Articles by Dana Omirgazy 

Plácido Domingo, José Carreras, Stjepan Hauser, and Dimash Qudaibergen Unite for Iconic “My Way” Song

ASTANA — Opera legends Plácido Domingo and José Carreras, along with renowned cellist Stjepan Hauser and world famous Kazakh singer Dimash Qudaibergen, have teamed up for a historic collaboration as part of the Virtuosos project in Budapest, recording Frank Sinatra’s iconic song “My Way.”  The performance of this remarkable quartet will be aired on Hungary’s…

Kazakhstan Unlikely to Be Impacted by US-China Trade Dispute, Says Official 

ASTANA – Kazakh Deputy Minister of Trade and Integration Kairat Torebayev reassured that the U.S.-China trade conflict will not affect Kazakhstan’s market, citing differing consumer demands. The ministry has analyzed various scenarios, and Torebayev explained that they are not particularly concerned about the trade dispute. “China produces a wide range of goods, but the demand…

News Digest: Foreign Media on Shale Oil Production in Kazakhstan, EU-Central Asian Ties and More

ASTANA – The Astana Times has selected articles from global media outlets covering Kazakhstan. This week’s foreign media digest highlights shale oil production in Kazakhstan, EU-Central Asian relations and more. Chevron to increase output at huge oil field in Kazakhstan Chevron is spending nearly $50 billion to expand the Tengiz oil field, allowing it to…

Kazakhstan Ratifies Marrakesh Treaty, Advances Rights of Blind People 

ASTANA – Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signed the law on ratification of the Marrakesh Treaty to Facilitate Access to Published Works for Persons Who Are Blind, Visually Impaired, or Otherwise Print Disabled on Jan. 28, reported Akorda. The ratification will be an important step for Kazakhstan in strengthening the rights of people with disabilities. It…

Illinois Institute of Technology, Kazakh Narxoz University Announce Dual Degree Program 

ASTANA – Illinois Institute of Technology (Illinois Tech) and Almaty-based Narxoz University signed a partnership agreement on Jan. 13, establishing a dual degree program, allowing students to earn two bachelor’s degrees in IT specialties from both universities. This cooperation is part of the strategic initiative Narxoz Global-2030, aimed at enhancing the training of IT specialists…

News Digest: Foreign Media on Kazakh President’s Visit to Abu Dhabi, Book on Kazakh Foreign Policy and More

ASTANA – The Astana Times has selected articles from global media outlets covering Kazakhstan. This week’s foreign media digest highlights Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s speech at Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, a book about Kazakhstan’s foreign policy and other noteworthy topics. President Tokayev emphasizes importance and urgency of addressing climate change in Abu Dhabi Kassym-Jomart Tokayev…

 KazAID Delivers Humanitarian Assistance to Four Countries in 2024 

ASTANA — In 2024, the Kazakhstan Agency of International Development (KazAID) provided humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan and Vietnam. Afghanistan According to the KazAID press service, Kazakhstan sent 5,000 liters of vegetable oil, 795 tons of rice, and 1,000 tons of first-grade flour to Afghanistan last year. The Kyrgyz Republic Kazakhstan provided…

Astana Hosts CICA Senior Officials Committee Meeting

ASTANA — Meetings of the Special Working Group and the Senior Officials Committee of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia (CICA) chaired by Talgat Kaliyev, Ambassador-at-Large of the Kazakh Foreign Ministry, took place on Dec. 3-4 in the Kazakh capital. The meeting participants exchanged opinions on the draft Charter of the organization…

UN General Assembly Approves Three Resolutions on Global Security Proposed by Kazakhstan

ASTANA – The United Nations General Assembly approved three resolutions initiated by Kazakhstan, aimed at strengthening global security, disarmament, and the non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction on Dec. 2 in New York. “Kazakhstan, recognizing the UN as an irreplaceable and universal international organization, and adhering to a principled position on the topic of banning…

Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic Boost Economic Ties 

ASTANA – Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Olzhas Bektenov and Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers – Head of the Presidential Administration of the Kyrgyz Republic Akylbek Zhaparov held the 12th meeting of the Kazakh-Kyrgyz Intergovernmental Council on Dec. 3-4 in Bishkek. Parties discussed extending trade and economic cooperation, transportation and logistics, industry, water resources, energy,…

Kazakh, Chinese Agricultural Enterprises Sign Agreements Worth $1 Billion

ASTANA – Kazakh agricultural producers signed agreements with ten Chinese companies worth $1 billion during a Nov. 30 meeting in Beijing chaired by Kazakh Agriculture Minister Aidarbek Saparov. One of Kazakhstan’s leading enterprises, Aitas.kz, agreed to supply poultry products for $100 million. The Chinese side was represented by 40 leading agricultural enterprises. Saparov noted that…

News Digest: Foreign Media on Legacy of Abai, Kazakhstan’s Altyn Dala Conservation Initiative, New Museum in Almaty and More

ASTANA – The Astana Times has curated a selection of articles from global media outlets covering Kazakhstan. This week’s foreign media digest includes topics such as the legacy of Abai Kunanbaiuly, Kazakhstan’s Altyn Dala conservation initiative, new private museum in Almaty and more. Discovering Abai Kunanbaiuly: The legacy of Kazakhstan’s poet, philosopher and musician  In…

Astana-Milan 2024 Roadshow Promotes Kazakhstan’s Tourism

ASTANA – Milan hosted the Astana – Milan 2024 roadshow on Nov. 19 aimed at developing cooperation between Kazakhstan and Italy in the tourism sector. The event was organized by the Astana Akimat (administration) and the Astana Development Center under the tourist brand Visit Astana, with the support of the Kazakh Embassy in Italy, the…

News Digest: Foreign Media on Kazakhstan’s Participation in COP29, Kazakh-EU Diplomatic Ties and More

ASTANA – The Astana Times has curated articles from global media outlets covering Kazakhstan. This week’s foreign media digest includes Kazakhstan’s participation in the 29th United Nations Climate Conference of the Parties (COP29) in Baku, its diplomatic ties with the European Union, an exhibition on Kazakh history in Paris, and more. More countries sign declaration…

Australian Companies Willing to Develop Mining, Metallurgical Complex in Kazakhstan

ASTANA — Australian companies expressed willingness to develop the mining and metallurgical complex (MMC) in Kazakhstan during the meetings held within the 2024 International Mining and Resources Conference (IMARC) in Sydney, Australia.  Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Singapore, Commonwealth of Australia and New Zealand Askar Kuttykadam discussed plans and prospects of cooperation during the talks with…

International Judo Federation President Visits Kazakhstan to Discuss Development Plans 

ASTANA — Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev received the President of the International Judo Federation (IJF) Marius Vizer on Oct. 30 to discuss judo development in the country. Tokayev expressed gratitude to Vizer for his contribution to the development and promotion of judo. According to him, this sport is of great interest in Kazakhstan, especially among…

News Digest: Foreign Media on Middle Corridor, Jackson-Vanik Amendment and More

ASTANA – The Astana Times has curated articles from global media outlets covering Kazakhstan. This week’s foreign media digest features topics such as the Jackson-Vanik amendment, the Middle Corridor and more. Kazakhstan working to lift Cold War-era trade restrictions Eurasianet published an article on Oct. 22 about the Jackson-Vanik amendment, which “remains an impediment to…

Kazakh, Turkmen Presidents Set Priorities for Cooperation 

ASTANA — Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Turkmen President Serdar Berdimuhamedov made a joint statement for the media expressing satisfaction with the results of the bilateral talks on Oct. 10 in Ashgabat. Tokayev noted the importance of the agreements reached during his official visit to Turkmenistan and the adopted bilateral documents focusing on Declaration on…

Coca-Cola Opens Third Plant in Shymkent with $56 Million in Investments 

ASTANA – Coca-Cola İçecek (CCI) opened its third plant in Shymkent with an annual production capacity of 283 million liters. The project, worth nearly 27 billion tenge (US$56.1 million), is expected to create 150 jobs, reported the company’s press service. The new 16-hectare plant, equipped with two production lines, will increase CCI’s annual production capacity…

Kazakhstan, Germany Sign 36 Documents Worth $6.3 Billion at Business Forum in Astana

ASTANA – The official delegations of Kazakhstan and Germany signed 36 documents worth $6.3 billion to develop joint projects in mechanical engineering, innovation, logistics, petrochemicals, healthcare, information technology, and industrial automation during a Sept. 16 business forum in Astana. The forum is among the key highlights of German Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s official visit to Kazakhstan.…

Kazakh Capital to Host Astana Think Tank Forum in October, Focus on Middle Powers

ASTANA —  The Kazakhstan Institute for Strategic Studies is set to hold its first Astana Think Tank Forum on Oct. 16-17 under the auspices of the Astana International Forum (AIF) to address foundational pillars of the global international system from the perspective of middle powers.  The forum titled Middle Powers in a Changing Global Order:…

QazaqGaz, NCOC Agree to Supply Kashagan Liquefied Petroleum Gas to Kazakhstan’s Domestic Market 

ASTANA — QazaqGaz national company and the North Caspian Operating Company (NCOC) consortium, which is developing the Kashagan field, have signed an agreement on the purchase and sale of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) for delivery to the domestic market of Kazakhstan on Sept. 4.  The agreement states that Kashagan LPG will be supplied by the…

Int’l Tourists Show Increasing Interest in Kazakhstan Ahead of World Nomad Games 

ASTANA — International travelers are strongly interested in traveling to Kazakhstan during the fifth World Nomad Games. According to Amadeus, a leading international provider of IT solutions for the travel industry, total air travel searches to Kazakhstan grew by 13.4% over the year. “In the run-up to the World Nomad Games, travelers from India, Germany,…

News Digest: Foreign Media on Kazakhstan-UN Cooperation, Uzbek President’s Visit to Kazakhstan and More

ASTANA – The Astana Times has curated a selection of articles from global media outlets covering Kazakhstan. This week’s foreign media digest includes topics such as Kazakhstan’s cooperation with the United Nations, the Middle Corridor, the Uzbek President’s visit to Kazakhstan and more. Kazakhstan, UN agree to strengthen Central Asian peace, security We News published…

Inflation in Kazakhstan Grows to 8.6% in July 

ASTANA — Inflation in Kazakhstan accelerated to 8.6% year-on-year in July, compared to 8.4% in June.  “Monthly inflation was 0.7%, compared to 0.4% in the previous month. Prices for paid services increased by 14.5% over the year (13.8% in June), non-food items by 7.3% (7.4% in June), and food items by 5.5% (5.4% in June),”…