UAE Investor Plans to Develop Aerotropolis in Astana

ASTANA – Terminals Astana Airport Limited, part of the United Arab Emirates (UAE)-based Terminals Holding, will invest $1.1 billion to develop an aerotropolis at Astana International Airport, according to...


Kazakhstan Expands Transplant Services Amid Rising Needs

ASTANA — More than 4,000 patients in Kazakhstan await organ transplants, with kidneys accounting for over 90% of all cases. In this article, The Astana Times delves into how...


UN Volunteer Subregional Office for Central Asia to Open in Almaty

ASTANA – The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) program announced the opening of its Subregional Office for Central Asia in Almaty, during the first meeting of Kazakhstan’s National Organizing Committee...


Central Asia-China Focus on Education Cooperation

ASTANA — Kazakh Minister of Education Gani Beisembayev took part in the first China-Central Asia Education Ministers’ meeting on May 13 in Urumqi. The event focused on educational integration...


President Tokayev Reviews National Bank’s 2024 Performance

ASTANA – Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev chaired a meeting on May 13 to review the 2024 performance report of the National Bank of Kazakhstan. The meeting covered the macroeconomic...


Kazakhstan, UAE Strengthen Strategic Partnership in Logistics and Food Security

ASTANA – Kazakhstan Temir Zholy, the national railway company, dispatched the first train carrying a shipment of Kazakh wheat to the port of Jebel Ali in the United Arab...


Kazakhstan Participates in Six-Party Talks to Boost China–Europe Rail Corridor

ASTANA – Tehran hosted a high-level six-party meeting on May 12 with the participation of railway representatives from China, Iran, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Türkiye and Uzbekistan. The talks marked a...


More Flights Launch in May to Connect Kazakhstan to Ten Countries

ASTANA – Beginning in May, Kazakhstan is launching new air routes to ten countries, including Azerbaijan, China, Georgia, Germany, Hungary, the Kyrgyz Republic, South Korea, Türkiye, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam,...


Kazakhstan’s GDP Grows 6% in January-April

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s economy grew by 6% in January-April, according to preliminary data from the Kazakh Bureau of National Statistics. The figures indicate an acceleration in development across key...


UAE, Kazakhstan Deepen Energy Ties with Renewable and Battery Storage Agreement

ASTANA – Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company PJSC – Masdar and Samruk Kazyna Sovereign Wealth Fund signed collaboration agreement related to the development of renewable energy and battery energy...


Air Astana to Resume Delhi and Mumbai Flights After Temporary Suspension

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s largest airline, Air Astana, will resume KC 907/908 and KC 963/964 regular flights on the Almaty-Delhi-Almaty route starting May 19, with the route and schedule remaining...


What It Takes to Work with Ancient Artifacts But Leave History Intact

ASTANA – Imagine restoring a thousand-year-old door in a centuries-old mausoleum, a feeling as if you are touching the past. In an interview with The Astana Times, Elina Altynbekova,...


‘Golden Empire’ Series Nears Completion with Final Filming in Zhetisu

ASTANA – Production of “The Golden Empire” a six-part documentary drama about Jochi Khan has entered its final stages, the Dara Foundation of Presidential Initiatives reported on May 10....


Kazakhstan Invests in Science, But Will It Inspire Next Generation?

ASTANA – The development of science is a strategic priority for Kazakhstan, viewed as a key driver of economic growth. While the nation continues to invest in scientific research...


Kazakhstan, UAE Ink Fresh Deals in AI, Logistics, Education

ASTANA – Kazakhstan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) concluded a few more commercial agreements on the sidelines of the Kazakhstan-UAE business forum on May 12 during the official...


Kazakhstan Advances Nearly $10 Bln in Chemical and Metallurgical Projects

ASTANA – Kazakhstan has been implementing five major industrial projects worth nearly $10 billion, expected to create over 8,700 permanent jobs, Minister of Industry and Construction Yersayin Nagaspayev said...


Kazakhstan, UAE Sign Over $5 Billion in Agreements During Crown Prince’s Visit

ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev welcomed the signing of more than 20 commercial agreements worth $5 billion during the official visit of the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh...


Kazakhstan’s Investment Appeal Surges in Early 2025

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s investment appeal surged in early 2025, with seven investment agreements worth $14 billion signed in the first four months of the year, compared to only one...


What to Expect From Visit of Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi to Kazakhstan

ASTANA – The official visit of the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to Kazakhstan on May 11-12 is seen as a...


Earthquake of Magnitude 4.2 Hits Tengiz Oilfield Area

ASTANA – A magnitude 4.2 earthquake occurred in the area surrounding the Tengiz oilfield at 11.44 a.m. on May 11, reported VolcanoDiscovery. The epicenter was located approximately 29 kilometers...


Shymbulak Hosts First Eco Festival 

ASTANA – The first-ever EcoDay environmental culture festival took place on May 10 at the Shymbulak ski resort, a one-day event that combined ecological education, sustainable lifestyle, and practical...


Kazakhstan Marks 95th Anniversary of Prominent Historical Novelist Anuar Alimzhanov

ASTANA – On May 12, Kazakhstan celebrates the 95th anniversary of Anuar Alimzhanov, a prominent Kazakh journalist and historical writer whose works brought to life key figures of Kazakh...


Just Transition: Industrial Regions Must be Included in Push Towards Green Energy 

This year, Almaty was ranked as having the highest pollution levels globally, according to IQAir, a Swiss air quality technology company. With the air quality index reaching 256, residents...


Top Czech Official Hails Comprehensive Cooperation with Kazakhstan

ASTANA – Kazakhstan and the Czech Republic are keen to expand and diversify bilateral ties. A Czech delegation, led by Vice Minister of Industry and Trade Martin Frélich, visited...


People Behind Exhibits Reveal Work That Keeps Museums Alive

ASTANA – There is something satisfying about wandering through the cool and silent museum halls, but behind the scenes there is an equally interesting noise, bustle, and distinctive scent...


Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi to Pay Official Visit to Kazakhstan

ASTANA – Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, will pay an official visit to Kazakhstan on May 11-12, reported Akorda press service. ...


Fireworks and Drones Illuminate Astana and Almaty Skies for Victory Day Celebrations

ASTANA – Night skies across Astana and Almaty lit up with a spectacular firework display and drone show, celebrating Victory Day on May 9 in honor of the 80th...


Kazakhstan Voices Concern Over India-Pakistan Tension

ASTANA – The Kazakh Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed its profound concern over the escalating tensions between the Republic of India and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan in an...


Kazakh Comedian Launches First English Stand-Up Special

ASTANA – Shugyla Sagynbekova, a comedian and stand-up producer, has become the first Kazakh woman to record a stand-up comedy special in English. She released the show on YouTube,...


President Tokayev Holds Talks with Serbian, Myanmar, and Venezuelan Leaders

ASTANA — Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev held several bilateral talks on May 8 in Moscow, reported Akorda. During the meeting with President of Serbia Aleksandar Vučić, Tokayev recalled his...


News Digest: Foreign Media on Kazakhstan’s Ties with Vietnam, Military Parade and More

ASTANA – The Astana Times has selected articles from global media outlets covering Kazakhstan. This week’s foreign media digest features Kazakhstan’s relations with Vietnam, a military parade and more....


China, Russia, Italy Remain Kazakhstan’s Top Foreign Trade Partners in 2024

ASTANA – China, Russia, and Italy led Kazakhstan’s foreign trade in 2024, accounting for the largest shares of both exports and imports, the Trade and Integration Ministry’s press service...


Kazakhstan to Present National Review on Sustainability at UN Forum

ASTANA – In July, Kazakhstan will present its third Voluntary National Review at the high-level political forum on sustainable development at the UN Headquarters in New York, the Ministry...


Kazakhstan, Hungary Strengthen Inter-Parliamentary Cooperation Within PACE

ASTANA – Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Murat Nurtleu met on May 6 with a delegation from the National Assembly of Hungary, discussing enhancing inter-parliamentary dialogue, expanding...


Participatory Budgeting as Tool for Improving Quality of Life

In 2024, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Kazakhstan, with financial support from the Ministry of Economy, launched the regional program Sustainable Development: Overcoming Local Disparities in the...


Air Astana Suspends Flights to India Amid Airspace Closure

ASTANA – Air Astana has suspended its flights between Almaty and the Indian cities of Delhi and Mumbai starting May 8, following the closure of airspace between India and...


What’s on This Long May Weekend 

ASTANA –  May 9 brings Victory Day celebrations to life in both Astana and Almaty. With a rich historical significance, this day honors the sacrifices made during the war...


Kazakhstan, Vietnam Set to Strengthen Trade and Economic Ties

ASTANA – Kazakh Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov and General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee Tô Lâm reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral trade and economic...


Vietnamese, Kazakh Leaders Highlight Ties Through Shared Traditions

ASTANA – General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam Tô Lâm participated in the Kazakh tradition of tusaukeser, a symbolic cutting of a baby’s...


Kazakh Deaf Dance Troupe Wins Big at International Festival in China

ASTANA – The Kazakh Sensitive Theater of deaf dancers claimed three Grand Prix awards at the second International Competition-Festival of Culture and Arts “Lace of Tianjin 2025,” held in...


Austrian Envoy On Mission to Put Kazakhstan on Austrians’ Mental Map

ASTANA – Ambassador of Austria to Kazakhstan Andrea Bacher embarked on her mission in January. A few months into her tenure, she finds her agenda packed with opportunities to...


Military Parade in Astana Marks 80th Anniversary of Great Victory

ASTANA — Kazakhstan honored the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II with a large-scale Victory Parade in Astana on May 7, its first since 2019. The...


Smarter Schools? How AI and Global Trends are Testing Education in Central Asia

ASTANA — Globally, education trends have been evolving rapidly. Rita Almeida, manager of the Education Global Practice for Europe and Central Asia at the World Bank, shared in an...


Tokayev Honors Veterans, Highlights Kazakhstan’s Role at Victory Parade

ASTANA — Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev congratulated the nation on the 80th anniversary of the Great Victory in WWII during a May 7 military parade. Greeting the military parade’s...


Kazakhstan–Vietnam Deal Launches Low-Cost Carrier in Central Asia

ASTANA – Kazakhstan and Vietnam took a significant step toward strengthening economic and transportation ties on May 6, as Qazaq Air and Vietnam’s Vietjet announced the creation of a...


Kazakhstan, Vietnam Adopt Joint Statement on Establishment of Strategic Partnership

ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee Tô Lâm adopted a joint statement on the establishment of a strategic partnership...


Vietnam Names Kazakhstan its First Strategic Partner in Central Asia

ASTANA – Kazakhstan will become Vietnam’s first strategic partner in Central Asia, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee Tô Lâm said at a May 6...


How Social Connections Support Mental Health in Kazakhstan 

A sociological analysis of the state of social connections in Kazakhstan reveals that, while a significant portion of the population still maintains close social ties, there are concerning signs...


Almaty Airport Secures $362 Million Boost from Private Investors

ASTANA – TAV Holding, a Turkish airport operations firm, will invest an additional $362 million in the new 53,500-square-meter terminal commissioned in June 2024 at Almaty International Airport for...


Kazakhstan Launches Door-to-Door Delivery to Belgium

ASTANA – A subsidiary of Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ) national railway company, KTZ Express, has launched a new international delivery service from the first to the last mile on...