Kazakhstan, Bulgaria Deepen Ties in Transport, Investment and Diplomacy
ASTANA — President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Bulgarian President Rumen Radev issued a joint press statement on June 9 in Astana, reaffirming the countries’ shared commitment to strengthening political dialogue, expanding economic cooperation, and addressing regional and global challenges through diplomatic means. The visit marked the 33rd anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Kazakhstan…
‘Kazakhstan is Key and Priority Partner in Central Asia’, Bulgaria’s President Radev Says During Visit
ASTANA — President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev met with Bulgarian President Rumen Radev on June 9 in Astana during his official visit focused on strengthening bilateral relations, boosting trade and investment, and exploring new areas of cooperation in energy, technology and tourism. Tokayev emphasized Bulgaria’s role as one of Kazakhstan’s key partners in Europe, noting the enduring…
President Tokayev on UN System: Modernize Multilateralism, Empower Regional Leadership
ASTANA — As the United Nations (UN) marks its 80th anniversary this year, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev of Kazakhstan is urging the global community to strengthen the organization by modernizing multilateralism and empowering regional voices, particularly developing and middle powers, to play a greater role in shaping global solutions. In a recent op-ed published by The…
Kazakhstan Deepens Regional, Economic Ties During FM’s Visit to India
ASTANA — Foreign ministers from Central Asia and India gathered in New Delhi on June 6 for the fourth Central Asia-India Dialogue, focusing on regional connectivity, security, green energy, and technological cooperation as priorities for expanding multilateral relations. Kazakhstan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Murat Nurtleu participated in the dialogue, emphasizing the need to…
Kazakhstan Advances Digital Governance, Global Role, Says UN Tech Envoy
ASTANA — As experts convened at the Astana International Forum (AIF), digital transformation and emerging technologies remained central to global discussions. In an exclusive interview with The Astana Times, United Nations Under-Secretary-General and the Secretary-General’s Envoy on Technology Amandeep Singh Gill highlighted the shift toward digital governance, the need to localize global frameworks and Kazakhstan’s…
From Fortress to Forgotten Glory: Uncovering Layers of Sauran’s Medieval Past
Editor’s Note: The Astana Times continues its Forgotten Cities of the Silk Road series, exploring Kazakhstan’s tentative UNESCO World Heritage sites. These ancient settlements, now in ruins, once thrived as trade, culture, and innovation centers. In this edition, we turn to Sauran as one of the most prominent medieval cities in the Syrdarya region. With…
Eurasian Connectivity: Global Leaders Chart Development Path at AIF
ASTANA — Connectivity and supply chain stability are the key initiatives that bring countries closer to their development goals, said Ban Ki-moon, the president of the Global Green Growth Institute and eighth secretary-general of the United Nations (UN) at the May 29 plenary session of the Astana International Forum (AIF) 2025, where global experts explored…
Italy, Kazakhstan Push New Frontier in Trade Ties
ASTANA — Kazakhstan and Italy are exploring over $8 billion in potential partnerships across key strategic sectors, including energy, agriculture, logistics, and technology. The Italy-Kazakhstan Supply Chain Forum, on May 28 in Astana, aimed to deepen bilateral trade and industrial cooperation. The gathering was hosted on the eve of the Astana International Forum (AIF), set…
Kazakhstan Solidifies CICA Status With Legal Amendments
ASTANA — Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signed a law on May 19 ratifying a protocol that amends the agreement between the Kazakh government and the Secretariat of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) regarding the secretariat’s conditions of stay in the country. The ratification aims to facilitate the transformation of…
Kazakh Smart System Powers Real-Time Governance
ASTANA — Kazakhstan is ushering in a new era of data-driven governance with the launch of the Situational and Analytical Complex (SAC), a high-tech platform for analysis, monitoring, and data management, designed to support strategic decision-making at the highest level. The platform, developed by the Engineering and Technical Center (ETC) of Kazakhstan’s Department of Presidential…
AIF 2025 to Spotlight Future-Focused Alatau City Project
ASTANA — Astana International Forum (AIF) 2025 will feature a panel session titled Alatau City: The Future Is Now on May 29, spotlighting one of Kazakhstan’s most ambitious infrastructure initiatives. Alatau City, a planned urban development in the Almaty agglomeration, is envisioned as a cutting-edge platform for testing and implementing advanced technologies in property technology…
From Talgo to Tapas: Spain Nurtures Longstanding Ties with Kazakhstan
ASTANA — Diplomatic relations between Kazakhstan and Spain have evolved into a robust partnership grounded in mutual respect, multilateralism, and sustained engagement, said Spanish Ambassador Luis Francisco Martínez Montes in an interview with The Astana Times. For him, Kazakhstan is more than a diplomatic post – it is a personal journey that has come full…
Human Rights and AI: Is Legal Regulation Optional?
ASTANA — The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) poses urgent legal and ethical questions for governments worldwide. In an interview with Kazinform, Igor Rogov, the chair of Kazakhstan’s human rights commission and the president of the Kazakhstan Criminological Association, discussed the need for legal safeguards and global cooperation to ensure human rights are protected…
From Silk to Solar: Kazakhstan’s Best on Display
ASTANA — More than 350 Kazakh companies from across the country display thousands of locally made products from machinery and food to clothing and jewelry at the eighth annual Ulttyq Ónim (National Product) 2025 exhibition in Astana on May 16-18. The event serves as a platform for dialogue between business leaders, government agencies, international financial…
Military Parade in Astana Marks 80th Anniversary of Great Victory
ASTANA — Kazakhstan honored the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II with a large-scale Victory Parade in Astana on May 7, its first since 2019. The event, held on Defender of the Fatherland Day, drew more than 5,000 spectators and featured over 4,000 military personnel, showcasing both the nation’s historical legacy and…
How Kazakhstan Regulates and Sustains Expanding Tourism Sector
ASTANA — Kazakhstan’s growing appeal as a travel destination is supported by a comprehensive framework of policies, programs, and partnerships designed to ensure safe, high-quality and sustainable tourism. Much of this work, ranging from licensing systems and quality labels to infrastructure upgrades and workforce training, occurs behind the scenes but plays a critical role in…
Syganak: Ancient City with Layers of Steppe History
Editor’s Note: The Astana Times introduces a new series, Forgotten Cities of the Silk Road. We are setting out to explore tentative UNESCO sites in Kazakhstan. Many now lie in ruins, but once were the epicenter of life, commerce and culture. We begin with Syganak, once the capital of the Kipchak Khanate and a strategic…
Chinese Scholar Highlights Middle Powers’ Rise, IR Theory Shifts
ASTANA — As major powers retreat from global leadership roles, middle powers must step up to advance subregional integration, said Professor Yan Xuetong, a renowned Chinese political scientist and one of the world’s most influential thinkers in the field of international relations, during a lecture in Astana on April 28. Yan, a distinguished professor and…
Kazakhstan, AIIB Mobilize Finance to Bridge Infrastructure Gap
ASTANA — Mobilizing private capital is essential to closing Asia’s trillions of dollars infrastructure financing gap, said representatives from development banks, investment firms, and government agencies at a panel discussion organized by the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) and Kazakhstan’s Ministry of National Economy on April 29 at the Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC). Kazakhstan’s…
Central Asia, China Strengthen Ties at Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Almaty
ASTANA — Almaty hosted the sixth meeting of foreign ministers in the Central Asia–China format on April 26, focused on strengthening political dialogue, expanding trade and economic ties, developing transport interconnectivity, addressing regional challenges and threats, and promoting sustainable development and environmental security. The meeting brought together Kazakhstan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Murat…
Nation Marks Assembly of People of Kazakhstan’s 30th Anniversary
ASTANA — More than 1,600 people gathered at the Palace of Peace and Reconciliation on April 24 in Astana to mark the 30th anniversary of an institution recognized for fostering national unity and civic harmony, the Assembly of People of Kazakhstan (APK). The 34th plenary session, held under the theme 30 Years in the Name…
Kazakhstan’s Primary Health Care Reform Saves Millions, Offers Model for Global Health Systems
ASTANA — Kazakhstan’s strengthened primary health care (PHC) system has saved an estimated 270 million tenge (US$516,000) in just one region over two years and could save up to 32 billion tenge (US$59.2 million) nationwide if scaled, said Dr. Melitta Jakab, a head of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) European Center for PHC, in an…
Central Asian Media Leaders Propose Unified Media Platform
ASTANA — The second Central Asian Media Forum commenced in Astana on April 16 to foster regional information unity, strengthen media resilience, and explore the creation of a unified Central Asian media platform. The two-day forum will bring together over 700 media professionals, government officials, and international experts from Central Asia, China, Qatar, Russia and…
Roses Are Red: How Kazakh Flower Industry Shifts From Global Imports to Local Blossoms
ASTANA — The flower industry in Kazakhstan is blooming in terms of imports and domestic production. According to the Bureau of National Statistics, Kazakhstan imported 12,300 tons of cut flowers and buds in 2024, totaling $93.5 million, a significant increase compared to 2023, when imports made 8,200 tons worth $61.2 million. Kazakhstan boasts a rich…
Bronze Age Settlement in Kazakhstan Reveals Ancient Metallurgy Secrets
ASTANA — Archaeologists in the Kostanai Region have intensified research into the Bronze Age settlement of Kamysty discovered in 1986. The latest excavations have uncovered artifacts and metallurgical remains that shed light on the lives of ancient communities and their role in early metal production. Rediscovered past The Kamysty settlement was first identified in 1986…
