Articles by Nagima Abuova

ASTANA — Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev arrived in Hungary for a state visit on Nov. 19, marking another step in strengthening the evolving partnership rooted in shared historical ties. These ties trace back to the migration of Kipchak tribes to Hungary in the 13th century and have since evolved. Kazakhstan and Hungary established diplomatic relations…

ASTANA — Kazakhstan and Serbia mark 28 years of diplomatic relations characterized by steady growth in political, economic and cultural collaboration. Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s visit to Belgrade on Nov.19 highlights the significance of this partnership, rooted in mutual respect and strategic cooperation. Diplomatic relations between the two nations were established on Dec. 10, 1996.…

ASTANA — The Grand Hall of the Astana Opera radiated with celebration and reverence on Nov. 17, as Kazakhstan honored one of its most beloved cultural icons, Bibigul Tulegenova, for her upcoming 95th birthday. The concert, aptly titled Kazaktyn Bulbuly (Kazakh Nightingale), showcased the life and legacy of a woman whose name is inseparable from…

ASTANA — A group of students from Astana schools has completed a four-month study on Kazakhstan’s legislative efforts to combat domestic violence, examining the evolution of laws from Kazakh steppe traditions to key reforms influenced by the Saltanat Law. Beginning Aug. 2, the team analyzed systemic gaps in victim protections, resulting in published findings and…

ASTANA – Fitch Ratings has affirmed Kazakhstan’s Long-Term Foreign-Currency Issuer Default Rating (IDR) at BBB with a Stable Outlook. According to the rating action commentary published on Nov.15. The rating represents the country’s balanced credit profile bolstered by significant external buffers and sovereign net foreign assets, aligning with global investment standards. Resilient external finances bolster…

ASTANA — UNESCO’s Paris headquarters hosted an exhibition and album presentation of the works of winners and finalists of the International Youth Festival themed The Planet of Art – 2024 on Nov.12. This festival celebrated world cultural and natural heritage monuments, as well as intangible cultural heritage, aligning with Kazakhstan’s chairmanship of the World Federation…

ASTANA — The representatives of Iran, Russia and Türkiye, meeting as guarantors of the Astana Format in the Kazakh capital from Nov. 11-12, urged an immediate ceasefire and humanitarian access in Gaza while condemning ongoing Israeli military actions in Gaza, Lebanon and the West Bank. According to the Kazakh Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the two-day…

ASTANA — Kazakhstan’s tourism revenue increased by 13.4% this year. According to Kazakhstan’s Bureau of National Statistics’ (BNS) October report, the growth is mainly driven by visitors from Russia, Uzbekistan, and Türkiye, contributing to a remarkable 4.1 billion tenge (US$8.4 million) in spending. The BNS conducts sample surveys of incoming visitors twice a year —…

ASTANA — East Kazakhstan’s native Azhar Toleukanova emerged as the top female competitor at the international Dala Mergeni (The Steppe Shooter) 2024 traditional archery tournament in Shymkent last October, claiming gold against athletes from the Kyrgyz Republic and Russia. In an interview with Kazinform, Toleukanova described the tournament as a long-awaited achievement and highlighted her…

ASTANA — The Kazakh government has unveiled a program to revive the legendary Aport apple, aiming to cultivate the unique variety from 2024 to 2028. The initiative, led by the Ministry of Agriculture, seeks to boost production and export. The distinctiveness of the Aport apple variety lies in its sour-sweet flavor, aroma and juiciness. Hailing…

ASTANA — Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s visit to France brought significant agreements, business partnerships, diplomatic warmth and cultural highlights, deepening ties between Kazakhstan and France through official engagements, museum visits and lighthearted moments in Paris from Nov.4-5. Diplomatic warmth on social media French President Emmanuel Macron warmly welcomed Tokayev, describing him as a “dear partner…

ASTANA — Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev attended the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) summit in Bishkek, the Kyrgyz Republic, on Nov. 6, marking 15 years of regional unity and advocating for enhanced economic, cultural and digital cooperation across the Turkic world. According to Akorda, in his opening remarks, Tokayev thanked President Sadyr Zhaparov and the…

ASTANA – Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev met with French business leaders to discuss collaborative opportunities in the energy, nuclear power and logistics sectors following the investment roundtable in Paris on Nov. 5. Electricité de France: Shortlisted potential nuclear technology supplier Tokayev’s meeting with Luc Rémont, CEO of Electricité de France (EDF), the world’s largest operator…

ASTANA — President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev highlighted economic cooperation as a cornerstone of the strategic partnership between Kazakhstan and France during an investment round table in Paris on Nov. 5. Addressing leaders of French businesses, he emphasized Kazakhstan’s growing trade and investment ties with France and outlined new partnership opportunities, reported Akorda. “We are pleased to…

ASTANA — Bishkek will host high-level discussions at the 11th Summit of the Heads of State of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) on Nov.6.  Under the theme of Empowering the Turkic World: Economic Integration, Sustainable Development, Digital Future, and Security for All, the summit aims to facilitate strategic dialogues on the organization’s agenda.  President…

ASTANA — inDrive, formerly known as inDriver, was rebranded in 2023 to reflect its commitment to social impact. Founded on principles of justice and independence, the company aims to make education, creative industries, startups, and sports accessible to all, challenging resource inequality. Aray Bekembayev, the country business manager of inDrive for Kazakhstan, shared the company’s…

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…