Effort Begins to Revive Endangered Przewalski Horse Population in Kazakhstan

Przewalski horses are expected to be delivered from Germany’s Nurnberg Zoo in an effort to revive the breed in Kazakhstan, according to a recent announcement by the press service...


French Artist Finds His Muse in Kazakhstan

ASTANA – French artist, animator and designer Nicolas Journoud was born in 1978 in Lyon, France. He received his first education in Canada, choosing biological studies, but later understood...


Kazakh, Kyrgyz Presidents Reaffirm Countries’ Historic Roots, Growing Economic Relationship

ASTANA – Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev and Kyrgyz President Almazbek Atambayev reaffirmed their two countries’ growing economic and cooperative relationship during the Nov. 7 fourth Supreme Interstate Council meeting...


Sambo Star Azhar Kenbeil Says Athletes Help Craft Positive Image for Kazakhstan

ASTANA – Nineteen-year-old Kazakh athlete Azhar Kenbeil has demonstrated excellent results in sambo, the Russian martial arts and combat sport that is very popular in various parts of the...


Almaty Conference Examines G-Global Role in Addressing Global Challenges

Developing a new paradigm focused on solving global challenges was recently discussed for the first time at the G-Global platform. An international conference titled “A New Paradigm of Sustainable...


Increasing Regional Risks Call for Intensified Economic Reforms in Caucasus and Central Asia

The policymakers who met during the recent Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) faced some somber news regarding prospects for the global economy. Although global recovery continues,...


Foreign Experts See Great Value in KazAID

Kazakhstan’s recently announced official development assistance (ODA) programme and the agency that is being set up to oversee it, KazAID, signals an evolutionary step in the country’s role in...


External News in Brief

An agreement on cooperation between the Foundation of the First President of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) was signed...


National News in Brief

Astana will host the second international seminar “Space Days in Kazakhstan” Nov. 13-14, dedicated to the first results of Kazakhstan’s Earth Remote Sensing System (RSSE). “This year, Kazakhstan became...


Economic News in Brief

Kazakhstan employs 32,000 foreign nationals who are divided into four categories by their professional skills, said Vice Minister of Health and Social Development Daulet Argandykov. According to him, category one...


Business News in Brief

The five winning start-ups of Kazakhstan’s Go Global Programme will be on display in Singapore from Nov. 15-Dec. 15. The winners will complete a start-up acceleration programme there, which...


Energy Ministry to Launch Energy Efficiency, Environmental Improvement Programme in 2015

ASTANA – Kazakh First Deputy Minister of Energy Uzakbai Karabalin announced at an Oct. 21 briefing that the ministry will develop a programme in 2015 to increase the energy...


Air Astana Signs Code-Share Agreement with Air India

Kazakhstan’s largest airline Air Astana signed a free flow code-share agreement with state-run airline and Star Alliance member Air India on Oct. 28 in New Delhi. “As a state-run...


EEU Brings New Challenges and Opportunities for Kazakh Mining and Metallurgical Sector

The Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) will undoubtedly enhance Kazakhstan’s economy. However, it will not happen overnight and experience so far demonstrates that competition is increasing in the common market....


A Look at Astana from Bishkek

There is a saying “Kyrgyz and Kazakhs are brothers,” yet we still live with myths and stereotypes. Generally, we know a little about one another. Especially now, just like...


Training Kazakh Youth in High-Demand Fields at World’s Top Universities Is a National Educational Priority

Utilising world-leading universities to prepare Kazakh youth for leading positions in the Kazakh economic, education, science, welfare, national culture and artist spheres remains one of Kazakhstan’s top priorities in...


OIC Secretary General’s Kazakh Visit Focuses on Plans to Set Up Food Security Organisation

ASTANA – Kazakh Foreign Minister Erlan Idrissov received Secretary General of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Iyad bin Amin Madani on Oct. 30 to discuss bilateral cooperation and...


FM Idrissov Lays out Kazakhstan’s Top UN Collaboration Priorities

ASTANA – Minister of Foreign Affairs Erlan Idrissov discussed the role of the United Nations in the modern world and Kazakhstan in an interview with local information agency KazTAG...


A Good Chance to Become Better Known as a ‘Good Country’

The results of a recent European opinion poll commissioned by the Eurasian Council on Foreign Affairs show some positive trends in the perception of Kazakhstan in five key European...


Foreign Universities Welcome Opportunity to Participate in Upcoming Bolashak Conference and Fair

ASTANA – The upcoming Bolashak Alumni Reunion Conference and Education Fair 2014 is drawing the support from some of the very universities whose support is critical for the continued...


Astana Club Wins First Kazakh National Football Title

ASTANA – The capital’s football club Astana defeated Kaisar from Kyzylorda 3-0 on Nov. 1 to capture their first Kazakhstan national title early with one game left in the...


An Illustrated History of Kazakhstan: Asia’s Heartland in Context

The genesis of the book An Illustrated History of Kazakhstan: Asia’s Heartland in Context was an exhibition titled “Nomads and Networks: The Ancient Art and Culture of Kazakhstan”, organized...


Kazakhstan’s GDP Expected to Grow 5% in 2014

ASTANA – Chairman of the National Bank of Kazakhstan Kairat Kelimbetov predicted an increase in the country’s gross domestic product of up to 5 percent at the end of...


Barys North-Western KHL Swing Yields Three Points, Mixed Results

The Astana Barys hockey team recently wrapped up a tour of the North-Western countries of the Continental Hockey League (KHL), which included matches against Finland’s Jokerit, Latvia’s Dinamo Riga...


Greek Association President Calls Kazakhstan ‘Unique Place’ for Its Hospitality

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s multi-vector foreign policy has long roots in history, as Kazakhs throughout time have been hospitable and giving. Even today, the country maintains a balanced stance among...


The Astana Times at Global Tourism Economy Forum


Kazakhstan’s Official Development Assistance to Focus on Central Asia, Afghanistan, Says FM

ASTANA – Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan Erlan Idrissov reported on the draft law “On Official Development Assistance” at the plenary session of the Mazhilis (lower chamber of...


American Documentary Producers Tour Kazakhstan with Film Showcase

ASTANA – American filmmakers Andrea Meditch and Lisa Olken are travelling through Kazakhstan as part of the American Film Showcase programme, participating in the red carpet premiere of five...


Astana Ballet Wraps Up Well-Received World Tour

The Astana Ballet wrapped up its 2014 world tour recently with a performance of “Alem” in Seoul, South Korea. The tour included performances at the Mariinsky Theatre in Saint...


Conference in Washington Stressed Importance of Integration in Central Asia

WASHINGTON – The challenges and opportunities of regional integration in Central Asia were recently brought back to light at an international conference, which gathered U.S. government officials, Central Asian...


Government Announces Plans to Boost Light Industry Sector

ASTANA – The Kazakh government has developed a plan to increase the competitiveness of the country’s light industry while enhancing its social efficiency from 2015 to 2019, announced Amaniyaz...


Nazarbayev Receives Global Islamic Finance Award

DUBAI – President Nursultan Nazarbayev’s efforts to promote Islamic finance and banking were rewarded Oct. 28 when he received the Global Islamic Finance Award (GIFA) at the 10th World...


Astana 2017 Company, Chinese Chamber of Tourism Sign Agreement During Tourism Economy Forum

The third Global Tourism Economy Forum (GTEF) took place in Macau on Oct. 27 and 28. Kazakhstan’s delegation, headed by First Deputy Foreign Minister Rapil Zhoshybayev, reported on the...


Stronger Board, More Effective Government Interaction to Mark Samruk Kazyna Transformation, Says Fund’s Board Chairman

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s Samruk Kazyna Sovereign Wealth Fund will redistribute responsibilities within the fund and change its portfolio structure and approach to investment as part of its recently announced...


Jewish Children’s Band from Kazakhstan Performs in New England

BOSTON – Prahim, a youth dance and vocal group comprised of talented Jewish teenagers from Kazakhstan, has been performing in New England as part of a delegation representing Kazakhstan’s...


Debate Continues over Benefits of Hosting 2022 Winter Olympics

ASTANA – The question of whether or not hosting the 2022 Winter Olympics would be good for Kazakhstan has been much debated in social media as the July 31,...


Agreement Opens New Chapter in Japanese, Kazakh Economic Cooperation

Kazakhstan and Japan signed an agreement on the encouragement and mutual protection of investments at the fifth Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation in Astana on Oct. 23. The agreement...


Int’l Library Opens at Kazakh Humanities Law University

ASTANA – An international library, a concept sparked by a former cellmate of Nelson Mandela, was opened Oct. 21 at the Kazakh Humanities and Law University (KAZGUU). Kazakh Minister...


New Park Zone Planned for Astana’s Left Bank

A new park zone is planned for Astana between Zhaukazyn and Makatayev streets on the left bank of the Yessil River. The tender for park construction was announced by...


Aktobe Development Plans Updated to Reflect Population Growth

A new plan to develop the western Kazakhstan city of Aktobe was approved by the maslikhat (regional assembly) during its 27th session on Oct. 15. The plan was forwarded...


Award-Winning Kazakh Film Shown at London Festival

“Nagima,” a film by Kazakh director Zhanna Issabayeva, was presented during the recently completed BFI London Film Festival 2014. The heart-breaking story tells the tale of two girls who...


Kazakhstan Welcomes Parliamentary Election in Ukraine

ASTANA – Kazakhstan “welcomes the holding of elections to the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine on Oct. 26 this year,” the country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement...


Chinese, South Korean Companies Plan Investment in Kazakh Chemical Industry

Chinese and South Korean companies are said to plan to invest in a recently opened special economic zone, the Taraz Chemical Park, which was initiated by the United Chemical...


Culture of Kazakhstan

Kazakh Artist Shares Culture of Kazakhstan in Europe

Kazakh artist and winner of several international art awards Bolat Mekebayev, who now lives and works in Germany, bemused spectators with his honest and vivid paintings during an art...


Kа-226Т Helicopters to be Constructed in Almaty

Kа-226Т helicopters are expected to be constructed at Almaty-based aircraft repair plant No. 405, said Plant Director Konstantin Ushakov. The announcement was made by the Ministry of Investment and...


Kazakhstan, Brazil Hold Similar Positions on Int’l Issues, Says Kazakh Ambassador

The Astana Times recently interviewed Kazakh Ambassador to Brazil Bakytzhan Ordabayev who also represents the country in Argentina and Chile. How do you assess the current status of bilateral...


Indonesian Ambassador Praises Kazakhstan 2050 Strategy, Encourages B2B and G2G Cooperation

Since the most recent visit of Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev to Indonesia in 2012, Kazakhstan and Indonesia have seen a trade surge that has tripled the two countries’ mutual...


Abai Opera Gets Warm Reception in Paris

As part of Kazakhstan Culture Weeks being held in France, the “Abai” opera was performed at the Theatre des Champs-Elysees by Abai Kazakh State Academic Theater of Opera and...


New Book Illuminates Kazakhstan’s History with Maps, Illustrations

ASTANA – A new book edited by Hong Kong-based writer Jeremy Tredinnick collects essays, photographs, maps, artefacts and other visual and textual information to illuminate the historical passage of...


Annual Economic Forum of National Business Expert-200-Kazakhstan to Discuss Public Administration Reform

ASTANA – The 6th Economic Forum of national business, Expert-200-Kazakhstan, will take place at the Radisson Hotel Astana on Nov. 14, 2014. The forum is the final event of...