US Congress Considers Granting Kazakhstan Permanent Normal Trade Relations Status
ASTANA – The U.S. Congress is exploring ways to strengthen ties with Kazakhstan, including granting the country Permanent Normal Trade Relations (PNTR) status. However, progress is stalled by the Jackson-Vanik Amendment, a Cold War-era policy enacted in 1974. Some lawmakers believe the amendment could be repealed as early as January 2025. Kazakhstan’s Ambassador to the…
Kazakh Foreign Policy Advances with Successful Visits to Serbia and Hungary
ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev marked significant milestones last week with an official visit to Serbia and a state visit to Hungary. The agreements and discussions from these meetings are set to advance Kazakhstan’s structural economic modernization, opening new opportunities in trade, investment, and collaboration. Kazakhstan, Serbia, and Hungary foster a stable cooperation triangle,…
Magic of Social Dancing in Kazakhstan: Making Connections Through Movement
ASTANA – Imagine moving to a new city where you do not know anyone. Who can you talk to? Where can you find friends? The answer might surprise you—at a social dance school. Social dancing offers a way to diversify your leisure time and adds a unique “spark” to life. It is a language all…
Kazakhstan Marks Milestones in Children’s Rights Protection
ASTANA – Kazakhstan celebrated the 35th anniversary of the adoption of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) on Nov. 20. This year also marks 30 years since the country ratified the treaty, a pivotal moment in advancing children’s rights. Key achievements in child protection Kazakhstan has made significant strides in safeguarding…
Central Asian Nations See Strong Economic Progress, Expanding Trade Potential
Central Asian countries are experiencing significant economic progress, with trade within the region expanding 2.5 times over the past decade, reaching nearly $11 billion. Diverse economies, common potential Central Asia’s combined GDP stands at $347 billion, quadrupling over the last 20 years, with a population of 77 million that has grown 1.4 times since 2000.…
Discover Kazakhstan’s Top Ski Resorts as Snow Season Approaches
ASTANA – Winter has arrived in parts of Kazakhstan, marking the perfect time to pull out ski gear and enjoy winter sports. In recent years, ski resorts have grown in popularity among locals and tourists alike. The country’s resorts offer modern facilities and infrastructure, with lower costs compared to well-known European ski destinations. Recently, travel…
Kazakh Female Developer’s Startup Wins Top Honor in US
ASTANA – Benazir Toleubekova, a Kazakh developer, showcased her startup Pointai at the TechCrunch Disrupt 2024 conference in the United States, where the company unveiled its new product, Hire Pam—an AI-powered customer support employee, reported The Tech media on it’s Instagram page on Nov.2. The product won first place on Product Hunt, a leading platform…
Kazakh Tutor Teaches Dimash Qudaibergen’s Global Fans Language of His Music
ASTANA – Kazakh pop singer Dimash Qudaibergen captivates audiences worldwide with his remarkable talent, using his music to promote Kazakh culture and inspire fans to learn the Kazakh language. His fans, known as Dears, turn to Aidana Bekbolatova, a popular Kazakh language tutor, to understand the lyrics he sings. “Teaching is my calling” Bekbolatova attributes…
Central Asia Launches First Regional Civil Aviation Organization
ASTANA – The Eurasian Civil Aviation Conference (EACAC), which includes Armenia, Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, held its inaugural meeting in Almaty on Nov. 6. The meeting was attended by aviation authorities from the member countries, reported the Kazakh Civil Aviation Committee’s press service. The EACAC plans to be a cooperative platform for…
Wanderlust Magazine: Kazakhstan Enters Top Five New Travel Destinations
ASTANA – Kazakhstan was ranked among the top five most desirable new destinations in the 23rd Annual Wanderlust Reader Travel Awards, reported Wanderlust magazine. The country placed fifth in the Most Desirable New Destination category, with Uzbekistan taking first place, followed by Albania, Qatar, and Azerbaijan. The rankings were determined through online voting, with over…
Tokayev’s Meeting with ADB President Reveals $300 Million Deal for Highway Project
ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev met with Asian Development Bank (ADB) President Masatsugu Asakawa on Nov. 8, where they discussed future economic priorities, including a $300 million agreement for constructing the Kyzylorda-Zhezkazgan highway. The meeting took place during Asakawa’s visit to Kazakhstan for the 23rd Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) Ministerial Conference, reported the…
Kazakhstan Ranks in Top 50 Countries for AI Readiness
ASTANA – Kazakhstan has secured the 48th position globally for artificial intelligence (AI) readiness, following Russia, which holds 47th place with a 0.56 index, according to the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) 2023 AI Preparedness Index. The country achieved a 0.55 index, leading the Central Asian and Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) nations, except for Russia, reported ranking.kz…
Turkic States Unveil New Flag as Symbol of Unity and Heritage
ASTANA – The Organization of Turkic States (OTS) adopted an updated flag symbolizing unity and shared heritage at its 11th summit in Bishkek, reported Kazinform on Nov. 7. The redesign highlights cultural and historical ties within the Turkic world, incorporating traditional colors and patterns representing the Turkic peoples’ shared roots. The flag’s blue and white…
How Kazakhstan Can Tackle Threats of Global Warming
ASTANA – The adoption of green technologies, development of sustainable agriculture, and use of alternative energy sources will help Kazakhstan not only adapt to climate challenges but also become a regional leader in sustainable development, according to a report by the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER). The report, “Temperature Effects and Economic Growth: An…
Kazakhstan’s Regional IT Hubs Empower Local Startups and Bridge Digital Divide
ASTANA – The Ulytau Hub, Kazakhstan’s 17th regional innovation center, opened in Zhezkazgan on Nov. 5 with support from Astana Hub, the Ministry of Digital Development, Innovations, and Aerospace Industry and the Ulytau Region akimat (city administration). The center aims to support startups, promote IT education, and strengthen the region’s tech ecosystem. The ministry has…
Where Does Kazakh Gas Flow Worldwide
ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s proximity to Russia, China, Central Asia, and the Caspian region strengthens its role as a key gas exporter. The nation’s traditional export markets are the CIS, but as Europe seeks alternatives to Russian gas, demand for Kazakh gas in Europe is growing. Despite this, China remains the country’s largest gas export market.…
From Permafrost to Warm Heart of Kazakhstan: Two Adventurers Journey Through Central Asia and Beyond
ASTANA – Two travelers from Slovakia set out on an extraordinary adventure, traversing a remarkable range of temperatures—from minus 48 to plus 30 degrees Celsius—over 29,700 kilometers in just 91 days. Their expedition featured stops at the Baikonur cosmodrome and the stunning Altyn Emel National Park, allowing them to explore Kazakhstan’s diverse landscapes and striking…
Kazakhstan to Host European Parliament Delegation to Discuss Bilateral Cooperation
ASTANA – This week, 11 members of the European Parliament Delegation for Relations with Central Asia and Mongolia, led by newly appointed chair Giusi Princi, will visit Astana and Almaty. The delegation, known as DCAS, will participate in the 21st meeting of the Kazakhstan-EU Parliamentary Cooperation Committee. DCAS comprises 19 members of the European Parliament…
Kinship at Core: Exploring Foundations of Kazakh Family Ties
ASTANA – Family is the foundation of Kazakh society, occupying a central place in the culture. Traditionally, the Kazakh family structure is built on a strong sense of unity and mutual support among its members. In an interview with Tengri news agency, Saltanat Asanova, a leading researcher at the Shokan Ualikhanov Institute of History, discussed…
Ethiopian Student Views Kazakhstan’s Education Model as Blueprint for Ethiopia
ASTANA – “One of the most remarkable aspects of Kazakh society is its meritocratic nature. According to my experience, skills and knowledge matter most, and I have never faced discrimination based on my background,” said Samson Dawit Bekele, a third-year computer science student at Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, in an interview with The Astana Times.…
Kazakhstan Celebrates 100th Anniversary of Renowned Writer Nurpeisov
ASTANA – Kazakhstan commemorates the 100th anniversary of Abdizhamil Nurpeisov, a prominent Kazakh writer, translator, and public figure, on Oct. 22. Born in 1924 in a small village north of the Aral Sea, Nurpeisov’s early years among the fishermen of this unique region shaped his life’s work and literary inspiration. During the Second World War,…
Leading Expert Provides Insights on President Tokayev’s Speech at Astana Think Tank Forum
ASTANA – The inaugural Astana Think Tank Forum 2024 took place in the Kazakh capital on Oct. 16-17, where participants explored the role of middle powers in global affairs. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev addressed the plenary session on Oct. 17, highlighting the rise of middle powers and underscoring the United Nations’ critical role in fostering global…
Kazakh Director Releases Film about Legendary Wrestler Kazhymukan Munaitpasov
ASTANA – Film director Kanagat Mustafin’s latest movie, “Kazhymukan” about wrestler Kazhymukan Munaitpasov, premiered on Oct. 10. The film, which took over a decade of research and preparation, brings the story of Kazakhstan’s first world champion in wrestling to the big screen. Munaitpasov (1871-1948), who won 48 medals throughout his career, was not only an…
Echoes of Dombra Reaches Europe’s Highest Peak
ASTANA – Kazakh dombra player Alibek Kaiyrbek recently reached the highest peak in Europe, Mount Elbrus in the Caucasus, where he performed Kurmangazy’s famous kui “Adai” at an altitude of 5,642 meters. The dombra, a revered musical instrument, embodies the history, joy, sadness, courage and freedom of the Kazakh people. More than just a national…
Top Profit-Generating State Companies in Kazakhstan Listed
ASTANA – The State Property and Privatization Committee of Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Finance named the most profitable state and quasi-state companies, reported Kazinform. The list includes SK-Pharmacy, KazAvtoZhol, Problem Loans Fund, Zhasyl Damu, Kazspetsexport, Center for Labor Resource Development, KazAeroNavigation, Baiterek Holding, and the Samruk Kazyna Sovereign Wealth Fund. SK-Pharmacy SK-Pharmacy supplies medicines under Kazakhstan’s…
