Articles by Dana Omirgazy 

ASTANA – Kazakhstan has launched construction of the first phase of the Astana Energy Ecopark, a large-scale investment project for municipal solid waste processing and electricity generation, with a total investment of $180 million. During the first phase, the facility will process at least 1,500 tons of waste per day and generate 50 megawatts (MW)…

ASTANA – Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev urged fair, practical, and implementation-focused climate cooperation, stressing that environmental protection is a shared responsibility and a strategic priority for global stability, as Central Asian and regional leaders gathered in Astana for the Regional Ecological Summit (RES) 2026. Opening the plenary session on Earth Day, Tokayev said Central Asia…

ASTANA – The Regional Ecological Summit 2026 (RES) officially kicked off in Kazakhstan’s capital on April 22, bringing together global and regional leaders to address urgent environmental challenges.  Organized by the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources in partnership with the United Nations and other international organizations, the summit marks the first large-scale platform dedicated…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s foreign trade in 2025 remained a key driver of economic growth, but emerging imbalances point to rising structural risks. While overall turnover continued to expand and trade partnerships remained stable, declining export revenues and accelerating import growth narrowed the trade surplus, increasing pressure on the external sector. Key indicators According to the…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s national oil and gas company KazMunayGas (KMG) has presented its large-scale geological exploration program for 2026-2030 at an expanded meeting with leading geologists and industry veterans, with a focus on replenishing the country’s oil and gas resource base. Participants reviewed plans to expand exploration into new regions and deeper geological formations amid…

ASTANA – Rail freight traffic between Kazakhstan and China continued to grow in early 2026, with volumes rising 9.3% since the start of the year, supported by expanding infrastructure capacity. Kazakhstan’s freight exports increased by 17%, driven by higher shipments of iron ore, agricultural products, ferrous metals, and petroleum goods. The country’s role as a…

ASTANA – The Astana Times has selected articles from global media outlets covering Kazakhstan. This week’s foreign media digest highlights the country’s efforts to attract U.S. investment, new steps to digitize the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, expanding energy cooperation with South Korea, and more. No longer a startup market: Kazakhstan makes its case to US…

ASTANA – FlyArystan has canceled flights on the Aktau-Dubai-Aktau route through Aug. 29 due to the unstable situation in the Middle East. Passengers affected by the cancellations are eligible for a full refund without penalties. Those who purchased tickets via the airline’s official website or mobile app can process refunds online, while passengers who booked…

ASTANA – South Korea is turning to Kazakhstan and other suppliers while shifting to alternative transport routes to secure energy supplies and reduce risks related to instability in the Middle East, Presidential Chief of Staff Kang Hoon-sik announced. South Korea has agreed to purchase 18 million barrels of oil from Kazakhstan as part of a…

ASTANA — Gold wedding ring prices in Kazakhstan rose 5.5% in March, surging 45% year-on-year. By region, the smallest annual price increases were recorded in the Mangystau Region (14.5%), Shymkent (29%), and Astana (29.9%). In contrast, the Ulytau Region saw the largest increase, with prices soaring by 71%, reported the Bureau of National Statistics on…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan has strengthened its position as a destination for clean energy investment, climbing from 54th place in 2017 to 24th in 2025 in the Climatescope international ranking of emerging markets. Climatescope evaluates countries based on key indicators such as investment levels, infrastructure, policy support, and market opportunities, reported the Energy Ministry’s press service…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s economy recorded 3% real gross domestic product (GDP) growth in January-March, supported by expansion in non-resource sectors and increased investment activity, said Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov at an April 14 government meeting. Ensuring high-quality and sustainable economic growth remains a key priority. Its achievement is linked to the development of the manufacturing…

ASTANA — Kazakhstan’s Financial Monitoring Agency, in coordination with the Prosecutor General’s Office and with the participation of cybersecurity specialists from TELE2, has dismantled a criminal group that used specialized equipment to send mass phishing messages and steal citizens’ data and funds. This marks the first time such a scheme has been uncovered in the…

ASTANA – As of March 1, Kazakhstan’s population reached 20,532,240, an increase of over 32,000 since the start of the year. At the beginning of 2026, the population was 20,499,822. The urban population as of March 1 was 13,120,922, while the rural population totaled 7,411,318. This marks an increase in urban residents compared to January…

ASTANA — Air Astana has switched to its summer schedule, which will be in effect from March 29 to October 24. During this period, flight frequencies on existing routes will be increased, seasonal flights will resume, and new routes will be launched. On March 29, the first flight on the new Almaty-Shanghai route was operated.…

ASTANA — Astana Hub exported IT services worth 328 billion tenge (US$681 million) in 2025, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development Zhaslan Madiyev said during a March 31 government meeting. Madiyev highlighted that the industry’s growth is built around four key areas: stimulating productive innovation, implementing solutions in the subsoil…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan is preparing a major overhaul of its innovation development model, Minister of Science and Higher Education Sayasat Nurbek said at a March 31 government meeting, emphasizing the need for stronger coordination and a more applied, economically driven approach to innovation. Nurbek stressed that innovation is inherently cross-sectoral and cannot be managed by…

ASTANA — A Kazakh delegation led by First Deputy Foreign Minister Yerzhan Ashikbayev participated in the 43rd meeting of UN-Water, held at the headquarters of the International Fund for Agricultural Development in Rome. The delegation presented the upcoming Regional Ecological Summit in Astana and outlined plans for international consultations to establish an International Water Organization…

ASTANA – The Astana Times has selected key articles from international media outlets covering Kazakhstan. This week’s foreign media digest highlights the adoption of a new Constitution following a nationwide referendum, regional logistics cooperation along the Middle Corridor, the expansion of cultural ties through Nauryz initiatives, and more. Kazakhstan approves new constitution: 87.15% vote in…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan and the European Union (EU) are approaching the final stage of negotiations on visa facilitation, with an agreement potentially to be reached within a year, said Foreign Minister Yermek Kosherbayev on the sidelines of the Mazhilis on March 18. Kosherbayev noted that discussions, including on readmission matters, are ongoing and have now…

ASTANA – FlyArystan has extended the temporary suspension of its Aktau-Dubai-Aktau route until April 19, citing ongoing instability in the Middle East and existing regional restrictions. The airline had previously announced that flights on this route would be suspended until March 31. Due to current conditions, operations remain infeasible, prompting an extension of the suspension…

ASTANA — Kazakhstan registered 335,000 births in 2025, with the majority occurring in urban areas and most children born to women aged between 25 and 34. Boys accounted for 51.5% of all newborns, while girls made up 48.5%. Of the total births, 204,900 children, or 61.2%, were born in urban areas, compared to 130,000, or…

ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signed Kazakhstan’s new Constitution and a decree on its implementation following the March 15 national referendum, in which 87.15% of participating voters approved it. The Constitution will come into force on July 1, and March 15 has been designated Constitution Day.  “Today, you have all witnessed a truly epoch-making event…

ASTANA – Double medalist and Paralympic champion Yerbol Khamitov was ceremoniously greeted at the Astana International Airport on March 17. The 28-year-old leader of Kazakhstan’s national team returned home after a triumphant performance at the 14th Winter Paralympic Games in Italy. Khamitov expressed gratitude to his coaches, teammates, and supporters who stood by him throughout…

ASTANA — Kazakhstan’s Yerbol Khamitov won a gold medal at the 2026 Winter Paralympics in Italy, taking first place in the pursuit race. Khamitov secured victory in the 4.5-kilometer pursuit (sitting) event, finishing ahead of strong international competitors, reported the National Olympic Committee’s press service on March 13. Taras Rad of Ukraine claimed the silver…