Articles by Aiman Nakispekova

ASTANA — The French National Georges Pompidou Center of Art and Culture has acquired “Artist Sleeps,” a work by Kazakh artists Yelena and Victor Vorobyov, the Ministry of Culture and Information announced on July 24 in response to an official inquiry by Kazinform news agency. This installation features a bed with a peacefully sleeping human…

ASTANA — The Kazakh Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources and Zhasyl Damu company have launched the first project to construct a waste recycling plant and techno-eco park, the ministry’s press service reported on July 24. This project includes sorting 120,000 tons of waste annually, sorting bulky waste at a rate of 120,000 tons per…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s multimedia interactive complex in Burabay National Park, in the Akmola Region, has reopened following modernization, offering visitors an immersive experience into the nation’s history and Kazakh culture, reported the press service of the Ministry of Culture and Information on July 24. This interactive museum aims to enhance Kazakhstan’s cultural, spiritual, and historical heritage.…

ASTANA – The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) Secretariat received compensation plans from Kazakhstan for its excess production in the first half of 2024, reported the organization’s press service on July 24. Iraq and Russia have also submitted similar plans. Kazakhstan overproduced approximately 620,000 barrels daily, while Iraq’s excess reached 1.1 million barrels per…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan plans to initiate 180 projects by the end of 2024, with investments totaling about 1.4 trillion tenge (US$2.9 billion) and creating approximately 17,400 new jobs, the Prime Minister’s press service reported on July 24. Once fully operational, the key projects will generate goods worth nearly 1.8 trillion tenge (US$3.7 billion), including 400…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan established its first permanent representation to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) at ICAO headquarters in Montreal on July 23, reported the foreign ministry’s press service. Timur Tlegenov, the new Kazakh permanent representative, met with ICAO Secretary General Juan Carlos Salazar and expressed strong support for the organization’s initiatives to foster multifaceted…

ASTANA – With less than a week before the 2024 Paris Games, Kazakh athletes departed for Paris on July 17. Twelve referees from Kazakhstan will officiate at the Olympics, scheduled from July 26 to Aug. 11. Eighty athletes will compete, with the national men’s boxing team being the only full team among the country’s representatives.…

ASTANA – Mas-wrestling is one of the 20 competitive sports at the World Nomad Games, featuring traditional games of Turkic nomadic peoples. This sport has deep historical roots, known by various names such as “mas-dardygi” in Yakutia (The Republic of Sakha), “tayak tartish” in the Kyrgyz Republic, and “tayak tartu” in Kazakhstan. The essence of…

ASTANA—The Kazakh capital will host the 26th World Petroleum Council (WPC) Energy Congress in 2028. This event marks a significant milestone for the entire region, providing participants with the opportunity to share invaluable experiences, learn about global trends in the energy and oil and gas sectors, and discuss unique projects and developments. Alibek Kuantyrov, general…

ASTANA – Five years ago, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev officially assumed the presidency of Kazakhstan after winning a competitive open election. This marked the beginning of significant changes and challenges in the country. Maulen Ashimbayev, the chairperson of the Senate, the upper chamber of the Kazakh Parliament, discussed key events of these five years in an article…

ASTANA – The first direct flight from Milan landed in Astana on July 13 morning operated by Italy’s Neos, marking a significant boost to Kazakh-Italian relations. The airline has scheduled two additional flights on Aug. 30 and Sept. 13, with plans to increase frequency based on demand. In an interview with The Astana Times, Marco…

ASTANA – The qualification tournaments for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris have recently concluded. Eighty athletes will represent Kazakhstan in 25 sports, including boxing, judo, artistic gymnastics, kayaking and canoeing, shooting, fencing, and Greco-Roman wrestling. The Kazakh national team is preparing to participate in the Summer Olympics for the eighth time, while some of…

ASTANA – Aqmola Invest, the regional investment attraction center for the Akmola Region, launched in Astana on July 9. Operating under a single window principle, the center simplifies government services and provides comprehensive support to investors at all stages of their activities, from planning to execution, reported the press service of the Akmola Region’s akimat…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan is well-positioned to ensure a steady supply of critical minerals, meeting the rising global demand driven by the energy transition and the electric vehicle market. According to an analytical overview by experts from the Administration of the Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC), there are nine groups of goods with export potential, including…

ASTANA—The Kazakh advertising agency GForce Grey achieved a significant milestone by winning a Golden Lion at the Cannes Lions International Festival held from June 17-21. This festival is the most prestigious global competition for advertising professionals, with awards across various categories, such as traditional media, digital technologies, PR, design, and creative effects. GForce Grey earned…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan has celebrated National Dombra Day on the first Sunday of July since 2018, fostering a deep appreciation of Kazakh traditions and native culture. The dombra is a sacred instrument embodying the history, joy, sadness, courage, and freedom of the Kazakh people. It is not just a national brand but a national identity…

ASTANA – This year, the Kazakh capital celebrates its 26th anniversary on July 6. This day holds deep historical and cultural significance, symbolizing the country’s achievements. On July 6, 1994, the Supreme Council of Kazakhstan passed a resolution to relocate the capital from Almaty to Akmola. The central government completed its move to Akmola in…

ASTANA – Almaty hosted the annual meeting and business forum of the Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) on June 27-28, bringing together representatives from multilateral development banks, international organizations, businesses, and journalists worldwide. The event aimed to expand partnerships and exchange practical expertise to address key regional challenges, including water, energy balance, transport and logistics development,…

ASTANA – This year marks the 28th anniversary of the establishment of the Kazakh’s Armed Forces sergeant corps, celebrated on July 1. In 1996 the first cadet corps of the Ministry of Defense was created, initiating the formation of a professional sergeant corps.  Kazakhstan was the first in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) to…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan took over the chairmanship of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea (IFAS) this year. During its three-year presidency, Kazakhstan will determine the course of the Aral Sea’s revival. In an interview with Kazinform, Yerbolat Pernekhan, the head of the Department of Water Cooperation for Central Asia at the Ministry of…

ASTANA – Kazakh freediver Assel Zhubanysheva set two new national records at the 17th International Association for the Development of Apnea (AIDA) Panglao Depth Games in the Philippines on May 13-15. Zhubanysheva, who began freediving only four years ago, achieved 45 meters in Free Immersion (FIM) and 40 meters in Constant Weight Bi-fins (CWTB) disciplines,…

ASTANA – A new legislation on women’s rights and children’s safety marks a significant step towards fostering a culture of zero tolerance for any form of violence, said Khalida Azhigulova, a human rights lawyer and Doctor of Law (PhD), in an interview with The Astana Times. On April 15, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signed laws amending…

ASTANA – The Aviation Administration of Kazakhstan (AAK), responsible for technical control and oversight of civil aviation safety and security in Kazakhstan, has strengthened its regional leadership and international presence over the years. In an interview with The Astana Times, Catalin Radu, the AAK Director General, discussed initiatives that led to Kazakhstan’s removal from the…

ASTANA – Recently, Kazakh First Deputy Prime Minister Roman Sklyar discussed the country’s industrial development and economic growth in an interview with the prime minister’s press service. Below is the Q&A with Roman Sklyar. Why is our economy not predominantly oil-based anymore, but rather industrial? Indeed, this question is of paramount importance. The processing industry…

ASTANA – The Kazakhstan Chess Federation (KazChess) has been implementing a coaching assistance program for colleagues from Oman, Tajikistan, and Sri Lanka for the past two months, with plans to include Bangladesh and Cambodia, reported the federation’s press service on June 4. The program includes a two-month stay for the coaches in the respective countries…