Articles by Galiya Khassenkhanova

Kazakhstan Uses Clean Uranium Extraction Method, Plans to Place Uranium Fund in IPO

ASTANA – Kazakhstan uses the most environmentally friendly method of uranium mining, said Kazatomprom national atomic company Chief Commercial Officer Askar Batyrbayev on Nov. 21 during the international Atomexpo-2022 forum in Sochi, Russia, the Kazinform agency reported. “Given that there is expected to be a large demand, a very large number of reactors are expected…

Kazakh Film “Poet” Wins Best Picture at Portuguese Film Festival

ASTANA – The Kazakh film “Poet” directed by Darezhan Omirbayev, won Best Picture at the Lisbon & Sintra Film Festival 2022 (LEFFEST) held on Nov. 10-20 in Portugal, reported the press service of the Kazakh Ministry of Culture and Sports. The annual film festival showcases the best films from Europe, Asia, and South and North…

Citizens Vote for President in Kazakhstan, Share Aspirations

ASTANA – The citizens of Kazakhstan are heading to polling stations on Nov. 20 to cast their vote for the new President. They can vote in more than 10,000 polling stations in Kazakhstan, including 68 stations abroad.  Astana city residents shared their expectations from the recent election experience.  Akmaral Tokbergenova, a 27-year-old resident of Astana,…

Kazakh Law Enforcement Prevent Coup d’Etat Planned For Election Day (Video)

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s National Security Committee (NSC), with the assistance of the Prosecutor General’s Office, detained a criminal group in Almaty on Nov. 17 that attempted to orchestrate violent mass riots on Nov. 20 election day, reported the NSC press service. “Seven people were detained as a result of a special operation. An investigation has…

Almaty Embodies Kazakhstan’s Independence, Says President Tokayev

ASTANA – The city of Almaty embodies Kazakhstan’s independence, said Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev during his meeting with the public of Almaty on Nov. 16, reported the Akorda press service. He emphasized that many significant events in the country’s history took place in Almaty, including the signing of the Sovereignty Declaration and the proclamation of…

We Are The World Children’s Artwork Exhibition Aims to Foster Creative Potential of the Youth

ASTANA – A children’s artwork exhibition titled We Are The World, held at the Astana Opera theater on Nov. 13, aims to promote children’s creative potential and provide them with opportunities to grow. “Cultural diplomacy aims to bring up children committed to culture, to preserve and amplify the cultural values. With the help of this…

Presidential Candidate Nurlan Auesbayev Stands Against Corruption and Oligarchic Rule

Editor’s note: As Kazakhstan approaches the presidential elections on Nov. 20, The Astana Times will contribute a series of articles in the format of reviews and interviews, providing an outlook into the electoral programs of each of the candidates. ASTANA – Nurlan Auesbayev, a candidate nominated to run in the upcoming presidential elections on Nov.…

Inflation Rate to Slow Down By 2023, Says Kazakh National Bank Chairman

ASTANA – The inflation rate in Kazakhstan is expected to slow down in 2023, said Chairman of Kazakhstan’s National Bank Galymzhan Pirmatov at a session of the Senate on Nov. 10, reported the Senate’s press service. “According to our forecasts, inflation will continue to rise, reflecting the sustained pass-through of external inflation into domestic prices,…

Kazakhstan to Collaborate with Türkiye on Replacing KazSat Satellite

ASTANA – Kazakhstan and Türkiye announced plans to work on replacing the KazSat 3 satellite with KazSat 3R, said the Minister of Digital Development, Innovations and Aerospace Industry Bagdat Mussin on his Facebook page on Nov.4. “Before decommissioning KazSat 3, we need to build a more modern satellite to replace it and ensure the uninterrupted…

Alem Saz International Music Festival Brings Together Musicians from Seven Countries for Massive Event

ASTANA – The Alem Saz International Music Festival, which takes place from Nov. 7 to Nov. 16 in Astana, opened at the Qazaqstan Central Concert Hall. The festival brings together musicians from seven countries, including India, Italy, Germany, and Spain.  Musicians from India and Germany, as well as Kazakh government officials, took part in a…

Astana Ranks First in Global Green Finance Index Among Eastern European and Central Asian States

ASTANA – Astana, represented by the Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC), ranked first in the tenth edition of the Global Green Finance Index (GGFI) among Eastern European and Central Asian countries, reported the AIFC press service on Oct. 31.  Astana’s global ranking is 54th. “Astana is the region’s obvious leader in green finance, standing 21…

Kazakh Enterpreneurs to Boost Skills Through TikTok StartUp Academy

ASTANA – Representatives of 218 startups in Kazakhstan will receive training at TikTok StartUp Academy, an educational platform launched by TikTok and Astana Hub, reported the Astana Hub’s press service on Oct. 28. The training for representatives of Fintech, E-com, Games&Apps, Foodtech, Edtech, Entertainment, Health&Wellness, and other spheres started on Oct. 31. The first 20…

Kazakh National Bank to Integrate Its Digital Currency with BNB Blockchain, Says Binance CEO

ASTANA – The National Bank of Kazakhstan intends to integrate its digital currency into Binance’s BNB blockchain, announced Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao on his Twitter on Oct. 26. “Our team met with the First Deputy Governor of the National Bank of Kazakhstan Berik Sholpankulov and Head of Payment and Technological Center Binur Zhalenov. We introduced…

Kazakhstan’s GDP Grows 2.8 Percent Over Nine Months

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s GDP grew by 2.8 percent between January and September, said Chairperson of Kazakhstan’s National Bank Galymzhan Pirmatov at an Oct. 26 press conference. According to him, this figure corresponds with the forecasts. “The slowdown in business activity is caused by slow growth dynamics in the mining industry. The repairs at the mining…

Kazakhstan is EU’s Crucial Partner in Central Asia, Says European Council President Charles Michel

ASTANA – Kazakhstan is a crucial partner for the European Union (EU) in Central Asia, said European Council President Charles Michel at an Oct. 27 meeting in Astana with Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, reported the Akorda press service. “Strong cooperation between Central Asian countries is key to the security and development of the region. Today’s…

Favoritism Has No Place in Just and Fair Kazakhstan, Says Tokayev

ASTANA – The economy of Just and Fair Kazakhstan will have no place for favoritism, said President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev outlining plans to reboot key institutions of the country’s political system, reload the entire system of values and establish a long-term trajectory for state-building during a solemn Oct. 22 ceremony dedicated to the Day of the…

Republic Day Marks Kazakh Nation’s Dream for Freedom, Says President Tokayev

ASTANA – The Day of the Republic marks our ancestors’ dream for freedom, said President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev at an Oct. 22 solemn ceremony dedicated to the re-established Day of the Republic, which celebrates the adoption of the country’s sovereignty declaration on Oct. 25, 1990, reported Akorda press service. The President said this holiday commemorates the…

Kazakh Mazhilis Endorses Amnesty Bill for Some Participants in January Unrest

ASTANA – The Mazhilis, the lower house of the Kazakh Parliament, endorsed a bill providing amnesty to some participants in the January unrest at an Oct. 19 session, reported the Mazhilis press service. According to member of the Mazhilis committee on legislation, judicial and legal reform Gulnara Bizhanova, who presented the bill, the amnesty will…

Top Kazakh and Russian Think Tanks Agree to Expand Cooperation

ASTANA – The Kazakh Insitute of Strategic Studies (KazISS) and the Russian Institute of World Economy and International Relations (IMEMO) agreed to boost cooperation at an Oct. 18 expert forum titled, Central Asia – Russia: Agenda of Modern Development in Astana, reported the KazISS press service. The event was held as the two countries mark…

Kazakhstan’s Internal Affairs Minister Proposes to Toughen Legislation On Domestic Violence

ASTANA – Kazakh Minister of Internal Affairs Marat Akhmetzhanov proposed to amend the legislation to allow law enforcement officers to act without a victim’s statement to the police in domestic violence cases during the government meeting on Oct. 18, reported the Prime Minister’s press service. The minister also proposed to limit the number of times…

Kazakhstan Hands Over IOFS Chairpersonship to Tunisia

ASTANA – Kazakhstan handed over the chairpersonship at the Islamic Organization for Food Security (IOFS) to Tunisia during the fifth General Assembly on Oct. 10-11 in Tunis.  Opening the ministerial session on Oct. 11, Kazakh Minister of Agriculture Yerbol Karashukeyev, the chair of the fourth General Assembly held in September 2021, handed over the chairmanship…

Kazakh President Discusses Trade and Economic Cooperation With Delegations Arriving for CICA

ASTANA – President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev discussed the expansion of trade and economic relations with delegations that participated in the sixth summit of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) on Oct. 12-13, reported the Akorda press service. Tokayev expressed gratitude to China for supporting Kazakhstan’s idea to transform the…

Two Female Candidates Nominated in Kazakhstan’s Presidential Elections For First Time

ASTANA – Human rights activist Saltanat Tursynbekova was nominated to run for the presidency by Qazaq analary – dasturge zhol (Kazakh mothers are a path to traditions) public association on Oct. 11, reported the association’s press services. Saltanat Tursynbekova is a member of the Public Council of Astana and founder of the Kazakhstan without domestic…

Kazakhstan’s Officials and Experts Advocate for More Cybersecurity Funding and Establishment of Cybersecurity Agency

ASTANA – Citizens of Kazakhstan have been experiencing problems with internet access starting Sep. 24 following several DDoS attacks on the Kazakh internet, with the State Technical Service, an agency responsible for maintaining the country’s information infrastructure, confirming the cyber attacks on Sept. 28 on its website.  According to the State Technical Service, nearly 20…

Kazakh Public Associations Nominate Kassym-Jomart Tokayev as Presidential Candidate

ASTANA – The National Volunteer Network, Kazakhstan’s Civil Alliance, Qazaqstan Team Youth Association, Organization of Veterans, and Kazakhstan’s Union of Athletes  nominated President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on Oct. 5 to run in the upcoming presidential elections, reported the press services of the associations. “The country will see the implementation of new reforms initiated by President Tokayev,…