The Astana Times provides news and information from Kazakhstan and around the world. Imagine you are working for a government agency, undergoing training, improving your qualifications, and building a career. Then comes maternity leave — six months, maybe three years. You return only to find that everything has changed: your skills are treated as outdated, colleagues see you as a “less reliable employee,” and a child’s illness becomes… The post Support Women After Maternity Leave in Kazakhstan’s Public Sector appeared first on The Astana Times.

The Astana Times provides news and information from Kazakhstan and around the world. ASTANA — Kazakhstan has created its first DNA bank for the national dog breeds Tazy and Tobet, following several years of nationwide genetic research aimed at preserving their unique heritage and preventing genetic loss. The project combines science, culture, and conservation as the country prepares for broader international recognition of its indigenous breeds. For centuries,… The post DNA Research Secures Future of Kazakh Dog Breeds appeared first on The Astana Times.

The Astana Times provides news and information from Kazakhstan and around the world. ASTANA – Kazakhstan unveiled the E-museum digital portal at the National Museum of Kazakhstan on Dec. 24, marking a step toward creating a unified online space for museums nationwide, reported the Ministry of Culture and Information. The E-museum portal consolidates museum collections nationwide into a single digital platform, providing scholarly descriptions of cultural artifacts and… The post Kazakhstan Digitizes Cultural Heritage Through New E-Museum Platform appeared first on The Astana Times.

The Astana Times provides news and information from Kazakhstan and around the world. ASTANA — Two world-renowned architecture firms, Zaha Hadid Architects and Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP (SOM), known for landmark projects such as Dubai’s Burj Khalifa, New York’s One World Trade Center, and Beijing’s Leeza SOHO, unveiled their vision for Alatau City to Deputy Prime Minister Kanat Bozumbaev on Dec. 23, reported the Prime Minister’s press… The post Burj Khalifa Architects Unveil Alatau City’s Concept as Future Technology Hub appeared first on The Astana Times.

The Astana Times provides news and information from Kazakhstan and around the world. ASTANA – Fourteen-year-old Kazakh tennis player Ahmadi Makhanov has been named Overseas Player of the Year (non-European category) by the Tennis Europe Tour, reported the Kazakhstan Tennis Federation (KTF) on Dec. 24. Makhanov posted consistently strong results throughout 2025, finishing the year 24th in the Tennis Europe under-16 rankings. He won one singles title at… The post Kazakh Tennis Player Makhanov Earns Overseas Player of Year Honor appeared first on The Astana Times.

The Astana Times provides news and information from Kazakhstan and around the world. ASTANA — President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev met with Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov on Dec. 26 to review the preliminary results of Kazakhstan’s socio-economic development in 2025 and assess progress on the implementation of presidential economic reforms, reported the Akorda press service. Bektenov reported that more than 70% of GDP growth in 2025 was driven by non-resource… The post Tokayev Calls for Enhanced Investment Attraction Measures, Reviews Economic Diversification Progress appeared first on The Astana Times.

The Astana Times provides news and information from Kazakhstan and around the world. ALMATY — Investment in Kazakhstan’s tourism sector increased by 38.1% to 923 billion tenge (approximately US$2 billion) in the January-October 2025 period, as the country recorded steady growth in both inbound and domestic travel, Minister of Tourism and Sports Yerbol Myrzabossynov said on Dec. 25. Speaking at a government briefing, Myrzabossynov said 12.1 million foreign… The post Kazakhstan Sees 38% Surge in Tourism Investment as Visitor Numbers Rise appeared first on The Astana Times.

The Astana Times provides news and information from Kazakhstan and around the world. ALMATY — Kazakhstan’s economy expanded by 6.4% in the January-November 2025 period, Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov said at a Dec. 25 meeting of the Economic Policy Council, where officials reviewed measures to sustain growth, curb inflation, and raise household incomes. Participants discussed the joint 2026–2028 program of the government and the National Bank aimed at… The post Kazakhstan’s Economy Grows 6.4% in 2025 as Government Reviews Inflation and Growth Risks appeared first on The Astana Times.

The Astana Times provides news and information from Kazakhstan and around the world. ALMATY – The Astana Times has selected key articles from international media outlets covering Kazakhstan. This week’s foreign media digest highlights Nazarbayev University’s growing global profile, reforms at the National Bank of Kazakhstan, the rapid expansion of the Middle Corridor, regional diplomacy in the South Caucasus, cultural exchanges with China, and efforts to boost domestic… The post News Digest: Foreign Media on Kazakhstan’s Education Ambitions, Transit Routes, Regional Diplomacy and Culture appeared first on The Astana Times.

The Astana Times provides news and information from Kazakhstan and around the world. Last year, I returned to the Irtysh River in eastern Kazakhstan, a place I knew as a child for its vast, powerful current. Back then, the river felt almost oceanic, so wide that cargo ships moved slowly across its surface and the opposite bank seemed like a distant line. The Irtysh is not just a… The post Beyond Green Growth: Why Ecological Survival Requires Restoring Nature, Not Exploiting It appeared first on The Astana Times.

The Astana Times provides news and information from Kazakhstan and around the world. ASTANA — The final days of December bring a full calendar of festive events to Astana and Almaty, from classical ballet and art exhibitions to winter festivals, family shows, and outdoor activities. Whether you are looking for culture, entertainment, or a seasonal atmosphere, The Astana Times has curated a selection of events to help you… The post Weekend Guide: Holiday Runs, Ballet Classics and Winter Festivals appeared first on The Astana Times.

The Astana Times provides news and information from Kazakhstan and around the world. ASTANA – The Kyrgyz Republic commissioned its first solar power plant in the Kemin district of the Chui Region on Dec. 24, with President Sadyr Japarov attending the launch ceremony, according to the president’s press service. The 100-megawatt facility is expected to generate around 210 million kilowatt-hours of clean electricity annually and reduce carbon dioxide… The post Kyrgyz Republic Opens First Solar Power Plant appeared first on The Astana Times.

The Astana Times provides news and information from Kazakhstan and around the world. ASTANA — Kazakhstan has signed more than $70 billion in commercial agreements following international meetings this year, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said during a Dec. 25 visit to the Zhambyl Region, where he met with members of the public. “These agreements are enabling the launch of modern enterprises and the creation of high-quality jobs,” Tokayev said. … The post President Tokayev: Kazakhstan Secures Over $70 Billion in Commercial Agreements in 2025 appeared first on The Astana Times.

The Astana Times provides news and information from Kazakhstan and around the world. ROME — A Georgian company plans to launch ferry services between Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan starting in 2026, with the first vessels operating across the Caspian Sea between the ports of Kuryk and Alat. The project is expected to boost cargo turnover and strengthen regional maritime connectivity, reported Kazinform on Dec.23. “Starting next year, together with… The post Ferries Between Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan to Launch in 2026 appeared first on The Astana Times.

The Astana Times provides news and information from Kazakhstan and around the world. ASTANA – Exports of Georgian goods to Kazakhstan reached $849.9 million in January-November, up 6.8% from the same period in 2024, placing Kazakhstan among Georgia’s top three export destinations, according to preliminary data from Georgia’s National Statistics Office (Geostat), reported Kazinform on Dec.24. Kazakhstan accounted for 12.8% of Georgia’s total exports, making it the country’s… The post Kazakhstan Ranks Among Georgia’s Key Trading Partners in 2025 appeared first on The Astana Times.

The Astana Times provides news and information from Kazakhstan and around the world. ASTANA – For 12 years, Shakhmardan Yessenov Foundation, established by entrepreneur and philanthropist Galimzhan Yessenov, has been working to boost the nation’s intellectual development. From its inception, 2,700 direct and more than 38,000 indirect beneficiaries have participated in the foundation’s programs, which foster personal and professional upskilling for students. This year, 226 young Kazakh individuals… The post Kazakh Foundation Supports Next Generation of Scholars and Intellectuals appeared first on The Astana Times.

The Astana Times provides news and information from Kazakhstan and around the world. ASTANA – Kazakhstan established three new special economic zones, including Korkyt Ata, Aktobe and Atyrau in 2025 as part of efforts to strengthen investment attraction, announced QazIndustry, the national operator for special economic and industrial zones on Dec. 25. The country also expanded the territories of several existing special economic zones, such as Turan, Aktau… The post Kazakhstan Launches Three New Special Economic Zones in 2025 appeared first on The Astana Times.

The Astana Times provides news and information from Kazakhstan and around the world. ASTANA — While global foreign direct investment (FDI) fell 11% in 2024, Chinese investment in Eurasia continued to rise, reaching record levels in Central Asia, according to the Eurasian Development Bank’s report under its flagship Monitoring of Mutual Investments project released on Dec. 25. Kazakhstan remains the top recipient in Central Asia, with China’s total… The post EDB: China’s FDI Climbs in Eurasia as Global Investment Slows, Kazakhstan Leads Central Asia appeared first on The Astana Times.

The Astana Times provides news and information from Kazakhstan and around the world. ASTANA – Kazakhstan plans to invest $2.6 billion in deep grain processing projects by 2028 as part of a broader effort to shift its agriculture sector toward higher value-added production, Agriculture Minister Aidarbek Saparov said during year-end government briefings on Dec. 24. Five large investment projects are scheduled to launch by 2028, with a combined… The post Kazakhstan Expands Grain Processing in $2.6 Billion Agriculture Drive appeared first on The Astana Times.

The Astana Times provides news and information from Kazakhstan and around the world. ROME — With less than 50 days remaining until the opening of the 2026 Winter Olympics, spectators planning to attend events in Italy must navigate a fully digital ticketing system. According to Kazakhstan’s National Olympic Committee, tickets are sold exclusively through official platforms to prevent fraud and ensure controlled access. The Milano Cortina 2026 Winter… The post Tickets, Prices, Access: 2026 Winter Olympics Explained appeared first on The Astana Times.

The Astana Times provides news and information from Kazakhstan and around the world. When headlines feel heavy and the world sees more fragmentation than ever, it’s tempting to believe that a multilateral system is falling apart. Rising geopolitical tensions, eroding trust between nations, and international cooperation is tested in ways we haven’t seen in decades. Depending on whom you ask, globalization is either the most progressive force in… The post Does the World Still Need Globalization? Look At Distant Past Offers Answer appeared first on The Astana Times.

The Astana Times provides news and information from Kazakhstan and around the world. ALMATY — Kazakhstan has emerged as the leading country in Central Asia in terms of readiness to adopt and govern artificial intelligence (AI), ranking 60th out of 195 countries in the Government AI Readiness Index 2025 published by Oxford Insights. The country climbed 16 positions compared to the previous year, when it ranked 76th, marking… The post Kazakhstan Leads Central Asia in Government AI Readiness, Ranks 60th Globally appeared first on The Astana Times.

The Astana Times provides news and information from Kazakhstan and around the world. ASTANA — President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev outlined key priorities for Astana’s economic, technological, and urban development during a meeting on the capital’s future, highlighting that the city’s gross regional product (GRP) is expected to reach $34 billion by the end of 2025, with potential to rise further. “Astana is confidently moving forward, demonstrating impressive growth rates.… The post Tokayev Outlines Astana’s Growth Priorities, Calls for Balanced Urban Development appeared first on The Astana Times.

The Astana Times provides news and information from Kazakhstan and around the world. ALMATY — The Mangystau Region ranked third nationwide in attracting foreign tourists in 2025, with more than 350,000 visitors recorded in the January-September 2025 period, Mangystau region Akim (Governor) Nurdaulet Kilybay said at a Dec. 23 briefing at the Central Communications Service. According to official statistics, the volume of tourism-related services in the region reached… The post Mangystau Region Emerges as One of Kazakhstan’s Top Destinations for Foreign Tourists in 2025 appeared first on The Astana Times.

The Astana Times provides news and information from Kazakhstan and around the world. ALMATY — Astana’s daily public transport ridership has reached 1.1 million passengers in 2025, marking a 37% increase compared to 2024, Astana Akim (Mayor) Zhenis Kassymbek said at a Dec. 22 briefing at the Central Communications Service. According to Kassymbek, public transport now accounts for 43% of all trips made in the capital. The city… The post Astana Sees Record Growth in Public Transport Use, Reaching 1.1 Million Daily Trips appeared first on The Astana Times.