Steppe Fires Contained in Pavlodar, Karagandy Regions

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s firefighters have localized steppe fires in the Karagandy and Pavlodar Regions on Oct. 8. Evacuated citizens returned to their homes after almost three days. According to...


Global Religious Leaders Convene in Astana to Discuss Conflict Resolution

ASTANA – World’s religious leaders came together for the 22nd meeting of the Secretariat of the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions in Astana on Oct. 8...


UN, Kazakh Officials Discuss Cooperation Framework for Next Five Years

ASTANA – The United Nations Country Team in Kazakhstan and the Kazakh government held a workshop on Oct. 8 to define key priorities for the upcoming UN Sustainable Development...


Kazakhstan to Auction Recovered Assets for Social Impact Projects

ASTANA – The Recovered Asset Management Company in Kazakhstan has announced auctions on Oct. 9 and 11, allowing each participant to contribute to supporting social projects, reported the company’s...


Forum in Milan Launches First Trade and Economic Mission of Kazakh Companies

ASTANA – The first trade and economic mission of Kazakh companies to Italy was launched during the Kazakh-Italian business and investment forum, which takes place on Oct. 7-9 in...


Wildfires Contained in Northern Kazakhstan, Central Region Struggling

ASTANA—Kazakh firefighters have localized a wildfire in the Pavlodar Region that spread to the Bayanaul National Park from the Karkaraly district in the Karagandy Region on Oct. 6, Minister...


Kazakhstan’s Official Referendum Results Out: 71% Back Nuclear Power Plant Proposal

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s Central Referendum Commission has officially announced the results of an Oct. 6 national referendum at an Oct. 8 meeting, revealing 71.12% support the construction of a...


Kazakhstan to Boost Tourism with More Flights and Subsidized Routes

ASTANA – Kazakhstan plans to subsidize more than 20 routes, including nine tourist destinations, with 6.4 billion tenge (US$13.2 million) allocated for next year to promote tourism and enhance...


Int’l Observers Assess Kazakhstan’s Nuclear Plant Referendum as Transparent and Lawful

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s referendum on the construction of a nuclear power plant (NPP) was transparent and in accordance with the national laws and internationally accepted electoral standards, said international...


Kazakh-Slovak Business Forum Fosters Business Ties, Knowledge Exchange

ASTANA – Kazakh and Slovak officials and business executives expressed their readiness to expand economic and investment cooperation during an Oct. 5 business forum in Astana. According to the...


CIS Observers Recognize Kazakhstan’s Transparent Nuclear Plant Referendum

ASTANA – The delegates from the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) observer mission shared their views on the voting procedure and citizen participation in Kazakhstan’s national referendum on nuclear...


Astana Hosts Asian Table Tennis Championships

ASTANA – The 2024 Asian Table Tennis Championships kicked off on Oct. 6 at the Astana-based Beeline Arena National Tennis Center, bringing together 210 athletes from 26 countries. The...


Kazakhstan Strengthens Control Due to Marburg Virus Outbreak

ASTANA – Kazakh Healthcare Ministry is strengthening control over the epidemiological situation, following the World Health Organization’s warning of the first confirmed Marburg virus disease outbreak in Rwanda, announced...


Kazakh MP Reflects on International Consortium for Nuclear Power Plant Construction 

ASTANA – International consortium for nuclear power plant construction goes in line with Kazakhstan’s foreign policy, said Nikita Shatalov, deputy of Mazhilis, the lower house of the Kazakh Parliament....


Nuclear Power Plant Gets Green Light in Kazakhstan 

ASTANA—The Central Election Commission (CEC) of Kazakhstan has announced the preliminary results of an Oct. 6 national referendum on the construction of a nuclear power plant.  “As of 8...


Overseas Voting in Nuclear Power Plant Referendum Completes 

ASTANA – All 74 precinct commissions of the nuclear power plant referendum abroad have completed their work. According to the Kazakh Foreign Ministry, 9,976 Kazakh citizens cast their votes...


Prominent Kazakh Expert on Astana Think Tank Forum: Middle Powers and Future of Central Asian Integration

ASTANA – Astana will host the inaugural Astana Think Tank Forum 2024 on Oct. 16-17. Organized by the Kazakhstan Institute for Strategic Studies (KazISS) as part of the Astana...


Nearly 70% of Voters Support Nuclear Power Plant Construction, Exit Poll Shows

ASTANA – Approximately 69.8 percent of people voted in favor of constructing a nuclear power plant, according to exit poll results announced at midnight on Oct. 7 by Alibek...


Preliminary Results Show Voter Turnout at Nearly 64% in Kazakhstan’s National Referendum

ASTANA — Preliminary results from an Oct. 6 national referendum on the construction of a nuclear power plant in Kazakhstan indicate a high level of civic participation, with regional...


Kazakh Citizens ‘Write History’ by Voting in National Referendum

ASTANA – Kazakh citizens “are writing history by expressing their opinions and positions on crucial strategic issues related to the country’s future,” said Daulet Urankhayev, an employee at UEFA...


Over 7,000 Kazakh Citizens Vote in Nuclear Power Plant Referendum Abroad

ASTANA – As of 7 p.m. Astana time, 7,358 Kazakh citizens abroad cast their votes in the national referendum on the construction of a nuclear power plant, marking a...


Int’l Observers Report No Violations at Kazakhstan’s Nuclear Power Plant Referendum

ASTANA – International observers noted a well-organized voting process during Kazakhstan’s nuclear power plant referendum on Oct. 6, reporting no barriers or violations. Kazakhstan’s Central Election Commission has accredited...


Kazakh Citizens Head to Polls for Nuclear Power Plant Referendum

ASTANA—Kazakh citizens are heading to the polls on Oct.6 to vote in a public referendum on the construction of the nation’s first nuclear power plant. At polling station No....


Referendum Valid: Majority of Eligible Voters Turn Out for Kazakhstan’s National Referendum 

ASTANA – More than half of the eligible voters participated in the national referendum on the construction of a nuclear power plant in Kazakhstan, reported the Central Election Commission...


Kazakh Citizens Vote in Referendum Abroad

ASTANA – Polling stations for Kazakhstan’s referendum on the construction of a nuclear power plant were first opened in several Asian countries, including Japan and South Korea, on Oct....


Astana Honors Denis Ten with International Figure Skating Tournament

ASTANA—Nearly 100 ice skaters from around the world gathered at Barys Arena in Astana from Oct. 3-5 for the fifth Denis Ten Memorial Challenge tournament, commemorating a celebrated Kazakh...


CIS Observers Commend Kazakhstan’s Nuclear Referendum Process

ASTANA – The national referendum on the construction of a nuclear power plant is being conducted in full compliance with Kazakhstan’s laws governing referendums and election campaigns, said Leonid...


Kazakhstan Presents Its Human Rights Implementation Policy at UN

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s policy in the field of human rights was presented at the United Nations (UN) office in Geneva on Oct. 2, reported the Kazakh Ministry of Foreign...


Voter Turnout Surpasses 39% in Kazakhstan’s National Referendum

ASTANA—The participation rate surpassed 39% in Kazakhstan’s national referendum on the construction of a nuclear power plant, which continues on Oct. 6 throughout the country.  “Overall, nationwide, as of...


Kazakh PM, Officials Cast Their Ballots in Referendum

ASTANA –  Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov was among the first to vote in the nuclear power plant referendum, casting his ballot at the Palace of Schoolchildren in Astana on...


President Tokayev Casts His Vote in Nuclear Power Plant Referendum

ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev casts his vote in the national referendum on the construction of a nuclear power plant on Oct. 6.  “Undoubtedly, today will go down in...


Voter Turnout in Kazakhstan’s National Referendum Reaches Nearly 18%  

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s Central Election Commission (CEC) reported a 17.79% voter turnout as of 10 a.m. local Astana time in the national referendum on the construction of a nuclear...


Nuclear Power Plant Referendum Begins in Kazakhstan

ASTANA – Kazakh citizens are heading to the polls on Oct. 6 to vote in the national referendum on the construction of a nuclear power plant. A total of...


Kazakhstan Celebrates Teachers’ Day

ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev congratulated teachers on their professional holiday, expressing gratitude for their significant role in shaping society by educating the younger generation on Oct. 5. “We...


Kazakhstan Hosted CICA Youth Council on Role of Volunteering for Sustainable Development

ASTANA – Kazakhstan hosted a two-day meeting of volunteer movement leaders within the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia (CICA) Youth Council on Oct. 3-4 in Astana....


Kazakh Scientists Discover New Spider Species in Kyzylkum Desert

ASTANA – Kazakh scientists discovered two new species of spider in the Kyzylkum desert in the country’s south. Scientists from the Kazakh Zoology Institute identified 54 species of spiders,...


Kazakh Chess Superstar Assaubayeva Competes in Global Chess League in London

ASTANA – Kazakh chess player Bibisara Assaubayeva is participating  in the Global Chess League, which takes place on Oct. 3-12 in London, reported Kazinform news agency. The Global Chess...


Astana Opera Premieres Vivaldi’s ‘Orlando Furioso’ Opera

ASTANA – Astana Opera premiered “Orlando Furioso” (Furious Orlando) by great Italian composer Antonio Vivaldi on Oct. 4. On the stage of the Chamber Hall named after Kulyash Baiseitova,...


Kazakhstan’s Janibek Alimkhanuly Retains IBF and WBO Titles

ASTANA – Kazakh boxer Janibek Alimkhanuly (15-0, 10 knockouts) retained the International Boxing Federation (IBF) middleweight title and the World Boxing Organization (WBO) title as he defeated New Zealand’s...


Kazakhstan Hosts First Regional Presentation of Global Innovation Index, Highlights Region’s Innovation Potential

ASTANA – Kazakhstan hosted the first regional presentation of the Global Innovation Index (GII) 2024 results for Asian countries on Oct 1, highlighting the Central Asian region’s potential in...


President Tokayev Outlines Priorities to Improve Court Activities

ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev outlined the major priorities for improving courts activities during the ninth Congress of Judges of Kazakhstan on Oct. 4, reported Akorda. Tokayev emphasized that...


Kazakhstan Issues Eurobonds Worth $1.5 Billion

ASTANA – Kazakhstan has issued a $1.5 billion 10-year bond with a coupon rate of 4.714%, marking its first return to the U.S. dollar-denominated eurobond market since 2015, the...


Information and Explanatory Campaign for Referendum Concludes

ASTANA – The information and explanatory campaign for the referendum on the construction of a nuclear power plant in Kazakhstan, which lasted 400 days, ended on Oct. 4, State...


Dive into Wonderland Weekend of Art and Ice Show in Astana and Almaty

ASTANA – From mesmerizing art exhibitions to enchanting ice magic shows, both Astana and Almaty offer a delightful array of experiences. The Astana Times editorial team has prepared a...


News Digest: Foreign Media on Kazakh-EU Relations, Kazakhstan’s Reforms and More

ASTANA – The Astana Times has selected a range of articles on Kazakhstan featured in international media this week. Today’s foreign media digest covers topics such as the Chinese-Kazakh...


Kazakhstan Establishes 74 Polling Stations Abroad for Upcoming Referendum

ASTANA – Kazakhstan has set up 74 polling stations at its foreign missions in 59 countries for the upcoming referendum on the construction of a nuclear power plant, scheduled...


Kazakhstan Strengthens Role as Key EU Partner in Central Asia

ASTANA – The European Parliament hosted a conference on Oct. 2, discussing the strategic partnership between Kazakhstan and the European Union (EU).  Tomáš Zdechovský, a member of the European...


Panel Session in Ankara Highlights Achievements and Goals of Turkic Cooperation 

ASTANA – Ankara hosted an event to mark the 15th anniversary of the Nakhchivan Agreement, which established the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) and the Day of Turkic States...


Green Hydrogen in Kazakhstan: What are Opportunities and Challenges

ASTANA—While Kazakhstan’s potential for renewable energy remains substantial, developing green hydrogen might not be an easy endeavor. Manuel Andresh, the head of the Hydrogen Diplomacy Office in Astana, spoke...


Kazakhstan Surpasses Global Average in Economic Gender Equality Metrics, Says World Bank

ASTANA – Kazakhstan outperforms the global average in legal and supportive frameworks and expert opinion criteria on enabling women’s economic opportunity in the World Bank’s Women, Business and the...