Kazakhstan to Build Central Asia’s First Tier IV Data Center

ASTANA – Construction has begun in the Kazakh capital on Central Asia’s first Tier IV data center, led by AKASHI DATA CENTER and set for completion in early 2026....


Kazakhstan’s Tompiyeva Secures Key Role at Global ICAO Meeting

ASTANA – Saltanat Tompiyeva, chair of Kazakhstan’s Civil Aviation Committee, has been elected vice-chair of the 2025 ICAO EUR/NAT Meeting of Directors General of Civil Aviation, marking a significant...


Kazakhstan, EU Reaffirm Strategic Partnership at Cooperation Committee Meeting

ASTANA – Kazakhstan and the European Union (EU) reaffirmed their commitment to deepening strategic ties during the 22nd meeting of the Kazakhstan–EU Cooperation Committee in Political Configuration (CCPC) on...


What’s Holding Talent in Caspian Region Back? INMerge 2025 Unpacks It

ALMATY – A shift is underway in the Caspian region. Innovation is no longer seen as a buzzword but a homegrown necessity. During a high-level session on corporates, startups,...


Kazakhstan Rises to 34th in IMD World Competitiveness Ranking 2025

ASTANA – The International Institute for Management Development (IMD) released its annual World Competitiveness Ranking 2025 on June 1, where Kazakhstan climbed one spot to 34th out of 69...


China-Central Asia Relations Enter New Phase Amid Xi’s Visit

ASTANA — Chinese President Xi Jinping’s state visit to Kazakhstan and his participation in the Central Asia-China summit mark a new phase of strategic engagement, encompassing a broader Central...


Vanishing Sea: How Caspian Sea is Disappearing Right Before Our Eyes

AKTAU — I have been coming to Aktau, a city on Kazakhstan’s Caspian Sea coast, since I was a child. It is where I was born and where most...


China, Central Asia Sign Treaty, Outline New Paths for Cooperation

ASTANA – The second Central Asia-China summit concluded on June 17 with the signing of the Treaty on Eternal Good-Neighborliness, Friendship, and Cooperation, marking a significant step in strengthening...


Central Asia and China Reach Eternal Strategic Partnership, Says President Tokayev

ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev declared that ties between Central Asia and China have reached the level of an eternal and comprehensive strategic partnership as he addressed the second...


How Kazakhstan Plans to Achieve 6% GDP Growth

ASTANA – All fields of the real sector must work in accordance with the established indicators to achieve 6% GDP growth in 2025, Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister and Minister...


Kazakhstan Ranks Among Top Three in World Aquatics Artistic Swimming World Cup 2025

ASTANA – Kazakhstan secured a top three finish in the overall standings at the World Aquatics Artistic Swimming World Cup 2025, held June 13-15 in Xi’an, China, reported the...


Astana Launches Year of China Tourism in Kazakhstan

ASTANA – The National Museum of Kazakhstan in Astana hosted a grand opening ceremony of the Year of China Tourism in Kazakhstan with the exhibition “Silk and the Silk...


Kazakhstan, China Sign Several Strategic Agreements Ahead of Second China-Central Asia Summit

ASTANA – Kazakhstan and China signed a series of landmark agreements in various fields on June 16 ahead of the second China-Central Asia Summit on June 17 in Astana....


Central Asia, China to Sign $17 Billion in Deals at Astana Business Council

ASTANA – Central Asian countries and China are set to sign more than 35 memorandums worth over $17 billion during the second meeting of the China-Central Asia Business Council...


Kazakhstan, China Launch Silk Way Star Cultural Music Project

ASTANA — The Presidential TV and Radio Broadcasting Complex and China Media Group (CMG) have signed an agreement on June 16 to launch Silk Way Star, an international musical...


China-Central Asia Ties Provide Certainty in Uncertain World

There’s already too much for us to worry about in today’s world. In the Middle East, while the war between Israel and Hamas continues, tensions between Israel and Iran...


Special Report: How Adults Can Support Children on Both Sides of Bullying

ASTANA – The Children’s Day, marked on June 1, reminds us that a child’s right to safety, dignity, and emotional support should be upheld every day. In Kazakhstan, where...


Kazakhstan, China Deepen Strategic Partnership, Sign 24 Agreements

ASTANA — China never sets any political conditions in its cooperation with Kazakhstan, said President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev during a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, who arrived on an...


KazChess Secures  Team Silver, Two Golds at World Blitz in London

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s national chess team KazChess won silver at the 2025 FIDE World Blitz Team Championship, held in London from June 10 to 16, with six Kazakh players...


EU Needs ESG Focus for Central Asia’s Raw Materials

The EU’s leaders arrived in Samarkand this April with a €13.2 billion ($15.18 billion) Global Gateway package and a clear message: Europe can be more than a distant buyer of...


Kazakhstan Returns 74 Citizens from Iran Amid Escalating Situation

ASTANA – Six Kazakh citizens who were on a business trip in Iran had been assisted in returning home via Azerbaijan, and 68 other citizens were transported to Turkmenistan...


Kazakhstan, China Sign Key Deals in Energy, Technology, Infrastructure

ASTANA — As Kazakhstan and China enter a new golden era of strategic partnership, both countries are focused on real projects that will transform the energy system, said Kazakh...


Kazakhstan to Fully Own and Control Operations of First Nuclear Power Plant

ASTANA – Russia’s Rosatom was announced on June 14 to lead an international consortium to build Kazakhstan’s first nuclear power plant. Kazakhstan’s Atomic Energy Agency Chairman Almassadam Satkaliyev said...


Kazakhstan Launches Construction of Center-West Highway to Boost Connectivity 

ASTANA — The construction of the strategically important Center – West highway corridor has been launched in the Kostanai Region, as part of Kazakhstan’s efforts to develop the country’s...


UNESCO Opens Exhibition in Paris Honoring 100th Anniversary of Kazakh Composer Nurgisa Tlendiyev

ASTANA — The UNESCO Headquarters in Paris hosted the official opening of an exhibition honoring the legacy of Nurgisa Tlendiyev, the outstanding Kazakh composer and conductor, on June 13,...


Kazakhstan Receives Regional Help in Evacuating Citizens from Middle East Conflict Zone

ASTANA – Amid escalating military conflict in the Middle East, neighboring countries, such as Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan, assist Kazakhstan in evacuating its citizens from high-risk zones, offering transit routes...


Kazakh-American Ties Could Benefit from Jackson-Vanik Amendment Repeal, Says US Expert

ASTANA – Kazakhstan and the United States have strong potential to deepen trade and investment ties, particularly with the repeal of the Jackson-Vanik amendment, said Daniel Alan Witt, president...


From Silk Road to Shared Future: Significance of China-Central Asia Cooperation

In anticipation of the second Central Asia-China summit, scheduled for June 17, we present the article outlining the key areas of regional cooperation.  Once upon a time, merchants and...


How Kazakh Designers Reclaim History’s Fragments, Crafting Powerful Stories

ASTANA — What does it mean to carry the Kazakh spirit into fashion? For designers like Aigul Kuandykova from Mechanical Piano and Zhanar Shuraeva from Quraq Korpe (Quilt mattress),...


Otyrar’s Rise and Ruin: Oasis at Historical Crossroads

Editor’s Note: The Astana Times continues its Forgotten Cities of the Silk Road series, exploring Kazakhstan’s tentative UNESCO World Heritage sites. In this edition, we turn to Otyrar, once...


Kazakhstan Reports Rare Nesting of Red Book Imperial Eagle

ASTANA – The local researchers have recorded the successful nesting of the Eastern Imperial Eagle (Aquila heliaca), one of the world’s most endangered birds of prey, in a protected...


Rosatom to Lead International Consortium for Kazakhstan’s Nuclear Project

ASTANA – Kazakhstan selected the Russian Rosatom state atomic energy corporation as the leader of the international consortium for the construction of the country’s first nuclear power plant, the...


Kazakhstan Suspends Flights Over Middle East

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s Aviation Administration has announced a ban on flights over six countries in response to heightened regional tensions in the Middle East. “Due to the current situation...


Business Drives Social and Sustainable Development in Kazakhstan

ASTANA – The business strategy is anchored in three core pillars: contributing to the economy, maintaining environmental standards and investing in human capital. That’s the philosophy of Kazakh businessman...


French-Kazakh Telescope Joins Global Asteroid Defense Effort

ASTANA – A new telescope designed to track potentially dangerous space objects has been installed at the Assy-Turgen Observatory in the Zailiyskiy Alatau mountains, Khabar TV channel reported on...


Kazakh Footprints in US: New Book Unearths Forgotten Histories

ASTANA – The National Museum hosted the presentation of the book “America Ashkan Kazaktar” (Kazakhs Who Discovered America) on June 5, authored by journalist and researcher Duisenali Alimakyn. The...


Alternativa Film Festival to Spotlight Global South Voices in Colombia

ASTANA – Filmmakers from Latin America and Central Asia are invited to submit entries for the 2026 Alternativa Film Festival, which will be held in Colombia in the second...


Kazakhstan Backs Over 500 Non-Resource Enterprises in Expanding into Foreign Markets

ASTANA – Five hundred fifty-seven Kazakh enterprises from the non-resource sector received support to enter the foreign markets during the first five years of the Export Acceleration Program, the...


News Digest: Kazakhstan’s Foreign Policy, AI, Middle Corridor 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 proposed “blue”...


Kazakhstan, US Set to Boost Trade in Tech and Mineral Sectors

ASTANA – Kazakhstan and the United States express shared commitment to developing trade and investment in IT and critical minerals, during Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister – Minister of Foreign...


Kazakhstan Ranks 37th in Coursera Global Skills Report, Leads in Gender Inclusivity

ASTANA – Kazakhstan ranked 37th in Coursera’s Global Skills Report and 51st on the AI Maturity Index, reinforcing its stable position in the global landscape of digital and professional...


Kazakh Chess Grandmasters Play Historic Match at British Parliament

ASTANA  – In a historic first, Kazakhstan’s leading chess players competed in a symbolic match inside the Palace of Westminster, facing off against members of the British Parliament. The...


Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan to Boost Innovation Ties at INMerge Almaty 2025

ASTANA – Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan are set to deepen their cooperation in technology and innovation at the upcoming INMerge Almaty 2025 forum on June 17 in Almaty. The event...


Where to Be This Weekend in Astana and Almaty 

ASTANA – A weekend is perfect for spending time with family or friends and exploring unique cultural events. The Astana Times has curated a guide to events and activities...


We Are Here to Achieve Better World through Cooperation, Says OSCE Chair-in-Office

ASTANA – The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) is willing to work with Kazakhstan in achieving a “better world through cooperation,” said Elina Valtonen, OSCE Chairperson-in-Office...


Kazakhstan Climbs to 60th Place in UNDP Human Development Index

ASTANA – Kazakhstan ranks 60th out of 193 countries and territories in the latest Human Development Index (HDI) published by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). This marks an...


Kazakhstan, EU Discuss Economy Collaboration, Green Deal Implementation 

ASTANA — Kazakhstan and the European Union announced plans to expand partnership during a June 10 Kazakhstan-EU cooperation committee meeting, reported the Trade and Integration Ministry. The EU remains...


Kazakhstan, Starlink to Launch Satellite Internet Access Nationwide

ASTANA – The Kazakh Ministry of Digital Development, Innovation and Aerospace Industry and Starlink (a subsidiary of SpaceX) signed an agreement on Starlink’s compliance with the requirements of Kazakhstan’s...


Tokayev Reaffirms Commitment to Turkic Unity and Cooperation at TurkPA Meeting 

ASTANA – President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev held a meeting with the heads of parliaments of the member countries of the Parliamentary Assembly of Turkic States (TurkPA) on June...


Kazakhstan to Launch Tourism Destination at Baikonur Space Station

ASTANA – Kazakh Tourism National Company has introduced a draft of its сoncept for the development of tourism at the Baikonur complex, aiming to reposition the historic cosmodrome as...