Tokayev Reaffirms Support for Peaceful Resolution in Ukraine During Call with Zelenskyy
ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev reaffirmed the Kazakh people’s deep respect for the Ukrainian nation, its history, culture, and language, and underscored Kazakhstan’s steadfast commitment to achieving a lasting peace based on the principles of international law during an Aug. 10 telephone conversation with President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The presidents discussed prospects for resolving…
Kazakhstan Assigns Special Status to Seven Projects with ADB, EBRD, and IFC Participation
ASTANA – Seven projects in Kazakhstan involving the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), and the International Finance Corporation (IFC) have been granted the status of special significance, according to a government decree dated July 31 published on Adilet.zan.kz. In partnership with ADB, Kazakhstan is building and operating five…
Almaty Hosts Roland Garros Junior Series for West and Central Asia
ASTANA – For the second time, the qualification stage of Roland Garros Junior Series by Renault for West and Central Asia is being held at Gorky Tennis Park in Almaty, the Kazakhstan Tennis Federation reported. The tournament, which runs through Aug. 9, brings together 16 of the top under-16 tennis players from Central and Western…
The Astana Times Journalist Selected for UN’s Prestigious Reham Al-Farra Fellowship
ASTANA – Assel Satubaldina, a managing editor at The Astana Times, has been selected for the Reham al-Farra Memorial Journalism Fellowship (RAF), a prominent international journalism program run under the auspices of the United Nations (UN). The program brings together top reporters from developing countries to deepen understanding in international affairs and the UN’s work. …
Shell, Exxon, TotalEnergies Avoid Massive Fine in Kazakh Oil Field Dispute
ASTANA – Partners in Kazakhstan’s largest Kashagan oil field have won a case in a local court over a potential environmental fine that could have exceeded $4 billion, Bloomberg reported on Aug. 1, citing the venture’s operator. Kazakhstan previously sought to fine the venture partners 2.3 trillion tenge (approximately US$4.2 billion at current exchange rates).…
KMG’s Dunga Breaks Records with 9 Million Tons of Oil Extracted
ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s Dunga oilfield has reached a milestone with total oil production surpassing 9 million tons since the start of operations, KazMunayGas (KMG) national oil and gas company reported on Aug. 1. The field is operated by Dunga Operating GmbH, in which KMG holds a 60% stake. Located in the Tupkaragan district of the…
President Tokayev to Participate in UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries Tomorrow
ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev will take part in the Third UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries on Aug. 5 in Awaza, Turkmenistan, reported Akorda. The conference, which will run until Aug. 8, provides an opportunity to explore solutions and forge partnerships, addressing challenges and unlocking their full potential for a more equitable and prosperous…
EVs Make Up Less Than 1% of Kazakh Cars, But Interest is Rising
ASTANA – Electric vehicles (EVs) make up less than 1% of Kazakhstan’s car fleet. However, the number is slowly rising as more drivers show interest in eco-friendly transport, according to Anar Makasheva, president of the Kazakhstan Automobile Union. “In 2019, Kazakhstan imported fewer than 1,000 electric vehicles a year. Today, EVs account for less than…
Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic Agree on Additional Water Supply
ASTANA – Kazakhstan and the Kyrgyz Republic reached an agreement on additional supply of water volumes lost due to drought and low inflow during a July 28 meeting between Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister Kanat Bozumbayev and Chairman of the Kyrgyz Cabinet of Ministers Adylbek Kasymaliev. According to the Prime Minister’s press service, the parties discussed…
Kazakhstan to Launch Logistics Hubs in Three Regions by 2027
ASTANA – Kazakhstan plans to open logistics complexes, including multimodal centers and dry ports, in Almaty, Astana, and the Kostanai Region by 2027, Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov said in a response to a parliamentary inquiry. According to Bektenov, efforts are underway to boost the country’s logistics infrastructure. “Kazakhstan is strengthening its role as a key…
China Reaffirms Support for SCO in Meeting with Secretary General
ASTANA – Secretary General of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Nurlan Yermekbayev met with Chinese President Xi Jinping on July 25 during a credential presentation ceremony for newly appointed ambassadors to China, reported the organization’s press service. At the meeting, Yermekbayev expressed his gratitude to the president and the leaders of other SCO member states…
Water from China Allows Kapshagai Reservoir to Reach Full Capacity
ASTANA – Kazakhstan received 10.2 billion cubic meters of water from China in the first half of 2025, enabling the Kapshagai reservoir in the Almaty Region to reach 100% capacity from the Ile River for the second year in a row, the Kazakh Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation reported on July 29. This inflow…
Over 80 UAE Falcons Released into Wild in Karagandy Region
ASTANA – A total of 81 falcons were released into their natural habitat in Kazakhstan’s Karagandy Region from May 15 to 17, Kazinform reported. The group included 48 peregrine falcons and 33 saker falcons, both listed in Kazakhstan’s Red Book. The falcons were bred in nurseries in the United Arab Emirates and released under the…
Kazakhstan’s Renewable Energy Share Hits 6.8% in First Half of 2025
ASTANA – Renewable energy sources (RES) provided 6.81% of Kazakhstan’s total electricity output in the first half of 2025, Qazaq Green reported on July 24, citing the Energy Ministry. RES facilities in the country generated 4.2 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) during the six months. Wind power provided the largest contribution, 2.6 million kWh, which is more…
President Tokayev to Visit Ankara Next Week
ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev will pay an official visit to Türkiye on July 29 at the invitation of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, reported Akorda. In Ankara, they will negotiate further strengthening of the Kazakh-Turkish strategic partnership. The Presidents will also hold the fifth meeting of the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council between Kazakhstan and Türkiye.
Kazakhstan Rises in Global Passport Ranking, Leads Central Asia
ASTANA – Kazakhstan has improved its global standing in the Henley Passport Index, climbing three positions to 63rd place, the highest among Central Asian countries. This rise reflects the country’s expanding diplomatic ties and its reputation as a safe and accessible destination for international travel. The index assesses the strength of 199 passports based on…
Dimash Qudaibergen Recognized People’s Artist of Kyrgyz Republic
ASTANA – People’s Artist of Kazakhstan, singer and composer Dimash Qudaibergen was awarded the honorary title of People’s Artist of the Kyrgyz Republic at the grand closing of the Meikin Asia International Music Festival on July 22 in Cholpon-Ata, reported DimashNews.com. The award was presented by Kyrgyz State Secretary Marat Imankulov, following a decree signed…
China–Central Asia Rail Freight Up 25% in First Half of 2025
ASTANA – In the first half of 2025, the number of freight train departures between China and Central Asia has increased by 25% compared to the same period last year, Xinhua reported on July 20. From January to June, 7,349 freight train trips were made along the China-Central Asia route, including those operating within the…
Kazakhstan to Supply Uranium to Slovakia
ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s national atomic company Kazatomprom signed a memorandum of understanding on July 14 with Slovenské elektrárne a.s. (SEAS), Slovakia’s largest electricity producer, to supply natural uranium concentrate and explore future deliveries of uranium dioxide for Slovak nuclear power plants. According to Kazatomprom’s press service, this marks the first official agreement between the company…
Kazakhstan’s Oil Output Hits Nearly 50 Million Tons in First Half of 2025
ASTANA – Kazakhstan produced 49.9 million tons of oil in January-June, compared to 44.7 million tons in the same period last year, Energy Minister Yerlan Akkenzhenov said at a July 15 government meeting, reported the Prime Minister’s press service. Oil exports rose to 39.6 million tons, up from 35.4 million tons in the same period…
Kazakhstan Anticipates US$1.9 Million in Budget Revenue from World Star Concerts
ASTANA – Astana Concert plans to organize more than 10 class A concerts over the next three years. By the end of 2025, the group behind these events expects to contribute over one billion tenge (US$1.9 million) in taxes, making it a leading force in Kazakhstan’s creative economy, Malik Khassenov, the producer at Astana Concert…
Uzbekistan’s Centrum Air Launches Direct Nukus-Aktau Flights
ASTANA – Uzbek airline Centrum Air began operating a new regular flight on the Nukus-Aktau route on July 3, reported the Dunyo agency of Uzbekistan’s Foreign Ministry. The flights will be operated twice a week. To mark the first flight, a welcoming ceremony was held at Aktau International Airport, organized with the Consulate General of…
Backstreet Boys to Perform in Kazakhstan This September
ASTANA – The legendary American band Backstreet Boys will give concerts in Kazakhstan this fall, performing in Almaty on Sept. 19 and in Astana on Sept. 21, according to the band’s official website. The band will take the stage at the Central Stadium in Almaty and the Astana Arena in the capital. The concerts are…
First China-Europe Train Departs on Trans-Caspian Corridor
ASTANA – The first Trans-Caspian train set off from Beijing’s Fangshan district on June 30, carrying 104 standard containers filled with auto parts and mechanical equipment valued at more than 15 million yuan (over US$2 million), Xinhua reported. The train will travel through the Khorgos checkpoint on the border with Kazakhstan before arriving at the…
Kazakhstan Calls for Nuclear Non-Proliferation Agreement as Middle East Conflict Escalates
ASTANA — The Kazakh Foreign Ministry released an official statement on June 22 regarding the escalated situation in the Middle East and calls for a swift international agreement to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons. Kazakhstan expresses concern that the U.S. military actions against Iran will deteriorate the international situation and pose serious consequences for…
