Kazakhstan to Host ICOMOS Mission for UNESCO World Heritage Evaluation
ASTANA – A delegation from the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) will visit Kazakhstan in September to inspect cultural and historical sites nominated for inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage List. In 2013, Kazakhstan approved its first national list of intangible cultural heritage, which included 45 elements. By 2024, the list grew to…
Astana to Welcome 1.7 Million Tourists This Year
ASTANA – The capital city of Kazakhstan is experiencing a steady rise in tourism, with an expected 1.7 million visitors this year, including a growing number of international guests, said Artyom Kvashuk, director of Astana tourism development center during a July 10 Central Communications Service press conference. Last year, the city attracted 1.5 million tourists,…
Jańa Dala/Green Day ‘2025 Exhibition Unites Global Agro Experts in Akmola Region
ASTANA — The largest agricultural exhibition in Kazakhstan, Jańa Dala/Green Day ‘2025, kicked off on July 17 in the Akmola Region with participation of over 200 companies representing 22 countries. Nearly 10,000 farmers attended the exhibition on the first day. The event serves as a key platform for showcasing innovations in the agro-industrial sector, reported…
Ministry of Culture Presents Highlights of International Success
ASTANA — The Ministry of Culture and Information has presented a review on July 17 highlighting the recent international achievements of Kazakh performers. In recent months, Kazakh artists have performed on prestigious stages from Milan and Beijing to Pompeii and Vitebsk, showcasing the depth and diversity of national talent. On May 6, a gala concert…
Kazakhstan’s Mechanical Engineering Sector Grows by 11.1% in January-June
ASTANA — Kazakhstan’s mechanical engineering industry recorded 11.1% growth in January-June, according to results presented at a June 17 meeting of the economic growth headquarters chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Economy Serik Zhumangarin. Mechanical engineering accounts for nearly 19% of the total manufacturing output. Key growth drivers included automotive production (+12.1%),…
Kazakhstan Advances AI Ecosystem Development
ASTANA — Kazakh Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov, who chaired a meeting of the Commission on Digitalization on July 18, emphasized that the development of national AI infrastructure, including the new Supercomputer, opens up significant opportunities to accelerate the integration of AI into government operations. The meeting reviewed progress on AI infrastructure development, including the modernization…
Kazakhstan and Japan’s Hiroshima Strengthen Ties on Trade, Nuclear Non-Proliferation
ASTANA – Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Olzhas Bektenov met with Hiroshima Prefecture Governor Hidehiko Yuzaki on July 16 to discuss bilateral cooperation, focusing on trade and economic ties, as well as humanitarian initiatives. Key topics included strengthening ties between Hiroshima Prefecture and the Abai Region, located in the east of Kazakhstan, particularly through the continuation…
Kazakhstan Begins Negotiations to Revise Production Sharing Agreements at Major Oil Fields
ASTANA – Kazakhstan has initiated talks with foreign investors to renegotiate production sharing agreements (PSAs) for its key oil fields – Tengiz, Karachaganak, and Kashagan. Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov announced the development during a July 15 press conference, emphasizing the country’s commitment to protecting national interests while maintaining a stable investment climate. “As for the…
Fitch Affirms Kazakhstan at ‘BBB’; Outlook Stable
ASTANA — Fitch Ratings has affirmed Kazakhstan’s long-term foreign-currency issuer default rating (IDR) at ‘BBB’ with a stable outlook on July 15. According to the agency, Kazakhstan’s sovereign net foreign assets are expected to remain stable at around $93 billion (31% of GDP) this year, supported by the National Fund and official foreign exchange reserves.…
Kazakh PM: Kazakhstan Fully Committed to OPEC+ Agreement
ASTANA – Kazakhstan remains committed to its obligations under the OPEC+ agreement and is not considering leaving the alliance, said Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov during a July 15 briefing with journalists. ““Within the framework of OPEC+, we are doing our utmost to fulfill our obligations. In this particular period, we have not always succeeded due…
New Technologies in Arrhythmia Treatment Introduced at UMC Heart Center
ASTANA — Specialists at the University Medical Center (UMC) Heart Center in the Kazakh capital are introducing new technologies and methods for treating cardiac arrhythmias, including the use of implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs), which have become an indispensable aid for patients suffering from severe forms of tachycardia and arrhythmias. These life-saving devices respond to rapid…
Kazakh, Chinese Foreign Ministers Deepen Strategic Ties in Tianjin Meeting
ASTANA – Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Murat Nurtleu met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi during his visit to China for the SCO Foreign Ministers’ Council on July 15, reaffirming the growing partnership between Kazakhstan and China. The talks focused on advancing bilateral cooperation across political, economic, cultural, and multilateral platforms, while…
SCO Foreign Ministers Convene in Tianjin Ahead of September Summit
ASTANA — Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Murat Nurtleu took part in the regular meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member states on July 15 in Tianjin, where participants discussed strengthening foreign policy coordination and preparing for the upcoming SCO Summit in September. In his remarks,…
Astana to Host First Kymyz Gastrofestival This Weekend
ASTANA – The Kazakh capital’s Kazanat Hippodrome will host the first national cuisine gastrofestival titled BaiQymyz – baptalgan kymyz on July 19-20, dedicated to kymyz, the traditional Kazakh drink made from fermented mare’s milk. The event will also feature an international scientific-practical conference titled Mare’s Milk and Kymyz – the Basis of Health and Longevity…
Phygital Games of Future 2026 to Bring Over 1,500 Athletes to Astana
ASTANA – The Kazakh capital will host the international Phygital Games of the Future from July 18 to Aug. 1 next year. The event will bring together over 1,500 athletes from around 100 countries, competing in 13 disciplines that combine physical sports with digital gameplay. Phygital disciplines include football, basketball, boxing, hockey, battle royale, and…
Kazakhstan Opens Modernized Border Checkpoints with China and Uzbekistan
ASTANA – Kazakhstan has launched four upgraded border checkpoints with China and Uzbekistan as part of a national effort to boost transit capacity and streamline trade. According to the State Revenue Committee of the Finance Ministry, the project aims to modernize nine checkpoints along the country’s borders with China, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. The new checkpoints…
Kazakh Film Wins Award at International Festival in Italy
ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s film “Bauyryna salu” (Adoption) directed by Askhat Kuchincherekov won the Best Feature Film award at the 23rd edition of Ischia Film Festival, which was held from June 28 to July 5. The film premiered in 2023 at the San Sebastian Film Festival, earning praise from critics and audiences, reported the Kazakh Ministry…
Jibek Joly Tourist Train to Resume Six-Day Silk Road Journey in September
ASTANA – The Jibek Joly (Silk Road in Kazakh) tourist train will launch its new season on Sept. 19, offering passengers a six-day cultural voyage through some of Central Asia’s most historic cities. The route will begin and end in Almaty, passing through Turkistan, Otyrar, Samarkand, Bukhara, and Tashkent. The route is designed to immerse…
New Nature Reserve: Kazakhstan Continues Efforts to Protect Aral Sea Ecosystem
ASTANA — Kazakh Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources has announced plans to create a new state nature reserve, Aral Ormany, in the Kyzylorda Region. This initiative aims to support forest reclamation and environmental restoration efforts on the dried bottom of the Aral Sea. Minister Yerlan Nyssanbayev conducted a working visit to the region on…
News Digest: Foreign Media on Kazakhstan’s Foreign Policy, Supercomputer and More
ASTANA – The Astana Times has selected articles from global media outlets covering Kazakhstan. This week’s foreign media digest covers Kazakhstan’s foreign policy, the launch of a new supercomputer, human rights and more. Kazakhstan reinforces multivector foreign policy The Jamestown Foundation published an article on July 9 discussing Kazakhstan’s evolving foreign policy strategy. It highlights…
Kazakhstan’s SCAT Launches New Almaty–Minsk Route
ASTANA — Kazakhstan’s airline SCAT will launch direct passenger flights on the Almaty–Minsk route twice a week, on Wednesdays and Sundays, starting from Aug. 10. Currently, flights to Minsk are operated by the Belarusian airline Belavia from Astana, with a frequency of four flights per week, reported the Kazakh Transport Ministry on July 10. With…
Kazakhstan’s Digital Revolution: From e-Government to AI Superpower
ASTANA – By 2025, Kazakhstan has emerged as a regional frontrunner in digital transformation – not only in fintech and IT exports, but also in the delivery of public services, AI development, and broadband connectivity. Now ranking among the global top 10 for online government services, the country is rapidly becoming a model of digital…
Kazakhstan’s IT Project Triumphs at World Summit on Information Society
ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s Situational and Analytical Complex (SAC) project has secured first place in its category at the prestigious World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) Prizes 2025. This year’s competition featured around 1,000 projects from countries around the world. The development was recognized as the best in the category titled Role of Governments and…
Development Bank of Kazakhstan Places Dollar and Tenge Eurobonds on International Markets
ASTANA – The Development Bank of Kazakhstan has placed two tranches of Eurobonds on international capital markets, including a $200 million tap of its April-issued dollar bonds and a new offering denominated in Kazakh tenge. The dollar bonds, maturing in April 2030 with a 5.625% coupon, attracted strong interest from global investors, particularly in the…
Dimash Qudaibergen Performs with Plácido Domingo in Vietnam’s Ho Guom Opera House Celebration
ASTANA – Kazakh star Dimash Qudaibergen performed at the prestigious A Night with the Stars concert at the Ho Guom Opera House in Vietnam’s capital on July 6. Performing alongside legendary Spanish tenor Plácido Domingo and renowned Latvian soprano Kristine Opolais, Qudaibergen opened the evening with a powerful rendition of “SOS d’un Terrien en Détresse.”…
