Kazakhstan’s Constitution at 30: What Has Been Achieved?

ASTANA — When people voted in the 1995 national referendum (Aug. 30) to adopt a new Constitution, they laid the cornerstone of modern statehood. More than just...


Astana Finance Days 2025 Forum to Kick Off Next Week

ASTANA — The Kazakh capital is set to host the eighth Astana Finance Days on Sept. 4-5, under the auspices of the Astana International Forum (AIF). According...


Social Protection: Not Option but Necessity in Asia and Pacific

Asia and the Pacific is navigating multiple disruptions, both positive and negative. Economic restructuring, green transitions, intensifying climate change, demographic shifts and digital transformations are posing a...


Kazakhstan’s Match Point: Raising Tennis Champions at Home

ASTANA — When Dave Miley first set foot in Kazakhstan in 1993, tennis was still a niche sport confined mostly to Almaty. Fast-forward to 2020, when he...


Languages of Kazakh Khanate: from Kipchak Roots to Literary Kazakh

ALMATY – While the spoken and written languages of the Kazakh Khanate differed, philologists agree that Kazakh dominated the literature of the era – it was the...


S&P Global Ratings Revises Kazakhstan’s Outlook to Positive

ASTANA — S&P Global Ratings revised Kazakhstan’s credit rating outlook from stable to positive, affirming the sovereign rating at BBB-. According to the National Bank of Kazakhstan,...


King of Jordan to Visit Kazakhstan Next Week

ASTANA — King of Jordan Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein will visit Kazakhstan on Aug. 26-27, at the invitation of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. According to Akorda, the...


Science, Steppe, and Survival: Kazakh Biologist’s Conservation Journey

ASTANA — Nearly 20 years ago, a young biology student stood on the Kazakh steppe at dawn and caught sight of his first wild saiga. For Albert...


All-Female Team in Almaty Turns Turkic Myths into Video Game

ALMATY – A team of young women developers in Almaty is releasing Iz, a 2D pixel role-playing adventure game inspired by Turkic myths and legends, this fall....


Central Eurasian Startups Secure Spot in Silicon Valley Acceleration Programs

ALMATY – This fall, 24 startups from Central Eurasia and other countries will head to Silicon Valley to participate in the prestigious AlchemistX and Silicon Valley Residency...


Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic Bring Strategic Cooperation to New Level

ALMATY – Kazakhstan and the Kyrgyz Republic reached a series of significant agreements during high-level talks on Aug. 22 in Bishkek, signaling a new phase in bilateral...


News Digest: Baikonur as Tourism Spot, Water-Related Challenges in Central Asia and More

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 the...


Kazakhstan to Host World Forum of Central Securities Depositories 2025

ALMATY – Kazakhstan will host the World Forum of Central Securities Depositories (WFC2025) on Sept. 23 – 26 in Almaty, marking the first time the forum will...


Kazakhstan to Open University Branch in Osh

ALMATY – Kazakhstan and the Kyrgyz Republic announced the opening of a new branch of the L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University at Osh State University during the...


Andrea Bocelli to Perform at Almaty Arena This October

ALMATY – Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli will give a performance at Almaty Arena on Oct. 28, bringing his celebrated voice to Kazakhstan as part of his international...


Kozybayev University Students Study in US Under Dual-Degree Program

ALMATY – Kozybayev University in North Kazakhstan has sent its first group of 29 students to study at the University of Arizona’s main campus in Tucson, U.S.,...


Tokayev Reaffirms Commitment to Strengthening Ties with Kyrgyz Republic

ALMATY – President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev held talks with President of the Kyrgyz Republic Sadyr Japarov on Aug. 22, as part of his official visit to...


Experts Revise Kazakhstan’s Economic Growth and Oil Price Forecasts

ALMATY – The National Bank of Kazakhstan has published the results of its latest macroeconomic survey on Aug. 21, reflecting updated forecasts from leading analysts on key...


Every Person Holds Priceless Gems: Kazakhstan’s Bahá’í Community on Education, Unity, and Upcoming Congress

Editor’s Note: In the run-up to the eighth Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, scheduled for Sept. 17–18 in Astana, The Astana Times has launched...


Kazakhstan, Grenada Sign Agreement on Visa Exemption for Diplomats and Officials

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s Permanent Representative to the UN Kairat Umarov and Grenada’s Permanent Representative to the UN Ingrid Jackson agreed on visa exemption for holders of diplomatic...


Kazakhstan Observes Agri-Export Growth

ASTANA – Kazakhstan recorded a 38.3% increase in agri-food exports in January–June, reaching $3.2 billion and 9.64 million tons. Agriculture’s share in the country’s total exports rose...


What Tokayev’s Visit Means for Kazakhstan–Kyrgyzstan Ties

ASTANA – Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev will pay an official visit to the Kyrgyz Republic on Aug. 22, underscoring the growing partnership between the two countries. During...


Where to Go, What to See This Weekend: Art, Dance, Music and Sports

ALMATY – After a long weekend, Astana and Almaty offer a chance to recharge – with concerts that inspire, exhibitions that provoke thoughts, and festivals that give...


Kazakhstan and China Set Course to Double Bilateral Trade by 2030

ASTANA — Kazakh Minister of Trade and Integration Arman Shakkaliyev met with Chinese Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao to discuss ways to double bilateral trade by 2030...


Kazakhstan’s Economy Needs Innovation Push to Drive Growth, Expert Says

ASTANA – Kazakhstan has to boost innovation to ensure technological transformation and long-term economic growth, according to Saltanat Igenbekova, an analyst at Halyk Finance. She noted that...


Kazakhstan Strengthens Rare-Earth Metal Sector Development

ASTANA — Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Olzhas Bektenov held a meeting on the development of the rare and rare-earth metals industry as part of the President’s instructions...


Kazakhstan Marks 10 Years of WTO Membership with Strong Trade, Investment Growth

ASTANA — This year marks the 10th anniversary of Kazakhstan’s accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO). Over the past decade, the country has established itself as...


Gulf Critical Minerals Playbook Offers Lessons for Central Asia

At the third ministerial meeting in the Central Asia-GCC format on April 16, 2025, Kazakhstan’s Foreign Minister Murat Nurtleu invited the Gulf countries to jointly develop Kazakhstan’s...


Kazakhstan Assesses Economic Outlook as Key Sectors Show Steady Expansion

ALMATY – Kazakhstan’s economic growth prospects were discussed at an Aug. 19 meeting of the economic growth headquarters chaired by Vice Prime Minister and Minister of National...


Global Collaboration Key to Future of Libraries, Say IFLA Leaders During Visit to Kazakhstan

ASTANA — Librarianship is rooted in collaboration and sharing, and by working together, the profession strengthens both its international voice and its role in communities, said International...


President Tokayev to Pay Official Visit to Kyrgyz Republic This Week

ALMATY – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to pay an official visit to the Kyrgyz Republic on Aug. 22 at the invitation of President Sadyr Japarov, the Akorda press...


Air Astana Alters Schedule Due to Runway Maintenance at Capital Airport

ALMATY – Nursultan Nazarbayev International Airport in Astana announced temporary closures of its runway due to scheduled maintenance works, reported the airport’s press service on Aug. 19....


Kazakhstan Showcases Paralympic Success as Tokayev Hosts Global Committee Heads

ASTANA – Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev met with International Paralympic Committee President Andrew Parsons and Asian Paralympic Committee President Majid Rashed on Aug. 19 to discuss the...


Kazakhstan Warming Outpaces Global Trend, Raising Climate Concerns

ASTANA – Kazakhstan is experiencing a rapid increase in temperature, surpassing the global average, with rising annual temperatures accompanied by a growing frequency of extreme natural events,...


Kazakhstan’s Media Archipelago

These days, we often hear people say they don’t trust the news at all. Yet the moment a truly important topic comes up, they still go looking...


Silk Way Star Competition Debuts in Kazakhstan, Uniting Asia Through Music

ASTANA – Kazakhstan will host Silk Way Star, the first Asian vocal competition in August, creating a new platform to promote Asian music, strengthen cultural ties and...


Almaty Named Youth Capital of Turkic World 2025

ASTANA – The opening ceremony of the fourth International Youth Festival of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) took place in Almaty on Aug. 18, marking the...


Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan Deepen Strategic Partnership Through High-Level Dialogue

ASTANA – Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev met with Tanzila Narbayeva, chairwoman of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of Uzbekistan, on Aug. 18 to discuss the Kazakh-Uzbek...


Afghanistan, Uzbekistan Sign Contracts for Four Energy Projects Worth $243 Million

ASTANA — Afghanistan has signed $243 million worth of contracts with Uzbekistan to implement four major energy projects aimed at improving the country’s electricity supply, the national...


Kazakhstan Rolls Out Domestic Messenger to Replace Foreign Apps in State Institutions

ASTANA – Kazakhstan will introduce the Aitu national messenger in all government agencies, quasi-public organizations, and the Armed Forces, following a decision of the digital headquarters chaired...


Kazakhstan Establishes Digital Headquarters to Accelerate AI, Digital Transformation

ASTANA – Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Olzhas Bektenov chaired an Aug. 18 meeting of the newly formed digital headquarters, established to oversee the implementation of President Kassym-Jomart...


Kazakhstan Overhauls Railway Infrastructure to Cement Role as Global Transit Hub

ASTANA – Kazakhstan is undertaking a comprehensive modernization and digital transformation of its railway sector through infrastructure upgrades and the implementation of digital solutions to enhance efficiency,...


Kazakhstan Prepares Public Competition for Nuclear Plant Name

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...


Kazakhstan’s Regulatory Approach to Foreign Marketplaces

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...


Shymkent Hosts 16th Asian Shooting Championship

ALMATY – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev met with Luciano Rossi,  President of the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF), and Sheikh Salman Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah, President of the Asian...


IFLA Congress Opens in Astana, Making History for Central Asia

ASTANA — The 89th World Library and Information Congress of the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) commenced in Astana on Aug. 18, marking the...


Kazakhstan’s Progress in Water Diplomacy Strengthens Regional Cooperation, Says Expert

ALMATY – Kazakhstan’s efforts in advancing interstate cooperation in the water sector have received international recognition, reported the Kazakh Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation press service...


Jennifer Lopez Concert in Almaty Generates $19 Million in Economic Impact

ALMATY – Jennifer Lopez’s first-ever concert in Almaty on Aug. 10 attracted 27,000 fans to the Central Stadium, including 7,000 international visitors from 35 countries, ranging from...


Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan Boost Air Connectivity With More Flights

ALMATY – Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan have agreed to increase the number of flights and expand cooperation in the field of civil aviation, the Committee of Civil Aviation...


National Bank Issues Coins Marking 30th Anniversary of Kazakhstan’s Constitution

ALMATY – The National Bank of Kazakhstan (NBK) announced the release of commemorative coins dedicated to the 30th anniversary of the Constitution of Kazakhstan on Aug. 30,...


Astana’s New LRT Promises Quieter, Smoother Rides with Noise-Reducing Rails

ALMATY — Construction of Astana’s light rail transit (LRT) project completed a critical phase with the finalizing of rail installation along the 22,4 kilometer main line, the...


Kazakhstan, China Strengthen Air Connectivity With New Agreement

ALMATY – Kazakhstan and China agreed to expand cooperation in civil aviation during an Aug. 16 meeting of the Civil Aviation cooperation working group in Central Asia–China...


Kazakhstan Eyes Stronger Carbon Market as Global ETS Evolves

ASTANA – With countries around the world racing to reach carbon neutrality goals, a mature carbon trading market is essential in unlocking this objective. Kazakhstan’s emission trading...


Japan to Provide Over $7 Million Grant for Victims of Semipalatinsk Nuclear Tests

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....


Where Kazakhstan Turns Molten Metal Into National Wealth

ASTANA — Deep within a restricted-access facility in Astana, where molten metal is forged into 12-kilogram bars of 99.99% purity, known as “four nines” gold, the mission...


Kazakhstan’s Archaeological Sites Yield Rare Coins and Ancient Burial

ASTANA — Archaeological excavations in Kazakhstan continue to reveal valuable insights into the country’s past, with recent finds including medieval silver coins near Atyrau and the burial...


PM Bektenov Calls for Stronger Economic Ties at Eurasian Intergovernmental Council Meeting

ASTANA – Kazakh Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov outlined key priorities for strengthening regional cooperation at the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council’s expanded meeting on Aug. 15 in Cholpon-Ata, reports...


Kazakhstan Welcomes Trump-Putin Meeting in Alaska as Launch of High-Level Negotiations on Ukraine

ASTANA – Kazakhstan welcomes the meeting of United States President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin on Aug. 15 in Anchorage, Alaska, as the start of...


Astana to Host 8th Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions in September

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s capital will host the eighth Congress of the Leaders of World and Traditional Religions on Sept. 17–18, chaired by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.  The global...


Global Film School Helps Kazakh Industry Find its Groove 

ASTANA – The New York Film Academy (NYFA) has opened its first campus in Asia and second outside the United States, launching operations in Kaskelen, near Almaty....


Harvard Showcases Kazakh Mom’s House Project as Global Model for Social Change

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s ANA UYI (Mom’s House) initiative has been included in the research base of Harvard Business School, marking the first time in history that a...


Kazakhstan Adopts New X-ray-Free Method for Treating Heart Defects

ASTANA – Kazakh interventional cardiologists at the University Medical Center (UMC) adapted the innovative Pan (percutaneous and nonfluoroscopic) method for treating heart defects, the UMC press service...


News Digest: Foreign Media on Kazakhstan’s Commitment to Peace, Tazy Dogs, Jennifer Lopez’s Concerts, and More

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...


President Recognizes Teacher’s Role in Building Kazakhstan’s Future

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...


Astana Becomes First Central Asian City to Welcome IFLA World Library Congress

ASTANA — The Kazakh capital will host the 89th World Library and Information Congress of the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA), the largest global...


North Kazakhstan Hosts International Events to Promote Cultural Heritage and Tourism

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...


Kazakhstan Expands AI Role in Public Services

ASTANA — The Digital Government Support Center (DGSC), a subsidiary of the Kazakh Ministry of Digital Development, Innovations and Aerospace Industry, presented major digital transformation projects at...


Kazakhstan Cuts Oil Output in July, Exceeds OPEC+ Quota

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...


IMF: Kazakhstan Achieves Highest GDP Per Capita in Region

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...


What’s On This Weekend: Music, Festivals and Family Fun

ALMATY – This weekend in Kazakhstan offers a vibrant mix of laughter, music and magic. From a music festival to a glowing forest adventure, there’s something for...


Ilham Aliyev’s State Visit to Kazakhstan Expected in October

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...


CITI: Kazakhstan’s Digital Drive, Trade Ambitions Set Stage for Financial Hub Aspirations

ASTANA — Kazakhstan’s economic diversification efforts and focus on digital transformation are opening new avenues for growth, particularly in financial services and trade, according to David Livingstone,...


Kazakhstan Marks 95 Years of Waltz Genius and National Anthem Author Shamshi Kaldayakov

ASTANA – On Aug. 15, Kazakhstan celebrates 95 years since the birth of a revered composer Shamshi Kaldayakov, a genius for ballroom music, which made him the...


Kazakhstan Strengthens Fight Against Drug Crime With New Coordinating Body

ALMATY – A new nationwide coordination body has been set up on Aug. 14 to unite state agencies in the fight against drug addiction and drug-related crimes. ...


United States Tariff Increase: What Awaits Kazakhstan’s Exports?

ASTANA — New import tariffs from the United States took effect Aug. 7, imposing a 25% duty on Kazakhstan’s exports. Officials say the measures affect only a...


Prominent Kazakh Expert Joins UN Scientific Panel to Examine Possible Impact of Nuclear War

ASTANA – Togzhan Kassenova, a prominent Kazakh expert and a senior fellow at the University at Albany, has joined a new 21-member United Nations scientific panel that...


Kazakhstan Records Population Growth in January-June

ALMATY – The Bureau of National Statistics has released updated demographic data for January-June, indicating that Kazakhstan’s population shows steady growth in the first six months of...


Kazakhstan Signs $14 Million in Water Sector Agreements with International Partners

ALMATY – Since its establishment in 2023, Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation has signed four agreements and 20 memorandums of understanding (MOUs) with international partners,...


Kazakhstan, ValueLBH Fund Explore $1.5 Billion Investment Projects in Priority Sectors

ALMATY – Kazakhstan and ValueLBH, an international investment fund, are considering joint projects worth up to $1.5 billion in key sectors of the Kazakh economy, as discussed...


Astana Hosts First World Qazaq Kuresi Championship for Military Personnel

ALMATY – The first World Qazaq Kuresi Championship among military personnel starts on Aug. 14 at the Qazaqstan athletics complex in Astana, bringing together wrestlers from 25...


Kazakhstan Launches Central Asia’s First Spot Bitcoin ETF

ALMATY – Kazakhstan has taken a major step in integrating cryptocurrency into its regulated financial markets with the launch of the region’s first spot bitcoin exchange-traded fund...


Kazakhstan Shows World Peaceful Coexistence Is Possible, Says Rabbi Karnauh

ASTANA – Kazakhstan will host the eighth Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions on Sept. 17-18. Over the years, the event has become a platform...


Kazakhstan’s Economy Expands 6.3% in January-July

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...


Tokayev Calls for Tougher Measures Against Drug Trafficking


Kozybayev University to Welcome 100 Turkish Students Annually for Dual-Degree Education

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...


SCAT Airlines to Launch Astana-Belgrade Flight in November

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s SCAT Airlines will launch direct flights from Astana to Belgrade, the capital of Serbia, starting from Nov. 3. Tickets are already on sale. The...


Kazakhstan Eases Stay Rules for Foreign Citizens, Launches New Tourist Services

ASTANA – Kazakhstan has simplified conditions of stay for foreign citizens and introduced new services for tourists, representatives of the migration service of the East Kazakhstan Region’s...


Starlink Satellite Internet Officially Launches in Kazakhstan

ALMATY – Starlink satellite internet officially became available in Kazakhstan on Aug. 13. Operated by SpaceX, the network of low-Earth orbit satellites offers high-speed, reliable internet access,...


Exhibition Displays Sacred Books Ahead of Global Religious Congress in Astana

ASTANA – The “Sacred Books” exhibition opened this August at the Palace of Peace and Reconciliation in Astana, providing the public with an opportunity to learn about...


Kazakhstan Creates Digital Headquarters to Facilitate AI Integration

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...


Cambridge Professor Spotlights Kazakhstan’s Rising Role in Global Science 

ASTANA – Kazakhstan welcomed more than 700 mathematicians, scientists and educators worldwide on July 21-25 for the first International Society for Analysis, its Applications and Computation (ISAAC)...


Astana to Host Kazakhstan Open 2025 Taekwondo Tournament This Week

ASTANA – The Kazakh capital is set to host the Kazakhstan Open 2025, a G-1 category international taekwondo tournament, from Aug. 14 to 16 at the Zhaksylyk...


Kazakh Documentary Wins Prestigious Award in New York

ALMATY – The Kazakh documentary “Gingerbread for Her Father, My Great-Grandfather, Her Grandfather” by director Alina Mustafina has won the Sikay Tang Critical Lens Award at the...


Alternativa Film Days to Showcase Global Cinema and Social Dialogue in Almaty

ALMATY – Alternativa Film Days, supported by inDrive, will run from Aug. 14 to 21 at ARTiSHOK Theater and Almaty Creative Hub, bringing 27 films from Asia...


Kazakhstan to Expand Air Links with China and Uzbekistan

ASTANA – Kazakhstan plans to expand its air connectivity with China and Uzbekistan by opening new destinations and increasing the number of flights, said Chair of Transport...


President Tokayev Extends Congratulations on Historic Peace Declaration Between Azerbaijan and Armenia

ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev extended warm congratulations to President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan on the signing of the historic...


Tokayev Proposes National Contest to Name Kazakhstan’s First Nuclear Plant


SCAT Airlines Launches Direct Flight Between Kazakhstan and Belarus

ASTANA – SCAT Airlines has officially launched a new direct air route connecting Almaty and Minsk. The inaugural flight took place on Aug. 10. According to the...


Kazakhstan Explores New Oil Export Route via Baku–Supsa Corridor

ASTANA – Kazakhstan is considering the development of a new oil export route as part of ongoing efforts to diversify energy supply channels. Discussions are underway regarding...


Khorgos Expands with Trade and Investment, but Bottlenecks Persist

ASTANA – The Khorgos International Center for Cross-Border Cooperation is becoming a growth driver of the Zhetisu Region in Kazakhstan’s south-eastern part. The visit of Deputy Prime...