UN Appoints Stephen O’Malley as Interim Resident Coordinator for Kazakhstan

ASTANA – The UN appointed Stephen O’Malley as the interim Resident Coordinator in Kazakhstan on Nov. 1, reported the UN’s press service in Kazakhstan.  With over 25 years of...


Astana Joins World Tourism Alliance

ASTANA – As a tourist brand, Visit Astana, the Kazakh capital, became an official member of the World Tourism Alliance (WTA) at the WTA Xianghu Dialogue 2024 on Oct....


News Digest: Foreign Media on Kazakh Exports, Middle Corridor, Kazakh-Mongolian Relations and More

ASTANA – The Astana Times has curated a selection of articles from global media outlets covering Kazakhstan. This week’s foreign media digest includes topics such as Kazakhstan’s exports to...


Kazakh PM Bolsters Partnerships in Railway, Medical Equipment, and Agriculture

ASTANA – Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov held meetings on Nov. 1 with key leaders in railway engineering, medical technology, and agriculture to discuss investment and localization opportunities in Kazakhstan,...


President Tokayev to Pay State Visit to France Next Week

ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev will pay a state visit to France on Nov. 4-5 at the invitation of President Emmanuel Macron, reported Akorda. High-level talks during this visit...


Kazakhstan’s Nurkozha Kaipanov Wins Gold at 2024 World Wrestling Championships

ASTANA – Kazakh freestyle wrestler Nurkozha Kaipanov secured the gold medal at the 2024 World Wrestling Championships in non-Olympic weight divisions, held on Oct. 28-31 in Tirana, Albania, reported...


Improving Climate Legislation in Kazakhstan

The global environmental community is preparing for the 29th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), which will take place in Baku this...


Kazakh President Meets With Int’l Partners to Discuss Cooperation Plans

ASTANA – President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev held meetings with the leaders of international organizations and companies on the sidelines of the 36th plenary meeting of the Foreign Investors’...


Kazakh President Outlines Key Areas at Foreign Investors’ Council

ASTANA – Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev outlined key investment areas and promised to keep taking consistent systematic actions to improve working conditions for the country’s investors during the 36th...


Indian Bihar Museum Opens Art Exhibition in Kazakh Presidential Center

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s Presidential Center unveiled the “Triptych on humanity, monuments and nature” international exhibition from the collections of the Bihar Museum of India on Oct. 30. According to...


World-Renowned Violinist Marat Bisengaliev Brings Extraordinary Symphonic Concert Home

ASTANA – The grand stage of the Astana Opera welcomed Marat Bisengaliev, the world-renowned violinist, conductor, and Kazakhstan’s Goodwill Ambassador, for a symphonic concert blending classical and Kazakh music. ...


Kazakhstan, Italy Strengthen Partnership, Mark 15th Anniversary of Strategic Partnership

ASTANA – Kazakh Deputy Foreign Minister Alibek Kuantyrov and Italian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Edmondo Cirielli reaffirmed readiness to continue a multifaceted dialogue aimed at...


Kazakhstan Expands Mandate of Human Rights Commissioner to Meet UN Recommendations

ASTANA – Kazakhstan has expanded the mandate of the Commissioner for Human Rights in accordance with the Paris Principles, including providing financial and human resources to implement the recommendations...


Understanding Kazakhstan’s Middle Power Strategy

Kazakhstan has emerged as a pivotal player in the region. Its geographical position, bordering both Russia and China, not only makes it a land bridge connecting different parts of...


Australian Companies Willing to Develop Mining, Metallurgical Complex in Kazakhstan

ASTANA — Australian companies expressed willingness to develop the mining and metallurgical complex (MMC) in Kazakhstan during the meetings held within the 2024 International Mining and Resources Conference (IMARC)...


International Judo Federation President Visits Kazakhstan to Discuss Development Plans 

ASTANA — Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev received the President of the International Judo Federation (IJF) Marius Vizer on Oct. 30 to discuss judo development in the country. Tokayev expressed...


Eastern Kazakhstan Calls for Nationwide Expansion of Equine-Assisted Therapy

ASTANA – An equestrian school near Oskemen in the East Kazakhstan Region has established a heated arena for year-round hippotherapy, or equine-assisted therapy, for children with disabilities. Now regional...


Central Eurasia Showcases Largest Startup Pavilion at TechCrunch Disrupt 2024

ASTANA – Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Azerbaijan presented 24 startups at the Silkroad Pavilion, the largest exhibit at the TechCrunch Disrupt 2024 tech conference, held on Oct. 28-30 in San...


Kazakhstan, UN Focus on Preventive Measures to Combat Domestic Violence

ASTANA – Kazakhstan and the UN prioritized strengthening preventive measures to eradicate violence against women and children at an event titled Force of Change: The Role of Civil Society...


PM Bektenov Confirms Kazakhstan on Track to Double GDP by 2029

ASTANA – Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov assured Kazakhstan’s economic trajectory remains strong, projecting the nation’s GDP to rise from $321 billion in 2025 to $498 billion by 2029. This...


Kazakhstan’s Mechanical Engineering Sector Doubles Investments

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s mechanical engineering sector attracted approximately 108.2 billion tenge (US$221.1 million) in investments in the first nine months of 2024, which is 2.2 times more than the...


Kazakhstan’s Voronova Wins International MIDORI Prize for Biodiversity

ASTANA – Vera Voronova, CEO of the Association for the Conservation of Biodiversity of Kazakhstan, has won the international MIDORI Prize for Biodiversity in recognition of her exceptional contributions...


Kazakhstan Showcases Investment Potential at First Finance Forum in New York

ASTANA – Citigroup’s headquarters in New York City hosted the first Kazakhstan Finance Day forum on Oct. 28 to attract new investment to Kazakhstan as a promising economic destination,...


Kazakhstan to Host European Parliament Delegation to Discuss Bilateral Cooperation  

ASTANA – This week, 11 members of the European Parliament Delegation for Relations with Central Asia and Mongolia, led by newly appointed chair Giusi Princi, will visit Astana and...


Positive Futurologist on Kazakhstan’s Future and New Economic Model for World

ASTANA — Ron Immink, a positive futurologist and author, highlighted Kazakhstan’s strategic location as one of its most compelling features. In an interview with The Astana Times’ YouTube channel,...


Kazakhstan, France to Deepen Cooperation in Water Management

ASTANA – Kazakhstan and France plan to study the Ile-Balkhash basin and develop cooperation in water management. Kazakh Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Nurzhan Nurzhigitov held talks with...


Paris Exhibition to Showcase Great Steppe Artifacts

ASTANA — The Paris-based Guimet National Museum of Asian Arts will host the “Kazakhstan: Treasures of the Great Steppe” exhibition from the collection of the Kazakh National Museum and...


Kazakhstan, UAE Enhance Cooperation in Combating Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing

ASTANA—Kazakhstan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are strengthening cooperation in combating money laundering and terrorist financing. On Oct. 28, the Financial Monitoring Agency hosted a meeting with a...


Kazakhstan to Export First Satellite to Mongolia  

ASTANA – Kazakhstan and Mongolia inked a historic investment agreement to create and develop Earth remote sensing satellite system on Oct. 29 in Ulaanbaatar, which marks the first export...


Kazakh President Meets with Mongolian Officials, Calls for Enhanced Partnership

ASTANA – President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev held talks with Chairman of the Great State Khural (Parliament) of Mongolia Dashzegve Amarbayasgalan and Prime Minister of Mongolia Luvsannamsrai Oyun-Erdene in...


Kazakh, Mongolia Presidents Forge Bilateral Strategic Partnership for Growth

ASTANA – Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Mongolian President Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh expressed their readiness to deepen cooperation and boost bilateral trade as Tokayev pays his first state visit to...


Second Leg of FIDE Women’s Grand Prix Series Kicks Off in Shymkent

ASTANA — The FIDE Women’s Grand Prix Series 2024-2025 kicks off in Shymkent on Oct. 29 with a line-up of some of the strongest female chess players in the...


Kazakhstan Expands Energy Cooperation with South Korea

ASTANA – South Korea’s major energy companies and government agencies expressed their readiness to provide support in building a nuclear power plant (NPP) following the recent referendum at a meeting...


Kazakh Metamodernism Artist to Open Personal Exhibition in Almaty This Friday 

ASTANA – The Abilkhan Kasteyev State Art Museum in Almaty will open a personal exhibition of metamodernism artist Aruhan (Gaukhar Bissengaliyeva), titled From Steppe to the City, on Nov....


Kazakhstan and Macau Enact Visa-Free Travel Agreement

ASTANA – The agreement on mutual exemption from visa requirements between Kazakhstan and Macau, a special administrative region of China, came into effect on Oct. 24, reported the Kazakh...


Kazakhstan Allocates US$24.6 Million in Recovered Assets to Social Projects

ASTANA – Kazakhstan has directed 12 billion tenge (US$24.6 million) from recovered illegally acquired assets to fund social projects, the Asset Recovery Committee reported on Oct. 28. The four...


Kazakhstan-Mongolia Trade Hits Nearly $84 Million Ahead of Tokayev’s Visit

ASTANA – Trade turnover between Kazakhstan and Mongolia reached $83.9 million in January-August 2024, Kazinform reported on Oct. 28, citing the Kazakh Ministry of Trade and Integration, ahead of...


Two Airlines Launch New Direct Flights from Kazakhstan to Southeast Asia

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s SCAT Airlines has launched new direct passenger flights to Cambodia. Vietjet Air of Vietnam opens flights on the Phu Quoc-Astana route, the Kazakh Civil Aviation Committee...


Kazakhstan, Netherlands Unite for Final Flood Management Training

ASTANA — Key stakeholders in water and flood management from the Netherlands and Kazakhstan, including representatives from the Kazakh Ministry of Emergency Situations, the Ministry of Water Resources and...


Silicon Valley Conference Highlights Central Eurasia’s Tech Potential

ASTANA – Billion-dollar tech companies with global market reach will emerge from Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Azerbaijan, Türkiye, Mongolia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Georgia in the next 10-15 years,...


‘She Rug’ Exhibition Celebrates Centuries of Kazakh Carpet Weaving

ASTANA—Heritage from a long line of carpet weavers in Kazakhstan is presented at the “She Rug” exhibition, which opened in Astana on Oct. 17 and will run through Nov....


Kinship at Core: Exploring Foundations of Kazakh Family Ties

ASTANA – Family is the foundation of Kazakh society, occupying a central place in the culture. Traditionally, the Kazakh family structure is built on a strong sense of unity...


Ethiopian Student Views Kazakhstan’s Education Model as Blueprint for Ethiopia

ASTANA – “One of the most remarkable aspects of Kazakh society is its meritocratic nature. According to my experience, skills and knowledge matter most, and I have never faced...


President Tokayev to Embark on State Visit to Mongolia Next Week

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev will pay a state visit to Mongolia on Oct. 28-29. The visit will feature high-level discussions and the signing of pivotal bilateral agreements....


Kazakh National Bank’s New Coin Collection Celebrates Nation’s Legacy

ASTANA – The National Bank of Kazakhstan (NBK) recently issued collectible coins titled “Shanyragynyz shattyqqa tolsyn” (Peace to Your Home) as part of the From Heart-to-Heart series. The coins...


Recent Archaeological Discoveries: Insights from Central Asia

ASTANA — Recent archaeological endeavors across Central Asia have unearthed remarkable findings that shed light on the region’s rich historical tapestry. From ancient burial sites to significant cultural monuments,...


Kazakh President Congratulates Citizens on Republic Day

ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev congratulated people on Republic Day, the country’s national holiday commemorating the foundation of an independent and sovereign state, on Oct. 25. Tokayev noted this...


EU-Funded Project Promotes Public Engagement in Climate Change Mitigation in Karagandy Region

ASTANA—Astana hosted the conference on Oct. 23, marking the end of a two-year European Union-funded project aimed at empowering local communities and enhancing public involvement in environmental decision-making in...


Renowned Cardiac Surgeon Highlights Kazakhstan’s World-Class Achievements

ASTANA – Yuriy Pya, a renowned cardiac surgeon, humble and ambitious, achieved remarkable success through hard work and a belief in his own abilities and the potential of Kazakhstan....


Kazakh President Takes Part in BRICS Summit

ASTANA – BRICS is becoming a global center of international attraction, generating practical interest from many countries, said President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev during the BRICS plenary session in an outreach/BRICS...