Almaty’s Winter Universiade 2017 Reaches Record Number of Participating Countries

ALMATY – Fifty-four countries have signed up to participate in Winter University 2017 in Kazakhstan, which is a new record high for participating countries, according to the...


Astana Psychiatrist Discusses Mental Health Issues in the Capital

ASTANA – How the mentally ill are treated in Kazakh society, what mental issues bother capital residents and how to deal with them are topics frequently addressed...


Domestic Satellite KazSat-3 Begins Transmitting OTAU TV Programmes

Kazteleradio  started broadcasting OTAU TV programmes transmitted by the KazSat-3 satellite on March 1st, reported the press service of the KazCosmos National Space Agency. The technical centre...


Conference Marks Completion of Civil Service Reform Project

ASTANA – March marks the end of the European Union (EU) project on Civil Service Reform (CSR) and modernising the Kazakh government. The final conference took place...


New Law to Reduce Risks for Kazakh Housing Equity Holders

ASTANA – Recent legislation has made the requirements for developers far more stringent. The Kazakh Senate adopted a law “About equity share in housing construction” and the...


Hundreds Attend Kazakh Food Festival in New York City

The Festival of Kazakh Cuisine took place at the United Nations headquarters in New York March 7-11, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan reported. Five well-known...


Award-Winning Big Cities Producers to Create TV Programme Promoting Ethno-Tourism

ASTANA – Big Cities, winners of last year’s Presidential Award for the highest–rated television programme aired on 24KZ, has announced plans to launch a new programme popularising...


Transport Officials Discuss Trans-Caspian Int’l Route at Eurasia Rail 2016 Conference

Kazakhstan Temir Zholy National Company Chairman Askar Mamin, Minister of Transport, Maritime Affairs and Communications of Turkey Binali Yildirim and President of Turkish railway company TCDD Omer Yildiz...


Women Run About 700,000 Kazakh Enterprises

ASTANA – Atameken Council of Business Women of Kazakhstan Chairperson Lyazzat Ramazanova recently spoke about women’s entrepreneurship in the nation, as well as the possible financing of...


Opening of Kazakhstan’s First McDonald’s Draws Big Crowds, High Officials

ASTANA – While the opening of a fast-food restaurant is not normally a big deal for most countries, in Kazakhstan, it became quite an event. The launch...


Kazakhstan Provides Free Military Armaments, Equipment to Kyrgyzstan

ASTANA – Kazakh Senate members approved the bill “On ratification of the agreement between the governments of Kazakhstan and the Kyrgyz Republic for the provision of free...


It’s Now or Never to Make the World Gender Equal

Achieving gender equality and eliminating poverty are part of the same battle. As we mark International Women’s Day, let us remember that the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable...


Astana Arlans Win in Baku Following Defeat in Tashkent

World Series of Boxing (WSB) reigning champions the Astana Arlans continue to defend their title in the league’s sixth season. Last week the Kazakh roster won an...


Kazakh Actress Calls for Contributions to Help Return Tugai Deer to Balkhash Lake

ASTANA – Kazakh actress and ambassador for Russia’s World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) in Kazakhstan Bibigul Aktan has called upon residents of Kazakhstan to take part...


Baritone Yevgeny Chainikov Debuts as King of Ethiopia in Verdi’s ‘Aida’

ASTANA – Yevgeny Chainikov, who has a master’s degree in opera singing from Arizona State University and is a laureate of international contests, debuted as Amonasro, King...


Kazakh Entrepreneurs Use Liquid Nitrogen to Make Ice Cream

Two Almaty businessmen have jumped into the food industry with the idea of making ice cream using liquid nitrogen. Scoopers is the first company in the Commonwealth...


Kazakh Restaurant in Paris Included in City’s 2016 Michelin Guide

ASTANA – Chez Mademoiselle, a restaurant in the centre of Paris featuring Kazakh, Russian and Central Asian cuisine, has been included in the city’s 2016 Michelin Guide....


Kazakh Parliament Considers Rent Increase for Russian Rented Land

ASTANA – Members of the lower chamber of the Parliament (MPs), the Mazhilis, are discussing ways to raise the yearly rent for Russian military test sites in...


Nur Otan Party is Most Active in the Media, Election Commission Says

ASTANA – The Central Election Commission (CEC) of Kazakhstan recently summed up the intermediate results of monitoring the activeness of political parties in the media. The Nur...


Poland Is Ready to Demonstrate its Innovative Technologies at EXPO 2017

Poland expressed readiness to present its technologies in renewable and alternative energy sources during an official visit of EXPO 2017 Commissioner and Kazakhstan’s First Deputy Foreign Minister...


Women are Important Partners in ‘Family, Community and Country’

In today’s knowledge economy, the most important resource and main driver of prosperity is the talent and energy of a country’s people. So the better a society...


Kazakh Think Tank Gathers Int’l Experts to Discuss Terrorism, Relations among Powers

ASTANA – New global challenges were discussed by foreign experts March 2 at the Kazakhstan Institute for Strategic Studies (KAZISS). Growing strains in relations between world powers...


City of Eggs, Buckets, Dollars and Flying Saucers

ASTANA – “Let’s meet near the Egg!” or “I’m in the Lighter!” or “I need a ride to Chupa Chups!” If you ever hear those phrases, don’t...


KazGUU Academic Diplomatic Club Hosts Farewell to UAE, Japanese Ambassadors

ASTANA – The South African Embassy to the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Embassy of the Kingdom of Norway together with the KazGUU Academic Diplomatic Club hosted...


Historical Photo and Documentary Exhibit Marks 24 Years of Kazakhstan’s UN Membership

ASTANA­ – Kazakhstan’s Foreign Ministry opened an exhibition of unique archival materials from the Archives of the President of Kazakhstan and historic photographs reflecting the country’s cooperation...


Nazarbayev Congratulates Kazakh People on Day of Gratitude, Recalls Country’s Historic Past

ASTANA – President Nursultan Nazarbayev congratulated the people of Kazakhstan with the Day of Gratitude celebrated in the nation for the first time on March 1. He...


Shymkent Police Adopt Drone Technology to Patrol Streets

ASTANA – Shymkent Police have launched a pilot project to use quadcopter air drones to monitor and improve road safety, according to the press service of the...


Kazakh President Says Crisis Provides New Development Opportunities

ASTANA – Emphasising that the global economic turbulence continues to generate social and political upheaval in the world, Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev said this situation creates opportunities...


Water Use Key to Launch of Kazakhstan’s Transition to Green Economy

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s Green Economy Concept policy, adopted in May 2013, aims to diversify the economy through the careful use of natural resources. The effective use of...


Kazakhstan’s First UN Representative Reflects on almost a Quarter Century of Membership

Kazakhstan was admitted to membership in the United Nations (UN) on March 2, 1992. On the eve of the 24th anniversary of such an important event in...


Human Rights Protection Work On-going in Kazakhstan, Ambassador Says

Ahead of the high-level segment of the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC), held each March, The Astana Times discussed cooperation between Kazakhstan and the UN and bilateral...


Soyle.kz Director Utilises Internet to Bring Kazakh Language to the World

ASTANA – Soyle.kz is using the Internet and mobile technology to bring Kazakh language, culture and history to Russian and English speakers across the globe. “Soyle” means...


Kazakh Senate Speaker Calls for Spirit of Dialogue in OSCE Parliamentary Assembly

ASTANA – The Parliamentary Assembly of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) should act in “a spirit of a common political project” and seek...


Alstom Now Holds 50 Percent of Electric Locomotive Production Joint Venture

ASTANA – Alstom and Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ), Kazakhstan’s national railway company, completed the process of Alstom’s acquisition of an additional 25 percent of the Electrovoz Kurastyru...


Kazakh, Egyptian Presidents Discuss Trade, Cooperation in Astana

ASTANA – Kazakh President Nazarbayev discussed bilateral cooperation in the trade, economic, agricultural, pharmaceutical, space and atomic spheres, as well as infrastructure construction and transport with Arab...


Kazakhstan Can Be Incubator for Public Service Innovation, Says UNDP’s Innovation Specialist

ASTANA – “Train on the job” and “learn by doing” were the ideas conveyed to Kazakh public employees during a Feb. 22 seminar about innovative trends and...


Relations with Egypt Set to Strengthen Further, Kazakh Ambassador in Cairo Says

In advance of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi’s visit to Astana on Feb. 26-27, Kazakh Ambassador in Cairo Berik Aryn answered a number of questions for The...


EXPO 2017 is a ‘Dialogue of the International Community,’ Says BIE Chief

ASTANA – EXPO 2017 preparations are well on track in terms of construction of facilities, lining up participation and removing hurdles for travel, while the event’s success...


Competition Leaves No Time for Boredom, Says Kazakh Quartet’s Cellist

ASTANA – A quartet is often considered to perform elitist music for the intelligentsia and casual listeners might not be attracted. The audience that desires chamber music...


Kazakh Human Rights Office Received 1,340 Requests for Assistance in 2015, Says New Report

ASTANA – Kazakh Commissioner for Human Rights Askar Shakirov presented a report of the National Ombudsman’s work in 2015 to President Nursultan Nazarbayev Feb.24, reported the press...


Nazarbayev, EEC Chairman Examine EAEU Strategy Given Global Economic Challenges

ASTANA – Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev and Chairman of the Board of the Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC) Tigran Sargsyan discussed the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) development strategy in the framework...


EXPO Preparations, Participant Privileges Discussed at Int’l Participants Meeting in Astana

ASTANA – More than 270 representatives of expo working groups from more than 100 countries took part in the second International Participants Meeting (IPM) in Astana Feb....


KTZ President, Iranian Transportation Officials Discuss Development of Eurasian Transcontinental Corridor

Kazakhstan Temir Zholy National Company Chairman Askar Mamin and a company delegation met with the heads of Iranian transportation companies in Tehran on Feb. 22 to discuss...


Kazakh Poet Presents New Collection of Poems in Astana

ASTANA – Kazakh poet Tamara Salimova and 40A Studio, supported by Marriot Hotel, held a presentation of a new book of poems in Astana on Feb. 11....


Hungarian Envoy: Foreign Trade, Cultural Expansion Among Priorities in Kazakhstan

ASTANA – The Hungarian economy has seen constant growth since leaving behind the echo of the 2008 financial crisis, and the country’s embassy in Kazakhstan is now...


Barys Fails to Reach Gagarin Cup Playoffs for First Time in Eight Years

The Barys Astana hockey club has missed the Continental Hockey League (KHL) Gagarin Cup playoffs for the first time in eight years despite a Feb. 18 shootout...


Kazakh Journalists Promote 2017 Winter Universiade at Congress of International Sports Journalists in Qatar

DOHA – Qatar’s capital recently hosted the 79th congress of the International Sports Press Association (AIPS). The latest annual event gathered more than 200 delegates from more...


Mazhilis Election Registration Closes, Six Parties and 234 Candidates Approved by CEC

ASTANA – The political party registration process for the March 20 parliamentary elections ended Feb. 20 with a six-party list that includes 234 candidates approved by the...


Experts Want More Kazakh Products Exported to China

ASTANA – Chairman of the KAZNEX INVEST National Agency for Export and Investment Borisbiy Zhangurazov called on enterprises to develop promising export destinations during a recent press...


Moscow Commemorates 170th Anniversary of Birth of Zhambyl Zhabayev

The Union of Kazakh Youth together with the Kazakh Embassy in Moscow organised a musical evening to commemorate the 170th anniversary of the birth of Kazakh poet...


Bulgarians ‘Sprinkled Kazakh Steppes with Sweat and Blood’, Community Leader Says

ASTANA – Although Bulgaria and Kazakhstan might seem to have little but the Soviet Union to link them, Bulgarians actually first arrived on the territory of modern...


Kazakh Epee Team Wins Silver at World Cup

Kazakhstan’s national men’s fencing team won silver medals at the recent Epee World Cup held in Vancouver, Canada. The Kazakh epeeists started the tournament with a confident...


Kazakhstan, China to Cooperate on JAC Vehicle Production, Other Industrial Projects

Kostanai region Akim (Governor) Arkhimed Mukhambetov announced plans to implement nine projects to attract foreign direct investments to the region during 2016. He noted the main inflow...


British Superb Films to Shoot Genghis Khan Movie in Kazakhstan

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Culture and Sports and British company Superb Films have agreed to cooperate in the field of culture and film arts, according to...


Astana Opera Dedicates Project to 25th Anniversary of Kazakhstan’s Independence

ASTANA – The Astana Opera Theatre will release an anthology of symphonic music by Kazakh composers of the 20th century to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Kazakhstan’s...


Domestic Oncology Not Perfect But Developing, Expert Says

ASTANA – While Kazakh cancer care is not yet delivered in five-star surroundings, the quality of treatment has improved by leaps and bounds in the last few...


Excitement Builds for Broadcast of ‘Kazakh Game of Thrones’

It has been an extraordinary hit. With fans in 170 countries and said to be the most pirated programme in TV history, the team behind Game of...


Kazakh Senate Ratifies Free Trade Agreement between EAEU and Vietnam

ASTANA – Members of the Kazakh Senate have adopted a law “On ratification of the free trade agreement between the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and its member...


Successfully Hosting EXPO 2017 Is Very Important for Kazakhstan

Astana EXPO 2017 is a priority project for Kazakhstan. This is the first time an international exhibition of this kind will be held in the former Soviet...


Crimean Artist Creates Sand Animation about Kazakhstan

ASTANA – Famous Crimean artist and sand animation performer Kseniya Simonova has dedicated her new film to Kazakhstan, reported Kazpravda.kz on Feb. 9, citing Argumenty I Fakty...


Hungarian Books Reflecting Historic Ties with Turkic Peoples Presented in Astana

ASTANA – The scientific legacy of Hungarian orientalists and the Magyar people’s historical ties with Turkic-speaking peoples were discussed at a roundtable in the city’s International Turkic...


Kazakhstan Takes Bronze at Euro Futsal 2016

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s national team caused a sport sensation, taking bronze in their debut at the European Futsal Championship (Euro Futsal 2016) held in Belgrade Feb. 2–13....


Kazakh Painter Conquers European Art Scene, Brings Inspiring Story to World

ASTANA – Almaty native Tolkyn Sakbayeva, 25, was diagnosed with cerebral palsy as a child. Yet the artist has overcome her physical challenges to allow her talent...


Tea vs. Coffee: Comparing Cultures and their Role in Kazakh Society

ASTANA —  Kazakhs have been drinking tea for thousands of years, while some are only starting to drink coffee. Why do residents prefer one hot drink over...


Historic Meeting to Help Eliminate Misunderstandings and Suspicions

“Historic” is an adjective all too often applied to many events, occasionally even in this newspaper. But no one can doubt the historic nature of the meeting...


Kazakhstan’s Major Banks Seek Innovations with ‘Hackathons’

ASTANA – The development time for new technologies dictates its rules to the financial sector. The country’s two major banks – Halyk Bank and Kazkommertsbank – organised...


Kazakhstan’s First McDonald’s to Open in 2016

ASTANA – For quite a long time it was uncertain if McDonald’s would appear in Kazakhstan. After many years of debate, two McDonald’s fast-food restaurants will now...


Young Kazakh Entrepreneurs Seek to Save Aport Apple

ALMATY – Two Almaty entrepreneurs are using new media and technology in their quest to restore Kazakhstan’s famous, but threatened, Aport apples. The young businessmen launched an...


Nazarbayev Pushes for Almaty’s Better Preparedness for 2017 Universiade

ASTANA – Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev instructed the government in collaboration with the 2017 World Winter Universiade organising committee and Almaty’s akimat (city administration) to take all...


FM Idrissov: The World Supports a Vision of a Nuclear-Weapons-Free Planet

Speaking at the United Nations General Assembly session last September, Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev put forward a number of major international initiatives, including adopting the Universal Declaration...


Mysteries of One of Capital’s Creepiest Escape Rooms

ASTANA – They say only great despair may bring light to treasures of the human intellect, but what if aside from despair alone, you’re being chased by...


EBRD Loans $103 Million to Upgrade Almaty-Astana Highway

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development has extended a $103 million loan to support upgrades to a stretch of the highway that connects Kazakhstan’s capital with...


New Online Store Sells Products Made by the Physically Challenged

ASTANA – InvaMade, a new online store launched Feb. 5 in Almaty, is hoping to serve as a window of opportunity for Kazakh citizens with physical challenges...


Almost One Million People Receive Kazakhstan Citizenship since 1992

ASTANA – A total of 963,540 people received Kazakhstan citizenship from 1992-2015, with the vast majority (858,661) being ethnic Kazakhs wishing to immigrate back to Kazakhstan (known...


OSCE/ODIHR Election Observation Mission Head Pledges Objective Monitoring, Stresses Focus on Process

ASTANA – Observers from the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe’s Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (OSCE/ODIHR) will monitor Kazakhstan’s March 20 early parliamentary...


France Supports, Seeks Inspiration from Astana EXPO 2017

France stands by Kazakhstan in the perspective of the upcoming international exhibition in Astana in 2017, whose candidacy has always been supported by my country to the...


Kazakhstan Committed to Competitive, Transparent and Fair Elections, Foreign Minister Says

ASTANA – Kazakhstan is committed to holding competitive, transparent and fair elections, Foreign Minister Erlan Idrissov said at a Feb. 17 meeting with the head of the...


Election Commission Releases Early Mazhilis and Maslikhat Nomination Information

ASTANA – The Central Election Commission (CEC) held a briefing Feb. 12 devoted to the election campaign of deputies of the Mazhilis (lower house of Parliament) and maslikhats...


More than 6,000 Kazakh Citizens Received Microcredits in 2015

ASTANA – The Employment Road Map programme functioning since 2011 is already bearing fruit, Deputy Minister of Labour and Social Protection Bauyrzhan Nurymbetov said recently at a...


Short Film by Kazakh Director to be Shown at Cannes

ASTANA – “Tragiometry,” a short film by Kazakh director Tatyana Kim, will participate in Short Movie Corner (The Court Metrage) within the 69th annual Cannes Film Festival....


Kazakh Khanate Series Shows World Historic Period before Independent Kazakhstan

ASTANA – Inspired by popular television series like “Game of Thrones,” “Genghis Khan” and “Magnificent Century” with thought-provoking screenplays, battle scenes and palace intrigue, the makers of...


A Touching Documentary on Children Who Defeated Cancer Filmed in Almaty

ASTANA – A film created with the assistance of the Amila public fund, which assists cancer patients, has been produced within the framework of a project for...


Iran Introduces Protective Duties for Kazakh Grain Imports

ASTANA – The Iranian government recently introduced protective duties for the import of Kazakhstan grain to protect its domestic market, according to President of Aktau International Seaport...


Kazakhstan, Russia Fight Together Against Agricultural Pests

Kazakh and Russian experts held a meeting on plant protection and locust control in cross-border regions on Feb. 9 in Aktobe, reported the press service of the...


India Willing to Demonstrate its Innovation-Led Growth at EXPO 2017

Indian officials told EXPO 2017 Commissioner and Kazakhstan’s First Deputy Foreign Minister Rapil Zhoshybayev during his Feb. 12 visit that India, one of the top 10 states...


Astana Pro Team Cyclist Andriy Grivko Wins La Méditerranéenne

ASTANA – Astana Pro Team rider Andriy Grivko won the overall standings of the stage race La Méditerranéenne, which recently took place on the roads of Spain,...


‘Khorgos-Eastern Gate’ Intends to Create Favourable Business Environment for Investors

The Khorgos Dry Port on the border with China plans to update its operations to better attract investment to the region, reported the press office of the...


Independent Athlete’s Anti-Doping Commission Set Up in Kazakhstan

ASTANA – An independent anti-doping commission (AIC) has been created in Astana, according to the Kazakh National Olympic Committee’s (NOK) press office. The main purpose of this...


Nature, Health Therapy Combine at Country’s Top Therapeutic Wellness Resorts

ASTANA – Health and wellness resorts are an excellent getaway from a dusty, noisy and stress-driven urban life. Many residents living in the capital and other big...


Country Secures 20 Lillehammer Youth Olympic Games Slots

ASTANA – Twenty bids have been won by Kazakhstan for the Youth Olympic Games in Norway in nine events. The former Winter Olympics city of Lillehammer hosts...


Samsung Becomes Official EXPO 2017 Partner

ASTANA – The Astana EXPO 2017 National Company and Samsung Electronics Central Eurasia have signed a memorandum of cooperation making the South Korean multinational electronics company an official partner of...


Kazakhstan Changes Army’s Style of Marching

ASTANA – Kazakhstan President Nursultan Nazarbayev has ordered a new way the country’s soldiers should march. Nazarbayev issued a decree on Feb. 3 saying that from now...


Iran to Buy Kazakh-Made Commodities, Ready to Establish Joint Investment Fund

ASTANA – As a result of the large-scale Kazakh-Iranian business forum held Feb. 6-8 in Tehran, the two nations have agreed on a supply of Kazakh-made train...


New Kazakh Education and Science Minister Brings Private Sector Experience

ASTANA ­– Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev appointed Erlan Sagadiyev new Minister of Education and Science, the Akorda press service reported Feb. 10. Sagadiyev believes it is necessary...


Astana to Host AIBA Women’s World Boxing Championship

ASTANA – More than 300 professional female boxers will have a chance to take part in the 2016 AIBA Women’s World championship in the Kazakh capital May...


Spain Too Strong for Kazakhstan in Futsal Euro 2016 Semi-Final

Team Kazakhstan gave way to Spain, losing 5-3 in the semi-final of Futsal EURO 2016 underway in Belgrade, Serbia. Who would have thought before the tournament that...


Perfetto, Kazakhstan!

Team Kazakhstan became the main sensation of Futsal EURO 2016 continuing in Belgrade, Serbia. In the quarterfinal, the debutants crushed reigning champion Italy, 5-2. “We want to...


Kazakh President Orders New Massive Investments in Economy

ASTANA – President Nursultan Nazarbayev ordered the government to make way for huge investments into Kazakhstan’s economy as it continues to deal with twin negative effects of...


EXPO 2017 to Select Best Achievements in Energy

ASTANA – Selection of best practices in the field of energy for a pavilion “Energy Best Practices Area” (eBPa) has started on the website http://www.ebpa2017.org/ebpa. The idea of...


Team Kazakhstan Reaches Quarter Final in Futsal Euro Debut

ASTANA – The Kazakh national futsal team reached the quarterfinals in its first-ever appearance at the UEFA Futsal Championship (Futsal Euro), which is taking place this year...