Success is Measured in Meaning, not Power: Finnish President Stubb Tells Kazakh Students
ASTANA — President of Finland Alexander Stubb met with students of Astana-based Maqsut Narikbayev University on Oct. 29, where politics met philosophy. Addressing young Kazakh students, he urged them to follow their hearts and seek meaning beyond titles or status, a message that gave his political speech a human touch. President Stubb, who arrived on…
Kazakhstan to Launch Unified Fuel and Energy Management System by Year-End
ASTANA – Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov instructed the Kazakh Energy Ministry to ensure the launch of the Unified State System for Managing the Fuel and Energy Complex by the end of this year. The decision was announced at an Oct. 28 government meeting on the development and digitalization of the energy sector. The new system…
Kazakhstan Marks International Snow Leopard Day as Population Shows Remarkable Recovery
ASTANA – Kazakhstan celebrated International Snow Leopard Day on Oct. 23, marking a significant recovery of the species, with the population doubling in recent years and reaching up to 189 individuals across protected areas. Established in 2013 at the initiative of the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), the day highlights the need to protect…
Karagandy Jewelry Brand Showcases Coal-Inspired Collection at Milan Fashion Week
ASTANA — A jewelry brand from Karagandy has made its debut at Milan Fashion Week with a unique collection made from stabilized coal. The brand’s founder Olga Tseller presented her latest creations under the label TuLOla. Tseller began designing accessories in 2016, initially working with natural stones, leather, and resin. Her journey with coal started…
News Digest: Foreign Media on Kazakhstan’s Middle Power Diplomacy, Strategic Partnerships and More
ASTANA – The Astana Times has selected articles from global media outlets covering Kazakhstan. This week’s foreign media digest highlights the country’s growing international profile, from its role as a middle power and a bridge between East and West, showcased at the Astana Think Tank Forum 2025, to rising U.S. engagement in Central Asia and…
Tokayev Highlights Progress and Unity Ahead of Republic Day
ASTANA — President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev congratulated citizens on the upcoming Republic Day, marking 35 years since the Declaration of State Sovereignty. He expressed gratitude to the country’s founders and reformers, noting that Kazakhstan is confidently advancing on its path of reform and progress “This year, our nation reaches a significant milestone, 35 years since the…
Tokyo Win: Rybakina Nears WTA Finals Qualification
ASTANA — Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina advanced to the quarterfinals of the WTA 500 tournament in Tokyo. World No. 7 defeated Canada’s Leylah Fernandez (No. 22) in straight sets 6:4, 6:3. In the quarterfinals, Rybakina will face another Canadian, 19-year-old Victoria Mboko (23 WTA), reported Kazakhstan Tennis Federation on Oct. 23. With this victory, Rybakina moved…
Kazakhstan’s First AI School Builds Global Peer-to-Peer Learning Community
ASTANA — One year after its launch by Astana Hub, Tomorrow School, Kazakhstan’s first peer-to-peer artificial intelligence school, has evolved into a dynamic international community of 303 students from Kazakhstan, the United States, Russia, Uzbekistan, and Azerbaijan, redefining how IT and AI professionals are trained through collaboration instead of traditional teaching. Tomorrow School offers a…
AIFC Recognized Among Global Leaders in Digital Asset Regulation by IOSCO
ASTANA – The Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC) has been recognized as one of the world’s leading jurisdictions in implementing international standards for crypto and digital asset regulation, according to the thematic review published by the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) this month. The AIFC demonstrated the highest level of progress, fully implementing all…
Kazakhstan Boosts Grain Exports by 14%, Driven by Strong Demand in Central Asia, Caucasus
ASTANA – Kazakhstan has exported 1.6 million tons of new-harvest grain between Sept. 1 and Oct. 19, showing a 14% increase compared to the same period last year. According to Kazakhstan Temir Zholy, the growth reflects rising demand for Kazakh grain across Central Asia and the Caucasus, supported by stable logistics routes and expanding regional…
Kazakh Grain Becomes First Transit Cargo from Azerbaijan to Armenia
ASTANA – Kazakh grain has become the first cargo to transit from Azerbaijan to Armenia, marking a symbolic step in regional relations, said President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev during an Oct. 21 press briefing. “Azerbaijan has lifted all restrictions on cargo transit to Armenia that have existed since the occupation. The first such transit cargo…
News Digest: Foreign Media on Kazakhstan’s Global Role – From Digital Innovation to Cultural Diplomacy and More
ASTANA – The Astana Times has selected articles from global media outlets covering Kazakhstan. This week’s foreign media digest covers the nation’s leadership in digital transformation, its role as a hub for knowledge diplomacy, deepening strategic ties with Italy, cultural influence through Dimash Qudaibergen’s concerts in Mexico, and sporting success at Almaty Open. Kazakhstan as…
Adlet Kozhanbayev Elected as First Directly Chosen Akim of Semei
ASTANA — Adlet Kozhanbayev has been elected as the new akim (mayor) of Semei following Kazakhstan’s first-ever direct mayoral election held on Oct. 12. According to the territorial election commission, Kozhanbayev, who ran as an independent candidate, received 89,441 votes. His opponents, A.K. Bekzhasarov and K.M. Tuleuov, gained 9,763 and 12,557 votes, respectively. Born in…
Modern Alatau Tennis Center Opens in Almaty
ASTANA – The Alatau Tennis Center, the largest facility of its kind in Almaty, has officially opened its doors. The center is designed to serve both professional athletes and amateurs of all ages, providing optimal conditions for training, skill development, and the organization of tournaments at national and international levels. Highly qualified coaches are engaged…
Tokayev Highlights Trade, Technology, and Transport as Pillars of Central Asia–Russia Partnership
ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev reaffirmed Kazakhstan’s commitment to strengthening multifaceted cooperation with Russia and Central Asian nations, emphasizing stability, economic integration, and technological partnership as key priorities during the second Central Asia–Russia summit held on Oct. 9 in Dushanbe, Tajikistan. Addressing the meeting participants, Tokayev outlined several priority areas for cooperation, starting with trade…
Health Minister: Over 80,000 Foreign Patients Choose Kazakhstan for Medical Treatment
ASTANA – Kazakhstan has welcomed over 80,000 foreign citizens seeking medical treatment in the country since the beginning of the year. High-quality cardiac, neurosurgical, dental, and in vitro fertilization services, offered at competitive prices, are drawing patients from abroad, Health Minister Akmaral Alnazarova said at a government briefing on Oct. 7. According to Alnazarova, the…
Kazakh FM Urges Swift Launch of Turkic Investment Fund to Boost Regional Cooperation
ASTANA – Kazakh Foreign Minister Yermek Kosherbayev called on Turkic states to accelerate the launch of the Turkic Investment Fund, highlighting its potential to become a key driver of economic cooperation across the region. He made the statement during a meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS), held…
Shaidorov Claims Gold at Denis Ten Memorial Challenge in Almaty
ASTANA — Kazakhstan’s figure skating team leader Mikhail Shaidorov won the gold medal at the Denis Ten Memorial Challenge in Almaty. Shaidorov won both the short program (95.01) and the free skate (187.21), for a total score of 282.22 points, reported the National Olympic Committee’s press service on Oct. 4. Nika Egadze of Georgia took…
Kazakhstan Boosts Film Ties with Turkic Nations at Korkyt Ata Festival
ASTANA – As part of the Korkyt Ata International Film Festival of the Turkic World in Aktau, the State Center for National Cinema Support of Kazakhstan strengthened cultural and cinematic ties with Azerbaijan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Turkmenistan, Türkiye, and Uzbekistan through the signing of cooperation memorandums. The agreements, developed under the International Organization of Turkic…
OPEC+ Eight to Boost Oil Output by 137,000 Barrels per Day in November
ASTANA – Eight leading OPEC+ countries, Algeria, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Oman, Russia, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, have agreed to raise oil production by 137,000 barrels per day compared to October levels, according to a statement released after the group’s meeting on Oct. 5. According to OPEC data, Kazakhstan is set to increase…
Kazakhstan Launches First Women’s Venture Fund During AI Week 2025
ASTANA – Women in Tech Kazakhstan announced the launch of the country’s first Women’s Venture Fund on Sept. 29. The fund will provide women entrepreneurs with access to capital, mentorship, and international opportunities – and will be open for anyone to invest, regardless of ticket size. The announcement was one of the highlights of AI…
News Digest: Foreign Media on Tokayev’s Visit to NY, Energy Projects and More
ASTANA — The Astana Times has selected articles on Kazakhstan that were featured in international media worldwide this week. Today’s foreign media digest includes coverage of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s visit to New York, Kazakhstan’s plans in the oil and gas sector, an AI partnership and new cooperation agreement between securities depositories of Türkiye and Kazakhstan.…
Silk Way Star Brings Together Artists from 12 Countries in Kazakhstan
ASTANA — The Silk Way Star international music competition has united talented singers from 12 countries on a single stage in the Kazakh capital. The project premiered on the Jibek Joly TV channel on Sept. 20, marking the launch of what organizers describe as a new cultural brand of Eurasia. Participating countries include Azerbaijan, Armenia,…
Kazakh FM Holds Series of Bilateral Meetings on UNGA Sidelines
ASTANA — Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Murat Nurtleu held a series of bilateral meetings with counterparts from Armenia, Austria, Belarus, Cyprus, Oman, Togo and the United States on Sept. 24 within the framework of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. The talks reaffirmed mutual trust and…
Kazakhstan Delivers Humanitarian Aid to Afghanistan
ASTANA — Kazakhstan delivered a large shipment of humanitarian aid to Afghanistan by rail on Sept. 24. Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Emergency Situations, with the support of the Kazakhstan Agency for International Development (KazAID), organized the shipment consisting of 26 railcars carrying 272.7 tons of cargo, including tents, sugar, blankets, canned meat, and flour. In April,…
