IAEA to Support Kazakhstan at All Stages of Nuclear Power Plant Construction
ALMATY — The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has reaffirmed its commitment to provide assistance for Kazakhstan’s first nuclear power plant construction during a Sept. 17 meeting on the sidelines of the IAEA General Conference. During the talks, the Chairman of the Kazakhstan Atomic Energy Agency Almasadam Satkaliev and IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi discussed…
Backstreet Boys Concert in Astana to Attract Over 12,000 Tourists
ALMATY — Astana Arena will host a historic event as the legendary pop group Backstreet Boys performs in Kazakhstan for the first time on Sept. 21. Their concert in Astana will be part of their ongoing world tour. According to the Astana akimat (city administration), the concert will attract more than 12,000 tourists from 45…
KazMunayGas Resumes Oil Exports Through Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan Pipeline
ALMATY— KazMunayGas (KMG) resumed oil exports through the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) pipeline system with a shipment of 8,800 tons of Kashagan crude from the port of Aktau on Sept. 13, reported the company’s press service on Sept. 17. According to KMG, Kazakhstan transported 0.9 million tons of crude through BTC during the first eight months of…
Tokayev Calls for Peace at Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions
ALMATY — President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev addressed the opening of the eighth Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions on Sept. 16 in Astana, highlighting the growing global tensions and the urgent need for constructive dialogue rooted in shared human values. Tokayev emphasized that since its inception, the congress has served as a unique space…
Kazakh Oscar Entry Movie Premieres in US Theaters
ALMATY — The Kazakh film “Bauryna Salu” (Adoption), the country’s official submission for Best International Feature Film at the 97th Academy Awards, will premiere in the United States theaters this fall, reported the Willa distribution company’s press service on Sept. 15. The film opens on Sept. 17 in Los Angeles and on Sept. 19 in…
Kazakhstan to Boost Agricultural Exports to Afghanistan
ALMATY — Kazakhstan’s agricultural exports to Afghanistan are set to increase by more than $100 million following a series of negotiations between NC Food Contract Corporation JSC and Afghan state companies, industry associations, and private sector representatives on Sept. 16. The talks took place in Kabul, organized by the Kazakhstan Trade House in Herat, which…
Kazakhstan and US Sign Joint Statement on Nuclear Safety at IAEA Conference
ALMATY — Kazakhstan and the United States signed a joint statement on the sidelines of the 69th session of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) General Conference on Sept. 16, reaffirming their commitment to nuclear safety and nonproliferation. The agreement, concluded between the Kazakh Agency for Atomic Energy and the U.S. Department of Energy’s National…
Kazakh Government Approves Action Plan to Implement President Tokayev’s Address
ALMATY – The government approved the National Action Plan to implement President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s state-of-the-nation address at a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov on Sept. 15. Bektenov emphasized that Tokayev set out a comprehensive roadmap for transforming the country. The plan includes measures to integrate AI and digital solutions across the economy, agriculture,…
FC Kairat Announces Ticket Sales for UEFA Champions League Home Matches
ALMATY – Almaty’s FC Kairat has unveiled the procedure and timeline for ticket sales ahead of its UEFA Champions League group stage home matches, reported the club’s press service on Sept. 15. Ticket sales will open on Sept. 23 through the club’s official website and the Ticketon platform. To prevent ticket reselling, purchases will be…
Almaty to Host Denis Ten Memorial Figure Skating Tournament in October
ALMATY – Almaty will host the sixth Denis Ten Memorial Challenge, an international figure skating tournament of the ISU Challenger Series, at the Halyk Arena from Oct. 1 to 4. This year’s competition is expected to feature a powerful lineup, including athletes who are considered frontrunners for medals at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy,…
Turkic Nations Consolidate Identity with Historical Monograph and Space Symbol
ALMATY – Scientists from Turkic countries have finalized the work plan for a landmark academic project, titled “History of Turkic States”, during the second working meeting held on Sept. 10–11 in Almaty. The Turkic Academy leads the initiative with the support of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS). Opening the session, President of the Turkic…
Vatican Extends Blessing to Kazakhstan’s Major Interfaith Congress
ALMATY – Pope Leo XIV will send a special message to participants, continuing a tradition of papal support for Kazakhstan’s flagship interfaith initiative at the eighth Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions on Sept. 17-18. Cardinal George Jacob Koovakad, newly appointed prefect of the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue, will give the keynote address…
Spanish Artist Juan Saliquet Explores Urban Soul in Art Exhibition
ALMATY — The Embassy of the Kingdom of Spain in Kazakhstan and ART FUTURE, a contemporary culture development project, opened a solo exhibition by renowned Spanish artist Juan Saliquet on Sept. 5 at Esentai Gallery in Almaty. The exhibition, titled “Archaeology of a City: Almaty,” will run until Oct. 15. The project marks the culmination…
Almaty to Host World Chess Championship for Children in September
ALMATY – Almaty will host the World Chess Championship for Children in the U8, U10, and U12 categories from Sept. 19 to 30, bringing together more than 800 young players from 84 countries. The opening ceremony will take place on Sept. 19. The tournament includes 11 rounds, with a rest day on Sept. 25 featuring…
Kazakh Startup Secures $50 Million to Drive Innovation in Video Creation
ALMATY– A Kazakh startup Higgsfield based on artificial intelligence has raised $50 million in a Series A funding round. The round was led by GFT Ventures with participation from BroadLight Capital, NextEquity Partners, AI Capital Partners, Menlo Ventures, and other strategic investors, the company announced on Sept. 10. The funding marks a major milestone for…
Tokayev Welcomes Global Legal Leaders, Showcases Kazakhstan’s Constitutional Progress
ALMATY – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev met with participants of the International Forum on Constitutional Justice, titled “Peace and the Future Through Law,” on Sept. 11 in Astana. President Tokayev underlined the exceptional role of the Venice Commission and the advanced constitutional practices of other states, noting that they serve as important benchmarks in shaping democratic…
Kazakh Historical Drama to Compete at Golden Panda Awards in China
ALMATY – The Kazakh film “Qash” (Run), directed by Aisultan Seitov, will compete at the second Golden Panda Awards, which will be held in Chengdu, China, on Sept. 12–13. The film has been nominated in four categories, including Best Actor in a Leading Role, Best Actor in a Supporting Role, Best Cinematography, and Best Original…
Astana Finance Days 2025: 5,500 Minds, $1.5 Trillion in Assets, One Vision
ALMATY – Astana Finance Days (AFD) held on Sept. 4-5 once again confirmed Kazakhstan’s role as a key financial hub for Eastern Europe and Central Asia. The forum, titled “Where Capital Empowers the Future”, gathered more than 5,500 participants from 82 countries, including top global institutions managing $1.5 trillion in assets. This year, AFD opened…
Kazakhstan, Hungary Expand Academic Ties Through Water Diplomacy Program
ALMATY – The Kazakh National University of Water Resources and Irrigation (KazNUVHI) in Taraz has partnered with Hungary’s Corvinus University to launch a joint master’s program in water resource management with a focus on water diplomacy. The European Commission awarded a €60,000 Erasmus Mundus Design Measure grant in August to a consortium of three European…
Kazakhstan Expands Free AI Training for Teachers Nationwide
ALMATY – More than 200,000 teachers across Kazakhstan have completed a free training program on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in education, as part of the government’s ongoing effort to enhance digital literacy among educators. At the start of the new academic year, over 140,000 teachers received certificates after completing the course, while thousands…
Kazakhstan Strengthens Role as New Aviation Bridge Between Europe and Asia
ALMATY – Kazakhstan is strengthening its role as a key aviation hub, as Almaty hosts the Third CANSO Euro-Asia ANSP’s CEO Summit on Sept. 10–11. The high-level meeting brings together the chief executives of air navigation service providers (ANSPs) from across Europe and Asia, along with representatives of global aviation organizations. At the summit, participants…
Kazakhstan Launches Direct Wheat Shipments to Vietnam Without Container Transfers
ALMATY – Kazakhstan has carried out the first direct transportation of wheat to Vietnam without container transshipment, marking a new step in the country’s export logistics. Between May and September, Kedentransservice JSC, a subsidiary of Kazakhstan Temir Zholy, in cooperation with Fort LLP and the shipper NC Food Contract Corporation JSC, organized the shipment of…
Kazakh Figure Skater Mikhail Shaidorov Talks Preparations for Olympics in Italy
ALMATY – Kazakh rising figure skating star Mikhail Shaidorov discussed his preparation for the upcoming season and the 2026 Olympic Games in Italy, speaking to The Astana Times during an open training session in Almaty on Sept. 6. During the meeting, the champion presented part of his new programs and shared insights about his journey.…
Kazakhstan to Boost Economic Growth Through Rare-Earth Production and SEZ Expansion
ALMATY — Kazakh Minister of Industry and Construction Yersayin Nagaspayev introduced a wide range of reforms aimed at strengthening special economic zones (SEZs) and expanding rare-earth metal production during a government meeting on Sept. 9, chaired by Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov. Enhancing SEZs to attract investment Nagaspayev emphasized that SEZs remain one of the country’s…
Kazakhstan Emerges as Regional Leader in Medical Tourism, Expert Says
ALMATY — Kazakhstan has become the leading country among CIS states in terms of medical tourism growth, according to Kristina Krivets, president of Kazakhstan’s Association of Medical Tourism. Established in 2022, the association has witnessed an exponential increase in the number of medical tourists. In its founding year, Kazakhstan registered 1,280 medical visitors. That figure…
