Articles by Aida Haidar

ALMATY — The 13th Central Asia Trade Forum kicked off in Almaty on May 14 with a resounding call to enhance trade across Central Asia to catalyze regional prosperity. The panel included Zeinah Salahi, the senior Deputy Assistant Administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development’s (USAID) Asia Bureau in Washington, Kazakh Vice Minister of…

ASTANA—The tragic tale of environmental devastation in the Aral Sea is well-documented, marking it as one of the most significant ecological disasters of the 20th century. However, amidst the desolation lies a beacon of hope in the town of Aralsk, where the Aral Tenizi (from Kazakh – Aral Sea)  public association spearheads remarkable initiatives to…

ASTANA — Jihad Azour, the Director of the Middle East and Central Asia Department at the International Monetary Fund (IMF), emphasized the expectation of an uneven recovery among economies in the Central Asia and Caucasus (CCA) region amidst significant uncertainty during an April 18 press briefing in Washington D.C.. While inflation trends align with global…

ASTANA—The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) will lead an expedition to the USAID Oasis project on the former shores of the Aral Sea in the Kyzylorda region of Kazakhstan from April 12 to 16, the agency’s press service reported.  Established through a collaborative effort between USAID and the Kazakh partners, the Oasis project…

ASTANA—During the Digital Almaty 2024 forum, which convened in February, Kazakhstan solidified its international outreach by signing multiple memorandums of understanding, particularly regarding the export of its government technology (GovTech). Notable among these agreements is the extension of Kazakhstan’s IT solutions for e-government development, including Smart Bridge, the Unified Platform for Internet Resources of Government…

ASTANA — The aviation authorities of Kazakhstan and South Korea agreed to increase the total number of permitted flights between the countries from 10 to 42 per week on March 21, the Kazakh Civil Aviation Committee (CAC) reported.  The agreement, spearheaded by CAC Chairperson Saltanat Tompiyeva and the General Director of South Korea’s Civil Aviation…

ASTANA — President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has strongly denounced the recent terrorist attack targeting civilians in Moscow on March 22, following the terrorist attack in the Crocus City Hall, Akorda press service reported.  President Tokayev emphasized that terrorism in any form cannot be justified and urged all United Nations member states to unite in…

ASTANA — Following its successful inaugural flight celebration to Almaty, Kazakhstan, AirAsia X signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for strategic collaboration with Kazakh Tourism national company on March 15, reported the airline’s press service. The MOU encompasses greater commercial collaboration and partnerships between the airline and the organization to promote tourism between Kazakhstan and…

ASTANA — President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev emphasized the significance of fostering a new social ethics and outlined pivotal values essential to shaping the identity of the Kazakh nation during his address on March 15 at the National Kurultai in Atyrau, reported the Akorda press service. “A nation aspiring to claim its rightful place in the global…

ASTANA – Deputy Prime Minister – Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan Murat Nurtleu took part in the High-level Segment of the 67th Session of the United Nations (UN) Commission on Narcotic Drugs in Vienna, reported the ministry’s press service on March 14. The minister emphasized Kazakhstan’s comprehensive efforts in combating drug addiction and trafficking. …

ASTANA – Deputy Prime Minister – Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan Murat Nurtleu underscored the pivotal role of multilateral institutions in addressing unprecedented global challenges and reiterated Kazakhstan’s dedication to upholding the functionality of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) during a March 14 meeting of the OSCE Permanent Council in…

ASTANA—Kazakhstan entered the Very High human development category, securing the 67th position out of 193 countries and territories globally, according to a recent report by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) released on March 13.  HDI overview The country reached a Human Development Index (HDI) value of 0.802 in 2022, a notable leap in its…

ASTANA — The Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC) International Arbitration Centre (IAC) launched the Eurasia Arbitration Week 2024 (EAW24) on March 5. The session, Arbitration in Eurasia – Regional Perspectives, moderated by IAC Chairman Thomas Krümmel convened distinguished figures and experts to delve into the multifaceted arbitration landscape, highlighting regional perspectives and challenges. Dr. Ilia…

ASTANA — President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev arrived on a working visit to the East Kazakhstan Region on Feb. 26, commencing his visit at the Center for Radiation Therapy and Diagnostics. The center, established on the regional multidisciplinary Center for Oncology and Surgery foundation, showcases state-of-the-art medical equipment to advance cancer diagnosis and treatment, reported…

ASTANA — National Bank Chairman Timur Suleimenov announced that the bank’s Monetary Policy Committee reduced the base rate to 14.75% on Feb. 23, the bank’s press service reported. In a press statement, Suleimenov noted that one of the pivotal factors driving this decision is the trajectory of annual inflation, which is exhibiting a deceleration despite…

ASTANA — In the vast expanse of the universe, a realm of cosmic wonders captivates the imagination of scientists and dreamers alike. Dana Alina, an assistant professor in the Department of Physics at Nazarbayev University, delved into the intricate mysteries of space, shedding light on the enigmatic world of stardust, magnetic fields, and the evolving…

ASTANA — The inaugural meeting of the BeNeLux-Kazakhstan Trade Talks on Feb. 15 at Nazarbayev University Graduate School of Business marked a significant step to fostering closer ties and exploring new avenues for economic collaboration between the BeNeLux countries and Kazakhstan. Organized by BeNeLux Chamber of Commerce, uniting the trade circles of the Kingdoms of…

ASTANA — Nestled within the bustling EXPO district on the left bank of Kazakhstan’s capital, the Astana Hub stands as a beacon of innovation and progress in the heart of Central Asia. In the exclusive interview with The Astana Times, its founding CEO Magzhan Madiyev reflected on the hub’s journey, accomplishments, and ambitions moving forward. …

ASTANA — On Feb. 11, the world celebrates the International Day of Women and Girls in Science. Postdoctoral researcher at the Institute of Smart Systems and Artificial Intelligence (ISSAI) at Nazarbayev University (NU) Zhanat Makhataeva, a trailblazer in the field of tech and research, shared insights into her journey as a woman in science in…

ASTANA — In Kazakhstan, the pursuit of nurturing capable leaders is embodied in the Presidential Youth Personnel Reserve, an early public initiative spearheaded by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. Its inaugural selection took place in 2019, marking a significant milestone in its journey. Governed by the Agency for Civil Service Affairs, this initiative acts as a channel…

ASTANA — Olzhas Bektenov’s nomination for the position of Prime Minister of Kazakhstan by the Amanat party on Feb. 6 has sparked discussions among Kazakh political analysts. Kazakh experts have weighed in on the significance of his appointment and the potential implications for the country’s political landscape, reported Tengrinews news agency. “With a high level…

ASTANA — Kazakhstan and the European Union (EU) signed four memorandums worth over 800 million euros (US$865.7 million) at the Global Gateway Investors Forum for the EU – Central Asia Transport Connectivity on Jan. 29 in Brussels. One of the signed agreements includes a memorandum of understanding between Kazakhstan and the European Investment Bank (EIB)…

ASTANA — Leading schools in Uzbekistan are set to integrate cutting-edge programming and robotics innovations from the Kazakh startup CodiPlay, the startup’s press service reported on Jan. 25.  The initiative, supported by Inha University of Korea, recently gained momentum as CodiPlay hosted an insightful presentation in Tashkent for 15 prominent schools nationwide. Zhanadil Taldybaev, founder…

ASTANA — In a Jan. 3 interview with Egemen Qazaqstan newspaper, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev outlined an ambitious economic course aimed at achieving a Just and Fair Kazakhstan and doubling the size of the national economy to $450 billion by 2029. The President shared insights and addressed concerns about the feasibility of this goal during the…

ASTANA — In the heart of the Turkistan Region, thousands of eager travelers embark on pilgrimages each year, drawn by the promise of healing and spiritual balance offered by sacred places. Among these mystical sites is the Baidibek Depression, a mesmerizing natural wonder also known as the Akmeshit (White Mosque) cave, nestled at the foot…