AGP Executive Report

Constitutional Reform: Deputy PM and Culture Minister Aida Balayeva presented commemorative editions of Kazakhstan’s new Constitution in Astana, highlighting constitutional-level state duties for culture, science and education, plus citizens’ responsibility to protect cultural heritage. Georgia Partnership: President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev met Georgian PM Irakli Kobakhidze and backed a new strategic partnership framework, stressing trade, energy and transport links and the Middle Corridor’s growing role; Georgia and Kazakhstan also signed the strategic partnership agreement and cooperation memorandums. Clean Energy Push: Masdar broke ground on a $1.4bn, 1 GW wind farm in Zhambyl with 600 MWh battery storage, aiming to power about 880,000 homes and support 24/7 renewable electricity for data centres and AI infrastructure. Budget Financing: Kazakhstan’s Senate ratified two loans totaling about $965m from the IBRD and AIIB to cover the 2026 budget deficit and sustain social and economic programs. International Tech & Science: Kazakhstan’s data-centre and AI ecosystem continues to expand, while China’s LineShine topped global supercomputer rankings—an external signal of the compute race Kazakhstan is trying to plug into. Sports & Society: Chess player Bibisara Assaubayeva received the Order of Barys for contributions to chess development.

Turkic Diplomacy: President Tokayev and Kyrgyz President Japarov used Turkic World Week in Baku to underline cultural and political ties, with Tokayev thanking Baku and pointing to a planned Turkic Civilization Center in Turkistan. Humanitarian & Security: Kazakh UN peacekeepers in Syria delivered outpatient medical care in Khan Arnaba, while KazTAG reported a sustained information attack on journalists and its platforms via bot spam and fake channels. Prosecutorial Cooperation: Kazakhstan’s Prosecutor General signed a cooperation agreement with the EU’s EPPO to enable direct operational information exchange, joint investigations, and asset tracing and confiscation. International Crime & Governance: Kazakhstan also announced expanded international cooperation against transnational crime. AI & Language Politics: Analysis warns Kazakhstan’s school AI push risks failure due to unresolved Kazakh-language drafting and terminology gaps. US-Kazakhstan Mining Controversy: A New York Times investigation alleges US critical-minerals talks on Kazakhstan tungsten involved senior US officials and that Trump and Lutnick-linked family networks stood to profit. Regional Connectivity: Kazakhstan’s accession to the US-led Pax Silica AI initiative and ongoing Middle Corridor logistics efforts keep positioning the country as a key transit and tech-supply hub.

Critical Minerals & US Politics: A New York Times investigation says Donald Trump’s sons and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick’s family moved into a Kazakhstan-backed tungsten deal after the Trump administration helped secure up to $1.6 billion in federal financing—raising fresh conflict-of-interest questions. Media & Diplomacy: Kazakhstan’s Foreign Ministry honored journalists on Media Workers’ Day, with MFA chief Yermek Kosherbayev stressing the media’s role in shaping the country’s foreign-policy image. AI Supply-Chain Diplomacy: Kazakhstan joined the US-led Pax Silica framework and signed the AI Opportunity Partnership in Washington, with Deputy PM Zhaslan Madiyev signing on the country’s behalf. Middle Corridor Logistics: Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, and Georgia are pushing a unified long-term tariff model for the Trans-Caspian route, with port and Caspian shipping upgrades aimed at boosting containerized cargo. Trade Facilitation: Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan agreed to fully switch from paper to electronic freight permits, aiming for faster, more transparent cross-border procedures. Regional Development Finance: The ADB says it will expand Kazakhstan’s co-financing model to other economies, using shared funding to build capacity and prepare investment projects. Culture & Industry Showcase: Pavlodar region promoted locally made products and IT projects at an Astana fair, reporting over 1 million tenge in sales on opening day.

EU-Kazakhstan Deal Push: President Tokayev’s Brussels visit wrapped with Kazakhstan and the EU signing strategic documents and about €10bn in commercial agreements, including major aviation and rail contracts, as Astana positions the EU as its top trade and investment partner. AI Supply-Chain Diplomacy: Kazakhstan joined the US-led Pax Silica initiative, signing a declaration on accession and an “AI Opportunity” joint statement, with officials pointing to AI education partnerships and plans tied to semiconductors and critical minerals processing. Regional Tech for Disaster Response: Kazakhstan scientists joined China and Central Asian partners in signing a plan for the “Tianwu Constellation,” a satellite network meant to share remote-sensing data for earthquakes, pests, and glacial-flood risks. Energy and Transit Pressure Points: Kazakhstan’s wider connectivity agenda also shows up in the region’s logistics—new wheat shipments are moving Russia-to-Armenia via Azerbaijan, underscoring how corridor politics affect food flows. Governance and Rights: PACE commended Kazakhstan’s constitutional referendum as a governance reform milestone, praising moves toward accountability and constitutional justice. Foreign Policy Sign-Off: Kazakh FM Yermek Kosherbayev met Azerbaijan’s outgoing ambassador and awarded him the Order of Dostyq for strengthening bilateral ties.

Pax Silica AI Push: Kazakhstan has joined the US-led Pax Silica initiative, signing a declaration on accession and an “AI Opportunity” joint statement at the Washington summit, with officials saying it will open paths for investment, tech transfer, and high-tech training. Regional Tech & Security: The same week, China and Central Asian partners signed on to build the “Tianwu Constellation,” a satellite network for remote-sensing data to support disaster prediction and monitoring. Governance Reform Watch: PACE commended Kazakhstan’s March 2026 constitutional referendum as a milestone for governance reform and constitutional justice, praising ongoing dialogue with the Council of Europe. Energy & Environment: World Bank data shows global gas flaring rose again in 2025 to a six-year high, while Kazakhstan’s own energy resilience remains under pressure amid regional disruptions. Conservation Milestone: Kazakhstan’s saiga population has surpassed 4.6 million after spring surveys, reinforcing its role in global saiga recovery. Transport & Trade: Rail freight between Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan jumped sharply in early 2026, reflecting momentum on the North-South corridor. Diplomatic Ties: Kazakhstan’s foreign minister awarded Azerbaijan’s outgoing ambassador the Order of Dostyq, underscoring the strategic partnership.

Central Asia Security & Diplomacy: CSTO says the main regional challenge remains militant threats spilling from Afghanistan’s northern border, with plans to intensify joint counter-terror efforts. AI Governance: Civil servants at the UN Public Service Forum debated how to use AI in public administration while protecting transparency, data protection, and meaningful human involvement. Space & Disaster Tech: China and Central Asian partners signed an agreement to build the “Tianwu” satellite constellation for shared disaster monitoring, including earthquakes and glacial-flood risks. AI Supply Chains: Kazakhstan joined 35 countries backing the US-led Pax Silica push for trusted, resilient AI supply chains. Energy Shock: Kazakhstan cut output at the Karachaganak field after a Russian gas-plant shutdown linked to a drone attack, underscoring how Ukraine-Russia strikes ripple into Astana’s energy balance. Domestic Policy: Kazakhstan tightened rules on early pension withdrawals, raising the minimum “sufficiency” thresholds by up to 79% to curb housing-market and inflation concerns. Human Rights: Amnesty International condemned the detention of Batikha Bilashkyzy as apparently politically motivated, calling for her release and fair-trial guarantees. Regional Connectivity: Tokayev said Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan and Georgia are working on a unified long-term tariff model for the Middle Corridor.

Pension Reform: Kazakhstan has tightened early access to Unified Accumulative Pension Fund withdrawals, raising the “minimum sufficiency” thresholds by up to 79% and sharply limiting who can pull money before retirement. EU Migration Policy: The EU is pushing ahead with a Return Regulation that could expand detention and “return hubs,” with Kazakhstan reportedly among potential destinations under discussion. Kurultai Politics: Parliament’s final budget debate before the July 1 shift to a single-chamber Kurultai highlighted political stakes ahead of August elections, as deputies questioned the government over income trends despite reported growth. Energy Security: Kazakhstan cut Karachaganak output by over 25% after Ukraine struck a Russian gas processing facility tied to Kazakh supplies, while officials also weigh aviation fuel diversification. Middle Corridor Logistics: Astana says it’s working on a unified long-term tariff model for the Middle Corridor and plans a private-financed cargo terminal at Iran’s Bandar Abbas to open South and Southeast Asian routes. Kazakhstan–China Trade: Talks with China aim to nearly double trade toward $100 billion, with 2026 turnover already up strongly. Human Rights: A joint Central Asia statement warns torture prevention still fails in practice due to weak oversight and accountability, while a Kazakh activist alleges his sister may be repatriated to China after detention. International Diplomacy: Kazakhstan-EU expert talks on visa facilitation and readmission are complete, pending domestic procedures.

EU–Kazakhstan Connectivity: President Tokayev’s Brussels visit produced a push to deepen the strategic partnership, with leaders highlighting Global Gateway links, the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor, aviation and visa facilitation progress, plus a major business package. AI Supply Chains: Kazakhstan joined the US-led Pax Silica push, where 35 countries signed a statement on AI opportunity and backed “trusted” supply chains; the US also unveiled PaxPass to speed movement of critical AI goods. Digital Finance: The Kazakhstan Stock Exchange listed US-based crypto ETFs under its KASE Global framework, including Solana and BlackRock Ethereum products—another step in Kazakhstan’s regulated digital-asset rollout. Energy Security: Kazakhstan plans to exempt Chinese gasoline imports from duties to stabilize domestic supply amid Russia’s shifting role, while noting aviation kerosene remains the key gap. Humanitarian & Diplomacy: Astana sent a specialist medical team to Afghanistan for complex surgeries and delivered additional humanitarian aid; Tokayev also sent condolences to Venezuela after the earthquake. Legislative Agenda: The Kazakh Senate is set to debate environmental, security and economic bills, including second readings and international agreements on water and other areas. Regional Cooperation: Kazakhstan and Thailand signed a 2027–2028 action plan to expand trade, logistics, green energy, minerals and tourism.

EU–Kazakhstan Reset: President Tokayev’s Brussels visit deepened the EU strategic partnership, with talks focused on critical raw materials, energy, transport, digitalization, and the Trans-Caspian corridor, alongside progress on visa facilitation and a horizontal aviation deal. Constitution in Motion: Kazakhstan’s new Basic Law sets a July 1, 2026 start date, stressing sovereignty, rights, law and order, unity, and a push toward education, science, and innovation. Digital Connectivity: Starlink satellite internet is being rolled out on the Astana–Semey–Dostyk rail route to expand service access in coverage gaps. Human Rights Cooperation: Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan agreed to expand cooperation on human rights, including information exchange and monitoring. Media & State Honors: Tokayev marked Media Workers’ Day, praising journalists’ role in society, and awarded staff from the President’s TV and Radio Complex. Economy & Jobs: Kazakhstan’s unemployment rate fell to 4.5%, with officials urging the public to rely on official statistics. Finance & Tech Markets: KASE listed US-based crypto ETFs (Solana and Ethereum) under its global framework, while Kaspi.kz received Turkish regulator approval to acquire Rabobank A.Ş. AI Supply Chain Politics: Kazakhstan is set to join the US-led Pax Silica AI supply initiative, as Europe debates the cost to its AI independence. Transport & Trade Links: Kazakhstan and EU moved toward a visa facilitation agreement, while Kazakhstan–China talks targeted deeper trade and investment, including a goal of $100bn.

Bilateral Diplomacy: President Tokayev spoke by phone with Uzbek President Mirziyoyev, praising the “rapid development” of Kazakh-Uzbek ties and agreeing to push ahead on Bukhara accords, plus upcoming bilateral events. Energy Security: Russia is reportedly negotiating with Kazakhstan to import about 50,000 tons of AI-92 gasoline after Ukrainian drone attacks cut Russian refinery output by around 25%; Kazakhstan’s energy minister says no official request has been received, while planned Atyrau refinery maintenance could tighten local reserves. Digital Governance & Infrastructure: Kazakhstan is preparing a demand-driven digital smart grid project, with work in Astana focused on energy market aggregators and digital consumer profiles to boost efficiency, reliability, and cybersecurity. Regional Development Finance: The Eurasian Development Bank’s annual meeting and business forum opened in Almaty, with Prime Minister Bektenov urging joint projects across sustainable development, digital tech, Islamic finance, and transport for landlocked states. Press Freedom: Human rights defenders marked the Kazakh journalists’ professional holiday by highlighting ongoing criminal cases and trials involving media figures, including KazTAG editor-in-chief Amir Kassenov. AI & Investment: SuperX AI Technology met Prime Minister Bektenov at Summer Davos to discuss a phased 1GW AI computing park plan for Kazakhstan’s digitalization push. Water Management: Kazakhstan plans to automate 283 irrigation canals in 2026, including 195 in Turkestan, Zhambyl and Almaty, alongside a national water resources information system and early forecasting tools. Legislation: Tokayev signed a package of laws covering science and science-intensive areas, education and healthcare, mechanical engineering and transport development, enforcement proceedings, and digitalization plus personal data protection and advanced tech regulation in transport.

EU-Kazakhstan Connectivity Push: In Brussels, President Tokayev and EU leaders adopted a joint statement and advanced aviation and visa facilitation talks, while endorsing a major Air Astana Airbus A320neo order worth over €7bn and reporting a business package above $12bn. Middle Corridor Logistics: Tokayev also backed a unified long-term tariff model with Georgia and Azerbaijan for the Middle Corridor, alongside port and dredging plans, while Kazakhstan’s Aktau Port dredging is set to start in July and finish by end-2026 to boost TITR capacity. Energy & Security Spillovers: Reuters reports Russia is negotiating to import about 50,000 tons of AI-92 gasoline from Kazakhstan after refinery disruptions tied to the war and maintenance pressures; separately, Ukraine struck Russia’s Orenburg gas and helium facilities, underscoring regional energy vulnerability. Regional Climate Risk Cooperation: A RESILAND CA+ dialogue opened in Bishkek to coordinate climate risk reduction and resilient landscape restoration across Central Asia, including Kazakhstan. Business & Tech Investment: SuperX is considering a Kazakhstan AI data center cluster up to 1 GW, and Kaspi.kz received Turkish regulatory approval to acquire Rabobank A.Ş. Domestic Accountability: KazTAG reports National Guard soldier Mukhtar Yerbayan has died, reigniting scrutiny of military incident narratives, while KazTAG editor-in-chief Amir Kassenov received a journalists’ union gold medal.

EU-Kazakhstan Strategic Reset: President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev wrapped talks in Brussels with EU leaders António Costa and Ursula von der Leyen, backing a deeper “Enhanced Partnership” push focused on the Trans-Caspian Middle Corridor, critical raw materials, energy, digitalization, and visa facilitation/readmission. Big Deal Numbers: The visit produced commercial agreements and memoranda worth over $12 billion, with Tokayev stressing the EU is Kazakhstan’s top trade and investment partner (trade above $45bn in 2025) and highlighting expected implementation of a strategic roadmap on batteries and green hydrogen. Transport Capacity Push: Kazakhstan is moving to expand Middle Corridor logistics, including planned large-scale dredging at Aktau Port by end-2026 to raise annual cargo capacity targets. AI & Digital Governance: Kazakhstan showcased its AI-Native Government model at a UN digital event, while EU talks also covered digital transformation and emerging technologies. Regional Diplomacy: Separately, Bangladesh PM Tarique Rahman met Kazakhstan PM Oljas Bektenov in Dalian, agreeing to establish permanent diplomatic missions in Dhaka and Astana to boost ties.

EU-Kazakhstan Strategic Reset: President Tokayev met EU leaders in Brussels and signed a joint strategic declaration plus deals on connectivity and critical raw materials, with Ursula von der Leyen calling Kazakhstan a “global gateway” and a “pathway” to jobs and prosperity. Aviation, Visas, and Transport: A Horizontal Aviation Agreement opens EU airline access to Kazakh airspace; talks also advanced visa facilitation and readmission, while an EIB framework loan of up to €150m targets Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor rail and road upgrades. Middle Corridor Momentum: Brussels also saw a €462m package of transport agreements with European partners to boost the Middle Corridor’s capacity, modernize terminals, and digitalize logistics. Science and AI Push (Belgium): Kazakhstan and Belgium signed cooperation on AI, science, higher education, and space tech, including a mirror lab with Ghent University and joint work on critical raw materials and AI-driven metallurgy. China Ties at Summer Davos: In Dalian, PM Olzhas Bektenov met Chinese Premier Li Qiang as trade and connectivity cooperation were highlighted, reinforcing Kazakhstan–China investment and logistics links. Regional Connectivity Agenda: The EU launched a Connectivity Agenda Platform linking the Black Sea, South Caucasus, and Central Asia—Kazakhstan among the participating states.

EU-Kazakhstan Talks in Brussels: President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev arrived in Brussels and framed the Kazakhstan–EU partnership as “more important than ever,” stressing resilience, connectivity (especially the Middle Corridor), and new opportunities for citizens; he also met Kazakh students and professionals in Belgium ahead of talks with EU leaders. Middle Corridor & Logistics: A Brussels business conference backed by Kazakhstan’s Foreign Ministry focused on Trans-Caspian transport links, digitalization, and Global Gateway alignment, with agreements signed to support transport and logistics; the EU sees Kazakhstan as a key Eurasian connector. Human Rights Pressure: Rights groups IPHR and KIBHR urged the EU to raise human rights during Tokayev’s visit, warning negotiations should not sidestep rights concerns. Afghanistan Engagement Without Recognition: Kazakhstan reiterated “pragmatic engagement without recognition” toward Afghanistan, linking cooperation to security and shared threats while pointing to UN Security Council rules. Water Diplomacy Deal: Kazakh and Afghan universities signed a plan to create a Kabul-based water resources and irrigation research center at Kabul University. Trade House in Kabul: Kazakhstan opened a Kabul trade house to expand exports and services, including a zinc ore supply contract. Regional Context: The week also included coverage of Caspian seal deaths and broader regional connectivity projects, underscoring Kazakhstan’s role in Central Asia’s security and trade networks.

EU-Kazakhstan Track: President Tokayev’s Brussels trip is pushing a practical agenda with EU leaders and business on critical minerals, transport, investment and visa facilitation, with both sides framing the next phase around resilience, connectivity and new opportunities for citizens. Middle Corridor & Logistics: A Kazakhstan-EU logistics conference in Belgium focused on boosting TITR capacity, modernizing rail/ports/terminals, digitalizing freight and linking the corridor to the EU’s Global Gateway. Afghanistan Water & Security: Kazakhstan and Afghanistan signed plans to create a Kabul-based water resources management and sustainable agriculture center, while talks also covered anti-drug and extremism cooperation, including training canine specialists and modernizing a nitrogen plant in Mazar-i-Sharif. Trade Expansion: Kazakhstan opened a new trade house in Kabul (building on the Herat site) to showcase exports and support zinc ore supply deals. Domestic Policy: Kazakhstan’s education funding rose to 6.99 trillion tenge in 2025, with wages the dominant spending item. Finance & Markets: Fitch affirmed Kazakhstan’s BBB sovereign rating with a stable outlook, and the EDB gained direct access to China’s interbank bond market (CIBM). Tech & Security: Kazakhstan’s Interior Ministry opened a drone training lab for police operations. Regional Capital: Alem Capital anchored a $25M final close of a Central Asia VC fund-of-funds, signaling deeper Kazakh institutional backing for regional startups.

Kazakhstan–Uzbekistan Education Ties: Ministers discussed expanding the education partnership, including teacher training, professional development, and using AI in classrooms, while Kazakhstan’s Majilis also ratified an agreement on joint management of transboundary water facilities. EU Human Rights Pressure: As President Tokayev heads to Brussels for talks with EU leaders, civil society groups urged the EU to keep human rights concerns central in the deepening strategic partnership. Tokayev Meets Poland’s Senate Marshal: Tokayev received Malgorzata Kidawa-Blonska, focusing on strengthening bilateral relations and parliamentary cooperation. Regional Water-and-Energy Coordination: Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan met in Bishkek to align operations for the 2026–2027 heating and growing seasons, including electricity supply coordination linked to the Toktogul Reservoir. Afghanistan Mediation and Trade: Deputy PM Serik Zhumangarin said Astana is ready to mediate between Afghanistan and Pakistan if requested, alongside continued humanitarian and economic engagement. Astana’s Logistics Push: Kazakhstan is pursuing an Afghanistan-linked railway corridor as an alternative to constrained east-west routes, with agreements and partners including UAE and Uzbekistan. Energy and Trade Context: A new Kazakhstan–EU strategic partnership narrative highlights resilience, connectivity, and citizen-focused opportunities amid shifting geopolitical trade risks.