Articles by Dana Omirgazy

Fifth World Nomad Games: Caravan of Unity Kicks Off in Zhambyl Region

ASTANA — The Caravan of Unity, a kind of torch relay, has started in the Zhambyl Region two months ahead of the fifth World Nomad Games, scheduled for Sept. 8 to 13 in the Kazakh capital. Traditionally, all modern major sports events such as the Olympics, Asian, and World University Games include the torch relay,…

Antalya Unveils Monument to Kazakh National Instrument Dombra

ASTANA – A monument dedicated to the Kazakh  national musical instrument, the dombra, was erected in Antalya’s Zhambyl Zhabayev Park on July 9 to mark National Dombra Day. According to the Kazakh Foreign Ministry, Antalya Province Governor Hulusi Sahin, the city administration and other officials, representatives of the consular corps and public figures attended the…

Kazakh Surgeons Perform Live-Stream Surgery at Indian International Conference

ASTANA—Kazakhstan’s University Medical Center (UMC) specialists performed the operation in live-case online mode as part of the National Interventional Conference (NIC), one of the largest in interventional cardiology, held in India on July 5-7. “During the broadcast, a UMC Heart Center patient had surgery to place an innovative bifurcation stent. This stent is implanted in…

Which Countries Do Kazakh IT Specialists Provide Services To

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s IT services volume reached 1.4 trillion tenge (US$2.9 billion) in 2023, 46.4% higher in value than the previous year. According to the Energyprom analytical website, in terms of service types, software development accounted for the bulk — 383.9 billion tenge (US$798.9 million) or 49% annual increase. Next in popularity are application hosting…

Kazakhstan Selects Permanent Representative to TRACECA Intergovernmental Commission

 ASTANA – The Kazakh Transport Ministry appointed Almaz Aisin on July 9 as the head of its permanent representation in the TRACECA (Transport Corridor Europe-Caucasus-Asia) Intergovernmental Commission’s permanent secretariat, according to a draft government resolution. Aisin previously served on the transport and infrastructure advisory committee of the Eurasian Economic Commission and held various positions at…

2024 Paris Games: Kazakh Athletes Secure 92 Licenses

ASTANA – Kazakh athletes have received 92 licenses in 25 sports for the upcoming Paris Olympics, said the Kazakh Minister of Tourism and Sports Yermek Marzhikpayev during a July 9 meeting with President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. Eighty athletes will compete at the Summer Olympics. During the meeting, Marzhikpayev spoke about the national team’s pre-Olympic training camps…

Kazakh Capital Hosts International Street Theater Festival

ASTANA – The Kazakh capital hosted the international street theater festival for the first time as part of the Eurasia International Film Festival during the Astana Day holidays. The best actors, directors, and producers from Poland, Estonia, Russia, and regions of Kazakhstan prepared festive programs for citizens and visitors to the capital, reported Khabar TV…

Almaty State Puppet Theater Wins Grand Prix at Ottawa International Festival

ASTANA — The Almaty State Puppet Theater won the Grand Prix at the first International Puppet Festival in Ottawa, Canada, which took place July 3-6. The Kazakh theater team was awarded the victory for their production of William Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet,”, reported Khabar TV channel on July 8. The festival featured performances by three…

EBRD Sets to Double Investments in Kazakhstan This Year

ASTANA – The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) plans to double the volume of investments in the Kazakh economy this year, said Hüseyin Özhan, acting Managing Director for Central Asia at EBRD at a July 5 meeting with Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister and National Economy Minister Nurlan Baibazarov. During the talks, the Prime…

Kazakhstan Tightens Gambling Business Restrictions With Amended Law

ASTANA — Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signed legislative amendments on July 8 to tighten the country’s gambling and lottery regulations. The law introduces restrictive and stimulating norms aimed at decreasing gambling addiction among the population. The list of those who cannot gamble or bet has been expanded. Restrictions have been established on advertising of bookmakers…

Kazakh President Tightens Law Preventing Vandalism, Property Damage

ASTANA – Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signed a law on July 5, increasing penalties for human trafficking, vandalism, and property damage.  State Counselor Erlan Karin commented that the law was part of the initiatives proposed at the National Kurultai in March in Atyrau. Previously, Kazakhstan introduced a law prohibiting vape sales and distribution and a…

Kazakhstan Committed to Improve Seismic Safety

ASTANA – Kazakh Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov signed a comprehensive development plan for the seismological industry for 2024-2028 on July 5. According to the Prime Minister’s press service, the document provides for implementing a wide range of measures to strengthen the country’s seismological safety.  The country plans to develop 15 seismic zoning maps, which will…

Kazakhstan Sets to Implement Ambitious Projects With China, Iran

ASTANA—The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit on July 4 proved highly productive. It facilitated bilateral meetings that led to significant projects for Kazakhstan. Alongside adopting pivotal documents, the summit saw Kazakhstan forge promising partnerships with Iran and China, resulting in agreements on various collaborative initiatives. Iranian companies plan to build major hydraulic structures Kazakh Minister…

Kazakhstan Explores Cooperation Prospects With Mongolia, Turkmenistan & India

ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev held bilateral talks with foreign high officials following the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit, which took place on July 4 in the Kazakh capital. Meeting with Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh According to the Akorda press service, Tokayev met with the President of Mongolia Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh to discuss prospects for trade and economic…

Kazakh President Welcomes Emir of Qatar, Acknowledges Ongoing Support

ASTANA – Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev thanked the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, for his personal participation in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit and support for Kazakhstan’s international initiatives during a July 3 meeting. Tokayev called Qatar one of Kazakhstan’s closest partners, sharing common goals and aspirations, reported the Akorda…

UN Secretary-General Outlines Kazakhstan’s Important Role in Ensuring Global Security & Peace

ASTANA – UN Secretary-General António Guterres emphasized Kazakhstan’s important role in ensuring global security and peace during a July 3 meeting with Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev in the Kazakh capital. Guterres said that he views his visit as a manifestation of the solidarity and support that the UN provides to Kazakhstan and its chairmanship of…

Tokayev Underlines Significance of Tajik President’s Attendance at SCO Summit

ASTANA – President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev underlined the significance of President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon’s attendance at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit during a July 3 meeting,  reported the Akorda press service. “Your participation is very important, because you are the only current President who was at the origins of the creation of…

Kazakh Government Allocates Over $25 Million to Compensate Business Losses After Floods

ASTANA — The Kazakh government adopted a resolution allocating 12 billion tenge (US$25.5 million) to compensate businesses for property losses after massive floods. So far, regional commissions have reviewed and approved 178 applications from small and medium-sized businesses for 1.5 billion tenge (US$3.2 million). According to a preliminary assessment of akimats (local administrations), floods affected…

Xi Jinping: China Will Always Be Reliable Support for Kazakhstan

ASTANA – China will always be a reliable support for Kazakhstan, said Chinese President Xi Jinping during a July 3 meeting with Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev in Akorda. To honor the distinguished guest, fighter jets of the Air Defense Forces of Kazakhstan flew in front of the presidential residence, leaving behind a red and yellow…

Dimash Kudaibergen Reflects on Kazakh-Chinese Friendship in CGTN Project

ASTANA—Kazakh singer Dimash Kudaibergen participated in the Ideas Change project by the Chinese TV channel CGTN, marking President Xi Jinping’s state visit to Kazakhstan. The heroes of the program were people who made significant contributions to the development of Kazakh-Chinese friendship, reported dimashnews.com on July 2. As the main character of the project, Kudaibergen spoke…

Tokayev Outlines Kazakh-Chinese Cooperation Vision, Discusses SCO’s Goals in Xinhua Interview

ASTANA — The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit participants will urge the international community to initiate an honest and open global dialogue, adopt a new security paradigm, create a fair economic environment, and take the necessary steps to maintain the planet’s cleanliness, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said in an interview with Xinhua on July 1. During…

Dimash Kudaibergen at New Vision Business Forum: I Have no Other Dream But to Benefit My People

ASTANA – Kazakh singer Dimash Kudaibergen took part in the large-scale New Vision: The Power of Business forum held on June 27-29 in Almaty under the auspices of Nobel Fest and the Young Presidents Organization (YPO) Kazakhstan.  Kudaibergen shared his creative plans and performed his famous hits during a panel session dedicated to the cultural…

Kazakhstan Secures 83 Licenses, Unveils 2024 Paris Olympics Uniform This Week

ASTANA – Kazakh team uniforms for the 2024 Paris Games will be officially presented on July 5, said Kazakh Deputy Minister of Tourism and Sports Serik Zharasbayev at a June 28 press conference of the Central Communications Service. So far, Kazakh athletes have received 83 licenses for the Paris Olympics, which will take place from…

Mudflow in Kyrgyz Republic Claims Lives of Four Kazakh Children

ASTANA – Mudflow in the Nookat district of the Osh region in the Kyrgyz Republic on June 28 claimed the lives of four Kazakh children. Their bodies have been transported by special plane to Oskemen, reported the akimat (local administration) of the East Kazakhstan Region on July 1. The region’s Akim (mayor) Yermek Kosherbayev met…

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to Visit Kazakhstan This Week

ASTANA – The United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will pay an official visit to Kazakhstan on July 3-4 as part of his trip to Central Asia.  According to the UN press service, Guterres will visit Almaty and Astana to meet with the President of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, other senior government officials, and UN staff members.…