UNICEF Report Reveals 60,000 Children in Residential Care Across Central Asia

ASTANA – Nearly 60,000 children aged 0-17 years across five countries in Central Asia live in residential care, according to a new policy brief published by the...


Task to Increase Trade Volume Between Kazakhstan and Tajikistan is Feasible, Says Tajik PM

ASTANA – The task set by Presidents of Kazakhstan and Tajikistan for their governments to increase mutual trade volume to $2 billion is really feasible, Tajik Prime...


Kazakh Athletes Poised for Gold in African Intellectual Game Ovari

ASTANA – Ainur Zhakapbayeva, head coach of Kazakhstan’s national togyzkumalak team, expressed confidence in the team’s potential to win a gold medal in ovari, an intellectual game...


News Digest: Foreign Media on Kazakhstan’s Balanced Foreign Policy, Kazakh-Tajik Cooperation and More

ASTANA – The Astana Times has curated a selection of articles about Kazakhstan published in international media outlets around the world. This week’s foreign media digest includes...


German Companies Expand Investment Presence in Kazakhstan

ASTANA – The Kazakh Invest national company delegation, led by Chairman Yerzhan Yelekeyev, paid a working visit on Aug. 19-21 to Germany to engage in discussions with...


Nazarbayev University is Catalyst for Kazakhstan’s Development, Says its New President

ASTANA — According to Dr. Waqar Ahmad, the newly appointed president of Nazarbayev University (NU), the university is a pivotal force in Kazakhstan’s development. This is largely...


Kazakhstan Upgrades Oil Production Compensation Plan Under OPEC+ Agreement

ASTANA – Kazakhstan has updated its Compensation plan, including for overproduction in July, and submitted it to the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) Secretariat, the Energy...


Kazakhstan Imports Record Number of Passenger Aircraft

ASTANA – Kazakhstan imported 13 aircraft with a capacity of 50 to 300 passengers in the first six months of this year, a record number since 2018...


IAEA Low-Enriched Uranium Bank Stores 90 Tons of Nuclear Fuel

ASTANA – The Low Enriched Uranium (LEU) Bank of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), located on the territory of the Ulba Metallurgical Plant (UMP), is a...


Road Infrastructure Improvement Near Completion in Kazakhstan

ASTANA – Kazakhstan is nearing completion of a large-scale road infrastructure improvement program, which includes constructing, reconstructing, and repairing 7,000 kilometers of roads by the end of...


Kazakh-Tajik Investment Forum Yields Nearly $900 Million in Contracts

ASTANA – The Kazakh-Tajik Investment Forum, held in Dushanbe on Aug. 21 ahead of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s state visit to Tajikistan, resulted in the signing of several...


Interstate Relations Between Kazakhstan and Tajikistan Reach Allied Cooperation Level

ASTANA — The Treaty on Allied Relations between Kazakhstan and Tajikistan, signed on Aug. 22 by both leaders, marks the beginning of a qualitatively new stage of...


Experience Best of Astana and Almaty

ASTANA — Get ready for an exciting weekend of culture and entertainment in Astana and Almaty. From captivating concerts and vibrant festivals to immersive exhibitions, there’s something for...


Kazakh, Tajik Presidents Outline Priorities, Strengthen Bilateral Ties

ASTANA – Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Tajik President Emomali Rahmon identified priorities and tasks to strengthen bilateral cooperation during the Aug. 22 talks in Dushanbe. In...


TikTok, Kazakh Tourism Promote Nation’s Culture, Major Sites Through Travel Content

ASTANA — TikTok, a short-form video hosting service, and Kazakh Tourism national company, are launching a new stage of a large-scale initiative under the GuideToKazakhstan hashtag. The...


Engineering Camps in Rural Schools Empower Students in STEAM

ASTANA — American Corners in Kazakhstan reported that they finished their pilot project titled Regional Ambassadors of Makerspace. This project of creative labs aims to promote knowledge...


Slight Majority Favor Construction of Nuclear Power Plant in Kazakhstan, Survey Finds

ASTANA – A slight majority of respondents (53.1%) support building a nuclear power plant, hoping it will help resolve electricity shortages by 2030, according to survey results...


Dara Foundation Promotes Contemporary Art of Kazakhstan and Central Asia at Edinburgh Fringe Festival

ASTANA –Dara Presidential Initiatives Foundation hosted the Fringe Fusion: Kazakhstan and Global Art Partnerships event on Aug. 20 as part of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in Edinburgh,...


Kazakhstan Prepares Birds of Prey for Fifth World Nomad Games

ASTANA – With less than 20 days before the start of the fifth World Nomad Games, Kazakhstan hosts a training camp for kusbegilik, the art of hunting...


Environmental Issues in Central Asia Demand Inclusive Approach Across Three UN Rio Conventions

ASTANA—With three United Nations (UN) environmental Conferences of Parties (COPs) coming up this year, this is a fitting moment to assess the true legacy of the Rio...


Kazakhstan’s Urban Population Hits 12.6 Million, Growing Rapidly

ASTANA — According to the Bureau of National Statistics, the urban population in Kazakhstan reached 12.6 million people as of July 1. Five years ago, the urban...


National Bank Survey: Kazakhstan Economic Growth Slows, Inflation Steady

ASTANA –The National Bank of Kazakhstan released its latest macroeconomic survey on Aug. 21, revealing key forecasts and expectations from expert respondents. The survey, which includes insights...


Kazakhstan’s Airlines to Launch New Routes This Year

ASTANA — Kazakhstan’s airlines plan to increase international flights and open new routes by the end of this year. Kazakhstan’s flag carrier Air Astana plans to launch...


Almaty Food Fest to Celebrate Global Cuisines, Unite Int’l Chefs  

ASTANA – Chefs from eight nations will demonstrate their cuisines at the Almaty Food Fest international gastronomic festival on Aug. 24-25.  Chefs from Belarus, China, Iran, Kazakhstan,...


Kazakhstan Sees Twofold Increase in Sea and Coastal Cargo Transportation

ASTANA – In January-July, Kazakhstan’s sea and coastal cargo and baggage transportation volume reached 1.6 million tons, marking a 2.1-fold increase compared to the same period in...


Astana Hosts International Conference on Chess in Education

ASTANA—Astana hosted the second international conference dedicated to chess in education that kicked off on Aug. 21. Over 200 participants, including global chess experts and educators from...


Discover Kazakhstan: The Astana Times’ Ranking of Top 10 Pristine Destinations

ASTANA –  Kazakhstan, a land of vast steppes, towering mountains, and rich cultural heritage, offers an array of pristine destinations that captivate the soul. From serene lakes...


StarLink Internet Coverage in Karagandy Region Reaches 100%

ASTANA – This year, 106 rural schools in the Karagandy Region were connected to StarLink Internet, achieving 100% high-speed Internet coverage, as reported at the regional education...


Kazakh PM Sends Off National Team to Summer Paralympics

ASTANA – Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov presented Kazakhstan’s national Paralympic team with the state flag, which they will carry during the opening ceremony of the 2024 Summer...


Moody’s Assesses Kazakhstan’s Investment Climate

ASTANA – The international rating agency Moody’s representatives visited Kazakhstan to evaluate the country’s investment climate on Aug. 20, reported the Kazakh Foreign Ministry’s press service. Deputy...