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...


Tileuberdi, Blinken Discuss Bilateral Cooperation, Address Democratic Reforms

ASTANA – Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister – Foreign Minister Mukhtar Tileuberdi had a phone conversation on Nov. 26 with the United States Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken upon...


President Tokayev Pays Official Visit to France, Reiterates Commitment to Strategic Partnership

ASTANA – Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev reiterated the country’s commitment to boost its strategic partnership with France at a Nov. 29 meeting with President of France Emmanuel Macron in...


Air Seychelles to Launch New Route to Almaty This December

ASTANA – The national airline of the Republic of Seychelles, Air Seychelles, is set to launch a new route, Almaty-Seychelles, on Dec. 26, reported the air carrier’s press service...


Deloitte Report: AIFC Attracts Over $7 Billion of Foreign Investment, Shows Positive Financial Results

ASTANA – According to Deloitte’s Astana International Financial Center (AIFC) 2016-2021 report, the AIFC has received nearly $7 billion in international investment so far, with expectations to attract $10...


Kazakhstan Develops Alternative Transport Routes, Network of Cross-Border Hubs, Says Minister of Trade and Integration

ASTANA – Kazakhstan is developing alternative transport routes and a network of cross-border hubs, said Kazakh Minister of Trade and Integration Serik Zhumangarin during the 18th Forum of Interregional...


Nuclear War Has No Winners and It Must Never Be Unleashed, Says Declaration Signed by Tokayev and Putin

ASTANA – There can be no winners in a nuclear war and it must never be unleashed. This is one of the premises in the declaration signed by Kazakh...


Kazakhstan Seeks to Develop Green Hydrogen, Accelerates Energy Transition

ASTANA – Kazakhstan has the opportunity to become one of the top green hydrogen exporting countries, said Kazakh Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Almas Aidarov in a recent interview...


Kazakh President Pays Official Visit to Russia, Participates in Interregional Cooperation Forum

ASTANA –  Kazakhstan aims to develop stable trade and investment relations with Russia, said Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev during the 18th Forum of Interregional Cooperation between Russia and Kazakhstan...


Kazakh Central Election Commission Approves Calendar Plan for Senate Election in January

ASTANA – The Central Election Commission (CEC) approved the calendar plan for the Senate elections scheduled for Jan. 14 during its Nov. 28 meeting. The candidates’ registration begins on...


Gala Ballet Featuring Foreign Dancers to Premiere at Astana Opera

ASTANA – A Gala Ballet of the Zhibek Zholy International Music Festival will premiere in Astana Opera theatre on Nov. 29, presenting several pas de deux from classical ballets...


EU to Invest in Trans-Caspian International Transport Route

ASTANA – The European Union (EU) intends to invest in the development of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR). This was announced by Kazakh Minister of Industry and Infrastructure...


US to Support Regional Stability and Economic Diversification in Kazakhstan, UN Charter Principles, Says US Ambassador

ASTANA – The United States and Kazakhstan are interested in regional stability and peaceful development as nothing is possible without them, said U.S. Ambassador to Kazakhstan Daniel Nathan Rosenblum...


New Garden Tree in Almaty Seeks to Enter Guinness World Records (Video)

ASTANA  – Almaty’s akimat (city administration) and local public figures finished planting a tree garden on Nov. 18, which demonstrates the city’s International Air Transport Association (IATA) airport code...


Togyzkumalak World Championship in Aktobe Shines Light on Ancient Kazakh Board Game Where Intelligence and Tradition at Play

ASTANA – The sixth Togyzkumalak (nine pellets) World Championship started in Aktobe on Nov. 21 showcasing the traditional Kazakh board game also known as the “chess of the steppes”...


Estonian Stunt Performer Becomes First to Slackline Across Kazakhstan’s Bozzhyra Tract (Video)

ASTANA  – A famous Estonian slackliner Jaan Roose became the first athlete to walk along a 500 meters rope stretched 200 meters above the ground between two hills of...