Kazakhstan Formalizes IMF Regional Center Status in Almaty

ASTANA — Kazakhstan’s Mazhilis (lower house of the Kazakh parliament) has ratified a memorandum of understanding with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), formalizing the legal status of...


Feeding Wild Swans Prohibited, Burabay National Park Warns on International Bird Day

ASTANA — Feeding wild swans is strictly prohibited, specialists from Burabay National Park said on April 1, as Kazakhstan marks International Bird Day, Kazinform reported. The date...


New Direct Flights Launched Between Almaty and Tashkent

ASTANA — A new direct air route between Almaty and Tashkent has been launched on March 31 by Uzbek carrier Qanot Sharq, further strengthening regional connectivity, Kazinform...


Kazakhstan Secures $125 Million in Export Deals with China on First Day of SCO Forum

ASTANA — Kazakhstan signed export contracts worth approximately $125 million with Chinese partners on the opening day of the “Export to China – Shangai Cooperation Organization Selection”...


Kazakhstan Approves New Cultural Heritage Plan to Boost UNESCO Presence

ASTANA — Kazakhstan has approved a comprehensive two-year plan to preserve and promote its cultural heritage under the auspices of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural...


China’s SPIC Launches $1.2 Billion Wind Farm Project in Kazakhstan

ASTANA – China’s State Power Investment Corporation (SPIC) has begun a strategic project to build a one-gigawatt (GW) wind farm near Ekibastuz in the Pavlodar Region. The...


Air Astana Switches to Summer Schedule

ASTANA — Air Astana has switched to its summer schedule, which will be in effect from March 29 to October 24. During this period, flight frequencies on...


Third Language: Why Emotional Literacy Matters for Kazakhstan’s Future

Emotional literacy, the ability to understand one’s own and others’ emotions is becoming a skill of the 21st century. In Kazakhstan, this third language can help build...


Is Kazakhstan Prepared for Cyber Risks of Digital Transformation?

ASTANA — As Kazakhstan expands digital services and online government platforms, cybercrime is emerging as a growing challenge to the country’s digital transformation.  According to the Prosecutor...


Kazakhstan’s Regional Ecological Summit to Deliver Concrete Sustainability Actions

ASTANA – The 2026 Regional Ecological Summit (RES), to be held in the Kazakh capital from April 22-24, will focus on turning dialogue into concrete results for...


Japan Considers Rerouting Caspian Oil Amid Strait of Hormuz Concerns

ASTANA – Japan is exploring the possibility of rerouting oil from Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan to its domestic market amid growing concerns about supply stability due to the...


Kazakhstan’s IT Exports via Astana Hub Exceeds $680 Million

ASTANA — Astana Hub exported IT services worth 328 billion tenge (US$681 million) in 2025, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development Zhaslan...


Francophonie Spring Festival Returns for 16th Edition in Kazakhstan

ASTANA – The 16th Francophonie Spring Festival will take place across Kazakhstan from April 1 to 15, bringing together the embassies of Armenia, Belgium, Canada, France, Lithuania,...


Kazakhstan to Overhaul Innovation System, Proposes Central Coordination Body

ASTANA – Kazakhstan is preparing a major overhaul of its innovation development model, Minister of Science and Higher Education Sayasat Nurbek said at a March 31 government...


Alzheimer’s in Kazakhstan: What Explains Rising Diagnosis

ASTANA — With more than 55 million people living with dementia globally, Kazakhstan is seeing an upward trajectory in Alzheimer’s disease incidence. Experts say the increase reflects...


Spring Turns Sizzling: Heat Up to 32°C Forecast Across Kazakhstan This Week

ASTANA — Unseasonably warm spring weather is set to persist across most of Kazakhstan, with temperatures in southern regions expected to climb as high as 32 degrees...


Kazakhstan Targets Life Expectancy of 77 by 2029

ASTANA — Kazakhstan plans to raise life expectancy to 77 years by 2029 under a new Healthcare Development Concept prepared by the Ministry of Health, as part...


Astana Launches Science-Based Creative Economy Hub

ASTANA — Art, science and business converged in Astana for the opening of the Өnergy Creative Hub on March 27. The space, supported by Nazarbayev University (NU)...


Kazakhstan Concludes First-Ever Fencing World Cup with Silver for Kurbanov

ASTANA — Kazakhstan has completed its first-ever stage of the International Fencing Federation (FIE) Epee World Cup, marking a key milestone in the country’s athletic growth and establishing it...


Kazakhstan Sees AI as Key to Growth, Kazakh PM Says at Digital Qazaqstan Forum

ASTANA — Kazakhstan is positioning AI as a cornerstone of its economic future, with Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov saying the technology could help drive sustainable growth as...


Kazakh PM Bektenov Signals Water Cooperation Push

ASTANA — Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Olzhas Bektenov met with members of the Board of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea (IFAS) on March 30...


Kazakhstan Revises Travel Warnings, Excludes Egypt

ASTANA —The Arab Republic of Egypt has been removed from the list of countries not recommended for travel by Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the ministry’s press...


Visiting Astana? Six Things to Know About Kazakhstan’s Capital

ASTANA — Kazakhstan’s capital Astana is shaped by rapid development, open steppe geography and extreme seasonal changes. For first-time visitors, understanding how the city functions, especially in...


Water Diplomacy Grows More Urgent as Climate Pressures Mount in Central Asia

ASTANA — Water resources in Central Asia are increasingly shaping economic stability and interstate relations as climate change intensifies pressure on shared rivers and aging infrastructure. Experts...


Partnership in Steppe: How Kazakh Families Shared Work of Survival

ASTANA — The image of the obedient Kazakh woman is often repeated in discussions of tradition. Yet historians and anthropologists say the reality of life on the...


Kazakhstan Promotes Water Initiative and Agricultural Cooperation at UN-Water Meeting

ASTANA — A Kazakh delegation led by First Deputy Foreign Minister Yerzhan Ashikbayev participated in the 43rd meeting of UN-Water, held at the headquarters of the International...


Archaeologists Discover 250 Golden Horde Artifacts at Saraishyk Site

ASTANA – Archaeologists at the Saraishyk state historical and cultural museum-reserve have uncovered around 250 artifacts at the medieval Saraishyk complex in the Atyrau Region. The discoveries...


Central Asia Needs Balanced Energy Mix to Avoid Shortages, Experts Say

ASTANA – A middle-path strategy based on the World Energy Council’s energy trilemma, balancing security, affordability and environmental sustainability, is the most effective approach for Central Asia’s...


EAEU Remains Economic Bloc, Kazakh PM Says Amid Rising Geopolitical Tensions

ASTANA — Kazakh Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov outlined that cooperation within the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) is strictly economic and does not extend to political or security...


Japan’s Ambassador on Deepening Ties With Kazakhstan in Shifting World

ASTANA – With shifting global supply chains shift and geopolitical tensions on the rise, Japan is looking to Kazakhstan as a strategic partner not only for critical...


Kazakhstan Hosts Landmark Fencing World Cup

ASTANA – Kazakhstan hosts a stage of the International Fencing Federation (FIE) Epee World Cup for the first time on March 26-29, bringing one of the sport’s...


More Than Food: How Kazakh Cuisine Tells Story of Steppe

ASTANA – Kazakh cuisine, shaped by centuries of nomadic life on the Eurasian steppe, reflects a food culture built around mobility, resilience and seasonal rhythms. Rich meat...


Nauryz Traditions Evolve in Kazakhstan While Preserving Core Meaning 

ASTANA — Nauryz, a traditional spring holiday marking renewal and the start of a new year, has undergone significant changes in Kazakhstan over the past decades while...


Alikhan Bokeikhanov: The Man Who Challenged History

ASTANA — Alikhan Bokeikhanov was not a revolutionary by instinct. He did not call for the destruction of systems, but believed in something far more difficult —...


Nauryz Reborn: Kazakhstan’s Journey to Restore National Tradition

ALMATY – This year marks 38 years since Nauryz was revived in Kazakhstan, the ancient spring festival that had been banned for more than six decades under...


Ricky Martin to Bring World Tour to Almaty in July

ASTANA – Global pop star Ricky Martin will perform in Almaty on July 18 at Spartak Stadium, marking his first concert in Kazakhstan. The performance is part...


Kazakhstan Parliament to Hold Joint Session on March 27

ALMATY – A joint session of the chambers of Kazakhstan’s Parliament will be held on March 27 at 10 a.m. in Astana, according to an order signed...


AZAL Plane Crash Investigation Near Aktau Enters Final Stage

ALMATY – Kazakhstan has completed the collection of all key expert findings in the investigation of the crash of an Embraer 190 aircraft operated by Azerbaijan Airlines...


Kazakhstan Celebrates National Sports Day as Part of Nauryz Festivities

ALMATY – Kazakhstan marks National Sports Day on March 20 as part of the Nauryznama celebrations, highlighting traditional sports that play a key role in preserving cultural...


Celebrate Nauryz with Cultural Events to Brighten Your Long Weekend

ASTANA – Nauryz, one of Kazakhstan’s most cherished holidays, marks the arrival of spring and new beginnings. Celebrated from March 21 to 25 by Kazakh people and...


Kazakhstan to Create Alatau City Authority to Oversee Special-Status City

ALMATY – Kazakhstan plans to establish a new state body, the Alatau City Authority, to manage the development of the future city of Alatau, Deputy Prime Minister...


Kazakhstan Builds Resilient System to Protect Citizens Abroad

ALMATY – Kazakhstan’s Tourist Rights Guarantee System, operated by the Turistik Kamkor Corporate Fund, has demonstrated its effectiveness in assisting citizens abroad during recent disruptions in the...


News Digest: Foreign Media on Kazakhstan’s Constitution, Regional Cooperation and Nauryz

ASTANA – The Astana Times has selected key articles from international media outlets covering Kazakhstan. This week’s foreign media digest highlights the adoption of a new Constitution...


Kazakhstan, Mongolia Sign Export Deals Worth Over $ 60 Million

ALMATY – Kazakh companies signed export contracts worth $62.6 million with Mongolian partners during a business mission in Ulaanbaatar, marking a further step in expanding trade ties...


Time for a Sea Change 

A conversation with the UNDP Resident Representative in Kazakhstan on the country’s transformation — ecological, economic, and human. There is a particular kind of silence that greets...


Drones Distribute Baursaks at Digital Nauryz Celebration in Karagandy

ASTANA – Residents of Karagandy experienced an unconventional Nauryz celebration as drones distributed baursaks in the city’s central park. The initiative was part of Digital Nauryz 2026,...


Kazakhstan Begins Work on Second Airport Project in Astana

ASTANA — The development of a second airport in Kazakhstan’s capital has entered its initial phase, according to Deputy Minister of Transport Talgat Lastayev. Speaking on the...


Tokayev Establishes Office of Commissioner for Family Affairs

ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has signed a decree establishing the office of the Commissioner for Family Affairs on March 18. The new body is intended to...


VietJet Air to Launch Hanoi-Almaty-Prague Air Route in July

ASTANA – VietJet Air plans to launch a new international route connecting Hanoi, Almaty, and Prague starting July 11. Flights will operate twice a week using Airbus...


Kazakhstan, EU Near Final Stage of Visa Facilitation Talks

ASTANA – Kazakhstan and the European Union (EU) are approaching the final stage of negotiations on visa facilitation, with an agreement potentially to be reached within a...


FlyArystan Extends Suspension of Aktau-Dubai Flights Until April 19

ASTANA – FlyArystan has extended the temporary suspension of its Aktau-Dubai-Aktau route until April 19, citing ongoing instability in the Middle East and existing regional restrictions. The...


China, Uzbekistan Lead Migration to Kazakhstan for Permanent Residence in 2025

ALMATY – Nearly 24,000 people moved to Kazakhstan for permanent residence in 2025, with the largest inflows coming from China, Uzbekistan and Russia, reported the Kazinform news...


Kazakhstan’s Aviation Chief on Growth, Safety and Future Workforce

ASTANA — As Kazakhstan seeks to position itself as Central Asia’s aviation hub, the Civil Aviation Committee (CAC) believes the real challenge extends beyond infrastructure alone. “Competitiveness...


Nomadic Culture Festival in Almaty Showcases Traditional Crafts and Techniques

ALMATY – An international festival Nomadic Art: Global Image of Steppe Culture, celebrating nomadic culture and traditional crafts, brought together artisans from across Kazakhstan in Almaty as...


Kazatomprom Boosts Sales 11% in 2025, Expands Resource Base

ASTANA – Kazatomprom CEO Meirzhan Yussupov reported an 11% increase in sales volumes to 18,500 tons, citing steady global demand. He shared the update during a March...


Astana Leads Marriage Rates as Kazakhstan Registers 115,900 Marriages in 2025

ALMATY – Astana recorded the highest marriage rate in the country as Kazakhstan registered 115,900 marriages in 2025, according to the Bureau of National Statistics release on...


Rhenus Expands Presence Along Trans-Caspian Corridor with Office in Georgia

ALMATY – The Rhenus Group, a Germany-based global logistics provider, has opened a new office in Tbilisi, Georgia, completing its presence across all key markets along the...


Government to Overhaul Legal Framework Following New Constitution

ALMATY — The government must move quickly to bring legislation into line with Kazakhstan’s new Constitution by adopting five new constitutional laws, amendments to eight existing constitutional...


Kazakhstan Attracts Nearly 70% of Central Asia’s Foreign Investment, UN Report Shows

ALMATY – Kazakhstan accounts for nearly 68% of all foreign direct investment (FDI) accumulated in Central Asia, highlighting its position as the region’s primary destination for international...


Kazakhstan Records 335,000 Births in 2025 as Urban Births Dominate

ASTANA — Kazakhstan registered 335,000 births in 2025, with the majority occurring in urban areas and most children born to women aged between 25 and 34. Boys...


Economic Fundamentals Are Key For Central Asia to Capitalize On Geopolitical Changes 

Recently, a growing debate has emerged about the changing geopolitical landscape in Central Asia, with major superpowers vying for control of its resources, expanding their presence to...


EU Sanctions Envoy Briefs Kazakh Journalists on Fifth Visit

ASTANA – European Union Envoy for Sanctions David O’Sullivan was on his fifth visit to Kazakhstan on March 17 and briefed Kazakh journalists on the progress of...


Nauryz Ball in Astana Highlights Diplomacy, Tradition and Renewal

ASTANA – The Kazakh capital hosted the Nauryz Ball on March 16, a special event that served as a platform for cultural and humanitarian dialogue, highlighting Kazakhstan’s...


Tokayev Signs New Constitution, Announces Legal Overhaul and New National Holiday

ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signed Kazakhstan’s new Constitution and a decree on its implementation following the March 15 national referendum, in which 87.15% of participating voters...


Aktobe Performers Attempt World Record with Round-the-Clock Epic Recital

ASTANA – In Aktobe, traditional zhyrshy (epic storytellers) have begun performing folk epics around the clock in an effort to secure a place in the Global Book...


Kazakhstan Strengthens Global Standing in Soft Power Index

ASTANA – Kazakhstan ranked 82nd in the Global Soft Power Index 2026, improving its position by five places compared to last year’s 87th. The country scored 35.9...


Jibek Joly Tourist Train to Launch Silk Road Route to Tajikistan This March

ALMATY — The international tourist train project Jibek Joly (Silk Way) will soon launch a new route connecting Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan, reported the Kazakh Ministry of...


Paralympic Champion Yerbol Khamitov Welcomed in Astana After Historic Victory

ASTANA – Double medalist and Paralympic champion Yerbol Khamitov was ceremoniously greeted at the Astana International Airport on March 17. The 28-year-old leader of Kazakhstan’s national team...


Kazakhstan Approves New Constitution with 87.15% Support in National Referendum

ASTANA — Kazakhstan has adopted a new Constitution following a national referendum on March 15, in which 87.15% of participating voters voted in favor, according to the...


Preparing Kazakhstan’s Youth for Changing World

The world that today’s students are preparing to enter is changing faster than ever before. Technological innovation, globalization and rapidly evolving labor markets mean that young people...


Can Kazakhstan’s Mineral Wealth Match UK Industrial Demand?

ASTANA — Demand for critical minerals is reshaping how governments think about industrial growth, economic security and international partnerships. Turning political momentum into bankable projects will require...


Documentary Explores Human Stories Behind War Through Kazakh Journalist’s Lens

ALMATY – A documentary, “My Syrian Story,” premiered in Almaty on March 10, offering a portrait of Kazakh journalist Akmaral Batalova and her years reporting from Syria,...


RES 2026 EXPO to Showcase Green Technologies in Astana

ALMATY – An international exhibition of green technologies and solutions, the Regional Ecological Summit EXPO 2026 (RES 2026 EXPO), will take place in Astana from April 22...


No Country Has Achieved Full Legal Equality for Women and Girls, UN Women Says

ASTANA — Justice systems meant to uphold rights and the rule of law are failing women and girls worldwide, according to a new report highlighted by UN...


China’s Financial Power Strategy Opens New Prospects for Kazakhstan

ASTANA – Ahead of its 15th Five-Year Plan, China has completed a structural shift in its financial system, moving from rapid expansion of banking assets to a...


Kazakhstan Finishes Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Paralympics with Two Medals

ALMATY — Kazakhstan finished the 14th Winter Paralympic Games in Milan Cortina with two medals, one gold and one bronze, both won by para biathlete and para...


Overseas Referendum Voting Concludes with 88.6% Turnout

ALMATY – All 71 referendum polling stations abroad have completed their work, with 12,740 Kazakh citizens voting in 54 countries, resulting in an 88.6% turnout, the Ministry...


Kazakhstan to Mark March 15 as Constitution Day Following Referendum

ASTANA — President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev announced that March 15 will be celebrated annually as Constitution Day following Kazakhstan’s national referendum on the draft of a new Constitution...


Exit Poll: Vast Majority of Kazakh Voters Back Constitutional Changes in Referendum

ASTANA – Exit poll results released after Kazakhstan’s national referendum on March 15 suggest overwhelming support for the proposed constitutional amendments. According to a survey conducted by...


More Than 9,000 Kazakh Citizens Vote Abroad in Constitutional Referendum

ASTANA — A total of 9,050 Kazakh citizens had cast their ballots abroad as of 7 p.m. Astana time during the nationwide constitutional referendum, Deputy Foreign Minister...


First-Time Voters, Civic Groups Stand Out to International Observers in Referendum

ASTANA – International observers reported an increase in first-time voters and broader participation by civil society in Kazakhstan’s constitutional referendum, calling the voting process well-organized and noting...


Foreign Observers Cite High Turnout, Smooth Voting in Kazakhstan Referendum

ASTANA – International observers noted relatively high voter turnout and reported no major violations that could affect the outcome of Kazakhstan’s constitutional referendum on March 15. The...


Kazakhstan Referendum Turnout at 64.43% as Some Overseas Stations Open

ASTANA — Voter turnout in Kazakhstan’s nationwide constitutional referendum reached 64.43% as of 4 p.m., according to the Central Referendum Commission. By that time, 8,029,286 citizens had...


Tokayev Addresses Constitutional Reform, Vice Presidency and Foreign Policy at Referendum Briefing

ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev spoke about the goals of Kazakhstan’s proposed new Constitution and answered questions on political reforms and foreign policy during a briefing with...


Voter Turnout at Constitutional Referendum Reaches 37.54% by Noon

ASTANA — Voter turnout in Kazakhstan’s constitutional referendum reached 37.54% as of 12 p.m. Astana time, according to the Central Referendum Commission. According to regional and city...


President Tokayev Casts Vote in Nationwide Constitutional Referendum 

ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has voted in the national referendum on the draft of Kazakhstan’s new Constitution at polling station No. 51, located in the Palace...


Kazakhstan Launches Overseas Voting Across 54 Countries

ALMATY – Kazakhstan’s Deputy Foreign Minister Arman Issetov said 71 polling stations are operating at Kazakh diplomatic missions in 54 countries, allowing 14,380 citizens abroad to participate...


Kazakhstan Opens Over 10,000 Polling Stations for Constitutional Referendum

ALMATY – Kazakhstan opened 10,388 polling stations across the country on March 15 for the nationwide referendum on adopting a new Constitution, according to Mukhtar Yerman, a...


From Knowledge to Leadership: Harvard Business Impact on Future of MBA Education in Kazakhstan

ASTANA – Teaching pedagogy, faculty capability and curricula which supports active learning will define the long-term strength of MBA education in Kazakhstan.  Gabriela Allmi, the senior director...


Kazakh Artist Revives Lost Nomadic Material World

ASTANA – For jeweler artist Serzhan Bashirov, a silver coin is rarely just currency. It carries memory and the weight of history. Decades ago, his grandmother sent...


Cirque du Soleil Returns to Kazakhstan After Nine Years; Enrique Iglesias Announces Fall Concerts

ASTANA – Kazakhstan is set to host major international performances this year, as the legendary Cirque du Soleil returns to the country for the first time in...


Almaty to Host Asian Stage of World Schools Team Chess Championship in April

ASTANA — Almaty will host the Asian continental stage of the World Schools Team Chess Championship on April 6-11, bringing together school teams from across the region,...


Kazakhstan, US Discuss $1.1 Billion Mining Project in Karagandy Region

ASTANA — Kazakh Minister of Industry and Construction Yersaiyn Nagaspayev discussed a $1.1 billion investment project in the mining sector with Cove Kaz Capital Group CEO Dominic...


Kazakhstan’s Yerbol Khamitov Wins Paralympic Gold in Sprint Pursuit at Milan Cortina 2026

ASTANA — Kazakhstan’s Yerbol Khamitov won a gold medal at the 2026 Winter Paralympics in Italy, taking first place in the pursuit race. Khamitov secured victory in...


Kazakhstan Plans to Raise Northern Aral Sea Level to 44 Meters Under New Conservation Project 

ASTANA – Kazakhstan is preparing the second phase of the Northern Aral Sea Conservation Project, which aims to raise the sea’s water level to 44 meters by...


256 Organizations Accredited to Observe Referendum in Kazakhstan

ASTANA – A total of 256 public organizations have been accredited to observe the upcoming referendum in Kazakhstan, said Nurlan Abdirov, chairman of the Central Referendum Commission,...


Discover Captivating Cultural Weekend in Astana and Almaty 

ASTANA – Spend the weekend enjoying nostalgic concerts featuring beloved artists or feel the romance of great stories through a captivating art exhibition. The Astana Times editorial...


News Digest: Foreign Media on Middle Corridor, Regional Ecological Summit, Referendum in Kazakhstan and More

ASTANA – The Astana Times has selected articles from global media outlets covering Kazakhstan. This week’s foreign media digest covers a sharp increase in freight traffic along...


Ethnic Kazakhs in Iran Have No Plans to Relocate to Kazakhstan, Says Ambassador

ASTANA – Ethnic Kazakhs living in Iran have not expressed any intention to move to Kazakhstan, according to Iran’s ambassador to Kazakhstan, Ali Akbar Jokar.  Speaking at...


Elena Rybakina Climbs to Career-High World No. 2 

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina has reached a career-high No. 2 in the WTA Rankings following her run to the semifinals of the Indian Wells Open in...