News Digest: Kazakhstan’s Foreign Policy, AI, Middle Corridor and More

ASTANA – The Astana Times has curated a selection of articles from global media outlets covering Kazakhstan. This week’s foreign media digest includes topics such as Kazakhstan’s proposed “blue” foreign policy centered on water diplomacy,...

When relics speak: Kazakhstan's 'Golden Man'

00:49 A symbol of Kazakhstan's independence, the so-called Golden Man is believed to be a young Saka warrior, unearthed in 1969 from the Issyk burial mound in southern Kazakhstan. Buried in dazzling gold-embroidered armor alongside other priceless...

Kazakhstan denies Russian accusations over virus in tomato shipments

A shipment of 46 tons of tomatoes from Kazakhstan's Green Capital company, based in Aktobe, was returned by Russian authorities in late May 2025 over suspected contamination with Tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV). However, Kazakhstan's...

Kazakhstan, Slovakia Reaffirm Commitment to Strengthening Strategic Partnership

ASTANA – Kazakh Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov held a meeting with Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, who arrived on his first official visit to Kazakhstan on June 11, to discuss prospects for trade and economic cooperation. Kazakh Prime Minister...

Kazakhstan’s GDP Grows by 6% in January-May

ASTANA – According to preliminary data from the Bureau of National Statistics, Kazakhstan’s gross domestic product (GDP) for January-May increased by 6% compared to the same period last year. The growth was driven by strong performance in key...

Kazakhstan has increased grain exports by 62%

In January-May 2025, the total volume of cargo transported via the KTZ reached 107 million tons, which is 4.4% higher than the same period last year. Of this total, 68.7 million tonnes were transported domestically. Export shipments amounted to 38...

Kazakhstan Faces Economic Challenges Amid Political Reforms and Regional Tensions

Astana, Kazakhstan — Since the violent protests of January 2022, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has focused on restoring order and improving Kazakhstan’s international image. The protests, known as “Bloody January,” erupted over rising fuel...

Colorado School of Mines to Open First International Campus in Kazakhstan

In 2026, the Colorado School of Mines will open its first international campus in Kazakhstan, marking a significant milestone in U.S.-Kazakhstan academic cooperation. An agreement to establish the branch was signed between Kazakhstan’s Ministry of...

Starlink Set to Launch Internet Services Nationwide in Kazakhstan

Starlink, a subsidiary of Elon Musk’s SpaceX, will officially begin offering satellite internet services in Kazakhstan in the third quarter of 2025. The Ministry of Digital Development, Innovation, and Aerospace Industry of the Republic of...

President Xi to attend 2nd China-Central Asia Summit in Kazakhstan

A general view of the Baiterek Tower in Astana, Kazakhstan, July 3, 2024. /VCG A general view of the Baiterek Tower in Astana, Kazakhstan, July 3, 2024. /VCG Chinese President Xi Jinping will attend the second China-Central Asia Summit in Astana...

Kazakhstan Reports GDP At $290B, Aims For Continued Growth

(MENAFN- Trend News Agency) ASTANA, Kazakhstan, June 12. Kazakhstan's gross domestic product reached $290 billion in 2024, with per capita GDP estimated at $14,000, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said during a meeting with parliamentary speakers...

-48 kg: Italy and Kazakhstan, Who WIll Win the Biggest Prize?

In the lightest of the women’s categories, the OTP Bank World Judo Championships began at quite a pace. There was the usual mix of shock defeats and satisfying confirmations but one athlete stood out from all the rest, the number one seed Assunta...

Kazakhstan Prepares To Sign Over 20 Energy Co-Op Deals At Central Asia + China Forum

(MENAFN- Trend News Agency) ASTANA, Kazakhstan, June 12. Kazakhstan plans to sign over 20 new cooperation agreements during the upcoming Power Central Asia + China regional energy forum, Trend reports. The inaugural forum of its kind will be held...

EBRD Delegation Heads To Kazakhstan For Economic Consultations

(MENAFN- Trend News Agency) BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 13. A delegation from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) Board of Directors will visit Kazakhstan on June 16-20, 2025, the bank announced, Trend reports. During the...

The new container terminal was opened in Kazakhstan in partnership with chinese companies

A new container terminal, ZHETYSU was opened in Almaty. The project is the result of an international partnership between JSC “Kedentrasservice,” a subsidiary of JSC “NC KTZ,” and the Chinese company Xi’an Free Trade Port Construction and...

Kazakhstan and the Russian Tightrope

In January 2022, Kazakhstan teetered on the brink of state collapse. Nationwide protests, ignited by a spike in liquified petroleum gas prices, quickly escalated as violent opportunists seemed to attempt a coup against President Kassym-Jomart...

Otyrar’s Rise and Ruin: Oasis at Historical Crossroads

Editor’s Note: The Astana Times continues its Forgotten Cities of the Silk Road series, exploring Kazakhstan’s tentative UNESCO World Heritage sites. In this edition, we turn to Otyrar, once the capital of a flourishing oasis, a center of Islamic...

Kazakhstan and Afghanistan Sign Protocol of Intention on Railway Construction

Executive Summary: Kazakhstan and Afghanistan signed a protocol of intent on April 24 to jointly develop the Turgundi–Herat–Kandahar–Spin Boldak railway, including a logistics hub in Herat and fiber optic infrastructure to support digital...

Xi to attend 2nd China-Central Asia Summit in Kazakhstan on June 16-18

Kazakhstan, Slovakia seek stronger energy, trade ties

ASTANA, June 11 (Xinhua) -- Kazakhstan is ready to expand cooperation with Slovakia in energy, engineering and trade, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said Wednesday following talks with Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico in Astana, the...