Articles by Dana Omirgazy 

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…

ASTANA – A total of 256 public organizations have been accredited to observe the upcoming referendum in Kazakhstan, said Nurlan Abdirov, chairman of the Central Referendum Commission, on March 13. Of the accredited observers, 11 organizations were approved by the Central Referendum Commission, while 245 were accredited by territorial commissions, reported Kazinform. Abdirov said referendum…

ASTANA – The Astana Times has selected articles from global media outlets covering Kazakhstan. This week’s foreign media digest covers a sharp increase in freight traffic along the Middle Corridor, the Regional Ecological Summit and more. Interview: China’s planning, development model deliver “exceptionally successful” results, says Kazakh expert China’s achievements over the past decade can…

ASTANA – Ethnic Kazakhs living in Iran have not expressed any intention to move to Kazakhstan, according to Iran’s ambassador to Kazakhstan, Ali Akbar Jokar.  Speaking at a March 12 press conference, Jokar noted that the Kazakh diaspora in Iran is well integrated into Iranian society and identifies closely with the country, reported Kazinform. “The…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina has reached a career-high No. 2 in the WTA Rankings following her run to the semifinals of the Indian Wells Open in the United States. The new ranking will become official on March 16. Rybakina secured her place in the semifinals with a convincing 6-1, 7-6 victory over U.S. Jessica…

ASTANA — The International Boxing Federation (IBF) has stripped Kazakhstan’s Zhanibek Alimkhanuly of his middleweight world title after determining that he could not meet the organization’s mandatory title defense requirements following a doping violation.  The Kazakhstan Professional Boxing Federation received an official letter from the IBF Secretariat on March 10 confirming the decision. According to…

ASTANA — Kazakhstan has evacuated 9,517 citizens from the Middle East with the support of government agencies and diplomatic missions, while operations continue in several countries in the region. According to the Foreign Ministry, evacuation efforts are currently underway from the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia. At the same time, the ministry is…

ASTANA — Kazakhstan reaffirmed its commitment to safe and sustainable nuclear energy at the second Nuclear Energy Summit in Paris on March 10, with a delegation led by Mazhilis Chairman Yerlan Koshanov.  Speaking at the summit, Koshanov outlined Kazakhstan’s plans to develop its nuclear energy sector, including the construction of a nuclear power plant through…

ASTANA — The Export Credit Agency of Kazakhstan, part of Baiterek Holding, has launched an international digital platform, Exporter Showcase, to connect local manufacturers with global buyers. The platform serves as a detailed catalog of Made in Kazakhstan products across five sectors: light industry, food and chemical production, agricultural products, metallurgy, and machinery and construction…

ASTANA – The first polling station for Kazakhstan’s upcoming referendum on March 15 will open abroad in Tokyo, while several polling stations inside the country will begin voting earlier at military bases. Within Kazakhstan, most polling stations will open at 7:00 a.m. However, 92 stations across the country are scheduled to start voting earlier, at…

ASTANA — Kazakhstan’s Foreign Ministry has strongly urged citizens to refrain from planning trips to the Middle East until the situation in the region stabilizes, spokesperson Yerlan Zhetybayev said at a March 10 briefing. The ministry, together with other competent state agencies, continues efforts to evacuate Kazakh citizens from countries in the Middle East and…

ASTANA — Kazakhstan adopted a new migration policy concept until 2030 in December last year, setting out a revised approach to migration aimed at making it more orderly, transparent, and beneficial for the country. The new migration policy introduces several concrete measures. It includes a points-based system for permanent residency to select migrants based on…

ASTANA – The Astana Times has selected key articles from international media outlets covering Kazakhstan. This week’s foreign media digest highlights discussions on strengthening the Middle Corridor, the Asian Development Bank’s multibillion-dollar investment plans, cross-border payment integration with Uzbekistan, and more. Kazakhstan, Serbia discuss effective utilization of Middle Corridor Kazakhstan and Serbia discussed opportunities for…

ASTANA — The number of Kazakh citizens evacuated from areas affected by escalating tensions in the Middle East continues to rise as additional repatriation flights land, Kazakh Foreign Ministry spokesperson Yerlan Zhetybayev said at a March 4 briefing, confirming that no injuries or fatalities among nationals have been reported. Kazakhstan’s Foreign Ministry is operating around…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan purchased 57 tons of gold in 2025, making it the second-largest buyer worldwide, behind Poland, which purchased 102 tons. Rising metal prices and geopolitical uncertainty drove demand for safe-haven assets. Azerbaijan (53.4 tons), Brazil (42.8 tons), and Türkiye (26.1 tons) rounded out the top five buyers. In comparison, Uzbekistan and the Kyrgyz…

ASTANA – Kazakh International Grandmaster Bibisara Assaubayeva has climbed back into the world’s top 10 in the latest International Chess Federation (FIDE) rankings. Assaubayeva gained 19 rating points following her performance at the 2026 Tata Steel Chess Challengers tournament in Wijk aan Zee, securing ninth place in the updated women’s world rankings. China’s Hou Yifan…

ASTANA – Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev met with Asian Development Bank (ADB) President Masato Kanda on March 2 to discuss expanding cooperation and launching major projects in key sectors to support Kazakhstan’s sustainable growth and structural modernization. Tokayev noted that over more than three decades of partnership, the ADB has financed more than 170 projects…

ASTANA — Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev sent personal messages to the leaders of Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, expressing sincere support and solidarity with their peoples during what he described as a period of extreme trials. Tokayev strongly condemned any military actions aimed at undermining the sovereignty and security of…

ASTANA – Approximately 63 million tons of Kazakh crude oil were transported in 2025 via the Tengiz-Novorossiysk pipeline system, operated by the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC), the company reported following a meeting of its Corporate Governance Bodies in Abu Dhabi on Feb. 25-26. In total, the Tengiz-Novorossiysk pipeline transported 70.52 million tons of oil last…