Kazakhstan’s Critical Minerals Landscape Explored at AMM Congress
ASTANA – The prospects, challenges and the current state of critical minerals and mining sectors in Kazakhstan were discussed at the 14th Astana Mining and Metallurgy (AMM) congress in Astana on June 6. AMM is one of the large-scale events of the mining and metallurgical complex, hosting platforms for dialogues, an exhibition, and networking. The…
Kazakhstan Holds Potential for Unique UNESCO Heritage Nominations, Archeologist Says
ASTANA – With millenia of human and natural history coupled with the ninth largest territory in the world, Kazakhstan holds significant potential for unique nominations for the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage List due to their value to humanity, said Dmitriy Voyakin, an expert in archaeology and monument preservation in…
Kazakh and US Scientists to Study Human Nutrition of Bronze Age
ASTANA—Kazakh and U.S. scientists will collaborate on a project analyzing human and animal bones to discover the details of nutrition during the bronze era, the Kazakh Ministry of Science and Higher Education’s press service reported on May 20. Bone remains containing the tartar of a people who lived in the bronze age might reveal the…
Kazakh Board Game Togyzkumalak Gains Popularity Among Youth
ASTANA – The old tradition of board games revives with rising popularity among youth to play togyzkumalak (nine pellets) ahead of the fifth World Nomad Games in the Kazakh capital on Sept. 8 – 14. The traditional Kazakh board game togyzkumalak is also known as the “chess of the steppes” or the “algebra of the…
Kazakh National Bank Unveils New 10,000 Tenge Banknote Design
ASTANA – The National Bank of Kazakhstan revealed the new design of 10,000 tenge (US$22) banknotes that will enter circulation starting from June 28, reported the National Bank’s press service. The banknotes will enter mass circulation in September, as additional time is required for delivery to all regions of the country and adaptation of equipment…
On UN Peacekeepers Day, Kazakh Contingent Share Stories of Service and Dedication
ASTANA – On international day of United Nations (UN) peacekeepers observed on May 29, The Astana Times interviewed members of the Kazakh contingent to tell their stories on what it means to be a peacekeeper. What follows are some insightful and candid responses detailing their daily routine, the lessons learnt and first-hand stories of the…
Kazakhstan Marks 100 Years of Sagadat Nurmagambetov, Founding Architect of National Army
ASTANA – On May 25 Kazakhstan celebrates 100 years of Sagadat Nurmagambetov, the first Defense Minister of sovereign Kazakhstan, who laid the foundations of the national army force. His dazzling military career spanned over a remarkable epoch, from World War II to the collapse of the Soviet Union, and the establishment of an independent Kazakhstan’s…
Central Asian Hydrogen Prospects Unveiled at Hydrogen Diplomacy Forum
ASTANA – The Central Asian hydrogen development potential along with pilot projects was explored at the Central Asian and European Hydrogen Diplomacy Forum on May 23 in Astana. The forum was organized by the Hydrogen Diplomacy Office Astana, serving as an international exchange platform between Kazakhstan and Germany on green hydrogen in cooperation with the…
Political Will is Key to Kazakhstan’s Green Economy Transition, Says Latin American Expert
ASTANA – Political leadership and effective policies could be pivotal in driving Kazakhstan’s transition to a green economy, similar to the successful approach in Latin America, said Andrés Rebolledo, the executive secretary of the Latin American Energy Organization (OLADE) and Honorary Consul of Kazakhstan in Chile in an interview with The Astana Times. Lessons from…
China Seeks to Expand Agricultural Trade with Kazakhstan, Says Chinese FM
ASTANA – Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi highlighted China’s interest in increasing investment and trade, particularly in agriculture, during the press briefing with Kazakhstan’s Deputy Prime Minister – Foreign Minister Murat Nurtleu on May 20 in Astana. “The two sides believe that the development of China-Kazakhstan relations meets the requirements of the times and the…
UNDP Advisor Proposes Flood Preparedness Strategies Amid Climate Change
ASTANA – Amid warnings of the effects of climate change, flood maps and early warning systems could be introduced to make Kazakh people safer from future flood disasters, said Hubert Lohr, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) international advisor for water resources management in an interview with The Astana Times. Vital steps such as reconstructing the…
Ust-Kamenogorsk – Gateway to East Kazakhstan’s Beautiful Nature
Editor’s Note: The Astana Times introduces a new series, Exploring Kazakhstan, City by City. We are setting out to unveil the rich diversity of Kazakhstan’s cities. Starting with Zhezkazgan, Shymkent, Taldykorgan, and Karagandy we continue our journey in the glorious city of Ust-Kamenogorsk. By exploring each city’s unique history and culture, we aim to bring…
Malaysian PM Commits to Build on Existing Ties with Kazakhstan and Central Asia
ASTANA – Malaysia is committed to further enhance cooperation with Kazakhstan in priority areas of trade and investment, education and digitalization, said Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim in an exclusive interview with The Astana Times. The Malaysian Prime Minister arrived in Astana on May 16 for the start of his first official visit. He met…
Akmola Region with Diverse Nature Reserves Emerges as Prime Travel Destination
ASTANA – The Akmola Region is recasting itself as a promising travel destination, with its diverse landscapes and nature reserves, said its Akim (Governor) Marat Akhmetzhanov during the May 11 field trip to the region’s Korgalzhyn state nature reserve. Heads of the Astana-based diplomatic missions from European countries visited the village of Korgalzhyn on that…
Assyk – Great Kazakh Outdoor Game
ASTANA—Requiring good marksmanship and tactics, the Kazakh traditional game of assyk (knucklebone) is one of the oldest and most popular outdoor nomadic games. The Astana Times interviewed Zhomart Sabyrzhanuly, founding president and executive director of Kazakhstan’s Assyk Federation, about the game’s cultural significance and preparations for the upcoming fifth World Nomad Games. Sabyrzhanuly’s significant pioneering…
Kazakh National Flag Raised on Golan Heights
ASTANA – A solemn flag-raising ceremony of Kazakhstan’s flag took place at the Faouar peacekeeping base in the Golan Heights on May 7, reported the Kazakh Ministry of Defense’s press service. The event coincided with Defenders of the Fatherland Day and the formation of Kazakhstan’s Armed Forces. Earlier this year, Kazakhstan deployed its first independent…
Singapore’s MP Highlights Partnership with Kazakhstan for Southeast Asia Engagement
ASTANA – Kazakhstan has a good partner in Singapore as the nation looks towards engaging with Southeast Asia, said Seah Kian Peng, speaker of the Parliament of Singapore in an interview with The Astana Times. Kazakhstan has strong and longstanding relations with Singapore that date back over three decades. There had been a dynamic exchange…
Kazakh Animation on Rise Fueled by Devote Creators, Overcoming Financial Hurdles
ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s golden age in animation lies ahead despite challenges such as the lack of adequate funding and commercial unfeasibility, according to the founders of Tasqyn Animation Studio. They attribute its success solely to the enthusiasm and innovation of idea-driven creators. In an interview with the Astana Times, the studio managers share what the…
President Tokayev Addresses Assistance for Flood Victims at Assembly of People of Kazakhstan
ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev addressed the government’s efforts to aid flood victims at the 33rd session of the Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan (APK) on April 25 in Astana, reported the Akorda press service. It has been almost a month since Kazakhstan’s eastern, northern. and western regions were affected by massive floods. Despite…
World Bank Identifies 10 Steps to Address Middle Corridor Bottlenecks
ASTANA – The World Bank has identified 10 critical actions that can address the most pressing short-term bottlenecks across the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR), also known as the Middle Corridor, according to a brief published on the bank’s official website. The solutions are based on a report presented by the World Bank last year,…
Cameron Wants Stronger Kazakh Ties, Promotes Britain as Partner of Choice for Region
ASTANA – The United Kingdom seeks enhanced partnership with Kazakhstan in education, business, economy, energy, and climate change, said David Cameron, the U.K.’s Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, during his visit to Astana on April 24. “What I want to mark is it’s been 11 years since my visit here as…
Rare Greig’s Tulip Blossoms in Turkistan Region
ASTANA – Bright colors are springing to life as Kazakhstan’s signature rare Greig’s tulip blooms near Temirlan village in the Turkistan Region, reported the Kazinform news agency. Spread over 100 hectares, tulips in intense shades of red attract travelers eager to capture stunning photographs. “Tulip fields in the region are increasing every year. I think…
Kazakhstan Embraces Love with Kozy Korpesh – Bayan Sulu Day
ASTANA – Kazakhstan celebrates the Day of Lovers on April 15, also called Kozy Korpesh – Bayan Sulu Day, in honor of the iconic Kazakh love epic. February may be the time for celebrating Valentine’s Day, but since 2011, Kazakhstan has embraced Kozy Korpesh—Bayan Sulu Day in April as a distinctive alternative enriched with a…
National Museum of Kazakhstan Celebrates 10th Anniversary with Vibrant Exhibition
ASTANA – A new exhibition offering a true visual feast opened at the National Museum of Kazakhstan on April 5, celebrating the museum’s 10th anniversary. The exhibition will remain open until July 31. Over the decade, the National Museum has accumulated a wealth of paintings and other art objects reflecting the rich Kazakh art history…
Kazakh Artists Rally Support for Flood Rescuers (Video)
ASTANA – Dombra performance and meet-ups with people: artists are expressing their support for the rescuers and people affected by the flood, which resulted in the evacuation of nearly 100,000 as of April 12. 100 dombra players of Alatau folklore ensemble came together in Almaty on April 11 to perform a kui (musical composition) thanking…
