Astana celebrates 19th birthday
ASTANA – A variety of cultural events took place July 6 in Astana as the capital celebrated its 19th birthday. Kazakhstan President Nursultan Nazarbayev kicked off July 4 the celebrations in the capital during a flag raising ceremony. Astana plays a key role in the history of independent Kazakhstan, noted the President. “Astana is a…
Samruk Kazyna ranks among world’s most transparent sovereign wealth funds
ASTANA – Samruk Kazyna Sovereign Wealth Fund is one of the world’s 20 most transparent sovereign wealth funds, according to the U.S.-based Sovereign Wealth Fund Institute, a global organisation that studies sovereign wealth funds, central banks and other long-term public investors. With $67.4 billion in assets under management, state-owned Samruk Kazyna received the maximum ten…
Kazakh Senate elections fair and transparent, say international observers
ASTANA – Sixteen senators representing 14 regions as well as Astana and Almaty were elected June 28 to the upper chamber of the Kazakh Parliament in elections which international observers deemed fair and transparent. The Central Election Commission (CEC) announced the results the following day. “Based on the protocols compiled by the election commissions in…
Ancient Egyptian artefact exhibit opens in Astana
ASTANA – An exhibit featuring the Tutankhamun collection and artefacts of ancient Egypt opened June 24 at the National Museum of Kazakhstan, giving locals and guests the chance to acquaint themselves with the northern African nation’s rich history. The display is timed with EXPO 2017. Kazakh Deputy Minister of Culture and Sports Aktoty Raiymkulova was…
Air Astana named Best Airline in Central Asia and India
ASTANA – Air Astana, Kazakhstan’s national carrier, won the Best Airline in Central Asia and India award at the June 20 Skytrax World Airline Awards at the Le Bourget Air Show in Paris. The airline is celebrating the award for the sixth successive year. Air Astana is the nation’s largest airline, with state-owned Samruk Kazyna…
Astana moving closer to becoming smart city
ASTANA – The idea of smart cities is gaining ground around the world, and specifically in Kazakhstan, which intends to keep up with the trend. With the capital’s intention to enter the world’s top 50 smart communities, the city is working hard to achieve the goal. Smart cities merge digital innovations and the physical world…
Nazarbayev opens World Kurultai of Kazakhs in Astana
ASTANA – Kazakhstan President Nursultan Nazarbayev opened June 23 the fifth World Kurultai of Kazakhs in Astana, which takes place in the capital within the framework of EXPO 2017. Nearly 850 delegates and guests, including 350 ethnic Kazakhs from 39 countries, arrived in Astana to take part. “I want to address Kazakhs from the rostrum…
Kazakh Foreign Investors Council discusses future energy in Astana
ASTANA – The 30th plenary session of the Foreign Investors Council under the President of Kazakhstan took place June 22 in Astana, bringing nearly 300 participants to the capital, including top executives of world’s leading companies in various fields. Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev chaired the session devoted this year to Future Energy, which coincides with…
Akan Satayev’s film named Best Feature Film at New York Eurasian Film Festival
ASTANA – “Road to Mother” directed by Akan Satayev won the Best Feature Film award at the June 16-18 fifth New York Eurasian Film Festival. The competition brought together 33 films from 18 countries. “I am pleased to announce that our film “Road to Mother” was named best feature film at New York Eurasian Film…
Hermitage collection of arms to be presented in Astana
ASTANA – Astana residents and visitors will have the opportunity to explore the country’s rich history of arms when the Hermitage collection of arms opens July 3 at the National Museum of Kazakhstan. The event is organised within the framework of EXPO 2017 and will last until the end of the exhibition Sept. 10. Its…
Astana hosts Second Preparatory Meeting of OSCE Environmental and Economic Forum
ASTANA – The second preparatory meeting of the 25th Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Economic and Environmental Forum took place June 14-16 in Astana and concluded with recommendations for participating states before the final meeting scheduled for September in Prague. Representatives of 57 participating states of the OSCE, nongovernmental organisations, academic circles…
Polish delegation meets Kazakh State Secretary, opens exhibition
ASTANA – A delegation from Poland is on a three-day visit to Kazakhstan to visit EXPO 2017 and celebrate the June 17 Day of Poles. Headed by Deputy Senate Marshal Maria Koc, the delegation met with Kazakh State Secretary Gulshara Abdykalikova June 15 and unveiled the exhibition dedicated to Polish army commander Gen. Wladyslaw Anders.…
Human muscle power generates energy in Austrian pavilion at EXPO 2017
ASTANA – EXPO 2017 guests are welcome to test their muscle power as a source of energy at the Austrian pavilion, according to the exhibition press service. The nation has prepared an amusing programme where visitors can explore its path to clean energy. The Austrian power machine is the soul of the pavilion, where various…
Surgicorps conduct free life-changing surgeries in Kazakhstan
ASTANA – Doctors from the U.S.-based Surgicorps International conducted 72 free reconstructive surgeries during its May 19-25 mission in Astana. American plastic surgeons together with local surgeons from the Maternity and Childhood Care National Centre treated children with severe congenital facial malformations, such as cleft lip and palate and burn scars. Students from Nazarbayev University…
Kazakhstan conducts first stage of nuclear fusion reactor physical launch
ASTANA – National Nuclear Centre of Kazakhstan completed June 9 the first stage of physical launch of Kazakh Tokamak for Material Testing (KTM), a nuclear fusion reactor developed jointly with Russia and at the instruction of Kazakhstan President Nursultan Nazarbayev. “One of the main issues important for building future thermonuclear reactors has been the creation…