Articles by Nagima Abuova

ASTANA — Kazakhstan’s passenger air traffic rose 5.8% in the first 11 months of 2025 as airlines expanded fleets, airports increased capacity, and Open Skies liberalization intensified competition, said Adlet Kobenov, the head of the International Air Transport Regulation Department at the Civil Aviation Committee, in an interview with Kazinform. Over the first 11 months…

ASTANA — Artificial Intelligence (AI) is predicted to raise productivity for approximately 70% of Kazakhstan’s workforce, transforming up to 53% of job functions, said Minister of Science and Higher Education Sayasat Nurbek at a government meeting on Jan. 6. Experts say that AI’s main impact will be the redistribution of tasks rather than mass job…

ASTANA —  Five years after the establishment of the Kazakhstan Agency of International Development (KazAID), the country has shifted from ad hoc humanitarian assistance toward a structured system of official development assistance (ODA) aligned with international standards, said KazAID chairman Arken Arystanov in an interview with The Astana Times. Since its creation in 2020, Kazakhstan…

ASTANA — Kazakhstan has allocated 13.3 billion tenge (US$26.16 million) to prepare its national teams for the 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Italy, said Kazakh Minister of Tourism and Sports Yerbol Myrzabosynov at a government meeting on Dec. 30, 2025. The funding is aimed at ensuring full readiness of athletes, coaches, and support systems ahead…

ASTANA — Kazakhstan is projected to maintain economic growth in 2026, but at a slower and more balanced pace amid inflationary pressure and tighter financial conditions. According to experts, the country is entering a phase where efficiency and investment quality will matter more than rapid expansion. “I am sure that Kazakhstan will gradually move away…

ASTANA — From global pop concerts and major film productions to historical anniversaries and new cultural institutions, 2025 saw Kazakhstan’s cultural life unfold across stages, screens, museums and public spaces. The year featured a wide range of international and local events, reflecting how culture was expressed through mass entertainment, heritage-focused projects and emerging creative formats.…

ASTANA — Kazakhstan has created its first DNA bank for the national dog breeds Tazy and Tobet, following several years of nationwide genetic research aimed at preserving their unique heritage and preventing genetic loss. The project combines science, culture, and conservation as the country prepares for broader international recognition of its indigenous breeds. For centuries,…

ROME — A Georgian company plans to launch ferry services between Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan starting in 2026, with the first vessels operating across the Caspian Sea between the ports of Kuryk and Alat. The project is expected to boost cargo turnover and strengthen regional maritime connectivity, reported Kazinform on Dec.23. “Starting next year, together with…

ASTANA — In eastern Kazakhstan, 15-year-old Aizere Markskyzy is continuing a centuries-old tradition of falconry, working with golden eagles and Kazakh tazy dogs as part of her family’s heritage. Raised in a lineage of hunters, she is already competing, training animals and planning how to preserve national hunting arts for future generations. She lives in…

ASTANA — A family in the Kerbulak district of Kazakhstan’s Zhetisu Region has spent decades preserving and developing the tazy, an ancient Kazakh sighthound prized for its speed and hunting ability. Their long-running work comes at a time when national efforts are growing to restore the dog’s historical status and protect its genetic line. The…

ASTANA — Kazakhstan’s winter tourism season is gaining momentum as travelers seek alpine landscapes, accessible slopes and quieter alternatives to crowded resorts abroad. From the Tien Shan to the Altai and northern regions, the country offers a wide range of skiing options for every level and travel style. Shymbulak: the country’s flagship resort Almaty remains…

ASTANA — Central Asian founders are gaining significant traction in the United States, where more than 350 regional startups now operate through the Silkroad Innovation Hub in Silicon Valley, said the hub’s founder Asset Abdualiyev in an interview with Digital Business on Nov. 26. He discussed market dynamics, investment trends and the expanding presence of…

ASTANA – International youth voices brought fresh urgency to a Nov. 27 roundtable in Vienna on the humanitarian consequences of nuclear testing, underscoring the lived legacy of Semipalatinsk and the need for inclusive disarmament. They joined community leaders, researchers and practitioners to examine what the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) can deliver…

ASTANA — Community leaders, researchers and practitioners gathered for a roundtable on the humanitarian consequences of nuclear testing in Vienna on Nov. 27, examining what the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) can deliver today and what steps are required to secure justice for affected communities.  The event, hosted by Dialogbüro Vienna, Steppe…

ASTANA — The final session of the FELICITY II energy consultant training program recently convened engineers, architects and policymakers in Astana to build expertise in reducing energy use in buildings. The program supports sustainable urban infrastructure development in Eastern Europe and Central Asia and helps cities reduce greenhouse gas emissions.  It provides technical and analytical…

ASTANA — Kazakhstan marks the 90th anniversary of poet Zhumeken Nazhimedenov on Nov. 28, honoring the writer whose verse shaped generations and whose lyrics formed the foundation of the national anthem. Commemorations across the country and enduring memoirs from his family reflect why his life, character and creativity continue to resonate four decades after his…

ASTANA — Theaters often carry history across generations, and for Koreans living in Kazakhstan, that story has been living onstage since the 2022 premiere of “Life – History of Unity.” As the production tours the country this year for the 30th anniversary of the Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan (APK), its creators spoke to…

ASTANA — Uzbekistan’s manufacturing output has doubled to nearly $60 billion as the sector shifts from raw materials to finished goods. According to experts, this growth opens the door to closer cooperation with Kazakhstan. It also underscores the urgency to deepen industrial cooperation and joint production to advance diversification and create higher-quality jobs, Halyk Finance…

ROME — Kazakhstan presented its second national trade-facilitation report on Nov. 11, outlining reforms for 2023-2025 to digitize foreign trade and modernize the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR), also known as the Middle Corridor. The report, prepared by the Ministry of Trade and Integration and QazTrade, details the country’s progress in digitalization, customs automation and…

ASTANA — Kazakhstan’s delegation concluded its participation in the 43rd session of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) General Conference on Oct. 30 – Nov. 13 in Samarkand, advancing initiatives on AI ethics, cultural diplomacy and national commissions.  The session gathered more than 4,500 representatives from nearly 180 member states, making it…

ASTANA — The eighth Polish Film Festival Wisła is lighting up Astana with powerful stories and artistry, offering Kazakh audiences a closer look at contemporary Polish cinema on Nov. 2-5. The festival aims to foster dialogue and cultural understanding, and has long served as a bridge between Poland and Central Asia, said Małgorzata Ślagowska, a…

ASTANA — Kazakhstan signed 49 new investment agreements worth $7.5 billion at the eighth Kazakhstan Global Investment Roundtable (KGIR) on Oct. 31 in Astana. The forum gathered more than 1,000 participants from over 50 countries, including senior executives from international and domestic companies across the energy, agriculture, finance, pharmaceuticals, and consulting sectors. Thirteen commercial agreements…

ASTANA — Young generation from Central Asia should no longer wait for change but lead it, said youth delegates from Central Asia, reflecting on their participation in the 14th UNESCO Youth Forum on Oct. 27-28 in Samarkand ahead of the 43rd session of the UNESCO General Conference. “Participating in the UNESCO Youth Forum has been…

ASTANA — Kazakhstan has become an indispensable part of Europe’s energy security, said Kazakh Minister of Energy Yerlan Akkenzhenov in an interview with The Astana Times, marking a decade of transformation from commercial ties to a strategic alliance built on trust and shared priorities. In December 2015, Kazakhstan and the European Union (EU) signed the…

ASTANA — Kazakhstan should strengthen international marketing to attract more foreign tourists, said acting chairman of Kazakh Tourism Daniyel Serzhanuly in an interview with Jibek Joly TV. He emphasized the need for targeted campaigns to draw higher-spending travelers. “We have been tasked to revise Kazakh Tourism’s work through stronger international marketing. To make tourism in…