Kazakhstan, Jordan Focus on Security, Trade and Regional Stability
ASTANA – Kazakhstan and Jordan discussed regional and global security challenges, as well as ways to expand bilateral cooperation during talks between President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and King Abdullah II Bin Al Hussein in Astana on Nov. 5, reported Akorda. Tokayev described the Jordanian king’s official visit as a sign of the strong ties of friendship,…
Narxoz Conference Explores Central Asia’s Path to Stronger Regional Cooperation
ASTANA – Central Asia’s role in shaping global governance, strengthening regional cooperation and advancing sustainable development was the focus of an international conference hosted by Narxoz University on Nov. 4 in Almaty, the university’s press service reported. The Mind for Peace conference examined how education, academic diplomacy and regional partnerships can contribute to peace, justice…
Kazakh Prosecutor General Keeps Mangystau Military Investigation Under Oversight
ASTANA – More than 300 people have been questioned and over 30 forensic examinations and expert studies have been conducted as part of an investigation into the deaths of servicemen during a military exercise in the Mangystau Region, the Prosecutor General’s Office press service reported on Nov. 5. The Interior Ministry’s military investigative authorities are…
IFC Invests $ 33 Million to Modernize Agricultural Services in Central Asia
ASTANA – Eurasia Group has secured $33 million in financing from the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, to expand agricultural machinery distribution, maintenance and farmer training networks in Kazakhstan and the Kyrgyz Republic. The investment aims to increase agricultural productivity, strengthen food security and support an estimated 1,600 jobs…
Kazakhstan Strengthens Export Push with New Istanbul Trade Office
ASTANA – Kazakhstan has opened a QazTrade office in Istanbul to help domestic manufacturers enter the Turkish market and find business partners in other countries, Kazinform reported on Nov. 4. The office aims to promote Kazakh products in Türkiye and expand export opportunities for local businesses. It will connect Kazakh manufacturers with Turkish companies, allowing…
Kazakhstan’s Foreign Ministry Reviews Plan to Promote President’s Address Abroad
ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s Foreign Ministry held a collegium meeting chaired by Foreign Minister Mukhtar Tileuberdi to discuss the implementation of priorities outlined in President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s state-of-the-nation address, the ministry’s press service reported on Nov.5. Participants also reviewed a comprehensive plan to promote the address’s key messages internationally and explain its main priorities to foreign…
Kazakhstan Prepares for High-Level Diplomatic Week with International Leaders
ASTANA – King of Jordan Abdullah II Bin Al Hussein will pay an official visit to Kazakhstan on Nov. 5-6 at the invitation of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Aibek Smadiyarov, the president’s press secretary, announced on his Telegram channel on Nov. 4. The two leaders will discuss ways to expand bilateral cooperation in trade, investment, economic relations, culture and…
Nazarbayev University Conference Highlights Need to Rethink Teaching Practices
ASTANA – Educators and higher education experts worldwide gathered in Astana on Oct. 27-28 for Nazarbayev University’s Teaching Conference 2026 to discuss ways to improve teaching quality, support faculty development and address the challenges posed by artificial intelligence, reported the university’s press service. The conference brought together around 200 participants from Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic,…
Kazakhstan Sets Aside $ 14.3 Billion for Infrastructure and Social Projects Through 2029
ASTANA – The Kazakh government approved an action plan on Nov. 3 to implement the president’s state-of-the-nation address, allocating around 6.5 trillion tenge (US$14.3 billion) for key social and infrastructure projects through the end of 2029. The plan includes 96 measures across 12 areas and was presented at a government meeting by Deputy Prime Minister…
Two More Amur Tigers to Join Kazakhstan’s Wildlife Comeback in 2027
ASTANA – Kazakhstan is preparing the next stage of its tiger reintroduction program, with two cubs expected to be released into the wild in 2027, Kazinform reported on Nov.3. The cubs are undergoing adaptation in special enclosures. Their release will depend on their health, behavior, and ability to survive independently. The program aims to release…
Japan, UNDP Commit $ 3 Million to Greener Mining in Kazakhstan
ASTANA – Japan and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) provide Kazakhstan with $3 million to strengthen environmental oversight and promote sustainable development in its rare metal and rare earth mineral sector under a new initiative launched Oct. 30, reported the UNDP’s press service. Funded by Japan, the project will be implemented by UNDP in…
Kazakhstan Restores Oil Flows Through Key Export Pipeline
ASTANA – Kazakhstan has resumed oil transportation through the Atyrau-Samara pipeline after suspending operations following drone attacks on facilities in Russia, according to the Kazakh Ministry of Energy. The pipeline returned to operation after specialists inspected the infrastructure and confirmed that the equipment was safe to use. Oil transportation was suspended at 6:09 a.m. Astana…
Erdoğan Sends Warm Message to Tokayev While Flying Over Kazakhstan
ASTANA – Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan sent greetings to Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev while flying over Kazakhstan en route to South Korea, Aibek Smadiyarov, the Kazakh president’s press secretary, said on his Telegram channel on Nov. 2. “On my way to the Republic of Korea for an official visit, I am flying over the…
Alatau City Secures $ 1.3 Billion in Deals During London Investment Roadshow
ASTANA – Nine agreements with international partners worth a combined $1.3 billion were signed during an investment roundtable for Alatau City in London on Nov. 2, as Kazakhstan launched a European roadshow to attract foreign investment for the city’s development. The agreements cover infrastructure and investment project financing, the development of educational and medical facilities,…
Fuel Disruptions in Russia Create Opening for Kazakhstan, but Refineries Aren’t Enough
ASTANA – Kazakhstan is seeking to turn its refining capacity into a competitive advantage in regional fuel markets as disruptions to Russian supplies and tightening global diesel markets create new opportunities and risks for Central Asia’s largest oil producer. The government aims to fully meet domestic demand for petroleum products and begin exporting finished fuels…
Slovenian Port Seeks Stronger Transport Links with Kazakhstan
ASTANA – Slovenia’s Port of Koper sees opportunities to strengthen transport links with Kazakhstan through the Middle Corridor and share its digital port-management expertise to improve cargo handling and logistics efficiency, said Nevenka Kržan, president of the port’s management board, in an interview with The Astana Times. The potential cooperation comes as Kazakhstan seeks to…
Experts See New Opportunities for Central Asia-Azerbaijan Cooperation in C6 Format
ASTANA – The emerging C6 cooperation format, bringing Azerbaijan and the five Central Asian countries together, could strengthen regional trade, transport connectivity and investment, but its success will depend on turning political commitments into concrete projects, experts said during an online webinar on Oct. 15. The discussion examined the implications of Azerbaijan’s participation in the…
Middle Corridor Could Add $58 Billion to Regional GDP by 2040, World Bank Says
ASTANA – The Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor could increase the combined gross domestic product of countries along the route by 3.3% and generate around two million jobs by 2040 if governments invest in infrastructure and improve cross-border coordination, according to a World Bank report presented in Astana on Oct. 15. “The Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor, also known…
Can Agricultural Growth Make Kazakhstan Regional Food Security Hub?
ASTANA – The global food system is facing several pressures at once. Population growth and rising incomes, particularly in middle-income countries, are changing consumption patterns. Demand for meat, dairy products, and other protein sources is increasing. At the same time, agriculture faces growing climate risks. Water scarcity, higher input costs and supply chain disruptions linked…
Kazakhstan, Belgium Seek to Expand Partnership Across Key Sectors
ASTANA – Kazakhstan and Belgium are set to deepen cooperation in transport and logistics, critical minerals, energy, agriculture, digitalization and other priority sectors as President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev met with Belgium’s King Philippe in Astana on Oct. 12. The talks marked the start of King Philippe and Queen Mathilde’s first state visit to Kazakhstan, which…
Yuezhi Mystery: Archaeologists Search Kazakhstan for Lost Traces
ASTANA – Chinese and Kazakh archaeologists have launched a joint study of archaeological sites in Kazakhstan that may link to the ancient Yuezhi people, Wang Jianxin, chief professor at Northwest University’s Research Center for Archaeological Cooperation on the Silk Road in Xi’an, said on the sidelines of an international archaeological symposium in Astana. The Yuezhi…
Art of Betashar: Issatay Issabayev’s Lifelong Dialogue with Kazakh Tradition
ASTANA – The centuries-old Kazakh tradition of betashar, the ceremonial unveiling of a bride’s face, takes center stage in an exhibition of works by renowned Kazakh artist Issatay Issabayev, which opened in Astana on Oct. 8. The exhibition continues a nationwide series of events marking the 90th anniversary of Issabayev’s birth. According to Saltanat Sabyr,…
Nation Commemorates Kassym Amanzholov’s 115th Anniversary: Voice That Shaped Kazakh Poetry
ASTANA – Kazakhstan marks the 115th anniversary of the birth of Kassym Amanzholov, one of the most influential Kazakh poets and translators of the 20th century, on Oct. 10. He is remembered for his distinctive poetic voice, powerful wartime poetry and contribution to the development of modern Kazakh literature. Amanzholov was also among the poets…
Religious Leaders Explore Faith’s Role in Tackling Global Challenges
ASTANA – Religious leaders and international experts gathered in Astana on Oct. 7 to discuss how faith communities can contribute to addressing pressing challenges, with artificial intelligence, climate change and the rights of children with incurable diseases among the key issues on the agenda. The discussions took place at the 24th Meeting of the Secretariat…
Central Asia’s Water Challenge Deepens as Rivers Decline and Glaciers Melt
ASTANA – Central Asia faces growing pressure on its water resources as river flows decline, freshwater reserves remain below normal, and glaciers continue to lose mass, the Eurasian Briefing Telegram channel reported, citing data from the World Meteorological Organization. The assessment compares recent indicators with data from 2022 and earlier periods. It found significant declines…
