AGP Executive Report

Belgium Ties: King Philippe and Queen Mathilde’s state visit is strengthening cooperation with Kazakhstan, including a 2027–29 foreign-ministry roadmap and plans for education, AI, minerals and transport links. President Tokayev said Belgium has invested more than $15 billion in Kazakhstan since 2005. Economy: Kazakhstan’s economy grew 4.2% in the first nine months of 2026, while the country recorded its first current-account surplus in three years. The central bank plans to trim gold’s share of reserves, now about 78%, to 75%. Transport and Energy: Kazakhstan is expanding oil transit via Azerbaijan and exploring renewed freight traffic on the Irtysh River, linking China with Siberia. Governance and Technology: Snap elections for local councils are set for November 29. The government is also pushing its Digital Qazaqstan strategy, with plans to expand AI, high-speed internet and data-centre capacity.

Economic Growth: Kazakhstan’s economy expanded 4.2% in the first nine months of 2026, led by non-resource industries, which grew 5.4%. Construction, manufacturing, transport and trade drove more than three-quarters of growth. Harvest: Farmers have collected 23 million tonnes of grain, with 96% of the crop harvested; oilseed production is also on course for a record above 5 million tonnes. Oil: Output fell 8.3% year-on-year to 69.4 million tonnes, but the government says it has cut the production shortfall from 5.9 million tonnes to 1.9 million and expects full-year output of 96 million tonnes. Belgium Ties: King Philippe and Queen Mathilde’s state visit brought new agreements on education and research, alongside plans to connect Aktau and Kuryk ports with Antwerp-Bruges and expand cooperation in AI and technology. Politics and Cost of Living: Kazakhstan has scheduled snap elections for local councils on November 29. The government also aims to keep inflation below 10% and is preparing proposals to reduce housing down payments.

Regional Diplomacy: Kazakhstan and Belgium signed a 2027–29 cooperation roadmap during King Philippe and Queen Mathilde’s state visit. The Philippines also welcomed plans to open an embassy in Astana. Digital Finance: Azerbaijan’s central bank is exploring shared fintech regulatory programmes with Kazakhstan and other Turkic states, allowing companies to test products across markets. Trade and Energy: Kazakhstan’s Trans-Caspian freight traffic rose 58% in the first eight months of 2026. At Kashagan, ExxonMobil blocked a proposed settlement of Kazakhstan’s $5.2 billion environmental fine, complicating talks over a potential investment expansion. Healthcare: Kazakhstan’s organ-transplant waiting list stands at 4,867, including 126 children. A draft policy would provide basic polyclinic care from 2027 regardless of insurance status.

Reserves: Kazakhstan’s central bank plans to trim gold’s share of reserves from 78% to 75% by year-end, citing rising U.S. Treasury yields and the need to diversify. Belgium Visit: King Philippe and Queen Mathilde’s visit brought new cooperation plans, including 12 expected higher-education agreements and partnerships on AI, mathematics and rare-metal processing. Digital Services: Drone strikes on Russian Yandex data centers disrupted some services in Kazakhstan after a facility near Vladimir went offline. Travel Alert: Kazakhstan’s Foreign Ministry urged citizens in Saudi Arabia to avoid crowds, check flights and follow local authorities’ instructions amid attacks on airports. Regional Security: Kazakhstan is among the countries taking part in CSTO military exercises in Belarus, running through October 16. Startups: Kazakhstan-founded 4sell.ai won the Baku ID regional Startup World Cup final and a place at the San Francisco finale.

Belgium Visit: King Philippe and Queen Mathilde began a three-day state visit to Kazakhstan, with talks with President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and a critical-minerals roundtable on the agenda. A 110-member delegation includes business and university leaders. Local Politics: Tokayev consulted officials on a possible early dissolution of maslikhats, saying he would decide in line with the Constitution. Judo: Kazakhstan received the IJF flag to host the 2027 World Championships in Astana, set for June 7–14 and part of the road to the Los Angeles Olympics. Grain Outlook: A Kazakh Grain Union analyst says further escalation in the Black Sea could push global wheat prices higher; prices have already risen 20–30% in three months. Kazakh Sport: Elena Rybakina remains atop the WTA rankings, while Alan Kurmangaliyev won silver at the WTT China Youth Smash and Kazakhstan claimed bronze at a Paris taekwondo Grand Prix.

Diplomacy: President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev welcomed Belgium’s King Philippe and Queen Mathilde to Astana for a state visit running through Oct. 14. Talks and events are expected to focus on trade, critical minerals and closer ties; it is the royal couple’s first state visit to a Central Asian country. Sport: Astana will host the 2027 World Judo Championships from June 7–14, the second time Kazakhstan has staged the event. Meanwhile, Yulia Putintseva swept into the Wuhan Open main draw with a straight-sets qualifying win. Aviation Safety: Kazakhstan recorded 280 aircraft bird strikes in 2025, including 228 within the country, and 27 more domestically in the first three months of 2026. Authorities say airport traffic, seasonal bird activity and location all affect the figures. Culture: A new Astana exhibition showcases Dimash Qudaibergen’s stage costumes, portraits by fans and personal musical instruments, including a dombra gifted by his grandfather.

Royal Visit: Belgium’s King Philippe and Queen Mathilde arrive in Kazakhstan for a four-day visit across Astana and Almaty, with talks on critical minerals, AI and business ties. Their 110-member delegation will also visit a children’s rehabilitation centre and the National Museum. Regional Ties: Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet is due in Astana on October 17 for talks with Kazakhstan’s leaders, after attending the CICA summit in Azerbaijan. Trade and Transport: Kazakhstan moved 241.7 million tonnes of freight by rail in the first nine months of 2026, up 3.4% year on year; grain exports rose 17.6% to 8.3 million tonnes, with stronger shipments to Central Asia, Afghanistan and China. Health Cooperation: Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan discussed training 100 doctors in specialties including oncology, cardiac surgery and pediatrics, alongside closer work on primary care and medicine production. Environment: President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said the Northern Aral Sea’s area has grown 36% and called for coordinated action to address the Caspian’s decline; Caspian states backed Kazakhstan’s proposal for a joint preservation program.

Caspian Crisis: At the Awaza summit, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev urged coordinated action to tackle falling water levels, protect Caspian seals and restore river deltas. Five Caspian states agreed to pursue a joint mechanism; Tokayev pointed to the Northern Aral Sea’s 36% expansion as proof that restoration can work. Industry: China’s Li Auto plans to begin producing vehicles at Kostanay’s Allur plant in November, with an initial capacity of 10,000 cars a year and plans to build local supply chains. Diplomacy: Belgium’s King Philippe and Queen Mathilde arrive in Kazakhstan on October 11 for talks on trade, transport, critical minerals and AI, including a stop in Almaty. Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Manet is also due in Kazakhstan on October 17. Sports: Astana hosts the final leg of the Swimming World Cup from October 15 to 17. Kazakhstan’s women’s football team, meanwhile, suffered an 8-0 defeat to Ireland in the first leg of their World Cup playoff. Security: Sayat Isanov has been appointed commander of Kazakhstan’s Special Operations Forces.

Regional Cooperation: CIS leaders met in Turkmenistan on 9 October, adopting 15 documents and naming 2029 the Year of CIS Transport Connectivity. Uzbekistan will take over the group’s chairmanship in 2027. Caspian Sea: Kazakhstan and the other four coastal states agreed to establish a commission to investigate falling water levels and develop joint responses, with its first meeting planned in Azerbaijan in 2027. The decline threatens ecosystems and shipping capacity on the Middle Corridor. Industry: A 750-billion-tenge copper smelter is planned for Balkhash, with construction due to start in 2027 and operations targeted for 2030. Healthcare: Kazakhstan has begun testing AI software to flag patients at elevated risk of chronic heart failure and help prioritize further tests. Football: Ireland thrashed Kazakhstan 8-0 in the first leg of their 2027 Women’s World Cup qualifying playoff.

Caspian Crisis: Kazakhstan’s Tokayev warned that the sea has shrunk by more than 16,000 square kilometres in 25 years. Leaders of the five coastal states called for cooperation to tackle falling water levels and their effects on ecosystems, ports and coastal communities. Health and AI: Kazakhstan is testing homegrown AI software to flag patients at risk of chronic heart failure and help doctors prioritize scans. A separate survey found 71% of residents use AI for health advice, while nearly seven in ten struggle to tell reliable information from false claims. Industry: A 750-billion-tenge copper smelter is planned for Balkhash, with construction expected to start in 2027 and production in 2030. Football: Kazakhstan’s women suffered an 8–0 defeat to Ireland in the World Cup playoff in Astana. Trade Routes: Kazakhstan is investing in the Middle Corridor, but a World Bank report says railways and ports alone will not deliver broader economic gains.

Regional Cooperation: At the Central Asia-Azerbaijan summit, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev proposed a regional AI partnership and responsible-use declaration, and urged stronger transport links. Kazakhstan also wants to integrate the Middle Corridor with the TRIPP initiative. Trade and Connectivity: Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan discussed joint projects in energy, industry, agriculture and transport. Kazakhstan and Greece are advancing an investment portfolio worth $133.5 million, including waste-processing plants and manufacturing projects. Public Services: Astana’s iKOMEK municipal platform connects about 100 agencies and handles more than 2.5 million requests a year; the city is upgrading the system. Rights and Justice: A Ukrainian woman detained in Kazakhstan at Russia’s request has been released and left for Odesa. Separately, an EU-backed academy in Almaty brought together 36 civil society representatives to strengthen their expertise in rule of law and human rights.

Regional Security: Ukraine confirmed a drone strike on Russia’s Omsk refinery, north of Kazakhstan; the extent of damage remains unclear. Regional Connectivity: At the Awaza summit, Tokayev proposed exploring links between the Middle Corridor and TRIPP to expand Caspian freight capacity. Azerbaijan joined the Central Asian leaders’ consultative format as a full participant. World Cup Playoff: Kazakhstan hosts Ireland on Friday in the first leg of a women’s 2027 World Cup qualifying semi-final. Ireland manager Carla Ward says her focus is on reaching Brazil. AI at Work: Kazakhstan’s government, employers and unions signed a declaration calling for human review of AI-driven workplace decisions. Football Governance: UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin will seek a fourth and final term at next April’s congress in Astana, as UEFA looks for a candidate to challenge FIFA president Gianni Infantino.

Regional Diplomacy: Tokayev arrived in Turkmenistan for a summit of Central Asian and Azerbaijani leaders, with ministers advancing plans for cooperation on trade, transport, energy and technology. Water Security: The five Central Asian states agreed on water distribution and reservoir operations for 2026–27, as climate pressures heighten the stakes of managing the Amu Darya and Syr Darya. Digital Finance: Kazakhstan’s central bank and Tether will study a tenge-pegged stablecoin and asset-tokenization pilots; no issuer or launch date has been set. Children Online: The government plans age-verification rules for social media users under 16, with a transition period and safeguards for personal data under consideration. Environment: The North Aral Sea has nearly doubled its water volume in two decades, and a planned Kokaral Dam upgrade aims to expand it further. Energy: Parliament approved extending Kazakhstan’s oil and petroleum-products supply agreement with Russia through 2028.

Digital Finance: Kazakhstan’s central bank and Tether will study a tenge-backed stablecoin and asset-tokenization framework; no coin has been approved or launched. Online Safety: Proposed rules would require platforms to verify users’ ages and restrict accounts for children under 16. Foreign Ties: Tokayev and a visiting UK trade minister discussed energy, transport, investment and AI. Kazakhstan and Oman also signed investment and energy agreements, with Oman set to join the Eurasian Development Bank. Health Measures: Kazakhstan has tightened border checks after a Russian lab worker’s unexplained death raised plague concerns; no outbreak has been confirmed. Caspian Sea: A newly emerged island highlights falling water levels. Kazakhstan’s sector has dropped nearly 2.5 metres in about three decades, threatening habitats and coastal infrastructure. Nuclear Preparedness: A new center, backed by the U.S., will monitor radiation and coordinate responses to nuclear emergencies as Kazakhstan develops its nuclear power plans.

Oman–Kazakhstan Deal Push: Sultan Haitham bin Tariq Al Said’s state visit to Kazakhstan produced a wide package of agreements aimed at boosting capital, energy, transport and aviation links—part of a broader Gulf-to-Central Asia pivot. Digital Connectivity: Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan are set to launch a Trans-Caspian fibre-optic line on the Aktau–Sumgayit route, strengthening the Middle Corridor with a faster, more resilient data path. Energy & Markets: OPEC+ kept November output targets steady, while Kazakhstan’s oil sector continues to navigate operational losses and fuel excise duty changes; the KASE index inched up 0.37% to 7,846.74. Infrastructure & Transport: Kazakhstan reported 19,140 km of roads built or repaired over 2023–2025, and Aktau port is starting dredging to support a 30% freight expansion. Public Safety & Finance: Kazakhstan’s crime fell 15% in the first nine months; the tenge strengthened in September amid FX surplus, alongside tighter rules affecting money transfers. Culture & Tech in the Spotlight: Almaty-area audiences get a glimpse of Kazakhstan’s growing AI-and-film push as officials met Jackie Chan’s team, while a plein air exhibition opens at Khatai Arts Center on Oct 10.

Gold Reserves: Central banks kept up strong gold buying in August, adding 39 net tonnes, led by China, Uzbekistan and Poland, with 170 tonnes bought year-to-date. Oman–Kazakhstan Ties: Sultan Haitham’s state visit to Kazakhstan wrapped with new agreements and MoUs, including investment, air services, a joint fund between Samruk Kazyna and Oman Investment Authority, and plans to deepen trade and financial cooperation. Trade & Logistics: Kazakhstan is moving cross-border trade hubs into implementation, with new logistics and production projects expanding gateways such as Khorgos, aiming to boost non-resource exports. Health Alert in Region: Russia’s reported plague scare in Irkutsk continues to drive hospital screening and border health checks across Central Asia, as officials insist the situation is calm while questions linger over transparency. Security & Accountability: Kazakhstan detained a former Navy commander over negligence linked to deadly Caspian Sea exercises, as investigations continue after servicemen deaths. Sports: Kazakhstan’s Aiganym Assylan won gold in women’s cadet sambo, while Lucía Borregales took silver for Venezuela.