Food, Fields, and Farms: Local Company Offers Authentic Tours in Kazakhstan

ASTANA – Exploring farms, dining in sunflower fields, and uncovering the hidden corners of Kazakhstan — that’s what the Ken Dala project is all about. It offers...


New Book by Kazakh Journalist Reveals Untold Stories of World War II

ASTANA – On the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, Kazakh journalist and author of documentary projects Maya Bekbayeva presented her new book “Kazakhstan....


Kazakhstan Marks 125th Anniversary of Writer Sabit Mukanov

ASTANA – Kazakhstan celebrates the 125th anniversary of Sabit Mukanov, a seminal figure in national literature on April 26. A master of multiple genres, Mukanov helped lay...


New Studies Reveal Public and Expert Views on Kazakhstan’s Energy Transition

ASTANA – Two recent studies on energy transition in Kazakhstan provide an in-depth analysis of both expert and public perceptions of current energy transition policies. The papers...


President Tokayev Meets UEFA President, Highlights Football Growth in Kazakhstan

ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev met with UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin on April 25, commending UEFA’s support for Kazakhstan and emphasizing football’s growing popularity in the country....


Kazakhstan Engineering Forum Focuses on Growth, Innovation and Global Competitiveness 

ASTANA – The 12th Kazakhstan Engineering Forum kicked off on April 24, bringing together over 1,500 industry leaders, government officials and international partners from at least 20...


How to End April with Culture: Artistic Events to Visit This Weekend

ASTANA –  Get ready for an unforgettable weekend packed with exciting events and captivating experiences in the lively cities of Kazakhstan. From fascinating exhibitions to lively concerts,...


Kazakhstan Reports High Digital Literacy and Internet Usage

ASTANA – Kazakhstan Bureau of National Statistics has conducted a survey in 2024, revealing high levels of digital engagement in Kazakhstan, with over 96% of the population...


News Digest: Foreign Media on Kazakhstan’s Diplomacy, Tourism Growth, Global Investment, and More

ASTANA – The Astana Times has curated a selection of articles from global media outlets covering Kazakhstan. This week’s foreign media digest includes topics such as Kazakhstan’s...


Air Arabia Abu Dhabi to Launch Flights to Kazakhstan in June

ASTANA – Air Arabia Abu Dhabi, an Emirati low-cost airline, plans to launch regular passenger flights on the Abu Dhabi–Almaty route starting in June, with three flights...


Kazakhstan, Austria Deepen Strategic Partnership Through Diversified Economic Ties

ASTANA – Kazakhstan and Austria are strengthening their partnership through expanded economic cooperation, as highlighted during the 12th session of the Intergovernmental Commission (IGC) on Economic, Agricultural,...


Recovered Assets to Build New Medical Facilities in Aktobe Region

ASTANA – The Kazakh government allocated returned illegally acquired assets from the Special State Fund to finance the construction of medical facilities in the Aktobe Region worth...


Kazakhstan, Afghanistan Launch Strategic Turgundi–Herat Railway Project

ASTANA – Kazakhstan and Afghanistan signed a protocol of intent to begin construction on the Turgundi–Herat–Kandahar–Spin Boldak railway line. The agreement was reached during a recent visit...


World Bank Weighs in on Tax Reforms in Kazakhstan

ASTANA – A draft Tax Code was presented to the Mazhilis, a lower house of Kazakhstan’s Parliament, on April 9. While the bill awaits a second reading...


AI Project Lights Up Domestic Violence Cases in Kazakhstan

ASTANA – Kazakhstan has launched a digital project that uses artificial intelligence to track and visualize domestic violence cases in real-time. The project, called Svet Saltanat [the...


How Foreign Citizens Can Get Bank Cards in Kazakhstan

ASTANA – One of the challenges people face when they arrive in a new country to live and work is getting a bank card. In Kazakhstan, foreign...


Global Instability Drives Growth in Kazakhstan’s Domestic Tourism

ASTANA – Amid international instability and rising costs of outbound tourism, more people are choosing to travel around Kazakhstan, domestic tourism expert Sofya Tastemirova said at the...


Pope Francis’ Passing Resonates in Kazakhstan, Archbishop Peta Pays Tribute

ASTANA – The passing of the head of the Catholic church, Pope Francis, has prompted some of the most heartfelt condolences around the world from believers and...


Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan Expand Horizons of Cooperation

ASTANA – Recent years have become a period of closer ties between Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan not only in politics and economics but also at the level of...


Kazakhstan Confirms Strong Position in Global Digital Competitiveness

ASTANA – Kazakhstan ranked 34th out of 67 countries in the World Digital Competitiveness Ranking by the International Institute for Management Development (IMD), according to the IMD’s...


Nation Marks Assembly of People of Kazakhstan’s 30th Anniversary

ASTANA — More than 1,600 people gathered at the Palace of Peace and Reconciliation on April 24 in Astana to mark the 30th anniversary of an institution...


President Tokayev Highlights Strategic Role of Assembly of People of Kazakhstan at Anniversary Session

ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev emphasized the long-term, strategic impact of the Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan (APK) at its 34th session on April 24, which...


Kazakh President Meets Pakistan’s Army Chief, Highlights Strategic Partnership

ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev received General Asim Munir, the Chief of Army Staff of the Pakistan Armed Forces, who arrived in Astana on an official visit...


Kazakhstan to Turn Heritage Sites into Tourism Hubs, Add 11 UNESCO Monuments

ASTANA — Kazakhstan will prepare a national plan by September to develop its United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage Sites into tourist destinations....


Prospects on Formation of Carbon Market in Kazakhstan 

As is well known, the initiative of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to establish a UN Regional Center for the Sustainable Development Goals of Central Asia and Afghanistan was...


Kazakhstan’s Saiga Population Reaches 4.1 Million as Debate Grows Over Regulation Measures

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s saiga antelope population has reached a record 4.1 million, said Deputy Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources Nurken Sharbiyev during an April 22 round...


No Kazakh Nationals Reported Affected in Istanbul Quake, Says Foreign Ministry

ASTANA – Today, on April 23, Turkish authorities reported a 6.2-magnitude earthquake near Istanbul, followed by ongoing aftershocks. As of now, no Kazakh citizens in Türkiye have...


Germany Promotes Green Hydrogen Expertise in Kazakhstan

ASTANA – Kazakhstan and Germany came together at the German Training Week – Green Hydrogen, launched on April 22 in Astana, as a strategic initiative to unlock...


Kazakhstan and Croatia Strengthen Bilateral Cooperation During High-Level Visit

ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev met with Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of Croatia Gordan Grlić Radman on April 23, highlighting growing cooperation between Kazakhstan and...


Kazakhstan to Launch TravelStan All-in-One Travel App This Year

ASTANA – Kazakhstan plans to launch a unified mobile application for tourists, named TravelStan, by the end of this year, said Deputy Minister of Tourism and Sports...


Kazakhstan Expands Air Connectivity with New Baku-Shymkent and Domestic Routes

ASTANA – Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) will launch regular flights between Baku and Shymkent three times a week starting June 28. Flights from Baku will be on Mondays,...


Eurasian Resources Group Refutes Negotiations to Sell Company

ASTANA – Shukhrat Ibragimov, the Eurasian Resources Group CEO, stated there are no negotiations on the sale of ERG, following a number of media reports in the...


Kazakhstan, Afghanistan to Create Technical Commission to Study Afghan Mineral Deposits

ASTANA – Kazakhstan and Afghanistan agreed to create a technical commission to study Afghan mineral deposits during a recent meeting between Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister and Minister...


Kazakhstan to Expand Access to Natural Gas to 12.8 Million People This Year

ASTANA – By the end of this year, Kazakhstan plans to complete 60 gasification projects in 71 populated areas, expanding access to natural gas for an additional...


What Kazakhstan’s Tax Reforms Mean for Businesses and Investment

ASTANA – Mazhilis, a lower chamber of the Kazakh Parliament, approved the draft Tax Code in the first reading on April 9. The government frames the tax...


Italian PM Meloni Postpones Kazakhstan Visit Following Pope’s Death

ASTANA – Prime Minister of Italy Giorgia Meloni has postponed her visit to Kazakhstan, scheduled for April 26-27, in light of Pope Francis’ passing. “The planned visit...


Kazakhstan Celebrates First National Book Day, Promoting Reading and Literary Culture

ASTANA – Kazakhstan celebrated its first-ever National Book Day on April 23, a milestone event to promote a reading culture, raise literacy rates, and highlight the value...


Kazakhstan to Train One Million Citizens in AI Skills Over Five Years

ASTANA – Kazakhstan plans to train 500,000 schoolchildren, 300,000 students, 90,000 civil servants, 80,000 business representatives, and thousands of citizens from other areas in artificial intelligence (AI)...


Kazakhstan Plans to Open Trading House in Afghanistan

ASTANA – Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Economy Serik Zhumangarin proposed opening Kazakhstan’s trading house in Kabul during a meeting with Afghan Deputy Prime...


Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan Strengthen Strategic Partnership

ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty (People’s Council) of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov discussed the prospects for strengthening the multifaceted strategic partnership at...


Kazakhstan Will Not Restrict Export of Tazy Dogs, Says Kazakh PM

ASTANA – Kazakhstan will not impose a ban on the export of the Kazakh Tazy and Tobet dog breeds, Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov stated in response to...


Kazakh President, Turkmen Leader Visit Khoja Ahmed Yasawi Mausoleum

ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty (People’s Council) of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov visited the Khoja Ahmed Yasawi Mausoleum in Turkistan on April...


Valor Carbon Speaks Out on Renewable Energy Certificates, Climate Finance in Kazakhstan

ASTANA – The Astana International Exchange (AIX) launched trading of International Renewable Energy Certificates (I-REC) in February, marking a milestone in Kazakhstan’s green finance efforts. The first...


Council of Europe Discusses Kazakhstan’s Commitment to Rule of Law, Reforms 

STRASBOURG – A meeting dedicated to the implementation of democratic reforms in Kazakhstan was hosted on the sidelines of the spring session of the Parliamentary Assembly of...


Kazakhstan and South Korea Explore AI Use in Public Sector 

ASTANA – Kazakhstan and South Korea presented their progress on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) across the public sector at a diplomatic seminar in Astana on...


Uzbekistan to Offer Five-Year Residence Permits to Foreign Investors Starting June

ASTANA – To attract foreign investment, Uzbekistan will introduce a simplified procedure for issuing 5-year residence permits starting June 1. Foreign nationals and stateless persons will be...


Kazakhstan Welcomes Return of First Peacekeeping Contingent from Golan Heights

ASTANA – The remaining 38 service members of Kazakhstan’s first peacekeeping contingent deployed to the UN mission in the Golan Heights returned home on April 20. Deputy...


Kazakh Citizens in US Advised to Return Voluntarily Over Immigration Concerns

ASTANA – On April 17, the Kazakh Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a call for Kazakh citizens currently residing in the United States who are subject to...


AIFC Launches Expat Loyalty Club to Support Foreign Professionals in Kazakhstan

ASTANA – The Expat Center of the Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC) officially launched the Expat Loyalty Club Community – a new initiative designed for foreign professionals...


President Tokayev Highlights National Environmental Efforts at Taza Kazakhstan Festival

ASTANA – Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev highlighted the importance of ecological responsibility and civic unity during an April 21 Taza Kazakhstan environmental festival. He focused on the...


Kazakh Manuscript on Khans’ Genealogy Added to UNESCO Memory of World Register

ASTANA — The 18th-century manuscript “Khandar Shezhiresi” (“Genealogy of the Khans”) has been officially inscribed in the UNESCO Memory of the World Register, announced State Counselor Erlan...


Italian PM Giorgia Meloni to Visit Kazakhstan This Week

ASTANA – Prime Minister of Italy Giorgia Meloni is set to make an official visit to Kazakhstan on April 26–27, following an invitation from President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev....


Kazakhstan’s Primary Health Care Reform Saves Millions, Offers Model for Global Health Systems

ASTANA — Kazakhstan’s strengthened primary health care (PHC) system has saved an estimated 270 million tenge (US$516,000) in just one region over two years and could save...


Discover Kazakhstan’s Unique Wedding Traditions

ASTANA – In Kazakhstan, a wedding is not a single event but a series of traditions observed before and after the ceremony. For Kazakhs, marriage is deeply...


Kazakhstan Honors 18-Year-Old WWII Hero Aliya Moldagulova on 100th Anniversary

ASTANA – At the age of 18, Aliya Moldagulova, a skilled Kazakh sniper, gave her life defending her homeland from the Nazi invasion during World War II....


Kazakhstan’s Special Center Transforms Future for Children with Autism 

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s unique center for children with autism has become a lifeline for families, offering care, support, and a nurturing environment tailored to the needs of...


​​Kazakhstan and Benin Mark Diplomatic Milestone with First-Ever Foreign Ministerial Visit

ASTANA – Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Murat Nurtleu met with Olushegun Adjadi Bakari, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Benin, who arrived in Astana on a...


Kazakhstan Eyes Ski Tourism Growth as PM Meets Global Industry Leader

ASTANA – Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov met on April 19 with PGI Management President Joan Viladomat to explore avenues of cooperation to develop ski tourism in Kazakhstan,...


Central Asian Artists Spotlight Feminine Power at New York Exhibition 

ASTANA – Artists Altynai Osmo from the Kyrgyz Republic and Aya Shalkar from Kazakhstan have been presenting a joint exhibition titled “Beneath the Earth and Above the...


Kazakhstan Archaeology Journal Gains Global Recognition with SJR Ranking

ASTANA – The Kazakhstan Archaeology scientific journal of the Margulan Institute of Archaeology officially entered the first quartile (Q1) of the international SCImago Journal Rank (SJR) ranking,...


Kazakhstan Installs Over 3,000 5G Base Stations

ASTANA – Kazakhstan has surpassed 3,000 installed 5G base stations nationwide, Kazinform reported on April 12, citing Kazakhtelecom, the country’s largest telecommunications company. Chief Innovation Officer at...


Mangystau Region Launches $3.6 Billion in Infrastructure Projects

ASTANA – Kazakhstan is implementing 24 infrastructure projects worth 1.9 trillion tenge (US$3.6 billion) in the Mangystau Region, Minister of Transport Marat Karabayev reported to President Kassym-Jomart...


Kazakhstan Celebrates Homecoming of First UN Peacekeeping Contingent

ASTANA – The return and reunion of Kazakhstan’s first peacekeeping contingent with their families brings bittersweet joy and relief after a year-long mission under the UN Disengagement...


Kazakhstan to Develop National AI Strategy This Year

ASTANA – Kazakhstan is preparing to upgrade its Concept for the Development of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into a Strategy, announced Gizzat Baitursynov, the chairman of the AI...


Foreign Tourists Spend Over $2.6 Billion in Kazakhstan in 2024

ASTANA – Foreign tourists spent more than $2.6 billion in Kazakhstan in 2024, according to the Tourism Industry Committee of the Ministry of Tourism and Sports. The...


News Digest: Foreign Media on Kazakhstan’s Strategic Role, Regional Cooperation and Global Partnerships

ASTANA – The Astana Times has compiled a selection of articles from global media outlets covering Kazakhstan. This week’s foreign media digest covers Kazakhstan’s strategic efforts to...


Kazakhstan Delivers 36 Wagons of Humanitarian Aid to Afghanistan

ASTANA – Thirty six wagons of humanitarian aid from Kazakhstan arrived at the Hairatan railway station in Balkh province, Afghanistan, on April 17, reported the Prime Minister’s...


Kazakhstan Enhances Cooperation with Türkiye in Agro-Industrial and Food Industries

ASTANA – Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Murat Nurtleu met with the leadership of two Turkish companies to discuss investment projects aimed at the development...


Belgium Opens Honorary Consulate and Benelux Chamber Office in Aktau

ASTANA – The Honorary Consulate of Belgium and the representative office of the Benelux Chamber of Commerce officially opened on April 17 in Aktau, marking a key...


Explore, Listen, Enjoy: Best Events for Your Weekend

ASTANA –  Spend your evenings with meaning: art, music, theater – everything for your mood and new emotions. The Astana Times has curated a guide to events...


Kazakh-French Partnership Rooted in Multilateralism, Sustainability, and Shared Ambitions

ASTANA — Amid growing global tensions and shifting alliances, France and Kazakhstan are steadily building a partnership that stands out for its consistency, mutual respect, and strategic...


Kazakhstan’s Young Chess Talents Shine at World Championships with Six Golds and One Bronze

ASTANA — Kazakhstan’s young chess players won six gold and one bronze medal at the FIDE World Cadet & Youth Rapid & Blitz Championships 2025, taking place...


Kazakhstan Accelerates Renewable Energy Transition with Nine Projects

ASTANA  — This year, Kazakhstan plans to launch nine renewable energy facilities with a combined installed capacity of 455.5 megawatts (MW). One of these projects, a wind...


Central Asia, Gulf Countries Deepen Strategic Partnership at Kuwait Meeting

ASTANA – The Kazakh delegation, headed by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Murat Nurtleu, participated in the third ministerial meeting of the Central Asia – Gulf...


Top Five Tourist Regions of Kazakhstan in 2024

ASTANA – In 2024, Kazakhstan welcomed 9.1 million tourists who used hotels and other accommodation facilities nationwide. The volume of services reached 300 billion tenge (US$573.3 million),...


Assembly of People of Kazakhstan Credited with Shaping National Unity

ASTANA – The Assembly of People of Kazakhstan was instrumental in integrating diverse ethnic groups into a unified nation, said Marat Azilkhanov, the assembly’s deputy chairman and...


Shares of Kazakhstan’s Companies Show Growth Despite Market Volatility

ASTANA – Despite global market uncertainty, Kazakhstan’s stock market remained resilient in January-March, with the Kazakhstan Stock Exchange (KASE) Index rising by 1.4% to reach 5,658.74 points....


Balkhash Blues: Drenched in Beauty, Caught in Development

Editor’s note: The Astana Times continues a section featuring articles by our readers. As a platform that values diverse perspectives and meaningful conversations, we believe that this...


Al Jazeera Considers Opening Correspondent Office in Kazakhstan

ASTANA – The possibility of opening an Al Jazeera correspondent office in Kazakhstan was one of the key topics of the meeting between the President’s Press Secretary...


Astana Hosts International Automotive Industry Exhibition

ASTANA – Automechanika Astana 2025, a major international exhibition, opened on April 15 in the Kazakh capital, bringing together 350 companies from 22 countries, including Germany, Italy,...


Kazakhstan, Muslim World League Boost Cooperation on Interfaith Dialogue, Global Security

ASTANA – The International Center for Interfaith and Interreligious Dialogue in Kazakhstan and the Muslim World League (MWL) signed a memorandum of understanding on April 15 in...


Central Asian Media Leaders Propose Unified Media Platform

ASTANA — The second Central Asian Media Forum commenced in Astana on April 16 to foster regional information unity, strengthen media resilience, and explore the creation of...


Kazakh President Sets Priorities Amid Global Market Shifts

ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev outlined main directions for Kazakhstan’s economic policy in response to shifting global market conditions caused by tariff conflicts, during a Security Council...


Central Asian Media Forum Spotlights Journalism at Crossroads: Trust, AI, and Battle for Credibility

ASTANA — The media is changing faster than ever, and so are the rules of the game. As artificial intelligence reshapes how information is created and consumed,...


Kazakhstan Bans Use of Public Funds to Finance Foreign Legionnaires in Sports

ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signed a law on April 15 prohibiting using budgetary and quasi-public sector funds to finance foreign legionnaires in sports, reported Akorda. The...


Kazakhstan Enhances Investment and Trade Ties with Kuwait

ASTANA – Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Murat Nurtleu invited Kuwaiti investors to participate in major projects in Kazakhstan, pledging comprehensive support. Nurtleu participated in...


Kazakhstan’s Primary Health Care Model in Spotlight at WHO-Led Workshop

ASTANA  – National health leaders, local decision-makers and primary health care (PHC) experts gathered in Astana on April 16 for a workshop organized by the World Health...


Aging with Dignity: Rethinking Pension Cuts for Kazakhstan’s Working Retirees

Editor’s note: The Astana Times continues a section featuring articles by our readers. As a platform that values diverse perspectives and meaningful conversations, we believe that this...


Kazakh Music Returns to Instagram and Facebook After Copyright Deal

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s users can once again use local music in Instagram and Facebook stories, reels, and posts, following a new agreement between Meta and Kazakhstan Authors’...


Kazatomprom Secures Czech Uranium Deal, Eyes Europe Growth

ASTANA – Kazatomprom national atomic company has signed a landmark agreement with ČEZ, a. s., marking an expanded presence in Europe and strengthened position in the global...


Marriage Trends Shift in Kazakhstan with Rising Age and Regional Disparities

ASTANA – In Kazakhstan, April 15 is celebrated as Kozy-Korpesh and Bayan Sulu Day, a holiday symbolizing true love, often considered an alternative to Valentine’s Day. A...


Massive Asset Recovery of $1.2 Bln Boosts Kazakhstan’s Social Development

ASTANA – Kazakhstan has recovered assets worth approximately 610 billion tenge (US$1.2 billion), including 506 billion tenge (US$977.2 million) in cash and property valued at over 103...


Kazakhstan, Chevron Seek Energy Expansion, Oil Route Diversification, and Industrial Growth

ASTANA – Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev emphasized the key role of Chevron in the sustainable development of the country’s energy sector and congratulated Chevron CEO Michael Wirth...


Astana to Host Central Asian Media Forum Tomorrow

ASTANA – The Kazakh capital is set to host the second Central Asian Media Forum on April 16-17 in Astana. The media forum will bring together media...


Kazakhstan Showcases Innovation and Heritage at EXPO 2025 in Osaka

ASTANA – The World Expo 2025 officially opened on April 13 on the artificial island of Yumeshima in Osaka, Japan. Running until October, this major international event...


Kazakh Love Story Etched in Stone and Memory

ASTANA – While Valentine’s Day on Feb. 14, introduced through Western culture, is widely celebrated in Kazakhstan, a homegrown celebration of love on April 15, known as...


European Ambassadors Visit  Shymkent, Turkistan to Deepen Ties with Kazakhstan 

ASTANA – A delegation of 18 ambassadors of European countries visited Shymkent on April 11 to strengthen cooperation between the city and Europe, reported Shymkent’s Department of...


Kazakhstan Relaunches Healthcare Program to Support Students from Kyrgyz Republic and Tajikistan

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s Agency for International Development (KazAID) has relaunched its Avicenna: Healthcare program to support students from medical institutions of the Kyrgyz Republic and Tajikistan, KazAID...


Tokayev Praises Kazakh Peacekeepers Returned from UN Mission in Golan Heights

ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev commended Kazakhstan’s first peacekeeping contingent to the Golan Heights during a meeting with officers and soldiers of the National Peacekeeping Forces on...


Kazakhstan Presents Organ Delivery Innovation at Expo 2025 in Japan

ASTANA – A team of physician-researchers from Kazakhstan’s University Medical Center (UMC), led by internationally renowned cardiac surgeon Yuriy Pya, has presented the groundbreaking Alem innovation for...