Articles by Nagima Abuova

ASTANA — Kazakhstan’s trade turnover with Azerbaijan reached $394 million in the first 10 months this year, marking a 38.7% increase from the previous year, reported Kazinform on Dec.4. According to the State Customs Committee of Azerbaijan, exports from Azerbaijan to Kazakhstan increased by 23.2%, totaling $107.7 million. Exports from Kazakhstan to Azerbaijan grew by…

ASTANA — Kazakhstan’s National Central Bureau of Interpol, under the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and the Asset Recovery Committee of the Prosecutor General’s Office signed a memorandum of cooperation on Dec.4.  According to Polisia.kz information media portal, the memorandum outlines collaborative initiatives, including sharing information, implementing joint projects and exchanging best practices to suppress illegal…

ASTANA — Kazakhstan’s traditional wedding ritual, Betashar, was inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity on Dec. 4, following a committee meeting in Asunción, Paraguay. This was announced by State Counselor Erlan Karin on his Facebook account.  Betashar in Kazakh translates as “revealing the face.” It originated in medieval times…

ASTANA — Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Murat Nurtleu held a series of bilateral meetings with counterparts from Armenia, Austria, Cyprus, and the European Union (EU) on Dec. 4 in Ta’ Qali, Malta. The discussions were held alongside the 31st Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe…

ASTANA — Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev arrived in Saudi Arabia on Dec. 3 to attend the One Water Summit, co-organized by Kazakhstan, France and the World Bank, in partnership with Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman.  The summit, held in the margins of the 16th session of the Conference of the…

ASTANA —  Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ) national railway company exported 2.9 million tons of grain from the new harvest between September and November, a 51% increase from 2023. According to the Kazakh Ministry of Agriculture, KTZ facilitated the transportation of 3.7 million tons of grain during this period, a 45% rise year-on-year.  The company transported…

ASTANA — The Otyrar Sazy Kazakh folklore orchestra and the State Academic Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra, named after Erkegali Rakhmadiev, shared the stage in Astana on Nov.29 to celebrate the upcoming centennial of legendary Kazakh composer Nurgisa Tlendiyev. The concert brought a fusion of Kazakh folklore and global classics to life, captivating residents and guests of…

ASTANA — The 2023 maslikhat (local representative bodies) elections in Kazakhstan highlighted the continued efforts toward achieving gender parity with a 30% quota initiative introduced by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev in 2020 to enhance women’s representation and diversify local governance. The statistics published by the Kazakhstan Institute for Strategic Studies (KazISS) on Nov.25 on their Telegram…

ASTANA — A citywide case championship organized by United Nations (UN) agencies and local partners at the Maqsut Narikbayev University on Nov. 25 marked the start of the global campaign, 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence. Five teams representing Astana-based universities proposed innovative solutions to combat gender-based violence, addressing its societal and cultural roots.…

ASTANA — The Nobel Fest and Teacher’s Summit: World Knowledge Week commenced in Astana on Nov. 21, bringing together global experts and thought leaders to discuss pressing issues and future possibilities in artificial intelligence, education and beyond. The three-day event aims to foster dialogue and collaboration on innovative solutions to global challenges. In his opening…

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…