The Astana Times
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#Kazakhstan's premiere English language newspaper. Est. Nov. 2010. #news, #politics, #business, #culture, #sports, #kz.
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Kazakhstan’s Diplomas to Be Recognized Across Asia-Pacific Region
ASTANA — Kazakhstan has taken a significant step toward integrating its higher education system into the global academic space, as the Senate (upper chamber of Parliament) ratified the Asia-Pacific Regional Convention on the Recognition of Qualifications in Higher Education at a Jan. 15 plenary session.

Photo credit: Kazinform.

The convention aims to strengthen international…
Read full post here https://astanatimes.com/?p=111131
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Kazakhstan’s Silver Production Drops as Prices Hit Record Highs
ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s silver industry is shrinking even as prices soar. Production has now declined for a fifth straight year, underscoring a widening gap between market value and physical output.

Photo credit: kazzinc.com

In 2024, 697.5 tons of refined silver were produced in Kazakhstan, the lowest figure since 2012. Over the year, production fell…
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Kazakhstan Advances Human-Centered AI With New Law, Governance Program, and UNESCO Assessment
ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s Law on Artificial Intelligence entered into force on Jan. 18, establishing a comprehensive legal framework for the development and use of AI while enshrining the priority of individuals, their rights, freedoms, and well-being.

Kazakhstan launched the first cohort of the AI ​​Governance 500 strategic program. Photo credit: Prime Minister’s press service.…
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⚡️President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev addresses the National Kurultai in Kyzylorda and comments on the ongoing parliamentary reform:
Our main goal is to establish a truly effective and professional Parliament.
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⚡️ Tokayev:
The working group carefully reviewed citizens’ proposals and held extensive discussions. In the end, it concluded that the number of parliamentary mandates should be set at 145.

The new Parliament may have 3 deputy chairs. The number of committees should not exceed 8.
⚡️ Tokayev:
Deputies will now be elected under a proportional representation system. This approach will strengthen the institutional role of political parties and increase their accountability to society.
Kazakhstan Develops Central Asia’s Largest AI Model for Turkic Speech Recognition
ALMATY – Kazakhstan has developed the largest artificial intelligence model for automatic speech recognition (ASR) of Turkic languages, marking a major milestone for the region’s digital transformation and technological sovereignty.

The founders of Cybernet AI Vitaly Akulov, Ivan Belokhvostikov and Rashid Ismailov. Photo credit: er10.kz.

The model was unveiled by Cybernet AI, a Kazakh…
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Kazakhstan Secures 36 Athlete Quotas for 2026 Winter Olympics
ASTANA — Kazakhstan will be represented by 36 athletes at the Winter Olympics, which will be held in Italy from Feb. 6 to 22 in the cities of Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo.

Photo credit: olympic.kz

At this stage, Kazakhstan has secured Olympic quotas in several sports. Four athletes have qualified in freestyle moguls, while…
Read full post here https://astanatimes.com/?p=111157
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Kazakhstan, UK Universities Launch New Partnership in Bronze Age Archaeology
ASTANA – Serikbayev East Kazakhstan Technical University (EKTU) and the Institute of Archaeology at University College London (UCL) have signed a memorandum of understanding to strengthen long-term cooperation in archaeological and archaeometallurgical research. The agreement was signed at the Bett Show UK 2026 international educational technology exhibition.

Saule Rakhmetullina and Kevin MacDonald. Photo credit:…
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Tokayev Unveils New Kazakhstan’s Political Architecture at National Kurultai
ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev outlined Kazakhstan’s ongoing political reforms, foreign policy priorities, and digital transformation agenda during the National Kurultai (Congress) in Kyzylorda on Jan. 20, stressing national unity amid global uncertainty.

Kassym-Jomart Tokayev proposed establishing the office of vice president during the Jan. 20 National Kurultai in Kyzylorda. Photo credit: Akorda.…
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Almaty Featured Among World’s Top Five Mountain Cities by Spain’s Viajar Magazine
ASTANA – Viajar, a leading Spanish travel magazine, has included Almaty among the world’s five mountain cities where skiing is within easy reach of the urban experience, highlighting its rare blend of alpine landscapes, winter sports, culture, and city life.

Photo credit: Shymbulak Mountain Resort.

The publication features Almaty alongside destinations such as Innsbruck…
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Kazakhstan’s Abay Theater Brings Classical Ballet to Singapore
ASTANA – The Abay Kazakh National Opera and Ballet Theater will perform in Singapore for the first time on Jan. 23-25 at the National University of Singapore, announced the Kazakh Ministry of Culture and Information.

Founded in 1934, the Abay Kazakh National Opera and Ballet Theater is one of Kazakhstan’s leading cultural institutions and…
Read full post here https://astanatimes.com/?p=111193
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Tokayev to Sign Gaza Peace Council Charter in Davos at Trump’s Invitation
ASTANA — President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev will visit Davos, Switzerland, on Jan. 22 at the invitation of the United States President Donald Trump to attend the signing ceremony of the Charter of the Board of Peace, according to the statement published by Akorda on the X social media page.

Tokayev’s participation in the Davos ceremony…
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South and Central Asia Steps Up AI Readiness as Governments Move From Plans to Practice
ASTANA – Countries across South and Central Asia are accelerating efforts to strengthen their artificial intelligence readiness, investing in digital infrastructure, skills and public-sector deployment as governments move from strategy to implementation, according to the last December release of the Government AI Readiness Index.

Photo credit: Shutterstock

The eighth edition of the report aims…
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Kazakhstan’s Tengiz Field Remains Offline After Fire, CPC Shipments Canceled
ALMATY – Oil production at Kazakhstan’s Tengiz oilfield could remain suspended for 7-10 days, following an emergency shutdown over the weekend, potentially further tightening crude exports through the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC), industry sources told Reuters on Jan. 20.

Photo credit:tengizchevroil.com Click to see the map in full size. The map is designed by…
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Unlocking Eurasia’s Trade Potential: Why the Middle Corridor Matters
Kazakhstan sits at the crossroads of Eurasia’s commodity flows. As global supply chains diversify and shippers seek more resilient, cost-effective alternatives, the country’s geography and infrastructure have gained renewed relevance. Kazakhstan links three major international rail corridors between East Asia, Central Asia, and Europe – including the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor (TCTC), also known as…
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FC Kairat Suffers Defeat Against Club Brugge in Champions League Home Match
ALMATY – Kazakhstan’s FC Kairat suffered a heavy 4:1 defeat to Belgium’s Club Brugge in a UEFA Champions League group-stage match played at Astana Arena on Jan. 20.

Kairat managed a consolation goal in stoppage time when midfielder Adilet Sadybekov found the net. Photo credit: FC Kairat.

The visitors dominated from the opening minutes,…
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Kazakhstan to Channel $17B Into Real Sector as Government Unveils Broad Reform Agenda
ALMATY – Kazakhstan will allocate around 8 trillion tenge (approximately US$17 billion) to support the real sector of the economy and ensure GDP growth of at least 5%, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Economy Serik Zhumangarin said at a Jan. 21 government meeting, following the fifth session of the National Kurultai.

Kazakhstan…
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China–Central Asia Trade Hits Record $106 Billion in 2025
ALMATY – Trade and economic cooperation between China and Central Asia reached a historic milestone in 2025 as bilateral trade volumes exceeded $100 billion for the first time, according to data released by China’s Ministry of Commerce on Jan. 18.

Photo credit: Shutterstock.

Total imports and exports between China and Central Asian countries reached…
Read full post here https://astanatimes.com/?p=111233
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Kazakhstan to Launch New International Air Routes in 2026
ALMATY – Kazakhstan plans to open and resume multiple international air routes in 2026 while increasing flight frequencies on existing destinations, as part of broader efforts to strengthen the country’s role as a regional aviation hub, Transport Minister Nurlan Sauranbayev said at a Jan. 21 government meeting.

Photo credit: Shutterstock

According to Sauranbayev, airlines…
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