190 Years of Shokan Ualikhanov: Kazakh Explorer Who Conquered Knowledge

ASTANA – This November marks the 190th anniversary of Shokan Ualikhanov’s birth — a Kazakh scholar, ethnographer, intelligence officer, and trailblazer in the study of Central Asia. In the...


Kazakhstan Cuts Customs Clearance Time Sixfold Through Rail Transit Automation

ASTANA — Kazakhstan has reduced customs clearance time for rail transit cargo from three hours to just 30 minutes under a pilot automation project launched along the China-Central Asia...


EBRD Vice President Emphasizes Central Asia’s Drive for Energy Security and Regional Connectivity

ASTANA – The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has deepened its cooperation with Kazakhstan and its Central Asian neighbors through new investment initiatives aimed at enhancing regional...


Kazakhstan, US Reaffirm Strategic Energy Partnership at ADIPEC 2025

ALMATY — Kazakhstan and the United States reaffirmed their long-standing strategic partnership in the energy sector during a meeting between Kazakh Minister of Energy Yerlan Akkenzhenov and U.S. Secretary...


Almaty’s FC Kairat to Face Inter Milan for UEFA Champions League Clash 

ALMATY – Kazakh football champion FC Kairat arrived in Milan, Italy,  on Nov. 3 ahead of its UEFA Champions League match against the Italian powerhouse Inter Milan.  The game...


Kazakhstan Achieves Record Agricultural Growth in 2025

ALMATY — Kazakhstan recorded a strong agricultural performance in 2025, harvesting 27.1 million tons of grain despite a reduction in wheat planting areas, Agriculture Minister Aidarbek Saparov said at...


Almaty Airport to Become Major International Aviation Hub in Central Asia

ALMATY – Kazakh Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov reviewed progress on the Almaty International Airport development project at a Nov. 3 meeting, as part of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s initiative to...


Kazakhstan’s Banking Sector Shows Robust Performance, Reinforcing Investor Confidence

ALMATY – Kazakhstan’s banking sector continues to demonstrate solid performance with total net profit reaching 2.1 trillion tenge (approximately US$3.9 billion) for the January-September 2025 period, according to data...


Polish Film Festival Celebrates Cinematic Bridges Between Poland and Kazakhstan

ASTANA — The eighth Polish Film Festival Wisła is lighting up Astana with powerful stories and artistry, offering Kazakh audiences a closer look at contemporary Polish cinema on Nov....


Central Asia Can Evolve from Corridor to Connector, Says IMF’s Jihad Azour

ASTANA — The International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) Regional Economic Outlook, released on Oct. 21, showed that Central Asian economies continue to outperform expectations, with growth projected at 5.6% in...


DBK Launches $1 Billion Program to Boost Rare Earth and Critical Materials Sector

ALMATY – The Development Bank of Kazakhstan (DBK), a subsidiary of Baiterek Holding, has announced the launch of a $1 billion financing program to support projects in the extraction...


UNESCO Declares World Turkic Language Family Day in December

ALMATY – The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has officially designated Dec.15 as World Turkic Language Family Day, marking a major recognition of the shared linguistic...


Exhibition Showcases Kazakh Traditions in Amsterdam 

ASTANA – The Association of Museums of Almaty opened an exhibition dedicated to Kazakh traditions at the Yunus Emre Institute in Amsterdam on Oct. 31, featuring more than 70...


Can Kazakhstan’s 18% Base Rate Strike Right Balance?

ASTANA – The National Bank of Kazakhstan (NBK) has raised the base rate from 16.5% to 18% in October, marking the second sharp monetary tightening this year. The move...


Kazakhstan Ranks Third at Asian Youth Games With Record 93 Medals

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s national team concluded its performance at the Third Asian Youth Games, held from Oct. 22 to 31 in Manama, Bahrain, with a historic achievement. Kazakhstan secured...


OPEC+ to Adjust Output by 137,000 Barrels per Day in December

ASTANA — The eight OPEC+ countries, namely Algeria, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Oman, Russia, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, agreed to increase output by 137,000 barrels per day...


AWE Central Asia Summit Strengthens Support for Women Entrepreneurs in Almaty

ASTANA — The Academy of Women’s Entrepreneurship (AWE) Central Asia International Summit took place in Almaty on Oct. 31, gathering women entrepreneurs, AWE alumni, and representatives from international organizations,...


Kazakhstan Makes History with Fourth Straight Victory at Global Robotics Olympiad in Panama

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s national robotics team has achieved a milestone on Nov. 1, claiming its fourth consecutive world championship title at the FIRST Global Challenge 2025 in Panama City....


SCAT Airlines Launches Direct Flights Between Astana and Belgrade 

ASTANA — SCAT Airlines launched a direct passenger route between Kazakhstan and Serbia. According to Kazakh Deputy Transport Minister Talgat Lastayev, the opening of direct flights between Astana and...


Kazakhstan Builds Path to Sustainable Growth Through Logistics and Innovation

ASTANA – Experts discussed the development of transport and logistics infrastructure, food security, and innovation as key pillars of sustainable economic growth during the Kazakhstan Global Investment Roundtable (KGIR)...


Kazakhstan Strengthens Cultural Ties with Italy Through Tributes to Abai and Shokan Ualikhanov

ASTANA – A bust of Abai Kunanbayev was unveiled in Rome on Oct. 30 to honor Kazakhstan’s great poet and philosopher. Busts and monuments to Abai have now been...


Burabay’s Iconic Landmarks Get Major Upgrade With New Observation Decks and Family Attractions

ASTANA – Eight renovated observation decks and new amenities have transformed Burabay’s most famous natural landmarks: Mount Bolektau, Ayutas and Tufelka Rocks, and the Valley of Love, making the...


Canada Looks to Expand Engagement with Kazakhstan, Builds on Shared Priorities

ASTANA – Christopher Duggan, Ambassador of Canada to Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, describes the relationship with Kazakhstan as deeply constructive and values-aligned, noting strong convergence on...


KazMunayGas Boosts Oil Output by 10%, Increases Gas Production

ALMATY – KazMunayGas (KMG), Kazakh national oil and gas company, announced its production results for the first nine months of 2025 on Oct. 30, showing a notable increase in...


Beyond Myths: Traveler’s Journey Through Modern Kazakhstan

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 section provides...


Kazakh Artist’s Carpet Paintings Blend Tradition and Modern Art

ASTANA – Kazakh artist Assel Sabyrzhankyzy has gained widespread attention on social media with her distinctive works, where tradition meets street art, and carpets replace the canvas. In an...


Newly Discovered Cultural Monuments Found in North Kazakhstan

ASTANA — Previously unknown historical and cultural monuments have been identified in the North Kazakhstan Region, according to the regional Department of Culture, Language Development and Archival Affairs. The...


Kazakhstan’s Restaurant Sector Shows Growth Amid New Openings

ALMATY — The Kazakh Bureau of National Statistics report shows that the country’s restaurant industry is expanding, with 55 new restaurants opening in the January-September 2025 period, the highest...


Kazakhstan Draws Major Investment Commitments at KGIR

ASTANA — Kazakhstan signed 49 new investment agreements worth $7.5 billion at the eighth Kazakhstan Global Investment Roundtable (KGIR) on Oct. 31 in Astana. The forum gathered more than...


Kazakhstan Advances Digital Inclusion with AI Training for Rehabilitated Youth

ALMATY — As Kazakhstan continues to advance its digital transformation across education, creative industries, and social inclusion, new initiatives are ensuring that no one is left behind, including youth...


Central Asia’s Youth Delegates Advance Regional Dialogue at UNESCO Forum

ASTANA — Young generation from Central Asia should no longer wait for change but lead it, said youth delegates from Central Asia, reflecting on their participation in the 14th...


Kazakh Startup Raises $500,000 to Expand in US Trucking Market

ASTANA – Kazakh startup Call2action.ai, founded by Yersultan Jussakinov, has closed a $500,000 pre-seed funding round at a $6 million valuation to accelerate its expansion in the United States...


ESG Forum in Astana Explores Pathways to Sustainable Economy

ASTANA – The ESG Forum in Astana brought together policymakers, business leaders, and experts on Oct. 30 to explore how integrating environmental, social, and governance principles can enhance long-term...


News Digest: Foreign Media on Kazakhstan’s Expanding Global Partnerships, Green Energy Drive and More

ASTANA – The Astana Times has selected articles from global media outlets covering Kazakhstan. This week’s foreign media digest highlights the country’s strengthening partnerships with the United States, the...


Critical Minerals Take Center Stage at Kazakhstan Investment Roundtable 2025

ASTANA – The Kazakhstan Global Investment Roundtable (KGIR) opened on Oct. 31, dedicating one of its key sessions to critical minerals and the energy transition. The participants discussed how...


Kazakhstan Calls for Stronger Global Cultural Partnerships at UNESCO General Conference

ALMATY — Kazakh State Counselor and Chairman of the National Commission for UNESCO and Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) Erlan Karin presented President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s new...


EU, Central Asia Push Efforts on Skills, Employability at High-Level Meeting in Turin

TURIN – Government officials, experts, and policymakers from Central Asia and the European Union gathered on Oct. 30-31 in Turin for the fourth high-level meeting of the EU-funded 10...


Tokayev: Kazakhstan Triples Education Funding, Expands Global AI Cooperation

ALMATY — Kazakhstan has tripled its investment in education and science and will continue strengthening the role of artificial intelligence through global academic cooperation, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev announced at...


Sweet November Begins with Captivating Exhibitions and Performances

ASTANA – The Astana Times has curated a lineup of events promising a great weekend filled with captivating experiences. Whether you are a music lover, exhibition enthusiast, or adventure...


Astana’s Investments Surge 42% Amid Strong Private Sector Growth

ALMATY — Astana  attracted 1.2 trillion tenge (approximately US$2.4 billion) in investments over the first seven months of 2025, maintaining its position as the country’s leader in investment growth....


Kazakhstan to Open Branch of India’s Top Forensic Sciences University

ALMATY – Kazakhstan and India have signed an agreement to establish a branch of India’s National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU) in Astana on Oct. 29, marking a major step...


Tokayev Inspects Key Projects During Working Visit to Kyzylorda Region

ASTANA — President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev visited a number of industrial, infrastructure, and social facilities in the Kyzylorda Region during his Oct. 30 visit. Visit to Korkyt Ata International Airport...


Central Asia and Caucasus Outpace Growth Forecasts Despite Inflation Risks

ALMATY – Economic growth in Central Asia and the Caucasus (CCA) exceeded expectations in 2025, driven by strong domestic demand, remittance inflows, and higher hydrocarbon exports. This was highlighted...


Voice Beyond Horizon: Dimash Unites Silk Road Voices in Grand 2026 Premiere

ASTANA – Dimash Qudaibergen and Hunan TV present a grand premiere for 2026 – the joint project Voice Beyond Horizon.  “Eight years ago, Qudaibergen appeared on China’s music scene...


Economic Cooperation Tops Agenda of Kazakh PM’s Meeting With US Delegation

ASTANA – Kazakh Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov met with U.S. Special Envoy for South and Central Asia Sergio Gor and Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau on Oct. 29...


Kazakhstan, US Strengthen Strategic Partnership to Boost Regional Stability and Growth

ASTANA – Kazakhstan and the United States have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening strategic partnership aimed at ensuring stability, security, and prosperity in the region. Kazakhstan’s Foreign Minister Yermek...


Almaty Surgeons Save Six Lives Thanks to Posthumous Organ Donation

ASTANA – Surgeons in Almaty saved the lives of six patients through a multi-organ donation from a deceased woman born in 1962. The procedure took place at the Central...


Kazakhstan, Italy Ink Cultural Cooperation Deal to Set Up Restoration Center

ALMATY — Kazakhstan and Italy signed a memorandum of understanding on Oct. 7 in Astana to create a restoration center at the National Museum of Kazakhstan and to advance...


Kazakh Ballet Star Adamzhan to Perform at ‘Roberto Bolle and Friends’ Gala in Dubai 

ALMATY – Kazakh principal dancer Bakhtiyar Adamzhan will perform at the prestigious “Roberto Bolle and Friends” gala at Dubai Opera on Nov. 6, reported Astana Opera’s press service. According...


Success is Measured in Meaning, not Power: Finnish President Stubb Tells Kazakh Students

ASTANA — President of Finland Alexander Stubb met with students of Astana-based Maqsut Narikbayev University on Oct. 29, where politics met philosophy. Addressing young Kazakh students, he urged them...