Articles by Aibarshyn Akhmetkali

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…

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,…

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…

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…

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 – 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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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 – 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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan is celebrating the Day of State Symbols, which include its flag, the emblem and the national anthem, on June 4.  Although the symbols were first approved in 1992, the constitutional law on the state symbols of Kazakhstan was adopted on this day in 2007 and the date has been celebrated annually ever…

ASTANA – Crypto exchanges, asset management in emerging markets and the impact of economic sanctions on financial centers will be among the key topics at the Astana Finance Days (AFD) on June 7 on the eve of the Astana International Forum (AIF).  Around 3,000 participants and 200 speakers from more than 70 countries are expected…

ASTANA – The State Commission of the Full Rehabilitation of Victims of Political Repressions examining the fate of Kazakhs who were executed during Stalinist repressions carries out an important task of healing the collective trauma that remains in the Kazakh society, said Sabyr Kassymov, head of the project office of the state commission and president…

ASTANA – Following the victory of Türkiye’s Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in the presidential election on May 28, the bilateral relationship between Kazakhstan and Türkiye will continue to develop, according to experts. Mukhit Assanbayev, chief expert of the Kazakhstan Institute for Strategic Studies (KazISS), said Erdoğan’s legacy builds on his role as a globally important leader…

ASTANA – Willy Kempel, an artist and an acting ambassador of Austria to Kazakhstan, discussed his art and vision related to modern communication in a new The Golden Key to Life exhibition in Astana on May 24. The artist first, ambassador second, are the right words to describe Kempel, who has incorporated art into his…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan and the United Kingdom enjoy a profound trade partnership and are committed to expanding cooperation across a range of priority sectors, such as green technology, mining and education, said Kenan Poleo, the British Consul General and Trade Commissioner for Eastern Europe and Central Asia, who arrived on his first visit to Kazakhstan…

ASTANA – BeNeLux Chamber of Commerce, uniting the trade circles of the Kingdoms of Belgium and the Netherlands and the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, celebrated two years of tangible cooperation with Kazakh companies with a friendly tennis tournament on May 20 in Astana. The chamber was established in 2021 with a mission to represent the…