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…
Prominent Kazakh Expert on Astana Think Tank Forum: Middle Powers and Future of Central Asian Integration
ASTANA – Astana will host the inaugural Astana Think Tank Forum 2024 on Oct. 16-17. Organized by the Kazakhstan Institute for Strategic Studies (KazISS) as part of the Astana International Forum (AIF), the forum will explore the role of middle powers. The Astana Times spoke with Sanat Kushkumbayev, a chief research fellow at the KazISS,…
Preliminary Results Show Voter Turnout at Nearly 64% in Kazakhstan’s National Referendum
ASTANA — Preliminary results from an Oct. 6 national referendum on the construction of a nuclear power plant in Kazakhstan indicate a high level of civic participation, with regional variations in voter turnout across the country. Voter turnout reached 63.87% as of 8 p.m. Astana time, reported the Central Election Commission (CEC) at a press…
Referendum Valid: Majority of Eligible Voters Turn Out for Kazakhstan’s National Referendum
ASTANA – More than half of the eligible voters participated in the national referendum on the construction of a nuclear power plant in Kazakhstan, reported the Central Election Commission (CEC) at an Oct. 6 press briefing. “Overall, nationwide, as of 2 p.m., 6,399,425 citizens have received their ballots, which accounts for 51.77% out of the…
Voter Turnout Surpasses 39% in Kazakhstan’s National Referendum
ASTANA—The participation rate surpassed 39% in Kazakhstan’s national referendum on the construction of a nuclear power plant, which continues on Oct. 6 throughout the country. “Overall, nationwide, as of 12 p.m., 4,804,102 citizens have received their ballots, which accounts for 39.23% out of the overall number of eligible voters,” said CEC member Shavhat Otemisov. Shymkent…
Voter Turnout in Kazakhstan’s National Referendum Reaches Nearly 18%
ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s Central Election Commission (CEC) reported a 17.79% voter turnout as of 10 a.m. local Astana time in the national referendum on the construction of a nuclear power plant on Oct. 6. Citizens across the country are casting their ballots to decide whether Kazakhstan should proceed with the construction of a nuclear power…
Green Hydrogen in Kazakhstan: What are Opportunities and Challenges
ASTANA—While Kazakhstan’s potential for renewable energy remains substantial, developing green hydrogen might not be an easy endeavor. Manuel Andresh, the head of the Hydrogen Diplomacy Office in Astana, spoke to The Astana Times about the role hydrogen plays in the global energy transition, challenges in scaling up this energy source, and Kazakhstan’s potential to develop…
IMF Presents Preliminary Findings of Article IV Consultations, Stresses Need for Bolder Reforms
ASTANA – The International Monetary Fund (IMF) hosted a press conference on Oct. 1 in Astana, presenting the preliminary findings of the Article IV consultations with Kazakhstan. While noting the resilience of the economy, IMF calls the government of Kazakhstan to take bolder reforms and enhance fiscal performance. Article IV consultations refer to the regular…
EBRD Accelerates Investment in Central Asia with Focus on Private Business, Infrastructure
ASTANA – The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is set for a record-breaking year of investments in Central Asia, with a focus on sustainable energy and infrastructure projects. In a recent interview with The Astana Times, EBRD Acting Managing Director for Central Asia Hüseyin Özhan outlined the bank’s ambitious plans, which aim to…
Kazakhstan Launches Coordinating Council to Tackle Water Challenges, Unveils Partnership with UNDP
ASTANA—The Kazakh capital hosted on Sept. 30 the first meeting of the coordinating council of partners on the development of Kazakhstan’s water sector, aimed at supporting the nation in addressing water-related challenges. The event also featured the presentation of the Water Partnership Initiative, developed with the support of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The…
Kazakh Children Programming Startup Launches in Turkish Schools
ASTANA – CodiPlay, a Kazakh-led children’s programming startup, was introduced in the curriculum of Turkish schools, announced the startup’s press service. Schools under Türkiye’s Yetev educational foundation and Istanbul American Schools are set to integrate the CodiPlay system. The project operates in 13 countries, including the United Kingdom, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, and Uzbekistan. Founded…
Kazakhstan’s Altyn Dala Conservation Initiative Reaches Finals of Prince William’s Earthshot Prize 2024
ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s conservation efforts have gained global recognition as the country’s Altyn Dala conservation initiative has advanced to the finals of the prestigious 2024 Earthshot Prize, founded by Prince William. The announcement came on Sept. 24 during the third annual Earthshot Prize Innovation Summit held during Climate Week in New York. The Kazakh initiative…
German Chancellor Scholz’s Visit to Kazakhstan, First in Decades, Deepens Ties with Central Asia Nations
ASTANA – German Chancellor Olaf Scholz concluded his official visit to Kazakhstan on Sept. 18, the first visit of the German Chancellor in decades. In two days of his visit, Scholz met with President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, participated in a Kazakh-German business forum, and in the meeting with five Central Asian leaders. Growing frequency…
Ethnovillage at World Nomad Games Celebrates Cultures, Ancient Traditions, Spirit of Unity
ASTANA – Throughout the World Nomad Games which triumphantly folded on the evening of Sept.13, the ethnovillage was a hot spot for locals and tourists to immerse themselves in the rich nomadic heritage, uniting cultures and ancient traditions and giving an opportunity for a bit of adventure within the limits of the city. Spanning 10…
“Born Bold”: President Tokayev’s Words Put in Context of Kazakh Mentality, Development, Economy and Foreign Policy
ASTANA — Addressing the grand opening ceremony of the World Nomad Games on Sept. 8, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev stressed that nomads are “born courageous” (quote ‘тумысынан қайсар, ‘tumysynan qaisar’ in Kazakh) referring to Kazakh people’s inherent ability to face challenging circumstances with strength and resilience. This sentiment resonates deeply with and is at the core…
Experts React to President Tokayev’s State-of-the-Nation Address
ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev delivered his annual state-of-the-nation address on Sept. 2, outlining priorities for Kazakhstan’s economic, political, and social future. The speech emphasized critical areas such as addressing budget deficit, strengthening governance, and improving living standards. Experts from various sectors shared their insights on key messages from the President’s address. Ensuring the stability…
Youth Activists Gather in Astana, Channel Expertise, Influence for World Free of Nuclear Weapons
ASTANA – Youth activists from Kazakhstan, Kiribati, and the Marshall Islands came together at a forum in Astana on Aug. 29 to demand bolder actions toward a nuclear-free world amid growing concerns about the resurgence of nuclear threats. With a shared history of nuclear testing scars, the young leaders urged governments to listen to their…
Experts Weigh in on Rise of Middle Powers in Central Asia, Highlight Greater Agency
ASTANA – The Central Asia-Caucasus Institute (CACI) hosted a webinar on Aug. 29, exploring the rise of middle powers in Central Asia, including Kazakhstan through its economic strength and strategic foreign policy. The discussion delved into the evolving security landscape of Central Asia, and Kazakhstan’s multilateral initiatives and international engagements. Regional players not to be…
Resilient and Unstoppable: How Women Entrepreneurs in Kazakhstan and Beyond Defy Barriers, Redefine Success
ASTANA – In a world where patriarchy is still prevalent and an invisible ceiling keeps many women grounded, women – from the remote villages in the Kyrgyz Republic to cities in Kazakhstan – are pushing back to redefine what it means to be successful. Professor Shumaila Yousafzai has witnessed this firsthand. In an interview with…
