Articles by Assem Assaniyaz

ASTANA –  The 10th-anniversary summit of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) in Astana on Nov. 3 addressed the need for capacity-building in trade and investment, transport connectivity, security, and sustainability. The heads of Turkic states reviewed the collective responsibility of the Turkic world in preventing global challenges. Introducing the priorities of Kazakhstan’s chairmanship in…

ASTANA – There are three postulates for creative industries development – a high level of education, state support, and freedom of speech, said Irina Kharitonova, the research expert on cultural and creative industries in Central Asia, the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), and Europe. In an interview with The Astana Times, she explained why Kazakhstan…

ASTANA – President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev welcomed the heads of Turkic states at the 10th anniversary summit of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) in Astana on Nov. 3. The Kazakh leader outlined eight pillars of Kazakhstan’s chairmanship in the organization for 2024.  President Tokayev noted that the Cooperation Council of Turkic-speaking States, a…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan and France signed thirteen agreements in transport and logistics, engineering, health care, and agroindustry worth more than $1.4 billion as part of the Kazakhstan-France Business Forum with participation of the heads of states in Astana on Nov. 1.  The event, which was organized by Kazakhstan’s Foreign Ministry and Kazakh Invest national company,…

ASTANA – Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and French President Emmanuel Macron made statements on the prospects of bilateral economic cooperation during the Kazakhstan-France Business Forum, as part of President Macron’s official visit to Astana on Nov. 1. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations 31 years ago, a solid political dialogue has provided the backbone for…

LONDON – Performances throughout the United Kingdom and worldwide, organizing music festivals, and teaching piano playing are part of everyday life for London-based pianist from Kazakhstan Dina Duisen. In an interview with The Astana Times, she revealed details of her creative activity in the British capital.   An Almaty native, Duisen has been living in London…

ASTANA – Flag-raising ceremonies and cultural festivities on Republic Day in Kazakhstan take a distinctive perspective through the eyes of educators. Teacher voices not only drive changes in the education landscape but shape the nation’s collective wisdom. In an interview with The Astana Times, Kazakh scholars shared their thoughts on the essence of its celebration.…

ASTANA – On the eve of Republic Day in Kazakhstan on Oct. 25, Iskander Akylbayev, the chief research officer at the Kazakhstan Institute for Strategic Studies (KazISS), shared insights on the political, social, and cultural implications of the occasion in a conversation with The Astana Times.    “Nation-building is based on our culture, traditions, and history.…

ASTANA – The inaugural high-level panel session of the global conference on primary health care policy and practice convened in Astana on Oct. 23. It underscored the international shift from mere conceptual discussions to actionable strategies, aiming for a forward-thinking transformation in primary health care. This would ensure enhanced adaptability during crises and promote overall…

ASTANA – Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO) Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, and WHO Regional Director for Europe Hans Kluge delivered remarks at the opening of a landmark event in the global health calendar – an international conference on primary health care policy and practice in Astana on Oct. 23.   The…

ASTANA – This year, Kazakhstan participated in Contemporary Istanbul, Türkiye’s premier annual art fair, for the first time. Its 18th edition, which was held from Sept. 26 to Oct. 1, presented works of Kazakh artists from three generations.  Supported by the Kazakh Ministry of Tourism and Sports and the Kazakh Tourism national company, the Almaty-based…

ASTANA – BI Group, the largest construction holding in Kazakhstan, is seeking to expand internationally – in the United States, in Uzbekistan, and the United Arab Emirates, said Dauren Aitkenov, the company’s business analyst, in an interview with The Astana Times.   Over the past 25 years, BI Group has expanded its presence in Kazakh cities…

ASTANA – The Digital Bridge forum in Astana on Oct. 12-13 brought innovations of the fast-growing business ventures into the spotlight, including artificial intelligence (AI) features of more than 300 startups. In an interview with The Astana Times, the Kazakh entrepreneurs shared their ambitions for the global expansion of their projects in the food delivery…

ASTANA – On the second day of the Digital Bridge Forum in Astana, foreign investors outlined the growing potential and emerging challenges in attracting capital for Kazakh entrepreneurs in a global venture market. The Oct.13 panel session gathered well-established venture companies to address Kazakhstan’s prospects.    The discussion was moderated by Adil Nurgozhin, the founding partner…

ASTANA – One of the Digital Bridge Forum’s panel sessions in Astana gathered experts to address the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on the creative industries’ landscape.        Timur Bekmambetov,  famous film director and producer, emphasized that this is the right moment to “educate AI systems with respect for its creators.”  “An artificial avatar can look,…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s banking performance metrics will gradually moderate in the medium term due to slower inflation and potential additional regulatory charges, according to the latest Fitch Ratings report on Oct. 4.  The report covers 20 banks representing 99.6% of Kazakhstan’s banking sector assets and says the sector’s intrinsic profitability will remain strong, commending Kazakh…

ASTANA – The New Silk Road business forum in Astana gathered experts to discuss the integration of transport systems and the development of the Middle Corridor route, reported Khabar 24 news agency on Oct. 4.  By 2027, there are plans to transition Kazakhstan’s rail transport to green technologies. To reduce environmental pollution, the country is…

ASTANA – Kazakh karate champion Nurkanat Azhikanov (75 kg) won the gold medal for Kazakhstan in the final of the kumite discipline at the 19th edition of the Asian Games in the Chinese city of Hangzhou. He upheld the country’s high standard after defeating Hassan Masarweh from Jordan ahead of schedule (8:0), announced the Kazakh…

ASTANA – Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev congratulated teachers on their professional holiday, and addressed pressing issues in the country’s education system during the National Congress of Teachers in Astana on Oct. 5, reported the Akorda press service.  “It is indeed a significant occasion today. A teacher is an authoritative professional. Being a teacher entails significant…

ASTANA – The World Bank commended Kazakhstan’s progress in improving budget transparency and ensuring social protection, as well as covered complications in quasi-fiscal activities and revenue collection during the presentation of the Kazakhstan Public Finance Review 2023 at the Economic Research Institute in Astana on Sept. 28.  The event featured a panel discussion on the…

LONDON – Kazakh female artists Aigana Gali and Gulnur Mukazhanova presented their artworks on the ancestral connection at the La Makan, Cosmic Corporeality exhibition in the Three Highgate Gallery in London on Sept. 19.   The exhibition, which will last through Oct. 15, immerses the audience in the intertwined notions of life and death combined with…

LONDON – Oxford University scholars use Kazakh and Malay proverbs in pedagogical approach for storytelling about sustainability. Olga Mun, a doctoral researcher at Oxford University from Kazakhstan, and Aizuddin Mohamed Anuar, a writer and lecturer at Keele University from Malaysia, developed an arts-based project based on the analysis of traditional proverbs on environmental responsibility, economic…

LONDON – Weather statistics show that September is the sunniest month in Almaty. It is the right time to make up the leeway for those who skipped opportunities to explore the city’s hidden gems during this summer.   “Kazakhstan’s landscapes are diverse. The uniqueness lies in the opportunity to see forests, deserts, mountains, canyons, and steppes…

LONDON – Fourteen years ago, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) declared Aug. 29 the International Day against Nuclear Tests. Initiated by Kazakhstan, its increasing relevance for the entire world community is fueled by sprawling geopolitical instability. In an interview with The Astana Times, Margarita Kalinina-Pohl, a U.S.-based expert in nuclear and radiological security, addressed…

ZURICH – Few would consider space rocket debris to be of any value. Yet for a Swiss watchmaker, this debris found in the Kazakh steppes turned out to be of use. In an interview with The Astana Times, Patrick Hohmann, founder and Managing Director of Werenbach, shared his story of creating spaceborne timepieces.   Hohmann was…