Articles by Aida Haidar

Editor’s Note: The Astana Times continues its series of articles, Exploring Kazakhstan, City by City, in the marvelous city of Kokshetau. We are setting out to unveil the rich diversity of cities to bring you closer to the heart and soul of Kazakhstan. ASTANA — This year marks a significant milestone for Kokshetau as the…

ASTANA – This is the second part of The Astana Times exclusive interview with Hugh Hallman, Honorary Consul of Kazakhstan. In the first part, he elaborated on the transformative potential of diversifying Kazakhstan’s economic focus. He discussed how prioritizing education, agriculture, and human capital development can drive the nation’s progress beyond its reliance on oil and…

ASTANA — The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) — the largest regional organization in the world — has the power and the responsibility to push for peace, said UN Secretary-General António Guterres during his address at the SCO Plus session on July 4 in the Kazakh capital.  Guterres highlighted the Summit’s taking place under difficult global…

ASTANA — Central Asia holds significant economic potential, and Kazakhstan provides the necessary economic and geopolitical stability for projects to thrive, stated David Manzini, the president of PepsiCo for Central Asia, Russia, Belarus, and the Caucasus, in an interview with The Astana Times during the official launch of the plant’s construction in the Almaty Region…

ASTANA — With abundant wind and sun resources, Kazakhstan has the perfect recipe for transitioning to renewable energy, said Abid Malik, the Geo Head of Central Asia at ACWA Power, during The Astana Times YouTube interview on the sidelines of QazaqGreenFest on May 30-31 in Burabay, the Akmola Region. Malik noted that based on a…

ASTANA — We have every reason to take pride in the long journey we have shared with Hungary, said Kazakh Deputy Foreign Minister Roman Vassilenko in an interview with Hungary’s Mandiner weekly magazine during his working visit to Budapest earlier this month. In the interview, Vassilenko highlighted several key points of Kazakh-Hungarian cooperation, including the…

ASTANA — Toylan Senel, the head of Roche in Central Asia, spoke about the company’s ambitious mission to maximize its influence, focusing on Roche’s commitment to providing the most significant impact in Kazakhstan’s pharmaceutical industry in an interview with The Astana Times. Notably, in October of last year, Roche and Kazakhstan forged a groundbreaking agreement…

ALMATY — The 13th Central Asia Trade Forum kicked off in Almaty on May 14 with a resounding call to enhance trade across Central Asia to catalyze regional prosperity. The panel included Zeinah Salahi, the senior Deputy Assistant Administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development’s (USAID) Asia Bureau in Washington, Kazakh Vice Minister of…

ASTANA—The tragic tale of environmental devastation in the Aral Sea is well-documented, marking it as one of the most significant ecological disasters of the 20th century. However, amidst the desolation lies a beacon of hope in the town of Aralsk, where the Aral Tenizi (from Kazakh – Aral Sea)  public association spearheads remarkable initiatives to…

ASTANA — Jihad Azour, the Director of the Middle East and Central Asia Department at the International Monetary Fund (IMF), emphasized the expectation of an uneven recovery among economies in the Central Asia and Caucasus (CCA) region amidst significant uncertainty during an April 18 press briefing in Washington D.C.. While inflation trends align with global…

ASTANA—The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) will lead an expedition to the USAID Oasis project on the former shores of the Aral Sea in the Kyzylorda region of Kazakhstan from April 12 to 16, the agency’s press service reported.  Established through a collaborative effort between USAID and the Kazakh partners, the Oasis project…

ASTANA—During the Digital Almaty 2024 forum, which convened in February, Kazakhstan solidified its international outreach by signing multiple memorandums of understanding, particularly regarding the export of its government technology (GovTech). Notable among these agreements is the extension of Kazakhstan’s IT solutions for e-government development, including Smart Bridge, the Unified Platform for Internet Resources of Government…

ASTANA — The aviation authorities of Kazakhstan and South Korea agreed to increase the total number of permitted flights between the countries from 10 to 42 per week on March 21, the Kazakh Civil Aviation Committee (CAC) reported.  The agreement, spearheaded by CAC Chairperson Saltanat Tompiyeva and the General Director of South Korea’s Civil Aviation…

ASTANA — President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has strongly denounced the recent terrorist attack targeting civilians in Moscow on March 22, following the terrorist attack in the Crocus City Hall, Akorda press service reported.  President Tokayev emphasized that terrorism in any form cannot be justified and urged all United Nations member states to unite in…

ASTANA — Following its successful inaugural flight celebration to Almaty, Kazakhstan, AirAsia X signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for strategic collaboration with Kazakh Tourism national company on March 15, reported the airline’s press service. The MOU encompasses greater commercial collaboration and partnerships between the airline and the organization to promote tourism between Kazakhstan and…

ASTANA — President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev emphasized the significance of fostering a new social ethics and outlined pivotal values essential to shaping the identity of the Kazakh nation during his address on March 15 at the National Kurultai in Atyrau, reported the Akorda press service. “A nation aspiring to claim its rightful place in the global…

ASTANA – Deputy Prime Minister – Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan Murat Nurtleu took part in the High-level Segment of the 67th Session of the United Nations (UN) Commission on Narcotic Drugs in Vienna, reported the ministry’s press service on March 14. The minister emphasized Kazakhstan’s comprehensive efforts in combating drug addiction and trafficking. …

ASTANA – Deputy Prime Minister – Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan Murat Nurtleu underscored the pivotal role of multilateral institutions in addressing unprecedented global challenges and reiterated Kazakhstan’s dedication to upholding the functionality of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) during a March 14 meeting of the OSCE Permanent Council in…

ASTANA—Kazakhstan entered the Very High human development category, securing the 67th position out of 193 countries and territories globally, according to a recent report by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) released on March 13.  HDI overview The country reached a Human Development Index (HDI) value of 0.802 in 2022, a notable leap in its…

ASTANA — The Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC) International Arbitration Centre (IAC) launched the Eurasia Arbitration Week 2024 (EAW24) on March 5. The session, Arbitration in Eurasia – Regional Perspectives, moderated by IAC Chairman Thomas Krümmel convened distinguished figures and experts to delve into the multifaceted arbitration landscape, highlighting regional perspectives and challenges. Dr. Ilia…

ASTANA — President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev arrived on a working visit to the East Kazakhstan Region on Feb. 26, commencing his visit at the Center for Radiation Therapy and Diagnostics. The center, established on the regional multidisciplinary Center for Oncology and Surgery foundation, showcases state-of-the-art medical equipment to advance cancer diagnosis and treatment, reported…

ASTANA — National Bank Chairman Timur Suleimenov announced that the bank’s Monetary Policy Committee reduced the base rate to 14.75% on Feb. 23, the bank’s press service reported. In a press statement, Suleimenov noted that one of the pivotal factors driving this decision is the trajectory of annual inflation, which is exhibiting a deceleration despite…

ASTANA — In the vast expanse of the universe, a realm of cosmic wonders captivates the imagination of scientists and dreamers alike. Dana Alina, an assistant professor in the Department of Physics at Nazarbayev University, delved into the intricate mysteries of space, shedding light on the enigmatic world of stardust, magnetic fields, and the evolving…

ASTANA — The inaugural meeting of the BeNeLux-Kazakhstan Trade Talks on Feb. 15 at Nazarbayev University Graduate School of Business marked a significant step to fostering closer ties and exploring new avenues for economic collaboration between the BeNeLux countries and Kazakhstan. Organized by BeNeLux Chamber of Commerce, uniting the trade circles of the Kingdoms of…

ASTANA — Nestled within the bustling EXPO district on the left bank of Kazakhstan’s capital, the Astana Hub stands as a beacon of innovation and progress in the heart of Central Asia. In the exclusive interview with The Astana Times, its founding CEO Magzhan Madiyev reflected on the hub’s journey, accomplishments, and ambitions moving forward. …