President Tokayev’s Visit to Qatar To Enhance Energy, Investment Projects
ASTANA — Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev arrived in Qatar for a working visit to participate in the Doha Forum and discuss renewable energy and investment projects with key Qatari business leaders on Dec. 6. During his visit, Tokayev met with Mohammed Nasser Al-Hajri, Chairman of Nebras Power, and Moutaz and Ramez Al-Khayyat, owners of Power…
Survey Reveals Optimism and Trust Among Kazakh Citizens in 2024
ASTANA — A sociological survey conducted by the Kazakhstan Institute for Strategic Studies (KazISS) offered insights into public sentiment about the conclusion of 2024. Despite global challenges, 66.2% of Kazakh citizens reported optimism, reflecting a favorable year personally and nationally. According to the survey results revealed by KazISS on the Dec.5 briefing, among 1,200 respondents,…
Young Kazakh Accordionist Wins First World Trophy for Kazakhstan
ASTANA — Nasyr Tarlabek, a 10-year-old prodigy from Kazakhstan, has made history by winning the Confédération Mondiale de l’Accordéon (CMA) World Accordion Championship, held Nov. 25-30 in Montargis, France. According to the Khabar TV channel, this is the first time a Kazakh musician has claimed the prestigious title in the competition’s 60-year history. Tarlabek competed…
Bibisara Assaubayeva Tops FIDE World Rankings in Three Categories
ASTANA — Kazakh chess player Bibisara Assaubayeva secured the top spot in three International Chess Federation (FIDE) world rankings, excelling in the under-20 category, blitz, and rapid formats. According to the Khabar TV channel, Assaubayeva has also made a strong impression among women, ranking 13th overall and placing in the top 10 in both blitz…
Kazakhstan, TSA Boost Aviation Security for Direct US Flights
ASTANA — To establish direct flights between Kazakhstan and the United States, the Kazakh aviation regulators hosted representatives from the U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA), led by its regional attache Chris Hadinger, from Dec. 3-5. The visit focused on assessing and enhancing aviation security protocols. According to the press service of the Aviation Administration of…
Tungsten Supply Talks Strengthen UK-Kazakhstan Critical Minerals Partnership
ASTANA — Kazakhstan and the United Kingdom are negotiating tungsten supply agreements, signaling deepening ties in resource development and economic cooperation between the two nations. According to Kazinform, the collaboration stems from a 2023 memorandum of understanding in the critical minerals sector, followed by a roadmap signed earlier this year. A conference organized by the…
Kazakhstan’s Trade Turnover with Azerbaijan Increases by Nearly 40%
ASTANA — Kazakhstan’s trade turnover with Azerbaijan reached $394 million in the first 10 months this year, marking a 38.7% increase from the previous year, reported Kazinform on Dec.4. According to the State Customs Committee of Azerbaijan, exports from Azerbaijan to Kazakhstan increased by 23.2%, totaling $107.7 million. Exports from Kazakhstan to Azerbaijan grew by…
Kazakhstan’s National Bureau of Interpol to Cooperate with Illegally Withdrawn Asset Recovery Committee
ASTANA — Kazakhstan’s National Central Bureau of Interpol, under the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and the Asset Recovery Committee of the Prosecutor General’s Office signed a memorandum of cooperation on Dec.4. According to Polisia.kz information media portal, the memorandum outlines collaborative initiatives, including sharing information, implementing joint projects and exchanging best practices to suppress illegal…
UNESCO Includes Kazakh Betashar Ritual to Cultural Heritage List
ASTANA — Kazakhstan’s traditional wedding ritual, Betashar, was inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity on Dec. 4, following a committee meeting in Asunción, Paraguay. This was announced by State Counselor Erlan Karin on his Facebook account. Betashar in Kazakh translates as “revealing the face.” It originated in medieval times…
Kazakh FM Advances Bilateral Ties at OSCE Council Sidelines
ASTANA — Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Murat Nurtleu held a series of bilateral meetings with counterparts from Armenia, Austria, Cyprus, and the European Union (EU) on Dec. 4 in Ta’ Qali, Malta. The discussions were held alongside the 31st Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe…
President Tokayev Arrives in Saudi Arabia to Participate in One Water Summit
ASTANA — Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev arrived in Saudi Arabia on Dec. 3 to attend the One Water Summit, co-organized by Kazakhstan, France and the World Bank, in partnership with Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman. The summit, held in the margins of the 16th session of the Conference of the…
Kazakhstan Boosts Grain Exports by 51% Over Three Months
ASTANA — Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ) national railway company exported 2.9 million tons of grain from the new harvest between September and November, a 51% increase from 2023. According to the Kazakh Ministry of Agriculture, KTZ facilitated the transportation of 3.7 million tons of grain during this period, a 45% rise year-on-year. The company transported…
Kazakh Folklore Orchestra Honors Nurgisa Tlendiyev with Stirring Concert
ASTANA — The Otyrar Sazy Kazakh folklore orchestra and the State Academic Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra, named after Erkegali Rakhmadiev, shared the stage in Astana on Nov.29 to celebrate the upcoming centennial of legendary Kazakh composer Nurgisa Tlendiyev. The concert brought a fusion of Kazakh folklore and global classics to life, captivating residents and guests of…
KazISS Reviews Women’s Representation in 2023 Maslikhat Elections
ASTANA — The 2023 maslikhat (local representative bodies) elections in Kazakhstan highlighted the continued efforts toward achieving gender parity with a 30% quota initiative introduced by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev in 2020 to enhance women’s representation and diversify local governance. The statistics published by the Kazakhstan Institute for Strategic Studies (KazISS) on Nov.25 on their Telegram…
Kazakh Students Tackle Gender-Based Violence at UN Case Championship
ASTANA — A citywide case championship organized by United Nations (UN) agencies and local partners at the Maqsut Narikbayev University on Nov. 25 marked the start of the global campaign, 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence. Five teams representing Astana-based universities proposed innovative solutions to combat gender-based violence, addressing its societal and cultural roots.…
Nobel Fest, Teacher’s Summit Illuminate Astana with Global Innovations
ASTANA — The Nobel Fest and Teacher’s Summit: World Knowledge Week commenced in Astana on Nov. 21, bringing together global experts and thought leaders to discuss pressing issues and future possibilities in artificial intelligence, education and beyond. The three-day event aims to foster dialogue and collaboration on innovative solutions to global challenges. In his opening…
Kazakh President’s Visit to Hungary Strengthens Partnership Between Nations
ASTANA — Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev arrived in Hungary for a state visit on Nov. 19, marking another step in strengthening the evolving partnership rooted in shared historical ties. These ties trace back to the migration of Kipchak tribes to Hungary in the 13th century and have since evolved. Kazakhstan and Hungary established diplomatic relations…
Astana, Belgrade: 28 Years of Strategic Partnership
ASTANA — Kazakhstan and Serbia mark 28 years of diplomatic relations characterized by steady growth in political, economic and cultural collaboration. Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s visit to Belgrade on Nov.19 highlights the significance of this partnership, rooted in mutual respect and strategic cooperation. Diplomatic relations between the two nations were established on Dec. 10, 1996.…
Witnessing a Living Legend: Bibigul Tulegenova’s Eternal Melody
ASTANA — The Grand Hall of the Astana Opera radiated with celebration and reverence on Nov. 17, as Kazakhstan honored one of its most beloved cultural icons, Bibigul Tulegenova, for her upcoming 95th birthday. The concert, aptly titled Kazaktyn Bulbuly (Kazakh Nightingale), showcased the life and legacy of a woman whose name is inseparable from…
Kazakh Students Research Legislative Reforms Addressing Domestic Violence
ASTANA — A group of students from Astana schools has completed a four-month study on Kazakhstan’s legislative efforts to combat domestic violence, examining the evolution of laws from Kazakh steppe traditions to key reforms influenced by the Saltanat Law. Beginning Aug. 2, the team analyzed systemic gaps in victim protections, resulting in published findings and…
Fitch Affirms Kazakhstan’s BBB Rating with Stable Outlook
ASTANA – Fitch Ratings has affirmed Kazakhstan’s Long-Term Foreign-Currency Issuer Default Rating (IDR) at BBB with a Stable Outlook. According to the rating action commentary published on Nov.15. The rating represents the country’s balanced credit profile bolstered by significant external buffers and sovereign net foreign assets, aligning with global investment standards. Resilient external finances bolster…
Kazakhstan Youth Art Honors World Heritage at UNESCO Paris
ASTANA — UNESCO’s Paris headquarters hosted an exhibition and album presentation of the works of winners and finalists of the International Youth Festival themed The Planet of Art – 2024 on Nov.12. This festival celebrated world cultural and natural heritage monuments, as well as intangible cultural heritage, aligning with Kazakhstan’s chairmanship of the World Federation…
Astana Format Guarantors Urge Peace and Humanitarian Aid in Middle East
ASTANA — The representatives of Iran, Russia and Türkiye, meeting as guarantors of the Astana Format in the Kazakh capital from Nov. 11-12, urged an immediate ceasefire and humanitarian access in Gaza while condemning ongoing Israeli military actions in Gaza, Lebanon and the West Bank. According to the Kazakh Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the two-day…
Kazakhstan’s Financial and Tourist Flow: Key Insights and Trends
ASTANA — Kazakhstan’s tourism revenue increased by 13.4% this year. According to Kazakhstan’s Bureau of National Statistics’ (BNS) October report, the growth is mainly driven by visitors from Russia, Uzbekistan, and Türkiye, contributing to a remarkable 4.1 billion tenge (US$8.4 million) in spending. The BNS conducts sample surveys of incoming visitors twice a year —…
Kazakh Archer Champions Traditional Sport, Inspires Youth
ASTANA — East Kazakhstan’s native Azhar Toleukanova emerged as the top female competitor at the international Dala Mergeni (The Steppe Shooter) 2024 traditional archery tournament in Shymkent last October, claiming gold against athletes from the Kyrgyz Republic and Russia. In an interview with Kazinform, Toleukanova described the tournament as a long-awaited achievement and highlighted her…
