Articles by Aiman Nakispekova

Kazakh Tutor Teaches Dimash Qudaibergen’s Global Fans Language of His Music

ASTANA – Kazakh pop singer Dimash Qudaibergen captivates audiences worldwide with his remarkable talent, using his music to promote Kazakh culture and inspire fans to learn the Kazakh language. His fans, known as Dears, turn to Aidana Bekbolatova, a popular Kazakh language tutor, to understand the lyrics he sings.  “Teaching is my calling” Bekbolatova attributes…

Central Asia Launches First Regional Civil Aviation Organization

ASTANA – The Eurasian Civil Aviation Conference (EACAC), which includes Armenia, Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, held its inaugural meeting in Almaty on Nov. 6. The meeting was attended by aviation authorities from the member countries, reported the Kazakh Civil Aviation Committee’s press service. The EACAC plans to be a cooperative platform for…

Wanderlust Magazine: Kazakhstan Enters Top Five New Travel Destinations 

ASTANA – Kazakhstan was ranked among the top five most desirable new destinations in the 23rd Annual Wanderlust Reader Travel Awards, reported Wanderlust magazine.  The country placed fifth in the Most Desirable New Destination category, with Uzbekistan taking first place, followed by Albania, Qatar, and Azerbaijan. The rankings were determined through online voting, with over…

Tokayev’s Meeting with ADB President Reveals $300 Million Deal for Highway Project

ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev met with Asian Development Bank (ADB) President Masatsugu Asakawa on Nov. 8, where they discussed future economic priorities, including a $300 million agreement for constructing the Kyzylorda-Zhezkazgan highway. The meeting took place during Asakawa’s visit to Kazakhstan for the 23rd Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) Ministerial Conference, reported the…

Kazakhstan Ranks in Top 50 Countries for AI Readiness 

ASTANA – Kazakhstan has secured the 48th position globally for artificial intelligence (AI) readiness, following Russia, which holds 47th place with a 0.56 index, according to the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) 2023 AI Preparedness Index. The country achieved a 0.55 index, leading the Central Asian and Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) nations, except for Russia, reported ranking.kz…

Turkic States Unveil New Flag as Symbol of Unity and Heritage

ASTANA – The Organization of Turkic States (OTS) adopted an updated flag symbolizing unity and shared heritage at its 11th summit in Bishkek, reported Kazinform on Nov. 7. The redesign highlights cultural and historical ties within the Turkic world, incorporating traditional colors and patterns representing the Turkic peoples’ shared roots. The flag’s blue and white…

How Kazakhstan Can Tackle Threats of Global Warming

ASTANA – The adoption of green technologies, development of sustainable agriculture, and use of alternative energy sources will help Kazakhstan not only adapt to climate challenges but also become a regional leader in sustainable development, according to a report by the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER). The report, “Temperature Effects and Economic Growth: An…

Kazakhstan’s Regional IT Hubs Empower Local Startups and Bridge Digital Divide

ASTANA – The Ulytau Hub, Kazakhstan’s 17th regional innovation center, opened in Zhezkazgan on Nov. 5 with support from Astana Hub, the Ministry of Digital Development, Innovations, and Aerospace Industry and the Ulytau Region akimat (city administration). The center aims to support startups, promote IT education, and strengthen the region’s tech ecosystem. The ministry has…

Where Does Kazakh Gas Flow Worldwide

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s proximity to Russia, China, Central Asia, and the Caspian region strengthens its role as a key gas exporter. The nation’s traditional export markets are the CIS, but as Europe seeks alternatives to Russian gas, demand for Kazakh gas in Europe is growing. Despite this, China remains the country’s largest gas export market.…

From Permafrost to Warm Heart of Kazakhstan: Two Adventurers Journey Through Central Asia and Beyond 

ASTANA – Two travelers from Slovakia set out on an extraordinary adventure, traversing a remarkable range of temperatures—from minus 48 to plus 30 degrees Celsius—over 29,700 kilometers in just 91 days. Their expedition featured stops at the Baikonur cosmodrome and the stunning Altyn Emel National Park, allowing them to explore Kazakhstan’s diverse landscapes and striking…

Kazakhstan to Host European Parliament Delegation to Discuss Bilateral Cooperation  

ASTANA – This week, 11 members of the European Parliament Delegation for Relations with Central Asia and Mongolia, led by newly appointed chair Giusi Princi, will visit Astana and Almaty. The delegation, known as DCAS, will participate in the 21st meeting of the Kazakhstan-EU Parliamentary Cooperation Committee.  DCAS comprises 19 members of the European Parliament…

Kinship at Core: Exploring Foundations of Kazakh Family Ties

ASTANA – Family is the foundation of Kazakh society, occupying a central place in the culture. Traditionally, the Kazakh family structure is built on a strong sense of unity and mutual support among its members. In an interview with Tengri news agency, Saltanat Asanova, a leading researcher at the Shokan Ualikhanov Institute of History, discussed…

Ethiopian Student Views Kazakhstan’s Education Model as Blueprint for Ethiopia

ASTANA – “One of the most remarkable aspects of Kazakh society is its meritocratic nature. According to my experience, skills and knowledge matter most, and I have never faced discrimination based on my background,” said Samson Dawit Bekele, a third-year computer science student at Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, in an interview with The Astana Times.…

Kazakhstan Celebrates 100th Anniversary of Renowned Writer Nurpeisov 

ASTANA – Kazakhstan commemorates the 100th anniversary of Abdizhamil Nurpeisov, a prominent Kazakh writer, translator, and public figure, on Oct. 22.  Born in 1924 in a small village north of the Aral Sea, Nurpeisov’s early years among the fishermen of this unique region shaped his life’s work and literary inspiration. During the Second World War,…

Leading Expert Provides Insights on President Tokayev’s Speech at Astana Think Tank Forum

ASTANA – The inaugural Astana Think Tank Forum 2024 took place in the Kazakh capital on Oct. 16-17, where participants explored the role of middle powers in global affairs. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev addressed the plenary session on Oct. 17, highlighting the rise of middle powers and underscoring the United Nations’ critical role in fostering global…

Kazakh Director Releases Film about Legendary Wrestler Kazhymukan Munaitpasov

ASTANA – Film director Kanagat Mustafin’s latest movie, “Kazhymukan” about wrestler Kazhymukan Munaitpasov, premiered on Oct. 10. The film, which took over a decade of research and preparation, brings the story of Kazakhstan’s first world champion in wrestling to the big screen. Munaitpasov (1871-1948), who won 48 medals throughout his career, was not only an…

Echoes of Dombra Reaches Europe’s Highest Peak 

ASTANA – Kazakh dombra player Alibek Kaiyrbek recently reached the highest peak in Europe, Mount Elbrus in the Caucasus, where he performed Kurmangazy’s famous kui “Adai” at an altitude of 5,642 meters. The dombra, a revered musical instrument, embodies the history, joy, sadness, courage and freedom of the Kazakh people. More than just a national…

Top Profit-Generating State Companies in Kazakhstan Listed

ASTANA – The State Property and Privatization Committee of Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Finance named  the most profitable state and quasi-state companies, reported Kazinform. The list includes SK-Pharmacy, KazAvtoZhol, Problem Loans Fund, Zhasyl Damu, Kazspetsexport, Center for Labor Resource Development, KazAeroNavigation, Baiterek Holding, and the Samruk Kazyna Sovereign Wealth Fund. SK-Pharmacy SK-Pharmacy supplies medicines under Kazakhstan’s…

Experts Raise Concerns Over Transfers from Kazakhstan’s National Fund

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s National Fund, long viewed as a financial lifeline for the country’s future, is now under increasing scrutiny from experts due to the heavy reliance of the country’s budget on the fund transfers. The need to put stricter rules that govern the transfers was repeatedly raised by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, including in his…

Innovative Yurt Design by Kazakh Architect Garners International Recognition

ASTANA – Kazakh architect Ravil Nurgissa has won the prestigious ICONIC AWARDS presented by the German Design Council  in the Innovative Architecture category for his modern take on the traditional yurt. His award-winning design reimagines the yurt, used by nomads for centuries, into a more contemporary, sustainable structure that maintains its ease of assembly, transportability,…

CIS Observers Commend Kazakhstan’s Nuclear Referendum Process

ASTANA – The national referendum on the construction of a nuclear power plant is being conducted in full compliance with Kazakhstan’s laws governing referendums and election campaigns, said Leonid Anfimov, the head of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) observer mission on Oct. 6 at one of the city’s polling stations. Anfimov noted that the…

Kazakhstan Hosted CICA Youth Council on Role of Volunteering for Sustainable Development

ASTANA – Kazakhstan hosted a two-day meeting of volunteer movement leaders within the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia (CICA) Youth Council on Oct. 3-4 in Astana. The event focused on the importance of volunteerism in society and its role in promoting sustainable development across Asia. Participants explored a range of topics, including…

Kazakhstan’s Employed Youth Surge to 3.6 Million

ASTANA – The number of employed youth reached 3.6 million by the end of the second quarter of the year, marking a 1.8% increase from the same period last year, reported the Bureau of National Statistics on its Telegram channel on Sept. 26. Some 46% have higher education or postgraduate degrees, while 48% possess technical…

Almaty Unveils Profile of International Visitor 

ASTANA – A profile of tourists visiting Almaty shows that the main group of foreign visitors consists of men aged 26-35, traveling either with friends or alone. The data was compiled by the Almaty tourism bureau, with input from the Bureau of National Statistics and Tourism Insights, an analytical platform by Mastercard, according to the…

Kazakhstan Explores Effective Strategies to Attract Foreign Direct Investment 

ASTANA – Kazakh capital hosted a roundtable event on Sept. 24 focused on best international practices for attracting foreign direct investment. The event was organized by the European Business Association of Kazakhstan (EUROBAK) with support of the Kazakh Invest national company and the United States Agency for International Development, according to the ministry’s press service.…