Kazakh Opera Singer Wins Top Prize at International Competition in Italy
ASTANA – Kazakh soprano Aigerim Altynbek became the first representative from Central Asia to win the International Opera Competition CLIP 2025 in Italy, reported the Ministry of Culture and Information on July 28. Altynbek received multiple honors, including first prize, the Audience Award, Best Female Voice, and the Critics’ Award. “In the entire history of…
AIFC Reports Mid-Year Results With $ 2.6 Billion Investment Growth
ASTANA – The Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC) attracted $2.6 billion in investments in the first half of 2025, bringing its total investment volume to more than $16.9 billion, reported the AIFC’s press service on July 28. During the same period, 567 new companies joined the AIFC ecosystem, including four fintech firms, five Ancillary Service…
ADB Raises Growth Outlook for Central Asia, Warns of Rising Inflation
ASTANA – The Asian Development Bank (ADB) revised its growth forecast for economies in the Caucasus and Central Asia upward to 5.5% for 2025 and 5.1% for 2026, up from earlier projections of 5.4% and 5.0%, respectively, according to its latest Asian Development Outlook report. The improved outlook reflects stronger-than-expected government spending on capital investments…
Kazakh National Currency Weakens as Market Forces Drive Decline
ASTANA – Kazakhstan is experiencing a sharp depreciation of its national currency, as the exchange rate for the U.S. dollar surpassed 540 tenge at currency exchange offices on July 23 and continued to rise through July 25. The National Bank of Kazakhstan set the official exchange rate at 544.87 tenge per dollar and 639.2 tenge…
Kazakhstan, Türkiye to Deepen Strategic Ties at High-Level Council Meeting in Ankara
ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev will pay an official visit to Türkiye on July 29, during which he is scheduled to hold high-level talks with President Recep Erdoğan aimed at strengthening the strategic partnership between the two countries. The two leaders are expected to co-chair the fifth meeting of the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council. The…
After Health Scare, She Turned Her Camera Toward Women Fighting for Their Lives
ASTANA – Kazakh photographer Anel Bazylova sheds light on women living with cancer and rare genetic conditions in her powerful portrait series titled “Be.” Her work earned international recognition by being selected from more than 419,000 entries in the Sony World Photography Awards and was exhibited at London’s Somerset House. The award-winning photo series highlights…
Kazakhstan Premieres Documentary to Mark 100th Heart Transplant
ASTANA – A life-saving operation and a milestone moment in Kazakhstan’s medical history were brought to the screens on July 24, as the Heart Center Foundation and University Medical Center (UMC) premiered the documentary “100 Heart Transplantations in Kazakhstan.” The short movie highlights the country’s 100th heart transplant and aims to raise public awareness about…
Kazakhstan, Canada Explore Opportunities for Stronger Bilateral Ties
ASTANA – Canada and Kazakhstan share common views on global challenges and see strong potential to deepen cooperation in trade, investment, energy, education, and diplomacy. These opportunities were discussed during a July 21 meeting between the Kazakh and Canadian officials, organized by the Canadian Institute for Peace and Diplomacy. Opening the discussion, Kazakh Ambassador to…
ICAO Chief Praises Kazakhstan’s Aviation Progress, Eyes Greater Regional Role
ASTANA – International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) President Salvatore Sciacchitano recognized Kazakhstan’s swift progress in aviation safety, liberalization, and infrastructure, emphasizing its potential to become a major regional air transport hub connecting Europe and Asia in an interview with The Astana Times. The ICAO’s recently adopted 2025-2050 strategic plan sets ambitious global goals, and Kazakhstan…
Kazakhstan’s Push for Species Recovery Faces Ecosystem Trade-Offs
ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s vast landscapes, spanning from the steppe to the mountains, harbor a wealth of biodiversity. Located at the crossroads of Eurasia, the country is home to rare species found nowhere else. Like much of the world, Kazakhstan faces mounting pressures from climate change, habitat loss, and human activity. As global attention turns toward…
Australian Musician Honors Kazakhstan with Dombra Melody
ASTANA – Kazakhstan has celebrated National Dombra Day on the first Sunday of July since 2018. Dombra, the national musical instrument, embodies the country’s rich history, culture, and spirit of freedom. Its distinctive sound, by turns soothing, joyful, and sorrowful, has captivated audiences worldwide, fueling a revival both at home and abroad. On social platforms,…
Anti-Violence Campaign Makes Impact Nationwide
ASTANA – The final stage of the Kazakhstan Without Domestic Violence national campaign took place in Astana on June 28, as part of the Year of Crime Prevention, announced by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and supported by the National Commission on Women and Family and Demographic Policy. The campaign aimed to promote zero tolerance…
Kazakh Tech Firm Introduces First Large Language Model for Eastern Armenian
ASTANA – Kazakh technology company Gen2B has launched HyGPT, the first large language model (LLM) designed for the Eastern Armenian language, reported the company’s press service on July 1. Developed in collaboration with the National Center for Artificial Intelligence and Technologies of Armenia (NCCAIT), the model is based on the Gemma 2 architecture and trained…
Kazakhstan to Host Travel Blog Exchange Asia 2026
ASTANA – Almaty will host the Travel Blog Exchange (TBEX) Asia on Aug. 20-23, 2026, drawing more than 300 renowned travel experts, journalists, and bloggers worldwide. The event is expected to reach a global audience of approximately 300 million people, reported the Kazakh Tourism company’s press service. During a press conference in Almaty, TBEX President Rick…
Kazakh Dance Speaks Language of Tradition and Identity
ASTANA – Kazakh national dance has long stood out for its grace, fluidity and charisma, characterized by expressive gestures and rich symbolism. For centuries, Kazakhs used dance to express their way of life, traditions and emotions, often drawing inspiration from nature and the rhythms of nomadic life. Traditionally passed down through generations, Kazakh dance, like…
Exhibition Showcases City’s History Through Lens of Kazakh Photojournalist
ASTANA – The capital hosted the “My Astana: From the Past to the Future” exhibition featuring more than 300 rare pictures captured by photojournalist and local historian Nurmukhamat Imamov. Opened on June 26 at the Presidential Center, the display traces the city’s evolution over four decades, highlighting its cultural heritage, architectural growth, and the everyday…
Kazakh Filmmaker Calls for Support and Gender Balance in Creative Industry
ASTANA – Creative industries are a rapidly expanding sector of the global economy, generating added value and new jobs. Globally, the sector contributes more than 3% to GDP and employs over 6% of the working population. Kazakhstan has seen promising growth in this area. Since 2019, the country’s creative economy has more than tripled in…
Kazakh Gymnast Wins Historic Gold at Junior World Championships
ASTANA – Kazakh rhythmic gymnast Akmaral Yerekesheva claimed a historic gold medal at the Junior World Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships in Bulgaria on June 22, marking a first for Kazakhstan at the event, reported the Gymnastics Federation’s press service. Yerekesheva claimed the top spot in the ball exercise with a score of 26.150 points and earned…
Kazakhstan Brings Citizens Home from Iran in Swift Rescue Effort
ASTANA – Kazakhstan has carried out a rapid and extensive operation to evacuate its citizens from Iran amid growing instability in the Middle East. Over several days, Kazakh diplomats worked around the clock, maintaining contact with local authorities, assisting citizens with documentation, and coordinating travel logistics. More than 200 individual appeals were processed in a…
Kazakh Footprints in US: New Book Unearths Forgotten Histories
ASTANA – The National Museum hosted the presentation of the book “America Ashkan Kazaktar” (Kazakhs Who Discovered America) on June 5, authored by journalist and researcher Duisenali Alimakyn. The book is the result of archival research conducted in the United States. It aims to shed light on the untold connections between the two nations through…
Alternativa Film Festival to Spotlight Global South Voices in Colombia
ASTANA – Filmmakers from Latin America and Central Asia are invited to submit entries for the 2026 Alternativa Film Festival, which will be held in Colombia in the second quarter of the year. The festival will feature seven awards and a total prize fund of $120,000, according to the event’s press service. Submissions open June…
EU Citizen Granted Kazakhstan’s Neo Nomad Visa
ASTANA – Jorge Rosa Filho, a European citizen, has received Kazakhstan’s Neo Nomad Visa, which allows remote workers to live and work in the country for up to one year, reported the Ministry of Tourism and Sports’ press service. Filho plans to stay in Astana for six months and travel to several regions for tourism.…
Kazakh FM Visits Iran to Bolster Bilateral Ties
ASTANA – Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Murat Nurtleu paid an official visit to Iran and held talks with Iranian top officials on June 7, reported the Foreign Ministry’s press service. During a meeting with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, the officials discussed key areas of cooperation, reaffirming their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations.…
Kazakhstan Welcomes Hungarian Culture with First-Ever Matyó Exhibition
ASTANA – For the first time in Kazakhstan, an exhibition dedicated to Matyó embroidery, a vibrant symbol of Hungarian folklore and part of UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list, is on display at the Almaty Museum. The exhibition features more than 100 authentic items, including embroidered textiles, traditional clothing elements, household items, and rare archival photographs…
How Kazakh Educators Inspire Love for Learning
ASTANA – They say a child’s development is shaped by three key factors: home, environment, and school. But in the digital age, capturing a child’s interest has become increasingly challenging. Traditional teaching methods like lectures and rote memorization are no longer enough, as today’s students expect more engaging approaches. In this context, The Astana Times…
