Articles by Nagima Abuova

ASTANA — The fifth World Nomad Games was presented at the 86th Congress of the International Sports Press Association (AIPS) in Spain on May 2, reported Khabar 24 news agency. The annual Congress was attended by media representatives from 96 countries. Many delegates recognized Kazakhstan’s contribution to global sports journalism. “Attendees highly appreciated our government’s…

ASTANA — Kazakhstan maintained its robust global market position in 2023, producing nearly 90 million tons of oil and nearly 60 billion cubic meters of gas. This year, gas production is expected to increase to just a little over 60 billion cubic meters, reported the Kazakh Ministry of Energy on April 26.  In 2023, 70.5…

ASTANA — The third week of the Taza (Clean) Kazakhstan environmental campaign, which focused on planting tree seedlings and whitewashing greenery, concluded with more than 330,000 planted seedlings and improvements made to 500 landscaped parks and squares. The campaign, engaging nearly one million people nationwide, including President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, government officials, and foreign diplomats, featured…

ASTANA — Learning the Kazakh language is a rewarding journey paved with challenges. For those interested in embarking on this journey or just improving their proficiency, The Astana Times compiled a selection of Kazakh language-speaking clubs, offering readers an opportunity to connect with fellow learners.  Kazakh language is a state language in Kazakhstan. People have…

ASTANA – Petroglyphs dating back to the Bronze Age were discovered by volunteers of the nationwide Taza (Clean) Kazakhstan environmental campaign in the Zhambyl region, reported Tengrinews. During the campaign’s second week,  dedicated to landscaping efforts around historical and cultural monuments, the rock carvings were spotted at the base of the towering ridges, approximately 3.5…

ASTANA—Kazakh Minister of Science and Higher Education, Sayasat Nurbek, announced at an April 25 international conference in Turkistan, dedicated to the legacy of the Golden Horde, that Kazakh scientists have recently secured access to archived materials from European countries and the Vatican Library. This access paves the way for a deeper enrichment of the country’s…

ASTANA—The Taza (clean) Kazakhstan environmental campaign, which is devoted to landscaping efforts around historical and cultural monuments, has attracted nearly 770,000 people across the country, including diplomats, to 3,700 events in its second week on April 15-20, reported the Kazakh Ministry of Culture and Information.  By the end of the campaign’s first week, devoted to…

Editor’s Note: The Astana Times introduces a new series, Exploring Kazakhstan, City by City. We are setting out to unveil the rich diversity of Kazakhstan’s cities. Starting with Zhezkazgan, we continue our journey in the wonderful city of Shymkent. By exploring each city’s unique history and culture, we aim to bring you closer to the…

ASTANA—Following extensive floods in several regions of Kazakhstan that affected more than 117,000 people, the state, volunteers, businesses, and international organizations continue to unite to address the aftermath of massive floods. The children of the Kazakh diaspora of the Bayan Olke district in Mongolia railed to support the hardships of the Kazakh people by collecting…

ASTANA — Kazakhstan is continuing its efforts to financially support families from flood-affected regions. President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev instructed the allocation of a Special State Fund worth 2.2 billion tenge ($4.9 million) replenished by the Committee for Asset Recovery to eliminate the aftermath of the massive floods, reported the Kazakh Prosecutor General’s Office press…

ASTANA—The Astana Opera hosted a jazz concert on April 16 featuring rising French talent Gabi Hartmann, accompanied by an ensemble of French musicians.  The event was part of the Francophonie Spring Festival, organized with support from the French Embassy in Kazakhstan. Gabi Hartmann, a Parisian singer, songwriter, composer and guitarist, has been topping the French…

ASTANA – Delegations from 75 countries confirmed their participation in the World Nomad Games, said Minister of Tourism and Sports Yermek Marzhikpayev during a meeting with Mazhilis deputies, reported Kazinform agency.  The world’s largest national sports competitions will be held in Astana from September 8-14. Some 3,000 participants from more than 100 countries will participate,…

ASTANA – Unity Dance Event, an international dance festival, brought together dancers from around the world from April 12 to 14 in Astana. The local dance studio, DomDanceKz, organized the festival with the support of the United States Embassy in Kazakhstan. The festival featured dancers from Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Uzbekistan, Russia, China and the…

ASTANA—The documentary film “Gorgon,” directed by Kazakh filmmaker Rinat Balgabayev, which focuses on the issue of sexual violence and supported by UN Women, has garnered nearly a million views since its premiere in early March, reported the Kazinform agency. A widespread social media trend in 2022 inspired the film’s concept. Thousands of girls globally shared…

ASTANA – Astana will host the three-day Technowomen Central Asia: AI Future Forum from April 17 to 19 at the Astana International Financial Center (AIFC). TechnoWomen is a non-governmental organization that brings together women working in tech industries to support the women’s community in tech, promote entrepreneurship among women, and empower women and girls to…

ASTANA—Kazakh Ambassador to China, Shakhrat Nuryshev and Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) Secretary of Administration and Justice, Cheong Weng Chon, signed a 14-day mutual visa exemption agreement on April 9, reported the Kazakh Ministry of Foreign Affairs press service.  The document will come into force after the completion of domestic procedures. According to the Kazakh…

ASTANA – Nearly 25,000 volunteers banded together and collected at least 553 tons of humanitarian aid from across the country. More than 370 tons have been delivered to the flood-affected regions as of April 8, reported the Ministry of Culture and Information press service. Volunteers continue to work in Aktobe, Kostanai, West Kazakhstan, Akmola, Atyrau…

ASTANA — With five months remaining until the start of the World Nomad Games in Kazakhstan, Nail Nurov, the head of the directorate for the preparation and organization of the World Nomad Games, discussed the scale of preparations, in a recent interview with Kazinform. “For the first time, we are hosting the World Nomad Games,…

ASTANA—What difficulties do companies face in developing renewable energy sources, and how can they attract investments to the sector? Zhomart Mominbayev, head of the supervisory board of Techno Group Service, spoke about making renewable energy the main source of energy in Kazakhstan in a recent interview with Kazakhstanskaya Pravda newspaper.  The company specializes in the…

ASTANA – More than 20,000 volunteers are involved in relief efforts following the massive floods that hit Kazakhstan last week, reported the Ministry of Culture and Information press service.  The National Volunteer Network has established call centers in all 20 regions, accessible via a single contact number, +7 708 706 4242, to coordinate volunteer efforts. …

ALMATY – The United Nations (UN) Global Compact SDG Ambition Accelerator Program has concluded with an award ceremony at the UN Plaza in Almaty on March 28, reported the UN in Kazakhstan press service. The six-month educational initiative, designed by UN experts aimed to expedite the integration of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals into the…

ASTANA – The Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources plans to plant 1.1 million planting materials on a drained part of the Aral Sea by the end of 2025, reported Kazinform news agency. In March 2024, approximately 80 volunteers planted 5100 saxaul saplings on the dried seabed. According to Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources…

ASTANA — Aktau has welcomed 14,000 foreign tourists since the beginning of the year, reported the Akimat of Aktau press service (governor’s office) on March 28.  With the beginning of the Nauryz holidays, a third wave of Iranian tourists has arrived in Aktau. Some 112 Tehran charter passengers were welcomed with traditional music and food.…

ASTANA – Two-time blitz world champion Bibisara Assaubayeva secured first place at the ninth Swiss Queens Wednesday online chess tournament on March 27, reported the Committee of Sport and Physical Education of the Ministry of Culture and Sport of Kazakhstan.  Assaubayeva scored 10.5 points out of 11 possible and defeated her closest rivals, Teodora Injac…

ASTANA – Costume designer Dariga Taishikova spoke about the secrets behind the costume and decoration design at Astana Opera ahead of the Nauryz celebration, reported the theater’s press office on March 11.  National productions serve as the centerpiece of the repertoire at the theater. Music, talented performers, stunning scenery and costumes demonstrating the rich culture…