Articles by Saniya Sakenova

President Tokayev Meets Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov

ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev welcomed President of the Kyrgyz Republic Sadyr Japarov, who arrived in Kazakhstan on an official visit on April 18, reported the Akorda press service. During today’s talks, which were held in a narrow format, Tokayev stressed the particular importance of Japarov’s visit and expressed gratitude for the fraternal humanitarian assistance…

Kazakhstan Pursues Partnership with EU to Bolster Water Infrastructure 

ASTANA – Kazakh Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov emphasized the need for expanding partnerships with European Union (EU) countries to develop sustainable water infrastructure amid the ongoing flood challenges in Kazakhstan at the 14th meeting of the Kazakhstan-EU dialogue platform on April 18, reported the Prime Minister’s press service. Bektenov noted the necessity of new approaches…

Development Bank of Kazakhstan Issues Debut Sustainability Eurobonds

ASTANA – With the support of the Astana International Financial Centre’s (AIFC) and Green Finance Center, the Development Bank of Kazakhstan (DBK) launched its inaugural sustainability Eurobonds, raising 100 billion tenge ($222.7 million) with a three-year maturity on the Vienna Multilateral Trading System platform, the AIFC’s press service reported on April 16. This issuance represents…

Kazakhstan, China Launch New Passenger Air Route

ASTANA – An international passenger air route was launched between the Chinese city of Yining in the Ili-Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region (XUAR) and Kazakhstan’s city of Almaty on April 15, reported Xinhua. Flights on this route will be operated once a week. Yining became the third international air hub in…

EU Applauds Kazakhstan’s Crucial Step Towards Criminalizing Domestic Violence

ASTANA – The European Union (EU) welcomed President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s recent signature of key legislation largely criminalizing domestic abuse, EU’s Lead Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Peter Stano said on April 16 on his X account. “A big first step and inspiring example of civil society mobilization. We look forward to proper implementation…

Kazakh President Emphasizes Need for Strengthening Human Rights Protection

ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev pointed out the need to strengthen guarantees for the protection of human rights at an April 17 meeting with Commissioner for Human Rights Artur Lastayev, reported Akorda. Lastayev presented an annual report of his office’s activities. He also told Tokayev about the full deployment of the regional representative offices.  Last…

International Support Flows to Kazakhstan Amid Devastating Floods

ASTANA – The unprecedented floods in Kazakhstan have garnered the attention of the world community. Foreign countries continue to extend support to Kazakhstan and express their willingness to assist in addressing the natural disaster. The Kyrgyz Republic was among the first to offer assistance to Kazakhstan. On April 4, Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers…

Gratitude for Survival: Kazakhstan Evacuates Nearly 117,000 People 

ASTANA – With 116,949 people evacuated, Kazakh emergency officers continue to rescue citizens stuck in their homes during the floods. One of the victims in the North Kazakhstan Region could not contain his emotions, expressing heartfelt gratitude for being rescued, the Kazakh Ministry of Emergency Situations reported on April 17. “I want to say a…

Kazakh Government Rolls Out Comprehensive Support for Citizens Affected by Catastrophic Floods

ASTANA – In response to the devastating floods that have recently swept the regions of Kazakhstan, the government continues to roll out comprehensive measures aimed at assisting affected citizens and rebuilding the devastated areas. The floods have significantly damaged infrastructure, homes, and farmland. Thousands of residents have been forced to evacuate as their homes are…

Kazakhstan Pledges Active Engagement at COP29 in Baku

ASTANA – Kazakhstan will play an active role in the 29th Conference of the Parties on Climate Change (COP 29), scheduled for November in Baku, announced Zulfiya Suleimenova, advisor to the President and Special Representative for International Environmental Cooperation, during her recent working visit to Azerbaijan, reports the Kazakh Embassy in Azerbaijan. Suleimenova congratulated Azerbaijan…

Kazakh FM Participates in CIS Council of Foreign Ministers Meeting in Minsk

ASTANA—Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Murat Nurtleu led the delegation at the regular meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) in Minsk on April 12, reported the Foreign Ministry’s press service. The ministers discussed the progress in implementing the action program on intensifying partnerships between foreign…

Kazakh Commissioner for Children’s Rights on New Law: ‘Victory for Every Child and Woman’

ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev endorsed on April 15 the law on protecting women’s rights and enhancing child safety. The adoption of the law is a victory for every child and woman in Kazakhstan, Kazakhstan’s Commissioner for Children’s Rights Dinara Zakiyeva wrote on her Facebook page on April 15. “Each amendment can be named after…

Boxing Champion Canelo Extends Support to Kazakhstan During Devastating Floods

ASTANA – Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez, a well-known professional boxer and key rival of Kazakh legend Gennady Golovkin, expressed support for the people of Kazakhstan amidst the devastating floods on April 14 on his Instagram account. “Praying for the people of Kazakhstan. Atyrau and Oral, we stand with you,” he wrote in his Instagram story. Canelo…

Kazakhstan Set to Increase Exports to Armenia to $350 Million

ASTANA – Kazakhstan is ready to increase exports to Armenia to $350 million, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said during a joint media briefing with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on April 15, reported Akorda. Tokayev arrived for an official visit to Yerevan earlier today.  Kassym-Jomart Tokayev emphasized that Armenia is a very important and reliable partner…

Kazakh President Endorses Law on Women’s Rights and Children’s Safety

ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signed laws amending penalties for violence against women and children on April 15, reported the Akorda press service. The President instructed to tighten responsibility for violence against women and children in his addresses to the people of Kazakhstan twice, first in March 2022 and then in September 2023. In addition…

President Tokayev Meets with Armenian PM, Signs 10 Documents

ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan reaffirmed their strong commitment to enhancing multifaceted ties at an April 15 meeting in Yerevan, reported the Akorda press service. The President stressed the significance he places on this official visit, considering it as an important stage in the development of bilateral relations.…

Kostanai Region Recovers After Flood: Residents Share Personal Experience

ASTANA – Residents of the Kostanai Region, which has been in meltwater since the end of March, are gradually recovering after experiencing the first massive floods in three decades. The last time such floods occurred was in 1994, before the dam construction, Kazinform reported on April 10. During the 1994 floods, private and two-story houses…

Kazakh Scientists Invent Antiviral Masks Using Silver Nanoparticles

ASTANA – After nearly two years of developing an effective technology for producing oxidation-resistant silver nanoparticles, scientists from Karaganda Buketov University and Kazakhstan’s National Academy of Sciences have made antiviral masks with relatively high antibacterial and antifungal properties, Kazinform reported on April 11. Viral respiratory infections are the most common diseases worldwide. They are caused…

Kazakh Senate Approves Law to Criminalize Domestic Violence

ASTANA — The Senate, the upper house of the Kazakh Parliament, approved the law on women’s rights and children’s safety at an April 11 session, State Counselor Erlan Karin wrote on his Telegram channel. “Key legislative amendments include the criminalization of domestic violence, tougher penalties for all forms of violence against children, and a range…

Kazakhstan Evacuates Nearly 98,000 People Since Onset of Flooding

ASTANA – Since the beginning of the floods, 97,852 people, including 32,856 children, have been rescued and evacuated, the Kazakh Ministry of Emergency Situations reported on April 11. The involved aircraft rescued 2,823 people, including 865 children. Currently, 7,173 people are housed in temporary accommodation centers, 3,494 of whom are children. Additionally, 88,561 farm animals…

Kazakhstan’s Youth Initiates Nationwide Environmental Campaign

ASTANA – Youth resource centers and organizations initiated a large-scale environmental campaign, titled Taza (clean) Kazakhstan across all regions of the country on April 8, reported the Culture and Information Ministry’s press service. The campaign will last five weeks, with each week focusing on a specific theme. During the first week, running until April 13,…

President Tokayev Thanks Kazakh Citizens and Foreign Leaders for Their Solidarity

ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev expressed gratitude to the people of Kazakhstan and leaders of foreign countries for their support and assistance in addressing the recent floods, reported Akorda. On his Instagram account, Tokayev mentioned messages of sympathy and offers of aid he received from heads of friendly countries during the days of the natural…

Caspian Pipeline Consortium Oil Loadings Suspended Due to Scheduled Maintenance Work

ASTANA – The Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC) launched maintenance work and installation of new equipment at the Tengiz-Novorossiysk oil trunk pipeline facilities on April 9, reported the CPC’s press office. Oil shipments at the CPC marine terminal have been suspended, with plans for resumption scheduled for April 11 so far. “Such 72-hour shutdowns of pumping…

Kazakhstan to Celebrate Eid al-Fitr Tomorrow

ASTANA – Muslims in Kazakhstan and globally will celebrate Eid al-Fitr, also known as Eid or Oraza Ait, marking the end of the Holy Month of Ramadan tomorrow. Eid al-Fitr, the feast of breaking the fast, begins with a morning prayer called Ait-namaz, usually performed collectively in mosques. Ramadan, the sacred month of spiritual renewal…

Kazakh Officers Lead Peacekeeping Missions in Congo

ASTANA – Lieutenant Colonel Altynbek Zhalmukhanov and Major Batyr Tuyakov have been stationed on the African continent since last year as part of the United Nations (UN) Stabilization Mission in Congo, the Kazakh Defense Ministry’s press service reported on April 6. Zhalmukhanov serves as the commander of a group of military observers in Kivanja in…