International Snow Leopard Day: Journey Through Kazakhstan’s Quest to Save ‘Mountain Ghost’
ASTANA – On International Snow Leopard Day, marked on Oct. 23, The Astana Times explores Kazakhstan’s journey to preserve snow leopards, one of the world’s rarest mammals often referred to as “ghost of the mountains.” In the remote high-altitude expanses of the Dzhungar Alatau mountains, camera traps are shedding light on the secret lives of…
One Water Summit Set to Foster Global Cooperation to Deliver Concrete Results
ASTANA – One Water Summit aims to increase collaboration among states and major stakeholders with plans to deliver concrete solutions to global water challenges, the summit representatives from France and Kazakhstan announced during an Oct. 21 joint online press briefing. The One Water Summit, co-organized by France’s President Emmanuel Macron, Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and…
Kyrgyz Women-led Initiative Addresses Land Degradation and Economic Hardship, UNCCD Reports
ASTANA – Medical herbs cultivation initiative helps the rural women of the Kyrgyz Republic address the dual challenges of environmental degradation and economic hardship, according to the new report by the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the UN published on Oct. 15. The report features…
Turan Ethno-Folk Group Celebrates Majesty of Turkic Music at Qazaq Concert
ASTANA – Last weekend, Kazakhstan’s Turan ethno-folk ensemble took the stage of the Qazaq Concert to perform a traditional music set, showcasing the variety and richness of Kazakh and Turkic nations’ instruments in Astana. After wowing foreign audiences in 2023 with a world tour, Kazakh ethno group Turan returned to Astana with a lecture-concert. Established…
Bronze Age Kazakhstan Was Center of Metallurgy, Archeologist Says
ASTANA – The tribes of the Andronovo culture living on the territory of modern Kazakhstan reached a high level in metallurgy and crafts in the Bronze Age, said Kazakh archaeologist and Andronovo culture specialist Emma Usmanova during a lecture in Karagandy, organized by Qalam Global multimedia project. The Andronovo culture from the 2nd millennium B.C.E…
Connected Conference Talks Role of AI on Climate, Data and Growth
ASTANA – The first Connected international conference, held in Astana on Oct. 18, brought together experts to explore the future of the economy, climate change, and data security, with a focus on the evolving role of artificial intelligence (AI) in shaping these areas. The conference, focusing on conceptualizing the vision of the future, brought together…
Kazakhstan Marks 100 Years of Berdibek Sokpakbaev, Beloved Children’s Author Behind ‘My Name is Kozha’
ASTANA – Kazakhstan marks 100 years since the birth of a prolific Kazakh writer for children, Berdibek Sokpakbaev, whose humorous and kind stories engaged children and adults alike. He was best known for the highly regarded and popular “My Name is Kozha” novel, which was adapted for film in 1963. Sokpakbaev is considered a classic…
Armenia and Kazakhstan Poised to Deepen Bilateral Relations, Says Armenian Political Expert
ASTANA – Armenia and Kazakhstan are ready to deepen bilateral relations, said Gevorg Melikyan, founder of the Armenian Institute for Resilience & Statecraft, in a recent interview with The Astana Times. Melikyan emphasized the growing potential for deeper cooperation between the two nations across various sectors, highlighting the importance of these evolving ties in the…
Atyrau City: Bridging Oil Wealth with Fishing Traditions
Editor’s Note: The Astana Times continues its series of articles, Exploring Kazakhstan, City by City, in the marvelous city of Atyrau. We are setting out to unveil the rich diversity of cities to bring you closer to the heart and soul of Kazakhstan. ASTANA – Atyrau, a city straddling Asia and Europe, is where the…
Global Religious Leaders Convene in Astana to Discuss Conflict Resolution
ASTANA – World’s religious leaders came together for the 22nd meeting of the Secretariat of the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions in Astana on Oct. 8 to discuss ways to tackle conflict, bridge differences, and to advance the congress’s mission. The theme of peaceful conflict resolution was a focal point for many…
Int’l Observers Assess Kazakhstan’s Nuclear Plant Referendum as Transparent and Lawful
ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s referendum on the construction of a nuclear power plant (NPP) was transparent and in accordance with the national laws and internationally accepted electoral standards, said international observers during press briefings on Oct. 7. The country voted on Oct. 6 to decide on the construction of NPP in Kazakhstan, with 71.12% of voters…
Kazakhstan Presents Its Human Rights Implementation Policy at UN
ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s policy in the field of human rights was presented at the United Nations (UN) office in Geneva on Oct. 2, reported the Kazakh Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Permanent Mission of Kazakhstan, together with the diplomatic missions of the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, along with the Office of the UN…
Kazakhstan Celebrates Teachers’ Day
ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev congratulated teachers on their professional holiday, expressing gratitude for their significant role in shaping society by educating the younger generation on Oct. 5. “We must honor teachers who play an important role in our society. Because by teaching children you lay the foundation of the future of our state and…
Astana Opera Premieres Vivaldi’s ‘Orlando Furioso’ Opera
ASTANA – Astana Opera premiered “Orlando Furioso” (Furious Orlando) by great Italian composer Antonio Vivaldi on Oct. 4. On the stage of the Chamber Hall named after Kulyash Baiseitova, Vivaldi fans and baroque-opera lovers could fully immerse themselves into the tale of lovers, dark magic and madness. Based on Ludovico Ariosto’s epic poem, the “Orlando…
Kazakhstan Hosts First Regional Presentation of Global Innovation Index, Highlights Region’s Innovation Potential
ASTANA – Kazakhstan hosted the first regional presentation of the Global Innovation Index (GII) 2024 results for Asian countries on Oct 1, highlighting the Central Asian region’s potential in innovation and high-tech development. The index, compiled by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), analyzes innovation activity in 133 economies around the world, assessing their strengths…
Kazakhstan Surpasses Global Average in Economic Gender Equality Metrics, Says World Bank
ASTANA – Kazakhstan outperforms the global average in legal and supportive frameworks and expert opinion criteria on enabling women’s economic opportunity in the World Bank’s Women, Business and the Law (WBL) 2.0 report, which was presented to local policymakers and government representatives on Oct. 1 in Astana. In its annual report, the World Bank analyzes…
Kazakhstan Reports Progress on UN Resolution on Women, Security, and Peace to Diplomatic Corps
ASTANA – The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan in cooperation with the Ministry of Culture and Information presented updates on the implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1325 regarding women, peace, and security to the diplomatic corps in Astana on Oct. 1. Representatives from the Ministry of Culture and Information, the Ministry…
Kazakh Playwright Brings Mankurt Legend to French Stage
ASTANA – Kazakh playwright Inkar Karimova has brought the ancient legend of the mankurt, a memory-deprived slave, to a French audience. The play “Mankurt” debuted at the Théâtre de l’Ouvre-Boîte in Aix-en-Provence, France, on Sept. 13-14, and was subsequently staged at Marseille’s Théâtre des Chartreux on Sept. 20-22. Karimova, a graduate student at Aix-Marseille University…
Kazakhstan Celebrates 380 Years of Revered Judge Aiteke Bi, Honors Lasting Impact on Kazakh Legal Tradition
ASTANA—Kazakhstan celebrates 380 years of a revered Kazakh judge and a master of the word, Aiteke Bi (bi—noble judge). His legal norms introduced to the Kazakh code of law played a crucial role in uniting the nomadic Kazakhs and putting an end to years of bloodshed. Aiteke Bi was the chief bi of the small…
Kazakhstan to Expand Oil Exports with New Routes and Investments
ASTANA – Kazakhstan plans to increase oil production to 100 million tons per year, or around 730 million barrels by 2030, said Kazakh Minister of Energy Almassadam Satkaliyev at the 29th Kazakhstan International Oil & Gas Exhibition and Conference (KIOGE) on Sept. 25 in Almaty, reported the ministry’s press service. Satkaliyev noted that Kazakhstan is…
Kazakhstan’s Golovkin Appointed Chair of New Olympic Commission by World Boxing
ASTANA – Gennadiy Golovkin, the president of Kazakhstan’s National Olympic Committee, 2004 Olympic silver medallist and two-time middleweight world champion, has been appointed chair of a new Olympic Commission by World Boxing, reported its press service on Sept. 26. As chair of the new commission, Golovkin will work closely with World Boxing’s leadership to manage…
Kendirli: New Resort Town Planned for Mangystau Region
ASTANA – Key infrastructure projects are to be implemented to develop a new resort town, Kendirli, in the Mangystau Region, as reported by the Prime Minister’s press service on Sept. 25. During his working visit to the Mangystau Region, Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov examined the region’s tourism potential. One of the new attractions in the…
ADB Projects Kazakhstan’s Economy to Slow Down in 2024 and Accelerate in 2025
ASTANA – Kazakhstan is predicted to experience 3.6% growth of gross domestic product (GDP) this year, slightly lower than the Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) previous forecast of 3.8% in April 2024, according to the September edition of ADB’s flagship publication, the Asian Development Outlook (ADO). In 2025, Kazakhstan’s economic growth is expected to accelerate to…
Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan Submit State Border Demarcation Treaty to UN Secretariat
ASTANA — The Kazakh Foreign Ministry reported that Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan submitted the treaty on the demarcation of their state border to the United Nations (UN) Secretariat on Sept. 25, in accordance with Article 102 of the UN Charter. The treaty was signed in 2022 by Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev…
Organization of Turkic States Informal Meeting in New York Highlights Achievements
ASTANA – Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Murat Nurtleu discussed the achievements of Kazakhstan’s 2023-2024 chairmanship of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) during an informal meeting of OTS foreign ministers on the margins of the 79th United Nations General Assembly in New York on Sept. 25, reported the ministry’s press service. In…
