Exciting Weekend of Ballet, Music and Sports  

ASTANA — As the weather warms up, the urge to enjoy outdoor walks and activities after a day’s work grows stronger. In Kazakhstan, April 15 marks the celebration of...


Kazakh Startup Enters Top 15 Space Startups in California

ASTANA — The Kazakh startup SpaceLab, a member of the Astana Hub International Technopark of IT Startups, secured a spot among the top 15 space startups in California, the...


USAID Expedition to Oasis Project on Aral Sea Marks Milestone in Ecosystem Restoration

ASTANA—The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) will lead an expedition to the USAID Oasis project on the former shores of the Aral Sea in the Kyzylorda region...


Tracing Kazakhstan’s Seasonal Floods Through Time

ASTANA – The seasonal flooding in 2024 has escalated to become the most extensive in Kazakhstan for the last decades. The natural phenomenon occurred as a result of an...


Kazakh Senate Approves Law to Criminalize Domestic Violence

ASTANA — The Senate, the upper house of the Kazakh Parliament, approved the law on women’s rights and children’s safety at an April 11 session, State Counselor Erlan Karin...


Kazakhstan Evacuates Nearly 98,000 People Since Onset of Flooding

ASTANA – Since the beginning of the floods, 97,852 people, including 32,856 children, have been rescued and evacuated, the Kazakh Ministry of Emergency Situations reported on April 11. The...


Pope Francis Asks to Pray for Flood Victims in Kazakhstan

ASTANA — Pope Francis urged prayers for those affected by the devastating flooding in Kazakhstan during his General Audience on April 10, according to Vatican News. “I wish to...


Astana to Host TechnoWomen Central Asia Forum

ASTANA – Astana will host the three-day Technowomen Central Asia: AI Future Forum from April 17 to 19 at the Astana International Financial Center (AIFC). TechnoWomen is a non-governmental...


World Bank Country Manager Unveils Details of Long-Standing Partnership with Kazakhstan

ASTANA – The World Bank supported Kazakhstan across diverse policy areas in more than 30 years of cooperation, contributing more than $8 billion. World Bank Country Manager for Kazakhstan...


OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, Kazakh Officials Focus on Climate Change, Ecology

ASTANA — The Delegation of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Parliamentary Assembly (PA), headed by the Special Representative on Central Asia Farah Karimi, arrived in...


Kazakh Oil Transporter Maintains Operations Amid Massive Floods

ASTANA — Despite an emergency due to floods in 10 regions of Kazakhstan, the system of main oil pipelines of KazTransOil, the national oil transporter, operates as usual, reported...


Kazakhstan, Macao Sign Visa-Free Agreement

ASTANA—Kazakh Ambassador to China, Shakhrat Nuryshev and Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) Secretary of Administration and Justice, Cheong Weng Chon, signed a 14-day mutual visa exemption agreement on April...


Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic Seek to Bring Trade Turnover to $2 Billion

ASTANA – Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Olzhas Bektenov expressed the country’s commitment to promote the continued growth of trade and economic cooperation with the Kyrgyz Republic during an April...


Int’l Community, Kazakh Business, Cultural Figures Donate Funds to Help Flood Victims

ASTANA – Multinational organizations and local businesses continue contributing funds to help Kazakhstan’s citizens affected by the devastating floods.  Kazakhstan’s famous singer Dimash Kudaibergen donated 15 million tenge (US$33,542)...


Project Sapphire: Harbinger of Kazakhstan’s Contribution to Global Security

ASTANA — Kazakhstan’s decision to renounce all weapons of mass destruction inherited from the Soviet Union was key to the 30 years of the country’s prosperity, peace, and security,...


Kazakhstan Evacuates Over 96,000 People Amid Massive Floods

ASTANA – According to the latest data from the Ministry of Emergency Situations, over 96,472 people, including 31,640 children, have been rescued and evacuated since the beginning of the...


President Tokayev Congratulates Muslims on Eid al-Fitr

ASTANA — President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev congratulated citizens on Oraza Ait (Eid al-Fitr) on April 10, a holiday marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan, reported...


Google Picks Two Kazakh Startups for Advancing Sustainable Development Goals

ASTANA – Google has selected two startup projects from Kazakhstan to participate in accelerating the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). Kazakh students entered the list of the global 100 teams...


Estonia Strengthens Ties with Kazakhstan Across Multiple Fronts 

ASTANA – Estonia views Kazakhstan as a significant player in Central Asia and aims to bolster cooperation in various sectors, including economy, education, and beyond, said Ambassador of Estonia,...


Kazakhstan’s Youth Initiates Nationwide Environmental Campaign

ASTANA – Youth resource centers and organizations initiated a large-scale environmental campaign, titled Taza (clean) Kazakhstan across all regions of the country on April 8, reported the Culture and...


President Tokayev Thanks Kazakh Citizens and Foreign Leaders for Their Solidarity

ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev expressed gratitude to the people of Kazakhstan and leaders of foreign countries for their support and assistance in addressing the recent floods, reported Akorda....


Caspian Pipeline Consortium Oil Loadings Suspended Due to Scheduled Maintenance Work

ASTANA – The Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC) launched maintenance work and installation of new equipment at the Tengiz-Novorossiysk oil trunk pipeline facilities on April 9, reported the CPC’s press...


EU Stands in Solidarity with Kazakhstan in Aftermath of Devastating Floods

ASTANA – The Delegation of the European Union (EU) to Kazakhstan expressed solidarity in the wake of the recent devastating floods, extending wishes for a swift recovery to the...


25,000 Volunteers Collect Over 500 Tons of Humanitarian Aid for Flood Victims in Kazakhstan

ASTANA – Nearly 25,000 volunteers banded together and collected at least 553 tons of humanitarian aid from across the country. More than 370 tons have been delivered to the...


Kazakhstan to Celebrate Eid al-Fitr Tomorrow

ASTANA – Muslims in Kazakhstan and globally will celebrate Eid al-Fitr, also known as Eid or Oraza Ait, marking the end of the Holy Month of Ramadan tomorrow. Eid...


Kazakh Officers Lead Peacekeeping Missions in Congo

ASTANA – Lieutenant Colonel Altynbek Zhalmukhanov and Major Batyr Tuyakov have been stationed on the African continent since last year as part of the United Nations (UN) Stabilization Mission...


Kazakhstan’s Manufacturing Industry Grows 7.4% in Two Months of 2024

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s manufacturing sector saw a 7.4% increase in January and February, particularly in mechanical engineering, metallurgy, chemistry and light industries, Minister of Industry and Construction Kanat Sharlapayev...


Dimash Kudaibergen’s Costume Sold at Charity Auction for $5,000 to Aid Flood Victims

ASTANA – The costume of the famous Kazakh singer Dimash Kudaibergen was sold at a charity auction in Almaty for two million tenge (approximately $5,000), aimed at supporting flood...


Kazakhstan Evacuates Over 86,000 People Since Beginning of Floods

ASTANA – As of April 9, over 86,000 people, including 29,000 children, have been rescued and evacuated since the floods began in Kazakhstan, reported the Kazakh Ministry of Emergency...


Taldykorgan’s Growth Trajectory Prioritizes Sustainable Industrialization

ASTANA – Since gaining its regional status in May 2022, the Zhetisu Region has demonstrated an 18% economic growth rate. For the local authorities, the sustainability approach is becoming...


Finland’s Officials, Business to Visit Kazakhstan This Week

ASTANA—Finland’s Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Ville Tavio will lead a trade mission to Almaty and Astana from April 9 to 12, the ministry’s press service reported on...


Businesses Make Donations to Help Flood Victims

ASTANA—Kazakhstan has been reeling from flooding for nearly two weeks, and water levels are continuing to rise. The state and volunteers are doing their best to help those affected...


Five Months to Go: Preparations for World Nomad Games Unveiled

ASTANA — With five months remaining until the start of the World Nomad Games in Kazakhstan, Nail Nurov, the head of the directorate for the preparation and organization of...


UN & Me Exhibition Sheds Light on Inspiring Stories of Kazakh Citizens

ASTANA—The United Nations (UN) in Kazakhstan unveiled the UN & Me photo exhibition in Astana on April 5. The exhibition showcases 30 captivating tales of ordinary Kazakh citizens whose...


Three Premiers and Dozen Classics Shine at Astana Opera

ASTANA – Three premieres and a dozen of old favorites made for a memorable gala event, Dreams Come True, at Astana Opera on April 7. The program featured the...


Floods in Kazakhstan: 75,982 People Evacuated, Relief Efforts Ongoing

ASTANA – According to the latest data from the Ministry of Emergency Situations, 75,982 people, including 18,681 children, have been rescued and evacuated across the country due to massive...


Foreign Countries Express Support to Kazakhstan Amid Devastating Floods

ASTANA – Several foreign countries expressed support for Kazakhstan amid the massive floods that hit the country’s regions and forced tens of thousands of people to flee their homes....


Central Asia Faces Window of Opportunity Amid Population Growth

ASTANA – The population of Central Asia has surged over the last three decades, exceeding 79 million people, with an average annual growth of one million in the past...


Exploring Rich Heritage: Five Iconic Mausoleums of Akmola Region Unveiled

ASTANA — The Akmola Region, rich in history and culture, has sacred sites that testify to the greatness of the past and the deep spirituality of the people. Out...


Young Kazakh Author Publishes Two Books in US

ASTANA – Eight-year-old Malika Kabdylkhak is the first and youngest Kazakh child author to have her books featured on Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing in the United States (US). She...


Zhezkazgan: Kazakhstan’s Hub of Industry and History

Editor’s Note: The Astana Times introduces a new series, Exploring Kazakhstan, City by City. We are setting out to unveil the rich diversity of Kazakhstan’s cities, starting with Zhezkazgan....


Kazakh Kobyz Player to Perform with Dimash in Hungary and Türkiye in May

ASTANA – Kazakh kobyz player Olzhas Kurmanbek will accompany world-famous singer Dimash Kudaibergen in performances across Hungary and Türkiye as part of the Stranger concert tour in May, the...


President Tokayev Addresses Nation as Floods Leave Hundreds Homeless

ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev addressed the nation on April 6 amid the devastating floods that wreaked havoc across the country’s regions, leaving hundreds homeless, reported the Akorda press...


Turkic Countries Strengthen Cooperation to Inscribe Sites on UNESCO List

ASTANA — Countries within the Turkic world demonstrate a keen interest in preserving and promoting their common historical and cultural heritage. This is reflected in various initiatives, including the...


Number of Foreign Tourists in Almaty Exceeds Pre-Pandemic Level

ASTANA – Last year, 2,038,417 people visited Almaty, which is 12.6% more than in 2022 and 52.7% higher than in pre-pandemic levels in 2019, the city administration’s press service...


UN Outlines Priorities for Its Activities in Kazakhstan for 2024

ASTANA – Heads of several United Nations’ (UN) agencies presented their outcomes and identified key priorities for work in Kazakhstan for 2024 at an annual meeting of the Steering...


State Counselor Karin Highlights Citizen Engagement in Response to Devastating Floods

ASTANA — State Counselor Erlan Karin shared his insights into the ongoing efforts to address the devastating floods that have impacted regions across the country in an April 5...


President Tokayev Holds Informal Meeting with Uzbek President

ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev held an informal meeting with President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev on April 5 in Khiva, reported Akorda. Tokayev commended the development of bilateral cooperation...


Sustainability Reporting Vital for Kazakh Companies’ ESG Compliance, Says Regional Expert

ASTANA – Sustainability reporting with broader value and upskilling is to play a key role in sustainable development of Kazakh companies in accordance with environmental, social and governance (ESG)...


Kazakhstan Advances Geological Industry with New Approaches 

ASTANA – Kazakhstan is enhancing its geological industry by implementing innovative strategies to boost efficiency and transparency in natural resource extraction and exploration. Yerlan Akbarov, chairman of the geology...