Articles by Aiman Nakispekova

ASTANA – As Kazakhstan and Sweden mark 33 years of diplomatic relations this April, Swedish Ambassador to Kazakhstan Ewa Ulrika Polano reflects on the growing partnership between the two nations. In an interview with The Astana Times, she highlighted key areas of cooperation—from trade and infrastructure to healthcare and education—while also emphasizing the role of…

ASTANA – Balbals, the ancient stone sculptures of the Turkic people, stand as silent witnesses to history, culture and tradition. Carved from stone, they have preserved the artistic and religious heritage of the early Turkic tribes, offering a glimpse into their way of life. These weathered monuments, dating back to the early Middle Ages, can…

ASTANA – Tea holds a special place in Kazakh culture, serving as a centerpiece of hospitality and social gatherings. Families often unite over tea, and these occasions can last for hours. Nearly every traditional Kazakh custom includes tea drinking, from celebrations to solemn occasions. Whether celebrating the birth of a child or remembering a loved…

ASTANA – The final day of the Nauryznama decade, observed on March 23 as the Day of a Pure Mind and Intentions, is dedicated to environmental awareness. This national ecological initiative symbolizes the country’s transition into the New Year with renewed intentions and hopes. The day encourages public participation in addressing environmental issues and promotes…

ASTANA – As part of the Nauryznama decade, Kazakhstan celebrates National Clothing Day on March 18, a tradition that encourages people to wear national attire. The initiative promotes the country’s cultural heritage and sets an example for younger generations. National clothing has also become a fashion statement, serving as a means of self-expression and a…

ASTANA – For Zhanna Soltanbekova, social entrepreneur and director of the BLUE FOX adaptive physical education center in Ust-Kamenogorsk, physical activity is crucial for children’s development. In an interview with The Astana Times, Soltanbekova spoke about being a mother of a child with special needs, the journey of founding the center, and the challenges she…

ASTANA – Kazakh Ministry of Industry and Construction has announced new projects for exploring and extracting rare and rare-earth metals, reported Kazinform. The country has signed strategic agreements with the European Union, the United Kingdom, South Korea, Japan, and China to develop its rare and rare-earth metal mining and production sector. As part of these…

ASTANA – Kazakh and Indian experts discussed trade relations and the role of the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) in boosting economic ties during a special event on March 11 at Maqsut Narikbayev University. The discussion highlighted the importance of cooperation and the route’s potential to drive the region’s economic growth. Participants noted that the…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan is working to become a regional leader in GovTech by using digital technologies to improve public services, simplify government processes, and drive economic growth. The country’s strategy includes artificial intelligence (AI), e-government services, and blockchain, to make governance more efficient and accessible. Global recognition  Kazakhstan ranks 10th on the United Nations Global…

ASTANA – The Caspian seal population has declined by 90% over the past century, dropping from 1.2 million in the early 20th century to an estimated 75,000 to 270,000 today, according to independent environmental experts. Since 2000, mortality rates have increased sharply, with hundreds or even thousands dying each year. Experts attribute the decline to…

ASTANA – The increasing number of women in aviation reflects a gradual shift in attitudes toward traditionally male-dominated professions. Kazakhstan has taken steps at the highest levels to promote gender equality in aviation. The country has implemented a law on state guarantees of equal rights and opportunities for men and women, a national gender equality…

ASTANA – The LM Kulanshi creative space hosted the GASYR project’s presentation, a visual narrative featuring 100 portraits of residents ranging from zero to 100. More than a collection of photographs, the exhibition explores the passage of time, life, and generations in Kazakhstan. Each portrait tells a story, revealing the essence of an era through…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan has 34 female pilots out of 1,459, while globally, women make up only 5% of airline pilots. The country’s aviation sector employs more than 9,500 women, including 2,005 flight attendants, 104 air traffic controllers, and about 400 professionals in engineering and technical roles. These figures were highlighted at a workshop on gender…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan-British Technical University (KBTU) announced plans to cooperate with MAIRE, an Italy-based company specializing in industrial plant engineering and natural resource transformation, to enhance international collaboration in research and education. The partnership aims to foster innovation and workforce development to support the global energy transition. The three-year agreement includes guest lectures by MAIRE…

ASTANA – The nation celebrated the 179th anniversary of renowned Kazakh poet and improviser Zhambyl Zhabayev on Feb. 28. Zhabayev was a master of epic poetry and improvisation, a wise zhyrshy (narrative poet), and a storyteller whose work helped shape civic and political poetry. His influence extended beyond his poetic talent—he pioneered a new direction…

ASTANA – Kazakh traditional headdresses are experiencing a resurgence among young people, blending cultural heritage with modern design. Brightly stylized hats have become a popular fashion statement, serving as a means of self-expression and a symbol of cultural identity. This renewed interest is driven by a desire to stay connected to history and heritage while…

ASTANA – Dog handlers in Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Emergency Situations are crucial in search and rescue operations, training dogs to work in extreme conditions and respond to emergencies. Often called “rescue dogs” or the “dogs of the Ministry of Emergency Situations,” these four-legged companions help responders find people trapped under rubble, lost in forests, or…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan and Belgium have launched their first international dual-degree program, the Global Executive MBA (GEMBA), developed by Almaty Management University (AlmaU) in partnership with Antwerp Management School (AMS) in Belgium. The program was officially introduced on Feb. 18, reported the AlmaU’s press service. GEMBA aims to strengthen Kazakhstan’s role as an emerging international…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s cities are more than just points on a map; their names carry deep historical, cultural, and linguistic significance. Kyzdarkhan Rysbergen, doctor of philology, sheds light on the origins and meanings of the country’s city names in an interview with Kazinform. Astana and Almaty: capitals through time The history of Kazakhstan’s capital dates…

ASTANA – The banking sectors in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan are expected to remain resilient in 2025, according to an S&P Global Ratings latest report on the banking sector of Central Asia and the Caucasus for 2025.  “Low double-digit lending growth and stable asset quality will support profitability and capital levels. Still, favorable…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan is one of the world’s biggest coal producers, along with China, India, the United States, Russia, Australia, and South Africa. The country exports and relies on coal for domestic energy production, with nearly 70% of its electricity generated from coal—meanwhile, renewable energy makes up nearly 6.5% of the energy mix. While the…

ASTANA – Kanat Nurtazin is renowned for his unique artistic approach, specializing in intricate carvings and continuously expanding his ambitious 100 Drawing Methods project. To date, he has mastered 86 techniques, experimenting with an array of unconventional materials, including chocolate, apples, tiles, slate, wood, and burning glass. His artistic journey began in 2013 when he…

ASTANA – In addition to its wealth of historical monuments that transport visitors to past eras, Kazakhstan is home to a site that tells a different kind of story—one rooted in the technological leaps of the 20th century. This is Baikonur, the world’s first and largest cosmodrome, from which humanity took its first steps into…

ASTANA – Leora Shekufeh Eisenberg, a doctoral student at Harvard and a historian with a degree from Princeton University, has traveled to Kazakhstan to delve deeper into the history of Kazakh music as part of her dissertation on the development of national musical traditions in Central Asia. Born into a family of musicians, Eisenberg’s upbringing…

ASTANA – Experts warn that declining global interest in climate initiatives could hinder investments in Kazakhstan’s green economy after U.S. President Donald Trump declared a state of emergency in the energy sector and announced the country’s withdrawal from the Paris Agreement. Trump has also proposed ending support for large wind farms, which he claims “ruin…