- Sunday, 24 May, 2026
- Almaty 45 °F / 7 °C
- Astana 61 °F / 16 °C
ASTANA – Abelgazy Kussainov, Turgun Syzdykov and incumbent President Nursultan Nazarbayev remain the three official candidates in Kazakhstan’s early presidential election, which has been called for April...
ASTANA – The Astana Emergency Situation Department received new fire fighting vehicles on March 20. The vehicles will help Astana emergency personnel improve their effectiveness and increase...
ASTANA – Nazarbayev University (NU) launched a new master’s of arts in economics this month, the vice dean of research in the School of Humanities and Social...
ALMATY – A couple of weeks ago, a delegation from Almaty came back from Colombia, where they had been participating in the fourth World Bicycle Forum in...
Construction on a new school in Bishkek funded by Kazakhstan was completed on March 20 with an opening ceremony attended by Kyrgyzstan’s President Almazbek Atambayev. Kazakh Ambassador...
Ahead of the visit to Astana by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán in early April, Nurbakh Rustemov, Kazakhstan’s Ambassador in Budapest, shared his views on the bilateral...
The decision by President Nursultan Nazarbayev to seek re-election next month was neither unexpected nor unwelcome to many citizens. His leadership has been an ever-present factor in...
The Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO) held a joint security games workshop at its headquarters in Moscow to improve its member states’ practical skills in forming and...
Consumption of liquefied gas in Kazakhstan reached about 600,000 tonnes, Kazakh Vice Minister of Energy Magzum Mirzagaliyev said at a March 19 Central Communications Services (CCS) briefing....
“Transport currently makes up 15-16 percent of Kazakhstan’s GDP (gross domestic product) and this number will only increase,” member of the Mazhilis (lower house of Parliament) Serikbai...
“The Kazakh-Austrian Business Council should consist of two divisions, an expert analytical centre and an investments promotion department,” Kazakhstan Co-Chair Meiram Pshembayev said at a March 16...
Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister Berdibek Saparbayev made a working visit to the Atyrau region March 19 where he saw the work of industrial and agricultural enterprises, met...
ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed on March 25 that at least three of its citizens died in the Germanwings A320 airliner crash in the...
TOKYO – To date, 20 countries have confirmed their participation in EXPO 2017, among them South Korea and Japan, who have started to prepare their pavilions, it...
When two years ago we launched our bid to host the 2022 Winter Olympics, few commentators gave Kazakhstan a chance. But following the IOC committee’s successful visit...
ASTANA – Past positive cooperation between Kazakhstan’s electoral authority and Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) observers was recalled March 24 as Chairman of the...
Kazakh speed skater Yekaterina Aidova from Karaganda secured third position and took bronze during the International Skating Union (ISU) World Cup finals in Erfurt, Germany, March 21-22....
The exhibition of contemporary painters, sculptors and carpet artists, “Shanyrak, Canopy of Heaven,” which was presented in the framework of the international project “Building Bridges between East...
Deputy Chairman of the National Security Committee (KNB) Nurgali Bilisbekov announced recently that a Kazakh “assassin” who planned to carry out bombings and attacks against Kazakh law...
ASTANA – Employees of the Astana Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) Office for Administrative Police together with representatives of state agencies, social workers and school psychologists recently...
Bangkok was the site of the third Asia Europe Meeting (ASEM) for governors and mayorsMarch 11-13. This year’s theme,“ASEM Goes Local: Innovation and Regeneration,” focused on the...
In an interview with this newspaper, Mukhtar Tleuberdi, Kazakhstan’s Permament Representative at the UN Office in Geneva, discusses the country’s approaches to working with and within the...
The other day, a list of instructions given by Russian President Vladimir Putin following a meeting with members of his government was published on the Kremlin’s website....
Centuries ago Kazakh and Uzbek khanates belonged to the same dynasties. Both countries historically shared borders and Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan, was, at some point, a...
ASTANA – Kazakhstan restaurateurs have joined the farm-to-table movement, using “Made in Kazakhstan” foodstuffs in their menus. Those in the dining and hotel business have developed long-term...
ASTANA – Presidents Nursultan Nazarbayev of Kazakhstan, Vladimir Putin of Russia and Alexander Lukashenko of Belarus met in Astana on March 20 to discuss prospects for closer...
ASTANA – The first Kazakhstan ski expedition to the North Pole will carry three flags – the national flag, the flag of the Assembly of the People...
A new report shows that Astana’s city hospital is the country’s highest rated multidisciplinary medical institution followed by Kostanai city hospital and Rudny city hospital. Tekeli hospital...
Ninety percent of the Taisoigan military training ground in Atyrau region will be withdrawn from Russian lease and returned to Kazakhstan, according to a March 3 report...
On March 22, countries all across Middle and Central Asia will celebrate Nauryz, the New Year, or the festival of spring and abundance. Historically, this holiday, that,...
ASTANA – In an effort to raise its profile at home and abroad, the Astana Opera Theatre management announced changes March 14 in its staff composition. The...
ASTANA – Secretary General of the International Expositions Bureau (BIE) Vicente Loscertales said Astana was making “excellent” progress in preparations for EXPO 2017 during a March 19...
ASTANA – Foreign Minister Erlan Idrissov, Chairman of the Steering Committee of the Regional Hub of Civil Service Alikhan Baimenov and Rector of the Academy of Public...
A bill to reform Kazakhstan’s pension system that takes into consideration the years a pensioner has worked is expected to be approved by year’s end, Deputy Minister...
The first ever Formula 3 racecar from Kazakhstan and the first ever female Formula 3 racer from there, Lyubov Andreyeva, continue to impress the world of racing...
On March 13, Kazakhstan’s Ambassador to France Nurlan Danenov, who also is serving as Kazakhstan’s permanent representative to UNESCO, handed an official invitation to the 5th Congress...
ASTANA – A 2014 ranking by Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) placed Kazakhstan 101st of 135 countries on the World Giving Index. As a result, participants at a...
ASTANA – Theatre lovers are swinging from the chandeliers as the amateur musical theatre Attrakcion showcases its interpretation of “Chicago,” Broadway’s satirical and sassy musical. Performances will...
ASTANA –The Kazakhstan Central Electoral Commission (CEC) officially registered the self-nominated Abelgazy Kussainov as a candidate for the April 26 early presidential election on March 18. Kussainov collected 132,152...
Draft law on organic farming awaits vote; private initiatives work to support organic development ASTANA – As Kazakhstan pushes to develop its agricultural sector with increased funding...
ASTANA – Kazakhstan Ministerof Energy Vladimir Shkolnik recently said that there are 1,150 gasified localities in Kazakhstan and that by 2030, more than 1,600 will come online....
New NATO Contact Point Hopes to Share Alliance’s Values in Central Asia, Increase Bilateral Trade ASTANA – As NATO Contact Point in Kazakhstan, Ambassador of Estonia Jaan...
ASTANA – The Central Electoral Commission of Kazakhstan (CEC) has officially registered Communist People’s Party of Kazakhstan representative Turgun Syzdykov as a candidate for the April 26...
Vice President of the Association of Sports Press of Kazakhstan Mikhail Vasilyev won the award for the best foreign television story at the recent fourth Energy of...
ASTANA – Kazakhstan and Canada recently carried out a little diplomacy on ice when members of the Astana city administration and the Canadian embassy in Astana met...
An official ban on imports of Russian motor fuels, like light distillates and diesel fuel products, will be in force from March 5-April 20, the Kazakh Ministry...
The Kazakh Research Institute announced recently that it has expanded its range of diagnostic and treatment services at its recently opened Astana branch and has purchased 400...
ASTANA – The Kazakh Agency on Civil Service Affairs and Anti-Corruption with the support of the Regional Hub of Civil Service organised a March 13 symposium...
ASTANA – Candidate nominations for the early Kazakh presidential election was completed March 15, reported the country’s Central Election Commission (CEC). The early election, initiated by the Council...
Confederation of Combat Sports and Powerlifting Chairman Timur Kulibayev directed members of the confederation during a March 12 confederation meeting to intensify their preparations for the 2016...
The Kazakh Parliament is developing a new working concept on cultural policy, according to a recent announcement by Akhan Bizhanov, member of the Mazhilis Committee for Social...
ASTANA – The first international forum on oil and gas exploration titled, “Kazakhstan Geology Forum: Oil & Gas in Focus,” took place in Astana’s Rixos Hotel on...
Almaty city public transport, ambulance and emergency, as well as engineering vehicles will get special traffic lanes by 2017, reported TV channel Almaty. According to the channel’s...
ASTANA – The Degdar Humanitarian Fund supported by the Japanese embassy in Kazakhstan made a musical gift to Astana within the bounds of the Japan Spring International...
ASTANA – Kazakhstan and Israel are united by some common roots and common challenges, Deputy Director General of Israel’s Foreign Ministry Zvi Rav-Ner said during his March...
ASTANA – As Kazakhstan develops economically and socially, its culture of hospitality is slowly shifting from the domestic realm to the professional, and while cooking professionals say...
ASTANA – Whether self-nominated or named by political parties or organisations, more than 20 candidates have thrown their hats into the Kazakh presidential election ring, according to statements...
ASTANA – KazMunayGas recently announced that the modernisation of its oil refineries will be prolonged due to lack of funds. In spite of the ban on Russian...
“Before, we could only dream of such luxuries. We thought that these kind of centres were privileges only enjoyed by city dwellers, but now we have a...
ASTANA – As a way of reinforcing coordination among services, military unit No. 50185 in Karaganda, the air assault brigade in the Almaty region and aircraft pilots...
ASTANA – Incumbent Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev on March 11 accepted the Nur Otan party’s nomination to be the party’s candidate in the April 26 early presidential...
ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s ruling Nur Otan party nominated President Nursultan Nazarbayev as its candidate for the early presidential election at the party’s congress in Astana on March 11....
ASTANA – Although Kazakh rock groups aren’t extremely successful in the country and virtually unknown abroad, American and Russian rock music is popular in some regions of...
ASTANA – Estonia is the latest country to publicly mull using Kazakhstan’s transit infrastructure to ship goods between China and Europe. “We’re considering the shipment of merchandise...
Conflict and suffering has again sadly being dominating international headlines. The Middle East is engulfed in a struggle for decency against the so-called Islamic State. The rise...
ASTANA – After a long hiatus, a club meant to bring together on a regular basis international chiefs of missions is reviving its activities in the newly...
ASTANA – Check-In for Air Astana passengers just got a little easier. Kazakhstan’s flagship air carrier Air Astana recently introduced Kazakhstan’s first passenger self check-in kiosks for...
ASTANA – In his interview with The Astana Times, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Belarus to Kazakhstan Anatoly Nichkassov underlined the importance of growing economic relations between...
ASTANA – Astana has been home to a globetrotting musician for the past two years, and Astana Opera for one. Originally from northwest Wales, Ross Clarke came...
ASTANA – From March 4 to 9, a Kazakh delegation headed by EXPO 2017 Commissioner and First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Rapil Zhoshybayev visited Germany to...
Alexander Baron was behind the creation of the ethnic cultural centres in Kazakhstan, so he can rightfully say that the Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan (APK)...
ASTANA – Kazakh Senate Chairman Kassym-Jomart Tokayev completed his official visit to New York March 4, which was devoted to the upcoming Fifth Congress of Leaders of...
ASTANA – The Kazakhstan Davis Cup team beat Italy 3:2 in team competition on March 6-8 at Astana’s National Tennis Centre to advance to the Davis Cup...
ASTANA – The spring has started with a fresh look at classical music and rock for many music lovers, as the American cello rock band Break of...
Deputy Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Bakytzhan Sagintayev reported recently that the number of Kazakhs seeking public housing has increased. “In Kazakhstan, more than 300,000 people are standing...
“Autumn … Clouds … The Earth is beautiful.” For almost 1,000 years this line in Arabic alphabet Kufic script has decorated the patterned column of the famous...
ASTANA – Flights from Astana to Seoul will be available this summer, according to a March 4 report from the press service of the Ministry of Investment...
Political life in Kazakhstan stands on the eve of an event of paramount importance for any country: a presidential election. Over the last three weeks, the political...
Turn out the lights for 60 minutes. Pledge to save the planet for a lifetime. Kazakhstan will join 161 countries and territories around the world March 28...
ASTANA – President Nursultan Nazarbayev held the traditional meeting dedicated to International Women’s Day with prominent women from all over Kazakhstan in the Akorda presidential palace on...
“We believe the Astana Summit will be the last to determine the legal status of the Caspian Sea,” Azerbaijani Deputy Foreign Minister Khalaf Khalafov said on March...
“In 2015, there will be 157.3 billion tenge (US$848.4 million) of available agricultural subsidies, which is almost 1.8 times more than in 2013,”arecent report of the Ministry...
BRUSSELS – Foreign Minister Erlan Idrissov of Kazakhstan headed his country’s delegation to the 14th meeting of the Kazakhstan-European Union Cooperation Council in Brussels on March 3....
“As part of the additional budget allocation to support agriculture, it is planned to increase the amount of financing of the programme of agribusiness entities from 300...
“The National Bank of Kazakhstan and the government of Kazakhstan have developed an action plan to reduce the dollarisation of the economy for 2015-2016. The plan includes...
Production at Kazakhstan’s only tire recycling plant has begun rolling again after being shut down for two years. The German equipment and technologies used at the plant...
On the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, which has been guiding conservation efforts for more than five decades, the saiga antelope has moved...
The economies of Europe and Eurasia are facing significant challenges today, given the fallout from ongoing geopolitical tensions around the conflict-hit Ukraine, and as a result are...
ASTANA – As part of activities celebrating Almaty as the Capital of Islamic Culture for 2015, the faculty of Oriental Studies of the Al-Farabi Kazakh National University...
The first wave of Iranian migration to Kazakh territories began in the early 19th century, as many individuals travelled to a different country in search of work....
ASTANA – The Central Election Commission (CEC) of Kazakhstan has released an updated list of candidates who plan to take part in the country’s presidential election next...
A delegation from the Islamic Republic of Iran headed by General in Chief of the Iranian Naval Forces Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari made an official visit to...
ASTANA –Secretary of State of Kazakhstan Gulshara Abdykalikovaand Antonio Somme, head of the Eurasian Competitiveness Programme of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), met Feb....
ASTANA – Thirteen experts from Germany, Italy, Serbia, Poland and Turkey are for the first time in Astana to learn how to implant the Heart Mate III,...
ASTANA – In response to government plans to enact a law abolishing taxes and fees for liquid petroleum gas (LPG) users, KazTransGas is planning to construct 105...
More than 3,000 people gathered Feb. 28 in Astana for Burkasyn 2015, a skiing festival in honour of Kazakhstan, its veterans and its independent constitution. “A sports...
Since its establishment in 2010, Nazarbayev University has developed into one of the leading educational and research institutions in Kazakhstan. The university and Chevron entered into a...
GENEVA – Foreign Minister of Kazakhstan Erlan Idrissov urged greater global efforts in nuclear disarmament at the plenary session of the Conference on Disarmament and addressed the...
The Almaty anti-crisis programme was presented by Akim (Mayor) Ahmetzhan Yessimov Feb. 19 during a meeting with the public. Yessimov noted that the optimisation of Almaty’s budget...
I read with interest The Astana Times interview of Mr. Alexander Dederer, chairman of the Public Association of Germans in Kazakhstan. I had written my doctoral dissertation...
