Sixth Civil Forum Examines Methods for Increased Government, Civil Society Cooperation

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s sixth Civil Forum, held in Astana on Nov. 14 and 15, resulted in a number of recommendations for national and local government bodies, as...


Transfer of Knowledge for a Green Economy

In his Kazakhstan 2050 strategy, President Nursultan Nazarbayev called on the people of Kazakhstan to rethink their attitudes toward natural wealth. The Concept for Transition to a...


Kazakh Poet Suleimenov Speaks on Modern Challenges

NEW YORK – The Kazakh Embassy in Washington along with New York University Press hosted a book launch for the book “22 Ideas to Fix the World:...


Abdykalikova: The Sooner Stereotypes Are Gone, The Faster A Better Society Will Be Built

Gender equality and women’s representation in politics are a concern for Kazakhstan as it pushes to join the world’s 30 most developed nations. Gulshara Abdikalikova, Advisor to...


Hanoi, Astana Work to Develop Ties, Vietnamese Ambassador Says

ASTANA, Nov. 15 – Vietnam and Kazakhstan have major untapped potential for developing bilateral commercial ties and recent moves and trends suggest these ties will strengthen over...


Conference Calls for More Robust U.S. Policy in Central Asia

WASHINGTON – Washington, D.C.-based think tank The Jamestown Foundation brought together more than 100 experts and diplomats in late October to review the challenges faced by Central...


Kazakhstan, Canada Ink Peaceful Nuclear Energy Cooperation Deal

ASTANA, Nov. 13 – Kazakhstan and Canada signed a nuclear energy cooperation agreement during the first-ever visit of a Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs to Kazakhstan. The...


Ties between Swiss, Kazakh Parliaments Should Grow

I would like to start by thanking the Chairman of the Senate, Mr. Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, for having invited me to your beautiful country and the capital city...


Alash Pride Tournament to Commemorate 22 Years of Independence

The Alash Pride fighting club will hold a mixed martial arts (MMA) tournament on Dec. 19 to commemorate Kazakhstan’s 22 years of independence. Renowned fighters from around...


Kazakhstan’s Young Para Athletes Earn 39 Medals in Malaysia

ASTANA, Nov. 11 – Kazakhstan’s Youth Paralympic team won 39 medals at the Asian Youth Para Games in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, which took place from Oct. 26-30....


Barys in KHL Top Three at Break

ASTANA, Nov. 12 – More than a third of the way into the Continental Hockey League’s (KHL) sixth season, Astana’s Barys is in third place in the...


Ungarsynova’s Poetry Celebrated Through One Country – One Book Campaign

ALMATY, Nov. 12 – The work of Kazakhstan poet and winner of the State Prize of the Republic of Kazakhstan Fariza Ungarsynova is being celebrated this year...


External news in brief

President Nursultan Nazarbayev sent a telegram of congratulations to Giorgi Margvelashvili, following his election on Oct. 27 as President of Georgia. In addition to wishing President-elect Margvelashvili...


Nazarbayev, Putin Sign Treaty of Good-Neighborliness and Alliance in 21st Century

Kazakhstan President Nursultan Nazarbayev and Russian President Vladimir Putin signed or approved numerous bilateral cooperation agreements during their meeting at the 10th annual Forum of Interregional Cooperation...


“Kazakhstan – New Silk Road” Forum brings together leading transport and logistics companies

ASTANA – The second “Kazakhstan – New Silk Road” International Transport and Logistics Business Forum organised by the country’s Union of Forwarders “KAZLOGISTICS” took place on Nov....


New Book Tries to Explain Ancient Unanswered Questions

ALMATY – Journalist and political analyst Seidakhmet Kuttykadam presented his book “Tao of Altai” at the exhibition centre of the National Library of Kazakhstan on Oct. 29....


The Path to Security and Stability in Eurasia

In the 1990s, President Nursultan Nazarbayev put forward initiatives for the development of Eurasian economic cooperation and integration. Today, these proposals are embodied in policy and everyday...


Visa-Free Trade Fair Draws Thousands to Khorgos

ALMATY REGION – The Centre of International Cross-Border Cooperation (ICBC) in Panfilov district’s Khorgos recently held its first bilateral trade fair. The fair attracted tens of thousands...


Business news in Brief

The decision to award the Kazakhstan Stock Exchange (KASE) membership in the World Federation of Exchanges(WFE)was made at the 53rd General Assembly of the World Federation of...


Economy news in brief

The 10 member states of the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) programme will build new key road and rail routes linking Central Asia to China and...


National news in brief

ASTANA – Police officers in Kazakhstan will likely soon be employing a version of the United States’ famous “Miranda warning” to inform suspects of their rights when...


New River Channel through Capital Being Considered

PAVLODAR – A proposal to build a new channel from the Irtysh River to the Yessil River through the capital was presented to Parliament in October by...


Young Professionals Build Home for Widower

ZHANAOZEN – Neighbours and local residents, contributing their efforts into what is known as “Asar” (Together) action have been able to build and provide a home for...


Social Media Brings Kazakh Architecture Student International Acclaim

ALMATY – Aibek Almassov, a student at the Kazakh Architecture Academy, has seen his work achieve global acclaim through social media. The cylindrical glass house in the...


Golovkin Upsets American Boxer at Madison Square Garden

The expression of shock on the face of American boxer Curtis Stevens (25-4, 18 KO) at being knocked down in the second round by Kazakhstan-based boxer Gennady...


Ritz-Carlton Opens its First Hotel in Kazakhstan

ALMATY – One of the most anticipated hotels in Central Asia was unveiled on Nov. 5 in Almaty. Located in the green heart of the city, near...


UNDP Support for Kazakhstan Brings Positive Results

ASTANA – Cihan Sultanoglu, Regional Director for Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and UN Assistant Secretary General,...


Eight Drops Fosters Warmth, Creativity in Astana’s Club Scene

ASTANA, Nov. 6 – One of Astana’s most popular entertainment venues, the Eight Drops karaoke club, is also an incubator for the capital’s creative talent and a...


Issekeshev Analyses First Five Years of Industrial and Innovative Development

ASTANA, Nov. 4 – Innovation is happening in Kazakhstan and productivity in the country’s manufacturing sector has increased two times faster than in Russia’s and five times...


Bach in Tennis Shoes: Baroque Music Brings Almaty, Astana Crowds to Their Feet

ASTANA – Germany’s most popular break dance crew, The Flying Steps, brought its latest show, a combination of classical music and modern street acrobatics, to Astana on...


International Centre of Educational Programmes Opens at Turan College

ASTANA – The International Centre of Educational Programmes opened at Turan College of Astana on Oct. 22. The new centre will train students at top international standards...


“If You Want Peace, Prepare For… Peace,” Anti-Nuclear Weapons Activist Says

VIENNA, Nov. 1 –  Karipbek Kuyukov, the famous artist and Honorary Ambassador of the ATOM Project brought this simple message with him on a recent visit to...


Farming is possible around former Semipalatinsk Nuclear Test Site, say experts

ASTANA – The territory of the former Semipalatinsk nuclear test site in Eastern Kazakhstan is best known for having been poisoned for decades, but some experts are...


Grass Carp to Help Clean Capital’s Water Basins

ASTANA – Forty thousand young grass carp grown in the hatcheries in Taraz were recently settled in the Yessil River by a cooperative effort of United Nations...


Young Artists Convey Everyday Life Along Silk Road

ALMATY – Participants of the International Silk Road Forum visited an exhibition presented by students of the Abilkhan Kasteyev School of Fine Arts and Technical Design of...


Small Businesses Facilitate Tourism in Karaganda

For the fourth year in a row, Shabanbai-bi village has been the centre of ecotourism in the Aktogay district. The Kyzylarai nature reserve, with its combination of...


Kazakhstan Dominates 17th AIBA World Boxing Championships

ALMATY – Kazakhstan’s team came away from the 17th International Amateur Boxing Association (AIBA) World Boxing Championships in Almaty on Oct. 14-26 with good results overall, despite...


Kazakhstan Accepted as EITI Member on Second Try

Kazakhstan was accepted as a member of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) during the meeting of their international board held on October 17th in the capital...


Kazakhstan IT Sector Has Potential to Attract Major Companies, Says Industry Leader

ALMATY – Vice President Kevin Wu of Kingston Technology, one of the world’s biggest information technology companies, said his company had paid little attention to Kazakhstan—but that...


Kazakh Film Finding Success Overseas

The Kazakh film “Myn Bala,” or “Warriors of the Steppe,” in its English translation, has been released in the U.S. to generally favourable reviews. Myn Bala’s $12...


Astana Opera Signs Memorandum of Cooperation with World Theatres

ASTANA – Astana Opera, Kazakhstan’s national opera and ballet theatre, signed a memorandum of cooperation on Oct. 22 with the U.K.-based international opera association Opera Europa and...


Saving Energy is a Physico-Technical Institute Priority

Implementing the priority directions of the development of science and innovation technologies in light of the country’s preparation for EXPO 2017, the Parasat company is conducting scientific...


Job Training Programme Assists 3,000 Women

ASTANA – The results of a project to train and retrain unemployed women were presented at a recent roundtable in late October organized by the NGO Association...


Housing Programme Targets Low Income

This year, 6.8 million square meters of housing in Kazakhstan will be built as part of the Affordable Housing 2020 programme. The programme is intended for people...


Ministry of Defence Concludes Contract for Two More C295 Aircraft

ASTANA – The Ministry of Defence of Kazakhstan concluded a contract on Oct. 24 with Airbus for the delivery of two new Airbus Military C295 tactical transport...


International Fashion Industry Leaders Meet in Astana

ASTANA – The 14th Kazakhstan Fashion Industry International Specialized Exhibition (autumn 2013) kicked off in Congress Hall on Oct.. 24. Over its lifetime, the fair has gained...


In Minsk, Nazarbayev Voices Benefits, Drawbacks of Customs Union

President Nursultan Nazarbayev of Kazakhstan voiced concerns about the process of integration at the meetings of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council and the Council of Heads of...


Coalition Seeks to Improve Child Orphanage, Placement System

ASTANA – In the coalition, A Child Should Live in a Family, veteran activist Alina Khamatdinova and a team of nongovernmental organisations, lawyers, journalists and members of...


Meeting of Small NGOs to Highlight Civic Initiatives

ASTANA – A small, informal and interactive conference for Kazakhstan nongovernmental organisations, known as a “Social Camp,” will be held in Astana in November. Organizers say these...


Kazakhstan in the UN: Collaboration Facilitates Peace and Progress Efforts

Every year on Oct. 24 according to resolution No. 168 adopted in 1947 by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), the UN Day is celebrated. It is...


Kazhimkan Massimov Believes “Health Is the Main Value”

Nowadays, more and more people are using traditional Asian medicinal remedies, rather than prescription medications, while at the same time conventional medicine continues to make great strides....


Astana Auto Show Features Eco-Friendly Innovations

ASTANA – On Oct. 10, the capital of Kazakhstan hosted the Astana International Auto Salon 2013 international automobile exhibition for the first time. Automakers from 14 countries...


Charity Lunch Unites People with Disabilities and Pensioners

ASTANA – A charity lunch for 50 pensioners and people with disabilities from the Yessil district of Astana was organised at the Al-Farabi restaurant on Oct. 17...


Nazarbayev Says EXPO 2017 Should Be Profitable

ASTANA – President Nursultan Nazarbayev chaired a meeting on the preparation and arrangement of the international specialised exhibition EXPO 2017 on Oct. 16. Prime Minister Serik Akhmetov,...


Kazakh TV Broadens Programming Spectrum in 2013

Kazakh TV, Kazakhstan’s national 24-hour satellite channel, debuted 13 new projects for 2013, a record figure by the standards of Kazakhstan television. Some of the new projects...


Kazakhstan Hosts President of Bashkortostan, Celebrates Ties

ASTANA – A special delegation from Russia’s Republic of Bashkortostan, headed by its President Rustem Khamitov and including officials and representatives from the business community and higher...


Kazakhstan Travellers to Go Around the World on Camels

ASTANA – Kazakhstan travellers have started preparations for the first-ever round-the-world journey on camels, with the assistance of their Russian and European partners. The decision was announced...


Bashkir Theatre Stages “White Steamer” in Astana

ASTANA – Actors from the Gafuri Bashkir State Academic Drama Theatre performed the play “White Steamer” on Oct. 8 at the Gorky Russian Drama Theatre in Astana...


Efforts to Boost Almaty Tourism Infrastructure

ASTANA – President Nursultan Nazarbayev recently tasked Almaty Akim (Mayor) Akhmetzhan Yessimov to continue developing Almaty’s infrastructure and underlined that tourism is to play a key role...


Hosting World Boxing Championship Is an Important Achievement for Kazakhstan on World Sports Stage

On the eve of the Oct. 14-26 World Boxing Championship in Almaty, International Boxing Association Vice President and President of the Kazakhstan Boxing Federation Timur Kulibayev answered...


Economy news in brief

On Oct. 18, President Nursultan Nazarbayev held a meeting with the Board of Oil and Gas of Kazakhstan. At the meeting officials discussed current issues of further...


Two Astana Dakar Rally Teams in Top 10 in Morocco

ASTANA – Over six days and in 40-degree desert heat, two Astana Dakar Rally Team crews finished in the top 10 after the race in Morocco on...


17th AIBA World Boxing Championship Takes Place in Almaty

ALMATY –The 17th Amateur World Boxing Championship began in Almaty Oct. 14 at Baluan Sholak Palace of Culture and Sports with the record-breaking participation of 576 boxers...


Barys Goalie Credited with Score, Helps Team Win

ASTANA – In a turn of events rarely seen in any hockey league, Barys hockey club goalkeeper Vitaly Eremeyev scored a goal in the Oct. 19 3:2...


Put Kazakhstan on the UN Security Council

Upon gaining its independence in 1991, Kazakhstan became the world’s fourth largest nuclear power, only to voluntarily renounce its entire atomic arsenal shortly thereafter. We closed the...


Kazakhstan Continues History of Civil Service Reform

Civil servants are vitally important to any nation, whether developing or more established. The dedicated men and women who serve as liaisons between a government’s laws and...


Building a World Class Civil Service, One Brick at a Time

An independent Kazakhstan inherited many things from the Soviet Union when it collapsed, including a rather unwieldy and cumbersome bureaucracy. As the country began reforms to build...


Business News in Brief

Exports of Kazakhstan agricultural and food products to Customs Union countries shipped between January and July increased by 72 percent compared to the same period of last...


External news in brief

Foreign Minister Erlan Idrissov met his counterpart from Singapore Grace Fu on Oct. 21 during her visit dedicated to the 20 years of the establishment of diplomatic...


National news in brief

On Oct. 16, President Nursultan Nazarbayev attended a Senate session, where he introduced candidates for the positions of Senate speaker and chairman of the Supreme Court of...


New National Chamber of Entrepreneurs to Help Small Businesses

ASTANA – Rahim Oshakbayev, deputy chairman of the Kazakhstan National Chamber of Entrepreneurs, calls the new body “a big breakthrough and a big reform”. The new chamber...


Nur Otan Congress Defines Party’s Mission

ASTANA – A new political doctrine was adopted and strategies and responsibilities for the coming decades were laid out during the Oct. 18 15th Congress of the...


Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Win EXPO 2017 Design Contest

ASTANA – At an Oct. 22 press conference, representatives from winning American architectural company Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill (AS+GG) and the EXPO 2017 technical council and...


Politicians, Experts Seek Ways to Replicate Nuclear Disarmament Experiences Globally

HELSINKI, Oct. 20 – Leading international experts, diplomats, representatives of international organisations and nongovernmental organisation (NGO) activists in the field of nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament gathered on...


Russian Language Still Important, While Kazakh Need to Be Learned, President Says

ASTANA – President Nursultan Nazarbayev said the country was “on the right track” in its process of transitioning from Russian to the Kazakh language during his address...


Israel, Kazakhstan Continue Flurry of Cooperative Activities

ASTANA – Israeli Ambassador to Kazakhstan Eliyahu Tasman told The Astana Times in an exclusive interview that the two countries are in the midst of a flurry...


Kazakhstan could complete WTO accession by year’s end, says WTO General Director

KAZAKHSTAN – Comments by World Trade Organisation (WTO) General Director Pascal Lamy may indicate that Kazakhstan’s long-standing bid to join the organisation could finally be accepted before...


Miss Astana Crowned in Nation’s Capital

ASTANA – Dinara Zhakazhbayeva, a twenty-two-year-old graduate of East Kazakhstan State University, was crowned Miss Astana 2013 at the city competition’s glitzy grand finale on Oct. 12...


Astana Awaits Determination on Hosting 2017 World Petroleum Congress

ASTANA – The Kazakh capital will learn on Oct. 23 whether it has won the right to host the 22nd World Petroleum Congress (WPC) to be held...


Kazakhstan could complete WTO accession by year’s end, says WTO General Director

KAZAKHSTAN – Comments by World Trade Organisation (WTO) General Director Pascal Lamy may indicate that Kazakhstan’s long-standing bid to join the organisation could finally be accepted before...


Metallurgy Production Creates Jobs, Spurs Economy in Zhambyl Region

The Zhambyl region in the south of Kazakhstan with its capital in Taraz has in recent years begun reclaiming its fame as one of the most powerful...


President Seeks to Boost Almaty Tourism Infrastructure

ASTANA – President Nursultan Nazarbayev recently tasked Almaty Akim (Mayor) Akhmetzhan Yessimov to continue developing Almaty’s infrastructure and underlined that tourism is to play a key role...


EXPO 2017 Registration Dossier Submitted to BIE

ASTANA – The Astana EXPO 2017 national company has completed the final version of the 200-page registration dossier and has submitted it to the International Exhibitions Bureau...


Works of Ismailov Displayed at UNESCO Headquarters

PARIS – An exhibition celebrating the 100 anniversary of the birth of People’s Artist of Kazakhstan Aubakir Ismailov took place Oct. 7-12 at the UNESCO headquarters in...


Zhambyl Oblast Leads in Green Energy

Zhambyl oblast continues to lead the country in developing green technologies with nine renewable energy projects worth $390 million and a total energy output of 186 megawatts...


EU, Kazakhstan Cooperation Agreement Negotiations Resume in Astana

ASTANA – The fourth round of two-day negotiations on a new enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) between the European Union and Kazakhstan started on Oct. 9...


Kazakhstan Fashion Designer Debuts at Paris Fashion Week

ALMATY – The debut collection of Kazakhstan fashion designer Aizhan Zhaksybay was well received during the recent Paris Fashion Week with several large European shops expressing interest...


Mazhilis Approves Tax and Budget Amendments on First Reading

ASTANA – At the plenary session of the Mazhilis (the lower chamber of Kazakhstan’s Parliament) on Oct. 9 chaired by Speaker of the Chamber Nurlan Nigmatulin, a...


Spanish Guitar Maestro Performs at Eurasian National University

ASTANA – Gumilev Eurasian National University on Oct. 10 hosted an evening of Jose Manuel Cano, renowned Spanish guitar player and master of playing flamenco on guitar....


Designer Saken Zhaxybayev Previews New Collection in Astana

ASTANA – Designer Saken Zhaxybayev previewed his newest spring/summer cruise collection in Astana on Oct. 11 before its official presentation in Almaty in December. Guests in the...


Astana Auto Show Features Eco-Friendly Innovations

ASTANA – On Oct. 10, the capital of Kazakhstan hosted the Astana International Auto Salon 2013 international automobile exhibition for the first time. Automakers from 14 countries...


KazEnergy Forum Addresses Realities of Growing Energy Demand

ASTANA – This year’s Kazenergy forum on Oct. 8-9 reflected on the future of conventional energy in a time of shifting demand, possible scarcity, new technologies and...


Deputy FM Sarybay Visit to South Africa Sets Stage for Presidential Visit in December

Pretoria hosted the third round of political consultations between the Foreign Ministries of Kazakhstan and South Africa co-chaired by Kazakhstan Deputy Foreign Minister Kairat Sarybay and Deputy...


President Calls on Government to Act as Year’s End Looms

ASTANA – At the end of the first year of the Kazakhstan 2050 state programme, President Nursultan Nazarbayev addressed the ministers and listened to their reports on...


Astana-Berlin Relationship Stronger Than Ever, German Ambassador Says

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s relationship with Germany has never been better and the Central Asian nation is now considered more of a partner with Germany than it used...


Talented Youth Meet at Kazenergy

ASTANA – Kazenergy’s International Youth Forum “Energise your Future”, organized by the Education Programme and the Youth Committee of Kazenergy, part of the annual Eurasian Forum Kazenergy,...


Local Dancers Perform at Stars of World Ballet for First Time in 20 Years

ASTANA – Leading Astana Opera soloists Madina Basbayeva and Tair Gatauov have returned home after performing at the Stars of World Ballet of the 21st Century gala...


International Business Programme Connects Kazakhstan, US Entrepreneurs

ASTANA – Askar Oryngali and Akhmet Yermukhanov are two of the Kazakhstan business people who have been helped by a three-year, $5 million programme funded by the...


EU Project Expert Shares French Experience

ASTANA – Pierre Gevart, senior expert of the European Union sponsored project, “The Civil Service Reform and Modernisation of the Government of Kazakhstan,” trained civil servants and...


Kazakhstan, Belarus Presidents Discuss Integration and Trade in Astana

ASTANA – Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko and Kazakhstan President Nursultan Nazarbayev discussed bilateral cooperation in trade and the economic and industrial innovation sectors during an Oct. 3-4...