Articles by Assem Assaniyaz

ASTANA – The Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) Secretariat and the Atameken National Chamber of Entrepreneurs hosted the sixth plenary session of the CICA Business Council and the eighth Business Forum in Astana on Nov. 13 to step up regional cooperation in renewables, food security and green investments.  The events,…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s Presidential Center unveiled an exhibition on Nov. 10 dedicated to the 30th anniversary of the country’s national currency tenge. It showcased the history of its formation, explained cultural aspects, and addressed its viability built over three decades. The exhibition, which gathered government officials, public figures, and the representatives of diplomatic missions of…

ASTANA – The excavations in the Koken settlement of the East Kazakhstan Region unveiled the earliest known human remains, according to the Archeology of Kazakhstan international peer-reviewed scientific journal.  The professors from Nazarbayev University, Washington University in St. Louis, Margulan Institute of Archaeology, and Toraighyrov University identified a human burial dating to the early Neolithic…

ASTANA – Kazakh-language content on YouTube is picking up steam in the domestic media space. At the same time, it should venture into overseas markets, said the CEO of YouTube Genesis Creator Service Provider (CSP) Zangar Boztayev. In an interview with The Astana Times, he spoke about the role of YouTube in Kazakhstan’s media agenda,…

ASTANA – Maulen Ashimbayev, the chairperson of the Senate, an upper chamber of the Kazakh Parliament, spoke about the role of spiritual leaders in promoting the culture of dialogue amid geopolitical instability in the world at the Global Faith Leaders Summit in the United Arab Emirates on Nov. 6-7, as reported by the Senate’s press…

ASTANA – Uzbekistan hosted on Nov. 7-8 the ninth international scientific-practical conference of the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) to review the regulatory environment for anti-terrorist cooperation, as reported by the SCO press service.  More than 160 participants from 17 countries gathered in Tashkent, including member and observer states, SCO…

ASTANA – World-famous Kazakh singer Dimash Kudaibergen met with the Director-General of the United Nations Office at Geneva (UNOG) Tatiana Valovaya on Nov. 6 to address the role of well-known personalities in promoting universal human values, reported the permanent mission of Kazakhstan to the UN in Geneva.  “When words cease to have the effect, music…

ASTANA – The Kazakh government approved the Accessible Internet national project on Nov. 7, which aims to provide the population with broadband access to the worldwide network at a speed of at least 100 megabits per second (Mbps), reported the Prime Minister’s press service.  October marked the first results as Kazakhstan introduced broadband internet in…

ASTANA – Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev met with Svevind Energy Group CEO Wolfgang Kropp on Nov. 7 to discuss the implementation of the project on green hydrogen production in the Mangystau Region, reported the Akorda press service. The Hyrasia One project involves building and operating a desalination plant with a 255,000 cubic meter capacity per…

ASTANA –  The 10th-anniversary summit of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) in Astana on Nov. 3 addressed the need for capacity-building in trade and investment, transport connectivity, security, and sustainability. The heads of Turkic states reviewed the collective responsibility of the Turkic world in preventing global challenges. Introducing the priorities of Kazakhstan’s chairmanship in…

ASTANA – There are three postulates for creative industries development – a high level of education, state support, and freedom of speech, said Irina Kharitonova, the research expert on cultural and creative industries in Central Asia, the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), and Europe. In an interview with The Astana Times, she explained why Kazakhstan…

ASTANA – President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev welcomed the heads of Turkic states at the 10th anniversary summit of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) in Astana on Nov. 3. The Kazakh leader outlined eight pillars of Kazakhstan’s chairmanship in the organization for 2024.  President Tokayev noted that the Cooperation Council of Turkic-speaking States, a…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan and France signed thirteen agreements in transport and logistics, engineering, health care, and agroindustry worth more than $1.4 billion as part of the Kazakhstan-France Business Forum with participation of the heads of states in Astana on Nov. 1.  The event, which was organized by Kazakhstan’s Foreign Ministry and Kazakh Invest national company,…

ASTANA – Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and French President Emmanuel Macron made statements on the prospects of bilateral economic cooperation during the Kazakhstan-France Business Forum, as part of President Macron’s official visit to Astana on Nov. 1. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations 31 years ago, a solid political dialogue has provided the backbone for…

LONDON – Performances throughout the United Kingdom and worldwide, organizing music festivals, and teaching piano playing are part of everyday life for London-based pianist from Kazakhstan Dina Duisen. In an interview with The Astana Times, she revealed details of her creative activity in the British capital.   An Almaty native, Duisen has been living in London…

ASTANA – Flag-raising ceremonies and cultural festivities on Republic Day in Kazakhstan take a distinctive perspective through the eyes of educators. Teacher voices not only drive changes in the education landscape but shape the nation’s collective wisdom. In an interview with The Astana Times, Kazakh scholars shared their thoughts on the essence of its celebration.…

ASTANA – On the eve of Republic Day in Kazakhstan on Oct. 25, Iskander Akylbayev, the chief research officer at the Kazakhstan Institute for Strategic Studies (KazISS), shared insights on the political, social, and cultural implications of the occasion in a conversation with The Astana Times.    “Nation-building is based on our culture, traditions, and history.…

ASTANA – The inaugural high-level panel session of the global conference on primary health care policy and practice convened in Astana on Oct. 23. It underscored the international shift from mere conceptual discussions to actionable strategies, aiming for a forward-thinking transformation in primary health care. This would ensure enhanced adaptability during crises and promote overall…

ASTANA – Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO) Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, and WHO Regional Director for Europe Hans Kluge delivered remarks at the opening of a landmark event in the global health calendar – an international conference on primary health care policy and practice in Astana on Oct. 23.   The…

ASTANA – This year, Kazakhstan participated in Contemporary Istanbul, Türkiye’s premier annual art fair, for the first time. Its 18th edition, which was held from Sept. 26 to Oct. 1, presented works of Kazakh artists from three generations.  Supported by the Kazakh Ministry of Tourism and Sports and the Kazakh Tourism national company, the Almaty-based…

ASTANA – BI Group, the largest construction holding in Kazakhstan, is seeking to expand internationally – in the United States, in Uzbekistan, and the United Arab Emirates, said Dauren Aitkenov, the company’s business analyst, in an interview with The Astana Times.   Over the past 25 years, BI Group has expanded its presence in Kazakh cities…

ASTANA – The Digital Bridge forum in Astana on Oct. 12-13 brought innovations of the fast-growing business ventures into the spotlight, including artificial intelligence (AI) features of more than 300 startups. In an interview with The Astana Times, the Kazakh entrepreneurs shared their ambitions for the global expansion of their projects in the food delivery…

ASTANA – On the second day of the Digital Bridge Forum in Astana, foreign investors outlined the growing potential and emerging challenges in attracting capital for Kazakh entrepreneurs in a global venture market. The Oct.13 panel session gathered well-established venture companies to address Kazakhstan’s prospects.    The discussion was moderated by Adil Nurgozhin, the founding partner…

ASTANA – One of the Digital Bridge Forum’s panel sessions in Astana gathered experts to address the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on the creative industries’ landscape.        Timur Bekmambetov,  famous film director and producer, emphasized that this is the right moment to “educate AI systems with respect for its creators.”  “An artificial avatar can look,…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s banking performance metrics will gradually moderate in the medium term due to slower inflation and potential additional regulatory charges, according to the latest Fitch Ratings report on Oct. 4.  The report covers 20 banks representing 99.6% of Kazakhstan’s banking sector assets and says the sector’s intrinsic profitability will remain strong, commending Kazakh…