Articles by Aida Haidar

ASTANA – Kazakh economy has demonstrated high adaptability despite unprecedentedly high inflation rates worldwide, increase in interest rates, and disruptions in global demand and supply chains, said Minister of National Economy Alibek Kuantyrov during a press briefing with foreign media at the Central Communication Services on March 17 in Astana. “We managed to maintain positive…

ASTANA — Kazakhstan is committed to developing nature-based solutions to deal with the challenges of the receding Aral Sea and the Caspian Sea, said Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources, Zulfiya Suleimenova, during a press briefing with foreign media at the Central Communication Services on March 17. Addressing a question about the Aral Sea, she…

ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev emphasized the significant potential of the West Kazakhstan Region and its important role in the nation’s development during his working visit to the region on March 9, Akorda press service reported.  The region showcases its industrial development The West Kazakhstan Region has an abundance of natural resources, including oil and…

ASTANA – A five-year nurturing of an environmentally friendly lifestyle led Saniya Arinova, 31, to start her own company providing eco-friendly hygiene products to women, caring not only for the environment and minimizing waste but also for female reproductive health. Arinova spoke about her product, challenges, and rewards of creating an eco-business in Kazakhstan in…

ASTANA – Representatives of seven political parties debated live on Qazaqstan TV on March 1, offering their vision for the country’s future as election day for the Mazhilis, the lower house of Parliament, approaches.  Participants included Berik Dyusembinov, deputy chair of the Aq Jol Democratic party, Yelnur Beisenbayev, executive secretary of the Amanat party, Zhiguli…

ASTANA – The United States reaffirms its unwavering support for Kazakhstan to determine its future freely, and strongly endorses the reform agenda announced by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev last March, U.S. Secretary Antony J. Blinken said during a Feb. 28 press briefing following his first official visit to Kazakhstan. Blinken asserted the U.S. looks forward to…

ASTANA – The visit of United States Secretary Antony J. Blinken to Kazakhstan is extremely important in terms of giving additional impetus to the strategic cooperation, said Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev during the meeting with the U.S. Secretary Blinken on Feb. 28, reported Akorda press service.   Kazakhstan and the US have “a very good and…

ASTANA – United States (US) Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken arrived on his first official visit to Kazakhstan on Feb. 28, reported the U.S. Department of State.  During his two-day visit, Blinken will meet with Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Deputy Prime Minister-Foreign Minister Mukhtar Tileuberdi to deepen bilateral cooperation.  The agenda of the…

ASTANA – Kazakh families maintain traditional gender roles in the family, there is prevalence of civil partnerships over official marriages, and parents have less time to spend with their children, according to the Kazakhstan’s Families 2022 national report, issued on Feb. 1.  The Kazakhstan Institute of Social Development conducted a sociological study and a mass…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan is a key business partner for the Czech Republic in Central Asia, Rudolf Hykl, the Czech Ambassador in Astana, said in an exclusive interview for this story as he shared details of more business missions and official engagements planned for 2023 to expand bilateral ties.  In turn, the Czech Republic is Kazakhstan’s…

ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev reaffirmed Kazakhstan’s position on the necessity of a diplomatic solution to the Russia-Ukraine conflict based on the United Nations Charter and universally accepted international law principles during a Feb. 16 telephone conversation with President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the Akorda press service reported.  During a phone discussion initiated by the…

ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev visited the Akmola Region on Feb. 14 to review its agricultural, medical, and educational facilities, the Akorda press service reported.  Agriculture and machine industry in Kokshetau Tokayev visited the Kazakhstan Agro-Innovative Corporation in Kokshetau, which produces up to 3,000 units of agricultural machinery per year and employs 300 people. Over…

ASTANA – The role of parliamentary diplomacy has grown amidst a tense geopolitical situation and global economic instability, said Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev in his address to the participants of the Inter-Parliamentary Forum of Central Asian States, delivered by Kazakhstan’s Senate Chairman Maulen Ashimbayev on Feb. 10, as reported by the Kazakh Senate’s press service.…

The world was shocked by the catastrophic earthquake in southern Türkiye and Syria. The earthquake, with a magnitude surpassing 7.5 points, claimed the lives of more than 20,000 people. According to the latest United Nation estimates, the depth of the tragedy is still unclear. The rescue operation continues, but there is less and less hope…

ASTANA – The United States recognizes the importance of Central Asia in its foreign strategy when dealing with issues spanning from terrorism, energy security to climate change, said Coordinator for Strategic Communications at the US National Security Council John Kirby during a Feb. 8 press briefing in Washington, reported Kazinform.  Answering the question about changes…

ASTANA – The tragedy could have been considerably worse if law enforcement had not followed the set of actions mandated by the law, said Minister of Internal Affairs Marat Akhmetzhanov at a Jan. 5 Mazhilis meeting on the results of an ongoing investigation into the January events. “The weapons were used in strict compliance with…

ASTANA – The book “The Eagle Huntress: The True Story of the Girl Who Soared Beyond Expectations” was presented at the first Central Asian Media Forum on Dec. 21.  Millions of people worldwide were taken aback when they first saw a striking photograph of a 13-year-old girl with a strong and majestic eagle on her…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan has taken a number of progressive measures to combat gender inequality over the years of independence, thanks to the joint efforts of the state and civil society, an essential part of which has been the media, said Aida Balayeva, Deputy Head of the Kazakh President’s Administration, at the session dedicated to the…

ASTANA – Canada’s Maple Bear franchise is set to open its first kindergarten in Central Asia in January next year in the Kazakh capital. It will deliver a globally acclaimed early childhood curriculum for children aged four to six, said the Principal of Maple Bear Astana, Dr. Cem Hur, during the school presentation on Dec.…

ASTANA – Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and French President Emmanuel Macron underlined their mutual willingness to contribute to the strengthening of peace, security and stability at the global and regional levels in a joint statement published on Nov. 30, the Akorda press service reported.  They emphasized their steadfast adherence to international law and the core…

ASTANA – De-globalization and regionalization go hand in hand with the deepening of global relations, said Director of the Institute of World Economics and Politics Yerzhan Saltybayev during the seventh meeting of the Astana Club in Paris dedicated to the theme of Greater Eurasia: Building Dialogue in the Age of Uncertainty.  “The trend towards globalization…

ASTANA – Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister – Foreign Minister Mukhtar Tileuberdi had a phone conversation on Nov. 26 with the United States Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken upon the initiative of the U.S. side, reported the ministry’s press service on Nov. 29.  The sides discussed bilateral and multilateral collaboration between Kazakhstan and the US…

ASTANA – The United States and Kazakhstan are interested in regional stability and peaceful development as nothing is possible without them, said U.S. Ambassador to Kazakhstan Daniel Nathan Rosenblum during a meeting with Kazakh media representatives on Nov. 25. According to Rosenblum, the US believes a newly re-elected President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev will put…

ASTANA – Foreign observers noted the outstanding level of organization of the Kazakh presidential election and praised the country’s reforms during a press briefing at the Center for Assistance to International Observers on Nov. 20.  Secretary-General – Head of Secretariat of the Council of the Interparliamentary Assembly of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) Dmitry…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan pursues a foreign policy that aims to preserve national interests while promoting peace, trust, and cooperation, said Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev during a Nov. 16 meeting with the public of Almaty, reported Akorda press service. Tokayev reaffirmed that Kazakhstan’s foreign policy aims to strengthen the nation’s security, attract investments, develop transportation and…

Editor’s note: As Kazakhstan heads to the presidential elections on Nov. 20, The Astana Times will contribute a series of articles in the format of reviews and interviews providing an outlook into the electoral programs of each of the candidates.   ASTANA – Meiram Kazhyken, 61, is among six candidates running for the presidency in the…

ASTANA – Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev set forward the task of making the Atyrau Region the country’s leading center for the deep processing of oil and gas, stressing the importance of the region’s economic diversification, at a Nov. 8 meeting with the region’s public, reported the Akorda press service. Tokayev’s visit to the Atyrau Region…

ASTANA – Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev emphasized the need to rationally leverage the Mangystau Region’s advantageous geographical location to turn it into a worldwide transportation and transit center during his Nov. 7 meeting with the region’s public, reported the presidential press service.  “The port city of Aktau is rightfully known as Kazakhstan’s sea gate. The…

ASTANA – The SANTO company, a leader in Kazakhstan’s pharmaceutical market, revealed plans for its research&development (R&D) hub, the company’s scientific laboratory and the plant, which manufactures a diverse range of medicines up to par with European standards of quality, the company’s press service reported on Nov. 2.  According to SANTO Director of Research and…

ASTANA –  Germany will open the Hydrogen Diplomacy Office in Astana to institutionalize interaction between the governments and experts of Kazakhstan and Germany to create a stable fuel energy cycle, announced German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock during her visit to the Kazakh capital on Oct. 31. During his meeting with Baerbock, Kazakh Prime Minister Alikhan…

ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev outlined six priorities for the Almaty Region’s development during his visit to the region on Oct. 19, reported Akorda press service.  According to the President, the decision to divide the Almaty Region into two – the Almaty Region with its administrative center in Konaev city and the Zhetisu Region with…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan consistently and effectively promotes the values of peace, cooperation, and mutual trust, achieving high worldwide esteem and demonstrating itself to be a progressive and responsible state, said President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev during an Oct. 19 meeting with the Almaty region’s public, reported the Akorda press service.  According to the President, Kazakhstan’s strategic course…

ASTANA – The world benefits come from a peaceful and prosperous Asia, said United Nations (UN) Secretary-General António Guterres in his video address at the plenary session of the sixth summit of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) on Oct. 13 in Astana. “I am grateful for our partnership in…

ASTANA – Speaking at the opening of the plenary session of the sixth CICA summit on Oct. 13 in Astana, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev outlined five priority directions for Kazakhstan’s next two-year chairmanship at the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia (CICA). He said the country sets ambitious goals for this mission, including the…

ASTANA – The weather in the capital promises to be pleasant this weekend, and it won’t last long, so take advantage of the events the Kazakh capital has to offer. Attending a ballet event at the main theater will feed your soul, while eco-action in the green belt of Astana will clear your mind.  The…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan moved up one spot to occupy the 28th place in the United Nations (UN) Global E-Government Development Index (EGDI) for the development of electronic government, according to a Sept. 29 Facebook post of the Minister of Digital Development, Innovation, and Aerospace Industry Bagdat Mussin.  Previously, Kazakhstan reached its highest position – 28th…

ASTANA – A balanced and constructive foreign policy for Kazakhstan is in the nation’s best interests, said President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev in his address to the public in Shymkent during a Sept. 27 working visit to the city, reported the Akorda press service.  According to Tokayev, the country will develop “allied relations with Russia, the eternal…

ASTANA – The introduction of a single presidential term is a bold step toward greater democratization, said Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev during a Sept. 27 meeting with the civilians of the Turkistan Region, reported the Akorda press service.  On Sept. 17, Tokayev signed a series of constitutional amendments into law, including the initiative to limit…

NUR-SULTAN –  It is vital to put to good use the peacemaking potential of religions and unite the efforts of spiritual leaders to pursue long-term stability, said President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev wrapping up the seventh Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions on Sept. 15.  President Tokayev thanked the spiritual leaders who attended…

NUR-SULTAN – Secretary-General of the United Nations (UN) António Guterres praised the government of Kazakhstan for hosting the seventh Congress of Leaders of the World and Traditional Religions in his video address to the congress participants on Sept. 14. In the address, Guterres underlined that congress provides a place of interaction for state actors and…

NUR-SULTAN – The Kazakh Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the country’s Chief Editors Club, and Kazakh Tourism national company presented awards on Sept. 13 to the winners of the seventh contest – New Kazakhstan Through the Eyes of Foreign Media. This year, the systemic changes taking place in the country since the beginning of 2022, including…

NUR-SULTAN – The Congress of the Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, Kazakhstan’s major international event since the pandemic, started its work on Sept. 14 in the Kazakh capital. With more than 100 delegations from more than 50 countries, the congress will focus on the role of religious leaders in spiritual and social development in…

NUR-SULTAN – President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev met with representatives of international organizations, religious leaders, and heads of religious universities on Sept. 13 on the eve of the upcoming seventh Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, reported the Akorda press service. During the meeting with the High Representative for the United Nations Alliance…

NUR-SULTAN – More than 40 foreign companies are relocating to Kazakhstan from Russia, said Deputy Foreign Minister of Kazakhstan Almas Aidarov on the sidelines of the Kazakh-German business forum in Nur-Sultan on Sept. 6, Kazinform reported.  According to Aidarov, Kazakhstan is interested in 300 foreign companies from more than 20 countries, with the majority coming…

NUR-SULTAN – Kazakh Prime Minister Alikhan Smailov spoke about the concept of a New Kazakhstan entails as well as the government’s efforts to make this concept a reality in his Aug. 25 interview with Tenginews. According to Smailov, a New Kazakhstan offers a favorable investment policy that promotes entrepreneurial freedom and competitiveness, among other principles,…

NUR-SULTAN – Kazakhstan will ship only excess oil volumes through Azerbaijan, said Kazakh Minister of Energy Bolat Akchulakov during an Aug. 25 online briefing. According to Bolat Akchulakov, oil output will be increased in the next two years by expanding the country’s main fields while establishing new smaller fields. In general, growth is anticipated to…

NUR-SULTAN – Kazakhstan has sufficient wheat for export, allowing it to preserve its trading position in its traditional markets, said Kazakh Minister of Agriculture Yerbol Karashukeyev at an Aug. 23 government meeting, reported the ministry’s press service. “The gross grain harvest is expected to reach 18.3 million tons, with wheat accounting for more than 13.4…

NUR-SULTAN – The Kazakh Ministry of Internal Affairs changed the restrictive measures for 421 suspects with no criminal record to non-custodial measures, said the ministry’s head of the investigative department Sanzhar Adilov at the Central Communication Service press briefing on Aug. 23. The suspects were subject to no-leave obligations, bail, home arrest, and personal guarantees.…

NUR-SULTAN – The U.S. Mission in partnership with the Astana International Financial Center (AIFC) launched the Academy of Women Entrepreneurs program (AWE) on Aug.18 to support women entrepreneurs in southern Kazakhstan. Judy Kuo, Chargé d’affaires at the U.S. Embassy Nur-Sultan, virtually welcomed the 100 participants from the Turkistan, Zhambyl and Almaty Regions, encouraging them to…

NUR-SULTAN – The General Prosecutor’s Office has published a list with the names of 238 people who died during the January riots in Kazakhstan, while still investigating more than 200 criminal cases linked to their deaths, said Yeldos Kilymzhanov, deputy head of the Criminal Prosecution Service of the General Prosecutor’s Office at an Aug. 16…

NUR-SULTAN – The sport of chess is experiencing a revival in Kazakhstan due to the victories at World Championships, said an international grandmaster and multiple world chess champion of Kazakhstan Dinara Saduakasova at an Aug. 15 press conference, dedicated to the commencement of the International Chess Festival to be held for the first time in…

NUR-SULTAN – Foreign Internet companies operating in Kazakhstan have paid three billion tenge (US$6.3 million) in digital taxes since the beginning of the year, said head of the Digital Assets Department of the State Revenue Committee Nurzhan Kuandykov during an Aug. 11 live press briefing on the committee’s official YouTube channel. According to Kuandykov, only…

NUR-SULTAN – On the eve of the 125th anniversary of Kazakh writer Mukhtar Auezov, the novel essay “Menin Auezovim” (My Auezov) was translated into the Turkish language with the assistance of the TURKSOY international organization of Turkic culture, the Central Communication Service’s press service reported on Aug. 9. The novel essay was written by Kazakh…

NUR-SULTAN – Kazakhstan and Türkiye will exchange intelligence, military information, and expert assessments, according to a protocol signed by the governments of Kazakhstan and Türkiye and ratified by the Kazakh government decree on Aug. 5. The protocol becomes effective on the date it is signed. The protocol states that the countries will jointly monitor the…

NUR-SULTAN – Kazakhstan’s national air carrier Air Astana is set to open a new training facility worth US$10.4 million in the capital by the end of this year, said CEO of the company Peter Foster at an Aug. 5 press conference dedicated to outlining the development plans of the company. As specified by Foster, the…

NUR-SULTAN – Kazakhstan is ranked 79th out of 132 economies for its innovation capabilities, taking third place among the 10 economies in Central and Southern Asia, according to the Global Innovation Index 2021. The top three economies by income group are Switzerland, Sweden and the United States of America (High-income); China, Bulgaria, Malaysia (Upper middle-income);…

NUR-SULTAN – Kazakhstan allocated 25.8 billion tenge (US$54 million) in 2022 to develop its single-industry towns, announced Minister of National Economy Alibek Kuantyrov at an Aug. 2 government meeting chaired by Prime Minister Alikhan Smailov and reported by the ministry’s press service. The measures to develop single-industry towns are included in the roadmap that the…

NUR-SULTAN – The fact that 80 percent of COVID-19 positive tests occur in unvaccinated people or those who were vaccinated six months ago confirms the need for timely revaccination against COVID-19, said Minister of Healthcare Azhar Giniyat at Aug. 2 government meeting chaired by Prime Minister Alikhan Smailov, the Prime Minister’s press service reports. According…

NUR-SULTAN – Pope Francis will make his 38th Apostolic Journey to Kazakhstan on Sept. 13-15, 2022 at the invitation of Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, the presidential press service reported on Aug. 1.  The Pope is scheduled to meet with the country’s senior leadership and participate in the VII Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional…

NUR-SULTAN – The number of people who are leaving Kazakhstan has decreased for a third consecutive year as the country is witnessing a decreasing gap between the number of people leaving and entering the country, Ranking.kz reported. Emigrants from Kazakhstan favor moving to Russia and Germany, while most immigrants enter the country mainly from neighboring…

NUR-SULTAN – Over the past week, the COVID-19 incidence increased by 1.9 times, compared with the previous week, said Vice Minister of Healthcare, Chief State Sanitary Doctor Aizhan Esmagambetova at a July 27 Central Communications Service (CCS) press briefing. “We revise the forecast of the epidemiological situation every two or three weeks. The incidence of…

NUR-SULTAN – Kazakhstan and the entire region of Central Asia are becoming increasingly popular among tourists from Hong Kong, said Secretary for Justice of Hong Kong Paul Lam at the opening ceremony of a photo exhibition honoring the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Kazakhstan and China, reported the Kazakh Foreign Ministry press service on…

NUR-SULTAN – The noir film “Goliath” by Adilkhan Yerzhanov will be shown as part of the Orizzonti Extra (New Horizons) competition program at the 79th Venice International Film Festival, which will take place on Lido Island from Aug. 31 to Sept.10, the Kazakhfilm press service reported on July 26. The Orizzonti Extra program highlights trends…

NUR-SULTAN – During the July 21 consultative meeting of the heads of states of Central Asia in Cholpon-Ata, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev put forward several major initiatives, reported the presidential press service. Here are the main highlights: Treaty of Friendship, Good Neighborliness and Cooperation for the Development of Central Asia in the 21st century…

NUR-SULTAN – The ninth theatrical season of the Astana Opera was vibrant and rich with shows pulling in more than 60,000 spectators, with 200 events and more than 45 exhibitions dedicated to legendary artists and directors of the theater, reports the Kazakh Ministry of Culture and Sports. Among the most anticipated premiers were Tibor Kocsák’s…

NUR-SULTAN – Sixteen Kazakh universities made it into the QS World University Rankings 2023 which includes more than 1,500 institutions around the world, finprom.kz reports. Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, L. N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University, Satbayev University, Auezov South Kazakhstan State University and Kazakh National Agrarian Research University are in the top 500 seats of…

NUR-SULTAN – The United Arab Emirates Ayana Holding expressed interest in the construction of a multifunctional residential and commercial соmplex dubbed The Grand Mosque Residences in the Kazakh capital during the July 19 meeting of the Kazakh Foreign Minister Mukhtar Tileuberdi and Ayana Holding Chairman Abdullah bin Lahej, reports the Kazakh Foreign Ministry press service.…

NUR-SULTAN – The United States’ juridical and investigative agencies confirmed their readiness to assist in tracing and recovering assets illegally withdrawn from Kazakhstan to the United States during a July 18 visit of the delegation of the General Prosecutor’s Office of Kazakhstan to the United States, reports the General Prosecutor’s Office of Kazakhstan. The Kazakh…

NUR-SULTAN – The Kazakh Ministry of Agriculture is looking for ways to open new markets for Kazakh grain export, Kazinform reports. Traditional importers of Kazakh wheat and flour are the countries of Central Asia and Afghanistan. “The ministry of agriculture is working to increase exports to China, the countries of the Caucasus (Azerbaijan, Georgia), Pakistan,…

NUR-SULTAN – The National Bank of Kazakhstan took measures to balance the foreign exchange market to ensure financial stability and prevent fluctuations of the national currency, reported Chair of the National Bank Galymzhan Pirmatov at the July 14 expanded government meeting headed by President Kassym-Zhomart Tokayev. “Targeted foreign exchange interventions of the National Bank contributed…

NUR-SULTAN – Social payments were indexed twice this year with the measure affecting 4.1 million people, including 2.2 million pensioners, Kazakh Prime Minister Alikhan Smailov told the July 14 expanded government meeting with Kazakh President Kassym-Zhomart Tokayev. Smailov also said that a step-by-step wage increase will soon affect 1.2 million civil servants. “In education and…

NUR-SULTAN – The Astana Opera’s symphony orchestra will present the concert “Guys With Contrabass” at the Kulyash Baiseitova Chamber Hall on July 16, reported the theater’s press service. The musicians will demonstrate the virtuosity of the sound of the orchestra’s musical ‘giant’ – contrabass. The concert will showcase works by foreign composers including Gioachino Rossini,…

NUR-SULTAN – The country’s foreign trade turnover between January and May increased by 41 percent compared to the same period last year and reached US$51.3 billion, according to the Kazakh Bureau of National Statistics. Exports increased by 59 percent and reached US$34.2 billion, while imports rose by 14.4 percent and reached US$17.1 billion. This significant…

NUR-SULTAN – ACRA analytical credit rating agency has affirmed the long-term credit rating of Kazakhstan both in foreign and in national currency at the ‘BBB+’ level with a stable outlook.  According to the agency, the forecast assumes that the rating will most likely remain unchanged within the next year. “Among the fundamental factors that support Kazakhstan’s…

NUR-SULTAN – For the first half of 2022, the export of Kazakh oil through the oil pipeline system of the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC) reached 28.75 million tons, and nearly 97 percent of it was shipped through Russian seaports, reports the Kazakh Ministry of Energy. Last year, the export of Kazakh oil through the CPC…

NUR-SULTAN – The regional court of the city of Krasnodar, Russia, overturned the earlier decision of Primorsky District Court in the southern Russian city of Novorossiysk to suspend the operations of the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC), reports the CPC press service. The month-long suspension will be replaced by a 200,000 roubles fine (US$3,300). The new…

NUR-SULTAN – Fifteen promising startups will fine-tune their projects under the Silkway Accelerator program launched by the Astana Hub International Technopark of IT Startups and Google for Startups (GfS), reports the Astana Hub’s press service.  Fifteen startups that are at the Product/Market Fit stage will participate in the three-month acceleration program in an offline format…

NUR-SULTAN – Flight cancellations are not expected in connection to the decrease of jet fuel production at the Pavlodar petrochemical plant (PPCP), reported the Civil Aviation Committee (CAC) of the Ministry of Industry and Infrastructural Development of Kazakhstan on July 8. Earlier the administration of the Almaty International Airport announced that it suspended refueling of…

NUR-SULTAN – Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev expressed his condolences to the family of Japan’s former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe who had been shot while delivering an election campaign speech in the city of Nara on Friday.  Abe, Japan’s longest-serving prime minister, died at the age of 67 succumbing to his wounds.  Police say a 41-year-old…

NUR-SULTAN – In today’s world marked by a geopolitical power shift, the collective West should see Kazakhstan as an opportunity. That was a cross-cutting theme of the conference at Brussels Press Club dedicated to the release of a new report titled Kazakhstan Offers the West a Strategic Opportunity authored by Dr. John C. Hulsman, a…

NUR-SULTAN – “Even during the Cold War, the United Nations was much more united than now,” said President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev during a special panel session titled “In Conversation” with President Tokayev at the Qatar Economic Forum on June 21.  In a candid Q&A session with Bloomberg’s co-anchor Manus Cranny, the Kazakh President gave comprehensive answers…

NUR-SULTAN  – Nurken Tazhibay, a blogger from Aktau, shared a video with scenic destinations of the Mangystau Region on Instagram, reports Zakon.kz news website. In just one minute the video brings nine most marvelous touristic locations of the Mangystau Region. Among them are Karynzharyk valley, a desert steppe located between Mangystau peninsula and Ustyurt plateau,…

NUR-SULTAN – The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) mission recognizes the referendum in Kazakhstan as open, transparent, and democratic, said SCO Secretary-General Zhang Ming at a press briefing on June 6.  According to the preliminary results, 77.18 percent of citizens voted in favor of the Constitutional amendments. The overall turnout was more than 68 percent. The…

NUR-SULTAN – On the day following Kazakhstan’s national referendum on the proposed Constitutional amendments, international observation mission heads and delegates shared their views on the voting procedure and citizen participation.  This year, the country’s Central Referendum Commission (CEC) accredited 272 foreign observers representing 25 countries and 11 international organizations. Among the international organizations are the…

NUR-SULTAN – International observers note a high turnout at the polling stations across Kazakhstan. Vice President of the International Turkic Academy Fuzuli Majidli says the turnout at the polling stations in Nur-Sultan is quite high.  As of 12 p.m. today, 43.7 percent of citizens eligible to vote participated in the referendum.  “The Central Election Commission…

NUR-SULTAN – The national referendum on constitutional amendments displayed an impressive level of political engagement among young people, said Faizullo Barotzoda, the group coordinator of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO). For many young people in Kazakhstan, this is the first referendum that they are eligible to participate in. The last…

NUR-SULTAN – As of 12.00 a.m., over 40 percent of Kazakh citizens received their ballots to vote. According to the member of Kyrgyzstan’s Central Election Commission Abdyzhappar Bekmatov, the people of Kazakhstan realize the importance of this referendum, as it will determine the future trajectory of the country’s development. Bekmatov noted that Kazakhstan has done…

NUR-SULTAN – Chairman of Kazakhstan’s Agency of Strategic Planning and Reforms Aset Irgaliyev met with foreign media to discuss the upcoming national referendum and the economic policy of the New Kazakhstan platform.  This year marks the change in the paradigm of the country’s development. President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has announced unprecedented political and economic…

NUR-SULTAN – The Central Election Commission of Kazakhstan announced that in the upcoming referendum approximately 12 million citizens are eligible to vote, with the Almaty Region having the highest number of eligible citizens, the commission told foreign journalists at the June 3 briefing. Kazakh citizens will be able to exercise their voting rights at more…

NUR-SULTAN – Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan Mukhtar Tileuberdi paid a working visit to Rome on June 1 to strengthen bilateral relations with Italy across many areas, reports the Kazakh Foreign Ministry’s press service.  Tileuberdi held talks with Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Luigi Di Maio. The…