Kazakh President Outlines Country’s Plans in Logistics at Belt and Road Forum in Beijing

ASTANA – Kazakhstan plans to lay 1,300 kilometers of new railway lines within three years, open a third railway checkpoint at the Chinese border, and build new dry ports...


Astana Airport to Become Large Multimodal Hub

ASTANA – Kazakhstan signed an agreement with the United Arab Emirates’ Terminals Holding to develop Astana Airport as a multimodal hub during Prime Minister Alikhan Smailov’s working visit to...


President Tokayev Reviews Kazakh-Chinese Strategic Partnership

ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev reviewed the current state and prospects of the Kazakh-Chinese comprehensive strategic partnership at an Oct. 17 meeting with Premier of China’s State Council Li...


Kazakh AI Startups in Food Delivery, Education, Gaming Build Global Presence 

ASTANA – The Digital Bridge forum in Astana on Oct. 12-13 brought innovations of the fast-growing business ventures into the spotlight, including artificial intelligence (AI) features of more than...


Kazakhstan Beats Finland in EURO 2024 Qualifying

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s national football team sensationally defeated Finland 2-1 in the UEFA EURO 2024 qualifying match in Helsinki on Oct. 17, reported Sports.kz. Finland’s Robert Taylor executed a...


Kazakh President Outlines Priority Areas for Cooperation with CITIC Group, Sinopec

ASTANA – Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev held talks with the largest Chinese companies on Oct. 17 in Beijing to outline priorities for cooperation, reported the Akorda press service. At...


Kazakhstan, China Sign 30 Commercial Documents Worth Over $16 Billion

ASTANA – Kazakhstan and China signed 30 commercial documents worth $16.54 billion on Oct. 17 during President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s official visit to China, reported the Akorda press service. Kazakh...


Kazakhstan Condemns Hamas Attacks, Urges Peaceful Resolution in Israel Conflict

ASTANA – In response to the recent armed conflict between Hamas and Israel, the Kazakh Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement on Oct. 17 condemning the attacks by...


Kazakhstan’s Xeniya Balabayeva Becomes World Junior Blitz Champion

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s Xeniya Balabayeva, 17, became the world blitz champion at the FIDE World Junior Rapid and Blitz U20 Chess Championship, which took place on Oct. 9-16 in...


Kazakh Human Rights Commissioner Inspects Temporary Detention Center for Foreign Nationals in Russia

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s Human Rights Commissioner Artur Lastayev visited the Moscow Center for Temporary Detention of Foreign Nationals and met with its director Alexey Lagoda as part of his...


Kazakh President Unveils Bust to Abu Nasr Al-Farabi in Beijing 

ASTANA – President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev unveiled a bust of medieval philosopher and scientist Abu Nasr Al-Farabi at the Beijing Language and Culture University on Oct. 17, reported...


Healthy, Stable, Dynamic: Kazakh, Chinese Presidents Commend Strategic Partnership

ASTANA – President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and President of China Xi Jinping commended the development of bilateral partnership during an Oct. 17 meeting in Beijing, reported the Akorda...


Kazakhstan’s New Legal Profession Model to Achieve Efficiency, Improve Quality of Services

Editor’s note: The Astana Times has launched a new section on its website that will feature articles submitted by professors and students from Kazakh universities. As a platform that...


Astana Ballet Revives Timeless Melodies by Kazakh Composer Kurmangazy

ASTANA – Astana Ballet symphony orchestra brought a fresh dynamic to traditional pieces by Kurmangazy, a renowned 19th-century Kazakh composer, during a concert in the Kazakh capital dedicated to...


Digital Bridge 2023 Wraps Up Key Outcomes

ASTANA – Central Asia’s largest IT forum, Digital Bridge, made a splash in the Kazakh capital on Oct. 12-13, gathering over 30,000 participants from 30 countries to discuss the...


Over 100 Kazakh Citizens Seek Assistance to Leave Israel Amid Escalating Conflict

ASTANA – Over 100 Kazakh citizens have contacted the Kazakh Embassy in Israel seeking assistance in leaving the country, announced Aibek Smadiyarov, the Kazakh Foreign Ministry’s Spokesperson, during his...


Kazakh Oil Exports from Aktau Port Soar by 53% in Nine Months

ASTANA – KazTransOil national oil transporter exported 2.4 million tons of Kazakh oil from the port of Aktau in nine months of 2023, 53% more than in the same...


Kazakhstan Establishes Asset Recovery Committee

ASTANA – The Kazakh Prosecutor General’s Office has set up the Committee for Asset Recovery, the office’s press service reported on Oct. 12. The newly formed committee, which was...


UNDP to Promote Inclusive Digital Transformation in Central Asia

ASTANA – The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Kazakhstan, the Ministry of Digital Development, Innovation and Aerospace Industry, and the Kazakhstan Agency of International Development (KazAID), signed a...


Kazakhstan’s Liberal Environment Has Potential to Create Unicorns, Says Tim Draper

ASTANA – A leading American venture capitalist and co-founder of Draper Fisher Jurvetson (DFJ) and Draper University Tim Draper commended Kazakhstan’s political freedom as an important step towards fostering...


Kazakh Rescuers Return Home After Assisting Quake-Hit Afghanistan

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s team of rescuers, sent on behalf of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to assist in eliminating the consequences of the earthquake in Afghanistan, returned home on Oct. 16,...


President Tokayev to Attend Belt and Road Forum in Beijing

ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev will pay an official visit to China on Oct. 17-18 to take part in the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in...


Kazakhstan’s Alexey Lutsenko Wins Presidential Cycling Tour of Türkiye

ASTANA – Alexey Lutsenko of the Astana Qazaqstan Team won the 58th Presidential Cycling Tour of Türkiye, which took place from Oct. 8 to 15, reported the team’s press...


Kazakhstan’s Janibek Alimkhanuly Unifies WBO, IBF Middleweight Champion Titles

ASTANA – Kazakh boxer Janibek Alimkhanuly secured the International Boxing Federation (IBF) middleweight title, adding to his World Boxing Organization (WBO) title, after he defeated Germany’s Vincenzo Gualtieri on...


It’s Time to Close Sustainable Energy Gaps in Asia and Pacific

This year we pass the halfway mark both on our journey towards implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, and the signing of...


73-Year-Old Kazakh Adventurer Embarks on Foot Journey from Kazakhstan to Türkiye

ASTANA — A 73-year-old Kazakh traveler Sarsenbay Kotyrashov is a testament to the indomitable spirit of human adventure, as he has embarked on an extraordinary journey worldwide, covering a...


Ruins of Tuimekent Reveal Significance of Kazakhstan’s Heritage

ASTANA – Out of the 33 historical sites in Kazakhstan listed in the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), five are situated in the Zhambyl Region, which...


Kazakh Cheese Entrepreneur Joins International Guild

ASTANA – Kazakh entrepreneur Yekaterina Payazitova from the Abai Region became a member of the International Cheese Guild (La Guilde Internationale des Fromagers) at the Le Mondial du Fromage...


Kazakh Local Stories Find Global Audience at International Film Festivals

ASTANA – Kazakh cinema is having its moment this autumn with three acclaimed films nominated for the 16th Asia Pacific Screen Awards (APSA) which will take place in the...


National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights is Pivotal for Kazakhstan, Says Expert 

ASTANA – Kazakhstan has been implementing the Business and Human Rights project by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), designed to strengthen the mechanisms for protecting the rights of...


News Digest: Foreign Media on Kazakhstan’s Interfaith Initiative, Digital Bridge Forum and More

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


Central Asia’s Future in AI Era: Experts Convene at Digital Bridge Tech Forum

ASTANA – Central Asia’s IT sector, its key characteristics, the role of human capital in AI development and the outlook for innovative cooperation among Asian states were discussed by...


Kazakh President Outlines Key Tasks, Proposes to Strengthen CIS Ties in Bishkek 

ASTANA – Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev addressed international concerns, emphasized priorities to enhance the activities of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), and outlined plans and tasks for the...


Investors Assess Kazakhstan’s Prospects in Raising Capital in Global Venture Market

ASTANA – On the second day of the Digital Bridge Forum in Astana, foreign investors outlined the growing potential and emerging challenges in attracting capital for Kazakh entrepreneurs in...


Experts Address AI and Kazakh Language Development at Digital Bridge

ASTANA – The development of the Kazakh language and how it can be integrated with artificial intelligence (AI) was the focus of a panel session at the Digital Bridge...


Digital Bridge Awards 2023 Honor Winners in Seven Nominations

ASTANA – Seven best IT ventures honored as winners of the Digital Bridge Awards 2023 for achievements in the development of information and communication technologies at the Digital Bridge...


Kazakhstan Donates $99.5 Million in Three Years to Address Humanitarian Needs Worldwide  

ASTANA – Kazakhstan and its people have always made efforts to support and help people through difficult times. In recent years, people worldwide experienced tragedies, including numerous earthquakes, floods,...


Development of Kazakh Language Remains Priority Task For State Policy 

ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev proposed to increase the share of content and digital products in the state language in education, technology and media during an Oct. 12 meeting...


Kazakh Ministry Partners with SpaceX to Provide Internet to Rural Schools 

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s partnership with SpaceX to provide 2,000 rural schools with internet is one of the major achievements of Digital Bridge, said Bagdat Mussin, Kazakh Minister of Digital...


Vibrant Weekend Events in Astana 

ASTANA — This weekend the Kazakh capital promises an exciting array of events that cater to diverse interests, making it an ideal time for residents and visitors to immerse...


UN Human Rights Council Adopts Resolution on Children’s Rights in Education Initiated by Kazakhstan

ASTANA – The United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council adopted Kazakhstan’s first initiative on ensuring quality education for peace and tolerance for every child on Oct. 11 in Geneva,...


Kazakh Foreign Minister Takes Part at CIS Foreign Ministers Council in Bishkek

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Murat Nurtleu took part at an Oct. 12 meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Commonwealth of Independent...


Bright Outlook for Central Asia: Kazakhstan’s Growth Set to Rebound, Says IMF

MARRAKECH — Kazakhstan’s growth is poised to make a strong comeback this year, thanks to robust domestic demand and increased oil production, driven by the alleviation of operational constraints...


Unlocking Kazakhstan’s Digital Potential: Key Insights from Digital Bridge Forum

ASTANA – Digital Bridge international technology forum’s panel session, Kazakhstan – IT country, on Oct. 12, addressed the country’s achievements in IT, its focus on digital transformation, and the...


Otandastar Forum Brings Kazakh Nationals Together

ASTANA – Approximately 200 people from 40 countries convened at the Otandastar Forum, which took place in the Kazakh capital on Oct. 11, reported the Otandastar Foundation’s press service....


From Paint to Pixels: Digital Bridge Experts Assess AI Impact on Creative Industries

ASTANA – One of the Digital Bridge Forum’s panel sessions in Astana gathered experts to address the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on the creative industries’ landscape.        Timur Bekmambetov, ...


Kazakh President Welcomes Vice President of Starlink Business Operations at SpaceX Lauren Dreyer

ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev met with Lauren Dreyer, Vice President of Starlink Business Operations at SpaceX, on the sidelines of the Digital Bridge Forum on Oct. 12, reported...


President Tokayev Discusses Potential Partnerships with TikTok CEO

ASTANA – At the Digital Bridge Forum on Oct. 12, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev convened with TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew, reported the Akorda press service. President Tokayev highlighted...


President Tokayev Tours Digital Bridge Exhibition

ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev attended an exhibition held as part of the Digital Bridge international technology forum on Oct. 12, reported the Akorda press service. Tokayev explored various...


Kazakh President Meets with Draper University Founder 

ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev met with Tim Draper, founder of Draper University and co-founder of Draper Fisher Jurvetson (DFJ), on the sidelines of the Digital Bridge Forum on...