Kazakh Pupil Presents Fairy Tales at UNESCO Conference in Saudi Arabia
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…
Inflation Drops to 8.4%, Still Far from Target, Says National Bank Chairman
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…
Kazakh Foreign Ministry Discusses Cooperation With UNICEF
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,…
Kazakhstan’s Tourism Sees Boost with 6 Million Domestic Travelers
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…
Kazakhstan, Xinjiang Aim to Double Trade, Establish Cooperation Council with Hong Kong
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…
Tokayev Highlights UN Reform and Middle Power Roles at Doha Forum
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.…
How Geopolitics Reshapes Oil Routes Across Eurasia
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…
EAEU Nations Advance Tourism as Economic Priority
ASTANA – The Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) member states, Kazakhstan, Armenia, the Kyrgyz Republic, Belarus, and Russia prioritize tourism development as part of their economic integration agenda. This initiative gained momentum in 2020 by adopting the Strategic Directions for the Development of Eurasian Economic Integration until 2025. Tourism, education, healthcare, and sports were identified as…
Kazakhstan Honors Abish Kekilbayev’s 85th Anniversary
ASTANA – Kazakhstan commemorates the 85th anniversary of Abish Kekilbayev, a distinguished writer, philologist, translator, historian, and statesman, on Dec. 6. Known for his encyclopedic knowledge and literary innovation, Kekilbayev remains a towering figure in Kazakh literature and public life. Born in Ondy village in the Mangystau Region, Kekilbayev graduated in 1962 from the philological…
Annual Christmas Charity Bazaar Raises More Than $80,000
ASTANA – The 15th Anniversary Diplomatic Christmas Charity Bazaar, organized by Ambassadors’ Spouses Astana (ASA), raised 46,646,000 tenge (US$88,830), an 11% increase from last year’s event. Proceeds from the event support social projects and individuals in need. Last year, the funds benefitted 30 organizations, with donations ranging from 60,000 to two million tenge (US$116 – US$3,878),…
Kazakhstan Marks Power of Global Volunteerism
ASTANA – Kazakhstan celebrates International Volunteer Day on Dec. 5, honoring the invaluable contributions of volunteers to society. From addressing urgent humanitarian needs to advancing charitable and social initiatives, volunteers embody the spirit of selflessness and community. This global observance, established by the UN General Assembly in 1985, recognizes the transformative contributions of volunteerism to…
Kazakhstan Joins Global Movement to End Gender-Based Violence
ASTANA – Kazakhstan is participating in the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, a global campaign running from Nov. 25, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, to Dec. 10, International Human Rights Day. The initiative aims to raise awareness and inspire action against gender-based violence. On Nov. 25, UN Women…
Annual Christmas Bazaar Brings Global Cultures Together for Charity in Kazakh Capital
ASTANA – Kazakh capital hosted the 15th annual Christmas Bazaar, organized by the Ambassadors Spouses Association (ASA) on Dec. 1, offering citizens and visitors in Astana an opportunity to explore the cultures of 31 countries without leaving the city. The event featured traditional food, souvenirs, crafts, artwork, clothing, and other unique items from participating embassies,…
Uralsk: Historic and Cultural Gateway
Editor’s Note: The Astana Times continues its series of articles, Exploring Kazakhstan, City by City, in the marvelous city of Uralsk. We are setting out to unveil the rich diversity of cities to bring you closer to the heart and soul of Kazakhstan. ASTANA – Uralsk, the West Kazakhstan Region’s administrative, industrial, historical, and cultural…
Kazakh Musician Bridges World Through Dombra
ASTANA – Kazakh musician and cultural ambassador Aigerim Myrzakhmet, founder of the World Dombra Academy, is dedicated to fostering cultural exchange and inclusivity by teaching the dombra, the national musical instrument, to students worldwide. “Through my work, I aim to connect people from around the world through music and culture. I also lead initiatives like…
US Congress Considers Granting Kazakhstan Permanent Normal Trade Relations Status
ASTANA – The U.S. Congress is exploring ways to strengthen ties with Kazakhstan, including granting the country Permanent Normal Trade Relations (PNTR) status. However, progress is stalled by the Jackson-Vanik Amendment, a Cold War-era policy enacted in 1974. Some lawmakers believe the amendment could be repealed as early as January 2025. Kazakhstan’s Ambassador to the…
Kazakh Foreign Policy Advances with Successful Visits to Serbia and Hungary
ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev marked significant milestones last week with an official visit to Serbia and a state visit to Hungary. The agreements and discussions from these meetings are set to advance Kazakhstan’s structural economic modernization, opening new opportunities in trade, investment, and collaboration. Kazakhstan, Serbia, and Hungary foster a stable cooperation triangle,…
Magic of Social Dancing in Kazakhstan: Making Connections Through Movement
ASTANA – Imagine moving to a new city where you do not know anyone. Who can you talk to? Where can you find friends? The answer might surprise you—at a social dance school. Social dancing offers a way to diversify your leisure time and adds a unique “spark” to life. It is a language all…
Kazakhstan Marks Milestones in Children’s Rights Protection
ASTANA – Kazakhstan celebrated the 35th anniversary of the adoption of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) on Nov. 20. This year also marks 30 years since the country ratified the treaty, a pivotal moment in advancing children’s rights. Key achievements in child protection Kazakhstan has made significant strides in safeguarding…
Central Asian Nations See Strong Economic Progress, Expanding Trade Potential
Central Asian countries are experiencing significant economic progress, with trade within the region expanding 2.5 times over the past decade, reaching nearly $11 billion. Diverse economies, common potential Central Asia’s combined GDP stands at $347 billion, quadrupling over the last 20 years, with a population of 77 million that has grown 1.4 times since 2000.…
Discover Kazakhstan’s Top Ski Resorts as Snow Season Approaches
ASTANA – Winter has arrived in parts of Kazakhstan, marking the perfect time to pull out ski gear and enjoy winter sports. In recent years, ski resorts have grown in popularity among locals and tourists alike. The country’s resorts offer modern facilities and infrastructure, with lower costs compared to well-known European ski destinations. Recently, travel…
Kazakh Female Developer’s Startup Wins Top Honor in US
ASTANA – Benazir Toleubekova, a Kazakh developer, showcased her startup Pointai at the TechCrunch Disrupt 2024 conference in the United States, where the company unveiled its new product, Hire Pam—an AI-powered customer support employee, reported The Tech media on it’s Instagram page on Nov.2. The product won first place on Product Hunt, a leading platform…
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…
