Articles by Dana Omirgazy

ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev plans to deliver his annual state-of-the-nation address on Oct. 28 in the first half of the day. Tokayev announced the plans in a post on his X account on Oct. 20, saying he was working on the text of the address. “I plan to deliver my annual state-of-the-nation address on…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s exports rose 19.5% year on year to $60.4 billion in January-August, outpacing import growth by more than four times and expanding the country’s trade surplus to $17.8 billion. The country’s foreign trade turnover reached $103 billion, up 12.8% from the same period in 2025. Imports rose 4.5% to $42.6 billion, while the…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan won two gold medals at the fifth Asian Para Games in Japan, with Yerkin Gabbasov and David Degtyarev taking gold in para shooting and para powerlifting. Gabbasov secured Kazakhstan’s first gold in the men’s 10-meter air rifle standing event (R1), scoring 249.1 points in the final, reported the National Olympic Committee’s press…

ASTANA – Deputy Foreign Minister Arman Issagaliyev called for resolving conflicts through political and diplomatic means during the 52nd Session of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Council of Foreign Ministers in Baghdad on Oct. 18. Baghdad Amreyev was elected OIC assistant secretary-general for administration and finance. Kazakhstan reaffirmed its commitment to resolving international conflicts…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan and Cambodia are looking to expand cooperation in artificial intelligence, energy, agriculture and trade, while exploring direct air links, as President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet held talks on Oct. 17. The discussions marked the first visit to Kazakhstan by a Cambodian prime minister and came as the two…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan has become the first country in Central Asia to join the World Bank Group’s Metals and Minerals Compact, a partnership aimed at attracting around $20 billion in investment by 2031 and expanding the country’s mineral resource base and processing capacity. The official accession ceremony took place on Oct. 16 on the sidelines…

ASTANA – As artificial intelligence reshapes news production and digital platforms fragment audiences, media organizations must strengthen editorial accountability, provide context and build trust to remain relevant, international media representatives said at the 10th Astana Media Week, which opened in the Kazakh capital on Oct. 14. The three-day forum brings together government officials, journalists, technology…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s Greco-Roman wrestlers have secured two gold medals at the U23 World Wrestling Championships on Oct. 14 in Las Vegas, with Aibek Aitbekov and Yusuf Ashrapov winning their finals and Temirlan Turdakyn advancing to the title bout. Aitbekov claimed the title in the 60-kilogram category, defeating Azerbaijan’s Elmir Aliyev, the reigning U23 world…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan and Belgium agreed to expand academic mobility, joint research and artificial intelligence cooperation as President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, King Philippe and Queen Mathilde attended a bilateral Rectors’ Forum on Oct. 13, bringing together leaders of 29 universities and research organizations. Held at the Alem.ai International Center during the Belgian royal couple’s state visit,…

ASTANA – The Astana Times has selected articles from global media outlets covering Kazakhstan. This week’s foreign media digest covers the upcoming Belgian royal visit, Kazakhstan’s newly recognized UNESCO heritage sites, Japan-funded Caspian Sea monitoring and more. King Philippe’s state visit to Kazakhstan to open new chapter in bilateral ties King Philippe and Queen Mathilde…

ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has called for stronger economic integration, transport connectivity, water cooperation and artificial intelligence partnerships among Central Asian states and Azerbaijan at the eighth Consultative Meeting of Heads of State of Central Asia and Azerbaijan in Avaza on Oct. 8. Held in the year marking 35 years of independence of the…

ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev received UK Minister of State for Trade Lord Anas Sarwar on Oct. 7 to discuss strengthening bilateral trade and investment ties and expanding cooperation in energy, transport, digitalization and artificial intelligence. Strong trade and investment ties Tokayev highlighted the importance Kazakhstan attaches to developing relations with the United Kingdom, noting…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan and Oman outlined new opportunities to expand investment, financial cooperation, energy, logistics and agricultural ties at a Kazakh-Omani business forum held during Omani Sultan Haitham bin Tariq Al Said’s state visit to Kazakhstan on Oct. 6. Investment cooperation Addressing the forum, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said the high-level talks during the visit had…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan is moving its cross-border trade hubs from planning to implementation, with new production facilities, logistics infrastructure and cargo flows emerging along the country’s borders and Caspian coast.  The five priority hubs are designed to strengthen trade with the Kyrgyz Republic, Uzbekistan, Russia, China and the Caspian region, attract investment and support the…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan and Oman agreed to deepen strategic partnership across energy, transport, logistics, agriculture and digitalization on Oct. 6, as Sultan Haitham bin Tariq Al Said made his first visit to Central Asia.  During the talks in Astana, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev described Oman as a “time-tested and reliable partner” of Kazakhstan in the Arab…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan and international partners are stepping up efforts to address falling Caspian Sea levels, biodiversity loss and pollution, as Aktau hosted a high-level dialogue on Oct. 5 that also launched a Japan-funded monitoring and water management project. The Caspian Sea has been shrinking for decades, raising concerns over biodiversity, coastal communities, infrastructure and…

ASTANA – Officials discussed implementing Kazakhstan’s Digital Qazaqstan Strategy at a government meeting on Oct. 6, outlining plans to expand AI-powered public services, develop large-scale computing infrastructure, and accelerate digital transformation across the economy. The strategy, approved through 2029, covers digital government, data infrastructure, cybersecurity, telecommunications, IT, advanced manufacturing and emerging technologies, the Prime Minister’s…

ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has highlighted the growing role of artificial intelligence in cinema and the creative industries, while stressing the importance of responsible AI development and safety. He made the remarks at the opening of the first international Astana AI Film Festival on Oct. 2. Addressing the festival, Tokayev described it as a…

ASTANA – The Astana Times has selected articles on Kazakhstan featured in international media worldwide this week. This week’s foreign media digest covers new investment in Kazakhstan’s manufacturing sector, growing Kazakhstan-Germany cooperation on raw materials and trade routes, the country’s call for stronger multilateral cooperation, and more. Carlsberg Kazakhstan opens $344 million beverage plant, positioning…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan Vice President and Head of the Secretariat of the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions Erlan Karin met with Cardinal George Jacob Koovakad, Prefect of the Holy See’s Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue, on Oct. 2 to discuss interfaith cooperation and joint humanitarian initiatives. During the meeting, the officials discussed cooperation…

ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has called for a comprehensive AI-driven transformation of Kazakhstan’s industrial sector, urging the government and businesses to focus on measurable gains in productivity, technological modernization and high-value production. Chairing the third meeting of the Council for the Development of Artificial Intelligence on Oct. 2, Tokayev said AI was becoming a…

ASTANA – Carlsberg Kazakhstan has opened a new $344 million beverage production plant in Boraldai, the Almaty Region, expanding local production for Kazakhstan and the Kyrgyz Republic and strengthening the country’s position as a regional manufacturing hub. The opening ceremony on Oct. 1 was attended by Kazakhstan’s Deputy Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Agriculture, Akim…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan and Denmark are moving to deepen economic cooperation through new institutional mechanisms, investment projects and expanded collaboration on the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, as President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev met with Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen on Oct. 2. The talks focused on strengthening political dialoguе, trade and economic ties, as well as…

ASTANA – Chelsea forward Dastan Satpayev, currently on loan at Burnley, has regained the top spot among Kazakhstan’s most valuable footballers, with his market value rising to a record €5 million (US$5.6 million), according to Transfermarkt. The 18-year-old surpassed Kazakhstan national team teammate Maksim Samorodov, whose market value is €4 million (US$4.5 million). Satpayev’s valuation…

ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev held a series of meetings with global technology and investment leaders during AI & Digital Bridge 2026 on Oct. 1, focusing on artificial intelligence, data center infrastructure, investment and Kazakhstan’s emerging technology ecosystem. AI and digital infrastructure During the international IT forum, Tokayev reviewed projects in artificial intelligence, digital technologies…