Astana International Forum - The Times Of Central Asia

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Trade

Kazakhstan to Launch First International Outlet Center

An agreement to establish Kazakhstan’s first international outlet center has been signed at the Astana International Forum. According to the Ministry of Trade and Integration, the large-scale project will be located in the Almaty region and developed by QSM Group in partnership with Austria’s Ekazent Management GmbH, a leading player in the European commercial real estate market. Ekazent will oversee the entire planning and operational framework for the outlet center. This includes conducting a marketing study to determine the optimal location, defining the architectural and functional concept, developing a long-term management strategy, and managing day-to-day operations after the center opens. The Austrian firm will also be responsible for attracting international brands and tenants to the retail spaces. The future outlet center will span between 80,000 and 120,000 square meters and will include shopping galleries, hotels, restaurants, playgrounds, and other leisure facilities. Kazakhstan’s Minister of Trade and Integration, Arman Shakkaliyev, hailed the project as a milestone for the country’s retail sector. “Today, there are no Western-style outlet centers in Central Asia, which creates a unique competitive advantage. Kazakhstani consumers show consistent interest in branded goods and lifestyle-oriented shopping,” Shakkaliyev said. He also emphasized the strategic value of the Almaty region’s location, noting its proximity to the capitals of Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan and well-established transport corridors from China, Turkey, the UAE, and Russia. The outlet is expected to become a major attraction for both residents and international visitors. Globally, the outlet retail market exceeds $100 billion and continues to grow at an annual rate of 5-7%, with the fastest expansion occurring in Asia. The announcement coincided with the broader discussions at the Astana International Forum, which brought together leaders from several countries to address key global issues such as energy security, geopolitical cooperation, trade, and sustainable development.

Trans-Caspian Route

Kazakhstan Emphasizes Strategic Role of Trans-Caspian Route at Astana Forum

Kazakhstan is positioning the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR), also known as the Middle Corridor, as a cornerstone of sustainable logistics across Eurasia. Speaking at a panel session on May 29 during the Astana International Forum, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Alibek Kuantyrov outlined the country's ambitions to transform the route into a vital artery for regional connectivity. The session, co-organized with the Boao Forum for Asia, featured high-profile participants, including Boao Forum Chairman and former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. Kuantyrov highlighted that Kazakhstan boasts over 3,500 kilometers of strategic railway infrastructure linking China to Caspian Sea ports. In the coming years, annual cargo volumes along the TITR are projected to reach 10 million tons. “The TITR is not just a logistics route; it is an infrastructure of trust, efficiency, and growth,” Kuantyrov said. “Kazakhstan is committed to both physical and digital integration. We are already seeing tangible outcomes: in March 2024, a container train from Xi’an [China] reached Azerbaijan in just 11 days, including only three days traversing Kazakhstan.” This efficiency, Kuantyrov explained, was enabled by key infrastructure improvements such as the upgrade of the Dostyk-Moiynty railway section, development of the Khorgos logistics hub on the Kazakh-Chinese border, and the implementation of digital customs technologies. Kazakhstan is investing over $35 billion in infrastructure development, including new railways, the expansion of the Aktau and Kuryk ports, and the creation of a container hub in partnership with international investors. “Our objective is not merely transit,” Kuantyrov added. “Kazakhstan views the TITR as a foundation for industrial development and sustainable integration into global supply chains.” To further enhance east-west cargo flow, the country is constructing second tracks along the 836-kilometer Dostyk-Moiynty section. According to Kazakhstan Temir Zholy, the national railway operator, the additional tracks are set to open in June. These upgrades are expected to increase the line’s capacity fivefold from 12 to 60 train pairs per day.

Astana International Forum

Video: “Connecting Minds, Shaping the Future,” – Astana International Forum 2025

The Astana International Forum 2025 aims to address global challenges, foster international cooperation, and strengthen Kazakhstan's role as a bridge between regions and powers. The Times of Central Asia is in attendance, bringing you all the latest developments. [video width="1920" height="1080" mp4="https://timesca.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/IMG_5189-1.mp4"][/video] Follow our special coverage on the Astana International Forum here.

Astana International Forum

Can Kazakhstan Lead Small and Middle Powers in Reforming the UN?

ASTANA – The United Nations, envisioned as a pillar of global cooperation, has often struggled to rise to the challenges it was created to address. Its inability to bridge cultural divides hampers meaningful solutions to regional issues, while structural weaknesses and the exclusion of diverse regional voices from the Security Council deepen its shortcomings. Compounding these flaws is the frequent deadlock among permanent members, whose competing agendas stifle consensus and action. These inefficiencies cast doubt on the organization's ability to hear and respond to regional voices, grievances, and expectations in a rapidly changing world. Amid these persistent challenges within the United Nations, Kazakhstan's proactive stance on global issues highlights its potential to lead efforts toward fostering peace and addressing critical gaps in international cooperation. For example, although Kazakhstan prioritizes nuclear energy in its national strategy, it simultaneously remains committed to advocating for the non-proliferation of nuclear and biological weapons. Such an approach, combined with its balanced foreign policy, enables the largest Central Asian nation to seek to position itself as a leading advocate for global peace. But how realistic is that in the current geopolitical climate? As conflicts and wars continue to rage around the world, leaders from several countries have gathered in Kazakhstan’s capital, Astana, for the Astana International Forum (AIF) to discuss key global challenges ranging from energy security and geopolitical cooperation to international trade and sustainable development. For Kazakhstan’s leadership, the event serves as an ideal opportunity to reaffirm its aspiration to position the country as a middle power. According to the Central Asian state’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, it is middle powers that should be prepared to take on greater multilateral responsibilities. “We all should strongly remain adherent to the United Nations Charter with no biased and selective approaches to its principles,” Tokayev said on May 29 in calling for the expansion of the United Nations Security Council that, in his view, should include broader regional representation. This idea was firmly supported by President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova of North Macedonia, who numbered among the major guests in Astana. She argues that small countries, along with middle powers, should be "the greatest advocates of effective multilateralism," as they stand to gain the most from institutions like the United Nations. “The Security Council should be expanded, reformed and democratized to make it more accountable and more responsible in maintaining international peace and security,” Siljanovska-Davkova stressed, adding that the international institution “should take its rightful place as a principal representative body, not only for debate and deliberative democracy but also for policymaking.” The problem, however, is that major global powers, as permanent members of the UN Security Council, are unlikely to voluntarily relinquish their positions within the organization. Small and middle powers will, therefore, undoubtedly have to work hard to achieve their ambitious geopolitical goals. In the meantime, they are expected to continue developing bilateral relations. “The task before us is clear – to preserve cooperation where it still exists and to restore it where it has broken down. We must widen this...

Digital Development

At AIF, Tokayev Proposes “CryptoCity” as Pilot Zone for Digital Innovation

Kazakhstan plans to establish a pilot zone named "CryptoCity" to facilitate the free circulation of cryptocurrencies, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev announced at the Astana International Forum (AIF). “We plan to create an innovative pilot zone called CryptoCity, where cryptocurrencies can be used to purchase goods, services, and for other purposes,” Tokayev stated. The president highlighted Kazakhstan's progress in digital transformation, positioning the country as a potential Eurasian IT hub. He also outlined ambitions for Kazakhstan to become an academic and innovation center through partnerships with foreign universities and increased research and development. “Kazakhstan is launching the most powerful supercomputer, which has already been delivered to the country,” Tokayev said, referencing a recent agreement between the Ministry of Digital Development, Innovation and Aerospace Industry and Presight AI Ltd. The system, boasting a performance of about 2 exaflops, was developed under a strategic partnership with G42, an Abu Dhabi-based technology group. Cryptocurrency regulation remains a divisive issue in Kazakhstan. While the National Bank supports liberalizing the sector, several members of parliament are advocating for increased state control. Tokayev used the economic forum to reaffirm Kazakhstan's commitment to innovation as a tool for societal development. “Our primary task is to reduce regional disparities and strengthen the middle class. That is why we continue to bolster our capabilities in key sectors, from digital technologies and artificial intelligence to clean energy and high value-added manufacturing,” he said. He also emphasized regional cooperation: “Kazakhstan is ready to share its emerging IT capabilities with its neighbors and collaborate with all countries interested in fostering economic ties.” Reflecting on global trends, Tokayev warned of growing protectionism and weakening multilateralism. “There are different scenarios for the future, some offer opportunities, others harbor risks. Will we see inclusive progress or destructive fragmentation? This depends not on the declarations of a few, but on the cooperation of the majority,” he concluded.

Security

Tokayev Backs Expansion of UN Security Council for Greater Global Representation

Kazakhstan's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has called for expanding the United Nations Security Council to better reflect contemporary global dynamics. Speaking at the Astana International Forum (AIF), he emphasized that reforming the UN’s most powerful body is essential to restoring trust and maintaining international peace and security. The Security Council currently consists of 15 members, five permanent (the United States, China, Russia, France, and the United Kingdom) and ten non-permanent members elected for two-year terms by the UN General Assembly. “Kazakhstan supports the expansion of the UN Security Council to include broader regional representation,” Tokayev stated. “This year, we celebrate the 80th anniversary of the United Nations. Founded in 1945 by 51 states in the aftermath of a devastating global war, the UN envisioned a more peaceful and secure world. Today, it has grown to 193 member states.” Tokayev criticized the Council’s structure as outdated. “The gap between institutional design, frozen in the post-World War II era, and modern realities undermines both trust in the UN and its effectiveness. Critical decisions affecting billions should not rest in the hands of only a few,” he argued. He called for a structural overhaul of the Council to ensure its continued relevance, emphasizing that major powers must recommit to the foundational principles of peace, security, and respect for the territorial integrity of all nations. Highlighting the scale of current global unrest, Tokayev noted that 52 countries were in active armed conflict last year. The economic toll from these hostilities reached an estimated US$19 trillion, approximately 13.5% of global GDP. “Beyond the staggering numbers lies a more troubling reality,” he said. “Modern conflicts are becoming longer, more complex, and increasingly involve non-state actors. Many are rooted in deep historical and structural contradictions.” Tokayev emphasized the growing role of so-called “middle powers” in shaping a fairer and more inclusive world order. “Middle powers must be ready to assume greater responsibility in rethinking global governance,” he concluded. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, the 2025 Astana International Forum, themed “Uniting Minds, Shaping the Future,” gathered global leaders, international organizations, investors, businesspeople, and policy experts in Kazakhstan’s capital.