New Master Plan for Almaty to Decentralize City and Address Environmental Issues

ASTANA – The Government has approved a new master plan for the development of the city of Almaty until 2040, reported the Almaty Akimat (city administration) on...


Screen vs. Print: Kazakhstan’s TopIQ Platform Brings Digital Textbooks and Interactive Learning Content to Wider Children’s Audience

ASTANA –  The TopIQ platform offers digital books to children and teachers, spearheading a digital revolution along with other startups in the Kazakh education sector by harnessing...


West Kazakhstan’s Saiga Population Bounces Back

ASTANA – International experts have concluded that saiga antelopes are no longer in danger of extinction after visiting the Kaztalovsky and Zhanibek districts of the West Kazakhstan...


Kazakhstan National Football Team Presents New Kits

ASTANA – The Kazakhstan Football Federation (KFF) and the Errea Sport company have unveiled new kits for the national football team in Astana on May 24 as...


News Digest: Foreign Media on Kazakhstan-China Relations, Shymkent Oil Refinery, Singapore President Halimah Yacob’s Visit to Kazakhstan, and More

ASTANA – The Astana Times has picked a selection of articles on Kazakhstan featured in international media this week. This week’s foreign media digest covers the Kazakh-Chinese...


Kazakh National Bank Keeps Base Rate at 16.75 Percent

ASTANA – The National Bank of Kazakhstan has decided on May 26 to keep the base rate at 16.75 % for the fourth time since December last...


Astana to Host Climate Congress in June 

ASTANA – ECOJER, Kazakhstan’s Association of Regional Environmental Initiatives, is organizing a third international climate congress dedicated to achieving carbon neutrality. The event will be held in...


Kazakhstan and UK Agree to Increase Flight Frequency

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s national carrier Air Astana is set to increase the number of flights between Kazakhstan and the United Kingdom from five to seven per week...


Astana Hosts Africa Day Celebrations, Showcases Diversity

ASTANA – Astana hosted Africa Day at the Radisson Hotel on May 25, showcasing Africa’s diversity, cultural and economic potential. The event was initiated by the embassies...


Can Art Help Find Key to Life? Art Installation by Austrian Ambassador Aims to Do Just That

ASTANA – Willy Kempel, an artist and an acting ambassador of Austria to Kazakhstan, discussed his art and vision related to modern communication in a new The...


Four Kazakh Films Reach Final of Eurasian Creative Guild Film Festival

ASTANA – Four Kazakh movies have reached the final of the Eurasian Creative Guild (ECG) Film Festival, reported the festival’s press service. The “Barn” picture by Ramazan...


Last Weekend of Spring Promises to be Unforgettable

ASTANA — In a big and friendly city like the Kazakh capital you can always find an activity to your liking. The Astana Times has prepared a...


Astana International Forum Announces Lead Speakers

ASTANA – The Astana International Forum, a major international conference aiming to tackle global challenges in foreign policy and international security, climate, food scarcity, and energy security,...


Kazakh Citizens Can Visit 31 Countries Visa-Free

ASTANA – Citizens of Kazakhstan can visit 31 countries without a visa, while Egypt, Mauritius, Namibia, Seychelles, Thailand, and Zambia issue visas upon arrival, reported Kazinform on...


Tokayev’s Visit to Xian Demonstrates Kazakhstan’s Deepening Economic Ties with China and Greater Central Asian Cooperation, Says Expert 

SINGAPORE – The state visit by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to the Chinese city of Xian and his participation in the China-Central Asia Summit last week emphasized the...


Hungary Sees Kazakhstan as Strategic Partner, Says Foreign Minister Szijjarto

ASTANA – Central Asia’s role of being a transit corridor for goods from China and broader Southeast Asia will increase, giving a basis for a strong economic...


Prosecutor General’s Office to Create Separate Department to Return Illegally Withdrawn Assets

ASTANA – The Prosecutor General’s Office of Kazakhstan will establish a separate department tasked with returning illegally withdrawn assets, Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance...


Astana to Host Kazakh-German Symposium on Hydrogen Diplomacy in June

ASTANA – The Kazakh capital will host the first Kazakh-German Symposium on Hydrogen Diplomacy on June 7 to identify regional efforts and opportunities for cooperation, according to...


Kazakhstan Should Make Use of Cooperation with China, Say Experts

ASTANA – Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s state visit to China was a major highlight of last week. The milestone China-Central Asia summit on May 19, which welcomed...


UK, Kazakhstan Explore Opportunities in Green Technology, Mining and Education, Says British Trade Commissioner

ASTANA – Kazakhstan and the United Kingdom enjoy a profound trade partnership and are committed to expanding cooperation across a range of priority sectors, such as green...


EAEU’s Infrastructure Connectivity Remains Core Priority, Says President Tokayev

ASTANA – Given the vast geographical coverage of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), the development of infrastructure connectivity remains one of the core priorities, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart...


Dimash Kudaibergen Releases New Music Video on His 29th Birthday

ASTANA – Kazakh popstar Dimash Kudaibergen released a music video for his new song “Omir” (Life) on his 29th birthday on May 24, according to his Instagram...


Astana International Forum 2023 to Explore Opportunities of Central Asian Connectivity

ASTANA — With just a few weeks until the Astana International Forum (AIF) on June 8-9, the world is set for an engaging exchange of ideas and...


First Kazakhstan Aviation Talks in Astana Explore Challenges in Aviation Industry  

ASTANA – Astana hosted the first Kazakhstan Aviation Talks on energy transition for sustainability and transit development in Central Asia, exploring challenges facing the aviation fuel industry...


Kazakhstan, EU Discuss Steps to Deepen Cooperation in Key Areas

ASTANA – Kazakhstan and the European Union addressed steps to deepen cooperation during the 20th Cooperation Committee meeting in Astana on May 23, reported the Kazakh Foreign...


Kazakhstan Seeks to Boost Local Film Industry by 2030

ASTANA – Kazakhstan plans to increase the share of local films in domestic distribution to 35% and films in the Kazakh language to 30% by 2030, Minister of...


National Fund to Empower Young People with Housing and Education Access, Says Kazakh State Counselor

ASTANA – The deputies of the Mazhilis, the lower chamber of the Parliament, have begun to discuss a draft law on payments for children from the National...


Kazakhstan and Singapore Create Joint Venture to Promote Trans-Caspian International Transport Route

ASTANA – Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ) national railway company and PSA International, a leading port group with a global network, signed an agreement to establish a joint...


Kazakhstan Aims to Expand Presence on UNESCO World Heritage List by 2025

ASTANA – Kazakhstan plans to increase the number of included objects in the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage list from 10 to...


Kazakh President Conveys Condolences to Italian People as Floods Claim Lives, Leave Thousands Homeless

ASTANA – Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev expressed sincere condolences to the Prime Minister of Italy Giorgia Meloni, and the people of Italy due to the devastating floods...