Kazakhstan Hosts Workshop to Strengthen Cooperation between Nuclear-Free Zones
ASTANA—Kazakhstan hosted a pivotal workshop that kicked off on Aug. 27, gathering experts and officials from around the world to revitalize the five existing nuclear-weapons-free zones (NWFZs) and enhance cooperation among them. The event, organized in collaboration with the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs, is held ahead of the International Day against Nuclear Tests…
Engineering Camps in Rural Schools Empower Students in STEAM
ASTANA — American Corners in Kazakhstan reported that they finished their pilot project titled Regional Ambassadors of Makerspace. This project of creative labs aims to promote knowledge and skills in science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics (STEAM) disciplines in rural areas. The program was developed to provide hands-on, creative ways for schoolchildren to design, experiment,…
Astana Hosts International Conference on Chess in Education
ASTANA—Astana hosted the second international conference dedicated to chess in education that kicked off on Aug. 21. Over 200 participants, including global chess experts and educators from Kazakhstan, attended the conference, which focused on integrating chess into educational systems, particularly in the digital age and the growing influence of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Speakers from Spain,…
Kazakhstan’s Economic Performance: Key Sectors Drive Growth
ASTANA — Kazakhstan’s economy demonstrated stable growth during the first seven months of the year despite some challenges in foreign trade. According to the Bureau of National Statistics (QazStat), the composite economic indicator (CEI) increased by 4.1% as of July 7, with significant contributions from the communications, construction, and transport sectors. The communications sector recorded…
Mastering Saddle: Art and Sport of Horseback Wrestling
ASTANA—Horseback wrestling, known as Audaryspak in Kazakh, is a time-honored equestrian competition that challenges the strength and stability of horseback riders. Rooted in the training practices of nomadic warriors, Audaryspak has evolved into a celebrated tradition, showcasing its participants’ courage, agility and exceptional horse-riding skills. Held at festivals and competitions, horseback wrestling is not just…
From Africa to Kazakhstan: World Nomad Games to Include Ovari Game
ASTANA—The fifth World Nomad Games in Astana will showcase not only sporting events but also intellectual disciplines. This year’s program includes exotic sports such as mas-wrestling, the national sport of Yakutia; Ovari, an intellectual game from West Africa; and Mangala, a strategic game from Türkiye. Kazakh teams will compete in each of these events. Ovari,…
Kazakh Scientists Develop Database of Ancient Dog Breeds
ASTANA—The ethno-zooarchaeological study on the role of the wolf and the dog in Kazakhstan’s ancient and modern culture, conducted by Al-Farabi Kazakh National University (KazNU) scientists, resulted in the creation of a database of ancient dog breeds. According to the Kazakh Ministry of Science and Higher Education press service, the studies were conducted on the…
Promising New Treatment: Kazakhstan’s Cancer Drug Passes Initial Clinical Trials
ASTANA — Kazakhstan’s cancer drug developed by a team of scientists led by Dos Sarbassov, a Kazakh-American biologist and Nazarbayev University (NU) professor, passed the first stage of clinical trials. Sarbassov hosted a press briefing and a laboratory tour on Aug. 14 in Astana to discuss the progress of the drug development project, the results…
Aktau Prepares to Become Cultural Capital of Turkic World in 2025
ASTANA—Aktau will be designated the cultural capital of the Turkic world in 2025, marking a significant milestone for the city and its residents. This new status is expected to bring numerous cultural and developmental opportunities. What events will be held, and how will this impact the city’s growth? According to Tengrinews, which inquired with the…
Kazakhstan’s Uranium Industry: Sites and Production
ASTANA—Kazakhstan, one of the world’s largest exporters of uranium, maintains active and decommissioned reserves. According to the Kazakh Ministry of Energy, Kazatomprom National Atomic Company produces uranium at 26 sites in 13 deposits of Turkistan, Kyzylorda and the North Kazakhstan Regions. It holds a controlling stake in uranium mining companies in eight out of 14…
Kazakh PM Discusses Investment Opportunities with JBIC Chairman
ASTANA—Kazakh Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov met with Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) Chairman Hayashi Nobumitsu to discuss expanding financial cooperation and advancing joint investment projects on Aug.9. According to the Prime Minister’s press service, Japan is one of Kazakhstan’s major partners in East Asia and ranks among the country’s top 10 most prominent investors.…
Magnus Carlsen Leads WR Chess to Blitz Victory at FIDE Championships in Astana
ASTANA — The FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Team Championships 2024 concluded in Astana. Last year’s World Rapid winners, the WR Chess Team, led by Magnus Carlsen, claimed victory in Blitz on Aug. 5. This year’s event marked the debut of The World Blitz Team Championship alongside the World Rapid. The intense one-day event featured…
World Nomad Games in Astana: Celebrating Tradition Through Sport and Culture
ASTANA — The Fifth World Nomad Games (WNG), a unique sporting event celebrating nomadic people’s cultural heritage and traditions, will commence in Astana on Sept 8. The games aim to preserve and popularize the traditional sports of nomads, attracting not only residents but also international spectators with exciting competitions and vibrant cultural events. Nail Nurov,…
Comic Con Spotlights Mads Mikkelsen and Kazakh Film Industry
ASTANA—For four days, Astana became a hub of geek culture, hosting Comic Con Astana 2024. The event drew professional cosplayers, renowned directors and actors, including headliner Mads Mikkelsen. Some of the highlights included Mikkelsen’s extended autograph session and discussions with Kazakh director Aisultan Seitov on new projects and trends in both global and Kazakh cinematography.…
Astana Hosts Central Asia’s Largest Comic Con, Uniting Global Pop Culture Icons
ASTANA — Astana hosted the largest geek festival in Central Asia, Comic Con Astana 2024 on July 25-28. The event gathered over 50,000 visitors and united popular culture professionals, including actors, cosplayers and bloggers from over 30 countries. These include countries such as Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Ukraine, the United Arab Emirates,…
Kazakh Tourism Shares Top Five Attractive Tourist Destinations in Kazakhstan
ASTANA—Kazakh Tourism published a list of the top five attractive resort areas for tourists in Kazakhstan on July 16, with the Almaty mountain cluster leading the pack. From January to March, 766,588 guests visited the resort areas of Kazakhstan. According to the Khabar news agency, the National Bureau of Statistics reported that the Almaty mountain…
Kazakh Anti-Corruption Service Intensifies Global Asset Recovery Efforts
ASTANA— Kazakhstan has been strengthening its international cooperation to enhance data exchange, track suspicious international financial transactions and recover assets including securities, real estate, jewelry and ancient artworks, as well as directing the funds to socio-economic projects, since the reinforcement of the law on returning illegally withdrawn assets to the state in 2023. Since the…
International Chess Champs to Unite at Championships in Astana
ASTANA—The Kazakhstan Chess Federation, under the auspices of the International Chess Federation (FIDE), will host the FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Club Championships in Astana from Aug. 1-5. According to the press service of the Kazakh Chess Federation, the event expects approximately 300 people from more than 30 clubs worldwide. The current world champions have…
Kazakhstan’s 12 Stars Featured on Paris Olympics Website
ASTANA — Twelve renowned Kazakh athletes were featured in an article on the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics website. According to the Olympics’ official website, the list includes the winners of the World Championships and the 2020 Olympics. Boxing Kazakhstan will be represented in boxing by Nazym Kyzaibai (50 kilograms). The 2014 and 2016 world champion…
Seven Kazakh Startups to Study in Silicon Valley
ASTANA—The top ten Central Asian startups have been selected for the Alchemist Accelerator program, which will commence on Aug. 12 and grant them a unique opportunity to study in Silicon Valley. This five-month intensive program in Silicon Valley aims to support promising startups entering the American market. Participants will receive support in signing early contracts…
Kazakhstan Partners with Japan to Strengthen Hydraulic Infrastructure to Boost Flood Resilience
ASTANA—Japanese experts will assess 13 hydraulic structures in four regions of Kazakhstan to prepare for the 2025 flooding season. According to the Kazakh Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation, the specialists will inspect the country’s hydraulic infrastructure, focusing on facilities that have faced significant pressure during previous floods. Visual inspections of the facilities have been…
Kazakh Boxers’ Photos Adorn Paris Streets Ahead of 2024 Olympics
ASTANA — Photos of Kazakh boxers are displayed on the streets of Paris on the eve of the 2024 Olympics. According to the National Olympic Committee of Kazakhstan, the photos feature boxers, including Saken Bibosynov, Kamshybek Kunkabayev, Alibek Oralbay and Nurbek Oralbay. Final preparations are underway in the city, creating an Olympic atmosphere. The excitement…
Kazpost Integrates Digital Asset Transactions, Expands Financial Services
ASTANA—Kazpost, Kazakhstan’s national postal network operator, has enabled fiat transactions with digital assets, reported the Astana Financial Services Authority (AFSA) on July 22. This marks a crucial step in the country’s digital finance landscape. The Astana International Financial Center (AIFC), in collaboration with the Kazakh National Bank and the Kazakh Agency for Regulation and Development…
Traditional Archery Team Intensifies Training for World Nomad Games in Almaty
ASTANA—Almaty is hosting a field training camp for the traditional archery (sadak atu) national team to prepare for the fifth World Nomad Games (WNG). The training camp welcomed 12 athletes, including ten selected and two reserve athletes. Six are males, and four are females. “Training is intense, with only a few days left before the…
Two-Year Progress: Development Milestones of Kazakhstan’s New Regions
ASTANA — Since the establishment of the Ulytau, Abai and Zhetysu regions in 2022, on the initiative of Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, significant administrative and structural developments have occurred. The regions have witnessed improvements in the economy, investment profiles, infrastructure, agriculture, sports, culture, and education, according to an analytical article in Kazinfrom. The Abai Region …
