Kazakhstan Welcomes 7.5 Million Foreign Tourists in January-June
ALMATY – Kazakhstan welcomed 7.5 million foreign tourists in the first half of this year, with overall revenues from tourist accommodation rising by 25%, said Nurtas Karipbayev, chair of the Tourism Industry Committee of the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, during a Sept. 29 press briefing at the Central Communications Service. According to him, 5…
Tokayev and Mattarella Commit to Expanding Bilateral and Regional Cooperation
ALMATY – Kazakh and Italian Presidents Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Sergio Mattarella reaffirmed the strategic partnership between Kazakhstan and Italy during a joint press statement following official talks in Astana on Sept. 29. Tokayev emphasized that Italy remains one of Kazakhstan’s most important and reliable partners in the European Union, noting steady growth across political, economic,…
Kazakhstan Launches Pilot Operations of Astana LRT
ALMATY – Test operations of the Light Rail Transit (LRT) system officially began in Astana on Sept. 29, marking a key stage in preparing the capital’s long-anticipated transport project for full operation. The pilot phase will allow specialists to assess the technical readiness of infrastructure, movement safety, and passenger convenience. The LRT will operate in…
Higgsfield AI Becomes Kazakhstan’s First Unicorn Startup, Valued at Over $1 Billion
ALMATY – Higgsfield AI has officially become Kazakhstan’s first unicorn startup, surpassing a $1 billion valuation, announced co-founder and former Head of Generative AI at Snap Inc. Alex Mashrabov on Sept. 28. According to Mashrabov, the company recently crossed a $50 million run-rate revenue threshold, marking a historic milestone for Kazakhstan’s tech ecosystem. “For…
Astana Think Tank Forum 2025 to Address Global Polarization and Trust Deficit
ALMATY – The second edition of the Astana Think Tank Forum will bring together leading policymakers, opinion leaders, and heads of major companies from Kazakhstan and abroad on Oct. 15-16 to discuss new strategies for cross-border cooperation and ways to restore trust in the international system. Launched last year under the aegis of the Astana…
Government Reshuffle Brings New Deputy PM and Education Minister in Kazakhstan
ALMATY – Kazakhstan appointed Zhaslan Madiyev as Deputy Prime Minister – Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development by presidential decree on Sept. 29, as part of a broader set of government reshuffles announced by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. Madiyev is tasked with overseeing the country’s transition into a fully digital state. Previously, Madiyev held senior…
Kazakhstan, Myanmar to Strengthen Partnership in Trade, Transport and Technology
ALMATY – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev held talks with Myanmar’s Acting President Min Aung Hlaing on Sept. 27 during his working visit to Kazakhstan, focusing on ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation across multiple sectors. Welcoming Min Aung Hlaing, Tokayev underlined that Kazakhstan is a key Eurasian transit hub and plays an active role in major transport…
INMerge Investment Forum Launches in Baku as Regional Investment Gateway
ALMATY – The inaugural INMerge Investment Forum, organized by PASHA Holding and co-hosted by the State Oil Fund of Azerbaijan (SOFAZ), gathered leading private capital leaders in Baku on Sept. 28, creating a new platform for investment dialogue across Central Eurasia and the Middle East. The forum brought together more than 160 participants from over…
Real Madrid Greets Kazakh Fans Ahead of Champions League Match in Almaty
ALMATY – Spanish football club Real Madrid arrived in Almaty on Sept. 29 ahead of their UEFA Champions League clash against FC Kairat. The team was greeted with a warm display of Kazakh hospitality at Almaty International Airport. Right at the exit of the VIP terminal, where even the media were not allowed access, the…
Tokayev Outlines Vision for Scientific and Nuclear Advancement at National Council Meeting
ALMATY – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev emphasized the critical role of science, technology, and nuclear energy in Kazakhstan’s long-term development during the Sept. 26 meeting of the National Council on Science and Technology. Opening the session, Tokayev noted that in the face of global instability and geopolitical challenges, a country’s development level in the world is…
Kazakhstan Strengthens Role in ICAO, Advances Gender Equality Agenda in Montreal
ALMATY – Chair of Civil Aviation Committee of Kazakh Ministry of Transport Saltanat Tompiyeva was elected Vice-Chair of the Administrative Commission on Sept. 25, during the 42nd Session of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Assembly in Montreal, Canada. The Commission elected Mauricio Ramirez Koppel, Colombia’s permanent representative to ICAO, as chair, while India’s Angshumali…
Backstreet Boys Share Warm Impressions of Kazakhstan After Sold-Out Concerts
ALMATY – The American band Backstreet Boys has left Kazakhstan after their Sept. 21 concert in Astana, following the performance in Almaty on Sept. 19, but their impressions of the country continue to appear on their official Instagram page. The group’s members are actively sharing memories of their trip and engaging with Kazakh fans online. …
Kazakhstan Approves Updated Plan for Almaty Superski Tourism Project
ALMATY – Kazakhstan has approved the updated master plan for the Almaty Superski tourism project, aimed at strengthening the city’s position as a leading winter and ecological tourism destination in the region. The decision was adopted on Sept. 25 by the Board of Directors of Kazakh Tourism Development, chaired by Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov. Kazakh…
Astana Strengthens Position as Regional Financial Hub in Latest Global Ranking
ALMATY – The thirty-eighth edition of the Global Financial Centers Index (GFCI 38), released on Sept. 25, confirmed Astana’s continued leadership in Eastern Europe and Central Asia. According to the report, the city has maintained its top regional position for two and a half years, ahead of Almaty, Cyprus, Moscow, Prague and Riga. In the…
Kazakhstan Names New Foreign Minister
ALMATY – Kazakhstan appointed Yermek Kosherbayev as a new foreign minister, the presidential press service announced on Sept. 26, in a series of government and administrative reshuffles made by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. Kosherbayev replaced Murat Nurtleu in the post. Prior to this, Kosherbayev served as Deputy Prime Minister from February. Kosherbayev has also held senior…
Kazakhstan Deepens Global Partnerships at UN General Assembly in New York
ALMATY – On the sidelines of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev held a series of high-level meetings with world leaders on Sept. 22, focusing on global security and regional development. Tokayev met with United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres to discuss the assembly’s agenda and reaffirm Kazakhstan’s commitment to…
Kazakhstan to Partner with FIFA on Youth Football and Infrastructure
ALMATY – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev held a meeting with FIFA President Gianni Infantino to discuss the future of football development in Kazakhstan on Sept. 22 in New York. Tokayev expressed his gratitude to FIFA for supporting the implementation of the FIFA Arena program. The initiative focuses on promoting children’s football and creating modern sports infrastructure…
Kazakhstan to Strengthen Innovation Ties with Amazon, Meta and OpenAI
ALMATY – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev held a series of high-level meetings with American technology and business leaders, including representatives from Amazon, Meta, Wabtec, and OpenAI, on Sept. 22 in New York. Discussions focused on digital transformation, artificial intelligence, satellite connectivity, industrial cooperation, and education partnerships, underscoring Kazakhstan’s ambition to become a leading hub for innovation…
Kazakhstan to Deepen Ties with US as Tokayev Engages Business Leaders in New York
ALMATY – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, during his working visit to the United States, addressed a high-level roundtable with representatives of leading American companies on Sept. 22. In his speech, Tokayev emphasized that the expanded strategic partnership between Kazakhstan and the U.S. continues to advance steadily, according to the Akorda press service. Tokayev noted that the…
How to Buy Tickets for Kairat vs Real Madrid Match: Prices and Rules Announced
ALMATY – Ticket sales for the highly anticipated UEFA Champions League match between Kazakhstan’s Kairat and Spain’s Real Madrid, held on Sept. 30 in Almaty, begins today. Organizers emphasized that tickets will be sold exclusively online and only through three platforms – the Ticketon website, the Ticketon mobile app, and the Qairat Superapp. Purchasing tickets…
Kazakh Media Company Launches First National Streaming Platform
ALMATY – Uni-Q Group, a local media company, has officially launched Unico Play, a new streaming service positioned as a national digital entertainment platform on Sept. 12. Unico Play is built on a proprietary IT solution and is available globally on smartphones, browsers, and Smart TVs. Subscribers will receive the first month free, with a…
Kazakhstan Rises to 34th in IMD World Talent Ranking 2025
ALMATY – The International Institute for Management Development (IMD) has released its World Talent Ranking 2025 on Sept. 9, where Kazakhstan has advanced to 34th place, moving up three positions compared to last year. According to the Institute for Economic Research, the ranking assessed 69 economies on their ability to develop, attract, and retain human…
Kazakhstan Restructures Digital Ministry
ALMATY – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has signed a decree on Sept. 18 to transform the Ministry of Digital Development, Innovations and Aerospace Industry into the Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development. Under the decree, the new ministry will inherit the rights and obligations of its predecessor, with functions related to innovation transferred to the…
Tokayev Honors National Boxing Team After Historic World Championship Triumph
ALMATY – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev congratulated the Kazakh national boxing team on Sept. 18, commending their performance at the World Boxing Championships in Liverpool, where Kazakhstan ranked first among 68 participating nations. Tokayev highlighted the achievement as a historic milestone for the country, noting that the Ministry of Tourism and Sports and the National Olympic…
Tokayev to Visit New York for High-Level UN General Assembly
ALMATY – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev will pay a working visit to New York on Sept. 21–23. While in New York, he will participate in the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly and hold talks with world leaders and heads of international organizations, reported the Akorda press service on Sept. 19. The program of…
