Accreditation for Foreign Media Covering Constitutional Referendum is Now Open
ASTANA – The Kazakh Foreign Ministry announced on Feb. 18 the opening of accreditation for foreign media representatives wishing to cover the nationwide referendum on the adoption of a new Constitution, scheduled for March 15. “In accordance with the legislation of Kazakhstan, foreign journalists may carry out their professional activities in the country only if…
Kazakhstan Leads Central Asia in SCImago’s Global Scientific Activity Ranking
ASTANA – Kazakhstan has confirmed its leading position in scientific research among Central Asian countries, taking first place in the region in the SCImago Research Group’s international scientific activity ranking (SCImago Country Rank). Based on cumulative data for the 1996-2024 period, Kazakhstan ranks 69th globally. By the end of 2024, the country improved its performance…
Kazakhstan, China Launch $2 Billion Renewable Energy Projects to Boost Carbon Neutrality
ASTANA – Kazakhstan and China are deepening cooperation in renewable energy through the construction of three major projects worth over $2 billion, aimed at advancing green energy and supporting the country’s carbon-neutrality goals. The Senate, the upper house of the Kazakh Parliament, recently approved the draft law ratifying the agreement, originally signed at the COP-29…
Tokayev Urges Move From Ideological Globalism to Pragmatic Cooperation
ASTANA – The global political system is undergoing a profound transformation, calling for a shift from ideological globalism to a more pragmatic, sovereignty-based international order, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev writes in an article published on The National Interest on Feb. 18, ahead of his visit to the United States. He noted the international system is…
EU, UN Launch Program to Advance Gender Equality, Combat Violence in Central Asia
ASTANA – The European Union (EU) and the United Nations (UN), in partnership with governments across Central Asia, have officially launched an EU-funded UN Multi-Country Program (MCP) to strengthen efforts to prevent gender-based violence and advance gender equality across the region. The program, titled Challenging Harmful Attitudes and Norms for Gender Equality (CHANGE), will be…
Kazakhstan’s Gas Production Hits Record While Domestic Supply Faces Growing Pressure
ASTANA – Last year, Kazakhstan’s gas sector achieved historic production levels, reaching 68.1 billion cubic meters, but rising imports and accelerating domestic tariffs highlight structural challenges in meeting internal demand. Kazakhstan’s natural gas production, including associated petroleum gas, surged 15% in 2025 compared with 2024, reaching 1.5 times the level a decade earlier. In monetary…
Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan Target Higher Railway Freight Volumes
ASTANA — Kazakh Transport Minister Nurlan Sauranbayev held an online meeting with his Uzbek counterpart Ilkhom Makhkamov to discuss railway sector cooperation. The talks focused on enhancing Kazakhstan’s transit potential and increasing transit cargo volumes to 55 million tons. To ensure steady growth in cargo traffic and achieve the agreed throughput capacity, both ministries developed…
Kazakhstan and Tajikistan Advance Strategic Partnership After Foreign Minister’s Visit
ASTANA – Kazakh Foreign Minister Yermek Kosherbayev met with President Emomali Rahmon and Foreign Minister Sirojiddin Muhriddin of Tajikistan on Feb. 16 to discuss deepening bilateral cooperation, as part of his official visit to Dushanbe. During the meetings, the officials reaffirmed the strategic nature of Kazakh-Tajik relations, emphasizing friendship, mutual trust, and alliance under the…
EDB and Eurasian Bank Provide Long-Term Financing for Ust-Kamenogorsk CHPP Modernization
ASTANA — The Eurasian Development Bank (EDB), acting as the lead financial institution, and Eurasian Bank have provided $180 million in long-term debt financing to modernize and expand the Ust-Kamenogorsk Combined Heat and Power Plant (CHPP), part of the Kazakhstan Utility Systems Group. The EDB also provided grant financing to support the preparation of the…
Kazakhstan Expands Oil Refining, Gas Processing and Petrochemical Capacity
ASTANA – Kazakhstan is undertaking a major expansion of its oil refining, gas processing, and petrochemical industries, aiming to boost oil processing capacity from 18.4 to 40 million tons per year, eliminate domestic fuel shortages by 2033, and increase production of value-added petrochemical products for both domestic use and export, the Deputy Minister of Energy…
Kazakhstan Strengthens Agricultural Processing and Expands Export Reach
ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s agricultural processing sector continues to show steady growth and rising export potential, said Agriculture Minister Aidarbek Saparov during a Feb. 17 government meeting, reporting on the results of 2025. Last year, food production reached 3.9 trillion tenge (US$7.9 billion), up 8.1% year-on-year. Investments in fixed capital more than doubled to 389.4 billion…
Tokayev Honors Ersin Baltagul as Sumo Champion Plans Youth Academy in Kazakhstan
ASTANA – Award-winning Kazakh professional sumo wrestler Ersin Baltagul has announced plans to open a children’s sumo school in Kazakhstan, aiming to develop young talent and promote the sport nationwide. Baltagul, known in Japan as Kinbozan, said the future of Kazakh sumo depends on creating proper conditions for young athletes to train and grow. “We…
Tokayev Presents State Honors to Kazakh Fighters After Dubai SWAT Victory
ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev honored the winners of the UAE SWAT Challenge 2026 international tournament on Feb. 16, praising their performance as a testament to Kazakhstan’s growing prestige on the global stage. Congratulating the teams, Tokayev said they had demonstrated the “unwavering spirit of Kazakh warriors” in one of the world’s most demanding law…
Kazakhstan Plans Allocating $42 Million for Constitutional Referendum
ASTANA – Kazakhstan will hold a nationwide referendum on a new Constitution on March 15, with more than 12.4 million citizens eligible to vote and 20.8 billion tenge (US$42 million) earmarked for organizing the process. Preparation and conduct of the referendum have been entrusted to the Central Election Commission (CEC), which will function as the…
News Digest: Foreign Media on Tokayev’s Constitutional Reset, Economic Goals and Kazakhstan’s Rising Global Profile
ASTANA – The Astana Times has selected articles on Kazakhstan featured in international media worldwide this week. Today’s foreign media digest covers President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s accelerated constitutional reforms, efforts to translate economic growth into higher household incomes, expanding cultural cooperation with China, and more. Six months to rewrite the state: Kazakhstan accelerates its constitutional reset…
Astana to Host 51st UEFA Congress in 2027
ASTANA – The Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) has announced that the 51st UEFA Congress will take place on March 4, 2027, in the Kazakh capital. The decision was made during the 50th UEFA Congress on Feb. 12 in Brussels, attended by David Loria, Secretary General of the Kazakhstan Football Federation (KFF). The UEFA…
Tokayev Honors Muslim Council Leader, Reaffirms Kazakhstan’s Commitment to Interfaith Dialogue
ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev met on Feb. 12 with Mohamed Abdelsalam, secretary-general of the Muslim Council of Elders and the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity, reaffirming Kazakhstan’s strong support for interreligious dialogue and peaceful coexistence. Tokayev welcomed the opening of its representative office in Kazakhstan, the first in Central Asia. He stressed that promoting…
Air Astana Expands China Network with New Astana-Guangzhou Route
ASTANA – Air Astana will launch a new route between Astana and Guangzhou starting June 2. Flights on this route will operate twice weekly using Airbus A321LR aircraft. The new service is expected to strengthen trade, economic, business, and tourism cooperation between the two countries, reported the Transport Ministry on Feb. 10. Starting March 29,…
Kazakhstan Sees Positive Net Migration in 2025, Most Arrivals from CIS Countries
ASTANA – Kazakhstan saw a net migration of 16,153 people in January-December last year, with 23,761 arrivals and 7,608 departures. Compared to 2024, arrivals decreased by 20.7% while departures fell by 40.5%. The majority of migration involved CIS countries, accounting for 81.8% of arrivals and 71.8% of departures, the Bureau of National Statistics reported on…
Kazakhstan to Vote on New Constitution in March 15 Referendum
ASTANA — President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signed a decree on Feb. 11 to hold a national referendum on March 15 for the adoption of Kazakhstan’s new Constitution. The final draft of the new Constitution was presented to President Tokayev by Chairperson of the Constitutional Commission and Constitutional Court Elvira Azimova, Deputy Chairperson of the Constitutional Commission…
ERG Africa and EGC Sign MoU to Formalise Responsible Artisanal Cobalt Mining in DRC
ASTANA – Eurasian Resources Group (ERG) in Africa and Enterprise Générale du Cobalt (EGC) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on the sidelines of the Mining Indaba on Feb. 10 in Cape Town. This memorandum forms part of a public-private partnership intended to enhance the formalization, professionalization and accountability of artisanal and small-scale mining…
Kazakhstan’s Anti-Fraud Center Logs Over 90,000 Fraud Cases Since Launch
ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s Anti-Fraud Center has recorded more than 111,000 incidents since its launch in July 2024, with over 90,000 cases classified as fraud, officials said at a recent briefing. The data was presented by Ainura Izmaylova, director of the Anti-Fraud Department at the National Payment Corporation. The platform facilitates prompt coordination between financial institutions…
Elena Rybakina Marks 400th Career Win
ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina, ranked third in the WTA, recorded the 400th match win of her professional career in the second round of the WTA 1000 tournament in Doha, Qatar. She defeated China’s Wang Xinyu, 6-2, 6-4. The win advances Rybakina to the round of 16, reported the Kazakhstan Tennis Federation’s press service on…
Kazakhstan’s Figure Skater Mikhail Shaidorov Places Fifth in Short Program at 2026 Winter Olympics
ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s Mikhail Shaidorov finished fifth in the men’s short program at the 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Italy, earning 92.94 points on Feb. 10. Ilia Malinin of the United States leads the standings with 108.16 points, followed by Japan’s Yuma Kagiyama with 103.07 and France’s Adam Siao Him Fa with 102.55. After his…
Kazakh Traditions Take Center Stage in Doha
ASTANA – The Days of Kazakh Culture concluded on Feb. 7 in Doha, giving the public an opportunity to explore Kazakhstan’s cultural heritage, traditional sports and contemporary art. The main events were held at the Darb Al Saai cultural and historical center, where exhibitions featured decorative and applied arts, contemporary fashion inspired by national motifs…
