Election Season in Kazakhstan to Сoncentrate on Social Obligations, Say Experts

ASTANA – As the election campaign period continues in Kazakhstan until Nov. 18, its focus is primarily on social obligations, said political expert Daniyar Ashimbayev.  “Apparently, there is a...


Astana Ballet to Perform in Georgia for First Time

ASTANA  – The Astana Ballet will perform on the stage of the Georgian National Opera and Ballet Theater of Tbilisi for the first time on Nov. 14-15, according to...


Fourteen Countries in 50 Days: One Kazakh Man’s Amazing Motorbike Journey Around Europe

ASTANA – One motorbike, one passenger and two warm summer months to discover new places on another corner of the continent. The story of Nurseit Niyazbekov, an assistant professor...


Presidential Candidates Continue Campaigning in Regions

ASTANA – The second week of the election campaign period gain more visibility as the six candidates Karakat Abden, Nurlan Auesbayev, Zhiguli Dairabayev, Meiram Kazhyken, incumbent Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and...


President Tokayev Signs Constitutional Amendments into Law to Expand Human Rights Focus in State Policies

ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signed into law the constitutional amendments to re-establish the Constitutional Court and expand the powers of the country’s Human Rights Commissioner and the human...


Aktau Blogger Spots Pink Flamingos Leaving Kazakhstan (Video)

ASTANA  – Blogger from Aktau Azamat Sarsenbayev, who regularly shares videos of Kazakhstan’s nature, published a video of pink flamingos flying over the lake in the Mangystau Region on...


It Is the Right Time to Screen Comics About Kazakh Legends, Says Marvel Comic Book Artist From Kazakhstan

ASTANA – A screen adaptation of comics about Kazakh legends would be timely and relevant, said Madibek Musabekov, a 30-year-old comic book illustrator from Kazakhstan, in an interview with...


Tokayev Addresses Diplomatic Missions in Astana, Reasserts Commitment to Economic Demonopolization and a Constructive Foreign Policy

ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev spoke about the nation’s reforms, the continued democratization process and the socioeconomic development of the country at a Nov. 4 meeting with the heads...


Kazakh National Bank Releases Manshuk Mametova Collectible Coins

ASTANA – The National Bank of Kazakhstan released a new batch of collectible coins dedicated to World War II hero Manshuk Mametova, reported the National Bank’s press service on...


Kazakhstan and Iran Ink Agreement to Increase Cargo Traffic

ASTANA – Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister – Minister of Trade and Integration Serik Zhumangarin signed a memorandum of cooperation in the field of trade, transport and logistics on Nov....


Kazakhstan and UAE Seek to Build Up Effective Multilateral Partnership

ASTANA – Kazakhstan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) expressed their readiness to strengthen multilateral partnership during the visit of Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister – Minister of Foreign Affairs...


The Astana Times Presents Top Weekend Outings List For Kazakh Capital

ASTANA  – Weekends in the cold capital may seem dull because of the noisy malls and monotonous cafes, where most of the population comes to spend its free time....


Qatar Airways to Increase Flights to Kazakhstan

ASTANA – Qatar Airways is set to increase the number of scheduled passenger flights between Almaty and Doha from four to seven flights per week starting Jan. 3, 2023,...


Climate Action Can Catalyze Kazakhstan’s Economic Diversification. Inaction Will Be Costly

Recent oil and gas price volatility is another reminder of the need for Kazakhstan to reduce its exposure to the boom-bust cycles of fickle global energy markets. As a...


SANTO Plans to Expand Its R&D Hub in Shymkent, Become Leader in Central Asia

ASTANA – The SANTO company, a leader in Kazakhstan’s pharmaceutical market, revealed plans for its research&development (R&D) hub, the company’s scientific laboratory and the plant, which manufactures a diverse...


Kazakhstan Leads Central Asia and South Caucasus Region in UN E-Government Index, Says UN Chief of Digital Government

ASTANA – Kazakhstan ranked first in the Central Asian and South Caucasus region and 28th globally in the United Nations (UN) Global E-Government Development Index (EGDI) and its sub-indices,...


Prosecutor General’s Office Returns $1.35 Billion of Illegally Obtained Assets

ASTANA – The Asset Recovery Commission has returned more than 630 billion tenge (US$1.35 billion) of illegally obtained assets to the state, including US$400 million from overseas, said Kazakh...


Italian Pianist Alessandro Martire to Perform Concert in Astana, Present New Video Filmed in Charyn Canyon (Teaser Video)

ASTANA – Italian pianist and composer Alessandro Martire will stage a concert featuring compositions from his new album “Wind of Gea” as part of the Alem Saz International Music...


Istanbul International Conference Celebrates 150th Anniversary of Kazakh Scholar Akhmet Baitursynov With Book and Photo Exhibitions

ASTANA – Akhmet Baitursynov, a Kazakh academic, statesman, linguist, and poet, is a major figure for all Turkic peoples, said Kazakh Deputy Minister of Science and Higher Education Talgat...


Kazakh National Bank, International Payment Systems Agree to Reduce Domestic Interchange Fees

ASTANA – The National Bank of Kazakhstan and Visa, MasterCard and the UnionPay international payment card systems signed an agreement to reduce the margin values of rates of interbank...


Civic Duty: Young People in Kazakhstan Ready to Cast Vote in November Presidential Elections

ASTANA – Ahead of the presidential elections in Kazakhstan scheduled for Nov. 20, the country’s youth is ready to head to the polls to vote for their new President....


President Tokayev Signs Law on Amnesty For Participants in January Riots

ASTANA – Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signed on Nov. 2 the law providing amnesty to many of the participants of the January riots, reported the Akorda press service. “I...


Astana Ranks First in Global Green Finance Index Among Eastern European and Central Asian States

ASTANA – Astana, represented by the Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC), ranked first in the tenth edition of the Global Green Finance Index (GGFI) among Eastern European and Central...


No Littering in Nature Campaign Ends in Kazakhstan, After Involving Nearly 850,000 People

ASTANA – A nationwide nature clean-up campaign dubbed the No Littering in Nature ended on Oct. 29, involving more than 847,000 people after collecting and sorting more than 30,000...


Kazakhstan and North Macedonia Set on Developing Trusting Political Dialogue

ASTANA – Kazakhstan and North Macedonia confirmed their mutual interest in developing a trusting political dialogue and building up trade, economic, cultural, and humanitarian cooperation, reads the joint statement...


Upcoming Elections to Boost Democratic Governance in Kazakhstan

On June 5, the general public heavily voted in favor of the constitutional amendments aimed at political reforms to transform Kazakhstan into a modern state with the balance of...


Kazakh Prime Minister Calls on SCO Members to Ensure Food Security and Develop Transport Corridors

ASTANA – Kazakh Prime Minister Alikhan Smailov highlighted the significance of combining efforts to ensure food security and develop transport corridors at the 21 meeting of the Heads of...


Nearly 12 Million People in Kazakhstan Eligible to Vote in Presidential Elections

ASTANA – Nearly 12 million people are eligible to cast their votes in the Nov. 20 presidential elections, announced the Central Election Commission (CEC).  “The total number of voters...


French La Tribune Newspaper Publishes Article on Kazakhstan’s Crypto Market Prospects

ASTANA – The La Tribune French weekly financial newspaper, published an opinion article on Oct. 31 where Jean-Louis Guenego, former professor in physics at the University of Paris-Est Marne-la-Vallée...


University of Calgary Among Four Foreign Universities Set to Open Branches in Kazakhstan

ASTANA – The University of Calgary, one of Canada’s top research institutions, plans to open a branch at Shakarim State University in Semei, said Minister of Science and Higher...


Members of Kazakh, German Parliaments Seek to Strengthen Bilateral Ties

ASTANA – Kazakh and German parliaments should strengthen bilateral interaction, said Member of German Bundestag Andreas Larem at an Oct. 31 meeting with deputies of the Mazhilis, a lower...


Kazakh Youth Come Together for Community Climate Solutions Ahead of COP27

ASTANA – The Kazakh students had a chance on Oct. 28 to debate on climate solutions at the Voice of Youth from Glasgow to Sharm El-Sheikh event at the...


Experts Debate Political Transformation Processes in Kazakhstan

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s leading political scientists, public figures and scholars convened on Oct. 31 in Astana to discuss the ongoing political transformation in the country, reforms that aim to...


CEC Accredits 63 More International Observers Ahead of Upcoming Presidential Election

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s Central Election Commission (CEC) accredited another 63 observers from four international organizations and five countries for the presidential elections on Nov. 20, reported the CEC press...


Film About Kazakh Poet Mukagali Mukatayev Wins Top Prize at META Film Fest in Dubai

ASTANA – The “Mukagali” feature film of Kazakh director Bulat Kalymbetov won the top prize at the META Film Fest, which took place on Oct. 27-29 in Dubai, reported...


Otyrar Sazy Kazakh Folklore Orchestra Celebrates Four Decades Performing Timeless Tunes

ASTANA – An impressive lineup of musicians performed at an Oct. 28 concert of the Otyrar Sazy Kazakh Academic Folklore-Ethnographic orchestra that celebrated the four decades of the orchestra’s...


French Capital Hosts Fourth Kazakh Film Festival to Promote Local Cinema

ASTANA – The French Association of Kazakh Cinema hosted the fourth Kazakh film festival in Paris from Oct. 27 to 30 to introduce local cinema to the public, according...


New York Federal Court Holds Mukhtar Ablyazov in Contempt

ASTANA – Following an Oct. 24 hearing, the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York made a final judgment against Mukhtar Ablyazov, finding him in...


Germany to Open Hydrogen Diplomacy Office in Kazakhstan, Says Foreign Minister Baerbock During Her Visit to Astana

ASTANA –  Germany will open the Hydrogen Diplomacy Office in Astana to institutionalize interaction between the governments and experts of Kazakhstan and Germany to create a stable fuel energy...


Kazakh Enterpreneurs to Boost Skills Through TikTok StartUp Academy

ASTANA – Representatives of 218 startups in Kazakhstan will receive training at TikTok StartUp Academy, an educational platform launched by TikTok and Astana Hub, reported the Astana Hub’s press...


Air Astana Pilots Receive Hugh Gordon-Burge Award

ASTANA – The crew of Air Astana Embraer 190 represented by Commander Vyacheslav Aushev and first officers Bauyrzhan Karasholakov and Sergey Sokolov received the Hugh Gordon-Burge Memorial Award for...


Kazakh National Bank to Integrate Its Digital Currency with BNB Blockchain, Says Binance CEO

ASTANA – The National Bank of Kazakhstan intends to integrate its digital currency into Binance’s BNB blockchain, announced Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao on his Twitter on Oct. 26. “Our...


Kazakhstan Contributes to Global Interreligious and Interfaith Dialogue by Hosting World and Traditional Religions Forum

More than a month ago, the seventh Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions was held in Astana. The forum proved that Kazakhstan’s unique experience in strengthening interfaith...


Malaysia’s AirAsia to Operate Flights to Kazakhstan

ASTANA – Representatives of Air Asia Aviation Group confirmed the airline’s plans to launch flights from Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok to Almaty with a frequency of four flights per...


CEC Members Participate in ODIHR Round Table, Visit Regions of Kazakhstan

ASTANA – Secretary of Kazakhstan’s Central Election Commission (CEC) Mukhtar Yerman took part in a roundtable dedicated to best practices to implement election recommendations in Bishkek on Oct. 27...


Kazakhstan Issues Postage Stamp to Commemorate 30th Anniversary of UN Membership

ASTANA  – Kazakhstan’s KazPost postal service released a postage stamp of the Commemorative and Anniversary Dates series on Oct. 26 to mark the 30th anniversary of Kazakhstan’s membership in...


The Story of One Tree: How 130-Year-Old Poplars Keeps Capital’s History Alive Through the Centuries

ASTANA  – The Old Poplar is one of the most valuable relics of Astana, seeing as the tree was planted in the capital’s Central Park 130 years ago.  According...


Workers Discover Rare Archeological Findings Along Trade Routes of Silk Road in Almaty Region (Video)

ASTANA – The World Bank in Kazakhstan released a video titled “Kazakhstan: 40 Kilometers of History” featuring the rare archeological findings discovered during road work. It is reported that...


Storm Clouds in Horizon, Steady Hands at Helm: Importance of Pending Presidential Elections

What has the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) World Economic Report this October, the presidential elections on  Nov. 20, and founder of the start-up Clockster, Yerjan Ryskaliyev setting up office...


Kazakh President Calls for Peaceful Resolution of Armenia-Azerbaijan Border Conflict at CSTO Extraordinary Summit

ASTANA – The conflict can be resolved exclusively in a peaceful way through political and diplomatic means, said President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev during an Oct. 28 extraordinary online meeting of...