Articles by Aiman Nakispekova

ASTANA – Kazakhstan marks the 130th anniversary of Seraly Kozhamkulov, one of the founders of the Kazakh national theater and a towering figure in the country’s cultural history, on May 5. Kozhamkulov was born in 1896 in a village in the Kostanai Region. From 1913 to 1916, he studied at the Uazifa school in Troitsk,…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan has set an ambitious goal of becoming an international aviation hub, with several of its major airports transforming to compete on the global stage. Yerlan Ospanov, owner of the Saryarka Airport in Karagandy, spoke with Astana Times about what it takes to build a true aviation hub, where Kazakhstan stands today, and…

ASTANA – Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev met with Tamás Jakkel, president of the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) on April 30, to discuss prospects for cooperation in developing domestic dog breeding and preserving a sustainable breed gene pool. Jakkel described the meeting as “constructive and positive,” saying the talks also focused on responsible dog breeding and…

ASTANA – A national livestock expedition kicked off from Astana on May to mark the Unity Day of the People of Kazakhstan on May 1, launching a 16-day journey across 10 agricultural regions aimed at documenting the lives of the country’s livestock industry and laying the groundwork for its development. The project, called Dala.Camp, is…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan launched a new housing initiative on April 29 aimed at improving access to safe, affordable housing for vulnerable groups and advancing broader housing policy reforms. The three-year project, called Shanyraq: Partnerships for Stronger Communities and the Right to Accessible Housing for All, is supported by the European Union and implemented by the…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan ranked 29th globally for air pollution in 2025, with fine particulate matter (PM2.5) levels nearly five times above World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines, highlighting persistent environmental and public health challenges. PM2.5 refers to microscopic airborne particles that can penetrate deep into the lungs and bloodstream, increasing the risk of respiratory and cardiovascular…

ASTANA – Although nomadic society lacked formal statistical systems, Kazakhs developed their own methods to estimate population size. Instead of precise figures, they relied on social and administrative units such as ulus (state), ru (clan) and shanyrak (household), forming a system adapted to the realities of steppe life. According to Berikbai Karibayev, the Doctor of…

ASTANA – Senior officials and international experts convened this week at the Regional Ecological Summit with a clear and unified message: the global community has a sufficient understanding of its environmental challenges. What is now required is a decisive shift toward results. Central Asia as emerging climate actor “We don’t want to discuss the problems…

ASTANA – The upcoming Regional Ecological Summit 2026 will focus on delivering concrete outcomes, shifting discussions on environmental issues toward practical mechanisms, technologies, institutions and financing, said Kazakhstan’s Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources Yerlan Nyssanbayev, during an April 21 briefing with foreign media. Expected outcomes include a regional declaration on ecology and sustainable development,…

ASTANA – Language is often described as the soul of a nation, but its script is the face the world sees. The Kazakh language has undergone a long transformation, from Arabic script to modern Latinization, shaped by major political and cultural shifts, including the spread of Islam, Soviet reforms and Kazakhstan’s independence. The Astana Times…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan has confirmed the presence of the snow leopard in the Western Tien Shan, along with evidence of stable reproduction, a significant milestone for the conservation of the rare species, according to Alexey Grachev, head of the theriology laboratory at the Institute of Zoology. At a regional briefing, Grachev said at least eight…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan celebrates the Day of Lovers on April 15, known as Kozy Korpesh – Bayan Sulu Day, in honor of one of the country’s most iconic love epics. The holiday, dedicated to the heroes of a 13th-14th-century lyrical poem, symbolizes love, fidelity, and respect for cultural traditions, and serves as a national alternative…

ASTANA – Kazakh society is defined by rich cultural heritage and enduring traditions, carefully preserved and passed down through generations. From hospitality toward strangers to deep respect for ancestors, these values have shaped the way of life on the steppe and have been sustained and transmitted largely through women. For centuries, hospitality has stood as…

ASTANA – Air Astana is strengthening connectivity between Kazakhstan and China with a new direct Almaty-Shanghai flight, launched in late March, the company said during a press conference in Shanghai. The route operates three times a week and complements existing flights to Beijing, Guangzhou, Sanya, Urumqi and Yining. With the addition of Shanghai, the Air…

ASTANA – A total of 34 saker falcons, 28 females and six males, were released into the wild at Altyn-Emel National Park in Kazakhstan’s Almaty Region as part of a population restoration program led by Saudi Arabia’s Saudi Falcons Club in cooperation with Kazakh partners, Reuters reported on April 3. The birds were brought from…

ASTANA – Kazakh athletes won 200 medals in international competitions in the first quarter of 2026, including 79 gold, 57 silver and 64 bronze, the Ministry of Tourism and Sports reported on April 6. In summer Olympic and non-Olympic sports, athletes secured 138 medals: 51 gold, 39 silver and 48 bronze. In national sports, Kazakhstan…

ASTANA – The Light Rail Transit (LRT) system has entered a comprehensive testing phase with 19 train sets operating simultaneously, reported the capital’s akimat (administration) press service on April 7. The tests are being conducted in fully automated GOA4 mode, with trains operating without drivers. The trials simulate real operating conditions, including passenger boarding and…

ASTANA – South Korea’s presidential chief of staff Kang Hoon-sik will travel to Kazakhstan, Oman and Saudi Arabia on Tuesday to discuss securing supplies of crude oil and naphtha, Yonhap News Agency reported on April 7. The trip comes as South Korea seeks to stabilize energy imports amid disruptions to shipping through the Strait of…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan plans to install at least 3,527 5G base stations by the end of 2027 to ensure stable connectivity and high data speeds, according to the Ministry of Digital Development and Artificial Intelligence, reported Kazinform on April 6. “Currently, 3,355 5G base stations have been deployed in all cities of national significance and…

ASTANA – The Eurasian Development Bank has released the Waves of Investment Megahype report on April 7, outlining the most likely directions for the next global surge in investment in emerging technologies, according to the bank’s press service. The report identifies seven areas expected to attract major capital flows in the coming years, including biotechnology…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan is expanding coal production while advancing power generation and digital reforms, Minister of Energy Yerlan Akkenzhenov said at a government meeting on April 7. Akkenzhenov noted that the coal sector remains a cornerstone of Kazakhstan’s energy security, continuing to expand while ensuring stable domestic supply and steady exports. Coal production Kazakhstan ranks…

ASTANA – Almaty could welcome its first Michelin-recognized restaurant this year, Deputy Akim Olzhas Smagulov said during an April 2 regional communications briefing. Smagulov noted that the city continues its efforts to attract global brands, with negotiations underway with European, American and Asian partners who are assessing the local market and preparing investment decisions. “In…

ASTANA – Syrmak, a traditional Kazakh felt rug handcrafted from natural sheep’s wool, ​​has been the centerpiece of nomadic life on the steppe.  The name derives from an ancient Turkic verb meaning “to stitch” or “to sew tightly,” reflecting the rug’s distinctive quilting and stitching technique.  Inside the yurt, it was insulated against winter frost…

ASTANA – The C5+O.N.E. (Opening Networks Through English) program launched its sixth cohort on April 2, aiming to strengthen English proficiency across Central Asia to support regional integration, professional collaboration and economic ties with the United States. Participants from Central Asian countries represent key sectors, including agriculture, banking and finance, information technology, entrepreneurship and energy.…

ASTANA – The Kazakh capital hosted the two-day international Geological Forum Geoscience & Exploration Central Asia on April 2-3, bringing together industry experts and officials to discuss developments in exploration and resource management, Kazinform reported. Kazakh Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov outlined plans to establish a modern geological cluster in Astana, including an analytical laboratory, a…