News Digest: Foreign Media on German President’s Visit to Kazakhstan, Launch of New Crypto Platform and More

ASTANA – The Astana Times has picked a selection of articles on Kazakhstan published in international media across the world. This week’s foreign media digest includes articles...


Kazakhstan, Luxembourg Strengthen Bilateral Cooperation

ASTANA – President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev met with Luxembourg’s Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Jean Asselborn, noting that his official visit opens up good prospects...


Weekend Journey Into Cultural Delights of Astana

ASTANA — The Kazakh capital is ready to amaze locals and visitors with thrilling and captivating events this weekend. From enchanting concerts by renowned artists to side-splitting...


CICA Focuses on Demining Challenges in Asia

I have recently participated in the second International Conference on Mine Action – the Path to Reaching Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) hosted by the Mine Action Agency...


Kazakhstan’s AIFC Court, IAC Build Trust to Attract Foreign Investment

ASTANA — At its dawn in 2018, the Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC) Court and International Arbitration Centre (IAC) aspired to become an exemplary one-stop shop for...


Kazakhstan’s GDP Grows 4.5% in Five Months of 2023

ASTANA – Kazakh economy grew 4.5% in five months of 2023, said Prime Minister Alikhan Smailov at a national forum of all-level maslikhat (local representative bodies) members...


Kazakhstan Observes Fivefold Demand for Domestic Resorts 

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s tourism demand for domestic resorts increased fivefold, with Kazakh citizens preferring vacations at the Alakol, Balkhash, and Zaisan lakes, reported the Kazakh Ministry of...


Young Kazakh Dancers Perform at World Folklore Dance Festival in Belgium

ASTANA – Young dancers of the Nomad of Kazakh Academy of Choreography performed “Legend of the Kazakh Steppe” at the 37th World Folklore Dance Festival in Saint-Ghislain,...


Kazakhstan Updates Social Code to Improve Citizens Welfare

ASTANA – Kazakhstan is launching new norms of the Social Code on July 1, which will be a proactive instrument of social support to its citizens, reported...


Kazakhstan Discusses Cooperation with Council of Europe

ASTANA – Kazakh Deputy Foreign Minister Roman Vassilenko met with a Council of Europe (CoE) delegation led by Claus Neukirch, Director of Program Coordination, to discuss cooperation...


Kazakhstan to Increase Exports to Swiss Market by $500 Million

ASTANA – Kazakhstan is ready to expand its exports to the Swiss market by 90 commodity items worth $546.4 million, said Minister of Trade and Integration Serik...


Abai Center in Washington Reveals Richness of Kazakh Culture

ASTANA – Nestled in the heart of Washington, D.C., the Abai Center stands as a vibrant hub for promoting and preserving Kazakh culture and seeks to transform...


Swiss Institute Ranks Kazakhstan 37th in World Competitiveness Ranking

ASTANA – The International Institute for Management and Development (IMD) World Competitiveness Center in Lausanne, Switzerland published the results of the World Competitiveness Ranking on June 20,...


Central Asian Alliance to End Gender-Based Violence Launches in Almaty

ASTANA – The Central Asian Alliance to End Gender-Based Violence launched on June 27 in Almaty as part of the United Nations Spotlight Initiative Regional Program for...


Kazakhstan Reaffirms Commitment to Eliminate Torture

ASTANA – As the world marked the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture on June 26, Kazakhstan reaffirmed its commitment to international obligations aimed at...


Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan Bolster Partnership in Development Assistance

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s Agency for International Development (KazAID) and Azerbaijan’s International Development Agency (AIDA) signed a memorandum of understanding and cooperation to implement joint projects and stimulate...


Kazakh Foreign Ministry Hosts Briefing on Key Takeaways from G7 Summit

ASTANA – The outcomes of the 49th Group of Seven (G7) Summit on May 19-21 in Hiroshima were discussed at a briefing of the heads of diplomatic missions...


World Bank: Improving Education, Structural Reforms Vital for Kazakhstan’s Growth

ASTANA – Prioritizing education and structural reforms to boost the economy’s potential will be crucial to support Kazakhstan’s economic growth and would help tackle future challenges, said...


President Tokayev Discusses Trade and Economic Cooperation with Kyrgyz Republic

ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev met with the Chairman of the Jogorku Kenesh (Parliament) of the Kyrgyz Republic Nurlanbek Shakiev to discuss prospects for strengthening bilateral trade...


Kazakhstan’s Muslims to Mark Qurban Ait on Wednesday

ASTANA – Muslims worldwide will mark the Qurban Ait (Eid al-Adha) Islamic holiday June 28-30 this year. On holiday, mostly associated with sacrificing an animal, Muslims gather...


Dimash Kudaibergen Performs Solo Concert in Malaysia

ASTANA – A solo concert by Kazakh popstar Dimash Kudaibergen was held at the Axiata Arena in Kuala Lumpur on June 24 as part of his global...


Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan to Increase Number of Regular Flights

ASTANA – Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan will increase the number of regular flights, following a protocol on air transportation signed between the countries on June 22 during the...


Kazakhstan Climbs 12 Spots in SDG Index in Three Years

ASTANA – Kazakhstan ranked 66th in the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Index, according to the Sustainable Development Report 2023 published on June 21.  Addressing the first meeting...


Kazakhstan’s Oil Output to Go Up 7% to 90.5 Million Tons in 2023

ASTANA – Kazakhstan plans to produce 90.5 million tons of oil this year, 7% more than in 2022, Jibek Joly TV Channel reported on June 23, citing...


Five Trade Trends in Central Asian Connectivity

ASTANA — One of the topics of the Astana International Forum, which took place on June 8-9, was the trade connectivity in Central Asia and its growing...


President Tokayev Chairs Security Council Emergency Meeting Over Situation in Russia

ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev chaired the extraordinary meeting of the Security Council on June 25 in Astana over the situation in Russia, which approved the Operational...


Enigmatic Secrets of Zhambyl Region – Loch Ness Monster Twin

ASTANA – The Zhambyl Region in the southern part of Kazakhstan is named after prominent Kazakh poet Zhambyl Zhabayev. The region is known for its masterpieces of...


Kazakhstan Welcomes Back Ancient Quran of Kenesary, Last Khan of Kazakh Steppe

ASTANA – The Holy Quran belonging to Kenesary Kasymuly, leader of protests against Tsarist expansion and the last khan (ruler) of Kazakhs, was brought back to Kazakhstan...


Kazakh Education Set Makes Robotics Easy, Fun and Accessible for Children

ASTANA – QBit, an education robotics set created by Kazakh company Stem Solutions, is used in over 500 educational institutions across the country. Its creators believe QBit...


Equestrian Expedition Explores Sacred Sites from Bozok to Ulytau

ASTANA — The participants of the equestrian expedition, From Bozok to Ulytau, visited the places of the historical and cultural heritage of the Golden Horde period in...