Kazakhstan Intends to Continue Strategic Partnership with US, Ambassador in Washington Says

As announced earlier by Kazakhstan’s Foreign Ministry press service, President Nursultan Nazarbayev this week will take part in the Nuclear Security Summit in Washington, DC. The fourth...


Francophonie Week Introduces Kazakh Audiences to French Culture

ASTANA – In Kazakhstan and across the globe, the French-speaking world marks International Francophonie Day on March 20 with events intended to cover “all the diversity of...


Aktobe Region Investment Opportunities Presented to Diplomatic Business Club

ASTANA – Developing Aktobe region as an investment destination was the theme of the March 28 Diplomatic Business Club meeting. The event, held in the capital’s Rixos...


Heat, Mobility among Challenges Facing Kazakh Military Observers in Africa

ASTANA – Seven Kazakh officers, along with representatives from more than 30 countries, are battling heat and desert conditions to serve in UN peacekeeping missions in Western...


Nuclear Security Summits Leave Massive Legacy But Work Must Be Continued

Our world, despite the worrying increase in tensions in recent months, has come a long way from the darkest days of the Cold War. Only the most...


Kazakhstan Allocates Additional $4.2 Billion to Develop Transport Infrastructure

According to the Ministry for Investment and Development’s Committee on Highways, 1.5 trillion tenge (US$4.2 billion) has been allocated to support domestic transport. It has allowed Kazakhstan...


Vivaldi’s Masterpieces to be Performed at Astana Opera

The masterpieces of great Venetian composer, conductor and violinist Antonio Vivaldi will be performed in the Baroque Hall of the Astana Opera Theatre on March 29. The...


Kazakh National Guard Saves Nearly 100 Trapped on Snowy Roads

The soldiers of the Aktobe regiment of the Kazakhstan National Guard rescued 96 people trapped on snowy highways, reported the press service of the National Guard. Because...


Kazpost Opens Second Self-Serve Centre in Astana

Kazpost recently announced the opening of its second automated postal service point in Astana. This is a new self-service format to send and receive packages. According to...


Hazrat Sultan Mosque Launches Online, 3D Tour

The Hazrat Sultan mosque in Astana has introduced a virtual tour on its website www.muslim.kz/ru/virtual-tour. The option offers virtual guests 3D panoramas of what is inside the...


Arlans Secure WSB Playoff Spot with 5-0 Thrashing of Puerto Rico Hurricanes

The World Series of Boxing (WSB) title holders Astana Arlans secured a spot in the WSB playoffs on March 26 in Petropavlovsk with a 5:0 victory over...


Kazakhstan’s National Football Team Beats Azerbaijan in Friendly Match

The Kazakh national team beat their Azerbaijani counterparts 1-0 in a friendly match played April 26 in Antalya, Turkey. Midfielder Maksat Baizhanov kicked the winning goal. The...


Afghanistan Confirms Participation in Winter Universiade 2017

ALMATY – Athletes from Bamyan province in Afghanistan will take part in upcoming sporting event in Almaty, according to the Organising Committee for the Winter Universiade. “We...


President Addresses First Joint Session of New Kazakh Parliament, Sets Priorities

ASTANA – Following the election of members of the Mazhilis in the March 20 nationwide vote, Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev addressed the first joint session of the...


Third-Year Medical Student Wins Kazakh Arui 2016 Beauty Contest

ASTANA – Twenty-year-old Almira Akhatova from the Atyrau region, who is a third-year student of the capital’s Medical University, won the final Kazakh Arui 2016 beauty contest...


Kazakh Pop Music Experiencing Heyday

ASTANA – Sitting at the core of mass culture, various genres of popular music attract different age groups. In Kazakhstan, pop culture depends enormously on mainstream television...


Kazakh Opera Star Mukhamedkyzy Performs Concert Dedicated to Nauryz

ASTANA – A concert by Kazakh opera star Maira Mukhamedkyzy was held at the Astana Opera House on Nauryz March 22 in Astana. The singer who has...


Kazakhstan Offers Plethora of Trekking Options

ASTANA – It is spring, just the right time for planning new destinations to breathe fresh air and finally spend more time outside. With its vast territory,...


New Dating App Popular Among Kazakh Singles

ASTANA – A mobile application for online dating has exceeded the WhatsApp and Instagram applications on the number of downloads at the local branch of the app...


Barsakelmes Nature Reserve Added to UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves

ASTANA – Located in the Sahara-Gobi Desert zone of the Aral Sea basin, the Barsakelmes Nature Reserve was added to UNESCO’s World Network of Biosphere Reserves (WNBR)...


Kazpochta Introduces Online Money Transfers

ASTANA – Kazpochta has introduced online money transfers allowing Kazakh holders of Visa payment cards to carry out money transfers through the Salem, Tenge! system to get...


Kazakhstan Ready to be ‘Transit Bridge between Europe and Asia,’ Top Official Tells Asia Forum

ASTANA – First Deputy Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Bakytzhan Sagintayev said during the March 24 Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) that “Asia is turning into the main platform...


Why Are Astana’s Fitness Clubs Premium? Are They Worth the Money They Charge?

ASTANA – People need to have a choice between essential and overly-luxurious that adds up to the value. By trying to draw the line among luxury, comfort...


Almaty to Host Large Tech Business Startup Marathon

ASTANA – Tech Garden’s Startup Day will be held in Almaty March 30-31 as part of the Eurasian Skolkovo Tour, the event’s organisers said. The tour will...


Top Gear’s Extreme G-Wagen Arrives in Almaty

ASTANA – Top Gear TV are shooting a series of episodes in Kazakhstan in late March and early April. Top Gear is a British television show about...


Kazakh-US Security Cooperation Discussed at Conference in Astana Think Tank

ASTANA – The military cooperation project for 2016-2017 has been developed between the Kazakh and American armed forces, according to the President of the Kazakh Ministry of...


OSCE, PACE Observers Note Progress in Kazakhstan’s Mazhilis Election, Point Out Areas for Improvement

ASTANA – Observers from three Western institutions, the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe’s Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (OSCE/ODIHR), the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly...


Central Election Commission: Nur Otan Party Wins Landslide Again

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s governing party, led by President Nursultan Nazarbayev, won another massive victory while other parties from the legislature’s previous roster also retained their presence in...


Parliamentary Election Yields No Surprises, Represents Vote of Confidence in Country’s Direction

For those hoping for political drama, Kazakhstan’s March 21 parliamentary elections were a major disappointment. The new parliament, when it meets again, will be similar in make-up...


International Observers Commend Kazakhstan’s Election as Transparent

ASTANA – On the day following the poll itself, foreign observers from various countries continued to share their impressions of the March 20 election. Most of them...


Kazakhstan Can be Proud of the Way It Conducted Elections

I am proud of Kazakhstan for the way we have carried out these parliamentary elections. I want to extend compliments to the more than 10 election observation...


Foreign Observers Note Good Preparedness, Voters’ Interest in Elections

ASTANA – Foreign observers from Austria, Italy, the UK, Serbia, Bulgaria and Lithuania all agreed that there were no breaches observed, voting sites were well arranged and...


Exit Poll Says Nur Otan Wins Overwhelmingly in Kazakh Election as Parliament Retains Previous Makeup

ASTANA – President Nursultan Nazarbayev-led Nur Otan Party won 82 percent of the popular vote in the parliamentary election in Kazakhstan, according to exit poll results announced...


Nazarbayev Casts Vote in March 20 Election, Admits Possibility of Redistribution of Power

ASTANA – The President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev took part in the elections to Mazhilis (lower house of Kazakh parliament) and maslikhats (local legislatives) on March 20....


Eurasian Group Improves Social Sphere in Kostanay Region

The Eurasian Group (ERG) concluded a memorandum on social projects realisation March 15 with the Kostanay region akimat (city administration). The document was signed by board chairman...


World Bank to Allocate $100 Million for Labour Market Development in Kazakhstan

ASTANA – The World Bank and the Kazakh Ministry of Health and Social Development launched a project for the development of professional skills and stimulation of job...


Governors Optimistic about People’s Participation in Election

ASTANA – The regional akims (governors) have been among the first voters to cast their ballots in elections to the Mazhilis (lower chamber of Parliament) and maslikhats...


International Observers Note Orderly Process of Kazakhstan’s March 20 Parliamentary Election

ASTANA – The first international observers who shared their opinions on the voting day in Kazakhstan reported that they had not detected any significant violations. According to...


Our Unity is Our Strength, Says Chairwoman of Veteran Organisation on Election Day

ASTANA – March 20 has been a special day for the Kazakh citizens as they exercise their right to participation in governing their country. On this day,...


Kazakh Angel Investor Makes His Way in Start-Up Industry

ASTANA – Nurzhas Makishev, an angel investor born and raised in Kazakhstan, has invested his own money and funds he’s raised in more than 50 different start-up...


Kazakhstan: Building Democratic Institutions for Future Generations By Vladimir Socor, Richard Weitz, and Daniel Witt

Kazakhstan’s March 20 parliamentary elections provide an important opportunity to advance the country’s democratic development in a manner that benefits Kazakh and U.S. interests. Election observers from...


Kazakhstan’s Most Popular Cars

ASTANA – Big city streets are full of beautiful brand new and luxury cars. The growing wealth of many Kazakh citizens is not hidden and can be...


Almaty, China Representatives Discuss City-Country Relations

An official meeting with a Chinese delegation from the Hubei province headed by Vice Governor Gan Zhunkun was held in the Almaty city akimat (administration) on March...


March 20 Election to Mark Next Step towards Kazakhstan’s Democratic Future

As the country heads into the parliamentary election on March 20, the expectation evident throughout the nation serves as a reminder of not only how far our...


Italy to Export More Brands to Kazakhstan

ASTANA – Over the last two years, Italian export to Kazakhstan increased 64 percent, according to acting Honorary Consul of Italy in Almaty Pietro Calà, reported Kapital.kz....


Plastic Surgery in Kazakhstan Growing in Expertise, Popularity

ASTANA – Plastic surgery in Kazakhstan is well developed and becoming more and more popular and affordable. Eyelid surgeries lead the list. The prevalence of the procedures...


Kazakhstan among Top Five Countries with Most Investment from China in 2015

ASTANA – Kazakhstan was among the top five countries that drew the largest Chinese investment in 2015, reported the Xinhua news agency with reference to the Chinese...


Six Kazakh Parties Meet in Electoral Debate Broadcast Nationwide

ASTANA – Representatives of the six parties running for seats in Kazakhstan’s lower chamber of Parliament took part in an electoral debate March 16 shown on one of...


Kazakh Plant Announces Readiness to Develop Sea Bottom Mines

ASTANA – A Kazakh plant is ready to launch the production of sea bottom mines at the request of the country’s Armed Forces. The Ziksto company plans...


Country’s First Ammunition Factory Launches Operations

ASTANA – On March 14, Kazakh Minister of Defence Imangali Tasmagambetov took part in a ceremony marking the launch of construction of the first cartridge-manufacturing plant in...


Kazakh Secretary State Shares Country’s Gender-Sensitive Policies with UN Commission on Women

Kazakhstan’s Secretary of State Gulshara Abdykalikova told the March 14-15 60th session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women that her country’s women-oriented and gender-sensitive...


Chevron-Sponsored Audiobook Application Brings Kazakh Literature to Smartphones and Tablets

Chevron and Wikibilim Public Foundation presented its Audiokitap (which translates as Audiobook) mobile application at the Nazarbayev Intellectual School in Almaty recently. The application, unique for Kazakhstan,...


Astana Improves Public Transport System

The Astana LRT (light rail transit) recently developed a modernisation programme for the capital transport system for 2015-2019. The company and city administration for public transport and...


Kazakhs Out of Davis Cup after Thriller with Djokovic-Led Serbia

In an intriguing confrontation, Team Kazakhstan gave way to Serbia 3-2 in the first leg of the Davis Cup World Group. The match took place March 4-6...


Kazakhstan Welcomes International Scrutiny of Parliamentary Elections

It may not have the glamour or excitement of the fascinating U.S. Presidential primaries, which are rightly gripping the world, but Kazakhstan goes to the polls this...


Football Season Kicks off in Kazakhstan

In Kazakhstan, where football is played outside March-November, almost 15,000 spectators witnessed the new season open March 8 at Astana Arena. The Kazakhstan Supercup match pitted two...


Kazakh Rider Finishes in Top 10 at UCI World Track Cycling Championships

Kazakhstan national cycling team rider Artyom Zakharov finished in the top 10 at the March 2-6 UCI Track Cycling World Championships, increasing his changes of receiving a...


Kazakhstan Embraces ‘Eat Local’ Movement, First Store of Locally Produced Food Opens

ASTANA – Astana Khalyk Markasy (Astana People’s Brand), the first store featuring food only from local manufacturers opened in the capital on March 5. The supermarket provides...


Parties, Observers in Final Preparations for March 20 Elections

ASTANA – The six parties competing for 98 seats in Kazakhstan’s Mazhilis (lower chamber of Parliament) and the 10,825 candidates running for seats in maslikhats (local legislatures)...


British Government, Business Leaders Briefed on Progress of Astana Int’l Financial Centre

ASTANA – Governor of Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC) Kairat Kelimbetov recently shared details about AIFC’s structure with the heads of British government institutions, major investment banks...


India, Kazakhstan Nurture Millennia-Long Trade Relationship

ASTANA – Contacts between India and Kazakhstan go back over three millennia, with evidence of trading links between the Indus valley civilisation (3,300–1,300 BC) and the people...


25th Anniversary of Shutdown of Semipalatinsk Nuclear Test Site Commemorated with Message to Youth

ASTANA – Antinuclear weapons activists in Karaganda commemorated the 25th anniversary of the shutdown of the Semipalatinsk’s nuclear test site by handing over the World Relay to...


British Telegraph Names 10,000 Tenge Note One of World’s Most Beautiful Bank Notes

ASTANA – The Telegraph has named the 10,000 tenge banknote (2003 series) one of the most beautiful currencies of the world. “The 10,000 tenge banknote issued in...


Domestic Enterprises Ready to Supply Textiles to Restaurants, Hotels, Medical Organisations

Secretary of State of Kazakhstan Gulshara Abdykalikova paid a visit to the KazTexExpo automated trade-industrial complex to assess its work in meeting domestic demand for textiles and...


Kazakhstan’s Zoos Offer a Slice of the Country’s Wild Side

ASTANA – Kazakhstan has several zoos boasting a huge variety of animals. Almaty, Karaganda and Shymkent provide the opportunity for people to visit, feed and watch the...


Elections Are Barometers of Public Opinion, Monitoring Expert Says

The 10-year-old National Public Commission for the Control of Elections (ROKKV) has ramped up its activity in the weeks leading up to Mazhilis (lower chamber of Parliament)...


Almaty’s Winter Universiade 2017 Reaches Record Number of Participating Countries

ALMATY – Fifty-four countries have signed up to participate in Winter University 2017 in Kazakhstan, which is a new record high for participating countries, according to the...


Astana Psychiatrist Discusses Mental Health Issues in the Capital

ASTANA – How the mentally ill are treated in Kazakh society, what mental issues bother capital residents and how to deal with them are topics frequently addressed...


Domestic Satellite KazSat-3 Begins Transmitting OTAU TV Programmes

Kazteleradio  started broadcasting OTAU TV programmes transmitted by the KazSat-3 satellite on March 1st, reported the press service of the KazCosmos National Space Agency. The technical centre...


Conference Marks Completion of Civil Service Reform Project

ASTANA – March marks the end of the European Union (EU) project on Civil Service Reform (CSR) and modernising the Kazakh government. The final conference took place...


New Law to Reduce Risks for Kazakh Housing Equity Holders

ASTANA – Recent legislation has made the requirements for developers far more stringent. The Kazakh Senate adopted a law “About equity share in housing construction” and the...


Hundreds Attend Kazakh Food Festival in New York City

The Festival of Kazakh Cuisine took place at the United Nations headquarters in New York March 7-11, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan reported. Five well-known...


Award-Winning Big Cities Producers to Create TV Programme Promoting Ethno-Tourism

ASTANA – Big Cities, winners of last year’s Presidential Award for the highest–rated television programme aired on 24KZ, has announced plans to launch a new programme popularising...


Transport Officials Discuss Trans-Caspian Int’l Route at Eurasia Rail 2016 Conference

Kazakhstan Temir Zholy National Company Chairman Askar Mamin, Minister of Transport, Maritime Affairs and Communications of Turkey Binali Yildirim and President of Turkish railway company TCDD Omer Yildiz...


Women Run About 700,000 Kazakh Enterprises

ASTANA – Atameken Council of Business Women of Kazakhstan Chairperson Lyazzat Ramazanova recently spoke about women’s entrepreneurship in the nation, as well as the possible financing of...


Opening of Kazakhstan’s First McDonald’s Draws Big Crowds, High Officials

ASTANA – While the opening of a fast-food restaurant is not normally a big deal for most countries, in Kazakhstan, it became quite an event. The launch...


Kazakhstan Provides Free Military Armaments, Equipment to Kyrgyzstan

ASTANA – Kazakh Senate members approved the bill “On ratification of the agreement between the governments of Kazakhstan and the Kyrgyz Republic for the provision of free...


It’s Now or Never to Make the World Gender Equal

Achieving gender equality and eliminating poverty are part of the same battle. As we mark International Women’s Day, let us remember that the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable...


Astana Arlans Win in Baku Following Defeat in Tashkent

World Series of Boxing (WSB) reigning champions the Astana Arlans continue to defend their title in the league’s sixth season. Last week the Kazakh roster won an...


Kazakh Actress Calls for Contributions to Help Return Tugai Deer to Balkhash Lake

ASTANA – Kazakh actress and ambassador for Russia’s World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) in Kazakhstan Bibigul Aktan has called upon residents of Kazakhstan to take part...


Baritone Yevgeny Chainikov Debuts as King of Ethiopia in Verdi’s ‘Aida’

ASTANA – Yevgeny Chainikov, who has a master’s degree in opera singing from Arizona State University and is a laureate of international contests, debuted as Amonasro, King...


Kazakh Entrepreneurs Use Liquid Nitrogen to Make Ice Cream

Two Almaty businessmen have jumped into the food industry with the idea of making ice cream using liquid nitrogen. Scoopers is the first company in the Commonwealth...


Kazakh Restaurant in Paris Included in City’s 2016 Michelin Guide

ASTANA – Chez Mademoiselle, a restaurant in the centre of Paris featuring Kazakh, Russian and Central Asian cuisine, has been included in the city’s 2016 Michelin Guide....


Kazakh Parliament Considers Rent Increase for Russian Rented Land

ASTANA – Members of the lower chamber of the Parliament (MPs), the Mazhilis, are discussing ways to raise the yearly rent for Russian military test sites in...


Nur Otan Party is Most Active in the Media, Election Commission Says

ASTANA – The Central Election Commission (CEC) of Kazakhstan recently summed up the intermediate results of monitoring the activeness of political parties in the media. The Nur...


Poland Is Ready to Demonstrate its Innovative Technologies at EXPO 2017

Poland expressed readiness to present its technologies in renewable and alternative energy sources during an official visit of EXPO 2017 Commissioner and Kazakhstan’s First Deputy Foreign Minister...


Women are Important Partners in ‘Family, Community and Country’

In today’s knowledge economy, the most important resource and main driver of prosperity is the talent and energy of a country’s people. So the better a society...


Kazakh Think Tank Gathers Int’l Experts to Discuss Terrorism, Relations among Powers

ASTANA – New global challenges were discussed by foreign experts March 2 at the Kazakhstan Institute for Strategic Studies (KAZISS). Growing strains in relations between world powers...


City of Eggs, Buckets, Dollars and Flying Saucers

ASTANA – “Let’s meet near the Egg!” or “I’m in the Lighter!” or “I need a ride to Chupa Chups!” If you ever hear those phrases, don’t...


KazGUU Academic Diplomatic Club Hosts Farewell to UAE, Japanese Ambassadors

ASTANA – The South African Embassy to the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Embassy of the Kingdom of Norway together with the KazGUU Academic Diplomatic Club hosted...


Historical Photo and Documentary Exhibit Marks 24 Years of Kazakhstan’s UN Membership

ASTANA­ – Kazakhstan’s Foreign Ministry opened an exhibition of unique archival materials from the Archives of the President of Kazakhstan and historic photographs reflecting the country’s cooperation...


Nazarbayev Congratulates Kazakh People on Day of Gratitude, Recalls Country’s Historic Past

ASTANA – President Nursultan Nazarbayev congratulated the people of Kazakhstan with the Day of Gratitude celebrated in the nation for the first time on March 1. He...


Shymkent Police Adopt Drone Technology to Patrol Streets

ASTANA – Shymkent Police have launched a pilot project to use quadcopter air drones to monitor and improve road safety, according to the press service of the...


Kazakh President Says Crisis Provides New Development Opportunities

ASTANA – Emphasising that the global economic turbulence continues to generate social and political upheaval in the world, Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev said this situation creates opportunities...


Water Use Key to Launch of Kazakhstan’s Transition to Green Economy

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s Green Economy Concept policy, adopted in May 2013, aims to diversify the economy through the careful use of natural resources. The effective use of...


Kazakhstan’s First UN Representative Reflects on almost a Quarter Century of Membership

Kazakhstan was admitted to membership in the United Nations (UN) on March 2, 1992. On the eve of the 24th anniversary of such an important event in...


Human Rights Protection Work On-going in Kazakhstan, Ambassador Says

Ahead of the high-level segment of the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC), held each March, The Astana Times discussed cooperation between Kazakhstan and the UN and bilateral...


Soyle.kz Director Utilises Internet to Bring Kazakh Language to the World

ASTANA – Soyle.kz is using the Internet and mobile technology to bring Kazakh language, culture and history to Russian and English speakers across the globe. “Soyle” means...


Kazakh Senate Speaker Calls for Spirit of Dialogue in OSCE Parliamentary Assembly

ASTANA – The Parliamentary Assembly of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) should act in “a spirit of a common political project” and seek...


Alstom Now Holds 50 Percent of Electric Locomotive Production Joint Venture

ASTANA – Alstom and Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ), Kazakhstan’s national railway company, completed the process of Alstom’s acquisition of an additional 25 percent of the Electrovoz Kurastyru...