Almaty to Host Asian Stage of World Schools Team Chess Championship in April
ASTANA — Almaty will host the Asian continental stage of the World Schools Team Chess Championship on April 6-11, bringing together school teams from across the region, according to Kazakhstan’s Chess Federation. The tournament will take place at the Hotel Kazakhstan in Almaty and will feature teams that qualified through national selection tournaments in their…
Petromidia Refinery Launches Production of Premium Polymer Grade
ASTANA – The petrochemical complex of the Petromidia Refinery, part of the KMG International Group, has begun producing polypropylene copolymer following the modernization of its polypropylene unit. The upgrade enabled the facility to introduce new polymer grades and expand its portfolio of higher-value-added petrochemical products. During production trials conducted in February, the unit produced around…
Rare Animal Population Increases by One-Third in Zhambyl Region
ASTANA — Populations of several rare and protected wildlife species in the Zhambyl Region in southern Kazakhstan rose markedly in 2025, according to data from the regional environmental inspection agency cited by Kazinform news agency. More than 20 species listed in Kazakhstan’s Red Book inhabit there. Separate annual population monitoring is conducted for two ungulate…
Women in Kazakhstan’s Emergency Services Take on Key Roles in Public Safety
ASTANA — Women working in Kazakhstan’s civil protection system are playing an increasingly important role in ensuring public safety, taking on roles as firefighters, rescuers, psychologists and dispatchers across the country. Ahead of International Women’s Day, their growing contribution highlights the expanding presence of women in a field traditionally dominated by men. One such specialist…
Visa and Halyk Launch Fifth Wave of She’s Next in Kazakhstan
ASTANA — Global digital payments company Visa and Halyk Bank will launch the fifth wave of the She’s Next global initiative in Kazakhstan, aimed at supporting and developing women’s entrepreneurship, Visa’s press service reported on March 5. According to the Ministry of National Economy, as of December 2025, more than one million women headed small…
Central Asian Leaders, Global Officials to Gather at RES 2026 for Climate Action
ASTANA – Regional Ecological Summit 2026 (RES 2026), scheduled for April 22-24 under the theme A Shared Vision for a Sustainable Future, announced the list of high-level participants. The summit will convene decision-makers, experts, and leaders over three days, featuring high-level plenaries and more than 20 thematic and country sessions. Prominent speakers include Kazakh President…
SCO Expresses Concern Over Strikes on Iran, Calls for Restraint
ASTANA – The member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) expressed serious concern over the developments in the Middle East and the military strikes on the territory of Iran in a March 2 statement. “The SCO Member States consider the use of force as unacceptable and advocate for the resolution of existing differences exclusively…
Kazakh Foreign Ministry Strengthens Monitoring, Provides Consular Support Amid Middle East Escalations
ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has established round-the-clock coordination with relevant state authorities and foreign governments in light of the escalating military and political situation in the Middle East, the ministry’s press office reported on March 1 on Telegram. No information has been reported regarding casualties among Kazakh citizens. “We urge citizens to…
Snow Leopard Cubs Spotted in Almaty Nature Reserve
ASTANA – Rare footage has been recorded in the Almaty state nature reserve. The video from camera traps installed across the reserve captures snow leopard cubs playing together high in the mountains. “These rare images capture intimate moments that reveal the hidden life of the wild. The cubs play freely with one another, mimic their…
Why Power Among Kazakh Khans Didn’t Always Pass From Father to Son
ASTANA — In the Kazakh Khanate, power rarely moved in a straight line from father to son. Succession more often followed seniority within the ruling dynasty, a system shaped by the political traditions of the nomadic steppe. Edil Noyanov, a candidate of historical sciences and assistant professor at Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, explained that in…
Kazakhstan Awaits First Wild-Born Przewalski’s Foals as New Horses Arrive in Summer
ASTANA – The effort to reintroduce Przewalski’s horses, known locally as kerkulan, to the Kazakh steppe has survived an early setback with the loss of a stallion, yet specialists say the herds are adapting steadily, raising expectations of new foals and the arrival of a third group this summer. The initiative, which began in June…
More Than 700 Potential Springs Identified Across Kazakhstan
ASTANA — Kazakhstan’s National Hydrogeological Service (Kazhydrogeology) has identified 711 potential springs across the country as part of a nationwide inventory effort, the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation reported on Feb. 23. The springs are being considered as an additional source of water supply amid growing water shortages. In addition to the newly identified…
From Smart Cities to AI Education: Kazakhstan’s 2026 Digitalization Projects
ASTANA — Kazakhstan has begun implementing a plan for the Year of Digitalization and Artificial Intelligence, aimed at modernizing public administration, expanding AI education, strengthening cybersecurity and accelerating the country’s transition to a new digital economy in 2026. The action plan, approved by Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov, includes eight priority blocks and ten key initiatives.…
Kazakhstan Advances Admissions Reform Through Partnership with Global Research Institute
ASTANA – Kazakhstan announced plans to modernize its university admissions system with Princeton-based ETS education organization. The partnership seeks to develop the Admissions Insight Test (AIT) aimed at aligning higher education with the demands of an AI-driven global economy. The Ministry of Science and Higher Education, the National Testing Center and ETS’s Research Institute are…
World Bank to Invest in Rail Connectivity, Logistics in Kazakhstan
ASTANA – The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors approved on Feb. 19 an $846 million IBRD guarantee to mobilize $1.41 billion in long-term commercial financing for a major rail connectivity project along Kazakhstan’s section of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, or the Middle Corridor, a strategic trade route linking Asia and Europe. The Transforming…
Karagandy Zoo Welcomes Rare Predators from Yerevan
ASTANA — Three striped hyenas and two wild dogs have arrived at Karagandy Zoo. All the animals are young and are still acclimating to the new environment, Kazinform reported on Feb. 18. Striped hyenas have been listed in the IUCN Red List since 2008. They are the only hyena species found outside Africa. Two female…
Dimash Presents His First Dombyra to Almaty Museum of Folk Musical Instruments
ASTANA —Kazakh singer Dimash Qudaibergen showcased musical instruments from his personal collection at an exhibition titled “Dimash: One Voice – A Thousand Countries” in Almaty, Kazinform reported on Feb. 18. The event took place at the Museum of Folk Instruments named after Ykhlas, where the artist personally donated the instruments to the museum’s collection. One…
Google Tax Delivers Over $ 275 Million as Kazakhstan Tightens Digital Oversight
ASTANA — Since the introduction of the digital services tax, widely known as the Google Tax, Kazakhstan’s budget has collected 136 billion tenge (US$275.6 million), the State Revenue Committee of the Ministry of Finance reported on Feb. 19. The Google tax was implemented in 2022. Since then, 120 foreign companies have registered to pay it,…
Bank CenterCredit Included in S&P Global Sustainability Yearbook 2026
ALMATY – Bank CenterCredit (BCC) has been included for the first time in the S&P Global Sustainability Yearbook 2026, earning international recognition for its commitment to sustainable development and environmental, social and governance (ESG) best practices, reported the bank’s press service. The bank received a score of 75 out of 100 in the assessment conducted…
Kazakhstan, Singapore Launch Quantum Technology Center in Almaty
ALMATY – The Al-Farabi Kazakh National University (KazNU) launched the Kazakh-Singaporean Center for Quantum Technologies, located within the Farabi Hub Center for Innovative Products and High-Tech Projects on Feb. 16. The new facility is aimed to become the cornerstone of Kazakhstan’s emerging national quantum ecosystem. The center’s primary mission is to conduct fundamental and applied…
Kazakh FM Reaffirms Support for UN, Outlines Constitutional Reform at Almaty Meeting
ASTANA — Kazakhstan’s Foreign Minister Yermek Kosherbayev met with heads of United Nations agencies operating in the country on Feb. 14 in Almaty to discuss constitutional reform, sustainable development priorities and regional initiatives. Kosherbayev reaffirmed Kazakhstan’s commitment to the UN Charter and the organization’s central role in maintaining international peace, security and sustainable development, reported…
Kazakhstan Expands Transplant Expertise Amid Ongoing Donor Shortage
ASTANA – More than 4,500 Kazakh citizens, including 123 children on the waiting list for organ transplants, according to the Kazakh Healthcare Ministry. More than 90% of these patients are in urgent need of a kidney transplant. The ministry highlighted that the shortage of donors continues to claim lives as every year more than 300…
Dimash Qudaibergen’s Show Tops China TV Ratings
ASTANA — The debut episode of the new music project Voice Beyond Horizon, produced by Dimash Qudaibergen, made a splash in China’s media landscape. The show ranked first among regional satellite TV channels, according to the artist’s official website. The scale of success and viewer interest is confirmed by comprehensive reports from Hunan TV and…
Dala.Camp Forum 2026 to Address Kazakhstan’s Meat Industry Export Readiness
ASTANA – Burabay will host the Dala.Camp Forum 2026 on Feb. 14-15 at Rixos to address the development and export potential of Kazakhstan’s meat livestock sector. The event will bring together farmers, breeders, processors, investors, industry experts, and representatives of government agencies and international institutions. It is expected to welcome around 150 delegates from Kazakhstan…
EU Highlights Depth of Partnership With Kazakhstan After 33 Years
ASTANA – In February, Kazakhstan and the European Union mark 33 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations, reflecting more than three decades of steadily deepening cooperation. Anitta Hipper, EU Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, outlined the key achievements of bilateral relations and priorities for future engagement. According to Hipper, the European Union…
