Kazakhstan Exporters Prepare for EU Carbon Border Rules at QazTrade Webinar
ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s exporters discussed the impact of the European Union’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) at a Sept. 25 webinar organized by QazTrade, the Ministry of Trade and Integration, and the International Trade Center, focusing on compliance requirements and trade implications for aluminum and other key sectors. The event was organized within the EU-funded…
Kazakhstan Unveils Alem Crypto Fund for Strategic Digital Asset Investments
ASTANA – A new Alem Crypto Fund has started operating in Kazakhstan for long-term investment in digital assets and building strategic reserves. It was established by the Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development, managed by Qazaqstan Venture Group, and registered within the Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC). The fund’s primary objective is to make…
Coach: Kairat Almaty Will Fight Boldly in Champions League Match Against Real Madrid
ASTANA – Ahead of their UEFA Champions League clash, FC Kairat coach Rafael Urazbakhtin said his team would play boldly and show their style, while Real Madrid head coach Xabi Alonso noted Kairat’s strengths and said his side must perform at a high level. Kairat will face Real Madrid on Sept. 30 at 9:45 p.m.…
Kazakhstan’s Economy Projected to Grow 5.7% in 2025, Says EBRD
ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s economy is forecast to grow by 5.7% this year before slowing to 4.5% in 2026, according to the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development’s (EBRD) latest Regional Economic Prospects report released in September. The bank highlighted reliance on Russian transit routes for oil exports and volatile global commodity prices as key downside…
Kazakh Rider Breaks World Record Standing on Two Horses at Full Gallop
ASTANA — Young Kazakh rider Yernur Zhasuzak has entered the World Book of Records and the Kazakhstan Book of Records after standing on two horses and galloping two kilometers at a speed of 60 kilometers per hour. Zhasuzak, who has been practicing equestrian sports for three years, spent over three months preparing for the feat.…
Astana Hosts International Conference on Youth Employment and Skills Development
ASTANA – More than 100 experts from Central Asia and the European Union gathered in the Kazakh capital on Sept. 24–26 for the International Conference on Youth Employment and Skills Development. The event was organized by the European Training Foundation (ETF) and Kazakh Ministry of Labor and Social Protection, under the patronage of the European…
Foreign Citizens from 14 Countries Obtain Neo Nomad Visa in Kazakhstan
ASTANA — Twenty-seven foreign citizens from 14 countries have received Kazakhstan’s Neo Nomad Visa since its introduction last year. The largest number of visas were issued to citizens of the United States, Canada, and France. Citizens of New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Singapore, South Korea, Australia, the United Arab Emirates, Brazil, Latvia, and Poland…
Harry Potter Train to Take Passengers on Magical Journey from Astana
ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s Passenger Transportation company announced the launch of the Potter Train, a new cultural and entertainment show that will debut on Oct. 5. For the first time in Kazakhstan, children and their parents will be able to experience a theatrical program performed aboard a commuter train. During the journey, passengers will enjoy a…
It is Time for Serious Conversation, Says Tokayev at UN
ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev called for comprehensive UN reform, stronger global cooperation, and urgent steps toward peace, sustainability, and digital equity in a time of mounting instability during the Sept. 23 General Debate of the 80th session of the UN General Assembly in New York. UN must adapt to today’s realities, Tokayev urges…
Kazakh Athlete Brings Historic Gold in Greco-Roman Wrestling
ASTANA — Aidos Sultangali secured the gold medal in the men’s 60-kilogram weight category in Greco-Roman wrestling on Sept. 20 at the World Championships held in Zagreb, Croatia, defeating Alisher Ganiyev of Uzbekistan in the final. This victory marks Kazakhstan’s first gold medal in Greco-Roman wrestling at the World Championships of the 21st century, 26…
Kazakhstan Joins Global Leaders in Appeal to Uphold Humanitarian Law
ASTANA – The leaders of Kazakhstan, Brazil, Jordan, China, France, and South Africa, with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), issued a statement calling for action to preserve humanity in war on Sept. 21 in New York. In their statement, the heads of state expressed alarm over the widespread violations of international humanitarian…
Smithsonian to Bring US Artisans to Almaty Festival Under New Cultural Exchange Program
ASTANA – The Smithsonian Institution is preparing several cultural exchange initiatives with Kazakhstan, including the participation of U.S. artisans in an international crafts festival in Almaty next month, as part of the newly established Kazakhstan Cultural Heritage Fund. At a Sept. 21 meeting with representatives of the Smithsonian Institution in New York, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev…
US Program Boosts English Proficiency for Economy Professionals Across Central Asia
ALMATY – The C5+ Opening Networks through English (C5+O.N.E.) program launched its fifth cohort on Sept. 17, bringing together more than 700 government, private sector, and NGO professionals from across Central Asia to strengthen English proficiency and expand economic cooperation. The program, funded by the United States government and implemented by American Councils for International…
Tokayev Highlights Role of Religious Leaders in Promoting Peace at Congress Closing
ASTANA – Peace is humanity’s greatest asset and a value shared by all peoples and religions, said Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev at the closing ceremony of the eighth Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions on Sept. 18. He emphasized that despite differences in faith and traditions, participants were united by common aspirations, as…
Kazakh 12-Year-Old Scores First-Ever Drone Racing World Cup Prize
ASTANA – Twelve-year-old Timofey Muravyov from Karagandy became the first Kazakh citizen to win a prize at the Drone Racing World Cup in Istanbul. The competition brought together more than 60 of the world’s strongest pilots from 11 countries, including China, France, Türkiye, and the United Kingdom. In the junior category (under 18), where around…
Kazakhstan Establishes National Standards for Artificial Intelligence in Education
ASTANA – Kazakhstan has approved its first national framework for integrating artificial intelligence into education, setting standards for ethical use, data protection, and academic integrity across schools, colleges, and vocational institutions for 2025–2029. The joint order was signed by Minister of Education Gani Beisembayev and Minister of Digital Development, Innovation and Aerospace Industry Zhaslan Madiyev,…
Kazakhstan Advances Major Investment Projects in Pharmaceuticals, Agro-Industry, and Food Processing
ASTANA – First Deputy Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Roman Sklyar chaired a meeting of the Investment Headquarters on Sept. 17 to review the implementation of key investment initiatives in pharmaceuticals, the agro-industrial complex, and food processing. Participants approved the principal terms of several major agreements with domestic and international investors. Approved projects include initiatives by…
Bibisara Assaubayeva Wins Bronze at FIDE Women’s Grand Swiss in Samarkand
ASTANA – Twenty-one-year-old grandmaster Bibisara Assaubayeva has triumphantly completed the prestigious FIDE Women’s Grand Swiss in Samarkand, claiming third place and securing her place in the history of world chess. Assaubayeva scored 7 1⁄2 points out of 11, drawing her final game against Anna Muzychuk (Ukraine, 2535). She received $25,000 in prize money. The tournament…
Tokayev Calls for On-Time Harvest, Bigger Agricultural Role in Economy
ASTANA – The Kazakh capital will host the second AgriForum in November to discuss sectoral development and state support measures, said Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev during a Sept. 16 working trip to the Akmola Region, where he inspected the progress of the ongoing harvest campaign, met with local farmers, and held a regional meeting on…
Kazakhstan’s National Museum Showcases 86 Unique Exhibits of World Religions
ASTANA – The National Museum of Kazakhstan has opened the exhibition Priceless Treasures of Religious Traditions of the World, featuring 86 exhibits such as sacred texts, icons, prayer rugs, meditation bowls, and a menorah. The exhibition, running through Sept. 27, highlights Islam, Christianity, Buddhism, and Judaism. Organized with the International Center for Dialogue of Religions…
Kazakhstan to Introduce Legal Framework for Digital Financial Assets, Including Stablecoins
ASTANA – Kazakhstan is set to regulate digital financial assets (DFAs) under a new banking law, introducing stablecoins, tokenized assets, and digital financial instruments as a distinct class in the country’s financial system. The draft law was presented in the Mazhilis, the lower house of the Kazakh Parliament, by Madina Abylkassymova, chair of the Agency…
News Digest: Foreign Media on Kazakhstan’s Role as Middle Power, Baikonur Cosmodrome and More
ASTANA – The Astana Times has curated a selection of articles from global media outlets covering Kazakhstan. This week’s foreign media digest includes topics such as Kazakhstan’s role as a rising middle power, Dimash Qudaibergen’s international project, Baikonur Cosmodrome and more. EU weighs strategy as Kazakhstan deepens partnership with China Euractiv published an article on…
Astana Hub Merges with Tech Garden
ASTANA – Astana Hub, the country’s international technology park, will merge with Almaty Tech Garden park of innovative technologies following the Senate’s approval of amendments to legislation on innovation activities and state statistics. The new law aims to establish a unified innovation cluster, eliminate overlapping functions, and scale up successful Astana Hub projects. The legislation…
Air Astana to Relocate Domestic Flight Check-in to Terminal 2 at Almaty Airport
ASTANA — Air Astana announced that, starting from Sept. 15, check-in for domestic flights at Almaty Airport will be temporarily carried out in the International Departures Terminal T2, due to the renovation of Terminal 1. Passengers are kindly requested to go directly to Terminal 2 for check-in and baggage drop-off. “Please note that check-in for…
Kazakhstan Advances Clean Technologies in Energy Transition
ASTANA – Kazakhstan is advancing the development of alternative energy while modernizing its coal generation through clean technologies. According to Energy Minister Yerlan Akkenzhenov, this approach aligns with President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s directives outlined in the state-of-the-nation address and reflects the country’s strategic course to reduce its carbon footprint. “For Kazakhstan, the energy transition is not…
