Articles by Nagima Abuova

ASTANA — Kazakhstan is commemorating the 100th anniversary of Lieutenant Rakhimzhan Koshkarbayev on Oct. 19. Koshkarbayev, a national hero, raised the Soviet flag over the Reichstagwith with Grigory Bulatov on April 30, 1945, marking the defeat of Nazi Germany. This daring act, performed during the final days of World War II, remains a pivotal moment…

ASTANA — A Dutch trade mission representing seven companies from key sectors visited Kazakhstan from Oct. 7-10 to explore new port development and logistics opportunities along the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR), also known as the Middle Corridor.  In an interview with The Astana Times, Henk Nieboer, the Chairman of the Netherlands Kazakhstan Business Association…

ASTANA—Kazakhstan and the Netherlands convened the first Kazakh-Dutch Business Council on Oct. 9, focusing on joint efforts to enhance transport, logistics, innovation and green energy cooperation in Astana. The event served as a platform to discuss investment opportunities and the potential of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR), also known as the Middle Corridor.  “The…

ASTANA—Kazakh citizens are heading to the polls on Oct.6 to vote in a public referendum on the construction of the nation’s first nuclear power plant. At polling station No. 164, located in the National Academic Library on the left bank of Astana, voters shared their views with The Astana Times correspondent, highlighting that this vote…

ASTANA—Nearly 100 ice skaters from around the world gathered at Barys Arena in Astana from Oct. 3-5 for the fifth Denis Ten Memorial Challenge tournament, commemorating a celebrated Kazakh figure skater who tragically passed away in July 2018.  The event serves as an International Skating Union (ISU) challenger competition, allowing athletes to earn points for…

ASTANA — Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, the Kyrgyz Republic and Turkey marked the Day of Cooperation of Turkic Countries on Oct.3, commemorating the 15th anniversary of the agreement signed in Nakhichevan. The agreement established the Cooperation Council of Turkic-Speaking States, later transformed into the Organization of Turkic States (OTS). According to the Kazakh Ministry of Foreign…

ASTANA — Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev emphasized the importance of maslikhats (local administrative bodies) in strengthening local governance and urged deputies of maslikhats to take a proactive role in addressing regional challenges at the second Republican Forum on Oct. 3. “Deputies of the maslikhats are the voice of the people,” said Tokayev, stressing that maslikhats…

ASTANA—Kazakhstan launched the production of a silicon carbon nanocomposite derived from rice husks on Oct.3. The first production stage aims to produce 1,500 tons of this multifunctional material annually.  According to the Kazakh Ministry of Science and Higher Education, the National Center for Integrated Processing of Mineral Raw Materials is implementing the project.  “Rice husks…

ASTANA—The Kazakh capital will host the Denis Ten Memorial Challenge 2024, a fifth international figure skating tournament, at the Barys Arena from Oct.3 to 5. The tournament commemorates Denis Ten, a celebrated Kazakh figure skater who tragically died in July 2018.  More than 120 athletes from 31 countries will participate in the event, including Kazakh…

ASTANA—Kazakh startup ImmuniGuide launched an artificial intelligence (AI) – powered platform on Sept. 23 to revolutionize immune health assessment. The platform analyzes blood tests with a 98.7% accuracy, detecting hidden infections and monitoring the body’s response to diseases, vaccinations, physical activity and stress. According to Astana Hub, the innovation holds great potential for advancing healthcare.…

ASTANA — Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Murat Nurtleu addressed global challenges such as climate change, nuclear security and digital transformation, highlighting the significance of multilateral cooperation, UN reforms and global efforts during the Summit of the Future on Sept. 22-23. “Kazakhstan is here today to join forces with all UN member states…

ASTANA — First Deputy Prime Minister Roman Sklyar met with Zou Lei, chairman of China Datang Corporation Ltd., one of China’s largest electricity producers, to discuss expanding energy cooperation and attracting investments into Kazakhstan’s power sector on Sept.23. According to the Prime Minister’s press service, during the meeting, Sklyar outlined the Kazakh government’s efforts to…

ASTANA — Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signed a law ratifying the agreement to create a simplified customs corridor between member states of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) on Sept.23. The move aims to boost trade and enhance economic integration among Turkic countries. “The ratification of the agreement will contribute to the development of trade…

ASTANA—Specialists at the University Medical Center’s (UMC) Heart Center have introduced Farapulse electro-pulse ablation technology, a groundbreaking method for treating cardiac arrhythmia. This marks the first use of the technology in Central Asia and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). According to the UMC’s press service, the Farapulse technology offers greater efficiency, improved safety, and…

ASTANA — Kazakh creator Ainur Polatova and her team have designed a Lego model of the traditional Nomadic yurt to introduce a global audience to the essence of nomadic life. The Lego Corporation offers designers a unique opportunity by hosting a platform where users can upload and showcase their models. Models that garner 10,000 public…

ASTANA—The Organization of Turkic States (OTS) approved a 34-letter Latin-based common alphabet on Sept. 11 to foster linguistic unity among Turkic nations. This historic decision revives a decades-old initiative to unify Turkic languages, enhance cultural ties, and simplify written communication across member nations. The Turkic Academy, which coordinated the Latin-based Common Turkic Alphabet project,  published…

ASTANA — Almaty, the biggest city in Kazakhstan, celebrated its birthday on Sept. 15, in what was a vibrant celebration of the city’s history and growth. The festivities attracted residents and tourists to the blend of traditional and modern festivities. Almaty celebrates its birthday every year on the third Sunday of September, which fell on…

ASTANA — The Hungarian-Kazakh Cultural Organization’s assyk team from Hungary, led by Zhanargul Bakhtygereikyzy, secured a remarkable bronze medal at the fifth World Nomad Games (WNG). In an interview with The Astana Times, Bakhtygereikyzy and her team recounted their journey to the WNG. Despite being newcomers to the sport, they brought a piece of Kazakh…

ASTANA — The fifth World Nomad Games (WNG) showcased a stunning display of strength at the powerful nomad competition on Sept. 11 in Astana. Athletes from across the globe tested their limits in an intense series of challenges designed to push their physical strength and agility. Sixteen athletes from 16 countries, including Armenia, Belarus, China,…

ASTANA—The fifth World Nomad Games (WNG) kicked off with a spectacular opening ceremony at Astana Arena, celebrating the rich heritage and enduring spirit of nomadic peoples on Sept. 8.  The event brought together over 89 countries, with athletes and cultural ambassadors showcasing traditional clothing and waving their national flags. Representatives of the Kyrgyz Republic opened…

ASTANA—The first Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on Digital Inclusion and Transformation, uniting delegations from over 30 countries, commenced in Astana on Sept. 3. The three-day conference aims to foster more inclusive digital economies and societies across the Asia-Pacific region, enhance cooperation to bridge the digital divide and enhance digital connectivity, trust and security.  The conference, organized…

ASTANA—Kazakhstan hosted a pivotal workshop that kicked off on Aug. 27, gathering experts and officials from around the world to revitalize the five existing nuclear-weapons-free zones (NWFZs) and enhance cooperation among them. The event, organized in collaboration with the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs, is held ahead of the International Day against Nuclear Tests…

ASTANA — American Corners in Kazakhstan reported that they finished their pilot project titled Regional Ambassadors of Makerspace. This project of creative labs aims to promote knowledge and skills in science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics (STEAM) disciplines in rural areas.  The program was developed to provide hands-on, creative ways for schoolchildren to design, experiment,…

ASTANA—Astana hosted the second international conference dedicated to chess in education that kicked off on Aug. 21. Over 200 participants, including global chess experts and educators from Kazakhstan, attended the conference, which focused on integrating chess into educational systems, particularly in the digital age and the growing influence of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Speakers from Spain,…

ASTANA — Kazakhstan’s economy demonstrated stable growth during the first seven months of the year despite some challenges in foreign trade. According to the Bureau of National Statistics (QazStat), the composite economic indicator (CEI) increased by 4.1% as of July 7, with significant contributions from the communications, construction, and transport sectors. The communications sector recorded…