New Law to Boost Defence Lawyers’ Rights

ASTANA – On Feb. 28, a round table on enhancing the role of defence lawyers in protecting constitutional rights and freedoms in criminal proceedings took place here....


Young Astana Artists Create Impressionist Works

ASTANA – Kazakh National University of Arts students in the visual arts, musicology and choreography recently discussed impressionism at a student conference held on the premises of...


Striving for a Nuclear Weapons Free World

The participation of Kazakhstan’s delegation in two major conferences on the humanitarian impact of the use of nuclear weapons in Oslo in early March offered a unique...


Kazakhstan’s Best Falconers Compete in National Championship

ASTANA – The best falconers from across the Kazakh steppe gathered in the Almaty region’s district of Nura Feb. 21-23 for the annual National Berkutchi (falconer in...


Ballet Stars Shine on International Arena

ASTANA – Kazakh artists successfully represented the country in the gala concert “Young Stars of World Ballet” held in the German city of Mainz. In a letter...


First Tamgaly Tas Festival to Be Held in April

ASTANA – The Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) has declared 2013 the year of tourism, ecological culture and environmental protection. As part of the events of this...


Scythian Tattoos Gain Popularity in Astana

ASTANA – Tattoos and body decorations have been traditions in many cultures for thousands of years. They demonstrated membership in groups, showed status, served as good luck...


University of Arts Holds Anniversary Concert

ASTANA – On March 6, the University of the Arts held its 15th anniversary concert in the Central Concert Hall. The dean of the university, internationally acclaimed...


World Anticipating Next Round of Iran’s Nuclear Programme Talks

ASTANA – On February 27, after two days of talks between EU3+3 and Iran the parties agreed to hold a meeting of technical experts in Istanbul on...


Foreign Minister Visits India to Advance Economic, Political Ties

ASTANA – On March 3-5, a delegation from Kazakhstan led by Minister of Foreign Affairs Erlan Idrissov and including NAC Kazatomprom JSC Board Chairman Vladimir Shkolnik and...


New Book Explores Kazakhstan’s Multilateral Diplomacy Efforts

ASTANA – On March 6, Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs presented the book “Kazakhstan in the International Community (Essays of Multilateral Diplomacy)” edited by former Foreign Minister...


Kyzylorda Governor Tackles Regional Issues

KYZYLORDA – Gov. Krymbek Kusherbayev faces a unique combination of challenges and environmental problems in his Kyzylorda region. First, Kusherbayev is trying to revive the long-famous fishing...


Deputy FM Attends Geneva Disarmament Conference

ASTANA – On Feb. 26, Deputy Foreign Minister Alexey Volkov participated in the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva, Switzerland. As a leading nation in the global process...


Oil and Gas Industry Enters Era of Growth

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s oil industry is entering a new era of growth. In the years of national independence oil exports have increased from 13 million tons to...


Forum Showcasing People Success Stories Tours Country

ASTANA – A unique forum, “My Destiny is My Country’s Destiny,” kicked off its nationwide tour on Feb. 14 in Yereimentau and Feb. 18 in Korgalzhyno districts...


Nationwide Donations Offer Hope to Sick Child

ASTANA – On Feb. 22, the Kazakhstan TV channel and Zhas Otan, the youth wing of the Nur Otan political party, organised a charity concert, “Heart to...


Nation Remembers Warrior Women of the Great Steppe

ASTANA – Today, 8,000 women in Kazakhstan have dedicated themselves to the defence of their country, operating rockets and artillery, serving as air defence troops and in...


ZETA Company Makes Furniture, Creates Jobs

ALMATY – The ZETA Company is expanding to take opportunity of growing markets for its furniture at home and abroad. The government has approved a 75 million...


Kazakhstan, Japan Launch New Projects Beyond Energy

ASTANA – Kazakhstan and Japan have agreed at a recent Tokyo meeting to dramatically expand their industrial cooperation and launch a new series of joint ventures beyond...


New Tourist Routes in Eastern Kazakhstan

EAST KAZAKHSTAN – East Kazakhstan is a land of peaks and valleys, with heights ranging from 145 to 4,500 metres above sea level. The highest point is...


Women’s Chess Sees Boost as Young Talent Grows Up

ASTANA – In the midst of the Fourth FIDE Women’s World Team Championship held in Astana, The Astana Times met International Grandmaster Konstantin Landa, who, along with...


Kazakhstan Participates in Fifth Forum of UN Alliance of Civilisations

ASTANA – A delegation from Kazakhstan, headed by Chairman of the Senate and Head of the Secretariat of the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions...


EU 3+3, Iran Agree to New Nuclear Talks in Almaty in April

ALMATY – High-level talks held this week between EU3+3 representatives and Iran over Iran’s nuclear program resulted in an agreement to continue negotiations April 5-6 in Almaty....


Time for Energy of the Future Is Now

In four years, Astana will host the international exhibition EXPO 2017, which is a symbol of industrialisation and represents a platform from which to demonstrate technical and...


First Day of Iran Nuclear Programme Talks Ends With No Significant Results; Talks to Continue on Feb. 27

ALMATY – Negotiators from China, France, Germany, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States gathered here on Feb. 26 for talks with Iran aimed at finding...


Toyota Signs Deals to Make SUVs in Kazakhstan

ASTANA – Kazakhstan has signed an agreement with Toyota Motors to make its first-ever SUV in the country. On Feb. 12, the government and Toyota signed a...


A Question of Humanity

Those who forget the lessons of history are doomed to repeat them. We are the Hibakusha, survivors of the nuclear bombs used on Hiroshima and Nagasaki and...


New Motorways, High-Speed Rail Links, Train Station Planned for EXPO 2017

ASTANA – It’s about to get a lot easier to drive between Almaty and Astana, Kazakhstan’s two main business and government hubs. Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Transport and...


Kazakh Teams Play in Winter Special Olympics

ASTANA – Seven teams from across Kazakhstan took part in the World Special Olympics Winter Games, held from Jan. 29 to Feb. 5, in the South Korean...


Seven Children Get Expensive Care Abroad

Seven children were able to get expensive treatment abroad thanks to Alexandre Vinokurov, who put up his champion’s bike for a charity auction, and raised money amounting...


NGOs, Government Tackle Problems Related to Youth Migration

The Soros Foundation Kazakhstan recently presented in Almaty a study on the problem of mass youth migration trying to draw additional attention to the problems remaining in...


Turkish Expat Sees Astana as Depiction of Country’s Future

ASTANA – Tarik Volkan Oskay, director general of Sembol Investment and Development came to Kazakhstan for the first time at the end of 1996 to meet the...


EU and Kazakhstan: Twenty Steps Towards Each Other, Twenty Years of Comprehensive and Vibrant Partnership

This year, the European Union and Kazakhstan celebrate the 20th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. On the eve of the anniversary, on 29 January, Foreign...


Fighting for the Rule of the People

The Communist People’s Party’s faction in the Mazhilis of the Parliament of Kazakhstan was not built from scratch: We have been involved in national politics for a...


Expanded Microcredit Programmes to Boost Farming

ASTANA – Kazakhstan has vast opportunities and resources for agricultural development. It is already one of the world’s top 10 wheat producers and a global leader in...


Social Media: Shaping The Way We See the World or Shaping the New World Itself?

The rise of the Internet has spurred the development of web-based communication platforms. Digital platforms have been growing stronger throughout the last decade, facilitating the exchange of...


Economy News in Brief

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (ERBD) has predicted that, in 2013, the Kazakhstan economy will grow by six percent, confirming its forecast of October 2012....


Business News in Brief

Kazakhstan has allocated 1 billion tenge ($6.7 million) for people needing organs transplants abroad this year, Azhar Tugaliyeva, director of medical aid organisations at the Health Ministry,...


Major Transport Corridor to Connect Kazakhstan, Russia, China by 2015

ASTANA – Russia, China and the European Union have signed new agreements with Kazakhstan giving the go-ahead to complete the Western Europe-Western China international transport corridor by...


External News in Brief

Kazakhstan’s Foreign Minister Erlan Idrissov spoke on the phone with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry on Feb. 19 to discuss bilateral relations, the upcoming talks over...


Domestic News in Brief

The working population of Kazakhstan will grow to 9.5 million by 2017, the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection said in a statement. However, the ministry said...


Book Explores Kazakhstan’s Oil and Gas Industry History

Oil and politics go hand in hand. Most significant events in world politics from the second half of 20th to the beginning of the 21st centuries –...


National Tennis Federation Wants to Breed Future Grand Slam Winners

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s national tennis team achieved a significant victory on their home court in the first round of the latest Davis Cup World Group competition. In...


Astana Exhibition Celebrates Kazakhstan-France Relations

ASTANA – From the Louvre to the cuisine to the language, Kazakhstan has declared 2013 the Year of France in Kazakhstan and has 12 months of events...


Let Us Act before It Is Too Late

I want to address the Government of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea as a survivor of nuclear weapons testing with the words of Kazakhstan’s writer Rollan...


Almaty Becoming Central Asia’s Financial Hub

Almaty is establishing itself as Central Asia’s business, tourism and transportation hub. “Kazakhstan today has a thriving economy, governed by consumers, not plans. With material improvements, the...


Curling Comes to the Capital

ASTANA – This year, one of the most modern ice rinks on the continent hosted the first curling tournament in the history of Kazakhstan’s capital city Astana....


Almaty Readies to Host Int’l Powers for Talks over Iran’s Nuclear Programme

The world’s powers, including Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia, and the United States, are set to meet with Iran in Almaty, Kazakhstan, on Feb. 26, for a...


Astana Condemns North Korean Nuclear Test

ASTANA – Kazakhstan, which experienced firsthand the devastating effects of nuclear weapons testing under the Soviet Union, has joined other nations in condemning the latest underground nuclear...


Ecotourism Growing in South Kazakhstan

SOUTH KAZAKHSTAN – Ecotourism could become a profitable part of the South Kazakhstan region’s budget. The number of domestic and foreign tourists eager to summit the snowy...


Almaty Region’s Nature Has Much to Offer Tourists

ALMATY REGION – The Almaty region’s unique mix of natural beauty and resorts attracted a total of 167,000 tourists last year, according to records, and the services...


Kazakhstan Broadens Scope of Space Programme

ASTANA – Many changes and upgrades are being planned for Kazakhstan’s National Space Programme. First, changes will be implemented in the multi-vector development of space infrastructure, including...


Akbulak Mountain Resort: A Winter and Summer Destination

The Akbulak Mountain Resort in the foothills of the Zailiysky Alatau Mountains is a picturesque place for family holidays, corporate events, business meetings, parties and training camps...


Journalist Asks Obama to Intervene with AES on Water Crisis

ASTANA – Fedor Kovalev, a Kazakh journalist from Pavlodar, published at open letter to U.S. President Barack Obama calling on him to press the AES Corporation to...


Kazakhstan’s Culture on Display in Prague

ASTANA – The rich culture of Kazakhstan has gone on display in one of Europe’s most ancient and fabled cities. A new exhibition called “Kazakhstan – the...


Kazakhstan’s Fashion: Young, Unique and Diverse

ASTANA – Fashion week has returned to Kazakhstan, prompting fashionistas in the country to scope out what’s happening in design both within the country and abroad. The...


New Border Law Passed to Boost Security

ASTANA – The government of Kazakhstan has introduced a new border security law for the first time in 20 years. It came into force on January 16....


Women’s Tennis Team Makes Fed Cup Playoffs

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s national women’s tennis team has won its way into the playoffs of the international Federation Cup. After previous victories over Thailand and India, the...


PM Supports Multiple Legal Reform Efforts

ASTANA – Prime Minister Serik Akhmetov has given the green light to an ambitious programme of law reforms this year. The prime minister participated in a planning...


Astana on Ice: City Offers Winter Fun

ASTANA – Winter in Astana has its charms: fresh cold air, sun and deep blue skies, all of which call residents and visitors outdoors despite the cold....


Life Expectancy Grows, Mother and Child Mortality Decreases

ASTANA – There are now more people living in Kazakhstan than in the past few years, and they live longer and have healthier lives than before, Minister...


Kazatomprom Reports Year of Achievements

ASTANA – On January 24, the Kazatomprom National Atomic Company reported its production activities in 2012. The company’s work has been conducted within its development strategy, aimed...


Pope Welcomes Kazakhstan’s Efforts to Promote Inter-Religious Understanding

Pope Benedict XVI welcomed the efforts of President Nursultan Nazarbayev to promote inter-religious and inter-cultural understanding on Feb. 6 and gave his apostolic blessing to Kazakhstan’s initiatives...


Hollywood’s Russell to Make Kazakh-Russian Comedy Thriller

ASTANA – Famous Hollywood director Chuck Russell who made the hugely popular films “The Mask,” “Eraser” and “The Scorpion King” will make the joint Kazakh-Russian film “Politsioner”...


New Astana E-Ambulance Service Improves Survival Rates

ASTANA – After its first year in operation, Astana’s new E-ambulance service is proving its worth. The service was introduced as part of the Smart Astana programme...


Kazakhstan to Launch New Generation Green Smart Mine in 2015

ASTANA – In keeping with the global trend for saving energy and resources, the Kazatomprom National Atomic Company (Kazatomprom) announced the development of a smart uranium mine...


State Policy to Unlock Women’s Potential

The role of women in building a strong society was reflected in the president’s state-of-the-nation address, Kazakhstan-2050 Strategy: A New Policy of the Established State, which also...


President Nazarbayev’s Visit to Spain Advances Political, Economic Ties

In a sign of growing friendship and expanding strategic partnership, President Nursultan Nazarbayev paid a working visit to Spain on Feb. 5-6 for meetings with King Juan...


Almaty’s Tram Café Is Favourite Ride for Romance

ALMATY – An unusual new travelling café in a restored tram has become a hot stop for dating couples and proposals of marriage. The tram café travels...


Generations of Handicraft Masters Preserve National Traditions

ALMATY REGION – Battle swords, jars for koumiss (the traditional mare’s milk drink) and jewelry boxes are all made from natural materials at Akshi village, Enbekshikazakh district,...


Sotheby’s to Display Works of Kazakh Painters

ASTANA – For the first time, selected artwork from the Caucasus to Kazakhstan will be displayed at Sotheby’s in London in a selling exhibition called “At the...


Improved Adoption Policies Protect Children’s Rights

ASTANA – One of the priorities of state policy in Kazakhstan is the right of every child to live and grow up in a family. Raissa Sher,...


Fighting for the Rule of the People

The Communist People’s Party’s faction in the Mazhilis of the Parliament of Kazakhstan was not built from scratch: We have been involved in national politics for a...


National Greco-Roman Wrestling Team to Compete at World Cup

ASTANA – On Feb. 19-20, Kazakhstan will join nine of the world’s top national wrestling teams in the Iranian capital Tehran to determine who is king of...


Moscow Meetings Advance Kazakh, Russian Relations

President Nursultan Nazarbayev and Russian President Vladimir Putin met in Moscow on Feb. 8, 2013 and agreed to increase cooperation on numerous issues, including continuing the mutually...


Foreign Minister Attends OIC Summit in Egypt

A delegation from Kazakhstan led by Foreign Minister Erlan Idrissov took part in the 12th summit of the 57-member Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), which opened on...


Kazakhstan Receives UNDP Award for Physically Challenged Activist’s Success Story

On January 28, in New York at the Executive Board of United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) session, the second issue of The Development Advocate magazine was presented....


Astana Arlans Defeat American Knockouts

ASTANA – On February 1, the Astana Arlans boxing team continued their run of unbeaten tournaments and KO-ed the American Knockouts. In the first fight, Kazakhstan’s Ismail...


Film by Kazakh Director to Compete at Berlinale

ASTANA – For the first time in Kazakhstan’s history, a film directed by a Kazakh director has been chosen to enter the Berlin International Film Festival. “Harmony...


Khasangaliev: The Man Who Writes Folk Hymns

ASTANA – Since its creation 33 years ago, “Atameken” (“Land of My Fathers” in Kazakh) has remained as popular as ever. “Atameken,” with lyrics by Kadyr Myrzaliev...


Business News in Brief

Kazakhstan’s state oil and gas company KazMunaiGas has bought a 24.5 percent stake held by U.S. energy major ConocoPhillips in the Nursultan offshore oil block in the...


Future of Nuclear Power Moves into Focus of Considerations

ASTANA –Today, the power industry is the most important driving-force for world progress. Many believe that the greatest contribution to meeting the demand for energy and providing...


Light Rail System to Come to Astana by 2017

A new light rail transportation system is due to appear in Astana by 2017. According to the akimat (district government) of Astana’s Saryarka district, up to 50...


In Astana, National Tennis Team Advances to Davis Cup Quarterfinals

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s national tennis team has advanced to the Davis Cup quarterfinals against the Czech Republic after their spectacular win over Austria in the Davis Cup...


Astana to Introduce New Venue for Connoisseurs of Art

ASTANA – In late January, a new State Opera and Ballet Theatre “Astana Opera” welcomed the journalists. The first season is to be opened in April 2013....


National Wrestling Team Trains in U.S., Achieves First Peaks

Kazakhstan’s athletes are preparing for a major international tournament to be held in memory of the famous American wrestler, Olympic and world champion Dave Schultz. The event...


Job Opportunities Offer Balkhash Region Residents New Perspective

BALKHASH – On the bank of the ancient lake this company town, which specialises in copper production, is working to meet the challenge set by President Nursultan...


A Struggle of Ideologies

The spread of international terrorism and extremism, as noted in the Military Doctrine of Kazakhstan, represents the greatest danger among the new risks and threats to our...


Kazakhstan’s Global Rankings Mean More Sustained Efforts Needed

The Economist Intelligence Unit in London has included Kazakhstan on its most recent list of best countries to be born in. In the ranking of 80 countries...


Pulse Dance Ensemble Enjoys Triumphal Return

ASTANA – The folk dance company Pulse, from Petropavlovsk, took the first place prize at the 9th International Competition of Youth and Children’s Art Workshop. The competition...


Sky’s the Limit as Kazakhstan Seeks Wider International Cooperation in Space

Kazakhstan is proud to be the host of the Baikonur cosmodrome, the world’s first and largest operational space launch facility. A busy spaceport, launching numerous commercial, military...


Shymkent Poultry Farms Increase Locally Produced Turkey Meat Supply

SHYMKENT – By the end of this year, the capacity of the Ordabasy Kus LLP poultry farm to produce and process turkey meat will double. JSC KazAgro...


Ak Zhol Party Continues to Advance Business Interests

President Nursultan Nazarbayev’s latest State of the Nation address on Dec. 14, 2012, announced the new Strategy 2050. It has opened new horizons and opportunities for the...


Children with Disabilities: Social Challenge or Opportunity to Unite and Improve?

KYZYLORDA – Around the world, children with disabilities are often locked away in institutions and forgotten. As conditions in these institutions are often poor, many children never...


Country Rises in World Bank Business Conditions Rankings

ASTANA – Kazakhstan has been praised for its improved business climate in a World Bank report released last year. The Kazakhstan government discussed the report in its...


New Kostanay SUV Plant Will Boost Auto Boom

ASTANA – A new auto plant for the welding and painting of Nomad SUVs for Kazakhstan’s domestic auto market will open in Kostanay city over the next...


Experts Discuss Prospects for Kaznet Development

ASTANA – On Jan. 22, 2013, an event held in KazMediaCenter brought together Kazakhstan’s Internet experts and activists to discuss the state and future of, Kaznet, and...


Nationwide Ice Fishing Championship Draws Country’s Best Fishermen

ASTANA – The Kazakhstan National Ice Fishing Championship was held under the auspices of the Federation of Sport Fishing of the Republic of Kazakhstan from January 18...


Kazakhstan’s Alexey Poltoranin Wins the Cross-Country World Cup Races

Kazakhstan’s skiing champion Alexey Poltoranin has secured victory in the men’s 15-kilometre classical mass start race in La Clusaz France in the cross-country World Cup on January...


Zhanatas City Undergoes Revival

ZHAMBYL REGION – Zhanatas, the town of miners with the unique phosphate base (60 percent of the country’s reserves), is undergoing rapid growth and economic diversification thanks...