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…
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…
