Kazakhstan Brings Citizens Home from Iran in Swift Rescue Effort
ASTANA – Kazakhstan has carried out a rapid and extensive operation to evacuate its citizens from Iran amid growing instability in the Middle East. Over several days, Kazakh diplomats worked around the clock, maintaining contact with local authorities, assisting citizens with documentation, and coordinating travel logistics. More than 200 individual appeals were processed in a…
Kazakh Footprints in US: New Book Unearths Forgotten Histories
ASTANA – The National Museum hosted the presentation of the book “America Ashkan Kazaktar” (Kazakhs Who Discovered America) on June 5, authored by journalist and researcher Duisenali Alimakyn. The book is the result of archival research conducted in the United States. It aims to shed light on the untold connections between the two nations through…
Alternativa Film Festival to Spotlight Global South Voices in Colombia
ASTANA – Filmmakers from Latin America and Central Asia are invited to submit entries for the 2026 Alternativa Film Festival, which will be held in Colombia in the second quarter of the year. The festival will feature seven awards and a total prize fund of $120,000, according to the event’s press service. Submissions open June…
EU Citizen Granted Kazakhstan’s Neo Nomad Visa
ASTANA – Jorge Rosa Filho, a European citizen, has received Kazakhstan’s Neo Nomad Visa, which allows remote workers to live and work in the country for up to one year, reported the Ministry of Tourism and Sports’ press service. Filho plans to stay in Astana for six months and travel to several regions for tourism.…
Kazakh FM Visits Iran to Bolster Bilateral Ties
ASTANA – Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Murat Nurtleu paid an official visit to Iran and held talks with Iranian top officials on June 7, reported the Foreign Ministry’s press service. During a meeting with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, the officials discussed key areas of cooperation, reaffirming their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations.…
Kazakhstan Welcomes Hungarian Culture with First-Ever Matyó Exhibition
ASTANA – For the first time in Kazakhstan, an exhibition dedicated to Matyó embroidery, a vibrant symbol of Hungarian folklore and part of UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list, is on display at the Almaty Museum. The exhibition features more than 100 authentic items, including embroidered textiles, traditional clothing elements, household items, and rare archival photographs…
How Kazakh Educators Inspire Love for Learning
ASTANA – They say a child’s development is shaped by three key factors: home, environment, and school. But in the digital age, capturing a child’s interest has become increasingly challenging. Traditional teaching methods like lectures and rote memorization are no longer enough, as today’s students expect more engaging approaches. In this context, The Astana Times…
Dimash Qudaibergen Unites Global Fans at London Show with Lara Fabian
ASTANA – Kazakh singer Dimash Qudaibergen arrived in London to perform as a special guest at Lara Fabian’s solo concert on June 2 at the OVO Arena Wembley, one of the largest venues in the United Kingdom, reported Dimashnews. At Heathrow Airport, Qudaibergen was greeted by fans from the UK and abroad with a traditional…
Export Credit Agency of Kazakhstan Earns ESG Rating from Sustainable Fitch
ASTANA – The Export Credit Agency of Kazakhstan (ECA) has received an ESG rating of Level 3 from international rating agency Sustainable Fitch, reflecting the agency’s progress in integrating a sustainable development strategy and advancing its environmental and social policies, reported the ECA’s press service on June 4. In 2023, ECA became an affiliated member…
National Bank of Kazakhstan Sets Base Rate at 16.5%
ASTANA – The Monetary Policy Committee of the National Bank of Kazakhstan (NBK) fixed the base rate to 16.5% per annum with a corridor of +/- 1 percentage points, reports the bank’s press service. The move comes amid sustained inflationary pressure. Annual inflation reached 11.3% in May, driven by rising prices for both regulated tariffs…
Kazakhstan Hosts Global Mining Congress, Showcasing Strategic Growth Plans
ASTANA – The 15th International Mining and Metallurgical Congress opened this week in the Kazakh capital, bringing together more than 1,300 delegates from 20 countries, reported Kazinform. The event serves as a major platform for addressing the pressing issues facing the global mining and metallurgical industry, while showcasing Kazakhstan’s growing leadership in the sector. Albert…
Kazakhstan Sets Stage for AI Regulation with New Draft Law
ASTANA – Mazhilis, a lower house of the Parliament, has approved the draft law on artificial intelligence in its first reading on May 14, marking the country’s intent to establish a legal framework for the development and use of AI technologies. The AI’s rapid development presents both significant opportunities and serious risks, with one of…
Kazakh Gymnastics Team Earns Historic Gold at Asian Championships
ASTANA – The Kazakh gymnastics team won the country’s first-ever gold medal in the group all-around event at the Asian Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships held in Singapore on May 10-16, reported the Kazakhstan Gymnastics Federation’s press service. In the individual program, Akmaral Yerekesheva claimed two gold medals, while Aiganym Rysbek secured a silver in the team…
Tuyuk-Su Glacier Shrinks by Ten Meters in Decade
ASTANA – The Tuyuk-Su Glacier in the Northern Tien Shan has lost ten meters of thickness over the past 12 years, according to a recent survey by the UNESCO Central Asian Glaciology Center, reported Khabar news agency on May 12. In 2013, the glacier’s maximum thickness was 105 meters, but it now stands at just…
French Explorer Captures Kazakhstan’s Untamed Beauty
ASTANA – French filmmaker, photographer, and solo bicycle explorer Cédric Tassan has explored the unique landscapes of Kazakhstan’s Mangystau Region by bike twice. His first journey in 2022 covered more than 600 kilometers solo. Earlier this year, he returned with fellow French cyclists to retrace his original route. In an interview with The Astana Times,…
Southeast Asia Rises as Favorite Vacation Spot for Kazakh Tourists
ASTANA – Travel abroad is becoming increasingly popular among Kazakh tourists, with a growing number opting for Southeast Asian destinations. According to industry experts, China has emerged as a top choice, with outbound tourism growing by 300%, followed by Vietnam with a 200% increase and Qatar with 160%. The surge in interest in Vietnam is…
Kazakhstan Invests in Science, But Will It Inspire Next Generation?
ASTANA – The development of science is a strategic priority for Kazakhstan, viewed as a key driver of economic growth. While the nation continues to invest in scientific research and seeks a broader global presence, the sector still grapples with deep-seated challenges, including limited funding and a lack of youth engagement. Science in numbers According…
Kazakh Deaf Dance Troupe Wins Big at International Festival in China
ASTANA – The Kazakh Sensitive Theater of deaf dancers claimed three Grand Prix awards at the second International Competition-Festival of Culture and Arts “Lace of Tianjin 2025,” held in China, from April 29 to May 3. Among 700 participants worldwide, the Kazakh team stood out, earning top honors for their Kazakh stylized dance “Amanat,” a…
Kazakhstan Unveils Digital Future for Subsoil Management
ASTANA – In a significant leap toward transparency and innovation, Kazakhstan has made its natural resources more accessible to global investors by removing intermediaries and digitizing subsoil management. The Astana Times spoke with Vice Minister of Industry and Construction Zhannat Dubirova to learn more about the subsoil use platform and how interactive mapping unlocks the…
Kazakhstan Celebrates Unity in Diversity
ASTANA – Kazakhstan marks the Day of Unity of the People on May 1, paying tribute to the country’s rich multicultural identity. Officially recognized as a state holiday since 1996, it brings together more than 150 ethnic groups living across the nation, emphasizing mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and the power of cultural diversity. The history…
Kazakh Saddle Maker Revives Centuries-Old Craft for New Generation
ASTANA – Kazakh craftsman Yerzhigit Toktaruly has spent over 20 years mastering the traditional Kazakh craft of saddle-making, working from his home in the Pavlodar Region. Toktaruly shares his creations on TikTok, where he has around 10,000 followers. He also shares step-by-step masterclasses, demonstrating how to make equestrian gear from start to finish. He welcomes…
Kazakhstan Drives Healthy Aging with Centers that Bring Purpose, Connection
ASTANA – Kazakhstan has launched a network of Active Longevity Centers nationwide to support the social integration of elderly adults and promote active lifestyle. These centers offer free cultural, creative, physical, and educational activities for retirees to improve physical and mental well-being. According to official figures, Kazakhstan’s aging index reached 31.1 in 2024, a 1.6…
Kazakhstan Marks 125th Anniversary of Writer Sabit Mukanov
ASTANA – Kazakhstan celebrates the 125th anniversary of Sabit Mukanov, a seminal figure in national literature on April 26. A master of multiple genres, Mukanov helped lay the foundation of 20th-century Kazakh culture and remains a revered voice in the country’s literary and intellectual history. Born in 1900 in the Zhambyl district of the North…
AI Project Lights Up Domestic Violence Cases in Kazakhstan
ASTANA – Kazakhstan has launched a digital project that uses artificial intelligence to track and visualize domestic violence cases in real-time. The project, called Svet Saltanat [the Light of Saltanat], was initiated by technology company Citix, a leader in digital outdoor advertising, and creative agency GForce Grey — the first Central Asian winner of the…
Kazakhstan Celebrates First National Book Day, Promoting Reading and Literary Culture
ASTANA – Kazakhstan celebrated its first-ever National Book Day on April 23, a milestone event to promote a reading culture, raise literacy rates, and highlight the value of libraries and books in society. The initiative seeks to inspire people of all ages to rediscover the joy of reading in an increasingly digital world. President Kassym-Jomart…
