Floodwaters Replenish Kazakhstan’s Reservoirs, Rivers, and Lakes

ASTANA – Kazakhstan has collected a record volume of over 75 billion cubic meters of water in its reservoirs this year, including a record 12 billion cubic meters of...


AIX Issues Debut Green Bonds from Kyrgyz Republic

ASTANA – Astana International Exchange (AIX) announced on Dec. 20 the successful issuance of debut green bonds by PlanDem LLC, marking a significant milestone as the first issuer from...


Kazakhstan to Establish Single Operator for Aviation Fuel and Upgrade Transport Infrastructure

ASTANA – Kazakhstan plans to designate KazMunayGas-Aero as the single operator for aviation fuel to address shortages and reduce dependency on imports, Minister of Transport Marat Karabayev said at...


Kazakhstan’s Trade Surplus Hits $20.1 Billion in Ten Months of 2024

ASTANA — Kazakhstan recorded a foreign trade surplus of $20.1 billion from January to October 2024, a 33.4% year-on-year (y/y) increase from $15.0 billion in the same period of...


Serik Zhumangarin Appointed as Kazakhstan’s New Minister of National Economy

ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev appointed Serik Zhumangarin as the new Minister of National Economy on Dec. 21, relieving him of his previous position, reported Akorda. Zhumangarin retains the...


Kazakhstan Faces Key Transition to Low-Carbon Technologies

ASTANA — Kazakhstan, one of the world’s leading producers of natural resources, faces growing pressure to adopt low-carbon technologies to stay competitive amid tightening global regulations on carbon emissions....


Kazakhstan in 2024: Asserting Status of Middle Power and Expanding Foreign Policy Horizons

In 2024, Kazakhstan aimed to demonstrate increasing independence and a persistent drive to strengthen its international status through its foreign policy. Amid global turbulence, resource competitions, and the rivalry...


Sarqyt: Kazakh Tradition of Sharing and Celebration 

ASTANA — For Kazakhs, sarqyt is more than a tradition; it is a cherished embodiment of generosity, hospitality and the joy of sharing. For me, sarqyt evokes fond childhood...


Gardeners Lead Efforts to Bring Aport Apple Back to Kazakhstan’s Tables

ASTANA – Private gardeners and associations are making efforts to revive the aport apple—a national treasure with its rich red color and vibrant flavor—bringing it to tables across Kazakhstan...


Kazakhstan Embraces Future of AI with Its First Large Language Model

ASTANA — The Institute of Smart Systems and Artificial Intelligence (ISSAI) at Nazarbayev University presented President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev with Kazakhstan’s first large language model (LLM), marking a significant milestone...


Get into the Holiday Spirit: Must-See Events in Astana and Almaty

ASTANA — After a busy workweek, unwind this weekend by attending inspiring concerts, thought-provoking exhibitions and captivating spectacles to immerse yourself in the pre-holiday winter atmosphere. The Astana Times...


News Digest: Foreign Media on Tokayev’s Diplomacy, Middle Corridor and More

ASTANA — The Astana Times has selected articles on Kazakhstan that will be featured in international media worldwide this week. Today’s foreign media digest includes an article by Yerkin...


Kazakhstan’s Year in Review: Prevention of Domestic Abuse, Protection of Women’s & Children’s Rights

ASTANA—Kazakhstan’s internal affairs authorities considerably improved their work in several crucial areas during the past year, including preventing domestic abuse, protecting women’s and children’s rights, and fighting juvenile delinquency....


Trade Volume Between Kazakhstan, US Reaches Record $3.3 bln

ASTANA – The trade volume between Kazakhstan and the United States reached $3.3 billion in January-September, a record figure for the last four years. This was stated at the...


Air Astana Sets to Launch Flights from Almaty to Frankfurt in June 2025

ASTANA — Kazakhstan’s flagship airline, Air Astana, will launch a new direct route between Almaty and Frankfurt on June 1, next year. The flights will be operated three times...


Ninety Million Hectares at Risk: Kazakhstan’s Land Degradation Crisis Demands Action

ASTANA – In Kazakhstan, 90 million hectares of land are affected by degradation, demanding urgent action, according to experts at an international conference organized by the United Nations’ Food...


Euronews: Kazakhstan to Grow Reputation as Astro-Tourism Destination

ASTANA – Kazakhstan has become one of the trending destinations for astro-tourism in the latest Euronews Travel Trend Report 2025 edition. “Famous for its sweeping steppes and jaw dropping...


Kazakhstan Builds School in Earthquake-hit Türkiye’s Nurdağı District

ASTANA – A groundbreaking ceremony was held on Dec. 19 in Türkiye’s Nurdağı municipality in Gaziantep Province to construct a school, initiated by Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. Gaziantep Province...


Kazakhstan Maintains Diplomatic Relations With 186 States

ASTANA — Kazakhstan currently maintains diplomatic relations with 186 countries. Members of the Senate and the upper house of the Kazakh Parliament approved amendments to some legislative acts regarding...


Presidents of Kazakhstan, Guinea-Bissau Visit Astana International Financial Centre

ASTANA – President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and President of Guinea-Bissau Umaro Sissoco Embaló, who is on an official visit to Kazakhstan, visited the Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC)...


Kazakh Content Growth Spotlighted, Mufasa Dubbed in Kazakh

ASTANA – Maulen Ashimbayev, the chairman of the Senate, an upper house of the Kazakh Parliament, highlighted the importance of preserving national identity through content creation in the creative...


Water Sector Results: Kazakhstan Advances Water Infrastructure for Sustainable Future

ASTANA — Kazakhstan has made significant strides in reforming its water resources management system, ensuring sustainable and efficient water use amidst growing climate challenges. In 2024, the country introduced...


Kazakhstan to Support Railway Construction in Afghanistan

ASTANA – Kazakh companies plan to supply rails and other materials for future railways in Afghanistan, Vice Minister of Transport Maksat Kaliakparov announced at the Transport and Logistics Market...


Kazakhstan to Transfer Two Airports to Trust Management

ASTANA – Airports in Turkistan and Kyzylorda will be placed under the trust management of Vietnam’s Sovico Group, Vice Minister of Transport Maksat Kaliakparov announced during the Global Avia...


Year in Review: Kazakhstan’s Non-Oil Sector Fuels Economic Growth

ASTANA — Kazakhstan’s economy grew by 4.4% in 2024, driven by strategic measures to diversify the economy, attract investments and bolster domestic businesses. Government initiatives focused on expanding the...


Kazakhstan Expands Air Routes Network to 22 International Destinations in 2024

ASTANA – This year, Kazakhstan has expanded its international air route network to 22 new destinations, Vice Minister of Transport Maksat Kaliakparov said at a government meeting on Dec....


Turkistan City to Receive Special Status as Spiritual and Historical Capital

ASTANA – The Mazhilis, a lower house of the Kazakh Parliament, approved in its first reading a draft law granting Turkistan the special status of the spiritual and historical...


Tengiz, Kashagan Lead Kazakhstan’s Oil Output, Kazakh Energy Minister Reports

ASTANA – Tengiz and Kashagan oilfields have been key drivers of Kazakhstan’s oil production, with Tengiz contributing 25.9 million tons and Kashagan producing 15.8 million tons in the first...


Kazakhstan to Establish $1 Billion Venture Capital Fund Backed by Private Investment

ASTANA – Kazakhstan is set to establish a Fund of Venture Capital Funds, targeting $1 billion in private investment in the medium term. This was revealed during a Dec....


Grid Upgrade Crucial to Kazakhstan’s Green Energy Transition, Expert Says

ASTANA – Modernization of grid infrastructure might become a key element driving the adoption of green energy in Kazakhstan, according to Sultan Valikhanov, an expert at the EconomyKZ portal....


IT Sector Results: How Digital Transformation Enhances Lives in Kazakhstan

ASTANA — Kazakhstan is advancing its digital transformation to improve public services, support innovation, accelerate economic growth, and rank among the global leaders in online services and IT development....


Kazakhstan, Guinea-Bissau Forge Strategic Partnership for Beneficial Cooperation  

ASTANA – President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev met with President of Guinea-Bissau Umaro Sissoco Embaló, who arrived in Kazakhstan on an official visit on Dec. 18, to discuss priority...


Kazakhstan Sees Growth in Business Activity Index

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s business activity index, based on surveys conducted by the National Bank, rose to 51.6 points by the end of November, according to National Bank Chair Timur...


Kazakh Chess Players Secure 10 Medals at FIDE Youth Championship in Slovenia

ASTANA – Kazakh young chess players won 10 medals, including two gold at the FIDE World Youth Rapid & Blitz Championship 2024, which took place on Dec. 14-16 in...


Kazakhstan’s Agriculture Breaks New Records This Year

ASTANA – In January-November, the gross agricultural output increased by 13.4% with an annual plan of 11.6% and reached 7.8 trillion tenge (US$14.9 billion), said Kazakh Deputy Minister of...


Kazakhstan Enhances Efforts to Restore, Preserve Endangered Animal Species

ASTANA — Kazakh Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources Yerlan Nyssanbayev discussed the restoration of the snow leopard and Przewalski’s horse populations and the preservation of rare and endangered...


Kazakhstan’s Main New Year Tree to Light Up Today

ASTANA – More than 30 New Year’s trees will be lit simultaneously in six districts of Astana at 8 p.m. local time on Dec. 18. According to Astana’s Akimat...


Kazakhstan Surpasses the US, Japan, and Singapore in Anti-Money Laundering Index Ranking

ASTANA – Kazakhstan has significantly improved its standing in the independent Basel AML (anti-money laundering) Index, ranking 111th with 4.65 points and surpassing 110 nations. The ranking, developed by...


Kazakhstan’s Strongman Tsyrulnikov Dazzles Audience at Opening Ceremony of 2024 World Weightlifting Championships

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s strongman Sergey Tsyrulnikov became the first Kazakh citizen invited to the 2024 World Weightlifting Championships opening ceremony, which took place on Dec. 6-15 in Manama, Bahrain....


Azerbaijan Assumes CICA Chairmanship From Kazakhstan

ASTANA – Kazakhstan officially handed over the chairmanship in the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) for 2024-2026 term to Azerbaijan at the seventh meeting...


Kazakh Eco-Startups Set to Compete at UNIDO Global Event in Istanbul and COP30 in Brazil

ASTANA – Five Kazakh eco-startups have received the opportunity to represent their country at the UN Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) competition in Istanbul in 2025, following their success at...


Cargo Transport via Middle Corridor Surges to 4.1 Million Tons in 11 Months

ASTANA – The volume of cargo transported through the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR), also known as the Middle Corridor, rose by 63% in the first 11 months of...


Kazakhstan Targets 26 GW Energy Expansion by 2035

ASTANA – The Kazakh Energy Ministry has developed and approved a development plan for the energy sector until 2035, targeting the introduction of at least 26 gigawatts (GW) of...


Kazakh Opera Legend Bibigul Tulegenova Celebrates 95th Birthday

ASTANA – Kazakh opera singer Bibigul Tulegenova turned 95 on Dec. 16. Almaty Mayor Yerbolat Dossayev congratulated her on behalf of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, reported the city administration’s press...


Kazakhstan Takes Third Place at World Weightlifting Championships, Secures Two Golds

ASTANA — Kazakhstan placed third overall at the 2024 International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) World Weightlifting Championships, held from Dec. 6 to 15 in Manama, Bahrain  trailing behind North Korea...


Central Asia’s Nuclear Future: Opportunities, Challenges and Geopolitics

ASTANA — The National Bureau of Asian Research hosted a panel discussion titled A New Start: Central Asia’s Nuclear Potential & Peril in Washington, D.C, on Dec.12 to explore...


Kazakhstan’s Exports of Processed Goods Grow 10.2% to $23.3 Billion in 11 Months

ASTANA – Thanks to measures taken to support domestic producers and stimulate deep processing, Kazakhstan’s export of processed goods increased by 10.2%, reaching $23.3 billion from January to November...


World Bank Highlights Measures to Boost Inclusive Growth in Kazakhstan

ASTANA – Making fiscal policy more pro-poor, improving the quality of education, and strengthening climate resilience are critical priorities for policymakers to reduce poverty and inequality in Kazakhstan, according...


Kazakhstan Reiterates Commitment to Multilateral Cooperation at World Policy Conference

ASTANA—Since gaining independence, Kazakhstan has pursued a multivector, pragmatic, and balanced foreign policy, Kazakh Deputy Foreign Minister Roman Vassilenko said at the 17th annual World Policy Conference (WPC), organized...


Astana Celebrates Avant-garde of Germans of Kazakhstan Award Ceremony

ASTANA—The Kazakh-German Center in Astana hosted the fourth annual Avant-garde of the Germans of Kazakhstan award ceremony on Dec. 13. The ceremony honored individuals who have made exceptional contributions...