S&P Global Ratings Assigns Kazatomprom ESG Assessment
ASTANA – The S&P Global Ratings international rating agency assigned the Kazatomprom national atomic company, the world’s largest uranium producer, an above average environmental, social, and governance (ESG) evaluation score of 51/100, reported the company’s press service on Dec. 30. The current global maximum ESG evaluation score among metal and mining sector companies is 68…
Kazakhstan to Increase International Flights in 2023
ASTANA – In 2023, Kazakhstan is set to launch more direct international flights and continue implementing the open skies policy to attract new foreign air carriers, reported the Prime Minister’s press service on Jan. 1. Notably, it is expected to perform flights from Astana to Doha, from Aktau and Shymkent to Ankara, from Almaty and…
Kazakhstan’s Bibisara Assaubayeva Wins 2022 FIDE World Blitz Chess Championship
ASTANA – Bibisara Assaubayeva, 18, won the 2022 FIDE World Blitz Chess Championship on Dec. 30 in Almaty. The Kazakh chess player defended her title. On Aug. 5, International Chess Federation (FIDE) recognized Assaubayeva as the Best Female Chess Player of Asia 2021. Last year, Assaubayeva won the World Adult Blitz Championship in Warsaw for…
2022 Becomes One of Most Challenging, Significant Years for Kazakhstan, Says Kazakh State Counselor
ASTANA – 2022 has become one of the most challenging but also significant years in the entire modern history of Kazakhstan, State Counselor Erlan Karin wrote on his Telegram channel on Dec. 30, highlighting the country’s leading political trends. “After the January events and amid the escalating international tension, society experienced a certain demand for…
Kazakhstan’s FDI Inflow Reaches $22.1 Billion in Nine Months This Year
ASTANA – The gross inflow of foreign direct investment (FDI) into Kazakhstan increased by 17.8 percent and reached $22.1 billion in nine months of 2022, reported the Foreign Ministry’s press service on Dec. 30. Manufacturing became the dominant industry for investment, with a 36.9-percent growth ($4.9 billion). The wholesale and retail trade investment saw a…
Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan Set to Boost Cooperation Following Presidents’ Agreements
ASTANA – Kazakh Prime Minister Alikhan Smailov met with Deputy Prime Ministers of Uzbekistan Jamshid Khodjaev and Jurabek Mirzamahmudov on Dec. 29, who arrived in Astana on a working trip, to address the strategic partnership between the states, reported the Prime Minister’s press service. The sides discussed cooperation in the water resources management and implementation…
Ankara Opens Park, Erects Monument to Honor Great Kazakh Poet, Scholar Akhmet Baitursynov
ASTANA – Ankara opened a park and erected a monument in it to honor prominent Kazakh scholar, statesman, linguist, and poet Akhmet Baitursynov, known in Kazakhstan as the Ult Ustazy (Teacher of the Nation), Erzhan Tolek, head of the Atyrau Region Akim (the governor’s office) press service announced on his Facebook page on Dec. 29.…
Kazakh Armed Forces Prepare Troops For New Potential Threats Arising From Unstable Geopolitical Situation
ASTANA – The Kazakh Armed Forces trained its troops this year amid possible risks of the geopolitical situation, considering the experience of combat operations in modern armed conflicts, said Deputy Defense Minister, General Sultan Kamaletdinov at a press briefing on Dec. 29, reported the Central Communication Service. According to him, 200 exercises and 33,000 live-fire…
Kazakhstan Transitions to System of Presidential State with Strong Parliament, Says President Tokayev
ASTANA – Kazakhstan transitioned to the system of the presidential state with a strong parliament, said Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev at a Dec. 29 session of the Senate summing up the results of this year’s reforms, reported Akorda press service. “Political processes will become transparent, and the political system will be more stable. Several powers…
Mazhilis Move to Repeal Law on First President of Kazakhstan
ASTANA – The Mazhilis of the Kazakh Parliament started working on the draft law on declaring the Law on the First President of Kazakhstan invalid, reported Mazhilis’ press service following a Dec. 29 plenary session. “This draft law is designed to implement the changes made to the Constitution following the national referendum. In particular, paragraph…
United Nations Square Set to Open in Kazakh Capital
ASTANA – The United Nations (UN) Square will open in the Kazakh capital, reported the official Instagram account of the UN in Kazakhstan on Dec. 28. Deputies of the Maslikhat (local representative body) of Astana supported the proposal to name the alley at the beginning of Alikhan Bokeikhanov Avenue the United Nations Square. This year…
Eight-Year-Old Chess Player From Kazakhstan Beats FIDE Managing Director
ASTANA – Karim Aitzhan, an 8-year-old chess player from Astana, overpowered Dana Reizniece-Ozola, managing director of the International Chess Federation (FIDE), as she held a simultaneous game session with 24 students as part of the FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships in Almaty, reported the Kazakh Chess Federation’s press service on Dec. 27. “I…
FlyDubai to Launch Additional Astana-Dubai Flights
ASTANA – The FlyDubai Airlines plans to operate an additional ten flights on the Astana-Dubai and Almaty-Dubai routes from Dec. 29 to Jan. 14 next year, reported the press service of the Kazakh Ministry of Industry and Infrastructure on Dec. 28. The flights will be operated on B-737 type aircraft. “The Civil Aviation Committee and…
Kazakh Government Recaps Country’s Economic Performance in 2022
ASTANA – The government of Kazakhstan released a report on economic activity in 2022, focusing on key results in business relocation, agriculture, transport and logistics sector, oil and gas industry, and energy. Here are some highlights. Business relocation Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has tasked the government with creating an accommodating climate for foreign enterprises to…
Kazakh Government Holds Final Meeting in 2022, Recaps Year’s Work
ASTANA – The government of Kazakhstan summed up the results of its work in 2022 and laid out the course for 2023 at the government’s final session of the year on Dec. 27, reported the Prime Minister’s press service. The government pledged to take all measures to implement the President’s political and social reforms, with…
Astana Hosts Charity Festival Headlined By Dimash to Celebrate Year of Children
ASTANA – Do not allow babies to cry. Serenity and tranquillity are important for them, said Kazakh singer Dimash Kudaibergen, the headliner of the Dec. 26 Biz Birgemiz (we are together) festival, the Astana akimat’s press service reported. The festival, which celebrated the Year of the Children, featured Kazakh pop stars and musicians with disabilities.…
President Tokayev Sums Up Kazakhstan’s Chairmanship in CIS
ASTANA – Kazakhstan worked hard on the capacity building of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) during its year of chairmanship in the organization, said Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev at an informal meeting of CIS heads of states in St. Petersburg on Dec. 26, reported Akorda press service. “More than 80 major events were held…
Pakistan, Kazakhstan Agree to Enhance Cooperation at Intergovernmental Commission in Islamabad
ASTANA – Kazakhstan and Pakistan signed nine documents, including six memoranda on the supply of goods to Kazakhstan in March-June 2023, during a Dec. 22 meeting of Pakistan-Kazakhstan intergovernmental commission chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Trade and Integration Serik Zhumangarin in Islamabad. During the meeting, the sides addressed trade, economic, scientific, technical,…
CEC Registers 66 Candidates for Upcoming Kazakh Senate Elections
ASTANA – The election commissions of Astana, Almaty, Shymkent, and 14 other regions have registered 66 candidates out of 130 people nominated for the deputy elections to the Kazakh Senate (the upper house of the Parliament) next year. The Central Election Commission (CEC) completed the registration of candidates on Dec. 24. The election will determine…
Kazakh Ministry of Healthcare Recommends Stronger Measures Amid Rise in Respiratory Viruses
ASTANA – Chief State Sanitary Doctor and Vice Minister of Healthcare Aizhan Esmagambetova recommends following sanitary measures during the election campaign for the Senate (the upper house of the Parliament) elections at a Dec. 24 Central Election Commission (CEC) meeting, reported the CEC’s press service. Kazakhstan and all regions are in the low-risk green zone…
FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships Kick Off in Almaty
ASTANA – The FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Championships kicked off on Dec. 25 at the Baluan Sholak Palace of Culture and Sports in Almaty, reported the press service of the Kazakh Chess Federation. Some 176 chess players from 50 countries are taking part in open tournaments. Ninety-eight players compete in the women’s tournament. Norwegian…
Kazakh President’s Office Highlights Signature Events of 2022
ASTANA – The Akorda press service released the key events highlighting the activities of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev in 2022 on Dec. 26. Thus, the President signed 68 laws, 422 decrees, and 594 decisions concerning the appeals of individuals and legal entities. During the year, Tokayev held 59 telephone conversations, publicly signed constitutional amendments into law,…
Kazakh National Bank Issues Commemorative Saka-Style Coins
ASTANA – The National Bank of Kazakhstan issued Saka-style bicolor circulating coins made of silver, reported the bank’s press service on Dec. 21. The five commemorative coins have a face value of 100 tenge (US$0.21). The total number of silver coins 24.5 millimeters in diameter is 5 million pieces. The front side of the coins…
Historical Journalist Releases Book Exploring January Events in Kazakhstan
ASTANA – Russian journalist and author of best selling books on modern history Leonid Mlechin presented his book titled “Tragic January: President Tokayev and Lessons Learned” on the riots that took place at the beginning of the year on Dec. 20 at the Kazakh Embassy in Russia, reported Kazinform News Agency. Mlechin traveled to Almaty…
Kazakhstan to Implement UNDP Country Program for 2021-2025
ASTANA – Kazakh Ministry of National Economy and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) signed an agreement on Dec. 22 on financing the UNDP Country Program for 2021-2025, reported the ministry’s press service. The program covers four areas: solving the problems of inequality in the development of regions and social vulnerability, strengthening the effectiveness of…
