Zhubanov’s 120th Anniversary: Scholar Who Gave Kazakh Music Orchestra 

ASTANA — Kazakhstan is celebrating the 120th anniversary of Ahmet Zhubanov, a composer, conductor, musicologist and scholar who helped shape Kazakhstan’s professional music. Born on April 29,...


Kazakhstan Expands Supercomputer and Data Center to Boost National AI Infrastructure

ASTANA – Kazakhstan is set to launch a new supercomputer and expand its data center infrastructure as part of efforts to support large-scale artificial intelligence development, Kazakhtelecom...


Digital Qazaqstan Strategy to Define Long-Term AI and Digital Development, PM Says

ASTANA – Kazakhstan is preparing to adopt the large-scale digitalization strategy Digital Qazaqstan, which will define the long-term vision for artificial intelligence (AI) and digital transformation, Prime...


Kazakhstan Expands AI Across Key Sectors, Delivering Measurable Results

ASTANA – Kazakhstan is accelerating the adoption of artificial intelligence across key sectors, including healthcare, transport, and energy, with early results showing improved efficiency, reduced costs, and...


Kazakhstan to Reallocate Oil Exports After Druzhba Schedule Adjustment

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Energy has announced a planned reallocation of 260,000 tons of oil exports following an adjustment to the Druzhba pipeline transit schedule to...


Kazakhstan and Israel Deepen Ties in Tech and Trade Talks

ASTANA — Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Isaac Herzog held talks on April 27 during the Israeli president’s official visit, focusing on trade, technology and regional matters. Tokayev reiterated...


Central Asia Steps Up Air Quality Efforts Amid Rising Pollution

ASTANA – Kazakhstan ranked 29th globally for air pollution in 2025, with fine particulate matter (PM2.5) levels nearly five times above World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines, highlighting...


UAE Investment in Kazakhstan Hits $1.6 Billion as Renewables Take Focus

ALMATY – The United Arab Emirates (UAE) ranked among the top five largest investors in Kazakhstan in 2025, with investment reaching nearly $1.64 billion, Kazakh Foreign Minister...


Middle Corridor Targets 600 China–Kazakhstan Container Trains

ALMATY – Countries participating in the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR), also known as the Middle Corridor, plan to increase container traffic, including up to 600 container...


76-Year-Old Kazakh Traveler Reaches Paris After Multi-Year Journey on Foot

ALMATY – A 76-year-old Kazakh traveler, Sarsenbai Kotyrashov, was officially welcomed at UNESCO’s headquarters in Paris on April 24, marking a milestone in his multi-year journey across...


TotalEnergies Approves $1.2 Billion Wind and Storage Project in Kazakhstan

ALMATY – TotalEnergies, a global integrated energy company, has taken a final investment decision on a $1.2 billion wind and battery energy storage project in Kazakhstan, marking...


Kazakhstan, Türkiye Open Airspace for Military Transit Cooperation

ALMATY – Kazakhstan and Türkiye will allow the transit of military cargo and personnel through each other’s airspace following the ratification of a bilateral agreement by Kazakhstan’s...


Kazakhstan, Qatar Move to Boost Energy Security and Trade Connectivity

ALMATY – Kazakhstan and Qatar discussed expanding cooperation in energy, gas processing, and transport logistics, including increased transit via the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR), during talks...


What Kazakh Ornaments Reveal About Nomadic Life and Nature

ALMATY – Long before written language became widespread, the nomadic world spoke through patterns. In Kazakh culture, ornaments were more than decoration: they carried identity, beliefs, and...


Chinese Auto Company Advances New Solutions for Energy Transition in Central Asia

ASTANA — New mobility solutions are seen as one of the tools to reduce emissions while maintaining economic growth. As part of the public talk at Regional...


How Kazakh Khanate Estimated Population Before Modern Statistics

ASTANA – Although nomadic society lacked formal statistical systems, Kazakhs developed their own methods to estimate population size. Instead of precise figures, they relied on social and...


Astana AI Film Festival Opens Global Call for Submissions

ROME — Kazakhstan will host its first international film festival featuring films created using artificial intelligence, the Astana AI Film Festival (AAIFF 2026).  Applications for its global...


Kazakhstan, Oman Deepen Investment Partnership with New Agreement

ASTANA – Kazakhstan and the Sultanate of Oman have strengthened bilateral ties by signing an investment cooperation agreement and outlining plans to expand collaboration across key sectors....


Kazakhstan Unveils Investment Platform to Drive Energy Transition, Partners with EBRD

ASTANA – Kazakhstan unveiled an investment platform to drive just energy transition on April 23 as part of the Regional Ecological Summit in the capital, positioning it...


Astana to Host AI Film Festival This Fall as Kazakhstan Bets on Creative Tech

ASTANA – Kazakhstan will host the Astana AI Film Festival this fall, another landmark international event, said President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev during his visit to the Alem.ai International...


Kazakhstan Expands Rail Network and Transit Corridors to Strengthen Eurasian Connectivity

ASTANA – Kazakhstan is strengthening its position as a key Eurasian transport and logistics hub through large-scale railway expansion, digital modernization, and growing investment in international transit...


From Pages to Pitch: Book Fair, Ballet and Football Bring Weekend to Life

ASTANA – As the weekend approaches, Astana and Almaty are set to welcome a vibrant mix of cultural and entertainment events. Whether you are interested in theater,...


News Digest: Foreign Media on Kazakhstan’s Regional Ecological Summit, Reform Agenda, and Diplomacy

ASTANA – The Astana Times has selected key articles from international media outlets covering Kazakhstan. This week’s foreign media digest highlights the Regional Ecological Summit, domestic political...


Talks Begin on Kazakhstan-Initiated UN Water Organization at RES 2026

ASTANA – Consultations on establishing an International Water Organization under the auspices of the United Nations (UN), an initiative put forward by Kazakhstan, commenced on April 23...


Central Asia Introduces Clean Air Initiative at RES 2026

ASTANA – Air pollution in Central Asia remains a serious and growing challenge driven by both human activity and natural factors. Governments across the region increasingly recognize...


Kazakhstan Holds Base Rate at 18% as Inflation Eases But Risks Persist

ASTANA — The National Bank of Kazakhstan kept its base rate at 18.0% per annum, with a corridor of plus or minus 1 percentage point, according to...


Central Asia Knows Climate Risks, but Acting on Them is Real Test

ASTANA – Central Asia is entering a decisive phase in its response to climate change, with experts warning that while governments increasingly understand the scale of the...


Kazakhstan Moves Beyond Self-Sufficiency as Central Asia Confronts Food and Water Pressures

ASTANA — Kazakhstan is no longer aiming simply to feed itself. It is positioning its agricultural sector as a regional export engine, according to Vice Minister of...


Caspian Sea Decline Raises Alarm at Tehran Convention Dialogue in Astana

ALMATY – The Caspian Sea has dropped by around two meters since the 1990s, highlighting the scale of environmental challenges facing the region, officials said at an...


Almaty to Host IMF Regional Capacity Development Center for Central Asia, Caucasus and Mongolia

ALMATY – Almaty will host a Regional Capacity Development Center of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) serving the Caucasus, Central Asia, and Mongolia, as Kazakhstan’s Senate  (Parliament’s...