American Chamber of Commerce in Kazakhstan Maps 2026 Priorities
ASTANA — The American Chamber of Commerce in Kazakhstan, also known as AmCham, outlined how business leaders assess the country’s reform agenda, fiscal trajectory and geopolitical environment in the Investors’ Voice 2026 edition report published on Jan.5. 2026 is seen as a defining moment for diversification, regulatory clarity and expanded Kazakhstan-U.S. economic engagement. Founded in…
How Water Policy Could Shape Kazakhstan’s Food Future
ASTANA — Experts and officials gathered for an online conference on Jan. 29 to discuss how water availability and potential deficits could affect Kazakhstan’s food security, particularly across irrigated crops and livestock. With inflation at 12.3% in 2025, experts said water efficiency will be necessary to stabilize the domestic food supply and contain price pressures.…
Five Ancient Underground Mosques in Mangystau Advance Toward UNESCO Recognition
ASTANA — Five underground mosques in Kazakhstan’s Mangystau Region have been added to UNESCO’s Tentative List of World Heritage sites, according to Kamar Bimagambetova, a specialist at the Mangystau State Historical and Cultural Reserve. The sites include the underground mosques of Karaman Ata, Shakpak Ata, Sultan Epe, Beket Ata and Shopan Ata, all part of…
Who Really Takes Childcare Leave in Kazakhstan? Law and Practice
ASTANA — Kazakhstan’s social protection system formally promotes equal parental responsibility, including access to childcare leave and state benefits for both mothers and fathers. Despite laws allowing both parents to take childcare leave, women made up more than 99.8% of benefit recipients in 2024 and 2025, while men represented fewer than 0.2%, according to the…
Constitutional Reform Commission Starts Work on Proposed Reforms
ASTANA — Kazakhstan held the first meeting of its Constitutional Reform Commission on Jan. 24 in Astana, launching work on proposed amendments that would reshape the country’s political system. The proposals include transitioning to a unicameral parliament to be known as the Kurultai, establishing a vice presidency, creating the Halyk Kenesi (People’s Council) with legislative…
Kazakhstan’s Kasteev Art Museum Reopens After Major Renovation
ASTANA — Kazakhstan’s Abilkhan Kasteev National Museum of Arts reopened to the public after a major modernization, unveiling renovated galleries and updated exhibitions, reported the Ministry of Culture and Information on Jan. 17. The reopening coincides with two milestones: the museum’s 90th anniversary and the 50th anniversary of its current building, which has housed the…
How Eight Medals Shaped Kazakhstan’s Winter Olympic Legacy
ASTANA — With less than a month remaining before the 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, it is time to turn to Kazakhstan’s Olympic legacy. Since its debut in the Olympics as an independent nation in 1994, the country has earned eight Winter Olympic medals across five sports. Debut on the Olympic…
Kazakh Cinema Breaks Into Berlinale Forum Special
ASTANA — Kazakhstan enters the Berlin International Film Festival on Feb. 12 with two films in the Forum Special program: the world premiere of “River Dreams,” directed by Kristina Mikhailova, the country’s first feature-length documentary selected at the Berlinale, and “Qantar 2022,” an animated short by artist Almagul Menlibayeva. “River Dreams” will premiere in Berlinale’s…
From Routes to Hubs: Air Traffic Reshapes Strategy
ASTANA — Kazakhstan’s passenger air traffic rose 5.8% in the first 11 months of 2025 as airlines expanded fleets, airports increased capacity, and Open Skies liberalization intensified competition, said Adlet Kobenov, the head of the International Air Transport Regulation Department at the Civil Aviation Committee, in an interview with Kazinform. Over the first 11 months…
What AI Really Changes in Kazakh Labor Market
ASTANA — Artificial Intelligence (AI) is predicted to raise productivity for approximately 70% of Kazakhstan’s workforce, transforming up to 53% of job functions, said Minister of Science and Higher Education Sayasat Nurbek at a government meeting on Jan. 6. Experts say that AI’s main impact will be the redistribution of tasks rather than mass job…
Kazakhstan Shifts Aid From Relief to Development, Says KazAID Chairman
ASTANA — Five years after the establishment of the Kazakhstan Agency of International Development (KazAID), the country has shifted from ad hoc humanitarian assistance toward a structured system of official development assistance (ODA) aligned with international standards, said KazAID chairman Arken Arystanov in an interview with The Astana Times. Since its creation in 2020, Kazakhstan…
Kazakhstan Finalizes Funding, Equipment for 2026 Winter Games
ASTANA — Kazakhstan has allocated 13.3 billion tenge (US$26.16 million) to prepare its national teams for the 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Italy, said Kazakh Minister of Tourism and Sports Yerbol Myrzabosynov at a government meeting on Dec. 30, 2025. The funding is aimed at ensuring full readiness of athletes, coaches, and support systems ahead…
What 2026 Holds for Kazakhstan’s Economy
ASTANA — Kazakhstan is projected to maintain economic growth in 2026, but at a slower and more balanced pace amid inflationary pressure and tighter financial conditions. According to experts, the country is entering a phase where efficiency and investment quality will matter more than rapid expansion. “I am sure that Kazakhstan will gradually move away…
From Global Pop to Heritage, Kazakhstan’s Cultural 2025
ASTANA — From global pop concerts and major film productions to historical anniversaries and new cultural institutions, 2025 saw Kazakhstan’s cultural life unfold across stages, screens, museums and public spaces. The year featured a wide range of international and local events, reflecting how culture was expressed through mass entertainment, heritage-focused projects and emerging creative formats.…
DNA Research Secures Future of Kazakh Dog Breeds
ASTANA — Kazakhstan has created its first DNA bank for the national dog breeds Tazy and Tobet, following several years of nationwide genetic research aimed at preserving their unique heritage and preventing genetic loss. The project combines science, culture, and conservation as the country prepares for broader international recognition of its indigenous breeds. For centuries,…
Ferries Between Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan to Launch in 2026
ROME — A Georgian company plans to launch ferry services between Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan starting in 2026, with the first vessels operating across the Caspian Sea between the ports of Kuryk and Alat. The project is expected to boost cargo turnover and strengthen regional maritime connectivity, reported Kazinform on Dec.23. “Starting next year, together with…
Teen Falconer in Kazakhstan Preserves Ancient Hunting Arts
ASTANA — In eastern Kazakhstan, 15-year-old Aizere Markskyzy is continuing a centuries-old tradition of falconry, working with golden eagles and Kazakh tazy dogs as part of her family’s heritage. Raised in a lineage of hunters, she is already competing, training animals and planning how to preserve national hunting arts for future generations. She lives in…
Kazakh Family Preserves Generations of Tazy Breeding
ASTANA — A family in the Kerbulak district of Kazakhstan’s Zhetisu Region has spent decades preserving and developing the tazy, an ancient Kazakh sighthound prized for its speed and hunting ability. Their long-running work comes at a time when national efforts are growing to restore the dog’s historical status and protect its genetic line. The…
Wondering Where to Ski This Winter? Kazakhstan Offers Different Kind of Mountain Escape
ASTANA — Kazakhstan’s winter tourism season is gaining momentum as travelers seek alpine landscapes, accessible slopes and quieter alternatives to crowded resorts abroad. From the Tien Shan to the Altai and northern regions, the country offers a wide range of skiing options for every level and travel style. Shymbulak: the country’s flagship resort Almaty remains…
Central Asian Startups Gain Ground in US Tech Market, Says Industry Expert
ASTANA — Central Asian founders are gaining significant traction in the United States, where more than 350 regional startups now operate through the Silkroad Innovation Hub in Silicon Valley, said the hub’s founder Asset Abdualiyev in an interview with Digital Business on Nov. 26. He discussed market dynamics, investment trends and the expanding presence of…
Disarmament Panel in Vienna Spotlights Youth Voices
ASTANA – International youth voices brought fresh urgency to a Nov. 27 roundtable in Vienna on the humanitarian consequences of nuclear testing, underscoring the lived legacy of Semipalatinsk and the need for inclusive disarmament. They joined community leaders, researchers and practitioners to examine what the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) can deliver…
Disarmament Experts Outline Path to Real Nuclear Justice at Vienna Roundtable
ASTANA — Community leaders, researchers and practitioners gathered for a roundtable on the humanitarian consequences of nuclear testing in Vienna on Nov. 27, examining what the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) can deliver today and what steps are required to secure justice for affected communities. The event, hosted by Dialogbüro Vienna, Steppe…
Energy Efficiency Training Drives Kazakhstan Toward Cleaner, Smarter Buildings
ASTANA — The final session of the FELICITY II energy consultant training program recently convened engineers, architects and policymakers in Astana to build expertise in reducing energy use in buildings. The program supports sustainable urban infrastructure development in Eastern Europe and Central Asia and helps cities reduce greenhouse gas emissions. It provides technical and analytical…
Where Poetry Became Anthem: Remembering Zhumeken Nazhimedenov’s 90 Years
ASTANA — Kazakhstan marks the 90th anniversary of poet Zhumeken Nazhimedenov on Nov. 28, honoring the writer whose verse shaped generations and whose lyrics formed the foundation of the national anthem. Commemorations across the country and enduring memoirs from his family reflect why his life, character and creativity continue to resonate four decades after his…
Korean Theater Merges Past and Present Through Memory and Motion
ASTANA — Theaters often carry history across generations, and for Koreans living in Kazakhstan, that story has been living onstage since the 2022 premiere of “Life – History of Unity.” As the production tours the country this year for the 30th anniversary of the Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan (APK), its creators spoke to…
