy and modernize gas infrastructure during the...

Foreigners to Obtain IIN in Kazakhstan Within One Working Day Under New Online Pilot

BY Dana Omirgazy

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs is launching a pilot project allowing foreign citizens to apply for individual identification...

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Editor's Picks

Tokayev Calls for Stronger Logistics and Digitalization at Security Council Meeting

ASTANA — President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev called for greater efficiency and modernization of Kazakhstan’s transport and logistics sector during an operational...

News Digest: Foreign Media on Kazakhstan’s Global Partnerships, AI Ambitions and International Recognition

BY Dana Omirgazy

ASTANA – The Astana Times has selected articles from global media outlets covering Kazakhstan. This week’s foreign media digest explores...

Cultural Weekend: Music, Art and More

BY Fatima Kemelova

ASTANA – As winter approaches, warm up your weekend with art, music and theater. From multimedia exhibitions and classical concerts...

Tokayev Orders Measures to Curb Corruption in Kazakhstan’s State-Owned Companies

BY Ayana Birbayeva

ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has ordered the government and oversight bodies to submit proposals to reduce corruption in state-owned...

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Opinions

Kazakhstan’s Tenge: Currency Surprise of 2026

BY

Kazakhstan’s tenge has emerged as one of the most remarkable currency stories of 2026. According to Bloomberg data, the tenge...

Central Asia Needs Institutions That Work Between Summits

BY Sobir Kurbanov

The C6 has rebuilt political trust since 2018. Turning more than 200 regional initiatives into results now depends on permanent...

COP31: Transforming Kazakhstan’s Emissions Trading System Through Digitalization

BY Bakhyt Yessekina

From Nov. 9 to 20, Antalya, Türkiye, is hosting the 31st Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework...

Beyond Midterms: What America’s Political Shift Means for Central Asia

BY Sapargali Shalgimbayev

The results of the Nov. 3 midterm elections in the United States have triggered a wave of political speculation in...

Kazakhstan Turns Its Dual AI Partnerships Into Regional Security Agenda

BY Allen Alekeyev

Kazakhstan is trying to turn its reliance on foreign AI technology into leverage. It works with Washington and Beijing at...

Progress Achieved, Promise Unfulfilled: Eradicating Poverty and Empowering People in Asia and Pacific

BY Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana

Countries across Asia and the Pacific have made remarkable strides over the past three decades in tackling poverty through a...

Kazakhstan and China Build Digital Bridge for Data Economy

BY Lu Yong, Sarsen Zhanabekov

Access to reliable data gives businesses a competitive advantage when they develop AI tools, build digital services or enter new...

Kazakh Ophthalmologist Puts Down Roots in Hong Kong With Award-Winning Eye-Tech Venture

HONG-KONG – Kazakh ophthalmologist Mukhit Kulmaganbetov has spent the past five years building a medical technology career in Hong Kong,...

One Number Could Save Life: Why Kazakhstan Needs Unified Emergency Hotline

BY Aigul Akhmetova

Editor’s note: The Astana Times continues a section featuring articles by our readers. As a platform that values diverse perspectives...

Digital Government Should Not Leave People Behind

BY Alikhan Orazaly

Editor’s note: The Astana Times continues a section featuring articles by our readers. As a platform that values diverse perspectives...

Kabul’s Qosh Tepa Canal and Water Security Challenges for C5

BY Hamzah Rifaat

Domestic political, economic and security dynamics in Afghanistan directly impact countries in close proximity to Kabul. This includes Central Asian...

Why the Age of AI Needs Academic Libraries More Than Ever

Universities are racing to embrace artificial intelligence. But who is helping students decide when its answers deserve to be trusted?...

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Opinions

Kazakhstan’s Tenge: Currency Surprise of 2026

BY

Kazakhstan’s tenge has emerged as one of the most remarkable currency stories of 2026. According to Bloomberg data, the tenge...

Central Asia Needs Institutions That Work Between Summits

BY Sobir Kurbanov

The C6 has rebuilt political trust since 2018. Turning more than 200 regional initiatives into results now depends on permanent...

COP31: Transforming Kazakhstan’s Emissions Trading System Through Digitalization

BY Bakhyt Yessekina

From Nov. 9 to 20, Antalya, Türkiye, is hosting the 31st Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework...

Beyond Midterms: What America’s Political Shift Means for Central Asia

BY Sapargali Shalgimbayev

The results of the Nov. 3 midterm elections in the United States have triggered a wave of political speculation in...

More stories

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