Kazakhstan Mourns Aktobe Terrorist Attack Victims

ASTANA – Seven were reported killed after the June 5 terrorist attacks on two weapons shops and a military unit in Aktobe. On June 8, citizens of...


Muslim Leader in Astana Condemns Attacks in Aktobe

ASTANA – The Spiritual Administration of Kazakh Muslims has denounced the June 5 terrorist attacks in Aktobe. “We strongly denounce the actions of the destructive religious movements...


FIBA 3×3 U18 World Championships Completed in Astana

ASTANA – The Qatar men’s team and France’s women’s team were the winners of the 2016 International Basketball Federation (FIBA) 3×3 U18 (under 18) World Championships. The...


KADEX 2016 Brings Together Military Experts Producers from 40 Nations

ASTANA – KADEX 2016, the international exhibition of military equipment and armament, took place June 2-5 in the capital. The event displayed aircraft and space technologies, army...


‘Kazakhstan Through the Eyes of Foreign Media’ Contest Entries due June 25

ASTANA – Non-Kazakh journalist wishing to participate in the third annual “Kazakhstan through the Eyes of Foreign Media” competition need to submit their work and applications by...


13 Aktobe Attack Suspects Killed As Country Mourns Victims and Statements of Support Pour from Abroad

ASTANA – According to information released June 7 by the Kazakh Ministry of Internal Affairs, 13 suspects connected to the June 5 shootings in Aktobe have been...


International Archaeologists Examine Ancient Mounds of East Kazakhstan

An international team of historians and archaeologists has started large-scale excavations of five ancient monuments in East Kazakhstan, reported the InfoCentre of the region. The archaeological expeditions...


Ethnographic Camp Allows Visitors to Live as Ancient Nomads

The Nomads of the Great Steppe ethnographic camp will open its doors June 10. The three-day festival will be organised on the Ili River in the Almaty...


Internet Platform Provides Information for Entrepreneurs, Investors in Kazakhstan

The Atameken Centre for Monitoring and Market Expertise recently launched a Business Register, an online business platform listing local entrepreneurs and foreign investors. According to the head...


Young Kazakh Opera Star Maria Mudryak Shares her Italian Story of Success

ASTANA – Kazakh opera singer Maria Mudryak, who lives in Italy, took part in the city’s festivities devoted to the Year of Italian Culture in Kazakhstan. She...


EEC Chair Sargsyan Says Eurasian Economic Union Developing, Expanding Ties with Others

May 29 marked two years since the day the Treaty on Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) was signed in Astana. Chairman of the Board of the Eurasian Economic...


Hungarian Author Introduces Book on Eurasian Ethno-Linguistic Group

ASTANA – Well-known European linguist László Marácz presented his new book, “Towards Eurasian Linguistic Isoglosses: The Сase of Turkic and Hungarian,” for the first time at the...


National Geographic Magazine Photo Exhibit Opens in Astana

The exhibition of the Fifty Best Photos of National Geographic magazine opened May 27 in the National Museum of Kazakhstan in Astana, as part of the official...


Kazakh Economy Minister Discusses Plans for Inclusive and Sustainable Growth at Paris OECD Meeting

ASTANA – Newly appointed Minister of Economy of Kazakhstan Kuandyk Bishimbayev joined the 2016 Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Ministerial Council Meeting (MCM) held at...


BREAKING NEWS – Yellow Level of Terrorist Alert Introduced in Kazakhstan

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s National Security Committee introduces “yellow” level of terrorist alert across much of the country on June 6, one day after multiple firefights in the...


Five Aktobe Attack Suspects Killed Overnight in Clashes with Antiterrorism Forces

ASTANA – Five more suspects in the June 5 shooting attacks in Aktobe were killed overnight in clashes with antiterrorism forces and two were arrested, according to...


BREAKING NEWS – Four Aktobe Attackers Killed, Seven Captured, Say Authorities

ASTANA – Seven people have been arrested in connection with the June 5 shooting attacks on two gun shops and a military unit in Aktobe, according to...


Breaking News – Following Attacks on Weapons Shops, Military Facility in Aktobe, City Launches Anti-Terrorism Operations

ASTANA, June 5 – Six people, including two Kazakh soldiers, one shop assistant and three attackers, were killed and 11 were wounded in today’s multiple shootings in...


Ust-Kamenogorsk – City that Kept a Secret

ASTANA – Ust-Kamenogorsk was founded in 1720 as a military fort at the confluence of the Irtysh and Ulba rivers under the order of the Russian Emperor...


Astana Pro Team’s Vincenzo Nibali Wins Giro d’Italia 2016

TURIN – The Astana Pro Team, part of the Presidential Sports Club, once again confirmed its status as one of the best cycling teams in the world....


Astana Opera to Premiere ‘Notre-Dame de Paris’ on June 24-25

ASTANA – Audiences will have the chance to witness ballet the way it was directed a half-century ago , as Astana Opera will present June 24-25 its...


Israel Confirms EXPO 2017 Participation

ASTANA – Commissioner of the Israeli section of EXPO 2017 Elazar Cohen recently confirmed his country’s participation in the international exposition to be held in Astana. The...


Renunciation of Nuclear Weapons: Is There Another Choice?

It was not long ago when supporters of nuclear weapons confidently claimed that, while the destruction they could cause would be catastrophic, their possession was actually preserving...


Business Centre Head: I Love Astana, I Miss Astana, This Is My Problem

ASTANA – Kaskad Business Centre head Huseyin Sahin is a prominent representative of the city’s medium-sized businesses. The high level of corporate activity in the Kazakh capital...


Kazakh Felt Manufacturer Brings Ethnic Items to World Market

ASTANA – The Aigul Line company’s Kazakh-style goods are a great example of a successful Made in Kazakhstan campaign. The items produced by the company include interior...


Pilot Toty Amirova Says her Success in a Male-Dominated Field Is Due to Hard Work

ASTANA – Commander of an Airbus 320 and Chief Aviation Inspector for the Committee of Civil Aviation of the Kazakh Ministry of Investment and Development Toty Amirova...


Kazakhstan Joins NATO ‘Planning and Review Process’ Discussions

ASTANA – At NATO headquarters in Brussels, representatives of the Kazakh Defence Ministry headed by Deputy Minister, Major-General Talgat Mukhtarov recently discussed with 28 member countries implementation...


Parliamentarians, Religious Leaders Discuss Ways to Unite Religions against Terrorism in Astana

ASTANA – The international conference, Religions against Terrorism, was held May 31 in the capital’s Palace of Peace and Harmony, one day before the 15th session of...


British, Kazakh Experts Discuss Smart Cities Initiatives and Technologies

ASTANA – The Kazakh-British Smart Cities forum, organised by the British Council in Kazakhstan with the support of the Urban Talks and Urban Forum initiatives, was held...


UNDP, EU Support Kazakhstan’s Move to Green Economy

ASTANA – International experts pledged support for Kazakhstan’s efforts to establish a green economy during a conference titled “Green economy: Providing social innovation, economic diversification and environmental...


EAEU Seeks Deeper Cooperation with Key Integration Organisations

ASTANA – Presidents Nursultan Nazarbayev of Kazakhstan, Vladimir Putin of Russia, Serzh Sargsyan of Armenia, Alexander Lukashenko of Belarus and Almazbek Atambayev of Kyrgyzstan met in the...


Hosting KADEX Weapons Expo Helps Kazakhstan Build Relationships, Contribute to Regional Security

Since independence, one of Kazakhstan’s defining characteristics as a nation has been its passionate commitment to dialogue, partnership and peace. Apart from the country’s relentless championing by...


Global Conference Discusses Best Practices for Civil Service Development

ASTANA – Alikhan Baimenov, Steering Committee Chairman of the Civil Service Regional Hub located in the city, outlined “the quality of human resources and the quality of...


May Brings Financial, Participation Progress for EXPO 2017

ASTANA – As of the end of May the Astana EXPO 2017 national company had signed agreements on partnerships with domestic and foreign companies totaling$113.2 million and...


Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions Gathers a ‘Kaleidoscope’ of World Religions

The number of participants at the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions has been increasing from year to year. That is obvious if you look...


Kazakh President Calls for ‘Inclusive Globalisation’ at Ninth Astana Economic Forum

ASTANA – Opening the plenary session of the ninth Astana Economic Forum (AEF) May 26, Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev called for “inclusive globalisation,” in which the development...


Foreign Investors Council Focuses on Astana Int’l Financial Centre

ASTANA – The Foreign Investors Council devoted to the Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC) took place in Astana on May 27. President Nursultan Nazarbayev of Kazakhstan along...


Supreme Mufti of Kazakh Muslims: Unity Is a Key to Prosperity

The Kazakh nation, with a thousand years of history, has never stayed apart from the world’s global events. Many years ago, caravans traveled through our steppes along...


Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions Seeks Solutions and Compromise

Almost a year has passed since completion of the fifth Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions in Astana. Today, on the eve of the upcoming...


EBRD Makes First Investments in Kazakh Natural Gas Storage and Food Production

ASTANA – The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has invested more than $7 billion in Kazakhstan, announced EBRD President Sir Suma Chakrabarti at a May...


Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions Plays Role in Global Security

The world community appreciates Kazakhstan’s achievements in the international arena and its image of a responsible and reliable partner as well as initiator of global dialogue platforms....


In Astana, Lagarde Urges Stronger Macroeconomic Frameworks, More Inclusive Economy

ASTANA – International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Christine Lagarde visited Kazakhstan for the first time May 24, meeting with Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev at the Akorda....


Kazakhstan Ministry of Energy Introduces Renewable Energy Auctions

ASTANA – Kazakh Minister of Energy Kanat Bozumbayev said the Ministry plans to use special auctions to purchase renewable energy from energy-producing companies. The auctions will make...


AEF Puts Global Economic Issues in Spotlight, Brings Politicians, Global Experts Together

ASTANA – The Kazakh capital is hosting the 9thAstana Economic Forum (AEF) May 25-26, where global experts, politicians, economists, world-famous business people and Nobel laureates are seeking...


FM Idrissov: Security and Stability Have Become Milestone Tasks of SCO

TASHKENT – At the meeting here of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) member states on May 24, Minister of Foreign Affairs...


A Day to Celebrate 100th Issue of The Astana Times

No matter the person or the organisation, a 100th anniversary is always worth recognising. So forgive us if we take a little time to celebrate this 100th...


Austria Announces Participation, Plans for EXPO 2017

ASTANA – Austria confirmed May 23 its intention to participate in EXPO 2017, reported the press service of the Kazakh Foreign Ministry. The announcement came during an...


EBRD’s Vision for Astana International Financial Centre

It is an honour to be co-chairing this Foreign Investors Council with President Nazarbayev once again. This year, the theme under discussion is the very exciting plan...


President Abdel Fattakh el-Sisi: Egypt, Kazakhstan Have Good Prospects for Trade, Investment Cooperation

                                          In an exclusive interview with The...


Austria Announces Participation, Plans for EXPO 2017

ASTANA – Austria confirmed May 23 its intention to participate in EXPO 2017, reported the press service of the Kazakh Foreign Ministry. The announcement came during an...


Astana Hosting AIBA Women’s World Boxing Championships

ASTANA – The Amateur International Boxing Association (AIBA) women’s world championships opened May 19 in the capital. This year, the tournament’s already high status rose even further....


Shumenov Claims WBA Regular World Champion Title in First Heavyweight Division

Kazakh professional boxer Beibut Shumenov recently earned his 17th victory and the WBA regular champion belt in the first heavyweight division in Las Vegas with a technical...


Kazakhstan’s Contribution to Inter-Religious and Intercultural Global Dialogue

This year, the people of Kazakhstan are celebrating the 25th anniversary of our independence. Looking back at the past decades, we can safely say that we have...


Kazakh Land Code Commission to Continue Work as Changes Spark Unauthorised Rallies

ASTANA – A second meeting of the special Land Reform Commission took place in Astana on May 21 in a continued effort to calm public sentiment over...


Believers Cannot Remain Silent When Violence Is Done in Their Name

Viewed through the lens of recent events it might be easy for some to lay the blame for extremism and terrorism firmly on religion. To do so...


Artist, ATOM Project Hon. Ambassador Opens First Astana Exhibition, Urges End to ‘Nuclear Madness’

ASTANA – As the threat of terrorism continues to spread around the world, Honorary Ambassador of The ATOM Project, artist and activist against nuclear weapons Karipbek Kuyukov...


Construction Launches in Akmola Region on Central Asia’s Largest Solar Power Plant

ASTANA – Construction began May 20 on a new 100 MW solar plant 40 kilometres from Astana in the village of Kabanbai Batyr. Production is expected to...


EAEU to Focus on Relations with Non-Member Countries in 2016

ASTANA – Improving the Eurasian Economic Union’s (EAEC) relationships with outside countries will be among the organisation’s 2016 priorities, according to a press release from the Kazakh...


Lagarde: Kazakhstan Is a Country with a Promising Future

International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Christine Lagarde pays her first ever visit to Astana on May 24 to discuss with Kazakh and regional authorities how to...


Day of Europe Celebrated in Astana with Film Festival, School Lectures and Classical Concert

ASTANA – The annual Day of Europe celebration was marked this year with events throughout the country from May 16 through May 22. The events were organised...


Policeman in Zhambyl Region Adopts Five Children

ASTANA – Senior Sergeant of the Zhambyl Region Police Department Galym Arystanbayev always dreamt of having a big family. And after adopting five children, in addition to...


70-Year-Old Marathon Runner Urges Participation in May 28 BI Marathon

ASTANA – Famous Kazakh 70 year-old marathon runner Saltanat Tuitebayev has daily trainings in spite of his age. The athlete participates in marathons and often wins medals....


Astana Opera Presents Concert in Honour of Yerkegali Rakhmadiyev

ASTANA – The musical compositions of great Kazakh composer Yerkegali Rakhmadiyev were performed May 13 in the capital at the Chamber Hall of the Astana Opera. The...


200 People Run One Mile for Charity in Astana

ASTANA – Sport Relief Mile, a public run organised by the British Embassy to benefit the Shugyla Public Fund took place in the capital’s Zheruiyk city park...


Small Kurultai of Kazakhs Held in Europe

ASTANA – A traditional small kurultai (assembly) of Kazakhs in Europe was held May 14-15 in Cologne, Germany, and gathered about 2,000 representatives of ethnic diasporas from...


Open Air Cross-Fit, Yoga, Zumba at Astana’s Central Park

ASTANA – Fitness Park Astana, featuring popular exercises in the capital’s Central Park, is the place to be every Sunday from 10 a.m-1 p.m. The open air...


State Bodies Prepare to Transfer Functions to Competitive Environment

ASTANA – First Deputy Minister of National Economy Marat Kussainov talked about implementing the 97th step of the Plan of the Nation that expands opportunities for citizens...


Kazakh Delegation Attends Dialogue in Brussels, Connectivity Conference in Berlin

The Kazakh delegation took an active part in the recent events convened in Brussels, Belgium and Berlin, Germany, where it promoted better dialogue with the European Union...


Astana Economic Forum to Cover Kazakhstan’s First Privatisation Forum, UNDP 50th Anniversary

ASTANA – The United Nations Development Programme’s (UNDP) 50th anniversary and its contribution to sustainable development in Kazakhstan, problems and prospects of linking the Silk Road Economic...


Team Kazakhstan Falls from IIHF World Championships Top Division

ASTANA – The eighth attempt in history for the team of Kazakhstan to stay in the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) World Championships Top Division, which this...


Senegal Supports Kazakhstan’s Bid for Non-Permanent Seat on UN Security Council for 2017-18

ASTANA – Senegalese President Macky Sall confirmed his country will vote for Kazakhstan in the nation’s bid for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council for...


Land Reform Commission Will Review All Proposals, Says First Deputy Prime Minister

ASTANA ­– First Deputy Prime Minister Bakhytzhan Sagintayev summed up the results of the Land Reform Commission’s first session, during a recent briefing at the Central Communications...


Almaty Company Wind Generator Company Uses Kazakh Components

ASTANA – Tree Energy, a small company from Almaty has launched a challenge to world leaders in the production of wind generators and water-power stations using 90...


Astana Hosts Gakku Awards Ceremony

ASTANA – The Gakku channel award ceremony was held at the Kazakhstan Concert Hall in the capital on May 18. The spectacular performance with live sound Gakku...


OYLA Magazine Teaches Youngsters to Think

ASTANA – OYLA, Kazakhstan’s one and only popular science magazine, at less than a year old and with a print run of only 20,000 copies has already...


Kazakhstan Shows Economic Growth in Key Sectors, President Tells Officials

ASTANA – Foreign direct investment (FDI) increased 30 percent in 2015 in Kazakhstan’s agricultural industry and 80 percent in the country’s petroleum products sector, President Nursultan Nazarbayev...


Kazakh Ministry of Culture and Sport, Russian Union Agree to Cooperate

ASTANA – A press conference dedicated to the premiere of the Russian movie “Tak slozhilis zvezdy” (That’s the Way the Stars Aligned) was held in Moscow on...


Electric Car Promoting EXPO 2017 Travels around Europe

ASTANA – The Kazakh team driving an electric car in the Almaty-Paris international auto rally to promote EXPO 2017 stopped in Austria May 9-10 before continuing to...


Kazakhstan and Israel Develop Further along Historic, Economic and Political Ties

ASTANA – Kazakhstan and Israel share warm historic, strong economic and common political values. Growing business interests, medical and water technologies, agriculture and the high-tech field are...


Early 20th Century Merchants Left Indelible Mark on City’s History

ASTANA – In the end of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th century, merchants in Akmola, as the town was called then, were not only...


Africa is Getting Closer: Astana and Dakar are Expanding Partnership

The upcoming official visit to Kazakhstan of Macky Sall, the President of the Republic of Senegal, opens a new page in the relations of Kazakhstan with African...


Iranian Embassy Seeks Clarification

In the Name of the Almighty Dear Editor of The Astana Times, Hereby, with due respect, we would like to point out a few inaccurate facts in...


Kazakhstan and Serbia Have More in Common than it Seems, Says Belgrade’s Ambassador

ASTANA – This year, Serbia and Kazakhstan are celebrating a little anniversary – 20 years of diplomatic relations – and will shortly see the first meeting of...


Israeli Company to Present Airborne Surveillance, Observation System at KADEX 2016

ASTANA – Israeli-based BIRD Aerosystems will demonstrate its Airborne Surveillance, Information and Observation (ASIO) system live at the KADEX 2016 military exhibition in Astana on June 2-5,...


Astana Mayor Briefs President on City’s Progress

ASTANA – Akim (Mayor) of Astana Adilbek Dzhaksybekov briefed Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev May 16 on the socio-economic development of the capital, the implementation of key government...


Yessimov Says EXPO 2017 Preparations Well on Track

ASTANA – EXPO 2017 has negotiated with the International Exhibitions Bureau to achieve the lowest prices for the event, making it not only affordable to the Kazakh...


TEDxAlmaty Welcomes Brilliant Minds for Idea Sharing

ASTANA – “Between Sky and Earth,” highlighting ideas and solutions from leading thinkers, curious minds and captivating orators, will be the topic of this year’s Technology, Entertainment...


Artist, Anti-Nuclear Weapons Activist Karipbek Kuyukov to Hold first Astana Exhibition

ASTANA – The ATOM Project Honourary Ambassador, artist and anti-nuclear weapons activist Karipbek Kuyukov will hold his first exhibition in Astana for ten days beginning May 21....


Astana Economic Forum to Generate Insights into Reinvigorating Economic Growth

The global economy has taken a distinct turn for the worse since politicians, experts and the media gathered for the last Astana Economic Forum in 2015. The...


Young Generation’s Strong Views, A Key Component of Success in Defeating Corruption

South African Ambassador Shirish Soni and I brought a topic to the Astana and Almaty students which was only a week old – the Panama Papers. It...


Kazakhstan-Vietnam Cooperation Offers New Opportunities for Cargo Transport

Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Vietnam Beketzhan Zhumakhanov met recently with Director General of Vietnam Railways Vu Ta Tung and head of the Vietnam Logistics Association Nguyen Tuong...


National Bank Reduces Basic Interest Rates

Chairman of the National Bank of Kazakhstan Daniyar Akishev recently announced the bank has introduced a new basic interest rate, which is an important tool for monetary...


Kazakh Traditional Clothing: Past and Present

ASTANA – Kazakh national clothing can be easily separated by its dazzling bright colours, conservative style and particular Tengrian ornaments. In fact, most of the clothing was...


Arnasai Village in Akmola Region Goes Green

The Coalition for Green Economy together with G-Global and the Akbota Fund have presented May 11 the new social project Arnasai-the Green Valley, reported the press service...


Kazakh Sergeants to Become Combat Instructors

Some Kazakh Army sergeants will be trained as combat instructors, reported the press service of the Kazakh Ministry of Defence. For this purpose, each battalion of military...


KZfashion Agency Models Rule Junior Fashion Week 2016 Runway

ASTANA – Seventy-five talented youngsters and teens walked the runway May 15 for the first Junior Fashion Week. The models, ages 1-17 from the capital, Almaty and...


Damu Fund to Reduce Lending Rates

The Damu Entrepreneurship Development Fund announced its readiness to cut lending rates for businesses to 8.5 percent during the current year. This statement was made by the...


World’s Largest Wind Turbine Manufacturer Confirms EXPO 2017 Participation

ASTANA – On May 11-12, in the framework of the visit of EXPO 2017 Commissioner Rapil Zhoshybayev, Vestas corporation agreed to take part in the Astana exhibition...


Kazakhstan’s Investment Climate Discussed in London, as EBRD Projects Positive Growth for Its Economy in 2016

ASTANA – Kazakh government officials elaborated on initiatives taken to ensure the country is recognised as an attractive investment destination during the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development...


Almaty Region Hosts KazGeo Tengri Ultra Marathon

ASTANA – More than 400 runners participated May 7-8 in the Great Steppe Marathon held on the Ili River near Almaty’s legendary Tamgaly Tas. The athletes, from...