Kazakh Airlines Directed to Bypass Iranian Airspace Amid Middle East Tensions
ASTANA – The Civil Aviation Committee of the Kazakh Transport Ministry recommended domestic airlines to bypass Iranian airspace after the escalation of the situation in the Middle East on Oct. 2. “In connection with the escalation of the situation in the Middle East, Kazakh airlines are recommended to bypass Iranian airspace and choose alternative routes,…
Kazakh Chess Players Shine in FIDE Global Rankings for October
ASTANA—Kazakhstan’s chess players have secured spots among the world’s elite in several updated rankings released by the International Chess Federation (FIDE) on Oct. 1. Bibisara Assaubayeva leads the way, topping both the Blitz and Rapid Top 100 Girls rankings for October. The blitz top ten also includes Meruyert Kamalidenova, who ranks fourth, Alua Nurman at…
EAEU to Increase Agricultural Exports via Int’l Routes, Cement Kazakhstan’s Transit Potential
ASTANA—The member states of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) explored the potential expansion of agricultural product transportation via the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) during the third Eurasian Economic Forum, which was held Sept. 30—Oct. 1 in Yerevan. This key corridor links the EAEU with Iran, the Middle East, and other strategic markets. The Eurasian…
China, Kazakhstan to Increase Volume of Cargo Flow via TITR
ASTANA – The Kazakh Ministry of Transport recently hosted the first meeting of the working group on cargo transportation along the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR) between Kazakhstan and China. During the meeting, the parties discussed and finalized projections for cargo flow volumes from China along the TITR on the China-Europe route and in reverse,…
Kazakhstan Calls for Broader Digital Integration at Eurasian Economic Forum
ASTANA – Bakytzhan Sagintayev, chairman of the Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC), unveiled the Digital Union initiative during an Oct. 1 plenary session of the Eurasian Economic Forum in Yerevan. The concept seeks to highlight the tangible benefits of deeper Eurasian economic integration for businesses and the wider population. According to him, the concept has been…
Kazakh Central Election Commission Accredits 177 Int’l Observers Ahead of National Referendum
ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s Central Election Commission has accredited 177 observers from 30 countries and four international organizations for the nuclear power plant referendum scheduled for Oct. 6. Addressing an Oct. 1 meeting of the commission, CIC member Mukhtar Yerman said the international organizations participating in the referendum include the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), the…
Kazakh Asset Recovery Committee Expands Cooperation with Foreign Organizations
ASTANA – The Asset Recovery Committee of the Kazakh Prosecutor General’s Office strengthens international legal cooperation to identify and repatriate assets illegally acquired and taken out of the country. “Particularly, information is exchanged through the Central Asia Regional Information Network [CARIN] and the Asset Recovery Interagency Network Asia Pacific [ARIN-AP] networks, as well as through…
Kazakhstan Seeks to Deepen Partnership with IMF, World Bank
ASTANA – Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Economy Nurlan Baibazarov discussed the country’s financial stability and long-term economic development with senior management of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund on Oct. 1. At the meeting with Managing Director and Chief Financial Officer of the World Bank Group Anshula Kant, the…
International Dog Show in Almaty Showcases Kazakh Tazy
ASTANA – Almaty hosted two dog shows of all breeds: the Aurora Cup National Dog Show and the Land of Nomads International Dog Show on Sept. 28-29. According to the Kazakh Union of Cynologists, more than 500 dogs from Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, the Kyrgyz Republic, and Russia participated in the event. Kazinform reported that international experts…
Kazakh President Calls for Indivisible Eurasian Security in Multipolar World
ASTANA – President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev proposed an idea of indivisible Eurasian security that might serve as the foundation for creating a multipolar global order during a Sept. 30 Sustainable Development and Security in the Eurasian Space conference. According to the Akorda, Tokayev, in his speech, noted that in the face of unprecedented geopolitical…
Kazakh Museum Presents History of Great Steppe in China
ASTANA – China’s Tianjin Museum opened an international exhibition dedicated to the Golden Man and the Great Steppe on Sept. 30 at the initiative of the Kazakh National Museum. The exhibition displays 185 unique pieces from the collection of the Kazakhstan National Museum, reported Kazinform. The exhibition is divided into three thematic sections, each dedicated…
EBRD Forecasts Kazakhstan’s Economy to Grow by 4% This Year
ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s economy to grow by 4% this year, with upside from public spending to restore flood-affected infrastructure and housing, according to the latest edition of European Bank for Reconstruction and Development’s (EBRD) Regional Economic Prospects report, published on Sept. 26. “The trade, transport, warehousing, services and information technology (IT) sectors were the main…
Kazakhstan’s Annual River Flow Declines by 12.5 Cubic Kilometers Since 1960, Reports Water Ministry
ASTANA – The average annual river runoff in Kazakhstan has decreased by 12.5 cubic kilometers since 1960, said Kazakh Deputy Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Bolat Bekniyaz during a Sept. 30 meeting of the coordinating council of partners on the development of Kazakhstan’s water sector. According to Kazinform, 72% of this decline, or nine…
National Survey Evaluates Public Readiness for Nuclear Power Plant Referendum in Kazakhstan
ASTANA—Kazakhstan Institute for Strategic Studies released the results of a telephone survey conducted by the Democracy Institute on Sept. 30. The survey gauged public readiness to participate in the upcoming referendum on the construction of a nuclear power plant, set for Oct. 6. The survey revealed that 62% of respondents demonstrate a civic position and…
President Visits Turkistan Region, Meets With Civil Society
ASTANA – Kazakh President Kasym-Jomart Tokayev visited educational, cultural and sports facilities in the Turkistan Region during his Sept. 27 visit. The President’s working trip began with a visit to the Khoja Ahmed Yasawi Mausoleum, according to the Akorda press service. Tokayev honored the memory of the poet, thinker and spiritual teacher Khoja Ahmed Yasawi,…
Over 200 Public Associations in Kazakhstan, Int’l Observers to Monitor Nuclear Power Plant Referendum
ASTANA—Some 230 public associations of Kazakhstan will participate as observers in the national referendum on the construction of the nuclear power plant, scheduled for Oct. 6. International observers will also monitor the transparency of the voting, said Central Election Commission Chairman Nurlan Abdirov. According to the Khabar TV channel, Abdirov explained the novelties in the…
Kazakhstan, Morocco Sign Visa Exemption Agreement
ASTANA – Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Murat Nurtleu and Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates of the Kingdom of Morocco Nasser Bourita signed the agreement on visa exemption for national passports holders during a Sept. 26 meeting on the sidelines of the 79th session of the UN General Assembly…
News Digest: Foreign Media on Nuclear Power Plant Referendum, Kazakhstan’s Oscars Pick and More
ASTANA – The Astana Times has curated a selection of articles from global media outlets covering Kazakhstan. This week’s foreign media digest includes topics such as the national referendum on the construction of the country’s first nuclear power plant, the Middle Corridor, a Kazakh film at the 2025 Oscars and more. Why Kazakhstan is pursuing…
Kazakhstan Calls to Strengthen Global Norms Against Use, Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons in New York
ASTANA – Kazakhstan underlined the need to strengthen global norms against the use and proliferation of nuclear weapons during a Sept. 26 ratification ceremony of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) held as part of the UN General Assembly High-level Week in New York. Kazakhstan, as the incoming Chair of the Third…
Kazakhstan Enhances Support for People With Disabilities
ASTANA – The Kazakh Foreign Ministry hosted a forum on the rights of people with disabilities in emergencies and climate change in Astana on Sept. 25. The event, organized by the Shyrak Association of Women with Disabilities, Foreign Ministry and the Eurasia Foundation under the financial support of USAID, brought together officials and experts from…
Global Innovation Index-2024: Kazakhstan Enters Top Three of CA and Southern Asian Countries
ASTANA – Kazakhstan rose from the 81st to the 78th spot among the 133 economies featured in the World Intellectual Property Organization’s (WIPO) Global Innovation Index-2024, entering the top three of Central and Southern Asian nations (behind Iran and India). The ranking results were announced at the Sept. 26 ceremony in Geneva, reported the Akorda…
Kazakhstan, France Postpone One Water Summit to December in Riyadh
ASTANA – The One Water Summit will be held in the margins of the 16th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD COP 16) in December in Riyadh, said President of France Emmanuel Macron on Sept. 25 at the 79th session of the UN General Assembly in…
Kazakhstan Reaches FIFA Futsal World Cup 2024 Quarterfinals, Knocking Out Reigning Champions
ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s national futsal team defeated reigning world champions, Portugal, and reached the FIFA Futsal World Cup 2024 quarterfinals in Andijan, Uzbekistan on Sept. 26. Zicky scored the equalizer after Chingiz Yessenamanov’s first shot, and with a few seconds left, Dauren Tursagulov scored the game-winning goal, reported the National Olympic Committee’s press service. In…
Kazakh Foreign Minister Holds Talks with US Corporate Giants in New York
ASTANA — Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Murat Nurtleu held several meetings with representatives of leading American companies on Sept. 23 in New York to discuss the development of long-term partnerships. The foreign ministry’s press service reported that during talks with PepsiCo’s leadership, the sides discussed developing the food industry and enhancing the…
Central Asian Designers, Jewelers Promote Cultural Diplomacy in Brussels
ASTANA – Twelve Central Asian designers and creative professionals initiated the five-day Central Asia – European Creative Forum in Brussels to present their works and projects, as well as to promote cultural diplomacy. The initiator of the forum, Elena Van Kharitonova, said it took her several months to organize the event, reported the Kazinform on…
