Kazakhstan Promotes Regional Digital Cooperation at First UN Global Dialogue on AI Governance

ASTANA – Kazakhstan reaffirmed its commitment to inclusive and interoperable AI governance at the first UN Global Dialogue on AI Governance in Geneva, where Deputy Prime Minister...


Kazakh National University of Sports Officially Opens New Campus in Astana

ASTANA — Kazakhstan officially inaugurated the Kazakh National University of Sports (KNUS) and its new campus in the Kazakh capital, marking the completion of a five-year transformation...


Central Asia Emerges as Growing Air Cargo Hub, IATA Says

ASTANA – Central Asia is strengthening its role in global air cargo flows, with regional volumes more than doubling since 2019 as new trade corridors reshape international...


Justice on Steppe: How Kazakh Judges Settle Disputes

ASTANA – Long before modern courts emerged, disputes on the Kazakh steppe were resolved by biys, a respected judges whose authority stemmed not from official appointment but...


Uzbekistan’s Population Nearly Doubles Since 1989 Census

ASTANA – Uzbekistan has published the preliminary results of its first population census in 37 years, showing that the country’s population has reached more than 39 million,...


At 74, My Grandmother Chose to Fly

At 74, my Rzakul azhe (“azhe” means grandmother in Kazakh) stood on the edge of a mountain, waiting to take off on a paraglider. The instructor checked...


Djend: Silk Road City That Minted Coins for Golden Horde

ASTANA – The ruins of Djend, a medieval city in Kazakhstan’s Kyzylorda Region, offer a glimpse into a once-thriving center of trade, politics and Islamic culture that...


Netflix’s One Piece Star Iñaki Godoy to Headline Comic Con Astana 2026

ASTANA — Mexican actor Iñaki Godoy, who gained worldwide recognition for his leading role as Monkey D. Luffy in Netflix’s live-action “One Piece”, has been announced as...


Dombra Day Celebrates Kazakhstan’s Living Musical Heritage

ASTANA — Kazakhstan celebrates National Dombra Day on July 5 with concerts, educational events and performances across the country, continuing the annual tradition established in 2018 to...


Rare Akhal-Teke Filly as Living Symbol of Kazakhstan’s Nomadic Heritage

ASTANA – A young Akhal-Teke filly named Akzhan, born to purebred horses Ganatly and Tabys, has attracted widespread attention in Kazakhstan for her rare isabelline coat and...


Kazakhstan Celebrates 100 Years of Opera Legend Yermek Serkebayev

ASTANA – Kazakhstan is marking the 100th anniversary of Yermek Serkebayev on July 4, one of the country’s most celebrated opera singers and a towering figure in...


Ten Words, One Journey: Italian Official Explores Kazakhstan in New Book

ASTANA – Marco Alberti, Italy’s former ambassador to Kazakhstan, presented his new book “Kazakhstan in 10 Words” in Astana on July 1, offering a personal reflection on...


Kazakhstan Launches G-Index Institute to Build Research Base for Women’s Entrepreneurship

ASTANA – The fourth plenary session of the Global Businesswomen Council on July 2 in Astana announced plans to launch the G-Index Institute, an independent research and...


Astana Day Brings Weekend of Music, Culture and Celebration

ASTANA –  Kazakhstan’s capital is set to celebrate its 28th anniversary with more than 100 events taking place across the city on July 4-6. The program features...


EBRD to Finance $300 Million Gold Processing Project in Kazakhstan

ASTANA — The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) will provide a loan of up to $300 million to support the construction of a new hydrometallurgical...


EU Ambassador Says Tokayev’s Brussels Visit Reinforced Kazakhstan-EU Strategic Partnership

ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s recent visit to Brussels was a reinforcement of Kazakhstan’s strategic partnership with the European Union, EU Ambassador to Kazakhstan Aleška Simkić told...


Kazakhstan’s National Rail Carrier Transports Over 6 Million Passengers in January-June

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s national rail carrier transported more than 6 million passengers during January-June. Almaty recorded the highest passenger departures with 993,000 travelers, followed by Astana with...


Mikhail Lomtadze Unveils “Kasper”: A Personal AI Assistant From Kaspi.kz For Every Kazakh

ASTANA – Kasper helps customers make confident choices in the Kaspi Shop: it understands the user’s needs, clarifies details, compares options, explains complex terms in simple language,...


News Digest: Foreign Media on Kazakhstan’s Strategic Partnerships, Transport Corridors and Connectivity

ASTANA – The Astana Times has made a selection of articles on Kazakhstan featured in international media worldwide this week. Today’s foreign media digest covers Kazakhstan’s new...


Kazakhstan Deepens Investor Ties Across Energy, Logistics and Industry

ASTANA – Kazakh leaders held a series of high-level meetings with executives of major international companies and financial institutions on the sidelines of the 38th Plenary Session...


China Becomes Official Partner of Astana AI Film Festival Ahead of October Debut

ALMATY – China has become the official partner of the Astana AI Film Festival (AAIFF 2026), marking a new stage in cooperation between Kazakhstan and China in...


EDB Directs $2 Billion Toward Sustainable Development, Expands Green Investment Portfolio

ASTANA — The Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) has directed a cumulative $2 billion toward sustainable development projects and expanded its green investment portfolio to $1.08 billion in...


US Consul General Reflects on 20 Years of Change, Cooperation and Power of Human Connections

ALMATY – As Michelle Yerkin prepares to conclude her tenure as the United States Consul General in Almaty, she leaves Kazakhstan at a moment of deepening engagement...


Tokayev Meets Global Business Leaders to Deepen Investment and Digital Cooperation

ASTANA – Kassym-Jomart Tokayev held a series of meetings with the heads of major international financial institutions and global companies on the sidelines of the 38th plenary...


Astana Attracts Record Tourism Investment as Visitor Numbers Continue to Rise

ASTANA — Astana attracted a record 438.3 billion tenge (US$840 million) in tourism investment in 2025, the highest figure among Kazakhstan’s regions, as the capital continues to...


Kazakhstan Unveils AI-Driven Investment Agenda at Foreign Investors’ Council

ASTANA — President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev outlined Kazakhstan’s new investment agenda centered on artificial intelligence, digitalization, critical minerals and value-added manufacturing at the 38th plenary session of the...


Tokyo, Astana See New Momentum in Finance, AI and Digital Cooperation

ASTANA – Tokyo and Astana are building new momentum in their city-to-city partnership, with finance, artificial intelligence and digital technology emerging as key areas for cooperation, Tokyo...


Kazakhstan Strengthens Investment Partnerships with Global Energy Firms and Financial Institutions

ALMATY – Kazakh Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov held a series of bilateral meetings with executives of leading international energy companies and financial institutions on the sidelines of...


Kazakhstan Approves Election Timeline for Kurultai Vote, Seven Parties Cleared to Participate

ALMATY – Kazakhstan’s Central Election Commission (CEC) has approved the calendar for preparations for the Aug. 23 elections to the Kurultai and confirmed that seven political parties...


Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan Sign Landmark Treaty to Deepen Strategic Partnership

ALMATY – Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan signed a landmark Treaty on Friendship, Good-Neighborliness and Cooperation for the Development of Central Asia in the 21st Century during Kazakh Foreign...