Institutionalizing Central Asian Regional Cooperation 

In early August, Central Asian presidents met in Awaza in Turkmenistan along the sidelines of a UN conference, in preparation for their seventh formal consultative meeting, which...


Kazakh Citizens Split on AI’s Role in Education, New Survey Shows

ASTANA – Artificial intelligence has quickly become a routine study companion in Kazakhstan, but its place in the classroom remains contentious, according to fresh data from the...


25 Years of SCO: Central Asian Bloc Evolves into Global Player 

ASTANA – The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) marked its 25th anniversary with its largest summit to date, signaling its evolution from a regional bloc focused on Central...


Kazakh Media Company Launches First National Streaming Platform 

ALMATY – Uni-Q Group, a local media company, has officially launched Unico Play, a new streaming service positioned as a national digital entertainment platform on Sept. 12. ...


Switzerland’s House of Religions Highlights Path for Peace

ASTANA — Religious leaders have the power to calm conflicts swiftly and lay the groundwork for lasting peace when they choose to unite across communities and promote...


This Weekend’s Picks: Almaty City Day, Astana’s Stage Lights 

ASTANA – Prepare for an unforgettable weekend filled with thrilling events and captivating experiences across the vibrant cities of Kazakhstan. From fascinating exhibitions to dynamic festivals and...


10 Years, 30 Countries: Kazakhstan Names 2025 Foreign Media Award Recipients

ASTANA – Celebrating a decade of storytelling about Kazakhstan, the Kazakh Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced the winners of its 10th-anniversary Kazakhstan Through the Eyes of...


Kazakhstan Rises to 34th in IMD World Talent Ranking 2025

ALMATY – The International Institute for Management Development (IMD) has released its World Talent Ranking 2025 on Sept. 9, where Kazakhstan has advanced to 34th place, moving...


Kazakhstan Football Federation Academy Achieves FIFA Talent Academy Status

ALMATY – The ceremony to mark the Kazakhstan Football Federation (KFF) Academy receiving the official status of a FIFA Talent Academy was held in Talgar, Almaty region,...


News Digest: Foreign Media on Faith Diplomacy, Food Security, Green Education, and More

ASTANA – The Astana Times has selected articles from global media outlets covering Kazakhstan. This week’s foreign media digest highlights religion’s role in diplomacy, Kazakhstan’s emerging food...


Kazakhstan Restructures Digital Ministry 

ALMATY – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has signed a decree on Sept. 18 to transform the Ministry of Digital Development, Innovations and Aerospace Industry into the Ministry of...


Tokayev Honors National Boxing Team After Historic World Championship Triumph

ALMATY – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev congratulated the Kazakh national boxing team on Sept. 18, commending their performance at the World Boxing Championships in Liverpool, where Kazakhstan ranked...


Turkic States Advance Regional Integration and Digital Connectivity at Bishkek Meeting

ALMATY – Kazakh Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov joined his counterparts from the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) in Bishkek on Sept. 18 to discuss boosting trade, modernizing...


Tokayev to Visit New York for High-Level UN General Assembly

ALMATY – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev will pay a working visit to New York on Sept. 21–23.  While in New York, he will participate in the 80th session...


US Program Boosts English Proficiency for Economy Professionals Across Central Asia

ALMATY – The C5+ Opening Networks through English (C5+O.N.E.) program launched its fifth cohort on Sept. 17, bringing together more than 700 government, private sector, and NGO...


Kazakh Scientist Presents How Nuclear-Test Sensors Track Glacier Change 

VIENNA – As the shadow of nuclear testing hangs over the world, scientists from Kazakhstan reveal on-the-ground applications of nuclear test monitoring systems in glacier research at...


Kazakhstan’s Digital Tenge Project Wins Award at Global CBDC Conference

ASTANA – The National Bank of Kazakhstan (NBK) has received the Pioneering CBDC Initiative Award at this year’s CB+DC Conference, which took place on Sept. 9-11 in...


Kazakh Flour Supplied to US Market

ASTANA – Kazakhstan has begun supplying flour to the United States, with the first 50 tons of wheat flour under the Eurasian Legacy brand shipped to New...


Tokayev Highlights Role of Religious Leaders in Promoting Peace at Congress Closing

ASTANA – Peace is humanity’s greatest asset and a value shared by all peoples and religions, said Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev at the closing ceremony of the...


Congress in Kazakhstan Highlights Youth Voices in Global Peace

ASTANA – The second day of the Eighth Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions on Sept. 18 featured a series of panel sessions addressing urgent...


Kazakh 12-Year-Old Scores First-Ever Drone Racing World Cup Prize

ASTANA – Twelve-year-old Timofey Muravyov from Karagandy became the first Kazakh citizen to win a prize at the Drone Racing World Cup in Istanbul. The competition brought...


Kazakhstan Establishes National Standards for Artificial Intelligence in Education

ASTANA – Kazakhstan has approved its first national framework for integrating artificial intelligence into education, setting standards for ethical use, data protection, and academic integrity across schools,...


Kazakhstan Advances Major Investment Projects in Pharmaceuticals, Agro-Industry, and Food Processing

ASTANA – First Deputy Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Roman Sklyar chaired a meeting of the Investment Headquarters on Sept. 17 to review the implementation of key investment...


Bibisara Assaubayeva Wins Bronze at FIDE Women’s Grand Swiss in Samarkand

ASTANA – Twenty-one-year-old grandmaster Bibisara Assaubayeva has triumphantly completed the prestigious FIDE Women’s Grand Swiss in Samarkand, claiming third place and securing her place in the history...


Why Kyrgyz Republic’s Voice Matters in Afghan Affairs

The Afghan question plays a decisive role in the security and regional development of Central Asia. The states of the region increasingly regard Afghanistan as an inseparable...


IAEA to Support Kazakhstan at All Stages of Nuclear Power Plant Construction

ALMATY — The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has reaffirmed its commitment to provide assistance for Kazakhstan’s first nuclear power plant construction during a Sept. 17 meeting...


Backstreet Boys Concert in Astana to Attract Over 12,000 Tourists

ALMATY — Astana Arena will host a historic event as the legendary pop group Backstreet Boys performs in Kazakhstan for the first time on Sept. 21. Their...


KazMunayGas Resumes Oil Exports Through Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan Pipeline

ALMATY— KazMunayGas (KMG) resumed oil exports through the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) pipeline system with a shipment of 8,800 tons of Kashagan crude from the port of Aktau on...


Religious Leaders Call for Dialogue, Solidarity at Congress in Astana 

ASTANA – The eighth Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions opened Sept. 17 in Astana, drawing 100 delegations representing major world faiths, religious and civic...


Tokayev Calls for Peace at Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions

ALMATY — President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev addressed the opening of the eighth Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions on Sept. 16 in Astana, highlighting the growing...