Dimash to Release New Song with Grammy-Winning Producer

ASTANA – A world-renowned singer Dimash Qudaibergen will premiere his new song and first collaboration with two-time Grammy Award winner, world-renowned producer and composer Walter Afanasieff on March 7,...


Kazakhstan Fulfills OPEC+ Obligations in February

ASTANA – Kazakhstan took all necessary measures to fully implement its OPEC+ obligations in February, Energy Minister Almassadam Satkaliyev stated during a March 3 virtual meeting, reported the ministry’s...


Kazakhstan Builds Gas Chemical Plant to Reduce Fertilizer Import Reliance

ASTANA – Kazakhstan plans to build a $1.35 billion gas chemical production facility to manufacture 700,000 tonnes of urea and 42,000 tonnes of ammonia annually. This was announced during...


Kazakhstan Employs More Than 9,000 Women in Aviation with 34 Female Pilots 

ASTANA – Kazakhstan has 34 female pilots out of 1,459, while globally, women make up only 5% of airline pilots. The country’s aviation sector employs more than 9,500 women,...


UN Adopts Resolution to Establish SDG Regional Hub in Almaty

ASTANA – The UN General Assembly unanimously adopted a resolution on the establishment of the UN Regional Center for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for Central Asia and Afghanistan in...


Kazakhstan Identifies Preliminary Cause of Recent Mine Collapse

ASTANA – A preliminary investigation has revealed that the mine collapse at Kazakhmys Corporation in the Ulytau Region on Feb. 17, which resulted in the deaths of seven people,...


Soft Power and Public Diplomacy: How Kazakhstan Can Leverage Global Experiences for Development

Editor’s note: The Astana Times continues a section featuring articles by our readers. As a platform that values diverse perspectives and meaningful conversations, we believe that this new section...


Kazakhstan Targets 7% Economic Growth, Focuses on Oil and Gas Sector 

ASTANA – Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Economy Serik Zhumangarin chaired a March 3 meeting focused on boosting economic growth, focusing on the oil and gas industry...


Kazakh Climbers Reach Mount Kilimanjaro Summit  

ASTANA – A team of Kazakh climbers, led by Maxut Zhumayev, reached the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest peak at 5,895 meters. Zhumayev, renowned for summiting all 14...


Kazakhstan Plans Major Investments for SMEs and Entrepreneurship

ASTANA – Kazakhstan will support 30,000 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) projects in 2025, with a total financial allocation of 1.7 trillion tenge (US$3.4 billion), said Deputy Prime Minister...


Kazakhstan Strengthens Measures Against Torture, Human Rights Protection

ASTANA – A meeting of the consultative and advisory body’s subgroup, the dialogue platform on the human dimension, was held on Feb. 27 to discuss measures for preventing torture...


New Kazakhstan-China Rail Service to Boost Trade with Europe

ASTANA – KTZ Express, a subsidiary of Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ) railway company, in collaboration with China Railway Container Transport (CRCT), has launched a new container rail service linking...


Kazakh GM Kazybek Nogerbek Secures Third Place at Cannes Tournament

ASTANA – Kazakh chess grandmaster (GM) Kazybek Nogerbek claimed third place at the Festival International des Jeux 2025 in Cannes, France, held from Feb. 24-March 2, reported the chess...


Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan to Open Four Trade Corridors

ASTANA – Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan plan to enhance their trade relationship with the planned opening of four new trade corridors. This initiative, aimed at increasing bilateral trade turnover, was...


Kazakhstan Presents Digital Investment Coin at Berlin’s World Money Fair 

ASTANA—The National Bank of Kazakhstan presented the digital investment coin ÚKI at the World Money Fair in Berlin on Feb. 28, the bank’s press service reported. The global presentation...


EXCLUSIVE: Kazakhstan Leads Global Push for Nuclear Disarmament in New York

NEW-YORK — The third Meeting of States Parties (3MSP) to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) convened at the United Nations headquarters on March 3, with...


Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan Sign Agreement for Underwater Fiber-Optic Communication Line

ASTANA – Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan signed an agreement to design and construct an underwater fiber-optic communication line during an official visit of Kazakh Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov to Azerbaijan...


Air Quality in Kazakhstan: Need for Public Awareness for Healthier Environment

Editor’s note: The Astana Times continues a section featuring articles by our readers. As a platform that values diverse perspectives and meaningful conversations, we believe that this new section...


Kazakhstan, Italy Partner to Support Energy Transition

ASTANA – Kazakhstan-British Technical University (KBTU) announced plans to cooperate with MAIRE, an Italy-based company specializing in industrial plant engineering and natural resource transformation, to enhance international collaboration in...


New York Film Academy Branch Opens in Kazakhstan

ASTANA – The New York Film Academy (NYFA) has launched a branch in Kazakhstan, making it the third NYFA campus outside the United States and the first world-class creative...


Kazakhstan Launches Digital Nomad Residency Project

ASTANA – Kazakhstan announced plans to introduce the Digital Nomad Residency for foreign IT professionals to work and reside permanently in the country, the Ministry of Digital Development, Innovations,...


AIF 2025 to Host Critical Dialogue on Global Challenges

ASTANA – The Astana International Forum (AIF) 2025 will take place on May 29-30, fostering cross-border dialogues on international diplomacy and cooperation amid global disruption and polarization, the Kazakh...


EDB Issues Bonds to Fund Almaty Power Plant Modernization

ASTANA – The Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) has placed three-year bonds worth 50 billion tenge (US$100.4 million) on the Kazakhstan Stock Exchange (KASE) to finance the modernization of Almaty...


Kazakhstan to Launch New Route to Vietnam

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s largest airline Air Astana plans to launch a new Almaty-Da Nang route starting June 4, the Transport Ministry reported. Flights will operate twice a week on...


Kazakhstan Marks 179th Anniversary of Zhambyl Zhabayev

ASTANA – The nation celebrated the 179th anniversary of renowned Kazakh poet and improviser Zhambyl Zhabayev on Feb. 28. Zhabayev was a master of epic poetry and improvisation, a...


Turkistan Granted Special Status to Preserve Cultural Heritage

ASTANA — President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has signed a law granting special status to Turkistan, further solidifying its role as Kazakhstan’s spiritual and cultural hub, Akorda reported on March 3....


More Than Singer: Why World Needs Dimash Now More Than Ever

ASTANA — Let me be frank: I am not a fan of Dimash. But in saying this, I do not in any way diminish his God-given talent. His vocal...


Kazakhstan Pledges Support for Moroccan Companies

ASTANA — Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Murat Nurtleu said the Kazakh government will support Moroccan businesses in strengthening economic and investment ties with Morocco. Nurtleu made...


Symbolism of Kazakh Headdresses Through Life Stages

ASTANA – Kazakh traditional headdresses are experiencing a resurgence among young people, blending cultural heritage with modern design. Brightly stylized hats have become a popular fashion statement, serving as...


How Kazakhstan’s Rescue Dogs Save Lives in Disasters

ASTANA – Dog handlers in Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Emergency Situations are crucial in search and rescue operations, training dogs to work in extreme conditions and respond to emergencies. Often...


Kazakh PM, EU Delegation Discuss Enhancing Trade and Economic Relations

ASTANA – The Kazakh capital hosted the 16th meeting of the Kazakhstan–European Union Dialogue Platform on Critical Raw Materials with the participation of heads of diplomatic missions from EU...


Kazakhstan and Morocco Strengthen Bilateral Ties During Historic Visit

ASTANA — Deputy Prime Minister – Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan Murat Nurtleu embarked on the first official visit in the history of bilateral relations to Rabat at...


Central Asia is Key Part of Europe-Asia Economic Integration, Ambassador Simkić Says

ASTANA – The European Union and countries of Central Asia seek to strengthen partnership through political, economic and security cooperation. As the 20th EU-Central Asia Ministerial meeting in Ashgabat...


‘Golden Empire’ Series Brings Story of Jochi Khan – Warrior, Son and Human – to Screen

ASTANA – In the plains of the Ulytau Region in central Kazakhstan, a solitary mausoleum stands guard over the legacy of Jochi Khan, the eldest son of Genghis Khan....


Kazakhstan Military Personnel Enhance Skills Through International Training Programs

ASTANA – Over 600 Kazakhstan’s military personnel are currently studying in more than 50 foreign institutions across 12 countries, said Murat Olzhabayev, head of Military Education and Science Department...


Gratitude Day: Celebrating Kazakhstan’s Unity, Resilience, and Hospitality

ASTANA — Gratitude Day, celebrated on March 1, is more than just a celebration in Kazakhstan – it is a tribute to resilience, unity, and the enduring spirit of...


Kazakhstan, China to Boost Cargo Transport via Trans-Caspian Route

ASTANA – Kazakhstan and China agreed to increase cargo volumes along the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR),  reported on Feb. 26 the press service of the Transport Ministry.  This...


Kazakhstan, China Advance Construction of Steel Plant in Zhambyl Region

ASTANA – Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov agreed on the construction of a metallurgical plant with chairman of the Board of Fujian Hengwang Investment Zeng Zhaoqiang on Feb. 27. It...


News Digest: Foreign Media on Middle Corridor, Kazakhstan’s Ballet Stars and More

ASTANA – The Astana Times has selected articles from global media outlets covering Kazakhstan. This week’s foreign media digest highlights Kazakhstan’s judicial system, the growth of the Middle Corridor...


Kazakhstan Sets $52 Billion Investment Goal, Launches Investor Protection Measures

ASTANA – Kazakhstan is targeting an investment goal of 26.2 trillion tenge (US$52 billion), which requires at least a 35.2% increase in investments compared to last year’s performance. Baglan...


Welcome Spring: First Weekend Bursts with Must-See Events

ASTANA – March 1 marks the Day of Gratitude in Kazakhstan – a celebration of kindness, unity, and appreciation. As spring unfolds, breathing new life into the world with...


Kazakh Mazhilis Discusses Tax Code Reforms to Combat Unfair Competition, Improve Budget Revenue

ASTANA –  New government initiatives to the draft Tax Code, including VAT adjustments, were discussed in the Mazhilis (the lower house of the Kazakh Parliament) Committee on Finance and...


Kazakhstan’s 100th Heart Transplant Coincides with Domestic Organ Delivery Innovation

ASTANA — Kazakhstan recently celebrated its 100th heart transplant, coinciding with the completion of a domestically developed device that extends the storage time of donor hearts and other organs...


Kazakhstan, Nigeria Strengthen Ties in Digital Economy and Investment

ASTANA – Kazakhstan and Nigeria are enhancing cooperation in digital technology, investment, and business development following a series of meetings between government officials and business leaders, reported on Feb....


AI Reflects Society’s Biases, Says Oxford Insights CEO

ASTANA – This is the second part of The Astana Times interview with Richard Stirling, co-founder and CEO of Oxford Insights, a global consultancy firm behind the Government AI...


Kazakhstan’s Neo Nomad Visa Draws Global Attention as First Recipients Share Insights

ASTANA – As soon as the Neo Nomad Visa was launched, enabling holders to live in Kazakhstan for up to a year while working remotely and traveling, foreign professionals...


Caspian Pipeline Shareholders Pledge Support for Repairs After Drone Attack

ASTANA – Shareholders of the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC) are ready to support repairs at the Kropotkinskaya oil pumping station, which sustained damage in the Feb. 17 drone attack....


Atyrau Plant Earns Certification, Unlocking Access to 100+ Global Markets

ASTANA — AtyrauNefteMash, a leading Kazakhstan oil and gas equipment manufacturer, received a certification from the American Petroleum Institute (API) with the support of the North Caspian Project (NCOC)...


Tokayev, IACA President Discuss Judicial Reforms, AI in Court Systems

ASTANA — President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and President of the International Association for Court Administration (IACA) Pamela Harris discussed avenues for judicial reform and technological advancements in court proceedings during...


Kazakhstan Moves Forward with Nuclear Energy Plans for 2025

ASTANA – Last year, uranium production reached 23,270 tons, with 308 tons of uranium products sold and 380 fuel assemblies exported. During the past year, negotiations were held with...