New Kazakh Film “The Horse Thieves” Starring Samal Yeslyamova Is Released in French Theaters
NUR-SULTAN – The new Kazakh film “The Horse Thieves. Roads of Time” starring Samal Yeslyamova has been released in theaters across 21 cities in France, reported Kazinform on July 29. The film tells a tale of a close-knit family whose serene life is shaken when a gang of horse thieves kills the father of the…
Kazakh Government Offers Incentives for Businesses to Implement Safety Measures As Coronavirus Cases Rapidly Rise in Kazakhstan
NUR-SULTAN – The Kazakh government has introduced plans to include more business enterprises in the Ashyq project and offer more lenient working hours for businesses who follow sanitary measures, as the coronavirus incidence rate has increased by 5.2 times since June. The Kazakh Ministry of Healthcare issued an official statement from the Chief Sanitary Doctor…
AERC Expects Kazakhstan’s Real GDP to Continue Its Recovery, Warns About Consequences of New Coronavirus Wave
NUR-SULTAN – The Applied Economics Research Centre (AERC) shared its macroeconomic report on Kazakhstan on July 26, projecting the country’s 2021 real GDP growth to reach about 3.9 percent and expressing concern that the economic recovery could be affected by a new coronavirus lockdown. The experts at the AERC rely on three main factors for…
Kazakhstan’s Share of Bitcoin Mining Increases Sixfold Surging to Third Place Worldwide
NUR-SULTAN – Kazakhstan’s bitcoin mining has dramatically surged into third place on the global market as the country’s share reached 8.2 percent in April, reported the Cambridge Centre for Alternative Finance on July 15. The sixfold increase occurred in Kazakhstan between September 2019, when the country’s mining share was 1.9 percent, and this Spring. For…
Trade Between Kazakhstan and Central Asian Countries Grows 35% Since 2020
NUR-SULTAN – Trade between Kazakhstan and Central Asian countries grew by 35 percent over the year, according to the report of the Kazakh Bureau of National statistics for January-May 2021. Kazakhstan’s trade with other Central Asian states reached $2.3 billion for the first half of the year, which represents a 34.7 percent increase from the…
Bank Accounts for Cryptocurrency Will Be Available in Kazakhstan As Country Expands Its Crypto Mining to Global Market
NUR-SULTAN – Opening a bank account for cryptocurrency will soon be a possibility in Kazakhstan. Kazakh citizens will have the opportunity to invest in bitcoin, sell cryptocurrency on the exchange market and transfer their income into money, reported 24.kz on July 25. The Kazakh Association of Blockchain and Data Center Industry reported that crypto exchanges…
Eurasian Economic Commission and Islamic Organization for Food and Security Join Efforts to Promote Agricultural Development
NUR-SULTAN – The Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC) and the Islamic Organization for Food and Security (IOFS) signed a memorandum of understanding promoting agricultural development and improving food security among the state members of the IOFS on July 22 in Moscow, reported the press service of the EEC. The event was attended by representatives of the…
Kazakhstan and Russia Sign Agreement for Manufacturing New Multipurpose Aircraft on Domestic and International Markets
NUR-SULTAN – Kazakh and Russian businesses, the Ural Civil Aviation Plant and the Kazakhstan Aviation Industry (KAI), signed a $13.5-million agreement for manufacturing new light multipurpose aircraft Baikalat at the 15th International Aviation and Space Salon MAKS-2021 in Zhukovskiy, Russia, reported the press service of the salon on July 21. Per the agreement, KAI acquired…
Forbes Names Kazakh Olympic Uniform Among Most Stylish At Tokyo Games
NUR-SULTAN – On July 20, American magazine Forbes named Kazakh National Olympic Team’s uniform among its list of the most stylish uniforms at this Summer Olympics in Tokyo. “The signature turquoise and blue color palette is reminiscent of the endless sky above the Kazakh steppes. Such a style-savvy presentation solidifies fashion capital status for Astana…
IT Company Kazdream Develops First Digital Voice Assistant in Kazakh
NUR-SULTAN – Kazakh IT company Kazdream has developed the first-ever digital voice assistant that recognizes the Kazakh language, reported Qazaqtv.com on July 21. The device is an analog of Apple’s Siri and Amazon’s Alexa, the new technology is capable of supporting conversation, giving advice and answering questions about the weather or the exchange rate in…
Kazakh Athletes Remain Under Strict Sanitary Measures As Tokyo Olympics Set to Begin Tomorrow
NUR-SULTAN – Kazakh National Olympics Committee announced on July 21 that Kazakh athletes who have arrived at Tokyo for the Summer Olympics all remain under strict sanitary measures with no COVID-19 cases reported among the national team members ahead of the launch of the Olympics on July 23. Members of the medical scientific group are…
Kazakh Chess Grandmaster Eliminates World’s Number Two Player at World Cup Championship
NUR-SULTAN – Kazakhstan’s top chess player Rinat Jumabaev advanced to the fourth round of the World Cup in Sochi on July 19 by eliminating the world’s number two player from the U.S. Fabiano Caruana, reported the press service of International Chess Federation (FIDE). The first game between the two players ended in a solid draw.…
Kazakh Singer Rukhiya Baydukenova Wins Slavic Bazaar International Arts Festival (Video)
NUR-SULTAN – Kazakh singer Rukhiya Baydukenova became the Grand Prix winner of the 2021 Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk International Festival of Arts, also known as the Slavic Bazaar, on July 18, reported the press service of the festival. Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev personally congratulated Baydukenova on her victory in a letter. The competition at the…
Almost 62% of Candidates For Rural Akims in Kazakhstan Are Self-Nominated
NUR-SULTAN – The registration of candidates for rural akims (heads of local administrations) was completed on July 14 with 2,297 registered candidates in total, out of which 1,419 (61.8 percent) are self-nominated individuals, reported Aide to the Kazakh President Erlan Karin. “The new norms have created additional opportunities for active citizens to realize their own…
Number of Tourists in Kazakhstan Increased by 10% in 2021 As Domestic Air Travel Grows Dramatically
NUR-SULTAN – The number of tourists in Kazakhstan increased by 10.4 percent reaching 931,100 people over the year, reported ranking.kz on July 16. Kazakh national air carrier Air Astana also reported positive dynamics so far this year with a $91.9 million profit. This constitutes a drastic recovery for the company compared to last year’s $9.9…
Ile-Balkhash Nature Reserve Conducts Largest Release of Bukhara Deers in Its History
NUR-SULTAN – The third and the largest release of the Bukhara deer took place in the Ile-Balkhash nature reserve of the Almaty region on July 12, reported the World Wide Fund (WWF) Representation in Central Asia. “Together with the WWF, 61 deers were planned for release, which is a record number for one year. Camera…
Almaty, Nur-Sultan and Zhambyl Region Host Two-Thirds of Foreign Companies Operating in Kazakhstan
NUR-SULTAN – Two-thirds of the 29,700 foreign enterprises registered in Kazakhstan are located in three regions, including the Almaty, Nur-Sultan and Zhambyl region, according to data released by the Kazakh Bureau of National Statistics on July 12. 20,564 out of 29,700 foreign companies are currently actively operating in the country, which is 11.6 percent more…
UNICEF and Kazakh Ministry of Information and Public Development Join Forces to Initiate New Critical Thinking Program for Children
NUR-SULTAN – The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF)and the Youth Research Center of the Kazakh Ministry of Information and Public Development jointly initiated a new SAMGAU program for the development of critical thinking, teamwork, creative and soft skills among Kazakh adolescents and youth, reported the press service of the ministry on July 13.…
Kazakh Government Launches New Grant Project for Creative Youth
NUR-SULTAN – The Kazakh government launched a new grant project titled Tauelsizdik Urpaktary (Generation of Independence) aimed at forming and supporting the creative youth community, according to the government’s official decree issued on July 8. The initiative, which will start on July 20, is set up to support talented and motivated Kazakh youth and help…
World Bank: Central Asian Economies Expected To Recover By 3.7% in 2021
NUR-SULTAN – The World Bank projected the recovery of economic growth in Central Asia at 3.7 percent in 2021 and 4.3 percent in 2022, reported the press service of the organization on June 8. The original prediction for Central Asian economic growth by the World Bank in 2020 was 3.1 percent. The strongest economic growth…
Kazakh Ministry of Foreign Affairs Presents New NGO Dialogue Platform at STEP UP Central Asian Forum
NUR-SULTAN – The Kazakh Ministry of Foreign Affairs presented its advisory and consultative body titled “Dialogue Platform on Human Dimension” at the STEP UP (Solidarity for Transparency, Enabling Environment and Partnership) Forum of Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) of Central Asia in Almaty on July 7-10, reported the press service of the ministry. Ambassador-at-Large of the Kazakh…
Kazakh National Olympic Team Possesses Advantage in Combat Sports, Cycling and Swimming, Thanks to Cultural Legacy
NUR-SULTAN – Ahead of the Tokyo 2021 Summer Olympics, the Kazakh National Olympic Team consisting of 95 athletes is predicted to have an upper hand in martial arts, combat sports, including boxing and judo, cycling and swimming, reported the press service of the Kazakh National Olympic Committee on July 2. “Traditionally, we have always placed…
Astana Process Participants Express Conviction About Need for Diplomatic Solution to Syrian Conflict
NUR-SULTAN – The participants of the 16th round of talks on Syria, known as the Astana Process, have concluded their two-day meeting in Nur-Sultan on July 8 by stating their unwavering commitment to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Syria and expressing their conviction that there is no military solution to the Syrian conflict, reported…
Kazakh Company Launches CryptoCurrency and Quran Satellite Projects on Board of SpaceX Falcon 9 Rocket
NUR-SULTAN – Kazakhstan-based Eurasian Space Ventures (ESV) company has launched its two projects, Biteeu and Divine, using the space technology of the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and in partnership with SpaceChain satellite network, reported the press service of ESV on June 30. Biteeu plans to become the world’s first space cryptocurrency exchange. Biteeu uses licensed…
16th Round of Talks on Syria Starts Off in Nur-Sultan
NUR-SULTAN – The 16th round of talks on Syria, known as the Astana Process, with the participation of the Syrian government and the Syrian armed opposition groups began in Nur-Sultan on July 7, reported the Kazakh Foreign Ministry press service. Delegations from Iran, Russia, and Turkey are also participating in the Astana Process as guarantor…
Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan: A Vibrant City That Honors its Past
NUR-SULTAN – On July 6, Kazakhstan’s capital Nur-Sultan celebrates its 23rd birthday. The young rapidly growing city sprung into existence around the small town of Akmola back in 1998. The city’s Soviet past, new 21st-century landscape and diverse makeup caused by the intense migration of young people from all over the country make Nur-Sultan the…
Kazakhstan’s Commitment to Low Carbon Future Ranked 33rd by Green Future Index
NUR-SULTAN – Kazakhstan has been ranked 33rd out of 76 in the Green Future Index that evaluates countries’ commitment to a low carbon future, reported the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Technology Review, the Index author, on July 1. The Green Future Index conducts cross-country comparisons and generates scores across the following five pillars, including…
Kazakhstan Assesses Progress Made Registering Undocumented Citizens
NUR-SULTAN – Kazakhstan shared the work done in the country to protect civil registration rights during the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UN ESCAP) presentation of the Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS) Decade’s midterm report on July 1, reported the press office of the UN ESCAP. The report…
Kazakhstan Makes Gains in 2020 UN Global Cybersecurity Index Report
NUR-SULTAN – Kazakhstan has been ranked 31st out of 182 countries in the 2020 Global Cybersecurity Index by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the United Nation’s (UN) information and communication technologies initiative, reported the press service of the ITU on June 28. Kazakhstan now occupies the second position in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS)…
European Bank for Reconstruction and Development Projects Robust GDP Growth Rate for Kazakhstan in 2021
NUR-SULTAN – The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) adjusted the forecast of Kazakhstan’s real GDP growth rate for 2021 from the previous 3.0 percent to 3.6 percent in its biweekly review on June 28, reported the press office of the EBRD. The EBRD’s forecast for Kazakhstan’s real GDP Growth in 2022 has also…
World Bank Report Highlights Importance of Structural Reforms for Kazakhstan’s Economic Growth, Predicts 3.2% Increase
NUR-SULTAN – The World Bank shared its latest report on the economy of Kazakhstan on June 28 predicting a modest growth of 3.2 percent by the end of the year and emphasized the need for effective structural reforms to facilitate the country’s economic recovery. In May 2020, the World Bank pledged approximately $500 million of…
Almaty Economy Continues to Grow As Anti-Crisis Measures Implemented
NUR-SULTAN – The Akim (Mayor) of Almaty Bakytzhan Sagintayev reported that the economic growth indicator of the largest city in Kazakhstan reached 107.8 percent due to the implementation of anti-crisis measures, such as tax and lease payment exemptions and subsidized interest rates on loans at the June 25 briefing in Almaty. Fixed capital investments in…
Kazakhstan Reaches Near Total Broadband Internet Access Across Country
NUR-SULTAN – Broadband internet access is available in 118 cities and 4,500 villages, which in total have a population of 18.2 million people or 97.2 percent of the total population of Kazakhstan, reported the Kazakh Bureau of National Statistics. As of June 1, there are 2.7 million fixed broadband subscribers in Kazakhstan who use high-speed…
New Education Legislation Signed by President Tokayev Promotes Inclusivity in the Classroom
NUR-SULTAN – A new law on inclusive education, signed by Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on June 26, requires all educational organizations with students with special needs to adapt inclusive educational programs to all students, reported the Akorda press service. President Tokayev noted that the number of children with special educational needs in the country continues…
Astana Ballet to Premiere First Ballet Production of “Kozy-Korpesh and Bayan-Sulu”
NUR-SULTAN – The Astana Ballet will premiere its debut production of the season and the first ballet adaptation of “Kozy-Korpesh and Bayan-Sulu” on July 2-3, reported the theater’s press service. The Kazakh epic poem of the 13th-14th century that centers around a love story of Kozy and Bayan-Sulu has never been transformed into a ballet…
New Social Entrepreneurship Law Offers Tax Incentives for Socially Responsible Businesses
NUR-SULTAN – New law on social entrepreneurship offers tax incentives, subsidizing loan interest rates and state support for businesses working with socially vulnerable groups. The law was signed June 24 by Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, reported the Akorda press service. The law was initiated by the deputies of the Kazakh Parliament to enhance legislative regulation…
Kazakh Children and Youth Celebrate International Olympic Day
NUR-SULTAN – Kazakh children and youth participated in country-wide celebrations on International Olympic Day that included events for children with special needs and newborn children, reported on June 23 the press service of the Kazakh National Olympic Committee. The celebrations came ahead of the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics where Kazakh athletes will have a chance…
President Tokayev Stresses Importance of New Rural Elections for Political Engagement of Kazakh Citizenry
NUR-SULTAN – Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev highlighted the importance of the innovative elections for the rural akims (mayors) for political reforms and engagement of all citizens in the decision-making processes in the country to continue. The statement was made during an official government meeting on June 23, reported the Akorda press service. “This event is…
Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister, Azerbaijani President Agree on Strengthening Trade Ties Ahead of 30th Anniversary of Bilateral Diplomatic Relations
NUR-SULTAN – Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev commended the extensive history of friendly relations between Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan ahead of next year’s 30th anniversary Azerbaijani-Kazakh diplomatic relations during the visit of Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister – Minister of Foreign Affairs Mukhtar Tileuberdi to Baku on June 21, reported the press service of the Kazakh Ministry of…
Preliminary Results Confirm Arrival of Indian COVID-19 Double Mutation Variant to Nur-Sultan
NUR-SULTAN – The akimat (city administration) of Nur-Sultan confirmed that out of 54 patients in Nur-Sultan sampled for additional examination, 56 percent show the preliminary presence of the Indian COVID-19 variant, also known as the Delta variant, on June 22, reported the press service of Nur-Sultan’s akimat. The sampling of the Nur-Sultan residents also revealed…
Central Asian Countries to Create Unified Higher Education Zone
NUR-SULTAN – The ministries of education of the Central Asian countries, including Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, have agreed to create a unified higher education area in the region that would entail an exchange of knowledge, students and academic staff between their higher education institutions, reported the press service of Kazakh Ministry of Education and…
Disney’s Kazakh Dubbing Project Celebrates 10 Year Anniversary with Release of New Pixar Cartoon (Video)
NUR-SULTAN – The new Pixar cartoon “Luca” came out on June 17 and became the 37th film dubbed from English to Kazakh as part of the collaboration project between Disney and the Bolashak International Scholarship program, reported the press service of Bolashak. The collaboration between Disney and Bolashak titled Start With Yourself began in June…
Foreign Companies to Invest More Than $500 Million in Kazakhstan’s Agro-industrial Sector, Chemical Industry
NUR-SULTAN – Newly announced foreign investments from Dutch, Turkish and Arab companies are expected to finance projects worth more than $500 million in Kazakhstan’s agro-industrial sector and chemical industry, reported the press service of the Kazakh Invest national company. A $273 million (117 billion tenge) meat processing plant will be built in the East Kazakhstan…
Kazakhstan Improves Position In IMD-2021 World Competitiveness Ranking
NUR-SULTAN – Improving its last year’s standing by seven positions, Kazakhstan was ranked 35th out of 64 countries in the 2021 World Competitiveness Ranking on June 17, reported the press service of the Kazakh Ministry of National Economy. The World Competitiveness Ranking is carried out by the World Competitiveness Center of the International Institute for…
New Wind Farm in Aktobe Region to Expand Kazakhstan’s Wind Power Capacity
NUR-SULTAN – The construction of the new wind farm Badamsha-2 that is expected to significantly increase the rapidly growing renewable energy industry in Kazakhstan will be completed in the Aktobe region by the end of the year, reported the press service of Sarens engineering company on June 15. Badamsha-2 will be the second wind farm…
Aral Sea Restoration Efforts to Include Planting Million-Hectare Saxaul Forest
NUR-SULTAN – Saxaul trees will be planted on one million hectares of the drained bottom of the Aral Sea on the territory of Kazakhstan as part of the new effort to stop dust storms in the region, reported the Central Communications Service on June 15. The decision was made after a delegation of the Kazakh…
ITeachMe Public Fund Develops Roadmap to Make IT Sphere in Kazakhstan More Inclusive
NUR-SULTAN – The ITeachMe Competence Development Center announced a new project on developing a roadmap for improving the inclusion of people with disabilities in the IT sphere on June 14, reported Kazinform. The ITeachMe Competence Development Center is a public fund aimed at increasing the inclusion of people with disabilities in the social life and…
Kazakh Biosafety Research Institute Begins Clinical Trials of Another Vaccine Against COVID-19
NUR-SULTAN – Clinical trials of QazCoVac-P, another Kazakh vaccine against COVID-19, were launched on June 15 at the Kazakh Biosafety Research Institute, reported the press service of the institute. QazCoVac-P is the second vaccine of the Biosafety Research Institute that has successfully passed preclinical trials in a specialized enterprise of the Kazakh Ministry of Healthcare…
Exhibition Dedicated to Medical Workers Opens in Almaty
NUR-SULTAN – The “We Will Win This Together” exhibition of paintings and photographs dedicated to frontline medical workers opened at the Kazakh Central State Museum in Almaty on June 11, reported the press service of the museum. The exhibition showcases Kazakh photographer Ruslan Mazunin’s close-up portraits of medical workers who have been tirelessly treating COVID-19…
President Tokayev, US Special Representative Discuss Kazakh-American Сooperation on Afghanistan
NUR-SULTAN – Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and U.S. Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad discussed enhancing the Kazakh-American strategic partnership to ensure security and stability in Afghanistan during their June 14 meeting in Nur-Sultan, reported the Akorda press office. In addition to the withdrawal of the American and NATO troops from Afghanistan, the parties…
Presidential Youth Personnel Reserve Forum Summarizes First Achievements
NUR-SULTAN – The Presidential Youth Personnel Reserve Forum was held in Nur-Sultan on June 12, reported the press service of the Kazakh Ministry of Information and Social Development. The forum served as a platform for highlighting the results of the Presidential Youth Personnel Reserve initiative for the past year and a half, to exchange knowledge…
Kazakh Tennis Players Alexander Bublik and Andrey Golubev Reach Men’s Doubles Final at French Open
NUR-SULTAN – The Kazakh tennis duo of Alexander Bublik and Andrey Golubev move on to the final of the French Open that will be held on June 12 in Paris, reported the press service of the tournament. Bublik and Golubev topple Spaniards Pablo Andujar and Pedro Martinez with a 1-6, 6-4, 6-4 final score. The…
New Human Rights Reforms to Make Kazakhstan a Safer and More Equal Society
NUR-SULTAN – On June 9, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signed a decree “On further human rights measures in Kazakhstan” as part of his political modernization agenda. The decree warrants the launch of a human rights priority action plan that protects the rights of vulnerable people and minority groups, including women, people with disabilities and victims…
Gold and Foreign Exchange Reserves of Kazakh National Bank Grow by $2.2 Billion
NUR-SULTAN – The gold and foreign exchange reserves of the Kazakh National Bank increased by $2.2 billion in May amounting to $36.5 billion by the end of the month, shared Deputy Chairman of the bank Aliya Moldabekova on June 6 in an interview with Kapital. “The growth was stimulated by an increase in the gold…
New Decree on Human Rights Helps Establish Effective Protective Mechanisms, Experts Say
NUR-SULTAN – Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signed a decree “On further human rights measures in Kazakhstan” into law on June 9, reported the Akorda press service. “An important stage of political modernization is a further implementation of concrete measures in the field of human rights. A corresponding decree was signed today. The government has been…
EU Special Representative Commends Central Asian Regional Development, Outlines Avenues for Future Cooperation
NUR-SULTAN – Peter Burian, European Union (EU) Special Representative for Central Asia, highlighted the progress of regional development in Central Asia and expressed a resolution to expand the potential of economic cooperation during a press briefing on June 8 in the Kazakh capital. Burian noted a positive dynamic of regional development during the last six…
Former Penal Institution Turned Into Art and Creativity Center in Almaty
NUR-SULTAN – A new art residence opened in a building with a rich history in Almaty. Aimed at developing the domestic creative economy, the new residence transformed a former penal building into a cultural space for young creators, reported Kazinform on June 6. The building was previously known as a penitentiary insulator on Seifullin street.…
International Youth Forum in Kazakh Capital Highlights Achievements of New Generation
NUR-SULTAN – The “We Are the Patriots” International Youth Forum dedicated to the 30th anniversary of the Kazakh Independence was hosted in the capital June 4, reported the Akorda press service. The forum focused on the new generation of competitive young people that has formed in Kazakhstan over the past 30 years and its contribution…
Kazakh Tennis Player Elena Rybakina Upsets Serena Williams, Reaches Roland Garros Quarterfinals
NUR-SULTAN – 21-year-old Kazakh tennis player Elena Rybakina stunted three-time winner of Roland Garros Serena Williams with a 6-3, 7-5 victory in the fourth round of the 2021 French Open on June 6, reported the press service of the tournament. Rybakina was coming in as an underdog to the match, as she was playing in…
Kasteev Museum of Arts Introduces Audio Description For People with Visual Impairments
NUR-SULTAN – Audio descriptions of more than 50 art and history exhibits for visitors with visual impairments were introduced at the Abilkhan Kasteev State Museum of Arts in Almaty on June 1, reported Kazinform. The innovation helps to improve the accessibility of the museum for visitors with special needs, particularly children. An audio description in…
ECOJER International Congress Foregrounds Areas for Sustainable Economic Development
NUR-SULTAN – The first ECOJER International climate congress titled “Shape a Sustainable Future” was held in the Kazakh capital on June 3-4, reported the Kazakh Ministry of Ecology, Geology and Natural Resources. The event took place on the eve of World Environment Day and was a part of the celebration of the 30th anniversary of…
Tourist Huts to Be Built in Almaty Mountains to Improve Hiking Safety
NUR-SULTAN – Some 15 huts for tourist shelter equipped with Wi-Fi, charging stations, first-aid kits are planned to be constructed in the Almaty mountain area, the tourist department of the city reported on June 1. Tourists hiking in the area will be able to spend the night and warm themselves in the case of bad…
Zhansaya Abdumalik Becomes First Central Asian Female Chess Player to Receive Man Grandmaster Title
NUR-SULTAN – Young Kazakh chess prodigy Zhansaya Abdumalik became the first ever female player from both Kazakhstan and Central Asia to receive the Man Grandmaster title on June 1, reports International Chess Federation (FIDE). The 21-years-old player met the qualification standards for the title during her stellar performance at the 2021 Gibraltar FIDE Women’s Grand…
Center for Studying Golden Horde Era to Open in Karaganda Region
NUR-SULTAN – The Jochi Khan historical and cultural center will open its doors in the Karaganda region in the near future, the press service of the regional administration reported on May 28. The center will serve as a tourist destination into the ancient Kazakh past and aims to become a scientific center for studying the…
Zhambyl Region Continues Reconstruction of Tekturmas Historical Complex
NUR-SULTAN – The Zhambyl region tourism development map has hit another milestone with the continued reconstruction of the Tekturmas historical complex since its launch in 2018, reports the regional press service. The Tekturmas complex, which is located on the eastern outskirts of the city, is aimed at preserving the historical cultural heritage and attracting tourists…
Kazakh Female Boxers Make a Splash at 2021 ASBC Asian Elite Boxing Championship
NUR-SULTAN – Kazakhstan’s national team won eight gold medals across 10 weight categories in the Asian Boxing Confederation’s (ASBC) Asian Elite Women’s Boxing Championships held in Dubai, reports the ASBC press service. The team also won silver and bronze medals. Among the athletes who won the gold for Kazakhstan at the women’s championship are Alua…
One Million People Fully Vaccinated from Coronavirus in Kazakhstan
NUR-SULTAN – As of May 28, 1 million people in Kazakhstan have completed the full course of vaccination against COVID-19 by receiving two components of the vaccine, according to the data updated daily by the Kazakh Ministry of Healthcare. A little over 2 million people have received at least one dose of the vaccine. Almaty…
Kazakh Women Returning From Syria Given Special Rehabilitation For PTSD and Survivor’s Guilt
NUR-SULTAN – Kazakh women who have been returned from Syria are in the process of reverse integration into the Kazakh society with the goal of developing a sense of civic and national identity via gender-oriented rehabilitation. The insights of the process were shared by the Head of the rehabilitation center and Founder of the ZOOM-Jusan…
Youth Development Index to Be Introduced By the End of 2021
NUR-SULTAN – The Youth Development Index aimed at unifying various approaches to implementing and monitoring youth-related policies will be developed and introduced to the Parliamentary legislation by the end of the year, reports the Akorda press service. The announcement was made during the 24th meeting of the Youth Policy Council chaired by First Deputy Chief…
Bokeyorda Nature Reserve to Be Built In West Kazakhstan
NUR-SULTAN – Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev confirmed a decision to create the Bokeyorda and Ashiozek nature reserves with a total area of 657,000 hectares after a meeting with the Kazakh Minister of Ecology, Geology and Natural Resources Magzum Mirzagaliev, reports the Akorda press service. The reserves are expected to facilitate the migration of a part…
Ministry of Ecology, Geology and Natural Resources to Focus on Landfill Solutions
NUR-SULTAN – The Kazakh Ministry of Ecology, Geology and Natural Resources presented its plan to create an energy waste utilization plant, according to a May 25 report by the ministry’s press service. The first stage of the plan to be completed by the end of the year includes the installation of 7,230 containers for the…
Kazakh Music Star Dimash Kudaibergen Celebrates 27th Birthday
NUR-SULTAN – Popular Kazakh singer Dimash Kudaibergen, also known as Dimash, celebrated his 27th birthday on May 24. Kudaibergen received heartfelt congratulations from all over the world, including his fans in China and Bolivia, as well as from Kazakh President Kassym Jomart Tokayev. On his official Instagram, the singer shared a video of his fans’…
Imanbek Wins Billboard Music Award for Top Dance Song
NUR-SULTAN – In another milestone for the Kazakh music industry, Imanbek Zeikenov, known as Imanbek, won the 2021 Billboard Music Award for Top Dance/Electronic Song for his remix of Saint Jhn’s 2016 song “Roses.” Imanbek shared the news on his Instagram page after the show aired on May 23. Imanbek accepted his award virtually while…
Kazakhstan Beats Defending Champion Finland at Ice Hockey World Championship
NUR-SULTAN – The Kazakh national ice hockey team stunned defending champion Finland with an unprecedented success and 2-1 final score at the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) Men’s World Championship in the Latvian capital Riga, reports IIHF press service. Despite the intense first half, the score was only opened in the middle of the second…
Swiss Photographer Captures His Pre-Pandemic Train Journey Across Kazakhstan
NUR-SULTAN – Berlin-based Swiss photographer Mario Heller has always loved trains and their liminal space. It almost seems like a frivolous yet strong enough reason for an artist to travel to a far-away country for the first time, find a translator and spend almost a month meeting and observing people on trains with a studious…
Kazakhstan Senate Passes Voting Reform to Give Citizenry More Options at Ballot Box
NUR-SULTAN – The Kazakh Senate ratified the amendment to return the “against all” option to voting ballots in elections on all levels. The decision to confirm amendments and additions to the “On elections in the Republic of Kazakhstan” Constitutional Law was made at the Senate’s meeting on May 20, according to the Kazakh Senate press…
Kazakh Women Are More Involved in Entrepreneurship Since Start of Pandemic
NUR-SULTAN – Visa presented the results of a study indicating higher Kazakh women’s participation in the field of entrepreneurship since the start of the coronavirus crisis and outlining distinctive features of women’s entrepreneurship in Kazakhstan. The results were shared by the press service of Visa on May 17. The study was conducted within the framework…
Kokshetau Named Cultural Capital of Kazakhstan in 2021
NUR-SULTAN – Kokshetau became the cultural capital of Kazakhstan in 2021 as a result of the Ruhani Kazyna national festival dedicated to the 30th anniversary of Kazakh independence, reports Kazakh Ministry of Sports and Culture on May 18. The winning title makes Kokshetau a primary destination for all national cultural competitions, including those among museums,…
FC Kairat Allows Spectators Back Into Stadium For the First Time Since Start of Pandemic
NUR-SULTAN – Almaty-based FC Kairat beat FC Aktobe at the Central Almaty arena with the 4:2 final score on May 18, reports the press service of the club. The game marked the first time Kairat allowed spectators to watch the game from its stadium’s stands since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. The entrance for…
Kazakh Innovative E-Agricultural Platform Becomes Champion of WSIS Prize 2021
NUR-SULTAN – The Kazakh digital agricultural platform Supervision Technology Digital Land Monitoring became one of the 5 final champions of the World Summit on the Information Society Prizes in the e-agriculture category. The Digital Land Monitoring project was selected by voting among 20 nominated projects and the final winner was announced by the WSIS on…
Kazakhfilm Begins Implementation of 3-Year Modernization Plan
NUR-SULTAN – Kazakhfilm studios have begun the modernization process that is expected to last 3 years and incorporate new technical equipment, reconstruction of engineering networks and buildings and a new film set. Kazakh Minister of Culture and Sports Aktota Raimkulova shared the plans during her meeting with the Central Communications Service on May 14. The…
Kazakhstan’s Population Reaches 18.94 Million
NUR-SULTAN – The population of Kazakhstan, as of April 1, 2021, amounted to 18.94 million people having increased by 250,200 or 1.3 percent from last year, according to a report by the Kazakh Bureau of the National Statistics Agency for Strategic Planning and Reforms released May 14. The urban population constitutes the majority with 11.204…
Kazakh Government Creates Atlas of Jobs to Improve Professional Development and Education Standards, Tackle Unemployment
NUR-SULTAN – The Kazakh Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Population presented an expanded Atlas of New Professions and competencies to the representatives of central government bodies. The expansion of the Atlas aims to introduce innovative strategies for professional development and keep up with economic trends affecting employment opportunities in the country, the…
Gold and Foreign Exchange Reserves of the Kazakh National Bank Grow by Nearly $700 Million.
NUR-SULTAN – Gold and foreign exchange reserves of the Kazakh National Bank increased by $690 million over the month amounting to $34.2 billion as of April 30, shared Deputy Chairman of the Bank Aliya Moldabekova on May 13 in an interview for Kapital.kz. “The growth was stimulated by an increase in the gold portfolio by…
Kazakh Singer KALIYA Becomes UNFPA Honorary Ambassador to Kazakhstan
NUR-SULTAN – Singer and activist Akmarzhan Kusherbayeva, known by her stage name KALIYA, has been appointed UNFPA Honorary Ambassador to the United Nations Population Fund in Kazakhstan. The appointment was announced by the UNFPA Kazakhstan press service on May 13. Kaliya is the first Kazakh citizen to be offered the title from UNFPA. The partnership…
Almaty Mosque Hosts Eid al-Fitr Celebration for Kazakh Children Returned from Syria
NUR-SULTAN – The Center for Rehabilitation and Consultation under the Department of Religious Affairs of Almaty and the Zarya Vostoka (Dawn of the East) Mosque hosted a celebration of Eid al-Fitr on May 13 for women and children who returned to Kazakhstan from the Syrian-Iraqi conflict zone, reports Zakon.kz. The organizers aimed for the event…
Kazakhstan and France Sign Bilateral Agreement on Economic Cooperation Through 2030
NUR-SULTAN – Kazakhstan and France signed a joint roadmap for economic and investment cooperation until 2030. The document was signed on May 13 during the visit of Franck Riester, Minister Delegate for Foreign Trade and Economic Attractiveness, attached to the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs to Kazakhstan, the press office of the Kazakh Invest…
Mayor of Almaty Pledges to Finish Dam in Ayusai Gorge, Protect Almaty From Mudslides
NUR-SULTAN – Akim (Mayor) of Almaty Bakytzhan Sagintayev pledged to focus on increasing mudslide protection during his visit to the construction site of the dam in Ayusai gorge on May 11, the press service of Almaty Akimat (city administration) reported. Currently, there are 114 glaciers and 35 moraine lakes located in the upper reaches of…
Commemorations of Kazakh Contribution to World War II Take Place in Russia, Croatia and Moldova
NUR-SULTAN – A series of events commemorating the contribution of Kazakh soldiers to the victory over fascism in 1945 took place in Russia, Croatia, and Moldova over the past week, the Kazakh Foreign Ministry’s press service reported. A photo exhibition dedicated to the 30th anniversary of Kazakh independence and the Victory Day opened in the…
Rakhimzhan Koshkarbayev: Kazakh Hero Who First Mounted the Victory Banner Over Reichstag
NUR-SULTAN – May 9, 2021 marks the 76th anniversary of the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany in World War II. While the story of the hard-won victory of the Red Army is widely known, the story of the Kazakh hero who played a key role on the path to victory is less so. On…
Artist from Oslo Searches for Kazakh Veterans
NUR-SULTAN – Norwegian artist Webjörn Sand turned to the Kazakh Embassy in Oslo with a request to help find the living Kazakh veterans who took part in the liberation of the north of Norway from Nazi occupation in 1944, as well as the soldiers who were in Nazi captivity on the territory of occupied Norway,…
Kazakh Startup Egistic Provides Daily Satellite Imagery for Local Farmers
NUR-SULTAN – Founded to help Kazakh farmers, the Egistic service platform recently announced its partnership with Planet, operator of the world’s largest satellite constellation for Earth images, on its Instagram account on May 5. The Egistic company is now one of the few Central Asian companies offering daily satellite imagery for its clients in agriculture. …
Kokmaisa Fest 2021 Introduces Kazakh Traditions to Promote Virtual Tourism
NUR-SULTAN – The traditional Kokmaisa ethnic festival was held online for the fifth time in a row in the Terisakkan village of the Ulytau district in the Karaganda region on May 2. This year’s festival was dedicated to the 30th anniversary of Kazakhstan’s independence. The festival is seen as a good opportunity to introduce Kazakh…
Nazarbayev University Social Development Fund Fosters Youth Social Entrepreneurship
NUR-SULTAN – In 2020, the Nazarbayev University Social Development Fund underwent a transformation by expanding from its work within the Nazarbayev University (NU) community to funding and supporting social entrepreneurship projects with the potential to have an impact beyond the university. Currently, the fund sponsors nine social projects related to education, ecology, healthy lifestyle and…
Amazon Prime Acquires Streaming Rights for Kazakh Film “Tomiris”
NUR-SULTAN – The “Tomiris” film directed by Akan Satayev is now available on Amazon Prime for audiences in the U.S. and Canada, Kazakhfilm studio reported on April 26. The film was produced by Kazakhfilm with a $6.5 million budget and first premiered in September 2019. It has been translated into more than 10 languages. In…
President Tokayev Meets with Winners of Kazakhstan’s 100 New Faces Project
NUR-SULTAN – Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev congratulated the winners of the 100 New Faces of Kazakhstan project on April 30, reported the Akorda Press. The President noted that their talents contributed to the development of Kazakhstan. “The winners of the project are the people who represent Kazakhstan to the whole world. We pay tribute to…
Kazakhstan and Russia Sign Economic Cooperation Program For 2021-2025
NUR-SULTAN – Kazakh Prime Minister Askar Mamin visited Kazan where he participated in talks with Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, the Prime Minister’s press service reported on April 28. Mamin and Mishustin discussed bilateral cooperation in trade and economics, transport and logistics, energy and geological spheres, as well as industrial cooperation, the agro-industrial complex and…
Nur-Sultan to Increase Facilities for Children with Special Needs in Capital
NUR-SULTAN – Akim (Mayor) of Nur-Sultan Altai Kulginov reported that a sports facility for people with special needs will be built to expand the network of training centers in the capital in his Instagram on April 28. The sports complex will include facilities for several sports sections, including football for the visually impaired, wheelchair basketball,…
Gold Manufacturing Increases by 13 Percent in Kazakhstan
NUR-SULTAN – Gold production increased by 13 percent and gold ore production grew by more than 26 percent in Kazakhstan over the past year, Energyprom reports. In the first quarter of 2021, the extraction of gold-bearing ores in the country reached 7.1 million tons, which is 26.4 percent more than a year earlier. Some 79.3…
SCO Qingdao Forum Shows Growth of Trade Ties Between China and SCO Member States
QINGDAO – The annual turnover between China and the countries of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) has reached $245 billion in 2020, reports Kazinform. This was announced at the SCO Qingdao Forum on Local Economic and Trade Cooperation, which opened on April 26 along with the 2021 SCO International Investment and Trade Expo in Qingdao. …
