Articles by Aiman Nakispekova

ASTANA – Air Astana is strengthening connectivity between Kazakhstan and China with a new direct Almaty-Shanghai flight, launched in late March, the company said during a press conference in Shanghai. The route operates three times a week and complements existing flights to Beijing, Guangzhou, Sanya, Urumqi and Yining. With the addition of Shanghai, the Air…

ASTANA – A total of 34 saker falcons, 28 females and six males, were released into the wild at Altyn-Emel National Park in Kazakhstan’s Almaty Region as part of a population restoration program led by Saudi Arabia’s Saudi Falcons Club in cooperation with Kazakh partners, Reuters reported on April 3. The birds were brought from…

ASTANA – Kazakh athletes won 200 medals in international competitions in the first quarter of 2026, including 79 gold, 57 silver and 64 bronze, the Ministry of Tourism and Sports reported on April 6. In summer Olympic and non-Olympic sports, athletes secured 138 medals: 51 gold, 39 silver and 48 bronze. In national sports, Kazakhstan…

ASTANA – The Light Rail Transit (LRT) system has entered a comprehensive testing phase with 19 train sets operating simultaneously, reported the capital’s akimat (administration) press service on April 7. The tests are being conducted in fully automated GOA4 mode, with trains operating without drivers. The trials simulate real operating conditions, including passenger boarding and…

ASTANA – South Korea’s presidential chief of staff Kang Hoon-sik will travel to Kazakhstan, Oman and Saudi Arabia on Tuesday to discuss securing supplies of crude oil and naphtha, Yonhap News Agency reported on April 7. The trip comes as South Korea seeks to stabilize energy imports amid disruptions to shipping through the Strait of…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan plans to install at least 3,527 5G base stations by the end of 2027 to ensure stable connectivity and high data speeds, according to the Ministry of Digital Development and Artificial Intelligence, reported Kazinform on April 6. “Currently, 3,355 5G base stations have been deployed in all cities of national significance and…

ASTANA – The Eurasian Development Bank has released the Waves of Investment Megahype report on April 7, outlining the most likely directions for the next global surge in investment in emerging technologies, according to the bank’s press service. The report identifies seven areas expected to attract major capital flows in the coming years, including biotechnology…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan is expanding coal production while advancing power generation and digital reforms, Minister of Energy Yerlan Akkenzhenov said at a government meeting on April 7. Akkenzhenov noted that the coal sector remains a cornerstone of Kazakhstan’s energy security, continuing to expand while ensuring stable domestic supply and steady exports. Coal production Kazakhstan ranks…

ASTANA – Almaty could welcome its first Michelin-recognized restaurant this year, Deputy Akim Olzhas Smagulov said during an April 2 regional communications briefing. Smagulov noted that the city continues its efforts to attract global brands, with negotiations underway with European, American and Asian partners who are assessing the local market and preparing investment decisions. “In…

ASTANA – Syrmak, a traditional Kazakh felt rug handcrafted from natural sheep’s wool, ​​has been the centerpiece of nomadic life on the steppe.  The name derives from an ancient Turkic verb meaning “to stitch” or “to sew tightly,” reflecting the rug’s distinctive quilting and stitching technique.  Inside the yurt, it was insulated against winter frost…

ASTANA – The C5+O.N.E. (Opening Networks Through English) program launched its sixth cohort on April 2, aiming to strengthen English proficiency across Central Asia to support regional integration, professional collaboration and economic ties with the United States. Participants from Central Asian countries represent key sectors, including agriculture, banking and finance, information technology, entrepreneurship and energy.…

ASTANA – The Kazakh capital hosted the two-day international Geological Forum Geoscience & Exploration Central Asia on April 2-3, bringing together industry experts and officials to discuss developments in exploration and resource management, Kazinform reported. Kazakh Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov outlined plans to establish a modern geological cluster in Astana, including an analytical laboratory, a…

ASTANA – Astana Hub, IT Park Uzbekistan and venture fund Big Sky Capital agreed to launch an international technology hub in Malaysia during the Central Eurasian Venture Forum 2026 in Tashkent, reported the Astana Hub’s press service. The center is expected to serve as a strategic platform for B2B tech startups from Central Asia, providing…

ASTANA – An exhibition marking the 80th anniversary of the Central Kazakhstan Archaeological Expedition opened at the National Museum in Almaty on March 31, showcasing rare artifacts discovered during excavations in Central Kazakhstan. The exhibition was organized by the museum in cooperation with the Margulan Institute of Archaeology. Research fellow Olga Myakisheva from the museum’s…

ASTANA – Almaty is set to expand its international flight network with four new destinations in 2026, Kazinform reported. Regular flights to Warsaw are scheduled to begin in May, followed by seasonal summer service to Cyprus in June. A new direct route to Tokyo is also expected to launch this year, along with a planned…

ASTANA – The Asian Development Bank approved a 90 billion tenge (US$173.6 million) loan to Otbasy Bank to expand access to affordable housing finance for women in Kazakhstan and introduce green mortgage products for low- and middle-income households nationwide, reported the bank’s press service on April 1. The project is expected to provide residential mortgage…

ASTANA – A middle-path strategy based on the World Energy Council’s energy trilemma, balancing security, affordability and environmental sustainability, is the most effective approach for Central Asia’s energy transition, according to experts from the Eurasian Development Bank (EDB). The strategy, presented in the EDB report titled Central Asia’s Energy Sector: Modernization and Energy Transition on…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan hosts a stage of the International Fencing Federation (FIE) Epee World Cup for the first time on March 26-29, bringing one of the sport’s premier global tournaments to the country and drawing a field of more than 500 athletes from 96 countries. According to Yuliya Kurbanova, PR director of the Kazakh Fencing…

ASTANA – Kazakh cuisine, shaped by centuries of nomadic life on the Eurasian steppe, reflects a food culture built around mobility, resilience and seasonal rhythms. Rich meat dishes, fermented dairy products and flour-based foods remain defining features of this culinary tradition.  In an interview with The Astana Times, Aliya Bolatkhan, a historian and researcher specializing…

ASTANA – The Kazakh capital hosted the Nauryz Ball on March 16, a special event that served as a platform for cultural and humanitarian dialogue, highlighting Kazakhstan’s rich historical heritage, national traditions and modern social development. The event brought together members of the diplomatic corps, representatives of international organizations and foreign partner institutions accredited in…

ASTANA – Ahead of its 15th Five-Year Plan, China has completed a structural shift in its financial system, moving from rapid expansion of banking assets to a strategy aimed at becoming a financial power. Analysts say the transition could reshape China’s economy and create new opportunities for Kazakhstan, strengthening its role as a bridge between…

ASTANA – International observers noted relatively high voter turnout and reported no major violations that could affect the outcome of Kazakhstan’s constitutional referendum on March 15. The Central Election Commission accredited 359 observers from 11 international organizations and 38 foreign countries. Representatives of several observation missions shared their assessments after visiting polling stations nationwide. Shanghai…

ASTANA – Rising geopolitical tensions, including air attacks and attempts to overthrow the government in Iran, as well as clashes along the Afghan-Pakistani border, are raising new questions about Central Asia’s ability to maintain maritime trade through ports in Iran and Pakistan. Securing reliable access to the sea through these ports has long been a…

ASTANA – Nazarbayev University (NU) hosted a meeting with women scientists on March 5 to mark International Women’s Day, highlighting their contributions to research shaping modern medicine and healthcare.  During the event, researchers discussed recent scientific developments ranging from personalized treatment for diabetes to the impact of nutrition and gut microbiota on human health. According…

ASTANA – For most people, retirement marks a slowing down. For Sarsenbai Kotyrashov, it became the beginning of an extraordinary journey. At 76, the Kazakh traveler has set out on the fourth stage of his long-distance adventures, this time across Europe.  His route begins in Serbia and stretches through Hungary, Austria and Germany before reaching…