Articles by Aiman Turebekova

Presidential Elections in Kazakhstan: The Thoughts and Hopes of People Living Abroad

Kazakhstan’s presidential election caused a stir not only among citizens living currently in the country but also among Kazakhs living far from their native land.  Overall, 11,950,485 people are eligible to vote in Kazakhstan. There were 68 polling stations in 53 countries, where citizens traveling or residing abroad were able to cast their votes. The…

CSTO Illustrates Its Efficiency in Case of Kazakhstan

Many scholars focusing on the effectiveness of international organizations provide evidence on stagnation and decline of the power of international institutions. According to American political scientist Kenneth Waltz’s neo-realist balance-of-power theory, creation, alternation and collapse of the organization is “an epiphenomenon of shifts in the relative capabilities of great powers” as Professor of European Politics…

EXCLUSIVE: UNIDO will support EXPO 2017 legacy projects, its chief says

ASTANA – It may be argued that industrialization is one of the most important events in the history of humanity. Due to this process, relatively more goods were produced in relatively less time. Average real incomes rose dramatically. Thus, more time was left for education, innovation and recreation. The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO)…

Kazakh President praises EXPO 2017 preparations

ASTANA – Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarvayev praised preparations for EXPO 2017 during an April 21 visit to the Expo site. “Official opening of the exhibition will take place on June 9. The readiness of EXPO 2017 is at a final stage. The excellent holding of the exhibition will demonstrate to the world the community achievements…

Britain to officially unveil its EXPO 2017 pavilion June 26

ASTANA – Britain will unveil its EXPO 2017 pavilion June 26 in Astana as part of the United Kingdom’s National Day, officials announced recently at the presentation of the pavilion at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in London. Ambassador of Kazakhstan to the United Kingdom Erlan Idrissov, Minister of State for Trade and Investment Greg Hands,…

Kazakh President says both economic development, political reforms progressing

ASTANA – Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev addressed the duration of his presidential term and other questions during a March 16 meeting with national print and television journalists. Nazarbayev cited former Prime Minister of the UK Margaret Thatcher’s famous quote: “I will stay until I am tired of it. So long as Britain needs me, I…

At UNSC, Kazakh diplomats call for unimpeded food delivery to South Sudan

ASTANA – A Kazakh delegation to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) called for unimpeded access for humanitarian organisations to deliver food to South Sudan and offered recommendations to improve the UN peacekeeping mission there during a Feb. 23 regular UNSC session on the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS). Council members were briefed on…

IRENA to Participate in EXPO 2017

ASTANA – The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) officially confirmed its participation in EXPO 2017 during the recent meeting of  IRENA Director General Adnan Amin and EXPO 2017 Commissioner Rapil Zhoshybayev in Abu Dhabi. The sides reviewed Kazakhstan’s current and potential cooperation with IRENA, including the agency’s participation in the expo and the joint promotion…

Public Safety Has Steadily Improved since Independence, Says Prosecutor General

ASTANA – Public safety has steadily improved since independence, Prosecutor General Zhakip Asanov told a Dec. 9 roundtable of the Commission on Human Rights under the President of Kazakhstan. Murders have decreased three and a half times, violent crime three times and robberies five times since independence, he said. The nation’s prison population has also…

Pacific Alliance Countries to Present Joint Pavilion at EXPO 2017

ASTANA – The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Chile recently confirmed that the Pacific Alliance will participate in EXPO 2017. Chile, Peru, Colombia and Mexico will open a joint pavilion, bringing the tally of participating countries to 111. The theme of the expo is “Future Energy” and the Pacific Alliance is exploring the possibility of…

Integrating Kazakhstan’s Nurly Zhol, China’s Silk Road Economic Belt Will Benefit All, Officials Say

ASTANA – Kazakh Foreign Minister Erlan Idrissov and Minister of Investment and Development Zhenis Kassymbek briefed the country’s diplomatic corps Nov. 30 on common points of Kazakhstan’s Nurly Zhol economic policy and China’s Silk Road Economic Belt initiative. Air Astana President Peter Foster, high officials from the Ministry of National Economy, KazAvtoZhol and Kazakhstan Temir…

FM Idrissov Visits Kabul, Dushanbe, Gathers Concerns to Present on UNSC

ASTANA – The Kazakh Foreign Affairs Ministry continues to prepare a programme of its work as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council in 2017-2018. Along with issues of nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation, the fight against terrorism and extremism, and the promotion of peacemaking and peace-building, among the country’s priorities will be security and development…

Serbian PM Visits Astana, Brings Along 90 Companies

ASTANA – Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vučić and Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev discussed in Astana Nov. 15 bilateral agreements reached during Nazarbayev’s visit to Serbia in August. Nazarbayev noted that Serbia is an important European business partner and there’s potential to increase economic relations. “There are 24 Serbian companies registered in Kazakhstan, only 15 of…

Czech FM Visits Kazakhstan, Promotes Business, Political Ties

ASTANA – Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev and Czech Republic Foreign Minister Lubomir Zaoralek discussed Nov. 21 at the Akorda Presidential Residence bilateral cooperation and agreements. Nazarbayev noted the friendly relations with the Czech Republic and Czech President Milos Zeman’s 2014 visit. He also pointed out the two countries’ similar paths to independence. “A painless process…

APCO Worldwide to be Responsible for American EXPO 2017 Pavilion

ASTANA – The U.S. State Department officially announced APCO Worldwide as its EXPO 2017 partner to design and manage the American pavilion “The Source of Infinite Energy.” At a Nov. 10 event held at the Kazakh embassy in Washington, DC, Company founder and executive chairperson Margery Kraus said her team and partnering organisations are humbled…

Nazarbayev’s Visit to Hiroshima Highlights Joint Striving for Nuclear Disarmament

HIROSHIMA – Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev has been awarded the title of special honorary citizen of Hiroshima. Nazarbayev, who visited the city as part of his visit to Japan on Nov. 9, thanked the Hiroshima authorities and public for granting him this title and highlighted that it is a sign of solidarity between Kazakhstan and…

Nazarbayev Addresses Japanese Parliament, Says Effective Interaction and Confidence Key to Convergence of Asia

TOKYO – The second day of Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev’s official visit to Japan on Nov. 8 was significant and symbolic due to his statement before the nation’s Parliament, where he spoke about international security measures taken by his country and noted the importance of joint efforts aimed at building a world free of nuclear…

American Diplomats Visit EXPO 2017 Site

ASTANA – On Oct.25, an official U.S. delegation led by Thomas Shannon, Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, visited the EXPO site and met with Chairman of Astana EXPO 2017 National Company Akhmetzhan Yessimov, reported the press office of the Astana EXPO 2017 national company. “This is my first official meeting, and I think it…

Kazakhstan, UNICEF Sign 2016-2020 Plan to Help Nation’s Children

ASTANA – The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and Kazakh Foreign Ministry recently signed a cooperation plan for 2016-2020 to improve the welfare of children in Kazakhstan. The plan will help implement the Kazakhstan 2050 Strategy and achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the Convention on the Rights of the Child provisions. “This is a…

Air Astana Becomes Winter Universiade 2017 Sponsor and Partner

ASTANA – Air Astana became an official sponsor and general partner of Winter Universiade 2017 on Oct.12. “We are inspired with this opportunity to be helpful in the organisation of the Winter Universiade,” emphasised Peter Foster, Air Astana president after signing a partnership agreement with the games’ organising directorate. The agreement requires Air Astana to…

Slovakia Confirms Participation in EXPO 2017

ASTANA – The Slovak Republic recently became the 104th country to confirm it will participate in EXPO 2017. National Commissioner Rapil Zhoshybayev received an official letter from Prime Minister of Slovakia Robert Fico at the Slovak embassy in Astana. In November 2010, the Slovak government adopted a National Action Plan on energy produced from renewable…

JICA to Assist Kazakhstan Establish ODA Practices, says JICA’s Regional General Director

ASTANA – In October 2014, Kazakhstan and UNDP launched a project to develop the national institute of Official Development Assistance (ODA) in the country to systematise assistance provided to other countries and to align it with the priorities of the country’s foreign policy. The nation has already provided humanitarian and development assistance to countries in…

CARICOM Countries to Participate in EXPO 2017

ASTANA – Antigua and Barbuda, Belize, the Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, St. Kitts and Nevis, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, St. Lucia and Suriname have decided to participate in EXPO 2017 in Astana, it was announced in New York on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. At the General Assembly, EXPO 2017 Commissioner…

Kazakh Officer Appointed Commander at MINURSO

ASTANA – Kazakh Lieutenant Colonel Askar Kozhagaliev has been appointed a commander of the UN Mission in Western Sahara (MINURSO), reported the press office of Ministry of Defence of Kazakhstan. Kazhagaliev was appointed the commander of the UN military base in Ausard camp with an area of responsibility of 43,000 square kilometres located on the…

Gennady Golovkin, Mike Tyson Expected to Visit EXPO 2017

ASTANA – Gennady Golovkin and Mike Tyson are expected to come to Astana for a professional boxing event and WBC Convention during the international exhibition EXPO 2017. The Astana EXPO 2017 National Company, the Akimat (city administration) of Astana, Kazakhstan’s Boxing Federation and World Boxing Council and Diamond Ring Promotions signed Sept. 16 a memorandum of…