ISTC Opens Headquarters in Kazakhstan

ASTANA – Kazakhstan became an official host state for the International Science and Technology Centre (ISTC) as of Dec. 9, when the agreement on the continuation of...


International Experts Discuss EXPO 2017 Topics at COP 21

PARIS – Scientists, business representatives and officials engaged in lively discussions in Paris Dec. 7 at the Future Energy Forum at the UN Education, Science and Culture...


Mongolia Officially Confirms Participation in Astana EXPO 2017

ASTANA – Mongolia officially confirmed its participation in EXPO 2017 in Astana with the signing of the formal agreement by Mongolian Minister of Energy and Commissioner of...


Astana Architecture and City Building Management Chief Highlights Capital’s Plan for ‘Harmonious’ Architectural Development

ASTANA – Head of the city’s Architecture and City Building Management Vitaliy Siletskiy recently discussed the capital’s development plans and new projects. Among those under consideration are...


Canada, Central Asian States Discuss Major Challenges to Security Governance in Astana

ASTANA – Discussions at the final roundtable of the inaugural Central Asia Security Innovation Conference at the Library of the First President in Astana Dec. 9 highlighted...


Quality, Reputation, Hospitality Draws Indian Students to Karaganda

ASTANA – With many Kazakh students going abroad for university or post-graduate studies, it may come as a surprise that Karaganda State Medical University (KSMU) is the...


Healthcare to be Improved by E-Government Programme

Modern information and communication technologies occupy a central position in the world in health security, medical services and the transformation of healthcare systems. Information systems of electronic...


Kazakh Skaters Take Gold, Silver at Golden Spin Tournament

ASTANA – Kazakh figure skater and Sochi Olympics bronze medallist Denis Ten won the men’s singles competition in the Golden Spin of Zagreb international tournament, held in...


UN Adopts Nuclear-Weapons-Free World Declaration initiated by Kazakhstan

ASTANA – During its Dec. 7 plenary session, the United Nations General Assembly (GA) approved the Universal Declaration for the Achievement of a Nuclear-Weapons-Free World put forward...


Serbia Concludes OSCE Chairmanship; Kazakh FM Calls for More Robust Role for Group in Fighting Extremism

BELGRADE – The 22nd meeting of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Ministerial Council in Belgrade Dec. 3–4 saw the culmination of Serbia’s one-year...


President Signs Law on Astana International Financial Centre

ASTANA – Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev signed the constitutional law “On the Astana International Financial Centre” on Dec. 7, the Akorda reported. The law supports the establishment...


Style, Fabrics and Client Approach Winning Kazakh Fashion Brand Loyalty

ASTANA – The unique style and convenience of Kazakh fashion brands, particularly Salta, may be the reason local women make up the list of their loyal clients,...


Bolashak Alumni Discuss Almaty’s Development to 2020

A meeting of graduates of the Bolashak Presidential Scholarship Programme took place in Almaty on Nov. 17. About 100 or so attendees discussed the draft of the...


New Partnership Agreement Reflects More Equal, Mature Relationship Between Kazakhstan, EU, Ambassador Says

ASTANA – The Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (EPCA) negotiated between Kazakhstan and the European Union last year and due to be formally signed in Astana Dec....


UAE Top Officials Discuss Terrorism, Syrian Crisis and Relations with Iran

ABU DHABI – On the eve of the celebration of the 44th National Day of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the UAE’s National Media Council invited foreign...


Reviving the Village Project Delivers Free Fresh Local Farm Products

The free delivery of local farm products has started in Almaty in the framework of the newly launched Reviving the Village social project.  The group of eight...


Astana Hosts UAE 44th National Day Reception

ASTANA – The Embassy of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in Astana hosted a reception at the Rixos President Hotel to mark the UAE’s 44th National Day...


New Work Estimation Criteria to Be Introduced for Governors

President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev announced recently new criteria to be introduced to estimate the level of efficiency of akims (governors), reported the Akorda press service. “The...


Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan Confirm Participation in EXPO 2017

ASTANA – Commissioner of EXPO 2017 and First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan Rapil Zhoshybayev paid a working visit to Turkmenistan Dec. 2, reported the...


National Bank Presents New 20,000-Tenge Note, Highlights Note’s Anti-Counterfeit Features

ASTANA – A new 20,000-tenge bank note, considered one of the most secure bank notes against counterfeiting, was launched by the Kazakh National Bank Dec. 1. “The...


Aitys/Aitysh Added to UNESCO’s World List of Intangible Cultural Heritage

ASTANA – The joint Kazakh-Kyrgyz nomination of “Aitys/Aitysh, the art of improvisation,” was inscribed on the Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) of Humanity on Dec....


EBRD to Fund Large Aircraft Maintenance Facility in Astana

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s national airline, Air Astana, will soon get an infusion of cash in the form of a European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) loan...


Astana Times Celebrates Five Years Informing Nation, Expats and Visitors

ASTANA – The Astana Times passed its five year anniversary Nov. 30, celebrating its transition from a one-time digest to a monthly printed paper and now to...


Capital Forecasts $606 Million in City Revenue for 2016

ASTANA – Deputy of the Astana Maslikhat and member of the city’s Economics and Budget Planning Management Committee Gulnar Dzhusupova announced at a recent meeting of the...


Stateless Persons in Central Asia Pose Challenge for Region

Sixty years ago, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights declared that “everyone has the right to a nationality,” however, millions of people around the world still do...


Shymkent Factory Launches Country’s First Production of Sterile Garments for Newborns

The MedTexKZ company has launched the production of sterile vests, sliders, caps and other clothing for newborns at a plant in Shymkent. The factory is the only...


Golovkin Now Ranks as Second Best Pound-for-Pound Boxer in the World

Gennady “GGG” Golovkin, Kazakhstan’s world champion under the World Boxing Association (WBA Super), International Boxing Organisation (IBO), World Boxing Council (WBC Interim) and International Boxing Federation (IBF)...


New ‘Green’ Railway Station Under Construction in Astana

ASTANA – A new railway station using green technologies is being built in Astana, reported the press service of Kazakhstan’s national railway company, Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ)...


Kazakh FM Stresses Need for Coordinated Policies on Eurasia, Stronger Ties with Europe

VIENNA – Kazakh Foreign Minister Erlan Idrissov continued his country’s public campaign aimed at promoting a framework of mutually beneficial cooperation within Central Asia and with its...


Kazakhstan Showcases National Cuisine at Charity Fair in Brazil

ASTANA – More than 100 diplomatic representatives accredited in Brazil, including from the Embassy of Kazakhstan, attended a charity fair for orphans at the Mane Garrincha National...