27th Asian Table Tennis Championships Concludes in Astana

ASTANA – For the first time, Kazakhstan hosted the 27th Asian Table Tennis Championships from Oct. 6 to 13, reported the Tourism and Sports Ministry’s press service....


Top 5 Favorite Kazakh Dishes: World Nomad Games Visitors Share Their Picks

ASTANA – International tourists attending the World Nomad Games in September were captivated not only by the sports events but also by Kazakh cuisine. A survey conducted...


Atyrau City: Bridging Oil Wealth with Fishing Traditions

Editor’s Note: The Astana Times continues its series of articles, Exploring Kazakhstan, City by City, in the marvelous city of Atyrau. We are setting out to unveil...


Natural Park in Mangystau Region Sees Increasing Number of Rare Animals

ASTANA – Since the beginning of 2024, camera traps in the Kyzylsay State Regional Natural Park in the Mangystau Region have captured nearly 20,000 animals, including those...


Kazakhstan’s Call to Eliminate Domestic Violence Gains Support at UN

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s resolution urging the international community to eliminate domestic violence was unanimously adopted at the 57th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC)...


Kazakhstan’s Journey to Middle Power Status: From Extraction to Innovation

For those who have been following Central Asia’s regional transformation from a peripheral region of the post-Soviet Union to a strategic area of diplomatic, economic and infrastructural...


Innovative Yurt Design by Kazakh Architect Garners International Recognition

ASTANA – Kazakh architect Ravil Nurgissa has won the prestigious ICONIC AWARDS presented by the German Design Council  in the Innovative Architecture category for his modern take...


Kazakhstan’s Creative Identity Showcased at Sandwich of Identity Presentation During Global Fashioning Assembly

ASTANA — Local designers participated in the Sandwich of Identity presentation at the Global Fashioning Assembly 2024, supported by the Creative Industries Alliance of Qazaqstan, the Born...


Kazakhstan’s Film Triumphs at Baku International Film Festival 2024

ASTANA – The Kazakh film “Bauryna Salu” (Adoption) by Askhat Kuchincherekov secured high award at the Baku International Film Festival 2024, which took place on Oct. 4-8....


US Department of State Delivers Positive Evaluation of C5+1 summit in New York

ASTANA – The U.S. Department of State gave an official assessment on the results of the C5+1 meeting during the UN General Assembly in New York, at...


Tokayev Highlights Magtymguly Pyragy’s Rich Spiritual Legacy at International Forum in Ashgabat

ASTANA – Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev participated in the international forum, Interconnection of Times and Civilizations – the Basis of Peace and Development, on Oct. 11 in...


SCAT Airlines to Launch Direct Flights Between Kazakhstan & Austria in Spring 2025

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s SCAT Airlines plans to launch direct flights between Kazakhstan and Austria in the spring next year. The flights will be operated twice a week....


News Digest: Foreign Media on Kazakh-Turkmen Cooperation, Nuclear Power Plant Referendum and More

ASTANA – The Astana Times has selected articles from global media outlets covering Kazakhstan. This week’s foreign media digest covers Kazakh-Turkmen cooperation, nuclear power plant referendum, European...


Qatar to Invest $20 Billion in Nine Projects in Kazakhstan

ASTANA – Qatar will invest $20 billion to implement nine projects in Kazakhstan, according to the agreement on long-term strategic partnership, approved by the Senate, the upper...


What to Expect from Weekend Thrills in Astana and Almaty

ASTANA – Astana and Almaty are gearing up for a weekend packed with diverse events. Whether you’re a fan of concerts, authentic sounds, art exhibitions or basketball,...


National Bank of Kazakhstan Keeps Base Rate at 14.25%

ASTANA – The Monetary Policy Committee of the National Bank of Kazakhstan has decided to keep the base rate at 14.25% per annum with a corridor of...


Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan to Build Trans-Afghan Corridor

ASTANA – Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan will build the trans-Afghan corridor, according to the documents signed during President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s visit to Turkmenistan on Oct. 10. The route...


Kazakh, Turkmen Presidents Set Priorities for Cooperation 

ASTANA — Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Turkmen President Serdar Berdimuhamedov made a joint statement for the media expressing satisfaction with the results of the bilateral talks...


A Healthier Kazakhstan: Cutting Sugary Drinks with Smart Taxes

The consumption of sugary drinks in Kazakhstan is soaring. Between 2018 and 2023, per capita sales of sugar sweetened beverages rose by 50%, largely due to rising...


Kazakhstan Increases Trade Ties with Turkmenistan 

ASTANA – Kazakhstan plans to boost exports to Turkmenistan by nearly $120 million across 80 commodity items, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev announced during expanded-format talks with Turkmen President...


Kazakh Servicewomen of Airborne Assault Troops Conquer Himalayas

ASTANA – Corporals Balzhan Mussatayeva and Marzhan Sairanova of Kazakhstan’s Airborne Assault Troops performed complex parachute jumps from 3,200 meters above sea level in the foothills of...


Kazakhstan Remains Reliable Ally of Turkmenistan, Says President Tokayev

ASTANA – Kazakhstan has been and remains a reliable ally of Turkmenistan across key sectors, including energy, transport, logistics, cultural and humanitarian cooperation, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said...


Kazakhstan Prioritizes Friendly Relations with Turkmenistan

ASTANA – Kazakhstan prioritizes friendly relations with Turkmenistan, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said at an Oct. 10 meeting with Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty (People’s Council) of Turkmenistan...


Organization of Turkic States to Establish Unified Information System for Accessible Medical Services

ASTANA – Health Ministers of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) signed a protocol of intent to create a unified information system, called Türktransplant, during their fourth...


Kazakhstan Expands Trade, Economic, and Investment Cooperation with US

ASTANA – Kazakh Deputy Foreign Minister Alibek Kuantyrov discussed expanding strategic cooperation with the United States, particularly in trade, economic, and investment sectors at an Oct. 9...


Manufacturing Industry Production Grows in Kazakhstan

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s manufacturing industry recorded a production volume of 14.9 trillion tenge (US$30.3 billion) in the first eight months, which is 4.9% more compared to the...


Kazakhstan Intensifies Efforts to Preserve Northern Aral Sea, as Water Levels Rise

ASTANA – For the first time in five years, Kazakhstan has nearly fulfilled its water delivery target to the Aral Sea during the irrigation season, supplying 977...


Kazakhstan, Hungary Strengthen Inter-Parliamentary, Cultural Ties

ASTANA — Yerlan Koshanov, Chairman of the Mazhilis, the lower house of Kazakhstan’s Parliament, made an official visit to Hungary on Oct. 6, where he met with...


Qatar’s Lesha Bank Finalizes Acquisition of Kazakhstan’s Bereke Bank

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s Baiterek National Holding and Qatar’s Lesha Bank announced on Oct. 8 the completion of the transaction, transferring full ownership of Bereke Bank with the...


Kazakhstan, Netherlands Boost Ties at First Business Council 

ASTANA—Kazakhstan and the Netherlands convened the first Kazakh-Dutch Business Council on Oct. 9, focusing on joint efforts to enhance transport, logistics, innovation and green energy cooperation in...