Articles by Ayana Birbayeva 

ALMATY – A documentary, “My Syrian Story,” premiered in Almaty on March 10, offering a portrait of Kazakh journalist Akmaral Batalova and her years reporting from Syria, where she documented the human realities of a country shaped by war. The film offers a deeply personal narrative following Batalova as she travels across the country scarred…

ALMATY – An international exhibition of green technologies and solutions, the Regional Ecological Summit EXPO 2026 (RES 2026 EXPO), will take place in Astana from April 22 to 24. The event will be held as part of the Central Asia Regional Ecological Summit with the support of Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources and…

ALMATY — Kazakhstan finished the 14th Winter Paralympic Games in Milan Cortina with two medals, one gold and one bronze, both won by para biathlete and para cross-country skier Yerbol Khamitov, reported the Committee of Sports and Physical Education on March 16.  Khamitov secured a historic gold medal in the 4.5-kilometer pursuit race in para…

ASTANA — President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev announced that March 15 will be celebrated annually as Constitution Day following Kazakhstan’s national referendum on the draft of a new Constitution held on the same day. The announcement came after he reviewed the results of exit polls, the Akorda press service reported. Speaking at the Kazmedia Center, Tokayev also…

ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has voted in the national referendum on the draft of Kazakhstan’s new Constitution at polling station No. 51, located in the Palace of Schoolchildren, reported the Akorda on March 15.  After voting, Tokayev held a briefing for representatives of local and foreign media, emphasizing the historic significance of the referendum…

ALMATY – Kazakhstan’s Deputy Foreign Minister Arman Issetov said 71 polling stations are operating at Kazakh diplomatic missions in 54 countries, allowing 14,380 citizens abroad to participate in the referendum, reported the ministry on March 15.  However, 11 stations in 10 countries, including Iran, Israel, Jordan, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Lebanon, Kuwait, Ukraine…

ALMATY – Kazakhstan opened 10,388 polling stations across the country on March 15 for the nationwide referendum on adopting a new Constitution, according to Mukhtar Yerman, a member of the Central Referendum Commission. Polling stations began operating at 7 a.m. Astana time, while 92 stations opened earlier at 6 a.m. In total, 12,461,796 citizens are…

ALMATY – Geopolitical changes and growing passenger demand are increasing the importance of aviation finance mechanisms in Central Asia and the Caucasus, experts said during a roundtable held on March 10 at the Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC). According to research conducted by the AIFC, the aircraft fleet in Central Asia and the Caucasus could…

ALMATY – More than 200 diverse events and activities will take place in Astana to celebrate Nauryz, the main spring holiday marking renewal and the start of a new year. The celebrations will unfold as part of the traditional Nauryznama decade from March 14 to 23, during which each day is dedicated to national values…

ALMATY – The lower chamber of the Parliament of Kazakhstan has ratified an agreement on strategic partnership in the production and transmission of green energy between Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan on March 11, reported the Ministry of Energy.  The agreement, signed on Nov. 13, 2024, in Baku, was presented to lawmakers by Energy Minister Yerlan…

ALMATY – KazMunayGas Chairman Askhat Khassenov held a production meeting with employees of North Caspian Operating Company (NCOC) during a working visit to the Atyrau Region on March 11.  During the trip, Khassenov visited key production facilities of the Kashagan oil field, including the offshore complex and the Bolashak processing plant, reported the KMG’s press…

ALMATY – The Senate of Kazakhstan, the Parliament’s upper chamber, approved a law ratifying the agreement establishing the Civil Protection Mechanism of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS), aimed at strengthening cooperation among member states in responding to natural disasters and emergencies, on March 11.  The draft law was presented during a plenary session by…

ALMATY – Kazakh diplomats will continue their work in Middle Eastern countries despite the ongoing evacuation of citizens from the region, First Deputy Foreign Minister Yerzhan Ashikbayev said on the sidelines of a parliamentary session on March 11.  According to Ashikbayev, while many citizens have been evacuated due to the escalating situation in the region,…

ALMATY – A premiere screening of the Kazakh-Kyrgyz documentary “Alatau: Following the Disappearing Glaciers” took place on March 11 at the UN Plaza building in Almaty. The event brought together diplomats, scientists, government officials and environmental experts to discuss the growing impact of glacier loss in Central Asia. The screening was organized by the Turan…

ALMATY – Captain of Kazakhstan’s women’s boxing team Nazym Kyzaibay has entered the top-10 pound-for-pound rankings of the world’s best female amateur boxers, according to the latest list published by BoxRec. In the updated ranking, Kyzaibay placed seventh overall, becoming the only representative of Kazakhstan in the top ten regardless of weight category. The current…

ALMATY – Foreign ministers of the member states of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) issued a joint statement expressing concern over the escalation of violence in the Middle East following an informal meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers held in Istanbul on March 7.  In the statement, the ministers voiced deep concern over…

ALMATY — Cargo transportation along the Trans‑Caspian International Transport Route (TITR) has grown fivefold over the past seven years, rising from 0.8 million tons to 4.5 million tons annually, strengthening its role as a key link in global logistics, reported the Kazakh Ministry of Transport on March 10.  Annual cargo volumes have shown steady growth…

ALMATY – Fans of Kazakh singer Dimash Qudaibergen gathered in northwestern Spain to film a tribute video celebrating the artist’s birthday, recreating elements of the Kazakh steppe along the Atlantic coast. The filming took place in the region of Val Miñor in the South of Galicia. Scenes featured galloping horses, falconry, and traditional yurts, reported…

ALMATY – Kazakh figure skater Mikhail Shaidorov has been nominated for the International Skating Union (ISU) Figure Skating Awards, which recognize the most outstanding performances, creativity and achievements in the sport during the season. Shaidorov was shortlisted in the Best Costume category for his men’s free skating program, with the costume designed by Saken Zhaksybayev…

ALMATY – The water level of the Caspian Sea along Kazakhstan’s coastline continues to decline, according to the country’s Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources, reported the Tengrinews agency on March 9.  Officials said that between 2006 and 2025, the shoreline in some areas of Kazakhstan retreated by 30–35 kilometers, reflecting a steady drop in…

ALMATY – Kazakhstan has returned 8,585 citizens from countries in the Middle East since the start of evacuation efforts amid the regional conflict, the Kazakh Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported on March 10, as authorities continue coordinating the repatriation of Kazakh citizens from the region. The Air Astana group plans to operate additional repatriation flights…

ALMATY – For three decades, the Ile-Alatau national park has stood as one of Kazakhstan’s most important protected natural areas, safeguarding the ecosystems of the Zailiysky Alatau mountains while promoting environmental awareness and sustainable tourism. Established on Feb. 22, 1996, the national park originally covered 164,450 hectares. Over the past 30 years, its territory has…

ALMATY – The spirit of a city is preserved in those buildings that have witnessed thousands of personal stories and every stage of its growth and transformation. Today, as the skyline is reshaped by glass towers and constant redevelopment, it is these long-standing architectural landmarks, now part of the city’s cultural heritage, that continue to…

ALMATY – Kazakh singer Dimash Qudaibergen received the Ambassador of Turkic World Culture order, the highest award of TURKSOY, in recognition of his significant contribution to the development and promotion of Turkic culture at a ceremony held in Astana on March 5.  Kazakh actress Samal Yeslyamova, an Honored Artist of Kazakhstan, was also awarded a…

ALMATY – A togyzkumalak (nine pellets) tournament featuring artificial intelligence (AI) is being held for the first time in the city of Kyzylorda as part of the international rating tournament Champion. The event is dedicated to the memory of Kazakh statesman and public figure Nalkozha Yergeshbayev, reported the Kazinform news agency on March 5.  According…