Astana: City That Dreams With Us – 2. Tailoring Dignity, Stitch by Stitch
When we think of Astana, the first thing that comes to mind is high-level visits of politicians and international summits. It’s a city of strategy, diplomacy, and national ambition. But beneath that polished, political surface lies something quieter — yet just as powerful: a city that creates space for dreams. As Astana celebrates its birthday…
Astana: City That Dreams With Us – 1. Listening to Wind
When we think of Astana, the first thing that comes to mind is high-level visits of politicians and international summits. It’s a city of strategy, diplomacy, and national ambition. But beneath that polished, political surface lies something quieter — yet just as powerful: a city that creates space for dreams. As Astana celebrates its birthday…
What’s Holding Talent in Caspian Region Back? INMerge 2025 Unpacks It
ALMATY – A shift is underway in the Caspian region. Innovation is no longer seen as a buzzword but a homegrown necessity. During a high-level session on corporates, startups, and the future of innovation in the Caspian Region at INMerge Almaty 2025 on June 17, regional voices mapped out both the momentum gained and the…
How Kazakh Designers Reclaim History’s Fragments, Crafting Powerful Stories
ASTANA — What does it mean to carry the Kazakh spirit into fashion? For designers like Aigul Kuandykova from Mechanical Piano and Zhanar Shuraeva from Quraq Korpe (Quilt mattress), it is not about looking to the past for nostalgia’s sake, but rather about embracing an identity forged by freedom, disruption, and reinvention. It’s a spirit…
US Expert: Why Trump’s Visit to Kazakhstan is More Likely Than You Think
ASTANA — As we were walking towards the shooting area where The Astana Times YouTube channel’s cameras were ready to roll, Daniel F. Runde Senior, Vice President at the Center for Strategic and International Studies based in Washington, D.C., United States (US), reiterated to me that this is not a phenomenon of the last decade…
UK, Kazakhstan Explore Critical Minerals Partnership with Strategic Depth
ASTANA — As the race for critical minerals intensifies globally, the United Kingdom (UK) and Kazakhstan are doubling down on collaboration, betting on a partnership that spans from geology to green innovation. At a dedicated session on the sidelines of the Astana Mining and Metallurgy Congress on June 4, hosted by the British Embassy’s Department…
AIF 2025: Kazakhstan Doesn’t Just Host — It Shows Up
ASTANA — Over the course of my not-so-long but eventful career in media as a TV producer, PR consultant, and now reporter for The Astana Times, I’ve covered more major events than I can count. The Astana International Forum (AIF) is one of them. I’ll be candid: at some point, these grand gatherings began to…
National Bank Launches Crypto Card, Outlines Broader Digital Asset Strategy
ASTANA — The National Bank of Kazakhstan (NBK) officially launched the crypto card project during a June 3 meeting in Almaty with representatives of banks, crypto exchanges, and fintech companies. This initiative is part of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s directive to accelerate the development of the country’s digital asset ecosystem. The crypto card is a payment…
AIF 2025: Can Middle Powers Redefine World Order?
ASTANA —What role will middle powers play in a multipolar world? What exactly defines a middle power? How do we identify them — by geography, diplomatic reach, economic size? These questions were at the heart of a session on May 30 at the Astana International Forum (AIF) 2025, dedicated to exploring the growing importance of…
EDB Highlights Eurasia’s Growth, Green Energy, and Integration at AIF 2025
ASTANA — The Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) held a session entitled Eurasia: Unlocking Growth, Embracing Global Trends at the Astana International Forum (AIF) 2025 on May 29. The session was held as part of the largest international event in the Central Asian region, chaired by the President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. The session was moderated…
North Macedonian President Calls for Inclusive Leadership at UN and Beyond at AIF 2025
ASTANA — President of North Macedonia Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova issued a powerful call for gender-balanced leadership on the world stage — beginning with the United Nations during a plenary session at the Astana International Forum (AIF) 2025 on May 29. With the UN’s 80th anniversary fast approaching, she called on member states not only to pursue…
Turkish Airlines’ Astana-Istanbul Route Turns 20 — With No Plans to Stop
ASTANA — The Astana-Istanbul flight operated by Turkish Airlines celebrates its 20th anniversary this year. Just two decades ago, the route operated only twice a week. Today, it has grown to 11 weekly flights, and Turkish Airlines has no plans to stop there. In an interview with The Astana Times, Engin Akbaş, Turkish Airlines General…
Smarter Schools? How AI and Global Trends are Testing Education in Central Asia
ASTANA — Globally, education trends have been evolving rapidly. Rita Almeida, manager of the Education Global Practice for Europe and Central Asia at the World Bank, shared in an interview with The Astana Times YouTube channel how these global trends, often referred to as “megatrends,” translate into regional dynamics, particularly in Central Asia and Kazakhstan. …
AI for Safety and Startup Challenges: Insights from Kazakhstan-France Roundtable
ASTANA — The Embassy of France in Kazakhstan and Astana Hub, in partnership with the Kazakh Ministry of Digital Development, Innovations, and Aerospace Industry, hosted a dynamic roundtable discussion on April 2 at Astana Hub. Moderated by me, the session was packed with insights, particularly on AI’s real-world applications. While the first part of my…
Visa, Trade and Rare Earths: Key Takeaways from Tokayev – von der Leyen Meeting
ASTANA — Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev held talks with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on April 3 on the sidelines of the landmark Central Asia – European Union summit, which will take place tomorrow in Samarkand. The meeting focused on expanding cooperation between Kazakhstan and the EU in key areas such as the…
AI Partnership in Focus: Kazakhstan and France Discuss Future Prospects
ASTANA — The Embassy of France in Kazakhstan and Astana Hub, in collaboration with the Kazakh Ministry of Digital Development, Innovations, and Aerospace Industry, hosted an insightful roundtable discussion at Astana Hub on April 2. The event explored the key takeaways from the AI Action Summit held in Paris earlier this year and the growing…
Kazakhstan, Expertise France Boost Cooperation in Tech, Transport, and Health
ASTANA — Kazakh-French relations continue to strengthen with the expansion of mutually beneficial cooperation between the government of Kazakhstan and the French Development Agency (AFD). Jérémie Pellet, Director General of Expertise France — the French international technical cooperation agency within the AFD Group, providing expertise for AFD projects worldwide and other international initiatives—commented on the…
EDB Forecast: Kazakhstan on Track to Join High-Income Countries by 2028
ASTANA — Kazakhstan is projected to join the ranks of high-income countries by 2028-2029, according to macroeconomic forecast from the Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) released on March 13. According to the EDB forecast, Kazakhstan has made significant economic progress over the past three decades. The country’s real GDP per capita has more than tripled, outpacing…
Central Eurasia’s Tech Future Takes Shape in Silicon Valley
ASTANA — Silk Road Innovation Hub ended last year on a high note by hosting a Silicon Valley conference in October at San Francisco’s renowned Yerba Buena Arts Center — where Apple’s founder Steve Jobs famously debuted the iPhone and iPad. This event marked the first-ever conference in Silicon Valley dedicated to exploring Central Eurasia’s…
UN Nuclear Weapons Ban Conference Chaired by Kazakhstan Concludes with Key Agreements
ASTANA—The Third Conference of States Parties to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW), chaired by Kazakhstan, concluded on March 7 at UN headquarters. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs press service reported that discussions under Kazakhstan’s presidency fostered constructive dialogue and led to consensus on key documents to strengthen the treaty’s implementation. The…
Atyrau Plant Earns Certification, Unlocking Access to 100+ Global Markets
ASTANA — AtyrauNefteMash, a leading Kazakhstan oil and gas equipment manufacturer, received a certification from the American Petroleum Institute (API) with the support of the North Caspian Project (NCOC) operator on Feb. 26. According to Khabar TV channel’s report, the certification confirms that its products meet international industry standards and opens access to global markets…
EDB to Expand Investment in Kazakhstan’s Energy, Transport, and Industry in 2025
ASTANA — In 2025, the Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) plans to ramp up financing for key strategic projects in Kazakhstan, with a strong focus on energy, transport, and industry, said Nikolai Podguzov, Chairman of the EDB Management Board, during a meeting with Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Olzhas Bektenov on Feb. 26. Among the major projects…
Asif Khan’s Vision: Transforming Almaty’s Tselinny Cinema into Cultural Landmark
ASTANA — In the heart of Almaty, British architect Asif Khan has reimagined a Soviet-era cinema into a multifunctional venue for contemporary art and cultural exchange. Set to open in April, the Tselinny Center of Contemporary Culture will serve as Kazakhstan’s first independent cultural institution, providing a platform for art exhibitions, performances, film screenings, and…
IMF Projects Kazakhstan’s Economic Growth to Stabilize at 3.5% in 2025
ASTANA— The International Monetary Fund (IMF) projects Kazakhstan’s economic growth to stabilize at approximately 3.5% in the medium term, with inflation expected to ease further and reach its 5% target by 2028, according to a Jan. 31 IMF press release. This assessment follows the IMF Executive Board’s conclusion of the 2024 Article IV consultation with…
Central Asia’s Investment Boom: 40% Surge in Mutual Investments
ASTANA — Investment ties among Central Asian countries continue to strengthen. By the end of the first half of 2024, intraregional accumulated investments in the region Asia grew by 40% over a year and a half, reaching $834 million, according to the Eurasian Development Bank’s (EDB) report Monitoring of Mutual Investments of the EDB –…
