Articles by Dana Omirgazy

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s Nuclear Energy Agency has launched preparations for a nationwide competition to select the name for the nuclear power plant planned in the village of Ulken, Zhambyl district of the Almaty Region. Following the proposal of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, the agency has issued an order establishing a working group tasked with developing an…

ASTANA — As cross-border e-commerce is booming in Kazakhstan, the government is moving to bring foreign marketplaces under stricter regulatory oversight. The big picture Over the past four years, Kazakhstan’s e-commerce sector has expanded sixfold, with online sales reaching 14.5% of total retail turnover. The Kazakh government intends to increase this figure to 20%. Meanwhile,…

ASTANA – The Japanese government will allocate a grant of nearly 4 billion tenge ($7.4 million) to support victims of nuclear tests at the Semipalatinsk test site. The funds will be used to purchase modern medical equipment for the hospital of Semei Medical University, enabling free, high-quality diagnostics and treatment for residents affected by radiation.…

ASTANA – The Astana Times has selected articles from international media about Kazakhstan. This week’s foreign media digest highlights the country’s role in promoting peace, its multi-vector diplomacy, Kazakh Tazy dogs, Jennifer Lopez’s concerts in Astana and Almaty and more.  Kazakhstan’s President confirms ‘unconditional’ interest in establishing lasting peace in Ukraine Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev…

ASTANA – At the August Conference of Teachers on Aug. 15, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev reaffirmed that educators hold a central role in shaping the nation’s future. He emphasized that raising the prestige of the teaching profession, ensuring equal access to quality education, and embracing digital transformation are vital to forming a highly moral, competent, and…

ASTANA – In line with President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s instruction to develop tourism as a key driver of the economy and strengthen national identity, the North Kazakhstan region hosted a series of major international events from Aug. 11 to 17, focusing on history, culture, education, and youth policy. International focus on Botai heritage Deputy Prime Minister…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan produced an average of 1.827 million barrels of oil per day in July, down 36,000 barrels from June, according to OPEC’s August report. The OPEC+ quota for Kazakhstan in July was set at 1.514 million barrels per day, meaning production remained above the agreed limit. In May, output stood at 1.781 million…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan has become the leader in the region in terms of gross domestic product (GDP) per capita in current prices, according to the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) recent report. IMF data show that this year, Kazakhstan’s GDP per capita will reach $14,770, surpassing Russia ($14,260), Turkmenistan ($13,340) and even China ($13,690). Georgia follows…

ASTANA – President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev may pay a state visit to Kazakhstan in October, according to Ruslan Zheldibay, advisor to the President and press secretary of the President of Kazakhstan. “This question was discussed during a recent telephone conversation between the two Presidents. The specific dates and agenda of the visit are currently…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s gross domestic product (GDP) increased by 6.3% in January–July, said Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Economy Serik Zhumangarin at an Aug. 13 press briefing. The real sector grew by 8.3%, while services rose by 5.2%, with industry up 6.9% (mining +8.5%, manufacturing +6.1%) and agriculture up 3.7%. Transport and storage…

ASTANA — Kozybayev University in North Kazakhstan will welcome 100 students from Türkiye each year to study under dual-degree programs with the University of Arizona, as part of a new agreement with Eurostar Overseas Education Consultancy. The initiative aims to strengthen the university’s international profile, reported the Kazakh Ministry of Science and Higher Education on…

ASTANA – Kazakh Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov has ordered the creation of a digital transformation group, or digital headquarters, to accelerate AI integration in the economy and ensure full implementation of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s Aug. 11 instructions on AI development. Chaired by Bektenov, the group includes Deputy Prime Minister and Chief of the Government Staff,…

ASTANA – Kazakh jiu-jitsu fighter Zhanibek Abu-Bakir secured Kazakhstan’s first gold medal on Aug. 10 at the 12th edition of the World Games, taking place from Aug. 7 to 17 in Chengdu, China. Competing in the 69- kilogram weight category, Abu-Bakir triumphed in the final bout against Farid Ben Ali from France with a score…

ASTANA – Artificial intelligence should become the driving force behind the development of all industries, said President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev during an Aug. 11 meeting on AI development, underscoring its role as a strategic priority for Kazakhstan. The meeting was attended by Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov, Head of the Presidential Administration Aibek Dadebay, members of the…

ASTANA – Jennifer Lopez’s concert on Aug. 10 at Almaty’s Central Stadium brought together fans from more than 35 countries, showing Kazakhstan’s rising status as a destination for major international events. The show, part of her Up All Night world tour, gave a strong boost to the country’s entertainment and tourism sectors. This was her…

ASTANA – U.S.-based company IdeAttack, Inc., renowned for designing iconic amusement parks around the globe, will develop a world-class theme park in the Kyrgyz Republic. A memorandum of cooperation was signed between IdeAttack, the Kyrgyz Tourism Development Support Fund, and the Shu District Administration. According to the fund, a 50-hectare site in the Tokmok area…

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 UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ visit to Central Asia, Abai’s legacy, Turkish-Kazakh relations and more. As UN’s Guterres returns to Central Asia, Kazakhstan advances its role as regional convenor The…

ASTANA — The British Council in Kazakhstan and Orleu National Center for Professional Development have signed a cooperation agreement to implement the second phase of the Accelerating English Language Learning in Central Asia (AELLCA) program. Funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, AELLCA aims to enhance the quality of English language teaching in…

ASTANA – Qarmet Corporation has announced the construction of a new casting and rolling complex (CRC) in Temirtau, representing one of the largest industrial investments. The $700 million project is expected to mark a significant milestone in the modernization of the country’s metallurgical industry and will be the first of its kind in Central Asia.…

ASTANA – President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev took part in an informal meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asia, held ahead of the opening of the Third United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries on Aug. 5 in Awaza. The meeting, chaired by Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty (People’s Council) of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly…

ASTANA — Kazakhstan has adopted a new regulation governing the return of National Fund resources if they are misused or remain unspent during the reporting year. This initiative was implemented following recommendations from the country’s Supreme Audit Chamber (SAC). The SAC had previously conducted an assessment of the effectiveness of targeted transfers allocated from the…

ASTANA – A delegation from the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) will visit Kazakhstan in September to inspect cultural and historical sites nominated for inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage List.  In 2013, Kazakhstan approved its first national list of intangible cultural heritage, which included 45 elements. By 2024, the list grew to…

ASTANA – The capital city of Kazakhstan is experiencing a steady rise in tourism, with an expected 1.7 million visitors this year, including a growing number of international guests, said Artyom Kvashuk, director of Astana tourism development center during a July 10 Central Communications Service press conference. Last year, the city attracted 1.5 million tourists,…

ASTANA — The largest agricultural exhibition in Kazakhstan, Jańa Dala/Green Day ‘2025, kicked off on July 17 in the Akmola Region with participation of over 200 companies representing 22 countries.  Nearly 10,000 farmers attended the exhibition on the first day. The event serves as a key platform for showcasing innovations in the agro-industrial sector, reported…

 ASTANA — The Ministry of Culture and Information has presented a review on July 17 highlighting the recent international achievements of Kazakh performers. In recent months, Kazakh artists have performed on prestigious stages from Milan and Beijing to Pompeii and Vitebsk, showcasing the depth and diversity of national talent. On May 6, a gala concert…