Articles by Ayana Birbayeva 

ALMATY – Kazakh diplomats will continue their work in Middle Eastern countries despite the ongoing evacuation of citizens from the region, First Deputy Foreign Minister Yerzhan Ashikbayev said on the sidelines of a parliamentary session on March 11.  According to Ashikbayev, while many citizens have been evacuated due to the escalating situation in the region,…

ALMATY – A premiere screening of the Kazakh-Kyrgyz documentary “Alatau: Following the Disappearing Glaciers” took place on March 11 at the UN Plaza building in Almaty. The event brought together diplomats, scientists, government officials and environmental experts to discuss the growing impact of glacier loss in Central Asia. The screening was organized by the Turan…

ALMATY – Captain of Kazakhstan’s women’s boxing team Nazym Kyzaibay has entered the top-10 pound-for-pound rankings of the world’s best female amateur boxers, according to the latest list published by BoxRec. In the updated ranking, Kyzaibay placed seventh overall, becoming the only representative of Kazakhstan in the top ten regardless of weight category. The current…

ALMATY – Foreign ministers of the member states of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) issued a joint statement expressing concern over the escalation of violence in the Middle East following an informal meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers held in Istanbul on March 7.  In the statement, the ministers voiced deep concern over…

ALMATY — Cargo transportation along the Trans‑Caspian International Transport Route (TITR) has grown fivefold over the past seven years, rising from 0.8 million tons to 4.5 million tons annually, strengthening its role as a key link in global logistics, reported the Kazakh Ministry of Transport on March 10.  Annual cargo volumes have shown steady growth…

ALMATY – Fans of Kazakh singer Dimash Qudaibergen gathered in northwestern Spain to film a tribute video celebrating the artist’s birthday, recreating elements of the Kazakh steppe along the Atlantic coast. The filming took place in the region of Val Miñor in the South of Galicia. Scenes featured galloping horses, falconry, and traditional yurts, reported…

ALMATY – Kazakh figure skater Mikhail Shaidorov has been nominated for the International Skating Union (ISU) Figure Skating Awards, which recognize the most outstanding performances, creativity and achievements in the sport during the season. Shaidorov was shortlisted in the Best Costume category for his men’s free skating program, with the costume designed by Saken Zhaksybayev…

ALMATY – The water level of the Caspian Sea along Kazakhstan’s coastline continues to decline, according to the country’s Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources, reported the Tengrinews agency on March 9.  Officials said that between 2006 and 2025, the shoreline in some areas of Kazakhstan retreated by 30–35 kilometers, reflecting a steady drop in…

ALMATY – Kazakhstan has returned 8,585 citizens from countries in the Middle East since the start of evacuation efforts amid the regional conflict, the Kazakh Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported on March 10, as authorities continue coordinating the repatriation of Kazakh citizens from the region. The Air Astana group plans to operate additional repatriation flights…

ALMATY – For three decades, the Ile-Alatau national park has stood as one of Kazakhstan’s most important protected natural areas, safeguarding the ecosystems of the Zailiysky Alatau mountains while promoting environmental awareness and sustainable tourism. Established on Feb. 22, 1996, the national park originally covered 164,450 hectares. Over the past 30 years, its territory has…

ALMATY – The spirit of a city is preserved in those buildings that have witnessed thousands of personal stories and every stage of its growth and transformation. Today, as the skyline is reshaped by glass towers and constant redevelopment, it is these long-standing architectural landmarks, now part of the city’s cultural heritage, that continue to…

ALMATY – Kazakh singer Dimash Qudaibergen received the Ambassador of Turkic World Culture order, the highest award of TURKSOY, in recognition of his significant contribution to the development and promotion of Turkic culture at a ceremony held in Astana on March 5.  Kazakh actress Samal Yeslyamova, an Honored Artist of Kazakhstan, was also awarded a…

ALMATY – A togyzkumalak (nine pellets) tournament featuring artificial intelligence (AI) is being held for the first time in the city of Kyzylorda as part of the international rating tournament Champion. The event is dedicated to the memory of Kazakh statesman and public figure Nalkozha Yergeshbayev, reported the Kazinform news agency on March 5.  According…

ALMATY – Kazakhstan’s Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov visited the Akmola Region to assess the flood situation and chaired a meeting of the National Operational Headquarters for Emergency Response with government officials and regional governors on March 5.  The meeting focused on ensuring the uninterrupted operation of critical infrastructure and improving flood-prevention measures across the country,…

ALMATY – Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs continues efforts to evacuate citizens from areas affected by the escalating conflict in the Middle East. According to the ministry, 12 evacuation flights operated by both Kazakh and foreign airlines have been carried out since the start of the evacuation operation, returning more than 3,300 Kazakh citizens safely…

ALMATY – Kazakhstan presented the investment potential of its mining and metallurgical sector at Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) Convention, one of the world’s largest international mining conferences held annually in Toronto, Canada, on March 1.  The Kazakh delegation, led by Vice Minister of Industry and Construction Iran Sharkhan, participated in the global…

ALMATY – The Kazakh government has approved a Concept for the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Biological Diversity, a key strategic document defining state policy in nature protection, ecosystem restoration, and the sustainable use of biodiversity, reported the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources on March 3.  The adoption of the concept supports Kazakhstan’s commitments…

ALMATY – Azerbaijan has increased its gas exports to Europe by 56% since 2021, Azerbaijani Energy Minister Parviz Shahbazov said during the 12th Ministerial Meeting of the Southern Gas Corridor Advisory Council held in Baku on March 3, reported the Kazinform news agency.  The event also included the 4th Ministerial Meeting of the Green Energy…

ALMATY – Kazakhstan has established seven international road corridors as part of efforts to strengthen regional connectivity and boost the country’s transit potential, Transport Minister Nurlan Sauranbayev said at a March 3 government meeting.  According to him, four large road projects have been completed: Kalbatau–Maykapshagai, Taldykorgan–Ust-Kamenogorsk, Atyrau–Astrakhan, and Karagandy–Almaty. The total length of these highways…

ALMATY – Kazakhstan and the European Union (EU) held the second round of negotiations on March 3 in Astana on draft agreements covering visa facilitation and the readmission of citizens, reported the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.  During the talks, the parties discussed key parameters of the proposed agreements aimed at enhancing mobility for citizens, strengthening…

ALMATY – Kazakhstan has launched evacuation operations to return its citizens from areas affected by escalating tensions in the Middle East, organizing special flights and coordinating ground routes to ensure their safe return. On March 4, several flights carrying Kazakh citizens from Middle Eastern countries arrived in Kazakhstan. Air Astana operated flights from Medina and…

ALMATY – Kazakh specialists in water management are receiving training in Europe and China as part of efforts to strengthen water diplomacy capacity, the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation reported on March 2.  In November 2025, 13 participants completed studies at Corvinus University of Budapest under a dual master’s degree program between the Kazakh…

ALMATY – The Light Rail Transit (LRT) system in Astana is expected to begin operations this spring, Astana Akim (Mayor) Zhenis Kassymbek announced on his Instagram page on March 2.  Kassymbek, together with Deputy Prime Minister Roman Sklyar, visited the LRT depot building and reviewed preparations for the Unified Dispatch Center, which is being established…

ALMATY – Kazakh Foreign Ministry spokesperson Yerlan Zhetybayev extended condolences to the people of Iran over the loss of civilian lives, including children, as well as members of the country’s senior leadership, as a result of recent tragic events, in an official statement on March 2. “We express regret over the strikes against civilian facilities…

ALMATY – Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Energy confirmed that an incident at the Sheskharis oil loading terminal in Russia’s Black Sea port of Novorossiysk has not affected the country’s oil production or export operations. According to the ministry’s official statement, Kazakh oil production and exports continue as normal, and no disruptions have been recorded in the…