Kasteev Museum That Raised Generations Reopens with Spirit Intact
ALMATY – The Abilkhan Kasteev State Museum of Arts was never just a museum for Almaty’s public. It was a second home and for many children, the place where a lifelong love for art first began.

The new flooring, made from more durable materials, sits on a leveled foundation that will better serve the…
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Venture Investment in AI Rises Fivefold in Two Years, Says Latest Report
ASTANA – Kazakhstan has developed a rapidly expanding artificial intelligence (AI) startup ecosystem, with more than 100 AI startups now operating in the country and venture investment in the sector rising more than fivefold over the past two years, according to a new report presented on Jan. 28 in the Kazakh capital.

According to…
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Kazakhstan Takes Chair of Central Asian Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone for 2026
ALMATY – Kazakhstan has officially assumed the chairmanship of the Treaty on a Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone in Central Asia for 2026, following the annual consultative meeting of the treaty’s member states.

Photo credit: Shutterstock.

Representatives of the Kazakh Ministry of Foreign Affairs took part in the meeting, where participating countries reviewed activities carried out in…
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Expert Warns of Rising Threat from Space Debris
ASTANA – Space exploration and environmental risks are increasingly intertwined as defunct spacecraft turn into uncontrolled debris orbiting Earth. Dr. Dmitry Sizov, an aerospace engineering expert at Astana-based Nazarbayev University, discussed the growing threat of space debris and its global implications during a lecture at the university on Jan. 29.

Dr. Dmitry Sizov, an…
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President Tokayev to Pay State Visit to Pakistan This Week
ALMATY – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev will pay a state visit to Pakistan on Feb. 3–4, reported the Akorda press service.

During the visit, the Kazakh leader will hold talks with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Asif Ali Zardari. The negotiations will focus on prospects for strengthening political dialogue as well as expanding trade,…
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OPEC+ Countries Pause Supply Hikes, Reaffirm Flexible Production Strategy
ALMATY – Eight OPEC+ member countries have reaffirmed their commitment to oil market stability, citing a steady global economic outlook and healthy market fundamentals reflected in relatively low inventories.

Photo credit: Reuters

Saudi Arabia, Russia, Iraq, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Kazakhstan, Algeria, and Oman held a virtual meeting on Feb. 1 to review…
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Air Astana Launches Ticket Sales for Seasonal Flights to Cyprus
ALMATY – Air Astana has opened ticket sales for direct seasonal flights to Cyprus as part of its summer 2026 schedule. From June through September, the airline will operate regular services to Larnaca from both Astana and Almaty, reported the Civil Aviation Committee on Feb. 2.

Photo credit: Air Astana

Flights from Astana will…
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Labour Market Trends: Who Employers Sought Most in Kazakhstan in 2025
ALMATY – More than 1.3 million job vacancies were posted in Kazakhstan in 2025, with demand strongest for healthcare, education and transport workers, reported the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection’s press service on Jan. 29.

Photo credit: Freepik.

According to the ministry, 1.328 million vacancies were published during the year, while job seekers…
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Kazakhstan to Introduce AI in Water Sector by May, PM Bektenov Says
ALMATY – Kazakhstan will launch an artificial intelligence–based project to manage water resources by May 1, Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov announced during a Feb. 2 meeting on science and innovation, positioning digital solutions as a key tool for the country’s sustainable development.

Kazakhstan will launch an artificial intelligence–based project to manage water resources by…
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CFive Debuts With High-Level Discussion on Central Asia’s Path to 2030
ASTANA — An international expert discussion titled Central Asia 2030: Strategic Horizons and Regional Choices was held at Astana International University (AIU) on Feb. 2, bringing together regional and international policymakers and analysts to assess Central Asia’s strategic trajectory through the end of the decade. The forum marked the first public discussion and official…
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Experts Highlight Trade, Transit Focus Ahead of Tokayev’s Pakistan Visit
ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev will pay a state visit to Pakistan on Feb. 3–4, where he is expected to hold talks with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Asif Ali Zardari and attend the Kazakhstan-Pakistan business forum.

Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev (right) and Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif holding meeting in Astana, Kazakhstan,…
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How Water Policy Could Shape Kazakhstan’s Food Future
ASTANA — Experts and officials gathered for an online conference on Jan. 29 to discuss how water availability and potential deficits could affect Kazakhstan’s food security, particularly across irrigated crops and livestock. With inflation at 12.3% in 2025, experts said water efficiency will be necessary to stabilize the domestic food supply and contain price…
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Kazakhstan Approves Construction of Second Nuclear Power Plant in Almaty Region
ASTANA — Kazakhstan’s second nuclear power plant will be constructed in the Zhambyl District of the Almaty Region, following a decision adopted by the government on Jan. 26.

Click to see the map in full size. The map is designed by The Astana Times.

The decision was formalized by a government resolution No. 40,…
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World Bank: Kazakhstan’s GDP Growth to Reach 4.5% in 2026
ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s economic growth is projected to cool down to 4.5% in 2026 and 3.9% in 2027, according to the January edition of the World Bank’s Global Economic Prospects report.

Photo credit: Shutterstock

“As frontier markets, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan have sustained robust per capita growth over 2000–25. However, Kazakhstan’s growth is projected to…
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From Politics to Profits: Why Geopolitics Now Matters for Business in Kazakhstan
ALMATY – Geopolitics is no longer an abstract field reserved for governments and military strategists as it has become a practical necessity for businesses navigating sanctions, supply chain disruptions and a rapidly shifting global order, experts said during a Feb. 2 session at Narxoz University.

Rodger Baker, executive director and founder of Stratfor Center…
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Kazakhstan, Türkiye Deepen Strategic Partnership at Planning Group Meeting in Ankara
ASTANA – Kazakh Foreign Minister Yermek Kosherbayev and his Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan reaffirmed their countries’ enhanced strategic partnership during the eighth meeting of the Kazakhstan–Türkiye joint strategic planning group, held on Feb. 2 in Ankara, focusing on expanding trade, investment, and coordination within the Turkic world.

Yermek Kosherbayev and Hakan Fidan. Photo credit:…
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Kazakhstan, Vietnam Seek to Double Trade, Expand Logistics and Launch New Flights
ASTANA – Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Economy Serik Zhumangarin met with Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Hoa Binh on Feb. 3 to discuss deepening bilateral cooperation, with a focus on doubling trade turnover, strengthening transport connectivity, and expanding investment partnerships.

Nguyen Hoa Binh and Serik Zhumangarin. Photo credit: Prime Minister’s…
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Kazakhstan’s Population Reaches Almost 20.5 Million as of January
ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s population reached 20,495,975 as of Jan. 1, marking an increase of 212,576 people compared to the beginning of 2025, according to the Bureau of National Statistics.

Photo credit: The Astana Times

According to official data published on Feb. 2, two regions now have populations exceeding two million. Almaty leads with 2,347,924…
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Kazakhstan Clean Energy Training Project Recognized by ETF Green Skills Award
ASTANA – A renewable energy training program from Kazakhstan was shortlisted for the European Training Foundation Green Skills Award 2025, placing the country among five global finalists recognized for linking education with the transition to clean energy and green jobs.

Photo credit: ETF

The Mangystau Energy College’s renewable energy dual training program was named…
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Kazakhstan, EU Celebrate 33 Years of Strategic Partnership and Cooperation
ASTANA – Kazakhstan and the European Union are celebrating 33 years of diplomatic relations, marked on Feb. 2, a partnership that has evolved into a strategic, forward-looking collaboration across trade, investment, energy, connectivity, education, and sustainable development.

Photo credit: Adobe Stock

EU Reporter published an article by Roman Vassilenko, Kazakhstan’s Ambassador to the European…
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