Turkish Airlines’ Astana-Istanbul Route Turns 20 — With No Plans to Stop
ASTANA — The Astana-Istanbul flight operated by Turkish Airlines celebrates its 20th anniversary this year. Just two decades ago, the route operated only twice a week. Today, it has grown to 11 weekly flights, and Turkish Airlines has no plans to stop there. In an interview with The Astana Times, Engin Akbaş, Turkish Airlines General…
Smarter Schools? How AI and Global Trends are Testing Education in Central Asia
ASTANA — Globally, education trends have been evolving rapidly. Rita Almeida, manager of the Education Global Practice for Europe and Central Asia at the World Bank, shared in an interview with The Astana Times YouTube channel how these global trends, often referred to as “megatrends,” translate into regional dynamics, particularly in Central Asia and Kazakhstan. …
AI for Safety and Startup Challenges: Insights from Kazakhstan-France Roundtable
ASTANA — The Embassy of France in Kazakhstan and Astana Hub, in partnership with the Kazakh Ministry of Digital Development, Innovations, and Aerospace Industry, hosted a dynamic roundtable discussion on April 2 at Astana Hub. Moderated by me, the session was packed with insights, particularly on AI’s real-world applications. While the first part of my…
Visa, Trade and Rare Earths: Key Takeaways from Tokayev – von der Leyen Meeting
ASTANA — Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev held talks with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on April 3 on the sidelines of the landmark Central Asia – European Union summit, which will take place tomorrow in Samarkand. The meeting focused on expanding cooperation between Kazakhstan and the EU in key areas such as the…
AI Partnership in Focus: Kazakhstan and France Discuss Future Prospects
ASTANA — The Embassy of France in Kazakhstan and Astana Hub, in collaboration with the Kazakh Ministry of Digital Development, Innovations, and Aerospace Industry, hosted an insightful roundtable discussion at Astana Hub on April 2. The event explored the key takeaways from the AI Action Summit held in Paris earlier this year and the growing…
Kazakhstan, Expertise France Boost Cooperation in Tech, Transport, and Health
ASTANA — Kazakh-French relations continue to strengthen with the expansion of mutually beneficial cooperation between the government of Kazakhstan and the French Development Agency (AFD). Jérémie Pellet, Director General of Expertise France — the French international technical cooperation agency within the AFD Group, providing expertise for AFD projects worldwide and other international initiatives—commented on the…
EDB Forecast: Kazakhstan on Track to Join High-Income Countries by 2028
ASTANA — Kazakhstan is projected to join the ranks of high-income countries by 2028-2029, according to macroeconomic forecast from the Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) released on March 13. According to the EDB forecast, Kazakhstan has made significant economic progress over the past three decades. The country’s real GDP per capita has more than tripled, outpacing…
Central Eurasia’s Tech Future Takes Shape in Silicon Valley
ASTANA — Silk Road Innovation Hub ended last year on a high note by hosting a Silicon Valley conference in October at San Francisco’s renowned Yerba Buena Arts Center — where Apple’s founder Steve Jobs famously debuted the iPhone and iPad. This event marked the first-ever conference in Silicon Valley dedicated to exploring Central Eurasia’s…
UN Nuclear Weapons Ban Conference Chaired by Kazakhstan Concludes with Key Agreements
ASTANA—The Third Conference of States Parties to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW), chaired by Kazakhstan, concluded on March 7 at UN headquarters. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs press service reported that discussions under Kazakhstan’s presidency fostered constructive dialogue and led to consensus on key documents to strengthen the treaty’s implementation. The…
Atyrau Plant Earns Certification, Unlocking Access to 100+ Global Markets
ASTANA — AtyrauNefteMash, a leading Kazakhstan oil and gas equipment manufacturer, received a certification from the American Petroleum Institute (API) with the support of the North Caspian Project (NCOC) operator on Feb. 26. According to Khabar TV channel’s report, the certification confirms that its products meet international industry standards and opens access to global markets…
EDB to Expand Investment in Kazakhstan’s Energy, Transport, and Industry in 2025
ASTANA — In 2025, the Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) plans to ramp up financing for key strategic projects in Kazakhstan, with a strong focus on energy, transport, and industry, said Nikolai Podguzov, Chairman of the EDB Management Board, during a meeting with Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Olzhas Bektenov on Feb. 26. Among the major projects…
Asif Khan’s Vision: Transforming Almaty’s Tselinny Cinema into Cultural Landmark
ASTANA — In the heart of Almaty, British architect Asif Khan has reimagined a Soviet-era cinema into a multifunctional venue for contemporary art and cultural exchange. Set to open in April, the Tselinny Center of Contemporary Culture will serve as Kazakhstan’s first independent cultural institution, providing a platform for art exhibitions, performances, film screenings, and…
IMF Projects Kazakhstan’s Economic Growth to Stabilize at 3.5% in 2025
ASTANA— The International Monetary Fund (IMF) projects Kazakhstan’s economic growth to stabilize at approximately 3.5% in the medium term, with inflation expected to ease further and reach its 5% target by 2028, according to a Jan. 31 IMF press release. This assessment follows the IMF Executive Board’s conclusion of the 2024 Article IV consultation with…
Central Asia’s Investment Boom: 40% Surge in Mutual Investments
ASTANA — Investment ties among Central Asian countries continue to strengthen. By the end of the first half of 2024, intraregional accumulated investments in the region Asia grew by 40% over a year and a half, reaching $834 million, according to the Eurasian Development Bank’s (EDB) report Monitoring of Mutual Investments of the EDB –…
Building Green Energy Bridge to Europe: Insights from EBRD’s Sitdikova
ASTANA — Kazakhstan is positioning itself as a future leader in renewable energy exports, aiming to establish 12 gigawatts (GW) of renewable energy capacity by 2030. With an ambitious vision to align with global decarbonization goals, the country collaborates with neighbors Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan to create a green energy corridor connecting Central Asia to Europe.…
Nurturing Futures Together: UNICEF and Kazakhstan’s Collaboration on Climate Change and Cyber Safety
ASTANA —Kazakhstan and UNICEF have achieved significant milestones in their 30-year partnership. However, new challenges, including climate change and cyberbullying, pose emerging threats to children’s safety and mental health. Together, both parties are working to address these pressing issues. In an interview with The Astana Times YouTube channel, Dr. Rashed Mustafa Sarwar, UNICEF Representative in…
Masdar Expands Renewable Energy Footprint in Central Asia with Wind Power Plant in Kazakhstan
ABU DHABI — Last November, during the COP29 conference in Baku, Masdar, a leading renewable energy company based in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), signed an agreement with Kazakhstan to develop a wind power plant in the Zhambyl Region. In an interview with The Astana Times, Abdulaziz Alobaidli, Chief Operating Officer of Masdar, shared insights…
President Tokayev to Attend Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week Summit Next Week
ASTANA — President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev will participate in the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) Summit on Jan. 14-15, following an invitation from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) President, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Akorda press service reported on Jan. 9. Under Sheikh Mohamed’s patronage, ADSW 2025 will take place from Jan.…
President Aliyev Praises Kazakh Heroism After AZAL Plane Crash in Azerbaijan TV Interview
ASTANA — President Ilham Aliyev reviewed the joint actions of the Azerbaijani and Kazakh governments following the tragic crash of an Azerbaijan Airlines plane near Aktau in an interview with Az.TV on Dec. 29. Reflecting on the joint efforts, President Aliyev, in an interview, shared his perspective on the collaboration between Azerbaijani and Kazakh officials.…
EDB to Invest in Construction of Modern Logistics Complex in Kazakhstan
ALMATY — The Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) and Eurasian Logistics Park LLP have signed a loan agreement for the construction of a Class A industrial and logistics complex in the Almaty region on Dec. 5. The loan stands at 16.6 billion tenge (US$ 31 million). The agreement was signed in Almaty on the sidelines of…
EDB Reports $16 Billion Portfolio Growth, Highlights Regional Impact at Annual Press Conference
ALMATY — The Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) summarized its annual results at its year-end press conference on Dec. 5, where Nikolai Podguzov, chairman of the Management Board of the EDB, highlighted key achievements. According to Podguzov, EDB’s investment portfolio is approaching $16 billion, reflecting a 6% growth in 2024. Additionally, the bank has demonstrated strong…
Kazakh Food: More Than a Meal, It’s a Taste of Home
Almaty’s Auyl restaurant, recently named one of the 16 Most Beautiful Restaurants in the World by Prix Versailles, captures the neo-nomadic spirit of Kazakh cuisine. Inspired by this recognition, Aida Haidar, News Editor at The Astana Times, explores what defines Kazakh cuisine and the deep-rooted connection between food and the essence of home for Kazakhs.…
US Expert on Kazakhstan’s Potential as Supply Chain Anchor and Path to Neutrality
ASTANA — The Astana Times YouTube channel interviewed Darren Spinck, a research fellow at the United Kingdom (UK) – based Henry Jackson Society, a think tank named after the late United States (US) Senator Henry M. Jackson, who served from 1953 to 1983, known for his strong national security policies. The interview took place on…
Positive Futurologist on Kazakhstan’s Future and New Economic Model for World
ASTANA — Ron Immink, a positive futurologist and author, highlighted Kazakhstan’s strategic location as one of its most compelling features. In an interview with The Astana Times’ YouTube channel, he observed that Europeans often carry an inherent arrogance, perceiving themselves as central to the world. However, he noted that this balance of global influence is…
President Tokayev Highlights Importance of Nuclear Energy Development
ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev emphasized the critical need for nuclear energy development in Kazakhstan during his annual state-of-the-nation address on Sept. 2, reported the Akorda press service. He identified nuclear energy as a reliable and environmentally friendly solution to the country’s growing energy needs. “In my opinion, it is necessary to pay the closest…
