Kazakhstan Launches New Legislation, Nationwide Initiatives Against Domestic Violence During 16 Days of Activism

ASTANA – Kazakhstan is initiating measures to tighten accountability for domestic violence amidst the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence annual international campaign that begins on Nov. 25,...


Kazakhstan Commences Construction of New Railway to Boost Connectivity

ASTANA – The Turkistan Region has commenced the construction of a new 152-kilometer railway line Darbaza-Maktaaral to augment capacity and enhance export and transit potential, Kazakh Prime Minister Alikhan...


Kazakhstan’s Budget Spending to Rise by $3.2 Billion in 2024 After Mazhilis Approval

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s Mazhilis, a lower chamber of the Parliament, endorsed a three-year budget plan on Nov. 1. The budget expenditures are expected to grow by 1.3 trillion tenge...


Fortifying Bonds and Exploring AI: Highlights from Kazakh-Kyrgyz Youth Forum

BISHKEK – A delegation from Kazakhstan, led by Maulen Ashimbayev, the Chairperson of the Senate, an upper chamber of the Kazakh Parliament, participated in the Kazakh-Kyrgyz Youth Forum in...


Kazakh-American Tenor Earns Grammy Nomination for Innovative Opera Fusion

ASTANA – Kazakh-American opera singer Timur Bekbosunov has recently earned a Grammy Award nomination in the Best Opera Recording category for his groundbreaking collaboration, “Black Lodge Opera.” This innovative...


Astana Ballet to Embark on Grand Tour to Geneva in December 

ASTANA – The Astana Ballet theater team sets off for a grand tour to Switzerland. On Dec. 15-17, ballet artists from Kazakhstan will present the “Carmen Suite” and “The...


Kazakhstan’s Top-Rated Visitor Centers in National Parks

ASTANA — The Ministry of Tourism and Sports of Kazakhstan has recently unveiled a comprehensive ranking of the most popular visitor centers within its national parks. The compilation highlights...


SCO Year of Tourism 2023 Forum Kicks Off in China

ASTANA – The Year of Tourism 2023 forum kicked off on Nov. 23 in Urumqi, the capital of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region in China, reported the Shanghai Cooperation...


News Digest: Foreign Media on Kazakhstan’s Expanding Partnership with EU

ASTANA – The Astana Times has picked a selection of articles on Kazakhstan published in international media worldwide. This week’s foreign media digest includes articles on Kazakhstan’s collaboration with...


From Promise to Action: President Tokayev Implements Reforms Against Power Monopoly for Just Kazakhstan

ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev is holding to his commitment to improving the lives of the Kazakh people. His priorities since assuming the presidency a year ago include fighting...


Kazakh Musicians Enchant Brazilian Audience at National Theater in Brasilia

ASTANA — Kazakh classical musicians Amir Tebenikhin (piano) and Aiken Aitbay (violin) performed a concert titled Sounds of the Great Steppe in South America at the National Theater Plínio...


Kazakhstan to Introduce Special Economic Zones in Six Airports

ASTANA – The Kazakh Ministry of Transport announced plans to introduce special economic zones (SEZs) on the airport premises in Astana, Almaty, Shymkent, Aktau, Aktobe, and Karagandy, reported the...


Central Asia and EU Collaborate in Initiative for Inclusive Youth Development

ASTANA — Education and Labour Deputy Ministers from Central Asian countries convened in Torino, Italy, on Nov. 22 for a high-level meeting of the € 10 million ($ 10.9...


President Tokayev Presents Kazakhstan’s Perspective for UN Special Program for Central Asian Economies

ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev outlined Kazakhstan’s vision for further development of the United Nations (UN) Special Program for the Economies of Central Asia (SPECA) at the first Summit...


UNDP Analyzes Potential in Kazakhstan’s Regional Creative Ecosystems

ASTANA – The second meeting in the framework of regional expert sessions on developing creative industries in Kazakhstan, aiming to analyze regional creative ecosystems, was hosted by Alikhan Bokeikhan...


Kazakhstan Hosts 325 Refugees from Five Countries

ASTANA – Kazakhstan has provided asylum for 325 refugees from five countries, reported the Kazakh Ministry of Labor and Social Protection on Nov. 24.   Refugees from Afghanistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan,...


National Bank of Kazakhstan Reduces Base Rate to 15.75% as Inflation Decelerates

ASTANA — The Monetary Policy Committee of the National Bank of Kazakhstan (NBK) reduced the base rate to 15.75% per annum, with a corridor of +/- 1 percentage point...


President Tokayev Strengthens Bilateral Ties with Azerbaijan’s Leader Ahead of SPECA Summit in Baku

ASTANA — President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev congratulated President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and Azerbaijan’s people for their monumental achievement in safeguarding the country’s territorial integrity in compliance with international law...


Charting Progress in Economic Growth and Social Justice: Prime Minister Lays Out Results and Priorities 

ASTANA – Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Alikhan Smailov presented the results of the government’s work in promoting the country’s economic growth and ensuring social justice during the Nov. 23...


New UN Installation Calls to Break Silence on Violence Against Women

ASTANA – The Untold installation, which calls for speaking out in the face of violence towards women, opened on Nov. 23 at the Nurly Zhol railway station in Astana....


Kazakhstan Witnesses Fourfold Increase in Cases Won by Citizens Against State Bodies

ASTANA – The number of cases won by citizens and businesses from state agencies increased from 15% to 60% in two years, said Nazken Zhamaladin, the director of the...


President Tokayev Urges Global Unity Amidst Escalating International Tensions at CSTO Summit

ASTANA — President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev underscored the gravity of the evolving situation in the Middle East, emphasizing the urgent need for collective action in the face of escalating international...


Turkistan Region to Build Largest Combined Cycle Power Plant

ASTANA – Akim (governor) of the Turkistan Region Darkhan Satybaldy laid the commemorative capsule for a combined cycle gas plant with a capacity of 1,000 megawatts in the Sairam...


Year of Economic Transformation: President Tokayev’s Vision for Kazakhstan Comes to Fruition

ASTANA — In November of last year, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev unveiled his ambitious election program titled Just Kazakhstan – for all and for everyone, signaling a commitment to usher...


Diverse Cultural Experiences Await in Astana

ASTANA — The vibrant capital of Kazakhstan is gearing up for a series of exciting events that promise to captivate and engage residents and visitors. From mesmerizing exhibitions to...


Silkway Accelerator’s Fourth Stream Generates $8.1 Million in Investments

ASTANA — In collaboration with Google for Startups, Astana Hub has successfully concluded the fourth stream of the Silkway Accelerator program, with $8.1 million of investments raised during acceleration...


Kazakhstan Reveals Preliminary Results of Digital Tenge Implementation Project

ASTANA – The National Bank of Kazakhstan (NBK) and the National Payment Corporation unveiled the preliminary outcomes of the initial phase of the digital tenge implementation project on Nov....


Kazakhstan’s Gulnar Gabdulova Becomes Honorary Member of Order of British Empire

ASTANA – Gulnar Gabdulova has become the first Kazakh citizen to receive the Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) award, the British Embassy in Kazakhstan reported...


Kazakhstan Bolsters Collaboration with Vietnam’s SOVICO Group

ASTANA – Kazakhstan is ready to create the necessary conditions for SOVICO Group’s investment activities in the country, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said at a Nov. 22 meeting with Nguyễn...


Preparatory Camp for Google Solution Challenge Launches in Almaty

ASTANA – The Google Solution Challenge Camp, which kicked off in the Almaty-based De Montfort University Kazakhstan (DMUK) on Nov. 18, is aimed to prepare tech specialists for the...


Kazakhstan Joins UNESCO World Heritage Committee

ASTANA – Kazakhstan was elected to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage Committee for 2023-2027 at the 24th session of the General Assembly of...


Astana Ballet Unveils Spectacular Lineup for Freedom Ballet Festival Celebrating 30 Years of Tenge

ASTANA – Astana Ballet set the scene for the Freedom Ballet art festival taking place for the second time in Astana with a program of contemporary and classic ballet...


Kazakhstan Explores Collaboration with African Union Through KazAID

ASTANA — Kazakh Ambassador to Ethiopia and Permanent Representative to the African Union Barlybai Sadykov met with key officials from the African Union (AU) Commission focusing on the potential...


SCO Commends Kazakhstan’s Chairmanship within Organization

ASTANA – The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Secretary-General Zhang Ming commended Kazakhstan’s efforts within its SCO chairmanship at the meeting with Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan Alibek...


Kazakhstan Secures $1.6 Billion Investments: Pfizer, Çalık Holding, and Global Giants Spearhead Economic Transformation

ASTANA — Pfizer, Çalık Holding, Alarko Holding, and several other foreign companies have inked new contracts for projects worth $ 1.6 billion during the Kazakhstan Round Table on Global...


Kazakhstan Expects 35 Million Ton Surge in Transit Traffic by 2029

ASTANA – The transit traffic through Kazakhstan will increase to 35 million tons by 2029, said the Minister of Transportation Marat Karabayev at the government meeting on Nov. 21...


Kazakhstan Explores Enhanced Cooperation with Hungary 

ASTANA – Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Murat Nurtleu engaged in discussions with Hungary’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó on Nov. 21 in Budapest,...


Kazakhstan, IMF Affirm Commitment to Financial Sector Progress

ASTANA – Kazakhstan and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) affirmed their commitment to improving and developing the country’s financial sector at a Nov. 21 meeting in Astana, as the...


Kazakhstan and UK Strengthen Economic Ties

ASTANA – The United Kingdom (U.K) stands out as one of Kazakhstan’s principal trade partners and ranks as the seventh-largest investor in the country’s economy, according to Kazakh President...


EU Encounters Unparalleled Need for Cooperation with Kazakhstan, Says MEP

ASTANA – There is no alternative other than a close cooperation with Kazakhstan, said Ryszard Czarnecki, member of the European Parliament (MEP) in an interview with The Astana Times....


IMF Forecasts Moderate Growth, Urges Fiscal Reforms and Highlights Climate Risks for Kazakhstan 

ASTANA — The International Monetary Fund (IMF) forecasts a more moderate growth rate of 3-3.5% next year from 4.8% this year, said the IMF mission chief for Kazakhstan Nicolas...


UK Outlines Promising Areas for Partnership with Kazakhstan

ASTANA – Nusrat Ghani, the Minister of Industry and Economic Security of the United Kingdom (U.K.), expressed optimism about future opportunities to strengthen economic ties and foster mutually beneficial...


UN Geneva Hosts Presentation of Book on Middle Powers by Kazakh Expert

ASTANA – The United Nations (UN) hosted the first-ever presentation of the book “Widening the Scope: How Middle Powers are Changing Liberal Institutionalism” by Kazakh expert Miras Zhiyenbayev in...


Fitch Affirms Kazakhstan ‘BBB’ Rating with Stable Outlook

ASTANA – Fitch Ratings affirmed Kazakhstan’s Long-Term Foreign-Currency Issuer Default Rating (IDR) at ‘BBB’ with a stable outlook on Nov. 17, reported the agency’s press service. Fiscal solid position...


Annual Charity Bazaar Bridges Cultures Ahead of Winter Holidays

ASTANA – The Christmas Charity Bazaar, organized by the Ambassadors Spouses Association (ASA), is scheduled to unite the diplomatic community and city residents on Dec. 3 at the Astana...


President Tokayev Leads with Social Reforms, Experts Say

ASTANA – As Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev heads into the second year of his seven-year term, the experts highlight his far-sighted social reforms that head the country in the...


Kazakhstan, Germany Expand Cooperation in Green Energy 

ASTANA – German Vice Chancellor and Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Action Robert Habeck conveyed Germany’s increasing interest in Kazakhstan’s green transformation during negotiations with a Kazakh...


Foreign Minister Attends Sixth Meeting of Kazakh-Hungarian Strategic Council

ASTANA – Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Murat Nurtleu took part in the sixth meeting of the Kazakh-Hungarian Strategic Council on Nov. 20 in Budapest during his...


Kazakh President to Participate in Collective Security Council Session This Week

ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev will participate in the Collective Security Council session of the Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO), scheduled for Nov. 23 in Minsk, reported the Akorda...


Kazakhstan Takes Part in Meeting As Part of Global South Summit

ASTANA — Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan, Murat Nurtleu, at the invitation by India’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Subrahmaniyam Jaishankar, participated in a ministerial...