Articles by Staff Report

ASTANA – The Atameken National Chamber of Entrepreneurs (NCE) and the Kazakh Science and Higher Education Ministry announced the list of the 2022 Best Higher Education Programs in Kazakhstan on Jan. 25, reported the Chamber’s press center.  The independent ranking, designed for individuals looking to complete or further their education, evaluates universities on 19 criteria,…

ASTANA – Kazakh Energy Minister Bolat Akchulakov and Électricité de France (EDF) Senior Vice President Vakis Ramany agreed to continue negotiations on nuclear power cooperation on Jan. 26 in Astana, the Kazakh Energy Ministry’s press center reported. The parties discussed enhancing cooperation in the peaceful use of nuclear technology, addressing the French proposal to use…

ASTANA – The Kazakh Foreign Affairs Ministry announced the start of the accreditation period for foreign journalists, who will cover the March 19 early elections to Mazhilis, the lower chamber of the Kazakh Parliament, and maslikhats, local representative bodies.   According to the Central Election Commission guidelines, journalists should be given permanent or temporary accreditation from…

ASTANA – Two-time blitz world champion Bibisara Assaubayeva defeated one of the world’s strongest grandmasters, Sergey Karyakin, in the rapid chess format at the International Chess Stars Tournament in Moscow on Jan. 24-26, the Kazakh Ministry of Culture and Sports’ press service reported.  According to the tournament’s commentators, Assaubayeva rightfully holds the title of world…

ASTANA – Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signed a decree on Jan. 26 to establish the National Council for Science and Technology, according to the Akorda press service. “The council aims at improving the management of the national scientific system and elaborating recommendations for defining priorities for the development of state policy in the field of…

ASTANA – The Kazakh government hosted a economic policy council meeting to discuss the draft law on the repatriation of illegally withdrawn assets, reported the Prime Minister’s office on Jan. 25. The law contains rules designed to eliminate the conditions for the illegal withdrawal of assets, stimulate voluntary returns or initiate forced returns, among other…

ASTANA – The KazMunayGas (KMG) National Company and Eni, an Italian multinational energy company, agreed to build a hybrid power plant in the Mangystau Region, as Chairman of KMG Management Board Magzum Mirzagaliyev met with the delegation led by Eni’s Natural Resource Upstream Director Luca Vignati on Jan. 25 in Astana, reported the company’s press…

ASTANA – The 2022 Wimbledon Champion and the first Kazakh racket Elena Rybakina made it to the finals at the 2023 Australian Open in Melbourne on Jan. 26. Rybakina won over the former first world racket Victoria Azarenka (Belarus), and the women’s singles match ended with a score of 7:6, 6:3. Rybakina will face the…

ASTANA  – Kazakhstan is interested in strengthening cooperation with the Council of Europe, said Kazakh Deputy Foreign Minister Roman Vassilenko during his visit to the headquarters of the Council of Europe in Strasbourg on Jan. 25, the Foreign Ministry’s press service reported.  Vassilenko also took part in the meeting of the PACE Group of European…

ASTANA – Azerbaijan’s air carrier Azərbaycan Hava Yolları is set to resume passenger flights on the Baku-Astana, and Baku-Almaty routes in March this year, the Kazakh Civil Aviation Committee’s press service reported on Jan. 24. The airline plans to operate the Baku-Astana flight twice a week starting from March 10 and the Baku-Almaty flight two…

ASTANA – Atyrau court announced the verdict in the trial against 27 participants of the riots in January 2022, the court’s press service reported on Jan. 23.  The special Atyrau court accused 27 protesters of participating in mass riots, inciting violence, and calling for active disobedience to government officials. The mass riot led to clashes…

ASTANA – Three Kazakh Bolashak scholarship graduates entered the Stanford University list of the World’s Top Two Percent Scientists, reported the Kazakh Science and Education Ministry’s press service on Jan. 24. citing the Elsevier academic publishers.    The annual Stanford University list, based on Scopus citation data, includes the world’s top two percent most influential scientists…

ASTANA – The Atameken National Chamber of Entrepreneurs (NCE) presented the state of the nation’s business report to Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, reported the Akorda press service on Jan. 24.  Following Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s initiatives, a new 2023 Comprehensive Plan of Joint Actions to Protect Business was adopted to facilitate business operations and protect…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan is ready to contribute to the development of interaction between the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) and the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-building Measures in Asia (CICA), the Kazakh Foreign Ministry’s press service reported on Jan. 24. During the 26th meeting of the Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Economic Cooperation…

ASTANA – Chairperson of the Senate, the upper chamber of the Kazakh Parliament, Maulen Ashimbayev, met with the Chairman of the Jogorku Kenesh (Parliament) of Kyrgyzstan Nurlanbek Shakiyev on Jan. 23 in Bishkek to discuss interparliamentary and interregional cooperation, reported the Senate’s press service. “It is important to strengthen ties between the two countries’ border…

ASTANA – Reigning Wimbledon champion, world No. 25 Elena Rybakina, 23, became the first woman from Kazakhstan to reach the semifinal of the Australian Open 2023 after a decisive victory 6-2, 6-4 against Latvia’s Jelena Ostapenko on Jan. 24, reported the press service of the Kazakhstan Tennis Federation. Rybakina will face the winner between Jessica…

ASTANA – First Deputy Foreign Minister of Kazakhstan Kairat Umarov met with the Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations (UN) Amina J. Mohammed on Jan. 22 as part of her working visit to Kazakhstan, reported the ministry’s press service. The sides addressed the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, gender equality, and the…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s famous pop singer Dimash Kudaibergen took part in the CCTV New Year’s Gala, also known as the Spring Festival Gala, commonly abbreviated in Chinese as Chunwan, to celebrate the Lunar New Year on Jan. 21, wrote Kudaibergen on his Instagram page.   Kudaibergen sang the Kazakh folk song “Oh, Zhailau” (My Steppe) as…

ASTANA – Almaty will host the fifth International Digital forum, “Digital Almaty: a digital partnership in a new reality,” on Feb. 2-3, reported the press service of the Kazakh Ministry of Digital Development, Innovation and Aerospace Industry. The forum’s program consists of 20-panel sessions with nearly 150 speakers – representatives of the international and Kazakhstani…

ASTANA – The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) released projection scenarios for 2023 in which international tourist arrivals could reach 80 percent to 95 percent of pre-pandemic levels this year, depending on the extent of the economic slowdown, the ongoing recovery of travel in Asia and the Pacific, the evolution of the Russia-Ukraine conflict,…

ASTANA – Kazakh artist Almas Syrgabai released a brand book dedicated to the 150th anniversary of Kazakh hero Amangeldi Imanov on Jan. 18, the Kazinform news agency reported. “As a reference, I used the portrait of Amangeldi Imanov, painted by the famous artist Abylkhan Kasteyev. I drew it in the style of digital art, so…

ASTANA – The Kazakh capital will host the FIDE World Championship 2023 from April 7 to May 1 this year, the FIDE’s press service reported on January 19. “As much as we would have loved to hold a world event in the American continent, the time difference would have seriously impacted the audience in this…

ASTANA – The Kazakh Ministry of Finance held an expanded meeting chaired by Prime Minister Alikhan Smailov on Jan. 19 to address the results of 2022 and outline the main tasks for the coming period, reported the Prime Minister’s press service. Finance Minister Yerulan Zhamaubayev focused on key figures of the past year. The economic…

ASTANA – The Central Election Commission (CEC) approved the timeline of events for the deputy elections to the Mazhilis (the lower chamber of the Kazakh Parliament) and the maslikhats (local administrative bodies) scheduled for March 19 during its Jan. 20 meeting. The candidates’ registration begins on Jan. 20 and ends at 6 p.m. local time…

ASTANA – The Mission of Kazakhstan to the European Union (EU) co-hosted an event to mark the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Central Asian countries and the EU at the European External Action Service (EEAS) headquarters in Brussels on Jan. 17, reported the press service of the Kazakh Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The event…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan plans to open new international flights and expand the country’s flight geography, reported the press service of the Kazakh Civil Aviation Committee. “Flights from Astana to Doha, from Aktau and Shymkent to Ankara, from Almaty and Aktau to Medina, from Astana to Baku and from Shymkent to Dushanbe are expected to open…

ASTANA – Central Asia and its neighboring countries need more energy to fuel their development, but climate change means they must significantly cut carbon emissions and accelerate the transition to clean energy, according to CAREC (Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation) Energy Outlook 2030 from the Asian Development Bank (ADB).  The report analyzes the energy landscape…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan has introduced amendments to the rules for the entry and stay of immigrants, canceling the visa run for foreign nationals, reported the Kazakh Ministry of Internal Affairs. The Kazakh government published the relevant decree on Jan. 17. Immigrants who do not require a visa to enter Kazakhstan will be able to stay…

ASTANA – Respublica, a new party founded by popular Kazakh entrepreneurs and public figures, received a state registration from the Justice Ministry on Jan. 18, the party’s chair Aidarbek Khojanazarov shared on his Facebook. “I congratulate the party members and all those who believed in us and supported us at that time in this serious…

ASTANA – Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev took part in the Kazakhstan – the United Arab Emirates (UAE) investment roundtable with UAE officials and business executives on Jan. 17 in Abu Dhabi, focused on bilateral trade, agriculture, food industry, the real sector of the economy and transit capacity as kea areas for investment, reported the Akorda…

ASTANA – Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan signed a joint statement focusing on the effective cooperation between the countries, following a Jan. 17 meeting in Abu Dhabi, reported the Akorda press service. During the meeting, the two leaders considered ways to expand…

ASTANA – The Bostandyk district court in Almaty decided on Jan. 17 to sentence two former police officers to three years in prison on charges of torture against a detainee allegedly involved in the January events, reported the press service of the Almaty court. The court found that in January last year, a citizen, whose…

ASTANA – The United Arab Emirates (UAE) invested $146.6 million in projects in Kazakhstan in January-September of 2022, the QazTrade Center for Trade Policy Development reported on Jan. 16. “As of Jan. 1, some 273 companies with the participation of UAE legal entities operate in the country including 252 small enterprises,” said the statement. Exports…

ASTANA – Students from Harvard university have an opportunity to apply for internships in Kazakhstan, reported the press service of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education. The agreement was reached during a Jan. 16 meeting of Minister of Science and Higher Education Sayasat Nurbek and Faculty Director of the Center for International Development at…

ASTANA – The time has come to take cooperation between Kazakhstan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to new heights, said President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev at a Jan. 17 meeting with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Akorda press service reported. “The Emirates is our leading and reliable strategic partner in the Islamic…

ASTANA – Abu Dhabi Ports Group plans to invest in Kazakhstan’s maritime sector. This was announced during a meeting with the company as part of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s visit to the UAE on Jan.16, the Akorda press service reported. The President welcomed the signing of an agreement between the Abu Dhabi Ports Group and KazMunaiGas…

ASTANA – The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) supported Kazakhstan in establishing a legal framework for cross-border, over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives and repurchase agreement (repo) transactions enabling Kazakh businesses to hedge their currency exchange and interest-rate-related risks better, reported the EBRD press service on Jan. 16. “The adoption of this legal framework is a…

ASTANA – The world needs more green investments to save the planet, said Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev at a Jan. 16 opening ceremony of the Abu Dhabi Sustainable Week (ADSW) Summit 2023, reported Akorda press service. Addressing the event participants, Tokayev thanked the President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al…

ASTANA – Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev took part in the opening ceremony of the Abu Dhabi Sustainable Week (ADSW) Summit 2023, reported Akorda press service.  As part of the summit, Tokayev presented the Zayed Sustainability Prize to the Fundacion Bios Terrae – ICAM Ubate school from Colombia in the Global High Schools nomination.  The Zayed…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s Vice Minister of Energy Zhandos Nurmaganbetov reiterated the country’s commitment to reaching carbon neutrality by 2060, as the Kazakh delegation took part in the 13th session of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) Assembly in Abu Dhabi on Jan. 14-15, reported the ministry’s press service.  Organized by the IRENA, a leading global…

ASTANA – President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev arrived in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Jan. 15, reported Akorda press service.  Не is expected to meet with the President of the UAE Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on Jan. 16 in Abu Dhabi. The two leaders are expected to address the development of the…

ASTANA – The National Bank of Kazakhstan announced plans to keep the base rate at 16.75 percent during the Jan. 13 meeting of its Monetary Policy Committee, the bank’s press service reported. The bank highlighted that the decision was made based on the inflation forecasts, which determine the dynamics of internal and external inflationary processes…

ASTANA – The KazTransOil oil transportation company will deliver 300,000 tons of oil to Germany in the first quarter of 2023, the company’s press service reported on Jan. 13. “KazTransOil received confirmation from the Russian Energy Ministry allowing to transport  300,000 tons of Kazakhstan’s oil through Transneft Petroleum Business Company’s main oil pipelines in the…

ASTANA – New challenges complicate the implementation of Kazakhstan’s multi-vector foreign policy, but at the same time prove it is relevant and has no alternatives, said Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs Mukhtar Tileuberdi during the Kazakh Foreign Ministry collegium on Jan. 12, reported the ministry’s press service. “Taking timely measures to adapt…

ASTANA – Some 160 projects worth 2 trillion tenge (US$4.3 billion) employed nearly 15,000 people within the industrialization program in 2022, reported the press service of the Ministry of Industry and Infrastructure Development on Jan. 10. The Akmola, Karagandy, Aktobe Regions and the city of Shymkent saw the largest share of all projects, which were…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan should reduce the burden on business from law enforcement and regulatory authorities, said Prime Minister Alikhan Smailov, as he laid down instructions to improve the country’s investment climate at a Jan. 12  meeting of the Economic Policy Council in Astana, reported the Prime Minister’s press service. “It is necessary to revise the…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan may appoint trade advisers with the United Arab Emirates, China, Türkiye, India, and Iran, said Prime Minister Alikhan Smailov on Jan. 11 as he chaired the meeting of the Trade and Integration Ministry board to discuss the work ahead in 2022 and outline plans for this year, reported the Prime Minister’s press…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan mined 84.2 million tons of oil last year, which is 1.6 percent more than planned, said Kazakh Minister of Energy Bolat Akchulakov during a governmental session on Jan. 11.  The Tengiz oil field mined 29.2 million tons of oil, the Karachaganak oil field mined 11.3 million tons, and the Kashagan oil field…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan aims to reduce inflation twofold in 2023 and keep it within 9.5 percent, said Prime Minister Alikhan Smailov during a governmental session on Jan. 11, the Prime Minister’s press service reported. Smailov noted that the government is tasked with working cohesively to achieve a 4 percent economic growth target this year. To…

ASTANA – The economy of Kazakhstan grew 3.1 percent over 2022, reported the Prime Minister’s press service on Jan. 11. The results of the socio-economic development of Kazakhstan for 2022 were reviewed at a government meeting chaired by the Prime Minister Alikhan Smailov. The real sector, in particular agriculture, and construction, contributed to the economic…

ASTANA – Organ transplants performed in Kazakhstan increased by 22 percent last year, reaching a total number of 209 surgeries, said Kazakh Healthcare Minister Azhar Giniyat at a Jan. 10 collegium of the Ministry of Health, the Prime Minister’s press service reported.  During the first 11 months of the last year, nearly 19,000 services in…

ASTANA – The digital tenge will be launched in three stages until its final implementation in 2025, said Governor of Kazakhstan’s National Bank Galymzhan Pirmatov in his interview with the Egemen Kazakhstan newspaper published on Dec. 29. The digital tenge will be used for social payments and public procurement in the first stage. The bank…

ASTANA – Green Technologies Industries’ recycling factory in the Turkistan region has doubled its production volume over the past six months, producing up to 2,000 tons of secondary raw materials from discarded plastic bottles, according to a Tengrinews report from Jan. 10. According to the company director Aidyn Ibragimov, the plant’s products are 100 percent…

ASTANA – China lifted coronavirus restrictions on the border with Kazakhstan on Jan. 10, reported the press service of the Kazakh Finance Ministry.  “The Chinese side intends to return to the pre-pandemic mode of admitting vehicles, allowing their entrance to the territory of China. The drivers are required to have visas and PCR tests. Their…

ASTANA – The Kazakh Industrial Development Committee may introduce the differentiated approach to providing investment preferences in special economic zones (SEZs), as Head of Special Economic and Industrial Zones Department Almat Doskaliyev proposed new ways to increase the efficiency of SEZs during a Jan. 7 meeting attended by Chair of Industrial Development Committee Ilyas Ospanov,…

ASTANA – Kazakh carriers increased their share in the international transportation market by 7 percent, reported the Transport Committee’s press service on Jan. 3. “In 11 months of 2022, cargo turnover through seaports grew by 19 percent compared to the same period in 2021. This figure includes a 24-percent rise in the container traffic and…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan plans to approve the list of professions in healthcare, education, science, engineering, and IT sectors that will be allowed to attract foreign labor, as the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection published the draft order for public discussion on Jan. 5. The document will be available for discussion until Jan. 19. Foreign…

ASTANA – The Turkistan Region’s production sector is set to expand its range of manufactured domestic products, as the construction of another manufacturing giant Sastobe Innovation Complex worth 122.8 billion tenge (US$262 million) is now well underway.  Akim (Governor) of the Turkistan Region Darkhan Satybaldy visited the plant’s construction site, the completion of which is…

ASTANA – As of January 2023, the assets of the National Fund reached 28.6 trillion tenge (US$61 billion), 613 billion tenge (US$1.3 billion) more than last year’s figures, reported the Finance Ministry’s press service on Jan. 5. In 2022, the fund collected a record revenue of 6.4 trillion tenge from the oil and gas sector.…

ASTANA – The Digital Family Map (DFM) to facilitate social support for citizens started its operation on Jan. 1, reported the Kazakh Ministry of Labor and Social Protection on Jan. 5. Integrated with the Smart Data Ukimet analytical system, which provides economic, social, housing, health, and education data, the DFM contains information on 19.5 million…

ASTANA – The Astana Hub International Technopark of IT startups registered 200 foreign IT companies in 2022, bringing the total number of Astana Hub residents to 1,000 with an overall annual revenue of over 200 billion tenge (US$426.5 million), said Astana Hub CEO Magzhan Madiyev, as reported by the Jibek Joly TV channel on Jan.…

ASTANA – The Constitutional Court will play a major role in the national human rights protection system, said President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev during his meeting with the judges, reported the Akorda press service on Jan. 4. The Constitutional Court started its work on Jan. 1.  Tokayev noted that the country is undergoing comprehensive renewal. The world…

ASTANA – The S&P Global Ratings international rating agency assigned the Kazatomprom national atomic company, the world’s largest uranium producer, an above average environmental, social, and governance (ESG) evaluation score of 51/100, reported the company’s press service on Dec. 30. The current global maximum ESG evaluation score among metal and mining sector companies is 68…

ASTANA – In 2023, Kazakhstan is set to launch more direct international flights and continue implementing the open skies policy to attract new foreign air carriers, reported the Prime Minister’s press service on Jan. 1. Notably, it is expected to perform flights from Astana to Doha, from Aktau and Shymkent to Ankara, from Almaty and…

ASTANA – Bibisara Assaubayeva, 18, won the 2022 FIDE World Blitz Chess Championship on Dec. 30 in Almaty. The Kazakh chess player defended her title. On Aug. 5, International Chess Federation (FIDE) recognized Assaubayeva as the Best Female Chess Player of Asia 2021. Last year, Assaubayeva won the World Adult Blitz Championship in Warsaw for…

ASTANA – 2022 has become one of the most challenging but also significant years in the entire modern history of Kazakhstan, State Counselor Erlan Karin wrote on his Telegram channel on Dec. 30, highlighting the country’s leading political trends. “After the January events and amid the escalating international tension, society experienced a certain demand for…

ASTANA – The gross inflow of foreign direct investment (FDI) into Kazakhstan increased by 17.8 percent and reached $22.1 billion in nine months of 2022, reported the Foreign Ministry’s press service on Dec. 30. Manufacturing became the dominant industry for investment, with a 36.9-percent growth ($4.9 billion). The wholesale and retail trade investment saw a…

ASTANA – Kazakh Prime Minister Alikhan Smailov met with Deputy Prime Ministers of Uzbekistan Jamshid Khodjaev and Jurabek Mirzamahmudov on Dec. 29, who arrived in Astana on a working trip, to address the strategic partnership between the states, reported the Prime Minister’s press service. The sides discussed cooperation in the water resources management and implementation…

ASTANA – Ankara opened a park and erected a monument in it to honor prominent Kazakh scholar, statesman, linguist, and poet Akhmet Baitursynov, known in Kazakhstan as the Ult Ustazy (Teacher of the Nation), Erzhan Tolek, head of the Atyrau Region Akim (the governor’s office) press service announced on his Facebook page on Dec. 29.…

ASTANA – The Kazakh Armed Forces trained its troops this year amid possible risks of the geopolitical situation, considering the experience of combat operations in modern armed conflicts, said Deputy Defense Minister, General Sultan Kamaletdinov at a press briefing on Dec. 29, reported the Central Communication Service. According to him, 200 exercises and 33,000 live-fire…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan transitioned to the system of the presidential state with a strong parliament, said Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev at a Dec. 29 session of the Senate summing up the results of this year’s reforms, reported Akorda press service. “Political processes will become transparent, and the political system will be more stable. Several powers…

ASTANA – The Mazhilis of the Kazakh Parliament started working on the draft law on declaring the Law on the First President of Kazakhstan invalid, reported Mazhilis’ press service following a Dec. 29 plenary session. “This draft law is designed to implement the changes made to the Constitution following the national referendum. In particular, paragraph…

ASTANA – The United Nations (UN) Square will open in the Kazakh capital, reported the official Instagram account of the UN in Kazakhstan on Dec. 28. Deputies of the Maslikhat (local representative body) of Astana supported the proposal to name the alley at the beginning of Alikhan Bokeikhanov Avenue the United Nations Square. This year…

ASTANA – Karim Aitzhan, an 8-year-old chess player from Astana, overpowered Dana Reizniece-Ozola, managing director of the International Chess Federation (FIDE), as she held a simultaneous game session with 24 students as part of the FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships in Almaty, reported the Kazakh Chess Federation’s press service on Dec. 27. “I…

ASTANA – The FlyDubai Airlines plans to operate an additional ten flights on the Astana-Dubai and Almaty-Dubai routes from Dec. 29 to Jan. 14 next year, reported the press service of the Kazakh Ministry of Industry and Infrastructure on Dec. 28. The flights will be operated on B-737 type aircraft. “The Civil Aviation Committee and…

ASTANA – The government of Kazakhstan released a report on economic activity in 2022, focusing on key results in business relocation, agriculture, transport and logistics sector, oil and gas industry, and energy. Here are some highlights. Business relocation Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has tasked the government with creating an accommodating climate for foreign enterprises to…

ASTANA – The government of Kazakhstan summed up the results of its work in 2022 and laid out the course for 2023 at the government’s final session of the year on Dec. 27, reported the Prime Minister’s press service. The government pledged to take all measures to implement the President’s political and social reforms, with…

ASTANA – Do not allow babies to cry. Serenity and tranquillity are important for them, said Kazakh singer Dimash Kudaibergen, the headliner of the Dec. 26 Biz Birgemiz (we are together) festival, the Astana akimat’s press service reported.  The festival, which celebrated the Year of the Children, featured Kazakh pop stars and musicians with disabilities.…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan worked hard on the capacity building of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) during its year of chairmanship in the organization, said Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev at an informal meeting of CIS heads of states in St. Petersburg on Dec. 26, reported Akorda press service. “More than 80 major events were held…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan and Pakistan signed nine documents, including six memoranda on the supply of goods to Kazakhstan in March-June 2023, during a Dec. 22 meeting of Pakistan-Kazakhstan intergovernmental commission chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Trade and Integration Serik Zhumangarin in Islamabad.  During the meeting, the sides addressed trade, economic, scientific, technical,…

ASTANA – The election commissions of Astana, Almaty, Shymkent, and 14 other regions have registered 66 candidates out of 130 people nominated for the deputy elections to the Kazakh Senate (the upper house of the Parliament) next year.  The Central Election Commission (CEC) completed the registration of candidates on Dec. 24. The election will determine…

ASTANA – Chief State Sanitary Doctor and Vice Minister of Healthcare Aizhan Esmagambetova recommends following sanitary measures during the election campaign for the Senate (the upper house of the Parliament) elections at a Dec. 24 Central Election Commission (CEC) meeting, reported the CEC’s press service. Kazakhstan and all regions are in the low-risk green zone…

ASTANA – The FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Championships kicked off on Dec. 25 at the Baluan Sholak Palace of Culture and Sports in Almaty, reported the press service of the Kazakh Chess Federation. Some 176 chess players from 50 countries are taking part in open tournaments. Ninety-eight players compete in the women’s tournament. Norwegian…

ASTANA – The Akorda press service released the key events highlighting the activities of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev in 2022 on Dec. 26. Thus, the President signed 68 laws, 422 decrees, and 594 decisions concerning the appeals of individuals and legal entities. During the year, Tokayev held 59 telephone conversations, publicly signed constitutional amendments into law,…

ASTANA – The National Bank of Kazakhstan issued Saka-style bicolor circulating coins made of silver, reported the bank’s press service on Dec. 21. The five commemorative coins have a face value of 100 tenge (US$0.21). The total number of silver coins 24.5 millimeters in diameter is 5 million pieces. The front side of the coins…

ASTANA – Russian journalist and author of best selling books on modern history Leonid Mlechin presented his book titled “Tragic January: President Tokayev and Lessons Learned” on the riots that took place at the beginning of the year on Dec. 20 at the Kazakh Embassy in Russia, reported Kazinform News Agency. Mlechin traveled to Almaty…

ASTANA – Kazakh Ministry of National Economy and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) signed an agreement on Dec. 22 on financing the UNDP Country Program for 2021-2025, reported the ministry’s press service. The program covers four areas: solving the problems of inequality in the development of regions and social vulnerability, strengthening the effectiveness of…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan and Japan have developed a strategic partnership that demonstrates dynamic development in the political, trade, economic, cultural, and humanitarian spheres over 30 years of diplomatic relations, said Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs Mukhtar Tileuberdi during his meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Dec. 23, reported the Foreign…

ASTANA – Foreign direct investments (FDI) in Kazakhstan reached $14.5 billion in the first six months of this year, a 28 percent increase over the same period last year, said Deputy Foreign Minister Almas Aidarov at a press briefing at the Central Communication Service on Dec. 22. Aidarov noted that this year’s main task was…

ASTANA – Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev took part in the opening of the Tagzym (bow) Memorial dedicated to the victims of the January events in Almaty on Dec. 23, reported Akorda press service. “The monument has deep meaning and great significance. It reflects the many stages of our statehood’s development. The quotes from prominent Kazakh…

ASTANA – The investigation of the January events is nearing its completion, said First Deputy Prosecutor General Timur Tashimbayev at a briefing on Dec. 22 devoted to the results of the Prosecutor General Office’s work. “A total of 1,249 people have been convicted. They committed thefts, stole weapons and participated in riots. 160 people received…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan managed to return 631 billion tenge (US$1.36 billion) in illegally withdrawn funds, including $400 million from abroad, said the First Deputy Prosecutor General Timur Tashimbayev at a Dec. 22 briefing dedicated to the results of the Prosecutor General Office’s work. The agency continues its work on returning assets and combatting oligopolies. It…

ASTANA – The Kazatomprom national atomic company has completed a physical delivery of natural uranium to Western markets via the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR), the so-called Middle corridor, reported the Kazatomprom press service on Dec. 20.  The delivery, which included Kazatomprom and Turkistan-based JV Inkai-owned uranium, arrived at a Canadian port. The company has…

ASTANA – Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev arrived in Tashkent for a state visit on Dec. 21, reported Akorda press service. Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev welcomed Tokayev at the Tashkent international airport. The Kazakh President will hold bilateral meetings with their Uzbek partners in narrow and expanded formats. The parties will sign several agreements. At the…

ASTANA – Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Mukhtar Tileuberdi praised the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) for its contribution to Kazakhstan’s development over the past 30 years at the Dec. 21 meeting with EBRD President Odile Renaud-Basso in London, reported the Foreign Ministry’s press service. The parties discussed the…

ASTANA – Some 40 agreements on investment, trade, and economic cooperation worth $2.5 billion were signed at the interregional Uzbek-Kazakh business forum on Dec. 21 in Tashkent, reported the Prime Minister’s press service. More than 400 delegates from both sides took part in the forum. Serik Zhumangarin, Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Trade…

ASTANA – Kazakh Prime Minister Alikhan Smailov met with Deputy Chair of the Supreme Council for Reforms Sir Suma Chakrabarti to discuss plans for the upcoming year on Dec. 21, reported the Prime Minister’s press service. They also spoke about the country’s current economic situation, measures to reduce inflation and the introduction of the Organisation…

ASTANA – United Kingdom (UK) Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs James Cleverly and Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Mukhtar Tileuberdi pledged to strengthen cooperation during the sixth Kazakhstan-UK Strategic Dialogue on Dec. 20 in London, reported the Kazakh Foreign Ministry’s press service.  In a joint statement, the…

ASTANA – The second day of the Central Asian Media Forum kicked off with the Multilateral organizations as a bridge of cooperation panel session.  Former Secretary General of the Organization of Turkic States Halil Akinci in his speech urged countries to strengthen international cooperation. “The members of the Turkic Council should not be in confrontation…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s Ambassador to Afghanistan, Alimkhan Yessengeldiyev, and representatives of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) visited the Barmal district of Paktika province in Afghanistan on Dec. 15 to hand over humanitarian supplies previously sent by Kazakhstan through the UNAMA to the victims of the devastating earthquake last summer, reported the Foreign…