News Digest: Foreign Media on Kazakhstan’s Commitment to OSCE, Trans-Caspian Route and More

ASTANA—The Astana Times has selected articles from global media outlets covering Kazakhstan. This week’s foreign media digest covers the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR), the Caspian Sea, Kazakhstan’s commitment...


Kazakhstan Advocates for Spiritual Diplomacy in Addressing Current Global Challenges

ASTANA – With significant influence on local and international levels, spiritual leaders could assist in addressing climate change, inequality, and extremism, helping to end conflicts and wars through unity,...


GRECO Welcomes Progress in Kazakhstan’s Anti-Corruption Efforts

ASTANA – The Group of States against Corruption (GRECO) positively noted Kazakhstan’s efforts in improving anti-corruption legislation following the country’s first report presented at the 96th plenary meeting of...


Kazakhstan Reiterates Dedication to Advancing Gender Equality and Women’s Rights

ASTANA – The Kazakh leadership is committed to upholding gender equality and protecting women’s rights, Deputy Foreign Minister Roman Vassilenko said during a two-day seminar on April 4 in...


Securing Investments in Kazakhstan’s Renewable Energy: Insights from Industry Player

ASTANA—What difficulties do companies face in developing renewable energy sources, and how can they attract investments to the sector? Zhomart Mominbayev, head of the supervisory board of Techno Group...


Vibrant Weekend Activities in Astana and Almaty

ASTANA — After a week of hard work, it’s time to unwind in a splendid setting over the weekend. With an array of happenings at your disposal, ranging from...


Tokayev Chairs Emergency Meeting on Floods, Thanks Rescuers, Volunteers

ASTANA — President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev chaired an emergency headquarters meeting on April 4 in the West Kazakhstan Region, one of the regions most affected by the massive floods, reported...


Netherlands, Kazakhstan Establish Business Council to Boost Cooperation

ASTANA – BeNeLux Chamber of Commerce, uniting the trade circles of the Kingdoms of Belgium and the Netherlands and the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, and the Kazakh Chamber of...


Kyrgyz Cinema Days Open in Astana with Dazzling Mother-Son Pilgrimage Story

ASTANA – Days of Kyrgyz cinema opened on April 3 in Astana with “Beyish – Enenin Tamaninda” (Paradise – Under the Mother’s Feet), a heartfelt road movie that explores...


UK Tour Operators Report Rising Tour Sales to Kazakhstan Ahead of  World Nomad Games 

ASTANA – Tour companies of the United Kingdom announced sold-out tours to Kazakhstan with a visit to the World Nomad Games, which will take place in September in the...


Tokayev Meets With Residents in Flood-Hit West Kazakhstan Region

ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev flew over flooded areas and met with evacuated residents on April 4 in the West Kazakhstan Region, one of the regions adversely affected by...


SCO Secretary-General Supports Kazakhstan’s Chairmanship Initiatives

ASTANA – Secretary General of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Zhang Ming expressed support for Kazakhstan’s initiatives aimed at strengthening the SCO potential during an April 3 meeting with...


Turkistan Region to Get First Harvest of Bananas This Summer

ASTANA—Gen Group Kazakstan, a greenhouse farm in the Turkistan Region, will harvest its first bananas in early summer, Kazinform reported on April 3. Last summer, the greenhouse farm planted...


OPEC Committee Welcomes Kazakhstan’s Pledge to Compensate for Overproduction

ASTANA—The Joint Ministerial Monitoring Committee (JMMC) of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) welcomed Kazakhstan’s pledge to achieve full conformity and compensate for overproduction during the committee’s...


Direct Flights to New York: US to Assess Kazakhstan’s Aviation Compliance 

ASTANA – The Aviation Administration of Kazakhstan JSC signed an agreement with the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to conduct a preliminary International Aviation Safety Assessment (IASA) as...


In Berlin, Experts Share Insights to Make Kazakhstan’s Green Hydrogen Ambition Reality

BERLIN – Experts discussed ways to realize Kazakhstan’s green hydrogen production ambitions by overcoming high production costs, market ambiguity, and water sustainability challenges in Central Asia during the 10th...


First Kazakh Woman to Conquer Everest

ASTANA – Inspired by Kazakh skyrunner athlete Anar Burasheva, the Kazakh Everest Team is all set to conquer the highest peak on Earth, Mount Everest, starting April 6, reported...


KazChess Awards Honors Best Contributors to Chess in Kazakhstan

ASTANA – The traditional KazChess Awards honored top players, coaches, referees, and those who have contributed to chess sports’ development in Kazakhstan on April 2 for the second consecutive...


Direct Flight Links Dushanbe and Astana, Boosting Regional Connectivity

ASTANA – Tajikistan’s national air carrier Somon Air launched a direct regular flight between Dushanbe and Astana on April 2, reported the Civil Aviation Committee’s press service. Flights between...


Kazakhstan, South Korea Forge Educational Partnerships with Scholarship Memorandum

ASTANA – Kazakh Minister of Science and Higher Education Sayasat Nurbek and Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon signed a memorandum to provide scholarships to Kazakh students at a meeting on...


Tokayev Calls for Decisive Action on Security Challenges at SCO Meeting

ASTANA — President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev stressed the need for more systematic and decisive responses to threats that pose a growing risk to internal stability at an April 3 meeting...


Kazakh PM Explores Cutting-Edge Science at Nazarbayev University

ASTANA – Kazakh Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov convened a meeting of the Supreme Board of Trustees of Nazarbayev University (NU), Nazarbayev Intellectual Schools, and Nazarbayev Foundation to explore the...


TURKSOY’s Cultural Diplomacy: Large-Scale Projects, National Values, Focus on Youth 

ASTANA – Geopolitical shifts call for cultural diplomacy to foster interethnic understanding, a crucial component of maintaining stability. In this landscape, the Turkic world is on the rise, with...


Kazakhstan Launches Podcast for Teenage Girls with EU Support

ASTANA – The Aisholpan international cultural and educational project introduced PODCAST AISHOLPAN: the power of inspiration, a series of educational podcasts for teenage girls on YouTube on April 3...


Statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan Regarding the Attack on the Consular Section of Iranian Embassy in Syria

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan condemns the attack on the Consular Section of the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Damascus, Syria....


Kazakhstan Welcomes Nearly 130,000 Chinese Tourists in Five Months

ASTANA—Some 126,000 Chinese citizens have visited Kazakhstan, and 173,000 Kazakh citizens have visited China since November last year when both countries waived visa requirements for mutual travel of citizens,...


20,000 Volunteers Band Together in Kazakhstan to Aid Flood Victims

ASTANA – More than 20,000 volunteers are involved in relief efforts following the massive floods that hit Kazakhstan last week, reported the Ministry of Culture and Information press service. ...


Kazakhstan Unveils $2.46 Billion Mineral Discovery in Single-Industry Towns 

ASTANA — Mineral resources worth 1.1 trillion tenge (US$2.46 billion) were discovered in the vicinity of single-industry towns, Kazakh Minister of Industry and Construction Kanat Sharlapayev said during an...


French Cargo Aircraft Lands at Shymkent Airport to Pick Up Goods  

ASTANA — FTL Airlines, a French cargo carrier, made its first technical landing at Shymkent airport on March 29 to pick up goods on the route from Paris toward...


At Least 15,000 People Evacuated in Kazakhstan Amid Massive Floods

ASTANA – Some 15,786 people, including 6,187 children, have been rescued and evacuated as massive floods hit 12 regions of the country, said Kazakh Deputy Minister of Emergency Situations...


Tokayev, Defense Minister Address Efforts to Solidify Military Readiness

ASTANA – Kazakh Defense Minister Ruslan Zhaksylykov briefed President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on the combat readiness of the nation’s army during an April 1 meeting, reported the Akorda press service....


Qazaq Culture Platform Showcases Kazakhstan’s Heritage and National Identity

ASTANA—Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Culture and Information presented a project dubbed Qazaq Culture on March 29. The project aims to popularize Kazakhstan’s cultural heritage and promote the national brand, reported...


Kazakhstan Elevates Digital Skills of Central Asian Civil Servants

ASTANA — Kazakhstan Agency for International Development (KazAID) and the Singaporean Foreign Ministry launched the Dostyk Digitalization program to enhance the digital skills of civil servants from Central Asian...


Kazakhstan, UAE to Collaborate in Digital Solutions, AI for Financial Sector

ASTANA – Kazakhstan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have agreed to collaborate on introducing digital solutions and artificial intelligence (AI) technologies in Kazakhstan’s financial sector, the National Bank’s...


President Tokayev Lays Out Instructions to Address Aftermath of Massive Floods

ASTANA – President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev convened a meeting of national headquarters on April 1 to discuss measures to address the aftermath of massive floods that affected at...


Kazakhstan, Germany to Build International Cargo and Passenger Airport in Zhetisu

ASTANA – The Hansa Consortium of Germany is set to invest in constructing an international cargo and passenger airport at the Khorgos – Eastern Gate special economic zone, the...


Tokayev, Xi Launch Opening of Year of Kazakhstan Tourism in China

ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and President Xi Jinping launched the Year of Kazakhstan Tourism in China at the China National Opera House on March 29, reported Kazinform news...


Central Asia – China Secretariat Launches in Xian

ASTANA – Kazakh Deputy Foreign Minister Alibek Bakayev attended the Central Asia – China Secretariat opening ceremony on March 30 in Xian, which was chosen as the location for...


Kazakhstan Chooses Uniform for 2024 Paris Olympics

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s Sports Development Directorate has chosen design concepts for the parade attire, sports uniforms and equipment of the national team set to participate in the 2024 Paris...


Kazakh FM Bolsters China Ties: Strategic Dialogue, Economic Boost

ASTANA – Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Murat Nurtleu attended the first meeting of the Strategic Dialogue of foreign ministers from both countries and signed the corresponding...


Swiss Journalist Discovers Kazakhstan’s Natural Wonders During Visit to Almaty

ASTANA – Almaty hosted the 69th meeting of the Ski Club of International Journalists (SCIJ) in early March. This was the first edition of the annual week-long meeting of...


Kazakh Art Pavilion Curators Reveal Plans for Venice Biennale

ASTANA – The curators of the Kazakh pavilion have unveiled details about Kazakhstan’s participation at the coming 60th Venice Biennale, which opens on April 20, in an interview with...


Astana Hub Presents Successful Women-Led Startups

ASTANA — The Astana Hub International Technopark of IT Startups has witnessed a surge in projects initiated by female entrepreneurs. Nearly 250 women-led companies are registered, 25% of which...


UN SDG Accelerator Awards Highlight Sustainable Business Practices in Kazakhstan

ALMATY – The United Nations (UN) Global Compact SDG Ambition Accelerator Program has concluded with an award ceremony at the UN Plaza in Almaty on March 28, reported the...


News Digest: Foreign Media on US Relations With Kazakhstan, EU Investments and More

ASTANA – The Astana Times has picked a selection of articles from global media outlets on news about Kazakhstan. This week’s foreign media digest covers the United States-Kazakhstan partnership,...


Tokayev’s Address at Boao Forum to Facilitate Kazakhstan’s Economic Opportunities

ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s address at the Boao Forum for Asia on March 28 is meant to significantly elevate the international profile of Kazakhstan, including amplifying the visibility...


Second Day of Tokayev’s Visit to China Features Meetings with Top Executives

ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s visit to China continues on March 29 with several meetings with top Chinese executives, reported the Akorda press service. President Tokayev met with Liu...


Kazakhstan to Revitalize Aral Sea with 1.1 Million Plantings by 2025

ASTANA – The Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources plans to plant 1.1 million planting materials on a drained part of the Aral Sea by the end of 2025,...


Number of Electric Cars in Kazakhstans Grows Ninefold in One Year

ASTANA – Electric vehicles are becoming increasingly popular in Kazakhstan. The number of electric cars in the country surged ninefold in January compared to January last year, according to...


Aktau Welcomes Third Wave of Tourists from Iran 

ASTANA — Aktau has welcomed 14,000 foreign tourists since the beginning of the year, reported the Akimat of Aktau press service (governor’s office) on March 28.  With the beginning...