Written by: Dr. Abdul Rahim Abdul Wahid
Writer and analyst on development affairs and international politics
Astana – The Astana International Forum 2025 will take place in Astana under the auspices of the President of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, from May 29 to 30, as it continues its mission of fostering cross-border dialogues on international diplomacy and cooperation.
Kazinform News Agency said that the forum will be held under the theme “Connecting Minds, Shaping the Future,” and discuss the global disruption and polarization, and bring together government leaders, business executives, and academics to explore practical solutions to the world’s most pressing challenges,
Three Core Themes
Divided into three core themes – Foreign Policy and International Security, Energy and Climate Change, and Economy and Finance – the event’s program will feature high-level one-on-one sessions with heads of state and industry leaders, as well as larger panel discussions with renown experts and policymakers.
Reflecting the Forum’s commitment to building new partnerships and facilitating cooperation, each session will aim to generate fresh perspectives on the diplomatic, economic, and social issues that will define the next decade. This year’s Forum aims to set the agenda for a new era of multilateralism and diplomacy.
The Astana International Forum is a clear symbol of this commitment. Building on the success of the 2023 Forum – which welcomed more than 5,000 international attendees – this year’s participants will address the critical issues shaping the future of the international system, as well as emerging trends impacting key sectors.
AIF2025 takes place amid intense global competition for investment and serves as a testament to Kazakhstan’s openness to the world. The country continues to solidify its position in Central Asia, drawing the attention of leading global corporations and financial institutions.
Comprehensive reforms, legislative modernization, and a steadily enhancing investment climate are unlocking new economic opportunities and driving national development.
Open Dialogue
The forum aims to be a pivotal platform for open dialogue, foreign investment attraction, strategic agreement signings, and the advancement of initiatives focused on sustainable economic growth.
In the lead-up to AIF2025, several business forums will be held to deepen economic partnerships with Kazakhstan’s key partners: Kazakhstan–France Business Forum and Kazakhstan–Italy Business Forum on May 28.
These events will create new opportunities for international collaboration, technology transfer, and the implementation of joint investment projects.
VIP Participants
Confirmed participants for AIF2025 include Paul Kagame, President of the Republic of Rwanda, Edi Rama, Prime Minister of Albania, Andrej Plenković, Prime Minister of the Republic of Croatia, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Qatar, Ban Ki-moon, 8th Secretary-General of the United Nations, Chair of the Green Growth Global Institute, and Chair of the Board of Directors of the Boao Forum for Asia, Alain Berset, Secretary-General of the Council of Europe, Qu Dongyu, Director-General of the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and other figures.
In 2025, AIF will focus on three core themes on the global agenda: foreign policy and international security, energy and climate change and economy and finance.
With its strategic location and growing international engagement, Kazakhstan is playing an increasingly active role in facilitating cross-border cooperation during times of geopolitical strain. A historic link between East and West, the country has long advocated for an inclusive international system and remains firmly committed to achieving this goal.
Registration for the event is now open, and interested participants can sign up here: https://astanainternationalforum.org/
Recall that in 2024 the Head of State cancelled the Astana International Forum as part of a cost-cutting measure as the country battled the aftermath of the unprecedented flooding and provided aid to its citizens.
