Kazakh Chess Champ Assaubayeva Triumphs Anew at Swiss Queens Tournament
ASTANA — Kazakh chess champion Bibisara Assaubayeva once again secured first place at the 21st international Swiss Queens Wednesday online chess tournament on June 23. According to the FIDE International Chess Federation, Assaubayeva scored 9.5 out of 11 possible at FIDE Online Arena. She defeated her closest rivals, Anastasia Bodnaruk and Valentina Gunina, by one…
Kazakh Female Tennis Player Wins WTA 250 Tournament
ASTANA — Kazakh professional tennis player Yulia Putintseva won the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) 250 tournament in Birmingham, United Kingdom, on June 23. According to the Kazakh Tennis Federation (KTF), in the final, Putintseva defeated Ajla Tomljanović of Australia in two sets, 6-1, 7-6. Putintseva railed from a 3-5 in the second set and played…
Astana to Host Google’s Hackathon Finals in September
ASTANA—Astana will host Google’s hackathon series finals on September 15, uniting the best development teams from Central Asia and the Caucasus. The Build With AI for Sustainable Growth initiative aims to address sustainable development challenges. The initiative, implemented by StrategEast, Google and USAID’s Future Growth in March, has concluded 27 workshops engaging 900 developers. The…
Newly Designed Buses to Brighten Astana for World Nomad Games
ASTANA—Some 100 newly designed buses will start operating in Astana on June 25, showcasing a special brand for the fifth World Nomad Games. According to the Astana Akimat (city administration), the design reflects the modernity and culture of Kazakhstan. These buses boast enhanced lighting and air conditioning, ensuring a comfortable ride for everyone. They also…
Silk Road in Sky: Forum Highlights Kazakhstan as Air Cargo Hub
ASTANA—Astana hosted the first regional aviation cargo and logistics forum in Central Asia, Silk Road in the Sky—Kazakhstan Air Cargo Hub, from June 20 to 21. It united over 350 aviation industry experts from over 30 countries to explore and discuss Kazakhstan’s challenges and opportunities in becoming an aviation hub and regional potential as a…
Explore Day-Trip Adventures Beyond Astana’s Urban Core
ASTANA — While Astana exudes a modern, futuristic charm with its ever-evolving skyline, a short trip outside or around the city reveals untouched, picturesque landscapes and the delightful essence of old-world Kazakh culture. The Astana Times has compiled a range of adventurous yet relaxing day-trip activities near Astana, offering readers a chance to experience the…
Leonardo da Vinci’s “La Bella Principessa” Brings Invaluable Historical Moment for Kazakh Capital
ASTANA — Leonardo da Vinci’s “La Bella Principessa” made its historic debut in Astana, marking an invaluable cultural moment for Central Asia on June 7. General Director and Founder of Scripta Maneant publishing house, Giorgio Armaroli and Scripta Maneant Foreign Rights Sales Officer, Francesco Iori discussed why this Renaissance masterpiece was chosen for display, its…
Central Asian Expert Forum Sets Regional Cooperation Priorities
ASTANA — Astana hosted the seventh Central Asian Expert Forum, titled the Gravity of Trust, on June 14. The event brought together experts from Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan. The forum aimed to set mutual development priorities, enhance regional cooperation channels, and strengthen Central Asia’s transit and transport potential. Organized by the…
Kazakhstan’s Goodwill Ambassador Adam Breaks Boundaries with Music
ASTANA—Kazakh singer Mirkhiday Mirfarukh, known as Adam, became a sensation on social networks with his song “Zhurek” (Heart), gaining over 74 million views on YouTube and inspiring over four million TikTok clips worldwide. In an interview with The Astana Times, Adam spoke about his early life, international recognition, diverse audience, upcoming concerts, and newly acquired…
Kazakh Startup Project Achieves UN’s Digital Public Good Status
ASTANA — CodiPlay, a leading startup in educational technologies, was awarded the status of a digital public good (DPG) by the Digital Public Goods Alliance (DPGA), supported by the UN Secretary-General, reported the Kazakh Ministry of Digital Development, Innovation and Aerospace Industry on June 7. This prestigious recognition makes CodiPlay the third company in Kazakhstan…
Kazakhstan Redirects Billions in Recovered Assets to Social Projects
ASTANA— The Asset Recovery Committee of the Prosecutor General’s Office approved claims for the return of illegally obtained assets worth over 325 billion tenge (US$727 million), including 272 billion tenge (US$608 million) in funds. The funds will be allocated to social and economic projects, reported on June 5 the Kazakh Prosecutor General’s Office. Since 2022,…
Kazakh Cultural Center to Open in China
ASTANA — The Majilis (a lower house of the Kazakh Parliament) adopted the law to ratify the agreement between Kazakhstan and China on mutual establishment of cultural centers in Astana and Beijing on June 5, reported the Kazakh Ministry of Culture and Information. These cultural centers are non-profit organizations accredited by the sending country and…
Astana to Host SCO Summit in July
ASTANA — Astana will host the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) on July 3-4, reported Akorda press service. The heads of the SCO member states will discuss political, trade, economic, cultural and humanitarian cooperation. The leaders of the observer countries and dialogue partners are expected to participate in the event. As a founding member of the…
XXXIV Asian Road Cycling Championship Commences in Almaty
ASTANA—The XXXIV Asian Road Cycling Championship commenced in Almaty and will be held from June 6 to 12, reported the Kazinform news agency. The championship program includes competitions for professional cyclists, juniors, para-athletes, and amateurs. Additionally, there will be competitions among cyclists in the Masters category. According to the competition’s organizing committee, applications for participation…
Kazakhstan Offers to Act as Logistics Hub on Eurasian Transport Corridors
ASTANA—Kazakhstan offers to act as a reliable logistics hub on the Eurasian transport corridors. Introducing new opportunities will boost transport and economic connectivity, reduce business costs and increase population mobility, said Kazakh Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov at a meeting of the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council (EIC) in Nesvizh, Belarus, on June 3-4, reported the Prime Minister’s…
Kazakhstan Launches Major Oil Projects in Caspian Sea
ASTANA — Kazakhstan’s national oil and gas company KazMunayGas and Russia’s Lukoil have commenced the implementation of Kalamkas-Sea and Khazar projects, reported the Kazakh Ministry of Energy. The companies established the Kalamkas-Khazar Operating joint venture as the project operator. The construction of offshore platforms will begin in 2026 at Kazakh shipyards, ensuring an early start…
Eight-Year-Old Kazakh Chess Prodigy Aims for International Success
ASTANA — Iman Nabiyev, an eight-year-old chess prodigy from Kostanai, winner of numerous regional and international championships, is gaining recognition on the world stage. In a recent interview with Kazinform news agency, Nabiyev’s mother, Esmira Samedova, spoke about his experience and ambitious plans for the future. Nabiyev, a member of the youth chess team of…
Kazakh Musical Trio Concludes Europe Tour to Celebrate 10th Anniversary
ASTANA — The Kazakh musical ensemble FORTE TRIO concluded their Europe Tour, which was marked by performances across prestigious European stages May 13-26, reported Qazaq Concert’s press service. FORTE TRIO, founded by pianist, professor and Honored Worker of Kazakhstan, Timur Urmancheev, unites a unique blend of violin, cello and piano. The ensemble features Maksat Dzhusupov…
Netherlands PM Takes Part in Opening of Amsterdam Square in Astana
ASTANA — Prime Minister of the Kingdom of the Netherlands Mark Rutte took part in the opening ceremony of the Amsterdam Square in Astana as part of his visit to Kazakhstan on May 28. Amsterdam Square is located along the embankment of the Akbulak River, at the intersection of Pushkin Street and Abylaikhan Avenue. Originally…
Enhancing Water Resources Management: Kazakhstan-Brazil Collaborative Efforts in Hydrogeology
ASTANA — Given Kazakhstan’s significant mining activity which requires substantial environmental data and water resources management, a Brazilian consulting company has expanded its operations in Kazakhstan, offering hydrogeology and environmental services. Nilson Guiguer, the CEO of Water Services and Technologies and Yernat Assenov, the director of Water Services and Technologies in Kazakhstan, spoke about the…
Kazakh Minister of Ecology Discusses Country’s Environmental Strides
ASTANA — Rapid economic development, population growth, and increased water consumption have accelerated environmental challenges in Kazakhstan, necessitating advanced solutions. What progress has been made since the new environmental code adoption in 2021? How effective have the solutions been? What issues remain unresolved? Kazakh Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources, Yerlan Nyssanbayev, discussed the environmental…
Spanish Writer Visits Kazakhstan, Exemplifying Its Model of Peace and Interreligious Dialogue
ASTANA — Award-winning Spanish writer and author of numerous historical novels on the coexistence of different cultures and religions Jesús Sánchez Adalid spoke with The Astana Times about his books and Kazakhstan’s activities to promote peace, conviviality and interreligious dialogue during his recent visit to the country’s capital. Sánchez Adalid holds a law degree from…
Kazakh Ministry of Tourism and Sports Announces Expectations for Olympics in Paris
ASTANA — With three months remaining until the start of the Olympic Games in Paris, Yermek Marzhikpayev, Kazakh Minister of Tourism and Sports, shared his expectations for Kazakh athletes, reported Kazinform news agency. According to the Kazakh Ministry of Tourism and Sports, Kazakh athletes have secured 51 licenses. “There are still 25 licensed rating tournaments…
Kazakh Business Executives Meet with German Delegation
ASTANA — Kazakh companies presented prospective investment projects to the German business delegation during a roundtable on May 16, highlighting the nation’s investment potential and initiatives to attract foreign direct investment at the Kazakh-German center in Astana. The event served as a networking platform, allowing participants to hold meetings with potential clients and business partners.…
ICRC for Europe and Central Asia Encourages Kazakhstan’s Voice in Humanitarian Law Reinforcement
ASTANA — Global challenges call for international humanitarian law reinforcement adhering to the fundamental principles of neutrality, impartiality and independence. In this landscape, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) encourages Kazakhstan to engage in the development of humanitarian law contributing to reconciliation, said Regional Director for Europe and Central Asia, ICRC, Ariane Bauer…
