Where to Go, What to See This Weekend: Art, Dance, Music and Sports
ALMATY – After a long weekend, Astana and Almaty offer a chance to recharge – with concerts that inspire, exhibitions that provoke thoughts, and festivals that give energy. From art and music to sports, this weekend’s lineup has something for everyone. The Astana Times editorial team has curated a list of top events to visit…
Kazakhstan Assesses Economic Outlook as Key Sectors Show Steady Expansion
ALMATY – Kazakhstan’s economic growth prospects were discussed at an Aug. 19 meeting of the economic growth headquarters chaired by Vice Prime Minister and Minister of National Economy Serik Zhumangarin. Officials discussed GDP growth over the first eight months of 2025 and reviewed progress in key sectors, reported the Prime Minister’s press service. Agriculture and…
President Tokayev to Pay Official Visit to Kyrgyz Republic This Week
ALMATY – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to pay an official visit to the Kyrgyz Republic on Aug. 22 at the invitation of President Sadyr Japarov, the Akorda press service reported. In Bishkek, the two leaders will hold strategic discussions aimed at strengthening the Kazakh-Kyrgyz partnership and fostering allied relations between the two countries. President Tokayev and…
Shymkent Hosts 16th Asian Shooting Championship
ALMATY – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev met with Luciano Rossi, President of the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF), and Sheikh Salman Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah, President of the Asian Shooting Confederation (ASC), in Astana on Aug. 15, on the eve of the 16th Asian Shooting Championship, which officially opened in Shymkent the next day. President Tokayev commended…
Kazakhstan’s Progress in Water Diplomacy Strengthens Regional Cooperation, Says Expert
ALMATY – Kazakhstan’s efforts in advancing interstate cooperation in the water sector have received international recognition, reported the Kazakh Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation press service on Aug. 18. Kazakhstan’s achievements in the water sector have been positively assessed by Alexander Nikolayenko, head of the Blue Peace Central Asia. “Although the ministry was established…
Jennifer Lopez Concert in Almaty Generates $19 Million in Economic Impact
ALMATY – Jennifer Lopez’s first-ever concert in Almaty on Aug. 10 attracted 27,000 fans to the Central Stadium, including 7,000 international visitors from 35 countries, ranging from the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Turkey, Japan, China, and CIS nations. According to preliminary estimates, the event generated nearly 10 billion tenge (US$21 million) in overall…
Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan Boost Air Connectivity With More Flights
ALMATY – Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan have agreed to increase the number of flights and expand cooperation in the field of civil aviation, the Committee of Civil Aviation of Kazakhstan reported on Aug. 15, following a meeting held within the Central Asia–China Civil Aviation Cooperation Working Group Conference. According to the agreements, designated carriers from both…
National Bank Issues Coins Marking 30th Anniversary of Kazakhstan’s Constitution
ALMATY – The National Bank of Kazakhstan (NBK) announced the release of commemorative coins dedicated to the 30th anniversary of the Constitution of Kazakhstan on Aug. 30, reported the bank’s press service on Aug. 14. The design of the coin features an open book representing the Constitution, with the number 30 placed against the outline…
Astana’s New LRT Promises Quieter, Smoother Rides with Noise-Reducing Rails
ALMATY — Construction of Astana’s light rail transit (LRT) project completed a critical phase with the finalizing of rail installation along the 22,4 kilometer main line, the City Transportation System’s press service reported on Aug. 18. A total of 89,600 linear meters of rails have been laid between stations 101 and 118. Welding is now…
Kazakhstan, China Strengthen Air Connectivity With New Agreement
ALMATY – Kazakhstan and China agreed to expand cooperation in civil aviation during an Aug. 16 meeting of the Civil Aviation cooperation working group in Central Asia–China format, reported the Committee of Civil Aviation’s press service. Under a signed memorandum of understanding to broaden the route network and strengthen bilateral air connectivity, Kazakh airlines will…
Astana to Host 8th Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions in September
ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s capital will host the eighth Congress of the Leaders of World and Traditional Religions on Sept. 17–18, chaired by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. The global interfaith forum is expected to gather over 100 delegations from around 60 countries, including prominent spiritual leaders from Islam, Christianity, Buddhism, Judaism, Hinduism, Taoism, Zoroastrianism and Shinto, as…
What’s On This Weekend: Music, Festivals and Family Fun
ALMATY – This weekend in Kazakhstan offers a vibrant mix of laughter, music and magic. From a music festival to a glowing forest adventure, there’s something for every mood. The Astana Times editorial team has curated a list of events you can attend with friends and family. Astana Women’s Stand-Up in English on Aug. 16…
Kazakhstan Strengthens Fight Against Drug Crime With New Coordinating Body
ALMATY – A new nationwide coordination body has been set up on Aug. 14 to unite state agencies in the fight against drug addiction and drug-related crimes. The national headquarters, formed by order of the Prime Minister, will operate under his leadership with the Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister of Internal Affairs serving as…
Kazakhstan Records Population Growth in January-June
ALMATY – The Bureau of National Statistics has released updated demographic data for January-June, indicating that Kazakhstan’s population shows steady growth in the first six months of this year. As of July 1, the country’s population reached 20,387,811, an increase of 104,000 since the beginning of the year. Between January and June, 161,200 people were…
Kazakhstan Signs $14 Million in Water Sector Agreements with International Partners
ALMATY – Since its establishment in 2023, Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation has signed four agreements and 20 memorandums of understanding (MOUs) with international partners, attracting over $14 million in grants to develop the country’s water sector. The ministry has forged partnerships with water agencies and development organizations from China, France, Germany, Japan,…
Kazakhstan, ValueLBH Fund Explore $1.5 Billion Investment Projects in Priority Sectors
ALMATY – Kazakhstan and ValueLBH, an international investment fund, are considering joint projects worth up to $1.5 billion in key sectors of the Kazakh economy, as discussed during a meeting on Aug. 13 in Astana. Gabidulla Ospankulov, chairman of the Investment Committee at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, met with Shimon Ben Hamo, chairman of…
Astana Hosts First World Qazaq Kuresi Championship for Military Personnel
ALMATY – The first World Qazaq Kuresi Championship among military personnel starts on Aug. 14 at the Qazaqstan athletics complex in Astana, bringing together wrestlers from 25 armies under the auspices of the International Military Sports Council (CISM). Kazakhstan is represented by top wrestlers from the Armed Forces and the State Security Service, competing alongside…
Kazakhstan Launches Central Asia’s First Spot Bitcoin ETF
ALMATY – Kazakhstan has taken a major step in integrating cryptocurrency into its regulated financial markets with the launch of the region’s first spot bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF) on Aug.13. Astana-based company Fonte Capital announced that the Fonte Bitcoin Exchange Traded Fund OEIC (BETF) begins trading on the Astana International Exchange (AIX). The ETF is…
Starlink Satellite Internet Officially Launches in Kazakhstan
ALMATY – Starlink satellite internet officially became available in Kazakhstan on Aug. 13. Operated by SpaceX, the network of low-Earth orbit satellites offers high-speed, reliable internet access, including in remote and hard-to-reach areas, reported the Ministry of Digital Development, Innovation and Aerospace Industry. The launch follows the June 12 agreement between the ministry and Starlink,…
Kazakh Documentary Wins Prestigious Award in New York
ALMATY – The Kazakh documentary “Gingerbread for Her Father, My Great-Grandfather, Her Grandfather” by director Alina Mustafina has won the Sikay Tang Critical Lens Award at the 48th Asian American International Film Festival (AAIFF), held from July 31 to Aug. 10 in New York. According to the Ministry of Culture and Information, named after renowned…
Kazakhstan to Expand Air Links with China and Uzbekistan
ASTANA – Kazakhstan plans to expand its air connectivity with China and Uzbekistan by opening new destinations and increasing the number of flights, said Chair of Transport Ministry’s Civil Aviation Committee Saltanat Tompiyeva at the second Central Asia – China civil aviation cooperation working group conference. Bilateral negotiations with aviation authorities from both countries are…
President Tokayev Extends Congratulations on Historic Peace Declaration Between Azerbaijan and Armenia
ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev extended warm congratulations to President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan on the signing of the historic declaration on the establishment of peace between Azerbaijan and Armenia, held in Washington, D.C., with the active and effective support of U.S. President Donald Trump. In separate telephone…
Kazakh Audience Turns to Social Media as Primary News Source, Study Finds
ASTANA – Social media has become the leading source of news for Kazakh citizens, outpacing television and online media platforms, the Institute of Public Policy reported on June 26, according to a recent nationwide survey. The findings come amid a dynamic national media landscape. As of 2025, Kazakhstan has approximately 4,821 registered media outlets, including…
Kazakhstan Showcases Global Water Stories in UNESCO Photo Exhibition
ALMATY – Kasteyev Museum of Arts hosted the exhibition dubbed “Walk of Water: Stories of Ice, Rivers, and Drought ” from June 5 to 25. Featuring the works of 22 photographers, the display documented the beauty and vulnerability of freshwater systems amid global climate change. Organized by the UNESCO Regional Office in Almaty with OneWater…
Kazakh-French Joint Venture Advances Aral Sea Ecosystem Revival
ASTANA – The Kazakh-French joint venture KATCO, established by global nuclear leader Orano Group and Kazakhstan’s national company Kazatomprom, has announced the completion and surpassing of its environmental obligations, according to the company’s press service. The afforestation initiative is part of the broader ODAM project, targeting the degraded landscape left behind by the shrinking Aral…
