British Ambassador Intends to Focus on Green Transformation Agenda and Other Priority Areas as Part of Mission in Kazakhstan
NUR-SULTAN – The new British Ambassador to Kazakhstan says that the UK and Kazakhstan have built strong bilateral relations and effective development cooperation as the countries are set to celebrate the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2022. “It is a huge honor and privilege to work here. Kazakhstan has made amazing progress over the…
Second Annual Sustainable Lifestyle and Consumption Marathon Sparks Interest in Green Living in Kazakhstan
NUR-SULTAN – Some 1,400 people took part nationwide in the Education for Sustainable Development Marathon from Sept. 20 – Oct.17, which was launched by UNESCO Cluster Office in Almaty, Kazakhstan Federation of Clubs for UNESCO, and Kazakhstan Association of Regional Environmental Initiatives ECOJER. The marathon is in its second year with a mission to develop…
UNDP Supports Kazakh Government’s Energy Transition Strategy, Says UN Assistant Secretary-General
NUR-SULTAN – United Nations Assistant Secretary-General and UNDP’s Regional Director for Europe and the CIS Mirjana Spoljaric Egger reaffirmed UNDP’s commitment to assist the Kazakh government in implementing its energy transition in an economically viable and socially fair way during her recent visit to the country. As part of her visit, Spoljaric Egger took part…
COP26 Regional Ambassador Pays Visit to Kazakhstan
NUR-SULTAN – This year, the United Kingdom will host the 26th United Nations (UN) Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) on Oct. 31 – Nov. 12 in Glasgow. The COP26 summit put forward a mission to gather world leaders, civil society pioneers, activists and the youth to implement action towards achieving the goals provided…
Kazakhstan and Singapore Agreed to Develop Smart Cities in Almaty Region
NUR-SULTAN – Kazakhstan and Singapore agreed to develop the G4 City project in the Almaty region. The G4 City project consists of four smart cities located along the Almaty – Ust-Kamenogorsk highway at the section of Almaty – Kapshagay. The new satellite cities will be built with favorable conditions for business development and for comfort…
Kazakh Scientists Cooperate with International Team on Finding Effective Remedy for Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Diseases
NUR-SULTAN – The scientists of the Korkyt Ata Kyzylorda University joined an international team to conduct joint research on Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases prevention, reported the press service of the Ministry of Education and Science. The Kazakh scientists will work with scientists from Portugal, the Netherlands, Denmark, Russia, Belarus and Ukraine. The joint project titled…
Young Kazakh Pianist Beisembayev Wins Leeds International Piano Competition 2021
NUR-SULTAN – Kazakh pianist Alim Beisembayev won first prize in the 20th edition of The Leeds International Piano Competition 2021. Beisembayev is the first prize-winner from Kazakhstan in the history of the Leeds competition. The Leeds International Piano Competition is a triennial event and is one of the world’s premier piano competitions organized since 1963. …
Kazakhstan Chess Team Leads in FIDE Online Chess Olympiad Before Playoffs
NUR-SULTAN – Kazakhstan’s chess team took first place in Group A of the Top Division at the FIDE Online Chess Olympiad, reported the press service of the Kazakh chess federation. Now the team will compete in the playoffs, which will be held from Sept.13-15. One of the sensations so far is Zhansaya Abdumalik’s win over…
Sinopharm Vaccine (Vero Cell) Arrives in Kazakhstan
NUR-SULTAN – Three million doses of Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine (vero cell) was delivered on Sept. 9 to Kazakhstan, Minister of Healthcare Alexey Tsoy wrote on his Facebook. The vaccine will be available in all regions. The vaccine developed by the Beijing Bio-Institute of Biological Products was listed for emergency use by the World Health Organization…
AIFC Tech Hub Unveils Startup Ecosystem of Kazakhstan Report
NUR-SULTAN – The Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC) Tech Hub released the “Fintech Startup Landscape in Kazakhstan” report, the first study of Kazakhstan’s startup ecosystem, according to the press service of the AIFC. The AIFC Tech Hub was created to unite global start-ups, entrepreneurs, corporations, investors, experts, and specialists in the field of innovation. The…
S&P Global Ratings Affirms Kazakhstan’s Sovereign Credit Ratings at Stable Outlook
NUR-SULTAN – The S&P Global Ratings international rating agency affirmed the sovereign credit rating of Kazakhstan at the level of stable outlook. This year, the sustained fiscal policies and expectations of economic recovery were the main factors for determining the credit rating, according to the agency. In 2020, fiscal support measures from the government became…
In Focus: President Tokayev’s Address to Nation Sets Goals for Long Term Development of Kazakhstan
NUR-SULTAN – Kazakh political analysts have observed that the initiatives and instructions laid out in President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s Sept. 1 address-to-the-nation clearly outline the key priorities for further socio-economic development of the country. According to the experts, the implementation of this plan will further increase the stability and competitiveness of the economy, prosperity and improve…
Kazakhstan Shows Increase in Net FDI Among Transition Economies in UNCTAD World Investment Report
NUR-SULTAN – Kazakhstan showed an increase in net foreign direct investment (FDI) compared to 17 countries with transition economies and 34 landlocked countries, according to the World Investment Report compiled by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). It is reported that the FDI flows to the transition economies of South-East Europe, the…
Interview: Atyrau Region Generates Most of Industrial Goods
NUR-SULTAN – The Atyrau region contributes 88 percent of industrial products and attracts approximately 30 percent of investments to Kazakhstan, said Kanysh Mambetov, acting head of the Department of Entrepreneurship, Industrial and Innovative Development of the Atyrau region. “The first large investment projects were implemented in the Atyrau region. This impacted the economic and energy…
Foreign Investors’ Council Focuses on Further Development and Increase of Investment Attractiveness of Oil and Gas Industry
NUR-SULTAN – Increasing the investment attractiveness of the oil and gas sector was discussed at the working meeting of the Foreign Investors’ Council (FIC), which was held in video format on Aug. 26. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said that the oil and gas sector has always played a major role in the country’s development. The industry…
UNAMA, UN Agencies Accredited in Afghanistan Temporarily Relocated to Almaty, Kazakhstan
NUR-SULTAN – The group of personnel of the United Nations Assistance Mission to Afghanistan (UNAMA) and of other UN agencies accredited in Afghanistan have been temporarily relocated to Almaty, reported the Kazakh Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The first flight with UNAMA personnel landed at the Almaty airport on Aug.18. The newly arrived persons are international…
Moody’s Investors Service Upgrades Kazakhstan’s Rating to ‘Stable’
NUR-SULTAN – Moody’s Investors Service (Moody’s) report upgraded Kazakhstan’s rating outlook to stable from positive on Aug. 11. “The decision to upgrade the ratings is driven by Moody’s assessment that Kazakhstan’s sovereign balance sheet and credit profile demonstrates resilience that is consistent with peers at the Baa2 rating level,” reads the release. It is expected…
President Tokayev Congratulates Olympic Athletes
NUR-SULTAN – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev congratulated the athletes who took part in the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo. Eight athletes won bronze medals and the country took 83rd position in the team classification. Overall, 97 athletes in 27 sports represented Kazakhstan at the Olympics. “I thank the athletes who showed their skills and their will…
Kazakhstan Provides Assistance to Turkey in Fight Against Forest Fires
NUR-SULTAN – Kazakhstan dispatched two Mi-8 AMT helicopters and a task force of 16 rescuers to Turkey to assist in extinguishing forest fires, according to the Kazakh Ministry of Emergency Situations. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkey expressed thanks to Kazakhstan for showing solidarity and support in extinguishing forest fires. “Thank you to our…
Kazakh President Takes Part in Consultative Meeting of Heads of Central Asian Countries in Turkmenistan
NUR-SULTAN – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev called on the leaders of the Central Asian countries to work together “to make the region a stable, economically developed and prosperous” at the third Consultative Meeting of the Heads of Central Asian countries, which was held on Aug. 6 at Turkmenistan’s Awaza resort on the Caspian Sea. The consultative…
Kazakhstan’s Population Reaches 19 Million
NUR-SULTAN – The population of Kazakhstan has reached 19 million people. This was announced by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on Aug.3. “In the year of the 30th anniversary of Independence, the population of Kazakhstan reached a historic milestone. Zhaniya Azamatkyzy from the Almaty region became Kazakhstan’s 19-millionth citizen. The girl is the fourth child in her…
Domestic Airlines Carry Nearly 4 million Passengers in First Half of 2021
NUR-SULTAN – Domestic airlines carried nearly 4 million passengers in the first half of 2021, on Aug. 2 the press service of the Kazakh Ministry of Industry and Infrastructure Development reported. The country observed a significant decrease in the number of passenger traffic a year earlier due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Last year, domestic airlines…
Zhambyl Region Observes Increase in Investment Activity, Identifies Priority Projects For Foreign Participation
NUR-SULTAN – Aspandiyar Seisebayev, the head of the regional department of entrepreneurship and industrial-innovative development, in an interview for The Astana Times spoke about the competitive advantages of the Zhambyl region and its investment projects. The Zhambyl region observed high investment activity in the first half of 2021 against the backdrop of eased restrictions, according…
Citi Remains Positive About Prospects For Business in Kazakhstan, Says Citi CEO For EMEA
NUR-SULTAN – David Livingstone, Chief Executive Officer in Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) at Citi, in an exclusive interview with The Astana Times, spoke about the bank’s activities in the region and how the pandemic is affecting the economies around the world. Citi is one of the largest foreign investors in Kazakhstan and is…
Small Steps, Big Changes: How Kazakh Entrepreneurs Can Contribute to Biodiversity Conservation and Ecosystem Protection (Video)
NUR-SULTAN – Creating a feeling of respect for biodiversity and ecosystem development are seen as one of the major challenges of conservation. In this light, increasing green business opportunities are essential for any nation. In Kazakhstan, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) with the support of the Global Environment Facility has been implementing major initiatives…
