Astana Process Participants Speak About Territorial Integrity, Humanitarian Assistance for Syria at 18th Round of Talks in Kazakhstan

NUR-SULTAN – The representatives of Iran, Russia and Turkey who serve as guarantors of the Astana Process on Syria expressed their commitment to the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial...


President Tokayev Focuses on Reform Agenda in Kazakhstan, Investigation into January Events and Effects of Sanctions in TV Interview

NUR-SULTAN – Kazakhstan is in the midst of a major political transformation, having held a referendum on reform of the Constitution, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said during the June 15...


President Tokayev Arrives in Ulytau Region to Take Part in First National Kuryltai

NUR-SULTAN – Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev arrived in the Ulytau Region in the morning to take part in the first National Kuryltai (National Congress) later in the day, reports...


Pope Francis Hopes to Meet with Patriarch Kirill at Interreligious Congress in Kazakhstan in September

NUR-SULTAN – Pope Francis expressed hope to meet with Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill at the seventh Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions scheduled for Sept. 14-15 in...


EU Ambassador Says Bloc’s Member States Support Kazakhstan’s Political and Economic Reforms

NUR-SULTAN – The European Union welcomes the political reforms initiated by Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev in his state-to-the-nation address in mid-March, and confirmed by the referendum in June, in...


Kazakhstan’s Trade and Integration Minister Focuses on Pandemic Response, Trade and Food Security at WTO Ministerial Conference in Geneva

NUR-SULTAN – Kazakhstan’s Deputy Prime Minister – Minister of Trade and Integration Bakhyt Sultanov participated in the World Trade Organization (WTO) 12th Ministerial Conference that is taking place at...


President Tokayev Takes Part in Credentials Ceremony, Notes Role of Diplomatic Relations Between Countries

NUR-SULTAN – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev expressed full support and assistance of his administration and the Kazakh government to the newly appointed foreign ambassadors during the June 15 ceremony of...


Kazakh Prime Minister Discusses AIFC Court’s Unique Contribution to Favorable Investment Climate with Court’s Chief Justice

NUR-SULTAN – The Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC) Court and the International Arbitration Centre (IAC) play an important role in strengthening investor confidence and ensuring impartiality in resolving disputes....


Kazakh Economy Grows 4.6 Percent in Five Months

NUR-SULTAN – Kazakhstan’s economy has witnessed a 4.6 percent growth between January and May, said Minister of National Economy Alibek Kuantyrov at a government meeting on June 14 summing...


Astana Ballet Theater to Present “The Silk Road” Ballet This Weekend

NUR-SULTAN – The Astana Ballet Theater will stage “The Silk Road” ballet choreographed by Honored Worker of Kazakhstan Mukaram Avakhri on June 18-19, reported the theater’s press service.  According...


AIFC Academy of Law Promotes Academic Experience and Practical Education Among Legal Professionals

NUR-SULTAN – Progressive institutional changes require highly qualified professionals who can deliver positive outcomes based on their well-informed and enlightened perspectives, and on their knowledge of international best practices,...


Kazakhstan’s Qazaqstan Halqyna Fund to Organize National Charity Conference in September

NUR-SULTAN – Kazakhstan’s Qazaqstan Halqyna Fund will organize the National Charity Conference in September, the fund’s chair Bolat Zhamishev told President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev during their meeting on Monday. Zhamishev...


Regional Appointments Made in Kazakhstan After Referendum to Strengthen Local Self Governance

NUR-SULTAN – Over the weekend, Kazakhstan has seen several new appointments of regional (governors) and city akims (mayors) that now follow the new rules designed to strengthen local self-government...


More Kazakh People Traveling Overseas in First Half of 2022 As Restrictions Ease

NUR-SULTAN – Kazakhstan observes an increase in the number of people traveling overseas by nearly 60 percent in the first half of 2022 compared to last year, according to...


Kazakh Capital Hosts Exhibition Dedicated to Fantastic Realism

NUR-SULTAN – “Step Forward” exhibition of fine art opened at The Torium Restaurants and Cocktails on June 9 in Nur-Sultan.  The exhibition features the works created by Florian Messner,...


Unveiling the Life of Nomadic Kazakhs: Capital Nomad Fest Features Fighting Techniques, Traditional Weapons

NUR-SULTAN – The first Nomad Fest with the participation of a historical reconstructor, which is one of the rarest professions in Kazakhstan, gathered recently an inner circle of approximately...


Stunning Video Features Mass River Crossing by Small Antelopes, Saigas, in Western Kazakhstan

NUR-SULTAN  – The video, where numerous saigas, small antelopes with distinctive short trunks, cross the river in Western Kazakhstan, went viral on social media, reported Kazinform agency.  The animal...


French Cyclists Travel Through Kazakhstan to Promote Disability Inclusion

NUR-SULTAN  – A couple of French travelers Émilie and Davy Sanchis came to Aktau recently as a part of their world cycling tour, which aims to promote the inclusion...


Foreign Investors’ Council Meeting Focuses On Carbon Neutrality Efforts and Improvement of Investment Сlimate

NUR-SULTAN – Kazakhstan will continue fulfilling its plans to reduce its carbon use and undertake more efforts to improve the investment climate, said President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev as he chaired...


France’s Alstom to Invest More Than 50 Million Euros in New Projects in Regions of Kazakhstan

NUR-SULTAN – The French company Alstom announced plans to invest more than 50 million euros (US$53 million) in locomotive repair centers in Rudny, Ekibastuz and Arys towns, reported June...


QS World University Rankings 2023 Feature 16 Kazakh Universities, Al-Farabi University Enters Top 150

NUR-SULTAN – Sixteen Kazakh universities have entered the QS World University Rankings 2023 featuring more than 1,400 universities from around the world, reported the press service of the Ministry...


Russian Cosmonaut Shares Unique Video of Shrinking Aral Sea as Seen From Outer Space (Video)

NUR-SULTAN – Russian cosmonaut Oleg Artemyev posted a video of the Aral Sea on his Telegram channel showing the surface of the Aral Sea.  “Flying over the Aral Sea…...


National Kuryltai to Convene Next Week in Ulytau, Encourage Broad Public Discussions

NUR-SULTAN – The newly formed Ulytau Region will host the Ulltyk Kuryltai (National Congress) meeting next week on June 16, Kazakhstan’s State Secretary Erlan Karin announced on his Telegram...


UN Deputy Secretary-General Visits Kazakhstan, Discusses Multilateralism, SDG Agenda with President Tokayev and Top Officials

NUR-SULTAN – Kazakhstan is firmly committed to further strengthening cooperation with the United Nations and its agenda to address global issues, said President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev at the June 9...


Kazakh Capital to Host Foreign Investors’ Council Meeting Today

NUR-SULTAN – As the Kazakh capital prepares to host today the 34th meeting of the Foreign Investors Council under the President of Kazakhstan, top management of multinational companies are...


Nazarbayev University Experts Discuss Evolution of Political Narratives in Aftermath of January Events

NUR-SULTAN – The Nazarbayev University Graduate School of Public Policy (NU GSPP) hosted a panel discussion on Political Instability in Central Asia on June 7 unpacking how the society...


Citi Sees Opportunities For Growth and Investment in Kazakhstan

NUR-SULTAN – The Astana Times spoke with David Livingstone, Citi’s Chief Executive Officer in EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa), about the company’s activities and priority areas for investing...


Kazakhstan Institute for Strategic Studies Convenes Local Experts to Talk Referendum Results

NUR-SULTAN – The Kazakhstan Institute for Strategic Studies (KazISS) invited experts on  Monday for its Gylym, Pikir, Sayasat (science, opinion, politics) platform to sum up the results of the...


Central Asian Countries, China Committed to Protecting Regional Peace and Stability

NUR-SULTAN – Central Asian and Chinese foreign ministers gathered on June 8 in Nur-Sultan for their third meeting in Central Asia – China format reaffirming their ongoing commitment to...


Chinese Foreign Minister Visits Kazakhstan, Commends President Tokayev’s Reforms

NUR-SULTAN – Kazakhstan and China celebrated their commitment to productive bilateral relations, which mark their 30th anniversary this year, said Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi during...


All COVID-19 Travel Restrictions Removed in Kazakhstan

NUR-SULTAN – Proof of vaccination status and COVID-19 PCR tests for the Kazakh and foreign citizens for entering Kazakhstan are not required since June 8, reported the Prime Minister’s...


Young People Should Be Drivers of Change, Says Nazarbayev University President Shigeo Katsu

NUR-SULTAN – Just ten years ago, the idea of having a world-class university in the middle of the steppes would seem close to impossible, but it is now becoming...


EU Statement on Kazakhstan’s Referendum “Welcomes Political Reforms Initiated by President Tokayev”

NUR-SULTAN – The European Union (EU) takes note of the final result of the referendum in Kazakhstan where people voted in favor of constitutional amendments, reported on June 7...


Central Referendum Commission’s Final Count: 77.18% of People Voted in Support of Amendments to Constitution

NUR-SULTAN – Some 77.18 percent of people (6.1 million of people) voted in favor of the constitutional Amendments during the referendum on June 5, reported Central Referendum Commission (CRC)...


President Tokayev Meets With Minister of Foreign Affairs of Saudi Arabia as Part of His Visit to Kazakhstan

NUR-SULTAN – Kazakhstan and Saudi Arabia seek to strengthen economic and investment cooperation. This was announced during the meeting between Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Minister of Foreign Affairs...


A Very Special Referendum: Reducing the Level of Personal Powers

So, the amendments to the Constitution of Kazakhstan have been adopted. Not by the will of the President, not by the decision of some “very important” officials or even...


Outcome of Referendum Reinforces Kazakhstan’s Position Both in Region and in the World, Says SCO Secretary-General

NUR-SULTAN – The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) mission recognizes the referendum in Kazakhstan as open, transparent, and democratic, said SCO Secretary-General Zhang Ming at a press briefing on June...


President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s Address to the People: “Today a New Era Has Begun In The History of Independent Kazakhstan”

Yesterday a significant historical event took place in our country. Our country has entered a new stage of development. The overwhelming majority of citizens supported the proposed amendments to...


Out-of-Country Voting in Kazakhstan’s Referendum Shows 73 Percent Voter Turnout

NUR-SULTAN – Voting abroad in the national referendum on constitutional amendments at 65 polling stations in 52 countries has finished with a 72.95 percent voter turnout, reported the press...


International Observers Recognize Outcome of Constitutional Referendum

NUR-SULTAN – On the day following Kazakhstan’s national referendum on the proposed Constitutional amendments, international observation mission heads and delegates shared their views on the voting procedure and citizen...


Kazakhstan Votes by Substantial Margin of 77.18 Percent in Favor of Constitutional Amendments

NUR-SULTAN – By a margin of 77.18 percent of votes in favor and 18.66 percent against, and with a turnout of 68.06 percent, Kazakhstan has voted to accept the...


Exit Poll Results Show Overwhelming Support for Constitutional Amendments in Kazakhstan

NUR-SULTAN – Some 76.7 percent of people voted in favor of the amendments to Kazakhstan’s Constitution, according to the exit poll results announced at midnight on June 6 by...


Voting at Kazakhstan’s Constitutional Referendum is Over With 68.44 Percent Turnout

NUR-SULTAN – Voting at the national referendum on constitutional amendments has finished with 68.44 percent voter turnout as polling stations close across Kazakhstan by 10 p.m. reported the Central...


New Kazakhstan Will Depend on Collaboration Between Government and Civil Society, Says Human Rights Commissioner

NUR-SULTAN – Regardless of its outcome, the national referendum will not bring change in one day. The country’s fate and future will depend on the collaborative effort between the...


Referendum Through Popular Vote is Bold Move for President, Says Kazakhstan Institute for Strategic Studies Director 

NUR-SULTAN – Holding the referendum through a popular vote was a bold move for President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, said the director of the Kazakhstan Institute for Strategic Studies Yerkin Tukumov....


Kazakh President Says ‘There Will Be No Recurrence of Tragic January’

NUR-SULTAN – There will be no recurrence of the tragedy, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev told reporters about the investigation into the January events after he cast his vote in the...


Kazakh Citizens Participate in Referendum in 53 Countries

NUR-SULTAN – The Kazakh citizens cast their votes in the national referendum on constitutional amendments in Kazakhstan and abroad on June 5.  Foreign embassies and consulates of Kazakhstan opened...


Kazakh Citizens Decide on Political Reforms as They Head to Polls for June 5 Constitutional Referendum

NUR-SULTAN – Polling station number 86 in Nur-Sultan gathers hundreds of people today living in the relevant districts as they come to contribute to the country’s future by voting...


Kazakhstan’s National Referendum Declared Valid: At Half Mark, Turnout Reaches 53.43 Percent

NUR-SULTAN –- More than six million people turned out on Sunday, June 5 by 2 p.m. of local time to vote in for the national referendum on constitutional amendments,...


International Observers Note High Voter Turnout as Vote on Constitutional Amendments Continues

NUR-SULTAN – International observers note a high turnout at the polling stations across Kazakhstan. Vice President of the International Turkic Academy Fuzuli Majidli says the turnout at the polling...