Articles by Assel Satubaldina

ASTANA—The participation rate surpassed 39% in Kazakhstan’s national referendum on the construction of a nuclear power plant, which continues on Oct. 6 throughout the country.  “Overall, nationwide, as of 12 p.m., 4,804,102 citizens have received their ballots, which accounts for 39.23% out of the overall number of eligible voters,” said CEC member Shavhat Otemisov.  Shymkent…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s Central Election Commission (CEC) reported a 17.79% voter turnout as of 10 a.m. local Astana time in the national referendum on the construction of a nuclear power plant on Oct. 6. ​​Citizens across the country are casting their ballots to decide whether Kazakhstan should proceed with the construction of a nuclear power…

ASTANA—While Kazakhstan’s potential for renewable energy remains substantial, developing green hydrogen might not be an easy endeavor. Manuel Andresh, the head of the Hydrogen Diplomacy Office in Astana, spoke to The Astana Times about the role hydrogen plays in the global energy transition, challenges in scaling up this energy source, and Kazakhstan’s potential to develop…

ASTANA – The International Monetary Fund (IMF) hosted a press conference on Oct. 1 in Astana, presenting the preliminary findings of the Article IV consultations with Kazakhstan. While noting the resilience of the economy, IMF calls the government of Kazakhstan to take bolder reforms and enhance fiscal performance. Article IV consultations refer to the regular…

ASTANA – The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is set for a record-breaking year of investments in Central Asia, with a focus on sustainable energy and infrastructure projects. In a recent interview with The Astana Times, EBRD Acting Managing Director for Central Asia Hüseyin Özhan outlined the bank’s ambitious plans, which aim to…

ASTANA—The Kazakh capital hosted on Sept. 30 the first meeting of the coordinating council of partners on the development of Kazakhstan’s water sector, aimed at supporting the nation in addressing water-related challenges. The event also featured the presentation of the Water Partnership Initiative, developed with the support of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).  The…

ASTANA – CodiPlay, a Kazakh-led children’s programming startup, was introduced in the curriculum of Turkish schools, announced the startup’s press service.  Schools under Türkiye’s Yetev educational foundation and Istanbul American Schools are set to integrate the CodiPlay system. The project operates in 13 countries, including the United Kingdom, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, and Uzbekistan.  Founded…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s conservation efforts have gained global recognition as the country’s Altyn Dala conservation initiative has advanced to the finals of the prestigious 2024 Earthshot Prize, founded by Prince William. The announcement came on Sept. 24 during the third annual Earthshot Prize Innovation Summit held during Climate Week in New York. The Kazakh initiative…

ASTANA – German Chancellor Olaf Scholz concluded his official visit to Kazakhstan on Sept. 18, the first visit of the German Chancellor in decades. In two days of his visit, Scholz met with President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, participated in a Kazakh-German business forum, and in the meeting with five Central Asian leaders.  Growing frequency…

ASTANA – Throughout the World Nomad Games which triumphantly folded on the evening of Sept.13, the ethnovillage was a hot spot for locals and tourists to immerse themselves in the rich nomadic heritage, uniting cultures and ancient traditions and giving an opportunity for a bit of adventure within the limits of the city. Spanning 10…

ASTANA — Addressing the grand opening ceremony of the World Nomad Games on Sept. 8, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev stressed that nomads are “born courageous” (quote ‘тумысынан қайсар, ‘tumysynan qaisar’ in Kazakh) referring to Kazakh people’s inherent ability to face challenging circumstances with strength and resilience. This sentiment resonates deeply with and is at the core…

ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev delivered his annual state-of-the-nation address on Sept. 2, outlining priorities for Kazakhstan’s economic, political, and social future. The speech emphasized critical areas such as addressing budget deficit, strengthening governance, and improving living standards. Experts from various sectors shared their insights on key messages from the President’s address. Ensuring the stability…

ASTANA – Youth activists from Kazakhstan, Kiribati, and the Marshall Islands came together at a forum in Astana on Aug. 29 to demand bolder actions toward a nuclear-free world amid growing concerns about the resurgence of nuclear threats. With a shared history of nuclear testing scars, the young leaders urged governments to listen to their…

ASTANA – The Central Asia-Caucasus Institute (CACI) hosted a webinar on Aug. 29, exploring the rise of middle powers in Central Asia, including Kazakhstan through its economic strength and strategic foreign policy. The discussion delved into the evolving security landscape of Central Asia, and Kazakhstan’s multilateral initiatives and international engagements. Regional players not to be…

ASTANA – In a world where patriarchy is still prevalent and an invisible ceiling keeps many women grounded, women – from the remote villages in the Kyrgyz Republic to cities in Kazakhstan – are pushing back to redefine what it means to be successful. Professor Shumaila Yousafzai has witnessed this firsthand. In an interview with…

ASTANA – The world has witnessed more than 2,000 nuclear explosions since 1945. Millions of people continue to suffer the consequences. Addressing this problem is a matter of intergenerational injustice, said Melissa Parke, an executive director of the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN), in an interview with The Astana Times.  ICAN is a…

ASTANA—With growing tensions and rising risks of nuclear proliferation, the United Nations (UN) continues to champion nuclear disarmament. Kazakhstan, a nation with unparalleled moral authority in this arena, is a vital supporter of this cause, said UN Under-Secretary-General and High Representative for Disarmament Affairs Izumi Nakamitsu in an interview with The Astana Times. “I think…

ASTANA – FutureMed Ventures KZ, a Kazakh-American venture fund, seeks to foster Kazakhstan’s emerging role as a destination for clinical trials and bring innovative technologies to the country, said Almas Kenessary, the fund’s managing partner, in an interview with The Astana Times. He discussed the fund’s goals, a brain tissue regeneration technology it invests in,…

ASTANA—With its strategic diplomacy, economic growth, and regional leadership, Kazakhstan is redefining its role on the global stage as a middle power, trying to rewrite the region’s geopolitical narrative, writes Svante E. Cornell, a Swedish scholar, co-founder, and director of the Stockholm-based Institute for Security and Development Policy, in his recent feature article, “Kazakhstan and…

ASTANA – Protecting the biodiversity of a country as huge as Kazakhstan is not an easy task. For Vera Voronova, an executive director of the Association for the Conservation of Biodiversity of Kazakhstan (ACBK), this task became a life mission. Voronova spoke to The Astana Times, sharing what inspired her to take on such a…

ASTANA – The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is venturing into Central Asia’s critical raw materials sector with its inaugural direct equity investment, taking a 17.36% stake in Sarytogan Graphite Limited. This Australian Securities Exchange-listed company is engaged in exploring the significant Sarytogan graphite deposit located in Kazakhstan’s Karagandy Region. Major deal EBRD…

ASTANA—Regional cooperation is not just an objective reality for Central Asian countries but a vital necessity to address shared challenges and unlock the region’s vast potential, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev wrote in an article published in the Kazakhstanskaya Pravda newspaper on Aug. 8.  In the article titled Renaissance of Central Asia: Towards Sustainable Development and Prosperity,…

ASTANA – Relations between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, the largest economies of Central Asia, are expected to receive another boost. President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev will travel to Kazakhstan on Aug. 7 for an official visit.  According to Mirziyoyev’s press office, the visit will include negotiations with President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and the first meeting of the…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan is expected to adopt the Water Code by the end of 2024. The document is now being considered by Mazhilis, a lower chamber of the Kazakh Parliament, said Serikzhan Beketaev, director of the Water Policy Department at the Kazakh Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation, in a recent interview with The Astana…

ASTANA – The European Union (EU) High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice President of the European Commission Josep Borrell concluded an official visit to Kazakhstan and the Kyrgyz Republic on Aug. 1-3.  Borrell had high-level talks in Kazakhstan, including with President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and senior officials in the Kyrgyz Republic, in…