Labor Market Trends: Who Employers Sought Most in Kazakhstan in 2025

ALMATY – More than 1.3 million job vacancies were posted in Kazakhstan in 2025, with demand strongest for healthcare, education and transport workers, reported the Ministry of...


Air Astana Launches Ticket Sales for Seasonal Flights to Cyprus

ALMATY – Air Astana has opened ticket sales for direct seasonal flights to Cyprus as part of its summer 2026 schedule. From June through September, the airline...


OPEC+ Countries Pause Supply Hikes, Reaffirm Flexible Production Strategy

ALMATY – Eight OPEC+ member countries have reaffirmed their commitment to oil market stability, citing a steady global economic outlook and healthy market fundamentals reflected in relatively...


President Tokayev to Pay State Visit to Pakistan This Week 

ALMATY – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev will pay a state visit to Pakistan on Feb. 3–4, reported the Akorda press service.  During the visit, the Kazakh leader will...


Expert Warns of Rising Threat from Space Debris

ASTANA – Space exploration and environmental risks are increasingly intertwined as defunct spacecraft turn into uncontrolled debris orbiting Earth. Dr. Dmitry Sizov, an aerospace engineering expert at...


Kazakhstan Takes Chair of Central Asian Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone for 2026

ALMATY – Kazakhstan has officially assumed the chairmanship of the Treaty on a Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone in Central Asia for 2026, following the annual consultative meeting of the...


Venture Investment in AI Rises Fivefold in Two Years, Says Latest Report

ASTANA – Kazakhstan has developed a rapidly expanding artificial intelligence (AI) startup ecosystem, with more than 100 AI startups now operating in the country and venture investment...


Kasteev Museum That Raised Generations Reopens with Spirit Intact

ALMATY – The Abilkhan Kasteev National Museum of Arts was never just a museum for Almaty’s public. It was a second home and for many children, the...


From Office to Peaks: Anar Burasheva Reflects on Her Journey in Mountains

ASTANA – In January, Anar Burasheva stood atop Mount Vinson, the highest peak in Antarctica, becoming the first woman from Kazakhstan to complete the Seven Summits, the...


Kazakhstan’s National Kurultai Draws on Steppe Tradition of Collective Governance

ASTANA — Kurultai reflects a long-standing steppe tradition of collective decision-making, with roots in the Kazakh Khanate. Historians assess its renewed political relevance in today’s reform agenda....


Kazakhstan to Launch AI-Powered Digital Assistant for Tourists

ASTANA – Kazakhstan will introduce an AI-powered digital assistant for tourists as part of efforts to scale up a national electronic tourism service based on the Kazakhstan.Travel...


Public Vote to Determine Fate of New Constitution, Says President Tokayev

ASTANA — The final decision on the new Constitution will be made by the country’s citizens at a national referendum said President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev during a Jan....


Rybakina Beats World No. 1 to Claim Australian Open Title

ASTANA — Elena Rybakina, the leader of Kazakhstan’s women’s tennis team, captured the Australian Open 2026 title in Melbourne on Jan. 31, according to the National Olympic...


Oil Production Resumes at Tengiz Field

ASTANA — Oil production has resumed at the Tengiz oil field, with the first well successfully brought back online early on Jan. 31, the Ministry of Energy...


Five Ancient Underground Mosques in Mangystau Advance Toward UNESCO Recognition

ASTANA — Five underground mosques in Kazakhstan’s Mangystau Region have been added to UNESCO’s Tentative List of World Heritage sites, according to Kamar Bimagambetova, a specialist at...


Almaty Zoo Welcomes Rare Animals From South America

ASTANA — Rare representatives of South American fauna have arrived at Almaty Zoo — a pair of tamanduas, also known as four-clawed anteaters, reported Kazinform on Jan....


Kazakhstan Moves to Strengthen Oversight of Archaeological Work

ASTANA – Weak regulation and fragmented oversight have long been straining Kazakhstan’s archaeology sector. To address the issue, the Senate, an upper chamber of the Kazakh Parliament,...


 Kazakhstan, US Highlight Nuclear Fuel Security at Washington Forum

ASTANA — Kazakhstan and the United States addressed their strategic cooperation in nuclear energy and fuel security during the Nuclear Fuel Supply Forum, organized with the support...


Kazakhstan’s Saltanat Tompiyeva Appointed ICAO Global Ambassador

ASTANA — Saltanat Tompiyeva, chair of the Civil Aviation Committee of the Kazakh Transport Ministry has been appointed an ambassador under the Global Ambassadors Program of the...


Tokayev Hails Rising Civic Engagement Across Kazakhstan at Volunteers Forum

ASTANA — President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev highlighted the growing civic engagement of citizens, the vital role of youth and human capital, and the public’s central role in constitutional...


Courchevel Air Fest and More: Top Events for Weekend to Remember

ASTANA – Tired of spending the last weekends of January stuck on Netflix with just takeout? With the weather slowly warming up, The Astana Times has curated...


Kazakhstan Plans to Invest $1 Billion from National Fund in High-Tech 

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s National Fund plans to invest around $1 billion in high-tech projects in Kazakhstan, Central Asia, and the Caucasus, Deputy Governor of the National Bank...


News Digest: Foreign Media on Kazakhstan’s Energy Disputes, US Cooperation, Digital Migration and More

ASTANA – The Astana Times has selected articles from global media outlets covering Kazakhstan. This week’s digest highlights a multibillion-dollar arbitration loss for oil majors at the...


Kazakhstan and France Deepen Scientific Cooperation in Nuclear Research

ALMATY – A Kazakh delegation, led by the Chairman of the Kazakh Agency for Atomic Energy Almasadam Satkaliyev has visited the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF) and...


Rybakina Climbs to World No. 3 After Reaching Australian Open Final, Nurlanuly Makes History in Juniors 

ASTANA – Elena Rybakina rose to third in the WTA world rankings after advancing to the final of the 2026 Australian Open, marking the third Grand Slam...


Kazakhstan’s Petroglyphs May Hold Clues to Early Star Observations, Expert Says

ALMATY – A public lecture in Almaty on Jan. 24 explored how ancient petroglyphs in Kazakhstan may reflect early astronomical knowledge, tracing humanity’s understanding of the night...


Why Foreign University Branches Matter for Kazakhstan’s Future

ALMATY – Kazakhstan is shifting from one-off initiatives in international higher education to a systemic state strategy. Integration into the global education space is now viewed not...


Kazakhstan to Host Global Music Stars in 2026 as Part of Tourism Push

ASTANA — Kazakhstan will host a series of major international concerts in 2026 featuring global music stars, as officials step up efforts to develop festival tourism and...


Kazakhstan Expects No Annual Losses from Tengiz Downtime, Says Energy Minister 

ALMATY – Kazakhstan does not expect to incur losses on an annual basis despite the recent production halt at the Tengiz oil field, Energy Minister Yerlan Akkenzhenov...


Kazakhstan Adopts Long-Term Strategy to Protect Children’s Rights

ASTANA – The government has approved the Children of Kazakhstan program on Jan. 27, aimed at consolidating and systematizing existing mechanisms to protect children’s rights across key...


Air Astana to Launch Regular Flights to Shanghai

ALMATY – Starting March 29, Air Astana will begin operating regular flights on the Almaty–Shanghai route. Flights will be scheduled three times a week, on Tuesdays, Thursdays,...


From AI to Human Capital: Qazaqstan NEXT 2026 Highlights Global Trends

ASTANA — AI and digital trust, energy, creative economy, education and innovation, and the future of work and human capital were on the table at the Qazaqstan...


Kazakhstan Launches New Investment Drive as PM Demands Faster Project Delivery

ALMATY – Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov chaired a Jan. 28 meeting, discussing the launch of a new investment cycle to increase the volume of high-quality investments. “We...


Kazakhstan Launches Interagency Group to Boost Afghan Trade, Education and Infrastructure Ties

ALMATY – The Kazakh government held the first meeting of the interagency working group on development of cooperation with Afghanistan on Jan. 28 under the chairmanship of...


CPC Pipeline Consortium Operates at Full Capacity, Says Energy Minister

ALMATY – The Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC) is operating at full capacity, loading two tankers per day, Energy Minister Yerlan Akkenzhenov announced during a Jan. 28 briefing...


Public Trust in Kazakhstan’s Judiciary Climbs to 63% as Tokayev Reviews 2025 Results 

ALMATY – According to the Supreme Court Chairman Aslambek Mergaliyev, 98.8% of court rulings were not overturned by higher judicial instances in 2025, while public trust in...


IMF Warns of Economic Overheating in Kazakhstan, Urges Tighter Policies and Reforms

ASTANA — The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has cautioned that Kazakhstan’s strong economic growth is showing clear signs of overheating, calling for tighter and better-coordinated macroeconomic policies,...


Arsenal Edges Kairat 3:2 as Kazakh Side Finishes Champions League Clash with Pride

ALMATY – Kazakhstan’s FC Kairat Almaty delivered a spirited performance but fell just short in a dramatic 3:2 defeat to Arsenal in their final match of the...


Kazakhstan Proposes Constitutional Reform Affecting 84% of Basic Law

ALMATY – A sweeping package of constitutional amendments affecting 77 articles, which amounts to 84% of Kazakhstan’s Constitution, was presented to members of the Constitutional Reform commission...


President Tokayev Meets Kazakh IT Entrepreneurs to Discuss AI and Venture Development

ALMATY – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev held a meeting with Kazakh IT entrepreneurs  Erzat Dulat, technical director of the startup Higgsfield AI, and Murat Abdrakhmanov, founder of the...


Kazakhstan to Test High-Tech Driverless Taxis in Major Cities

ASTANA — Driverless taxis will be tested in Astana and Almaty, according to the Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development. The ministry noted that two memorandums...


Development Bank of Kazakhstan on Strategic Priorities and Financing

ASTANA – The Development Bank of Kazakhstan (DBK) is one of the country’s key institutions that finances large-scale projects in non-resource sectors. As DBK marks its 25th...


Kazakh AI Startup Automates Driver Hiring for US Trucking Industry 

ASTANA — Kazakhstan’s Call2action.ai, a participant of the Astana Hub international innovation cluster, has added more than 30 transportation companies as clients in the U.S. in three...


ERG Plans Record $1 Billion Investment in Kazakhstan in 2026

ASTANA — Eurasian Resources Group (ERG) has announced a record investment of over $1 billion in the country for 2026, the largest in the group’s history,  according...


EDB: Multilateral Development Banks Need Each Other, Central Asia Shows Why

ASTANA — The Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) report on Cooperation of Multilateral Development Banks in Developing Countries: New Opportunities lands squarely in the middle of a growing...


Saiga Migration Surges in Atyrau Villages as Officials Warn Against Illegal Hunting

ASTANA — Residents of Kazakhstan’s Atyrau Region have reported a sharp surge in the number of saiga antelopes grazing in and around small villages, including within village...


Kazakhstan and Germany Set Sights on Next Phase of Economic Ties

ASTANA — Kazakhstan is consistently focused on further strengthening its partnership with Germany across the full spectrum of bilateral cooperation and views Germany as one of its...


Tokayev Calls for AI-Driven Financial Oversight to Combat Fraud 

ASTANA — President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has urged the Financial Monitoring Agency (FMA) to rapidly adopt artificial intelligence and digital tools to counter financial crime, warning that technological...


Kazakhstan’s Zangar Nurlanuly Reaches Australian Open Junior Quarterfinals

ASTANA — Kazakhstan’s Zangar Nurlanuly advanced to the quarterfinals of the Australian Open Junior Tennis Championships on Jan. 28. The world No. 12 junior faced Russia’s top...


Dimash’s Project Voice Beyond Horizon to Premiere Worldwide in February 

ASTANA — Dimash Qudaibergen’s project, Voice Beyond Horizon, will premiere worldwide on Feb. 5 on Hunan TV and Mango TV, and in Kazakhstan on QazaqstanTV.  Created in...


EDB Moves Deeper Into Gulf Markets With UAE Dirham Bond on ADX

ASTANA — The Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) has appointed BHM Capital as lead manager for its upcoming UAE Dirham-denominated bond issuance, which will be listed on the...


Almaty Chemistry Teacher Makes Global Top 50 List

ASTANA – Tatyana Beloussova, a chemistry teacher at school-lyceum No. 95 in Almaty, has been named among the world’s top 50 teachers in the 2025-2026 Global Teacher...


Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina Advances to Australian Open Semifinals

ASTANA — World No. 5 Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan defeated world No. 2 Iga Swiatek of Poland 7-5, 6-1 in the Australian Open quarterfinals on Jan. 28....


Kazakhstan to Open 15 International Air Routes This Year

ASTANA — Kazakhstan will resume and open 15 international air routes this year, including flights to Vienna, Rome, Shanghai, Tokyo, and Riyadh, as part of a broader...


Energy Giants at Karachaganak Could Owe Kazakhstan Billions After Arbitration Ruling

ASTANA — An international consortium developing Kazakhstan’s Karachaganak oil and gas field may be required to pay up to $4 billion after losing an arbitration case brought...


Energy We Spend and Energy We Forget to Refill

Every morning in any major city, the same rhythm unfolds: glowing screens before sunrise, notifications competing for attention, crowded commutes, and an endless stream of decisions that...


Kazakhstan and Israel Sign Cooperation Memoranda, Pledge to Deepen Bilateral Ties

ASTANA – Kazakhstan and Israel signed a series of cooperation documents and agreed to expand bilateral engagement as Kazakh Foreign Minister Yermek Kosherbayev held talks with Israeli...


Tokayev Receives Update on Constitutional Reform Process

ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev was briefed on the progress of Kazakhstan’s constitutional reform on Jan. 27, including the development of proposed new wording for parts of...


Kazakhstan, Israel Reaffirm Commitment to Stronger Bilateral Ties

ASTANA — President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev held talks with Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar on Jan. 27, underscoring both countries’ commitment to strengthening comprehensive cooperation. President Tokayev noted...


Kazakhstan’s Tourism Investments Surge 32% to Over $2 Billion 

ALMATY – Kazakhstan’s tourism sector is experiencing significant growth, with investments rising by 32% in 2025 to exceed 1.2 trillion tenge (approximately US$2.39 billion), the Kazakh Minister of...


Kazakhstan’s Citizens to Receive Free Short-Term Visas to India

ALMATY – India will begin offering free visas to Kazakh citizens, Indian Ambassador to Kazakhstan Sailas Tangal announced at an official reception in Astana commemorating India’s 77th...


Why Everyone is Nostalgic for 2016 Again

Nostalgia is a deceptively sweet feeling, one that can get a person into hours and days of reminiscing about what it was like in a particular moment....


Kyrgyz Republic’s GDP Nears $23 Billion as Economy Grows Over 11% in 2025

ALMATY – The Kyrgyz Republic’s gross domestic product (GDP) nearly reached 2 trillion soms (approximately US$22.8 billion) in 2025, as the country recorded real economic growth of...


Kazakhstan Reports Progress in Restoring Oil Production in Atyrau Region

ALMATY – Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Energy has reported significant progress in restoring production operations at oilfields in the Atyrau region, following disruptions earlier this month. According to...


President Tokayev Urges Unified Digital System for Kazakhstan’s Law Enforcement

ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev stressed the importance of strengthening the rule of law and enhancing the effectiveness of law enforcement agencies through digitalization amid large-scale political...


Who Really Takes Childcare Leave in Kazakhstan? Law and Practice

ASTANA — Kazakhstan’s social protection system formally promotes equal parental responsibility, including access to childcare leave and state benefits for both mothers and fathers. Despite laws allowing...


Kazakhstan and World Bank Advance North Aral Sea Restoration Project

ASTANA — The second phase of the North Aral Sea preservation project, which involves the reconstruction of the Kokaral Dam to raise the sea’s water level, was...


Kazakhstan, South Korea Discuss Possible Access to Employment Permit System

ASTANA — Almaty Region Akim (Mayor) Marat Sultangaziyev met with a South Korean delegation to discuss Kazakhstan’s possible accession to South Korea’s Employment Permit System (EPS), which...


Tajikistan Reports 8.4% Economic Growth in 2025

ASTANA — Over the course of 2025, Tajikistan’s gross domestic product reached a growth rate of 8.4%, which was revealed during an expanded meeting of the Government...


Kazakhstan, Mongolia Reaffirm Commitment to Boost Trade to $500 Million

ASTANA — Kazakhstan and Mongolia reaffirmed their commitment to increasing bilateral trade turnover to $500 million, as Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Economy Serik...


Kazakhstan Joins Global Leaders to Host High-Level Conference on Humanity in War

ASTANA — Kazakhstan, alongside Brazil, China, France, Jordan, South Africa, and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), invited leaders of all states to the High-Level...


KazMunayGas, ExxonMobil Review Cooperation and Exploration Plans

ASTANA — KazMunayGas (KMG) Chair Askhat Khassenov met with ExxonMobil Senior Vice President Peter Larden on Jan. 26 to review the current status of cooperation and plans...


Kazakhstan, ExxonMobil Review Cooperation on Major Oil Projects

ASTANA — Kazakh Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov met with ExxonMobil Senior Vice President Peter Larden on Jan. 26 to discuss cooperation in the oil and gas industry,...


CPC Resumes Normal Operations After Attack, Completes CPC-3 Repairs

ASTANA – The Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC) announced on Jan. 25 that repairs to the CPC-3 single-point mooring (SPM) at its marine terminal were completed. As part...


Building Trust in Kazakhstan’s Fast-Growing Fintech Ecosystem

Kazakhstan’s leading fintech platforms Kaspi, Halyk Bank’s Homebank, and Freedom SuperApp have evolved into all-in-one super-apps offering banking, payments, shopping, and even eGov services. They provide great...


What Makes City Feel Safe: Lessons from Astana

Walk through any part of our city, and you will see life everywhere. You will also notice risks that affect everyone: from poorly lit streets to crowded...


Kazakh Artists Perform at Turkic Week in Vienna

ASTANA — Artists from the Kazakhconcert, a state academic concert organization named after Roza Baglanova, performed in Vienna as part of the Turkic Week, a cultural program...


Hooligans’ Game but for Gentlemen: Kazakh Rugby Captain on Rugby, Class, and Character

ASTANA — For much of its history, rugby was never meant to be a vehicle for social mobility. Born in 19th-century England, it developed within the walls...


Vogue Names Kazakhstan Among Top Travel Destinations for 2025

ASTANA – International magazine Vogue has included Kazakhstan in its list of the world’s 14 best travel destinations for 2025, the publication reported on Dec. 18. In...


Kazakhstan to Seek UNESCO Status for Key Religious and Historical Sites

ALMATY – Kazakhstan will intensify efforts to promote its historical and cultural heritage at the international level, including through new nominations to UNESCO, Deputy Prime Minister and...


Constitutional Reform Commission Starts Work on Proposed Reforms

ASTANA — Kazakhstan held the first meeting of its Constitutional Reform Commission on Jan. 24 in Astana, launching work on proposed amendments that would reshape the country’s...


When EV Batteries Die, Story Isn’t Over

For the last decade, the global conversation around electric vehicles (EVs) has focused almost entirely on adoption. Targets, incentives, charging stations and sales figures have dominated headlines....


How History and DNA Trace Origins of Kazakh People

ASTANA – The ethnic history of the Kazakh people is complex, shaped by centuries of migration, cultural interaction and political change across Central Asia. Modern historical sources...


Kazakhstan’s National Bank Introduces Zinc Collectible Coin

ASTANA – The National Bank of Kazakhstan (NBK) announced that collectible coins, Zn (Zinc), from its Mineral Resources of Kazakhstan series , are available for purchase starting...


Kazakhstan Joins First Global Cohort of OpenAI Edu Initiative

ALMATY – OpenAI has launched the first international cohort of its Edu for Countries initiative under the global OpenAI for Countries program, with Kazakhstan selected among the...


Tokayev Presents National Flag to Olympic and Paralympic Teams Ahead of Winter Games

ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev presented the state flag to the flag bearers of Kazakhstan’s Olympic and Paralympic teams on Jan. 23, highlighting the importance of the...


Kazakhstan Attracts $150 Million Investment for Greenhouse Project in Shymkent

ALMATY – Kazakhstan’s Minister of Agriculture Aidarbek Saparov and Fabe Polska CEO Fatih Budan have signed an investment agreement to implement a large-scale greenhouse project worth 69...


National Bank Holds Base Rate at 18% as Inflation Pressures Persist

ALMATY – The National Bank of Kazakhstan (NBK) has decided to keep its base interest rate at 18%, citing persistent inflationary pressures and elevated uncertainty in both...


From Ballet to Basketball: Your Mid-January Weekend to Enjoy

ASTANA — From classical music and ballet to immersive art exhibitions and sports events, Astana and Almaty offer a diverse cultural agenda this season. The Astana Times...


News Digest: Foreign Media on Kazakhstan’s Political Reforms, Global Role, and Economic Development

ASTANA – The Astana Times has selected articles from global media outlets covering Kazakhstan. This week’s digest covers the country’s growing diplomatic profile, major political reforms, investments...


Masdar, UAE Partners to Deliver Round-the-Clock Clean Energy for Uzbekistan

ASTANA — The United Arab Emirates (UAE )’s clean energy champion Masdar signed a cooperation agreement with Emirates Utilities Development Company (EUDC) and Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Energy...


Kazakhstan Presents National Education Pavilion at Bett UK 2026 in London

ALMATY – Kazakhstan has presented its national pavilion at Bett UK 2026, one of the world’s largest international platforms dedicated to educational technology, digital transformation, and innovation...


Kazakhstan Approves $370 Million in Investments to Localize Pharmaceutical Production

ALMATY – Kazakh Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov has signed government resolutions approving investment agreements between the Ministry of Healthcare and four pharmaceutical companies, including AltINFARM, MSP-ROMPHARM, Abdi...


Afghanistan Sends Gold to Uzbekistan for Processing, Boosting Regional Industry

ASTANA – Afghanistan has sent 20 kilograms of raw gold, valued at $2.9 million, to Uzbekistan’s Surkhandarya region for processing. Termiz Gold Production, a jewelry manufacturing company...


Grey Zone of Online Contracts

The practice of concluding online contracts is expanding across the world. Companies, entrepreneurs, and individuals located in different time zones, countries, or continents sign agreements within minutes....


Tokayev Signs Board of Peace Charter at Trump-Initiated Davos Ceremony

ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signed the Board of Peace charter, established at the initiative of U.S. President Donald Trump, on Jan. 22 in Davos, Switzerland. Along...


Experts Reflect on Kazakhstan’s Constitutional Reform

ASTANA – Kazakhstan entered 2026 with a renewed focus on political reforms and governance priorities following President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s address at the kurultai in Kyzylorda on Jan....


UN Scientists Call for Reset of Global Water Agenda Amid Water Bankruptcy

ASTANA – The United Nations University (UNU) released an article on Jan. 20 about the dawn of an era of global water bankruptcy, formally defining a new...


Kazakhstan Offers Voluntary Departure Program in South Korea, Ratifies Migration Agreement with France

ASTANA – Kazakhstan citizens working illegally in South Korea can voluntarily leave the country without fines or restrictions on re-entry until the end of February, under agreements...


Kazakhstan Advances Northern Aral Sea Restoration and Hydropower Development 

ASTANA – The volume of the Northern Aral Sea is planned to increase to 34 cubic kilometers over 4-5 years, and a 191.7 billion tenge (US$377.4 million)...