Articles by Aiman Nakispekova

ASTANA – The Kazakh people possess a rich and diverse cultural heritage, deeply rooted in traditions that emphasize family and kinship. Central to this heritage are customs designed to care for and protect children, ensuring their well-being and attracting good fortune. These traditions are reflected in rituals observed from a child’s birth through early childhood.…

ASTANA – Yuji Beleza, a Japanese blogger residing in Vienna, has captivated audiences worldwide with his linguistic talent and cultural curiosity. Speaking over a dozen languages, including Kazakh, Beleza’s fluency surprises and delights Kazakh locals, given that he learned the language independently through books and online resources. In an interview with The Astana Times, Beleza…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan launched approximately 180 new industrial facilities in 2024, with a total investment of 1.3 trillion tenge (US$2.48 billion), creating about 14,400 jobs. This was announced during a Dec. 30 off-site meeting chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Economy Serik Zhumangarin in the Karagandy Region, reported the Ministry of Agriculture’s…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s tourism sector continues to grow steadily, with an increase in both domestic and international visitors and rising investments in infrastructure. By the end of 2024, domestic tourists are expected to exceed ten million, while international arrivals are projected to surpass 15 million—a nearly 60% rise compared to 2023, according to the Ministry…

ASTANA – Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signed legislative amendments on Jan. 2, introducing stricter regulations on the illegal trafficking of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances, their analogs, precursors, and potent substances. The amendments aim to strengthen accountability for the production and distribution of drugs while applying more lenient penalties to individuals acting as couriers. The law…

ASTANA — Migration trends in Kazakhstan have shifted significantly from 2019 to 2024, reflecting broader economic and social changes. Migration plays a direct role in shaping the population’s size and structure and influencing labor force distribution, according to an article published at the EconomyKZ portal. Migration trends overview “Kazakhstan’s migration balance was negative in 2019,…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s economy grew 5.1% this year, driven entirely by its non-oil sector, while exports of processed goods rose 10.2% to US$23.3 billion from January to November 2024. Experts shared insights with Kazinform news agency on the factors behind this growth and whether it can continue in 2025. Senior Partner at the Center for…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan marked the 130th anniversary of Turar Ryskulov, a prominent statesman, scholar and diplomat on Dec.26. Renowned for his unwavering advocacy for the unity of Turkic peoples, Ryskulov envisioned the creation of a Unified Turkistan, championing their shared heritage and collective aspirations. As a visionary thinker, Ryskulov tirelessly addressed critical issues of political…

ASTANA – Kazakh software engineer and entrepreneur Ismail Karankin has launched Oli Robotics, a startup focused on creating an AI-powered barista robot. The venture has attracted $150,000 in investments and was named one of the top 30 startups from Central Asia for acceleration in the Silicon Valley Residency Program by Silkroad Innovation Hub. According to…

ASTANA — Kazakhstan, one of the world’s leading producers of natural resources, faces growing pressure to adopt low-carbon technologies to stay competitive amid tightening global regulations on carbon emissions. With high-emission sectors such as aviation, transportation, metallurgy, and cement production dominating its economy, the country must accelerate its decarbonization efforts. A recent World Economic Forum…

ASTANA — The Institute of Smart Systems and Artificial Intelligence (ISSAI) at Nazarbayev University presented President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev with Kazakhstan’s first large language model (LLM), marking a significant milestone in the country’s advancement into the global artificial intelligence (AI) arena. Based on neural network technology, the project serves as the foundation for the Kazakh version…

Editor’s Note: The Astana Times continues its series of articles, Exploring Kazakhstan, City by City, in the marvelous city of Turkistan. We are setting out to unveil the rich diversity of cities to bring you closer to the heart and soul of Kazakhstan. ASTANA – Turkistan stands as a cultural and historical jewel of Kazakhstan,…

ASTANA – The Kazakh government is advancing its goal of establishing comprehensive transport and logistics hubs in Central Asia and the Caspian Region by focusing on cross-border infrastructure, attracting investments, and boosting export potential.  At a Dec. 10 meeting chaired by Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov, officials discussed key logistics projects to strengthen Kazakhstan’s role as…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan plans to attract US$10 billion in investments for major projects over the next three years.  This was announced at the government session with the Kazakh Invest national company’s board of directors chaired by Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov, reported the Prime Minister’s press service on Dec.11. The projects will involve partnerships with prominent…

ASTANA – Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Murat Nurtleu held a working meeting with ambassadors from Arab countries accredited in Kazakhstan to discuss enhancing cooperation and implementing joint projects, reported the ministry’s press service on Dec.10. The meeting focused on strengthening bilateral and multilateral collaboration, with a constructive exchange of views on international…

ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev reaffirmed Kazakhstan’s dedication to advancing human rights by approving the Third Presidential Decree, accompanied by a comprehensive Action Plan on Human Rights and Rule of Law on Dec. 8, 2023. Announced on the eve of Human Rights Day, this initiative underscored the country’s commitment to addressing societal demands and fulfilling…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan commemorates International Human Rights Day on Dec. 10, emphasizing the importance of human rights as a transformative force in addressing societal challenges. The day also marked 76 years since the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948. This landmark document unites people worldwide, transcending nationality, status, and other affiliations,…

ASTANA – The Kazakh National Bank issued collectible coins in March 2024 for the World Painting project. The coins feature a fragment of the international art initiative, including a drawing of a peace dove by a renowned Kazakh artist and activist Karipbek Kuyukov, a victim of nuclear weapons testing at the Semipalatinsk test site, and…

ASTANA – Platon Nechayev, an 11-year-old student from the Karagandy Region, showcased his fairy tales and educational program at the 6th International Conference on Learning Cities in Jubail, Saudi Arabia, on Dec. 2-5.  He was invited to present his unique fairy tales at a high level, including a personal book presentation to His Excellency, the…

ASTANA – Annual inflation slightly decreased in November to 8.4%, but it remains well above the National Bank’s target of 5%, said Chairman of the National Bank Timur Suleimenov at a Dec. 5 plenary session of Kazakhstan’s Senate. “As of November, inflation in paid services, at 13.3%, continues to be the main contributor to overall…

ASTANA – The Kazakh Ministry of Foreign Affairs hosted a Steering Committee meeting to coordinate the 2026-2030 Cooperation Program between the Government of Kazakhstan and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), reported the ministry press service on Dec.6. The meeting, co-chaired by First Deputy Foreign Minister Akan Rakhmetullin and UNICEF Representative in Kazakhstan Dоctor Rashed Mustafa Sarwar,…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s tourism sector is showing steady growth, with a significant increase in domestic and foreign visitors. In the first nine months of 2024, the number of domestic tourists rose by 562,000 to six million, while income from accommodation facilities grew by 27%, reaching 224 billion tenge (US$439.1 million).  According to the Prime Minister’s…

ASTANA – Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister Serik Zhumangarin met with Ma Xingrui, Secretary of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region (XUAR) Communist Party, on Dec. 6 in Urumqi, where he expressed Kazakhstan’s intention to double trade with XUAR, reported the Prime Minister’s press service. “The leaders of Kazakhstan and China have set a goal to increase…

ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev participated in the opening ceremony of the Doha Forum on Dec. 7, where he joined a Newsmaker Interview session. He emphasized the growing role of middle powers and the UN’s essential role as a universal organization, stating it is “necessary for humanity, with no alternative,” reported the Akorda press service.…

ASTANA – In recent years, geopolitical shifts have redrawn trade routes and significantly impacted global energy markets. One notable development is the rising relevance of delivering Russian oil to Europe while bypassing Ukraine. As global energy markets shift, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan and Türkiye are poised to become critical players in this segment. Russia remains a vital…