Articles by Aiman Turebekova

Kazakhstan’s presidential election caused a stir not only among citizens living currently in the country but also among Kazakhs living far from their native land.  Overall, 11,950,485 people are eligible to vote in Kazakhstan. There were 68 polling stations in 53 countries, where citizens traveling or residing abroad were able to cast their votes. The…

Many scholars focusing on the effectiveness of international organizations provide evidence on stagnation and decline of the power of international institutions. According to American political scientist Kenneth Waltz’s neo-realist balance-of-power theory, creation, alternation and collapse of the organization is “an epiphenomenon of shifts in the relative capabilities of great powers” as Professor of European Politics…

ASTANA – It may be argued that industrialization is one of the most important events in the history of humanity. Due to this process, relatively more goods were produced in relatively less time. Average real incomes rose dramatically. Thus, more time was left for education, innovation and recreation. The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO)…

ASTANA – Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarvayev praised preparations for EXPO 2017 during an April 21 visit to the Expo site. “Official opening of the exhibition will take place on June 9. The readiness of EXPO 2017 is at a final stage. The excellent holding of the exhibition will demonstrate to the world the community achievements…

ASTANA – Britain will unveil its EXPO 2017 pavilion June 26 in Astana as part of the United Kingdom’s National Day, officials announced recently at the presentation of the pavilion at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in London. Ambassador of Kazakhstan to the United Kingdom Erlan Idrissov, Minister of State for Trade and Investment Greg Hands,…

ASTANA – Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev addressed the duration of his presidential term and other questions during a March 16 meeting with national print and television journalists. Nazarbayev cited former Prime Minister of the UK Margaret Thatcher’s famous quote: “I will stay until I am tired of it. So long as Britain needs me, I…

ASTANA – A Kazakh delegation to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) called for unimpeded access for humanitarian organisations to deliver food to South Sudan and offered recommendations to improve the UN peacekeeping mission there during a Feb. 23 regular UNSC session on the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS). Council members were briefed on…

ASTANA – The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) officially confirmed its participation in EXPO 2017 during the recent meeting of  IRENA Director General Adnan Amin and EXPO 2017 Commissioner Rapil Zhoshybayev in Abu Dhabi. The sides reviewed Kazakhstan’s current and potential cooperation with IRENA, including the agency’s participation in the expo and the joint promotion…

ASTANA – Public safety has steadily improved since independence, Prosecutor General Zhakip Asanov told a Dec. 9 roundtable of the Commission on Human Rights under the President of Kazakhstan. Murders have decreased three and a half times, violent crime three times and robberies five times since independence, he said. The nation’s prison population has also…

ASTANA – The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Chile recently confirmed that the Pacific Alliance will participate in EXPO 2017. Chile, Peru, Colombia and Mexico will open a joint pavilion, bringing the tally of participating countries to 111. The theme of the expo is “Future Energy” and the Pacific Alliance is exploring the possibility of…

ASTANA – Kazakh Foreign Minister Erlan Idrissov and Minister of Investment and Development Zhenis Kassymbek briefed the country’s diplomatic corps Nov. 30 on common points of Kazakhstan’s Nurly Zhol economic policy and China’s Silk Road Economic Belt initiative. Air Astana President Peter Foster, high officials from the Ministry of National Economy, KazAvtoZhol and Kazakhstan Temir…

ASTANA – The Kazakh Foreign Affairs Ministry continues to prepare a programme of its work as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council in 2017-2018. Along with issues of nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation, the fight against terrorism and extremism, and the promotion of peacemaking and peace-building, among the country’s priorities will be security and development…

ASTANA – Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vučić and Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev discussed in Astana Nov. 15 bilateral agreements reached during Nazarbayev’s visit to Serbia in August. Nazarbayev noted that Serbia is an important European business partner and there’s potential to increase economic relations. “There are 24 Serbian companies registered in Kazakhstan, only 15 of…

ASTANA – Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev and Czech Republic Foreign Minister Lubomir Zaoralek discussed Nov. 21 at the Akorda Presidential Residence bilateral cooperation and agreements. Nazarbayev noted the friendly relations with the Czech Republic and Czech President Milos Zeman’s 2014 visit. He also pointed out the two countries’ similar paths to independence. “A painless process…

ASTANA – The U.S. State Department officially announced APCO Worldwide as its EXPO 2017 partner to design and manage the American pavilion “The Source of Infinite Energy.” At a Nov. 10 event held at the Kazakh embassy in Washington, DC, Company founder and executive chairperson Margery Kraus said her team and partnering organisations are humbled…

HIROSHIMA – Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev has been awarded the title of special honorary citizen of Hiroshima. Nazarbayev, who visited the city as part of his visit to Japan on Nov. 9, thanked the Hiroshima authorities and public for granting him this title and highlighted that it is a sign of solidarity between Kazakhstan and…

TOKYO – The second day of Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev’s official visit to Japan on Nov. 8 was significant and symbolic due to his statement before the nation’s Parliament, where he spoke about international security measures taken by his country and noted the importance of joint efforts aimed at building a world free of nuclear…

ASTANA – On Oct.25, an official U.S. delegation led by Thomas Shannon, Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, visited the EXPO site and met with Chairman of Astana EXPO 2017 National Company Akhmetzhan Yessimov, reported the press office of the Astana EXPO 2017 national company. “This is my first official meeting, and I think it…

ASTANA – The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and Kazakh Foreign Ministry recently signed a cooperation plan for 2016-2020 to improve the welfare of children in Kazakhstan. The plan will help implement the Kazakhstan 2050 Strategy and achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the Convention on the Rights of the Child provisions. “This is a…

ASTANA – Air Astana became an official sponsor and general partner of Winter Universiade 2017 on Oct.12. “We are inspired with this opportunity to be helpful in the organisation of the Winter Universiade,” emphasised Peter Foster, Air Astana president after signing a partnership agreement with the games’ organising directorate. The agreement requires Air Astana to…

ASTANA – The Slovak Republic recently became the 104th country to confirm it will participate in EXPO 2017. National Commissioner Rapil Zhoshybayev received an official letter from Prime Minister of Slovakia Robert Fico at the Slovak embassy in Astana. In November 2010, the Slovak government adopted a National Action Plan on energy produced from renewable…

ASTANA – In October 2014, Kazakhstan and UNDP launched a project to develop the national institute of Official Development Assistance (ODA) in the country to systematise assistance provided to other countries and to align it with the priorities of the country’s foreign policy. The nation has already provided humanitarian and development assistance to countries in…

ASTANA – Antigua and Barbuda, Belize, the Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, St. Kitts and Nevis, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, St. Lucia and Suriname have decided to participate in EXPO 2017 in Astana, it was announced in New York on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. At the General Assembly, EXPO 2017 Commissioner…

ASTANA – Kazakh Lieutenant Colonel Askar Kozhagaliev has been appointed a commander of the UN Mission in Western Sahara (MINURSO), reported the press office of Ministry of Defence of Kazakhstan. Kazhagaliev was appointed the commander of the UN military base in Ausard camp with an area of responsibility of 43,000 square kilometres located on the…

ASTANA – Gennady Golovkin and Mike Tyson are expected to come to Astana for a professional boxing event and WBC Convention during the international exhibition EXPO 2017. The Astana EXPO 2017 National Company, the Akimat (city administration) of Astana, Kazakhstan’s Boxing Federation and World Boxing Council and Diamond Ring Promotions signed Sept. 16 a memorandum of…

ASTANA – During his working visit to the former capital of Kazakhstan, President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev congratulated the Kazakh people on the millennial anniversary of Almaty city. “This date has been included in UNESCO’s calendar of commemorative and anniversary dates of humanity, which emphasises the unique role of Almaty in regional and global development.…

ASTANA – Foreign Minister Erlan Idrissov briefed International Exhibitions Bureau (BIE) Secretary General Vicente Loscertales Sept. 14 on the results of attracting international participants to EXPO 2017. To date, 103 countries and 17 international organisations have confirmed their participation in the upcoming exhibition in the Kazakh capital. Loscertales visited the city to inspect the progress…

ASTANA – Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev and Financial Secretary of Hong Kong John Tsang recently discussed cooperation in the framework of the Astana International Financial Center (AIFC). “Your experience as one the world’s leading financial centers is very important for us. Currently, we are at a formative stage. Overall, our cooperation is in line with…

ASTANA – In August, the Aktau port increased its shipping by 50 percent over previous years, reported the press service of Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ). In particular, 159,000 tonnes of metal products were sent to Iran, reaching record levels. Previously, the average monthly shipment figures reached 100,000 tonnes. The daily metal handling reached 6,700 tonnes…

ASTANA – Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev visited Samarkand, Uzbekistan Sept. 12 to pay tribute to the memory of the recently deceased Uzbek President Islam Karimov, reported the press office of Akorda. Nazarbayev laid flowers at the burial place of Karimov, met with Karimov’s family and, on behalf of the people of Kazakhstan, expressed his deep condolences.…

ASTANA – The Kazakh Foreign Ministry hosted a ceremony Sept. 6 to award the winners of the third annual “Kazakhstan through the Eyes of Foreign Media” contest organised by the Ministry and the Club of Chief Editors of Kazakhstan. The winners represent France, Jordan, Russia, Turkey and the United States. As a prize, they received…

ASTANA – Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev addressed the second joint session Sept. 1 of the Senate and the Mazhilis of the sixth convocation. Opening the session, he noted the necessity to continue the tradition of constructive lawmaking. “In order to develop and adopt new laws, it is crucial to keep close and harmonious interaction with…

ASTANA – The Kazakh capital will host the international conference “Building a Nuclear-Weapon-Free World,” dedicated to the 25th anniversary of the closure of the Semipalatinsk Nuclear Test Site and commemorating UN International Day against Nuclear Tests at the Palace of Independence Aug. 29, the Senate of the Parliament announced. The Kazakh Senate, Ministry of Foreign…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan decided Aug. 18 to extend for five years a recently imposed moratorium on the implementation of controversial amendments to its land law. “Since the introduction of a moratorium on certain provisions of the Land Code, the [land reform] commission carried out serious activities such as holding meetings in all regions of the…

ASTANA – “Building a Nuclear Weapon Free World”, the international conference to be held Aug. 29, has attracted senior figures from nations that possess nuclear weapons, as well as non-nuclear states. The conference will bring together parliamentarians, representatives of international organisations, civil activists, scholars, as well as mayors and media from around the world. Alyn…

ASTANA – Kazakh Foreign Minister Erlan Idrissov and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Resident Representative to Kazakhstan Norimasa Shimomura have signed Promoting Kazakhstan’s ODA Cooperation with Afghanistan, a project financed by the Japanese government through the UNDP-Japan Partnership Fund. “We are happy that the first pilot project has been done successfully. Kazakhstan has already allocated…

ASTANA – The land reform commission has proposed extending the moratorium on amendments to the land code for five years. The proposal has been sent to Parliament for consideration. “By announcing the moratorium on the sale of agricultural lands to private ownership and on their lease to foreigners, the Land Code of 2003 will come…

ASTANA – Kazakh Prime Minister Karim Massimov met Aug. 12 in Sochi, Russia with the heads of the governments of Kazakhstan, Russia, Belarus, Armenia and Kyrgyzstan to discuss strengthening the Eurasian Economic Union’s (EAEU) legal framework. “In particular, we have almost agreed on a draft of the Customs Code of the Union. There were one…

ASTANA – Sri Lanka and Singapore signed on to participate in EXPO 2017 in Astana during EXPO Commissioner Rapil Zhoshybayev’s Aug. 12 – 15 visit to South Asia. Zhoshybayev met with Minister of Industry and Commerce of Sri Lanka Rishad Bathiudeen, National Commissioner of the Sri Lanka expo section and Chairman of Huejay International Corporation…

ASTANA – EXPO 2017 guests have a chance to become one of the first audiences of the Kazakh version of the popular “We Will Rock on You” musical that has already been staged in 15 countries. The premiere will take place in the Palace of Peace and Harmony next summer. Famous British film producer Edward…

ASTANA – Players from more than 10 countries of the ancient Kazakh boardgame Togyzkumalak converged on Schweinfurt, Germany July 23 and 24 for the European Togyzkumalak championships. Togyzkumalak (from the Kazakh language – “nine pebbles”) is played on a board consisting oftwo rows of nine holes. The number nine has a high significance in the…

ASTANA – Italy and South Korea recently became the latest countries to sign agreements to participate in EXPO 2017 in Astana. EXPO 2017 national company Board Chairman Akhmetzhan Yessimov and Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Italy to Kazakhstan and Commissioner of the Italian section Stefano Ravagnan signed the participation agreement and discussed Kazakh-Italian cooperation inrenewable…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s aerospace defense forces for the first time are going to join “Keys to the Sky” anti-aircraft missile troops’ operational grouping field training contest at the Ashuluk (Russia) range July 30 to Aug. U 7, reported the press office of the Ministry of Defence of Kazakhstan. Spectators will be able to see the…

ASTANA – Brazil and Kazakhstan finalised July 25 a new bilateral visa-free regime for the citizens of each country. First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan Mukhtar Tleuberdi and Brazilian Ambassador in Kazakhstan Demetrio Bueno Carvalho signed the agreement in a July 25 ceremony at the Kazakh Foreign Ministry in Astana. “The agreement will facilitate…

ASTANA – The Zhibek Zholy, a dry cargo vessel with a capacity of 7,500 dead weight tonnage (DWT), was launched July 12 in Shlisselburg, Russia, reported the Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ) press office. KTZ President Askar Mamin, Russia’s Deputy Transport Minister Victor Olerskiy and Leningrad Oblast government First Deputy Chairmanan Finance Committee Chairman Roman Markin…

ASTANA – The Kazakh Foreign Ministry and Kazakhstan’s Chief Editors Club announced the winners of their third international journalism contest, “Kazakhstan through the Eyes of Foreign Media.”                     According to the Ministry’s press release from July 12, the contest attracted 60 entries from 29 countries, with…

ASTANA – Construction of the 12,000-seat Ice Palace, the main venue of the 2017 Winter Universiade to be held in Almaty, has been completed. Despite trimming the budget from 32 to 17 billion tenge (US$94.7 million to 50.3 million), the venue was commissioned three months ahead of schedule. Currently, pre-commissioning activities are being conducted at…

ASTANA – Kazakh Foreign Minister Erlan Idrissov answered questions at the Central Communication Service (CCS) briefing July 5 devoted to Kazakhstan’s non-permanent membership in the UN Security Council (UNSC) for 2017–2018. “I firmly believe that the main reason of our victory links closely with a number of deep and meaningful global and regional initiatives of…

ASTANA – President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev visited  Tashkent to participate in a summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), where discussions focused on cooperating to counter terrorism and the flow of illegal drugs and to support regional development. The summit marked the organisation’s 15th anniversary. Nazarbayev, Chinese President Xi Jinping, Kyrgyz President Almazbek Atambayev, Russian President…

ASTANA – The manifest “The World. The 21st Century” and his nation’s moral right to advance such proposals was one of the topics addressed by Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev in a recent interview with TASS First Deputy General Director Mikhail Gusman. “First, 26 years ago we made a tough decision to close the Semipalatinsk nuclear…

ASTANA – The Green Bus Company bought 35 new buses of the brand Daewoo that use environmentally friendly fuel – compressed natural gas (methane). Qazaq Banki has joined the project as the funding partner. The official presentation of the buses was June 20 and was attended by Akim (Mayor) of the city Baurzhan Baibek, Director…

ASTANA – Capital resident Olzhas Onalov, 24, received an invitation to the EXPO 2017 chairman’s office after making the first online ticket purchase to the event. Akhmetzhan Yessimov congratulated him on the successful procurement. “It is very symbolic that the first ticket holder to the exhibition is a resident of Astana. I hope all people…

ASTANA – Kazakh Secretary of State and National Commission for Women’s Affairs, Family and Demographic Policy Chair Gulshara Abdykalikova made a working visit to Warsaw to take part in the Global Summit of Women. The conference was attended by delegations from 75 countries, according to a press release from the Kazakh President’s press service. For…

ASTANA – Non-Kazakh journalist wishing to participate in the third annual “Kazakhstan through the Eyes of Foreign Media” competition need to submit their work and applications by June 25. The contest is open to foreign journalists who have had their written work about Kazakhstan published in non-Kazakh media between Jan. 1 and June 25. Applications…

ASTANA – Newly appointed Minister of Economy of Kazakhstan Kuandyk Bishimbayev joined the 2016 Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Ministerial Council Meeting (MCM) held at its headquarters in Paris June 1–2 under the chairmanship of Chile, with Finland, Hungary and Japan as vice chairs.  In particular, Bishimbayev participated in the session “All on…

ASTANA – Commissioner of the Israeli section of EXPO 2017 Elazar Cohen recently confirmed his country’s participation in the international exposition to be held in Astana. The confirmation came during a meeting with Chairman of the EXPO 2017 national company Akhmetzhan Yessimov, during which Yessimov stressed that Israel’s participation as a leader in renewable energy…

ASTANA – At NATO headquarters in Brussels, representatives of the Kazakh Defence Ministry headed by Deputy Minister, Major-General Talgat Mukhtarov recently discussed with 28 member countries implementation of the goals under Planning and Review Process (PRP) programme, reported the press office of the Ministry. The main goal of the programme is training and assessment of…

ASTANA – As of the end of May the Astana EXPO 2017 national company had signed agreements on partnerships with domestic and foreign companies totaling$113.2 million and collected $744.5 million in investments. Chair of the company Akhmetzhan Yessimov and members of the Foreign Investors Council under the President of Kazakhstan met May 27 to discuss…

ASTANA – Austria confirmed May 23 its intention to participate in EXPO 2017, reported the press service of the Kazakh Foreign Ministry. The announcement came during an official visit to Austria by EXPO 2017 Commissioner Rapil Zhoshybayev. Austrian authorities also announced plans to celebrate a National Day of the country on June 27 during the…

ASTANA – Austria confirmed May 23 its intention to participate in EXPO 2017, reported the press service of the Kazakh Foreign Ministry. The announcement came during an official visit to Austria by EXPO 2017 Commissioner Rapil Zhoshybayev. Austrian authorities also announced plans to celebrate a National Day of the country on June 27 during the…

ASTANA – Improving the Eurasian Economic Union’s (EAEC) relationships with outside countries will be among the organisation’s 2016 priorities, according to a press release from the Kazakh Prime Minister’s press service. “[This year is the] year of deepening the Eurasian Economic Union’s economic relations with third countries and key integration associations,” said Prime Minister of…

ASTANA – Senegalese President Macky Sall confirmed his country will vote for Kazakhstan in the nation’s bid for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council for 2017-18. The vote will be held in June as part of the 70th session of the UN General Assembly. Sall came to Kazakhstan May 20 and President Nursultan…

ASTANA – The Kazakh team driving an electric car in the Almaty-Paris international auto rally to promote EXPO 2017 stopped in Austria May 9-10 before continuing to the French capital. Drivers Sanzhar Altayev and Aidar Myrzakhmetov were welcomed in Vienna by Secretary General of the Austrian-Kazakh Society Thonas Wanker, United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO)…

ASTANA – EXPO 2017 has negotiated with the International Exhibitions Bureau to achieve the lowest prices for the event, making it not only affordable to the Kazakh people but also attractive to foreign tourists, said chairman of the Astana EXPO 2017 national company Akhmetzhan Yessimov. Tickets will be released June 10 and available only online…

ASTANA – Kazakh government officials elaborated on initiatives taken to ensure the country is recognised as an attractive investment destination during the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) 2016 annual meeting and business forum in London. “The government’s reform agenda as well as measures taken by the National Bank have been critical to creating a…

ASTANA ­– EXPO 2017 Commissioner Rapil Zhoshybayev discussed bilateral cooperation at the Vatican April 30 with Cardinal Peter Kodwo Appiah Turkson, President of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace and recently appointed Commissioner for the Vatican’s section at EXPO 2017 in Astana. Turkson praised Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev’s contribution to developing global interreligious accord…

ASTANA – The International University Sports Federation (FISU) supervision committee visited Almaty recently for an inspection, reported the Universiade 2017 organising committee’s press office. “We came here to inspect the preparation for the Games and to help solve some issues if needed. Today at the beginning of our visit, we had a very fruitful meeting…

ASTANA – Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev met May 5 at the Akorda with Poland’s Marshal of the Senate Stanisław Karczewski, where the parties discussed prospects of economic, investment and inter-parliamentary cooperation, reported the President’s press office. “We have a great respect for what is being done in Poland. Your country is one of Europe’s leaders…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan supports the New Silk Road and One Belt, One Road initiatives and is implementing its own economic policy – Nurly Zhol – in accordance with the long-term vision of President Nursultan Nazarbayev, stated Ambassador of Kazakhstan to the United States Kairat Umarov at the April 28-29 Trans-Caspian Trade and Transit-Corridor East-West forum…

ASTANA – Government representatives of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) member states gathered in the city April 28 to witness the establishment of the Islamic Organisation for Food Security (IOFS). The body is focused on creating a collective platform to promote food security, expanding sustainable rural and agricultural development by mobilising all available resources…

ASTANA – Foreign Minister of Saudi Arabia Adel al-Jubeir visited Kazakhstan for the first time April 27, meeting with Kazakhstan’s President Nursultan Nazarbayev and his counterpart Erlan Idrissov. At the meeting with the President, the sides discussed bilateral relations, including within the economic, trade, financial, investment, petrochemical, cultural and humanitarian spheres, reported the President’s press…

ASTANA – In the next three-four years, access to broadband internet will reach 90 percent of students in Kazakhstan, Minister of Education and Science Yerlan Sagadiyev said recently at a Central Communications Service briefing on the State Programme for Development of Education and Science in 2016-2019 years. “Never before has knowledge of such scope been…

ASTANA – Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev was briefed on the work and products of a new factory of Сhimpharm and textile company during a recent working visit to South Kazakhstan. During his visit to Azala textile, the head of state was informed about implementation of industrial development programmes in the region, such as the investment…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan supports initiatives promoting inter-parliamentary interaction among Eurasian countries, Chairman of Kazakhstan’s Senate Kassym-Jomart Tokayev told the first meeting of speakers of Eurasian countries’ parliaments “Inter-Parliamentary Cooperation for Joint Prosperity of Eurasian Countries in the 21st Century” on April 19 in Moscow. The forum was initiated by Chairman of the State Duma of…

ASTANA – A Kazakh delegation headed by EXPO 2017 Commissioner Rapil Zhoshybayev travelled to Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) member countries Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore during the first half of April. The most recent visit was a working trip to Indonesia, where Zhoshybayev met April 15-16 with the country’s Minister for Energy and Mineral Resources Sudirman Said,…

German USF Sports Director Thorsten Hutsch and head of a delegation from the Netherlands Jules Vereecken recently praised the Universiade 2017 Athletes’ Village and the Medeu winter sports complex, reported the press office of the Organising Committee for the Winter Universiade 2017. “We are looking forward to a great event in in the wonderful city…

ASTANA – “Construction of a world without nuclear weapons must be the main goal of humanity in the twenty-first century,” said Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace in Washington D.C. He was in the American capital to attend the fourth and final Nuclear Security Summit. During the visit, Nazarbayev outlined…

ASTANA – Former Akim (Governor) of Atyrau region, member of Mazhilis elected from the Nur Otan Party list Baktykozha Izmukhambetov was elected Chairman of a new convocation of the Mazhilis (lower house of Parliament), the chamber’s press office reported March 25. Born in 1948, Izmukhambetov is a graduate of the Ufa Petroleum Institute. Following a…

ASTANA – The Astana EXPO 2017 National Company presented to major Russian travel agencies a portfolio of EXPO 2017 tourism products at the March 23-26 XXII International Exhibition MITT in Moscow. The products included tours of Astana and admission to the expo. This year’s exhibition was conducted under the theme “Travel and Tourism” and was…

ASTANA – Seven Kazakh officers, along with representatives from more than 30 countries, are battling heat and desert conditions to serve in UN peacekeeping missions in Western Sahara and Côte d’Ivoire. Five Kazakh officers are serving as military observers in Western Sahara with the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara or MINURSO…

ALMATY – Athletes from Bamyan province in Afghanistan will take part in upcoming sporting event in Almaty, according to the Organising Committee for the Winter Universiade. “We expect a high-level Winter Universiade,” shared Waheedullah Hameedi, secretary general of USF of Afghanistan. According to him, there are three athletes expected to take part in the games…

ASTANA – First Deputy Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Bakytzhan Sagintayev said during the March 24 Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) that “Asia is turning into the main platform of global international relations and Kazakhstan is ready to play a role of a transit hub between Europe and Asia due to its unique location.” Sagintayev said the…

ASTANA – On March 14, Kazakh Minister of Defence Imangali Tasmagambetov took part in a ceremony marking the launch of construction of the first cartridge-manufacturing plant in the Sary-Arka special economic zone (SEZ) in Karaganda city, reported the press office of the Kazakh Defence Ministry. The plant will produce the most popular 5,45×39 mm, 7,62×54…

ASTANA – Governor of Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC) Kairat Kelimbetov recently shared details about AIFC’s structure with the heads of British government institutions, major investment banks and international financial organisations. Kelimbetov pointed out that the centre has been established and is operating based on standards characteristic of the world’s leading financial centres and on…

ALMATY – Fifty-four countries have signed up to participate in Winter University 2017 in Kazakhstan, which is a new record high for participating countries, according to the Organising Committee for the Winter Universiade. “The largest number of countries taking part in the International Students Games was registered in 2011 in Erzurum – 52 countries. We…

Kazakhstan Temir Zholy National Company Chairman Askar Mamin, Minister of Transport, Maritime Affairs and Communications of Turkey Binali Yildirim and President of Turkish railway company TCDD Omer Yildiz discussed transport and logistics cooperation during the recent Eurasia Rail 2016 international railway forum in Turkey. Yildirim briefed the sides on construction of the Kars-Akhalkalaki railway section, which…

Poland expressed readiness to present its technologies in renewable and alternative energy sources during an official visit of EXPO 2017 Commissioner and Kazakhstan’s First Deputy Foreign Minister Rapil Zhoshybayev to Warsaw on Feb. 29. During the visit, Zhoshybayev met with Polish President Andrzej Duda and discussed bilateral cooperation as well as Poland’s participation in EXPO…

ASTANA – Emphasising that the global economic turbulence continues to generate social and political upheaval in the world, Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev said this situation creates opportunities both for his country’s development and for the new level of cooperation in Eurasia. “We have to use this historic opportunity to lay the foundations of an adequate,…

ASTANA – Alstom and Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ), Kazakhstan’s national railway company, completed the process of Alstom’s acquisition of an additional 25 percent of the Electrovoz Kurastyru Zauyty (EKZ) joint venture, formed by Alstom, KTZ and Transmashholding (TMH), the KTZ press office announced. EKZ produces electric locomotives in Kazakhstan. According to the report, Alstom, now…

ASTANA – A total of 963,540 people received Kazakhstan citizenship from 1992-2015, with the vast majority (858,661) being ethnic Kazakhs wishing to immigrate back to Kazakhstan (known in Kazakh as oralmandar or “returnees”). From 2010 to 2015, the largest flow of oralmandar came from China (77,810) and Uzbekistan (77,629). A smaller number of ethnic Kazakhs…

Indian officials told EXPO 2017 Commissioner and Kazakhstan’s First Deputy Foreign Minister Rapil Zhoshybayev during his Feb. 12 visit that India, one of the top 10 states generating alternative energy, would like to share its innovations at EXPO 2017. Zhoshybayev held meetings with the Additional Secretary of External Affairs of India Ajay Gondane, Chairman of…

The Khorgos Dry Port on the border with China plans to update its operations to better attract investment to the region, reported the press office of the Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ) National Railway Company. It is required to improve the structure of procedures and processes, starting from the date of application for registration and ending…

ASTANA – An independent anti-doping commission (AIC) has been created in Astana, according to the Kazakh National Olympic Committee’s (NOK) press office. The main purpose of this independent entity is to prevent doping scandals and to protect the county’s honest athletes. This authority will work in full cooperation with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). Young…

ASTANA – The Astana EXPO 2017 National Company and Samsung Electronics Central Eurasia have signed a memorandum of cooperation making the South Korean multinational electronics company an official partner of EXPO 2017. “Samsung is a world famous multinational company, which is known for its advanced technology and innovation. Therefore, it is a great honour for our company to…

ASTANA ­– Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev appointed Erlan Sagadiyev new Minister of Education and Science, the Akorda press service reported Feb. 10. Sagadiyev believes it is necessary to share goals and tasks to improve the education system. “Speaking about reforms in the field of education in Kazakhstan, we need one type of school, in which…

ASTANA – More than 300 professional female boxers will have a chance to take part in the 2016 AIBA Women’s World championship in the Kazakh capital May 19-27. The competition will be held in one of the most stunning places of Astana, Barys Arena. “The 2016 AIBA Women’s World Boxing Championships are set to light…

ASTANA – Selection of best practices in the field of energy for a pavilion “Energy Best Practices Area” (eBPa) has started on the website http://www.ebpa2017.org/ebpa. The idea of such a pavilion at EXPO 2017 aims at demonstrating best technologies and proposals under thematic areas, such as renewable and alternative energy, energy efficiency and traditional energy, energy…

ASTANA – The main directions of bilateral cooperation, such as strengthening political dialogue and a cultural exchange, development of relations in the field of transport, energy, tourism and infrastructure were discussed during Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu’s official visit to Kazakhstan on Feb. 6, the Akorda press office reported. Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev noted that…

Kazakhstan is interested in expanding bilateral trade and economic relations with Iran. The issue was raised during the Kazakhstan-Iran business forum on Feb. 6-8 in Tehran. Some 270 Kazakh businessmen attended the forum, including 40 Baiterek Holding’s partner companies, four so-called national business ‘champions’ (Alageum Electric, Caspian Beverage Holding, Eurasian Food Corporation and Zhigermunayservis) and…

ASTANA – The Kazakhstan Institute for Strategic Studies under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan (KazISS) has been nominated in four categories of the Global Go To Think Tank Index Report 2015 conducted by the University of Pennsylvania. The Think Tanks and Civil Societies Programme (TTCSP) works with leading scholars and practitioners from think tanks…