Astana entrepreneurs gather for Spanish-themed Fryday W event

ASTANA – Astana’s young entrepreneurs learned about Spanish art when they gathered Sept. 18 at the Black Duck restaurant for the latest Fryday W event. The Fryday W events...


Spanish Film About Space is a Universe of Possibilities

25-year-old Spanish filmmaker Nicolas Alcala has made a crowd-sourced film that he is returning to the crowd not as a finished product, but as an ongoing collaboration. The film’s...


Book Seeks to Trace Modern Civilisations’ Roots to Turkic Nomads

ASTANA – A recent book, coming from an unlikely historian, seeks to challenge the traditional historical concepts and shed a new light on the role the Turkic-speaking nomads of...


Genetics Used to Study Ethno-Genesis of Kazakhs

The Committee of Science of the Ministry of Education and Science of Kazakhstan recently held a training workshop for journalists on the subject “The Interdisciplinary Approach to the Study...


Unified National Testing to be Replaced by Two Different Tests by 2015

ASTANA –Unified National Testing (UNT) was introduced to Kazakhstan’s educational system back in 2004. The test had served as a transition test from high school to university. The UNT...


Caspian States Discuss Sea’s Legal Status

The thirty-third session of the ad hoc working group between the deputy foreign ministers of the Caspian states, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Iran, Russia and Turkmenistan held its two-day session in...


China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan Propose Silk Road Corridor for World Heritage Status

ASTANA – Kazakhstan, China and Kyrgyzstan submitted this year a transnational bid for UNESCO World Heritage status for a Silk Road corridor that spans the three countries. This corridor,...


Kazakhstan PM Discusses Economic Cooperation, EXPO 2017 During France Visit

Kazakhstan Prime Minister Serik Akhmetov met with International Exhibitions Bureau (BIE) Secretary General Vicente Lossertales in Paris on Sept. 19. Akhmetov also metwith French Prime MinisterJean-Marc AyraultandOrganization for Economic...


Kazakhstan Needs to Maximize Tourism Potential

Tourism is one of the fastest-growing sectors of the world economy. According to the World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), tourism generates an estimated $3.5...


Rock Opera Tells Ancient Kazakh Tale

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s first rock opera, “Zheruiyk” (“Promised Land” in Kazakh), was performed recently to a packed house at the Palace of Peace and Accord in Astana on...


Colourful Race Comes to Astana

ASTANA – On Sept. 22, the most adventurous and anticipated paint race will finally come to the capital. The residents of Almaty have already enjoyed the great colour...


Kazakhstan Wins First Asian Kokpar Championship

The Kazakhstan national kokpar team won the first Asian Championship held at the Kazanat racecourse in Astana from Sept. 10 to 15. An ancient equestrian sport similar to...


Traffic Police, Patrol Guard Service Merger to Begin in November

Divisions of the traffic police and patrol guard service (PGS) will be merged as a part of the Universal Policeman project by November 2013. The merging of units...


Roundtable Focuses on Central Asian Security Challenges

ASTANA – Repercussions for regional security in Central Asia following the withdrawal of US-led military forces from Afghanistan and the unresolved status of the Caspian Sea continue to remain...


In Bishkek, SCO Presidents Address Regional Security Challenges

BISHKEK – Ensuring security in Central Asia in light of rapidly changing geopolitical realities was among the key issues discussed at the regular meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation...


EXPO 2017 Commissioner Visits Hong Kong, Macau

HONG KONG – Kazakhstan’s First Deputy Foreign Minister and Commissioner of the International Specialized Exhibition EXPO2017 Rapil Zhoshybayev visited China’s Special Administrative Region (SAR) of Hong Kong and...


Park Inn by Radisson opens in Astana

ASTANA – With a prime location in the older section of Astana near the river crossing to the new town centre, Park Inn by Radisson Astana places guests...


Kazakhstan, Afghanistan Discuss Economic Cooperation

The Kazakh-Afghan Intergovernmental Commission for Trade and Economic Cooperation met in Kabul Sep. 16-17 to deepen economic relations between the two Central Asian countries. A wide range of...


Astana Launches Bid for UN Security Council Seat

ASTANA, Sept. 18 – Kazakhstan has matured as an independent country, has contributed to promoting global peace, security and development and can bring even more benefits to the...


Government to Help Develop Single-Industry Towns

ASTANA – Almost 30 so-called single-industry, or company, towns in Kazakhstan will receive significant government support and will be the beneficiaries of new government measures designed to lead...


CIS Internal Ministries Further Law Enforcement Cooperation

ASTANA – The Council of Ministers of Internal Affairs (CMIA) of the participating states of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) met in Astana on Sep. 10 to...


High Hopes for Alternative Energy as Country Bets on Solar

ASTANA – Kazakhstan is the 9th largest country in the world and is rich in oil, gas, coal, amongst other minerals. Even though the economy revolves mostly around oil...


Chinese Ambassador Says Strategic Partnership Expands Further

ASTANA – The recent visit of President Xi Jinping to Kazakhstan was a historic event in Sino-Kazakh relations and opened up new prospects for bilateral relations, the country’s...


Chinese Archives Shed Light on Kazakh History, Bilateral Ties

ASTANA – At a mid-September briefing at the Central Communications Service (CCS) on the “People in the Flow of History” programme, scientists from Suleimenov Oriental Studies Institute presented...


Former Nuclear Test Site proposed as UNESCO World Heritage Site

In a peculiar twist of fate for the notorious Semipalatinsk nuclear test site, officials at Kazakhstan’s National Nuclear Center which runs peaceful nuclear research works at the former test...


Vision 2050: Nazarbayev’s Visionary Approach for Future

There is an expression that says, “Height by great men reached and kept was not attained by sudden flight, for they while their companions slept, they were toiling upward...


Astana Condemns Use of Chemical Weapons in Syria, Calls for UN SC Resolution

ASTANA – Kazakhstan once again strongly condemns the act of the use of chemical weapons in Syria as confirmed by the findings of an independent investigation by the...


Tourism Development Continues in Burabay

KOKSHETAU – The rapid development of the Shchuchinsk-Borovoye resort zone has transformed the Akmola region into a tourist cluster. Burabay is often called the Kazakh Switzerland due to its...


Nibali and Team Astana Finish Second in Vuelta

Vincenzo Nibali, 28, leader of the Astana PRO Team, gave up the lead to Christopher Horner, 41, after stage 19, leading the Grand Tour at Vuelta for 13 stages...


Kukushkin wins Challenger in Istanbul

Tennis star Mikhail Kukushkin won ATP series Challenger in Istanbul. Kazakhstan tennis player Mikhail Kukushkin won ATP series Challenger in Istanbul on Sunday Sept. 15 by beating 4th...


Against All Odds: Shakhtyor – Celtic 2:0

ASTANA ARENA, Aug. 20 – Champions League underdogs Shakhtyor of Karaganda, a city with a population of one million, made a solid step into the Champions League with a...


UN General Assembly Commemorates International Day Against Nuclear Tests

NEW YORK – The United Nations General Assembly held a special meeting Sept. 5 to commemorate the International Day Against Nuclear Tests, to remember the victims and survivors of...


Arlan Hockey Club Wins Kazakhstan Cup for Second Consecutive Year

ASTANA – The final match of the Kazakhstan Cup ended in a shootout, with Yannick Rindeo of Arlan Hockey Club scoring the decisive goal to push his team ahead...


Domestic news in brief

Kazakhstan plans to introduce differentiated tax rates on real estate owned by individuals, Minister of Economic Affairs and Budget Planning Yerbolat Dossayev said on the sidelines of a government...


President Lays out Priorities in Speech to New Session of Parliament

ASTANA – On Sept. 2, President Nursultan Nazarbayev delivered a statement at the opening of the third session of Kazakhstan’s Parliament’s fifth convocation laying out his priorities for the...


Miras International School Offers International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme

ASTANA – Kazakhstan is hoping to raise a new generation of young, motivated, educated and inspired citizens who will be prepared to compete for jobs and services in a...


Young Kazakhstan Opera Talent Shares Insights

ASTANA – The upcoming theatrical season at the recently opened Astana Opera and Ballet Theatre will showcase young talents in a number of leading roles. Young tenor Medet Chotabayev,...


New Nuclear Test Ban Treaty Chief Visits China, Seeks Treaty Ratification by Remaining Eight Countries

Lassina Zerbo, the new executive secretary of the Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO), travelled to China Aug. 4 for his first trip abroad as the...


IAEA Director General Notes Progress in Establishing Low-Enriched Uranium Bank in Kazakhstan, Says More Work Remains

ASTANA – Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Yukiya Amano visited Kazakhstan on Aug. 22 and 23 to further promote the establishment in the country of...


22 Years of Balanced Foreign Policy Yield Success, Lay Ground for Future

The ninth-largest country in the world, Kazakhstan has made its geographic location work to its advantage, revitalising its role on the traditional Silk Route through the development of the...


Departing French Ambassador Leaves Legacy of Strengthened Relations

ASTANA – Departing French Ambassador Jean-Charles Bertonnet’s mission in Astana has seen the intensification of bilateral cooperation across a range of sectors. Energy remains the strongest connection between the...


Nazarbayev Addresses G20 Summit, Meets with Global Leaders

ASTANA – Kazakhstan President Nursultan Nazarbayev in his address to a session of the G20 summit held in St. Petersburg on Sept. 5-6 explored the causes of the ongoing...


Korean Diaspora Celebrates Constitution Day

ALMATY – A gala concert in the State Korean Theatre of Musical Comedy commemorated Kazakhstan’s Constitution Day marked on August 30. The concert brought together representatives of ethno-cultural centres...


Nazarbayev Intellectual School Opens in Kyzylorda

KYZYLORDA – On Constitution Day, Kyzylorda’s first Nazarbayev Intellectual School of Natural Science and Mathematics opened its doors. The school will accommodate 720 students with a boarding facility for...


Aktau Farmer Breeds African Ostriches

AKTAU – In a village near Aktau live 10 immigrants from Africa: 10 African ostriches. This strange farm belongs to Azamat Orazbayev, who said he simply wanted to do...


South Kazakhstan Entrepreneur to Grow Truffles Business

SHYMKENT – South Kazakhstan businessman Timur Sarsenbayev intends to grow truffles in South Kazakhstan. The precious mushrooms require special conditions, which Sarsenbayev believes exist in the region’s Tulkubas district....


Local Entrepreneurs Launch Wind Turbine Production

ALMATY REGION – An enterprise to produce wind turbines has been launched in the Karatal district. The project is being implemented by the Zhetysu social entrepreneurship corporation and about...


Nur Otan Party Introduces New Political Doctrine

ASTANA – A new draft political doctrine of the Nur Otan political party has been put forth for party and public discussion. The proposed doctrine is the first concept...


Dozens of Schools and Kindergartens to Be Commissioned in S. Kazakhstan

SHYMKENT – To alleviate overcrowding in South Kazakhstan’s schools, 17.9 billion tenge ($117 million) was allocated for the construction of 88 new educational institutions in the region last year,...


Kazakh Artists Tour United States

SHYMKENT – Two musicians from the Sugir Orchestra of Kazakh Folk Instruments toured the United States recently as part of the Golden Gates programme. Aida Zhurmanova (kobyz) and Nurbol...