Articles by Assel Satubaldina

UNESCO Director-General’s Visit to Kazakhstan Opens New Avenues for Cooperation

ASTANA – The visit of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Director General Audrey Azoulay to Kazakhstan on June 7-9 marked a significant milestone in the country’s collaboration with the organization, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said at the recent meeting of the National Kuryltai in Turkestan. “Recently, at my invitation, the Director General…

UN Diplomat Shares Insights on Multilateralism, Security Council Reforms

ASTANA – The significance of embracing a multilateral mindset is growing, yet recommitting to it through a crisis is a luxury the world cannot afford, said David Chikvaidze, Chef de Cabinet to the Director-General of the United Nations Office at Geneva (UNOG), in an interview with The Astana Times. There are two interpretations of multilateralism,…

Special Operation Rescues Hostages in Bank in Astana

ASTANA – Law enforcement agencies stormed the premises of Kaspi Bank in Astana on June 18, rescuing all hostages and neutralizing the hostage taker, reports the Ministry of Internal Affairs.  At around 3 p.m., an armed individual broke into the Kaspi Bank building on Dostyk Street and took seven employees hostage, according to the ministry’s…

Ninety One: Beacon of Cultural Expression and Activism Through Music in Kazakhstan

ASTANA – Kazakhstan has witnessed a remarkable surge in its pop music scene over the past few years, with a new wave of talented artists emerging and captivating audiences. In a world where music has the power to connect people from diverse backgrounds and make a change, the Kazakh band Ninety One has emerged as…

World-Renowned Ludovico Einaudi Set to Perform in Kazakhstan in September 

ASTANA – Internationally acclaimed composer and pianist Ludovico Einaudi is scheduled to take the stage in Kazakhstan this September in an eagerly awaited event for music enthusiasts in the country as part of his Asia and Caucasus tour. The concert will take place in the Qazaqstan concert hall in Astana on Sept. 19 and in…

Fires in Abai Region Declared under Control as President Tokayev Dismisses Minister of Emergency Situations 

ASTANA  – Two days since a fire broke out in the Batpayev forestry in the Abai Region, with large areas of forest and grasslands being engulfed in flames, the fire has been declared under control, said Nurbolat Derbisov, chairman of the Fire Service Committee at the Kazakh Ministry of Emergency Situations.  Additional rescuers from the…

Astana International Forum is an Important Addition to Major Economic Forums, Says Canadian Professor

ASTANA – Astana International Forum (AIF) is an important addition to major economic forums held annually, said Bart W. Édes, Professor of Practice at McGill University and distinguished fellow at Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada, in an interview with The Astana Times.  The forum will commence on June 8 with the plenary session addressed by…

Here’s What You Need to Know about Astana International Forum This Week

ASTANA – The bustling Kazakh capital is set to host the highly anticipated Astana International Forum (AIF) this week, bringing together world leaders, policymakers, and prominent figures from various fields to engage in an inspiring dialogue aimed at shaping the future of humanity.  The forum, scheduled to commence on June 8, promises to be a…

Kazakhstan Powers Ahead, Unleashing Potential of Renewable Energy Under Critical Challenges

ASTANA – Rodina (Motherland) village, located 70 kilometers from the capital city Astana in the middle of the steppe, is the kind of spot the nation sees as the future of energy. Having its own wind turbines, the Rodina village generates enough electricity to meet its needs. The village is one of the few examples…

Kazakhstan and Spain Forge Stronger Trade Ties, Opening Door to New Opportunities

ASTANA – On May 30, Astana hosted the 10th meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission for Economic and Industrial Cooperation. Chaired by Kazakh Vice Minister of Trade and Integration Kairat Torebayev and Secretary of State for Trade of Spain Xiana Margarida Méndez Bértolo, the meeting reaffirmed the strong willingness to explore new opportunities for cooperation beyond…

Screen vs. Print: Kazakhstan’s TopIQ Platform Brings Digital Textbooks and Interactive Learning Content to Wider Children’s Audience

ASTANA –  The TopIQ platform offers digital books to children and teachers, spearheading a digital revolution along with other startups in the Kazakh education sector by harnessing technologies to enhance education opportunities for children.  Starting as an idea during the pandemic, the platform, developed by Almatykitap, one of the nation’s oldest publishing houses, has found…

Kazakhstan Should Make Use of Cooperation with China, Say Experts

ASTANA – Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s state visit to China was a major highlight of last week. The milestone China-Central Asia summit on May 19, which welcomed Tokayev and other Central Asian leaders in Xian, drew global attention, with leaders reaffirming their plans to strengthen cooperation with China. According to Kazakhstan’s experts, the country should…

Central Asia and EU Prioritize Sustainability, Connectivity, Economic Development Amid Complex Geopolitical Landscape 

ASTANA – Cooperation between Central Asia and the European Union (EU) is taking a new turn amid the ongoing geopolitical shifts and will continue to grow with a focus on connectivity, sustainable growth and economic development, according to experts.  “Since the Central Asian countries gained independence, we have had stable strategic relations with the EU.…

ADB Seeks to Address Intertwined Challenges in Central Asia and Caucasus Through Regional Cooperation

ASTANA – In recent years, the Central Asia and Caucasus regions have been facing a myriad of complex challenges that require concerted efforts and regional cooperation. Ranging from climate change impact to food insecurity and economic effects of geopolitical conflicts, these challenges are deeply intertwined and cannot be effectively addressed in isolation. Asian Development Bank…

IMF Regional Outlook Reveals Promising Growth Prospects for Kazakhstan 

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s economy is forecast to grow 4.3% in 2023, up from 3.2% in 2022, driven by the normalization of oil production and expansion of the country’s giant Tengiz field, said Subir Lall, Deputy Director of the Middle East and Central Asia Department at the International Monetary Fund. Lall spoke in Astana on May…

We Are Heading Towards Just and Fair Kazakhstan, Says Respublica Party Chair

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s recent parliamentary election saw the emergence of new political forces that aim to create positive changes in the country. A young Respublica party, focused on economic development and entrepreneurship, has managed to navigate the complexities of the political landscape, securing seats in the Mazhilis (lower house of the Parliament) and bringing fresh…

Untapped Potential for Cooperation Between Kazakhstan and Jordan, Says Ambassador

ASTANA – Jordan and Kazakhstan have enjoyed strong diplomatic relations for over three decades, yet there is significant untapped potential, according to the country’s Ambassador in Astana Yousef Abdelghani. Abdelghani, who has been on his mission to Kazakhstan since 2019, sat down for an interview with The Astana Times to discuss the current state of…

Kazakh Prime Minister’s Visit to Iran Results in Commitment to Boost Trade to $3 Billion

ASTANA – Kazakh Prime Minister Alikhan Smailov paid an official visit to Tehran on April 26, meeting with senior Iranian officials to enhance bilateral ties. Export contracts worth $60 million, bilateral documents in tourism, sport, youth work, customs training, and an agreement to develop transportation between the ports of Kuryk and Amirabad are among the…

Bike for Peace Global Nuclear Disarmament Movement Eager to Foster Cooperation with Kazakhstan

ASTANA – Bike for Peace, a global nuclear disarmament movement from Norway, is eager to foster cooperation with Kazakhstan, said Bike for Peace President Tore Naerland in an interview with The Astana Times.  Naerland and the delegation from Norway were on a week-long visit to Kazakhstan April 13-22, meeting with senior officials and young people…

Gas Dilemma: Abundant Gas Industry in Kazakhstan Faces Critical Challenges

ASTANA – Kazakhstan, a vast and resource-rich country in Central Asia, is home to some of the world’s largest natural gas reserves. With such an abundance, the country’s gas industry plays a vital role in fueling economic development and energy security, both domestically and internationally. Yet, some critical challenges remain, including meeting domestic demand, export…

Experts Weigh In On Tokayev’s Warning of New Economic Abnormality and New Government Tasks

ASTANA — President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev chaired a meeting in Astana on April 19, focusing on the nation’s socio-economic development. He once again exhorted the government to work more efficiently to address the country’s urgent problems as it tries to navigate the challenging times externally and internally.  The meeting, which took place less than a month…

Vinokurov Talks Development of Astana Qazaqstan Team, Challenges and Plans in Exclusive Interview

ASTANA – The Astana Qazaqstan Team, a professional road cycling racing team based in Kazakhstan, aims to enter the world’s top 18 teams, said Alexander Vinokurov, former professional road cyclist and the team’s general manager, in an exclusive interview with The Astana Times. Astana Qazaqstan Team was founded in 2006 and has since then competed…

Key Takeaways from Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev’s Visit to Kazakhstan

ASTANA – During a visit to Kazakhstan on April 10, President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan met with Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, with the two leaders showing a solid commitment to strengthening bilateral relations. Key outcomes included the decision to establish a Supreme Interstate Council and six memorandums of cooperation to foster partnership in the development…

EU Seeks to Empower Central Asia’s Sustainable Water and Energy Future

ASTANA – Assisting the countries in Central Asia to promote efficient water and energy management is one of the key missions of the new Team Europe Initiative on Water, Energy and Climate Change for Central Asia presented by the European Union in 2021. Johannes Baur, Head of Сooperation at the EU Delegation to Kazakhstan, spoke…

Battle of Minds: First Game in World Chess Championship between Nepomniachtchi and Ding Ends in Draw

ASTANA – The first game of the 2023 World Chess Championship on April 9 between two chess titans, Ian Nepomniachtchi and Ding Liren, ended in a draw in what was a highly anticipated face-off in the championship hosted in Kazakh capital Astana until May 1.  The championship organized by the International Chess Federation (FIDE) will…