KIOGE 2013 to Offer a Range of New Features and Services

The organisers of the KIOGE 2013 oil and gas exhibition have made every effort this year to make visiting the exhibition, on October 1-4, as convenient and...


External news in brief

On Sept. 23, Kazakhstan Prime Minister Serik Akhmetov left for a working visit to Sochi (Russian Federation) to participate in the next session of the Collective Security...


Domestic news in brief

Members of the Mazhilis or lower house of Kazakhstan’s Parliament planted a new poplar alley along Turan Avenue in Astana as part of their volunteer Saturday work...


Production Begins at Kashagan Field

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s giant Kashagan oil field finally began producing oil on Sept. 11, eight years later than first anticipated, but ahead of an October 2013 deadline...


In Paris, PM Akhmetov focuses on economy, EXPO 2017

Kazakhstan Prime Minister Serik Akhmetov met with International Exhibitions Bureau (BIE) Secretary General Vicente Lossertales in Paris on Sept. 19. Akhmetov also met with French Prime Minister...


SCO Presidents Address Regional Security Challenges

BISHKEK – Ensuring security in Central Asia in light of rapidly changing geopolitical realities was among the key issues discussed at the regular meeting of the Shanghai...


Kazakhstan Steppe Eagle Exercise Helps Sustain NATO Ties

The latest Steppe Eagle annual multilateral military exercise in Kazakhstan occurred from August 10-23, at the Illisky Training Centre near Almaty. The exercise, held under NATO auspices,...


Production Begins at Kashagan Field

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s giant Kashagan oil field finally began producing oil on Sept. 11, eight years later than first anticipated, but ahead of an October 2013 deadline...


Are There Bobos in Kazakhstan?If so, Where Are They Headed?

In 2000, David Brooks, a prominent New York Times columnist, wrote a book called “Bobos in Paradise: The New Upper Class and How They Got There,” in...


Kazakhstan Physically-Challenged Athletes Win 26 Medals at World Games

ASTANA – Kazakhstan athletes won 13 gold, seven silver and six bronze medals at the International Wheelchair and Amputee Sports Federation (IWAS) World Games held Sept. 14–22...


Alakol Resort Offers Health-Conscious Vacations

ASTANA – The recently opened Arasan Alakol Resort Hotel offers health retreats along with entertainment opportunities in one of the most pristine and remote tourist destinations on...


Businesspeople Evaluate Kazakhstan Business Connections

ASTANA – Participants in the Kazakhstan Business Connections project met on Sept. 12 in Astana for the USAID Business Connections Project: Kazakhstan-U.S. Cooperation Experience conference, a feedback...


International Conference Covers Indian, Central Asian Challenges and Cooperation

ASTANA – Experts at the Sept. 20-21 first International Scientific Conference on Eurasian Regional Studies, “India and Central Asia: Facing the Challenges Together and Prospects for Cooperative...


Thai Culture Comes to Astana

ASTANA –Traditional Thai fighters and dancers helped present a slice of Thai culture to Astana residents during the Sept. 22. ThaiFestival at the Khan Shatyr Mall. “This...


50th Malaysia Day Celebrated in Astana

ASTANA –The Malaysian Ambassador to Kazakhstan, Kazakhstan government representatives and other dignitaries gathered at the Radisson Hotel on Sept. 16to celebrate Malaysia’s 50th Independence Day. The celebration...


Kazakhstan Oil and Gas Production Will Exceed 2012 Levels, Minister Says

ASTANA –Kazakhstan Minister of Oil and GasUzakbay Karabalinsaid during a recent briefing at the Central Communication Service on Sept. 18 that Kazakhstan doesn’t have easily extracted oil...


Astana entrepreneurs gather for Spanish-themed Fryday W event

ASTANA – Astana’s young entrepreneurs learned about Spanish art when they gathered Sept. 18 at the Black Duck restaurant for the latest Fryday W event. The Fryday...


Spanish Film About Space is a Universe of Possibilities

25-year-old Spanish filmmaker Nicolas Alcala has made a crowd-sourced film that he is returning to the crowd not as a finished product, but as an ongoing collaboration....


Book Seeks to Trace Modern Civilisations’ Roots to Turkic Nomads

ASTANA – A recent book, coming from an unlikely historian, seeks to challenge the traditional historical concepts and shed a new light on the role the Turkic-speaking...


Genetics Used to Study Ethno-Genesis of Kazakhs

The Committee of Science of the Ministry of Education and Science of Kazakhstan recently held a training workshop for journalists on the subject “The Interdisciplinary Approach to...


Unified National Testing to be Replaced by Two Different Tests by 2015

ASTANA –Unified National Testing (UNT) was introduced to Kazakhstan’s educational system back in 2004. The test had served as a transition test from high school to university....


Caspian States Discuss Sea’s Legal Status

The thirty-third session of the ad hoc working group between the deputy foreign ministers of the Caspian states, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Iran, Russia and Turkmenistan held its two-day...


China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan Propose Silk Road Corridor for World Heritage Status

ASTANA – Kazakhstan, China and Kyrgyzstan submitted this year a transnational bid for UNESCO World Heritage status for a Silk Road corridor that spans the three countries....


Kazakhstan PM Discusses Economic Cooperation, EXPO 2017 During France Visit

Kazakhstan Prime Minister Serik Akhmetov met with International Exhibitions Bureau (BIE) Secretary General Vicente Lossertales in Paris on Sept. 19. Akhmetov also metwith French Prime MinisterJean-Marc AyraultandOrganization...


Kazakhstan Needs to Maximize Tourism Potential

Tourism is one of the fastest-growing sectors of the world economy. According to the World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), tourism generates an...


Rock Opera Tells Ancient Kazakh Tale

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s first rock opera, “Zheruiyk” (“Promised Land” in Kazakh), was performed recently to a packed house at the Palace of Peace and Accord in Astana...


Colourful Race Comes to Astana

ASTANA – On Sept. 22, the most adventurous and anticipated paint race will finally come to the capital. The so-called colour run (or yarkokross) has its origins...


Kazakhstan Wins First Asian Kokpar Championship

The Kazakhstan national kokpar team won the first Asian Championship held at the Kazanat racecourse in Astana from Sept. 10 to 15. Kokpar is an ancient equestrian...


Traffic Police, Patrol Guard Service Merger to Begin in November

Divisions of the traffic police and patrol guard service (PGS) will be merged as a part of the Universal Policeman project by November 2013. “Given the positive...


Roundtable Focuses on Central Asian Security Challenges

ASTANA – Repercussions for regional security in Central Asia following the withdrawal of US-led military forces from Afghanistan and the unresolved status of the Caspian Sea continue...