The Winners of the 10th Anniversary International Contest for Foreign Journalists “Kazakhstan Through the Eyes of Foreign Media” Have Been Announced
Astana, September 19, 2025 – The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan has announced the winners of the 10th anniversary contest “Kazakhstan Through the Eyes of Foreign Media,” which is traditionally held for international journalists.
Based on the review of the competition entries, the jury has selected the following winners:
- Digitalization – Mohammed Ali Pasha (Pakistan) – “Role of Astana Hub and Digital Transformation of Kazakhstan”;
- Economy – Derya Soysal (Belgium) – “Kazakhstan’s Rise a Global Crypto Hub”;
- Culture, History, and Traditions of the Kazakh People – Akpanbetova Arukhan (Uzbekistan) – “Абай мұрасы” (Abay’s Legacy);
- Sports – Matt Fitzgerald (USA) – “Kazakhstan’s Journey into the World of Tennis: How a Nation Designed Its Growth in a Global Game”;
- Tourism – Marina Mkrtchyan (Armenya) – “Национальный парк Бурабай – созерцание прекрасного в гармонии с собой” (Burabay National Park – Contemplating Beauty in Harmony with Oneself).
Over 100 media representatives and bloggers from more than 30 countries applied to participate in the competition, which is designed as a platform to recognize the achievements of foreign journalists who have contributed to the creative delivery of credible and objective information about Kazakhstan to a wide international audience.
Since 2014, the jury has annually selected text and video materials and awarded prizes in various categories. Representatives from foreign publications and media worldwide showcase their work in different formats, from print and online publications, including popular internet platforms, blogs, and podcasts, to traditional broadcast media like television programs. The topics of the publications and materials range from history, culture, education, tourism, and national cuisine to international relations and Kazakhstan’s investment potential.
To deepen cultural engagement and provide a closer look at the country, the winners in each category will be rewarded with a trip to Kazakhstan, including visits to the cities of Astana, Almaty, Shymkent, and the Turkestan region, where they will be shown the country’s rich cultural and historical heritage. In addition to the planned program, the winners of the competition will have the opportunity to experience the spirit of the steppe nomadic civilization and take part in exclusive interviews with representatives of the government sector, Kazakh experts, journalists, and other figures from Kazakhstan’s science and culture.
This year, the partners of the competition were “Kazakh Tourism” National Company, “Otandastar Foundation” NC JSC, “Astana” International Financial Centre (AIFC), Astana Hub, and “Verny Capital” LLP. The wide range of partners once again confirms the significance of the event.
The annual “Kazakhstan Through the Eyes of Foreign Media” competition serves as one of the components for actively encouraging international interest in the current development trends of our country, popularizing its rich natural and cultural heritage, and revealing the potential and appeal of the region to foreign investors and tourists from all over the world.