Articles by Dana Omirgazy

ASTANA – The European Investment Bank (EIB) and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) will each provide $500 million to the Kyrgyz Republic for the construction of the Kambar-Ata-1 Hydropower Plant (HPP). Energy Ministers of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, and Uzbekistan, together with the heads of international financial institutions, discussed the project’s progress during…

ASTANA – Popular K-pop group Kandis delighted audiences by performing the Kazakh hit “Dem Alam” (“I’ll Take a Rest” in Kazakh) during the fourth episode of the Silk Way Star international vocal competition on Oct. 12. In this episode, contestants performed songs from other countries in their original languages. Michelle Joseph from Mongolia and Yazmin…

ASTANA — Kazakhstan is seeking to diversify its oil export routes as global energy markets undergo shifts. The Astana Times breaks down the country’s current supply channels and plans for expansion.  According to the Energy Ministry, Kazakhstan produced 87.7 million tons of crude oil in 2024, of which 68.6 million tons were exported.  The Caspian…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan will soon present its new national passport design, which has been under development since February. The updated document reflects the country’s national identity and cultural diversity, combining modern design trends with enhanced security features. According to State Counselor of Kazakhstan Erlan Karin, leading designers from the National Bank and experts from the…

ASTANA – A new Museum of Art has opened in Astana, featuring more than 1,600 national musical instruments, including rare and nearly forgotten ones such as the zhelbuaz, mes syrnay, uildek, and tastayyk. The museum, which also houses a hall of national costumes and an in-house workshop, aims to preserve and promote Kazakhstan’s traditional culture…

ASTANA — The Kazakh capital brought together representatives from across Central Asia for a regional seminar aimed at advancing data visualization practices and strengthening regional cooperation in statistics.  Held on Oct. 8-10 at Astana International University, the seminar gathered more than 20 specialists from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. The event was organized by…

ASTANA – The Astana Times has selected articles from global media outlets covering Kazakhstan. This week’s foreign media digest features reports on the country’s growing adventure tourism scene, Dimash Qudaibergen’s historic concert at Madison Square Garden, Kazakhstan’s expanding artificial intelligence ecosystem, and more. First tracks in the forests of Kazakhstan  The Financial Times published an…

ASTANA – The Monetary Policy Committee of the National Bank of Kazakhstan has set the base rate at 18% per annum with a corridor of ±1 percentage point, citing accelerating inflation and strong domestic demand on Oct. 10. The bank noted that annual inflation rose to 12.9% in September, above forecasts, driven mainly by food…

ASTANA – Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev called on member states of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) to strengthen unity, expand economic cooperation, and coordinate actions to maintain peace amid growing global instability. Speaking at the CIS Heads of State Council meeting on Oct. 10 in Dushanbe, he stressed that the organization remains an effective…

ASTANA – The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the Ministries of Energy of Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, and Uzbekistan have signed memoranda of understanding to advance preparations for the Kambar-Ata 1 Hydropower Plant, one of the largest renewable energy projects in Central Asia.  The signing took place on the sidelines of the…

ASTANA – The Almaty Open ATP 250 tennis tournament is set to take place from Oct. 11 to 19 at the Almaty Arena.  The Kazakhstan Tennis Federation (KTF) has announced the recipients of the main draw wildcards: Amir Omarkhanov, a former world No. 4 junior, along with Beibit Zhukayev and Timofey Skatov, both aged 24.…

ASTANA – Air Astana Board of Directors announced on Oct. 8 that Peter Foster will retire from his position as Chief Executive Officer and from the board of directors at the end of March 2026. Foster will remain connected to the group in the role of Senior Advisor to the board. Chief Financial Officer Ibrahim…

ASTANA — World-renowned Kazakh singer Dimash Qudaibergen met with prominent cultural figures and representatives of organizations promoting Kazakh culture and music in the United States at Kazakhstan’s Consulate General in New York. The event marked an important step in strengthening cultural ties and supporting Kazakhstan’s initiatives abroad. The participants discussed projects aimed at promoting Kazakhstan’s…

ASTANA – The Kaisar Arena, a new multifunctional complex featuring an 11,000-seat UEFA-standard stadium, has opened in Kyzylorda. Covering over 20,000 square meters, the facility includes venues for boxing, wrestling, gymnastics, taekwondo, and weightlifting. The center also offers facilities for people with special needs. Minister of Tourism and Sports Yerbol Myrzabossynov attended the grand opening,…

ASTANA – Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Olzhas Bektenov reiterated the nation’s commitment to achieving a new technological breakthrough during the plenary session of the Digital Bridge: Generative Nation international forum, which took place on Oct. 2-4. The event brought together over 30,000 participants from more than 30 countries. Bektenov emphasized that digitalization and artificial intelligence…

ASTANA – The Astana Times has selected articles from global media outlets covering Kazakhstan. This week’s foreign media digest highlights language shifts in Kazakhstan, President Mattarella’s visit, advances in AI, plans for nuclear science hubs, expanding transport links and more. What Europe can learn from Kazakhstan IPS journal published an article on Sept. 19 examining…

ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev of Kazakhstan and President Tamás Sulyok of Hungary reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening trade and economic cooperation during an official meeting on Oct. 2 in Astana. Tokayev thanked his Hungarian counterpart for accepting the invitation, recalling Hungary’s historic role as one of the first European nations to recognize Kazakhstan’s sovereignty…

ASTANA – Giuseppe Verdi’s “Rigoletto”, one of the most renowned works in the classical opera repertoire, will premiere at the country’s main theatrical venue, Astana Opera, on Oct. 3–5. A media preview and press conference dedicated to the premiere took place on Oct. 1 at the opera house. The event gathered Astana Opera’s general management,…

ASTANA – A unique research project, SANA-1, was launched at the National Space Center, marking Kazakhstan’s first experiment involving long-term crew isolation under conditions simulating space flight. The project is jointly implemented by the Aerospace Committee of the Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development, Eurasian Space Ventures, and leading national scientific and educational institutions.…

ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev opened the Digital Bridge 2025 International tech forum on Oct. 2 stressing that artificial intelligence (AI) must serve humanity in a responsible and inclusive manner. Addressing global leaders, innovators, and entrepreneurs, he set out Kazakhstan’s ambition to become a fully digital state within three years, while urging international collaboration to…

ASTANA – Kazakh Transport Minister Nurlan Sauranbayev proposed creating a unified information map of Eurasia to strengthen international cooperation and information exchange in transport infrastructure. He made the statement at the seventh New Silk Way International Transport and Logistics Business Forum in Almaty. Sauranbayev noted that while countries often coordinate railway projects, there is no…

ALMATY – Kazakhstan’s national team topped the overall standings of the World Cadet Chess Championship (U8–U12) for the second consecutive year, winning three gold medals on home ground. The tournament took place from Sept. 19 to 30 at the Baluan Sholak Sports and Concert Complex in Almaty, bringing together 842 players from 88 countries and…

ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev held a meeting with the UAE Minister of State for Defense Affairs Mohammed bin Mubarak Fadhel Al Mazrouei on Sept. 30 to discuss prospects for cooperation in security and military education. President Tokayev praised the achievements of the UAE in the defense industry and highlighted opportunities for sharing expertise in…

ASTANA – Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has welcomed U.S. President Donald Trump’s 20-point plan to end the war in Gaza. Tokayev stated that Kazakhstan views this initiative as a unique opportunity and a crucial step toward resolving the situation in the Middle East, strengthening interstate trust, and establishing a lasting and just peace in the…

ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev inaugurated via video link the second line of the Dostyk-Moiynty railway on Sept. 30 during the seventh New Silk Way International Transport and Logistics Business Forum. Tokayev highlighted the project’s strategic importance, calling it the largest railway line built over the years of independence. “This is a truly historic moment,…