Peace and Harmony, Kazakhstan’s Domestic Values

The unique experience of Kazakhstan, which is home to representatives of 140 ethnic groups and 17 religions, has now become an example of unity, harmony, trust and mutual understanding...


Role of Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions in the Dialogue of Civilisations

The Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions in Astana, a forum widely recognized by the international community, has become a true trademark of Kazakhstan and evidence of...


In the spirit of Astana

September 23 is the 10th anniversary of the first Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, Astana’s international inter-religious forum. Apparently, it was pleasing to the Most High...


Historic Potential of the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions

It is widely known that President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev, as head of state and a great politician and in full measure realising the increased role of religion in...


Far-Sighted Vision that Inspires Interaction among Religions

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions. The congress was first convened on September 23-24, 2003, in Astana, at the...


Barys Takes Lead in Eastern KHL

The Astana hockey club of Barys successfully started the sixth season of the regular championship of the Continental Hockey League (KHL). Having started with defeating “Severstal” from Cherepovets 10-1,...


Kazakhstan’s International Student Ambassadors

Kazakhstan’s Bolashak International Scholarship Program has entered its 20th year of sending the country’s best and brightest to study abroad with the promise that they will return home and...


Business News in Brief

Kazakhstan’s business community will now be able to obtain a British business visa in two to three days following an announcement by the British Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy, Charles...


Economy news in brief

Some 8.1 million square metres of affordable housing will be introduced in Kazakhstan by 2020, Deputy Finance Minister Ardak Tengebaev said at a recent international conference “10 years of...


KIOGE 2013 to Offer a Range of New Features and Services

The organisers of the KIOGE 2013 oil and gas exhibition have made every effort this year to make visiting the exhibition, on October 1-4, as convenient and interesting as...


External news in brief

On Sept. 23, Kazakhstan Prime Minister Serik Akhmetov left for a working visit to Sochi (Russian Federation) to participate in the next session of the Collective Security Council (CSC)...


Domestic news in brief

Members of the Mazhilis or lower house of Kazakhstan’s Parliament planted a new poplar alley along Turan Avenue in Astana as part of their volunteer Saturday work on Sept....


Production Begins at Kashagan Field

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s giant Kashagan oil field finally began producing oil on Sept. 11, eight years later than first anticipated, but ahead of an October 2013 deadline to produce...


In Paris, PM Akhmetov focuses on economy, EXPO 2017

Kazakhstan Prime Minister Serik Akhmetov met with International Exhibitions Bureau (BIE) Secretary General Vicente Lossertales in Paris on Sept. 19. Akhmetov also met with French Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault...


SCO Presidents Address Regional Security Challenges

BISHKEK – Ensuring security in Central Asia in light of rapidly changing geopolitical realities was among the key issues discussed at the regular meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization...


Kazakhstan Steppe Eagle Exercise Helps Sustain NATO Ties

The latest Steppe Eagle annual multilateral military exercise in Kazakhstan occurred from August 10-23, at the Illisky Training Centre near Almaty. The exercise, held under NATO auspices, confirms that...


Production Begins at Kashagan Field

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s giant Kashagan oil field finally began producing oil on Sept. 11, eight years later than first anticipated, but ahead of an October 2013 deadline to produce...


Are There Bobos in Kazakhstan? If so, Where Are They Headed?

In 2000, David Brooks, a prominent New York Times columnist, wrote a book called “Bobos in Paradise: The New Upper Class and How They Got There,” in which he...


Kazakhstan Physically-Challenged Athletes Win 26 Medals at World Games

ASTANA – Kazakhstan athletes won 13 gold, seven silver and six bronze medals at the International Wheelchair and Amputee Sports Federation (IWAS) World Games held Sept. 14–22 in Stadskanaal,...


Alakol Resort Offers Health-Conscious Vacations

ASTANA – The recently opened Arasan Alakol Resort Hotel offers health retreats along with entertainment opportunities in one of the most pristine and remote tourist destinations on Alakol Lake....


Businesspeople Evaluate Kazakhstan Business Connections

ASTANA – Participants in the Kazakhstan Business Connections project met on Sept. 12 in Astana for the USAID Business Connections Project: Kazakhstan-U.S. Cooperation Experience conference, a feedback session on...


International Conference Covers Indian, Central Asian Challenges and Cooperation

ASTANA – Experts at the Sept. 20-21 first International Scientific Conference on Eurasian Regional Studies, “India and Central Asia: Facing the Challenges Together and Prospects for Cooperative Peace,” discussed...


Thai Culture Comes to Astana

ASTANA –Traditional Thai fighters and dancers helped present a slice of Thai culture to Astana residents during the Sept. 22. ThaiFestival at the Khan Shatyr Mall. “This Thai Festival...


50th Malaysia Day Celebrated in Astana

ASTANA –The Malaysian Ambassador to Kazakhstan, Kazakhstan government representatives and other dignitaries gathered at the Radisson Hotel on Sept. 16to celebrate Malaysia’s 50th Independence Day. The celebration included statements...


Kazakhstan Oil and Gas Production Will Exceed 2012 Levels, Minister Says

ASTANA –Kazakhstan Minister of Oil and GasUzakbay Karabalinsaid during a recent briefing at the Central Communication Service on Sept. 18 that Kazakhstan doesn’t have easily extracted oil and that...


Astana entrepreneurs gather for Spanish-themed Fryday W event

ASTANA – Astana’s young entrepreneurs learned about Spanish art when they gathered Sept. 18 at the Black Duck restaurant for the latest Fryday W event. The Fryday W events...


Spanish Film About Space is a Universe of Possibilities

25-year-old Spanish filmmaker Nicolas Alcala has made a crowd-sourced film that he is returning to the crowd not as a finished product, but as an ongoing collaboration. The film’s...


Book Seeks to Trace Modern Civilisations’ Roots to Turkic Nomads

ASTANA – A recent book, coming from an unlikely historian, seeks to challenge the traditional historical concepts and shed a new light on the role the Turkic-speaking nomads of...


Genetics Used to Study Ethno-Genesis of Kazakhs

The Committee of Science of the Ministry of Education and Science of Kazakhstan recently held a training workshop for journalists on the subject “The Interdisciplinary Approach to the Study...


Unified National Testing to be Replaced by Two Different Tests by 2015

ASTANA –Unified National Testing (UNT) was introduced to Kazakhstan’s educational system back in 2004. The test had served as a transition test from high school to university. The UNT...


Caspian States Discuss Sea’s Legal Status

The thirty-third session of the ad hoc working group between the deputy foreign ministers of the Caspian states, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Iran, Russia and Turkmenistan held its two-day session in...


China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan Propose Silk Road Corridor for World Heritage Status

ASTANA – Kazakhstan, China and Kyrgyzstan submitted this year a transnational bid for UNESCO World Heritage status for a Silk Road corridor that spans the three countries. This corridor,...


Kazakhstan PM Discusses Economic Cooperation, EXPO 2017 During France Visit

Kazakhstan Prime Minister Serik Akhmetov met with International Exhibitions Bureau (BIE) Secretary General Vicente Lossertales in Paris on Sept. 19. Akhmetov also metwith French Prime MinisterJean-Marc AyraultandOrganization for Economic...


Kazakhstan Needs to Maximize Tourism Potential

Tourism is one of the fastest-growing sectors of the world economy. According to the World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), tourism generates an estimated $3.5...


Rock Opera Tells Ancient Kazakh Tale

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s first rock opera, “Zheruiyk” (“Promised Land” in Kazakh), was performed recently to a packed house at the Palace of Peace and Accord in Astana on both...


Colourful Race Comes to Astana

ASTANA – On Sept. 22, the most adventurous and anticipated paint race will finally come to the capital. The so-called colour run (or yarkokross) has its origins in India...


Kazakhstan Wins First Asian Kokpar Championship

The Kazakhstan national kokpar team won the first Asian Championship held at the Kazanat racecourse in Astana from Sept. 10 to 15. Kokpar is an ancient equestrian sport similar...


Traffic Police, Patrol Guard Service Merger to Begin in November

Divisions of the traffic police and patrol guard service (PGS) will be merged as a part of the Universal Policeman project by November 2013. “Given the positive results of...


Roundtable Focuses on Central Asian Security Challenges

ASTANA – Repercussions for regional security in Central Asia following the withdrawal of US-led military forces from Afghanistan and the unresolved status of the Caspian Sea continue to remain...


In Bishkek, SCO Presidents Address Regional Security Challenges

BISHKEK – Ensuring security in Central Asia in light of rapidly changing geopolitical realities was among the key issues discussed at the regular meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization...


EXPO 2017 Commissioner Visits Hong Kong, Macau

HONG KONG – Kazakhstan’s First Deputy Foreign Minister and Commissioner of the International Specialized Exhibition EXPO2017 Rapil Zhoshybayev visited China’s Special Administrative Region (SAR) of Hong Kong and Macau...


Park Inn by Radisson opens in Astana

ASTANA – With a prime location in the older section of Astana near the river crossing to the new town centre, Park Inn by Radisson Astana places guests in...


Kazakhstan, Afghanistan Discuss Economic Cooperation

The Kazakh-Afghan Intergovernmental Commission for Trade and Economic Cooperation met in Kabul Sep. 16-17 to deepen economic relations between the two Central Asian countries. The commission was chaired by...


Astana Launches Bid for UN Security Council Seat

ASTANA, Sept. 18 – Kazakhstan has matured as an independent country, has contributed to promoting global peace, security and development and can bring even more benefits to the international...


Government to Help Develop Single-Industry Towns

ASTANA – Almost 30 so-called single-industry, or company, towns in Kazakhstan will receive significant government support and will be the beneficiaries of new government measures designed to lead them...


CIS Internal Ministries Further Law Enforcement Cooperation

ASTANA – The Council of Ministers of Internal Affairs (CMIA) of the participating states of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) met in Astana on Sep. 10 to discuss...


High Hopes for Alternative Energy as Country Bets on Solar

ASTANA – Kazakhstan is the 9th largest country in the world and is rich in oil, gas, coal, amongst other minerals. Even though the economy revolves mostly around oil...


Chinese Ambassador Says Strategic Partnership Expands Further

ASTANA – The recent visit of President Xi Jinping to Kazakhstan was a historic event in Sino-Kazakh relations and opened up new prospects for bilateral relations, the country’s new...


Chinese Archives Shed Light on Kazakh History, Bilateral Ties

ASTANA – At a mid-September briefing at the Central Communications Service (CCS) on the “People in the Flow of History” programme, scientists from Suleimenov Oriental Studies Institute presented the...


Former Nuclear Test Site proposed as UNESCO World Heritage Site

In a peculiar twist of fate for the notorious Semipalatinsk nuclear test site, officials at Kazakhstan’s National Nuclear Center which runs peaceful nuclear research works at the former test...