Almaty Chemistry Teacher Makes Global Top 50 List
ASTANA – Tatyana Beloussova, a chemistry teacher at school-lyceum No. 95 in Almaty, has been named among the world’s top 50 teachers in the 2025-2026 Global Teacher Prize international competition. According to the Almaty Akimat (administration), Beloussova is a master teacher and a recipient of the 2024 honorary title, Teacher of Kazakhstan. Her candidacy went…
Kazakhstan, Mongolia Reaffirm Commitment to Boost Trade to $500 Million
ASTANA — Kazakhstan and Mongolia reaffirmed their commitment to increasing bilateral trade turnover to $500 million, as Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Economy Serik Zhumangarin met with Mongolian Deputy Prime Minister Khassuuri Gankhuyag on Jan. 24. Zhumangarin described Mongolia as an important partner for Kazakhstan in the Asian region, noting that bilateral…
CPC Resumes Normal Operations After Attack, Completes CPC-3 Repairs
ASTANA – The Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC) announced on Jan. 25 that repairs to the CPC-3 single-point mooring (SPM) at its marine terminal were completed. As part of the scheduled maintenance, the subsea hoses and subsea sleeves were partially replaced. On Jan. 21, hydrotesting of the SPM’s cargo system was carried out, divers opened the…
News Digest: Foreign Media on Kazakhstan’s Political Reforms, Global Role, and Economic Development
ASTANA – The Astana Times has selected articles from global media outlets covering Kazakhstan. This week’s digest covers the country’s growing diplomatic profile, major political reforms, investments in healthcare and industry, and Kazakhstan’s strategic importance in global trade and regional security. Kazakhstan joins Donald Trump’s Board of Peace as one of 19 founding countries Kazakhstan…
Afghanistan Sends Gold to Uzbekistan for Processing, Boosting Regional Industry
ASTANA – Afghanistan has sent 20 kilograms of raw gold, valued at $2.9 million, to Uzbekistan’s Surkhandarya region for processing. Termiz Gold Production, a jewelry manufacturing company based in the Termez International Trade Center free economic zone, has begun processing the imported gold. The project is expected to boost regional industrial capacity, advance the jewelry…
PACE Adopts Declaration Supporting Kazakhstan’s Democratic Reforms and Regional Leadership
ASTANA – The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) adopted a written declaration, entitled Support for Kazakhstan’s Democratic Reforms and Regional Leadership, on Jan. 19 in Strasbourg. The British parliamentarian Michael German, a member of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe, authored the document. The declaration was signed by 21 parliamentarians,…
Kazakh Energy Ministry Takes Control of Investigation Into Tengiz Production Disruption
ASTANA – The Kazakh Energy Ministry has established a special commission to investigate a technological disruption that occurred on Jan. 18 at the Tengiz oil field, with Deputy Energy Minister Kaiyrkhan Tutkyshbayev on site to monitor the situation and coordinate with the operator. The commission includes representatives of the territorial department of the State Energy…
Almaty Featured Among World’s Top Five Mountain Cities by Spain’s Viajar Magazine
ASTANA – Viajar, a leading Spanish travel magazine, has included Almaty among the world’s five mountain cities where skiing is within easy reach of the urban experience, highlighting its rare blend of alpine landscapes, winter sports, culture, and city life. The publication features Almaty alongside destinations such as Innsbruck (Austria), Chamonix (France), Whistler (Canada), and…
Kazakhstan, UK Universities Launch New Partnership in Bronze Age Archaeology
ASTANA – Serikbayev East Kazakhstan Technical University (EKTU) and the Institute of Archaeology at University College London (UCL) have signed a memorandum of understanding to strengthen long-term cooperation in archaeological and archaeometallurgical research. The agreement was signed at the Bett Show UK 2026 international educational technology exhibition. The memorandum was signed by EKTU Rector Saule…
Kazakhstan’s Documentary Shows How Autism Support Builds Stronger Communities
ASTANA — Small acts of support can open new opportunities for children with autism and bring relief to their families. On Jan. 15, the Bulat Utemuratov Foundation presented the documentary “Aut,” directed by Kanat Beisekeyev, which highlights the impact of sport, trust, and human connection. The film follows children with autism in Astana who…
Kazakhstan Completes Four-Year Olympic Cycle, Spends $26 Million
ASTANA – Kazakhstan is completing its four-year Olympic cycle in winter sports, investing 13.3 billion tenge (US$26 million) to ensure full preparation of national teams and participation in all key qualifying competitions ahead of the Winter Olympic Games Milano Cortina 2026. The final stage of the cycle will be the national team’s participation in the…
Astana Prepares for Epiphany Bathing Celebrations on Jan. 18-19
ASTANA – Orthodox churches in Kazakhstan’s capital will celebrate Epiphany on January 18-19, with traditional ice-hole bathing organized at the Astana’s Capital Park embankment. Four ice holes will be equipped for the event, with bathing open from 8.00 p.m. to 2.00 a.m. on Sunday and from 8.00 a.m. to 11.00 p.m. on Monday. Rescuers, police…
Astana to Host Regional Ecological Summit 2026 This April
ASTANA – The Regional Ecological Summit (RES) 2026 will take place on April 22-24 bringing together around 1,500 participants from government bodies across the region, international organizations, development institutions, experts, businesses and civil society, according to the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources. The forum seeks to address regional solutions to climate and environmental challenges…
Kazakh President Reviews 2025 Financial Market Results, Sets Goals for Lending and Stability
ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on Jan. 15 received Madina Abylkasymova, chairperson of the Agency for Regulation and Development of the Financial Market, to review 2025 results and outline priorities for 2026, including financial stability, increased business lending, and consumer protection. Abylkasymova reported that Kazakhstan’s banking sector remained stable, with assets rising 11% to 68.3…
Kazakhstan, Iran Discuss Expanding Cooperation in Trade, Transport and Logistics
ASTANA – Kazakhstan and Iran discussed expanding cooperation in trade, transport, and logistics during meetings between senior foreign ministry officials on Jan. 15. Kazakh Deputy Foreign Minister Alibek Bakayev met with Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi to review a broad range of matters on the bilateral agenda. The talks covered strengthening political dialogue, deepening…
AIIB to Lend $150 Million for Almaty Railway Bypass Project
ASTANA — The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) will lend $150 million to support the Almaty Railway Bypass Project, a landmark investment aimed at strengthening freight efficiency, urban mobility and regional connectivity in Kazakhstan. The financing is provided to Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ) under a nonsovereign structure. As part of a broader financing package, the…
Kazakh Foreign Ministry Releases Statement on Incidents Involving Tankers in Black Sea
ASTANA — The Kazakh Foreign Ministry has released a statement on Jan. 14, addressing recent incidents involving tankers en route to the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC) marine terminal in the Black Sea. The ministry expressed serious concern over attacks carried out on Jan. 13 by unmanned aerial vehicles against three tankers bound for the CPC…
Kazakhstan Sets Record in Grain Exports in 2025
ASTANA — In 2025, Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ) transported a record 11 million tons of grain for export, the highest in the past decade, contributing to a total rail shipment volume of 14.3 million tons, up 31% from 2024. Domestic shipments also increased, rising 26% to more than 3.3 million tons. Shipments to Central Asian…
Kazakhstan’s Bibisara Assaubayeva Rises to Third in FIDE World Blitz Rankings
ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s Bibisara Assaubayeva rose to third place in the latest FIDE women’s world blitz rankings following her triumph at the 2025 FIDE Women’s World Blitz Chess Championship on Dec. 30 in Qatar. Her victory improved her ranking by five positions, placing her just behind top-ranked Hou Yifan and second-ranked Ju Wenjun of China.…
Kazakhstan Recovers Over $30 Million in Anti-Corruption Efforts in 2025
ASTANA – The National Security Committee of Kazakhstan has reported the results of its anti-corruption activities for 2025, highlighting the recovery of 16.1 billion tenge (US$31.5 million) to the national budget. In addition, property valued at 3.3 billion tenge (US$6.5 million) was seized as part of ongoing enforcement measures. Over the reporting period, 895 individuals…
Kazakhstan Expands Renewable Energy Capacity as Clean Generation Reaches 7% in 2025
ASTANA – Kazakhstan continues to strengthen its transition to sustainable energy, with the share of clean electricity generation rising to 7% in 2025, up from 6.43% in 2024, reflecting steady progress in renewable energy development. During the year, nine new renewable energy facilities with a combined capacity of 503 megawatts were commissioned. These included five…
Kazakhstan to Provide High-Speed Internet to 99% of Population by 2027
ASTANA – Kazakhstan is accelerating its nationwide digital transformation, with plans to ensure high-speed internet access for 99% of the population by the end of 2027, said Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Digital Development, Innovation and Aerospace Industry Zhaslan Madiyev at a Jan. 6 government meeting. As of the end of 2025, high-speed internet…
Kazakhstan’s Population Exceeds 20.4 Million as Urbanization Continues to Rise
ASTANA — The population of Kazakhstan reached 20,478,879 people as of Dec. 1, 2025, according to the Bureau of National Statistics. Since the beginning of 2025, the country’s population has increased by 195,480 people, up from 20,283,399 at the start of the year. The largest share of the population is concentrated in the country’s major…
Kazakhstan Names Flag Bearers for Milan 2026 Winter Olympics
ASTANA — Short-track speed skaters Denis Nikisha and Yana Khan will carry Kazakhstan’s flag at the opening ceremony of the 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Milan, said Deputy Chairman of Kazakhstan’s Committee for Sports and Physical Culture Nurlan Yessembayev. The opening ceremony of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics will take place on Feb. 6,…
KazNU Scientist Proves Chicory’s Powerful Antidiabetic Potential
ASTANA — A young scientist from Al-Farabi Kazakh National University (KazNU) in Almaty has scientifically proven the antidiabetic properties of chicory, opening new prospects for plant-based health products in Kazakhstan. Ayzhamal Baiseitova, a senior lecturer at KazNU, conducted a comprehensive study on chicory and demonstrated that its bioactive compounds effectively reduce blood sugar levels and…
