The international forum AIF 2025 continues in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan. The event gathers leading politicians, representatives of international organizations, corporations, investors, scholars, and journalists.

Various sessions, meetings, and briefings are being organized as part of the forum, where participants are actively discussing global issues such as international security, energy and climate change, the economy, and finance.

At a meeting with journalists, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan, Alibek Kuantyrov, Chairman of the Management Board of Kazakh Invest, Yerzhan Yelekeyev, and Deputy Chairman of the Management Board of the same company, Madiyar Sultanbek, emphasized that under the leadership of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Kazakhstan is pursuing a foreign policy based on constructive cooperation, prioritizing dialogue, and giving utmost importance to respect for sovereign rights.

Although the Astana International Forum covers global issues related to the economy and modern technologies, at its core lies the goal of strengthening cooperation based on friendship. Indeed, the large-scale event continuing at the Congress Center in Astana has brought together nearly 6,000 participants from around 100 countries.

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan Alibek Kuantyrov emphasized that the solidarity within Central Asia is the result of the political will of the region’s leaders. Issues affecting the lives of the region’s people are also being resolved through cooperation.

In response to the UzA correspondent’s question, “How do you assess the cooperation ties between Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan?”, Alibek Kuantyrov acknowledged that the trust-based cooperation between the two countries is at a high level. “We are continuing very close cooperation with our Uzbekistan colleagues”, he stated.

The Chairman of the Management Board of Kazakh Invest, Yerzhan Yelekeyev, noted that there is a roadmap for trade and investment cooperation and collaboration in the industrial sector between the two countries.

“We maintain regular dialogue and close cooperation with the Agency for Attracting Investments under the Ministry of Investments, Industry and Trade of the Republic of Uzbekistan”, said Yerzhan Yelekeyev. “For example, a major international forum will be held in Tashkent next week, and we will also participate in it. There is also a plan to develop cooperation in investments within the framework of the Organization of Turkic States. Why do I emphasize this issue? Because major countries such as Japan, the United States, and the European Union view Central Asia as a single, unified region. Therefore, it is not about being competitors with one another, but about jointly promoting investment projects, which can only bring mutual benefits. For instance, our Uzbek colleagues are actively developing in logistics, mining and metallurgy, and automotive manufacturing sectors. It is appropriate for Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and other Central Asian countries to develop joint investment solutions”.

“Recently, I visited Tashkent and met with Laziz Kudratov, Minister of Investments, Industry and Trade, to discuss the positive outcomes of cooperation between our countries”, said Deputy Chairman of the Management Board of Kazakh Invest, Madiyar Sultanbek. “To give just one example: last year alone, the number of Uzbekistan companies operating in Kazakhstan increased by 19 percent. These companies are either fully backed by Uzbek capital or are joint Uzbekistan – Kazakhstan ventures. Currently, their number has reached 3,300. This demonstrates the strong interest of Uzbekistan businesses in our country.

As part of the upcoming forum in Tashkent, we intend to strengthen our cooperation in implementing joint projects”.

Norgul Abduraimova, UzA

Tashkent – Astana