Kazakhstan Establishes National Standards for Artificial Intelligence in Education
ASTANA – Kazakhstan has approved its first national framework for integrating artificial intelligence into education, setting standards for ethical use, data protection, and academic integrity across schools, colleges, and vocational institutions for 2025–2029. The joint order was signed by Minister of Education Gani Beisembayev and Minister of Digital Development, Innovation and Aerospace Industry Zhaslan Madiyev,…
Kazakhstan Advances Major Investment Projects in Pharmaceuticals, Agro-Industry, and Food Processing
ASTANA – First Deputy Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Roman Sklyar chaired a meeting of the Investment Headquarters on Sept. 17 to review the implementation of key investment initiatives in pharmaceuticals, the agro-industrial complex, and food processing. Participants approved the principal terms of several major agreements with domestic and international investors. Approved projects include initiatives by…
Bibisara Assaubayeva Wins Bronze at FIDE Women’s Grand Swiss in Samarkand
ASTANA – Twenty-one-year-old grandmaster Bibisara Assaubayeva has triumphantly completed the prestigious FIDE Women’s Grand Swiss in Samarkand, claiming third place and securing her place in the history of world chess. Assaubayeva scored 7 1⁄2 points out of 11, drawing her final game against Anna Muzychuk (Ukraine, 2535). She received $25,000 in prize money. The tournament…
Tokayev Calls for On-Time Harvest, Bigger Agricultural Role in Economy
ASTANA – The Kazakh capital will host the second AgriForum in November to discuss sectoral development and state support measures, said Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev during a Sept. 16 working trip to the Akmola Region, where he inspected the progress of the ongoing harvest campaign, met with local farmers, and held a regional meeting on…
Kazakhstan’s National Museum Showcases 86 Unique Exhibits of World Religions
ASTANA – The National Museum of Kazakhstan has opened the exhibition Priceless Treasures of Religious Traditions of the World, featuring 86 exhibits such as sacred texts, icons, prayer rugs, meditation bowls, and a menorah. The exhibition, running through Sept. 27, highlights Islam, Christianity, Buddhism, and Judaism. Organized with the International Center for Dialogue of Religions…
Kazakhstan to Introduce Legal Framework for Digital Financial Assets, Including Stablecoins
ASTANA – Kazakhstan is set to regulate digital financial assets (DFAs) under a new banking law, introducing stablecoins, tokenized assets, and digital financial instruments as a distinct class in the country’s financial system. The draft law was presented in the Mazhilis, the lower house of the Kazakh Parliament, by Madina Abylkassymova, chair of the Agency…
News Digest: Foreign Media on Kazakhstan’s Role as Middle Power, Baikonur Cosmodrome and More
ASTANA – The Astana Times has curated a selection of articles from global media outlets covering Kazakhstan. This week’s foreign media digest includes topics such as Kazakhstan’s role as a rising middle power, Dimash Qudaibergen’s international project, Baikonur Cosmodrome and more. EU weighs strategy as Kazakhstan deepens partnership with China Euractiv published an article on…
Astana Hub Merges with Tech Garden
ASTANA – Astana Hub, the country’s international technology park, will merge with Almaty Tech Garden park of innovative technologies following the Senate’s approval of amendments to legislation on innovation activities and state statistics. The new law aims to establish a unified innovation cluster, eliminate overlapping functions, and scale up successful Astana Hub projects. The legislation…
Air Astana to Relocate Domestic Flight Check-in to Terminal 2 at Almaty Airport
ASTANA — Air Astana announced that, starting from Sept. 15, check-in for domestic flights at Almaty Airport will be temporarily carried out in the International Departures Terminal T2, due to the renovation of Terminal 1. Passengers are kindly requested to go directly to Terminal 2 for check-in and baggage drop-off. “Please note that check-in for…
Kazakhstan Advances Clean Technologies in Energy Transition
ASTANA – Kazakhstan is advancing the development of alternative energy while modernizing its coal generation through clean technologies. According to Energy Minister Yerlan Akkenzhenov, this approach aligns with President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s directives outlined in the state-of-the-nation address and reflects the country’s strategic course to reduce its carbon footprint. “For Kazakhstan, the energy transition is not…
Northern Aral Sea Water Volume Growth Exceeds Targets
ASTANA – The volume of the Northern Aral Sea has reached 24.1 billion cubic meters, surpassing the targets set in Kazakhstan’s concept for the development of the water resources management system years ahead of schedule. From 2023 to the present, 5 billion cubic meters of water have been directed into the sea, enabling rapid progress.…
President Tokayev Seeks to Make Kazakhstan Eurasia’s Leading Transport and Aviation Hub
ASTANA – Kazakhstan is intensifying efforts to expand its role as a key transit link between Europe and Asia while setting its sights on becoming the leading aviation hub in Eurasia, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said in his Sept. 8 state-of-the-nation address. Tokayev noted that global competition for transit is intensifying, with cheaper alternative routes emerging,…
Kazakhstan to Establish Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development
ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev announced the establishment of a Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development, underscoring Kazakhstan’s strategic goal of becoming a fully digital country within three years, at his annual state-of-the-nation address on Sept. 8 during a joint session of the parliament’s chambers. Speaking on the nation’s future, Tokayev emphasized that Kazakhstan,…
IOM Kazakhstan Launches Campaign to Promote Safe Labor Migration
ASTANA — The International Organization for Migration (IOM), in partnership with Workforce Development Center and Kazpost, has launched the Ashyq Álem (Open World in Kazakh) campaign to help migrant workers from Kazakhstan and Central Asia prepare for safe and informed employment abroad. Running from Sept. 4 to Jan. 31, 2026, the initiative focuses on financial…
News Digest: Foreign Media on Kazakh-Chinese Ties, Astana Finance Days, Dimash Qudaibergen’s New Project and More
ASTANA – The Astana Times has selected articles from global media outlets covering Kazakhstan. This week’s foreign media digest covers the Kazakh-Chinese partnership, Dimash Qudaibergen’s new music project, Astana Finance Days and more. Strong Kazakh-Sino ties key to successful cooperation China Daily, a leading English-language Chinese newspaper, published an article by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on…
Kazakhstan’s Zangar Nurlanuly Reaches Junior US Open Quarterfinals for First Time
ASTANA – Seventeen-year-old Kazakhstan’s tennis player Zangar Nurlanuly has advanced to the quarterfinals of the Junior US Open, marking the biggest achievement of his young career so far. In the third round, Nurlanuly defeated the tournament’s sixth seed and world No. 8 in the ITF Juniors rankings, Oskari Paldanius of Finland. Following the match, Bulat…
Kazakhstan, US Businesses Explore New Investment Opportunities
ASTANA – Kazakhstan and the United States discussed prospects for expanding bilateral economic ties, implementing new investment projects, and creating cooperation chains involving U.S. businesses. The meeting was held between Chairman of Investment Committee of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan Gabidulla Ospankulov and representatives of the U.S. trade mission led by Senior Vice…
Kazakhstan Accelerates Digital Transformation with AI, Blockchain, and Global Tech Ambitions
ASTANA — Kazakhstan is rapidly advancing its digital ecosystem, positioning itself as a leader in artificial intelligence, blockchain, and telecommunications in Central Asia. Recent initiatives are streamlining public services, boosting the IT sector, and expanding international partnerships, underscoring the country’s ambition to become a major player in the global digital economy. Presidential address: digitalization as…
Central Asia Takes Spotlight at Bled Strategic Forum for First Time
ASTANA – Central Asia was placed at the center of discussions at the Bled Strategic Forum (BSF) in Slovenia for the first time, as the influential international platform dedicated a special panel to the region during its 20th edition on Sept. 1–2. Established in 2006, the BSF has become a key venue for addressing global…
Tokayev’s Talks With China’s Business Leaders Span Energy, Transport, Tech
ASTANA — Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev held a series of meetings with top executives of major Chinese corporations and financial institutions on Sept. 2, discussing large-scale projects in energy, infrastructure, digital technologies, and green development. The talks underscored Kazakhstan’s commitment to strengthening economic partnership with China and advancing strategically important initiatives across key sectors, reported…
Filming Begins in Kazakhstan for Dimash Qudaibergen’s International Music Project
ASTANA — Kazakhstan has become the stage for a new Chinese-Kazakh music project of international scale, with world-renowned Kazakh singer Dimash Qudaibergen serving as executive producer. The project, featuring vocalists from around the globe, will be filmed across several of Kazakhstan’s most iconic locations from Sept. 8 to 29. Filming will take place in Turkistan,…
Presidents of Kazakhstan and China Reaffirm Strategic Partnership in Tianjin Talks
ASTANA – Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks on Aug. 30 in Tianjin, underscoring the unprecedented level of Kazakh-Chinese relations and reaffirming their commitment to deepening the eternal comprehensive strategic partnership. The presidents emphasized record trade turnover, large-scale joint projects, and expanded cultural cooperation as key drivers of bilateral ties.…
Almaty’s FC Kairat to Host Real Madrid in Historic First Home Champions League Match
ASTANA — UEFA has officially announced the fixtures for the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League group stage, with FC Kairat set to play its historic first home match against Real Madrid on Sept. 30 in Almaty. Kairat’s European journey will begin slightly earlier, with an away opener against Sporting Clube de Portugal on Sept. 18. Following…
President Tokayev Highlights Role of Constitution in Political Modernization
ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev delivered a speech at the Aug. 29 conference titled Constitution and Statehood: Dialogue of Law and the Future, marking the 30th anniversary of the Constitution of Kazakhstan. Tokayev emphasized that the Constitution remains the unshakable foundation of Kazakhstan’s independence and a guiding principle for strengthening statehood. Historical legacy of constitutional…
National Bank of Kazakhstan Keeps Base Rate at 16.5%
ASTANA — The Monetary Policy Committee of the National Bank of Kazakhstan has decided to keep the base rate unchanged at 16.5% per annum with a corridor of +/-1 percentage point. The decision reflects updated forecasts of macroeconomic indicators and an assessment of inflation risks. Inflation trends Annual inflation in July stood at 11.8%, with…
