Global policymakers, international experts and business representatives gathered at the Astana International Forum to discuss the future pathways in a world filled with uncertainty and conflict.
With the title “Connecting Minds, Shaping the Future,” the Astana International Forum (AIF) attracted over 160 international speakers and approximately 7,000 participants.
The event began with an entire session in which heads of state and senior officials expressed concern about the world exists today.
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, president of Kazakhstan, highlights the increase in polarization and the increase in conflict between nations. He said the conflict is brewed in 52 states, but its economic rates amount to $19 trillion (16 trillion euros), or 13.5% of the world’s GDP.
Rwandan President Paul Kagame emphasized that global challenges are interconnected and that integrated solutions are needed. The vulnerability is only exacerbated when external alignment occurs without internal stability.
North Macedonia President Goldana Siljanovska Davkova spoke about the need for reform at the United Nations. Organizational bylaws were written 80 years ago and did not assume the technology and complexity of the world in 2025.
Ban Ki-moon, president and chair of the Global Green Growth Institute, said that while climate change and environmental degradation can only be resolved collectively, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Q Dongyu emphasized that peace is a fundamental human right and that peace is a prerequisite for food security.
The entire session was followed by about 40 panels, a one-on-one session covering side events, trade, transportation, green energy, carbon neutrality, climate action, economy, finance, AI development, and more.
Transactions: Positive and Negative
First and foremost, the Astana International Forum is a platform for connectivity and networking, including business. As part of the forum, French and Italian companies met with Kazakh businessmen and signed several agreements.
France has signed 15 contracts with Kazakhstan. Among them is a 90 million euro (78 million euro) project for the construction of a hydrogen production plant, which will help reduce carbon emissions.
Italy and Kazakhstan have signed 10 memorandums for a total of 180 million euros (157 million euros). The project covers logistics, mechanical engineering, agriculture processing, industrial digitalization and green energy.
The negative effects of trade were also discussed in one of the panels. There, speakers fulfilled their selfish goals, considering how trade is armed today’s weapons.
If global power was promoting free trade in the 2010s, the winds have changed over the past decade. Experts share that trade is an effective weapon, especially in the short term, but what matters is the goals behind it.
Transportation: The importance of a middle corridor
The role of Central Asia as a transport hub between China and Europe is undeniable today. The role of the Central Corridor in this regard and its future developments were also discussed during the AIF.
“The turnover rate rose 62% in 2024 to 4.5 million tonnes of cargo. The aim is to reach 10 million tonnes in 2027. Approximately $15 billion (13 billion euros) has already been invested in infrastructure development, with transport times dropping by almost 14-18 days.
“The central corridor doesn’t solve all the problems as certain items remain very expensive across the land. But it’s a medium-term solution and could be one of the alternatives.”
Kazakhstan has also announced a new transport initiative called Kazakhstan at the continental intersection. Given that almost 80% of goods from Asia to Europe pass through Kazakhstan, the country is trying to ease the process by integrating all transportation-related services and businesses on one platform.
Climate change: the need for climate funding
The rest of the world’s temperatures are projected to increase by 3.7°C by the 2090s, while temperatures in Central Asia will increase by 5.8°C, almost double. This puts a variety of sectors at risk, including water security, food security, economic stability, employment rates, and migration.
“Climate change is not an independent issue. It rather poses threats and issues in many different areas,” emphasized Kazakh advisor Zulfia Suleimenva.
“Climate change is a major issue in Central Asia, and we cannot talk about sustainable economic development in the region without addressing climate-related challenges.”
The region needs robust funding to effectively compete with the issue, but so far, it has only attracted less than 1% of global climate funds.
One of the forum sessions focused on the general accessibility and affordability of climate funding. This session also allowed Central Asia’s economic and ecology ministries to discuss the acceleration of climate action.
Renewable Energy: Rare Earth Relationships
The context of growing climate concerns underscores the importance of moving towards green energy and reducing carbon emissions. Kazakhstan has set an ambitious goal of reaching carbon neutrality by 2060. So far, emissions have dropped by just 6%.
To help with this issue, UAE-based company Masdar has pledged $1 billion (EUR 880 million) for Kazakhstan’s renewable energy development.
In one of the panels, the speaker highlighted the possibilities of Kazakhstan in renewable energy, particularly wind energy. The vast grasslands can generate 1 billion kW of time a year, which is eight times the country’s needs, with the rest remaining for export.
Experts also said the development of renewable energy infrastructure has driven demand for rare earth elements that have become “new gold.” In that sense, Central Asia has the advantage of rare earth reserves. Kazakhstan alone has 19 out of 34 rare earth metals.
Artificial Intelligence: Regulation of Ethical Use
Friday’s discussion didn’t happen without mentioning the benefits and threats of artificial intelligence. Forum participants deliberated on AI regulations in terms of ethical and safe use.
“AI will soon know more about you than you know yourself. Are you ready to share such information without your permission? Not to mention government agencies, publicly.
At the same time, Kazakhs Minister of Digital Development, Innovation and Aerospace Industry Zhaslan Madiyev noted that Kazakhstan is already preparing legislation to regulate the use of AI to prevent abuse.
“The idea is not to over-adjustify it, but to consider some of the ethical standards,” Madiev said, noting that the law is currently under consideration by Congress.
Over the course of two days, the Astana International Forum was hit by dialogue, exchanges and collaboration. From parallel sessions to high-level networking, participants wanted a common foundation and fresh solutions, leaving them with a common commitment to shaping a more stable and sustainable future.
