Articles by Dana Omirgazy

ASTANA – The Astana Times has selected articles from global and regional media outlets covering Kazakhstan. This week’s foreign media digest highlights Kazakhstan’s push for military and migration reforms, major digital infrastructure investments, regional development initiatives, and a human-interest story of a Kazakhstan couple cycling across Asia. Tokayev sets two-year deadline for military reform in…

ASTANA – Azerbaijan has officially joined the Islamic Organization for Food Security (IOFS) on May 6, expanding cooperation among Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) member states in food security and sustainable agriculture. The accession agreement was signed by Azerbaijan’s Agriculture Minister, Majnun Mammadov, during the 19th Azerbaijan International Agriculture Exhibition and Forum in Baku. Uzbekistan…

ASTANA – Construction of the new Tashkent International Airport is set to begin in June as Uzbekistan advances a large-scale transport infrastructure project to expand aviation capacity and meet growing passenger demand. According to Uzbek Deputy Transport Minister Jasurbek Choriev, the public-private partnership (PPP) agreement is in its final stage. It is expected to be…

ASTANA — Kassym-Jomart Tokayev held talks with Austrian Federal Minister for European and International Affairs Beate Meinl-Reisinger and Interior Minister Gerhard Karner, focusing on strengthening political and economic ties between Kazakhstan and Austria. Tokayev highlighted Austria as a key European partner, noting over $3 billion in Austrian investment and steady growth in bilateral trade, with…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan has recorded significant growth in grain transportation volumes in January-March, supported by coordinated efforts between government agencies, carriers, and business representatives. A meeting of the Grain Transportation Task Force, chaired by the Ministry of Transport together with relevant stakeholders, reviewed the current logistics situation and agreed on operational measures to ensure stable…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan is taking steps to make its investment climate clearer, more stable, and easier to navigate, with a stronger focus on coordination, transparency, and practical results. At a May 5 meeting chaired by Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov, further steps were outlined to improve conditions for international investors, reported the Prime Minister’s press service.…

ASTANA – Almaty has launched Kazakhstan’s first crematorium, marking a significant development in the country’s urban and public health infrastructure. The facility, now part of the City Pathological Anatomical Bureau under the Public Health Department, offers cremation as a voluntary and environmentally regulated alternative to traditional burial practices, the city’s akimat (administration) reported on April…

ASTANA – A charity gala dinner and auction titled La La Land: A Night of Hope, held on April 30, raised more than 17 million tenge (US$36,695) to support children with special needs.  Organized by the Rotary Club of Astana at The Ritz-Carlton, the event brought together business leaders, diplomats, and public figures to support…

ASTANA – The Astana Times has selected key articles from international media outlets covering Kazakhstan. This week’s foreign media digest highlights the country’s role in nuclear non-proliferation discussions, expanding regional partnerships, growing role in developing the Middle Corridor trade route, and more. Kazakhstan’s nuclear diplomacy offers lessons for the Iran crisis The Times of Central…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan celebrates People’s Unity Day on May 1 with more than 20.5 million citizens living side by side in peace and harmony under a shared shanyrak (the sacred crown of the yurt, symbolizing home and unity). The country stands as a vivid example of unity in diversity, where friendship between nations is not…

ASTANA – Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov paid an official visit to Kazakhstan on April 30 and was received by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and held talks with the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Yermek Kosherbayev. The discussions focused on preparations for Russian President Vladimir Putin’s upcoming state visit to Kazakhstan, scheduled for late May.…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan will host GITEX AI Central Asia & Caucasus on May 4-5 in Almaty, marking the country’s largest international technology forum to date. The event will bring together over 600 exhibitors from more than 60 countries and more than 10,000 participants, focusing on artificial intelligence, fintech, cybersecurity, cloud technologies, and e-government as Kazakhstan…

ASTANA — The Kazakh city of Aktau has been designated the tourism capital of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) for 2030, marking a major step in boosting its international profile. The decision was approved during the 7th Meeting of Tourism Ministers of ECO member states and confirmed at the 9th Meeting of the High-Level Experts…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan is set to launch a new supercomputer and expand its data center infrastructure as part of efforts to support large-scale artificial intelligence development, Kazakhtelecom Chair Bagdat Mussin said at an April 28 government meeting. New data centers are currently under construction across the country, with Kazakhtelecom managing the largest network in Kazakhstan,…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan is preparing to adopt the large-scale digitalization strategy Digital Qazaqstan, which will define the long-term vision for artificial intelligence (AI) and digital transformation, Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov said at an April 28 government meeting. The strategy aims to coordinate nationwide efforts on digitalization and the widespread introduction of AI technologies. Bektenov stressed…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan is accelerating the adoption of artificial intelligence across key sectors, including healthcare, transport, and energy, with early results showing improved efficiency, reduced costs, and better public services, officials said at an April 28 government meeting. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of AI and Digital Development Zhaslan Madiyev reported that more than 50…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Energy has announced a planned reallocation of 260,000 tons of oil exports following an adjustment to the Druzhba pipeline transit schedule to Germany’s Schwedt oil refinery for May. The volumes will be redirected via alternative, technically proven routes, with 100,000 tons shipped to the port of Ust-Luga and 160,000 tons…

ASTANA — Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Isaac Herzog held talks on April 27 during the Israeli president’s official visit, focusing on trade, technology and regional matters. Tokayev reiterated Kazakhstan’s decision to join the Abraham Accords, linking the move to efforts to support regional stability and expand international engagement. The officials discussed bilateral trade, investment, and cooperation…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan will host the Astana AI Film Festival this fall, another landmark international event, said President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev during his visit to the Alem.ai International Artificial Intelligence Center on April 24, highlighting the country’s ambition to position itself as a global hub for digital innovation. During the visit, Tokayev launched the Astana Smart…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan is strengthening its position as a key Eurasian transport and logistics hub through large-scale railway expansion, digital modernization, and growing investment in international transit corridors. At the 40th Conference of General Directors of the Railway Cooperation Organization (OSJD), Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov outlined the country’s long-term strategy to leverage its geographic position…

ASTANA – The Astana Times has selected key articles from international media outlets covering Kazakhstan. This week’s foreign media digest highlights the Regional Ecological Summit, domestic political reforms, the Middle Corridor, and other key developments. Kazakhstan President Tokayev’s Antalya message and the rise of the ‘The World Is Bigger Than Five’ approach EU Reporter published…

ASTANA – Air pollution in Central Asia remains a serious and growing challenge driven by both human activity and natural factors. Governments across the region increasingly recognize that coordinated, science-based approaches are essential to improving air quality and protecting public health. Building on the first High-Level Regional Policy Dialogue in 2024 in Tashkent, the second…

ASTANA – Kazakh Energy Minister Yerlan Akkenzhenov confirmed the suspension of Kazakh oil transit to Germany via Russia, citing technical constraints on the Russian side. Earlier reports suggested that transit through the Druzhba pipeline could be halted starting May 1. While no official notification has been received from Russia, unofficial information indicates that shipments have…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan has simplified visa, entry, and work permit procedures to attract foreign investors, skilled professionals, and labor migrants, while maintaining controls to protect the domestic labor market.  The updated system offers simplified visa regimes, faster application processing, and support mechanisms for investment projects. It also prioritizes highly skilled foreign workers in fields such…

ASTANA – Kazakh chess player Bibisara Assaubayeva has risen to seventh place in the FIDE world rankings following the 2026 Candidates Tournament, held from March 28 to April 16 in Paphos, Cyprus. Assaubayeva now holds a rating of 2527.2, gaining 11.2 points after the event. The top three positions remain dominated by Chinese players: Hou…