Astana and Almaty Enter Global Top 300 Cities, Stand Out for Human Capital
ASTANA – Astana and Almaty have placed among the world’s 300 highest-ranked cities in the 2026 Global Cities Index by Oxford Economics, with both Kazakhstan’s major urban centers showing their strongest performance in human capital. Almaty ranked 265th globally and Astana 281st among 1,000 cities assessed by the international economic research firm.
Photo credit:…
Read full post here https://astanatimes.com/?p=120264
ASTANA – Astana and Almaty have placed among the world’s 300 highest-ranked cities in the 2026 Global Cities Index by Oxford Economics, with both Kazakhstan’s major urban centers showing their strongest performance in human capital. Almaty ranked 265th globally and Astana 281st among 1,000 cities assessed by the international economic research firm.
Photo credit:…
Read full post here https://astanatimes.com/?p=120264
💯1
Kazakhstan Expands Digital Road Safety Measures as Astana Traffic Grows
ASTANA – Kazakhstan is expanding artificial intelligence, automated traffic enforcement and average-speed monitoring as road safety indicators improve, while rapidly growing vehicle numbers are driving the development of smart transport systems in Astana.
Photo credit: techfinitive.com
Road safety indicators improve
At a Sept. 22 government meeting, Minister of Internal Affairs Yerzhan Sadenov reported…
Read full post here https://astanatimes.com/?p=120275
ASTANA – Kazakhstan is expanding artificial intelligence, automated traffic enforcement and average-speed monitoring as road safety indicators improve, while rapidly growing vehicle numbers are driving the development of smart transport systems in Astana.
Photo credit: techfinitive.com
Road safety indicators improve
At a Sept. 22 government meeting, Minister of Internal Affairs Yerzhan Sadenov reported…
Read full post here https://astanatimes.com/?p=120275
❤1
Kazakhstan Hotels Receive MICHELIN Keys for First Time
ASTANA – Kazakhstan has been included in the MICHELIN Guide’s global hotel selection for the first time, with five hotels receiving the prestigious One MICHELIN Key distinction and nine others entering the guide’s recommended hotel selection.
The Veil Hotel. Photo credit:trip.com
The MICHELIN Guide has unveiled its MICHELIN Key Selection 2026, a global selection…
Read full post here https://astanatimes.com/?p=120291
ASTANA – Kazakhstan has been included in the MICHELIN Guide’s global hotel selection for the first time, with five hotels receiving the prestigious One MICHELIN Key distinction and nine others entering the guide’s recommended hotel selection.
The Veil Hotel. Photo credit:trip.com
The MICHELIN Guide has unveiled its MICHELIN Key Selection 2026, a global selection…
Read full post here https://astanatimes.com/?p=120291
❤1
The monobreed exhibition and breeding evaluation took place on Sept. 19 in Astana as part of an international all-breed dog exhibition.
The event highlights the importance of expert assessment following the Fédération Cynologique Internationale’s (FCI) provisional recognition of the Kazakh tazy in 2024 and its designation of Kazakhstan as the breed’s country of origin. This recognition integrated the breed into the international canine system and strengthened Kazakhstan’s role in preserving its defining characteristics.
The event highlights the importance of expert assessment following the Fédération Cynologique Internationale’s (FCI) provisional recognition of the Kazakh tazy in 2024 and its designation of Kazakhstan as the breed’s country of origin. This recognition integrated the breed into the international canine system and strengthened Kazakhstan’s role in preserving its defining characteristics.
Kazakhstan, UK Seek to Deepen Trade Through Higher-Value Exports and Mineral Processing
ASTANA – Kazakhstan and the United Kingdom are seeking to build on rapidly growing bilateral trade by expanding Kazakh exports beyond raw materials and deepening cooperation in mineral processing and higher-value production.
Kazakh Minister of Trade and Integration Arman Shakkaliyev meets with UK Trade Envoy Lord John Alderdice. Photo credit: Ministry of Trade and…
Read full post here https://astanatimes.com/?p=120301
ASTANA – Kazakhstan and the United Kingdom are seeking to build on rapidly growing bilateral trade by expanding Kazakh exports beyond raw materials and deepening cooperation in mineral processing and higher-value production.
Kazakh Minister of Trade and Integration Arman Shakkaliyev meets with UK Trade Envoy Lord John Alderdice. Photo credit: Ministry of Trade and…
Read full post here https://astanatimes.com/?p=120301
🤮2
Kazakhstan to Auction Rights to 56 Hydrocarbon Subsoil Blocks
ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s Energy Ministry will hold an electronic auction for the right to use 56 hydrocarbon subsoil blocks, with most lots offered for exploration and production as the country seeks to attract investment into its oil and gas resource base.
Photo credit:dknews.kz
The auction is scheduled for Dec. 25 on the e-Qazyna platform.…
Read full post here https://astanatimes.com/?p=120297
ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s Energy Ministry will hold an electronic auction for the right to use 56 hydrocarbon subsoil blocks, with most lots offered for exploration and production as the country seeks to attract investment into its oil and gas resource base.
Photo credit:dknews.kz
The auction is scheduled for Dec. 25 on the e-Qazyna platform.…
Read full post here https://astanatimes.com/?p=120297
😱2
Kazakhstan’s Banks Dominate First Fintech Wave, But Infrastructure is Driving Next
ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s largest banks have come to dominate one of Central Asia’s most digital consumer finance markets, leaving less room for independent fintech startups and pushing the sector’s next phase of growth toward open banking, embedded finance and shared financial infrastructure, according to a new industry report.
Photo credit: Shutterstock
Fintech in Kazakhstan…
Read full post here https://astanatimes.com/?p=120304
ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s largest banks have come to dominate one of Central Asia’s most digital consumer finance markets, leaving less room for independent fintech startups and pushing the sector’s next phase of growth toward open banking, embedded finance and shared financial infrastructure, according to a new industry report.
Photo credit: Shutterstock
Fintech in Kazakhstan…
Read full post here https://astanatimes.com/?p=120304
❤2
Kazakhstan’s AI Month to Bring Hackathons, Investment Summits and Tech Forums Across Country
ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s AI MONTH 2026 program opens Sept. 23 with a $1.1 million HackAlem AI hackathon, launching a month-long series of events focused on artificial intelligence, digital technologies, investment, cybersecurity, robotics and technological entrepreneurship across the country.
Photo credit: Shutterstock.
Held as part of Kazakhstan’s Year of Digitalisation and Artificial Intelligence, AI MONTH…
Read full post here https://astanatimes.com/?p=120309
ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s AI MONTH 2026 program opens Sept. 23 with a $1.1 million HackAlem AI hackathon, launching a month-long series of events focused on artificial intelligence, digital technologies, investment, cybersecurity, robotics and technological entrepreneurship across the country.
Photo credit: Shutterstock.
Held as part of Kazakhstan’s Year of Digitalisation and Artificial Intelligence, AI MONTH…
Read full post here https://astanatimes.com/?p=120309
😱1
Kazakhstan, UK Discuss International Expertise for Caspian Green Energy Corridor
ASTANA – Kazakhstan and the United Kingdom discussed opportunities to draw on international expertise and investment potential for the development of the Caspian Green Energy Corridor during a meeting in Astana on Sept. 21.
Photo credit: KEGOC.
Representatives of Kazakhstan’s national electricity grid operator KEGOC met with John Alderdice, the United Kingdom’s Trade Envoy…
Read full post here https://astanatimes.com/?p=120313
ASTANA – Kazakhstan and the United Kingdom discussed opportunities to draw on international expertise and investment potential for the development of the Caspian Green Energy Corridor during a meeting in Astana on Sept. 21.
Photo credit: KEGOC.
Representatives of Kazakhstan’s national electricity grid operator KEGOC met with John Alderdice, the United Kingdom’s Trade Envoy…
Read full post here https://astanatimes.com/?p=120313
😱1
Kazakhstan Strengthens Global AI Ties As NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang Plans Visit for AI Month Event
ASTANA – NVIDIA Founder and CEO Jensen Huang will visit Kazakhstan for the first time as a special guest of AI Month, a national program bringing together artificial intelligence specialists, developers, startups, researchers and technology companies.
Jensen Huang. Photo credit: Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development.
Huang will visit Kazakhstan at the invitation…
Read full post here https://astanatimes.com/?p=120317
ASTANA – NVIDIA Founder and CEO Jensen Huang will visit Kazakhstan for the first time as a special guest of AI Month, a national program bringing together artificial intelligence specialists, developers, startups, researchers and technology companies.
Jensen Huang. Photo credit: Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development.
Huang will visit Kazakhstan at the invitation…
Read full post here https://astanatimes.com/?p=120317
Seven Years of Tokayev: Economy Rebuilt Through Resilience, Investment and Reform
ASTANA – Seven years into Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s presidency, Kazakhstan’s economic record is increasingly defined not by a single indicator, but by the breadth of change across investment, manufacturing, infrastructure, small and medium-sized enterprises and the social sector.
President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev meets young volunteers along Astana’s embankment on Sept. 19, reflecting a broader focus on…
Read full post here https://astanatimes.com/?p=120331
ASTANA – Seven years into Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s presidency, Kazakhstan’s economic record is increasingly defined not by a single indicator, but by the breadth of change across investment, manufacturing, infrastructure, small and medium-sized enterprises and the social sector.
President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev meets young volunteers along Astana’s embankment on Sept. 19, reflecting a broader focus on…
Read full post here https://astanatimes.com/?p=120331
❤1
Kazakhstan Shines at FIDE Chess Olympiad as Women Reach Second, Coaches Aid Six Teams
ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s women’s chess team moved into second place at the 46th Chess Olympiad after securing its sixth consecutive victory, defeating Azerbaijan 2.5–1.5 in the sixth round.
Kazakhstan’s women’s chess team moved into second place. Photo credit: KazChess.
Alua Nurman delivered the decisive point for Kazakhstan, defeating Gunay Mammadzada 1–0.…
Read full post here https://astanatimes.com/?p=120335
ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s women’s chess team moved into second place at the 46th Chess Olympiad after securing its sixth consecutive victory, defeating Azerbaijan 2.5–1.5 in the sixth round.
Kazakhstan’s women’s chess team moved into second place. Photo credit: KazChess.
Alua Nurman delivered the decisive point for Kazakhstan, defeating Gunay Mammadzada 1–0.…
Read full post here https://astanatimes.com/?p=120335
❤2
Kazakhstan Brings Broader Agenda to UN General Assembly
ASTANA – Kazakhstan is heading into this year’s United Nations General Assembly debate with an expanding agenda that stretches from nuclear disarmament and peacekeeping to water security, artificial intelligence and sustainable development, as the country’s Foreign Minister Mukhtar Tileuberdi leads the country’s delegation in New York.
A high-level week began at UN headquarters in…
Read full post here https://astanatimes.com/?p=120342
ASTANA – Kazakhstan is heading into this year’s United Nations General Assembly debate with an expanding agenda that stretches from nuclear disarmament and peacekeeping to water security, artificial intelligence and sustainable development, as the country’s Foreign Minister Mukhtar Tileuberdi leads the country’s delegation in New York.
A high-level week began at UN headquarters in…
Read full post here https://astanatimes.com/?p=120342
❤1
Kazakhstan’s New People’s Council Holds First Session, Elects Koshanov As Chair
ASTANA – Yerlan Koshanov has been elected Chair of the Kazakhstan Khalyk Kenesi (People’s Council), a new consultative body established to strengthen dialogue between citizens and the state, following a proposal by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.
Speaking at a Sept. 23 first session, Tokayev proposed Koshanov’s candidacy. Photo credit: Akorda.
Speaking at a Sept. 23…
Read full post here https://astanatimes.com/?p=120349
ASTANA – Yerlan Koshanov has been elected Chair of the Kazakhstan Khalyk Kenesi (People’s Council), a new consultative body established to strengthen dialogue between citizens and the state, following a proposal by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.
Speaking at a Sept. 23 first session, Tokayev proposed Koshanov’s candidacy. Photo credit: Akorda.
Speaking at a Sept. 23…
Read full post here https://astanatimes.com/?p=120349
🔥1
Astana Stages Massive AI Hackathon in Guinness World Records Bid
ASTANA – More than 2,500 participants from 21 countries and 129 universities took part in a five-hour artificial intelligence hackathon in Astana on Sept. 23, as organizers sought to set a Guinness World Records title for the event.
The hackathon is underway. Photo credit: HackAlem AI
The Hackalem AI hackathon was held as part…
Read full post here https://astanatimes.com/?p=120358
ASTANA – More than 2,500 participants from 21 countries and 129 universities took part in a five-hour artificial intelligence hackathon in Astana on Sept. 23, as organizers sought to set a Guinness World Records title for the event.
The hackathon is underway. Photo credit: HackAlem AI
The Hackalem AI hackathon was held as part…
Read full post here https://astanatimes.com/?p=120358
What Kazakhstan Can Unlock With Its First MICHELIN Keys
ASTANA — Kazakhstan’s first MICHELIN Keys, awarded on Sept. 22, place the country inside a global system of trust familiar to international travelers, potentially unlocking wider recognition for a destination many are still discovering, said Shyryn Mussina, managing director at Kazakh Tourism national company.
The St. Regis Hotel. Photo credit: marriott.com
She said the…
Read full post here https://astanatimes.com/?p=120363
ASTANA — Kazakhstan’s first MICHELIN Keys, awarded on Sept. 22, place the country inside a global system of trust familiar to international travelers, potentially unlocking wider recognition for a destination many are still discovering, said Shyryn Mussina, managing director at Kazakh Tourism national company.
The St. Regis Hotel. Photo credit: marriott.com
She said the…
Read full post here https://astanatimes.com/?p=120363
❤3
Kazakhstan, Switzerland Open Way For Up to 28 Weekly Passenger Flights
ASTANA – Kazakhstan and Switzerland have expanded the legal framework for direct air connectivity, with the two countries signing a memorandum allowing designated airlines to operate up to 28 passenger flights per week, the Kazakh Civil Aviation Committee’s press service reported.
From L to R: Laurent Noel and Saltanat Tompiyeva. Photo credit: CAC.
The…
Read full post here https://astanatimes.com/?p=120355
ASTANA – Kazakhstan and Switzerland have expanded the legal framework for direct air connectivity, with the two countries signing a memorandum allowing designated airlines to operate up to 28 passenger flights per week, the Kazakh Civil Aviation Committee’s press service reported.
From L to R: Laurent Noel and Saltanat Tompiyeva. Photo credit: CAC.
The…
Read full post here https://astanatimes.com/?p=120355