How Kazakhstan’s Youth Are Blending Tradition with Modernity
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…
News Digest: Foreign Media on Kazakhstan’s Strategic Rise in Energy, Diplomacy and Innovation
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…
Kazakhstan, OSCE Set to Boost Cooperation in Economic and Environmental Fields
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…
Uzbekistan, China to Launch Mutual Visa-Free Travel from June 1
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…
Kazakhstan to Host Over 40 Major International Sport Events This Year
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…
Kazakhstan Attracts $1 Billion in Geological Investment, Uncovers Major Rare Earth Deposit
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…
Kazakhstan Ranks 70th in Global Human Progress Index
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…
Kazakhstan’s Int’l Reserves Hit $104.7 Billion as National Bank Reports 2024 Gains
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…
Kazakhstan and China to Launch Joint Vocational College
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…
President Tokayev Reviews National Bank’s 2024 Performance
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…
Kazakhstan Participates in Six-Party Talks to Boost China–Europe Rail Corridor
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…
Kazakhstan’s GDP Grows 6% in January-April
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%)…
Air Astana to Resume Delhi and Mumbai Flights After Temporary Suspension
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.…
President Tokayev Holds Talks with Serbian, Myanmar, and Venezuelan Leaders
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…
Tokayev Honors Veterans, Highlights Kazakhstan’s Role at Victory Parade
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…
South Korean Model Inspires Kazakhstan’s New Tech University
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…
Kazakhstan Eyes Fertilizer Independence with Expanding Chemical Output
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…
Survey Shows More Than 60% Confident in Kazakhstan’s Future Over Five Years
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…
Caspian-Black Sea Tunnel Proposal by Azerbaijan Aims to Tackle Water Crisis
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…
Kazakhstan and OPEC+ Partners to Raise Oil Output in June
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…
Royal Danish Theater Brings Kazakh Soloist Meirambek Nazargozhayev Home for June Performance
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…
News Digest: Foreign Media on New Investor Visa, Investment in Critical Minerals, Relations with Europe and More
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…
Kazakhstan Advances Research Partnership with American, South Korean Universities
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…
Kazakhstan’s Kuryk Port Expands with New Sarzha Terminal, Jan De Nul Leads Dredging Efforts
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…
Kazakhstan, France Unite to Develop Long-Term Master Plan for Lake Balkhash Preservation
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…