SCAT Airlines to Launch Astana-Belgrade Flight in November
ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s SCAT Airlines will launch direct flights from Astana to Belgrade, the capital of Serbia, starting from Nov. 3. Tickets are already on sale. The flights will be operated on Mondays and Thursdays, reported the airline’s press service on Aug. 13. Earlier this month, SCAT has officially launched a new direct air route…
Kazakhstan Eases Stay Rules for Foreign Citizens, Launches New Tourist Services
ASTANA – Kazakhstan has simplified conditions of stay for foreign citizens and introduced new services for tourists, representatives of the migration service of the East Kazakhstan Region’s police department announced at a recent briefing. Under the new rules, temporary registration is no longer required if a foreigner stays in the country for up to 30…
Astana to Host Kazakhstan Open 2025 Taekwondo Tournament This Week
ASTANA – The Kazakh capital is set to host the Kazakhstan Open 2025, a G-1 category international taekwondo tournament, from Aug. 14 to 16 at the Zhaksylyk Ushkempirov Martial Arts Palace. More than 750 athletes from 23 countries, including Olympic champions and world stars, will compete across cadet, junior and adult categories. The event, part…
Alternativa Film Days to Showcase Global Cinema and Social Dialogue in Almaty
ALMATY – Alternativa Film Days, supported by inDrive, will run from Aug. 14 to 21 at ARTiSHOK Theater and Almaty Creative Hub, bringing 27 films from Asia and Latin America alongside public discussions on pressing social topics. The program opens Aug. 14 with “White Crow” (India), winner of the 2024 Alternativa Film Festival Grand Prix,…
Tokayev Reaffirms Support for Peaceful Resolution in Ukraine During Call with Zelenskyy
ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev reaffirmed the Kazakh people’s deep respect for the Ukrainian nation, its history, culture, and language, and underscored Kazakhstan’s steadfast commitment to achieving a lasting peace based on the principles of international law during an Aug. 10 telephone conversation with President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The presidents discussed prospects for resolving…
Kazakhstan Assigns Special Status to Seven Projects with ADB, EBRD, and IFC Participation
ASTANA – Seven projects in Kazakhstan involving the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), and the International Finance Corporation (IFC) have been granted the status of special significance, according to a government decree dated July 31 published on Adilet.zan.kz. In partnership with ADB, Kazakhstan is building and operating five…
Almaty Hosts Roland Garros Junior Series for West and Central Asia
ASTANA – For the second time, the qualification stage of Roland Garros Junior Series by Renault for West and Central Asia is being held at Gorky Tennis Park in Almaty, the Kazakhstan Tennis Federation reported. The tournament, which runs through Aug. 9, brings together 16 of the top under-16 tennis players from Central and Western…
The Astana Times Journalist Selected for UN’s Prestigious Reham Al-Farra Fellowship
ASTANA – Assel Satubaldina, a managing editor at The Astana Times, has been selected for the Reham al-Farra Memorial Journalism Fellowship (RAF), a prominent international journalism program run under the auspices of the United Nations (UN). The program brings together top reporters from developing countries to deepen understanding in international affairs and the UN’s work. …
Shell, Exxon, TotalEnergies Avoid Massive Fine in Kazakh Oil Field Dispute
ASTANA – Partners in Kazakhstan’s largest Kashagan oil field have won a case in a local court over a potential environmental fine that could have exceeded $4 billion, Bloomberg reported on Aug. 1, citing the venture’s operator. Kazakhstan previously sought to fine the venture partners 2.3 trillion tenge (approximately US$4.2 billion at current exchange rates).…
KMG’s Dunga Breaks Records with 9 Million Tons of Oil Extracted
ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s Dunga oilfield has reached a milestone with total oil production surpassing 9 million tons since the start of operations, KazMunayGas (KMG) national oil and gas company reported on Aug. 1. The field is operated by Dunga Operating GmbH, in which KMG holds a 60% stake. Located in the Tupkaragan district of the…
President Tokayev to Participate in UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries Tomorrow
ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev will take part in the Third UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries on Aug. 5 in Awaza, Turkmenistan, reported Akorda. The conference, which will run until Aug. 8, provides an opportunity to explore solutions and forge partnerships, addressing challenges and unlocking their full potential for a more equitable and prosperous…
EVs Make Up Less Than 1% of Kazakh Cars, But Interest is Rising
ASTANA – Electric vehicles (EVs) make up less than 1% of Kazakhstan’s car fleet. However, the number is slowly rising as more drivers show interest in eco-friendly transport, according to Anar Makasheva, president of the Kazakhstan Automobile Union. “In 2019, Kazakhstan imported fewer than 1,000 electric vehicles a year. Today, EVs account for less than…
Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic Agree on Additional Water Supply
ASTANA – Kazakhstan and the Kyrgyz Republic reached an agreement on additional supply of water volumes lost due to drought and low inflow during a July 28 meeting between Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister Kanat Bozumbayev and Chairman of the Kyrgyz Cabinet of Ministers Adylbek Kasymaliev. According to the Prime Minister’s press service, the parties discussed…
Kazakhstan to Launch Logistics Hubs in Three Regions by 2027
ASTANA – Kazakhstan plans to open logistics complexes, including multimodal centers and dry ports, in Almaty, Astana, and the Kostanai Region by 2027, Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov said in a response to a parliamentary inquiry. According to Bektenov, efforts are underway to boost the country’s logistics infrastructure. “Kazakhstan is strengthening its role as a key…
China Reaffirms Support for SCO in Meeting with Secretary General
ASTANA – Secretary General of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Nurlan Yermekbayev met with Chinese President Xi Jinping on July 25 during a credential presentation ceremony for newly appointed ambassadors to China, reported the organization’s press service. At the meeting, Yermekbayev expressed his gratitude to the president and the leaders of other SCO member states…
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…
