Kazakhstan’s Social Campaign Earns Golden Lion for Shifting Attitudes on Domestic Violence
ASTANA—The Kazakh advertising agency GForce Grey achieved a significant milestone by winning a Golden Lion at the Cannes Lions International Festival held from June 17-21. This festival is the most prestigious global competition for advertising professionals, with awards across various categories, such as traditional media, digital technologies, PR, design, and creative effects. GForce Grey earned…
National Dombra Day Embraces Rhythm of Kazakh Culture
ASTANA – Kazakhstan has celebrated National Dombra Day on the first Sunday of July since 2018, fostering a deep appreciation of Kazakh traditions and native culture. The dombra is a sacred instrument embodying the history, joy, sadness, courage, and freedom of the Kazakh people. It is not just a national brand but a national identity…
Astana Marks 26 Years of Transformation and Growth
ASTANA – This year, the Kazakh capital celebrates its 26th anniversary on July 6. This day holds deep historical and cultural significance, symbolizing the country’s achievements. On July 6, 1994, the Supreme Council of Kazakhstan passed a resolution to relocate the capital from Almaty to Akmola. The central government completed its move to Akmola in…
EDB Forum Expands Partnership, Addresses Key Regional Challenges
ASTANA – Almaty hosted the annual meeting and business forum of the Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) on June 27-28, bringing together representatives from multilateral development banks, international organizations, businesses, and journalists worldwide. The event aimed to expand partnerships and exchange practical expertise to address key regional challenges, including water, energy balance, transport and logistics development,…
Kazakhstan’s Sergeant Corps Marks 28 Years of Excellence and International Commitment
ASTANA – This year marks the 28th anniversary of the establishment of the Kazakh’s Armed Forces sergeant corps, celebrated on July 1. In 1996 the first cadet corps of the Ministry of Defense was created, initiating the formation of a professional sergeant corps. Kazakhstan was the first in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) to…
Kazakhstan Leads Aral Sea Revival Efforts
ASTANA – Kazakhstan took over the chairmanship of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea (IFAS) this year. During its three-year presidency, Kazakhstan will determine the course of the Aral Sea’s revival. In an interview with Kazinform, Yerbolat Pernekhan, the head of the Department of Water Cooperation for Central Asia at the Ministry of…
Kazakh Freediver Achieves Dual National Records
ASTANA – Kazakh freediver Assel Zhubanysheva set two new national records at the 17th International Association for the Development of Apnea (AIDA) Panglao Depth Games in the Philippines on May 13-15. Zhubanysheva, who began freediving only four years ago, achieved 45 meters in Free Immersion (FIM) and 40 meters in Constant Weight Bi-fins (CWTB) disciplines,…
Kazakhstan Takes Bold Step Toward Zero Tolerance for Violence Against Women
ASTANA – A new legislation on women’s rights and children’s safety marks a significant step towards fostering a culture of zero tolerance for any form of violence, said Khalida Azhigulova, a human rights lawyer and Doctor of Law (PhD), in an interview with The Astana Times. On April 15, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signed laws amending…
Kazakhstan’s Aviation Sector Aims to Secure Its Strong Position
ASTANA – The Aviation Administration of Kazakhstan (AAK), responsible for technical control and oversight of civil aviation safety and security in Kazakhstan, has strengthened its regional leadership and international presence over the years. In an interview with The Astana Times, Catalin Radu, the AAK Director General, discussed initiatives that led to Kazakhstan’s removal from the…
Kazakhstan’s Economic Shift: From Oil to Industry
ASTANA – Recently, Kazakh First Deputy Prime Minister Roman Sklyar discussed the country’s industrial development and economic growth in an interview with the prime minister’s press service. Below is the Q&A with Roman Sklyar. Why is our economy not predominantly oil-based anymore, but rather industrial? Indeed, this question is of paramount importance. The processing industry…
Kazakhstan Launches Global Chess Mentorship Initiative
ASTANA – The Kazakhstan Chess Federation (KazChess) has been implementing a coaching assistance program for colleagues from Oman, Tajikistan, and Sri Lanka for the past two months, with plans to include Bangladesh and Cambodia, reported the federation’s press service on June 4. The program includes a two-month stay for the coaches in the respective countries…
Kazakhstan’s Schools Lead Way with EU’s Energy Efficiency Labels
ASTANA – Two schools in Kazakhstan earned Energy Efficiency Labels during the second Interregional Forum of Environmental Initiatives, jointly organized by the ECOJER Association and the Sustainable Energy Connectivity in Central Asia Project (SECCA) in Temirtau on June 4, reported SECCA’s press service. The Kosshy School Gymnasium and the Kazakh School Lyceum in Konayev town…
Kazakh Capital to Host International Biology Olympiad Showcasing Global Talent
ASTANA – Astana will host the 35th International Biology Olympiad (IBO) on July 7-14, with an expected participation of 350 schoolchildren from 80 countries. More than 40 awards will be up for grabs. The IBO is the top competition among high school students globally and ranks among the most significant events in education. Since 1996,…
Kazakhstan Hosts Landmark Roundtable on Central Asia’s Peacekeeping Role
ASTANA – The Center for Peacekeeping Operations of the Ministry of Defense (KAZCENT) hosted the first regional roundtable on the contribution of Central Asian countries to peacekeeping activities on May 31 in Almaty. The event gathered representatives from Tajikistan, the Kazakh Ministry of Defense, the UN staff, the UN Women’s Office, the International Committee of the Red…
Swedish Truck Manufacturer Expands Operations in Kazakhstan
ASTANA – The Scania CV AB, a Swedish company specializing in producing industrial and marine engines, trucks, and buses, embarked on a significant endeavor by initiating truck production in Saran, in the Karaganda Region one year ago. In an interview with The Astana Times, Pascal Zappone, an executive vice president of the Scania CV AB,…
Berlin Eurasian Club Boosts Investment Prospects in Kazakhstan
ASTANA – The Kazakh capital hosted the 40th meeting of the Berlin Eurasian Club (BEC) focusing on enhancing investment attractiveness on May 15. The event brought together over 30 German and Kazakh companies from the energy, machinery, agricultural, and mining industries for comprehensive discussions covering various topics relevant to the countries’ raw materials, industrial, technological,…
Kazakhstan’s New Legislation Takes Stand for Women’s and Children’s Safety
ASTANA – Anna Ryl, the head of Korgau crisis center, discussed the role of human rights organizations and the societal actions necessary for the effectiveness of the new law on women’s and children’s rights in an interview with The Astana Times. A month ago, Kazakhstan enacted legislation on women’s rights and children’s safety, which criminalizes…
Transcontinental Corridor Forges Path to Europe’s Energy Future
ASTANA – The energy ministries of Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, and Uzbekistan have signed a historic memorandum at the Tashkent International Investment Forum on May 1, initiating cooperation on interconnecting their energy systems and laying the groundwork for a transcontinental energy corridor to Europe. The realization of this initiative will elevate these countries to important positions in…
Kazakhstan’s Economic Landscape in First Quarter of 2024: Insights and Trends
ASTANA – Kazakhstan experienced a notable deceleration in gross domestic product (GDP) growth during the first quarter of 2024, dropping to 3.9% after achieving record highs the previous year, according to an April 29 analytical report by Halyk Bank. The slowdown was primarily attributed to stagnation in oil production, which remained nearly unchanged compared to…
Kazakh Diaspora: Uniting Across Borders for Cultural Preservation and Solidarity
ASTANA – Kazakhs living abroad strengthen the unity of Kazakhstan’s people. Despite physical distance from their homeland, they play a significant role in the country’s development, prosperity, and cultural preservation. They foster unity by maintaining strong connections with other Kazakh expatriates and their families, fostering a sense of community and solidarity, providing mutual support in…
Kazakhstan Marks 130 Years of Renowned Poet Ilyas Zhansugurov
ASTANA – Kazakhstan is commemorating the 130th anniversary of Ilyas Zhansugurov, a distinguished Kazakh poet, writer, and the first chairman of the Union of Writers of Kazakhstan. Zhansugurov made significant contributions to the development of the national poetic culture, innovatively enriching Kazakh oral folk art traditions. Zhansugurov wrote dozens of works that have since become…
Kazakh Peacekeepers Join Global Training Initiative in Hungary
ASTANA – Kazakh officers from the Center for Peacekeeping Operations of the Ministry of Defense (KAZCENT), which trains and prepares specialists for the national peacekeeping contingent, participated in the Military Observers international course in Hungary, reported the center’s press service on April 27. The participants studied the basic principles of military observer work, rules of…
Kazakh Rural Regions Receive 250 Starlink Equipment
ASTANA — The Kazakh Ministry of Digital Development, Innovations, and Aerospace Industry on April 25 sent 250 Starlink terminals to three regions, with 138 terminals delivered to the Akmola Region, 53 to the Zhambyl Region, and 55 to the Zhetysu Region, reported the ministry’s press service. The connection of the terminals is planned for the…
Kazakhstan, UK Partner to Expand Electric Vehicle Infrastructure
ASTANA — The Committee of Highways of the Kazakh Ministry of Transport and the United Kingdom’s Car Park Transformer Limited have signed an agreement to cooperate in installing and operating electric vehicle charging stations using the company’s advanced technologies, the ministry’s press service reported on April 25. The project will focus on implementing these stations…
Kazakhstan Unites in Response to Flood Crisis
ASTANA – The flood that began at the end of March has become one of the largest disasters in Kazakhstan in the past 80 years. Ten of Kazakhstan’s 17 regions were under a state of emergency. The floods affected thousands of people, displacing many from their homes and causing significant damage to infrastructure and agricultural…