ASTANA – The Astana Times has selected articles from global media outlets covering Kazakhstan. This week’s foreign media digest explores United Airlines’ interest in potential flights to Kazakhstan, Nvidia’s engagement with the country’s artificial intelligence sector, the origins of the apple, plans for large-scale infrastructure investment, and prospects for closer ties between Kazakhstan and the United States.
Photo credit: Talgat Bekmagambetov
United Airlines considers Kazakhstan as a potential future destination
United Airlines is considering Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan as possible additions to its international route network, with the airline’s senior network planning executive visiting both countries this year to assess their potential, reported Simple Flying on Oct. 29.
United CEO Scott Kirby discussed the possibility on the Cheeky Pint podcast, naming both countries as potential destinations “down the road.” He said Patrick Quayle, the airline’s senior vice president of global network planning and alliances, had visited Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan to evaluate opportunities for future routes.
Nvidia CEO praises Kazakhstan’s AI ambitions and local startup
Nvidia co-founder and CEO Jensen Huang praised Kazakhstan’s leadership and artificial intelligence ambitions during a public discussion in Astana on Oct. 23, highlighting the country’s decision to make AI development a national priority, reported The Diplomat on Oct. 30.
Speaking during a fireside chat with Zhaslan Madiyev, Huang described President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev as “incredibly visionary” for prioritizing AI development.
Huang also praised Higgsfield, an AI video-generation startup that became Kazakhstan’s first unicorn in September 2025. Madiyev announced during the event that Nvidia had invested an undisclosed amount in the company. The discussion underscored the growing attention Kazakhstan’s technology sector is receiving from major international industry players.
Kazakhstan’s wild apple forests trace the fruit’s origins to Central Asia
The wild Sievers apple, native to the Tian Shan mountains of southeastern Kazakhstan and neighboring Kyrgyzstan, is the ancestor of modern cultivated apples, reported Euronews on Oct. 28 in an episode of its Modern Nomads series exploring the fruit’s origins.
The report highlighted research into the genetic history of apples, including a study of more than 10,000 cultivated varieties. Gulnara Sitbayeva, a doctor of biological sciences, said 46% of the samples contained genetic material from the Sievers apple, providing evidence of its role in the development of modern varieties.
The story also explored the apple’s cultural significance in Almaty, whose name is traditionally associated with a place rich in apples. The region’s heritage includes the Aport variety, known for its large fruit and distinctive aroma, as well as orchards where growers continue to cultivate both traditional and wild apple trees.
Kazakhstan plans $14 billion in infrastructure spending by 2029
Kazakhstan plans to allocate 6.5 trillion tenge (US$14.3 billion) from its National Fund for infrastructure projects by the end of 2029, while aiming to eliminate its electricity shortage over the same period, reported The Times of Central Asia on Oct. 28.
The plans were outlined by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev in his annual state-of-the-nation address on Oct. 28. He also proposed declaring 2027 a year of large-scale construction and launching a nationwide program covering roads, airports, railway stations and public facilities.
Tokayev said public funding should help attract private investment rather than cover the entire cost of the program. The report also noted questions over the use of the National Fund’s oil revenues, which were accumulated partly to protect the economy from commodity-price fluctuations and preserve resources for future generations.
Trump reaffirms support for Kazakhstan’s sovereignty ahead of G20 summit
U.S. President Donald Trump reaffirmed Washington’s support for Kazakhstan’s independence and territorial integrity and said he looked forward to meeting Tokayev at the Group of Twenty (G20) summit in December, reported The Times of Central Asia on Oct. 28.
Trump made the remarks in a congratulatory message marking Kazakhstan’s Republic Day, published by the presidential office on Oct. 27.
“Our commitment to your country’s independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity remains unshakeable,” he wrote.
The summit is scheduled to take place in Doral, Florida. Preparations for Tokayev’s participation had been discussed by the two countries’ officials earlier this year.
