French University of Lorraine Opens Branch at Almaty-Based Abai University
ASTANA – France’s University of Lorraine opened its branch at Almaty-based Abai Kazakh National Pedagogical University in May. The branch trains specialists in seven areas, including public administration, international relations and international law. The university focuses on training French language teachers. French specialists make up around 30% of the teaching personnel. The branch also served…
Five Kazakh Female Boxers Win Gold at Asian Elite Boxing Championships in Thailand
ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s five female boxers won gold medals at the ASBC Asian Elite Women Boxing Championships in Chiang Mai, Thailand. They are Yeldana Talipova in the 81-kilogram weight category, Viktoriya Grafeyeva (up to 60 kilograms), Aida Abikeyeva (up to 63 kilograms), Natalya Bogdanova (up to 70 kilograms) and Gulsaya Yerzhan (up to 81 kilograms),…
Kazakh President Visits Industrial Enterprises During Working Visit to Aktobe Region
ASTANA – Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev visited industrial enterprises during a Dec. 10 working visit to the Aktobe Region. Tokayev visited the Bolashak mine, which has a design capacity of 7.5 million tons of chrome ore annually. The plant, which will employ 1,800 people, will get almost one trillion tenge (US$1.96 billion) in investment, reported…
President Tokayev Tours Social Facilities in Aktobe Region
ASTANA – Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev toured social facilities in the Aktobe Region during his Dec. 10 working visit. Tokayev visited the Khromtau mining and technical college, which was founded in 1979. Now, the college trains 1,157 future miners, tunnelers, enrichment workers, fitters, mining electricians, electricians, and representatives of other specialties. Tokayev also learned about…
Astana to Host GCIP Kazakhstan 2024 National Forum This Week
ASTANA – Global Cleantech Innovation Program (GCIP) 2024 national forum is set to bring together leaders in ecology, sustainability and innovation on Dec. 12 in the Kazakh capital at the final of the GCIP Kazakhstan 2024 acceleration program. The best green startups of Kazakhstan will present their innovative projects after several months of intensive training…
National Bank Predicts Oil Prices to Fall to $70 Per Barrel
ASTANA – The Kazakh National Bank’s November monetary policy report predicts that oil prices would decrease to $70 per barrel in the medium term owing to a global oil market imbalance. “The situation in the oil market has worsened: demand from China is decreasing, and supply is expected to increase. As a result, estimates for…
Kazakh Foreign Ministry’s Meeting Focuses on Economic, Social & Cultural Rights
ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s parliamentary system development foundation suggested adoption at the legislative level of a provision on a sufficient quality of life for Kazakhstan residents, its components, and evaluation standards during a Dec. 9 meeting of the subgroup on the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights under the Advisory Body – Dialogue Platform…
Kazakhstan, China Introduce Digital Cross Border Permits to Facilitate Shipments
ASTANA – Kazakhstan and China have begun exchanging digital foreign permit forms (FPFs), which allow carriers to go overseas with cargo. The Kazakh Transport Ministry reported this on Dec. 2. According to the ministry’s statement, the electronic system was formally inaugurated after testing the first freight vehicle on Nov. 27. According to Altai Ali, chair…
Kazakhstan Enters Top 50 in World Prosperity Index
ASTANA – Kazakhstan ranked 49th out of 186 nations with 47.36 points, ahead of Russia, Türkiye, China and Central Asian countries, in the World Prosperity Index, published by HelloSafe Canadian analytical and financial platform. The HelloSafe Prosperity Index is based on six key indicators: Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita, Gross National Income (GNI) per…
News Digest: Foreign Media on One Water Summit, Exhibition in Almaty and More
ASTANA – The Astana Times has selected articles from global media outlets covering Kazakhstan. This week’s foreign media digest covers the One Water Summit, an exhibition in Almaty and more. Kazakhstan to host regional climate conference in 2026, Tokayev says Kazakhstan will host a regional climate conference in 2026, in partnership with the United Nations,…
China to Launch Trial Transportation of Lithium-Ion Batteries Along Middle Corridor This Month
ASTANA – China plans to launch the trial transportation of lithium-ion batteries from China along the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR), or the Middle Corridor, this month. A relevant agreement on the joint development of the route was reached during a Dec. 5 meeting between Transport Ministers of Kazakhstan Marat Karabayev and China Liu Wei…
Kazakhstan’s Grain Exports to Reach 12 Million Tons This Year
ASTANA – The volume of Kazakhstan’s grain exports may reach 12 million tons this year. The key sales markets will include Central Asia, China, Afghanistan, Italy, and other countries. The question of delivering grain in amounts of up to 2 million tons to Azerbaijan, Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, North African countries, and the European Union (EU)…
OPEC+ Extends Production Cuts Until End of 2026
ASTANA – The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and non-OPEC partners, a group of oil exporters called OPEC+, agreed on Dec. 5 to extend the overall crude oil production level in accordance with the decisions taken at the 35th OPEC+ Ministerial Meeting, until Dec. 31, 2026. The decision was made during the 57th meeting…
Kazakh FM Calls to Preserve, Strengthen OSCE at Ministerial Meeting
ASTANA – Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Murat Nurtleu underscored the importance of preserving the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) as a unique platform for inclusive dialogue on security topics during the 31st OSCE Ministerial Council’s meeting in Ta’ Qali, Malta on Dec. 5, which gathered foreign ministers from the…
Tokayev Congratulates Trump on Election Win in Phone Call
ASTANA — Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev congratulated Donald Trump on his election as President of the United States via phone call on Dec. 5. The Presidents confirmed their mutual commitment to the intensive development of strategic partnership in trade, investment and nuclear non-proliferation, reported the Akorda. Tokayev outlined Kazakhstan’s position on the most pressing…
Kazakhstan Introduces Innovative Methods of Geological Exploration
ASTANA – In line with the country’s goal to expand the area of geological investigation from 1.5 to 2.2 million square meters (m2) by 2026, the Kazakh government is enhancing the investment climate, updating subsurface usage regulations, and using AI technology for data processing. To date, two million m2 of subsoil have been surveyed. The…
EBRD, DBK Support Project to Consolidate Kazakhstan’s Energy System
ASTANA – Kazakhstan Electricity Grid Operating Company (KEGOC) signed loan facility agreements with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the Development Bank of Kazakhstan (DBK) to implement a project on consolidating Kazakhstan’s power system. According to the DBK’s press service, funds of up to 32 billion tenge (US$61 million) will be allocated…
Kazakhstan to Assume Chairmanship of Economic Cooperation Organization in 2025
ASTANA – Kazakhstan will assume the chairmanship of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) in 2025, which will be held under the Promoting Regional Transport Connectivity and Sustainable Development motto, said Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Murat Nurtleu during the 28th ECO Council of Ministers meeting on Dec. 3 in Mashhad, Iran. During the…
Kazakhstan, France Sign Agreement on Preserving Lake Balkhash at One Water Summit
ASTANA – Kazakh Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation, the French Development Agency (AFD) and the French Bureau of Geological and Mining Research (BRGM) signed a trilateral agreement to develop cooperation in preserving Kazakhstan’s Lake Balkhash. The agreement was reached at the Dec. 3 One Water Summit in Riyadh. According to the ministry’s press service,…
Kazakh President Expresses Gratitude to Partners for Organizing One Water Summit in Riyadh
ASTANA — President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev met with the President of France, World Bank Group and Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia to express his gratitude for support in organizing the One Water Summit and discuss cooperation prospects on Dec. 3 in Riyadh. Meeting with World Bank Group President Ajay Banga During the meeting with…
Tokayev Underlines Kazakhstan’s Role in Tackling Water Security Challenges at One Water Summit
ASTANA – Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev outlined key measures to tackle water security challenges and announced plans to hold a regional climate conference in 2026 at the One Water Summit in Riyadh on Dec.3. The President expressed his gratitude to France, Saudi Arabia and the World Bank Group for their assistance in organizing this event.…
Kazakh Cardiac Surgeons Create Device for Preserving Organs Outside Body
ASTANA – Kazakh University Medical Center’s (UMC) cardiac surgeons are working on creating a unique device for preserving organs outside the body. This can significantly improve the results of transplants, reported the Prime Minister’s press service on Dec. 2. As part of the research, specialists are creating technology to keep a beating heart, “breathing” lungs,…
Kazakhstan’s Chess Players Win Gold at 2024 World Cadet Chess Championship
ASTANA – Young chess players from Kazakhstan became world champions in the overall team standings at the 2024 World Cadet Chess Championship held on Nov. 14-27 in Montesilvano, Italy. More than 700 players from 77 countries participated in the tournament, reported Kazakhstan Chess Federation’s press service on Nov. 27. Alanna Berikkyzy won gold in the…
Eurasia International Film Festival Concludes With Award Ceremony
ASTANA – The 17th Eurasia International Film Festival ended on Nov. 30 in Almaty with an award ceremony honoring the best actors, directors and films. This year, the festival brought together filmmakers from more than 15 countries, presenting two competition programs: an international competition and a competition of Central Asian and Turkic countries. The jury…
China, Uzbekistan Introduce Visa Free Travel for 30 Days
ASTANA – Uzbekistan and China signed an agreement on Dec. 1 allowing citizens to travel to both countries without visas for 30 days. “As part of the implementation of the agreements reached between the Leaders of Uzbekistan and China, today together with my colleague we signed the agreement that allows our citizens to travel without…
