Articles by Dana Omirgazy

ASTANA – The volume of the Northern Aral Sea has reached 24.1 billion cubic meters, surpassing the targets set in Kazakhstan’s concept for the development of the water resources management system years ahead of schedule. From 2023 to the present, 5 billion cubic meters of water have been directed into the sea, enabling rapid progress.…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan is intensifying efforts to expand its role as a key transit link between Europe and Asia while setting its sights on becoming the leading aviation hub in Eurasia, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said in his Sept. 8 state-of-the-nation address. Tokayev noted that global competition for transit is intensifying, with cheaper alternative routes emerging,…

ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev announced the establishment of a Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development, underscoring Kazakhstan’s strategic goal of becoming a fully digital country within three years, at his annual state-of-the-nation address on Sept. 8 during a joint session of the parliament’s chambers. Speaking on the nation’s future, Tokayev emphasized that Kazakhstan,…

ASTANA — The International Organization for Migration (IOM), in partnership with Workforce Development Center and Kazpost, has launched the Ashyq Álem (Open World in Kazakh) campaign to help migrant workers from Kazakhstan and Central Asia prepare for safe and informed employment abroad. Running from Sept. 4 to Jan. 31, 2026, the initiative focuses on financial…

ASTANA – The Astana Times has selected articles from global media outlets covering Kazakhstan. This week’s foreign media digest covers the Kazakh-Chinese partnership, Dimash Qudaibergen’s new music project, Astana Finance Days and more. Strong Kazakh-Sino ties key to successful cooperation China Daily, a leading English-language Chinese newspaper, published an article by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on…

ASTANA – Seventeen-year-old Kazakhstan’s tennis player Zangar Nurlanuly has advanced to the quarterfinals of the Junior US Open, marking the biggest achievement of his young career so far. In the third round, Nurlanuly defeated the tournament’s sixth seed and world No. 8 in the ITF Juniors rankings, Oskari Paldanius of Finland. Following the match, Bulat…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan and the United States discussed prospects for expanding bilateral economic ties, implementing new investment projects, and creating cooperation chains involving U.S. businesses. The meeting was held between Chairman of Investment Committee of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan Gabidulla Ospankulov and representatives of the U.S. trade mission led by Senior Vice…

ASTANA — Kazakhstan is rapidly advancing its digital ecosystem, positioning itself as a leader in artificial intelligence, blockchain, and telecommunications in Central Asia. Recent initiatives are streamlining public services, boosting the IT sector, and expanding international partnerships, underscoring the country’s ambition to become a major player in the global digital economy. Presidential address: digitalization as…

ASTANA – Central Asia was placed at the center of discussions at the Bled Strategic Forum (BSF) in Slovenia for the first time, as the influential international platform dedicated a special panel to the region during its 20th edition on Sept. 1–2. Established in 2006, the BSF has become a key venue for addressing global…

ASTANA — Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev held a series of meetings with top executives of major Chinese corporations and financial institutions on Sept. 2, discussing large-scale projects in energy, infrastructure, digital technologies, and green development.  The talks underscored Kazakhstan’s commitment to strengthening economic partnership with China and advancing strategically important initiatives across key sectors, reported…

ASTANA — Kazakhstan has become the stage for a new Chinese-Kazakh music project of international scale, with world-renowned Kazakh singer Dimash Qudaibergen serving as executive producer. The project, featuring vocalists from around the globe, will be filmed across several of Kazakhstan’s most iconic locations from Sept. 8 to 29. Filming will take place in Turkistan,…

ASTANA – Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks on Aug. 30 in Tianjin, underscoring the unprecedented level of Kazakh-Chinese relations and reaffirming their commitment to deepening the eternal comprehensive strategic partnership. The presidents emphasized record trade turnover, large-scale joint projects, and expanded cultural cooperation as key drivers of bilateral ties.…

ASTANA — UEFA has officially announced the fixtures for the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League group stage, with FC Kairat set to play its historic first home match against Real Madrid on Sept. 30 in Almaty. Kairat’s European journey will begin slightly earlier, with an away opener against Sporting Clube de Portugal on Sept. 18. Following…

ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev delivered a speech at the Aug. 29 conference titled Constitution and Statehood: Dialogue of Law and the Future, marking the 30th anniversary of the Constitution of Kazakhstan. Tokayev emphasized that the Constitution remains the unshakable foundation of Kazakhstan’s independence and a guiding principle for strengthening statehood. Historical legacy of constitutional…

ASTANA — The Monetary Policy Committee of the National Bank of Kazakhstan has decided to keep the base rate unchanged at 16.5% per annum with a corridor of +/-1 percentage point. The decision reflects updated forecasts of macroeconomic indicators and an assessment of inflation risks. Inflation trends Annual inflation in July stood at 11.8%, with…

ASTANA — August 29 marks the International Day Against Nuclear Tests, a date established by the United Nations General Assembly at the initiative of Kazakhstan. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev commemorated the day with a message on social media, recalling that the Kazakh people suffered from the devastating consequences of nuclear weapons testing. He stressed that this…

ASTANA — Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and King Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein of Jordan reaffirmed their commitment to deepening economic, technological, and investment cooperation during the Kazakhstan–Jordan Business Forum on Aug. 27, highlighting opportunities in energy, agriculture, logistics, medicine, and finance. President Tokayev welcomed King Abdullah II and emphasized the importance of his visit,…

ASTANA — The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has financed projects in Kazakhstan worth more than $7.5 billion over three decades, becoming a key partner in transport, energy, housing, and the social sector. Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Economy Serik Zhumangarin met with ADB’s Country Director in Kazakhstan Kumar Utsav on Aug. 26…

ASTANA — Royal Jordanian Airlines plans to launch direct flights between Amman and Almaty next year.  This was announced during an Aug. 27 meeting between President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and King Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein of Jordan, the Akorda press service reported. The new route will improve air connectivity between Central Asia and…

ASTANA – At the initiative of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, the Taza Kazakhstan large-scale national environmental campaign has become one of the most significant social movements in the country. Its primary goal is not only to improve the ecological situation, but also to instill environmentally responsible thinking, patriotism, and a culture of caring for nature among…

ASTANA – Almaty’s FC Kairat achieved a historic milestone by qualifying for the UEFA Champions League group stage for the first time in the club’s history. The Kazakh team defeated Scotland’s Celtic in a dramatic playoff clash on Aug. 26 at the Central Stadium in Almaty. Following two goalless legs, the decisive match was settled…

ASTANA — A special session on the Caspian Sea crisis will be held at the Regional Environmental Summit in Astana in 2026. Experts from the Central Asian Climate Fund have prepared a review of the Caspian’s ecological issues. In less than 20 years, the surface area of the Caspian Sea has shrunk by more than…

ASTANA — President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev held talks with Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya on Aug. 25, focusing on strengthening the expanded strategic partnership between the two countries. The officials discussed cooperation in trade, investment, transit and transport, as well as cultural, humanitarian, and multilateral spheres, reported Akorda. Tokayev emphasized that Iwaya’s visit would…

ASTANA — A new sculpture by renowned British-Nigerian artist Yinka Shonibare has been installed in front of the Almaty Museum of Arts. Created especially for the museum, Wind Sculpture symbolizes freedom and cultural exchange. The work, resembling the sails of a ship, references the transatlantic slave trade while embodying the artist’s vision of “sculpting the…

ASTANA — The number of electric vehicles in Kazakhstan continues to rise, with 17,976 units now officially registered, according to the Ministry of Internal Affairs. In February, their number surpassed 12,000 vehicles, reported Kazinform on Aug. 23. In July last year, Kazakhstan adopted a law on amendments and additions to certain legislative acts related to…