Kazakhstan to Restore Social Facilities Damaged by Earthquake in Türkiye

ASTANA – Kazakhstan will help Türkiye to restore social facilities that were destroyed following the Feb. 6 devastating earthquake, said Yerlan Koshanov, Chairman of the Mazhilis, the...


Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan Sign Export Agreements Worth $900,000 in Tashkent

ASTANA – Kazakh and Uzbek business leaders signed export agreements worth $900,000 during the fifth meeting of the Uzbek-Kazakh Business Council, held on April 26 in Tashkent,...


Senate Approves Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty Between Kazakhstan and Kyrgyz Republic

ASTANA – Members of the Senate, an upper chamber of the Kazakh Parliament, approved an agreement between Kazakhstan and the Kyrgyz Republic on mutual judicial assistance during...


Captivating Weekend Events in Astana to Bid Farewell to April

ASTANA — The last weekend of April is upon us, and the weather is finally getting warmer. The weekend will also be prolonged, as Monday May 1...


Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan Bolster Agricultural Cooperation, Launch Joint Projects

ASTANA – Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan plan to expand agricultural cooperation, creating modern production facilities, said Kazakh First Vice Minister of Trade and Integration Arman Shakkaliyev at the...


News Digest: Foreign Media on Kazakh-South Korean Ties, Cooperation With Europe to Strengthen Food, Energy Security, Kazakh-Malaysian Common Features and More

ASTANA – The Astana Times has picked a selection of articles on Kazakhstan published in international media across the world. This week’s foreign media digest includes articles...


Kazakhstan Continues to Evacuate Citizens from Sudan

ASTANA – Kazakhstan has continued to evacuate its citizens from Sudan amid fierce fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces that started on...


Kazakh Prime Minister’s Visit to Iran Results in Commitment to Boost Trade to $3 Billion

ASTANA – Kazakh Prime Minister Alikhan Smailov paid an official visit to Tehran on April 26, meeting with senior Iranian officials to enhance bilateral ties. Export contracts...


Interethnic Harmony is Key to Building Nation, Says Kazakh State Counselor

ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s address at the 32nd Assembly of People of Kazakhstan (APK) session demonstrated the fundamental importance of interethnic harmony and unity for building...


Kazakhstan Prioritizes Strategic Partnership with China

ASTANA – The strategic partnership with China remains one of the priorities of Kazakhstan’s foreign policy, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Murat Nurtleu said during talks...


Italian, European Companies Take on Kazakh Market with Expansion to Central Asia

LONDON – With a mission to bring Italian innovations in professional practice, technologies, education, and sustainability to Central Asia, Italy4East, an international management consulting company, specializes in...


President Tokayev Highlights Assembly of People of Kazakhstan’s Role in Ensuring Unity Amid Global Turbulence

ASTANA – The Assembly of People of Kazakhstan (APK) efficiently implements the principles of coexistence and interaction of different cultures, which has become the most urgent challenge...


Kazakhstan Sees Booming Trade and Investment Relations with Italy

ASTANA – Kazakh-Italian business forum titled Kazakhstan – the Country of Great Opportunities took place on April 26 in Milan, focusing on trade and investment relations between...


Ian Nepomniachtchi Misses Winning Position After Defeat in Game 12 of World Chess Championship

ASTANA – With the last two games of the World Chess Championship remaining, the spectators are no closer to a verdict, as Ding Liren emerged victorious in...


Kazakh First DFM Takes Part in UN Security Council Open Debate on Middles East

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s First Deputy Foreign Minister Kairat Umarov spoke on the situation in the Middle East at the open debate of the United Nations (UN) Security...


5G Coverage to Reach 75 Percent in Kazakhstan by 2027

ASTANA – Seventy-five percent of Astana, Almaty and Shymkent and 60 percent of regional centers will be covered by 5G mobile networks by 2027, said Kazakh Minister...


Kyrgyz Language and Cultural Center Opens at Gumilyov Eurasian National University

ASTANA – Kyrgyz Language and Culture center opened on April 24 at Gumilyov Eurasian National University (ENU) to expand cooperation and strengthen the academic partnership between the...


First Day of APK Session Focuses on Interethnic Unity Amid Global Challenges

ASTANA – The Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan (APK) is one of the most important organizations in ensuring the country’s stability, said Deputy Chief of Staff...


Astana to Host Enactus Kazakhstan National Expo to Determine Promising Young Entrepreneurs

ASTANA – The National Cup of Student Entrepreneurship, Startups and Innovations and the Enactus Kazakhstan National Expo 2023 will take place on April 27-28 in the Kazakh capital, according...


Netherlands Presents Tulip Sculpture in Astana as Symbol of Friendship and Unity Between States

ASTANA – A Tulip sculpture honoring the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Kazakhstan and the Netherlands was unveiled in the capital’s Botanical Garden,...


Uzbekistan to Host Tashkent International Investment Forum

ASTANA – Tashkent is set to hold the Tashkent International Investment Forum 2023 on April 27-28 to present business and investment opportunities in Uzbekistan and the Central...


Akmola Region Sets Sights on Economic Growth Through Raw Material Export and Tourism Promotion

ASTANA – The Akmola Region in the north of Kazakhstan, with a population of over 785,000 people, is known for its developed industry and agriculture. Its natural...


Kazakhstan to Build Largest Open-Air Museum at Bozok Ancient Settlement

ASTANA – The 412-hectares open-air museum is being built at the Bozok ancient settlement site near Astana to demonstrate the achievements of the steppe civilization, reported the...


Bike for Peace Global Nuclear Disarmament Movement Eager to Foster Cooperation with Kazakhstan

ASTANA – Bike for Peace, a global nuclear disarmament movement from Norway, is eager to foster cooperation with Kazakhstan, said Bike for Peace President Tore Naerland in...


Economic Diversification Should Focus on Non-Primary Sectors, Says Kazakh Expert

ASTANA – Kazakhstan needs to develop non-primary sectors of the economy and ensure the growth of export potential in these areas with adequate use of raw material...


Kazatomprom Set to Build Sulfuric Acid Plant in Turkistan Region

ASTANA – Kazatomprom national atomic company has received a certificate of state registration for a new enterprise Taiqonyr Qyshqyl Zauyty to build a sulfuric acid plant in...


Kazakhstan Sees South Korea as Ideal Partner in Pragmatic Diplomacy

ASTANA/SEOUL – The March 19 parliamentary elections in Kazakhstan, the largest country in Central Asia, signifies another phase of the country’s reforms under the slogan New Kazakhstan....


EU Begin Talks with Kazakhstan to Prevent Re-Export of Sanctioned Goods to Russia

ASTANA – The European Union (EU) began talks with Kazakhstan aimed at preventing Russia from using third countries to bypass the restrictions imposed by the EU, said...


Kazakhstan, South Korea Sign Trilateral Memorandum to Boost Tourism

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s national carrier Air Astana, Kazakh Tourism national company and the Korea Tourism Organization signed a trilateral memorandum to expand cooperation in the tourism sector,...


Nepomniachtchi Stays One Point Ahead of Ding After Another Draw

ASTANA – The eleventh game in the World Chess Championship between Russia’s Ian Nepomniachtchi and China’s Ding Liren resulted in another draw on April 24, reported the...


Kazakh-Czech Business Forum Signs 230 Million Euros in Bilateral Agreements

ASTANA – Astana hosted a Kazakh-Czech business forum on April 24, which saw the signing of bilateral agreements worth 230 million euros ($254 million). The one-day forum...


Air Astana Addresses Airfares and Flight Delays at Samruk Kazyna Public Council

ASTANA — Air Astana’s management addressed concerns about domestic flight prices and flight delays, which have become more frequent in the past few years, at the Public...


Former Security Chief Massimov Sentenced to 18 Years in Prison

ASTANA – A specialized inter-district court for criminal cases in Astana has sentenced former National Security Committee Chair Karim Massimov to 18 years in prison on April...


Kazakhstan Returns $1.4 Billion of Illegally Withdrawn Assets

ASTANA – Approximately 670 billion tenge ($1.47 billion) in illegally withdrawn assets has been returned to Kazakhstan, said Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Yerulan Zhamaubayev...


Gas Dilemma: Abundant Gas Industry in Kazakhstan Faces Critical Challenges

ASTANA – Kazakhstan, a vast and resource-rich country in Central Asia, is home to some of the world’s largest natural gas reserves. With such an abundance, the...


Kazakhstan, Austria Discuss Prospects for Trade and Economic Cooperation

ASTANA – Kazakh and Austrian officials and business leaders outlined priority areas to enhance trade and economic cooperation during the 11th meeting of the Kazakh-Austrian Intergovernmental Commission...


Astana Hosts 2023 Kazakhstan Chess Cup

ASTANA – The opening ceremony of the 2023 Kazakhstan Chess Cup among men and women took place at the National Tennis Center on April 23.  Addressing the...


Kazakh MedTech Startup Joins StartX Program at Stanford University

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s Cerebra Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered software for early stroke detection has entered the StartX Program at Stanford University, reported Kazinform on April 21. “This is...


Kazakh Schoolchildren Win Three Awards at FIRST World Championship in United States

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s robotics teams won three awards at the FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) World Championship in Houston, the United States, reported...


Saiga’s Population is Vital for Self-Sustainable Ecosystem in Kazakhstan, Say Biodiversity Conservation Experts (Video)

ASTANA – Saiga antelopes, as wild grazers, are a vital element in supporting a healthy ecosystem in the steppe of Kazakhstan, said experts from the Association for...


Kazakhstan Ships 80,000 Tons of Oil Through Ceyhan to Romania

ASTANA – KazMunayGas (KMG), Kazakhstan’s national oil and gas company, has begun shipment of 80,000 tons of oil through Türkiye’s Ceyhan seaport to Romania’s Constanta port, reported...


OSCE Empowers Young Women in Central Asia to Start Careers in Energy Sector

ASTANA – The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) organized a five-day training program on renewable energy for nearly 100 young women from Central Asia,...


Kazakhstan Has Done A Lot to Promote Women’s Chess, Says American Grandmaster Irina Krush

ASTANA – Kazakhstan has become one of the absolute favorites at the World Olympiads thanks to prominent players like Bibisara Assaubayeva, Dinara Saduakassova and Zhansaya Abdumalik, who...


Working Together for Stronger Central Asia: Importance of Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan’s Partnership

Editor’s note: The Astana Times has introduced a new section on the website that will feature articles сontributed by our readers. As a platform that values diverse...


Ian Nepomniachtchi Leads Score in World Chess Championship After Draw with Ding Liren in 10th Game

ASTANA – The tenth game of the World Chess Championship ended in a draw, with Ian Nepomniachtchi still in the lead with a 5.5:4.5 score against Ding...


Kazakhstan-UK Cooperation: Paving Way for New Chapter in Trade and Investment

LONDON – Recent events in cooperation between Kazakhstan and the United Kingdom have opened new horizons for both countries to maximize the benefits in trade and investment....


Caspian Red Deer Captured on Camera Traps in Almaty Reserve (Video)

ASTANA — Caspian red deer, commonly known as marals, were captured on camera traps set in the Almaty Reserve, reports Telegram channel EcoMedia.  The animals were seen...


Trio of Artists Share Firsthand Stories on Their Art Narratives and Techniques

ASTANA – The New Day exhibition brought together two contemporary artists, Amanat Nazarkul and Vladimir Gvozdev (Shege), and a traditional carpet (tuskiiz) collector, Natalya Krivets, to share...


Kazakh Doctors Highlight Vast Health Benefits in National Drinks

ASTANA – Kazakh national dairy drinks saumal (freshly milked horse milk), kymyz (horse milk), and shubat (camel’s milk) support immunity and have healing properties, said Bakytzhan Bimbetov,...


World War II Guerrilla Fighter and Author Kasym Kaisenov Remembered in Kazakhstan on His 105th Anniversary

ASTANA – Kasym Kaisenov, a frontline guerrilla fighter during World War II and a novelist whose chronicles explored the war’s legacy for a post-war generation, is being...


Rising Kazakh Chess Star Meruert Kamalidenova: Success Comes from Balancing Fun and Effort

ASTANA – It has been a promising year for the 17-year-old Meruert Kamalidenova, Kazakhstan’s national chess team member, who made an eye-catching performance on the final day...


Students from Abai Region Develop Mobile App for Tourists

ASTANA — School students from Semei in the Abai Region, Nurlykhan Maratov and Temirlan Temirbayev, developed a mobile app for tourists. “Discover Abai app provides the opportunity...


Archeologists Discover Golden Artifacts in Abai Region’s Bozai Burial Ground

ASTANA – Rare gold jewelry, remains of bird of prey, and 3,000 other items were found in the mounds in the Ayagoz district of the Abai Region...


Red Book Porcupine Wondering Around Taraz City (Video)

ASTANA – The endangered porcupine was noticed and captured on video by citizens of Taraz, a city in southern Kazakhstan, reported Zakon.kz. According to people who noticed...


Kazakhstan Chairs BIE Delegates During Consideration of Rome’s Candidacy for Expo 2030

ASTANA – Kazakh representative, as part of the delegation of the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE), visited Rome to evaluate the city’s candidacy for hosting the World...


News Digest: Foreign Media on Astana Int’l Forum, Kazakhstan’s Financial Role, Cooperation With Europe to Tackle Climate Change, and More

ASTANA – The Astana Times has picked a selection of articles on Kazakhstan published in international media across the world. This week’s foreign media digest includes articles...


Xiamen University Malaysia Offers 140 Scholarships for Kazakh Students

ASTANA – Xiamen University Malaysia (XMUM) will allocate 120 scholarships for Kazakh undergraduate students and 20 for master’s degrees and Ph.D., said President of Xiamen University Malaysia...


CICA Inches Closer to Becoming Full-Fledged International Organization

ASTANA – The Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia (CICA) is in the midst of the process of transforming from an intergovernmental forum to a...


Air China Resumes Direct Flights to Kazakhstan

ASTANA – China’s flagship carrier Air China has resumed direct flights along the Beijing-Xi’an-Astana route on April 21, the Kazakh Civil Aviation Committee reported after a deal...


Kazakhstan Celebrates Eid al-Fitr as Holy Month of Ramadan Ends

ASTANA – At the end of the Holy Month of Ramadan, Muslims in Kazakhstan and worldwide are celebrating Eid al-Fitr today, also known as Eid or Oraza...


In Vienna, Kazakh DFM Discusses Prospects for Bilateral, Multilateral Cooperation

ASTANA – Kazakh-Austrian bilateral and multilateral cooperation and prospects for further partnership were discussed at an April 19 meeting between Deputy Foreign Minister Roman Vassilenko and Secretary...


Ian Nepomniachtchi Stays Ahead in World Chess Championship After Draw with Ding Liren in Eighth Game

ASTANA – The eighth game of the World Chess Championship ended in a draw, with Ian Nepomniachtchi still in the lead with a 4.5:3.5 score against Ding...


Abai Region Leads Kazakhstan in Exports of Gold, Precious Metals

ASTANA – The Abai Region is the country’s leading exporter of gold, precious metals, paper, and cardboard products, the Economic Research Institute reported on its Telegram channel...


Kyrgyz Republic to Host Central Asian Youth Forum in August

ASTANA – The Kyrgyz Republic will host the Central Asian Youth Forum in August, announced the Chairman of the country’s Youth Congress, Askar Shaikiddinov, during the Central...


Five Events to Enjoy Cultural Weekend in Astana

ASTANA — The weather in the capital keeps surprising people, who have been caught off guard by beskonak, a legend about extreme weather changes in the form...


Experts Weigh In On Tokayev’s Warning of New Economic Abnormality and New Government Tasks

ASTANA — President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev chaired a meeting in Astana on April 19, focusing on the nation’s socio-economic development. He once again exhorted the government to work...


Khorgos International Center to Resume Work This Month

ASTANA – The Khorgos International Center for Border Cooperation will resume its work on April 24 after the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted its operations over the past three...


150 Students from Kozybayev University to Study in US Through Dual-Diploma Program

ASTANA – Kozybayev University in Petropavlovsk in northern Kazakhstan is ready to send the first 150 students who were enrolled in the academic year of 2022 to...


Astana Hub and Draper University Launch Silicon Valley Program for Tech Startups

ASTANA – Astana Hub International Technopark of IT startups and California-based Draper University have launched the Hero Training program in Silicon Valley for tech startups, reported the...


French Companies Seek to Increase Investment in Kazakhstan

ASTANA – A French business delegation announced plans to increase investments in the priority sectors of the Kazakh economy after meeting with Kazakh officials in Astana, including...


Kazakhstan Launches Book Challenge Project on TikTok to Promote Reading

ASTANA – The Kazakh Ministry of Culture and Sports and TikTok are launching the #kitaptok challenge to encourage reading, sharing of book recommendations, and discovery of new...


Cuba’s National TV Channel Broadcasts Program about Dimash Kudaibergen (Video)

ASTANA – Cuba’s Canal Clave educational TV channel broadcast a special program devoted to the world famous Kazakh pop singer Dimash Kudaibergen, Dimashnews.com reported on April 18....


Trade Between China, Central Asian States Reach $32.1 Billion in 2022

ASTANA – Trade turnover between Central Asian countries and China grew by 31.9 percent over the year and exceeded $32 billion in 2022. This was announced by...


Kazakh Chess Players Lose to Team World at FIDE Women’s Chess Match, Claim Stunning Wins

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s team has lost to the team World at the International Chess Federation (FIDE) women’s teams match, a side event of the World Chess Championship...


Astana to Host Asian Para Judo Championship This Month

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s 22 para judo wrestlers will participate in the International Blind Sports Federation (IBSA) Judo Asian Championships 2023, which will take place on April 28-30...


Kazakh Scientists Launch Research Projects to Solve Economic Challenges

ASTANA – Kazakhstan has observed a twofold growth in scientific publications and research projects this year, Inbusiness reported. Most of the projects are intended to develop production...


President Tokayev Stresses Need for Economic Reforms and Growth

ASTANA – All government officials should become state reformers striving to improve the quality of citizens’ life, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said at an April 19 meeting on...


Ian Nepomniachtchi Takes Lead Again After Seventh Game in World Chess Championship

ASTANA – The seventh game of the World Chess Championship took a dramatic turn with China’s Ding Liren freezing under severe time pressure and losing to Russia’s...


Kazakhstan Set to Launch 170 New Investment Projects Worth $2.2 Billion

ASTANA – Kazakhstan plans to launch 170 new investment projects in the industry worth one trillion tenge ($2.2 billion) this year, said Prime Minister Alikhan Smailov at...


Astana Hosts Exhibition to Honor Alash Movement’s Activists

ASTANA — A selection of rare books, photographs and personal belongings of the Alash movement’s activists were presented on April 13 at the National Center of Manuscripts...


Kazakhstan’s Bibisara Assaubayeva Defeats Four-Time World Champion Hou Yifan Once Again

ASTANA – Bibisara Assaubayeva took her second win over four-time world champion Hou Yifan of China in round seven of the first day of the women’s chess...


IAEA Commends Kazakhstan’s Role in Nuclear Nonproliferation, Signs Five-Year Cooperation Agreement with Energy Ministry

ASTANA – International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi commended Kazakhstan’s role in the global movement for nuclear disarmament and nonproliferation during an April 18...


Horses and Humans: Ancient Bond

The horse and the history of the Kazakh people are deeply intertwined. Our close relationship with horses began about 5,500 years ago. We believe our ancestors were...


Kazakh Students Win NASA Space Settlement Contest

ASTANA – The Aenoica scientific project, developed by Almaty school students Ramazan Amre and Symbat Barsagazy, won the NASA Space Settlement Contest, reported the Kazakh Ministry of...


Key Trends and Growth Opportunities in Kazakhstan’s Fintech Highlighted in Report

ASTANA — A combination of a favorable business environment, robust banking infrastructure, supportive government policies, and fintech regulations, along with a tech-savvy population, makes Kazakhstan an attractive...


World Heritage Day: Kazakhstan’s Top Five Historical Sites

ASTANA – In 1982, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) General Conference established April 18 as the International Day for Monuments and Sites, known...


Young Choreographers Bring Neoclassical and Modern Dance Together in Astana Ballet’s Latest Premieres

ASTANA – Astana Ballet is premiering Ainur Abilgazina’s neoclassic “Soli Deo Gloria” and Olzhas Makhanbetaliyev’s modern “Nine” to highlight the theater’s 10th anniversary season on April 15-16...


Kazakhstan Women’s Tennis Team Rises to Seventh Place in Billie Jean King Cup Ranking

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s national women’s tennis team rose from 10th to seventh place in the updated Billie Jean King Cup ranking, the highest in the nation’s history,...


Kazakh Chess Players Keep Fighting Spirit High, Says FIDE Deputy Chair

ASTANA – Kazakhstan, as a chess nation, has players with high fighting spirit, said International Chess Federation (FIDE) Deputy Chair, female grandmaster and the captain of the...


Kazakhstan’s Team Loses to Team World on Day One of Women’s Chess Match

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s Bibisara Assaubayeva won over four-time women’s world champion China’s Hou Yifan on April 17 in round three of the first day of a three-day...


Kazakhstan Launches Global Cleantech Innovation Program to Foster Green Technologies

ASTANA – The Global Cleantech Innovation Program (GCIP) has been launched in Kazakhstan on April 15 to promote innovation and support small and medium-sized businesses and startups...


World Chess Champions Present New Mobile App for Learning Chess in Kazakh Capital

ASTANA – Fourteenth world chess champion Vladimir Kramnik and four-time women’s world chess champion Hou Yifan presented Chess Legends, a mobile application for young people to learn...


Kazakhstan Explores Limitless Potential of Space Industry

ASTANA – On April 12, 1961, the Soviet Vostok-1 spacecraft took off from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan with Yuri Gagarin on board, making him the first...


Central Asian Countries Discuss Public Diplomacy Efforts in Tashkent

ASTANA – Tashkent hosted a Central Asian regional conference on April 14 dedicated to the role of public diplomacy in strengthening peace and good neighborliness in the...


Kazakhstan Through to 2023 Billie Jean King Cup Finals

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s national team won 3:1 against Poland to qualify for the 2023 Billie Jean King Cup Finals scheduled for Nov. 7-12, the Kazakhstan Tennis Federation...


Kazakhstan Delivers Humanitarian Aid to Afghan People

ASTANA — Kazakhstan delivered humanitarian aid to the people of Afghanistan on April 15 during the visit of Minister of Trade and Integration Serik Zhumangarin to Kabul,...


President Tokayev Underlines Multifaceted Cooperation with UN

ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev called the visit of Miroslav Jenča, Assistant Secretary-General for Europe, Central Asia, and the Americas in the United Nations (UN) Department of...


Kazakhstan and Singapore to Expand Cooperation in Investment Projects

ASTANA – Prospects for bilateral cooperation on investment, trade, and economic issues between Kazakhstan and Singapore were at the focus of Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister – Finance...


Ding Liren Makes Comeback to Beat Ian Nepomniachtchi in Trilling Match

ASTANA – The stakes are as high as ever at the FIDE World Chess Championship in Astana. Ding Liren convincingly defeated Ian Nepomniachtchi during the sixth game,...


Kazakhstan’s National Economy Minister Discusses Trade and Economy with World Bank and IMF in Washington

ASTANA – Kazakh Minister of National Economy Alibek Kuantyrov attended the 2023 Spring Meetings of the World Bank Group and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on April...