UN Officials Commend Kazakhstan’s Counter-Terrorism Efforts and Joint Action Plan
ASTANA – Vladimir Voronkov, Under Secretary-General of the UN Counter-Terrorism Office, and Natalia Gherman, Assistant Secretary-General and Executive Director of the UN Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate, commended Kazakhstan’s efforts to counter terrorism in an exclusive interview with The Astana Times on July 14. They addressed the recent updates to the Joint Action Plan (JPoA) for…
Experts Outline Security Challenges, Human Capital Development as Forum Wraps Up
ASTANA – Keynote experts of the inaugural Central Asian Security and Cooperation Forum (CAF) spoke to The Astana Times on security challenges, human capital development and outcomes of the forum, as CAF wrapped up on July 14. Togzhan Kassenova, senior fellow at the International Security, Trade, and Economic Governance (PISCES) Project at the Center for…
Kazakh Choral Artist Fosters Cultural Exchange at World Youth Choir
ASTANA – Ardak Bukharbekov became the first chorist from Kazakhstan to participate in the World Youth Choir (WYC), an international ensemble of the best young choral singers using music to transcend boundaries and spread the message of peace, unity and harmony. An international choir experience has provided a unique opportunity for Bukharbekov to connect with…
Security Challenges Require Global Cooperation, Say Foreign Experts at CAF
ASTANA – International experts highlight the importance of addressing security challenges at a global level on the sidelines of the Central Asian Security and Cooperation Forum (CAF) taking place in Astana on July 13-14. Key discussions focused around security, climate change, and terrorism during the general session on the first day of the forum with…
Shakarim Kudaiberdiuly: Guiding Moral Compass of Kazakh Nation for 165 Years
ASTANA – Kazakhstan commemorates 165 years of Shakarim Kudaiberdiuly, a prominent poet and thinker who sought to uplift the conscience of the 19th-century Kazakh nation by delving into the themes of good and evil, human dignity and morals. A prolific poet, commonly recognized and referred to by his first name, was the nephew of the…
Astana Marks 25 Years, Young City with Rich History and Promising Future
ASTANA – July 6 marks the day when the Supreme Council of Kazakhstan adopted the decree on the transfer of the capital of Kazakhstan, which paved the way for Astana to officially become the capital of Kazakhstan in 1997. This year marks the 25th anniversary of the international presentation of Astana that took place in…
Astana Opera Premiers Modern Take on Rossini’s “L’Italiana in Algeri”
ASTANA – Astana Opera made a crucial addition to its repertoire with the premiere of Gioachino Rossini’s masterpiece “L’Italiana in Algeri” (The Italian Girl in Algiers) with a modern take on a culture-clash comedy on June 29. The two-act opera became the highlight of the Operaliya 2023 International Festival program, which will feature Verdi’s “Aida”…
Empowering Kazakh Documentary Industry: Qara Film Fest Returns with Eight Local Films
ASTANA – Independent documentary film festival QaraFest is returning this year with a captivating selection of 11 international and eight Kazakh films on July 5-9 in Almaty. The festival’s founder, Ulyana Toporovskaya, spoke to The Astana Times about the festival, the peculiarities of non-fiction storytelling, and the prospects and challenges faced by the Kazakh documentary…
Kazakh Healthcare Expert Advocates for New Nutritional Standards for School Meals
ASTANA – Adoption of new nutritional standards for school meals based on Scandinavian example could protect students from chronic non-communicable diseases such as diabetes and obesity, Almaz Sharman, president of the Academy of Preventive Medicine and a member of the American Health Association, told The Astana Times. School meals are a crucial source of nutrition,…
World Bank: Improving Education, Structural Reforms Vital for Kazakhstan’s Growth
ASTANA – Prioritizing education and structural reforms to boost the economy’s potential will be crucial to support Kazakhstan’s economic growth and would help tackle future challenges, said Ivailo Izvorski, the World Bank’s chief economist for the Europe and Central Asia region in an exclusive interview with The Astana Times. “Central Asia has been the best-performing…
Kazakhstan Welcomes Back Ancient Quran of Kenesary, Last Khan of Kazakh Steppe
ASTANA – The Holy Quran belonging to Kenesary Kasymuly, leader of protests against Tsarist expansion and the last khan (ruler) of Kazakhs, was brought back to Kazakhstan after two centuries abroad, announced President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev during the second National Kurultai meeting on June 17. President Tokayev said the return of this national treasure “is a…
President Tokayev Charts Vision for Volunteering at International Forum
ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev outlined his vision for the development of volunteerism in Kazakhstan on the second day of the International Volunteer Forum in Astana on June 21, speaking alongside distinguished experts and representatives of international organizations. President Tokayev said Kazakhstan recognizes the important role volunteers undertake as “patriots of one’s country” and their…
Astana Ballet Reinterprets Conventional Pieces at Non Classica Concert
ASTANA – Astana Ballet’s orchestra charmed its audience with vibrant jazz, classical and contemporary hits in an original interpretation during the Non Classica show program on June 16. The classical music industry, with its unchanging, formal setting for music, may have made the audiences less interested, but in Non Classica, music brought musicians into a…
Kazakhstan Hosts International Volunteer Forum Fostering Global Cooperation
ASTANA – Astana is hosting the International Volunteer Forum on June 20-21 to exchange expertise on volunteer work and strengthen international cooperation. The event is bringing together more than 40 speakers from 34 countries, including representatives of national, regional and foreign volunteer organizations. The participants of the forum are exploring social volunteering and inclusion, volunteering…
President Tokayev Prioritizes Identity-Building and Youth Education at National Kurultai
ASTANA – Nurturing cultural and historical identity and prioritizing youth education are key pillars for fostering responsible citizenship to build a Just Kazakhstan, said President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev during the second meeting of the National Kurultai (National Congress) in Turkistan on June 17. The first National Kurultai took place in Ulytau last year, organized by President…
Experts Say AIF Made Valuable Contributions to Global Debate on Pressing Issues
ASTANA – The Astana International Forum made a valuable contribution to addressing today’s most pressing issues, offering a broad spectrum of topics for discussion, including environment, energy security, and healthcare, said experts attending the forum in Astana on June 8-9. The Astana Times spoke to several experts to gather their insights of the forum. The…
Time For Reform Is Now, and Rewards Are Boundless, Says Chairman of Kazakhstan’s Strategic Planning Agency
ASTANA – Following Kazakhstan’s political reset and in the context of its economic landscape, The Astana Times interviewed Aset Irgaliyev, Chairman of the Agency for Strategic Planning and Reforms, on the organization’s priority reforms, strategic vision, and its perspective on the future trajectory of Kazakhstan. In one of your interviews, you said that the economy…
EBRD President Reaffirms Support for Kazakhstan’s Energy Transition, Women’s Representation
ASTANA – The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) will support Kazakhstan, recognizing its significant capacity to develop renewable energy and increase transit potential through Middle Corridor, in line with the institution’s strategic plan, said the EBRD President Odile Renaud-Basso in an exclusive interview with The Astana Times on the sidelines of the Astana…
Global Experts Stress Collaborative Efforts for Green Economy Transition at Astana International Forum
ASTANA – All countries must work together to achieve a smooth transition towards a green economy that comes in tandem with energy security and economic feasibility, according to experts who spoke at the energy security panel session on day two of the Astana International Forum (AIF) on June 9. The transition must not only meet…
Astana International Forum Plenary Session Emphasizes Need for Multilateral Cooperation
ASTANA – A fundamental shift towards regional and global cooperation is needed to respond to emerging global challenges in the face of climate change, and international security and sustainability issues, participants at the plenary session of the Astana International Forum (AIF) said on June 8. The flagship event of the AIF was attended by Emir…
Kazakhstan’s Extensive Green Hydrogen Production Capacity Unveiled at First Hydrogen Diplomacy Symposium
ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s vast land and wind resources provide favorable conditions for the country to expand its capacity to produce and export green hydrogen, a key element of green energy, said experts at the first Kazakh-German Hydrogen Diplomacy Symposium in Astana on June 7. Government and business representatives, diplomats and industry experts gathered at the…
President Tokayev Attends Flag Raising Ceremony and Marks State Symbols Day
ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev attended the state flag-raising ceremony at Atameken Ethno-Memorial Complex on June 5, following Kazakhstan’s Day of State Symbols celebrated on June 4. “The sky-blue flag, the emblem, and the anthem are sacred to all our people. Independence is our primary value, and the proudly flying flag embodies the country’s high…
CICA Secretariat Unites 80 Cycling Enthusiasts at Bicycle Ride in Burabay
ASTANA – Nearly 80 cycling enthusiasts participated in a traditional bicycle ride on June 3 in Burabay national park, organized by the Secretariat of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) to enhance understanding, cooperation and exchange among people and states. The event coincided with World Bicycle Day, declared by the…
First Finalists of Teach for Qazaqstan Poised to Accelerate Rural Education Standards
ASTANA – Teach for Qazaqstan (TFQ) program with a mission to raise educational standards and reduce the gap between rural and urban education selected its first 49 finalists who will enroll in rural schools starting in September, reported TFQ press service. Launched in January, the program received over 3,000 applications. After a thorough selection process…
Michelin Star Belgian Chef Visits Kazakhstan, Reveals Perfect Meal Secrets
ASTANA – From owning top seafood restaurants to hosting a television show, Yves Mattagne, a Belgian chef who has earned two Michelin stars, visited Astana and Almaty for the first time on May 19-23. In an exclusive interview with The Astana Times, he discussed his inspirations in cooking and revealed the secret to creating an…
