Kazakhstan Completes Nationwide Access to Drinking Water by End of 2025
ALMATY — Kazakhstan has provided all populated areas with access to drinking water by the end of 2025, Vice Minister of Industry and Construction Kuandyk Kazhkenov reported at a Jan. 13 government meeting on water supply and sanitation. According to Kazhkenov, 835 billion tenge (approximately US$1.78 billion) was allocated from the budget to finance more…
Kazakhstan Accelerates Digitalization and Water Efficiency to Address Future Water Risks
ALMATY — Kazakhstan is intensifying efforts to digitalize water management and expand water-saving technologies to ensure sustainable water use amid rising demand and climate pressures, as Vice Minister of Industry and Construction Kuandyk Kazhkenov addressed the current plans at a Jan. 13 government meeting. Kazhkenov also emphasized that between 2026 and 2028, the country plans…
Financial Monitoring Agency Reports Major Crackdown on Money Laundering in 2025
ASTANA — Law enforcement dismantled 15 criminal groups and shut down 29 illegal cash-out platforms with a combined turnover exceeding 128 billion tenge (approximately US$270 million) in 2025, as President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev was informed during a Jan. 12 meeting with Chairman of the Agency for Financial Monitoring Zhanat Elimanov. During the meeting, Elimanov reported that…
Lunar Landscapes of Silk Road: Mangystau Draws Spotlight from The Washington Post
ALMATY — Kazakhstan’s Mangystau Region is again in the international spotlight after The Washington Post published a feature on Jan. 8, describing the area’s dramatic natural scenery as “lunar landscapes of the Silk Road,” drawing the attention of global travelers to one of the country’s most striking destinations. In the article, the author recounts a…
Kazakhstan’s Young Cyber Player Breaks Into Top Ranking After Breakout Year
ALMATY — Kazakh Counter-Strike prodigy Daniil Golubenko, known by his in-game alias molodoy, has earned his first-ever place in HLTV Top 20 Players of the Year, finishing sixth after a meteoric debut season that exceeded expectations and delivered two MVP awards. Entering tier-one Counter-Strike in April 2025, Golubenko quickly adapted to elite competition, winning four…
Kazakhstan, China Discuss $15 Billion Industrial Park Project
ALMATY — Kazakhstan is considering the creation of a large-scale industrial park valued at $15 billion, as First Deputy Prime Minister Roman Sklyar met on Jan. 8 with Zhao Tingyun, vice chairman of the board of China’s Xinfa Group, to discuss investment cooperation and the practical aspects of project implementation. The talks focused on plans…
Ticket Sales Open for Kairat vs. Club Brugge UEFA Champions League Match
ALMATY — Tickets are now on sale for the UEFA Champions League match between FC Kairat and Belgium’s Club Brugge, which will take place on Jan. 20 at 8:30 p.m. at Astana Arena, reported the club’s press service on Jan. 8. Tickets are available exclusively through the official Qairat SuperApp and Freedom SuperApp mobile applications.…
Kazakhstan Strengthens Trade and Economic Cooperation With Turkic States
ALMATY — Kazakhstan is stepping up trade, investment, and industrial cooperation with member countries of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS), as officials and business leaders gathered in Astana on Jan. 8 for the third General Assembly of the Union of Turkic Chambers of Commerce and Industry. Speaking at the assembly, Vice Minister of National…
Kazakhstan’s Industrial Emissions Top 2 Million Tons in 2024
ALMATY — More than 232,800 stationary sources of pollution were operating nationwide in 2024, releasing 2.27 million tons of harmful substances, a 0.6% increase compared to 2023, according to data released by the Bureau of National Statistics on June 30. The largest volumes of emissions were recorded in the Pavlodar and Karagandy Regions, although both…
What to Watch in 2026: Biggest Sports Events for Kazakhstan
ALMATY — The 2026 year is shaping up to be a landmark one for Kazakh sports, with major international competitions, long-awaited athlete comebacks, and high-profile global events involving Kazakhstan’s top contenders. From the Winter Olympics in Italy to title defenses in world championships and rising UFC stars, fans will have plenty to watch in the…
EBRD Supports Expansion of Renewable Energy and Logistics Infrastructure in Kazakhstan
ALMATY — The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is providing a loan of up to 25 million euros (approximately US$27 million) to support the expansion of Sarens Kazakhstan, strengthening the country’s capacity in renewable energy development and logistics infrastructure. The financing will enable Sarens Kazakhstan, a wholly owned subsidiary of Belgium-based Sarens Group,…
Tokayev Says 2026 Will Be Decisive for Kazakhstan’s Modernization in Interview
ASTANA — In a Jan. 5 interview with the Turkistan newspaper, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev outlined the key outcomes of 2025 and set priorities for the year ahead, stressing that Kazakhstan has entered a new stage of modernization marked by irreversible reforms, economic resilience, and an accelerated push toward digital transformation. According to Tokayev, Kazakhstan’s economy grew…
Kazakhstan Expands Access to Bond Market Data for Global Investors
ALMATY — Kazakhstan has launched a new information platform to improve transparency and access to its bond market for both international and local investors, as foreign interest in the country’s sovereign debt continues to grow. The Central Securities Depository (KCSD), together with the Kazakhstan Stock Exchange (KASE), unveiled the Capital Markets Kazakhstan information portal, which…
Kazakhstan Shines on Global Stage: Landmark Sport Achievements in 2025
ALMATY – Kazakhstan’s athletes delivered another successful year in the country’s sporting history in 2025, achieving breakthroughs across football, boxing, tennis and winter sports. From historic firsts to record medal hauls, Kazakhstan’s presence on the world sports map grew stronger than ever. Football: A breakthrough year and growing international recognition The defining moment of the…
Japan to Provide $7 Million Grant to Boost Healthcare Infrastructure in Kazakhstan
ALMATY — Japan will provide more than 1.087 billion yen (approximately US$7 million) in grant assistance to support the development of healthcare infrastructure in Kazakhstan’s Abai Region, strengthening bilateral cooperation in medicine and public health. Kazakh Minister of Healthcare Akmaral Alnazarova and Japan’s Ambassador to Kazakhstan Iijima Yasumasa signed the document to implement an intergovernmental…
Kazakhstan Ends 2025 Stronger at Home and More Visible Abroad
ALMATY — Kazakhstan expanded its international engagement and achieved its strongest economic growth in a decade in 2025, President’s Press Secretary Ruslan Zheldibay wrote in a year-end summary on his Telegram channel on Dec. 29. According to Zheldibay, foreign policy remained a key pillar of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s agenda throughout the year. Tokayev made 23…
Kazakh Citizens Choose Beach Getaways and Domestic Resorts for New Year Break
ALMATY — As New Year holidays approach, citizens of Kazakhstan are increasingly choosing a mix of warm seaside destinations abroad and winter resorts at home to celebrate the festive season, according to Kazakhstan’s Tourism Association (KTA). Among international destinations, demand remains strongest for beach holidays in Vietnam, Thailand, Qatar, Türkiye, the Maldives, and the United…
Tokayev Calls for Enhanced Investment Attraction Measures, Reviews Economic Diversification Progress
ASTANA — President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev met with Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov on Dec. 26 to review the preliminary results of Kazakhstan’s socio-economic development in 2025 and assess progress on the implementation of presidential economic reforms, reported the Akorda press service. Bektenov reported that more than 70% of GDP growth in 2025 was driven by non-resource…
Kazakhstan Sees 38% Surge in Tourism Investment as Visitor Numbers Rise
ALMATY — Investment in Kazakhstan’s tourism sector increased by 38.1% to 923 billion tenge (approximately US$2 billion) in the January-October 2025 period, as the country recorded steady growth in both inbound and domestic travel, Minister of Tourism and Sports Yerbol Myrzabossynov said on Dec. 25. Speaking at a government briefing, Myrzabossynov said 12.1 million foreign…
News Digest: Foreign Media on Kazakhstan’s Education Ambitions, Transit Routes, Regional Diplomacy and Culture
ALMATY – The Astana Times has selected key articles from international media outlets covering Kazakhstan. This week’s foreign media digest highlights Nazarbayev University’s growing global profile, reforms at the National Bank of Kazakhstan, the rapid expansion of the Middle Corridor, regional diplomacy in the South Caucasus, cultural exchanges with China, and efforts to boost domestic…
Weekend Guide: Holiday Runs, Ballet Classics and Winter Festivals
ASTANA — The final days of December bring a full calendar of festive events to Astana and Almaty, from classical ballet and art exhibitions to winter festivals, family shows, and outdoor activities. Whether you are looking for culture, entertainment, or a seasonal atmosphere, The Astana Times has curated a selection of events to help you…
Kazakhstan Leads Central Asia in Government AI Readiness, Ranks 60th Globally
ALMATY — Kazakhstan has emerged as the leading country in Central Asia in terms of readiness to adopt and govern artificial intelligence (AI), ranking 60th out of 195 countries in the Government AI Readiness Index 2025 published by Oxford Insights. The country climbed 16 positions compared to the previous year, when it ranked 76th, marking…
Tokayev Outlines Astana’s Growth Priorities, Calls for Balanced Urban Development
ASTANA — President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev outlined key priorities for Astana’s economic, technological, and urban development during a meeting on the capital’s future, highlighting that the city’s gross regional product (GRP) is expected to reach $34 billion by the end of 2025, with potential to rise further. “Astana is confidently moving forward, demonstrating impressive growth rates.…
Mangystau Region Emerges as One of Kazakhstan’s Top Destinations for Foreign Tourists in 2025
ALMATY — The Mangystau Region ranked third nationwide in attracting foreign tourists in 2025, with more than 350,000 visitors recorded in the January-September 2025 period, Mangystau region Akim (Governor) Nurdaulet Kilybay said at a Dec. 23 briefing at the Central Communications Service. According to official statistics, the volume of tourism-related services in the region reached…
Astana Sees Record Growth in Public Transport Use, Reaching 1.1 Million Daily Trips
ALMATY — Astana’s daily public transport ridership has reached 1.1 million passengers in 2025, marking a 37% increase compared to 2024, Astana Akim (Mayor) Zhenis Kassymbek said at a Dec. 22 briefing at the Central Communications Service. According to Kassymbek, public transport now accounts for 43% of all trips made in the capital. The city…
