Kazakhstan Resumes Grain Supplies to Iran, Azerbaijan

ASTANA – Kazakhstan transported by rail 10.6 million tons of grain, of which 8.1 million tons were exported in 2024. The country resumed grain supplies to Iran and Azerbaijan....


Kazakhstan’s Yerzhan Maksim Wins Grand Prix at Festival in Dubai

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s Yerzhan Maksim won the grand prix at the Sanremo Best Song 2025 contest on Jan. 4-11 in Dubai. The 17-year-old singer from Uralsk in western Kazakhstan...


Kazakhstan Ranks 57th Among 145 Nations in 2025 Global Firepower Ranking

ASTANA – Kazakhstan is ranked 57th out of 145 nations in the 2025 Global Firepower Ranking, with a score of 1.1016. In 2024 index, it rated 58th. Other Central...


Kazakh Government Channels Recovered Assets Into New Sports Complex in Almaty Region

ASTANA – The Kazakh government allocated over 1.1 billion tenge (US$2 million) from recovered illegally acquired assets to construct a new sports complex in the village of Zhalagash, the...


Kazakhstan Expands Energy Capacity with Major Additions in 2024

ASTANA – Kazakhstan introduced energy generation power with a total capacity of more than 700 megawatts (MW) in 2024, the Ministry of Energy reported on Dec. 27. Kazakhstan launched...


Water Volume in Northern Aral Sea Surges by 42% 

ASTANA – The volume of water in the Northern Aral Sea increased by 42%, reaching 27 billion cubic meters, following the results of the first phase of the project...


Kazakh President Adopts Law on New Education Savings System for Children

ASTANA – Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signed the law on the Keleshek voluntary education savings system on Jan. 10. The Keleshek system provides state-funded start-up educational capital, an annual...


Kazakhstan Showcases Renewable Energy Vision at IRENA Assembly in Abu Dhabi

ABU DHABI — Kazakhstan has solidified its role as a magnet for international investment in renewable energy, showcasing its portfolio of 153 renewable energy facilities with a combined capacity...


Renowned Japanese Blogger Joins Kazakhstan’s Tourism Ambassadors to Showcase its Wonders

ASTANA – Yuji Beleza, a Japanese blogger residing in Vienna, has captivated audiences worldwide with his linguistic talent and cultural curiosity. Speaking over a dozen languages, including Kazakh, Beleza’s...


Central Asian Designers Unveil 2025 Fashion Trends and Colors to Watch

ASTANA – Central Asian designers reveal the next season’s trends and colors to fit best into the new 2025 year. According to Kazakh designer Yerlan Zholdasbek, world fashion trends...


Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic Strengthen Allied Relations, Strategic Dialogue

ASTANA – Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev met with Kyrgyz Foreign Minister Zheenbek Kulubaev, who paid first official visit to Kazakhstan on Jan. 10. During the talks, the President expressed...


Winter Adventures Around Astana: Guide to Best Seasonal Getaways

ASTANA – The Kazakh capital, renowned for its long winters, offers a perfect setting for embracing the season’s charm and enjoying a wide range of winter activities. The surrounding...


AI Could Enhance Kazakhstan’s Global Competitiveness, Yet Challenges Remain

ASTANA – Artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to boost Kazakhstan’s efficiency, drive innovation, and enhance its global competitiveness but challenges remain from limited access to microchip technology and...


Kazakhstan Adopts Plan to Reduce Carbon Dioxide Emissions in Aviation

ASTANA – Kazakhstan has become the first Central Asian country to support the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) initiative by adopting the National Action Plan to Reduce Carbon Dioxide...


Kazakhstan to Reduce Border Crossing Time at Nine Checkpoints with China, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan

ASTANA – Kazakhstan will modernize nine border checkpoints with China, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan this year, aiming to increase throughput capacity sixfold from 170 to 960 vehicles daily and reduce...


Kazakhstan Produces Record Number of Locomotives in 2024

ASTANA – In 2024, Kazakhstan’s plants produced a record 124 locomotives and approximately 2,155 carriages,  said Minister of Industry and Construction Kanat Sharlapayev at a forum dedicated to localization...


News Digest: Foreign Media on Kazakhstan’s Economic Gains in 2024, Relations with Europe and More

ASTANA – The Astana Times has curated a selection of articles from global media outlets covering Kazakhstan. This week’s foreign media digest includes topics such as Kazakhstan’s relations with...


Cultural Events and Exhibitions to Check Out in Astana and Almaty This Weekend

ASTANA —  Get ready for an exciting weekend in the vibrant cities of Kazakhstan, where culture and art come alive. Astana and Almaty will host a variety of events...


President Tokayev Meets with World-Leading AI Expert

ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev received Kai-Fu Lee, a renowned global entrepreneur and artificial intelligence (AI) expert, on Jan. 10, reported Akorda. The President highlighted the strategic importance of...


Kazakhstan Begins Drilling First Exploratory Well at New Oilfield

ASTANA – Embamunaigas, a 100% subsidiary of KazMunayGas (KMG) national oil and gas company, has begun drilling the first exploratory well at the Taisoigan site in the Atyrau Region,...


First Meeting of Astana’s Project Office Focuses on Regional Development

ASTANA – The first meeting of Astana’s Project Office members, held on Jan. 9, focused on measures to implement new approaches to regional development and to unlock regional potential,...


Kazakh President Signs Free Trade Law Between EAEU and Singapore

ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev ratified Kazakhstan’s law on the framework agreement for comprehensive economic cooperation and the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and...


Kazakh Chess Players Win Record Number of Medals in 2024

ASTANA – Kazakh chess players won a record 160 medals including 55 gold, 54 silver, and 51 bronze last year at official international tournaments of the International Chess Federation...


Kazakhstan’s Economic Outlook for 2025: Risks and Opportunities 

ASTANA — Kazakhstan faces a pivotal year as it navigates a mix of economic challenges and opportunities that could significantly shape its trajectory. Risks such as resource depletion, decaying...


President Tokayev to Attend Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week Summit Next Week 

ASTANA — President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev will participate in the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) Summit on Jan. 14-15, following an invitation from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) President, His...


Qazaq Air Launches New Subsidized Flights to Turkistan in January 

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s airline Qazaq Air has launched subsidized flights on the Kostanai – Turkistan route on Jan. 4. Also, the airline will introduce Karagandy – Turkistan subsidized flights...


KazTransOil Exceeds Oil Transportation Plan in 2024

ASTANA – KazTransOil, Kazakhstan’s national oil transporter, shipped 44.887 million tons of Kazakh oil in 2024, which is 2% more compared to the previous year. “The volume of oil...


 KazAID Delivers Humanitarian Assistance to Four Countries in 2024 

ASTANA — In 2024, the Kazakhstan Agency of International Development (KazAID) provided humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan and Vietnam. Afghanistan According to the KazAID press service,...


Kazakhstan Gives Green Light to French Development Agency Group’s Activities  

ASTANA – Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signed the law to ratify an agreement between the Kazakh and French governments on Jan. 8, enabling the French Development Agency (AFD) Group...


Kazakhstan to Enhance Connectivity Via Improved Transport Infrastructure This Year

ASTANA — This year, Kazakhstan plans to construct new airports in resort areas, invest over nine trillion tenge (US$17.1 billion) in new highways, and increase freight traffic along the...


China Hails Strong Ties with Kazakhstan, Promises New Heights in 2024

ASTANA – China and Kazakhstan are good neighbors bound together by mountains and rivers, good friends sharing a high degree of mutual trust and good partners enabling each other’s...


Kazakh Foreign Ministry to Enhance Collaboration With International Fund for Saving Aral Sea

ASTANA — Kazakh Deputy Foreign Minister Yermukhambet Konuspayev met with Askhat Orazbay, chair of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea (IFAS) executive committee, on Jan. 6 to...


President Tokayev Visits Project Office for National Development Plan Implementation

ASTANA — President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev visited the Project Office, which will develop solutions to ensure the high-quality implementation of the main tasks outlined in the President’s annual state-of-the-nation addresses...


Kazakhstan to Navigate Economic Growth, Challenges

ASTANA—While Kazakhstan’s economy experienced moderate growth in 2024, it also faced lingering challenges. As the country strives to build on these gains and address key issues in 2025, it...


Anti-Fraud Center Prevents Nearly $2 Million in Fraudulent Activities

ASTANA – The anti-fraud center, established by the National Bank of Kazakhstan (NBK) in 2024, has prevented 12,000 cases of fraud and blocked 967 million tenge (US$1.8 million) in...


Kazakh Film Triumphs at Golden Lion Festival in India

ASTANA – The Kazakh film “Citizens of the Roof” has won two nominations at the Golden Lion International Film Festival (GLIFF) in Kolkata, West Bengal, India, the Kazakh Ministry...


Kazakh Tennis Player Enters Top Five in World Juniors Rankings

ASTANA – Amir Omarkhanov, a 17-year-old tennis player from Kazakhstan, has surged into the top five of the International Tennis Federation’s (ITF) World Tennis Tour Juniors Rankings, climbing ten...


Eastern Kazakhstan to Build New Hydroelectric Power Plant

ASTANA – A 16-megawatt hydroelectric power plant is set to be constructed in the Markakol district of Eastern Kazakhstan, said Nurlan Ramazanov, the head of the energy and housing...


Kazakhstan to Introduce 25 New Professions in Transport and Logistics Sector

ASTANA – Kazakhstan will introduce 25 new professions in the transport and logistics sector given its rapid development, Minister of Transport Marat Karabayev said at a Jan. 8 government...


Almaty Attracts $19.2 Million for IT Ecosystem Development Over Two Years

ASTANA – Over the past two years, Almaty has secured $19.2 million in investments for its IT ecosystem development, the city administration’s press service reported on Jan. 5. Almaty...


Study of AZAL Plane Black Box Decoding to Begin in Astana

ASTANA – Members of the accident investigation commission are expected to arrive in Astana in the coming days with decoded data from the flight recorders (black boxes) of the...


Kazakh Citizens Can Travel Visa-Free to 46 Countries

ASTANA – Kazakh citizens now have visa-free access to 46 countries, according to the Global Passport Power Rank, which placed Kazakhstan 51st with a mobility score of 95. Kazakhstan...


Kazakhstan Drives Trade Growth, Stabilizes Prices in 2024

ASTANA — Kazakhstan achieved solid trade growth and stabilized prices for essential goods in 2024 despite global challenges and geopolitical instability. Strategic measures, infrastructure improvements and economic diversification fueled...


What Creative Industries May Bring

Editor’s note: The Astana Times continues a section featuring articles by our readers. As a platform that values diverse perspectives and meaningful conversations, we believe that this new section...


Kazakh President Congratulates Orthodox Christians on Christmas Day

ASTANA — Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev congratulated the country’s Orthodox Christians on Christmas on Jan. 7. “This bright holiday is the embodiment of goodness and hope. It unites believers...


Kazakhstan’s Multivector Nuclear Diplomacy: Who Will Build Its First Nuclear Power Plant?

From October to December 2024, Kazakhstan’s foreign policy agenda found itself at the epicenter of attention for several global players in the nuclear industry. Following a referendum in which...


Kazakhstan Issues Record Number of Passports in 2024

ASTANA – Kazakhstan issued 1,488,308 passports in 2024, the highest number in the past 30 years, reported the Ministry of Internal Affairs. This surge was partly due to the...


Tokayev Stresses Boosting Local Production During Visits to Astana’s Key Industrial Facilities

ASTANA — President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev called the construction industry an important area of ​​the economy and pointed out the need to increase local production during his visit to industry...


President Tokayev Highlights International Cooperation in Education and Youth Exchanges

ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev emphasized the importance of international cooperation in education and youth exchanges during his visit to the newly built dormitory at Gumilyov Eurasian National University...


Kazakhstan Exports 54% More Harvest Grain in 2024

ASTANA – Kazakhstan exported 3.7 million tons of new harvest grain between September and Dec. 25, 2024, a 54% increase compared to the 2.4 million tons exported during the...