Articles by Nagima Abuova

Editor’s Note: The Astana Times continues its Forgotten Cities of the Silk Road series, exploring Kazakhstan’s tentative UNESCO World Heritage sites. This edition features Yassy-Turkistan, an ancient urban settlement beneath modern Turkistan that once served as a key hub on the Silk Road and a spiritual center long before the renowned mausoleum was built.  ASTANA…

ASTANA — Kazakh officials outlined legislative reforms to forest management and protected natural areas aimed at boosting eco-tourism, strengthening climate resilience, and improving emergency response mechanisms. The changes were presented at a July 11 press briefing by the Forestry and Wildlife Committee under the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources. The updated law on amendments…

ASTANA — Kazakhstan’s strategic position in the Middle Corridor makes it a game-changer for regional logistics and innovation, said Vice president of the European Investment Bank (EIB) Kyriacos Kakouris in an interview with The Astana Times on the sidelines of the Astana International Forum.  He highlighted the country’s pivotal role within the EU’s Global Gateway…

Editor’s Note: The Astana Times continues its Forgotten Cities of the Silk Road series, exploring Kazakhstan’s tentative UNESCO World Heritage sites. This edition highlights three major archaeological sites in the Kyzylorda Region, including the ancient settlements of Zhankala, Zhankent, and the fortified complexes of the Zhetyasar oasis.  ASTANA — Scattered across the southern steppes of…

ASTANA — Kazakhstan is ready to invest in Afghanistan’s Turghundi-Herat railway to strengthen regional connectivity, said Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov at the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) Summit in Khankendi, Azerbaijan, on July 4.  The summit focused on strengthening economic ties among ECO member states, particularly in transport and logistics, energy, climate security, and digital transformation.…

ASTANA – New archaeological discoveries across Kazakhstan have revealed centuries-old civilizations, highlighting the region’s pivotal role as a cultural and trade hub between East and West. From Seljuk-era ceramics in the medieval city of Saraishyk to gold jewelry from the Saka and Wusun periods, these findings span vast geographies and eras. Saraishyk: a crossroads of…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan is becoming a showcase for Alstom’s sustainable and high-tech rail solutions, said Martin Vaujour, the company’s president for Africa, the Middle East, and Central Asia (AMECA). He shared Alstom’s long-term vision for the country in an interview with The Astana Times following the Foreign Investors’ Council meeting on June 24. “I’ve been…

ASTANA – Women leaders underscored that sustainability requires both strategic thinking and personal responsibility at the Global Businesswomen Council meeting on June 24 in Astana. They also called for deeper social investment and inclusive cooperation to address global challenges. The council brings together senior executives and policymakers to advance women’s leadership and foster cross-sector solutions.…

Editor’s Note: The Astana Times continues its Forgotten Cities of the Silk Road series, exploring Kazakhstan’s tentative UNESCO World Heritage sites. In this edition, the spotlight falls on Kyshkala—a once-thriving medieval center positioned along the Fergana–Syrdarya Corridor. Known in chronicles as Barshynkent and remembered in legends as the city of Alpamys batyr, Kyshkala stood as…

ASTANA — The Association for the Conservation of Biodiversity of Kazakhstan (ACBK) unveiled the second edition of its richly illustrated science-popular book, “Steppe Mammals of Kazakhstan,” at a presentation in Astana on June 18. This expanded edition, translated into Russian for the first time, follows the original Kazakh-language version published in 2023. The book explores…

ASTANA — Chinese President Xi Jinping’s state visit to Kazakhstan and his participation in the Central Asia-China summit mark a new phase of strategic engagement, encompassing a broader Central Asian region. Experts highlight both unprecedented opportunities and growing scrutiny in the region’s evolving partnerships.  In recent years, the Central Asia–China format has emerged as a…

ASTANA — As Kazakhstan and China enter a new golden era of strategic partnership, both countries are focused on real projects that will transform the energy system, said Kazakh Energy Minister Yerlan Akkenzhenov, opening the first Power Central Asia + China Forum in Astana on June 16.  The forum, held as part of the Central…

Editor’s Note: The Astana Times continues its Forgotten Cities of the Silk Road series, exploring Kazakhstan’s tentative UNESCO World Heritage sites. In this edition, we turn to Otyrar, once the capital of a flourishing oasis, a center of Islamic scholarship, and a frontier stronghold that witnessed both prosperity and destruction. Mentioned in 9th-12th century Arab…

ASTANA —  In a major step for wildlife conservation, seven Przewalski’s horses, the world’s last truly wild horse species, arrived in Kazakhstan on June 3, marking the second international transport under the Return of the Wild Horses project. The Astana Times was on the ground to witness the second international transport operation bringing these iconic…

ASTANA — Kazakhstan and Bulgaria identified new opportunities for cooperation in transport, energy, agribusiness, digital technologies, and pharmaceuticals during the Kazakhstan-Bulgaria Business Forum held June 9 in Astana as part of Bulgarian President Rumen Radev’s official visit. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev stated that the forum could serve as a launchpad for expanding bilateral trade and investment,…

ASTANA —  Kazakh Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov met with Liu Yongxing, the chairman of the board of China’s East Hope Group, on June 9 to discuss prospects for launching a vertically integrated industrial park for non-ferrous metals production in Kazakhstan.  According to the Prime Minister’s press service, the project will follow circular economy principles, which…

ASTANA —  President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Bulgarian President Rumen Radev issued a joint press statement on June 9 in Astana, reaffirming the countries’ shared commitment to strengthening political dialogue, expanding economic cooperation, and addressing regional and global challenges through diplomatic means. The visit marked the 33rd anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Kazakhstan…

ASTANA — President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev met with Bulgarian President Rumen Radev on June 9 in Astana during his official visit focused on strengthening bilateral relations, boosting trade and investment, and exploring new areas of cooperation in energy, technology and tourism. Tokayev emphasized Bulgaria’s role as one of Kazakhstan’s key partners in Europe, noting the enduring…

ASTANA — As the United Nations (UN) marks its 80th anniversary this year, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev of Kazakhstan is urging the global community to strengthen the organization by modernizing multilateralism and empowering regional voices, particularly developing and middle powers, to play a greater role in shaping global solutions. In a recent op-ed published by The…

ASTANA — Foreign ministers from Central Asia and India gathered in New Delhi on June 6 for the fourth Central Asia-India Dialogue, focusing on regional connectivity, security, green energy, and technological cooperation as priorities for expanding multilateral relations. Kazakhstan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Murat Nurtleu participated in the dialogue, emphasizing the need to…

ASTANA — As experts convened at the Astana International Forum (AIF), digital transformation and emerging technologies remained central to global discussions. In an exclusive interview with The Astana Times, United Nations Under-Secretary-General and the Secretary-General’s Envoy on Technology Amandeep Singh Gill highlighted the shift toward digital governance, the need to localize global frameworks and Kazakhstan’s…

Editor’s Note: The Astana Times continues its Forgotten Cities of the Silk Road series, exploring Kazakhstan’s tentative UNESCO World Heritage sites. These ancient settlements, now in ruins, once thrived as trade, culture, and innovation centers. In this edition, we turn to Sauran as one of the most prominent medieval cities in the Syrdarya region. With…

ASTANA — Connectivity and supply chain stability are the key initiatives that bring countries closer to their development goals, said Ban Ki-moon, the president of the Global Green Growth Institute and eighth secretary-general of the United Nations (UN) at the May 29 plenary session of the Astana International Forum (AIF) 2025, where global experts explored…

ASTANA — Kazakhstan and Italy are exploring over $8 billion in potential partnerships across key strategic sectors, including energy, agriculture, logistics, and technology. The Italy-Kazakhstan Supply Chain Forum, on May 28 in Astana, aimed to deepen bilateral trade and industrial cooperation. The gathering was hosted on the eve of the Astana International Forum (AIF), set…

ASTANA — Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signed a law on May 19 ratifying a protocol that amends the agreement between the Kazakh government and the Secretariat of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) regarding the secretariat’s conditions of stay in the country. The ratification aims to facilitate the transformation of…