New Almaty International Airport Showcases Its Facilities
ASTANA— The President of Almaty International Airport, Goker Kose, hosted a press tour of the new terminal for journalists and discussed upcoming plans to advance the building and passenger service quality on June 25. According to Kazinform, the new international terminal spans 53,500 square meters and is valued at over $220 million. Kose mentioned plans…
Hannibal Star Mads Mikkelsen Set to Headline Comic Con Astana
ASTANA— Comic Con Astana festival announced its first star headliners, Mads Mikkelsen, renowned for his roles in Hannibal, Doctor Strange, Casino Royale, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story and Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny. According to Comic Con’s press service, one of Hollywood’s most in-demand European actors, A-list first-magnitude star Mikkelsen, is known…
Kazakhstan Advances Economic Growth Despite Sectoral Challenges
ASTANA—Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Economy, Nurlan Baibazarov, highlighted Kazakhstan’s steady economic growth despite challenges in some industries. In an interview with Primeminister.kz, Baibazarov outlined initiatives such as investment attraction, sectoral development programs, and modernization efforts across sectors. “The growth rates in individual industries exceed the figures for the same periods last…
Kazakh Film Earns Accolades at Shanghai International Film Festival
ASTANA—The Kazakh film Talaq (The Divorce) won the Best Film award, and the lead actress, Amira Omarova, was named Best Actress at the 26th Shanghai International Film Festival (SIFF) Golden Cup Award ceremony in Shanghai on June 22. According to Kazinform, SIFF’s main competition program included two Kazakh films. Talaq, directed by Daniyar Salamat, was…
Water Volume Rises in Northern Aral Sea, Hits 21.4 Billion Cubic Meters
ASTANA—The Northern Aral Sea has seen an increase in its water volume, with 1.1 billion cubic meters entering its basin, bringing the total volume to 21.4 billion cubic meters, reported the Kazakh Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation on June 24. During the 86th meeting of the Interstate Commission for Water Coordination, which includes Kazakhstan,…
Kazakh Chess Champ Assaubayeva Triumphs Anew at Swiss Queens Tournament
ASTANA — Kazakh chess champion Bibisara Assaubayeva once again secured first place at the 21st international Swiss Queens Wednesday online chess tournament on June 23. According to the FIDE International Chess Federation, Assaubayeva scored 9.5 out of 11 possible at FIDE Online Arena. She defeated her closest rivals, Anastasia Bodnaruk and Valentina Gunina, by one…
Kazakh Female Tennis Player Wins WTA 250 Tournament
ASTANA — Kazakh professional tennis player Yulia Putintseva won the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) 250 tournament in Birmingham, United Kingdom, on June 23. According to the Kazakh Tennis Federation (KTF), in the final, Putintseva defeated Ajla Tomljanović of Australia in two sets, 6-1, 7-6. Putintseva railed from a 3-5 in the second set and played…
Astana to Host Google’s Hackathon Finals in September
ASTANA—Astana will host Google’s hackathon series finals on September 15, uniting the best development teams from Central Asia and the Caucasus. The Build With AI for Sustainable Growth initiative aims to address sustainable development challenges. The initiative, implemented by StrategEast, Google and USAID’s Future Growth in March, has concluded 27 workshops engaging 900 developers. The…
Newly Designed Buses to Brighten Astana for World Nomad Games
ASTANA—Some 100 newly designed buses will start operating in Astana on June 25, showcasing a special brand for the fifth World Nomad Games. According to the Astana Akimat (city administration), the design reflects the modernity and culture of Kazakhstan. These buses boast enhanced lighting and air conditioning, ensuring a comfortable ride for everyone. They also…
Silk Road in Sky: Forum Highlights Kazakhstan as Air Cargo Hub
ASTANA—Astana hosted the first regional aviation cargo and logistics forum in Central Asia, Silk Road in the Sky—Kazakhstan Air Cargo Hub, from June 20 to 21. It united over 350 aviation industry experts from over 30 countries to explore and discuss Kazakhstan’s challenges and opportunities in becoming an aviation hub and regional potential as a…
Explore Day-Trip Adventures Beyond Astana’s Urban Core
ASTANA — While Astana exudes a modern, futuristic charm with its ever-evolving skyline, a short trip outside or around the city reveals untouched, picturesque landscapes and the delightful essence of old-world Kazakh culture. The Astana Times has compiled a range of adventurous yet relaxing day-trip activities near Astana, offering readers a chance to experience the…
Leonardo da Vinci’s “La Bella Principessa” Brings Invaluable Historical Moment for Kazakh Capital
ASTANA — Leonardo da Vinci’s “La Bella Principessa” made its historic debut in Astana, marking an invaluable cultural moment for Central Asia on June 7. General Director and Founder of Scripta Maneant publishing house, Giorgio Armaroli and Scripta Maneant Foreign Rights Sales Officer, Francesco Iori discussed why this Renaissance masterpiece was chosen for display, its…
Central Asian Expert Forum Sets Regional Cooperation Priorities
ASTANA — Astana hosted the seventh Central Asian Expert Forum, titled the Gravity of Trust, on June 14. The event brought together experts from Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan. The forum aimed to set mutual development priorities, enhance regional cooperation channels, and strengthen Central Asia’s transit and transport potential. Organized by the…
Kazakhstan’s Goodwill Ambassador Adam Breaks Boundaries with Music
ASTANA—Kazakh singer Mirkhiday Mirfarukh, known as Adam, became a sensation on social networks with his song “Zhurek” (Heart), gaining over 74 million views on YouTube and inspiring over four million TikTok clips worldwide. In an interview with The Astana Times, Adam spoke about his early life, international recognition, diverse audience, upcoming concerts, and newly acquired…
Kazakh Startup Project Achieves UN’s Digital Public Good Status
ASTANA — CodiPlay, a leading startup in educational technologies, was awarded the status of a digital public good (DPG) by the Digital Public Goods Alliance (DPGA), supported by the UN Secretary-General, reported the Kazakh Ministry of Digital Development, Innovation and Aerospace Industry on June 7. This prestigious recognition makes CodiPlay the third company in Kazakhstan…
Kazakhstan Redirects Billions in Recovered Assets to Social Projects
ASTANA— The Asset Recovery Committee of the Prosecutor General’s Office approved claims for the return of illegally obtained assets worth over 325 billion tenge (US$727 million), including 272 billion tenge (US$608 million) in funds. The funds will be allocated to social and economic projects, reported on June 5 the Kazakh Prosecutor General’s Office. Since 2022,…
Kazakh Cultural Center to Open in China
ASTANA — The Majilis (a lower house of the Kazakh Parliament) adopted the law to ratify the agreement between Kazakhstan and China on mutual establishment of cultural centers in Astana and Beijing on June 5, reported the Kazakh Ministry of Culture and Information. These cultural centers are non-profit organizations accredited by the sending country and…
Astana to Host SCO Summit in July
ASTANA — Astana will host the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) on July 3-4, reported Akorda press service. The heads of the SCO member states will discuss political, trade, economic, cultural and humanitarian cooperation. The leaders of the observer countries and dialogue partners are expected to participate in the event. As a founding member of the…
XXXIV Asian Road Cycling Championship Commences in Almaty
ASTANA—The XXXIV Asian Road Cycling Championship commenced in Almaty and will be held from June 6 to 12, reported the Kazinform news agency. The championship program includes competitions for professional cyclists, juniors, para-athletes, and amateurs. Additionally, there will be competitions among cyclists in the Masters category. According to the competition’s organizing committee, applications for participation…
Kazakhstan Offers to Act as Logistics Hub on Eurasian Transport Corridors
ASTANA—Kazakhstan offers to act as a reliable logistics hub on the Eurasian transport corridors. Introducing new opportunities will boost transport and economic connectivity, reduce business costs and increase population mobility, said Kazakh Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov at a meeting of the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council (EIC) in Nesvizh, Belarus, on June 3-4, reported the Prime Minister’s…
Kazakhstan Launches Major Oil Projects in Caspian Sea
ASTANA — Kazakhstan’s national oil and gas company KazMunayGas and Russia’s Lukoil have commenced the implementation of Kalamkas-Sea and Khazar projects, reported the Kazakh Ministry of Energy. The companies established the Kalamkas-Khazar Operating joint venture as the project operator. The construction of offshore platforms will begin in 2026 at Kazakh shipyards, ensuring an early start…
Eight-Year-Old Kazakh Chess Prodigy Aims for International Success
ASTANA — Iman Nabiyev, an eight-year-old chess prodigy from Kostanai, winner of numerous regional and international championships, is gaining recognition on the world stage. In a recent interview with Kazinform news agency, Nabiyev’s mother, Esmira Samedova, spoke about his experience and ambitious plans for the future. Nabiyev, a member of the youth chess team of…
Kazakh Musical Trio Concludes Europe Tour to Celebrate 10th Anniversary
ASTANA — The Kazakh musical ensemble FORTE TRIO concluded their Europe Tour, which was marked by performances across prestigious European stages May 13-26, reported Qazaq Concert’s press service. FORTE TRIO, founded by pianist, professor and Honored Worker of Kazakhstan, Timur Urmancheev, unites a unique blend of violin, cello and piano. The ensemble features Maksat Dzhusupov…
Netherlands PM Takes Part in Opening of Amsterdam Square in Astana
ASTANA — Prime Minister of the Kingdom of the Netherlands Mark Rutte took part in the opening ceremony of the Amsterdam Square in Astana as part of his visit to Kazakhstan on May 28. Amsterdam Square is located along the embankment of the Akbulak River, at the intersection of Pushkin Street and Abylaikhan Avenue. Originally…
Enhancing Water Resources Management: Kazakhstan-Brazil Collaborative Efforts in Hydrogeology
ASTANA — Given Kazakhstan’s significant mining activity which requires substantial environmental data and water resources management, a Brazilian consulting company has expanded its operations in Kazakhstan, offering hydrogeology and environmental services. Nilson Guiguer, the CEO of Water Services and Technologies and Yernat Assenov, the director of Water Services and Technologies in Kazakhstan, spoke about the…
