Articles by Assel Satubaldina

Kazakhstan’s Budget Spending to Grow by 7% in 2025  

ASTANA—Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has approved the country’s budget for 2025-2027 on Dec. 4. The law entails budget expenditures of 25.19 trillion tenge (US$48.2 billion), an increase of nearly 7% compared to 2024 plans.  Revenue and expenditure outlook According to the new law, the 2025 budget projects revenues at 21.39 trillion tenge ($40.95 billion), primarily…

Cryptocurrency Ownership Expanding in Central Asia, Says Latest Report

ASTANA – In just two years, the share of Kazakhstan’s population owning cryptocurrencies has doubled, from 4% in 2022 to an estimated 8% in 2024, according to the latest report on the digital assets market in Central Asia and the Caucasus, conducted by RISE Research and Freedom Horizons.  The report, supported by the Astana International…

Latvian Ambassador Highlights Mutual Understanding in Building Security in Eurasia as Top Priority

ASTANA – Latvia is prioritizing deeper collaboration with Kazakhstan to find common ground on how to strengthen security and mutual understanding on the Eurasian continent, said Irina Mangule, Ambassador of Latvia to Kazakhstan, in a recent interview with The Astana Times.  Mangule began her mission in 2021 when the world was grappling with the consequences…

Sky is the Limit: EU Special Representative Terhi Hakala Reflects on Her Tenure and Deepening EU-Kazakhstan Relations

ASTANA – As Terhi Hakala concludes her tenure as the European Union’s Special Representative for Central Asia, she reflects on the evolution of EU-Kazakhstan relations during her time in office. In an interview with The Astana Times during her farewell visit to Kazakhstan, Hakala shared insights into key milestones, critical areas of cooperation, and her…

Jibek Joly Tourist Train Sets Off on First Journey via Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan

ASTANA – A tourist train, dubbed Jibek Joly (Silk Road), departed from Almaty on Nov. 16 on a five-day journey via Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, reported the press service of the Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ) national railway operator.  Launched by KTZ as a pilot project, the tourist train takes passengers from Almaty to Turkistan and Tashkent…

Kazakhstan’s Special Representative Addresses Ministerial Dialogue on Climate Finance at COP29

BAKU – Zulfiya Suleimenova, the advisor to the President of Kazakhstan – Special Representative of the President on International Environmental Cooperation, stressed the importance of transitional finance at the sixth High-Level Ministerial Dialogue on Long-Term Climate Finance on Nov. 14 at the 29th United Nations (UN) Climate Change Conference (COP29) in Baku.  Transitional finance provides…

Kazakh Ministry Signs Strategic Agreement on Regenerative Agriculture at COP29

BAKU – As the 29th United Nations Climate Change Conference continues on its fourth day in Baku, Azerbaijan, the Kazakh Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources signed a memorandum with Ormex, a Paris-based company specializing in regenerative agriculture practices, ​​and Chapter Zero Kazakhstan​​.  This agreement will support the development of sustainable agricultural practices that reduce…

Central Asian and Turkic Youth Climate Leaders Speak Out at COP29 in Baku

BAKU – Youth climate activists from Central Asia and Turkic countries discussed how youth can drive climate action at the 29th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29) in Baku on Nov. 13.  The event, dubbed Next COP Dialogue of Central Asian and Turkic Youth Climate Leaders, convened young environmental advocates from Azerbaijan, Hungary, Kazakhstan, the…

Kazakhstan Presents National Pavilion as COP29 Kicks Off in Baku

BAKU – Kazakhstan presents the national pavilion at the 29th United Nations Climate Conference of the Parties (COP29), which kicked off on Nov. 11 at the Olympic Stadium in Baku and will run through Nov. 22. Kazakhstan’s pavilion, a centerpiece of the country’s presence at the UN Climate Conference, highlights what the nation is doing…

Kazakh Officials, Foreign Investors Highlight Growth Opportunities in Kazakhstan 

ASTANA – Kazakhstan is cementing its position as a regional powerhouse for industrial growth and innovation, attracting foreign investments in logistics, green technologies, and manufacturing. During the recent Kazakhstan Global Investment Roundtable (KGIR), the country’s officials and representatives of foreign companies discussed what makes Kazakhstan an attractive investment destination.  Kazakhstan is committed to creating favorable…

UNODC Regional Representative Highlights Kazakhstan’s Asset Recovery Efforts

ASTANA – Oliver Stolpe, regional representative of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) for Afghanistan, Central Asia, Iran, and Pakistan, highlighted Kazakhstan’s efforts to recover assets illicitly transferred abroad in a recent interview with The Astana Times.  Stolpe wrapped up his visit to Astana on Oct. 31 with discussions with the Kazakh…

Tokayev’s Return to Paris Strengthens Strategic Partnership with France

ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev paid an official visit to France on Nov. 4-5, meeting with French President Emmanual Macron and top business leaders. In a rapidly changing geopolitical landscape, Tokayev’s visit to France, his second in two years, signals a deepening strategic partnership with France, one of the European Union’s (EU) most influential states. …

UK Ambassador Highlights Strengthened Climate Initiatives in Kazakhstan

ASTANA – Ambassador of the United Kingdom to Kazakhstan Kathy Leach highlighted the importance of climate initiatives in the bilateral ties with Kazakhstan and expressed the U.K.’s continued support in addressing the consequences of climate change at a Nov. 1 press briefing in Astana. Leach noted a deep personal commitment to environmental issues, highlighting how…

Kazakhstan’s Ecology Minister Shares Expectations Ahead of COP29 in Baku

ASTANA – Multilateral initiatives on carbon farming, a global low-carbon platform, more than 40 thematic sessions, and its national pavilion – these are the priorities for Kazakhstan as the nation prepares for the 2024 United Nations (UN) Climate Change Conference on Nov. 11-22 in Baku. Kazakh Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources Yerlan Nyssanbayev spoke…

Kazakhstan Global Investment Roundtable Secures $7 Billion in Contracts

ASTANA – Kazakhstan Global Investment Roundtable (KGIR) showcased the emerging trends in the investment landscape on Nov. 1, culminating in a landmark $7 billion in signed agreements. The high-profile event brought together international investors, government officials, and industry leaders, all eager to explore new opportunities in Kazakhstan’s evolving investment landscape. “We are in a time…

World-Renowned Violinist Marat Bisengaliev Brings Extraordinary Symphonic Concert Home

ASTANA – The grand stage of the Astana Opera welcomed Marat Bisengaliev, the world-renowned violinist, conductor, and Kazakhstan’s Goodwill Ambassador, for a symphonic concert blending classical and Kazakh music.  Bisengaliev’s symphonic concert became a standout event for audiences eager to experience a unique musical vision crafted by one of Kazakhstan’s own. Born in 1962 in…

EU-Funded Project Promotes Public Engagement in Climate Change Mitigation in Karagandy Region

ASTANA—Astana hosted the conference on Oct. 23, marking the end of a two-year European Union-funded project aimed at empowering local communities and enhancing public involvement in environmental decision-making in the Karagandy Region, one of the country’s most industrialized areas.  The project, implemented by the Karagandy Regional Ecological Museum with the support of German and Czech…

Turkish Designers Take Center Stage at Fashion Show in Astana

ASTANA—Astana hosted a fashion show on Oct. 22 featuring the creations of nine talented Turkish designers. The event showcased Turkish designs and served as a bridge for new business partnerships between Kazakhstan and Türkiye. The event, which was organized with the support of the Embassy of Türkiye in Kazakhstan and the Istanbul Apparel Exporters’ Association…

Gender Equality in Green Transition: Kazakhstan’s Push and Challenges

ISTANBUL – The Kazakh delegation participated in the Istanbul Development Dialogue event on Oct. 17-18, which called for increased investments in gender equality and inclusive climate action. They shared the challenges Kazakhstan faces towards gender equality and the measures it has undertaken so far. Addressing the panel session, dubbed Women’s Leadership for Just Transition and…

QIC Independent Director Highlights Kazakhstan’s Push to Expand Presence in Global Markets

ASTANA – Kazakhstan is adopting a more proactive approach in presenting itself to international markets, with increased outreach efforts, including toward the United States, the Middle East, and Asia, said Nicholas Page, a member of the board and an independent director at the Qazaqstan Investment Corporation (QIC), in a recent interview with The Astana Times. …

Experts and Policymakers Address Gender Equality, Climate Action at Istanbul Development Dialogue

ISTANBUL – More than 160 representatives of governments, international organizations, experts, and policymakers gathered in Istanbul on Oct. 17-18 for the second edition of the Istanbul Development Dialogue (IDD) to explore how to integrate gender equality in climate policies and empower women and girls in climate action and a broader green transition. The two-day event,…

Kazakhstan’s 6% Economic Growth Target is Achievable, but Demands Stronger Reforms, Says IMF Official 

ASTANA — Head of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) mission in Kazakhstan, Nicolas Blancher, recently spoke to The Astana Times, discussing the structural reforms the country needs and its efforts to curb inflation. According to Blancher, Kazakhstan’s ambitious target of 6% economic growth is within reach, but only if the country implements bold and decisive…

UN, Kazakh Officials Discuss Cooperation Framework for Next Five Years

ASTANA – The United Nations Country Team in Kazakhstan and the Kazakh government held a workshop on Oct. 8 to define key priorities for the upcoming UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework for 2026-2030. The discussions focused on how the UN will support Kazakhstan’s national development over the next five years. The event, officially called a…

Kazakhstan’s Official Referendum Results Out: 71% Back Nuclear Power Plant Proposal

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s Central Referendum Commission has officially announced the results of an Oct. 6 national referendum at an Oct. 8 meeting, revealing 71.12% support the construction of a nuclear power plant.  According to the commission, out of the 12.28 million eligible voters, 7.82 million participated in the referendum, a turnout rate of 63.66%. Of…

Nuclear Power Plant Gets Green Light in Kazakhstan 

ASTANA—The Central Election Commission (CEC) of Kazakhstan has announced the preliminary results of an Oct. 6 national referendum on the construction of a nuclear power plant.  “As of 8 a.m. of Oct. 7, the votes at 10,323 polling stations in all regions of the country and abroad have been tallied,” said CEC Chairman Nurlan Abdirov…