Airport for Tourists Flying to Alakol Lake to Be Built in Usharal, Says Official

ASTANA – The Kazakh government plans to build an airport in the town of Usharal in the Alakol District of the Almaty Region in south-eastern Kazakhstan to accommodate tourists...


Global Ecological Fund Expected to Allocate $9 Million for Forest Ecosystem Management

ASTANA – Kazakhstan, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), submitted an application for $9 million to the Global Ecological Fund (GEF) for the purpose of forest...


Netherlands Interested in 100 Concrete Steps, Nurly Zhol, Kazakh Ambassador Says

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte visited Astana Dec. 2 for a trip heavily focused on economic cooperation. We interviewed Mainyura Murzamadiyeva, Kazakhstan’s Ambassador in The Hague, to discuss the...


“Mistress” Takes Almaty by Storm

Passionate, sensual and sexy. Although it sounds like a perfect recipe for a powerful aphrodisiac, there is a way to experience these same feelings without actually getting it on:...


KAZ Minerals Produces First Cathode Copper in East Kazakhstan

The KAZ Minerals mining group has produced the first cathode copper at the Aktogai ore deposit located in East Kazakhstan. According to the company’s forecast, the level of annual...


FISU Evaluates Preparations for 2017 Universiade; Praises Sport Development Efforts in Kazakhstan

ASTANA – A delegation of the International University Sports Federation (FISU) led by the recently elected FISU President Oleg Matytsin paid a working visit to Kazakhstan to learn about...


Kazakhstan Marks Human Rights Day

ASTANA – A round table discussion devoted to Human Rights Day organised by the Human Rights Commission under the President of Kazakhstan took place in Astana Dec.10. The round...


Experts Say More Efforts Needed by Government and Individuals to Protect Kazakh Cyberspace

ASTANA – Cybercrime happens routinely. Kazakhstan passed a law on information privacy two years ago and continues to expand efforts to support cybersecurity, but it seems like ordinary residents...


ISTC Opens Headquarters in Kazakhstan

ASTANA – Kazakhstan became an official host state for the International Science and Technology Centre (ISTC) as of Dec. 9, when the agreement on the continuation of ISTC activities...


International Experts Discuss EXPO 2017 Topics at COP 21

PARIS – Scientists, business representatives and officials engaged in lively discussions in Paris Dec. 7 at the Future Energy Forum at the UN Education, Science and Culture Organisation (UNESCO)...


Mongolia Officially Confirms Participation in Astana EXPO 2017

ASTANA – Mongolia officially confirmed its participation in EXPO 2017 in Astana with the signing of the formal agreement by Mongolian Minister of Energy and Commissioner of the Mongolian...


Astana Architecture and City Building Management Chief Highlights Capital’s Plan for ‘Harmonious’ Architectural Development

ASTANA – Head of the city’s Architecture and City Building Management Vitaliy Siletskiy recently discussed the capital’s development plans and new projects. Among those under consideration are public, residential,...


Canada, Central Asian States Discuss Major Challenges to Security Governance in Astana

ASTANA – Discussions at the final roundtable of the inaugural Central Asia Security Innovation Conference at the Library of the First President in Astana Dec. 9 highlighted the importance...


Quality, Reputation, Hospitality Draws Indian Students to Karaganda

ASTANA – With many Kazakh students going abroad for university or post-graduate studies, it may come as a surprise that Karaganda State Medical University (KSMU) is the alma mater...


Healthcare to be Improved by E-Government Programme

Modern information and communication technologies occupy a central position in the world in health security, medical services and the transformation of healthcare systems. Information systems of electronic health allow...


Kazakh Skaters Take Gold, Silver at Golden Spin Tournament

ASTANA – Kazakh figure skater and Sochi Olympics bronze medallist Denis Ten won the men’s singles competition in the Golden Spin of Zagreb international tournament, held in Croatia from...


UN Adopts Nuclear-Weapons-Free World Declaration initiated by Kazakhstan

ASTANA – During its Dec. 7 plenary session, the United Nations General Assembly (GA) approved the Universal Declaration for the Achievement of a Nuclear-Weapons-Free World put forward by Kazakhstan...


Serbia Concludes OSCE Chairmanship; Kazakh FM Calls for More Robust Role for Group in Fighting Extremism

BELGRADE – The 22nd meeting of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Ministerial Council in Belgrade Dec. 3–4 saw the culmination of Serbia’s one-year chairmanship of...


President Signs Law on Astana International Financial Centre

ASTANA – Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev signed the constitutional law “On the Astana International Financial Centre” on Dec. 7, the Akorda reported. The law supports the establishment of the...


Style, Fabrics and Client Approach Winning Kazakh Fashion Brand Loyalty

ASTANA – The unique style and convenience of Kazakh fashion brands, particularly Salta, may be the reason local women make up the list of their loyal clients, some as...


Bolashak Alumni Discuss Almaty’s Development to 2020

A meeting of graduates of the Bolashak Presidential Scholarship Programme took place in Almaty on Nov. 17. About 100 or so attendees discussed the draft of the development project...


New Partnership Agreement Reflects More Equal, Mature Relationship Between Kazakhstan, EU, Ambassador Says

ASTANA – The Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (EPCA) negotiated between Kazakhstan and the European Union last year and due to be formally signed in Astana Dec. 21 reflects...


UAE Top Officials Discuss Terrorism, Syrian Crisis and Relations with Iran

ABU DHABI – On the eve of the celebration of the 44th National Day of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the UAE’s National Media Council invited foreign journalists to...


Reviving the Village Project Delivers Free Fresh Local Farm Products

The free delivery of local farm products has started in Almaty in the framework of the newly launched Reviving the Village social project.  The group of eight people participating...


Astana Hosts UAE 44th National Day Reception

ASTANA – The Embassy of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in Astana hosted a reception at the Rixos President Hotel to mark the UAE’s 44th National Day on Dec....


New Work Estimation Criteria to Be Introduced for Governors

President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev announced recently new criteria to be introduced to estimate the level of efficiency of akims (governors), reported the Akorda press service. “The volume of...


Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan Confirm Participation in EXPO 2017

ASTANA – Commissioner of EXPO 2017 and First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan Rapil Zhoshybayev paid a working visit to Turkmenistan Dec. 2, reported the press service...


National Bank Presents New 20,000-Tenge Note, Highlights Note’s Anti-Counterfeit Features

ASTANA – A new 20,000-tenge bank note, considered one of the most secure bank notes against counterfeiting, was launched by the Kazakh National Bank Dec. 1. “The new bank...


Aitys/Aitysh Added to UNESCO’s World List of Intangible Cultural Heritage

ASTANA – The joint Kazakh-Kyrgyz nomination of “Aitys/Aitysh, the art of improvisation,” was inscribed on the Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) of Humanity on Dec. 2 in...


EBRD to Fund Large Aircraft Maintenance Facility in Astana

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s national airline, Air Astana, will soon get an infusion of cash in the form of a European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) loan up to...


Astana Times Celebrates Five Years Informing Nation, Expats and Visitors

ASTANA – The Astana Times passed its five year anniversary Nov. 30, celebrating its transition from a one-time digest to a monthly printed paper and now to its current...


Capital Forecasts $606 Million in City Revenue for 2016

ASTANA – Deputy of the Astana Maslikhat and member of the city’s Economics and Budget Planning Management Committee Gulnar Dzhusupova announced at a recent meeting of the city maslikhat...


Stateless Persons in Central Asia Pose Challenge for Region

Sixty years ago, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights declared that “everyone has the right to a nationality,” however, millions of people around the world still do not enjoy...


Shymkent Factory Launches Country’s First Production of Sterile Garments for Newborns

The MedTexKZ company has launched the production of sterile vests, sliders, caps and other clothing for newborns at a plant in Shymkent. The factory is the only one of...


Golovkin Now Ranks as Second Best Pound-for-Pound Boxer in the World

Gennady “GGG” Golovkin, Kazakhstan’s world champion under the World Boxing Association (WBA Super), International Boxing Organisation (IBO), World Boxing Council (WBC Interim) and International Boxing Federation (IBF) middleweight classifications,...


New ‘Green’ Railway Station Under Construction in Astana

ASTANA – A new railway station using green technologies is being built in Astana, reported the press service of Kazakhstan’s national railway company, Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ) on Dec....


Kazakh FM Stresses Need for Coordinated Policies on Eurasia, Stronger Ties with Europe

VIENNA – Kazakh Foreign Minister Erlan Idrissov continued his country’s public campaign aimed at promoting a framework of mutually beneficial cooperation within Central Asia and with its outside partners...


Kazakhstan Showcases National Cuisine at Charity Fair in Brazil

ASTANA – More than 100 diplomatic representatives accredited in Brazil, including from the Embassy of Kazakhstan, attended a charity fair for orphans at the Mane Garrincha National Stadium in...


Putin Signs Law on Use of Balkhash Unit in Kazakhstan

ASTANA – Russian President Vladimir Putin recently ratified an agreement with Kazakhstan about transmission terms and procedure for the further use of the country’s Balkhash unit in Russia’s missile...


Dutch PM Rutte Meets Kazakh President, Prime Minister in Astana

ASTANA – Prime Minister of the Netherlands Mark Rutte arrived in Astana Dec. 2 for an official visit which was intended to strengthen diplomatic and economic ties between the...


If Life Gives You Lemons…

Albert Einstein told us that “in the middle of difficulty, there is opportunity.” It was a message echoed by President Nursultan Nazarbayev Nov. 30 in a sombre yet confident...


FM Idrissov Visits Vienna, Addresses ECFA on Eurasian Challenges

VIENNA – Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan Erlan Idrissov held a number of bilateral and multilateral meetings and took part in the second annual meeting of the Advisory...


Kazakh Director Tackles Issue of Young, Unmarried Women in Latest Film

ASTANA – Kazakh director Askar Bisembin’s new film “Marriage at 30” will attempt to show what the average young, unmarried woman wants. The movie is being filmed in collaboration...


Japan Ready to Help Kazakhstan Develop High-Quality Infrastructure

ASTANA – Japanese government officials and representatives of 25 large companies participated in the Nov. 23 Kazakh-Japanese conference on high-quality infrastructure in Astana. “The recent visit of Japanese Prime...


Kazakh Weightlifters Win Full Set of Licenses for Rio Olympics 2016

Kazakhstan’s national weightlifting team came in third in the medal standings of the International Weightlifting Federation World Weightlifting Championship in Houston on Nov. 20–28. Also, for the first time,...


Book on 19th Century Journey to Kazakh Steppe Published in London

“South to the Great Steppe: the travels of Thomas and Lucy Atkinson in Eastern Kazakhstan 1847–52,” a book by award-winning British author and journalist Nick Fielding about a journey...


Roundtable on Consequences of Nuclear Weapons Highlights Looming Dangers

ASTANA – The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the Japanese Embassy in Astana, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan and the Kazakh Humanitarian Law University (KAZGUU)...


President Takes Relaxed Tone in Annual State of Nation Address

ASTANA – During the annual State of the Nation address held Nov. 30 at the capital’s Palace of Independence, Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev spoke and acted as an encouraging...


President Delivers State of Nation Address, Discusses Global Challenges, Calls People to Live Within their Means

ASTANA – Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev delivered his annual State of the Nation address Nov. 30 in the capital’s Palace of Independence. In his speech, the head of state...


OSCE: In Greater Demand Than Ever

If the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) did not exist, there would be loud demands, given the challenges the continent faces and the tensions between countries...