Articles by Zhanna Shayakhmetova

Almaty Airport Resumes International and Domestic Flights

NUR-SULTAN – The Almaty International airport has resumed its domestic and international flights on Jan. 13, reported the airport’s press service.  The first international flight from Antalya operated by Kazakhstan’s national carrier Air Astana arrived at the airport on Jan. 13. On Jan. 5, a group of terrorists attacked the airport in Almaty during the…

Kazakhstan Tightens COVID Restrictions, Entry Requirements Amid Omicron Spread

NUR-SULTAN – COVID-19 cases have increased by 41 percent in two weeks due to the circulation of omicron, said newly appointed Kazakh Minister of Healthcare Azhar Giniyat at the Jan. 12 government meeting. The reproductive number has increased by 2.4 times since Jan. 1 and totals 2.2 nationwide.  As of Jan. 14, Nur-Sultan, Almaty, and…

Situation Stabilized in Kazakhstan as “Hot” Phase of Counter-Terrorist Operation Completed, President Tokayev Says

NUR-SULTAN – The main phase of the anti-terrorist operation has been completed, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said at the plenary session of the Majilis, the lower house of Parliament, on Jan. 11.  The situation has been stabilized in all regions.   The law enforcement agencies, the national guard, and the army are carrying out large-scale and…

Kazakhstan Population Reaches 19.17 Million in 2021

NUR-SULTAN – The population of Kazakhstan reached 19.17 million people, according to the first results of the National Population Census, which took place from Sept. 1 to Oct. 30. Prime Minister Askar Mamin presented the report during the meeting with President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on Wednesday. It is reported that men constitute 48.71 percent of the…

Kazakh President Emphasizes Role of Kaspi.kz Fintech Company in Capital Market Development

NUR-SULTAN – The IPO of Kaspi.kz, one of the region’s leading banking and fintech companies has contributed to the capital market development, said President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev during the recent meeting with representatives of foreign investment companies.  Kaspi.kz became the most expensive publicly traded Kazakh company after it listed its shares on the London Stock Exchange…

Filming of Historical Film Dedicated to Acclaimed Kazakh Poet Zhambyl Zhabayev to Resume Next Spring

NUR-SULTAN – The filming of the “Zhambyl. A New Era” historical film to mark the 175th anniversary of Kazakh poet Zhambyl Zhabayev has started in the country, reported the film’s production company.   The first stage of filming started in mid-October and took place in Almaty and the Almaty region. The filming process will be…

Sixth Edition of Italian Cuisine Week Strengthens Kazakh-Italian Relations, Promotes Sustainable Dieting

NUR-SULTAN – The sixth edition of the Week of Italian Cuisine in the World was held Nov. 22-28 in the Kazakh capital and Almaty, reported the press service of the Italian Embassy in Kazakhstan.  Overall, 15 events were organized highlighting the superb ingredients, creative recipes, and sustainable concepts of the Mediterranean Diet and their hospitality…

From Nuclear Non-Proliferation to Green Agenda: Experts Call for Joint Actions to Meet Challenges of Post-COVID World at Astana Club Forum

NUR-SULTAN – The sixth meeting of the Astana Club that took place Nov.15-17 addressed the major issues of the global economy, geopolitics and international relations, climate change and nuclear security in the post-pandemic world. First President Nursultan Nazarbayev noted that it is necessary to develop direct contacts between the Eurasian Economic Union, the European Union,…

Kazakh President Proposes New Initiatives For Strengthening Political and Socio-Economic Development at Sixth Meeting of National Council of Public Trust

NUR-SULTAN – Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev outlined more than 30 initiatives to address current social and economic issues at the sixth meeting of the National Council of Public Trust, which was held on Nov.16.  All initiatives are aimed at further political and socio-economic transformations in the country, reported Erlan Karin, an advisor to the President,…

Despite Slight Decrease in New Cases, Kazakh Healthcare Minister Urges People to Get Vaccinated, Follow Safety Measures

NUR-SULTAN – The COVID-19 incidence rate has decreased by 23 percent over the past two weeks, reported Kazakh Minister of Healthcare Alexei Tsoy at the government meeting on Nov. 16. According to global statistics, Kazakhstan ranks 105th in the morbidity rate of COVID-19, and 101st in the mortality rate out of 222 countries. As of…

Latest UNEP Reports Call for Accelerating Actions on Climate Change, says UN Under-Secretary-General

GLASGOW – What are the possible outcomes of the UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26)? What are the key findings of the newly released reports on climate change? Why is environmental awareness important in education? The Astana Times spoke with UN Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) Inger Andersen…

Securing a Transformational Recovery in Caucasus and Central Asia

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) projects real GDP growth at 4.3 percent in 2021 and 4.1 percent in 2022 in its latest economic outlook report for the region. Jihad Azour, director of the IMF’s Middle East and Central Asia Department, discusses some of the key issues facing the region. What is the status of the…

Green Financing and Energy Efficiency Are Key in Carbon Neutrality Strategy, Say Experts at COP26

GLASGOW – The Central Asian pavilion hosted the events devoted to green investments and energy conservation that contribute to carbon neutrality on Nov. 3-4 as part of the 26th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP26).  The experts shared their opinion that now more than ever…

Kazakhstan and Tajikistan to Cooperate as Part of Green Bridge Partnership Program to Promote Climate Policies in Central Asian Region

GLASGOW – Kazakhstan and Tajikistan signed the Charter of the Green Bridge Partnership Program on Nov.2 at the Central Asian pavilion as part of the 26th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP26) in Glasgow.  The partnership program serves as a platform for developing collective approaches…

Kazakhstan Declares its Carbon Neutrality Targets at UN Climate Change Conference in Glasgow

GLASGOW – Despite the cloudy weather in Glasgow, hopes for a better future remain clear and bright. In this light, the UN Climate Change Conference (COP26), which kicked off on Oct. 31 is focused on its much-anticipated agenda to find solutions to climate change and bring together all interested parties. The major issue is to…

Young and Smart Kazakh People Take Actions for Green Future

GLASGOW – Delegates from Kazakhstan Diana Gamazova and Sofiya Gamazova, who represent the Central Asian region, won the Best Art Piece of COY16 and Artsy Delegate of COY16 prizes at the UN Climate Change Conference of Youth (COY16), which took place Oct.28-31 before the annual UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow.  The Gamazova sisters…

British Ambassador Intends to Focus on Green Transformation Agenda and Other Priority Areas as Part of Mission in Kazakhstan

NUR-SULTAN – The new British Ambassador to Kazakhstan says that the UK and Kazakhstan have built strong bilateral relations and effective development cooperation as the countries are set to celebrate the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2022. “It is a huge honor and privilege to work here. Kazakhstan has made amazing progress over the…

Second Annual Sustainable Lifestyle and Consumption Marathon Sparks Interest in Green Living in Kazakhstan

NUR-SULTAN – Some 1,400 people took part nationwide in the Education for Sustainable Development Marathon from Sept. 20 – Oct.17, which was launched by UNESCO Cluster Office in Almaty, Kazakhstan Federation of Clubs for UNESCO, and Kazakhstan Association of Regional Environmental Initiatives ECOJER. The marathon is in its second year with a mission to develop…

UNDP Supports Kazakh Government’s Energy Transition Strategy, Says UN Assistant Secretary-General

NUR-SULTAN – United Nations Assistant Secretary-General and UNDP’s Regional Director for Europe and the CIS Mirjana Spoljaric Egger reaffirmed UNDP’s commitment to assist the Kazakh government in implementing its energy transition in an economically viable and socially fair way during her recent visit to the country.  As part of her visit, Spoljaric Egger took part…

COP26 Regional Ambassador Pays Visit to Kazakhstan

NUR-SULTAN – This year, the United Kingdom will host the 26th United Nations (UN) Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) on Oct. 31 – Nov. 12 in Glasgow. The COP26 summit put forward a mission to gather world leaders, civil society pioneers, activists and the youth to implement action towards achieving the goals provided…

Kazakhstan and Singapore Agreed to Develop Smart Cities in Almaty Region

NUR-SULTAN – Kazakhstan and Singapore agreed to develop the G4 City project in the Almaty region.  The G4 City project consists of four smart cities located along the Almaty – Ust-Kamenogorsk highway at the section of Almaty – Kapshagay.  The new satellite cities will be built with favorable conditions for business development and for comfort…

Kazakh Scientists Cooperate with International Team on Finding Effective Remedy for Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Diseases

NUR-SULTAN – The scientists of the Korkyt Ata Kyzylorda University joined an international team to conduct joint research on Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases prevention, reported the press service of the Ministry of Education and Science. The Kazakh scientists will work with scientists from Portugal, the Netherlands, Denmark, Russia, Belarus and Ukraine. The joint project titled…

Young Kazakh Pianist Beisembayev Wins Leeds International Piano Competition 2021

NUR-SULTAN – Kazakh pianist Alim Beisembayev won first prize in the 20th edition of The Leeds International Piano Competition 2021. Beisembayev is the first prize-winner from Kazakhstan in the history of the Leeds competition.  The Leeds International Piano Competition is a triennial event and is one of the world’s premier piano competitions organized since 1963. …

Kazakhstan Chess Team Leads in FIDE Online Chess Olympiad Before Playoffs

NUR-SULTAN – Kazakhstan’s chess team took first place in Group A of the Top Division at the FIDE Online Chess Olympiad, reported the press service of the Kazakh chess federation. Now the team will compete in the playoffs, which will be held from Sept.13-15.  One of the sensations so far is Zhansaya Abdumalik’s win over…

Sinopharm Vaccine (Vero Cell) Arrives in Kazakhstan

NUR-SULTAN – Three million doses of Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine (vero cell) was delivered on Sept. 9 to Kazakhstan, Minister of Healthcare Alexey Tsoy wrote on his Facebook. The vaccine will be available in all regions. The vaccine developed by the Beijing Bio-Institute of Biological Products was listed for emergency use by the World Health Organization…