Articles by Nagima Abuova 

ASTANA — The Kazakhstan Institute for Strategic Studies (KazISS) hosted an expert meeting to discuss the country’s future, exploring its challenges and opportunities on March 18. The event featured the presentation of KazISS Director Yerkin Tukumov’s monograph, titled “The Future of Kazakhstan: A Narrow Corridor of Opportunities.” The meeting fostered an open dialogue on key…

NEW-YORK — Kazakh civil society organizations took center stage at the third Meeting of States Parties (3MSP) to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) on March 3-7, urging the United Nations (UN) to act for nuclear-affected communities. The delegation delivered powerful statements and policy recommendations, calling for global commitment to justice and…

ASTANA — For centuries, Kazakh nomads have revered animals that shaped their way of life, traditions and beliefs. Wolves symbolized resilience, horses were essential for survival, and crows served as spiritual messengers. But what made these animals sacred in Kazakh culture? In an interview with Tengrinews, historian Saltanat Asanova noted that traditional Kazakh society depended…

NEW-YORK — Kazakh nuclear tests survivors and anti-nuclear advocates lead discussions on nuclear justice and the lasting human and environmental toll of nuclear weapons at the third Meeting of States Parties (3MSP) to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) at the United Nations Headquarters on March 3-7.  A survivor’s story: Breaking the…

NEW-YORK — The third Meeting of States Parties (3MSP) to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) convened at the United Nations headquarters on March 3, with Kazakhstan presiding over the session. The gathering, amid escalating global security concerns, reinforced international commitments to achieving a nuclear-free world. Kazakhstan’s call for urgent action Kazakhstan’s…

ASTANA — The Third Meeting of States Parties to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) will convene at the United Nations (UN) Headquarters in New York on March 3-7, bringing together global leaders to advance nuclear disarmament efforts. Kazakhstan’s First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Akan Rakhmetullin has been elected as the…

ASTANA — The Kazakh Foreign Ministry hosted a briefing on Feb. 18 to explain three new visa categories targeting skilled professionals, entrepreneurs and remote workers seeking long-term opportunities, whether for career growth or business expansion. These visas include the Neo Nomad Visa (B12-1), Digital Nomad Visa (B9-1), and Permanent Residence Visa (B9).  Deputy Foreign Minister…

ASTANA — Kazakhstan’s tech industry growth presents tremendous opportunities for women to leave their mark, said Ayumi Moore Aoki, the founder and CEO of Women in Tech Global. In an interview with The Astana Times, Aoki highlighted that as the country’s young population embraces artificial intelligence (AI) and fintech, women leaders are poised to drive…

ASTANA—The City of Working Professions festival commenced in the capital on Feb. 11 as part of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s Year of Working Professions initiative. The event, which runs through Feb. 15, promotes vocational education through industry-themed exhibits, job fairs, hackathons, startup presentations, and hands-on training. “One of the key events of the Year of Working…

ASTANA — Representatives from Central Asian regional organizations, development partners, private sector and civil society convened for a high-level meeting hosted by the Kazakh government and UN Women on Feb. 6. The event, marking the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (BPfA), highlighted regional progress and the ongoing challenges in advancing…

ASTANA—Following President Donald Trump’s inauguration on Jan. 20, the U.S. dollar slightly declined against the tenge on the Kazakhstan Stock Exchange (KASE). In an interview with Kazinform, economists Arman Beisembayev and Askar Kysykov discussed factors shaping the tenge’s future in the coming months. Beisembayev noted that this dip in the dollar’s value was a typical…

ASTANA—The European Union (EU) Delegation to Kazakhstan hosted a press conference on Jan. 27 in Astana to outline the priorities of the Polish presidency of the EU Council and its implications for Kazakhstan and Central Asia. The event featured EU Ambassador to Kazakhstan Aleška Simkić, and the Chargé d’Affaires of the Embassy of Poland in Kazakhstan,…

ASTANA—Kazakhstan’s energy sector is embarking on a major modernization initiative by 2029. According to an analytical piece by Kazinform, the initiative will address aging infrastructure, tariff policies and rising demand, focusing on sustainability and equitable solutions.  At the end of 2024, the Kazakh government launched a national project to modernize the energy and utility sectors…

ASTANA — The National Bureau of Asian Research hosted a panel discussion titled A New Start: Central Asia’s Nuclear Potential & Peril in Washington, D.C, on Dec.12 to explore the critical economic, environmental, energy, and geopolitical dimensions of nuclear politics in Central Asia. Kazakhstan made history on Oct.6 by holding a referendum on its nuclear…

ASTANA — The Kazakh Ministry of Foreign Affairs hosted the second ceremony of the Goodwill Ambassadors of Kazakhstan project on Dec. 9, honoring prominent figures who advance the nation’s image abroad through cultural, scientific and humanitarian contributions. The first round of the project, launched in June, set a precedent for recognizing those who embody the…

ASTANA — Over one million Kazakh citizens traveled abroad this year, with Türkiye as top destination, reported Kazinform, based on data from the Turistik Kamkor (Tourist Aid) corporate fund. Between Jan. 1 and Dec. 1, 1,002,802 Kazakh tourists traveled overseas, a significant increase from last year’s total of 794,194. The surge indicates a growing preference…

ASTANA — Kazakhmys corporation announced a $5 million investment in preserving the unique ecosystem of Balkhash lake, a key initiative presented at the One Water Summit in Saudi Arabia on Dec. 3, supported by Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. The summit, co-chaired by Tokayev and French President Emmanuel Macron, with support from Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince…

ASTANA — The Friedrich Ebert Foundation (FES) in Kazakhstan hosted the Central Asian Conference on combating domestic violence, focusing on systemic measures to protect women and children. Held in Almaty as part of the global 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign, the event brought together representatives from Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Uzbekistan, and…

ASTANA — Kazakhstan secured a spot in the top ten of the United Nations (UN) Online Service Index, assessing the availability and quality of public online services, reported Kazinform on Dec. 2.  This ranking highlights Kazakhstan’s progress in offering accessible digital services, reflecting the range of services available and the ease of interaction, including application…

ASTANA — Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov has ratified a treaty deepening allied relations with Kazakhstan, signed in Astana on April 19. The treaty enhances cooperation across various sectors, building on agreements dating back to 1997. According to Kazinform, the law was adopted by the Jogorku Kenesh (Supreme Council) of the Kyrgyz Republic on Oct.30. The…

ASTANA — Almaty was honored as the best tourist destination at the Qatar Travel Mart (QTM 2024), held in Doha from Nov. 30. The three-day international tourism exhibition attracted over 12,000 visitors and featured participants from nearly 60 countries, reported the Almaty akimat’s (city administration) press service. The Almaty stand captivated visitors by showcasing the…

ASTANA – Sertaç Yener, a British expert in energy and finance, became the first recipient of Kazakhstan’s newly launched Neo Nomad Visa on Dec.2. The visa, aimed at foreign professionals working remotely, enables holders to live in Kazakhstan for up to a year while combining professional activities with travel. According to the Kazakh Tourism National…

ASTANA — Following recent fluctuations caused by external economic pressures, Kazakhstan’s government and the National Bank have outlined measures to stabilize the national currency during the Dec.2 press briefing.  Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Economy Nurlan Baibazarov noted that the tenge’s weakening stems from three key factors: the global strengthening of the U.S.…

ASTANA — Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Murat Nurtleu met with Asad Majeed Khan, Secretary General of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO), in Mashhad, Iran, on Dec. 2.  The meeting preceded the 28th Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs of ECO member states, focusing on expanding trade, enhancing transport and logistics…

ASTANA — Aizhan Kusainova-Oran, director of the Sin Fronteras Spanish Center, has become the second Kazakh citizen to receive Spain’s prestigious Order of Isabella the Catholic. Spanish Ambassador to Kazakhstan, Luis Francisco Martínez, presented the honor on Nov. 27, in recognition of Kusainova-Oran’s significant contributions to promoting the Spanish language and culture in Kazakhstan. The…