Experts See Economic Cooperation as Central Asia’s Best Path to Integration
ALMATY — A recent survey conducted by Astana Open Dialogue between June 9-16 has revealed growing optimism about the future of regional integration in Central Asia, while highlighting challenges that need to be addressed, reported the institution’s press service on Aug. 19. The study gathered insights from more than 50 experts in politics, economics, education,…
Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan Deepen Agricultural Cooperation as Grain Exports Surge
ALMATY – Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan are strengthening agricultural ties, with high grain exports, expanded Caspian logistics and growing investment projects signaling the emergence of a broader agro-industrial partnership, reported Kazinform news agency on Aug. 27. In the first five months of 2025, Kazakhstan became Azerbaijan’s leading grain supplier, exporting over 450,000 tons worth $95 million…
Three Tourist Train Routes to Connect Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan in September
ALMATY — Three new tourist train routes will connect major cities in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan this fall. The programs aim to promote cross-border tourism and strengthen cultural ties between the two countries, reported the Kazakh Tourism national company on Aug. 28. All three routes, lasting from five to seven days, will depart from Almaty. Tour…
Kazakhstan, Sierra Leone Forge Closer Diplomatic and Economic Ties
ALMATY — Kazakhstan and Sierra Leone reaffirmed their commitment to deepening political, economic and humanitarian ties as President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev received Sierra Leone’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Timothy Musa Kabba in Astana on Aug. 28. During the talks, Tokayev underlined Kazakhstan’s commitment to expanding cooperation with African nations, while Kabba conveyed a…
Germany’s Logistics Provider Partners with Kyrgyz Railways to Boost Central Asian Freight Links
ALMATY — The Rhenus Group, a German leading global logistics service provider, has signed a memorandum of cooperation with Kyrgyz Temir Zholu, the National Railway Company of the Kyrgyz Republic on Aug. 27. to strengthen freight transport and logistics connectivity across Central Asia. The agreement was concluded during the German-Kyrgyz Economic Forum in Cholpon-Ata and…
Kazakhstan Plans Major Financial Legislation Reform
ALMATY – Kazakhstan is preparing a comprehensive reform of its financial legislation aimed at ensuring long-term economic growth and strengthening financial stability, Chairman of the National Bank of Kazakhstan (NBK) Timur Suleimenov announced during a government meeting on August 26. According to Suleimenov, the National Bank has already taken measures to utilize banking liquidity in…
Kazakhstan Records 5.5 Million Registered Vehicles in 2025
ALMATY– The number of vehicles registered in Kazakhstan has reached 5.5 million, marking a more than a double increase since the country gained independence 34 years ago. The figures were announced by Chairman of the Administrative Police Committee of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Kaysar Sultanbayev, during a Central Communications Service press briefing on Aug.…
Kazakhstan Approves List of Water Bodies of National Significance
ALMATY – The Kazakh government has approved a list of water bodies classified as having special national significance and introduced new regulations governing economic activities in these areas on Aug. 23, reported the Prime Minister’s press service. The list includes both surface and underground water resources that play a critical role in the country’s ecology,…
Pope Leo XIV Welcomes Kazakh Pilgrims in Vatican Ahead of Congress of World and Traditional Religions
ALMATY – Pope Leo XIV greeted a group of thirty Kazakh pilgrims from the Karaganda diocese during the Sunday Angelus prayer on Aug. 24 at St. Peter’s Square in the Vatican. The pilgrims, who traveled to Italy from Aug. 20–24 as part of the Jubilee Year celebrations, visited four Papal basilicas and prayed at sacred…
Life Expectancy in Kazakhstan Surpasses Global Average
ALMATY – Life expectancy in Kazakhstan reached 75.4 years in 2024, surpassing the global average for the first time, Minister of Healthcare Akmaral Alnazarova announced during an Aug. 25 meeting with President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. Alnazarova briefed him on the current state of the healthcare system and outlined priority measures for the coming years. According to…
Foreign Workforce in Kazakhstan Reaches 14,000 as Quotas Expand
ALMATY – Kazakhstan has expanded the quota for attracting foreign specialists to 19,400 positions starting Aug. 2025, which represents 0.25% of the workforce, after the list of eligible seasonal professions was expanded. As of Aug. 1, 14,130 foreign citizens are officially employed in Kazakhstan under work permits issued by local executive authorities, the Ministry of…
Kazakhstan Projects 5% Growth, Lower Deficit and Rising Exports by 2028 Under New Strategy
ALMATY – According to the forecast, Kazakhstan’s GDP is expected to grow by 5.4% in 2026, with an average annual growth rate of 5.3% over the period. This was revealed during an Aug. 26 government meeting chaired by Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Economy Serik Zhumangarin presented the forecast,…
Kazakhstan to Invest Nearly $11.5 Billion in Power Sector Upgrade
ALMATY – Kazakhstan launches 29 energy generation projects with a combined capacity of 7.3 gigawatts (GW) by 2029 worth 6.2 trillion tenge (approximately US$11.48 billion) as part of the national project Modernization of the Energy and Utilities Sector. Asylzhan Musin, director of the department for electric power development, presented updates on developments in the energy…
Jordan’s King Abdullah II’s Visit to Kazakhstan Marks New Strategic Partnership
ALMATY – King of Jordan Abdullah II Bin Al Hussein pays an official visit to Kazakhstan on Aug. 26–27 at the invitation of Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. The visit is expected to mark a new stage in strengthening political dialogue and expanding strategic cooperation between the two nations. The visit follows President Tokayev’s trip to…
President Tokayev to Pay Official Visit to China This Week
ALMATY – Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev will pay an official visit to China Aug. 30-Sept. 3 at the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping. During the visit, high-level talks are scheduled to discuss prospects for further strengthening the comprehensive and eternal strategic partnership between Kazakhstan and China, the Akorda press service reported on Aug. 26. …
Languages of Kazakh Khanate: from Kipchak Roots to Literary Kazakh
ALMATY – While the spoken and written languages of the Kazakh Khanate differed, philologists agree that Kazakh dominated the literature of the era – it was the language through which people expressed themselves and conducted daily life. From the Golden Horde to the old Kazakh Turkologist and doctor of philology Murat Sabyr emphasized that the…
All-Female Team in Almaty Turns Turkic Myths into Video Game
ALMATY – A team of young women developers in Almaty is releasing Iz, a 2D pixel role-playing adventure game inspired by Turkic myths and legends, this fall. The project is set in the Kazakh steppes of the 15th century and is the first release by the all-female studio Umai Gaming, reported 24.kz news agency on…
Central Eurasian Startups Secure Spot in Silicon Valley Acceleration Programs
ALMATY – This fall, 24 startups from Central Eurasia and other countries will head to Silicon Valley to participate in the prestigious AlchemistX and Silicon Valley Residency international programs. Launched on Sept. 3 in Palo Alto, the initiatives will provide teams with direct access to the U.S. venture ecosystem, investors and leading tech corporations. In…
Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic Bring Strategic Cooperation to New Level
ALMATY – Kazakhstan and the Kyrgyz Republic reached a series of significant agreements during high-level talks on Aug. 22 in Bishkek, signaling a new phase in bilateral cooperation. President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and President of the Kyrgyz Republic Sadyr Japarov held a joint briefing for the media on the outcomes of the summit, reported…
Kazakhstan to Host World Forum of Central Securities Depositories 2025
ALMATY – Kazakhstan will host the World Forum of Central Securities Depositories (WFC2025) on Sept. 23 – 26 in Almaty, marking the first time the forum will be held in Central Asia. The biennial forum, organized by the Kazakhstan Central Securities Depository (KCSD), will bring together over 250 global leaders, experts and decision-makers in financial…
Kazakhstan to Open University Branch in Osh
ALMATY – Kazakhstan and the Kyrgyz Republic announced the opening of a new branch of the L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University at Osh State University during the seventh meeting of the Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic Higher Interstate Council on Aug. 22 in Bishkek, reported the Akorda press service. The council was co-chaired by President of Kazakhstan…
Andrea Bocelli to Perform at Almaty Arena This October
ALMATY – Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli will give a performance at Almaty Arena on Oct. 28, bringing his celebrated voice to Kazakhstan as part of his international tour. The concert program will feature Bocelli’s most iconic arias, timeless classical works and popular hits, along with unique interpretations that have become his artistic signature. Tickets for…
Kozybayev University Students Study in US Under Dual-Degree Program
ALMATY – Kozybayev University in North Kazakhstan has sent its first group of 29 students to study at the University of Arizona’s main campus in Tucson, U.S., on Aug. 21, as part of a strategic dual-degree program aimed at strengthening Kazakhstan’s higher education system. The partnership, launched on the initiative of the Head of State,…
Tokayev Reaffirms Commitment to Strengthening Ties with Kyrgyz Republic
ALMATY – President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev held talks with President of the Kyrgyz Republic Sadyr Japarov on Aug. 22, as part of his official visit to Bishkek, reported Akorda press service. The meeting was preceded by an official welcoming ceremony at the “Yntymak Ordo” residence, where the two leaders exchanged greetings and inspected the…
Experts Revise Kazakhstan’s Economic Growth and Oil Price Forecasts
ALMATY – The National Bank of Kazakhstan has published the results of its latest macroeconomic survey on Aug. 21, reflecting updated forecasts from leading analysts on key indicators such as Brent crude oil prices, economic growth, inflation, the base rate, exports, imports and the exchange rate. According to the survey, participants improved their outlook for…
