Belgian King to Pay First-Ever State Visit to Kazakhstan
The King of Belgium will pay a state visit to Kazakhstan, marking the first such visit in the history of bilateral relations. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev announced this during a meeting with Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever, according to Akorda.
The Kazakh president also described Belgium as one of Kazakhstan's key partners within the European Union. He noted that the positive momentum in economic cooperation demonstrates significant potential for further growth. Belgium ranks among the top ten foreign investors in Kazakhstan, with total direct investments amounting to $15 billion over the past two decades.
Bilateral trade has also continued its steady upward trend, exceeding $580 million last year.
More than 110 companies with Belgian capital are operating successfully in Kazakhstan, reflecting our shared commitment to strengthening mutually beneficial cooperation," Tokayev said.
For his part, Prime Minister Bart De Wever reaffirmed Belgium's interest in further deepening bilateral relations and expanding the strategic partnership.
The two sides discussed opportunities for implementing joint investment projects in transport and logistics, critical minerals, petrochemicals, agriculture, industry, digital transformation, artificial intelligence and finance.
They also explored prospects for cooperation in science and education, including partnerships between universities, research centres and technology companies. In addition, the parties exchanged views on current regional and international issues.
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Kazakhstan-Belgium Trade Exceeds $500 Million
Trade turnover between Kazakhstan and Belgium exceeded $500 million last year, Kazakhstan's Foreign Minister Yermek Kosherbayev said during talks with Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot, according to the Kazakh Foreign Ministry.
Belgium is an important partner for Kazakhstan both bilaterally and within the framework of cooperation with the European Union. Brussels ranks among the ten largest investors in Kazakhstan's economy. Last year, bilateral trade surpassed the half-billion-dollar mark, demonstrating significant potential for further strengthening cooperation," Kosherbayev said.
The two sides also discussed the development of transport and logistics infrastructure, as well as efforts to enhance the transit potential of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route.
Kosherbayev reaffirmed Kazakhstan's readiness to create favourable conditions for the implementation of joint projects and the further expansion of business ties.
The talks also highlighted strong potential for cooperation in education and science, including partnerships between leading universities and research centres in the two countries. On the Belgian side, institutions interested in expanding cooperation include KU Leuven, Ghent University and the inter-university research centre IMEC.
The ministers also discussed opportunities for cooperation within multilateral frameworks and exchanged views on current regional and global issues.
Following the talks, both sides reaffirmed their mutual commitment to further strengthening Kazakhstan-Belgium relations and implementing joint initiatives in priority areas.
Earlier, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev met with Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever.
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Kazakhstan and UNOOSA Sign Memorandum on Establishment of a UN-SPIDER Regional Support Office in Astana
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed at the Vienna International Centre between the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) and JSC "National Company "Kazakhstan Gharysh Sapary" on the establishment of a Regional Support Office (RSO) of the United Nations Platform for Space-based Information for Disaster Management and Emergency Response (UN-SPIDER) in Astana.
The Memorandum was signed by Aarti Holla-Maini, Director of UNOOSA, and Olzhas Shokparov, Deputy Chairman of the Management Board of JSC "NC "Kazakhstan Gharysh Sapary".
The signing of the Memorandum marks an important step in strengthening cooperation between Kazakhstan and the United Nations in the application of space technologies for disaster risk management, emergency monitoring, and the enhancement of resilience to natural and technological hazards across Central Asia.
Under the Memorandum, the UN-SPIDER Regional Support Office will be hosted by JSC "NC "Kazakhstan Gharysh Sapary". The Office will support efforts to expand access to Earth observation data, strengthen the capacities of relevant professionals and institutions, facilitate the exchange of expertise, and promote the use of space-based solutions for disaster prevention, preparedness and emergency response.
The establishment of the UN-SPIDER Regional Support Office in Kazakhstan supports the objectives for the development of the national space sector outlined by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, during the meeting of the Security Council of Kazakhstan held on 16 June 2026.
Established pursuant to a resolution of the UN General Assembly, the UN-SPIDER programme seeks to ensure that all countries and relevant international and regional organizations have access to and can effectively use space-based information and technologies to support disaster risk reduction and emergency response activities.
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Kazakhstan and Mongolia Move to Strengthen Trade and Investment Ties
Images | Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan’s "QazExportPromotion JSC" and Mongolia’s "MAX Group" signed a Memorandum of Understanding aimed at deepening trade and investment cooperation between the two countries.
The agreement provides for the establishment of a Partnership Office in Mongolia, which is expected to serve as a permanent platform for promoting Kazakh exports, advancing investment cooperation and expanding business links between entrepreneurs in Kazakhstan and Mongolia.
The office will support the promotion of Kazakhstani goods, assist in identifying reliable business partners, facilitate commercial initiatives, organize sector-specific exhibitions and presentations, and help implement joint projects in priority areas of the economy.
Particular emphasis will be placed on practical support for companies seeking to enter the Kazakh and Mongolian markets, the exchange of up-to-date business information, the identification of promising trade opportunities and the strengthening of direct ties between the two countries’ business communities.
The signing of the memorandum marks an important step in the development of Kazakh-Mongolian economic partnership and underscores both sides’ readiness to further expand trade and investment cooperation.
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Kazakhstan and the European Union Strengthen Cooperation in Transport Connectivity
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan Arman Issetov took part in the Business Conference "Strengthening Kazakhstan-EU Connectivity: Perspectives and Strategic Potential of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR)".
The event brought together representatives of the European Commission, the European Parliament, international financial institutions, transport and logistics companies, and business communities from Kazakhstan and the European Union.
Speaking during the first session dedicated to the strategic importance of the TITR for Kazakhstan-EU relations, Deputy Minister Issetov emphasized that Kazakhstan and the European Union are connected by decades of trust-based dialogue and mutually beneficial cooperation.
Acording to the Kazakh diplomat, the TITR has evolved far beyond a traditional transit corridor and is increasingly becoming a major geo-economic project serving the interests of both Central Asia and Europe.
Against the backdrop of evolving global supply chains and growing demand for reliable and diversified transport routes, Kazakhstan consistently advocates for open, resilient and mutually beneficial connectivity between East and West.
Particular attention was paid to the complementarity between the TITR and the European Union’s Global Gateway initiative. It was noted that the modernization of transport infrastructure, the development of digital solutions and the enhancement of logistics processes create additional opportunities for deepening bilateral cooperation.
Following the event, a signing ceremony was held for a number of agreements aimed at further developing transport and logistics infrastructure and expanding cooperation with the European Union in this area.
The European Union remains Kazakhstan’s largest trade and investment partner. As Kazakhstan and the European Union approach the 10th anniversary of the signing of the Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (EPCA), bilateral relations continue to demonstrate strong positive momentum. In 2025, bilateral trade reached 45.1 billion US dollars, while the cumulative gross inflow of foreign direct investment from EU Member States exceeded 200 billion US dollars.
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Kazakhstan Strengthens Its Position in Global Peace Rankings Amid Structural Stability
Kazakhstan has strengthened its standing in the global security landscape, rising to 44th place in the 2026 Global Peace Index (GPI). The country improved by five positions over the past year, securing a place in the upper tier of the ranking, which covers 163 countries and territories worldwide.
Kazakhstan’s overall score stood at 1.771, reflecting a moderately high level of peacefulness compared with other nations included in the index. Against a backdrop of ongoing geopolitical turbulence and regional risks across Eurasia, the result positions the country as relatively stable on the global stage.
The GPI evaluates countries through a comprehensive framework of 23 indicators rather than a single criterion. These indicators cover societal safety and security, involvement in internal and external conflicts, and the degree of militarisation.
In Kazakhstan’s case, the index presents a mixed but generally stable profile. The country performs strongly in terms of its limited involvement in international conflicts and relatively low level of militarisation, while internal political stability remains a more sensitive area.
One of the key factors behind Kazakhstan’s strong ranking is its minimal involvement in military and international conflicts. The country recorded near-optimal scores across several indicators, including: impact of terrorism - 1/5; involvement in internal conflicts - 1/5; deaths from internal conflicts - 1/5; arms exports - 1/5; and contribution to UN peacekeeping operations - 1/5.
This group of indicators reflects Kazakhstan’s long-standing multi-vector foreign policy and its preference for avoiding direct participation in military blocs and conflicts. Within the global security system, such an approach significantly reduces risk and enhances the country’s predictability.
Another important indicator, militarisation, also characterises Kazakhstan as a state with limited military expansion and controlled defence spending. The country’s scores in this area were: nuclear and heavy weapons capability - 1.168/5; military expenditure as a share of GDP - 1.368/5; arms imports - 1.74/5; and arms exports - 1/5.
Taken together, these figures portray a country that is not seeking to expand its military influence internationally and continues to maintain a relatively restrained defence posture. At a time when military spending is increasing in many parts of the world, such a strategy contributes positively to Kazakhstan’s position in the ranking.
The most nuanced picture emerges in the area of public safety. On the one hand, Kazakhstan records relatively low levels of violent crime; on the other, perceptions of security remain less favourable.
The country’s scores in this category were: violent crime - 1.286/5; homicide rate - 2.12/5; and perceived criminality - 2/5.
Globally, Kazakhstan’s 44th-place ranking puts it ahead of a number of major and economically developed countries, including the United States, France, Türkiye and China. However, a considerable gap remains between Kazakhstan and the highest-ranked nations.
The country’s five-place rise in the 2026 index can be attributed to several factors. First, it has maintained a relatively stable foreign policy based on a multi-vector approach and limited involvement in international conflicts. Second, levels of violent crime have remained under control. Third, there have been no sharp increases in military spending or militarisation.
Together, these factors create what can be described as a form of "incremental stability," in which progress occurs gradually rather than through sudden breakthroughs, producing a steady cumulative effect over time.
Kazakhstan’s performance in the 2026 Global Peace Index reflects a model of moderate, structural stability. Rather than a dramatic leap towards the top of the rankings, it represents a gradual strengthening of the country’s position within the global security system.
At a time when countries are increasingly assessed not only on security but also on their attractiveness as places to live and migrate to, Kazakhstan’s position appears particularly noteworthy. The country is gaining recognition not only for stability and security, but also for its growing appeal as a migration destination.
According to the 2026 Immigration Index compiled by the US-based company Remitly, Kazakhstan ranked 53rd out of 82 countries worldwide, making it the highest-ranked post-Soviet state included in the survey.
Overall, Kazakhstan’s position in the 2026 Global Peace Index reflects not so much rapid advancement as the consolidation of a model of "managed stability." The country continues to maintain low levels of conflict involvement and moderate militarisation. However, domestic indicators related to public safety and political stability remain the main constraints on further progress in the rankings.
As a result, the latest improvement should be viewed as evolutionary rather than transformational, pointing to the gradual strengthening of institutional resilience rather than a breakthrough in the global security system.
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SCO as a Platform for Stability
Tectonic shifts in global politics have brought about profound changes at the international level. In an increasingly multipolar world, the principles of interstate cooperation are being reassessed and transformed, new logistics routes are emerging, more effective models of economic interaction are being developed, and approaches to strategic stability are evolving around the principle of indivisible security.
Against this backdrop, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) is gaining strength as one of the key centres of influence on the Eurasian continent.
The SCO has developed a unique framework of multilateral strategic partnership in which decisions are made on the basis of consensus, mutual respect and consideration of national interests. One of the key conditions for successful cooperation across such a vast area is joint efforts to neutralise security challenges and threats.
Political analyst Emil Juraev noted that the SCO’s mechanisms, which continue to evolve, provide a comprehensive platform for building multi-level and wide-ranging cooperation.
The SCO is currently one of the leading organisations in the field of security and cooperation. In today’s geopolitically unstable and turbulent environment, it plays a particularly important role in preserving diplomacy, promoting peaceful methods of dispute resolution and maintaining stability overall," Juraev said.
According to him, all member states play an important role in the organisation’s development, particularly those that stood at its origins, such as China.
The fact that Kyrgyzstan is chairing this important organisation this year gives our country an opportunity to contribute to unlocking the SCO’s potential even further. I would particularly emphasise that the SCO, bringing together a dozen major countries, is capable of addressing many global challenges without positioning itself in opposition to anyone. It is a space for constructive development, with economic potential stretching decades into the future. The member states possess all the resources necessary to maintain a high level of stability within the broader security framework," he said.
Juraev stressed that while the organisation continues to evolve and many processes remain in motion, its overall constructive momentum is already producing tangible results.
Significant work is under way to create new connectivity hubs. For us, the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway will become a key pillar of the emerging Eurasian transport architecture. It is expected to form an important part of the so-called Middle Corridor, offering substantial transit capacity between major markets in the East and West. In this context, opportunities are expanding both bilaterally and through multilateral cooperation within the SCO," he added.
This year, under Kyrgyzstan’s chairmanship, the SCO is operating under the theme: "25 Years of the SCO: Together Towards Sustainable Peace, Development and Prosperity." The organisation currently comprises 10 member states, 14 dialogue partners and two observer countries.
Collectively, they occupy a vast portion of Eurasia. The SCO’s area of cooperation stretches from the Arctic Ocean to the Indian Ocean and from the Pacific coast to the Middle East, including the Arabian Peninsula. The combined population of SCO countries accounts for approximately half of humanity.
Esen Usubaliev, Dean of the Faculty of International Relations at Kyrgyz National University, said the organisation’s resilience and relevance stem from its commitment to equal dialogue and continuous engagement as tools for addressing common challenges and promoting joint development. He argued that SCO member states are playing an important stabilising role at a time when the old world order is undergoing significant transformation.
Recent international developments have shown that no state, with the exception of nuclear powers, can fully guarantee its own security on its own. Sovereign states can become targets of unprovoked military attacks, as we can see from the example of Iran," Usubaliev said.
In his view, this raises an important question about the principles on which decision-making centres within the SCO will cooperate and what ideological foundation could underpin such interaction.
It is obvious that the national interests of SCO countries differ. At the same time, all members share a common vision of building a more just multipolar world order. Therefore, the only viable foundation for cooperation is preserving a predictable, stable and secure SCO space, where major challenges and threats facing member states can be systematically addressed," he said.
Usubaliev believes the SCO’s distinctive feature lies in its emphasis on equal dialogue, consensus-building and consultation as the primary means of resolving disputes.
The SCO is important for the future multipolar world as a model, and, in my view, a viable one. Through the SCO, Kyrgyzstan is part of this broader process of transforming the global order. It is important to highlight Kyrgyzstan’s priorities related to strengthening regional and continental connectivity, particularly through the implementation of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway project," he said.
The expert recalled that Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov has already described the railway as a project that will transform the country into one of the continent’s key transit hubs.
This will inevitably enhance Kyrgyzstan’s significance within the regional system of international relations, which in turn places a high level of responsibility on all of us to meet the role we aspire to play in Central Asia and across Eurasia," Usubaliev added.
The SCO is investing considerable efforts in building a large-scale network of transport, energy and trade corridors across Eurasia. These initiatives pursue several objectives simultaneously: developing logistics and infrastructure, strengthening economic cooperation through the reduction of trade and investment barriers, and ensuring seamless connectivity between major markets.
Such efforts contribute to deeper financial and cultural ties among dozens of countries. As a result, the potential scope of SCO cooperation is virtually unlimited.
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Kazakhstan and Morocco Explore New Horizons for Cooperation in the Field of Mineral Fertilizers
Saulekul Sailaukyzy, the Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Morocco, held a meeting with Faris Derrij, the CEO of OCP Nutricorps, at the headquarters of OCP Group in Casablanca.
Faris Derrij noted that over the past four to five years Kazakhstan and Morocco have been developing an active political and trade-economic dialogue, seeking to strengthen ties between Central Asia and North Africa. He also highlighted that Kazakhstan is one of OCP Group's key suppliers of sulfur, playing an important role in securing the company's raw material needs.
Ambassador S. Sailaukyzy, for her part, briefed her counterpart on Kazakhstan's economic potential across natural resources, industry, and the agricultural sector.
The Ambassador also informed F. Derrij of an upcoming high-level Kazakh business delegation to the Kingdom in July, during which the inaugural session of the Kazakhstan-Morocco Business Council will convene in Casablanca, bringing together leading Kazakh companies and government bodies.
The parties likewise discussed prospects for cooperation in the field of mineral fertilizers, exchanged views on possible formats of engagement, and reaffirmed their shared commitment to building a long-term partnership.
The meeting also highlighted the strong upward trend in bilateral trade, with two-way turnover exceeding 460 million US dollars in 2025 and setting a record in the history of bilateral relations. Both parties agreed that this result reflects the sustained and growing interest of the business communities of both countries, and solidifies Morocco’s position as Kazakhstan’s largest trading partner on the African continent.
OCP Group is the largest state-owned company in the Kingdom of Morocco and one of the world's leading players in the extraction of phosphate rock, the production of phosphoric acid, and the manufacture of mineral fertilizers. The company controls access to approximately 70% of the world's phosphate rock reserves, holds a dominant position in the global phosphate fertilizer market, and supplies its products to 85 countries worldwide. OCP Group is currently implementing a large-scale investment program aimed at advancing low-carbon production and strengthening its presence in the markets of Asia and Africa. OCP Nutricorps is a subsidiary of OCP Group specializing in the promotion and sale of fertilizers on international markets.
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Kazakhstan and Korea Discussed Prospects for Expanding Financial Cooperation
Images | Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan
Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the Republic of Korea Asset Isenali held a meeting with Chairman and President of the Export-Import Bank of Korea (KEXIM) Kiyeon Hwang.
During the meeting, the parties discussed the current state and prospects of Kazakhstan-Korea investment and financial-economic cooperation, with particular emphasis on expanding the participation of Korean financial institutions in the implementation of priority projects in Kazakhstan.
Special attention was paid to strengthening cooperation in the areas of green growth and sustainable development, including economic decarbonization, the development of renewable energy sources, the production of green hydrogen and ammonia, as well as the introduction of advanced environmentally friendly technologies.
The interlocutors also exchanged views on enhancing cooperation in the field of critical minerals. They reviewed prospects for joint projects involving the extraction and deep processing of rare earth metals, the development of high value-added supply chains, the localization of industrial production, and the advancement of the battery industry.
Particular attention was also given to the potential participation of KEXIM in financing infrastructure, industrial, and innovation projects in Kazakhstan aimed at strengthening transport and logistics connectivity, modernizing industrial capacities, and establishing export-oriented production facilities.
In the context of preparations for the upcoming visit of President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to the Republic of Korea, the parties reaffirmed their interest in further enhancing investment cooperation and promoting new joint initiatives capable of providing additional momentum to the strategic partnership between the two countries.
Following the meeting, the parties agreed to continue close cooperation in exploring promising investment projects and financing mechanisms involving Korean financial institutions and leading companies of the Republic of Korea.
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