Water from China Allows Kapshagai Reservoir to Reach Full Capacity
ASTANA – Kazakhstan received 10.2 billion cubic meters of water from China in the first half of 2025, enabling the Kapshagai reservoir in the Almaty Region to reach 100% capacity from the Ile River for the second year in a row, the Kazakh Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation reported on July 29. This inflow…
Over 80 UAE Falcons Released into Wild in Karagandy Region
ASTANA – A total of 81 falcons were released into their natural habitat in Kazakhstan’s Karagandy Region from May 15 to 17, Kazinform reported. The group included 48 peregrine falcons and 33 saker falcons, both listed in Kazakhstan’s Red Book. The falcons were bred in nurseries in the United Arab Emirates and released under the…
Kazakhstan’s Renewable Energy Share Hits 6.8% in First Half of 2025
ASTANA – Renewable energy sources (RES) provided 6.81% of Kazakhstan’s total electricity output in the first half of 2025, Qazaq Green reported on July 24, citing the Energy Ministry. RES facilities in the country generated 4.2 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) during the six months. Wind power provided the largest contribution, 2.6 million kWh, which is more…
President Tokayev to Visit Ankara Next Week
ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev will pay an official visit to Türkiye on July 29 at the invitation of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, reported Akorda. In Ankara, they will negotiate further strengthening of the Kazakh-Turkish strategic partnership. The Presidents will also hold the fifth meeting of the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council between Kazakhstan and Türkiye.
Kazakhstan Rises in Global Passport Ranking, Leads Central Asia
ASTANA – Kazakhstan has improved its global standing in the Henley Passport Index, climbing three positions to 63rd place, the highest among Central Asian countries. This rise reflects the country’s expanding diplomatic ties and its reputation as a safe and accessible destination for international travel. The index assesses the strength of 199 passports based on…
Dimash Qudaibergen Recognized People’s Artist of Kyrgyz Republic
ASTANA – People’s Artist of Kazakhstan, singer and composer Dimash Qudaibergen was awarded the honorary title of People’s Artist of the Kyrgyz Republic at the grand closing of the Meikin Asia International Music Festival on July 22 in Cholpon-Ata, reported DimashNews.com. The award was presented by Kyrgyz State Secretary Marat Imankulov, following a decree signed…
China–Central Asia Rail Freight Up 25% in First Half of 2025
ASTANA – In the first half of 2025, the number of freight train departures between China and Central Asia has increased by 25% compared to the same period last year, Xinhua reported on July 20. From January to June, 7,349 freight train trips were made along the China-Central Asia route, including those operating within the…
Kazakhstan to Supply Uranium to Slovakia
ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s national atomic company Kazatomprom signed a memorandum of understanding on July 14 with Slovenské elektrárne a.s. (SEAS), Slovakia’s largest electricity producer, to supply natural uranium concentrate and explore future deliveries of uranium dioxide for Slovak nuclear power plants. According to Kazatomprom’s press service, this marks the first official agreement between the company…
Kazakhstan’s Oil Output Hits Nearly 50 Million Tons in First Half of 2025
ASTANA – Kazakhstan produced 49.9 million tons of oil in January-June, compared to 44.7 million tons in the same period last year, Energy Minister Yerlan Akkenzhenov said at a July 15 government meeting, reported the Prime Minister’s press service. Oil exports rose to 39.6 million tons, up from 35.4 million tons in the same period…
Kazakhstan Anticipates US$1.9 Million in Budget Revenue from World Star Concerts
ASTANA – Astana Concert plans to organize more than 10 class A concerts over the next three years. By the end of 2025, the group behind these events expects to contribute over one billion tenge (US$1.9 million) in taxes, making it a leading force in Kazakhstan’s creative economy, Malik Khassenov, the producer at Astana Concert…
Uzbekistan’s Centrum Air Launches Direct Nukus-Aktau Flights
ASTANA – Uzbek airline Centrum Air began operating a new regular flight on the Nukus-Aktau route on July 3, reported the Dunyo agency of Uzbekistan’s Foreign Ministry. The flights will be operated twice a week. To mark the first flight, a welcoming ceremony was held at Aktau International Airport, organized with the Consulate General of…
Backstreet Boys to Perform in Kazakhstan This September
ASTANA – The legendary American band Backstreet Boys will give concerts in Kazakhstan this fall, performing in Almaty on Sept. 19 and in Astana on Sept. 21, according to the band’s official website. The band will take the stage at the Central Stadium in Almaty and the Astana Arena in the capital. The concerts are…
First China-Europe Train Departs on Trans-Caspian Corridor
ASTANA – The first Trans-Caspian train set off from Beijing’s Fangshan district on June 30, carrying 104 standard containers filled with auto parts and mechanical equipment valued at more than 15 million yuan (over US$2 million), Xinhua reported. The train will travel through the Khorgos checkpoint on the border with Kazakhstan before arriving at the…
Kazakhstan Calls for Nuclear Non-Proliferation Agreement as Middle East Conflict Escalates
ASTANA — The Kazakh Foreign Ministry released an official statement on June 22 regarding the escalated situation in the Middle East and calls for a swift international agreement to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons. Kazakhstan expresses concern that the U.S. military actions against Iran will deteriorate the international situation and pose serious consequences for…
World’s Largest Kazakh Headdress Unveiled in Pavlodar
ASTANA – The world’s largest traditional Kazakh women’s headdress, known as the alyp kimeshek, was unveiled on June 17 on the central embankment in Pavlodar, setting a new fashion record, according to the city administration’s press service. The impressive headdress, symbolizing the cultural heritage of Kazakh women, was officially registered by representatives of the Global…
Kazakhstan’s Bublik Stuns World No. 1 Sinner to Advance to Halle Quarterfinals
ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s Alexander Bublik, world’s No.45, defeated top-ranked Italy’s Jannik Sinner with a 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 victory in the second round of the Halle grass-court tournament on June 19 in Germany. Sinner, the Halle defending champion, was playing in his first tournament since losing a five-set thriller to Carlos Alcaraz in the Roland-Garros final.…
Chinese Leader to Pay Official Visit to Kazakhstan Next Week
ASTANA – President of China Xi Jinping will make an official visit to Kazakhstan on June 16-17 at the invitation of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, reported the Akorda press service. During the visit, the two leaders will hold a bilateral high-level meeting to discuss further strengthening the comprehensive strategic partnership between Kazakhstan and China. On June…
Kazakhstan Joins Top 20 Countries by Gold Reserves
ASTANA – Kazakhstan has more than doubled its refined gold production over the past decade, placing the country among the world’s top 20 nations by gold reserves, Vice Minister of Industry and Construction Iran Sharkhan said during the 15th International Mining and Metallurgical Congress, reported Kazinform. According to Sharkhan, the extraction of gold-bearing ores increased…
President of Bulgaria to Visit Kazakhstan Next Week
ASTANA – At the invitation of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, President of Bulgaria Rumen Radev will pay an official visit to Kazakhstan on June 8-9, reported the Akorda press service. During the high-level talks, the two sides will discuss prospects for developing bilateral trade, economic, and investment cooperation between Kazakhstan and Bulgaria.
International Union for Conservation of Nature to Promote Water Diplomacy in Central Asia
ASTANA — The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection, and Climate Change officially inaugurated IUCN’s new Central Asia Office in Tashkent on June 2, according to the IUCN press service. The high-level event brought together representatives from Central Asian governments, development partners, civil society, and IUCN leadership.…
President Tokayev Meets Prime Minister of Italy
ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev met with Prime Minister of Italy Giorgia Meloni, who arrived in Kazakhstan on an official visit during the Astana International Forum (AIF) on May 29, reported Akorda. Tokayev emphasized Italy’s role as one of Kazakhstan’s leading trade partners in Europe and mentioned a business forum on May 28-29 involving Italian…
Kazakhstan, North Macedonia Aim to Strengthen Bilateral Relations
ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and President of North Macedonia Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova agreed to boost the full range of bilateral cooperation during a meeting on May 28, reported Akorda. Siljanovska-Davkova arrived in Kazakhstan on a working visit to participate in the Astana International Forum. Her visit, Tokayev noted, comes ahead of the 30th anniversary of…
Air Astana Launches Direct Atyrau-Tbilisi Flights
ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s flagship airline Air Astana launched direct flights on the Atyrau-Tbilisi route on May 27, reported the airline’s press service. The first passengers were welcomed at Tbilisi airport with traditional hospitality, including music and refreshments. Flights will operate three times a week on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Sundays. Kazakh citizens can travel to Georgia…
Almaty Named Best City in Central Asia in Global Cities Index 2025
ASTANA – Almaty has been ranked the top city in Central Asia in the newly released Oxford Economics Global Cities Index 2025, placing 258th out of 1,000 cities worldwide. Astana followed as the second-best city in the region, coming in at 276th, while Shymkent ranked 534th globally. Almaty performed well in the human capital category,…
EU Reporter: Kazakhstan Makes Significant Contribution To Development of Gender Equality
ASTANA – EU Reporter published an article on May 22 about the adoption of a Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) declaration on April 10, which supports Kazakhstan’s gender and humanitarian initiatives, marking a major diplomatic achievement and highlighting international backing for the establishment of the UN Regional Center for Sustainable Development Goals…
