Obama Recommits to Working with Nazarbayev in New Term

ASTANA – U.S. President Barack Obama sent a letter to President Nursultan Nazarbayev of Kazakhstan congratulating him on his new term in office following the April 26...


Unique Exhibition Showcases Works of Central Asian Artists

SINGAPORE – “New Silk Roads: Painting Beyond Borders,” the first exhibition of Central Asian artists, was showcased April 21 in Icon Gallery here. The event was organised...


Kazakh Poet Nominated for Poet of Year in Russia

Ust-Kamenogorsk, East Kazakhstan region resident Olga Rastorguyeva was nominated for Poet of the Year by the Russian Writers Union, reported YK-news.kz. She was considered for the Debut...


Festive Celebrations to Mark May 1 as Day of Unity of the People of Kazakhstan

The 1st of May is a significant holiday for Kazakhstan, as citizens of the country celebrate the peaceful coexistence of various nationalities and ethnicities that has been...


Young Kazakhs Among Nation’s Most Creative Inventors

Kazakhstan patents about 8,000 inventions each year from creators of all ages, according to the National Institute of Intellectual Property of Kazakhstan. And some of those inventions...


Foreign Observers Evaluate Presidential Election, Put It in Perspective

ASTANA – On April 27, the first day of post-election analysis in Kazakhstan, foreign observers continued sharing the findings of their missions to observe the poll putting...


Kazakhstan President to Continue Current Policies, Institute Infrastructure Programmes in New Term

ASTANA – President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev, who was announced the winner of the country’s presidential election early morning on April 27, expressed his “grand satisfaction” at...


Central Election Commission Announces Nazarbayev’s Win with 97.7 Percent

ASTANA – Kuandyk Turgankulov, chairman of the Central Election Commission of Kazakhstan, announced at a news conference at 10 a.m. here, televised live on Khabar TV, that...


With Record Turnout, Incumbent Nazarbayev Wins 97.5% of Vote, Exit Poll Shows

ASTANA – Nursultan Nazarbayev won re-election with a landslide win of 97.5%, the exit poll conducted by the Institute of Democracy showed. Institute director Yulia Kuchinskaya made...


Proud Day for Kazakhstan and A New Step Forward for Our Nation

Today is a proud day for Kazakhstan. In the midst of uncertain times for the country, the region and the world economy, the people of Kazakhstan have...


Int’l Observers Commend Transparency of Early Presidential Election

ASTANA – As voting was held throughout the day on April 26, a number of international observers shared their initial impressions with local media. Italian legislator, who...


Polls Close on a Day of Record Voter Turnout

ASTANA – Kazakhs went to the polls in record numbers for the country’s early presidential election, the Central Election Commission (CEC) of the country has announced: 95.11...


Kazakh FM Welcomes “A Victory for Stability and Progress”

ASTANA – In remarks to foreign observers and reporters today made as the polls were closing at 8 p.m. Astana time, Kazakhstan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Erlan...


All Three Candidates Vote in Presidential Election, Turnout at 41.69 Percent by Noon

ASTANA – “As of 12 p.m. , 41.69 percent of registered voters have voted,” Central Electoral Commission (CEC) member Tatyana Okhlopkova announced to the media shortly...


Voting Begins Across Kazakhstan As Nation Elects President

ASTANA – Polling stations opened across the eastern part of Kazakhstan at 07.00 am Astana time, and one hour later they opened in the country’s another time...


President Calls Upon Citizens to Use Their Voting Rights

ASTANA – Ahead of what is termed the “day of silence,” when the law explicitly bans campaigning and electioneering one day prior to the election, President of...


Public Commission to Deploy 10,000 Observers on Election Day

ASTANA – The National Public Commission for Control of Elections has promised to recruit the single largest group of observers, up to 10,000 well-trained individuals, for the...


Is There a Need for Elections in Central Asia?

In early spring of 2015, an intense political season opened in Central Asia, with three out of five post-Soviet republics in the region holding nationwide elections. Parliamentary...


Assembly of People of Kazakhstan Seeks to Strengthen Interethnic Harmony

ASTANA – The 22nd session of the Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan (APK) was held at the Palace of Peace and Accord April 23 under the...


CEC Working to Reach All of Kazakhstan

ASTANA – The Central Election Commission of Kazakhstan (CEC) is conducting a large-scale outreach campaign to reach each and every citizen of the country during the presidential...


Historic Scenes, Retro Military Equipment to be Presented in Victory Parade

Retro military equipment, much of which is currently exhibited as monuments in different cities throughout Kazakhstan, will line the streets of Astana May 7 as part of...


Government Innovation Expert Says E-Government Advancing

Improving public services online in Kazakhstan and making sure that they are freely accessible has become one of the most important strategic objectives set bythe country’s President,...


Two New Subway Stations Open in Almaty

ASTANA – Two new subway stations opened in Almaty on April 18, and President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev was among the first to take a ride.  The...


April 26 Election to Serve as Another Test of Kazakhstan’s Democracy

Three days are left until the key event of Kazakhstan’s political life over the last four years. More than 9 million citizens are registered to vote in...


Solar Power Plant Construction Begins in South Kazakhstan

German company Promondis Kazakhstan recently began construction of the country’s largest solar power plant with a total capacity of 75 MW in South Kazakhstan, according to the...


Samruk Kazyna Plans to Open Subsidiary in Silicon Valley

The Samruk Kazyna Sovereign Wealth Fund plans to establish a subsidiary in Silicon Valley, California. A working group consisting of the heads of a number of Samruk...


$50 Million Wind Farm to be Built in East Kazakhstan by 2016

ASTANA – A new wind farm with 16 turbines and generating 78MW of power will be built in the Tainty Ulan district of East Kazakhstan this year....


National Hockey Team Dominates in First Two Group Games

Kazakhstan’s national hockey team has made a confident start in the first division of the world championships in Krakow, Poland. In their first two games in Group...


First Stage Completed in Steppe Eagle 2015 Peacekeeping Exercise

ASTANA – The first phase of the Steppe Eagle 2015 peacekeeping exercises was completed April 6-17 at Iliskiy training area near Almaty, reported the Kazakh Ministry of...


Astana Arlans Beat Argentina Condors, Extend Undefeated Streak to 13

The Astana Arlans continued their domination of Group B of the World Series of Boxing (WSB) by knocking out the Argentina Condors 4-1 in an away match...


Barys Goalie Achieves Playoff’s Highest Save Percentage

The seventh season of the Continental Hockey League (KHL) wrapped up on April 19 with the premier Gagarin Cup going to SKA Saint Petersburg. The club from...


Floods in Karaganda Draw Unprecedented Outpouring of Popular Support, Civil Activism

ASTANA – Man is often powerless in combating natural disasters. Theseevents oftenoccur without warning, which sometimes means big losses, endangered lives and property destruction. Last week’s floods...


Eurasian Economic Union Minister Discusses Competition, Antitrust Regulatons

Nurlan Aldabergenov is the minister for competition and antitrust regulation of the Eurasian Economic Commission. The creation of a supranational antimonopoly body on Jan. 1 established the...


Three Presidential Candidates Continue Campaigns across Kazakhstan

ASTANA – Presidential candidates Abelgazy Kussainov, incumbent Nursultan Nazarbayev and Turgun Syzdykov and their campaigns are continuing election canvassing across Kazakhstan. This week, self-nominated candidate Abelgazy Kussainov...


Iran at the Crossroads

Despite the diplomatic success achieved in the talks between Tehran and the P5+1 group in March, the situation surrounding Iran is still uncertain. Presently, the Iranian issue...


New Research Finds Majority of Kazakhs Think Country Is Moving in Right Direction, Ready for Election

ASTANA – New research conducted by U.K. market research agency Ipsos MORI with Kazakh adults shows that a large majority of citizens of the country believe the...


Bike Away the ATOMIC Bomb Calls for Progress at NPT Review Conference

WASHINGTON, D.C. – On April 21, the Bike Away the Atomic Bomb riders began their journey from Washington, D.C. to New York in another push to a...


Newest Trends and Challenges in Occupational Health to Be Discussed at KIOSH 2015 in Astana

ASTANA – Astana will host the fifth annual Kazakhstan International Occupational Safety and Health (KIOSH) Conference on April 28–29. KIOSH aims at reducing the rate of injuries...


Kazakh Weightlifters Win Four Medals at World Youth Championship

Kazakh weightlifters earned four medals at the April 8-12 World Youth Championship in Lima, Peru.   Igor Song and Tatyana Kapustina won gold medals, Aigerim Aulbek took...


Kazakhstan Responds to Syrian Opposition Negotiation Request, Supports Continued Dialogue

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed the country did receive a request from some quarters of the Syrian opposition to provide a platform for dialogue...


Astana’s Rotary Club Launches

ASTANA – Astana’s Rotary Club has now become operational, marking their launch with an opening ceremony in the capital’s Hilton Garden Inn on April 16. The humanitarian...


Astana Piano Festival Supports Young Musicians

ASTANA – The third international classical music festival and young pianist contest directed by Denis Matsuev, a world-famous musician and People’s Artist of Russia, will take place...


Celebrating APK’s 20th Anniversary is as Much About the Past as it is About the Future

It would be no surprise if there was some bewilderment from those outside our country at the prominence given to the 20th anniversary of the Assembly of...


KazGeo Expedition Succeeds in Reaching North Pole on Skis

ASTANA – The first Kazakhstan ski expedition to the North Pole has conquered the extreme northern tip of the world on April 15 and planted three flags...


Cultural, Economic Cooperation with UNESCO, OECD Discussed during Top Level Visit to Paris

ASTANA – Gulshara Abdykalikova, Kazakhstan’s secretary of state, discussed potential avenues for expanding the country’s economic and cultural cooperation with international organisations during her visit to Paris...


Astana Theatre Production to Highlight Friendships between Country’s Ethnic Groups

Kazakh Auenderi, a national concert company, will produce a theatrical performance about friendship between different ethnic communities of Kazakhstan, according to  company President Askhat Maemirov who spoke...


Autism Resource Centres to Open as Almaty Holds World Autism Awareness Day

Hundreds of blue balloons were released into the sky to draw attention to the Light Up Blue campaign to mark United Nations Autism Awareness Day on April...


Cheap Loans to be Available for Kazakh-Made Car Purchases

ASTANA – Cheap loans to purchase Kazakh-made cars, with a four percent nominal fee rate and five year maximum loan term, will be available beginning April 20....


The Short, Colourful Lives of Spring Steppe Flowers

ASTANA – The hardy souls who stick out one of Astana’s long and frigid winters can count on at least one reward: when the snows finally melt...


Business News in Brief

Acting Deputy General Director of Gazprom Neft Kazakhstan Marat Malatayev reported April 15 that the company is currently considering the issues for Euro-4 domestic refineries gasoline quality...


Economic News in Brief

Chairman of the Committee on Statistics of the Ministry of National Economy Alikhan Smailov spoke at an April 15 media briefing about the main indicators of Kazakh...


External News in Brief

Over the past 10 years, Kazakhstan has invested $900 million in Singapore’s economy, while the inflow of direct investment from Singapore into Kazakhstan’s economy amounted to more...


National News in Brief

All necessary measures are being taken in Kazakhstan to develop the languages of various ethnic groups living in the nation, said Deputy Prime Minister Berdibek Saparbayev at...


Kazakhstan, Turkey Discuss Regional, International Cooperation

ASTANA – President Nursultan Nazarbayev met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the Akorda presidential residence on April 16. The two presidents discussed strengthening cooperation in...


Kazakh-Specific Keyboards Expected by End of 2015

A recently patented keyboard with comfortable positioning of Kazakh letters will be produced in Almaty and is expected by the end of the year, according to project...


New Social Network Meant to Increase Kazakh Law, Financial Knowledge

ASTANA – A new website, www.1ccc.kz, has been created by the Financial Academy to increase Kazakh citizens’ understanding of the law and financial literacy. “The social network...


Almaty to Host Sixth French Film Festival

ALMATY – The latest sophisticated, vibrant and daring films from France will be showcased beginning April 23 during the sixth French film festival “Le cinéma français aujourd’hui.” The...


Development Assistance Key to Eliminating Support for Extremists

As we look around the world, violent extremism and terrorism has never been a greater threat. In parts of the Middle East and Africa, for example, it...


Chinese Company Plans to Construct New Oil Refinery in Mangistau

The Chinese company CITIC, which recently launched the first bitumen plant in Mangistau, is planning to finance the construction of a new oil refinery in the region,...


Kazakhstan-Turkey Strategic Partnership Can Serve as Example

From the first days of independence, Kazakhstan has held an open and balanced foreign policy. The country established friendly relations with many countries of the world. Turkey...


Marriott Seeks New Partners, New Local Relationships with Open Day

ASTANA – The Marriott Astana opened its third floor event facilities to all comers during its Open Day on April 13, an event intended to demonstrate the...


Contest Names Best Children’s Literature Authors

Kazakhmys Corporation and the Union of Writers of Kazakhstan recently announced the winners of the Balausa competition to select the best literary work in the Kazakh language...


UN Development Programme Allows Oralmans Teach Fellow Oralmans

ASTANA – Individuals who were once students are now serving as teachers.   Classes in Russian and computer literacy, provided under the United Nations Development Program (UNDP),...


State Archive to Present Book Chronicling 20th Century History of Kazakhstan’s Jewish Community

ASTANA– Apresentation of the book “History, Memory,People,” which depicts the losses of Kazakhstan’s Jewish community in the 20th century, will be hosted by the Central State Archive...


Astana Hosts First National Blue-Collar Skills Championship

ASTANA – More than 70 blue-collar workers from 15 regions of the country gathered in Astana April 9-11 to show their skills in welding, IT management, catering,...


Forbes Kazakhstan Establishes Architectural Innovation Award

In light of the coming international exhibition EXPO 2017, which will largely focus on sustainable development and the face of energy in the future, Forbes Kazakhstan business...


World War II Veterans Council, Veterans of Foreign Wars Discuss Ways to Honour Veterans

ASTANA – Representatives of the Council of World War II Veterans, Home Guard and Kids of the War and the U.S.-based Veterans of Foreign Wars recently met...


State to Allocate 35 Billion Tenge to Support Mechanical Engineering

The state will allocate 35 billion tenge to support domestic mechanical engineering, First Vice Minister of National Economy Marat Kussainov said at the Central Communications Service briefing...


More Than One Million Square Metres of Rental Housing to be Built Before 2020

ASTANA – As part of the country’s regional development programmes, 1.4 million square metres of rental housing is scheduled to be built over the next four years,...


In First Speech since Lausanne Deal, Iran’s Zarif Says No Imposed Solution Can Be Sustainable

ASTANA – On April 13, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif started his official two-day visit to Astana, beginning with a lecture in English at the Kazakh...


Kazakhstan, Hungary Create Joint Agricultural Development Fund

Kazakhstan established an agricultural development fund during Hungarian Prime Minister Victor Orban’s recent visit to Astana, the KazAgro press service reported. KazAgro established the fund jointly with...


Karaganda Methane Production Project to Provide Gas to Astana, Karaganda Region

ASTANA – A methane production project has been launched in the Karaganda coal basin that will help supply gas to the Astana and Karaganda region and in...


Kazakhstan, Iran Discuss Bilateral Cooperation, Regional Security

ASTANA – President Nursultan Nazarbayev received visiting Minister of Foreign Affairs of Iran Mohammad Javad Zarif in the Akorda presidential residence on April 13, emphasising that Kazakhstan...


President Explains Kazakhstan’s Specific Economic Challenges at Youth Forum

ASTANA – Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev addressed a youth forum on April 10, drawing attention to Kazakhstan’s achievements during its years of independence and the importance of...


Kashagan to Start Production in 2017, Says Royal Dutch Shell Report

ASTANA – Production at Kazakhstan’s giant Kashagan offshore oil field is expected to restart in 2017, Royal Dutch Shell stated in its 2014 annual report. “After the...


Kazakh Naval Force Celebrate 22nd Anniversary

Twenty-two years ago, the Kazakhstan Navy was established as part of the Armed Forces of a new independent state.  The corresponding presidential decree was issued on April...


Kazakh Middle Class Should Become Active in Stock Investments, Say Experts

ASTANA – Stocks aren’t a cultural element in Kazakhstan as in the U.S. and many other Western countries. Experts and private investors, however, consider that the situation...


Nazarbayev University Commercialisation Office Supports Domestic Innovation

ASTANA – At Nazarbayev University, the drive to research and innovate is being balanced and informed by the need to create practical, marketable products – a process...


Kazakhstan, South Korea Work Together in Healthcare

Deputy Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Berdybek Saparbayev met with a delegation from the Republic of Korea on March 26 to sign memorandums and discuss ongoing cooperation efforts....


Bolashak Recipients Discuss Life after Graduation

The Bolashak International Scholarship Programme is one of Kazakhstan’s most successful educational initiatives. The programme sends some of Kazakhstan’s best and brightest college students to study abroad...


Job Fair Connects the Disabled to Jobs

ASTANA – The Employment Centre of the Astana Akimat (city administration) recently hosted a job fair for people with disabilities in order to provide them with job...


Kazakhstan’s Unique History Informs Global Anti-Nuclear-Weapons Stance

The current international geopolitical stage and the global economic situation are in the midst of complex times. This period is especially difficult because of the new political...


Rail-Air Connection Can Bring Goods from China to Europe Quickly

In December 2014, the KTZ Express joint stock company implemented the Rail-Air project to transport goods from China to Europe quickly. In an interview with this newspaper,...


Pottery Maker Speaks of Passion for Art and Country

The Kulanshi Modern Art Centre conducted master classes in pottery making and jewellery design March 25 during the Nauryz holidays. The free classes attracted more than 140...


Events in Washington Address Renewed U.S. Policy on Central Asia, Geopolitics in Region

ASTANA – Over two days last week, three events – academic and political – in Washington D.C. addressed geopolitics and strategy in Kazakhstan and Central Asia, following...


Kazakh Beauty Wins Grand Prix at Face of Central Asia Model Contest

Astana-based model Innara Yusupova of Astana’s Ok-Models won Grand Prix during the March 17-20 Face of Central Asia model contest and is now preparing to represent Kazakhstan...


Nazarbayev: South Kazakhstan Has Potential to be Fruit, Vegetable Powerhouse

The South Kazakhstan region has the potential to become a major fruit and vegetable producer, President Nursultan Nazarbayev said during a visit to the region on March...


Hockey Star Thoresen Talks Almaty’s Olympic Chances, his Place among Current Greats

This season, Astana Barys defender, Canadian-born Kevin Dallman, who once again plans to play for Kazakhstan’s national team at the World Cup, crossed the 300-point mark in...


Almaty Little League Baseball Celebrates 20th Anniversary

Chingiz Bura, president of the Almaty Little League, gave an exclusive interview to The Astana Times. An Almaty native and entrepreneur, Bura is aiming to revitalise the...


TCO Plans to Press Ahead with Expansion at Tengiz Despite Low Oil Prices

ASTANA – The twofold drop in oil prices on the world market didn’t change the investment strategy of Tengizchevroil. The company, a joint venture between Chevron (50...


National Women’s Ice Hockey Team Remains Undefeated, Gets Promoted to Division I

The Kazakhstan national women’s ice hockey team finished the fourth International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) tournament Division 2A held March 30 – April 5 in Dumfries, Scotland...


Bolashak Switches from One-Year to Six-Plus-Six Month Language Training System

The Bolashak’s Centre for International Programmes (CIP) and the Ministry of Education and Science of Kazakhstan recently announced that they would be switching from the current one-year...


Kazakhstan Seeks Italian Business Involvement in Innovation Programme, Says Ambassador in Rome

Italy is one of Kazakhstan’s main European trading partners and the third overall after the Russian Federation and China. Trade turnover between the two countries exceeded $16...


Czech Ambassador Seeks to Share Kazakh Culture with her Countrymen

ASTANA – Czech Ambassador Eliška Žigová is in Kazakhstan to help bring this country and hers together – or, more specifically, to bring Czechs of all kinds...


Kazakhstan Increases Budget for Spring Field Work

A total of 60 billion tenge (US$320.98 million) has been allocated from the state budget this year for spring fieldwork, which is 20 billion tenge (US$107.67 million)...


Kussainov Tours Country with Campaign Meetings

ASTANA – Self-nominated candidate for the April 26 early presidential election Abelgazy Kussainov has launched his election campaign across the country and his election headquarters, headed by...


Astana Welcomes Lausanne Agreements on Iranian Nuclear Programme

ASTANA – The Kazakh Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement on April 3, commending the news of a consensus reached at the P5+1 talks with Iran...


Agreements with Iran Show Engagement Not Exclusion Give Chance for Development

The news last week from Switzerland of a political framework agreement reached at the talks over Iran’s nuclear programme is a major step forward. No one should...


Business News in Brief

Transportation investments will reach $20 billion by 2020, First Deputy Minister of Investment and Development of Kazakhstan Zhenis Kassymbek said during the March 30 Kazakhstan-Batumi business forum....


Economic News in Brief

Within the framework of the second tranche of the National Fund, the Development Bank of Kazakhstan (DBK) allocated 50 billion tenge (US$269.3 million) to the second-tier banks...