Aktau Northern Port Now an International Port

ASTANA – Aktau’s new northern seaport officially became an international port when an Iranian ship was loaded with Kazakh metal and grain there. “This is the first...


New Drawing by Kazakh Street Artists Appears in Moscow

ASTANA – New work by Kazakh street artist Pasha Cas has appeared in Moscow’s city centre. The drawing, a collaboration by Cas and artist Pavel Mokich, adorns...


Kazakhstan’s Economy to Return to Growth in 2017, Says Latest S&P Global Outlook

ASTANA – S&P Global has affirmed Kazakhstan’s rating at ‘BBB-/A-3,’ according to a press release from Sept. 9. The outlook on long-term ratings remains negative. The agency...


New Joint Project on Afghanistan Highlights Kazakhstan’s Effort on Int’l Development Assistance

On Jan. 1, 2017, Kazakhstan will take its place on the United Nations Security Council. It is a symbol of how far this country has come since...


Aktau Seaport Reaches Record Shipping to Iran

ASTANA – In August, the Aktau port increased its shipping by 50 percent over previous years, reported the press service of Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ). In particular,...


Kazakhstan Loses 0:1 to Argentine in FIFA Futsal World Cup Opener in Colombia

ASTANA – Kazakhstan lost to Argentina 0:1 Sept. 12 in the first round of the 2016 FIFA Futsal World Cup 2016 in Colombia. The match marked the...


Atyrau Entrepreneur Volunteers Several Years at Ambulance Station

ASTANA – Medical emergencies, panic, nightlong rides with an ambulance; one must have stamina and a strong mind for things like that. A humble and kind-hearted entrepreneur...


American Publisher to Release Collection of Poems by Kazakh Poet Aigerim Tazhi

ASTANA – The manuscript of the book “An Astounded World: Selected Poems” written by young Kazakh poet Aigerim Tazhi in translation of famous American poet, literary translator...


Almaty Enthusiasts Unite Authorities, Urban Activists to Make Comfortable Cities

ASTANA – Almaty hosted the first open meeting of the School of City Solutions for activists and entrepreneurs initiated by the City Solutions project and Strelka Institute...


Stronger Legal Framework, Abolishing Visa Regime Priorities for Macedonia, Ambassador Says

Ambassador Ilija Psaltirov has spent almost two years in Astana representing the Republic of Macedonia. Recently, he and his staff organised numerous events throughout Kazakhstan to celebrate...


Kazakh National Academy of Choreography Opens in Astana

ASTANA – The back-to-school season in the capital was marked with a major event Aug. 31 – the opening of the new multi-level academy of choreography. It...


British Scientist Discusses Recent Earthquake Research in Kazakhstan, Tien Shan Mountains

ASTANA – In 1716, a city in modern China and areas of ​​Balkhash and Zaisan lakes were destroyed as a result of a devastating earthquake that supposedly...


Nazarov Fired from Barys, Kazakhstan’s National Team

ASTANA – Hockey Club Barys recently terminated early the contract of head coach Andrey Nazarov. The team suffered three straight away losses at the start of a...


President Congratulates Kazakhs on Holy Qurban Ait

President Nursultan Nazarbayev congratulated all Kazakhs on Islamic holiday Qurban Ait (Eid al-Adha) and visited the Hazrat Sultan Mosque in Astana Sept. 12, the press service of...


Swimmer Zulfiya Gabdullina Wins Kazakhstan’s Paralympic Gold Medal

ASTANA – Swimmer Zulfiya Gabdullina became the first Kazakh Paralympian to win gold Sept. 8 when she won the women’s 100 m freestyle at the Summer Paralympic Games...


Nazarbayev Visits Samarkand, Pays Tribute to Late Uzbek President

ASTANA – Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev visited Samarkand, Uzbekistan Sept. 12 to pay tribute to the memory of the recently deceased Uzbek President Islam Karimov, reported the...


Golovkin Stops Brook in Round 5 in Biggest Cash Fight of Career

ASTANA – Middle weight World Champion according to the World Boxing Association (WBA), International Boxing Organisation (IBO), International Boxing Federation (IBF) and World Boxing Council (WBC) Gennady...


Almaty to Use European Experience in Business, Economic Projects

ASTANA – Almaty will be using the experiences of Paris and Graz to help improve its management of the municipal economy and business relations, following a recent...


KASE Adds Commercial Bonds

The Kazakhstan Stock Market (KASE) Board of Directors recently approved the inclusion of commercial bonds on the exchange. In accordance with the rules, starting Sept. 5, a...


Korean Company to Assist in Kazakh Road Construction

ASTANA – Korea Expressway Corporation and KazAvtoZhol national company intend to exchange experience in reconstruction, construction, and repair of highways and to develop cooperation in the implementation...


More than 900 Parking Lots to Be Constructed in Astana

ASTANA – Nine-hundred-and-ten new paid parking lots are planned to be constructed in Astana, according to the municipal government’s press office. “We are not talking about any...


100 States Officially Confirm Participation in EXPO 2017

ASTANA – One hundred countries have confirmed they will participate in EXPO 2017, said EXPO 2017 National Commissioner Rapil Zhoshybayev during a Sept. 9 briefing at the Central...


Impressive Comeback Helps Kazakhstan Draw Poland in World Cup Qualifications Opener

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s national football team began the qualification tournament of the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia with an inspiring display against the Group E favourites,...


Zhambyl Book and Memorial Presented in Belgrade

ASTANA – “Zhambyl. Poet of the Great Steppe,” a book by Eurasian National University Rector Yerlan Sydykov, was presented Aug. 22 in Belgrade. A memorial honouring the...


Rehab Centre for Patients with Musculoskeletal System Diseases to be Opened in Pavlodar Region

ASTANA – A rehabilitation centre assisting up to 40 patients with musculoskeletal system diseases will be opened in Pavlodar region, according to pavlodarnews.kz. The city administration indicated...


Glass-Bottomed Attraction in Almaty Mountains Planned for Launch by 2020

ASTANA – Step into the Void, a glass-bottomed attraction in the Almaty Mountains, will be constructed in 2018-2020, said Almaty city’s tourism department head Timur Duisengaliyev during...


Uzbekistan’s Succession Model Works, Policy Continuity Expected

A number of media outlets asked for my comments on the current situation in Uzbekistan. I had to refuse most of them. Unfortunately, the fact that everybody...


President Reshuffles Government, Appoints New Prime Minister, Calls for Budget Revisions

ASTANA – President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev dismissed Karim Massimov from the prime minister’s position, appointing former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy Bakhytzhan Sagintayev in...


Baikonur Prepares for EXPO 2017

Serik Kozhaniyazov, deputy akim of Kyzylorda region and the President’s special representative at the Baikonur launch site, spoke about the region’s preparations in light of the upcoming...


Ela Gandhi: Kazakhstan Can Show World Nuclear Weapons Mentality is Incorrect

ASTANA – Ela Gandhi, distinguished peacekeeper and granddaughter of Mahatma Gandhi, took part in Building a Nuclear Weapons-Free-World, the international conference held Aug. 29 in the capital....


VelofriendsKZ Unites Kazakh Cycling Movement

ASTANA – VelofriendsKZ is an open public platform designed to support and unite the cycling movement, as well as develop eco-tourism in Kazakhstan. Launched in the spring,...


Alakol, Pearl of Kazakhstan, Reaping Benefits of Weak Tenge

ASTANA – Alakol Lake, the second largest inland salty reservoir in Kazakhstan, is compared with the Black Sea. Now, the devaluation of national currency has made local...


President Makes New High-Level Government Appointments

ASTANA – Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev on Sept. 8 made new appointments to government positions, reported the press service of the Akorda Presidential Residence. Former Prime Minister...


Malaysian Envoy Optimistic about Future of Bilateral Ties, Kazakhstan’s Economy

ASTANA – Malaysian Ambassador to Kazakhstan Dato’ Hidayat Abdul Hamid recently shared his thoughts about developing bilateral relations between the countries and improving trade and business relations...


Annual Almaty Book Festival Attracts Huge Audience, Distributes 3,000 Free Books

ASTANA – Almaty hosted KitapFest Sept. 4, the third annual book festival initiated by the Bauyrzhan Charitable Foundation, city administration (akimat) and Eurasian Franchising Association. Three thousand...


Neurosurgeon Brings New Lifesaving Treatments to Kazakhstan

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s leading neurosurgeon, Serik Akshulakov, has performed more than 5,000 complex operations using special microscopic equipment. Today, the well-known doctor, who also holds the title...


Next Generation Apple and Berry Farm Amal-Bio Launches Agro Tours

ASTANA – Amal-Bio, a Kazakh agricultural company based in Almaty that uses the latest methods and technology in fruit cultivation, is offering Kazakhstan’s first agro tours. “First...


Kazakhstan Accelerates Engagement with Green Climate Fund

ASTANA – Avenues of cooperation between Kazakhstan and the Green Climate Fund (GCF) were discussed at a Sept. 6 seminar hosted by the UNDP and the Ministry...


FM Idrissov Presents Diplomas to Winners of ‘Kazakhstan through the Eyes of Foreign Media’ Contest

ASTANA – The Kazakh Foreign Ministry hosted a ceremony Sept. 6 to award the winners of the third annual “Kazakhstan through the Eyes of Foreign Media” contest...


ADB Gives Loan for Road Construction

The Asian Development Bank has approved a $240.3 million loan to assist Kazakhstan with its transport system modernisation. “Better communication and greater mobility will play a big...


Five More S-300 Surface-to-Air Missile Systems to Go on Combat Duty in Kazakhstan

The five S-300 surface-to-air missile systems from Russia will go on combat duty in Kazakhstan in the near future within the joint regional air defence system of...


EAEU, India May Start Free Trade Zone Agreement Talks in September

A joint research team to study the feasibility of a free trade zone agreement between the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and India was created in June 2015....


Mongolia Considers Joining Eurasian Economic Union

Mongolia is considering seeking membership in the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU). This was stated by the press service of the Eurasian Economic Commission, issued after a meeting,...


Kazakh Popular-Science Film Won Chinese International Festival

ASTANA – The Kazakh popular-science film “Pod vechnym okom neba” (“Beneath the Eye of an Eternal Sky”) won the international festival held Aug. 18-21 in Xinjiang, China....


Pool Named After Balandin Opens in Almaty, as City’s 1,000th Anniversary Celebrated

ASTANA – A swimming pool named after Kazakh Olympic gold medallist Dmitry Balandin was opened Sept. 1, as well as an arch representing alumni and students’ commitment...


Kazakh Bodybuilders Win 13 Medals at Schwarzenegger-Organised Tournament

ASTANA – The national bodybuilding team of Kazakhstan recently won 13 medals at the Arnold Classic Asia-2016 international tournament in Hong Kong. Traditionally, the championship has been...


Kazakh Deputy Foreign Minister Briefs OSCE Colleagues in Potsdam

BERLIN – Kazakh Deputy Foreign Minister Roman Vassilenko participated in an informal Sept. 1 meeting of foreign ministers of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe...


Kazakhstan Attracts $2.7 Billion in FDI in Q1

ASTANA – Kazakhstan attracted $2.7 billion in foreign direct investment in the first quarter of 2016, according to the statement by Kaznex Invest Chairman Borisbiy Zhangurazov during...


Nazarbayev’s Manifesto Paves Way for More Peaceful World, Nuclear Disarmament Expert Says

ASTANA – “Building a Nuclear-Weapon-Free World,” the international conference, which was held under in conjunction with the 25th anniversary of the closing of the Semipalatinsk Nuclear Test...


Nazarbayev Expresses Condolences over Death of Uzbek Leader, Farewell Ceremony Attended by Kazakh PM

ASTANA – Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev expressed condolences to acting President Nigmatilla Yuldoshev over the death of President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov on Sept. 2, reported the...


Nazarbayev Suggests Unified Effort in Global Development at G20 Summit

HANGZHOU – It has been eight years since the 2008 global financial crisis made the G20 a “summit-level” primary platform for global economic governance. The most urgent...


FC Astana to Play in UEFA Europa League’s Group Stage

ASTANA – As the result of a two-leg encounter, FC Astana passed Belarusian champions BATE Borisov in the Europa League playoff round for the first time and...


Kazakh President Visits China, Infrastructure Programmes to be Paired

HANGZHOU – China will be receiving international delegations from throughout the world taking part the G20 Summit. The 11th meeting will be held Sept. 4-5 and Kazakhstan...


Three Terrorist Groups Neutralised, 21 Detained in Kazakhstan’s West

ASTANA – The National Security Committee announced the suppression of three radical groups in the West Kazakhstan and Aktobe regions as part of the special operation conducted...


Eurasia International Film Festival to Kick off in September in Almaty

ASTANA – The 12th Eurasia International Film Festival will be held Sept. 24-30 in Almaty. More than 80 films will be shown and Arab films of different...


Kazakh Olympic Team Hailed as Heroes on Return

ASTANA – A ceremony honouring the Kazakh Olympic team’s successful performance at the XXXI Summer Games in Rio de Janeiro was held Aug. 26 in the Palace...


President Addresses Joint Session of Parliament: Adoption of Nearly 50 Bills on Agenda

ASTANA – Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev addressed the second joint session Sept. 1 of the Senate and the Mazhilis of the sixth convocation. Opening the session, he...


Challenges and Prospects of International Transport Routes Discussed in Aktau

ASTANA – The Caspian and Black seas regions international conference, designed to address efficient logistics in the countries with the participation of Caspian and Black sea regions...


Anti-Nuclear Weapons Leaders Adopt “Astana Vision Declaration” at Int’l Conference in Astana

ASTANA – A wide array of issues, including nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament and the physical protection of nuclear weapons were discussed at the Aug. 29 international conference...


Nazarbayev Calls Other Countries to Follow Kazakhstan’s Nuclear Disarmament Model

ASTANA – Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev participated in Building a Nuclear-Free-World, an international conference held Aug. 29 in the capital’s Palace of Independence, where he highlighted Kazakhstan’s...


Kazakh President Explains Commitment to Nuclear Disarmament

ASTANA – Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev took questions from the international media on Aug. 29, the 25th anniversary of the closing of the Semipalatinsk nuclear test site...


Almaty Quadruplets Prepare for First Grade

ASTANA – A family in Almaty is currently buying stationery, school uniforms and backpacks in fours as their quadruplet daughters prepare for first grade. “Relatives helped us...


Students, Government Learn Together as New School Year Begins

The first days of September are very important for children and parents around the world. It is the time when the new school year begins for millions...


French School in Astana: Something We Are Proud of

Over 480 primary and secondary schools located in 130 countries provide French education to 310,000 students, 115,000 of whom are French, in line with the standards of...


Kazakh Leader’s First Visit to Belgrade Helps Solidify Ties with Serbia

ASTANA – President Nursultan Nazarbayev travelled to Serbia Aug. 23-24 for the Kazakh leader’s first official visit to the Balkan nation. The head of state held talks...


Nearly 3,000 Capital Residents Gather to Mark Sports Day

ASTANA – Nearly 3,000 capital residents participated in about 20 different sports competitions Aug. 12-21 to mark Sports Day, reported the akimat (city administration) press service. The...


What Will Be Discussed by G20 in 2016

On September 4-5 the eleventh G20 meeting will be held in the city of Hangzhou, where the leaders of 20 countries and representatives of invited countries will...


ICRC Reiterates Calls for Nuclear Weapons Prohibition, Setting Timeframe

On the eve of the international conference Building a Nuclear-Weapon-Free World  to be held Aug. 29 in Astana, Christine Beerli, Vice-President of the International Committee of the...


Astana to Host Major Nuclear Disarmament Conference

ASTANA – The Kazakh capital will host the international conference “Building a Nuclear-Weapon-Free World,” dedicated to the 25th anniversary of the closure of the Semipalatinsk Nuclear Test...


Kazakhstan Wins Record Number of Medals in Rio, Places 22nd in Medal Tally

RIO DE JANEIRO – Kazakhstan won the most medals in its history at the XXXI Summer Olympics in Rio, which ended Aug. 21.  Kazakh athletes claimed 17...


Kazakhstan Extends by Five Years Moratorium on Controversial Land Code Amendments

ASTANA – Kazakhstan decided Aug. 18 to extend for five years a recently imposed moratorium on the implementation of controversial amendments to its land law. “Since the...


Nazarbayev Pays State Visit to Poland, Cooperation in Trade, Logistics and Agriculture Tops Agenda

President Nursultan Nazarbayev met Aug. 22 in Warsaw with Polish President Andrzej Duda and other top officials as he began the first ever state visit by a...


Russia’s Kunstkamera to Return Skull of Keiki Batyr to Kazakhstan

ASTANA – Peter the Great Museum of Anthropology and Ethnography (Kunstkamera) is expected to return the skull of Keiki Batyr, the leader of the rebel army and...


First Dock of Kazakh Navy to Start Operations in October

ASTANA – The first dock for the Kazakh Navy will be put in operation in October. Meanwhile, naval ships are stationed at a dock rented in Bautino...


Local Craftsmen Will Showcase Their Work at EXPO 2017

Astana craftsmen will showcase their work at the international exhibition EXPO 2017, reported Deputy Head of the Commercialisation Department of the Astana EXPO 2017 National Company Iliya...


More than 15 million Tonnes of Natural Gas Supplied via Central Asia – China Gas Pipeline

ASTANA – The Central Asia – China gas pipeline was used to transport 15.1 million tonnes of natural gas in the first seven months of 2016. The...


Mobile App Allows Parents to Monitor, Participate in Their Children’s Studies

ASTANA – Parents in Astana are now able to access the progress of the studies of their children using mobile apps. The apps provide twenty-four hour access...


WIPO Announces Rating of World Innovative Technology Leaders

The World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) has designed a new rating of world leading countries in the sphere of innovative technologies. Like in previous years, the leaders...


G20 Summit in Hangzhou Set to Have Significant Impact on World Economy

When in the wake of the global financial crisis, the G20 countries held the first leaders’ summit in 2008, it underlined just how serious the crisis was....


Global Trends of Low-Carbon Development

Kazakhstan signed the Paris Agreement on climate change Aug. 2 in New York. This document confirms the consistency and commitment of the country to comply with international...


Kazakhstan Has Led by Example on Nuclear Disarmament, Renowned Expert Says

ASTANA – “Building a Nuclear Weapon Free World”, the international conference to be held Aug. 29, has attracted senior figures from nations that possess nuclear weapons, as...


Capital’s Universities Welcome New Students

ASTANA – More than 121,000 students graduated from high school this year across the country, some of whom will enrol in the capital’s universities. State and private,...


Kazakh Viners Gain Popularity, 15 Seconds at a Time

ASTANA – During the last year or a so new social media trend has caught on among Kazakh users – viners. Viners are people who make funny...


Many Kazakh Traditions and Customs Still Relevant Today, While Some Fade Away

ASTANA – Kazakhs have preserved many traditions and customs that pervade life’s important moments, like birth, marriage, raising children, hospitality and celebration arrangements which have been passed...


All You Have to Do Is Love the Game, Say Kazakh Live Commentators

ASTANA – The voice of the commentator is an inseparable part of watching sport today. Be it football, hockey or the Olympics, the commentator guides millions of...


Egyptian-Type Pyramid Tomb Discovered in Karaganda Region, Archaeologists Offer Answers

ASTANA – A structure similar to what the world knows as the Egyptian pyramids recently discovered in Kazakhstan’s Shet district in the Karaganda region has raised the...


Kapchagai Reservoir Hosts Professional, Amateur Triathlon

ASTANA – The first Open Triathlon Championship of Kazakhstan among professionals and amateurs will be held Aug. 28 at Kapchagai Reservoir. Altyn Adam Triathlon 2016 welcomes athletes...


EXPO 2017 National Company Presents New Tours for Expo Tourists

ASTANA – The Astana EXPO 2017 National Company and the Akmola Department for Tourism recently presented a new tour, “Burabai – Pearl of Kazakhstan,” which covers the...


Kazakhstan’s Armed Forces Team Ranked Second at 2016 International Army Games

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s armed forces team ranked second among 120 teams from 19 states in Africa, Asia, Europe and Latin America at the 2016 International Army Games...


Discovering Kazakhstan: Portuguese National on Life in Land of Great Steppe

ASTANA – The young Kazakh capital keeps betting on attracting young, foreign professionals – the pool that can shape the pillars of the future city. What, however,...


FC Astana Leads Play-off Round of UEFA Europa League

Kazakhstan champions FC Astana beat Belarus’ BATE Borisov 2-0 in the first match of the playoff round of the UEFA Europa League thanks to precise strikes in...


UNDP, Kazakhstan and JICA to Jointly Assist Afghanistan

ASTANA – Kazakh Foreign Minister Erlan Idrissov and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Resident Representative to Kazakhstan Norimasa Shimomura have signed Promoting Kazakhstan’s ODA Cooperation with Afghanistan,...


Boxer Yeleussinov Wins Kazakhstan’s Third Gold at Rio

RIO DE JANEIRO – Captain of the Kazakh national boxing team Daniyar Yeleussinov won a gold medal Aug. 17, the third for the country so far at...


International CrossFit Championship Held in Astana

ASTANA – The capital hosted an international CrossFit competition, “Astana Throwdown,” Aug. 13 and 14. Participants from Kazakhstan and Russia competed for 2.5 million tenge (US$7,270) in...


Astana Food and Fashion Festival to Welcome Visitors Aug. 27-28

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s capital will host the Astana Food and Fashion Festival noon-8 p.m. Aug. 27-28, in Arai Park, according to the city akimat (administration). The event...


Kazakhstan and Poland: Years of Cooperation and Partnership

As President Nursultan Nazarbayev is scheduled to visit Warsaw on August 22-23, we interviewed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the Republic of...


Chinese Robotic Company Trains Kazakh Students

Nazarbayev University students Dinsultan Absattar, Olzhas Adiyatov and Azamat Tikenov participated in a successful training at Makeblock in Shenzhen (China). As part of their internship, the young...


Kazakh Ballet Star Brings Dance Victory from Seoul

Kazakh ballet star and Astana Opera leading soloist Bakhtiyar Adamzhan won the 13th Seoul International Dance Competition, reported the Astana Opera press service. The artist earned the...


The Life of a Global Nomad: Kazakh Conductor Alan Buribayev

In a recent interview with Kazakhstanskaya Pravda newspaper, world-famous Kazakh conductor Alan Buribayev discussed his childhood, the beginning of his musical career and his present life. Today,...


Skydiving, A Step into the Sky

ASTANA – Treating oneself to an unforgettable, incredible feeling and range of emotions from skydiving is great fun, especially if it is a long-time wish or a...