Kazakh Government Finalizes Deal with ArcelorMittal for $286 Million
ASTANA – The Kazakh government and ArcelorMittal have completed negotiations for the purchase of all shares of ArcelorMittal Temirtau and ArcelorMittal Tubular Products Aktau by the Kazakh state investment fund, Qazaqstan Investment Corporation (QIC), for $286 million, announced Minister of Industry and Construction Kanat Sharlapayev at a press briefing on Dec. 8. “The cost of…
Kazakhstan’s Central Election Commission Marks 30 Years with International Conference
ASTANA – Astana hosted an international conference on Dec. 7 titled Constitutional Reform and Electoral System to mark the 30th anniversary of Kazakhstan’s Central Election Commission (CEC). Heads of central election commissions from 10 countries and six international organizations attended the conference. Opening the conference was Advisor to the President Yernar Baspayev, who read out…
President Tokayev Signs National Budget for 2024-2026
ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signed into law Kazakhstan’s budget for 2024-2026 on Dec. 6, reported the Akorda press service. The bill was first presented on Sept. 11 in the Mazhilis, a lower chamber of the Kazakh Parliament, before endorsing it on Nov. 1. However, the Senate returned the bill to the Mazhilis with several…
Diplomacy and Cultural Fusion Take Center Stage at DOMBRAsadors Concert in Astana Opera
ASTANA – Astana Opera hosted the DOMBRAsadors live concert on Dec. 4, featuring a unique blend of foreign diplomats and local theater artists. Breaking away from the traditional concert format, the event showcased not only the musical talents of diplomats but also championed a good cause, with all proceeds generated from the event to be…
Kazakhstan’s Budget Spending to Rise by $3.2 Billion in 2024 After Mazhilis Approval
ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s Mazhilis, a lower chamber of the Parliament, endorsed a three-year budget plan on Nov. 1. The budget expenditures are expected to grow by 1.3 trillion tenge (US$3.2 billion) to reach nearly 24 trillion tenge ($54 billion) in 2024, according to the draft law. In 2025, the budget spending is estimated at 23.8…
TikTok, Kazakh Tourism Unveil Virtual Journey Initiative Through Nation’s Hidden Gems
ASTANA – TikTok and Kazakh Tourism have launched a large-scale initiative, under the GuideToKazakhstan hashtag, that promises a virtual journey to the country’s major sights, reported the Kazakh Tourism national company. As part of this initiative, they created a video guide showcasing landmarks, cultural facilities, and gastronomic destinations across the country. Each month, the TikTok…
Kazakhstan Capitalizes on Geopolitical Shifts to Emerge as Eurasia’s Transport and Logistics Hub
ASTANA – Amidst a complex web of geopolitical shifts, Kazakhstan is emerging as the veritable powerhouse in Eurasia’s transport and logistics landscape. In his previous state-of-the-nation address on Sept. 1, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev set an ambitious objective for Kazakhstan to become what he called a “full-fledged power” in this field. With its vast landmass and…
Regional Forum in Astana Focuses on Joint Central Asian Strategy in Run-Up to COP28 in Dubai
ASTANA – Representatives of Central Asian countries and international organizations convened in the Kazakh capital on Nov. 7 to explore where the countries stand in their efforts to address climate change and come up with a joint regional strategy in the run-up to the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference, more commonly referred to as…
From Extreme Heat to Wars, 2023 is Year of Many Health Challenges, Says WHO Chief
ASTANA – 2023 has witnessed a multitude of health crises from extreme climate conditions to wars, which have rendered healthcare inaccessible for a significant portion of the population, said World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus in an interview with The Astana Times. The world does not have a moment to lose. “2023…
Turkic Integration Gains Momentum as OTS Summit Concludes in Astana
ASTANA – Turkic integration is gaining momentum amidst ongoing geopolitical turbulence. As the 10th anniversary summit of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) concludes in Astana on Nov. 3, experts are optimistic about the future of the organization. The summit, hosted by Kazakhstan, was attended by President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, President of the Kyrgyz…
Strategic Partnership, Energy Security: Macron’s Visit to Kazakhstan Redefines Bilateral Ties
ASTANA – French President Emmanuel Macron paid an official visit to Kazakhstan on Nov. 1, meeting with President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and delivering a speech at Narikbayev University. Experts see Macron’s visit as a testament to Kazakhstan’s growing role in ensuring energy security, including critical raw materials, not only for France but for the European Union…
Promoting Gender Equality Starts with Oneself, Says UNDP Global Director
ASTANA – United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Global Director for Gender Equality Raquel Lagunas visited Kazakhstan on Oct. 16-20, meeting with senior government officials, parliamentarians, and women’s organizations and attending several strategic events. She spoke about what it takes to promote gender equality, the challenges facing Kazakhstan and Central Asia, and the role of media…
Kazakh Government to Finalize Nationalization Deal on ArcelorMittal This Month
ASTANA – The Kazakh government has no plans to consider foreign investors following the transfer of ownership of ArcelorMittal Temirtau to Kazakhstan, said Kazakh Minister of Industry and Construction Kanat Sharlapaev at a press briefing on Oct. 31. “The government is not considering any foreign investors following the transfer of ownership rights to Kazakhstan. All…
Most Important Medicine is Peace, Says WHO Regional Director for Europe
ASTANA – Last week, the Kazakh capital hosted a conference dedicated to the Alma-Ata and Astana declarations on primary healthcare. It also convened representatives of 53 countries for the 73rd session of the World Health Organization’s Regional Committee for Europe. In an interview with The Astana Times, WHO Regional Director for Europe, Dr Hans Kluge,…
Republic Day Reflects Centuries-Old Dream of Independence, Says Tokayev
ASTANA – Kazakhstan celebrates the Republic Day on Oct. 25. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev congratulated the citizens on this major occasion, emphasizing it is a symbol of the Kazakh people’s centuries-old dream of independence, reported the presidential press office. Thirty-three years ago, the Declaration on the State Sovereignty of the Kazakh Soviet Socialist Republic was adopted,…
Kazakhstan is Shining Beacon in Primary Health Care, Says Top WHO Official
ASTANA – The Kazakh capital is hosting an international conference on Oct. 23, which celebrates the 45th anniversary of the Alma Ata Declaration and the fifth anniversary of the Astana Declaration on primary health care (PHC). Kazakhstan has an important role to play on the international stage in terms of PHC, being a shining beacon,…
Kazakh Experts Reflect on Tokayev’s Packed Visit to China
ASTANA – This week, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev paid an official visit to China. Lasting three days, the visit consisted of high-level meetings, strategic discussions, and agreements expected to enhance the ties between the two nations. Kazakh experts have shared their insights regarding the implications of President Tokayev’s visit. Experts agree that Kazakhstan benefits from…
UNDP, Qazaq Green Association Establish Women for Just Transition Network
ASTANA – The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Qazaq Green Association established the Women for Just Transition Network on Oct. 17 during the workshop on women’s empowerment in the renewable energy sector in Astana. The establishment of the network is the next step in UNDP’s support to promote gender equality in the country. …
Over 100 Kazakh Citizens Seek Assistance to Leave Israel Amid Escalating Conflict
ASTANA – Over 100 Kazakh citizens have contacted the Kazakh Embassy in Israel seeking assistance in leaving the country, announced Aibek Smadiyarov, the Kazakh Foreign Ministry’s Spokesperson, during his weekly briefing on Oct. 16, as reported by the ministry’s press service. Some have left Israel independently with the support of Kazakh diplomats. Smadiyarov emphasized the…
Experts Address AI and Kazakh Language Development at Digital Bridge
ASTANA – The development of the Kazakh language and how it can be integrated with artificial intelligence (AI) was the focus of a panel session at the Digital Bridge forum on Oct. 13 in Astana. “The future of the Kazakh language is in our hands. Since everything is technology, the reason for the lack of…
AI Revolution, Big Data and 5G: President Tokayev Addresses Digital Bridge Forum
ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev delivered remarks at the annual Digital Bridge Forum in Astana on Oct. 12 outlining priority areas for the development of artificial intelligence (AI) in Kazakhstan. The forum, which will continue through Oct. 12, gathered more than 20,000 participants, representatives of more than 300 IT companies and delegations from 30 countries. …
Education Leaders, Nobel Laureates Explore Role of AI in Astana
ASTANA – The Nobel Festival in Astana featured a spectacular plenary session on Oct. 5 that brought together education leaders and Nobel Prize winners from various fields to discuss how technology and artificial intelligence (AI) are fundamentally reshaping the world and education systems. “The science and research agenda is back on the menu. Last year…
SCO Energy Forum in Astana Explores Ways Toward Energy Sustainability
ASTANA – Kazakh capital hosted the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Energy Forum on Oct. 3, gathering energy ministers to discuss plans to develop cooperation. The SCO forum, which was attended by energy leaders from member states, observers and dialogue partners of the SCO, took place as part of the KazEnergy Eurasian Forum, which will last…
De Montfort University Opens Creative Hub in Almaty
ASTANA – De Montfort University Kazakhstan (DMUK) unveiled its creative hub in Almaty on Sept. 22, poised to play a crucial role in nurturing the creative industry in the country. The hub, named DMUKreative Hub, will be a wellspring of resources, expertise and opportunities in the creative industry, fostering academic collaborations and creative talents, said…
Energy Leaders in Astana Laud Kazakhstan’s Energy Transition as Positive Example
ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s journey toward energy transition can serve as a good example for other oil-producing countries, said keynote speakers at a plenary session of the KazEnergy Eurasian Forum on Oct. 4 in Astana. The forum, which kicked off on Oct. 3 and will last through Oct. 6, is aimed at promoting dialogue between the…
