Articles by Staff report 

ASTANA — Kazakhstan is a country of extraordinary achievements, where vast landscapes, rich culture, and remarkable talents come together to create history. From its natural wonders to its sporting triumphs and unique traditions, the nation has secured over 100 recognized records by Guinness World Records, showcasing its diverse and awe-inspiring identity. Here are some of…

ASTANA — The Karagandy Zoo has welcomed two remarkable new additions: a family of rare Brazza monkeys and a pair of albino wallabies. The monkeys, a gift from the zoological park in Chleby, Czech Republic, have already adapted to their new environment and diet, enjoying Kazakh national foods such as airan (a traditional dairy drink)…

ASTANA — Kazakhstan’s lamb exports to Qatar have surged 75% this year, underscoring the growing demand for Kazakh agricultural products in the Qatari market. This was highlighted during the Kazakh exporters’ business mission in Doha on Nov. 29, organized by the QazTrade Trade Policy Development Center, the Kazakh Ministry of Trade and Integration and Kazakhstan’s…

ASTANA – Astana is ranked second in Eastern Europe and Central Asia in the 10th edition of the Smart Centers Index (SCI 10), published by independent experts Z/Yen. Cyprus and Tallinn take the first and third spots, respectively. Astana ranks 52nd out of 77 in the overall global ranking, reported the Astana International Financial Centre’s…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan will address its accumulated overproduction of oil under the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) agreement by September 2025 as part of a comprehensive compensation plan, reported Kazinform on Nov.22. The Kazakh Ministry of Energy confirmed that the country met its OPEC+ obligations in October. Any excess production from earlier in…

ASTANA — Deputy Prime Minister – Minister of Foreign Affairs Murat Nurtleu met with Kakha Imnadze, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General and Head of the UN Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia (UNRCCA) on Aug. 7. Imnadze visited Kazakhstan to participate in the sixth Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of…

ASTANA — The Embassy of Kazakhstan in India actively participated in the 3rd Outbound Tourism Summit, organized by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) on July 31. The summit promoted multilateral tourism and facilitated cultural cooperation among participating countries. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs press service, during the event,…

ASTANA — Kazakhstan’s population reached 20,159,707 people as of July 1, according to the Bureau of National Statistics. Of this total, 12,573,637 reside in urban areas, while 7,586,070 live in rural regions. The population increased by 125,867 individuals in the first half of 2024. Natural growth accounted for 118,579 of this increase, and migration contributed…

 ASTANA — The Kazakh Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF International) signed a memorandum of cooperation to reintroduce tigers to Kazakhstan under the Tiger Reintroduction Program on July 15. According to the ministry’s statement, this initiative builds on a longstanding partnership that has already yielded significant results…

ASTANA – Akim (Mayor) of Astana Zhenis Kassymbek announced the inauguration of Astana’s creative hub, ÓzgeEpic, on his Instagram page on July 17. Situated within the Mirny Dom (Peaceful Home) residential complex, this pioneering hub features a distinctive ethno-museum and artisanal workshop. It boasts a versatile hall designed for contemporary art exhibitions and musical and…

ASTANA—The Tourism Authority of Thailand included Kazakhstan among countries now eligible for more extended visa-free stays in Thailand. Under the updated rules, Kazakh citizens and nationals of 92 other countries and territories can enjoy visa-free travel to Thailand for up to 60 days, up from the previous 30-day limit. This stay can be extended by…

ASTANA — President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev met with President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, who arrived on July 3 to participate in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit scheduled for tomorrow.  According to the Akorda press service, the two leaders discussed enhancing Kazakh-Azerbaijani cooperation during their meeting. Tokayev expressed his gratitude to Aliyev for participating in…

ASTANA — Kazakhstan is poised to advance its trade and economic partnership with South Korea, and the government is ready to implement high-level agreements swiftly, said Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov during his June 13 meeting with South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol.  “Kazakhstan sees great prospects in the development of trade and economic partnership. To…

ASTANA – Air Astana is set to recommence flights between Astana and Seoul starting June 15, reported the Civil Aviation Committee on April 29.  The flights will operate twice a week, on Wednesdays and Saturdays, aboard Airbus A321LR aircraft accommodating up to 166 passengers.  Meanwhile, effective April 27, China Southern Airlines has expanded its services…

ASTANA — According to a recent article by EuronewsTravel, Kazakhstan’s culinary landscape is undergoing a remarkable transformation, drawing attention to its diverse gastronomic heritage. With a flourishing  foodie scene and the emergence of what locals term ‘Neo Nomad cuisine,’ the country is poised to become the next big destination for culinary enthusiasts A Melting Pot…

ASTANA – Deputy Prime Minister – Minister of Foreign Affairs Murat Nurtleu held talks with the heads of international organizations on March 15 as part of his working visit to Vienna, reported the ministry’s press service.  Meeting at the UN Office on Drugs and Crime Nurtleu and Executive Director of the UN Office at Vienna…

ASTANA — Air Asia, the premier low-cost carrier in Southeast Asia, initiated direct flights between Kuala Lumpur and Almaty on March 14, with four weekly flights, reported the Kazakh Civil Aviation Committee’s press service. The inaugural flight was celebrated with a festive ceremony at Kuala Lumpur International Airport, attended by the Kazakh Ambassador to Malaysia,…

ASTANA—The National Kurultai (congress in Kazakh) will meet in Atyrau for its third session on March 15, as announced by the Akorda press service. Head of State Kassym-Jomart Tokayev will lead the discussions. The National Kurultai, first inaugurated in the sacred grounds of the Ulytau Region in 2022, holds significant importance as a forum for…

ASTANA — Kazakhstan has announced an extension of its additional voluntary production cut of 82,000 barrels per day into the second quarter of 2024 on March 3, reported the Kazakh Ministry of Energy. This decision is coordinated with the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries+ (OPEC+) participating countries. As per the agreement, Kazakhstan will maintain…

ASTANA — Chair of the Civil Aviation Committee Saltanat Tompiyeva, and Ambassador of Japan to Kazakhstan Yamada Jun held a meeting on Feb. 29 to discuss the prospect of resuming air travel between the two nations to enhance economic, business, and cultural exchanges, committee’s press service reported.  Saltanat Tompieva conveyed that Kazakh airlines are exploring…

ASTANA — The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors approved a $92.4 million financing package for Kazakhstan Digital Acceleration for an Inclusive Economy (DARE) Project, according to a Feb. 22 statement by the bank’s press service.  The project aims to provide high-quality and climate-resilient broadband access to selected underserved regions of Kazakhstan, benefiting over one…

ASTANA — Emerging Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) sensation Shavkat Rakhmonov notched his 18th victory at the 296th Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) tournament against American fighter Stephen Thompson in a high-stakes battle that unfolded over three intense rounds in Las Vegas on Dec. 17, reported by Sports.kz. Rakhmonov won via a rear-naked choke submission with just…

ASTANA — Air Astana Group announced on Dec. 12 a substantial 20.5% surge in total revenue and other income, reaching $900.6 million in the first nine months of this year, compared to $ 747.2 million last year, reported the company’s press service.  Operating profit experienced an 11.2% growth, reaching $128.9 million, and overall profit increased…

ASTANA — The Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia (CICA) Senior Officials Committee (SOC) convened for its final meeting of 2023 in Astana on Dec. 12, as reported by CICA’s press service. High-level representatives from the CICA member states, under Kazakhstan’s chairmanship and the CICA Secretariat, gathered to assess the year’s accomplishments and…

ASTANA – Young dancers of the Nomad of Kazakh Academy of Choreography performed “Legend of the Kazakh Steppe” at the 37th World Folklore Dance Festival in Saint-Ghislain, Belgium, reported the Kazinform news agency on June 28.   According to Ainagul Nurgazina, head of the academy, the choreographic performance is dedicated to love and its ability to…