Astana LRT to Launch This Week, at Long Last
ASTANA – The light rail transit (LRT) system is set to begin operations on May 16-17 in the Kazakh capital, according to the City Transportation Systems (CTS). The service will run daily and is expected to carry up to 45,000 passengers during its initial phase. CTS Chairman Assylbek Duisebayev said the LRT will operate from…
Kazakhstan Ranks 58th in Global Firepower Index
ASTANA — Kazakhstan ranked 58th out of 145 countries in the 2026 Global Firepower annual defense review, recording the highest per capita defense spending in Central Asia. According to the ranking, Kazakhstan received a power index score of 1.0433, with lower scores indicating stronger military capability. The country’s defense budget was estimated at $5.836 billion.…
New Adilet Party Holds Founding Congress, Sets Out Reform-Oriented Agenda
ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s new political party, Adilet (Justice in Kazakh), held its founding congress in Astana on May 7, approving the party charter, political program, and leadership bodies as part of its official launch. The party’s platform is based on the principles of justice, responsibility, rule of law, meritocracy, and openness. Among its stated priorities…
Kazakhstan Honors WWII Veterans Ahead of Victory Day Anniversary
ASTANA – As Kazakhstan prepares to celebrate the 81st anniversary of Victory Day, the country is continuing its tradition of supporting World War II veterans and others affected by the war through state assistance, public remembrance, and commemorative events. Victory Day, celebrated annually on May 9 across much of the former Soviet region, remains one…
Kazakhstan Launches Its Largest Naval Supply Vessel for Caspian Fleet
ASTANA – Kazakhstan has launched its largest domestically built ship, marking a new milestone in the development of national shipbuilding capabilities and the strengthening of naval logistics for the Caspian Sea fleet. A major naval supply vessel constructed at the Zenit Shipyard in Uralsk was officially launched and sent toward the Caspian Sea to mark…
Almaty Launches Low-Emission Zone Pilot to Test Air Quality Systems
ASTANA — A pilot low-emission zone (LEZ) was launched in Almaty on April 28 to test digital infrastructure and assess how traffic affects air quality, without introducing restrictions for drivers, the city’s akimat (administration) reported. The test area covers a central block bordered by Bogenbay Batyr Street, Abai Avenue, Zheltoksan Street, and Dostyk Avenue, with…
Kazakhstan Pushes for Full AI Transition to Avoid Economic Stagnation
ASTANA — Kazakhstan must rapidly shift to a fully integrated, data-driven economy powered by artificial intelligence, as failure to do so could leave the country behind in the global technological race, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said at the second meeting of the Council for the Development of Artificial Intelligence on May 4 in Almaty. Addressing government…
Kazakhstan’s GDP Grows 6.5% in 2025, Driven by Domestic Consumption and Investment
ASTANA — According to the Bureau of National Statistics, Kazakhstan’s gross domestic product (GDP) increased by 6.5% in real terms in 2025. The result was shaped by changes in consumption, investment, and external trade indicators. GDP for January-December 2025 was estimated at 159.5 trillion tenge (US$344.3 billion) using the production method and 155.2 trillion tenge…
Kazakhstan Clarifies Shift Toward Open, Service-Oriented Migration Policy
ASTANA — Kazakhstan is moving to modernize its migration policy with a focus on openness, efficiency, and attracting talent. Minister of Culture and Information Aida Balayeva described the reform as a coordinated, system-wide effort to replace a complex, restrictive model with a more flexible and accessible one. The key goal is to create a transparent…
OPEC+ Seven Agree 188,000 bpd Output Adjustment for June
ASTANA — Seven OPEC+ countries will implement a combined 188,000 barrels per day production adjustment in June to support market stability, with Kazakhstan’s output set at 1.599 million barrels per day, up by 10,000 barrels per day. Algeria, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Oman, Russia, and Saudi Arabia met virtually on May 3 to review global market…
Kazakhstan Promotes Nuclear Risk Reduction at NPT Review Conference
ASTANA — The Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) Review Conference opened amid rising global tensions on April 27 at United Nations Headquarters, with Kazakhstan emphasizing practical steps to strengthen nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation. The Review Conference of the States Parties to the NPT began in a complex international environment marked by regional…
Astana Launches $180 Million Waste-to-Energy Ecopark in Partnership with Chinese Company
ASTANA – Kazakhstan has launched construction of the first phase of the Astana Energy Ecopark, a large-scale investment project for municipal solid waste processing and electricity generation, with a total investment of $180 million. During the first phase, the facility will process at least 1,500 tons of waste per day and generate 50 megawatts (MW)…
RES2026 Highlights Call for Climate Justice and Strengthened Regional Environmental Governance
ASTANA – Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev urged fair, practical, and implementation-focused climate cooperation, stressing that environmental protection is a shared responsibility and a strategic priority for global stability, as Central Asian and regional leaders gathered in Astana for the Regional Ecological Summit (RES) 2026. Opening the plenary session on Earth Day, Tokayev said Central Asia…
Regional Ecological Summit 2026 Kicks Off in Astana, Uniting Global Leaders on Environmental Action
ASTANA – The Regional Ecological Summit 2026 (RES) officially kicked off in Kazakhstan’s capital on April 22, bringing together global and regional leaders to address urgent environmental challenges. Organized by the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources in partnership with the United Nations and other international organizations, the summit marks the first large-scale platform dedicated…
Kazakhstan’s Foreign Trade in 2025: Partners and Trends
ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s foreign trade in 2025 remained a key driver of economic growth, but emerging imbalances point to rising structural risks. While overall turnover continued to expand and trade partnerships remained stable, declining export revenues and accelerating import growth narrowed the trade surplus, increasing pressure on the external sector. Key indicators According to the…
KazMunayGas Bets on Deep Exploration to Secure Future Energy Supplies
ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s national oil and gas company KazMunayGas (KMG) has presented its large-scale geological exploration program for 2026-2030 at an expanded meeting with leading geologists and industry veterans, with a focus on replenishing the country’s oil and gas resource base. Participants reviewed plans to expand exploration into new regions and deeper geological formations amid…
Kazakhstan–China Rail Freight Up 9.3% in Early 2026
ASTANA – Rail freight traffic between Kazakhstan and China continued to grow in early 2026, with volumes rising 9.3% since the start of the year, supported by expanding infrastructure capacity. Kazakhstan’s freight exports increased by 17%, driven by higher shipments of iron ore, agricultural products, ferrous metals, and petroleum goods. The country’s role as a…
News Digest: Foreign Media on Kazakhstan’s Investment Push, Middle Corridor, and More
ASTANA – The Astana Times has selected articles from global media outlets covering Kazakhstan. This week’s foreign media digest highlights the country’s efforts to attract U.S. investment, new steps to digitize the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, expanding energy cooperation with South Korea, and more. No longer a startup market: Kazakhstan makes its case to US…
FlyArystan Cancels Aktau-Dubai Flights Until End of Summer
ASTANA – FlyArystan has canceled flights on the Aktau-Dubai-Aktau route through Aug. 29 due to the unstable situation in the Middle East. Passengers affected by the cancellations are eligible for a full refund without penalties. Those who purchased tickets via the airline’s official website or mobile app can process refunds online, while passengers who booked…
Astana Becomes Seoul’s Energy Backup as Hormuz Risks Rise
ASTANA – South Korea is turning to Kazakhstan and other suppliers while shifting to alternative transport routes to secure energy supplies and reduce risks related to instability in the Middle East, Presidential Chief of Staff Kang Hoon-sik announced. South Korea has agreed to purchase 18 million barrels of oil from Kazakhstan as part of a…
Gold Wedding Ring Prices Jump 45% in Kazakhstan
ASTANA — Gold wedding ring prices in Kazakhstan rose 5.5% in March, surging 45% year-on-year. By region, the smallest annual price increases were recorded in the Mangystau Region (14.5%), Shymkent (29%), and Astana (29.9%). In contrast, the Ulytau Region saw the largest increase, with prices soaring by 71%, reported the Bureau of National Statistics on…
Kazakhstan Claims Regional Leadership in Clean Energy Investment
ASTANA – Kazakhstan has strengthened its position as a destination for clean energy investment, climbing from 54th place in 2017 to 24th in 2025 in the Climatescope international ranking of emerging markets. Climatescope evaluates countries based on key indicators such as investment levels, infrastructure, policy support, and market opportunities, reported the Energy Ministry’s press service…
Kazakhstan’s Economy Grows 3% in Q1, Driven by Non-Resource Sectors and Investment Activity
ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s economy recorded 3% real gross domestic product (GDP) growth in January-March, supported by expansion in non-resource sectors and increased investment activity, said Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov at an April 14 government meeting. Ensuring high-quality and sustainable economic growth remains a key priority. Its achievement is linked to the development of the manufacturing…
Inside Kazakhstan’s First Regional Takedown of SMS Blaster Hackers
ASTANA — Kazakhstan’s Financial Monitoring Agency, in coordination with the Prosecutor General’s Office and with the participation of cybersecurity specialists from TELE2, has dismantled a criminal group that used specialized equipment to send mass phishing messages and steal citizens’ data and funds. This marks the first time such a scheme has been uncovered in the…
Kazakhstan Adds 32,000 People Since Start of 2026, Urban Residents on Rise
ASTANA – As of March 1, Kazakhstan’s population reached 20,532,240, an increase of over 32,000 since the start of the year. At the beginning of 2026, the population was 20,499,822. The urban population as of March 1 was 13,120,922, while the rural population totaled 7,411,318. This marks an increase in urban residents compared to January…
