Efforts to Promote Greener Economy, Solar Energy Under Way

ASTANA, Dec. 25 – In the years of national independence, Kazakhstan has made significant economic and social progress and has positioned itself as a leading state in addressing national,...


Highvill Astana Luxury Complex Sets a New Standard

ASTANA, December 14 – The Highvill Construction Company of South Korea has been building a million square metre residential complex in the heart of Astana’s government area on...


Global Shapers Community Opens Hub in Astana

ASTANA – On December 20, 2012, the Senate room of the Nazarbayev University was filled with buzz and excitement as young activists gathered for the opening of the...


Kazakhstan Earns Trust of Global Society

During my first visit to Kazakhstan in 1991, I met a group of ethnic Germans who had lived in Kazakhstan for many years. These people told me that...


Economy News in Brief

Animal breeders plan to bring about 40 thousand brood cows to Kazakhstan. The purpose of such a plan is to arrange the export of inexpensive but good meat...


Business News in Brief

The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C. has announced the expansion of its luxury hotel chain in the CIS with the development of the first hotel in Kazakhstan, an oil-rich...


External News in Brief

Deputy Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Kairat Kelimbetov will head Kazakhstan’s delegation and deliver his speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos. Last year, Kazakhstan was not represented...


What Awaits Afghanistan and Central Asia after 2014?

The consequences of the withdrawal of the international coalition forces from Afghanistan, which is to be completed by the end of next year, cause concern in the international...


Domestic News in Brief

The Government of Kazakhstan will hold an extended meeting chaired by President Nursultan Nazarbayev on January 23. The president will announce important changes in national policies in light...


Personal Exhibition of Young Kazakhstan Artist Takes Place in Paris

ASTANA-PARIS – The CROUS gallery in Paris is hosting a personal exhibition of a young Kazakhstan artist Kamilla Gabdullina titled “Knots and hands”. Kamilla Gabdullina’s works definitely leave...


Things to Watch in January – February

Kazakh Music and Drama Theatre named after Kairat Kuanyshbayev January 26 at 18.30 Comedy “Red Apple” by Khushvaktov January 27 at 18.30 Drama “The Day Lasts More Than a...


Customs Union Boosts Mutual Trade

The Eurasian Economic Commission (EAEC) in its new form has been working for only nine months, but it has already achieved good results. Increased integration between EAEC member...


Kazakhstan’s Journey to Social Modernisation

In 2012, BG Kazakhstan in partnership with Civil Alliance of Kazakhstan completed a pilot social investment project titled “Capacity Building of Non-Commercial Organisations (NCO) in Western-Kazakhstan Region aimed...


Personnel Assessment Spurs Reform Process for Law Enforcement Agencies

ASTANA – In his state-of-the-nation address in January 2012, President Nursultan Nazarbayev attached great importance to reforming the nation’s law enforcement bodies and special services. Part of that...


Fans in Almaty, Astana Celebrate Beatles Day

ASTANA – January 16 is declared as the World Beatles Day. This holiday was set in 2001 by UNESCO and is timed to the opening date of the...


Local Boxers Continue Kazakhtan’s Global Winning Streak

Kazakh boxer Gennady Golovkin defended his World Boxing Association (WBA) World Middleweight Champion title on January 19 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. The 30-year-old Kazakhstani boxer...


President Approves New Laws to Fight Terror

ASTANA – President Nursultan Nazarbayev has signed new amendments to laws on combating terrorism, the president’s press office announced January 4. The reforms expand the scope of preventive measures,...


Major Transport Corridor to Connect Kazakhstan, Russia, China by 2015

ASTANA – Russia, China and the European Union have signed new agreements with Kazakhstan giving the go-ahead to complete the Western Europe-Western China international transport corridor by 2015. The...


EBRD Lends $196.5M for Shymkent-Uzbekistan Border Road

ASTANA, January 14 – On January 9, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) approved a loan of $196.5 million to Kazakhstan to rebuild and expand the road...


Kashagan Giant Oil Field to Begin Production over Next Six Months

ASTANA, January 11 – The Kashagan giant oil field is set to enter commercial production in the first half of this year. The field is located in Kazakhstan’s offshore...


Kazakhstan’s Alexey Poltoranin Wins Tour de Ski Victories

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s skiing ace Alexey Poltoranin has won two major races in Italy in the World Cup Tour de Ski tournament. Poltoranin first triumphed in the individual five-kilometre...


Kazakhstanis Getting Ready to Celebrate New Year

ASTANA – Along with the rest of the world observing the Gregorian calendar, the people in Kazakhstan are getting ready to celebrate New Year’s Eve, buying gifts and finding...


Fairytale Show Delights Nation’s Children

ASTANA – The main children’s New Year’s show on behalf of President Nursultan Nazarbayev was held on December 26 in the new building of the Palace of Scholars on...


Volunteers Organize Astana Charity Fair

ASTANA – On December 15, the annual “Become a Magician!” charity fair took place in Astana’s Sary-Arka shopping and entertainment center. The fair has become a popular tradition...


Annual Christmas Charity Fair Raises Funds for Orphans

ASTANA – On Sunday, Dec. 2, 2012, the Fifth Anniversary Charity Christmas Fair organized by diplomatic missions accredited in Kazakhstan took place at the Radisson SAS hotel in Astana....


Young Pianist Wins International Competition

ASTANA – In Loniga, Italy, 7-year-old Alua Nogaibayeva recently won second place at the International Pianists Competition held under the auspices of the International Association “Art and Education of...


Gala Concert Marks Day of First President

ASTANA –The gala concert “Halkynyn Uly Perzenty” (Kazakh for “great son of the nation”) dedicated to the Day of the First President of the Republic of Kazakhstan was held...


Music of Nomads Goes Global

ASTANA – The music of Kazakhstan’s band Magic of Nomads is a unique combination of various instruments and the incredible sounds of Kazakh folk culture mixed with a modern...


Youth Politics Gain Momentum in Kazakhstan

ASTANA – Kazakhstan places great importance on the development of youth policy with a number of state programmes launched in order to support the young over the past few...


Astana Arlans Sweep USA Knockouts in Boxing Bouts

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s Astana Arlans won a sweeping 5-0 victory against the USA Knockouts at Daulet Sports Complex in Astana on November 23 in the World Series of Boxing...


International Festival of Contemporary Music Opens in Astana

ASTANA – On November 20, the Camerata Tempo First International Festival of Contemporary Composers of the Commonwealth of Independent States and Turkic countries opened here in the Kulyash Baisseitova...


Kazakhstan Continues to Mark the 300th Anniversary of Abylai Khan

ASTANA – Next year, the Akmola region plans to celebrate the 300th anniversary of Abylai Khan, one of the greatest and most famous khans in the history of the...


Beket-ata: Spiritual Giant of Mangistau

The name of Beket-ata, spiritual enlightener and humanist of the 18th century, shines brightly in the halo of saints of the Mangistau land. Next year will mark the two...


Kazakhstan Men’s and Women’s Water Polo Teams Win Silver at Asian Championship

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s men’s water polo team won second place at the Asian Championships in Dubai on November 25. In the dramatic final, the team lost to China. It...


Kazakh Movies Make Global Impact

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s movie-makers have come to America: From November 14 to November 18, the Kazakh film festival was held with great success in the U.S. capital Washington, DC,...


Quality Cinema Opens in Almaty

ASTANA – On November 15, the new Bekmambetov Cinema opened in the centre of Almaty. The Bekmambetov Cinema was originally due to open in the summer, and although its...


Contemporary Art Center Hosts Forum Dedicated to Day of First President

ASTANA – The International Art Forum 2012 was held in Astana on November 15. The initiator and organizer of the forum, the Kulanshi Contemporary Art Center, dedicated the event...


Ambassadors Club is New ‘Must’ Venue for Movers and Shakers

ASTANA – Established in 2009, the Ambassadors Club, a small, elite group of people, is planning to take on a new form to accommodate the rising interests of Kazakhstan....


Youth Demonstrates Interest in Idea in Society of General Labour

RUDNYI, QOSTANAI REGION – My family was not surprised when I decided to enroll in Karaganda State Technical University, since I’d been fond of metallurgy since I was a...


Treasures of Ancient Altai Nomads Revealed

ASTANA – Altai is called the golden cradle of the Turkic World. Recent research in the excavation mounds at Berel has revealed some of the most ancient settlements of...


Akzhayik Reserve Will Join UNESCO Biosphere List

ASTANA, November 12 – Since mid-October, scientists and researchers from the University of Bologna in Italy have been working on a project in the Akzhayik National Park of the...


Drama Portrays Country’s Transition to Independence

ASTANA – The play “Teren Tamyrlar” (“Deep Roots” in Kazakh) by Yerkin Zhuasbek will be performed in the Palace of Peace and Accord in Astana to celebrate the Day...


Kazakhstan’s speed skaters show good results at World Cup

International sportsmen enjoyed the quick ice of the Alau Ice Palace. Stage three of the World Speed Skating Cup has come to an end in Astana. Day 2...


Country Upholds Tolerance for Diversity, Pursues Social Modernization

ASTANA – Kazakhstan is known internationally due in greater part to the global initiatives of President Nursultan Nazarbayev, especially in the area of inter-ethnic dialogue, politicians and experts...


Hours to Go: Fate of Astana’s EXPO 2017 Bid to Be Decided Tonight

ASTANA, Nov. 22 – Later today, representatives from the 161 member states of the International Expositions Bureau (BIE) will meet in Paris to decide which city will be hosting...


Astana’s EXPO 2017 Campaign Peaks as Crucial Vote Draws Near

ASTANA – On November 22, the International Bureau of Expositions (BIE) in Paris will decide whether or not to award EXPO 2017 to Astana. A vote by the BIE’s...


East Kazakhstan Opens Tourist Info Centre

EAST KAZAKHSTAN REGION, November 12 – On September 27, World Tourism Day, East Kazakhstan opened its first regional tourism centre. The region is at a global crossroads with vast...


Kazakh Champs Triumph in Hand-to-Hand Combat World Cup

ASTANA – On November 10-11, the third World Cup in hand-to-hand fighting took place in Almaty at the Baluan Sholak sports complex. Masters of hand-to-hand combat from 28 nations...


Kokshetau Fair Boosts Tourism Sector

ASTANA, November 12 – In mid-October, the sixth national tourism fair and exhibition was held in Kokshetau as part of the three-day national 2012 Sarkylmas Sayakhat (Kazakh for “unlimited...


Gulder Ensemble Triumphs in Turkish Tour

ALMATY – The Days of Kazakhstan Culture Festival in Turkey was another triumph for the Gulder (Flowers) Popular Dance Ensemble. “I am very pleased that our troupe is invited...