Astana to Host Regional Climate Summit 2026 as Central Asia Unites for Climate Action
ASTANA — The Kazakh capital is set to host the Regional Climate Summit 2026 (RCS 2026), a landmark event aimed at boosting regional cooperation on climate change. Announced by Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev at the Astana International Forum (AIF) in 2023, the summit will gather Central Asian leaders to push forward joint climate initiatives, finance…
Kazakh Tazy Gains Global Spotlight in Euronews’ Modern Nomads
ASTANA — Euronews released a new episode of Modern Nomads highlighting the Kazakh Tazy — an ancient sighthound breed now earning international recognition for its cultural and historical significance in Kazakhstan on May 14. “Once loyal companions to nomads, the Tazy has become a symbol of friendship that extends far beyond Kazakhstan’s borders. Scientists believe…
UN Volunteer Subregional Office for Central Asia to Open in Almaty
ASTANA – The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) program announced the opening of its Subregional Office for Central Asia in Almaty, during the first meeting of Kazakhstan’s National Organizing Committee for the International Year of Volunteers for Sustainable Development in 2026 held on May 12. The office will serve as a regional hub to promote volunteerism…
Central Asia-China Focus on Education Cooperation
ASTANA — Kazakh Minister of Education Gani Beisembayev took part in the first China-Central Asia Education Ministers’ meeting on May 13 in Urumqi. The event focused on educational integration and building sustainable partnerships. According to the ministry’s press service, Kazakh Minister of Education Gani Beisembayev emphasized the importance of strengthening cooperation between the participating countries…
More Flights Launch in May to Connect Kazakhstan to Ten Countries
ASTANA – Beginning in May, Kazakhstan is launching new air routes to ten countries, including Azerbaijan, China, Georgia, Germany, Hungary, the Kyrgyz Republic, South Korea, Türkiye, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam, reported the Transport Ministry’s press service on May 12. SCAT Airlines will open several new international routes from Shymkent Airport this month. Starting May 27, flights…
UAE, Kazakhstan Deepen Energy Ties with Renewable and Battery Storage Agreement
ASTANA – Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company PJSC – Masdar and Samruk Kazyna Sovereign Wealth Fund signed collaboration agreement related to the development of renewable energy and battery energy storage system (BESS) projects in Kazakhstan during the official visit of the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to…
News Digest: Foreign Media on Kazakhstan’s Ties with Vietnam, Military Parade and More
ASTANA – The Astana Times has selected articles from global media outlets covering Kazakhstan. This week’s foreign media digest features Kazakhstan’s relations with Vietnam, a military parade and more. Vietnam, Kazakhstan issue joint statement on establishing strategic partnership General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, To Lam, and his spouse,…
Kazakhstan Achieves Record at Asia-Pacific Linguistics Olympiad
ASTANA — Kazakhstan’s Ramazan Butantayev, a student of the specialized IT lyceum of the Mangystau Region, won the gold medal at the Asia-Pacific Linguistic Olympiad APLO-2025. The national team showed a record result in the entire history of participation in linguistic Olympiads, winning five medals and three certificates of honor, reported the Kazakh Ministry of…
Kazakhstan Accelerates Petrochemical Development with $15 Billion Investment Plan
ASTANA – Kazakhstan is shifting its oil and gas sector toward high-value-added production, focusing on petrochemicals as a strategic national priority. Energy Minister Yerlan Akkenzhenov has introduced a roadmap for 2024–2030 during a May 5 government meeting. The roadmap includes six major projects worth approximately $15 billion. These developments are expected to create around 3,500…
Top Five Summer Destinations in Kazakhstan: Nature, Culture and Adventure
ASTANA – As summer approaches, more tourists are seeking destinations that offer a blend of nature, culture, and modern infrastructure. The Kazakh Ministry of Tourism and Sports presented the top five Kazakhstan’s breathtaking destinations for summer recreation. Katon-Karagay, East Kazakhstan Region Katon-Karagay National Park is the first territory of Kazakhstan included in the Green Destinations…
Kazakhstan’s Saiga Population Reaches 4.1 Million as Debate Grows Over Regulation Measures
ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s saiga antelope population has reached a record 4.1 million, said Deputy Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources Nurken Sharbiyev during an April 22 round table discussion, highlighting both the country’s success in conservation and the growing challenges posed by the rapid population increase. Current estimates, including lambing in May 2024, include Ural…
No Kazakh Nationals Reported Affected in Istanbul Quake, Says Foreign Ministry
ASTANA – Today, on April 23, Turkish authorities reported a 6.2-magnitude earthquake near Istanbul, followed by ongoing aftershocks. As of now, no Kazakh citizens in Türkiye have contacted the Consulate General of Kazakhstan in Istanbul for assistance. The Kazakh Ministry of Foreign Affairs is monitoring the situation in coordination with the Turkish authorities and Kazakhstan’s…
Kazakhstan to Launch TravelStan All-in-One Travel App This Year
ASTANA – Kazakhstan plans to launch a unified mobile application for tourists, named TravelStan, by the end of this year, said Deputy Minister of Tourism and Sports Yerzhan Yerkinbayev at the Digital Tourism in Kazakhstan – 2025 forum on April 22 in Almaty. The app will offer travelers access to a full range of tourism…
Eurasian Resources Group Refutes Negotiations to Sell Company
ASTANA – Shukhrat Ibragimov, the Eurasian Resources Group CEO, stated there are no negotiations on the sale of ERG, following a number of media reports in the last few weeks, including publications about U.S. businessman James Cameron’s proposal to buy ERG. “ERG is definitely not for sale,” said Ibragimov. “The company’s management is fully committed…
Italian PM Meloni Postpones Kazakhstan Visit Following Pope’s Death
ASTANA – Prime Minister of Italy Giorgia Meloni has postponed her visit to Kazakhstan, scheduled for April 26-27, in light of Pope Francis’ passing. “The planned visit of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni to Kazakhstan and the first Central Asia–Italy summit have been delayed at the request of the Italian side,” said President’s Press Secretary…
Kazakhstan Welcomes Return of First Peacekeeping Contingent from Golan Heights
ASTANA – The remaining 38 service members of Kazakhstan’s first peacekeeping contingent deployed to the UN mission in the Golan Heights returned home on April 20. Deputy Minister of Defense, Major General Shaikh-Hasan Zhazykbayev, met the service members, expressing gratitude for their conscientious service and contributions to strengthening peace and international security, according to the…
Kazakh Manuscript on Khans’ Genealogy Added to UNESCO Memory of World Register
ASTANA — The 18th-century manuscript “Khandar Shezhiresi” (“Genealogy of the Khans”) has been officially inscribed in the UNESCO Memory of the World Register, announced State Counselor Erlan Karin in his Telegram channel on April 17. According to him, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev instructed the enhancement of activities to preserve Kazakhstan’s unique documentary heritage during the…
Kazakhstan’s Young Chess Talents Shine at World Championships with Six Golds and One Bronze
ASTANA — Kazakhstan’s young chess players won six gold and one bronze medal at the FIDE World Cadet & Youth Rapid & Blitz Championships 2025, taking place on April 12-18 on the island of Rhodes, Greece. According to the Kazakhstan Chess Federation, 433 young players from 49 countries compete in six age categories, separated by…
Kazakhstan Accelerates Renewable Energy Transition with Nine Projects
ASTANA — This year, Kazakhstan plans to launch nine renewable energy facilities with a combined installed capacity of 455.5 megawatts (MW). One of these projects, a wind power plant with a capacity of 50 megawatts (MW), was commissioned in February in the Karagandy Region. Deputy Energy Minister Sungat Yessimkhanov announced during an April 16 briefing…
Central Asia, Gulf Countries Deepen Strategic Partnership at Kuwait Meeting
ASTANA – The Kazakh delegation, headed by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Murat Nurtleu, participated in the third ministerial meeting of the Central Asia – Gulf Cooperation Council format on April 16 in Kuwait. The meeting focused on enhancing trade, investment, and innovation ties. Nurtleu said that coordinated actions between the regions could significantly…
New York Photographer Wins International Award for Capturing Falconry in Kazakhstan
ASTANA – Karolina Wojtasik, a photographer from the United States, visited Kazakhstan in February for the first time and documented the ancient art of kusbegilik (the art of hunting with birds of prey). Her photographs won the prestigious Communication Arts Awards of Excellence in documentary photography, she wrote in an Instagram post on April 4.…
Kazakhstan, WHO Sign Cooperation Strategy to Achieve SDGs by 2030
ASTANA – Kazakh Minister of Health Akmaral Alnazarova, World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Director for Europe Hans Kluge and Representative of WHO Country Office in Kazakhstan Skender Sola signed the Country Cooperation Strategy (CCS) until 2030 on April 7. The document is supposed to support the health policy and achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals…
Kazakhstan to Enhance E-Gov with AI, Strengthen Cybersecurity
ASTANA – Kazakh Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov has instructed the swift advancement of digital public services in Kazakhstan, emphasizing proactive service delivery, enhanced collaboration with the banking sector, and heightened data security measures at an April 1 government meeting. Bektenov highlighted the critical role of public services in the interaction between the state and its…
Slovenian President Highlights Promising Areas of Cooperation with Kazakhstan
ASTANA – Slovenian President Nataša Pirc Musar, who is currently on an official visit to Kazakhstan, outlined several key areas of potential partnership between Slovenia and Kazakhstan after meeting with President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev in a comment for the Jibek Joly TV channel on March 31. “We think that the AI is one of the fields…
Kazakh Tourists in Thailand Unaffected by Myanmar’s Earthquake
ASTANA – Tourism Rights Protection System administrator has reported no tremors at popular Thai resorts and no evacuation requests from Kazakh tourists following the 7.7-magnitude earthquake in Myanmar on March 28. According to the report, popular resort areas in Thailand, including those along the Andaman Sea (Phuket, Khao Lak, Krabi) and the Gulf of Thailand…
