Eurasian Connectivity: Global Leaders Chart Development Path at AIF
ASTANA — Connectivity and supply chain stability are the key initiatives that bring countries closer to their development goals, said Ban Ki-moon, the president of the Global Green Growth Institute and eighth secretary-general of the United Nations (UN) at the May 29 plenary session of the Astana International Forum (AIF) 2025, where global experts explored…
Italy, Kazakhstan Push New Frontier in Trade Ties
ASTANA — Kazakhstan and Italy are exploring over $8 billion in potential partnerships across key strategic sectors, including energy, agriculture, logistics, and technology. The Italy-Kazakhstan Supply Chain Forum, on May 28 in Astana, aimed to deepen bilateral trade and industrial cooperation. The gathering was hosted on the eve of the Astana International Forum (AIF), set…
Kazakhstan Solidifies CICA Status With Legal Amendments
ASTANA — Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signed a law on May 19 ratifying a protocol that amends the agreement between the Kazakh government and the Secretariat of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) regarding the secretariat’s conditions of stay in the country. The ratification aims to facilitate the transformation of…
Kazakh Smart System Powers Real-Time Governance
ASTANA — Kazakhstan is ushering in a new era of data-driven governance with the launch of the Situational and Analytical Complex (SAC), a high-tech platform for analysis, monitoring, and data management, designed to support strategic decision-making at the highest level. The platform, developed by the Engineering and Technical Center (ETC) of Kazakhstan’s Department of Presidential…
AIF 2025 to Spotlight Future-Focused Alatau City Project
ASTANA — Astana International Forum (AIF) 2025 will feature a panel session titled Alatau City: The Future Is Now on May 29, spotlighting one of Kazakhstan’s most ambitious infrastructure initiatives. Alatau City, a planned urban development in the Almaty agglomeration, is envisioned as a cutting-edge platform for testing and implementing advanced technologies in property technology…
From Talgo to Tapas: Spain Nurtures Longstanding Ties with Kazakhstan
ASTANA — Diplomatic relations between Kazakhstan and Spain have evolved into a robust partnership grounded in mutual respect, multilateralism, and sustained engagement, said Spanish Ambassador Luis Francisco Martínez Montes in an interview with The Astana Times. For him, Kazakhstan is more than a diplomatic post – it is a personal journey that has come full…
Human Rights and AI: Is Legal Regulation Optional?
ASTANA — The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) poses urgent legal and ethical questions for governments worldwide. In an interview with Kazinform, Igor Rogov, the chair of Kazakhstan’s human rights commission and the president of the Kazakhstan Criminological Association, discussed the need for legal safeguards and global cooperation to ensure human rights are protected…
From Silk to Solar: Kazakhstan’s Best on Display
ASTANA — More than 350 Kazakh companies from across the country display thousands of locally made products from machinery and food to clothing and jewelry at the eighth annual Ulttyq Ónim (National Product) 2025 exhibition in Astana on May 16-18. The event serves as a platform for dialogue between business leaders, government agencies, international financial…
Military Parade in Astana Marks 80th Anniversary of Great Victory
ASTANA — Kazakhstan honored the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II with a large-scale Victory Parade in Astana on May 7, its first since 2019. The event, held on Defender of the Fatherland Day, drew more than 5,000 spectators and featured over 4,000 military personnel, showcasing both the nation’s historical legacy and…
How Kazakhstan Regulates and Sustains Expanding Tourism Sector
ASTANA — Kazakhstan’s growing appeal as a travel destination is supported by a comprehensive framework of policies, programs, and partnerships designed to ensure safe, high-quality and sustainable tourism. Much of this work, ranging from licensing systems and quality labels to infrastructure upgrades and workforce training, occurs behind the scenes but plays a critical role in…
Syganak: Ancient City with Layers of Steppe History
Editor’s Note: The Astana Times introduces a new series, Forgotten Cities of the Silk Road. We are setting out to explore tentative UNESCO sites in Kazakhstan. Many now lie in ruins, but once were the epicenter of life, commerce and culture. We begin with Syganak, once the capital of the Kipchak Khanate and a strategic…
Chinese Scholar Highlights Middle Powers’ Rise, IR Theory Shifts
ASTANA — As major powers retreat from global leadership roles, middle powers must step up to advance subregional integration, said Professor Yan Xuetong, a renowned Chinese political scientist and one of the world’s most influential thinkers in the field of international relations, during a lecture in Astana on April 28. Yan, a distinguished professor and…
Kazakhstan, AIIB Mobilize Finance to Bridge Infrastructure Gap
ASTANA — Mobilizing private capital is essential to closing Asia’s trillions of dollars infrastructure financing gap, said representatives from development banks, investment firms, and government agencies at a panel discussion organized by the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) and Kazakhstan’s Ministry of National Economy on April 29 at the Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC). Kazakhstan’s…
Central Asia, China Strengthen Ties at Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Almaty
ASTANA — Almaty hosted the sixth meeting of foreign ministers in the Central Asia–China format on April 26, focused on strengthening political dialogue, expanding trade and economic ties, developing transport interconnectivity, addressing regional challenges and threats, and promoting sustainable development and environmental security. The meeting brought together Kazakhstan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Murat…
Nation Marks Assembly of People of Kazakhstan’s 30th Anniversary
ASTANA — More than 1,600 people gathered at the Palace of Peace and Reconciliation on April 24 in Astana to mark the 30th anniversary of an institution recognized for fostering national unity and civic harmony, the Assembly of People of Kazakhstan (APK). The 34th plenary session, held under the theme 30 Years in the Name…
Kazakhstan’s Primary Health Care Reform Saves Millions, Offers Model for Global Health Systems
ASTANA — Kazakhstan’s strengthened primary health care (PHC) system has saved an estimated 270 million tenge (US$516,000) in just one region over two years and could save up to 32 billion tenge (US$59.2 million) nationwide if scaled, said Dr. Melitta Jakab, a head of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) European Center for PHC, in an…
Central Asian Media Leaders Propose Unified Media Platform
ASTANA — The second Central Asian Media Forum commenced in Astana on April 16 to foster regional information unity, strengthen media resilience, and explore the creation of a unified Central Asian media platform. The two-day forum will bring together over 700 media professionals, government officials, and international experts from Central Asia, China, Qatar, Russia and…
Roses Are Red: How Kazakh Flower Industry Shifts From Global Imports to Local Blossoms
ASTANA — The flower industry in Kazakhstan is blooming in terms of imports and domestic production. According to the Bureau of National Statistics, Kazakhstan imported 12,300 tons of cut flowers and buds in 2024, totaling $93.5 million, a significant increase compared to 2023, when imports made 8,200 tons worth $61.2 million. Kazakhstan boasts a rich…
Bronze Age Settlement in Kazakhstan Reveals Ancient Metallurgy Secrets
ASTANA — Archaeologists in the Kostanai Region have intensified research into the Bronze Age settlement of Kamysty discovered in 1986. The latest excavations have uncovered artifacts and metallurgical remains that shed light on the lives of ancient communities and their role in early metal production. Rediscovered past The Kamysty settlement was first identified in 1986…
Traditional Fermented Dairy Products: Taste of Heritage, Modern Health Insights
ASTANA — Tangy, rich, and full of history, fermented dairy products have been a dietary cornerstone across civilizations for centuries. In Central Asia, traditional foods such as kurt, kymyz, shubat, and irimshik represent a cultural legacy passed down through generations. These time-honored staples remain widely enjoyed and valued for their unique taste and health benefits.…
Nauryz Ball in Astana Welcomes Diplomats for Music and Culture
ASTANA — The Kazakh Ministry of Culture and Information hosted the annual Nauryz Ball on March 28 in Astana, uniting foreign diplomats, cultural figures and officials for an evening of traditional music, dance and customs to celebrate the Eastern New Year and Kazakh heritage. Deputy Prime Minister Yermek Kosherbayev opened the evening by honoring the…
Wisdom in Words: Enduring Power of Kazakh Proverbs
ASTANA—Rooted in centuries of oral tradition, Kazakh proverbs have been capturing the nation’s wisdom, values and worldview. These short yet powerful expressions reflect themes of family, friendship, patriotism and perseverance, serving as a moral compass for generations. More than just phrases, they are the voice of history, echoing the essence of Kazakh identity and the…
Kazakhstan’s Film Industry: Domestic Productions Dominate Box Office
ASTANA — Kazakhstan’s film industry is experiencing remarkable growth, with domestic productions driving a 30% surge in box office revenue in 2024. Once overshadowed by foreign films, local cinema now attracts private investors, state initiatives and international collaborations, bringing a new era to the nation’s entertainment landscape. According to Alexander Aksyutits, Top Pro Cinema CEO,…
Gratitude Day: Celebrating Kazakhstan’s Unity, Resilience, and Hospitality
ASTANA — Gratitude Day, celebrated on March 1, is more than just a celebration in Kazakhstan – it is a tribute to resilience, unity, and the enduring spirit of hospitality. For generations, people from different corners of the world – some forced by history, others searching for new beginnings—have made Kazakhstan their home. Though their…
Astana Hosts High-Level Talks on UN80, Kazakhstan’s Role and Future of Multilateralism
ASTANA — A high-level panel discussion marking the United Nations’ 80th anniversary and Kazakhstan’s accession to the organization convened over 70 representatives from government institutions, the diplomatic corps, the UN, and academia on Feb. 26. The event explored Kazakhstan’s contributions to global peace, security, and sustainable development while examining the evolving role of the UN…
