Kazakhstan Sets Priorities for Economic Cooperation Organization Chairmanship

ASTANA – Kazakh Deputy Foreign Minister Alibek Bakayev outlined Kazakhstan’s priorities as chair of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) during the first ECO High-Level Committee meeting on Feb. 3...


Kazakhstan to Provide 100% Mobile Internet Coverage on Roads by 2027

ASTANA — Under the Accessible Internet project, Kazakhstan will provide mobile internet access on all national and regional roads by 2027, Minister of Digital Development, Innovations and Aerospace Industry...


Experts See Strong Growth Potential as Kazakhstan Sends First Kashagan Oil via Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s first shipment of crude oil from the Kashagan field via the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) pipeline signals a growing partnership between Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan, with the potential to...


Almaty Museum of Arts Launches Official Website

ASTANA – Almaty Museum of Arts has launched an official website, offering a digital archive and database to provide researchers and contemporary art lovers access to its collection, the...


Preliminary Report on AZAL Crash Reveals Sonic Boom, Mid-Air Failures

ASTANA — Flight data from the Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) Embraer-190 crash near Aktau last December indicate a sonic boom at 05:13:31, followed by an autopilot and throttle disconnect alarm,...


Italy Includes Mangystau in Travel Tour Catalog

ASTANA – An Italian tour operator has added eco-friendly routes of Kazakhstan’s Mangystau Region to its travel catalog alongside trips to Almaty and the Turkistan Region, Kazakh Tourism National...


Central Asia’s Investment Boom: 40% Surge in Mutual Investments 

ASTANA — Investment ties among Central Asian countries continue to strengthen. By the end of the first half of 2024, intraregional accumulated investments in the region Asia grew by...


UN Expert Spotlights Kazakhstan’s Achievements in Digitalization

ASTANA — Kazakhstan, a frontrunner in digital transformation, is no longer just adopting the world’s best practices—it is emerging as an enabler, said Vincenzo Aquaro, chief of the Digital...


Kazakh President, Turkmen Foreign Minister Enhance Ties, Focus on Regional Cooperation

ASTANA — Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev met with Turkmen Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers and Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov on Feb. 4 to discuss cooperation in energy,...


Kazakhstan’s Population Surpasses 20.2 Million, Grows 1.26% in 2024

ASTANA — The population of Kazakhstan surpassed 20.2 million as of Jan. 1, according to the figures released by the Bureau of National Statistics. The number of citizens grew...


KazAID Hosts Int’l Workshop to Boost Customs Innovation, Risk Management in Central Asia

ASTANA – Young customs professionals from across Central Asia and the Caucasus are strengthening their skills and exploring the latest methods in risk management and efficient trade monitoring at...


Kazakhstan Reaffirms OPEC+ Pledge, Plans to Meet Production Goals in 2025-2026

ASTANA – Kazakhstan reaffirmed its commitment to the OPEC+ agreement during the 58th meeting of the OPEC+ Joint Ministerial Monitoring Committee, which took place via video conference on Feb....


Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic Strengthen Ties With Promising New Ventures

ASTANA – Kazakhstan and the Kyrgyz Republic are deepening their trade and economic ties, with bilateral trade reaching $1.6 billion in January-November 2024. This milestone was discussed during a...


Jibek Joly Tourist Train Brings Festive Journey Along Silk Road This March

ASTANA – The Jibek Joly (Silk Road in Kazakh) train offers a five-day adventure across Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan for the Nauryz holiday on March 20-25, making it the perfect...


Kazakh Expert Highlights Education as Catalyst for Economic Growth

ASTANA – Investment in education could be a powerful catalyst for economic growth, said Dossym Besbay, an entrepreneur in education and medicine and founder of the EPG Human Capital...


Astana International Forum Returns in 2025 After One-Year Break

ASTANA – After a one-year pause, the Astana International Forum is set to return this year. The forum, which was postponed in 2024 due to financial constraints caused by...


Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan Set to Double Trade and Strengthen Ties

ASTANA – Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan are strengthening their ties with a renewed commitment to boosting trade, energy, and regional cooperation. Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Murat Nurtleu...


Digital Almaty 2025 Explores AI Transformations, Business Growth

ASTANA — The 7th International Digital Almaty Forum gathered global tech leaders, officials, and investors for an extensive program exploring artificial intelligence’s (AI) transformative impact on governance and cybersecurity...


IMF Sheds Light on Global AI Trends, Encourages Central Asia to Invest More in AI

ASTANA — According to the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) Gen-AI: Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Work report, AI’s impact on the global economy is profound yet multifaceted, offering...


Kazakh Tazy Joins Global Dog Encyclopedia

ASTANA – The Kazakh Tazy breed has been included for the first time in “Dogs of the World,” a book by Lili Chin featuring more than 600 illustrations of...


Kazakhstan Can Reshape Trade Routes and Resource Security Amid Supply Chain Shift

President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s comments about economic diversification and infrastructure during the recent expanded government meeting present opportunities for increased Western cooperation with Astana and other Central Asian governments. Tokayev...


Dimash Qudaibergen’s “Smoke” Hits American Music Charts

ASTANA – Dimash Qudaibergen’s song “Smoke” climbed the United States (U.S.) music charts, reaching 32nd place on the iTunes Top 100 on Jan. 30, reported Dimashnews.com. The song also...


Kazakhstan’s Tech Hub Matches US, China in Billion-Dollar Startups

ASTANA – Kazakhstan has created a tech ecosystem that is generating $1 billion and even $10 billion startups at a pace comparable to leading global ecosystems in the United...


Kazakhstan Explores Satellite Systems to Enhance Internet Connectivity

ASTANA – Top global experts at the Digital Almaty forum, held from Jan. 31 to Feb. 1, discussed how non-geostationary orbit (NGSO) and Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite communication...


Kazakhstan Introduces National Day for Tazy and Tobet Dog Breeds

ASTANA – The Kazakh Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources issued a resolution to designate Sept. 3 as the Day of Kazakh Dog Breeds – Tazy and Tobet. “Tazy...


Kazakhstan to Launch Flights to Mumbai in April

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s flagship airline Air Astana will launch additional flights to India on the route Almaty – Mumbai from April 20, reported the Ministry of Transport. Flights will...


Qazaqstan Halqyna Fund Provides $354.1 Million in Charitable Aid

ASTANA – The Qazaqstan Halqyna Fund (to the people of Kazakhstan) has provided 186 billion tenge ($354.1 million) in charitable assistance since its establishment three years ago, former chairman...


Kazakhstan to Use $8.7 Million in Recovered Assets to Build First-Aid Station in Aktau

ASTANA – The Kazakh government has allocated 4.6 billion tenge (US$8.7 million) from the Special State Fund to build a regional first-aid station in Aktau city at the expense...


Kazakh Singer Dimash Qudaibergen Announces New Song

ASTANA – Renowned Kazakh singer Dimash Qudaibergen announced the date of his new song “Love’s Not Over Yet,” which will be released on March 7, he said on his...


WB Report Emphasizes Need to Increase Revenues for Sustainable Investment in Kazakhstan

ASTANA – The World Bank’s latest economic update on Kazakhstan, Funding the Future: Boosting Revenues for Lasting Investments, released on Jan. 30, presents a mixed outlook for the country’s...


Investors Turn to Processing Industries as Kazakhstan Moves Beyond Raw Materials

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s foreign direct investment (FDI) is undergoing a major shift, moving from solely raw material extraction to projects focused on domestic processing, said Yernar Serik, an expert...


Kazakh Petroglyphs Reveal Story of Nomadic Culture 

ASTANA – Petroglyph clusters are sacred sites where ancient people worshipped their gods and honored their ancestors, holding profound spiritual significance, according to Olga Gumirova, founder of the Hunters...


Kazakhstan Honors Late Mukhtar Magauin, Legendary Historical Novelist, on His 85th Birthday

ASTANA – On Feb. 2, Kazakhstan marks the 85th birthday of Mukhtar Magauin, a Kazakh historian writer dedicated to revealing the reality of history through the lens of artistic...


Kazakhstan Ships First Kashagan Oil Through Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan Pipeline

ASTANA – Kazakhstan shipped the first crude oil produced at the Kashagan field to Baku to deliver through the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) pipeline on Jan. 27, reported KazMunayGas’s (KMG) press...


Finding Home in Astana: Foreigner’s Journey of Discovery

ASTANA — Astana has become my second home with its futuristic skyline and biting winter winds, offering a unique blend of tradition and innovation.  As a Turk living in...


Kazakh Capital to Host IFLA Congress, Uniting Global Library Leaders

ASTANA – The upcoming IFLA World Library and Information Congress in Astana marks a significant milestone as it will be the first time the event is hosted in Eastern...


Digital Almaty Forum Showcases AI, Regional Tech Collaboration

ASTANA — The Digital Almaty 2025 forum kicked off with a plenary session with officials from the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) countries discussing the future of digital technologies, particularly...


Kazakhstan, Japan Discuss Economic and Strategic Ties During High-Level Talks

ASTANA— President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev met with Special Advisor to Japanese Prime Minister Akihisa Nagashima on Jan. 31 to explore opportunities to deepen trade, investment, and scientific collaboration. The meeting...


February’s First Weekend: Top Events You Can’t Miss

ASTANA – Kick off February with a cultural extravaganza. It is the perfect time to indulge in relaxation and entertainment through various enriching activities. Whether you’re drawn to exciting...


News Digest: Foreign Media on Shale Oil Production in Kazakhstan, EU-Central Asian Ties and More

ASTANA – The Astana Times has selected articles from global media outlets covering Kazakhstan. This week’s foreign media digest highlights shale oil production in Kazakhstan, EU-Central Asian relations and...


Kazakh PM Proposes EAEU Collaboration on AI Development

ASTANA — Kazakh Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov proposed that the EAEU countries collaborate to advance artificial intelligence through the Alem.ai International Center, which will open in Astana this year,...


EAEU Officials Address Economic Integration, Technological Innovation at Almaty Meeting

ASTANA — Kazakhstan’s Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov hosted a meeting of the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council on Jan. 30 in Almaty. Officials from the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) member countries...


Astana Hub Reports Record Growth in 2024, Securing $177 Million in Investments

ASTANA – Astana Hub, the largest tech park in Central Asia, has wrapped up 2024 by showing remarkable growth across all key metrics. Over the past year, tech park...


Kazakhstan’s Water Usage: Challenges, Path to Reform

ASTANA — As global water scarcity becomes a growing concern, Kazakhstan faces mounting challenges in water resource management. Despite its natural reserves, inefficient usage and aging infrastructure highlight the...


President Expresses Condolences After Deadly Plane Crash Near Washington D.C.

ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev was deeply saddened to hear about the numerous victims resulting from the plane crash near Reagan National Airport in Washington D.C., reported Akorda on...


Kazakhstan, EU to Focus on Trade, Digitalization, Visa Facilitation

ASTANA – Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Murat Nurtleu met with the European Union Ambassador to Kazakhstan Aleška Simkić on Jan. 27 to discuss strengthening the strategic...


EU Sanctions Envoy Commends Cooperation with Kazakhstan

ASTANA – European Union (EU) Sanctions Envoy David O’Sullivan commended the work with the Kazakh authorities on preventing circumvention of Western sanctions on Russia and expressed general optimism about...


Kambarata-1 to Become Central Asia’s Large Hydropower Plant

ASTANA – The officials of Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, and Uzbekistan discussed the construction of the Kambarata-1 hydroelectric power plant (HPP) with a capacity of 1,860 megawatts at a...


Kazakh Oil Price Stands at $79.87 per Barrel

ASTANA – The price of Kazakh oil has reached $79.87 per barrel, Kazinform reported on Jan. 30. Meanwhile, Brent crude oil has been declining for five consecutive days. Since...


Kazakhstan Launches Language-Vision AI Model in Pilot Mode

ASTANA – The Institute of Smart Systems and Artificial Intelligence (NU ISSAI) at Nazarbayev University has launched Oylan, a multimodal AI model capable of processing both images and text...