Kazakhstan Returns 8,585 Citizens from Middle East Since Start of Evacuation
ALMATY – Kazakhstan has returned 8,585 citizens from countries in the Middle East since the start of evacuation efforts amid the regional conflict, the Kazakh Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported on March 10, as authorities continue coordinating the repatriation of Kazakh citizens from the region. The Air Astana group plans to operate additional repatriation flights…
Ile-Alatau National Park Marks 30 Years of Conservation and Sustainable Tourism
ALMATY – For three decades, the Ile-Alatau national park has stood as one of Kazakhstan’s most important protected natural areas, safeguarding the ecosystems of the Zailiysky Alatau mountains while promoting environmental awareness and sustainable tourism. Established on Feb. 22, 1996, the national park originally covered 164,450 hectares. Over the past 30 years, its territory has…
How Almaty’s Former Central Post Office Shaped City’s Urban Identity
ALMATY – The spirit of a city is preserved in those buildings that have witnessed thousands of personal stories and every stage of its growth and transformation. Today, as the skyline is reshaped by glass towers and constant redevelopment, it is these long-standing architectural landmarks, now part of the city’s cultural heritage, that continue to…
Dimash Qudaibergen Named Ambassador of Turkic World Culture by TURKSOY
ALMATY – Kazakh singer Dimash Qudaibergen received the Ambassador of Turkic World Culture order, the highest award of TURKSOY, in recognition of his significant contribution to the development and promotion of Turkic culture at a ceremony held in Astana on March 5. Kazakh actress Samal Yeslyamova, an Honored Artist of Kazakhstan, was also awarded a…
Kazakhstan Hosts First AI-Powered Togyzkumalak Competition
ALMATY – A togyzkumalak (nine pellets) tournament featuring artificial intelligence (AI) is being held for the first time in the city of Kyzylorda as part of the international rating tournament Champion. The event is dedicated to the memory of Kazakh statesman and public figure Nalkozha Yergeshbayev, reported the Kazinform news agency on March 5. According…
Kazakhstan Steps Up Flood Prevention Measures Ahead of Spring Season
ALMATY – Kazakhstan’s Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov visited the Akmola Region to assess the flood situation and chaired a meeting of the National Operational Headquarters for Emergency Response with government officials and regional governors on March 5. The meeting focused on ensuring the uninterrupted operation of critical infrastructure and improving flood-prevention measures across the country,…
Kazakhstan Evacuates Over 3,300 Citizens From Middle East Conflict Zone
ALMATY – Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs continues efforts to evacuate citizens from areas affected by the escalating conflict in the Middle East. According to the ministry, 12 evacuation flights operated by both Kazakh and foreign airlines have been carried out since the start of the evacuation operation, returning more than 3,300 Kazakh citizens safely…
Kazakhstan Showcases Mining Investment Potential at PDAC 2026 in Canada
ALMATY – Kazakhstan presented the investment potential of its mining and metallurgical sector at Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) Convention, one of the world’s largest international mining conferences held annually in Toronto, Canada, on March 1. The Kazakh delegation, led by Vice Minister of Industry and Construction Iran Sharkhan, participated in the global…
Kazakhstan Approves National Biodiversity Conservation Strategy for 2026-2035
ALMATY – The Kazakh government has approved a Concept for the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Biological Diversity, a key strategic document defining state policy in nature protection, ecosystem restoration, and the sustainable use of biodiversity, reported the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources on March 3. The adoption of the concept supports Kazakhstan’s commitments…
Azerbaijan Boosts Gas Exports to Europe by 56% as Southern Corridor Expands
ALMATY – Azerbaijan has increased its gas exports to Europe by 56% since 2021, Azerbaijani Energy Minister Parviz Shahbazov said during the 12th Ministerial Meeting of the Southern Gas Corridor Advisory Council held in Baku on March 3, reported the Kazinform news agency. The event also included the 4th Ministerial Meeting of the Green Energy…
Kazakhstan Establishes Seven International Road Corridors, Plans Major Infrastructure Expansion
ALMATY – Kazakhstan has established seven international road corridors as part of efforts to strengthen regional connectivity and boost the country’s transit potential, Transport Minister Nurlan Sauranbayev said at a March 3 government meeting. According to him, four large road projects have been completed: Kalbatau–Maykapshagai, Taldykorgan–Ust-Kamenogorsk, Atyrau–Astrakhan, and Karagandy–Almaty. The total length of these highways…
Kazakhstan, EU Continue Talks on Visa Facilitation and Readmission Agreements
ALMATY – Kazakhstan and the European Union (EU) held the second round of negotiations on March 3 in Astana on draft agreements covering visa facilitation and the readmission of citizens, reported the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. During the talks, the parties discussed key parameters of the proposed agreements aimed at enhancing mobility for citizens, strengthening…
Kazakhstan Evacuates Nearly 1,000 Citizens From Middle East With Air and Land Routes
ALMATY – Kazakhstan has launched evacuation operations to return its citizens from areas affected by escalating tensions in the Middle East, organizing special flights and coordinating ground routes to ensure their safe return. On March 4, several flights carrying Kazakh citizens from Middle Eastern countries arrived in Kazakhstan. Air Astana operated flights from Medina and…
Kazakh Water Diplomats Undergo Training in Europe and China
ALMATY – Kazakh specialists in water management are receiving training in Europe and China as part of efforts to strengthen water diplomacy capacity, the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation reported on March 2. In November 2025, 13 participants completed studies at Corvinus University of Budapest under a dual master’s degree program between the Kazakh…
Astana’s LRT Set to Begin Operations This Spring
ALMATY – The Light Rail Transit (LRT) system in Astana is expected to begin operations this spring, Astana Akim (Mayor) Zhenis Kassymbek announced on his Instagram page on March 2. Kassymbek, together with Deputy Prime Minister Roman Sklyar, visited the LRT depot building and reviewed preparations for the Unified Dispatch Center, which is being established…
Kazakhstan Expresses Condolences to Iran, Urges De-Escalation in Middle East
ALMATY – Kazakh Foreign Ministry spokesperson Yerlan Zhetybayev extended condolences to the people of Iran over the loss of civilian lives, including children, as well as members of the country’s senior leadership, as a result of recent tragic events, in an official statement on March 2. “We express regret over the strikes against civilian facilities…
Kazakhstan’s Oil Exports Continue Uninterrupted After Black Sea Port Incident
ALMATY – Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Energy confirmed that an incident at the Sheskharis oil loading terminal in Russia’s Black Sea port of Novorossiysk has not affected the country’s oil production or export operations. According to the ministry’s official statement, Kazakh oil production and exports continue as normal, and no disruptions have been recorded in the…
IsDB to Support Infrastructure of Kazakhstan’s Special Economic and Industrial Zones
ALMATY – Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) will allocate $1.3 billion to support the construction and modernization of infrastructure in Kazakhstan’s special economic zones (SEZs) and industrial zones (IZs), following agreements signed in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on Feb. 26. The funding was confirmed during a working visit by Kazakhstan’s Minister of Industry and Construction Yersayin Nagaspayev…
Kazakhstan Expands Coal Capacity to Secure Energy Supply
ALMATY – Kazakhstan plans to meet projected demand for more than 19 million tons of coal annually for new energy projects by expanding production capacity, Vice Minister of Energy Yerlan Akbarov announced during a March 2 meeting with the country’s largest coal mining companies. Akbarov emphasized that the project will go beyond power generation and…
Over 4,000 Kazakh Tourists Remain in Gulf States, Provided With Accommodation
ALMATY – More than 4,000 organized tourists from Kazakhstan are now in Gulf countries following the closure of airspace due to escalating tensions in the region, said Inna Rey, head of the Turistik Kamkor (Tourist Aid) corporate fund, during a March 2 press briefing. Rey said the most challenging situation is in the United Arab…
What Ancient Turkic Myths Reveal About Women and Power in Steppe
ALMATY – At a time when many views of Turkic civilization are reduced to simplistic narratives, Kazakh researcher and writer Zira Nauryzbai invites a reassessment. At a public lecture on Feb. 18 in Almaty, she explored Turkic mythology, gender roles, and ancient belief systems, challenging conventional views of Turkic civilization and highlighting the deep symbolic…
Kazakhstan Ratifies Migration Agreement with Austria
ALMATY – Kazakhstan and Austria will establish a legal mechanism for the mutual return of irregular migrants following the ratification of a bilateral readmission agreement by the Mazhilis, the lower chamber of Kazakhstan’s Parliament, on Feb. 25. The Mazhilis approved the agreement between Kazakh and Austrian governments on the Readmission and Transit of Persons with…
Serbian President Vučić Arrives in Astana for Official Visit
ALMATY – Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić arrived in Astana on Feb. 26 for an official visit at the invitation of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. During Vučić’s visit, high-level talks are scheduled to focus on strengthening political dialogue, expanding trade and economic ties, and enhancing cultural and humanitarian cooperation. Serbia is considered one of Kazakhstan’s key and…
Kazakhstan’s Aviation Sector Posts Steady Growth as International Network Expands
ALMATY – Kazakhstan’s aviation industry continues to demonstrate sustainable growth across key performance indicators, officials said at a Feb. 25 meeting of the Ministry of Transport attended by First Deputy Prime Minister Roman Sklyar and regional authorities. Authorities emphasized the strategic importance of aviation for Kazakhstan’s socio-economic development, regional connectivity, international engagement, and investment attractiveness,…
Kazakhstan Advances 1 GW Data Center Valley Project in Ekibastuz
ALMATY – Kazakhstan is moving forward with the large-scale Data Center Valley project in Ekibastuz, the Pavlodar Region, aimed at creating the largest data center campus in Central Asia with an energy capacity of up to 1 gigawatt. The progress of the initiative was reviewed at a Feb. 25 government meeting chaired by Prime Minister…
