Kazakhstan Reinforces Global Dialogue through the Astana International Forum 2025
26 May 2025
In an era marked by growing polarization and geopolitical division, Kazakhstan continues to assert its role as a bridge-builder on the world stage by championing the Astana International Forum (AIF) - a vital platform for global dialogue, collaboration, and shared solutions to the most pressing challenges of our time.
Scheduled to take place from 29–30 May 2025 in Astana, the Forum brings together leading voices from governments, international organizations, the private sector, and academia.
The AIF serves as a space for transformative discussions that address key global concerns and promote practical, cooperative approaches to complex issues.
This year's edition expands its thematic scope, reflecting the interconnectedness of today’s global challenges. Key topics include energy security, climate action, geopolitical cooperation, international trade, technological innovation, and sustainable development. By uniting a diverse set of actors and disciplines, the Forum underscores the importance of cross-sectoral cooperation in shaping a more stable, prosperous, and resilient future.
Spotlight on Africa: Forging New Frontiers of Cooperation
A notable addition to the 2025 agenda is the dedicated panel “Kazakhstan and Africa: Unlocking New Frontiers of Cooperation.” This session highlights Kazakhstan’s growing engagement with the African continent, underscoring the shared priorities in economic growth, sustainable development, and global stability.
Although geographically distant, Kazakhstan and African nations are bound by common aspirations. Both represent emerging middle powers with abundant natural resources, rapidly transforming economies, and a shared vision of deeper regional and global integration. This panel will explore how both regions can leverage complementary strengths to foster long-term, mutually beneficial partnerships across sectors such as trade, technology, energy, and agriculture.
In recent years, Kazakhstan has actively intensified its outreach to Africa, recognizing the continent’s rising strategic relevance. Kazakhstan’s model of sustainable growth-grounded in economic diversification, digital transformation, green energy, and food security - resonates with Africa’s push toward industrialization and self-sufficiency.
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By enhancing bilateral and multilateral cooperation, both Kazakhstan and African countries can unlock new investment and innovation pathways, catalyze knowledge exchange, and build resilient economies prepared to meet the demands of the future.
High-Level Participation
The 2025 Astana International Forum will feature an impressive roster of global leaders, experts, and changemakers, including:
• Kassym-Jomart Tokayev – President of the Republic of Kazakhstan
• Paul Kagame – President of the Republic of Rwanda
• Gordana Siljanovska Davkova – President of the Republic of North Macedonia
• Andrej Plenković – Prime Minister of the Republic of Croatia
• Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani – Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of Qatar
• Ban Ki-moon – President and Chair, Global Green Growth Institute; 8th Secretary-General of the United Nations
• Alain Berset – Secretary-General of the Council of Europe
• Qu Dongyu – Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
• Amy E. Pope – Director-General of the International Organization for Migration (IOM)
• Mathias Cormann – Secretary-General of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)
• Daren Tang – Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)
• And others
Through initiatives like the AIF, Kazakhstan continues to play an active role in shaping inclusive, forward-looking global discourse-advocating for multipolar cooperation, sustainable progress, and peace.