Kazakhstan, Russia Sign Landmark Comprehensive Alliance Declaration
ALMATY – The declaration on elevating interstate relations between Kazakhstan and Russia to the level of a comprehensive strategic partnership and alliance marks a historic milestone, said President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, following his state visit to Russia on Nov. 11-12. According to him, the signed document reflects the unshakable mutual trust and broad prospects for cooperation…
Kazakhstan’s Reserves Hit $124.1 Billion on Growth in Gold and Foreign Assets
ALMATY — Kazakhstan’s international reserves rose to $124.1 billion at the end of October, driven by an increase in gold holdings and higher bank deposits with the National Bank of Kazakhstan (NBK), according to the data, released on Nov. 12 by the Association of Financiers of Kazakhstan. Gross international reserves of the NBK increased by…
Masdar Signs Battery Storage Deal to Boost Uzbekistan’s Renewable Energy Grid
ALMATY – Masdar, the United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) global clean energy leader, has signed a battery storage service agreement with Uzbek company Uzenergosotish on Nov. 11 to develop the country’s largest standalone battery energy storage system (BESS). The agreement, signed at the Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (ADIPEC), was witnessed by UAE Minister…
Kazakhstan Explores Climate, AI Transformation, Sustainable Corporate Governance
ALMATY — Nazarbayev University (NU) hosted the conference on Governing Transitions: Climate, Artificial Intelligence, and a Sustainable Future for Kazakhstan and Central Asia in Astana, bringing together leaders to explore how climate and digital transformation are reshaping corporate governance across the region. Organized by Chapter Zero Kazakhstan with the support of NU, the event focused…
Kyrgyz Republic to Fully Repay External Debt by 2035, Kyrgyz President Says
ALMATY – Kyrgyzstan plans to completely repay its external debt by 2035, President of Kyrgyz Republic Sadyr Japarov announced in a national address on Nov. 10, outlining the country’s strategy for managing both foreign and domestic debt accumulated over the past three decades. Japarov provided a detailed breakdown of debt repayments in recent years. Between…
Kazakhstan to Launch Investment Order Program to Boost Import Substitution in 2026
ALMATY — Kazakhstan will launch the investment order program in 2026 to stimulate domestic production and reduce import dependency, the government announced on Nov. 11, following a meeting chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Economy Serik Zhumangarin. The initiative aims to support investment projects by small, medium, and large businesses producing high-demand…
Kazakhstan, Israel Ink Deal to Strengthen Water Resource Management Cooperation
ALMATY — Kazakhstan and Israel have signed a memorandum of understanding to enhance cooperation in water resource management on Nov. 11. The agreement was signed by Kazakh Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Nurzhan Nurzhigitov and Israeli Minister of Regional Cooperation David Amsalem. The memorandum outlines a framework for strengthening bilateral ties in water management,…
President Tokayev Pays State Visit to Russia, Discusses Bilateral Cooperation
ALMATY – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Russian President Vladimir Putin held an informal meeting on Nov. 11 in Moscow as part of the state visit, reaffirming the enduring nature of the strategic partnership and alliance between the two nations. During the conversation, Tokayev expressed his gratitude for the warm reception extended to him in the…
Kazakhstan, US Enter New Phase of Strategic Partnership, Experts Say
ALMATY — Kazakhstan’s role as a key strategic partner of the United States is expanding, experts say, as President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s recent visit to Washington yielded more than $17 billion in new investment agreements. Speaking to The Astana Times, experts emphasized that the partnership reflects a shift from symbolic diplomacy to a results-driven model grounded…
Kazakhstan Strengthens Ties with Singaporean Investors at AIFC Connect 2025
ALMATY – The Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC) hosted AIFC Connect: Singapore 2025, a business event aimed at boosting investment and financial cooperation between Kazakhstan and Singapore in Singapore on Nov. 10. Opening the event, Ambassador Askar Kuttykadam highlighted the long-term potential of Kazakh-Singaporean cooperation. “Despite the geographical distance and differences in history and context,…
Kazakhstan Rides Golden Wave of Sporting Achievements on Global Stage
ALMATY — Over the past week, Kazakhstan has seen an impressive series of victories across multiple sports, reaffirming its growing presence on the global athletic stage. From mountain slopes and racing circuits to eSports arenas and martial arts mats, Kazakh athletes delivered historic performances that brought pride to the nation. At the Moguls Alps Tour…
Almaty Unveils Monumental Mural Honoring UN’s 80th Anniversary
ALMATY — A unique large-scale mural by surrealist artist Adil Aubekerov, measuring 36 by 6 meters, was unveiled on Nov. 7 at an altitude of 3,200 meters in the Shymbulak Mountain Resort in Almaty, marking the 80th anniversary of the United Nations (UN). Opening the ceremony, the representative of the UN Department of Global Communications,…
Almaty to Host Central Asia’s Most Advanced Padel Facility by 2027
ALMATY — Kazakhstan is set to open the ADD Padel Arena complex in Almaty in 2027, featuring ten international-standard courts designed to host Premier Padel tournaments, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev announced at a Nov. 10 meeting with President of the International Padel Federation (FIP) Luigi Carraro and Chairman of the global professional tour Nasser bin Ghanim…
Almaty to Create Its Digital Twin to Modernize Urban Management by 2026
ALMATY – Almaty is preparing to create its own digital twin, a virtual model of the city, following the examples of Singapore and Shanghai by the end of 2026. The city’s Department of Digitalization confirmed that work on the digital twin has already begun. A technical assignment is currently being developed for a pilot project…
Kazakhstan Tops ICAO Safety Standards with 95.7% Compliance
ALMATY — Kazakhstan has achieved a remarkable 95.7% compliance with international aviation safety standards. It was anounce by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) following the comprehensive audit, USAP-CMA, held from August to September in Kazakhstan. The result significantly surpasses the global average of 72.01% and the European average of 87.92%. It also ranks among…
Kazakh Tennis Star Rybakina Secures Historic WTA Finals Win
ALMATY – Elena Rybakina etched her name into tennis history on Nov. 8, becoming the first Kazakh player to win the prestigious WTA Finals singles title. The 26-year-old player defeated World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka from Belarus by scores of 6:3, 7:6 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. She received $5.235 million in prize money, the largest…
Kazakhstan to Welcome First Amur Tigers from Russia in 2026
ALMATY — Work on the preservation and reintroduction of Amur tigers continues, said Chairman of the Committee for Forestry and Wildlife of the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources Daniyar Turgambayev at a briefing on Nov. 5. According to him, the first group of Amur tigers will arrive in Kazakhstan in the first half of…
Tokayev Advances Industrial, Energy Cooperation with US Partners in Washington
ALMATY — Kazakhstan is committed to deepening mutually beneficial cooperation with the United States (US) in energy, industry, and innovation, said President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev during a Nov. 6 meeting in Washington with U.S. business leaders and lawmakers. During a meeting with the Chairman of the Board and CEO of Chevron Corporation Michael Wirth, President Tokayev…
$17 Billion Signed in Washington, Here’s Where It’s Going
ALMATY — Kazakhstan and the United States (US) signed 29 agreements worth $17 billion, marking a new milestone in their strategic partnership. The deals span key sectors including industry, digitalization, education and healthcare. The agreements were signed on Nov. 6, following President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s official visit to Washington, underscoring the growing scale of bilateral cooperation…
Digitizing Trade Could Boost Kazakhstan’s Turnover 15%, EU-Backed Study Finds
ALMATY — Kazakhstan can increase trade turnover by up to 15% by fully digitalizing its trade processes, according to a new CART.IS study presented in Astana on Nov. 5. The analysis, supported by the European Union and the International Trade Centre (ITC), identified specific areas where Kazakhstan can accelerate digital transformation to make foreign trade…
Kazakhstan, US Sign Landmark Memorandum on Critical Minerals Cooperation
ALMATY – Kazakhstan and the United States signed a landmark memorandum of understanding on cooperation in the field of critical minerals on Nov. 6, as President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev began his official visit to the U.S. ahead of the upcoming C5+1 Leaders’ Summit. The document was signed in Tokayev’s presence by Minister of Industry and Construction…
Kazakhstan, China Ink Deal on Digital Exports at Shanghai Expo 2025
ALMATY — Kazakh trade agency QazTrade and China’s Optimize Integration Group (OIG) signed a memorandum of understanding on developing digital trade and online export platforms, marking the first major agreement of Kazakhstan’s record participation at the eighth China International Import Expo (CIIE) in Shanghai. The memorandum, signed on the sidelines of the Expo, aims to…
Almaty’s FC Kairat Impresses Crowds Despite 1:2 Defeat to Inter Milan
ALMATY— Inter Milan survived a strong challenge from Almaty’s Kairat, edging out a narrow 2:1 victory at San Siro on Nov. 5 to maintain their record in this season’s UEFA Champions League group stage. According to the BBC, the Italian club, which had won its three previous matches without conceding a goal, started aggressively and…
Kazakh National Bank and Visa Sign First Agreement Under C5+1 Summit Framework
ALMATY — The National Bank of Kazakhstan and the United States multinational company Visa signed a memorandum of understanding on digital financial cooperation on Nov. 5, marking the first agreement reached under the upcoming C5+1 Leaders’ Summit and Business Conference dedicated to the tenth anniversary of the regional platform. The memorandum was signed by Deputy…
US Secretary of State Rubio Hosts Reception as US and Central Asia Mark Decade of Partnership
ALMATY — United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio hosted a reception in honor of the tenth anniversary of the C5+1 partnership on Nov. 5, welcoming the foreign ministers of Central Asian nations to the Benjamin Franklin Room in the U.S. Department of State to mark the milestone summit focused on trade, investment, and regional…
