EBRD Makes First Investments in Kazakh Natural Gas Storage and Food Production

ASTANA – The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has invested more than $7 billion in Kazakhstan, announced EBRD President Sir Suma Chakrabarti at a May 26 press...


Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions Plays Role in Global Security

The world community appreciates Kazakhstan’s achievements in the international arena and its image of a responsible and reliable partner as well as initiator of global dialogue platforms. The interethnic...


In Astana, Lagarde Urges Stronger Macroeconomic Frameworks, More Inclusive Economy

ASTANA – International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Christine Lagarde visited Kazakhstan for the first time May 24, meeting with Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev at the Akorda. The agenda...


Kazakhstan Ministry of Energy Introduces Renewable Energy Auctions

ASTANA – Kazakh Minister of Energy Kanat Bozumbayev said the Ministry plans to use special auctions to purchase renewable energy from energy-producing companies. The auctions will make the selection...


AEF Puts Global Economic Issues in Spotlight, Brings Politicians, Global Experts Together

ASTANA – The Kazakh capital is hosting the 9thAstana Economic Forum (AEF) May 25-26, where global experts, politicians, economists, world-famous business people and Nobel laureates are seeking much-needed solutions...


FM Idrissov: Security and Stability Have Become Milestone Tasks of SCO

TASHKENT – At the meeting here of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) member states on May 24, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan...


A Day to Celebrate 100th Issue of The Astana Times

No matter the person or the organisation, a 100th anniversary is always worth recognising. So forgive us if we take a little time to celebrate this 100th edition of...


Austria Announces Participation, Plans for EXPO 2017

ASTANA – Austria confirmed May 23 its intention to participate in EXPO 2017, reported the press service of the Kazakh Foreign Ministry. The announcement came during an official visit...


EBRD’s Vision for Astana International Financial Centre

It is an honour to be co-chairing this Foreign Investors Council with President Nazarbayev once again. This year, the theme under discussion is the very exciting plan to create...


President Abdel Fattakh el-Sisi: Egypt, Kazakhstan Have Good Prospects for Trade, Investment Cooperation

                                          In an exclusive interview with The Astana Times...


Austria Announces Participation, Plans for EXPO 2017

ASTANA – Austria confirmed May 23 its intention to participate in EXPO 2017, reported the press service of the Kazakh Foreign Ministry. The announcement came during an official visit...


Astana Hosting AIBA Women’s World Boxing Championships

ASTANA – The Amateur International Boxing Association (AIBA) women’s world championships opened May 19 in the capital. This year, the tournament’s already high status rose even further. In the...


Shumenov Claims WBA Regular World Champion Title in First Heavyweight Division

Kazakh professional boxer Beibut Shumenov recently earned his 17th victory and the WBA regular champion belt in the first heavyweight division in Las Vegas with a technical knockout in...


Kazakhstan’s Contribution to Inter-Religious and Intercultural Global Dialogue

This year, the people of Kazakhstan are celebrating the 25th anniversary of our independence. Looking back at the past decades, we can safely say that we have been through...


Kazakh Land Code Commission to Continue Work as Changes Spark Unauthorised Rallies

ASTANA – A second meeting of the special Land Reform Commission took place in Astana on May 21 in a continued effort to calm public sentiment over recent land...


Believers Cannot Remain Silent When Violence Is Done in Their Name

Viewed through the lens of recent events it might be easy for some to lay the blame for extremism and terrorism firmly on religion. To do so would be...


Artist, ATOM Project Hon. Ambassador Opens First Astana Exhibition, Urges End to ‘Nuclear Madness’

ASTANA – As the threat of terrorism continues to spread around the world, Honorary Ambassador of The ATOM Project, artist and activist against nuclear weapons Karipbek Kuyukov launched his...


Construction Launches in Akmola Region on Central Asia’s Largest Solar Power Plant

ASTANA – Construction began May 20 on a new 100 MW solar plant 40 kilometres from Astana in the village of Kabanbai Batyr. Production is expected to begin next...


EAEU to Focus on Relations with Non-Member Countries in 2016

ASTANA – Improving the Eurasian Economic Union’s (EAEC) relationships with outside countries will be among the organisation’s 2016 priorities, according to a press release from the Kazakh Prime Minister’s...


Lagarde: Kazakhstan Is a Country with a Promising Future

International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Christine Lagarde pays her first ever visit to Astana on May 24 to discuss with Kazakh and regional authorities how to address the...


Day of Europe Celebrated in Astana with Film Festival, School Lectures and Classical Concert

ASTANA – The annual Day of Europe celebration was marked this year with events throughout the country from May 16 through May 22. The events were organised by the...


Policeman in Zhambyl Region Adopts Five Children

ASTANA – Senior Sergeant of the Zhambyl Region Police Department Galym Arystanbayev always dreamt of having a big family. And after adopting five children, in addition to three of...


70-Year-Old Marathon Runner Urges Participation in May 28 BI Marathon

ASTANA – Famous Kazakh 70 year-old marathon runner Saltanat Tuitebayev has daily trainings in spite of his age. The athlete participates in marathons and often wins medals. Recently, he...


Astana Opera Presents Concert in Honour of Yerkegali Rakhmadiyev

ASTANA – The musical compositions of great Kazakh composer Yerkegali Rakhmadiyev were performed May 13 in the capital at the Chamber Hall of the Astana Opera. The concert “Tan...


200 People Run One Mile for Charity in Astana

ASTANA – Sport Relief Mile, a public run organised by the British Embassy to benefit the Shugyla Public Fund took place in the capital’s Zheruiyk city park May 14....


Small Kurultai of Kazakhs Held in Europe

ASTANA – A traditional small kurultai (assembly) of Kazakhs in Europe was held May 14-15 in Cologne, Germany, and gathered about 2,000 representatives of ethnic diasporas from Germany, the...


Open Air Cross-Fit, Yoga, Zumba at Astana’s Central Park

ASTANA – Fitness Park Astana, featuring popular exercises in the capital’s Central Park, is the place to be every Sunday from 10 a.m-1 p.m. The open air event includes...


State Bodies Prepare to Transfer Functions to Competitive Environment

ASTANA – First Deputy Minister of National Economy Marat Kussainov talked about implementing the 97th step of the Plan of the Nation that expands opportunities for citizens to participate...


Kazakh Delegation Attends Dialogue in Brussels, Connectivity Conference in Berlin

The Kazakh delegation took an active part in the recent events convened in Brussels, Belgium and Berlin, Germany, where it promoted better dialogue with the European Union and connectivity...


Astana Economic Forum to Cover Kazakhstan’s First Privatisation Forum, UNDP 50th Anniversary

ASTANA – The United Nations Development Programme’s (UNDP) 50th anniversary and its contribution to sustainable development in Kazakhstan, problems and prospects of linking the Silk Road Economic Belt and...


Team Kazakhstan Falls from IIHF World Championships Top Division

ASTANA – The eighth attempt in history for the team of Kazakhstan to stay in the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) World Championships Top Division, which this year is...


Senegal Supports Kazakhstan’s Bid for Non-Permanent Seat on UN Security Council for 2017-18

ASTANA – Senegalese President Macky Sall confirmed his country will vote for Kazakhstan in the nation’s bid for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council for 2017-18. The...


Land Reform Commission Will Review All Proposals, Says First Deputy Prime Minister

ASTANA ­– First Deputy Prime Minister Bakhytzhan Sagintayev summed up the results of the Land Reform Commission’s first session, during a recent briefing at the Central Communications Service. “We...


Almaty Company Wind Generator Company Uses Kazakh Components

ASTANA – Tree Energy, a small company from Almaty has launched a challenge to world leaders in the production of wind generators and water-power stations using 90 percent of...


Astana Hosts Gakku Awards Ceremony

ASTANA – The Gakku channel award ceremony was held at the Kazakhstan Concert Hall in the capital on May 18. The spectacular performance with live sound Gakku Auenderi (Gakku...


OYLA Magazine Teaches Youngsters to Think

ASTANA – OYLA, Kazakhstan’s one and only popular science magazine, at less than a year old and with a print run of only 20,000 copies has already earned a...


Kazakhstan Shows Economic Growth in Key Sectors, President Tells Officials

ASTANA – Foreign direct investment (FDI) increased 30 percent in 2015 in Kazakhstan’s agricultural industry and 80 percent in the country’s petroleum products sector, President Nursultan Nazarbayev told a...


Kazakh Ministry of Culture and Sport, Russian Union Agree to Cooperate

ASTANA – A press conference dedicated to the premiere of the Russian movie “Tak slozhilis zvezdy” (That’s the Way the Stars Aligned) was held in Moscow on May 17....


Electric Car Promoting EXPO 2017 Travels around Europe

ASTANA – The Kazakh team driving an electric car in the Almaty-Paris international auto rally to promote EXPO 2017 stopped in Austria May 9-10 before continuing to the French...


Kazakhstan and Israel Develop Further along Historic, Economic and Political Ties

ASTANA – Kazakhstan and Israel share warm historic, strong economic and common political values. Growing business interests, medical and water technologies, agriculture and the high-tech field are currently developing...


Early 20th Century Merchants Left Indelible Mark on City’s History

ASTANA – In the end of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th century, merchants in Akmola, as the town was called then, were not only the great-grandparents...


Africa is Getting Closer: Astana and Dakar are Expanding Partnership

The upcoming official visit to Kazakhstan of Macky Sall, the President of the Republic of Senegal, opens a new page in the relations of Kazakhstan with African countries, as...


Iranian Embassy Seeks Clarification

In the Name of the Almighty Dear Editor of The Astana Times, Hereby, with due respect, we would like to point out a few inaccurate facts in the article...


Kazakhstan and Serbia Have More in Common than it Seems, Says Belgrade’s Ambassador

ASTANA – This year, Serbia and Kazakhstan are celebrating a little anniversary – 20 years of diplomatic relations – and will shortly see the first meeting of their joint...


Israeli Company to Present Airborne Surveillance, Observation System at KADEX 2016

ASTANA – Israeli-based BIRD Aerosystems will demonstrate its Airborne Surveillance, Information and Observation (ASIO) system live at the KADEX 2016 military exhibition in Astana on June 2-5, the company’s...


Astana Mayor Briefs President on City’s Progress

ASTANA – Akim (Mayor) of Astana Adilbek Dzhaksybekov briefed Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev May 16 on the socio-economic development of the capital, the implementation of key government programmes and...


Yessimov Says EXPO 2017 Preparations Well on Track

ASTANA – EXPO 2017 has negotiated with the International Exhibitions Bureau to achieve the lowest prices for the event, making it not only affordable to the Kazakh people but...


TEDxAlmaty Welcomes Brilliant Minds for Idea Sharing

ASTANA – “Between Sky and Earth,” highlighting ideas and solutions from leading thinkers, curious minds and captivating orators, will be the topic of this year’s Technology, Entertainment and Design...


Artist, Anti-Nuclear Weapons Activist Karipbek Kuyukov to Hold first Astana Exhibition

ASTANA – The ATOM Project Honourary Ambassador, artist and anti-nuclear weapons activist Karipbek Kuyukov will hold his first exhibition in Astana for ten days beginning May 21. The exhibition...


Astana Economic Forum to Generate Insights into Reinvigorating Economic Growth

The global economy has taken a distinct turn for the worse since politicians, experts and the media gathered for the last Astana Economic Forum in 2015. The collapse in...