Rally Kazakhstan Included on FIA 2017 World Cup for Cross-Country Races

ASTANA – Rally Kazakhstan was officially added to the calendar for the 2017 FIA World Cup for cross-country Rallies after Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) held its latest World...


JICA to Assist Kazakhstan Establish ODA Practices, says JICA’s Regional General Director

ASTANA – In October 2014, Kazakhstan and UNDP launched a project to develop the national institute of Official Development Assistance (ODA) in the country to systematise assistance provided to...


Petrochemical Day Invest 2016 Kicks off in Atyrau

ASTANA – Atyrau, the oil capital of Kazakhstan, held its inaugural regional investment forum gathering experts of the petrochemical industry on Sept. 30. The event sought to attract small...


Astana Pro Team Cyclist Lutsenko Wins Tour of Almaty

ASTANA – Astana Pro Team cyclist 24-year-old Alexei Lutsenko, from Petropavlovsk, Kazakhstan, beat Italian Mauro Finetto of Unieuro Wilier and Russian Roman Maikin (GazProm-RusVelo) Oct. 2 in a rainy,...


National Emoji Stickers Express Feelings with Kazakh Characters

ASTANA – iPhone users can now express their emotions with Kazakh national characters, as a free set of national emoji stickers is available for download from the AppStore. The...


Kazakhstan Ranks 53rd in Global Competitiveness Rating, Loses 11 Positions

ASTANA – Kazakhstan lost 11 positions in the 2016-2017 Global Competiveness Report issued by the World Economic Forum (WEF). The country was ranked 53rd among 138 nations between Rwanda...


EXPO 2017 Chairman Seeks Cooperation of Diplomatic Corps

ASTANA – Chairman of Astana EXPO 2017 national company Akhmetzhan Yessimov briefed on Sept. 30 more than 50 heads of foreign diplomatic missions accredited to Kazakhstan on expo preparations...


Kazakh President Visits Pavlodar Region, Launches Mining Plant

ASTANA – Kazakhstan President Nursultan Nazarbayev visited agricultural and industrial complexes, launched the Bozshakol mining and processing plant and met with local farmers during a Sept. 29 visit to...


Death of Shimon Peres Highlights Challenges for Peace in Middle East, Resonates in Kazakhstan

This week, leaders from around the world came together to pay tribute to Shimon Peres. As the ninth President of Israel, he dedicated his life to building a stronger...


Shimon Peres in Our Memory

This week the whole world has come together to pay its last tribute to Shimon Peres, a patriarch of world politics, the Nobel Peace Prize laureate, one of founders...


Asyl Miras Foundation Opens Centre in Ust-Kamenogorsk for Children with Autism

ASTANA – Asyl Miras, the private foundation formed by Kazakh businessman and equity investor Bulat Utemuratov, opened the country’s fourth centre for children with autism Sept. 21 in Ust-Kamenogorsk,...


One and a-Half Million Ethnic Kazakhs Live in China

ASTANA – China is home to nearly 1.5 million ethnic Kazakhs, reported the Chinese State Committee for Nationalities during a meeting of the Assembly of People of Kazakhstan and...


Evidence of Ancient Assyrian Church Discovered in Kazakhstan

ASTANA – The ancient city of Ilyn Balik is well known from pilgrims’ travels. Recent excavations in Usharal village have uncovered an ancient city and cemetery with eight Nestorian...


Light Rail Coming to Astana in 2018, Other Transit Upgrades in Process

ASTANA – A light rail tram will be introduced in Astana in 2018, Astana Akim (Mayor) Asset Issekeshev announced at the Trends in Transport Complex Development Conference held Sept....


CARICOM Countries to Participate in EXPO 2017

ASTANA – Antigua and Barbuda, Belize, the Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, St. Kitts and Nevis, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, St. Lucia and Suriname have decided to participate...


Kazakhstan Ranks 52nd in Economic Freedom of World Index

ASTANA – Kazakhstan has been ranked 52nd among 159 countries in the Economic Freedom of the World report published Sept. 15 by Fraser Institute. The report is based on...


Kazakh FM, US Secretary of State Agree to Pursue New Avenues of Cooperation

Foreign Minister of Kazakhstan Erlan Idrissov and United States Secretary of State John Kerry agreed during a Sept. 20 meeting in New York to pursue new avenues of bilateral...


Kazakh Band Tops Turkish Music Chart

ASTANA – The Kazakh band Ninety One has topped the chart of Turkish Music Box, according to Tengrinews. Kazakh singer Ali Okapov is in 17th place and the group...


Almaty’s Winter Universiade 2017 Operating Budget Totalled $52 Million

ASTANA – The operating budget of Almaty’s Winter Universiade 2017 came to $52 million, said event organising directorate head Nail Nurov, according to Kazinform news agency.   “The operational...


Kazakhstan Finishes in Top 16 at FIFA Futsal World Cup in Colombia

ASTANA – Kazakhstan reached the top 16 of the FIFA Futsal World Cup in Columbia before being eliminated recently in the second round by Spain. The team, led by...


Central Asian Foreign Ministers Discuss Regional Security in New York Meeting

Foreign ministers from Central Asian nations discussed regional security and other issues during a Sept. 22 meeting in New York, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan....


Expert Says the Deaf Still Face Challenges in Kazakhstan

International Deaf Day, marked annually the last Sunday of September, was launched in 1951 to honour the creation of the World Federation of the Deaf (WFD). It is marked...


Brazil and Argentina: 25 Years of Nuclear Cooperation

This year we celebrated the twenty-fifth anniversary of the signing by Brazil and Argentina of the Guadalajara Agreement for the exclusively peaceful use of nuclear energy. Among the new...


Citi Country Head: Kazakhstan’s Market Is Good for Business

ASTANA – Citigroup, one of Kazakhstan’s largest foreign banks, continues to expand its operations amid today’s uncertain economic situation. The Astana Times spoke with Andrey Kurilin, Citi’s country manager...


Almaty Abounds in Recreational, Natural and Historic Riches

ASTANA – Stop by Turgen Waterfall, see the grave where the famous “Golden Man” was buried, visit the breathtaking Charyn Canyon, catch some fresh mountain air and views at...


New Kazakhstan Tourist Attraction: Observation Wheel in Almaty

ASTANA – A new 60-metre tall Ferris wheel, similar to London’s famous wheel, will open Oct. 2 in Almaty. It will be equipped with 40 closed cabins with 208...


Kazakh FM Addresses 71st Session of UN General Assembly in New York

ASTANA – Kazakh Foreign Minister Erlan Idrissov addressed the 71st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) while in New York Sept. 24. His participation contributed to further...


FM’s UNGA Address Outlines Kazakhstan’s Commitment to Global Security Ahead of UNSC Tenure

This year’s United Nations General Assembly session in New York was especially poignant for our country. Coming just before we celebrate our 25th anniversary and take our place on...


Student-Led Journal Releases First Issue, Fosters Research in Education

ASTANA – The first issue of the student-led, peer-reviewed research journal NUGSE Research in Education (NUGSERIE) was released at Nazarbayev University this June. Instructor of the Graduate School of...


Best Energy-Generating Projects Selected for Presentation at EXPO 2017

ASTANA – The 17 best energy-generating projects out of 136 submitted have been chosen to be showcased in the Energy Best Practices Area (eBPA) Pavilion at EXPO 2017. A...


Kazakh Chess Champion Dinara Saduakassova Opens Academy in Astana

ASTANA – Four-time world champion and women’s grandmaster Dinara Saduakassova opened a chess academy Sept. 16 in the capital. A charismatic and intelligent person, Saduakassova is full of ideas...


Aktau Open Fest 2016 Gathers around 100,000 People, Promotes Sports and Art

ASTANA – Aktau Open Fest 2016, held Sept. 15-17, welcomed 100,000 visitors and around 300 athletes, artists and musicians. Organised for the fourth year, the festival was dedicated to...


Bill Giving Local Governments Move Budgeting Power to Be Introduced in Parliament

ASTANA – A new bill on local self-government might be introduced in 2018, Minister of National Economy Kuandyk Bishimbayev announced during the presentation of the draft law “On amendments...


Bishkek – Getaway for Pleasure and Business

ASTANA – You’re a non-native, have been working in Kazakhstan for a while, maybe years, and have done some travelling around the country but seeking new experiences and adventures?...


Universiade 2017 Foreign Medics Assure Safe, High-Level Assistance Ahead of Games

ASTANA – The official foreign medical staff visited the Almaty venues and medical facilities to evaluate the quality of the medical services ahead of next year’s Winter Universiade, reported...


Mobile App Helps Expand Kazakh E-Government Services

The Kazakh government is now able to provide services in electronic form and through a mobile app meant to reduce the time and documents related to those services, announced...


Kazakh Company to Create Probiotic Based On Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus

ASTANA – Kazakh National Agency for Technological Development has allocated a 4 million tenge (US$11,788) grant to Biostem Company to develop a medicine based on bifidobacterium and lactobacillus, reported...


In New York, Kazakh FM Promotes Security Initiatives, Discusses UNSC Role

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan Erlan Idrissov participated in the 71st Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, taking part in the opening session...


Days of Astana in Moscow Celebrates Modern, Traditional Kazakhstan

ASTANA – Days of Astana, marking the celebration of the 25th anniversary of Kazakhstan’s independence, were held Sept. 19-20 in Moscow. The best works of Kazakh craftsmen, filmmakers, modern...


Int’l Experts Gather in Astana to Help Design Capital’s Public Transportation System

ASTANA – The world’s leading experts in the development of public transport systems will gather in Astana Sept. 25-26 to help design the capital’s transportation systems for decades to...


Pokemon GO Like Mobile Game App to Launch in Kazakhstan

ASTANA – A free mobile application similar to the worldwide known Pokemon GO game – “Urban corners: green energy in Astana” was recently presented in the capital in advance...


Kazakh Ballet Dancer Hits New Heights in National Dance Contest

ASTANA – Astana Opera House principal soloist Bakhtiyar Adamzhan won the Grand Prix at Astana’s International Ballet Competition, held Sept.10–17. Adamzhan has been on something of a tear recently,...


HeartStitch and Nazarbayev University Open Innovative Medical Production Facility

ASTANA – Nazarbayev University and the HeartStitch company opened a “clean room” for the production of medical devices in Astana Sept. 20. The company is one of the first...


Jewish Community in Kazakhstan Celebrates Torah Scroll Introduction

The twelfth Torah scroll introduction ceremony in Kazakhstan was called a holiday and a celebration of the peace, friendship and respect that prevail in the country and in its...


Father Wladyslaw Bukowinsky Becomes First Person Beatified in Kazakhstan

When Pope Francis prayed for peace in Gabon, asking for the rejection of all violence, he also mentioned the beatification of Father Wladyslav Bukowinsky. The Holy Mass on the...


Kazkommertsbank Becomes Exclusive Acquirer of Diners Club Cards in Kazakhstan

ASTANA – Diners Club International and Kazakhstan’s largest private bank, Kazkommertsbank, are launching the Diners Club Card business in Kazakhstan, according to a press statement issued Sept. 15. The...


Astana’s National Centre for Biotechnology Pushing the Country toward Scientific Innovation

ASTANA – The development of biotechnology is among Kazakhstan’s priorities. discussed creating an innovative economy, using new technologies and enhancing the competitiveness of Kazakhstan’s biotechnology industry in his recent...


Almaty Celebrates 1,000th Birthday

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s former capital and current financial centre, Almaty, is celebrating its 1,000-year anniversary with gala concerts and a number of other events organised by the city administration....


Kazakh Officer Appointed Commander at MINURSO

ASTANA – Kazakh Lieutenant Colonel Askar Kozhagaliev has been appointed a commander of the UN Mission in Western Sahara (MINURSO), reported the press office of Ministry of Defence of...


Gennady Golovkin, Mike Tyson Expected to Visit EXPO 2017

ASTANA – Gennady Golovkin and Mike Tyson are expected to come to Astana for a professional boxing event and WBC Convention during the international exhibition EXPO 2017. The Astana EXPO...