Articles by Aiman Nakispekova

ASTANA – Senior officials and international experts convened this week at the Regional Ecological Summit with a clear and unified message: the global community has a sufficient understanding of its environmental challenges. What is now required is a decisive shift toward results. Central Asia as emerging climate actor “We don’t want to discuss the problems…

ASTANA – The upcoming Regional Ecological Summit 2026 will focus on delivering concrete outcomes, shifting discussions on environmental issues toward practical mechanisms, technologies, institutions and financing, said Kazakhstan’s Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources Yerlan Nyssanbayev, during an April 21 briefing with foreign media. Expected outcomes include a regional declaration on ecology and sustainable development,…

ASTANA – Language is often described as the soul of a nation, but its script is the face the world sees. The Kazakh language has undergone a long transformation, from Arabic script to modern Latinization, shaped by major political and cultural shifts, including the spread of Islam, Soviet reforms and Kazakhstan’s independence. The Astana Times…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan has confirmed the presence of the snow leopard in the Western Tien Shan, along with evidence of stable reproduction, a significant milestone for the conservation of the rare species, according to Alexey Grachev, head of the theriology laboratory at the Institute of Zoology. At a regional briefing, Grachev said at least eight…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan celebrates the Day of Lovers on April 15, known as Kozy Korpesh – Bayan Sulu Day, in honor of one of the country’s most iconic love epics. The holiday, dedicated to the heroes of a 13th-14th-century lyrical poem, symbolizes love, fidelity, and respect for cultural traditions, and serves as a national alternative…

ASTANA – Kazakh society is defined by rich cultural heritage and enduring traditions, carefully preserved and passed down through generations. From hospitality toward strangers to deep respect for ancestors, these values have shaped the way of life on the steppe and have been sustained and transmitted largely through women. For centuries, hospitality has stood as…

ASTANA – Air Astana is strengthening connectivity between Kazakhstan and China with a new direct Almaty-Shanghai flight, launched in late March, the company said during a press conference in Shanghai. The route operates three times a week and complements existing flights to Beijing, Guangzhou, Sanya, Urumqi and Yining. With the addition of Shanghai, the Air…

ASTANA – A total of 34 saker falcons, 28 females and six males, were released into the wild at Altyn-Emel National Park in Kazakhstan’s Almaty Region as part of a population restoration program led by Saudi Arabia’s Saudi Falcons Club in cooperation with Kazakh partners, Reuters reported on April 3. The birds were brought from…

ASTANA – Kazakh athletes won 200 medals in international competitions in the first quarter of 2026, including 79 gold, 57 silver and 64 bronze, the Ministry of Tourism and Sports reported on April 6. In summer Olympic and non-Olympic sports, athletes secured 138 medals: 51 gold, 39 silver and 48 bronze. In national sports, Kazakhstan…

ASTANA – The Light Rail Transit (LRT) system has entered a comprehensive testing phase with 19 train sets operating simultaneously, reported the capital’s akimat (administration) press service on April 7. The tests are being conducted in fully automated GOA4 mode, with trains operating without drivers. The trials simulate real operating conditions, including passenger boarding and…

ASTANA – South Korea’s presidential chief of staff Kang Hoon-sik will travel to Kazakhstan, Oman and Saudi Arabia on Tuesday to discuss securing supplies of crude oil and naphtha, Yonhap News Agency reported on April 7. The trip comes as South Korea seeks to stabilize energy imports amid disruptions to shipping through the Strait of…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan plans to install at least 3,527 5G base stations by the end of 2027 to ensure stable connectivity and high data speeds, according to the Ministry of Digital Development and Artificial Intelligence, reported Kazinform on April 6. “Currently, 3,355 5G base stations have been deployed in all cities of national significance and…

ASTANA – The Eurasian Development Bank has released the Waves of Investment Megahype report on April 7, outlining the most likely directions for the next global surge in investment in emerging technologies, according to the bank’s press service. The report identifies seven areas expected to attract major capital flows in the coming years, including biotechnology…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan is expanding coal production while advancing power generation and digital reforms, Minister of Energy Yerlan Akkenzhenov said at a government meeting on April 7. Akkenzhenov noted that the coal sector remains a cornerstone of Kazakhstan’s energy security, continuing to expand while ensuring stable domestic supply and steady exports. Coal production Kazakhstan ranks…

ASTANA – Almaty could welcome its first Michelin-recognized restaurant this year, Deputy Akim Olzhas Smagulov said during an April 2 regional communications briefing. Smagulov noted that the city continues its efforts to attract global brands, with negotiations underway with European, American and Asian partners who are assessing the local market and preparing investment decisions. “In…

ASTANA – Syrmak, a traditional Kazakh felt rug handcrafted from natural sheep’s wool, ​​has been the centerpiece of nomadic life on the steppe.  The name derives from an ancient Turkic verb meaning “to stitch” or “to sew tightly,” reflecting the rug’s distinctive quilting and stitching technique.  Inside the yurt, it was insulated against winter frost…

ASTANA – The C5+O.N.E. (Opening Networks Through English) program launched its sixth cohort on April 2, aiming to strengthen English proficiency across Central Asia to support regional integration, professional collaboration and economic ties with the United States. Participants from Central Asian countries represent key sectors, including agriculture, banking and finance, information technology, entrepreneurship and energy.…

ASTANA – The Kazakh capital hosted the two-day international Geological Forum Geoscience & Exploration Central Asia on April 2-3, bringing together industry experts and officials to discuss developments in exploration and resource management, Kazinform reported. Kazakh Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov outlined plans to establish a modern geological cluster in Astana, including an analytical laboratory, a…

ASTANA – Astana Hub, IT Park Uzbekistan and venture fund Big Sky Capital agreed to launch an international technology hub in Malaysia during the Central Eurasian Venture Forum 2026 in Tashkent, reported the Astana Hub’s press service. The center is expected to serve as a strategic platform for B2B tech startups from Central Asia, providing…

ASTANA – An exhibition marking the 80th anniversary of the Central Kazakhstan Archaeological Expedition opened at the National Museum in Almaty on March 31, showcasing rare artifacts discovered during excavations in Central Kazakhstan. The exhibition was organized by the museum in cooperation with the Margulan Institute of Archaeology. Research fellow Olga Myakisheva from the museum’s…

ASTANA – Almaty is set to expand its international flight network with four new destinations in 2026, Kazinform reported. Regular flights to Warsaw are scheduled to begin in May, followed by seasonal summer service to Cyprus in June. A new direct route to Tokyo is also expected to launch this year, along with a planned…

ASTANA – The Asian Development Bank approved a 90 billion tenge (US$173.6 million) loan to Otbasy Bank to expand access to affordable housing finance for women in Kazakhstan and introduce green mortgage products for low- and middle-income households nationwide, reported the bank’s press service on April 1. The project is expected to provide residential mortgage…

ASTANA – A middle-path strategy based on the World Energy Council’s energy trilemma, balancing security, affordability and environmental sustainability, is the most effective approach for Central Asia’s energy transition, according to experts from the Eurasian Development Bank (EDB). The strategy, presented in the EDB report titled Central Asia’s Energy Sector: Modernization and Energy Transition on…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan hosts a stage of the International Fencing Federation (FIE) Epee World Cup for the first time on March 26-29, bringing one of the sport’s premier global tournaments to the country and drawing a field of more than 500 athletes from 96 countries. According to Yuliya Kurbanova, PR director of the Kazakh Fencing…

ASTANA – Kazakh cuisine, shaped by centuries of nomadic life on the Eurasian steppe, reflects a food culture built around mobility, resilience and seasonal rhythms. Rich meat dishes, fermented dairy products and flour-based foods remain defining features of this culinary tradition.  In an interview with The Astana Times, Aliya Bolatkhan, a historian and researcher specializing…