Could this be Kazakhstan’s moment? The world’s largest landlocked country is deepening economic ties with a range of nations, implementing a plethora of domestic reforms, and presenting itself as pragmatic international actor that seeks cordial relations with all others. It is also working on several fronts to solidify its status as an important trade, transport and finance hub situated between Western Europe and East Asia.
Kazakhstan will receive more attention than usual this week as hundreds of international delegates pour into its modern capital for the inaugural Astana International Forum. Senior representatives of international firms, foreign governments and international organizations are gathering to discuss solutions to major challenges related to climate change, international security, and the cloudy global economic outlook. The host government intends to use the forum to advance peace, sustainability, international cooperation, and dialogue.
Prominent speakers include the Emir of Qatar, managing director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), non-executive chairman of Goldman Sachs International, and directors general of the World Trade Organization and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. More than 130 journalists have registered to attend the event. Astana, it seems, is to be the place to be this week.
