The Caucasus and Central Asia: The Road Ahead

Caucasus and Central Asia (CCA) countries are the crossroads between Asia and Europe, and have made a remarkable transition from centrally-planned to market economies over the past...


Country Celebrates International Children’s Day

ASTANA – International Children’s Day, a celebration in honour of children and their protection, was marked on June 1 in Kazakhstan. Falling on the first day of...


Customs Union States Strengthen Economic Integration, As Kyrgyzstan, Ukraine Seek Closer Ties

ASTANA – The creation of the Customs Union (CU), the Common Economic Space (CES) and the Eurasian Economic Union remains a priority and offers great potential to...


In Kazakhstan, Latvian President Remembers Tragic Past, Looks towards Economic Future

ASTANA – Relations between Kazakhstan and Latvia are marked by the development of close ties across numerous sectors and the June 2-4 visit to Kazakhstan by Latvian...


Kyoto Protocol Book Featured at Astana Economic Forum

ASTANA – The monograph “Low-carbon development: Kazakhstan, Russia, the EU and the U.S. position (1992-2013)” won first prize in the top-publication (book, monograph) category of the G-Global...


Communist People’s Party of Kazakhstan Elects New Leadership

ASTANA – Secretaries of the Central Committee of the Communist People’s Party of Kazakhstan (CPPK) Vladislav Kosarev and Tulesh Kenzhin, as well as chairman of the Central...


National Nature Park to be Established in Karaganda Region

ASTANA – On May 30, the 2030 Master Plan was discussed at the Akimat of the Karaganda region (the regional government of Karaganda) with the participation of...


EXPO 2017 and Green Economy Will Benefit International Development

November 22, 2012, has become a reference point for our country and the International Exhibitions Bureau (BIE). On this day, an overwhelming majority of BIE member countries...


Mazhilis Discusses Bill Restricting Use of Traumatic Weapons

ASTANA – On May 29, the Mazhilis of Kazakhstan’s Parliament discussed the legal aspects of the use and acquisition of traumatic weapons at a round table chaired...


New Almaty Museum Highlights Women in Country’s History

ALMATY – A museum dedicated to great women in Kazakhstan’s history opened May 29 at the Kazakh State Women Pedagogical University. The Aktymar History and Ethnography Museum...


Centuries-Old Sanskrit Inscription Discovered in Dolankara Mountains

SEMEY – On May 9, Semey scientists discovered a rock inscription dating back to the 17th century in the Dolankara Mountains (Tarbagatai ridge). The discovery is believed...


Kazakhstan Chooses Sochi Olympics Uniform Design

ASTANA – The designs of Aizhan Bokayeva and her brand Ayoko Bo were chosen on May 30 as the official uniforms for Kazakhstan athletes at the Sochi...


Malaysia Exhibition Showcases Best of Malaysian Services

ASTANA – The Malaysia Services Exhibition 2013 (MSE 2013), which showcased the best of this country’s services, launched on June 4 at the Korme exhibition complex. The...


Gov’t Continues Work on Innovation Technologies Park near Almaty

Kazakhstan President Nursultan Nazarbayev visited the Special Economic Zone Park, known as the Park of Innovation Technologies, near Almaty and got acquainted and with the production processes...


Kazakhstan Celebrates Day of National Symbols

ASTANA – On June 4, the “Our Flag! Our Emblem! Our Anthem!” campaign to celebrate the Day of State Symbols of Kazakhstan took place across the country...


Energy of the Future Needs Nanotechnological Breakthroughs, Cambridge Expert Says

The Astana Times spoke with Siddhart Saxena, chairperson of the Cambridge Central Asia Forum, Director of Cambridge-Kazakhstan Centre and Honorary Secretary of the Committee for Central and...


Kazakhtelecom to Focus on Fixed Mobile Convergence Services

ASTANA – Fixed mobile convergence services will be a major priority for JSC Kazakhtelecom across Kazakhstan beginning this September while by next year all rural areas in...


Selection of Elite Government Managers Corps Continues

ASTANA – In accordance with Kazakhstan President Nursultan Nazarbayev’s state-of-the-nation address Strategy Kazakhstan 2050, a new class of professional managers will be formed to implement certain state...


Astana Invest 2013 Draws Investment, Enhances Astana’s Brand

ASTANA – On May 24, the fourth international investment forum Astana Invest 2013 took place within the framework of the Sixth Astana Economic Forum (AEF) at the...


ITIC Strengthens Participation in Eurasia Integration Process

ASTANA – On 23 May, the International Tax and Investment Center (ITIC) and the Advisory Committee on Tax Policy and Administration of the Eurasia Economic Commission (EEC)...


Fighting Global Unemployment Requires Cooperation

ASTANA – The problem of global unemployment became one of the key topics of discussion at the recent Sixth Astana Economic Forum (AEF). The situation in the...


EU Commission President Barroso Begins First Official Visit to Astana

ASTANA, June 2 – On June 1, President of the European Commission Jose Manuel Barroso arrived in Kazakhstan on his first official visit meant to advance both...


Shanghai Shares Expo Experience with Kazakhstan

SHANGHAI – On May 17, at the invitation of the International Exhibitions Bureau (BIE), a Kazakhstan delegation headed by Commissioner of EXPO 2017 and Executive Secretary of...


Kazakhstan Continues Transit Cooperation to Stabilize Afghanistan

ASTANA – Despite the widespread international apprehension regarding Afghanistan’s future once the majority of foreign military forces leave next year, the leadership in Kazakhstan believes that with...


National Track and Field Athletes Get Ready for New Season

ASTANA – The national track and field team of Kazakhstan took part in the first international competitions in a new season. In his interview to The Astana...


German Writer Has Tough, Yet Wise Words of Love for Kazakhstan’s Tourist Future

ASTANA – Dagmar Schreiber, a native of Germany, arrived in Kazakhstan for the first time in the early 1990s, fell in love with the country at first...


Vienna Festival Celebrates Kazakhstan’s Culture

The opening of the Days of Culture of Kazakhstan in Vienna, Austria, one of the first European countries to recognise Kazakhstan’s independence, took place on May 20th....


Harnessing Wanderlust to Promote Kazakhstan, EXPO 2017

ASTANA – Dmitry Petrukhin, Kazakhstan’s modern nomad and head of the Geographical Society of Kazakhstan, has ridden his bike across the world. Now he is going to...


Understanding Kazakhstan’s Resources Is Key to Development

The economic development of many nations has hinged on their geology. Mineral resources often determine the course of history and shape the political map of the world,...


AEF Seeks to Answer Global Economic Challenges Through Constructive Dialogue

The main objective of the World Anti-Crisis Conference was to develop proposals for all areas of UN’s anti-crisis plan. This document is intended to offer the world...