Articles by saniya sakenova

ASTANA – The Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia (CICA) is in the midst of the process of transforming from an intergovernmental forum to a full-fledged international organization. The draft roadmap outlining practical steps towards this goal was at the focus of an April 19 meeting of the CICA Senior Officials Committee, reported…

ASTANA – China’s flagship carrier Air China has resumed direct flights along the Beijing-Xi’an-Astana route on April 21, the Kazakh Civil Aviation Committee reported after a deal with Chinese aviation authorities. Flights will be operated by the Airbus A320 aircraft three times a week on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Starting in June, Kazakhstan’s national carrier…

ASTANA – At the end of the Holy Month of Ramadan, Muslims in Kazakhstan and worldwide are celebrating Eid al-Fitr today, also known as Eid or Oraza Ait.  President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev congratulated Kazakh citizens on this long-awaited holiday for worshippers who fasted over the past month. He emphasized the holiday helps strengthen the nation’s unity…

ASTANA – Kazakh-Austrian bilateral and multilateral cooperation and prospects for further partnership were discussed at an April 19 meeting between Deputy Foreign Minister Roman Vassilenko and Secretary General of Austria’s Foreign Ministry Peter Launsky-Tieffenthal, reported the Kazakh Foreign Ministry’s press service. Vassilenko spoke about the results of the March 19 parliamentary election in Kazakhstan, the…

ASTANA – The Abai Region is the country’s leading exporter of gold, precious metals, paper, and cardboard products, the Economic Research Institute reported on its Telegram channel on April 20. Foreign trade turnover of the region totaled $866.9 million in 2022, with exports reaching $508.9 million and imports — $358 million. Raw materials accounted for…

ASTANA – All government officials should become state reformers striving to improve the quality of citizens’ life, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said at an April 19 meeting on the country’s socio-economic development, the Akorda press service reported.  The meeting was attended by the country’s Prime Minister, Speakers of the Senate and the Mazhilis (lower chamber) of…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan plans to launch 170 new investment projects in the industry worth one trillion tenge ($2.2 billion) this year, said Prime Minister Alikhan Smailov at an April 19 meeting on the country’s socio-economic development chaired by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, the Prime Minister’s press service reported. “We are working on a nationwide pool of…

ASTANA – Bibisara Assaubayeva took her second win over four-time world champion Hou Yifan of China in round seven of the first day of the women’s chess match, giving Kazakhstan five points in its overall tally of 29.5 against leading Team World’s 34.5, Sports.kz reported on April 18. Assaubayeva scored three victories in total, with…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s national team won 3:1 against Poland to qualify for the 2023 Billie Jean King Cup Finals scheduled for Nov. 7-12, the Kazakhstan Tennis Federation reported on April 15. Yulia Putintseva started the tie with a 7-5, 6-3 win over Magda Linette, giving Kazakhstan a 1-0 lead over Poland. Kazakhstan’s highest-ranked tennis player…

ASTANA – Kazakh Minister of National Economy Alibek Kuantyrov attended the 2023 Spring Meetings of the World Bank Group and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on April 10-16 in Washington D.C., discussing the country’s infrastructure, energy, socio-economic, educational, and digital development, reported the ministry’s press service.  At the Power Connectivity and Trade in Central Asia…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan is concerned about the increasing tensions in the Middle East and urged to maintain the status quo, said Kazakh Foreign Ministry spokesperson Aibek Smadiyarov during an April 10 press briefing. “We hope that common sense will prevail in the current situation, and all parties involved will show restraint and refrain from steps…

ASTANA – The Basel Institute on Governance signed a cooperation agreement with the Kazakh Prosecutor General’s Office to assist the country in recovering illegally obtained assets, the office’s press service reported on April 7. The International Centre for Asset Recovery (ICAR) at the Basel Institute provides technical assistance, training, and research on asset recovery to…

ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev congratulated the World Health Organization (WHO) on its 75th anniversary on Twitter, stating that Kazakhstan remains committed to providing affordable and equitable access to healthcare for everyone. April 7 is World Health Day, which is celebrated annually to mark the anniversary of the WHO’s founding in 1948. “We applaud the…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s Anti-Corruption Agency has recovered 108 billion tenge ($241 million) as a result of investigations, announced President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev at an April 5 video conference meeting with the agency’s new leadership, the Akorda press service reported. Though a positive result, Tokayev noted it is an indicator of the scale of corruption in previous…

ASTANA – It is an honor to represent Kazakhstan and to promote not only the sports but the culture of the country, said Kazakh professional mixed martial artist in the UFC Shavkat Rakhmonov in an exclusive interview with The Astana Times shortly after he met with President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev in Astana on March 27. Tokayev…

ASTANA – Over the past 30 years, Kazakhstan has built up a productive cooperation with the United Nations, being a coherent advocate and active promoter of its ideals and goals, First Deputy Foreign Minister Kairat Umarov said at a March 10 event marking the three decades of UN presence in the country. Umarov noted the…