Google Training in Almaty Provides Central Asian Youth with Tech Opportunities
ASTANA – More than 1,000 young people from Central Asian countries completed the Google Cloud and Machine Learning training program in Almaty. As a result, 20 students were offered an internship at the Kazakh-British Technical University (KBTU), according to the press service of Google Developer Groups (GDG) Cloud Almaty. GDG Cloud Almaty is an independent…
KMG’s Production Highlights in 2023: New Fields, Enhanced Shipments, Sustainable Growth
ASTANA – The KazMunayGas (KMG) national oil and gas company published production results over the past year on the company’s official website in late February. Recent accomplishments include the opening of new fields, the increase in the shipment and diversification of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR), and the implementation of sustainable development projects. “Looking…
SCO Roundtable in Nairobi: Kazakhstan Leads Environmental Security Discussion
ASTANA – The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Secretariat held a roundtable discussion under Kazakhstan’s chairmanship on environmental security in Nairobi, Kenya, on Feb. 26, reported the SCO press service. The Permanent Mission of Kazakhstan organized the event for the SCO Secretariat as part of the 2024 Year of Ecology. The meeting occurred within the implementation…
Kazakhstan and US Bolster Cooperation in Energy and Mining Sectors
ASTANA – Kazakh Minister of Industry and Construction Kanat Sharlapayev paid a working visit to the United States to expand cooperation with the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) and leading companies in energy, geology, and mining, reported the ministry’s press service on Feb. 29. On the first day, the minister met with DFC Deputy…
Kazakh PM Briefs President Tokayev on Socio-Economic Development
ASTANA – Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov presented a report on the socio-economic situation in Kazakhstan and plans for ensuring the country’s economic growth during a meeting with President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on March 1, reported the Akorda press service. According to the Kazakh PM, the government has initiated measures to strengthen support for domestic producers. It…
President Tokayev Highlights National Olympic Committee’s Agenda During Meeting with Golovkin
ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev highlighted the priorities of the National Olympic Committee’s (NOC) work at a meeting with Gennadiy Golovkin, its newly appointed president, on Feb. 29, according to the Akorda press service. First and foremost, Tokayev emphasized the importance of strengthening trust-based and effective relations with the International Olympic Committee (IOC). He underscored…
Kazakh and Turkish FMs Reiterate Commitment to Strengthening Cooperation
ASTANA – Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Murat Nurtleu met with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on Feb. 29 as part of his participation in the Antalya Diplomacy Forum, reported the Kazakh Foreign Ministry’s press service. The discussions addressed the transit and transport potential of the two countries, the development of cultural and…
Kazakhstan Sends 2,000 Tons of Diesel Fuel as Humanitarian Aid to Kyrgyz Republic
ASTANA – Kazakhstan allocated 2,000 tons of diesel fuel as humanitarian aid to the Kyrgyz Republic in addressing the aftermath of the accident at the Bishkek Thermal Power Plant, reported the Kazakh Ministry for Emergency Situations on Feb. 29. The first shipment of 1,000 tons was dispatched on Feb. 28 from the Zarya branch of…
President Tokayev Congratulates People on Gratitude Day in Kazakhstan
ASTANA – President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev congratulated the nation on the Day of Gratitude celebrated on March 1, reported the Akorda press service. “This is an important holiday that contributes to strengthening the unity of our people. By expressing gratitude and respect to each other, we promote such fundamental values as friendship, harmony, and…
Eight Przewalski’s Horses to Return to Kazakhstan in Summer
ASTANA – On June 3, two CASA C-295 aircrafts of the Czech Air Force will transport eight Przewalski’s horses to Kazakhstan. After landing in the Arkalyk Airport, the endangered species of wild ungulates will be accommodated in the Altyn Dala state nature reserve in the Kostanai Region. This was announced at a Feb. 29 conference…
Automotive Industry in Kazakhstan Outpaces Expectations
ASTANA – In recent years, Kazakhstan has been experiencing rapid growth in the automotive industry. In 2023, the country produced over 148,000 cars, which is 30% more than a year earlier. One step at a time, economic diversification policy brings promising results in the development of the real economy. Last year marked the 5.1% growth…
Pan-Turkism: Turkic Vector in Kazakhstan’s Foreign Policy
ASTANA – Kazakhstan emerged as a key player in Turkic reintegration following the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, when the ideology advocating for the unity of Turkic-speaking peoples began to gain traction. Since then, the Turkic vector in Kazakhstan’s foreign policy has served as the basis for strengthening national identity, ensuring regional stability,…
Kazakh Entrepreneur’s ARTparty Popularizes Sip and Paint Industry in Europe, Enters London Market This February
ASTANA – The sip and paint experience, a combination of artistic expression and social interaction, enjoys high demand among modern entertainment preferences. One brushstroke at a time, ARTparty founder Akbota Akylbayeva turned an art concept into a go-to destination in Europe and now introduces her project in London. Its opening in the heart of the…
Kurmangazy National Conservatory’s 80th Anniversary: Grand Tour, Gala Concerts, and Scientific Forums
ASTANA – On its 80th anniversary this year, the Almaty-based Kurmangazy Kazakh National Conservatory arranges a raft of jubilee events. For eight decades, the institution has been pursuing its mission to form national cadres of composers, vocalists, conductors, performers on academic and folk instruments, and musicologists. In an interview with The Astana Times, the conservatory’s…
KazAID: Kazakhstan’s New Diplomatic Powerhouse for Development
ASTANA – Kazakhstan Agency of International Development (KazAID) serves as yet another diplomatic tool in the country’s arsenal, pursuing state policy in the official development assistance (ODA). The Astana Times interviewed KazAID Chairman Arken Arystanov to learn the details of the ongoing projects, results and prospects for the development of regional and international cooperation. “ODA…
World Bank Survey: 70% of Kazakh Citizens Report Satisfaction, as Economic Optimism Prevails
ASTANA – The Listening to Kazakhstan survey conducted by the World Bank revealed that nearly 70% of Kazakh citizens are satisfied with their lives, reported the bank’s press service. The survey encompassed 1,400 households across urban and rural areas in Kazakhstan. “We found it very encouraging to see that the overall well-being of Kazakhstan has…
Scientists to Expand Kazakh-Language Content on Wikipedia
ASTANA – The Kazakh Ministry of Science and Higher Education held a seminar on expanding and creating Kazakh-language content on the Wikipedia online encyclopedia on Jan. 25, reported the ministry’s press service. The event gathered over 100 scientists and researchers from Kazakhstan’s higher educational institutions and scientific institutes. The committee on language policy and the…
Kazakh Government Reshuffle: New Cabinet Expected to be Announced in Next Few Days
ASTANA – President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signed a decree Feb. 5 on the dismissal of the government, reported the Akorda press service. First Deputy Prime Minister Roman Sklyar was named acting Prime Minister of Kazakhstan in the same decree with incumbent ministers tasked with continuing to fulfill their duties until the formation of the…
Kazakhstan Ranks 63rd in 2024 Social Progress Index Among 170 Countries
ASTANA – Kazakhstan is ranked 63rd in the 2024 Social Progress Index among 170 participating states. With an overall score of 69.73 points, the country once again surpassed the global average of 63.44 points, reported Kazakhstan’s Economic Research Institute on Feb. 4. Kazakhstan’s indicators mark an increase of two points compared to 2022 when the…
Persian Gulf’s Qatar Scales Up Investments in Kazakhstan
ASTANA – Kazakhstan remains a key recipient of the gross foreign direct investment (FDI) from the Persian Gulf countries. Qatar’s contributions of $13.1 million constituted an impressive threefold growth in 2022. In the first three quarters of 2023, Qatari investments reached $4.4 million, reported Ranking.kz analytical website. Since 2015, FDI inflows from Qatar to Kazakhstan…
Kazakh Foreign Ministry Hosts First 2024 Human Rights Dialogue Platform Meeting
ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s Foreign Ministry held this year’s first meeting of the dialogue platform on the human dimension on Jan. 29, reported the ministry’s press service on Feb. 3. Government officials and public figures reviewed the country’s accomplishments in human rights. They outlined priorities for the upcoming work at national and international levels. Established in…
Kazakhstan Wins First-Ever Gold at 2024 World Aquatics in Doha
ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s artistic swimming team won a historic gold medal at the 2024 World Aquatics Championships in Doha on Feb. 4, reported the press service of the National Olympic Committee. Nargiza Bolatova, 20, and Eduard Kim, 18, performed in the mixed duet technical program. “Kazakhstan upset the odds to take gold in the mixed…
Kazakhstan Forecasts 5.3% Economic Growth in 2024 Amid Strong Performance in Key Sectors
ASTANA – The Kazakh government is optimistic about economic development in 2024, forecasting a minimum of 5.3% growth. In the past year, Kazakhstan demonstrated resilience by adapting to new conditions and achieving a robust economic growth of 5.1%, according to the Prime Minister’s press service. In 2023, the key sectors of the country’s economy experienced…
Kazakh PM Proposes to Create Eurasian Digital Platform
ASTANA – Kazakh Prime Minister Alikhan Smailov proposed the idea to create a digital platform for the exchange of technological solutions, patents, and innovative ideas between the Eurasian countries. This was announced at a Feb. 2 plenary session of the Digital Almaty 2024 forum, reported its press service. The panel discussions gathered over 200 government…
Kazakhstan to Create Pool of Lawyers to Protect Interests Abroad
ASTANA – Kazakhstan plans to create a pool of accredited lawyers and experts to protect the country’s interests abroad, announced Dastan Smagulov, the deputy director of the department for the protection of state property rights at the Ministry of Justice, at a Jan. 30 Central Communications Service (CCS) press briefing. The primary emphasis lies in…
