Professionalism, Motivation Behind Finland’s Success as Peacemaker, Ahtisaari Says

HELSINKI – As Finland celebrated the Day of the Peacemaker last month, The Astana Times interviewed former President and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Martti Ahtisaari to talk...


Kazakh Government, Civil Society Discuss New Bill on NGOs

ASTANA – Recognising the need to help build a more efficient and sustainable civil society in Kazakhstan, members of the Kazakh Parliament, representatives of various government ministries,non-governmental...


Kazakhstan to Start Large Road Projects in 2015

ASTANA – The government of Kazakhstan will allocate 178 billion tenge (US$977.75 million) in 2015 and a further 143.3 billion tenge (US$787.14 million)in 2016 from the country’s...


Creating an Image of the Country through Sports

In recent decades, Kazakhstan has become a rightful member of economic society. Moreover, our country is always advancing its leadership in all directions: political, economic and other...


Almaty Offers World-Class Ski Slopes and Training Facilities

Skiing is a sport that is popular around the globe and Almaty is quickly becoming known for its world-class skiing facilities. This city ringed by snowcapped peaks...


Nuclear Weapons Race Should Stop

The recent 3rd International Conference on Humanitarian Consequences of Nuclear Weapons has shown an encouraging trend – the growing realisation by the world community of the urgent...


Spanish FC Astana 1964 Director Develops Football in Kazakhstan, Feels at Home in the Country

ASTANA – Miquel Riera, the international sport director of FC (Football Club) Astana 1964, seeks to promote Kazakh players in Europe, especially in Spain. He has worked...


In Annual Press Briefing, Nazarbayev Offers to Mediate in Ukraine, Stresses Kazakhstan’s Economic Resilience

ASTANA – President Nursultan Nazarbayev held his annual end-of-year news briefing covering a broad range of areas from the situation in Ukraine to Kazakhstan’s economic stimulus package,...


ATOM Project Inspires Participants at Int’l Anti-Nuclear Weapons Conference

VIENNA – While attending the third International Conference on the Humanitarian Impact of Nuclear Weapons in Vienna from Dec. 8-9, artist Karipbek Kuyukov made a lasting impression...


IMF Welcomes Kazakhstan’s Efforts to Advance Country’s Economy

ASTANA – An International Monetary Fund (IMF) mission in Kazakhstan recently commended the state’s actions to advance the economy’s potential through additional fiscal stimulus from the National...


External News in Brief

The Astana EXPO 2017 National Company and Belarus Republican Union of Tourist Organisations signed a memorandum of partnership during the Dec. 11-12 visit of a Kazakh delegation...


National News in Brief

“The number of the prison population in Kazakhstan reduced by 4 percent,” Kazakh Deputy Prosecutor General Zhakip Assanov said at the Dec. 12 second forum on prison...


Business News in Brief

Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Karim Massimov held a meeting with Prime Minister of Tajikistan Kohir Rasulzoda on Dec. 15. They discussed bilateral trade and economic cooperation, including...


Economic News in Brief

  A total of 13,543 property legalisation applications amounting to 103.3 billion tenge (US$562.86 million) had been received by Dec. 11 by the local executive commissions charged...


The Kazakh Journey to Success: Turning Great Games into Great Gains

The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step, so said the Chinese philosopher Laozi . He was a wise man. For those who heeded his...


Assyrian Community in Kazakhstan Survived Dark Times, Now Focuses on Education

ASTANA – Among the numerous nationalities that live in Kazakhstan, there is a very small community that has lived through some of history’s darkest times to preserve...


Greek Officials Join in Celebrations of Kazakh Independence Day in Athens

ATHENS – Greek government and Athens city officials joined more than 300 guests at Hotel Grande Bretagne in Athens on Dec. 15 to celebrate the Kazakh Day...


Self-Service Touchscreen ‘Infokiosks’ to be Installed throughout Kazakhstan in 2015

The company Digital City Showcases recently announced the launch of its new Urban Infokiosk project, which will install self-service, touchscreen information terminals in shop windows that will...


Government Ponders Measures to Improve Kazakhstan’s Standing in Global Competitive Index

ASTANA – At a regular government meeting on Dec. 4 led by Kazakh Prime Minister Karim Massimov, improving Kazakhstan’s standing in the Global Competitiveness Index (GCI) was...


36 Buses Added to Astana’s Most Popular Routes

ASTANA – Astana Akim (Mayor) Adilbek Dzhaksybekov explained to the public on Dec. 11 some of the features of the city’s 36 new public buses. The new...


Charity Ball in Astana Raises $71,000 for Vulnerable Children

ASTANA – The Dec. 14 7th Winter Charity Ball at Radisson Hotel Astana raised 13 million tenge (US$70,815) for educational programmes for children from orphanages and low-income...


New High School Opens to Ease Overcrowding in Aktobe Region

A new high school opened on Dec. 9 in the 12th district of Aktobe is expected to address three-shift education in the region and allow students from...


Kazakhstan, China Ink $14 billion in Cooperation Deals

ASTANA – Kazakhstan Prime Minister Karim Massimov and his Chinese counterpart, Premier of the State Council Li Keqiang approved and signed $14 billion worth of accords on...


Kazakh Language Now Part of Google Translate Services

ASTANA – The Kazakh language is now among the offerings of the Google Translate online global translating system, founder and director of theWikiBilim Public Foundation Rauan Kenzhekhanuly...


Astana Joins in Condemnation of Peshawar Attack

ASTANA – Kazakhstan “strongly condemns the act of terrorism committed in the Pakistani city of Peshawar on Dec. 16,” the country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in...


Nuclear, Other Energy Sector Agreements Reached during Chinese Premier’s Visit

ASTANA – Several important memoranda, including a memorandum to deepen atomic cooperation, were signed Dec. 14 during the official meeting of the Kazakh-Chinese Council, where Kazakh Prime...


FM Idrissov’s Visit to Washington Solidifies Kazakhstan-U.S. Partnership

WASHINGTON, DC – Kazakhstan Foreign Minister Erlan Idrissov visited the United States on Dec. 10-11 to meet with top American officials to advance bilateral relations and discuss...


SCO Prime Ministers Discuss Increasing Economic Cooperation at Council in Astana

ASTANA – The heads of the governments of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) states met in Astana’s Palace of Independence on Dec.15 to examine ways to deepen...


Kazakh Wins Women’s Mogul Freestyle World Cup in Finland

Yulia Galysheva of Kazakhstan won the gold medal in dual moguls at the freestyle skiing World Cup races Dec. 13 in Ruka, Finland. Galysheva finished ahead of...


Rixos Astana Celebrates International Tango Day with Party

ASTANA – Rixos President Astana held a Friend’s Party for partners and colleagues Dec. 11 as a way to show gratitude for their camaraderie and cooperation. The...