Young Kazakh Opera Star Maria Mudryak Shares her Italian Story of Success

ASTANA – Kazakh opera singer Maria Mudryak, who lives in Italy, took part in the city’s festivities devoted to the Year of Italian Culture in Kazakhstan. She performed her...


EEC Chair Sargsyan Says Eurasian Economic Union Developing, Expanding Ties with Others

May 29 marked two years since the day the Treaty on Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) was signed in Astana. Chairman of the Board of the Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC)...


Hungarian Author Introduces Book on Eurasian Ethno-Linguistic Group

ASTANA – Well-known European linguist László Marácz presented his new book, “Towards Eurasian Linguistic Isoglosses: The Сase of Turkic and Hungarian,” for the first time at the Great Steppe...


National Geographic Magazine Photo Exhibit Opens in Astana

The exhibition of the Fifty Best Photos of National Geographic magazine opened May 27 in the National Museum of Kazakhstan in Astana, as part of the official presentation of...


Kazakh Economy Minister Discusses Plans for Inclusive and Sustainable Growth at Paris OECD Meeting

ASTANA – Newly appointed Minister of Economy of Kazakhstan Kuandyk Bishimbayev joined the 2016 Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Ministerial Council Meeting (MCM) held at its headquarters...


BREAKING NEWS – Yellow Level of Terrorist Alert Introduced in Kazakhstan

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s National Security Committee introduces “yellow” level of terrorist alert across much of the country on June 6, one day after multiple firefights in the western city...


Five Aktobe Attack Suspects Killed Overnight in Clashes with Antiterrorism Forces

ASTANA – Five more suspects in the June 5 shooting attacks in Aktobe were killed overnight in clashes with antiterrorism forces and two were arrested, according to the Kazakh...


BREAKING NEWS – Four Aktobe Attackers Killed, Seven Captured, Say Authorities

ASTANA – Seven people have been arrested in connection with the June 5 shooting attacks on two gun shops and a military unit in Aktobe, according to Director of...


Breaking News – Following Attacks on Weapons Shops, Military Facility in Aktobe, City Launches Anti-Terrorism Operations

ASTANA, June 5 – Six people, including two Kazakh soldiers, one shop assistant and three attackers, were killed and 11 were wounded in today’s multiple shootings in the city...


Ust-Kamenogorsk – City that Kept a Secret

ASTANA – Ust-Kamenogorsk was founded in 1720 as a military fort at the confluence of the Irtysh and Ulba rivers under the order of the Russian Emperor Peter the...


Astana Pro Team’s Vincenzo Nibali Wins Giro d’Italia 2016

TURIN – The Astana Pro Team, part of the Presidential Sports Club, once again confirmed its status as one of the best cycling teams in the world. Captain Vincenzo...


Astana Opera to Premiere ‘Notre-Dame de Paris’ on June 24-25

ASTANA – Audiences will have the chance to witness ballet the way it was directed a half-century ago , as Astana Opera will present June 24-25 its premiere of...


Israel Confirms EXPO 2017 Participation

ASTANA – Commissioner of the Israeli section of EXPO 2017 Elazar Cohen recently confirmed his country’s participation in the international exposition to be held in Astana. The confirmation came...


Renunciation of Nuclear Weapons: Is There Another Choice?

It was not long ago when supporters of nuclear weapons confidently claimed that, while the destruction they could cause would be catastrophic, their possession was actually preserving peace on...


Business Centre Head: I Love Astana, I Miss Astana, This Is My Problem

ASTANA – Kaskad Business Centre head Huseyin Sahin is a prominent representative of the city’s medium-sized businesses. The high level of corporate activity in the Kazakh capital attracts businesspeople...


Kazakh Felt Manufacturer Brings Ethnic Items to World Market

ASTANA – The Aigul Line company’s Kazakh-style goods are a great example of a successful Made in Kazakhstan campaign. The items produced by the company include interior and design...


Pilot Toty Amirova Says her Success in a Male-Dominated Field Is Due to Hard Work

ASTANA – Commander of an Airbus 320 and Chief Aviation Inspector for the Committee of Civil Aviation of the Kazakh Ministry of Investment and Development Toty Amirova is doing...


Kazakhstan Joins NATO ‘Planning and Review Process’ Discussions

ASTANA – At NATO headquarters in Brussels, representatives of the Kazakh Defence Ministry headed by Deputy Minister, Major-General Talgat Mukhtarov recently discussed with 28 member countries implementation of the...


Parliamentarians, Religious Leaders Discuss Ways to Unite Religions against Terrorism in Astana

ASTANA – The international conference, Religions against Terrorism, was held May 31 in the capital’s Palace of Peace and Harmony, one day before the 15th session of the Secretariat...


British, Kazakh Experts Discuss Smart Cities Initiatives and Technologies

ASTANA – The Kazakh-British Smart Cities forum, organised by the British Council in Kazakhstan with the support of the Urban Talks and Urban Forum initiatives, was held May 24...


UNDP, EU Support Kazakhstan’s Move to Green Economy

ASTANA – International experts pledged support for Kazakhstan’s efforts to establish a green economy during a conference titled “Green economy: Providing social innovation, economic diversification and environmental sustainability” at...


EAEU Seeks Deeper Cooperation with Key Integration Organisations

ASTANA – Presidents Nursultan Nazarbayev of Kazakhstan, Vladimir Putin of Russia, Serzh Sargsyan of Armenia, Alexander Lukashenko of Belarus and Almazbek Atambayev of Kyrgyzstan met in the Kazakh capital...


Hosting KADEX Weapons Expo Helps Kazakhstan Build Relationships, Contribute to Regional Security

Since independence, one of Kazakhstan’s defining characteristics as a nation has been its passionate commitment to dialogue, partnership and peace. Apart from the country’s relentless championing by actions and...


Global Conference Discusses Best Practices for Civil Service Development

ASTANA – Alikhan Baimenov, Steering Committee Chairman of the Civil Service Regional Hub located in the city, outlined “the quality of human resources and the quality of systems which...


May Brings Financial, Participation Progress for EXPO 2017

ASTANA – As of the end of May the Astana EXPO 2017 national company had signed agreements on partnerships with domestic and foreign companies totaling$113.2 million and collected $744.5...


Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions Gathers a ‘Kaleidoscope’ of World Religions

The number of participants at the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions has been increasing from year to year. That is obvious if you look at the...


Kazakh President Calls for ‘Inclusive Globalisation’ at Ninth Astana Economic Forum

ASTANA – Opening the plenary session of the ninth Astana Economic Forum (AEF) May 26, Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev called for “inclusive globalisation,” in which the development of all...


Foreign Investors Council Focuses on Astana Int’l Financial Centre

ASTANA – The Foreign Investors Council devoted to the Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC) took place in Astana on May 27. President Nursultan Nazarbayev of Kazakhstan along with European...


Supreme Mufti of Kazakh Muslims: Unity Is a Key to Prosperity

The Kazakh nation, with a thousand years of history, has never stayed apart from the world’s global events. Many years ago, caravans traveled through our steppes along Zhibek Zholy,...


Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions Seeks Solutions and Compromise

Almost a year has passed since completion of the fifth Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions in Astana. Today, on the eve of the upcoming regular session...


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...