French Magazine L’Essentiel des Relations Internationales Releases Special Issue About Kazakhstan

ASTANA – Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and French President Emmanuel Macron appeared on the cover of the French magazine L’Essentiel des Relations Internationales’ special issue about Kazakhstan on Dec....


Dimash Kudaibergen Narrates Film About Chinese Mythical Emperor in Kazakh Language

ASTANA – Kazakh singer Dimash Kudaibergen narrated the first multimedia product of the second season of the Chinese Mythology in Paintings project, “The Legend of Shen Nong” in the...


Kazakhstan’s Bolashak Scholarship Program Celebrates 30th Anniversary

ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev congratulated the Bolashak international scholarship program graduates on the program’s 30th anniversary in a welcoming address at the jubilee forum on Dec. 8 in...


News Digest: Foreign Media on Kazakh-French Ties, Agreements at COP28 and More

ASTANA – The Astana Times presents a selection of articles on Kazakhstan published in foreign media. This week’s foreign media digest includes articles on the Kazakh-French partnership, Kazakhstan’s participation...


President Tokayev Donates Over $15,000 to Kazakh Language Development Foundation

ASTANA – Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev donated seven million tenge ($15,272) from personal funds to the Qazaq Tili (Kazakh language) Fund to support the Kazakh language development, Rauan Kenzhekhanuly,...


Kazakhstan Introduces Tax Incentives, New Measures to Attract Investments

ASTANA – Tax reforms, protection of intellectual property rights, and subsidies for agricultural producers were discussed at a Dec. 8 meeting of the Council on the Improvement of Investment...


Kazakh Government Finalizes Deal with ArcelorMittal for $286 Million

ASTANA – The Kazakh government and ArcelorMittal have completed negotiations for the purchase of all shares of ArcelorMittal Temirtau and ArcelorMittal Tubular Products Aktau by the Kazakh state investment...


Kazakhstan Plans to Switch to Single Time Zone in 2024

ASTANA – The Kazakh Ministry of Trade and Integration has put forth a project proposing amendments to the government resolution governing the calculation of time across the country. According...


ICAO TRIP Regional Symposium Kicks Off in Almaty, First Time in Central Asia

ASTANA – The Regional Symposium of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Traveller Identification Programme (TRIP) kicked off in Almaty on Dec. 6, reported the ICAO press service. For...


Kazakhstan Seeks to Obtain Quotas for Peacekeepers, Expand Geography 

ASTANA – The Kazakh Defense Ministry emphasized the country’s interest in obtaining additional quotas for peacekeepers and expanding its participation in the United Nations (UN) peacekeeping operations at the...


Kazakhstan’s Central Election Commission Marks 30 Years with International Conference 

ASTANA – Astana hosted an international conference on Dec. 7 titled Constitutional Reform and Electoral System to mark the 30th anniversary of Kazakhstan’s Central Election Commission (CEC). Heads of...


Key Kazakh Officials Adress Human Rights Progress at International Conference

ASTANA – Key representatives of government and human rights protection institutions have addressed Kazakhstan’s efforts in implementing human rights and key insights during the international scientific and practical conference...


Kazakh Senate’s Young Experts Club Addresses Legal Environment for Creative Industries Development 

ASTANA – The club of young experts under the Senate, an upper chamber of the Kazakh Parliament, analyzed the legal environment and prospects for developing creative industries in Kazakhstan...


Weekend Highlights in Astana’s Event Calendar

ASTANA — As December unfolds, the Kazakh capital transforms into a magical setting, offering a unique blend of cultural experiences against the backdrop of winter’s charm. Here’s an exclusive...


Investment Inflow in Kazakhstan Depends on Economic Liberalization, Says Entrepreneur

ASTANA – Kazakhstan needs to continue the liberalization of economy to preserve and increase the inflow of foreign investment, said Afzal Amin, CEO of London Expertise, in an interview...


Kazakhstan-Azerbaijan Cultural Diplomacy Bridges Nations 

ASTANA – The Days of Kazakhstan’s Culture in Azerbaijan were hosted in Baku and ended on Dec. 5. This initiative, aimed at enhancing Kazakh-Azerbaijani relations, was endorsed by the...


President Tokayev Visits Heriot-Watt University Branch in Aktobe 

ASTANA – As part of a working trip to the Aktobe Region, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev visited the branch of the Heriot-Watt University in the Kazakh city of Aktobe on...


Kazakh Government Approves Development Plan of Major Oil-Gas, Petrochemical Projects 

ASTANA – Kazakh Prime Minister Alikhan Smailov signed a government decree approving a comprehensive plan for developing major oil and gas and petrochemical projects for 2023-2027, the Prime Minister’s...


Kazakhstan’s Wimbledon Champion Rybakina Enters Best-Paid Female Athletes Ranking in 2023 

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina, 24, has entered the ranking of the world’s ten highest-paid female athletes this year, according to the Sportico sports business journal.  Rybakina...


Mangystau Region Addresses Vital Issues and Reveals Growth Strategies

ASTANA – Nurlan Nogayev, the akim (governor) of the Mangystau Region, discussed the pressing issues of the region and the corresponding measures to address them, including a detailed overview...


Kazakhstan, Arizona Army National Guard Mark 30th Anniversary of Cooperation

ASTANA – Kazakhstan and Arizona Army National Guard celebrated the 30th anniversary of political and military cooperation, reported Kazinform. Kazakh Ambassador to the United States Yerzhan Ashikbayev and artists...


President Tokayev Visits Aktobe Region, Urges to Resolve Environmental Problems

ASTANA – Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev paid a working visit to the Aktobe Region on Dec. 6, reported the Akorda press service. During the meeting with the President, local...


Kazakhstan Plans to Boost Volume of Cargo Transit from China to Europe by 2029

ASTANA – Kazakhstan plans to increase the volume of cargo transit from China to Europe through its territory five-fold by 2029, said Deputy Minister of Transport, Satzhan Ablaliyev, during...


Kazakhstan Introduces Women-Led Police Stations to Combat Gender-Based Violence

ASTANA – Kazakhstan is set to introduce women’s police stations throughout the country soon, said Mazhilis Chair Yerlan Koshanov at a Dec. 4 International Conference of the Women’s Dialogue...


President Tokayev Signs National Budget for 2024-2026 

ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signed into law Kazakhstan’s budget for 2024-2026 on Dec. 6, reported the Akorda press service.  The bill was first presented on Sept. 11 in...


International Experts Underscore Kazakhstan’s Efforts in Human Rights Protection

ASTANA – International experts noted Kazakhstan’s active initiatives in human rights protection during a Dec. 5 briefing in the country’s Constitutional Court ahead of International Human Rights Day, reported...


Kazakhstan Committed to Advance Five-Sided Cooperation in Caspian Sea

ASTANA – Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Murat Nurtleu reaffirmed the country’s commitment to advance five-lateral cooperation in the Caspian Sea during a Dec. 5 meeting of...


World Bank, International Experts Assess Middle Corridor Viability

ASTANA – Central Asia-Caucasus (CACI) Institute held discussions on the viability of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR) on Dec. 5. The performance of a transportation corridor linking Europe...


Diplomacy and Cultural Fusion Take Center Stage at DOMBRAsadors Concert in Astana Opera

ASTANA – Astana Opera hosted the DOMBRAsadors live concert on Dec. 4, featuring a unique blend of foreign diplomats and local theater artists. Breaking away from the traditional concert...


Kazakhstan Ranks 51st in Program for International Student Assessment 2022 

ASTANA – Kazakh school students ranked 51st out of 81 states in the Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) 2022 results by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development...


Kazakhstan Marks 135 Years of Amre Kashaubayev, Folk Singer Who Awed Paris

ASTANA – Kazakhstan is celebrating the 135th anniversary of Amre Kashaubayev, a folk singer who captivated audiences in Europe by bringing his native dombra from a Kazakh village to...


President Tokayev Strengthens Investment Council Powers to Boost Economic Growth

ASTANA — Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has signed a landmark decree on Dec. 4 regarding measures to increase the efficiency of attracting investment into Kazakhstan’s economy and accelerating economic...


Kazakhstan Concludes Chairmanship in Dialogue of Women of Central Asia

ASTANA – Daniya Yespayeva, the vice speaker of the Mazhilis, the lower chamber of the Kazakh Parliament, addressed the results of Kazakhstan’s chairmanship in the Dialogue of Women of...


City University of Hong Kong to Open Branch at Satbayev University in Kazakhstan

ASTANA – City University of Hong Kong (CityU) plans to open a branch in Kazakhstan’s Satbayev University in Almaty, reported the Kazakh university’s press service on Dec. 4.  Kazakh...


Foreign Airlines Gain Unrestricted Access to Multiple Airports in Kazakhstan

ASTANA – Foreign airlines are now entitled to operate flights to several airports in Kazakhstan without restrictions on frequencies and aircraft types, reported the Kazakh Transport Ministry’s press service. ...


ADB Approves $350 Million Loan to Bolster Kazakhstan’s Financial Sector Resilience

ASTANA — The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has greenlit a $350 million policy-based loan to fortify Kazakhstan’s fiscal governance and financial sector resilience, marking the first policy-based loan for...


North-South Corridor to Boost Cargo Capacity to 20 Million Tons Annually

ASTANA — The ninth meeting of the operational working group on the development of cross-border hubs, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Serik Zhumangarin, on Dec. 5, shed light on...


Kazakhstan Signs Agreements Worth $4.85 Billion in Green Energy, Infrastructure, and Digitization at COP28

ASTANA – Kazakhstan signed 20 agreements with foreign companies in green energy, infrastructure, and digitization on Dec. 2 during Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s participation in the Conference of the...


Kazakhstan and Iran Pledge to Boost Trade Turnover to $ 3 Billion

ASTANA — Deputy Prime Minister of Kazakhstan, Serik Zhumangarin, reiterated an ambitious target set by the leaders of Kazakhstan and Iran of achieving a $3 billion bilateral trade turnover...


President Tokayev Congratulates Citizens on International Volunteer Day

ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev congratulated Kazakh citizens on the International Volunteer Day on Dec. 5, reported the Akorda press service.   “Today, on the International Volunteer Day, we honor...


Navigating Green Path: Financing Green Transition in Central Asia

Editor’s note: The Astana Times has introduced a new section on the website that features articles by our readers. As a platform that values diverse perspectives and meaningful conversations,...


Kazakhstan Ranks 34th Among 64 Countries in World Digital Competitiveness Ranking 2023

ASTANA – Kazakhstan ranked 34th out of 64 nations in the International Institute for Management Development (IMD) World Digital Competitiveness Ranking 2023 released on Nov. 30. The IMD World...


Dimash Kudaibergen Receives Karic Brothers Award in Serbia

ASTANA – Kazakh singer Dimash Kudaibergen received the prestigious Karic Brothers Foundation Award at the National Theater of Belgrade on Dec. 3, reported dimashnews.com. According to the foundation’s board...


Kazakhstan to Chair Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation Program in 2024

ASTANA – Kazakhstan will take over as chair of Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) Program from Jan. 1, 2024 after Georgia, reported the National Economy Ministry’s press service...


Kazakh, US Business Leaders Agree to Launch Climate Smart Beef Pilot Program at COP28

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s Kazbeef producer of marbled beef, rTek provider of sustainable technology solutions, and EcoBalance Global, a United States (US) based leader in carbon storage projects, agreed to...


Kazakh President Enhances Global Business Relations with Landmark Agreements at COP28

ASTANA — President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev made a significant impact at the Conference of the Parties of the United Nations (UN) Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28) on Dec. 2...


Kazakhstan to Introduce CRIRSCO Standards for New Deposits in 2024

ASTANA – Prime Minister Alikhan Smailov held a meeting on the implementation of the Committee for Mineral Reserves International Reporting Standards (CRIRSCO) in the field of subsoil use, reported...


Kazakhstan, France to Co-Chair One Water Summit at United Nations General Assembly in 2024

ASTANA – Kazakhstan and France intend to host the One Water Summit on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in 2024. This was announced by President...


Kazakhstan Sees Nuclear Power as Promising Area for Technological Breakthrough

ASTANA – The nuclear power development is a promising direction for a technological breakthrough in the Kazakh economy, said  Minister of Energy Almasadam Satkaliyev at a Dec. 1 International...


Annual Christmas Charity Bazaar Sparks Joy and Generosity in Kazakhstan

ASTANA – The 14th annual Christmas Charity Bazaar, organized by the Ambassadors Spouses Association (ASA) on Dec. 3, proved to be a memorable and meaningful event for all attendees....