Kazakhstan Expands Renewable Energy, Increases Oil and Gas Production
ALMATY – Kazakhstan has recorded a significant increase in oil and gas production in January-September 2025, Energy Minister Yerlan Akkenzhenov reported at a government meeting chaired by Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov on Oct. 14. According to Akkenzhenov, oil and gas condensate output for this period reached 75.7 million tons, up 113.2% from the same period…
Kazakhstan Sets Guinness World Record with Camel Caravan in Almaty Region
ALMATY – A caravan of 1,000 one-humped camels that marched one kilometer through the village of Akshi in the Ili District of Almaty region on Sept. 20 has officially entered the Guinness World Records as the world’s largest camel caravan. The record was confirmed by Guinness World Records representative Richard-William Stenning, who personally presented the…
Kazakhstan Backs Regional Efforts to Enhance Security in the Caspian Sea
ALMATY – Naval commanders from Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan, and Russia signed a security cooperation document on Oct. 8 in Saint Petersburg, Russia, that reinforces the principle of non-interference by external powers in Caspian Sea affairs. The Caspian Sea Comprehensive Strategic Cooperation Agreement reflects the shared commitment of the littoral states to strengthen regional coordination and…
Kazakhstan Calls for Collective Action to Revive the Aral Sea and Strengthen Water Security
ALMATY – More than 40 environmental projects are being implemented in the Aral Sea basin, as announced at the second meeting of the Board of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea (IFAS), held on Oct. 10 in Astana under Kazakhstan’s chairmanship. The meeting, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Kanat Bozumbayev, brought…
Semei Holds Kazakhstan’s First Direct Election for City Mayor
ALMATY – Semei, an administrative center of Abai Region held its first-ever direct election for the city’s akim (mayor) on Oct. 12, marking a historic milestone in the country’s democratic reforms. Voting started at 7 a.m. across the city’s 128 polling stations. More than 220,000 residents of Semei were eligible to vote, the city’s administration…
Kazakhstan, EU to Boost Green Energy and Infrastructure Projects
ALMATY — Kazakhstan has signed memoranda of cooperation with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the European Investment Bank (EIB) on Oct. 10 to expand investment in renewable energy, hydropower, and power grid modernization. The agreements were concluded during the Global Gateway Forum in Brussels, where the Minister of Energy of Kazakhstan…
Kazakhstan Plants 2.4 Million Trees as National Environmental Campaign Continues
ALMATY – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev took part in the Taza Kazakhstan environmental campaign on Oct. 11, joining volunteers and eco-activists in planting trees at the capital’s Botanical Garden. During the event, Tokayev met with members of the youth organization Jasyl El and expressed gratitude for their civic engagement, reported Akorda. “This is important work for…
Kazakhstan Wins Top Award at World Expo 2025 Osaka
ALMATY – Kazakh national pavilion won first place in the Theme Development category among small pavilions at the World Expo 2025 Osaka, one of the most prestigious global exhibitions that concluded on Oct. 13. The award recognizes the country’s outstanding and original interpretation of the Expo’s main theme, “Designing Future Society for Our Lives.” More…
Global Citizen’s Paradox: Belonging Everywhere, Rooted Nowhere
My mom used to tell me about the feeling of internal coherence she experienced whenever she stepped onto the land of her ancestors – the vast steppes of the village where she was born. The corners of her lips would lift into a soft, almost unnoticeable smile, while her soul seemed to recover, reconnecting with…
Kazakh Artistic Swimmers Triumph at Asian Championships in India With 28 Medals
ALMATY – The Kazakh artistic swimming team from Karaganda achieved a historic triumph at the 11th Asian Aquatics Championships, held from Sept. 28 to Oct. 11 in Ahmedabad, India. The athletes secured an impressive 28 medals, including 19 gold, 4 silver, and 5 bronze, placing the team first in the overall standings for their discipline,…
President Tokayev Establishes Working Group on Parliamentary Reform
ALMATY – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has signed a decree establishing a working group on parliamentary reform on Oct. 8, following the key proposal of transitioning Kazakhstan to a unicameral parliament outlined in his Sept. 8 state-of-the-nation address. The working group is tasked with developing proposals aimed at strengthening parliamentary institutions and ensuring more effective legislative…
First Kazakh Woman in Space Joins Blue Origin’s 15th Human Flight
ALMATY – The first-ever space journey by a Kazakh woman was marked by Danna Karagussova, who made history by joining the crew of Blue Origin’s New Shepard on its 15th human flight on Oct. 8. The suborbital mission, launched from Launch Site One in West Texas, lasted 11 minutes and crossed the internationally recognized boundary…
Kazakhstan Becomes Regional Leader in Times Higher Education Rankings 2026
ALMATY – Kazakhstan has entered the world’s top 500 universities in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2026. The report, released on Oct. 9, highlights Kazakhstan’s growing strength in higher education. This year’s ranking included five Kazakh universities, making Kazakhstan the most represented country in the region. Nazarbayev University (NU) secured its highest-ever…
Kazakhstan, Germany Agree on Strategic Partnership to Foster Water Management
ALMATY – Kazakh Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation and the German Water Partnership (GWP) signed a strategic partnership agreement on Oct. 8 to strengthen cooperation in sustainable water management and innovation. The signing builds on talks held last year in Germany between Deputy Prime Minister Kanat Bozumbayev and GWP leadership. The agreement will enable…
Kazakhstan Increases Budget Revenues as Digital Reform Advances
ALMATY – Kazakhstan’s state budget revenues grew by 23.4% in 2025, reaching 21.6 trillion tenge (approximately US$40 billion). It was revealed during the Oct. 8 meeting between President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Minister of Finance Madi Takiyev. Of the total revenues, 15.2 trillion tenge (US$28.2 billion) came from tax receipts, underscoring stronger fiscal performance compared to…
President Tokayev Voices Support for Gaza Ceasefire Agreement
ALMATY – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev expressed his support for the recently reached agreement on a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and the release of hostages during indirect negotiations in Egypt, reported his press secretary Ruslan Zheldibay on Oct. 9. Tokayev highlighted the productive mediation efforts of Egypt, Qatar, and Türkiye, as well as the significant…
Kazakhstan Accelerates Shift to Cashless Economy as Digital Payments Hit Record High
ALMATY – The Kazakh National Bank reported robust growth in the country’s digital financial infrastructure from January to June 2025, with daily transactions through its payment systems averaging 6.3 trillion tenge (approximately US$11.67 billion), according to an analytical overview published on Oct. 6. The report highlights performance across the National Bank’s payment systems, card and…
Turkic World Film Festival Awards Top Prizes in Aktau
ALMATY – Korkyt Ata Turkic World Film Festival held a closing ceremony on Oct. 4, announcing the winners among 47 films and bringing together filmmakers, cultural leaders, and audiences from across the Turkic world in Aktau. The international jury awarded the Grand Prize for Best Feature Film to “Black. Red. Yellow” from Kyrgyzstan. Kazakh director…
President Tokayev Proposes Expanding Integration at OTS Summit
ALMATY – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev emphasized the importance of unity in addressing global challenges, proposing initiatives to enhance political, economic, and cultural cooperation at the 12th summit of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) on Oct. 7 in Gabala, Azerbaijan. Following the summit, the leaders signed the Gabala Declaration to conclude the initiatives. During the…
Kazakhstan Chosen as Filming Location for Jackie Chan’s Upcoming Blockbuster
ALMATY – The fourth installment of the cult franchise “Armour of God: Ultimatum” starring Jackie Chan will be filmed in Kazakhstan, Salem Entertainment media company announced on its Instagram account on Oct. 6. The production is considered one of the largest international film collaborations in the country’s recent history. During his stay in Almaty, Jackie…
Kazakhstan Leads Central Asia in Life Expectancy
ALMATY – Kazakhstan has achieved the highest life expectancy in Central Asia, reaching 75.4 years, following the introduction of the Compulsory Social Health Insurance (CSHI), Minister of Healthcare Akmaral Alnazarova announced at a government meeting on Oct. 7. “According to the World Bank, Kazakhstan leads the Central Asian region in this indicator. This year, we…
FlyArystan to Launch Direct Flights from Aktau to Dubai in November
ALMATY – Kazakh low-cost airline FlyArystan will launch a new direct route connecting Aktau and Dubai on Nov. 29, offering travelers a convenient and affordable link to one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations. The flights will initially operate once a week on Saturdays. During peak travel periods, including the winter school holidays from…
Kazakhstan Tops Global Gold Purchases in August Amid Record Prices
ALMATY – Kazakhstan emerged as the world’s leading gold purchaser in August, acquiring eight tons of the precious metal and surpassing other central banks, according to data released by the World Gold Council on Oct. 3. The National Bank of Kazakhstan (NBK) accounted for more than half of the total 15 tons of gold bought…
Kazakhstan to Increase Oil Supply to Germany in 2026
ALMATY – Kazakhstan will expand oil exports to Germany in 2026 following an agreement between KazMunayGaz (KMG) and Rosneft Deutschland GmbH, the companies announced on Oct. 7. KMG Chairman Askar Khasenov held talks in Astana with Johannes Bremer, CEO of Rosneft Deutschland GmbH, to discuss transportation routes and the growing demand for Kazakh oil in…
Almaty Receives World Craft City Status, Showcases Global Artistry at ALA CRAFT 2025
ALMATY – When warmth and care are needed, people return to childhood memories – where a handwoven carpet guarded sleep, a wooden toy chased away dark spirits, or a grandmother’s ring reminded them of family strength and protection. These timeless objects embody more than craft – they are vessels of memory and love. On Oct.…
