Kazakh Citizens Vote in Referendum Abroad
ASTANA – Polling stations for Kazakhstan’s referendum on the construction of a nuclear power plant were first opened in several Asian countries, including Japan and South Korea, on Oct. 6, reported the Kazakh Foreign Ministry’s press service. They were followed by China, Singapore, Mongolia, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, and Indonesia. The process is also underway in…
Kazakh PM, Officials Cast Their Ballots in Referendum
ASTANA – Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov was among the first to vote in the nuclear power plant referendum, casting his ballot at the Palace of Schoolchildren in Astana on Oct. 6, reported Kazinform news agency State Counselor Erlan Karin also cast his vote, noting that the referendum’s matter determines the further vector of economic development…
President Tokayev Casts His Vote in Nuclear Power Plant Referendum
ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev casts his vote in the national referendum on the construction of a nuclear power plant on Oct. 6. “Undoubtedly, today will go down in history. Our citizens face a choice – whether or not to have a nuclear power plant. A referendum is a very effective tool of direct democracy.…
Kazakh Chess Superstar Assaubayeva Competes in Global Chess League in London
ASTANA – Kazakh chess player Bibisara Assaubayeva is participating in the Global Chess League, which takes place on Oct. 3-12 in London, reported Kazinform news agency. The Global Chess League is an innovative, team-based chess tournament that was launched to bring a fresh dynamic to the traditional chess format. In the tournament, men and women…
President Tokayev Outlines Priorities to Improve Court Activities
ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev outlined the major priorities for improving courts activities during the ninth Congress of Judges of Kazakhstan on Oct. 4, reported Akorda. Tokayev emphasized that the ability to appeal court decisions through cassation plays a key role in ensuring justice. He referenced a law signed in July establishing three independent cassation…
Kazakhstan Issues Eurobonds Worth $1.5 Billion
ASTANA – Kazakhstan has issued a $1.5 billion 10-year bond with a coupon rate of 4.714%, marking its first return to the U.S. dollar-denominated eurobond market since 2015, the Finance Ministry’s press service reported on Oct. 4. The transaction followed a one-day virtual roadshow, accessible only to countries with high investment ratings, attracting over 100…
Information and Explanatory Campaign for Referendum Concludes
ASTANA – The information and explanatory campaign for the referendum on the construction of a nuclear power plant in Kazakhstan, which lasted 400 days, ended on Oct. 4, State Counselor Erlan Karin wrote in his Telegram channel. “During this campaign, for the first time, the country’s public forces were consolidated not for political but for…
Kazakhstan Strengthens Role as Key EU Partner in Central Asia
ASTANA – The European Parliament hosted a conference on Oct. 2, discussing the strategic partnership between Kazakhstan and the European Union (EU). Tomáš Zdechovský, a member of the European People’s Party, the largest group in the European Parliament (EP), emphasized the substantial potential for growing bilateral ties, particularly in trade and developing connections between people.…
Panel Session in Ankara Highlights Achievements and Goals of Turkic Cooperation
ASTANA – Ankara hosted an event to mark the 15th anniversary of the Nakhchivan Agreement, which established the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) and the Day of Turkic States Cooperation, reported the organization’s press service. The panel session, titled The Current State and Future Prospects of Turkic Cooperation, focused on the achievements, challenges, and future…
Malaysia Welcomes First Student Quadruplets from Kazakhstan
ASTANA—Education Malaysia Global Services (EMGS) welcomed its first international student Zhaiylkhan’s quadruplets, Alikhan, Alizhan, Zaragul, and Zeregul, all 17, from Kazakhstan on Sept. 8. They will pursue their studies at the Asia Pacific University of Technology and Innovation (APU) in Kuala Lumpur, reported the EMGS’s press service. Based on the latest statistics from EMGS, Kazakhstan…
World Nomad Games Capture Imagination of Foreign Tourists
ASTANA — The fifth World Nomad Games became the center of attraction this week, drawing people from around the world to witness traditional nomadic competitions. According to Kazinform, many were inspired to explore Kazakhstan’s rich nomadic heritage and even create art based on their experiences. French journalist Lucas Pueyo is working with two colleagues to…
Turkic Countries Agree on Single Latin-Based Alphabet
ASTANA — The Turkic World Common Alphabet Commission has agreed on a proposal for a Latin-based Common Turkic Alphabet consisting of 34 letters during its third meeting, held from Sept. 9 to 11 in Baku, Azerbaijan. According to the Turkic Academy’s press service, each letter in the proposed alphabet represents different phonetic sounds found in…
World Nomad Games Athletes Plant Trees in Astana
ASTANA – Togyzkumalak competition participants from the Kyrgyz Republic, Hungary, Germany, Bangladesh, Argentina, and other countries planted 50 spruce and pine seedlings along Turan Avenue in Astana as part of the Taza Kazakhstan eco-campaign on Sept. 11. According to the Astana administration’s press service, this initiative also included landscaping flower beds near the Khan Shatyr…
Kazakhstan Clinches 21 Medals on Fourth Day of World Nomad Games
ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s national team secured 21 medals on the fourth day of the World Nomad Games, including six gold, seven silver, and eight bronze. The overall medal count now stands at 69, reported the National and Equestrian Sports Center’s press service. Kazakhstan’s togyzkumalak team claimed two golds in individual events and another gold in…
UNDP, Japan Launch $4.9M Project to Boost Urban Resilience in Central Asia
ASTANA – The UN Development Program (UNDP) and the Japanese government signed a $4.9 million project to strengthen urban resilience against climate-driven risks in Central Asia on Sept. 11 in Astana, reported the UNDP’s press service. The project will be implemented as a part of the regional cooperation under the Central Asia plus Japan Dialogue.…
Tokayev Endorses Skilled Professions, Industrial Growth in Kostanai Region
ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev reiterated the importance of promoting working professions, particularly among youth, as he toured the KamLitKZ iron foundry during his working visit to the Kostanai Region on Sept. 10, reported Akorda. High-Tech Foundry creates 500 jobs and boosts efficiency The plant, which has an annual capacity of 45,000 tons of castings,…
Qatari Investor to Attract Nearly $50 Million in New Airport Complex in Atyrau
ASTANA — A Qatari investor plans to attract nearly $50 million to construct a new airport complex at Atyrau International Airport named after Khiuaz Dospanova, as reported during a working visit by Kazakh Minister of Transport Marat Karabayev to the Atyrau Region on Sept. 9. According to the ministry’s press service, construction will begin in…
Astana Opera Starts New Theatrical Season with Blend of Kazakh Classics
ASTANA – Astana Opera House opened its 12th theatrical season with the “Kazakh Opera Gala” concert on Sept. 9, showcasing the rich tradition of Kazakh classical music, reported the Astana Opera’s press service. “Such concerts, performed with high quality, are a real rarity, and a tribute to the great composers school of Kazakhstan,” shared spectator…
Arab Investors to Partner with Kazakhstan in Water Sector Development
ASTANA – Kazakh Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Nurzhan Nurzhigitov discussed the prospects for joint cooperation and potential projects with Sultan Abdulrahman Al-Marshad, CEO of the Saudi Fund for Development, and Abdulhamid Alkhalifa, Director-General of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) Fund for International Development, during bilateral meetings on Sept. 10. According…
Kazakhstan Strengthens Cooperation with UNWTO
ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev confirmed Kazakhstan’s commitment to close cooperation with the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and expressed readiness to implement joint initiatives in tourism at a Sept. 9 meeting with UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili. According to the press statement released by Akorda, Tokayev thanked the UNWTO delegation and personally Pololikashvili for their…
American Cowboys Arrive in Kazakhstan for Fifth World Nomad Games
ASTANA—The U.S. kokpar team arrived in Kazakhstan on Sept. 5 to compete in ethnic equestrian sports at the fifth World Nomad Games, Kazinform reported. Ladd Howell, the team captain, shared his lifelong passion for horses, which began with his interest in American professional rodeo. He first discovered kokpar in 2018 through a YouTube video, instantly…
Kazakhstan Reaffirms Commitment to Saving Aral Sea
ASTANA – Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Murat Nurtleu reiterated Kazakhstan’s commitment to advancing the priorities of its chairmanship in the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea (IFAS) at a Sept. 5 meeting with IFAS Executive Committee Chairman Askhat Orazbay. Kazakhstan assumed the three-year chairmanship of IFAS from Tajikistan on Jan. 1.…
Kazakh Judoka Wins Gold at 2024 Paralympic Games
ASTANA – Akmaral Nauatbek from Kazakhstan claimed a gold medal in para judo at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris on Sept. 5, reported the National Olympic Committee. She triumphed in the 48-kilogram weight category, defeating France’s Sandrine Martinet with an ippon score (one full point) in the final. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev congratulated the Paralympic…
Kazakhstan Strengthens Partnership with Islamic Development Bank, OPEC Fund, and Arab Coordination Group
ASTANA – On Sept. 5, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev met with key leaders of the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) Fund for International Development, and the Arab Coordination Group to discuss expanding cooperation, reported Akorda. During the meeting with IsDB President Muhammad Sulaiman Al Jasser, Tokayev highlighted the bank’s…
Kazakhstan Enhances Cooperation with International Labor Organization
ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev met with Director-General of the International Labor Organization (ILO) Gilbert Houngbo on Sept. 5, noting the exceptional importance of his first official visit to Kazakhstan, as it gives serious impetus to cooperation with the country, reported Akorda. The President emphasized the ILO’s role in promoting the principles of social justice…
