Kazakhstan’s New Supercomputer Marks Breakthrough in National Tech Independence

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s new national supercomputer can perform in just one second as many calculations as the entire world’s population – all 8 billion people – could...


Kazakhstan Launches Central Asia’s Most Powerful Supercomputer 

ASTANA — President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev took part in the official launch of Kazakhstan’s new national supercomputer on July 9.  The new supercomputing cluster is powered by NVIDIA...


Why Optimism is Kazakhstan’s Strength

Kazakhstan is often described as a “transitional” state, neither a poor nor a wealthy society, neither Eastern nor Western in culture, but rather a blend of codes,...


15 Startups Advance to Finals of Astana Hub and Google’s Silkway Accelerator

ASTANA – Fifteen startups from Central Eurasia have become finalists of the sixth cohort of the Silkway Accelerator, an international joint program of Astana Hub and Google...


Uzbekistan’s Centrum Air Launches Direct Nukus-Aktau Flights

ASTANA – Uzbek airline Centrum Air began operating a new regular flight on the Nukus-Aktau route on July 3, reported the Dunyo agency of Uzbekistan’s Foreign Ministry....


Backstreet Boys to Perform in Kazakhstan This September

ASTANA – The legendary American band Backstreet Boys will give concerts in Kazakhstan this fall, performing in Almaty on Sept. 19 and in Astana on Sept. 21,...


President Tokayev Highlights Water Security as Kazakhstan’s Priority

ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev reaffirmed Kazakhstan’s ambition to address water security as a priority in the nation’s development, as he spoke at a July 9 ceremony,...


Children’s Book Spotlights Life and Threats Facing Steppe Eagle, Kazakhstan’s Cherished Symbol

ASTANA – The Association for the Conservation of Biodiversity of Kazakhstan (ACBK) presented a new illustrated book for children, “Steppe Eagle Kiyeh,” on July 8 in Astana,...


Comic Con Astana Draws 75,000 Fans in Biggest Edition Yet

ASTANA – Comic Con Astana 2025 launched in the capital of Kazakhstan on July 9, promising to be the biggest edition by welcoming 75,000 guests, including 10,000...


Kazakhstan’s Investments in Tourism Sector Surpass $570 Million in Five Months

ASTANA – In just the first five months of 2025, over 300 billion tenge (US$576.9 million) has been invested in Kazakhstan’s tourism sector, Kazinform reported on July...


Kazakhstan Nears Universal Coverage in Inclusive Education

ASTANA – As of 2025, Kazakhstan has ensured inclusive education in 70% of preschool institutions, 90% of general secondary schools, and 81% of technical and vocational institutions,...


First National Urban Forum Launches Kazakhstan’s Urban Policy Development

ASTANA – The First National Urban Forum of Kazakhstan (NUF2025), held on July 8 in Kyzylorda, marked the beginning of developing a national urban policy, reported the...


IFC Reaffirms Support for Kazakhstan’s Diversification Push

ASTANA – Wiebke Schloemer, a regional director for Türkiye and Central Asia at the International Finance Corporation (IFC), explores key milestones in more than 30 years of...


Kazakhstan’s IT Project Triumphs at World Summit on Information Society

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s Situational and Analytical Complex (SAC) project has secured first place in its category at the prestigious World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) Prizes...


Development Bank of Kazakhstan Places Dollar and Tenge Eurobonds on International Markets

ASTANA – The Development Bank of Kazakhstan has placed two tranches of Eurobonds on international capital markets, including a $200 million tap of its April-issued dollar bonds...


Dimash Qudaibergen Performs with Plácido Domingo in Vietnam’s Ho Guom Opera House Celebration

ASTANA – Kazakh star Dimash Qudaibergen performed at the prestigious A Night with the Stars concert at the Ho Guom Opera House in Vietnam’s capital on July...


Kazakhstan Deepens Civil Aviation Ties with ICAO

ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev met with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) President Salvatore Sciacchitano on July 8 to discuss ongoing developments and prospects for deeper cooperation...


Kazakhstan Faces New US Tariff Measures Under Trump’s Executive Order

ASTANA – United States President Donald Trump signed an executive order on July 7 extending certain tariff rates until Aug. 1. Under the order, Kazakhstan will face...


Kazakhstan’s Bakhyt Khajibayev Wins Best Actor Award at SCO Film Festival in China

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s actor Bakhyt Khajibayev won the best actor award at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Film Festival on July 6 in the Chinese city of...


Kazakhstan, Brazil Expand Bilateral Ties During BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro

ASTANA – Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Murat Nurtleu met with Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira on July 5 in Rio de Janeiro as part...


Kazakhstan Takes Seat at BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro as Partner Country

ASTANA – Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Murat Nurtleu represented Kazakhstan for the first time as a partner country at the 17th BRICS Leaders’ Summit in...


Astana: City That Dreams With Us -3. Witness to My Becoming

When we think of Astana, the first thing that comes to mind is the high-level visits of politicians and international summits. It’s a city of strategy, diplomacy,...


Kazakhstan’s Middle Corridor Role is ‘Game-Changer,’ Says EIB VP

ASTANA — Kazakhstan’s strategic position in the Middle Corridor makes it a game-changer for regional logistics and innovation, said Vice president of the European Investment Bank (EIB)...


Astana: City That Dreams With Us – 2. Tailoring Dignity, Stitch by Stitch

When we think of Astana, the first thing that comes to mind is high-level visits of politicians and international summits. It’s a city of strategy, diplomacy, and...


Kazakh Artist Brings Aitys Into Contemporary Space as Part of Venice Biennale Residency

ALMATY – The Italian Institute of Culture in Almaty hosts “Thin Walls / Aitys / Lost in Translation,” a solo installation by Kazakh contemporary artist Syrlybek Bekbotayev,...


Kazakhstan Secures 8 Golds, As World Boxing Cup Stage Wraps Up in Astana 

ASTANA – The World Boxing Cup stage concluded in Astana on July 6, with more than 400 boxers representing 31 countries battling it out for medals. Host...


Exploring Southern Steppe: Layers of Civilization in Zhankala, Zhankent and Zhetyasar Oasis

Editor’s Note: The Astana Times continues its Forgotten Cities of the Silk Road series, exploring Kazakhstan’s tentative UNESCO World Heritage sites. This edition highlights three major archaeological...


Australian Musician Honors Kazakhstan with Dombra Melody

ASTANA – Kazakhstan has celebrated National Dombra Day on the first Sunday of July since 2018. Dombra, the national musical instrument, embodies the country’s rich history, culture,...


Astana: City That Dreams With Us – 1. Listening to Wind

When we think of Astana, the first thing that comes to mind is high-level visits of politicians and international summits. It’s a city of strategy, diplomacy, and...


Kazakhstan to Invest in Afghanistan’s Turghundi-Herat Railway

ASTANA — Kazakhstan is ready to invest in Afghanistan’s Turghundi-Herat railway to strengthen regional connectivity, said Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov at the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) Summit...