Top Czech Official Hails Comprehensive Cooperation with Kazakhstan

ASTANA – Kazakhstan and the Czech Republic are keen to expand and diversify bilateral ties. A Czech delegation, led by Vice Minister of Industry and Trade Martin...


People Behind Exhibits Reveal Work That Keeps Museums Alive

ASTANA – There is something satisfying about wandering through the cool and silent museum halls, but behind the scenes there is an equally interesting noise, bustle, and...


Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi to Pay Official Visit to Kazakhstan

ASTANA – Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, will pay an official visit to Kazakhstan on May 11-12, reported Akorda...


Fireworks and Drones Illuminate Astana and Almaty Skies for Victory Day Celebrations

ASTANA – Night skies across Astana and Almaty lit up with a spectacular firework display and drone show, celebrating Victory Day on May 9 in honor of...


Kazakhstan Voices Concern Over India-Pakistan Tension

ASTANA – The Kazakh Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed its profound concern over the escalating tensions between the Republic of India and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan...


Kazakh Comedian Launches First English Stand-Up Special

ASTANA – Shugyla Sagynbekova, a comedian and stand-up producer, has become the first Kazakh woman to record a stand-up comedy special in English. She released the show...


President Tokayev Holds Talks with Serbian, Myanmar, and Venezuelan Leaders

ASTANA — Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev held several bilateral talks on May 8 in Moscow, reported Akorda. During the meeting with President of Serbia Aleksandar Vučić, Tokayev...


News Digest: Foreign Media on Kazakhstan’s Ties with Vietnam, Military Parade and More

ASTANA – The Astana Times has selected articles from global media outlets covering Kazakhstan. This week’s foreign media digest features Kazakhstan’s relations with Vietnam, a military parade...


China, Russia, Italy Remain Kazakhstan’s Top Foreign Trade Partners in 2024

ASTANA – China, Russia, and Italy led Kazakhstan’s foreign trade in 2024, accounting for the largest shares of both exports and imports, the Trade and Integration Ministry’s...


Kazakhstan to Present National Review on Sustainability at UN Forum

ASTANA – In July, Kazakhstan will present its third Voluntary National Review at the high-level political forum on sustainable development at the UN Headquarters in New York,...


Kazakhstan, Hungary Strengthen Inter-Parliamentary Cooperation Within PACE

ASTANA – Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Murat Nurtleu met on May 6 with a delegation from the National Assembly of Hungary, discussing enhancing inter-parliamentary...


Participatory Budgeting as Tool for Improving Quality of Life

In 2024, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Kazakhstan, with financial support from the Ministry of Economy, launched the regional program Sustainable Development: Overcoming Local Disparities...


Air Astana Suspends Flights to India Amid Airspace Closure

ASTANA – Air Astana has suspended its flights between Almaty and the Indian cities of Delhi and Mumbai starting May 8, following the closure of airspace between...


What’s on This Long May Weekend 

ASTANA –  May 9 brings Victory Day celebrations to life in both Astana and Almaty. With a rich historical significance, this day honors the sacrifices made during...


Kazakhstan, Vietnam Set to Strengthen Trade and Economic Ties

ASTANA – Kazakh Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov and General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee Tô Lâm reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral trade...


Vietnamese, Kazakh Leaders Highlight Ties Through Shared Traditions

ASTANA – General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam Tô Lâm participated in the Kazakh tradition of tusaukeser, a symbolic cutting of...


Kazakh Deaf Dance Troupe Wins Big at International Festival in China

ASTANA – The Kazakh Sensitive Theater of deaf dancers claimed three Grand Prix awards at the second International Competition-Festival of Culture and Arts “Lace of Tianjin 2025,”...


Austrian Envoy On Mission to Put Kazakhstan on Austrians’ Mental Map

ASTANA – Ambassador of Austria to Kazakhstan Andrea Bacher embarked on her mission in January. A few months into her tenure, she finds her agenda packed with...


Military Parade in Astana Marks 80th Anniversary of Great Victory

ASTANA — Kazakhstan honored the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II with a large-scale Victory Parade in Astana on May 7, its first since...


Smarter Schools? How AI and Global Trends are Testing Education in Central Asia

ASTANA — Globally, education trends have been evolving rapidly. Rita Almeida, manager of the Education Global Practice for Europe and Central Asia at the World Bank, shared...


Tokayev Honors Veterans, Highlights Kazakhstan’s Role at Victory Parade

ASTANA — Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev congratulated the nation on the 80th anniversary of the Great Victory in WWII during a May 7 military parade. Greeting the...


Kazakhstan–Vietnam Deal Launches Low-Cost Carrier in Central Asia

ASTANA – Kazakhstan and Vietnam took a significant step toward strengthening economic and transportation ties on May 6, as Qazaq Air and Vietnam’s Vietjet announced the creation...


Kazakhstan, Vietnam Adopt Joint Statement on Establishment of Strategic Partnership

ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee Tô Lâm adopted a joint statement on the establishment of a...


Vietnam Names Kazakhstan its First Strategic Partner in Central Asia

ASTANA – Kazakhstan will become Vietnam’s first strategic partner in Central Asia, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee Tô Lâm said at a...


How Social Connections Support Mental Health in Kazakhstan 

A sociological analysis of the state of social connections in Kazakhstan reveals that, while a significant portion of the population still maintains close social ties, there are...


Almaty Airport Secures $362 Million Boost from Private Investors

ASTANA – TAV Holding, a Turkish airport operations firm, will invest an additional $362 million in the new 53,500-square-meter terminal commissioned in June 2024 at Almaty International...


Kazakhstan Launches Door-to-Door Delivery to Belgium

ASTANA – A subsidiary of Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ) national railway company, KTZ Express, has launched a new international delivery service from the first to the last...


Kazakhstan Rises to 44th Place in Global Open Data Inventory Ranking

ASTANA – Kazakhstan has climbed to 44th place out of 198 countries in the Open Data Inventory (ODIN) ranking by Open Data Watch, the Bureau of National...


South Korean Model Inspires Kazakhstan’s New Tech University

ASTANA — Qazaqstan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (QAIST), a new research university, is set to open in Almaty next year, marking a significant milestone. The...


How Kazakhstan Regulates and Sustains Expanding Tourism Sector

ASTANA — Kazakhstan’s growing appeal as a travel destination is supported by a comprehensive framework of policies, programs, and partnerships designed to ensure safe, high-quality and sustainable...