Kazakhstan’s Winter Wonderland: Weekend Extravaganza with Art, Gastronomy, and Music

ASTANA — As Kazakhstan eagerly anticipates the upcoming long weekend to commemorate Independence Day on Dec. 16, the Kazakh capital is hosting various events to bring joy to the...


Investment Headquarters’ Meeting Marks Decisive Shift in Format

ASTANA – The Investment Promotion Council (Investment Headquarters) held its first regular meeting on Dec. 13 in Astana under a new format following the signing of a Presidential decree...


Roe Deers Take to Kokshetau Streets to Warm Up (Video)

ASTANA – Roe deers took to the streets of Kokshetau in search of warmth, as the air temperature dropped to 24 degrees Celsius below zero in recent days, reported...


UN Reports on Anti-Gender Violence Campaign in Kazakhstan

ASTANA – The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence annual international campaign saw widespread participation and coverage in Kazakhstan, reported the press service of the UN in Kazakhstan. ...


European Companies’ Expansion Signals Kazakhstan’s Attractiveness as Top Investment Destination, Says PM

ASTANA – The expanding presence of European companies in Kazakhstan is the evidence of the country’s growing appeal as an investment destination, said Prime Minister Alikhan Smailov during the...


CICA Senior Officials Committee Reflects on 2023 Achievements at Astana Meeting

ASTANA — The Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia (CICA) Senior Officials Committee (SOC) convened for its final meeting of 2023 in Astana on Dec. 12, as...


Kazakh Minister Discusses EU-Kazakhstan Cooperation in Critical Minerals, Sanctions Policy

ASTANA – Kazakh Minister of Industry and Construction Kanat Sharlapayev spoke about the promising potential of the European Union (EU)-Kazakhstan cooperation in critical minerals, Kazakhstan’s standpoint on the EU...


KazTransOil Increases Oil Exports From Aktau Port by 50% in Nine Months 

ASTANA — KazTransOil national oil transporter, a subsidiary of KazMunayGas (KMG), exported 3.62 million tons of Kazakh oil from the Aktau seaport in January-November, a 50% surge compared to...


Wizz Air Abu Dhabi Launches Flight to Turkistan Starting January Next Year

ASTANA — Wizz Air Abu Dhabi, a prominent player in the aviation industry, is gearing up to connect Turkistan and Abu Dhabi through a strategic air route to commence...


Kazakh Singer Dimash Kudaibergen Performs With Croatian Cellist Stjepan Hauser (Video)

ASTANA – Kazakh pop star Dimash Kudaibergen and Croatian cellist Stjepan Hauser released an Instagram video on Dec. 11 where they performed “Ave Maria” in Budapest. The version of...


Kazakh PM Instructs Faster Cargo Processing for Maritime Infrastructure Growth

ASTANA — Prime Minister Alikhan Smailov instructed the Ministry of Transport and the Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ) national railway company to devise a comprehensive set of measures by the...


Kazakh Seaports Serve 25% More Vessel Calls in Nine Months

ASTANA – In January-November this year, Kazakh seaports served a quarter more vessel calls compared to the same period last year, said Minister of Transport Marat Karabayev at a...


Kazakhstan, Romania to Enhance Multifaceted Cooperation

ASTANA – Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Murat Nurtleu paid first official visit to Bucharest and held talks with Romanian top officials on Dec. 12, reported the...


Kazakh Service Members Complete Training at Peace Operations Center

ASTANA – Over 150 Kazakh military personnel from the country’s various regions completed training at the Kazakhstan Peace Operations Center (KAZCENT) of the Ministry of Defense to demonstrate their...


EDB: Kazakhstan Strengthens its Position in Eurasian Transit Transport

ASTANA — Kazakhstan has witnessed a robust 19 % increase in transit traffic over the first ten months of 2023, reinforcing its role as a pivotal hub for Eurasian...


Kazakhstan Records Economic Growth of 4.9% in 11 Months, Prime Minister Sets Ambitious Targets for Future

ASTANA — Minister of National Economy Alibek Kuantyrov revealed a commendable economic growth rate of 4.9% for the first 11 months of this year at a Dec. 12 government...


Kazakhstan’s Inflation Slows Down to 10.3% in November

ASTANA – The inflation rate in Kazakhstan slowed down in November to 10.3% in annual terms, said Deputy Chair of the National Bank Vitaliy Tutushkin at a Dec. 12...


Turkmenistan’s Anev Named Cultural Capital of the Turkic World in 2024

ASTANA – Turkmenistan’s Anev city has been selected as the next Cultural Capital of the Turkic World for 2024, following the Shusha city in Azerbaijan on Dec. 11, reported...


Kazakhstan Charts Visionary Course for Shanghai Cooperation Organization

ASTANA – Erbulat Seilekhanov, the chief expert at the Kazakhstan Institute for Strategic Studies (KazISS), discussed the six main priorities for Kazakhstan’s chairmanship in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO)...


Kazakhstan Explores Renewable Energy Success and Future Challenges

ASTANA – A roundtable discussion on the achievements and challenges in the development of Kazakhstan’s renewable energy sector, organized by Qazaq Green renewable energy association, took place on Dec....


How Can Central Asian Countries Promote Collective Regional Identity

In light of the current global trends and the changing dynamics in geopolitics, it is advantageous for Central Asian countries to develop a unified sense of shared values and...


President Tokayev Highlights Kazakhstan’s Favorable Investment Climate at Altyn Sapa Awards

ASTANA – Kazakhstan provides attractive investment opportunities with a rapidly expanding business and industrial sector, said President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev at the Altyn Sapa (Golden Quality) and Paryz (Duty) award...


Kazakh Professor Included in World’s Top 2% Scientists Ranking Twice

ASTANA – Kazakh Professor of the Eurasian National University (ENU) and theoretical physicist Ratbay Myrzakulov has been listed in the top 2% of the world’s most cited scientists for...


Kazakhstan to Apply Australian Success in Livestock and Agriculture 

ASTANA – The Kazakh delegation headed by Deputy Prime Minister Serik Zhumangarin visited Australia to study the best practices in animal husbandry and agriculture on Dec. 11, reported the...


Saiga Antelope Moves from Critically Endangered to Near Threatened Category on IUCN Red List

ASTANA – The status of Saiga antelope (Saiga tatarica) in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List has been changed from critically endangered to near threatened...


Kazakhstan Aligns Human Rights Strategy with Sustainable Development, Says Ombudsman in Geneva

ASTANA – Kazakhstan has developed a wide-ranging human rights strategy that aligns with the objectives of sustainable development, said Human Rights Commissioner Artur Lastayev during the Contribution of National...


Experts Talk Economic Fragmentation, Future of Central Asia, Climate Change at Astana Club

ASTANA – The first day of the Astana Club, a platform to discuss the most pressing issues on the global and regional agenda, kicked off in the Kazakh capital...


Astana Club 2023 Debates Central Asia’s Future, Explores Integration Prospects

ASTANA – The seventh meeting of the Astana Club international platform kicked off in Astana on Dec. 11. The two-day program covers eight thematic panel sessions, including discussions on...


Wind of Change: UAE’s Masdar Launches Energy Project in Kazakhstan, Solidifies Presence in Central Asia

ASTANA – The United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) Masdar renewable energy company has ensured its presence throughout Central Asia after announcing the construction of its first one-gigawatt (GW) wind power...


Dimash Kudaibergen Becomes Jury Member of Placido Domingo’s Talent Show

ASTANA – World-renowned Spanish opera singer Maestro Placido Domingo offered Kazakh singer Dimash Kudaibergen to do a duet and invited him to become a jury member of the “Virtuosos”...


Kazakhstan Intends to Enhance Cooperation with Cyprus, UAE  

ASTANA – Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Murat Nurtleu held talks with his foreign counterparts to outline prospects for cooperation during his visit to the United Arab...


Kazakhstan Plans to Build Twenty New Reservoirs to Reduce Volume of Purchased Water

ASTANA – Kazakhstan plans to construct 20 new reservoirs in the coming years to reduce the country’s dependence on water supply from neighboring countries by an average of 25%,...


Top Kazakh Diplomat Outlines 2023 Trends in Country’s Foreign Policy 

ASTANA –  Kazakh Deputy Foreign Minister Roman Vassilenko spoke about the meaning of 2023 for Kazakhstan’s foreign policy, how middle power countries can contribute to the restoration of dialogue...


Kazakhstan Evacuates 28 Nationals From Gaza Strip

ASTANA – Kazakhstan evacuated 28 nationals and their family members from the Gaza Strip on Dec. 10 on a return flight from Egypt, reported the Foreign Ministry’s press service....


Kazakhstan Delivers Additional Humanitarian Assistance to Palestinian People

ASTANA – Kazakhstan delivered additional humanitarian assistance to the Palestinian people on Dec. 10, reported the Foreign Ministry’s press service. The humanitarian aid included food, bedding, medicines, and medical...


Zhambyl Region Leads Kazakhstan’s Wind and Solar Power Initiatives

ASTANA – The Zhambyl Region has emerged as a pioneer in deploying wind and solar power stations, marking a significant milestone in the country’s renewable energy landscape. The first...


North Kazakhstan’s Archaeological Expedition Unravels Mysteries of Bygone Epochs 

ASTANA — In the quest to unravel the mysteries of the North Kazakhstan Region’s rich history, an archaeological expedition spanning seven districts has unearthed fascinating discoveries. The journey was...


French Artist’s Photo Exhibition Gives Unique Snapshot of Kazakh Regions

ASTANA – French multidisciplinary artist Adèle Jelansky presented a photo exhibition, the result of her six-month creative photography residency in Kazakhstan, at the National Museum of Kazakhstan on Dec....


Kazakhstan Strengthens Human Rights and Democratic Reforms

ASTANA – Kazakhstan is celebrating the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) on Dec. 10, adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1948. Recognized...


President Tokayev Signs Action Plan on Human Rights Ahead of World Human Rights Day

ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signed Dec. 8 a new presidential decree setting out the country’s action plan on human rights and the rule of law, he announced on...


Ata-Beyit Memorial Complex Near Bishkek Safeguards Sorrowful Past and Honors Repressed

ASTANA – The Ata-Beyit memorial complex, situated 30 kilometers from Bishkek, the capital of the Kyrgyz Republic, was established in 2000 to commemorate the victims of Soviet repression in...


Annual Christmas Charity Bazaar Raises Over $90,000  

ASTANA – The 14th Christmas Charity Bazaar, organized by Ambassadors’ Spouses Astana (ASA), raised 41.7 million tenge ($90,747) marking an 8% increase compared to last year’s event. The funds collected...


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...