Almaty - The Times Of Central Asia

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Driverless Taxis

Kazakhstan Prepares to Launch Driverless Taxi Service in 2026

Kazakhstan plans to launch a pilot project for driverless taxis in the second half of 2026, accelerating the country’s push toward autonomous transport technologies and the digitalization of urban mobility. Preparations for the project were announced by Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development. According to the ministry, Yandex Qazaqstan and inDrive have already begun preparing the necessary infrastructure under government coordination. The project includes the construction of specialized garages, the import and configuration of autonomous vehicles, and the adaptation of software to Kazakhstan’s traffic regulations and local road conditions. “The project is being implemented through a ‘regulatory sandbox’ mechanism, which will allow technological solutions to be tested in controlled conditions and help form the necessary legislative framework,” the ministry said in a statement. Officials noted that Kazakhstan currently lacks a comprehensive regulatory framework governing autonomous transport, including standards related to safety, navigation, and traffic management. As a result, driverless vehicles will initially operate under continuous supervision by human operators, and the project will move forward only after testing is completed and infrastructure readiness is confirmed. Almaty is expected to become the primary city for the introduction of the service, although routes and traffic schemes for autonomous taxis are still being designed. Earlier, the administration of Astana also signed memorandums with Yandex Qazaqstan and inDrive regarding the launch of driverless taxi services in the capital in 2026. At the same time, Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Transport is developing separate regulations for the use of autonomous cargo trucks on inter-city highways. Kazakh authorities say they are drawing on international experience in deploying autonomous transport technologies. The ministry noted that Tesla is currently testing robotaxi services in Texas, while Waymo already operates commercial autonomous ride services in several U.S. cities. In China, similar projects are being developed by Baidu and Pony.ai.

UNFPA

UNFPA to Open Regional Demographic Resilience Hub in Almaty

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) will open a Central Asian hub on demographic resilience in Almaty, Kazakhstan’s Foreign Ministry said. The decision was confirmed during a meeting between Kazakhstan's Foreign Minister Yerzhan Kosherbayev and UN Under-Secretary-General and UNFPA Executive Director Diene Keita. The new hub will function as a regional center for collecting, analyzing, and studying demographic trends across Central Asia. UNFPA representatives said the decision to locate the hub in Almaty reflects the organization’s positive assessment of Kazakhstan’s reforms in gender equality, women’s rights protection, and social policy development. Keita said Kazakhstan has made significant progress in healthcare, youth and family policy, and reducing maternal and infant mortality rates. UNFPA is the UN agency specializing in reproductive health and demographic development. The organization supports countries in implementing programs related to healthcare, gender equality, and social resilience. Kosherbayev said President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev places particular importance on cooperation with the UN and supports initiatives aimed at reforming international institutions. “The minister positively assessed cooperation between the Kazakh government and UNFPA in improving maternal and infant mortality indicators, developing youth health centers, and conducting demographic research,” the Foreign Ministry said. According to Kosherbayev, healthcare, youth policy, and gender equality should become key areas of regional cooperation with UNFPA. He also proposed making greater use of the UN Regional Center for Sustainable Development Goals for Central Asia and Afghanistan in Almaty to expand the agency’s presence in the region. Following the talks, the two sides agreed to continue cooperation on regional and global agenda issues. During her visit, Keita also met with Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov and reaffirmed UNFPA’s readiness to continue supporting Kazakhstan’s strategic initiatives. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, Kazakhstan has made significant progress in reducing maternal and infant mortality, while Astana has also been actively sharing its experience in maternal and child healthcare with other countries in the region.

UN ESCAP

UN ESCAP Asia and Pacific Digital Solutions Centre for Sustainable Development Established in Kazakhstan

During the 82nd session of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), held in Bangkok last week, all 52 member states adopted a resolution establishing the UN ESCAP Asia and Pacific Digital Solutions Centre for Sustainable Development in Almaty. This has been reported by Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Digital Development. The new center will become ESCAP’s sixth regional institution, alongside existing specialized centers in Japan, China, South Korea, India, and Iran. The Almaty-based center is expected to have a capacity of up to 130 staff, and be located in the UN Plaza building. The government of Kazakhstan will cover the institution’s operational and administrative costs for five years, with funding of up to $15 million. It will operate as a neutral international platform under the auspices of the United Nations, aimed at identifying and disseminating best digital solutions from across the Asia-Pacific region, particularly in public and social services. As noted by Margulan Baimukhan, Kazakhstan’s Permanent Representative to ESCAP, the adoption of the resolution marks the conclusion of a multilateral negotiation process that lasted more than five years. The center is expected to contribute to bridging the digital divide across the region, with a particular focus on supporting least developed countries, landlocked countries, and small island developing states. In the context of rapid digital transformation, emphasis will be placed on developing inclusive mechanisms for the exchange of technologies and expertise, enabling countries to design solutions tailored to national contexts and ensuring equitable access to the benefits of digitalization. For Kazakhstan, the establishment of the center is expected to create additional opportunities to attract advanced digital technologies, international expertise, and highly qualified professionals. Strengthening Almaty’s role as a regional hub under the auspices of the United Nations is also expected to enhance international cooperation, promote partnerships with leading technology companies and development institutions, and reinforce the country’s position as a provider of digital solutions across the Asia-Pacific region. The initiative may also support Kazakhstan’s export potential in IT services and the promotion of domestic digital solutions in international markets.

public art

Monument to Human Chain Rescue Unveiled in Almaty

In 2016, residents of Almaty formed a human chain to rescue a dog and its owner who had become trapped in a river. Ten years later, in March 2026, an art installation commemorating the dramatic rescue was unveiled on the Ulken River, which flows into the Sairan Reservoir, one of the city’s most popular recreational areas. The sculpture stands near the site of the incident. The dog had fallen into the water and was unable to climb out because of the steep riverbanks. Its owner climbed down in an attempt to help but also became stranded. Witnesses then joined forces to pull them to safety. A video of the rescue quickly went viral, reportedly attracting about 15 million views on the Daily Mail’s Facebook page and a further 6.5 million views across other social media platforms. International television networks also covered the story. The installation depicts a chain of people holding onto one another, symbolizing solidarity and mutual assistance. The hand of the final figure extends beyond the fence, allowing visitors to grasp it and symbolically take part in the rescue. City officials said the sculpture was funded by private donations. According to media reports, the identities of the individuals who took part in the rescue remain unknown. “The concept of the installation is based on the ideas of mutual aid, solidarity, and unity. The composition shows figures linked in a chain, symbolizing support and collective action in overcoming difficulties. It is inspired by an image that resonated widely with the public and reflects values close to every resident,” an official statement said. [caption id="attachment_45900" align="aligncenter" width="286"] Still from the 2016 rescue video[/caption] The installation was created by Yerbosyn Meldibekov, a prominent contemporary artist from Kazakhstan whose works are held in museum collections in Antwerp, Hong Kong, Singapore, and other cities. This is not the first time that acts of animal rescue in Kazakhstan have inspired artistic tributes. In 2019 in Almaty and in 2020 in Karaganda, murals were painted on residential buildings in memory of forestry inspector Yerlan Nurgaliyev, who was killed by poachers. The murals depict him holding a rescued saiga calf and are based on a photograph that went viral after his death. The incident took place in January 2019 in the Karaganda Region. Game wardens Pyotr Nitsik and Yerlan Nurgaliyev were pursuing poachers illegally hunting saiga antelopes when they were attacked. Nurgaliyev was killed, while his colleague survived with serious injuries. The perpetrators were later detained. Nurgaliyev was posthumously awarded the Order of Barys for bravery and self-sacrifice in the line of duty, and Nitsik also received a state award.

Transport

Metro Expansion Key to Almaty Infrastructure Plans

Next year, Almaty plans another incremental step in the development of its public transport infrastructure with the opening of a new station at Kalkaman. This should see the tentacles of the transport system shift towards the west of the city. In the future, there are also plans to extend the metro north to Alatau, where the government’s “smart city” is being developed. Investment in public transport is welcome, particularly with vocal complaints from residents about ever-increasing traffic problems and their contribution to the city’s winter smog. “The expansion of the metro is considered one of the key tools for improving the environmental situation in Almaty,” a spokesperson for the Almaty mayor’s office (or Akimat), told The Times of Central Asia. “Increasing the share of passenger transportation via the subway reduces the use of cars, decreases traffic congestion, lowers emissions, and contributes to improved air quality.” The ambitious new metro project is in addition to over 600 new buses expected to be added to the Almaty Bus fleet this year. But despite these schemes, the traffic problem shows little sign of abating. It begs the question: has the city got public transport priorities right? [caption id="attachment_39565" align="aligncenter" width="1600"] New-look trolleybuses and electro-buses can be seen as part of Almaty’s modern fleet; image: TCA, Joe Luc Barnes[/caption] The rise of the automobile “Traffic jams in Almaty began in the early 2000s, when the economic situation improved and people started buying cars,” Dauren Alimbekov, a high-profile blogger on Almaty transport, told The Times of Central Asia. He adds that the privatisation of other forms of public transport exacerbated this problem. The tram network was suspended in 2015 after two high-profile accidents, with the tracks being dismantled in 2017. Its disappearance coincided almost exactly with the arrival of ride-hailing services such as Yandex Go! in July 2016. By 2023, over 200,000 residents were moonlighting as Yandex Go! drivers to earn extra money. “In recent decades, the city has been planned with cars in mind, with major thoroughfares such as Al-Farabi almost totally lacking in convenient pedestrian crossings,” said Alimbekov. This influx of drivers has created problems. Private cars are a major contributor to air pollution in the city. On some days earlier this year, Almaty recorded the worst pollution in the world. [caption id="attachment_39564" align="aligncenter" width="1600"] A lack of dedicated bus lanes slows journey times and prevents more people from using public transport; image: TCA, Joe Luc Barnes[/caption] Public transport That is not to say that there is no public transport in the city. Indeed, the Almaty Metro is the only metro system in Central Asia to have opened since the collapse of communism. Trains began running in 2011, but they only travelled between an initial five stations. Two more opened in 2015, which saw a spike in passenger numbers. Today, there are eleven stations, although most of these remain along Abay Avenue, giving it little practical value to most residents. The metro system does not connect to either of the city’s main train...

Food

In The Kitchen: A Reflection of Taste and Art, Savoring the Color of Flavor

In the culinary world, all eyes have turned towards Almaty, as the city becomes the stage for In the Kitchen: Anniversary Edition, an international project uniting haute cuisine and contemporary art. This year’s edition centers on Austrian conceptual artist Norbert Brunner-Lienz, whose work explores how language and reflection shape perception, turning words and images into immersive experiences. At Laureate Grand Café, his installation has become the heart of a three-night gastro-performance. Mirrored surfaces invite guests to see themselves within the art, blurring the line between viewer and participant. Each reflection reveals the unseen link between seeing and being seen, transforming perception into part of the artwork. Light and meaning shift with every glance. [caption id="attachment_38089" align="alignnone" width="1600"] Image: Ilyas Otan[/caption] Brunner, who lives and works between Vienna and New York, is personally presenting the project in Almaty, with guests having the opportunity to meet him, learn about his creative philosophy, and experience how his art connects the visual, linguistic, and culinary worlds. The gastronomic performance is led by Michelin-starred twin chefs Dominik Sato and Fabio Toffolon from The Chedi Andermatt in Switzerland. Inspired by the Japanese concept of ichi-go ichi-e, the art of treasuring each unrepeatable moment, their menu transforms dining into a multisensory journey. Completing the team is Yoshiko Sato, pastry chef at The Japanese (two MICHELIN stars), celebrated for desserts that balance technical mastery with grace and feeling. [caption id="attachment_38090" align="aligncenter" width="1600"] Image: Ilyas Otan[/caption] Education plays a key role in this edition. Students from Almaty Technological University (ATU) will attend free masterclasses with the Michelin-starred chefs. Workshops are being held at both the Laureate Grand Café and ATU, giving young chefs direct access to the world of haute cuisine. Among the special guests are Giliola Masseroni, owner of Gioielleria Maison “Giglio” in Cremona, Italy; Olga Daniele, founder of 365 ART in Switzerland; and Ainur Akhmetova, founder of Laureate Grand Café and co-founder of In the Kitchen. Olga Daniele imagined In the Kitchen as a dialogue between art and gastronomy, where creative thought is served alongside taste and texture. In collaboration with Ainur Akhmetova, she brings this vision to Kazakhstan, weaving together good food with art to create an experience that speaks to all the senses. [caption id="attachment_38091" align="aligncenter" width="1600"] Image: Ilyas Otan[/caption] Their partnership rethinks how we encounter art and eating: not as separate disciplines, but as intertwined forms of expression that reveal how creation lives in every brush stroke, flavour, and idea. A forthcoming book of culinary art will capture this collaboration, inviting readers to engage with these themes further. In the Kitchen: Anniversary Edition unfolds as a shared act of creation, where food becomes a language and creativity takes shape in the exchange between those who make and those who taste. The event will be held at the Laureate Grand Café, 85 Bogenbai Batyr St., Almaty, from October 23–25, 2025.