Articles by Aiman Nakispekova

ASTANA – Five years ago, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev officially assumed the presidency of Kazakhstan after winning a competitive open election. This marked the beginning of significant changes and challenges in the country. Maulen Ashimbayev, the chairperson of the Senate, the upper chamber of the Kazakh Parliament, discussed key events of these five years in an article…

ASTANA – The first direct flight from Milan landed in Astana on July 13 morning operated by Italy’s Neos, marking a significant boost to Kazakh-Italian relations. The airline has scheduled two additional flights on Aug. 30 and Sept. 13, with plans to increase frequency based on demand. In an interview with The Astana Times, Marco…

ASTANA – The qualification tournaments for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris have recently concluded. Eighty athletes will represent Kazakhstan in 25 sports, including boxing, judo, artistic gymnastics, kayaking and canoeing, shooting, fencing, and Greco-Roman wrestling. The Kazakh national team is preparing to participate in the Summer Olympics for the eighth time, while some of…

ASTANA – Aqmola Invest, the regional investment attraction center for the Akmola Region, launched in Astana on July 9. Operating under a single window principle, the center simplifies government services and provides comprehensive support to investors at all stages of their activities, from planning to execution, reported the press service of the Akmola Region’s akimat…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan is well-positioned to ensure a steady supply of critical minerals, meeting the rising global demand driven by the energy transition and the electric vehicle market. According to an analytical overview by experts from the Administration of the Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC), there are nine groups of goods with export potential, including…

ASTANA—The Kazakh advertising agency GForce Grey achieved a significant milestone by winning a Golden Lion at the Cannes Lions International Festival held from June 17-21. This festival is the most prestigious global competition for advertising professionals, with awards across various categories, such as traditional media, digital technologies, PR, design, and creative effects. GForce Grey earned…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan has celebrated National Dombra Day on the first Sunday of July since 2018, fostering a deep appreciation of Kazakh traditions and native culture. The dombra is a sacred instrument embodying the history, joy, sadness, courage, and freedom of the Kazakh people. It is not just a national brand but a national identity…

ASTANA – This year, the Kazakh capital celebrates its 26th anniversary on July 6. This day holds deep historical and cultural significance, symbolizing the country’s achievements. On July 6, 1994, the Supreme Council of Kazakhstan passed a resolution to relocate the capital from Almaty to Akmola. The central government completed its move to Akmola in…

ASTANA – Almaty hosted the annual meeting and business forum of the Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) on June 27-28, bringing together representatives from multilateral development banks, international organizations, businesses, and journalists worldwide. The event aimed to expand partnerships and exchange practical expertise to address key regional challenges, including water, energy balance, transport and logistics development,…

ASTANA – This year marks the 28th anniversary of the establishment of the Kazakh’s Armed Forces sergeant corps, celebrated on July 1. In 1996 the first cadet corps of the Ministry of Defense was created, initiating the formation of a professional sergeant corps.  Kazakhstan was the first in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) to…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan took over the chairmanship of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea (IFAS) this year. During its three-year presidency, Kazakhstan will determine the course of the Aral Sea’s revival. In an interview with Kazinform, Yerbolat Pernekhan, the head of the Department of Water Cooperation for Central Asia at the Ministry of…

ASTANA – Kazakh freediver Assel Zhubanysheva set two new national records at the 17th International Association for the Development of Apnea (AIDA) Panglao Depth Games in the Philippines on May 13-15. Zhubanysheva, who began freediving only four years ago, achieved 45 meters in Free Immersion (FIM) and 40 meters in Constant Weight Bi-fins (CWTB) disciplines,…

ASTANA – A new legislation on women’s rights and children’s safety marks a significant step towards fostering a culture of zero tolerance for any form of violence, said Khalida Azhigulova, a human rights lawyer and Doctor of Law (PhD), in an interview with The Astana Times. On April 15, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signed laws amending…

ASTANA – The Aviation Administration of Kazakhstan (AAK), responsible for technical control and oversight of civil aviation safety and security in Kazakhstan, has strengthened its regional leadership and international presence over the years. In an interview with The Astana Times, Catalin Radu, the AAK Director General, discussed initiatives that led to Kazakhstan’s removal from the…

ASTANA – Recently, Kazakh First Deputy Prime Minister Roman Sklyar discussed the country’s industrial development and economic growth in an interview with the prime minister’s press service. Below is the Q&A with Roman Sklyar. Why is our economy not predominantly oil-based anymore, but rather industrial? Indeed, this question is of paramount importance. The processing industry…

ASTANA – The Kazakhstan Chess Federation (KazChess) has been implementing a coaching assistance program for colleagues from Oman, Tajikistan, and Sri Lanka for the past two months, with plans to include Bangladesh and Cambodia, reported the federation’s press service on June 4. The program includes a two-month stay for the coaches in the respective countries…

ASTANA – Two schools in Kazakhstan earned Energy Efficiency Labels during the second Interregional Forum of Environmental Initiatives, jointly organized by the ECOJER Association and the Sustainable Energy Connectivity in Central Asia Project (SECCA) in Temirtau on June 4, reported SECCA’s press service. The Kosshy School Gymnasium and the Kazakh School Lyceum in Konayev town…

ASTANA – Astana will host the 35th International Biology Olympiad (IBO) on July 7-14, with an expected participation of 350 schoolchildren from 80 countries. More than 40 awards will be up for grabs. The IBO is the top competition among high school students globally and ranks among the most significant events in education. Since 1996,…

ASTANA – The Center for Peacekeeping Operations of the Ministry of Defense (KAZCENT) hosted the first regional roundtable on the contribution of Central Asian countries to peacekeeping activities on May 31 in Almaty. The event gathered representatives from Tajikistan, the Kazakh Ministry of Defense, the UN staff, the UN Women’s Office, the International Committee of the Red…

ASTANA – The Scania CV AB, a Swedish company specializing in producing industrial and marine engines, trucks, and buses, embarked on a significant endeavor by initiating truck production in Saran, in the Karaganda Region one year ago. In an interview with The Astana Times, Pascal Zappone, an executive vice president of the Scania CV AB,…

ASTANA – The Kazakh capital hosted the 40th meeting of the Berlin Eurasian Club (BEC) focusing on enhancing investment attractiveness on May 15. The event brought together over 30 German and Kazakh companies from the energy, machinery, agricultural, and mining industries for comprehensive discussions covering various topics relevant to the countries’ raw materials, industrial, technological,…

ASTANA – Anna Ryl, the head of Korgau crisis center, discussed the role of human rights organizations and the societal actions necessary for the effectiveness of the new law on women’s and children’s rights in an interview with The Astana Times. A month ago, Kazakhstan enacted legislation on women’s rights and children’s safety, which criminalizes…

ASTANA – The energy ministries of Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, and Uzbekistan have signed a historic memorandum at the Tashkent International Investment Forum on May 1, initiating cooperation on interconnecting their energy systems and laying the groundwork for a transcontinental energy corridor to Europe. The realization of this initiative will elevate these countries to important positions in…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan experienced a notable deceleration in gross domestic product (GDP) growth during the first quarter of 2024, dropping to 3.9% after achieving record highs the previous year, according to an April 29 analytical report by Halyk Bank.  The slowdown was primarily attributed to stagnation in oil production, which remained nearly unchanged compared to…

ASTANA – Kazakhs living abroad strengthen the unity of Kazakhstan’s people. Despite physical distance from their homeland, they play a significant role in the country’s development, prosperity, and cultural preservation. They foster unity by maintaining strong connections with other Kazakh expatriates and their families, fostering a sense of community and solidarity, providing mutual support in…