Mastering Saddle: Art and Sport of Horseback Wrestling

ASTANA—Horseback wrestling, known as Audaryspak in Kazakh, is a time-honored equestrian competition that challenges the strength and stability of horseback riders. Rooted in the training practices of nomadic warriors,...


Kazakhstan Marks 190 Years of Birzhan-sal, Aitys Artist Who Defied Patriarchy

ASTANA – Kazakhstan celebrates 190 years of Birzhan-sal Kozhagululy, a prominent poet and aitys artist, which refers to the Kazakh literary tradition of impromptu. He emerged as a leading...


From Africa to Kazakhstan: World Nomad Games to Include Ovari Game

ASTANA—The fifth World Nomad Games in Astana will showcase not only sporting events but also intellectual disciplines. This year’s program includes exotic sports such as mas-wrestling, the national sport...


Kazakh Scientists Develop Database of Ancient Dog Breeds

ASTANA—The ethno-zooarchaeological study on the role of the wolf and the dog in Kazakhstan’s ancient and modern culture, conducted by Al-Farabi Kazakh National University (KazNU) scientists, resulted in the...


Forbes Travel Guide Lists Four Reasons to Visit Astana

ASTANA – Forbes Travel Guide, the United States-based global rating system for luxury hotels, restaurants, spas, and ocean cruises, published an article on Aug. 5 highlighting four great reasons...


Kazakh President Visits Production Facilities in Akmola Region

ASTANA – President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev paid a working visit to the Akmola Region on Aug. 16, touring production facilities in Koshy town and Rodina village. In Rodina...


Italy Leads in Kazakhstan’s Exports in January-June

ASTANA – In January-June, Italy took the lead in the structure of Kazakhstan’s exports. Kazakhstan exported goods worth $9 billion to Italy, accounting for 23.6% of total exports. Kazinform...


Air Astana Plans to Launch Almaty – Phu Quoc Flights in October

ASTANA — Kazakh national air carrier Air Astana will open a new Almaty—Phu Quoc (popular tourist destination in Vietnam)  route on Oct. 28. Direct flights to Phu Quoc will...


News Digest: Foreign Media on Сonsultative Meeting of Central Asia’s Presidents in Astana, Moon Base and More

ASTANA – The Astana Times has picked a selection of  articles on Kazakhstan featured in international media across the world this week. Today’s foreign media digest includes topics such...


Chinese Company to Implement Mining, Metallurgy Project in Kazakhstan

ASTANA — Kazakh officials and the chair of China’s large multinational mining corporation considered prospects for implementing the company’s investment project to develop gold, copper and polymetallic deposits in...


Association of Almaty Museums Wins TURKSOY Award

ASTANA – The International Turkic Culture Organization (TURKSOY) honored the Association of Almaty Museums with the Best Museum of the Turkic World award. The association was recognized as the...


ACWA Power Kazakhstan Becomes 3,000th Firm Registered at AIFC

ASTANA – The Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC) has registered its 3,000th company – ACWA Power Kazakhstan. Saudi-listed ACWA Power is the world’s largest private water desalination company, a...


Astana to Host Conference on Digital Inclusion and Transformation This September

ASTANA — The Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on Digital Inclusion and Transformation, organized by the Kazakh Ministry of Digital Development, Innovations, and Aerospace Industry and the UN Economic and Social...


Kazakhstan to Boost Food Security by 2035, Say Experts

ASTANA—The Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) has released an analytical report on food security and the agro-industrial potential of the Eurasian region. The report forecasts that Kazakhstan will be the...


Polish Scholar Shares His Journey of Learning Kazakh Language, Embraces Turkic Culture 

ASTANA – Jakub Jakusik, a Polish lecturer specializing in Kazakh language at Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, has a deep passion for Turkish and Central Asian culture. Beyond teaching,...


Weekend Adventures in Astana and Almaty You Don’t Want to Miss

ASTANA — This weekend, both Astana and Almaty will host a variety of dynamic events. From captivating art exhibitions and sports tournaments to enchanting operas and charitable activities, these...


Kazakh Government Projects 5.6% Economic Growth and Reduced Inflation for Next Year

ASTANA — The government of Kazakhstan anticipates economic growth at 5.6% next year and a decrease in inflation to 5.5-7.5%. This was revealed during an Aug. 15 meeting chaired...


Kazakhstan’s Asset Recovery Efforts Yield $2.2 Billion from Corruption Cases

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s Anti-Corruption Agency has returned assets worth 1.09 trillion tenge (US$2.2 billion) over the past 2.5 years, including assets from oligopolies, the agency’s press service reported on...


Euronews Central Asian Hub to Open in Astana

ASTANA – Kazakh Minister of Culture and Information Aida Balayeva and Pedro Vargas David, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Euronews, signed a historic agreement to open a...


Kazakh PM Calls for Maximizing Oil and Gas Revenue in Kazakhstan

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s oil and gas industry should primarily benefit all Kazakh citizens by ensuring that as much revenue as possible stays within the country, contributing to national business...


Kazakhstan Plans to Boost Exports to Thailand Worth Over $900 Million

ASTANA – Kazakhstan sees significant potential to increase exports to Thailand, targeting over 100 product categories valued at more than $900 million, Minister of Trade and Integration Arman Shakkaliyev...


Dimash Kudaibergen Visits Tourist Capital of Turkic World

ASTANA – Turkistan Region Governor Darkhan Satybaldy welcomed Kazakh famous singer Dimash Kudaibergen, who arrived in Turkistan city, the 2024 tourist capital of the Turkic world, on Aug. 15,...


Nariman Kurbanov Ignites Kazakhstan’s Olympic Dreams in Gymnastics

ASTANA – For many years, the Olympic podium in artistic gymnastics seemed a distant dream for Kazakh athletes. But fast forward to the 2024 Paris Olympics, Nariman Kurbanov took...


Promising New Treatment: Kazakhstan’s Cancer Drug Passes Initial Clinical Trials

ASTANA — Kazakhstan’s cancer drug developed by a team of scientists led by Dos Sarbassov, a Kazakh-American biologist and Nazarbayev University (NU) professor, passed the first stage of clinical...


President Tokayev Tours Industrial, Social Facilities in Karagandy Region

ASTANA – Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev toured the industrial and social facilities in the Karagandy Region and emphasized the importance of improving the region’s environmental situation during an Aug....


Kazakhstan’s Strongman Sergey Tsyrulnikov Shocks America’s Got Talent Audience

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s strongman Sergey Tsyrulnikov took part in the United States’ TV show America’s Got Talent and stunned the jury and the audience with his amazing strength. The...


Kazakhstan’s Legendary Cyclist Urges Abuse Victims to Speak Out, Defend Their Rights

ASTANA – General Manager of Astana Qazaqstan Team and Olympic cycling medalist Alexandr Vinokurov urged Kazakhstan’s women to defend their rights and not keep silent on domestic violence. Vinokurov,...


Majority of Kazakh Youth Consider Family as Main Life Value

ASTANA — Nearly 80% of Kazakhstan’s youth consider family to be the main value, according to the results of a sociological study conducted by the ElJastary (Youth) Research Center....


Kazakhstan to Double Volume of Agricultural Exports by 2029

ASTANA — Kazakhstan intends to increase its exports of agricultural products to enhance its position in the international market and expand the supply chain. The country exports a wide...


USAID Enhances Kazakhstan’s Customs Processing with New Computer Servers

ASTANA — The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and U.S. Ambassador Daniel Rosenblum delivered advanced computer servers to the State Revenue Committee (SRC) of Kazakhstan on Aug....


Kazakhstan Reports Increase in Personal Data Violations 

ASTANA – Kazakhstan registered 65 administrative violations of personal data laws in January-July, a 75.7% rise compared to the same period in 2023, Finprom.kz reported on Aug. 12. During...


Astana Hub, Draper University Announce Third Cohort of Hero Training Program in Silicon Valley

ASTANA – Astana Hub international technology park has announced the opening of applications for the third cohort of the Hero Training acceleration program. The program, conducted in partnership with...


Kazakhstan, Pakistan Launch Trans-Afghan Multimodal Transport Corridor

Enhanced bilateral relations between Kazakhstan and Pakistan have reached new horizons. Through the collaboration of KZT Express, a subsidiary of Kazakhstan Railway and QazTrade Center for Trade Policy Development...


National Bank Reports $800 Million Current Account Surplus as Economy Recovers

ASTANA – The National Bank of Kazakhstan (NBK) reported a significant improvement in the current account balance, with a surplus of $0.8 billion in the first half of 2024,...


Kazakhstan Sees 15% Rise in Creative Industries Post Tax Relief

ASTANA – Following tax breaks, the number of creative industry entities increased by 15%, or 6,033 units, to 45,597 entities, Kazinform reported on Aug. 12, citing the Ministry of...


Kazakhstan Reduces Dependence on External Supplies, Boosts Domestic Production

ASTANA – Several industries in Kazakhstan demonstrate stable import reductions and production growth. The manufacturing industry’s reliance on imported products has decreased by 7%, while production volumes have increased...


Acclaimed Kazakh Noir Film “Steppenwolf” Debuts in Astana Ahead of Nationwide Release

ASTANA – With numerous festival awards gathering international attention, noir thriller “Dala Kaskyry” (Steppenwolf) was unveiled to the Kazakh audience in Astana on Aug. 12, ahead of its nationwide...


Kazakhstan Proposes Joint Guardianship with Egypt Over Ancient Mamluk Heritage

ASTANA – Kazakh Ambassador to Egypt Kairat Lama Sharif discussed joint guardianship over more than 150 ancient monuments built by the Kipchak-Mamluks on the land of Ancient Egypt with...


Kazakhstan, Türkiye Sign $2 Billion Investment Agreements in Agriculture

ASTANA – During a working visit to Türkiye on Aug. 12, Kazakh Minister of Agriculture Aidarbek Saparov signed documents worth $2 billion in the field of investment in the...


Kazakhstan to Localize Three New Production Facilities in Oil and Gas Industry

ASTANA – Kazakhstan plans to localize three new production facilities in collaboration with leading global manufacturers, including Germany’s Leser, South Africa’s Beruseal, and the United States’ (US) John Crane,...


Aktau Prepares to Become Cultural Capital of Turkic World in 2025

ASTANA—Aktau will be designated the cultural capital of the Turkic world in 2025, marking a significant milestone for the city and its residents. This new status is expected to...


Tracing Apple’s Journey from Ancient Kazakhstan to Modern Cultivation

The apple’s history dates back to the ancient Tian Shan Mountains in Kazakhstan, where it was initially grown. The region is home to Malus sieversii, the wild ancestor of...


World Nomad Games Await: The Gathering of the Great Steppe in Astana

ASTANA – As the curtain falls on the Paris 2024 Olympics, where Kazakhstan proudly secured seven medals, a new chapter in global sports is set to unfold. While the...


Charity Run Highlights Importance of Organ Transplantation

ASTANA – The annual charity run – festival titled Zhuregimnin zhenimpazy (You are the champion of my heart) took place in the Kazakh capital on Aug. 11, bringing together...


Kazakhstan’s International Reserves Surge to $19 Billion in July

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s assets in international reserves increased by 7.3% in July to $18.86 billion, according to the National Bank’s report, published on Aug. 9. Gross international reserves increased...


Kazakhstan-Türkiye Talks Boost Agricultural Investments in Grain Processing and Ice Cream

ASTANA — Kazakh Agriculture Minister Aidarbek Saparov on Aug. 11 held talks with leaders of eight Turkish businesses interested in developing projects in Kazakhstan to process grain and legumes,...


Central Asia Consultative Meeting Advances Cooperation in Key Sectors, Expert Says

ASTANA – The outcomes of the sixth consultative meeting of Central Asian heads of state on Aug. 9 highlight significant progress in cooperation among the countries, which are now...


Kazakhstan’s Three Horse Riders Secure Licenses for Fifth World Nomad Games

ASTANA – Three horse riders secured licenses for the upcoming fifth World Nomad Games at the qualifying round in baige traditional horse racing at the Almaty Hippodrome on Aug....


Kazakh Capital to Host Astana Finance Days in September

ASTANA – Astana Finance Days, an annual financial conference covering the entire Eurasian region, is set to attract nearly 3,000 participants from over 70 countries on Sept. 5-6 in...


Paris Olympics Final Medal Count: Kazakh Athletes Win Seven Medals

ASTANA – The 2024 Paris Olympics concluded on Aug. 11 with the traditional closing ceremony, during which Paris handed over the Olympic flag to Los Angeles, the 2028 host...