Articles by Nagima Abuova

World Nomad Games Exhibition Introduces Event to SCO Summit Guests 

ASTANA —  The Directorate for the Preparation and Holding of the fifth World Nomad Games launched the Meeting in the Great Steppe exhibition at the Palace of Peace and Reconciliation to introduce the games to foreign guests attending the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit on July 4.  According to the Directorate’s press service, official promotional…

Kazakhstan’s Population Exceeded 20 Million 

ASTANA — The Kazakh Bureau of National Statistics released demographic data on July 3, stating Kazakhstan’s population has hit 20.1 million as of June 1.  The population increased by 106,072 people from January to June. At the beginning of the year Kazakhstan’s population was 20,033,841 and had grown to 20,139,914 by June 1. The urban…

Prominent Kazakh Soloists Perform at Concert for Kazakh, Chinese Presidents

ASTANA — Kazakh opera star Maira Mukhamedkyzy and world-famous Kazakh pop singer Dimash Kudaibergen made a short performance for Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Chinese President Xi Jinping at the conclusion of official negotiations on July 3. According to Kazinform, the leaders of the two countries highly appreciated the performances of renowned Kazakh artists.

UN Secretary-General Meets with IOM Goodwill Ambassador Dimash Kudaibergen

ASTANA— UN Secretary-General António Guterres met with Dimash Kudaibergen, the Goodwill Ambassador for the International Organization for Migration (IOM) – UN Migration Agency in Astana on July 4.  Kudaibergen, a renowned Kazakh pop singer and composer, was appointed as a Goodwill Ambassador for the IOM—UN Migration in the Asia region and beyond on Feb. 15.…

Kazakh Foreign Ministry Briefs International Journalists Ahead of SCO Summit

ASTANA—The Kazakh Ministry of Foreign Affairs hosted a briefing for international journalists to discuss Kazakhstan’s foreign policy, bilateral and multilateral cooperation, and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit on July 3. Kazakh Deputy Foreign Minister Roman Vassilenko welcomed journalists from the Czech Republic, Germany, India, Italy, Lebanon, Malaysia, Serbia, South Korea, and Spain. He discussed…

Kazakh Service Officers Complete French Language Course for UN Peacekeeping Missions

ASTANA —  Seven service officers of the country’s armed forces completed the three-month French language course based on the Center for Peacekeeping Operations of the Kazakh Ministry of Defense (KAZCENT) on June 25.  According to KAZCENT, the course was a collaborative effort between the defense departments of Kazakhstan and France. Its primary purpose is to…

Kazakhstan, China Enhance Trade Links with Middle Corridor Agreement

ASTANA — President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signed a law on the ratification of the agreement between the government of Kazakhstan and China governments to develop the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR), also known as the  Middle Corridor on July 1. According to Kazinform, Tokayev also signed the law on the ratification of the agreement with China…

Kazakhstan’s Strategic Investment Plan to Boost Economic Growth, Attract Global Brands

ASTANA — Gabidulla Ospankulov, the chairman of the Investment Committee of the Kazakh Ministry of Foreign Affairs, recently spoke about the nation’s ambitious strategies to attract investments, identify promising investor countries, and leverage leading companies to meet Kazakhstan’s economic growth targets in an interview with Kazinform news agency. With a goal to elevate the national…

Save Berkuts: Kazakhstan Joins Forces to Protect Golden Eagle Population

ASTANA—The Kazakh Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources and Efes Kazakhstan signed a memorandum of intent on June 19 to implement the social project Save the Berkuts. The project aims to preserve and restore the golden eagle population in Kazakhstan. The golden eagle, among the most renowned birds of prey of the hawk family and…

President Tokayev Signs Law on Cargo Transportation Between Turkic Countries

ASTANA — Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signed a law ratifying the agreement on international combined freight transport between the governments of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) member states on June 27. According to Kaazfinorm, the agreement aims to enhance the transit and transport potential and trade and economic relations among OTS member states. “The…

Zhas Qazaq Summer Camp Welcomes Over 250 Ethnic Kazakh Children

ASTANA — The Zhas (young) Qazaq summer ethno-camp for ethnic Kazakh children living abroad commenced at the IQanat High School of Burabay and will run until July 7. According to Kazinform, children will study the Kazakh language, history, traditions and national games. They will also attend musical instrument lessons, learn horseback riding, experience yurt installations…

Over 68% of Kazakh Citizens Reflect Optimism About Future

ASTANA — The Kazakhstan Institute for Strategic Studies (KazISS) released results from a sociological survey conducted from May 11 to June 22, indicating 68.3% of citizens are optimistic about the future. According to KazISS, a public opinion poll showed that 37.6% anticipate significant improvements, and 30.7% expect slight enhancements in living conditions. Sociological analyses attribute…

Kazakhstan to Launch Industrial Development of Tungsten Ore Deposits

ASTANA—Kazakh First Deputy Prime Minister Roman Sklyar discussed a $350 million project to launch the industrial development of a tungsten ore deposit with executives of Jiaxin International Resources Investment on June 26. According to the Prime Minister’s press service, the meeting was conducted to oversee joint investment projects under Kazakh-Chinese industrial cooperation. The project aims…

Kazakh PM Assesses Small Aral Sea Conservation Efforts

ASTANA — Kazakh Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov assessed advancements in water-saving technologies and infrastructure development efforts to preserve and expand the Small Aral Sea during his visit to the Kyzylorda region on June 27. According to the Prime Minister’s press service, Bektenоv also inspected the progress of the Karazek reservoir construction and reviewed the pace…

ITC Ready4Trade, OECD Central Asia Invest Projects Showcase Cooperation Achievements 

ASTANA—Two regional Central Asian projects funded by the European Union (EU) showcased their achievements in Almaty on June 26. These initiatives have supported Central Asian countries’ efforts to advance trade reforms, enhance competitiveness, foster connectivity and strengthen regional cooperation. According to the EU delegation in Kazakhstan’s press team, the event united policymakers and key stakeholders…

Kazakhstan, IDB Sign Infrastructure Agreement to Construct Reservoirs, Highways

ASTANA—Minister of National Economy Nurlan Baibazarov signed a $ 2 billion Framework Program Agreement between the Kazakh government and the Islamic Development Bank to construct reservoirs and highways. According to the Prime Minister’s press service, the agreement was signed on June 27 during the forum organized by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC)…

AFSA Registers First Unified Investment Vehicle Offering Multiple Sub-Funds

ASTANA—The Astana Financial Services Authority (AFSA) registered Fonte Emerging Markets Umbrella Fund OEIC Limited as the first umbrella fund in Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC) on June 25. This fund serves as an investment vehicle comprising several sub-funds, each with unique investment objectives and strategies while remaining a single legal entity. According to AIFC, the…

Kazakh Rating Agency to Enhance Financial Market Infrastructure 

ASTANA—The Kazakh Agency for Regulation and Development of the Financial Market (KARDFM) has developed a draft law to establish a national rating agency, aiming to enhance the financial market infrastructure. The proposed legislation sets the foundation for creating the Kazakh credit rating agency. According to Kazinform, the project incorporates recommendations from the International Organization of…

Kazakhstan to Increase Checkpoint Capacity, Reduce Wait Times

ASTANA—The capacity of the checkpoints will be increased eightfold, reducing wait times from two hours to 25 minutes and minimizing corruption risks. The reconstruction of all checkpoints is planned to be completed by the end of the year, said Eldos Saudabayev, the acting Deputy Chairman of the State Revenue Committee (SRC) of the Kazakh Ministry…

Two Kazakh Aviation Companies Enter World’s Top 100 Airlines 

ASTANA — The World Airline Awards ceremony announced the 100 best airlines in the world in 2024, with AirAstana and FlyArystan making it to the list, on June 24. According to Skytrax, AirAstana secured 38th place and FlyArystan 100th place among the world’s best air carriers. Air Astana was named the Best Airline in Central…

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,…