Articles by Dana Omirgazy 

ASTANA – The Astana Times has selected articles from international media outlets covering Kazakhstan. This week’s foreign media digest highlights Kazakhstan’s efforts to deepen cooperation with the European Union, growing international interest in the country’s critical minerals sector, and the continued expansion of its tourism industry. Kazakhstan seeks a deeper EU partnership in science, education…

ASTANA — The 16th Astana Mining & Metallurgy (AMM) Congress and Exhibition opened on June 11 at the Hilton Astana, bringing together global industry leaders, investors, and policymakers to discuss the future of Kazakhstan’s mining and metallurgical sector. The event runs for two days, concluding on June 12. The exhibition features 70 companies from 15…

ASTANA – The Kazakh Ministry of Culture and Information has approved new rules requiring films to undergo a mandatory pre-release examination before receiving permission for public screening. The regulations will take effect on June 16. Under the new rules, a special commission will review films to ensure compliance with national legislation. The examination is aimed…

ASTANA – President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signed on June 5 a package of constitutional laws to implement the provisions of the Constitution adopted on March 15. The constitutional law on the President of Kazakhstan defines the status and powers of the President and introduces the office of Vice President, who will represent the Head…

ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev met with Senior Advisor to the Board of Peace Aryeh Lightstone on June 4, reaffirming Kazakhstan’s commitment to deepening cooperation with the organization while discussing humanitarian support for Gaza and regional connectivity initiatives.  U.S. Ambassador to Kazakhstan Julie M. Stufft also attended the meeting.  During the talks, Tokayev highlighted Kazakhstan’s…

ASTANA – The Astana Times has selected articles from global media outlets covering Kazakhstan. This week’s digest highlights the launch of the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway, expanding ties with Cyprus, and Hong Kong’s efforts to strengthen partnerships with Kazakhstan and Central Asia. Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway boosts Kazakhstan’s Middle Corridor role The Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway entered full-scale operation on June…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan and Cyprus agreed to strengthen bilateral cooperation by expanding economic, investment, and sectoral ties following talks between Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides on June 3, which marked the first official presidential visit from Cyprus to Kazakhstan since the establishment of diplomatic relations. The Presidents focused on expanding bilateral…

ASTANA – A group of Przewalski’s horses was released into the wild at the Altyn Dala State Nature Reserve on May 25, marking an important milestone in efforts to return the rare species to its historical range and restore a sustainable population in Kazakhstan. The stallion Galvan arrived in Kazakhstan from Prague, and four mares…

ASTANA – Since the launch of the Light Rail Transit (LRT), passenger traffic has reached 1 million within just two weeks, Astana Mayor Zhenis Kassymbek wrote on his Instagram page on May 31. According to him, daily passenger flow is approximately 65,000-75,000, highlighting strong demand for the new urban rail transport system among residents and…

ASTANA — Kazakhstan and Kenya have agreed to strengthen bilateral cooperation across political, economic, and humanitarian areas during  talks between President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and President William Ruto on May 20. The discussions took place in both narrow and expanded formats following an official welcome ceremony at the Palace of Independence. The Presidents reviewed prospects for…

ASTANA — Kazakhstan has adopted a package of constitutional laws aimed at strengthening its updated legal framework and advancing ongoing constitutional reform following a joint session of the Mazhilis and Senate of Parliament on May 20. The package includes the Law on the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, defining the constitutional status and powers…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan has deployed its third national peacekeeping contingent to the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) mission on the Golan Heights, underscoring the country’s expanding contribution to international peacekeeping efforts. A farewell ceremony for the contingent was held at Military Unit 61993 of the Airborne Assault Troops. The event was attended by senior…

ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev officially launched Astana’s long-awaited Light Rail Transit (LRT) system on May 16, becoming its first passenger and marking a major milestone in the modernization of Kazakhstan’s capital and its public transportation network. Tokayev visited the Unified Dispatch Center, which oversees and regulates public transportation in Astana, including the newly launched…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan has launched Central Asia’s first artificial rainfall enhancement project, marking a major step in the country’s efforts to strengthen climate resilience and protect agricultural production from worsening drought conditions. The initiative was officially introduced in Turkistan on May 16 and began full-scale operations the following day. Implemented in partnership with the UAE…

ASTANA – The Astana Times has made a selection of articles on Kazakhstan featured in international media worldwide this week. Today’s foreign media digest covers the growing importance of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, also known as the Middle Corridor, expanding strategic cooperation between Kazakhstan and Türkiye, and more. Middle Corridor has real potential to…

ASTANA — President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan reaffirmed the strong strategic partnership between Kazakhstan and Türkiye during the May 14 high-level talks, where the two leaders pledged to expand cooperation in trade, investment, transport, energy, agriculture, education, and defense. The Presidents held narrow-format talks followed by the sixth meeting of the High-Level…

ASTANA – The first batch of German breeding cattle has arrived in Kazakhstan’s Akmola Region as part of a major dairy industry expansion project that includes the construction of a 1,440-head dairy farm and a new milk processing plant.  The project is being implemented by Burabay Milk LLP in the Burabay District and the town…

ASTANA — A tanker carrying crude oil from Azerbaijan has arrived in Japan for the first time since tensions around Iran escalated, as Tokyo seeks to diversify energy supplies and reduce risks linked to shipping disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz. The cargo was purchased by ENEOS Holdings, one of Japan’s largest fuel suppliers and…

ASTANA – The National Bank of Kazakhstan has approved a regulatory framework for the issuance, circulation, and redemption of the digital tenge, defining how Kazakhstan’s central bank digital currency will operate. The rules will take effect on July 19. The National Bank will act as the operator of the digital tenge platform, issuing the currency…

ASTANA – The light rail transit (LRT) system is set to begin operations on May 16-17 in the Kazakh capital, according to the City Transportation Systems (CTS). The service will run daily and is expected to carry up to 45,000 passengers during its initial phase. CTS Chairman Assylbek Duisebayev said the LRT will operate from…

ASTANA — Kazakhstan ranked 58th out of 145 countries in the 2026 Global Firepower annual defense review, recording the highest per capita defense spending in Central Asia. According to the ranking, Kazakhstan received a power index score of 1.0433, with lower scores indicating stronger military capability. The country’s defense budget was estimated at $5.836 billion.…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s new political party, Adilet (Justice in Kazakh), held its founding congress in Astana on May 7, approving the party charter, political program, and leadership bodies as part of its official launch. The party’s platform is based on the principles of justice, responsibility, rule of law, meritocracy, and openness. Among its stated priorities…

ASTANA – As Kazakhstan prepares to celebrate the 81st anniversary of Victory Day, the country is continuing its tradition of supporting World War II veterans and others affected by the war through state assistance, public remembrance, and commemorative events. Victory Day, celebrated annually on May 9 across much of the former Soviet region, remains one…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan has launched its largest domestically built ship, marking a new milestone in the development of national shipbuilding capabilities and the strengthening of naval logistics for the Caspian Sea fleet. A major naval supply vessel constructed at the Zenit Shipyard in Uralsk was officially launched and sent toward the Caspian Sea to mark…

ASTANA — A pilot low-emission zone (LEZ) was launched in Almaty on April 28 to test digital infrastructure and assess how traffic affects air quality, without introducing restrictions for drivers, the city’s akimat (administration) reported.  The test area covers a central block bordered by Bogenbay Batyr Street, Abai Avenue, Zheltoksan Street, and Dostyk Avenue, with…