Justice on Steppe: How Kazakh Judges Settle Disputes
ASTANA – Long before modern courts emerged, disputes on the Kazakh steppe were resolved by biys, a respected judges whose authority stemmed not from official appointment but from public trust, deep knowledge of customary law and a reputation for fairness. Zharilkasyn Zhappasov, a candidate of historical sciences and professor at the International Engineering and Technological…
Djend: Silk Road City That Minted Coins for Golden Horde
ASTANA – The ruins of Djend, a medieval city in Kazakhstan’s Kyzylorda Region, offer a glimpse into a once-thriving center of trade, politics and Islamic culture that played a significant role in the history of the Golden Horde. Located south of the village of Akkyr in the Zhalagash district near the lower reaches of the…
Rare Akhal-Teke Filly as Living Symbol of Kazakhstan’s Nomadic Heritage
ASTANA – A young Akhal-Teke filly named Akzhan, born to purebred horses Ganatly and Tabys, has attracted widespread attention in Kazakhstan for her rare isabelline coat and has become an emerging cultural symbol in Astana. Born on March 30, 2025, Akzhan belongs to one of the rarest color varieties of the Akhal-Teke breed, with only…
Kazakhstan Celebrates 100 Years of Opera Legend Yermek Serkebayev
ASTANA – Kazakhstan is marking the 100th anniversary of Yermek Serkebayev on July 4, one of the country’s most celebrated opera singers and a towering figure in national musical culture. A lyrical baritone, educator and People’s Artist, Serkebayev played a defining role in shaping Kazakh opera and vocal performance in the 20th century. His interpretations…
Kazakhstan’s New Constitution Ushers in Citizen-Centered Era of Governance and Rights
ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s Constitutional Court hosted a scientific and practical conference on June 30 to mark the entry into force of the country’s new Constitution on July 1, bringing together government officials, legal scholars, judges, international experts and academics to discuss its role in shaping the country’s future development. More than 150 representatives from government…
Kazakhstan’s New Constitution Takes Effect: Here’s What Changes
ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s new Constitution entered into force on July 1 following its approval in a nationwide referendum on March 15. Replacing the 1995 Constitution, it sets out changes to the country’s system of government, the distribution of state powers, constitutional rights and public institutions. The key changes include a unicameral legislature known as the…
Bayanaul National Park Offers Nature Escape Just Hours from Astana
ASTANA – Located around 450 kilometers from Astana, Bayanaul National Park remains one of Kazakhstan’s most popular domestic tourism destinations, attracting visitors with its granite mountains, pine forests and clear-water lakes. Lake Zhasybai, the park’s best-known resort area, can be reached in approximately 5.5 to 6 hours by car via the A17 highway through Ekibastuz.…
Ancient Burial Mound in Central Kazakhstan Reveals Graves from Two Eras
ASTANA – Archaeologists have uncovered burials from two distinct historical periods within a single ancient mound in Kazakhstan’s Karagandy Region, offering new insights into the region’s ancient cultures, the akimat’s (regional administration) press service reported on June 22. The discovery was made during excavations at the Kulaigyr-1 burial site near the village of Kulaigyr in…
Kazakhstan, EU Complete Expert-Level Talks on Visa Facilitation Agreement
ASTANA – Kazakhstan and the European Union have completed expert-level negotiations on draft Visa Facilitation and Readmission Agreements, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Yerlan Zhetybayev announced during a press briefing on June 25. The announcement follows President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s June 23 visit to Brussels, where he met with European Council President António Costa and European Commission President Ursula…
Kazakhstan’s Climate Agenda Mirrors UN Priorities
ASTANA – While addressing London Climate Action Week on June 23, UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned that the world faces a “Tale of Two Crises” – accelerating climate change and growing energy insecurity driven by continued dependence on fossil fuels. He called for stronger climate action, regional cooperation, investment in clean energy, adaptation measures and…
EDB Forecasts Central Asia’s Economy to Top $600 Billion in 2026
ASTANA – The Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) on June 15 released its macroeconomic outlook for 2026-2028, forecasting that Central Asia’s economy will expand by more than 6.5% in 2026 and exceed $600 billion in gross domestic product for the first time. The bank expects continued strong growth across its member states, led by the Kyrgyz…
UNESCO-Listed Almaty Reserve Protects Kazakhstan’s Natural Heritage
ASTANA – The Almaty State Nature Reserve, one of Kazakhstan’s oldest protected areas, has safeguarded the unique ecosystems of the Northern Tien Shan for nearly a century. It preserves a remarkable diversity of landscapes, wildlife and ecosystems. The reserve was first established in 1931 in the Small Almaty Gorge and has undergone several territorial changes…
How Khoja Ahmed Yasawi Mausoleum Teaches Faith, Knowledge and Self-Discovery
ASTANA – The Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi is widely regarded as one of the most important architectural monuments of the Turkic world and a spiritual treasure of Islamic civilization. Built in the late 14th century by order of Amir Temir, the complex has served for centuries as a center of Sufi teaching, spiritual education…
Central Asian Countries Outline Critical Minerals Strategies at C5+1 Dialogue
ASTANA – Central Asian countries presented their strategies for developing critical minerals and expanding regional cooperation during the C5+1 Critical Minerals Dialogue with the United States on June 10 in Astana. The discussions focused on geological exploration, data transparency, investment incentives, workforce development and regional supply chain integration. Geological data key to investment David L.…
Critical Minerals Open New Chapter in US-Central Asia Relations
ASTANA – The Kazakh capital hosted the C5+1 Critical Minerals Dialogue on June 10, bringing together senior officials from Central Asian countries and the United States to strengthen cooperation on critical mineral supply chains, investment and technological development. Opening the dialogue, Kazakhstan’s Minister of Industry and Construction Yersayin Nagaspayev said critical minerals are becoming the…
Singing in Kazakh, Winning Hearts Worldwide
ASTANA – Once largely confined to domestic audiences, Kazakh-language music is increasingly finding listeners around the world. Driven by streaming platforms and social media, a new generation of artists is transforming local hits into global phenomena. Much of that attention is fueled by a new generation of Kazakh artists whose songs go viral on TikTok,…
Why World is Falling in Love with Kazakh Honey
ASTANA – From the flowering meadows of the Altai Mountains to the vast southern steppes, beekeeping has long been woven into Kazakhstan’s agricultural heritage. Today, as global demand for natural and organic products grows, Kazakh honey is attracting increasing attention from international consumers and helping the country strengthen its position in the market. Beekeeping is…
Kazakhstan’s Exporters Race to Adapt to Europe’s Carbon Border Tax
ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s aluminum, iron and steel sectors are expected to be the most affected by the European Union’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), according to Fabiana Fong, component lead at the International Trade Centre (ITC). Speaking at the presentation of a CBAM impact assessment report in Astana on June 3, Fong said the study…
Kazakhstan Establishes Central Asia’s First Brain Institute
ASTANA – Al-Farabi Kazakh National University (KazNU) launched the Brain Institute, the first specialized scientific and educational center of its kind in Kazakhstan and Central Asia, on June 1, reported the Ministry of Science and Higher Education. The institute was established on the basis of KazNU’s Center for Cognitive Neuroscience, founded in 2018, and is…
Kazakhstan Ranks Among World’s Top Rising Tech Hubs
ASTANA – Kazakhstan has entered the top 10 of the Rising Stars category in The Global Tech Ecosystem Index 2026 by analytical platform Dealroom.co. The ranking underscored the country’s rapid emergence as a regional technology hub and an increasingly attractive destination for investment, reported the Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development’s press service on…
Kazakhstan and Hong Kong Open New Chapter in Bilateral Relations
ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev met with John KC Lee, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China, marking the first-ever visit by a Hong Kong Chief Executive to Kazakhstan, reported Akorda on June 1. Welcoming the guest, Tokayev noted that the visit would provide fresh momentum for…
EAEU Leaders Endorse AI Development and New Trade Initiatives
ASTANA – Leaders of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) approved new trade initiatives and adopted a joint statement on the responsible development of artificial intelligence during a meeting of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council on May 29, chaired by Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. The meeting brought together Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov,…
How Kazakh Nomads Helped Shape Georgian Statehood
ASTANA – Centuries before modern borders took shape across Eurasia, Kipchak nomads from the Kazakh steppe played a role in the rise of medieval Georgia, a little-known chapter of shared history explored by Kazakh writer Madi Raimov and historian Zhaksylyk Sabitov during a recent event organized by QazaqGeography. The event coincided with Georgia’s Independence Day…
President Tokayev Calls for AI-Driven Integration at Eurasian Economic Forum
ASTANA – The role of artificial intelligence and digital technologies took center stage in President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s remarks at the plenary session of the fifth Eurasian Economic Forum on May 28 in Astana. Addressing the forum, Tokayev said Kazakhstan, as chair of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) this year, has proposed using AI to ensure…
Kazakhstan Restores Endangered Bukhara Deer Population
ASTANA – The Syrdarya-Turkistan State Regional Natural Park in southern Kazakhstan has become the country’s only site for restoring the endangered Bukhara deer population. Reintroduction efforts began in 1999 with just six animals. Since then, the population has grown to 319 deer, according to the park officials. The Bukhara deer, endemic to Central Asia, historically…
