Fund’s Reforms to Focus on Transparency and Investments in Real Sectors of Economy, Samruk Kazyna CEO Says
NUR-SULTAN – Kazakhstan’s largest sovereign wealth fund Samruk Kazyna has been undergoing a major transformation this year amid the recently announced reforms on building a new state policy. The Samruk Kazyna is one of the biggest stakeholders of oil and gas, energy, national railroad, and postal office companies. Implementation of reforms President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev announced…
Rule of Law is Vital in Investigation of January Unrest, Kazakh Human Rights Officials Say
NUR-SULTAN – It is necessary to protect individuals under investigation and establish legitimacy and justice in the proceedings related to the January events, reported Kazakhstan’s Commissioner for Human Rights Elvira Azimova at the press briefing on April 28. Azimova noted that Kazakhstan has been introducing innovative changes in the field of human rights agenda and…
“Atomic Steppe” Book Shows Thought-Provoking, Undiscovered Stories Behind Kazakhstan’s Decision to Give Up Nuclear Inheritance
NUR-SULTAN – This year saw the publication of Kazakh author Togzhan Kassenova’s “Atomic Steppe: How Kazakhstan Gave Up the Bomb,” the story of how Kazakhstan voluntarily gave up its nuclear arsenal after the collapse of the Soviet Union. Recently, a presentation of the book was also held at the Kazakhstan Institute for Strategic Studies under…
President Tokayev Steps Down as Chairman of Kazakhstan’s Ruling Party Amanat Following Promise to Limit President’s Powers
NUR-SULTAN – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has resigned as the chairman of Kazakhstan’s ruling party Amanat. This was announced during the party’s extraordinary meeting on Tuesday. Mazhilis Speaker Yerlan Koshanov will now serve as the chairman of the party. His nomination was supported by the other party members. “I have said before that I would resign…
Kazakh Minister of Justice Lays Out Key Points of New Political Reforms
NUR-SULTAN – Kazakh Minister of Justice Kanat Mussin spoke about the amendments to be introduced to the Constitution as part of the New Kazakhstan: The Path of Renewal and Modernization program following the President’s address during an April 18 press conference at the Central Communications Center. In his state of the nation address, President Kassym-Jomart…
EBRD Supports Kazakhstan’s Green Agenda Initiatives, New Reforms
NUR-SULTAN – European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) President Odile Renaud-Basso spoke about priority investment projects in Kazakhstan and how reforms influence the bank’s activities in an exclusive interview with the Astana Times. The EBRD has been actively engaged in promoting green investments in Kazakhstan that align with Kazakhstan’s plans for carbon neutrality by…
Kazakh President Discusses Asian Security, CICA’s Priorities and Plans with Secretariat Executive Director
NUR-SULTAN – The transformation of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-building Measures in Asia (CICA) into a full-fledged international organization is a priority goal of Kazakhstan’s presidency in the organization. This was announced during the meeting of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev with Executive Director of the CICA Secretariat Kairat Sarybay on April 14, reported the Akorda…
Italian Embassy Presents Together Towards 2050 Program to Strengthen Partnership with Kazakhstan for Future Generation
NUR-SULTAN – The Embassy of Italy in Kazakhstan presented a special program titled Together Towards 2050 to mark the 30th anniversary of relations between Italy and Kazakhstan. “The 30th anniversary of relations between Italy and Kazakhstan coincides with the historical period when it is important to strengthen the friendship between the two countries and resume…
Kazakh Government Discusses Demonopolization Measures For Various Sectors of the Economy
NUR-SULTAN – The Kazakh government has been considering proposals for the demonopolization of some sectors of the economy, the Prime Minister’s Office reported on April 6. Demonopolization is expected to take place in the construction, housing and communal services, transport, the functioning of roads and the manufacturing industry. According to the Minister of Industry and…
U.S. Committed to Partnering with Kazakhstan on Wide Range of Issues, Says U.S. Chargé
NUR-SULTAN – Judy Kuo, Chargé d’affaires at the U.S. Embassy Nur-Sultan, spoke about the U.S.-Kazakhstan strategic partnership, trade relations and environmental cooperation in a recent interview with The Astana Times. On behalf of the U.S. Mission, Kuo congratulated all Muslims in Kazakhstan and wished them a safe and healthy Ramadan. “During this holy month of…
President Tokayev Congratulates People on Nauryz During His Visit to Almaty
NUR-SULTAN – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev took part in a festive event dedicated to the spring equinox holiday of Nauryz at the Astana Square in Almaty on March 21, reported Akorda’s Press. “The sacred Nauryz is a holiday of prosperity, unity, charity and mutual respect. I came here to celebrate this great holiday together with you.…
President Tokayev Announces Major Political Reforms in Address to the Nation
NUR-SULTAN – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s address to the nation, which was delivered on March 15, outlines a program for the large-scale transformation of the country and shows the way forward towards building a New Kazakhstan. “The significance of today’s address is special. Its scope of work is not limited to one year. It is broad…
Kazakh Government Adopts Plan to Reform Quasi-Public Sector, Increase Economic Growth
NUR-SULTAN – The Kazakh government plans to revise the concept of a subject of the quasi-public sector and to reform the quasi-public sector, Prime Minister Alikhan Smailov said in his response to a deputy’s request. Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev decided to reform the quasi-public sector during his address to the nation in 2020. The companies…
KazISS Presents Results of Survey on Social Situation and Trust in Political Institutions
NUR-SULTAN – The Kazakhstan Institute for Strategic Studies (KazISS) under the President of Kazakhstan released the results of a sociological survey viewing the social well-being of the population and trust in political institutions. The survey was conducted in February in all regions. Overall, 6,800 respondents over 18 years-of-age living in 14 regions and 3 cities…
OIC Council of Foreign Ministers to Strengthen Solidarity and Cooperation Between Pakistan and Member States, Says Pakistan’s Envoy in Kazakhstan
NUR-SULTAN – Pakistan reaffirms its commitment to support efforts aimed at promoting unity, brotherhood and prosperity in Muslim countries in connection to the upcoming 48th meeting of Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Council of Foreign Ministers, said Ambassador of Pakistan to Kazakhstan Sajjad Ahmed Seehar at the recent press meeting in the Kazakh capital. This…
General Prosecutor’s Office Releases Updates on Ongoing Investigation of January Unrest
NUR-SULTAN – The operational group has been investigating 3,502 criminal cases linked to the acts of terrorism, murders, theft of firearms and mass riots committed during the January events in Kazakhstan. This was announced by Head of the Criminal Prosecution Service of the General Prosecutor’s Office Serik Shalabayev at a February 28 expanded meeting. Acting…
Kazakhstan Continues Major Reshuffles and Reforms in Law Enforcement Agencies
NUR-SULTAN – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev dismissed Yerlan Turgumbaev, the Minister of Internal Affairs and appointed Marat Akhmetzhanov as the new minister, the Akorda reported on Feb. 25. Turgumbaev will now serve as an Advisor to the President. Akhmetzhanov previously served as the Chairman of the Anti-Corruption Agency. He began his career in 1990 at the…
Italian Maestro Domenico Nordio Performs in Kazakh Capital
NUR-SULTAN – The Kazakh capital hosted a concert of world-famous Italian violinist Maestro Domenico Nordio with the Eurasian Student Symphony Orchestra of Kazakh National University of Arts at the Zhambyl Zhabayev Concert Hall on Feb. 17. As one of the most celebrated violinists of his generation Nordio performed at the Carnegie Hall in New York,…
President Tokayev Meets with Chinese President, Attends Opening Ceremony of Winter Olympics in Beijing
NUR-SULTAN – Kazakhstan and China have built a foundation for a true strategic partnership in all areas of cooperation over the 30 years of diplomatic relations, said President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev during his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Feb. 5, reported Akorda. Tokayev also expressed…
113 Billion Tenge Allocated to Qazaqstan Halqyna Public Foundation
NUR-SULTAN – Approximately 113 billion tenge (US$261 million) have been allocated to the Qazaqstan Halqyna (to the people of Kazakhstan) foundation, which is designed to boost social support, from Jan. 16 to Feb. 2, reported the press service of the foundation. The funds allocated to the foundation come from private and public sources. President Kassym-Jomart…
COVID-19 Situation Remains Tense in Kazakhstan, Cases of Respiratory Viral Infections Increase
NUR-SULTAN – The COVID-19 situation remains tense in Kazakhstan, reported Minister of Healthcare Azhar Giniyat at a February 1 government meeting. The COVID-19 cases in school-aged children have increased since mid-January. The bed occupancy has also increased 1.2 times from 31 to 38 percent. “The local authorities should ensure the compliance with the sanitary and…
Kazakhstan Eases COVID-19 Restrictions
NUR-SULTAN – Kazakhstan is loosening restrictions on businesses, reported Minister of Healthcare Azhar Giniyat at the Jan. 25 meeting of the government. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev instructed the government to review the strict quarantine measures taking into account the concerns of the small and medium-sized businesses at the recent meeting with business executives in the capital. …
January Riot: Transparency and Rule of Law are Vital to Investigation Says Kazakh President
NUR-SULTAN – Transparency and rule of law are vital in the investigation of the January events, said President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev during a January 22 meeting with the heads of Security Council, Prosecutor General’s Office, National Security Committee, Ministers of Defense and Interior Affairs. “It is impossible to allow society to form its opinion about…
Kazakhstan Presents National Team Uniforms for 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics
NUR-SULTAN – The National Olympic Committee (NOC) presented the team’s uniform at the Beijing 2022 Olympic Games, which will be held Feb. 4-20, reported the NOC’s press service. The uniforms were made by the Kazakh company ZIBROO and created by Russian designer Dmitry Shishkin. The athletes also took part in the creation of the uniforms…
President Tokayev Sets Course On New Economic Roadmap During Meeting with Business Executives
NUR-SULTAN – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev urged business leaders to work with the government on building a new economic policy during a January 21 meeting, reported Akorda.kz. New reforms aim to become the basis of a new Kazakhstan. Fair competition, transparency and predictability of state policy, taxing honesty and social responsibility are set to become the…
