Doha News was among a large group of media from 70 countries at the event.

The 2025 Astana International Forum (AIF), one of Central Asia’s most important events, kicked off in Kazakhstan’s capital on Thursday with the attendance of nearly 600 foreign guests. 

The two-day event saw the attendance of political, business and thought leaders who will be gathering under an expanded agenda that includes climate change, energy security, and sustainability.

Some of the leaders in attendance included Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Rwandan President Paul Kagame, and North Macedonia’s President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova.

“We are very hopeful for a fruitful exchange of views on global economic affairs, regional cooperation and other acute problems that emerge in the international agenda,” Tokayev told attendees at the Congress Centre.

The Kazakh president started his speech by underlining his country’s commitment to dialogue and economic diversification while calling for the need to address global conflicts, which he said resulted in losses that reached $19 trillion.

“Kazakhstan approaches today’s turbulent world with a spirit of constructive engagement. Our foreign policy is based on the belief that dialogue is more powerful than division, and that sovereign rights must be respected,” he said.

The Kazakh president stressed that “there should be no room for nationalistic hubris and ígnorance of historic and cultural traditions of the peoples”.

“That’s what we in Kazakhstan strongly pursue: ‘The unity in diversity’,” he said.

Kazakhstan’s economic growth

Tokayev also reflected on his country’s economic achievements, including its 5.1 percent economic growth in 2024, while expressing hope in diversifying its economy.

“Over the past few years, Kazakhstan has undergone profound economic and institutional reforms. Our goal is clear: to build a more diversified, inclusive, and future-ready economy – one where growth is not just sustained, but shared,” he said.

Kazakhstan also hopes to become an IT hub in Eurasia by increasing its investment in technology.

“We are investing in human capital, expanding opportunities for young professionals[…]That is why we continue to deepen our capabilities in key sectors, from digital technologies and AI to clean energy and value-added manufacturing,” he said.

The Kazakh president announced plans to “create a pioneering pilot zone called CryptoCity” that would enable the use of cryptocurrencies to purchase goods and services. Another goal Tokayev highlighted is Kazakhstan’s emphasis on artificial intelligence.

“The goal is to become an academic and innovation hub with a number of foreign university branches and Research and Development partnerships,” Tokayev explained.