Articles by Dana Omirgazy

ASTANA — While youth around the world live in an era increasingly dominated by global trends and digital influences, the youth of Kazakhstan are redefining what it means to be Kazakh. This growing wave of cultural expression among young Kazakhs is not just about nostalgia — it is about identity. From fashion to music, today’s…

ASTANA – The Astana Times has selected key international media coverage on Kazakhstan this week. Today’s foreign media digest covers Kazakhstan’s pivotal role in the global AI and nuclear energy landscape, deepening diplomatic ties with Europe, expanding regional trade infrastructure, celebrating international achievements and reclaiming historic space heritage. Will Kazakhstan’s uranium fuel an AI boom…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan and the OSCE have expressed their commitment to strengthening cooperation in the economic and environmental sectors, with a particular focus on sustainable development, climate action, and cross-border connectivity. Kazakh Deputy Foreign Minister Roman Vassilenko and OSCE Coordinator of Economic and Environmental Activities (OCEEA) Bakyt Dzhusupov discussed expanding joint efforts during the meeting…

ASTANA – Uzbekistan and China will introduce a mutual visa-free regime effective June 1, enabling citizens of both countries to travel without a visa for up to 30 days per visit, reported the Uzbek Ministry of Foreign Affairs on May 13. A similar arrangement entered into force between China and Kazakhstan in 2024. In accordance…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan is set to host up to 40 major international sporting events across Olympic, Paralympic, non-Olympic, national, and inclusive sports disciplines by the end of this year. The upcoming events will take place countrywide. Among the highlights are high-profile tournaments in basketball, boxing, weightlifting, table tennis, figure skating, and climbing, as well as…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan has attracted approximately $1 billion in private investment into its geological sector over the past five years, and recently discovered a major rare earth deposit estimated at 800,000 tons, said Margulan Baibatyrov, deputy chairman of the geology committee of the Ministry of Industry and Construction. The announcement was made at the Mining…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan ranked 70th out of 196 countries in the annual Human Progress Index (HPI) quality of life ranking, published by CEOWORLD magazine on May 11. Kazakhstan received a score of 79.32, placing it in the “very high quality of life” category and making it the leader in the Central Asian region. HPI rankings…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s international reserves have reached $104.7 billion, a figure that represents a solid buffer of stability amid ongoing global economic challenges. Timur Suleimenov, chairman of the National Bank of Kazakhstan, shared these figures during his recent presentation of the 2024 performance report and 2025 plans to President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. One of the key…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan and China have agreed to establish a joint vocational and technical college, which is set to become a leading center for training specialists with internationally recognized qualifications. The Chinese side also expressed its readiness to support the professional development of management personnel in Kazakh educational institutions, notably, in the areas of artificial…

ASTANA – Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev chaired a meeting on May 13 to review the 2024 performance report of the National Bank of Kazakhstan. The meeting covered the macroeconomic situation, outcomes of monetary policy, the condition of the financial system, and the status of international reserves, along with updates on the Unified Accumulative Pension Fund…

ASTANA – Tehran hosted a high-level six-party meeting on May 12 with the participation of railway representatives from China, Iran, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Türkiye and Uzbekistan. The talks marked a significant step toward advancing the China–Kazakhstan–Uzbekistan–Turkmenistan–Iran–Türkiye/Europe transport corridor, which has seen container traffic on the China–Iran route via Kazakhstan increase by 2.6 times in January-April compared…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s economy grew by 6% in January-April, according to preliminary data from the Kazakh Bureau of National Statistics. The figures indicate an acceleration in development across key sectors, including transport, trade, industry, and agriculture. The transport sector emerged as the fastest growing sector with 22.4%, driven by increased freight volumes in rail (20.5%)…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s largest airline, Air Astana, will resume KC 907/908 and KC 963/964 regular flights on the Almaty-Delhi-Almaty route starting May 19, with the route and schedule remaining unchanged, according to the airline’s press service on May 12. The decision comes amid improving regional stability, following the recent ceasefire agreement between India and Pakistan.…

ASTANA — Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev held several bilateral talks on May 8 in Moscow, reported Akorda. During the meeting with President of Serbia Aleksandar Vučić, Tokayev recalled his official visit to Belgrade in November last year, noting its importance for strengthening mutual understanding and developing multifaceted cooperation between the two countries.  Vučić expressed his…

ASTANA — Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev congratulated the nation on the 80th anniversary of the Great Victory in WWII during a May 7 military parade. Greeting the military parade’s participants, President Tokayev underlined that the holiday has become a symbol of the unwavering fighting spirit demonstrated by the country’s soldiers. He noted the importance of…

ASTANA — Qazaqstan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (QAIST), a new research university, is set to open in Almaty next year, marking a significant milestone. The university is modeled after the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), one of the world’s top 100 universities and South Korea’s leading institution for technology and…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan is intensifying efforts to develop its chemical industry, aiming to diversify its economy and enhance self-sufficiency in agricultural and industrial sectors, said Minister of Industry and Construction Yersaiyn Nagaspayev during a May 5 government meeting. As of today, Kazakhstan’s chemical sector contributes 4.6% to the manufacturing industry and has a positive impact…

ASTANA – A new nationwide public opinion survey, commissioned by the Kazakhstan Institute for Strategic Studies (KazISS) on May 5, reveals high optimism among citizens regarding the country’s current trajectory and leadership. According to the findings, more than half of the respondents – 60.8% – assess the country’s development prospects in the next five years…

ASTANA – Azerbaijan has proposed a bold project to connect the Caspian and Black Seas via an underground water tunnel — a move that could offer Kazakhstan long-sought direct access to the world ocean and help counter the falling water levels threatening Caspian Sea ports, reported Inbusiness on May 4. The project, initiated by ADOG…

ASTANA – The eight OPEC+ countries, which previously announced additional voluntary adjustments in April and November 2023, namely Algeria, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Oman, Russia, Saudi Arabia, and UAE, met virtually on May 3 to review global market conditions and outlook, according to OPEC. “Given the current healthy market fundamentals, as reflected in the low oil…

ASTANA – The Steppe media outlet recently shared the inspiring journey of Meirambek Nazargozhayev, a Kazakh native whose talent and determination led him from the village of Karaoi, 50 kilometers from Almaty, to one of Europe’s most prestigious cultural institutions – the Royal Danish Theater. On June 27, the theater stars, including Nazargozhayev, will perform…

ASTANA – The Astana Times has selected articles from global media outlets covering Kazakhstan. This week’s foreign media digest covers Central Asia’s relations with the European Union, Kazakhstan’s growing international engagement, including a surge in oil shipments via the Mediterranean and Caspian routes, $140 million in new trade agreements with Afghanistan, the launch of a…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan signed major agreements with leading U.S. universities to launch three new research projects and expand partnerships. During a working visit to the United States, Kazakh Minister of Science and Higher Education Sayasat Nurbek announced that Arizona State University will open a second branch at Mukhtar Auezov South Kazakhstan University in 2026. Links…

ASTANA – Jan De Nul, the Belgian family-owned marine engineering leader, has completed extensive dredging works on new Sarzha multifunctional marine terminal at Kazakhstan’s Kuryk Port, boosting cargo capacity and enabling safe navigation as part of the region’s strategic push to develop the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, or the Middle Corridor, a trade route connecting…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan and France are set to develop a master plan through 2040 for the conservation and sustainable management of Lake Balkhash. The plan aims to address long-standing environmental challenges through a coordinated, data-driven, and international approach, said Kazakh Deputy Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Bolat Bekniyaz at a recent seminar held in…