Kazakh Eco-Activist Makes Conscious Consumption Trendy Again 

ASTANA – Developing environmentally friendly habits and respect for nature should start at an early age, says Kamila Akimbekova, a Kazakh eco-blogger, influencer, and organizer of sustainable events. In...


Francophone Spring Marathon Takes Place in Six Cities of Kazakhstan

ASTANA – Kazakhstan is  hosting the Francophone Spring cultural festival from April 1 to May 31 to promote the French language and Francophone cultures in the country. Events are...


Kazakh Musician Recreates Steppe Soundscape Using Voice, Traditional Instruments

ASTANA — Aizada Kemel, a Kazakh ethno-musician and composer, brings the natural rhythms of the steppe to life through unconventional instruments and vocal techniques that mimic the sounds of...


Bozok Museum Offers Immersive Experience – WiFi Not Included 

ASTANA – The Bozok Museum-Reserve has ambitious plans to become a major cultural and economic hub, enhancing tourism in Kazakhstan’s capital. Located near the Urker and Ilinka residential districts,...


Kazakhstan’s New International Air Routes for 2025

ASTANA – Kazakhstan continues to enhance its global air connectivity with the launch of new international routes this year, which will expand its access to Europe, Asia, and the...


Kazakhstan Expands Aerospace Ambitions with New Export Projects and Scientific Advances

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s aerospace industry is expanding with new spacecraft export projects and advancements in scientific research. On April 10, a group of journalists visited the National Space Center...


Roses Are Red: How Kazakh Flower Industry Shifts From Global Imports to Local Blossoms

ASTANA — The flower industry in Kazakhstan is blooming in terms of imports and domestic production. According to the Bureau of National Statistics, Kazakhstan imported 12,300 tons of cut...


Kazakh Scholar’s Journey: From Surgeon in Semei to Japanese University VP 

ASTANA – When Serik Meirmanov was a young surgeon at the Semei Regional Hospital, involved in treating radiation-related illnesses, he could not have foreseen that his career would one...


AFD in Kazakhstan: Supporting Sustainable, Inclusive Development

ASTANA — The cooperation between France and Kazakhstan is entering a new phase of dynamic development, said Amélie Aubert, a regional director for Central and East Asia at the...


President Tokayev Addresses Global Trade Tensions During Shymkent Visit

ASTANA – During the working visit to Shymkent on April 11, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev addressed the local public, highlighting Kazakhstan’s economic resilience, the importance of unity, and the government’s...


President Tokayev Tours New Airport, Industrial Facilities in Shymkent

ASTANA – Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev paid a working visit to Shymkent on April 11, where he inspected several key infrastructure and investment projects aimed at boosting the region’s...


News Digest: Foreign Media on Kazakhstan’s Ties with EU and UK, Kazakhstan Airports’ Awards and More

ASTANA – The Astana Times has selected articles from global media outlets covering Kazakhstan. This week’s foreign media digest covers Kazakhstan’s relations with the European Union and the United...


CIS Foreign Ministers Gather in Almaty to Deepen Ties and Launch New Initiatives

ASTANA – The Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) Council of Foreign Ministers convened in Almaty on April 11 to discuss the international agenda and the current state and future...


What to Do This Weekend in Astana and Almaty: Top Picks for Culture Lovers

ASTANA – Take a break this weekend and recharge after a busy workweek by immersing yourself in incredible concerts, thrilling sports events, and unique cultural experiences. The Astana Times...


National Bank to Keep Base Rate at 16.5 Percent

ASTANA – The monetary policy committee of the National Bank of Kazakhstan (NBK) has decided on April 11 to keep the base rate at 16.5%, according to the bank’s...


Airports in Astana, Almaty Win Top Honors at 2025 Skytrax World Airport Awards

ASTANA – Skytrax World Airport Awards 2025 recognized Kazakhstan airports in Astana and Almaty as leaders in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) and Central Asia. Almaty International Airport...


SCO Nations Reaffirm Commitment to Open and Fair Global Trade Ahead of Autumn Summit in China

ASTANA – The countries of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) support a non-discriminatory multilateral trading system, according to the organization’s statement published on April 10. “The member states of...


Central Asian Postal Summit in Astana Explores Fast-Growing Online Trade

ASTANA – As volumes of electronic commerce are growing at a rapid pace in Central Asia, postal operators, marketplaces, and logistics companies are racing to adapt. The Central Asian...


Kazakhstan Completes Selection Process for Technology Providers for First Nuclear Power Plant

ASTANA – Kazakhstan has completed the competitive dialogue process with potential technology suppliers for the construction of its first nuclear power plant (NPP). According to the Atomic Energy Agency,...


Kazakhstan’s Water Sector Gains Momentum at Coordination Council Meeting 

ASTANA — The second meeting of the coordination council for the development of Kazakhstan’s water sector on April 10 highlighted key advancements in sustainable water management.  The meeting, chaired...


Kazakhstan Prepares for Oil Price Decline with Three Scenarios Amid US Tariff Pause

ASTANA – The Kazakh government has three scenarios – optimistic, baseline, and pessimistic – in case of a further decline in oil prices, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of...


Kazakhstan Sends Second Peacekeeping Contingent to Golan Heights

ASTANA – Kazakhstan dispatched its second national peacekeeping contingent to the Golan Heights under the UN Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) mission on April 10, reported the Defense Ministry’s press...


Kazakhstan to Launch 19 New Air Routes to Europe, Asia, and Middle East

ASTANA – Kazakhstan plans to launch 19 new air routes to Europe, Asia and the Middle East this year, Minister of Transport Marat Karabayev said at an April 10...


Kazakhstan, Germany Reaffirm Support for Ethnic Germans and Strengthen Cultural Ties

ASTANA – Kazakh Deputy Foreign Minister Roman Vassilenko reaffirmed Kazakhstan’s support for ethnic Germans at the 21st meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission (IGC) on Ethnic Germans in Kazakhstan on...


Kazakhstan Introduces Concept of Water Security into Legislation

ASTANA – For the first time, the concept of water security has been introduced into Kazakhstan’s legislation, as per the first block of amendments to the Water Code, signed...


President Tokayev Sets Priorities for Kazakhstan’s Scientific Community

ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev outlined key tasks for Kazakhstan’s scientific development during a meeting with domestic scientists on April 10, ahead of Science Workers Day. At the event,...


Tokayev Directs Government to Finalize Action Plan Amid Tariff Conflicts

ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev held a meeting on April 9 with Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov, National Bank Governor Timur Suleimenov, and other officials on the economic situation regarding...


Kazakhstan and Central Asia’s Future Is in Hands and Minds of Artists, Says Award Winning Architect Asif Khan 

ASTANA – The conversation with architect and multi-disciplinary artist Asif Khan and his wife, Kazakh architect Zaure Aitayeva, took place under the white pavilions of the Islamic Arts Biennale...


Eastar Jet Launches Direct Flights Between Almaty and Incheon

ASTANA – South Korean airline Eastar Jet launched a new direct route between Incheon and Almaty on April 7, according to the Kazakh Tourism national company. The flights operate...


“Lilo & Stitch” to Be Released in Kazakh

ASTANA – The animated film “Lilo & Stitch” will be released in Kazakh starting in May. The Walt Disney Company will present a new part of the film in...


Kazakhstan’s National Bank to Start Sale of Collectible Football Coins on April 11

ASTANA – The National Bank of Kazakhstan (NBK) has announced that starting April 11, collectible coins from the Football Clubs of Kazakhstan and Kazakhstan Football Federation collections, part of...


ADB Projects Kazakhstan’s Economic Growth to Remain Steady in 2025

ASTANA — Kazakhstan’s gross domestic product (GDP) is projected to grow at 4.9% in 2025, followed by a slight moderation to 4.1% in 2026, according to a new Asian...


Kazakhstan, EU Move Closer to Signing Visa Facilitation Agreement

ASTANA – The European Union (EU) member states have approved the mandate for the European Commission to negotiate an agreement on the facilitation of visa requirements with Kazakhstan. The...


New York Photographer Wins International Award for Capturing Falconry in Kazakhstan

ASTANA – Karolina Wojtasik, a photographer from the United States, visited Kazakhstan in February for the first time and documented the ancient art of kusbegilik (the art of hunting...


Kazakhstan Advances Green Energy Cooperation

ASTANA – Kazakhstan reaffirmed its commitment to deepening regional and international energy cooperation, developing diversified and environmentally friendly energy supply routes, including green energy initiatives, at the third Green...


Kazakhstan Strengthens Healthcare Ties with Turkic States and WHO

ASTANA – Kazakh Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov held a meeting on April 8 with the Ministers of Health from the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) and Hans Kluge, World...


Netherlands, Kazakhstan Share Strong Foundation for Agricultural Cooperation

ASTANA – More than 40 Netherlands companies took part in the Grow Expo and Flora exhibition in the Kazakh capital on April 8-10 displaying the advanced horticultural solutions. The...


What Stands Behind Kazakhstan’s Open Banking Initiative

ASTANA – Kazakhstan is pushing forward a major rollout of digital payment reforms, including an open banking initiative. In an interview with The Astana Times YouTube channel, Binur Zhalenov,...


Kazakhstan, Israel Discuss Strengthening Bilateral Ties, Trade, and Water Cooperation

ASTANA – Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev met with Speaker of Knesset of State of Israel Amir Ohana on April 8 to discuss economic cooperation, investment opportunities and joint projects....


Falling Oil Prices, Trump Tariffs Drive Tenge Volatility 

ASTANA – Declining oil prices and the U.S. administration’s tariff decisions are key factors behind the recent drop in the tenge exchange rate, according to experts. After U.S. President...


Kazakhstan Emerges as Bavaria’s Top Trading Partner in CIS and Central Asia

ASTANA – Today, Kazakhstan emerges as Bavaria’s first trading partner by volume in Central Asia, Bavarian Minister of Economic Affairs, Regional Development, and Energy Hubert Aiwanger said at the...


Kazakhstan Intensifies Cooperation with Sierra Leone

ASTANA – Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Murat Nurtleu highlighted promising fruitful collaboration in trade, transport and logistics, healthcare, agriculture, and other key sectors during a meeting...


Kazakhstan’s Emergency Medicine Center to Unite Turkic States

ASTANA – Health ministers of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) signed a memorandum on April 7, transforming Kazakhstan’s National Coordination Center for Emergency Medicine into a single platform...


Katon-Karagai Could Become Central Asia’s First Fully Green Region

ASTANA – The Katon-Karagai region can become the first fully green region in Central Asia, announced Rae Kwon Chung, the professor, Nobel Peace Prize winner in 2007, and member...


Kazakhstan Boosts Tourism with New Infrastructure and Digital Solutions

ASTANA – Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov chaired a government meeting on April 8 to review Kazakhstan’s fast-growing tourism industry, which is evolving in agri-, eco-, business, shopping, and event...


Kazakhstan Presents Reforms at 150th Assembly of Inter-Parliamentary Union

ASTANA – Yerlan Koshanov, the chairman of the Mazhilis, a lower house of the Kazakh Parliament, presented the progress of political and economic reforms of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev at...


Kazakhstan Eyes Strategic Gains Despite Harsh US Tariff Measures

ASTANA — Last week, the world was shaken by an announcement made in the White House Rose Garden by the United States President Donald Trump. Declaring it “America’s Liberation...


Jennifer Lopez to Perform in Kazakhstan This August 

ASTANA – Global superstar Jennifer Lopez will perform on Aug. 1 at the Astana Arena as part of her Up All Night tour, as was announced on her Instagram...


New Exhibition Brings Mystic and Spiritual Experiences to Kazakh Capital 

ASTANA – The Kazakh capital showcased “The Shaman’s Son” exhibition at Kulanshi Art Space, offering visitors an immersive experience where ancient ritualistic energy blends with contemporary interpretations of mysticism...


Kazakhstan to Hold Grand Parade to Mark 80th Anniversary of WW II Victory

ASTANA — May 9 will mark the 80th anniversary of the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany in World War II. Astana will host a military parade on May...