President Tokayev to Take Part in Expanded Government Meeting on Monday

ASTANA – Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev is expected to chair an expanded government meeting on Dec. 12, reported the Akorda’s press service. The meeting is set to address a...


Best Weekend Getaways: Where to Get Away in the Kazakh Capital

ASTANA  – For those buried in work from Monday to Friday, the word weekend sounds simply magical. Thankfully, Astana offers ample opportunities to indulge in new experiences. If you...


Kazakhstan’s Largest IPO of KazMunayGas National Company Shares Kicks Off

ASTANA – Trading of the KazMunayGas National Company’s shares within the largest initial public offering (IPO) in the history of Kazakhstan kicked off with an opening ceremony in Astana...


Kazakh Deputy Foreign Minister Meets with Austrian Officials, Business People in Vienna

ASTANA – Kazakhstan is one of the leading oil suppliers to Austria, providing for 40 percent of the country’s needs, said Co-Chair of the Kazakh-Austrian Business Council Richard Schenz...


Kazakh Airlines Increase Flights, Carry Nearly Nine Million Passengers in 2022

ASTANA – Kazakh airlines carried nearly nine million passengers in 10 months of 2022, which is 16 percent more than last year, reported the Kazakh Civil Aviation Committee press...


President Tokayev Pledges to Support Small and Medium Businesses at Awards Ceremony in Astana

ASTANA – Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev bestowed special prizes to Altyn Sapa (golden quality) and Paryz (duty) awards winners during a joint ceremony on Dec. 7 in Astana, the...


Astana to Host Benefit Concert Featuring Dimash Kudaibergen and Other Famous Singers

ASTANA – Biz Birgemiz (We Are Together) charity festival to benefit children with special needs with performances by famous Kazakh singers, including Dimash Kudaibergen, will be held at Barys...


Kazakh Permanent Representative to UN Calls for Global Nuclear Disarmament

ASTANA – Permanent Representative of Kazakhstan to the United Nations (UN) Akan Rakhmetullin encouraged states to find mutually acceptable solutions regarding the review of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation...


United States Reaffirms Commitment to Support Democratic Reforms in Kazakhstan

ASTANA – The United States reaffirmed its commitment to support democratic reforms in Kazakhstan during the Enhanced Strategic Partnership Dialogue (ESPD) meeting co-chaired by First Deputy Foreign Minister of...


Microsoft to Offer Best Practices for Transforming Education in Kazakhstan

ASTANA – Microsoft will offer best practices to transform education in Kazakhstan based on its Microsoft Education Transformation Framework, as the Kazakh Ministry of Education and American tech giant...


Eurasian Development Bank Invests $1.2 Billion in Kazakhstan’s Projects This Year

ASTANA – The Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) has invested $1.2 billion in Kazakh projects this year, said Chairman of EDB Management Board Nikolai Podguzov at a Dec. 6 meeting...


Kazakhstan is Lithuania’s Major Trade, Economic Partner in Central Asia, Says Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs

ASTANA – Lithuania considers Kazakhstan a leading trade and economic partner in Central Asia, said Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Gabrielius Landsbergis at a Dec. 7 meeting with Kazakh...


Christmas Charity Bazaar Held By ASA in Astana Raises More Than $80,000

ASTANA – Good news and tidings from the Ambassadors Spouses Association (ASA), the organizers of the 13th Christmas Charity Bazaar, that raised 38.5 million tenge (US$81,500) at the charity...


Kazakhstan to Further Reduce State’s Stake in Economy by 2025

ASTANA – The implementation of a large-scale privatization plan will reduce the share of state participation in the economy down to 14 percent by 2025, said Kazakh Prime Minister...


Investment Aktobe-2022 Forum Attracts Multibillion Investments Into Region’s Economy

ASTANA – Eight memorandums of cooperation were signed to implement projects worth 2.7 trillion tenge (US$5.7 billion) during the Investment Aktobe-2022 forum on Dec. 6, reported the press service...


Kazakhstan’s Progress in Green Energy Production Spotlighted on Euronews

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s progress in its green energy transition plan has garnered wide attention from the international media. Recent report by Euronews’ Focus TV magazine presented an in-depth overview...


Kazakhstan Marks International Volunteer Day, 42 Organizations Receive Volunteer of Year Award

ASTANA – Volunteers from 42 organizations, including volunteers from Uzbekistan, received the Volunteer of the Year award during Dec. 5 ceremony in Astana, marking International Volunteer Day, reported the...


Renewable Energy Facilities Produce 21% More Power This Year

ASTANA – As of October 1 this year, Kazakhstan’s renewable energy sources (RES) facilities generated 2,325 megawatts, 21 percent more than in 2021, Energyprom analytical website reported on Dec....


North Macedonia Intends to Strengthen Economic Cooperation with Kazakhstan, Says Ambassador Limani

ASTANA – Kazakhstan is an important partner for North Macedonia, said Ambassador of North Macedonia to Kazakhstan Sali Limani in a recent interview with The Astana Times.  North Macedonia...


Greece Considers Kazakhstan a Guarantor of Stability in Central Asia, Says Greek Foreign Minister

ASTANA – Greece considers Kazakhstan the largest and most important country in Central Asia and a guarantor of stability in the region, said Greek Foreign Minister Nikolaos Dendias at...


Astana Ballet Premiers “Snow Queen,” Festive Family Treat Ahead of Winter Holidays

ASTANA – The Astana Ballet theatre presented its last premiere for 2022, “The Snow Queen” – a ballet inspired by Hans Christian Andersen’s much-loved fairytale that invited attendees to...


National Bank Raises Base Rate to Nearly 17 Percent

ASTANA – The Kazakh National Bank’s monetary policy committee has decided to raise the base rate to 16.75 percent per annum with a corridor of +/- 1.0 percentage points...


OPEC+ Group Agrees to Keep Oil Output Unchanged

ASTANA – The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and non-OPEC partners, a group of oil exporters called OPEC+, decided to stick to their October plan to reduce output...


Fitch Affirms Kazakhstan ‘BBB’ Rating, Outlook Stable

ASTANA – Fitch Ratings affirmed Kazakhstan’s Long-Term Foreign-Currency Issuer Default Rating (IDR) at ‘BBB’ with a stable outlook on Dec. 2, reported the agency’s press service. “Kazakhstan’s ‘BBB’ IDRs...


Kazakhstan to Allocate Nearly $3 Million to Preserve Tazy and Tobet Hunting Dog Breeds

ASTANA – Kazakhstan will allocate 1.4 billion tenge (US$3 million)  for preservation and reproduction of tazy and tobet hunting dog breeds, said Mazhilis (lower house of the Kazakh Parliament)...


Shertpe Kui Festival of Kazakh Traditional Music Fathoms Heritage of Steppe Rhythms

ASTANA – Kazakh national music kui, traditionally played on dombra or kobyz, captivates fans from all over Kazakhstan. The music has become so popular that it prompted the Kazakh...


Kazakhstan Celebrates 355 Years of Prominent Kazakh Judge and Mediator Kazybek Bi, Honors His Universal Relevance

ASTANA – Kazakhstan celebrates 355 years of arguably one of the greatest Kazakh judges and a master of the word, Kazybek bi (bi – noble judge), who used language...


Saka Warrior’s Grave, Ancient City of Craftsmen – Archeologists Make Sensational Discoveries in Kazakh Regions

ASTANA  – This year saw fascinating archeological discoveries that are expected to highlight the life of ancient civilizations on the territory of Kazakhstan. The Astana Times provides an overview...


Kazakh Editor Partners With American Studio to Produce Videos for Rihanna

ASTANA – Karagandy city native Adilkhan Dusembayev announced his partnership with BRTHR studio, which works with Barbadian pop and rhythm-and-blues (R&B) singer Rihanna, on his Instagram. He published a...


Youth of Central Asia Demonstrate Power in Making Change, Incorporate in Decision-Making Process at Global Gateway Event

ASTANA – The youth of Central Asia cooperated to strengthen regional ties between countries and resolve issues of interethnic importance at the Young Voices of Central Asia conference in...


Swiss Company to Produce Tumor Countering Drugs in Kazakhstan

ASTANA – The Kazakh Healthcare Ministry signed an agreement on Dec. 1 with the Swiss pharmaceutical holding Roche Holding AG to bring the production of innovative drugs that cure...


Kazakh Foreign Minister Takes Part in 29th OSCE Ministerial Council

ASTANA – In today’s complex geopolitical circumstances, countries must build roads and bridges, not walls and trenches, said Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs Mukhtar Tileuberdi at...


Two More Kazakh Cultural Traditions Enter UNESCO’s Intangible Heritage List

ASTANA – The Kazakh ancient performing art Orteke and Kozhanassyr’s oral folklore were added to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization’s (UNESCO) Representative List of the Intangible...


Kazakhstan’s David Charlin to Compete at Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2022 in Armenia

ASTANA – David Charlin, a 12-year-old Almaty resident, will represent Kazakhstan at the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2022 in Yerevan on Dec. 11, reported Khabar TV channel on Nov....


The Astana Times Unveils Editor’s Top Picks for First Week of December

ASTANA – With the arrival of December, one can feel that the holiday season is just around the corner. Snow miraculously glitters in the light of evening lights, children...


Kazakhstan Metropolitan District Presents Bible Books in Kazakh Language

ASTANA – Three books of the Bible’s – “Solomon’s Parables,” “Psalter,” and “Gospel of Matthew”  – all translated to Kazakh, were presented in Almaty on Nov. 30, reported the...


Two Kazakh Films “Baqyt,” “Goliath” Enter 80th Golden Globe Awards Longlist

ASTANA – The Kazakh feature film “Baqyt” (Happiness), directed by Askar Uzabayev, and the noir film “Goliath” by Adilkhan Yerzhanov entered the longlist of the 80th Golden Globe Awards...


Baitak Party Registered in Kazakhstan, Seeks to Promote Environmental Agenda

ASTANA – A new party called Baitak with an environmental focus received registration from the Kazakh Ministry of Justice on Nov. 30, the party’s founder and chair Azamatkhan Amirtay...


Eurasian Development Bank Forecasts Kazakhstan’s GDP Growth at 4.2 Percent, 486 Tenge per Dollar Exchange Rate in 2023

ASTANA – In 2023, Kazakhstan’s gross domestic product (GDP) growth is expected to reach 4.2 percent, inflation rate to decrease to 7.8 percent and an exchange rate in the...


Kazakh President Reaffirms Cooperation with OECD, Wraps Up Visit to France with Bilateral Agreements

ASTANA – The relationship with the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) has always been a priority for Kazakhstan, said President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev at a Nov. 30 meeting...


Kazakhstan Leader in Fight For Gender Equality Among Central Asian States, Says Top Expert

ASTANA – Kazakhstan is a leader in gender equality progress among the Central Asian states, United Nations (UN) Women National Consultant Madina Jarbussynova told The Astana Times. She shared...


President Tokayev Approves Action Plan to Implement His Election Program

ASTANA – Newly re-elected President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signed a decree approving the action plan for the implementation of his election program titled Fair Kazakhstan – For All...


Expert Session in Brussels Focuses on Kazakhstan’s Internal Political Changes Amid Challenging External Circumstances

ASTANA – Kazakh and European political experts gathered on Nov. 28 in Brussels to share their views on the ongoing political changes in Kazakhstan and the country’s efforts to...


Tokayev, Macron Sign Joint Statement, Demonstrate Readiness to Foster Peace and Security at Global and Regional Levels

ASTANA – Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and French President Emmanuel Macron underlined their mutual willingness to contribute to the strengthening of peace, security and stability at the global and...


Trade Turnover Between Kazakhstan and China Grows by 33 Percent, Kazakh PM Reports

ASTANA – The volume of trade turnover between Kazakhstan and China grew by 33 percent over the first 10 months of this year and reached $19.7 billion, said Kazakh...


Seventh Meeting of Astana Club Puts Global Relations into Spotlight

ASTANA – De-globalization and regionalization go hand in hand with the deepening of global relations, said Director of the Institute of World Economics and Politics Yerzhan Saltybayev during the...


Tokayev Discusses Investment and Cooperation Opportunities with French Companies

ASTANA – Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev paid an official visit to Paris on Nov. 29-30, where he met with heads of several French companies to discuss investment and cooperation...


BIE Secretary General Recognizes Kazakhstan’s Role in Expo Process From Candidature to Legacy

ASTANA – As the countries bidding for hosting the Specialized Exhibition 2027/28 anticipate the decision, Dimitri S. Kerkentzes, the Secretary General of the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE), sat...


How Kazakhstan Can Prepare For New Climate Normal

Climate change is coming for Kazakhstan, as it is for many countries in Central Asia. A recent report by the World Bank found the nation’s average temperature could rise...


Kazakhstan’s National Parks Welcome More Than 1.7 Million Tourists in 10 Months This Year

ASTANA – More than 1.7 million tourists have visited 14 national parks in Kazakhstan over the first ten months of this year, said Deputy Minister of Ecology, Geology and...