Kazakhstan Assumes SCO Chairmanship to Enhance Regional Cooperation

ASTANA – Kazakhstan is set to assume the chairmanship of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) from July 2023 to July 2024, following the upcoming online meeting of the SCO...


ADB Expert Calls for Strengthening Disaster Risk Protection in Region

ASTANA – As the impacts of climate change continue to escalate, the frequency and intensity of natural hazards are expected to rise, posing greater threats to lives and livelihoods...


Kazakh Parliament Adopts Twenty-Five Laws During First Session of Eighth Convocation 

ASTANA – Yerlan Koshanov, Speaker of the Mazhilis, the lower chamber of the Kazakh Parliament, outlined priority tasks and major challenges the deputies (MPs) faced during the first session...


2024 CICA Environmental Conference to Spotlight Regional Challenges 

Environmental sustainability has become a requisite for economic development as well as security advancements. According to various growth model indicators, this is most evident in Asia, which houses some...


Kazakhstan Adopts Plan to Implement Presidential Initiatives, Says State Counselor

ASTANA – Kazakhstan has adopted a plan to implement President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s initiatives outlined in his address at the National Kurultai (congress in Kazakh) on June 16, wrote State Counselor Erlan...


Astana Opera Premiers Modern Take on Rossini’s “L’Italiana in Algeri”

ASTANA – Astana Opera made a crucial addition to its repertoire with the premiere of Gioachino Rossini’s masterpiece “L’Italiana in Algeri” (The Italian Girl in Algiers) with a modern...


Kazakhstan Prioritizes Green Transition, Transport Connectivity in EU Cooperation 

ASTANA – Kazakhstan is ready to use all opportunities for the development of trade, economic and investment cooperation with the European Union, particularly in green transition and strengthening transport...


Empowering Kazakh Documentary Industry: Qara Film Fest Returns with Eight Local Films

ASTANA – Independent documentary film festival QaraFest is returning this year with a captivating selection of 11 international and eight Kazakh films on July 5-9 in Almaty. The festival’s...


Kazakh Blogger Shows Shallow Coastline of Caspian Sea (Video)

ASTANA – Kazakh blogger and social activist Nurken Tazhibay surprised his Instagram followers on June 26 with a new video of the Caspian Sea showcasing its shallow coastline. “Shallow...


Sayram-Ugam National Park Presents Upgraded Tourist Route

ASTANA – The Sayramsu Anizdary (Legends) tourist trail in the Sayram-Ugam National Park, located in the Turkistan Region, was officially opened with the support of the United Nations Development...


Kazakh Healthcare Expert Advocates for New Nutritional Standards for School Meals

ASTANA – Adoption of new nutritional standards for school meals based on Scandinavian example could protect students from chronic non-communicable diseases such as diabetes and obesity, Almaz Sharman, president...


Exhibition in Astana Explores Boundless Creativity of Young Kazakh Artists

ASTANA – The Kazakh capital hosted the Anau Mynau (This and That) exhibition showcasing art, graphics and sculpture works of young Kazakh artists on June 29 at the Kulanshi...


Eurasian Development Bank at Forefront of Eurasia’s Development

ASTANA – The Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) witnessed significant growth in investment in its projects in 2022, with the accumulated investment portfolio reaching $13.4 billion, while new projects account...


Public Order is Key, Says President Tokayev at Internal Ministry’s Meeting 

ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev highlighted key issues facing the country’s law enforcement agencies as he chaired an expanded meeting of the Ministry of Internal Affairs on June 30,...


UNDP Kazakhstan Unveils Findings of Baseline Assessment on Business, Human Rights

ASTANA – The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) presented the first outcomes of the ongoing Business and Human Rights project on June 30 in Astana, reported the UNDP Kazakhstan’s...


Archeologists Discover Mausoleum of Golden Horde Era in Akmola Region 

ASTANA – Remains of a mausoleum dating back to the Golden Horde in the 15th century was discovered on the territory of the Korgalzhyn district in the Akmola Region,...


Iran Set to Invest in Manufacturing Projects in Kazakhstan

ASTANA – Iranian investors and manufacturers are ready to invest in the production of medicines, the construction of a dairy plant, and the processing of agricultural products, said Alireza...


Kazakhstan’s Ozim Mobile App Helps Children with Special Needs

ASTANA – The Ozim (Myself) platform is a mobile application providing information and methodological support to parents of children with special needs, including video instructions from qualified Kazakh experts...


Kazakhstan, Luxembourg Triple Number of Weekly Cargo Transit Flights 

ASTANA – Kazakhstan and Luxembourg signed a memorandum on regular air transportation to triple the number of cargo transit flights per week at an event held to mark the...


Silkway Accelerator Participants Raise $7.5 Million in Investments

ASTANA – Thirty seven startups attracted investments of $ 7.5 million in total following three streams of the Silkway Accelerator program, said Magzhan Madiyev, CEO of Astana Hub International...


Kazakhstan Skyrockets 21 Positions Up to 76th Place in 2023 Global Peace Index Rankings

ASTANA – Kazakhstan ranked 76th in the Global Peace Index (GPI), climbing 21 places, according to the June 2023 report published by the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP)....


News Digest: Foreign Media on German President’s Visit to Kazakhstan, Launch of New Crypto Platform 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 substantial...


Kazakhstan, Luxembourg Strengthen Bilateral Cooperation

ASTANA – President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev met with Luxembourg’s Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Jean Asselborn, noting that his official visit opens up good prospects for the...


Weekend Journey Into Cultural Delights of Astana

ASTANA — The Kazakh capital is ready to amaze locals and visitors with thrilling and captivating events this weekend. From enchanting concerts by renowned artists to side-splitting evenings of...


CICA Focuses on Demining Challenges in Asia

I have recently participated in the second International Conference on Mine Action – the Path to Reaching Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) hosted by the Mine Action Agency of the...


Kazakhstan’s AIFC Court, IAC Build Trust to Attract Foreign Investment

ASTANA — At its dawn in 2018, the Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC) Court and International Arbitration Centre (IAC) aspired to become an exemplary one-stop shop for commercial dispute...


Kazakhstan’s GDP Grows 4.5% in Five Months of 2023

ASTANA – Kazakh economy grew 4.5% in five months of 2023, said Prime Minister Alikhan Smailov at a national forum of all-level maslikhat (local representative bodies) members of the...


Kazakhstan Observes Fivefold Demand for Domestic Resorts 

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s tourism demand for domestic resorts increased fivefold, with Kazakh citizens preferring vacations at the Alakol, Balkhash, and Zaisan lakes, reported the Kazakh Ministry of Culture and...


Young Kazakh Dancers Perform at World Folklore Dance Festival in Belgium

ASTANA – Young dancers of the Nomad of Kazakh Academy of Choreography performed “Legend of the Kazakh Steppe” at the 37th World Folklore Dance Festival in Saint-Ghislain, Belgium, reported...


Kazakhstan Updates Social Code to Improve Citizens Welfare

ASTANA – Kazakhstan is launching new norms of the Social Code on July 1, which will be a proactive instrument of social support to its citizens, reported the Prime...


Kazakhstan Discusses Cooperation with Council of Europe

ASTANA – Kazakh Deputy Foreign Minister Roman Vassilenko met with a Council of Europe (CoE) delegation led by Claus Neukirch, Director of Program Coordination, to discuss cooperation prospects, reported...


Kazakhstan to Increase Exports to Swiss Market by $500 Million

ASTANA – Kazakhstan is ready to expand its exports to the Swiss market by 90 commodity items worth $546.4 million, said Minister of Trade and Integration Serik Zhumangarin at...


Abai Center in Washington Reveals Richness of Kazakh Culture

ASTANA – Nestled in the heart of Washington, D.C., the Abai Center stands as a vibrant hub for promoting and preserving Kazakh culture and seeks to transform Kazakhstan’s representation,...


Swiss Institute Ranks Kazakhstan 37th in World Competitiveness Ranking

ASTANA – The International Institute for Management and Development (IMD) World Competitiveness Center in Lausanne, Switzerland published the results of the World Competitiveness Ranking on June 20, where Kazakhstan...


Central Asian Alliance to End Gender-Based Violence Launches in Almaty

ASTANA – The Central Asian Alliance to End Gender-Based Violence launched on June 27 in Almaty as part of the United Nations Spotlight Initiative Regional Program for Central Asia...


Kazakhstan Reaffirms Commitment to Eliminate Torture

ASTANA – As the world marked the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture on June 26, Kazakhstan reaffirmed its commitment to international obligations aimed at eliminating torture....


Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan Bolster Partnership in Development Assistance

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s Agency for International Development (KazAID) and Azerbaijan’s International Development Agency (AIDA) signed a memorandum of understanding and cooperation to implement joint projects and stimulate the exchange...


Kazakh Foreign Ministry Hosts Briefing on Key Takeaways from G7 Summit

ASTANA – The outcomes of the 49th Group of Seven (G7) Summit on May 19-21 in Hiroshima were discussed at a briefing of the heads of diplomatic missions of the...


World Bank: Improving Education, Structural Reforms Vital for Kazakhstan’s Growth

ASTANA – Prioritizing education and structural reforms to boost the economy’s potential will be crucial to support Kazakhstan’s economic growth and would help tackle future challenges, said Ivailo Izvorski,...


President Tokayev Discusses Trade and Economic Cooperation with Kyrgyz Republic

ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev met with the Chairman of the Jogorku Kenesh (Parliament) of the Kyrgyz Republic Nurlanbek Shakiev to discuss prospects for strengthening bilateral trade and economic...


Kazakhstan’s Muslims to Mark Qurban Ait on Wednesday

ASTANA – Muslims worldwide will mark the Qurban Ait (Eid al-Adha) Islamic holiday June 28-30 this year. On holiday, mostly associated with sacrificing an animal, Muslims gather in mosques...


Dimash Kudaibergen Performs Solo Concert in Malaysia

ASTANA – A solo concert by Kazakh popstar Dimash Kudaibergen was held at the Axiata Arena in Kuala Lumpur on June 24 as part of his global Stranger tour,...


Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan to Increase Number of Regular Flights

ASTANA – Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan will increase the number of regular flights, following a protocol on air transportation signed between the countries on June 22 during the official visit...


Kazakhstan Climbs 12 Spots in SDG Index in Three Years

ASTANA – Kazakhstan ranked 66th in the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Index, according to the Sustainable Development Report 2023 published on June 21.  Addressing the first meeting of the...


Kazakhstan’s Oil Output to Go Up 7% to 90.5 Million Tons in 2023

ASTANA – Kazakhstan plans to produce 90.5 million tons of oil this year, 7% more than in 2022, Jibek Joly TV Channel reported on June 23, citing the country’s...


Five Trade Trends in Central Asian Connectivity

ASTANA — One of the topics of the Astana International Forum, which took place on June 8-9, was the trade connectivity in Central Asia and its growing role in...


President Tokayev Chairs Security Council Emergency Meeting Over Situation in Russia

ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev chaired the extraordinary meeting of the Security Council on June 25 in Astana over the situation in Russia, which approved the Operational Plan of...


Enigmatic Secrets of Zhambyl Region – Loch Ness Monster Twin

ASTANA – The Zhambyl Region in the southern part of Kazakhstan is named after prominent Kazakh poet Zhambyl Zhabayev. The region is known for its masterpieces of ancient architecture,...


Kazakhstan Welcomes Back Ancient Quran of Kenesary, Last Khan of Kazakh Steppe

ASTANA – The Holy Quran belonging to Kenesary Kasymuly, leader of protests against Tsarist expansion and the last khan (ruler) of Kazakhs, was brought back to Kazakhstan after two...


Kazakh Education Set Makes Robotics Easy, Fun and Accessible for Children

ASTANA – QBit, an education robotics set created by Kazakh company Stem Solutions, is used in over 500 educational institutions across the country. Its creators believe QBit has several...