Articles by Aida Haidar

New Kazakh Parliament Reflects Political Inclusivity and Wider Representation, Say Experts

ASTANA – Following the March 19 parliamentary election, a multiparty parliament has emerged in Kazakhstan, said Tatiana Lipina, a leading expert from the Kazakhstan Institute for Strategic Studies (KazISS). Six political parties gained seats in the Mazhilis, the lower chamber, compared to three in the previous convocation.  The new multiparty system, she said, embodies strengthened…

Kazakh Economy Demonstrates High Adaptability Amid Geopolitical Tensions, Says Minister of National Economy

ASTANA – Kazakh economy has demonstrated high adaptability despite unprecedentedly high inflation rates worldwide, increase in interest rates, and disruptions in global demand and supply chains, said Minister of National Economy Alibek Kuantyrov during a press briefing with foreign media at the Central Communication Services on March 17 in Astana. “We managed to maintain positive…

Kazakhstan is Committed to Developing Nature-Based Solutions for Aral Sea and Caspian Sea, Says Ecology Minister

ASTANA — Kazakhstan is committed to developing nature-based solutions to deal with the challenges of the receding Aral Sea and the Caspian Sea, said Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources, Zulfiya Suleimenova, during a press briefing with foreign media at the Central Communication Services on March 17. Addressing a question about the Aral Sea, she…

President Tokayev Stresses West Kazakhstan Region’s Potential and Role in Nation’s Development During His Working Visit

ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev emphasized the significant potential of the West Kazakhstan Region and its important role in the nation’s development during his working visit to the region on March 9, Akorda press service reported.  The region showcases its industrial development The West Kazakhstan Region has an abundance of natural resources, including oil and…

Founder of Female-Focused Eco-Startup Committed to Sustainable Lifestyle and Business in Kazakhstan

ASTANA – A five-year nurturing of an environmentally friendly lifestyle led Saniya Arinova, 31, to start her own company providing eco-friendly hygiene products to women, caring not only for the environment and minimizing waste but also for female reproductive health. Arinova spoke about her product, challenges, and rewards of creating an eco-business in Kazakhstan in…

Kazakh Parties Outline Priorities During Televised Debate Ahead of Election

ASTANA – Representatives of seven political parties debated live on Qazaqstan TV on March 1, offering their vision for the country’s future as election day for the Mazhilis, the lower house of Parliament, approaches.  Participants included Berik Dyusembinov, deputy chair of the Aq Jol Democratic party, Yelnur Beisenbayev, executive secretary of the Amanat party, Zhiguli…

Blinken Reaffirms U.S. Support for Kazakhstan, Endorses Political Reforms During First Visit

ASTANA – The United States reaffirms its unwavering support for Kazakhstan to determine its future freely, and strongly endorses the reform agenda announced by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev last March, U.S. Secretary Antony J. Blinken said during a Feb. 28 press briefing following his first official visit to Kazakhstan. Blinken asserted the U.S. looks forward to…

President Tokayev Meets With US Secretary Blinken, Reiterates Commitment to Bilateral Cooperation

ASTANA – The visit of United States Secretary Antony J. Blinken to Kazakhstan is extremely important in terms of giving additional impetus to the strategic cooperation, said Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev during the meeting with the U.S. Secretary Blinken on Feb. 28, reported Akorda press service.   Kazakhstan and the US have “a very good and…

US Secretary Blinken Arrives in Kazakhstan to Reaffirm US Support for Central Asia

ASTANA – United States (US) Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken arrived on his first official visit to Kazakhstan on Feb. 28, reported the U.S. Department of State.  During his two-day visit, Blinken will meet with Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Deputy Prime Minister-Foreign Minister Mukhtar Tileuberdi to deepen bilateral cooperation.  The agenda of the…

Kazakh Family Survey Explores Gender Roles, Institution of Fatherhood and Women’s Role in Preventing Corruption

ASTANA – Kazakh families maintain traditional gender roles in the family, there is prevalence of civil partnerships over official marriages, and parents have less time to spend with their children, according to the Kazakhstan’s Families 2022 national report, issued on Feb. 1.  The Kazakhstan Institute of Social Development conducted a sociological study and a mass…

Kazakhstan Is Czech Republic’s Major Partner in Central Asia, Says Ambassador Hykl

ASTANA – Kazakhstan is a key business partner for the Czech Republic in Central Asia, Rudolf Hykl, the Czech Ambassador in Astana, said in an exclusive interview for this story as he shared details of more business missions and official engagements planned for 2023 to expand bilateral ties.  In turn, the Czech Republic is Kazakhstan’s…

Tokayev Reaffirms Kazakhstan’s Position on Russia-Ukraine Conflict in Phone Conversation with Zelenskyy

ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev reaffirmed Kazakhstan’s position on the necessity of a diplomatic solution to the Russia-Ukraine conflict based on the United Nations Charter and universally accepted international law principles during a Feb. 16 telephone conversation with President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the Akorda press service reported.  During a phone discussion initiated by the…

President Tokayev Visits Akmola Region to Inspect Agricultural, Medical and Educational Facilities

ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev visited the Akmola Region on Feb. 14 to review its agricultural, medical, and educational facilities, the Akorda press service reported.  Agriculture and machine industry in Kokshetau Tokayev visited the Kazakhstan Agro-Innovative Corporation in Kokshetau, which produces up to 3,000 units of agricultural machinery per year and employs 300 people. Over…

First Inter-Parliamentary Forum in Central Asia Pledges Greater Cooperation in Economic and Cultural Areas

ASTANA – The role of parliamentary diplomacy has grown amidst a tense geopolitical situation and global economic instability, said Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev in his address to the participants of the Inter-Parliamentary Forum of Central Asian States, delivered by Kazakhstan’s Senate Chairman Maulen Ashimbayev on Feb. 10, as reported by the Kazakh Senate’s press service.…

We Can Feel Your Pain – Türkiye’s Devastating Сalamity Claims Lives of Kazakhstan’s Best and Brightest

The world was shocked by the catastrophic earthquake in southern Türkiye and Syria. The earthquake, with a magnitude surpassing 7.5 points, claimed the lives of more than 20,000 people. According to the latest United Nation estimates, the depth of the tragedy is still unclear. The rescue operation continues, but there is less and less hope…

US Foreign Strategy Recognizes Importance of Central Asia, Says US Official

ASTANA – The United States recognizes the importance of Central Asia in its foreign strategy when dealing with issues spanning from terrorism, energy security to climate change, said Coordinator for Strategic Communications at the US National Security Council John Kirby during a Feb. 8 press briefing in Washington, reported Kazinform.  Answering the question about changes…

Law Enforcement Officials Prevent Worst-Case Scenario During Riots, Says Kazakh Minister of Internal Affairs

ASTANA – The tragedy could have been considerably worse if law enforcement had not followed the set of actions mandated by the law, said Minister of Internal Affairs Marat Akhmetzhanov at a Jan. 5 Mazhilis meeting on the results of an ongoing investigation into the January events. “The weapons were used in strict compliance with…

Central Asia Media Forum Hosts Book Presentation About Extraordinary Life of Kazakh Eagle Huntress from Mongolia

ASTANA – The book “The Eagle Huntress: The True Story of the Girl Who Soared Beyond Expectations” was presented at the first Central Asian Media Forum on Dec. 21.  Millions of people worldwide were taken aback when they first saw a striking photograph of a 13-year-old girl with a strong and majestic eagle on her…

Central Asian Media Forum Addresses Women’s Role in Media and Civil Society

ASTANA – Kazakhstan has taken a number of progressive measures to combat gender inequality over the years of independence, thanks to the joint efforts of the state and civil society, an essential part of which has been the media, said Aida Balayeva, Deputy Head of the Kazakh President’s Administration, at the session dedicated to the…

Tokayev, Macron Sign Joint Statement, Demonstrate Readiness to Foster Peace and Security at Global and Regional Levels

ASTANA – Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and French President Emmanuel Macron underlined their mutual willingness to contribute to the strengthening of peace, security and stability at the global and regional levels in a joint statement published on Nov. 30, the Akorda press service reported.  They emphasized their steadfast adherence to international law and the core…

Seventh Meeting of Astana Club Puts Global Relations into Spotlight

ASTANA – De-globalization and regionalization go hand in hand with the deepening of global relations, said Director of the Institute of World Economics and Politics Yerzhan Saltybayev during the seventh meeting of the Astana Club in Paris dedicated to the theme of Greater Eurasia: Building Dialogue in the Age of Uncertainty.  “The trend towards globalization…

Tileuberdi, Blinken Discuss Bilateral Cooperation, Address Democratic Reforms

ASTANA – Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister – Foreign Minister Mukhtar Tileuberdi had a phone conversation on Nov. 26 with the United States Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken upon the initiative of the U.S. side, reported the ministry’s press service on Nov. 29.  The sides discussed bilateral and multilateral collaboration between Kazakhstan and the US…

US to Support Regional Stability and Economic Diversification in Kazakhstan, UN Charter Principles, Says US Ambassador

ASTANA – The United States and Kazakhstan are interested in regional stability and peaceful development as nothing is possible without them, said U.S. Ambassador to Kazakhstan Daniel Nathan Rosenblum during a meeting with Kazakh media representatives on Nov. 25. According to Rosenblum, the US believes a newly re-elected President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev will put…

Foreign Observers Comment on Outstanding Organization of Presidential Election

ASTANA – Foreign observers noted the outstanding level of organization of the Kazakh presidential election and praised the country’s reforms during a press briefing at the Center for Assistance to International Observers on Nov. 20.  Secretary-General – Head of Secretariat of the Council of the Interparliamentary Assembly of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) Dmitry…

President Tokayev Addresses Foreign Policy, Nation’s Brand New Reforms and Women’s Status in Society During His Visit to Almaty

ASTANA – Kazakhstan pursues a foreign policy that aims to preserve national interests while promoting peace, trust, and cooperation, said Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev during a Nov. 16 meeting with the public of Almaty, reported Akorda press service. Tokayev reaffirmed that Kazakhstan’s foreign policy aims to strengthen the nation’s security, attract investments, develop transportation and…