Articles by Ayana Birbayeva 

ALMATY – Kazakhstan has ranked among the top 20 countries worldwide in aviation security, with its safety compliance indicator reaching 95.7%, officials said during the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Global Implementation Support Symposium 2026 (GISS 2026) in Marrakech, Morocco, where Kazakhstan’s aviation progress was presented to global partners. The meeting brought together the President…

ALMATY – Kazakhstan plans to increase trade with Afghanistan to $3 billion in the coming years, up from the current level of around $500 million annually, as it expands cooperation in logistics and infrastructure, said Special Representative of the Kazakh President for Afghanistan – Ambassador-at-Large  Yerkin Tukumov in an interview with Jibek Joly radio. According…

ALMATY – Kazakhstan is set to host branches of British universities and expand cooperation in energy, trade, and technology under a new agreement with the United Kingdom, as both sides look to surpass last year’s $1.6 billion trade turnover in 2025. The plans were outlined as Kazakhstan’s Senate (Parliament’s upper chamber) ratified a strategic partnership…

ALMATY – Uzbekistan has joined a global initiative led by the World Bank Group to improve water security for one billion people by 2030, officials announced on April 15 during the Spring Meetings in Washington. The initiative, known as Water Forward, was launched with the participation of World Bank Group President Ajay Banga and UN…

ASTANA – Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev will take part in the Antalya Diplomacy Forum on April 17–19, while Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is expected to pay a state visit to Kazakhstan on May 14. The upcoming visit by Erdoğan is expected to include a meeting of the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council and the signing…

ALMATY – The Islamic Civilization Center in Uzbekistan has been officially recognized as the world’s largest museum of Islamic civilization, earning a prestigious title from Guinness World Records on April 13, reported the museum’s press service.  The award ceremony took place in Tashkent with the participation of official Guinness adjudicator Sheyda Subasi, who confirmed that…

ALMATY – Despite a downgrade in global economic prospects, Kazakhstan is expected to maintain solid growth momentum, according to the latest April 14 report from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). While the IMF has lowered its global GDP growth forecast for 2026 to 3.1%, the outlook for Kazakhstan remains comparatively strong, highlighting the country’s resilience…

ALMATY – Kazakhstan has improved its standing in the global passport ranking, securing 57th place in the 2026 edition of the Henley Passport Index. According to the latest data, Kazakh citizens can now travel to 78 destinations worldwide either visa-free or with simplified entry procedures. The index, widely regarded as a key benchmark of global…

ALMATY – Kazakh singer and global artist Dimash Qudaibergen received the Weibo Macau China Award for Annual Contribution to International Cultural Exchange, his first international award as a producer on April 11, marking a new milestone in his career, at the 2026 Weibo Gala in Macau.  The award ceremony took place at the Venetian Macao…

ALMATY – Tourism revenues in Almaty exceeded 110.9 billion tenge (US$240 million) in 2025, as the city saw steady growth in visitor numbers, investment and international recognition, reported the city’s administration.  According to the city administration, the volume of tourism services increased by 15.2% year-on-year, reflecting a broader recovery and expansion of the sector. At…

ALMATY – Kazakhstan’s top 10 export partners accounted for 79% of the country’s total exports in 2025, underscoring the continued concentration of its external trade, according to the Kazakh Bureau of National Statistics’ report, published on Feb. 16.  Kazakhstan’s total foreign trade turnover reached $143.9 billion in January–December 2025, marking a 1.3% increase compared to…

ALMATY – Kazakhstan marks the 155th anniversary of Kazhymukan Munaitpasov, a legendary Kazakh wrestler, on April 7, more than a century after he first stepped onto the wrestling mat. Munaitpasov remains one of Kazakhstan’s most enduring figures, a man whose life took him from a childhood in poverty to arenas across the world, and whose…

ALMATY – Tucked into the foothills of the Alatau mountains, an unusual home in Almaty looks more like a sculptural landscape than a place to live. Built from natural materials and shaped by hand, the house blends ancient construction techniques with modern ideas of sustainability and design. For its creators, Dilyara Mazhitova and Vladimir Radostovets,…

ALMATY – A joint session of the chambers of Kazakhstan’s Parliament will be held on March 27 at 10 a.m. in Astana, according to an order signed by Mazhilis Speaker Yerlan Koshanov. Today, during a joint session, lawmakers approved in the first reading a draft constitutional law on the special status of the city of…

ALMATY – Kazakhstan has completed the collection of all key expert findings in the investigation of the crash of an Embraer 190 aircraft operated by Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) near Aktau on Dec. 25, 2024, with conclusions now being consolidated by an international commission, Deputy Prime Minister Kanat Bozumbayev said at a March 20 briefing.  “All…

ALMATY – Kazakhstan marks National Sports Day on March 20 as part of the Nauryznama celebrations, highlighting traditional sports that play a key role in preserving cultural heritage and promoting healthy lifestyles. Across the country, regions host competitions and demonstrations of traditional disciplines, bringing together athletes, enthusiasts and local communities, Kazinform reported.  Preserving heritage through…

ALMATY – Kazakhstan plans to establish a new state body, the Alatau City Authority, to manage the development of the future city of Alatau, Deputy Prime Minister Kanat Bozumbayev said during a March 20 joint session of Parliament, where lawmakers approved in the first reading a draft constitutional law on the city’s special status. “The…

ALMATY – Kazakhstan’s Tourist Rights Guarantee System, operated by the Turistik Kamkor Corporate Fund, has demonstrated its effectiveness in assisting citizens abroad during recent disruptions in the Middle East, the fund reported. Kazakhstan’s response to recent events highlights the evolution of a coordinated and resilient framework designed to protect its citizens during international crises. From…

ALMATY – Kazakh companies signed export contracts worth $62.6 million with Mongolian partners during a business mission in Ulaanbaatar, marking a further step in expanding trade ties between the two countries, reported the Ministry of Trade and Integration on March 19.  The Kazakh delegation was led by First Vice Minister of Trade and Integration Aizhan…

ALMATY – Nearly 24,000 people moved to Kazakhstan for permanent residence in 2025, with the largest inflows coming from China, Uzbekistan and Russia, reported the Kazinform news agency, citing the First Credit Bureau analytical channel.  A total of 23,800 migrants arrived in the country last year. The biggest share came from Uzbekistan (11,800 people), followed…

ALMATY – An international festival Nomadic Art: Global Image of Steppe Culture, celebrating nomadic culture and traditional crafts, brought together artisans from across Kazakhstan in Almaty as part of the Nauryznama decade, offering visitors a rare opportunity to explore ancient techniques and cultural heritage, reported the city administration’s press service.  The festival featured master classes,…

ASTANA – Kazatomprom CEO Meirzhan Yussupov reported an 11% increase in sales volumes to 18,500 tons, citing steady global demand. He shared the update during a March 18 meeting with President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev focused on reviewing the company’s 2025 performance and setting priorities for Kazakhstan’s uranium sector, the Akorda press service reported. Yussupov also said…

ALMATY – Astana recorded the highest marriage rate in the country as Kazakhstan registered 115,900 marriages in 2025, according to the Bureau of National Statistics release on March 17.  The overall marriage rate stood at 5.69 per 1,000 people. Astana led with 6.75 per 1,000, followed by the Karagandy Region (6.32) and East Kazakhstan (6.27).…

ALMATY – The Rhenus Group, a Germany-based global logistics provider, has opened a new office in Tbilisi, Georgia, completing its presence across all key markets along the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR), the company announced on March 18. With operations now spanning Türkiye, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, Rhenus has established full coverage of one…

ALMATY — The international tourist train project Jibek Joly (Silk Way) will soon launch a new route connecting Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan, reported the Kazakh Ministry of Tourism and Sports. From March 20 to 25, the train will travel along a Silk Road itinerary linking Almaty, Turkistan, Samarkand, Dushanbe, Tashkent and Almaty, allowing travelers to…