Mas-Wrestling: Ancient Art of Nomadic Struggle 

ASTANA – Mas-wrestling is one of the 20 competitive sports at the World Nomad Games, featuring traditional games of Turkic nomadic peoples. This sport has deep historical roots, known...


Rediscovering Kokshetau: Echoes of Home and Timeless Heritage

Editor’s Note: The Astana Times continues its series of articles, Exploring Kazakhstan, City by City, in the marvelous city of Kokshetau. We are setting out to unveil the rich...


Recent Bronze Age Discoveries Unveiled in Kazakhstan

ASTANA — Kazakhstan’s rich archaeological landscape continues to reveal stunning insights into ancient civilizations. Recent discoveries across the Akmola, Pavlodar and Karagandy regions have uncovered significant artifacts and burial...


Kazakhstan and WWF Sign Memorandum to Reintroduce Tigers, Enhance Biodiversity

 ASTANA — The Kazakh Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF International) signed a memorandum of cooperation to reintroduce tigers to Kazakhstan...


Kazakhstan to Launch First Kazakh Large Language Model in December

ASTANA — The Institute of Smart Systems and Artificial Intelligence (ISSAI) is set to launch the first Kazakh large language model (LLM) on Dec. 16, the thirty-third anniversary of...


Exciting Weekend Highlights in Astana and Almaty

ASTANA – This week is packed with thrilling events, from vibrant festivals to high-octane races. Dive into the excitement and enjoy an unforgettable time filled with energy and great...


Kazakhstan Advances in Developing Its Higher Education and Science System

ASTANA – Kazakh Minister of Science and Higher Education Sayasat Nurbek presented several initiatives and projects aimed at developing the higher education and science system to President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev...


Kazakhstan’s Military Personnel Progress in English Language Training

ASTANA – Seventy-seven military personnel of Kazakhstan’s Armed Forces have completed a six-month intensive English language training course at the Center for Peacekeeping Operations of the Ministry of Defense...


News Digest: Foreign Media on Kazakhstan’s Foreign Policy, Kazakhstan’s Identity as Middle Power and More

ASTANA – The Astana Times has selected articles from global media outlets covering Kazakhstan. This week’s foreign media digest covers Kazakhstan’s multi-vector foreign policy, Kazakhstan’s Middle Power status, and...


US Department of State Lauds Kazakhstan’s Progress Towards Creating Market Economy

ASTANA – Kazakhstan has made significant progress towards creating a market economy and has attracted substantial foreign investment to develop its abundant mineral, petroleum, and natural gas resources, according...


Kazakhstan Signs Agreements Worth $75 Million on Meat Export to China

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s Meat Processing and Service company, Agro Silk Way, and Agro Product Astana signed three contracts worth $75 million for meat export and the supply of live...


Kazakhstan Sends 40 Tons of Humanitarian Aid to Kyrgyz Republic After Mudflows

ASTANA – On July 19, the Biz Birgemiz Qazaqstan fund sent 40 tons of humanitarian aid to the Kyrgyz Republic, which had recently been struck by devastating mudflows, reported...


How Much Trust Do Kazakh Citizens Place in Law Enforcement and Judiciary

ASTANA — The Bureau of National Statistics conducted a survey in April-May on the level of public confidence in law enforcement agencies and the judicial system in the country’s...


Astana Unveils Premier Creative Hub for Cultural Renaissance – ÓzgeEpic

ASTANA – Akim (Mayor) of Astana Zhenis Kassymbek announced the inauguration of Astana’s creative hub, ÓzgeEpic, on his Instagram page on July 17. Situated within the Mirny Dom (Peaceful...


Kazakhstan’s Akmola Region Hosts Major Int’l Agricultural Exhibition

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s Akmola Region hosts a large-scale international exhibition called Jana Dala/Green Day 2024 on July 18-19. Over 200 companies from Kazakhstan and 20 countries from near and...


50 Days Left Until Kazakhstan Hosts Fifth World Nomad Games

ASTANA — Just 50 days remain until the grand start of the Fifth World Nomad Games (WNG) in Astana from Sept. 8-13. This prestigious international event, renowned for showcasing...


Almaty-Based Auyl Restaurant Listed Among World’s 16 Most Beautiful Restaurants

ASTANA – Almaty-based Auyl (village in the Kazakh) restaurant, offering neo-nomad cuisine of Central Asia, has been included in the list of the 16 Most Beautiful Restaurants in the...


Kazakh Athletes Leave for 2024 Paris Olympics (Video)

ASTANA – Kazakh athletes departed for the 2024 Paris Games on July 17. Kazakh Minister of Tourism and Sports Yermek Marzhikpayev, famous boxing champion Yermakhan Ibraimov, the 2000 Sydney...


Kazakhstan Emerges as EU’s Primary Supplier of Durum Wheat

ASTANA — Kazakhstan delivered 19,062 tons of durum wheat to European Union (EU) countries from July 1 to 14, accounting for 68.5% of the total shipment, according to the...


Asian Development Bank: Growth Prospects for Kazakhstan Remain Unchanged

ASTANA – The Asian Development Bank (ADB) maintained Kazakhstan’s economic growth forecast for 2024 at 3.8%, according to the latest edition of Asian Development Outlook 2024, released on July...


Kazakh PM Urges to Accelerate Restoration Work in Flood-Affected Regions

ASTANA – Kazakh Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov instructed the acceleration of housing restoration efforts in the flood-affected regions at the July 17 government meeting. As a result of flooding,...


Kazakhstan Generates Industrial Goods Worth $50 Billion in the First Half of 2024

ASTANA — Kazakhstan produced industrial products worth 23.5 trillion tenge (US$49.4 billion) in January-June. Of them, the mining industry made up 10.7 trillion tenge (US$22.5 billion), and the manufacturing...


Environmental Protection Expenditures Rise by 37.2% Last Year

ASTANA – In 2023, environmental protection expenses reached 610 billion tenge (US$1.3 billion), which is 37.2% more than in 2022. According to the Bureau of National Statistics of Kazakhstan,...


We Must Accelerate Transformative Action against Climate Change, Poverty, and Hunger

The Asia-Pacific region is faltering on decades of progress in reducing poverty and hunger. Increasingly, severe climate-related hazards are threatening food security and triggering human displacement on an unprecedented...


Kazakh Citizens Can Stay in Thailand Up to 60 Days Visa-Free

ASTANA—The Tourism Authority of Thailand included Kazakhstan among countries now eligible for more extended visa-free stays in Thailand. Under the updated rules, Kazakh citizens and nationals of 92 other...


Kazakhstan Returns $2.2 Billion of Illegally Withdrawn Assets in 2.5 Years

ASTANA – Kazakhstan has returned 1.07 trillion tenge (US$2.2 billion) in illegally withdrawn assets over the past 2.5 years, including from oligopolies, said Chairman of the Anti-Corruption Service Askhat...


Zhambyl Region Launches Large Enterprise to Produce Copper Concentrate

ASTANA — The Zhambyl Region marked the technical launch of the Shatyrkol concentrating plant, which can produce 98,600 tons of copper concentrate annually. The plant is planned to achieve...


KazMunayGas and Italy’s Eni Start Hybrid Power Plant Construction in Zhanaozen

ASTANA — KazMunayGas (KMG), the national oil and gas company, and Italian energy company Eni have initiated the construction of a 247-megawatt hybrid power plant in Zhanaozen on July...


2024 Paris Games: Kazakh Olympic Committee Presents Badges in National Style

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s National Olympic Committee has prepared badges decorated with national ornaments for the Paris Games. Kazakh athletes have secured 92 licenses in 25 sports, including boxing, judo,...


Twelve Kazakh Referees Selected for 2024 Paris Olympics

ASTANA—Twelve referees from Kazakhstan will work at the 2024 Paris Olympics, which are scheduled from July 26 to Aug. 11. The list of specialists who received an invitation to...


Mads Mikkelsen to Headline Comic Con Astana, Confirms Visit with Exclusive Video Message

ASTANA — Renowned actor Mads Mikkelsen has confirmed his participation at this year’s Comic Con Astana, which will take place between July 27 and 28. Known globally for his...


Kazakh Airlines Transport 5.5 Million Passengers Since Year-Start

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s airlines have transported nearly 5.5 million passengers since the beginning of the year. According to the Civil Aviation Committee’s press service, this figure is 17% higher...


Euronews Sets to Open Regional Office in Kazakh Capital 

ASTANA — Euronews, Europe’s leading international news channel, will open a regional representative office in the Kazakh capital. Kazakh Minister of Culture and Information Aida Balayeva met with Pedro...


KazAID Presents Kazakhstan’s Efforts to Achieve Sustainable Development Goals at Beijing Conference  

ASTANA – The Kazakh delegation, led by Chairman of Kazakhstan Agency of International Development (KazAID) Arken Arystanov, presented country’s role in the Central Asian region in promoting international development...


Latest Report Highlights Structural Barriers in Developing Competition, Promising Changes with New Law

ASTANA—A high level of market concentration remains in Kazakhstan, and the substantial role of the state in the economy is a key barrier to the development of competition, according...


WPC Energy Congress in Kazakhstan to Define Next Era in Energy 

ASTANA—The Kazakh capital will host the 26th World Petroleum Council (WPC) Energy Congress in 2028. This event marks a significant milestone for the entire region, providing participants with the...


National Museum of Kazakhstan Presents Fine Art Catalog for 10th Anniversary

ASTANA – The National Museum of Kazakhstan has presented a catalog of its best masterpieces of fine art released as part of the exhibition Painting of the Steppe: Symbols,...


Five Years of Transformation: President Tokayev’s Impact on Kazakhstan

ASTANA – Five years ago, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev officially assumed the presidency of Kazakhstan after winning a competitive open election. This marked the beginning of significant changes and challenges in...


Kazakhstan Exports 2.6 Million Tons of Grain in Five Months of 2024

ASTANA – Kazakhstan exported 2.6 million tons of grain in January-May this year, Minister of Agriculture Aidarbek Saparov said at a meeting on July 15. According to the ministry’s...


Kazakhstan Enhances Investment Cooperation with Türkiye

ASTANA – Kazakhstan is keen on strengthening investment cooperation and jointly developing new markets with Turkish partners, Kazakh Deputy Foreign Minister Nazira Nurbayeva said during negotiations with 35 large...


Kazakhstan Focuses on Precision AI Development with New Law and Committee

ASTANA — Based on best world practices, the Kazakh Ministry of Digital Development, Innovation and Aerospace Industry and the Mazhilis, the lower house of the Kazakh Parliament, developed a...


National Bank Chairman Reports Inflation Slowdown to President Tokayev

ASTANA — President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev received a comprehensive briefing from the Chairman of the National Bank Timur Suleimenov on the current economic situation and the outcomes of the monetary...


Durov on Kazakhstan: Beauty Only Rivaled by Its Ambitions, Says Telegram Founder

ASTANA – Pavel Durov, founder of the largest social networking site VK and the Telegram messenger app, recently returned from Kazakhstan, “the economic powerhouse of Central Asia,” stating that...


Kazakhstan Discusses Green Locomotives Production with Wabtec

ASTANA – Kazakh First Deputy Prime Minister Roman Sklyar and CEO of Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation (Wabtec) Rafael Santana discussed the company’s plans to produce new generation green...


Kazakhstan to Introduce Four Gas Processing Plants by 2030

ASTANA—Kazakhstan plans to commission four gas processing plants gradually from 2026 to 2030. These plants will process raw materials from the Kashagan field, which has capacities of one billion...


Burabay Summer Camp Welcomes Ethnic Kazakh Children From Abroad 

ASTANA – The Otandastar (compatriots) Foundation and the IQanat Foundation welcomed ethnic Kazakh children living abroad for the Jas Qazaq summer camp, which operated from June 24 to July...


Kazakh Researcher Discusses Water Scarcity, Regional Cooperation Mechanisms

ASTANA—The future of water in Central Asia may look grim – rapidly growing population, climate change, and add inefficient water use to that. But regional cooperation, though varied, gives...


“The Legend”: Dimash Kudaibergen Performs Soundtrack for Jackie Chan’s New Film

ASTANA – The highly anticipated new film by Jackie Chan, “The Legend,” was released in cinemas on July 12. The film’s end features the soundtrack “This Love,” performed by...


Top 10 Youngest Kazakh Athletes at Summer Olympics

ASTANA – A 17-year-old taekwondo fighter Batyrkhan Toleugali will be the youngest participant from Kazakhstan at the upcoming 2024 Paris Olympics, scheduled from July 26 to Aug. 11. However,...


Kazakhstan’s First-Half Year Economic Review Highlights $318.3 Million in New Investments

ASTANA — In January-June, 18 projects worth 151 billion tenge (US$318.3 million) were introduced in Kazakhstan. Of these, foreign investments reached 122.7 billion tenge (US$258.7 million). The operational headquarters...