Articles by Aibarshyn Akhmetkali

Global Religious Leaders Convene in Astana to Discuss Conflict Resolution

ASTANA – World’s religious leaders came together for the 22nd meeting of the Secretariat of the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions in Astana on Oct. 8 to discuss ways to tackle conflict, bridge differences, and to advance the congress’s mission. The theme of peaceful conflict resolution was a focal point for many…

Int’l Observers Assess Kazakhstan’s Nuclear Plant Referendum as Transparent and Lawful

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s referendum on the construction of a nuclear power plant (NPP) was transparent and in accordance with the national laws and internationally accepted electoral standards, said international observers during press briefings on Oct. 7. The country voted on Oct. 6 to decide on the construction of NPP in Kazakhstan, with 71.12% of voters…

Kazakhstan Presents Its Human Rights Implementation Policy at UN

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s policy in the field of human rights was presented at the United Nations (UN) office in Geneva on Oct. 2, reported the Kazakh Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Permanent Mission of Kazakhstan, together with the diplomatic missions of the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, along with the Office of the UN…

Kazakhstan Celebrates Teachers’ Day

ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev congratulated teachers on their professional holiday, expressing gratitude for their significant role in shaping society by educating the younger generation on Oct. 5. “We must honor teachers who play an important role in our society. Because by teaching children you lay the foundation of the future of our state and…

Astana Opera Premieres Vivaldi’s ‘Orlando Furioso’ Opera

ASTANA – Astana Opera premiered “Orlando Furioso” (Furious Orlando) by great Italian composer Antonio Vivaldi on Oct. 4. On the stage of the Chamber Hall named after Kulyash Baiseitova, Vivaldi fans and baroque-opera lovers could fully immerse themselves into the tale of lovers, dark magic and madness. Based on Ludovico Ariosto’s epic poem, the “Orlando…

Kazakhstan Hosts First Regional Presentation of Global Innovation Index, Highlights Region’s Innovation Potential

ASTANA – Kazakhstan hosted the first regional presentation of the Global Innovation Index (GII) 2024 results for Asian countries on Oct 1, highlighting the Central Asian region’s potential in innovation and high-tech development.  The index, compiled by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), analyzes innovation activity in 133 economies around the world, assessing their strengths…

Kazakhstan Surpasses Global Average in Economic Gender Equality Metrics, Says World Bank

ASTANA – Kazakhstan outperforms the global average in legal and supportive frameworks and expert opinion criteria on enabling women’s economic opportunity in the World Bank’s Women, Business and the Law (WBL) 2.0 report, which was presented to local policymakers and government representatives on Oct. 1 in Astana. In its annual report, the World Bank analyzes…

Kazakhstan Reports Progress on UN Resolution on Women, Security, and Peace to Diplomatic Corps

ASTANA – The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan in cooperation with the Ministry of Culture and Information presented updates on the implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1325 regarding women, peace, and security to the diplomatic corps in Astana on Oct. 1. Representatives from the Ministry of Culture and Information, the Ministry…

Kazakh Playwright Brings Mankurt Legend to French Stage

ASTANA – Kazakh playwright Inkar Karimova has brought the ancient legend of the mankurt, a memory-deprived slave, to a French audience. The play “Mankurt” debuted at the Théâtre de l’Ouvre-Boîte in Aix-en-Provence, France, on Sept. 13-14, and was subsequently staged at Marseille’s Théâtre des Chartreux on Sept. 20-22. Karimova, a graduate student at Aix-Marseille University…

Kazakhstan Celebrates 380 Years of Revered Judge Aiteke Bi, Honors Lasting Impact on Kazakh Legal Tradition

ASTANA—Kazakhstan celebrates 380 years of a revered Kazakh judge and a master of the word, Aiteke Bi (bi—noble judge). His legal norms introduced to the Kazakh code of law played a crucial role in uniting the nomadic Kazakhs and putting an end to years of bloodshed. Aiteke Bi was the chief bi of the small…

Kazakhstan to Expand Oil Exports with New Routes and Investments

ASTANA – Kazakhstan plans to increase oil production to 100 million tons per year, or around 730 million barrels by 2030, said Kazakh Minister of Energy Almassadam Satkaliyev at the 29th Kazakhstan International Oil & Gas Exhibition and Conference (KIOGE) on Sept. 25 in Almaty, reported the ministry’s press service. Satkaliyev noted that Kazakhstan is…

Kazakhstan’s Golovkin Appointed Chair of New Olympic Commission by World Boxing

ASTANA – Gennadiy Golovkin, the president of Kazakhstan’s National Olympic Committee, 2004 Olympic silver medallist and two-time middleweight world champion, has been appointed chair of a new Olympic Commission by World Boxing, reported its press service on Sept. 26. As chair of the new commission, Golovkin will work closely with World Boxing’s leadership to manage…

Kendirli: New Resort Town Planned for Mangystau Region

ASTANA – Key infrastructure projects are to be implemented to develop a new resort town, Kendirli, in the Mangystau Region, as reported by the Prime Minister’s press service on Sept. 25. During his working visit to the Mangystau Region, Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov examined the region’s tourism potential. One of the new attractions in the…

ADB Projects Kazakhstan’s Economy to Slow Down in 2024 and Accelerate in 2025

ASTANA – Kazakhstan is predicted to experience 3.6% growth of gross domestic product (GDP) this year, slightly lower than the Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) previous forecast of 3.8% in April 2024, according to the September edition of ADB’s flagship publication, the Asian Development Outlook (ADO). In 2025, Kazakhstan’s economic growth is expected to accelerate to…

Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan Submit State Border Demarcation Treaty to UN Secretariat

ASTANA — The Kazakh Foreign Ministry reported that Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan submitted the treaty on the demarcation of their state border to the United Nations (UN) Secretariat on Sept. 25, in accordance with Article 102 of the UN Charter. The treaty was signed in 2022 by Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev…

Organization of Turkic States Informal Meeting in New York Highlights Achievements

ASTANA  –  Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Murat Nurtleu discussed the achievements of Kazakhstan’s 2023-2024 chairmanship of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) during an informal meeting of OTS foreign ministers on the margins of the 79th United Nations General Assembly in New York on Sept. 25, reported the ministry’s press service. In…

Ultimate Nomadic Superfood: Mare’s Milk That Covers All Nutritional Bases

ASTANA – From fresh milk to its fermented state and finally as a sublimated powder, scientists reveal why mare’s milk should be on everyone’s plate, as they addressed the scientific conference on Sept. 11 in Astana as part of the fifth World Nomad Games. Mare’s milk – food with a long history Horses have long…

Historic Manuscript on Kazakhstan’s White Horde Period Unearthed in France

ASTANA – The copy of a valuable manuscript related to the history of Kazakhstan found in France was published by the National Center of Manuscripts and Rare Books, reported the Kazakh Ministry of Culture and Information on Sept. 18. “Selected Chronicles” is a historical work by Mu’in ad Din Natanzi, written in Shiraz in 1413…

Kazakh Film “Aikai” Wins Best Screenplay at International Film Festival in Spain

ASTANA – The Kazakh film “Aikai” (Scream) won the Best Screenplay award at the ImagineIndia International Film Festival, held in Spain from Sept. 1-16, reported Kazinform news agency. The film triumphed over 70 other entries in the festival’s competition. Directed by Kenzhebek Shaikakov, “Aikai” tells the story of the victims of the Semipalatinsk nuclear test…

Two Amur Tigers to Arrive in Kazakhstan in Population Revival Efforts

ASTANA – Two Amur tigers from the Netherlands will be brought to Kazakhstan by the end of September to revive the local population, said Kazakh Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources Yerlan Nysanbayev at the plenary session of the Mazhilis, the lower house of Parliament on Sept. 18. The Kazakh government is implementing a project…

Kazakhstan and Georgia to Boost Cooperation Along Middle Corridor

ASTANA — Kazakhstan and Georgia agreed to strengthen cooperation in developing the Trans-Caspian International Transportation Route (TITR) during the meeting of Kazakh Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov and Georgian First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development Levan Davitashvili on Sept. 19 in Astana. According to the Prime Minister’s press service, both countries’…

Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank to Support Kazakhstan’s Sustainable Infrastructure Projects

ASTANA — The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) affirmed its commitment to expanding and strengthening cooperation with Kazakhstan to promote sustainable infrastructure development during a meeting with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Economy of Kazakhstan Nurlan Baibazarov on Sept.19 in Astana, reported the Prime Minister’s press service.   Baibazarov, who also serves as AIIB…

Kazakhstan Recovers $548 Million in Misappropriated Assets

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s Prosecutor General Berik Assylov reported the recovery of assets totaling 262 billion tenge (US$548 million), including $205 million from abroad, during his presentation to President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on Sept. 19, reported Akorda. Property and shares in enterprises worth 82 billion tenge (US$171 million) were transferred to the asset management company. Agreements for…

Almaty Schools Launch Green Project to Promote Environmental Awareness

ASTANA — Almaty launched the Green School environmental project among educational institutions. The project aims to raise schoolchildren’s environmental awareness and popularize the separate collection of solid domestic waste. It will run from Sept. 19 to Dec. 10. The Green School project has developed a special rating system that will evaluate schools monthly according to…

Kazakhstan’s Peace Initiatives Celebrated on International Peace Day

ASTANA – International Peace Day is celebrated annually on Sept. 21. The Astana Times spoke with political analysts to reflect on Kazakhstan’s peace initiatives and diplomatic efforts in peacemaking over the years ahead of the participation of Kazakhstan’s delegation at the United Nations General Assembly. Kazakhstan’s international diplomatic efforts in peacekeeping  Political analyst Erik Batyrkhanov…