By Dr. Abdulrahim Ibrahim Abdulwahid
Astana – At a pivotal moment in its modern history, and amidst a rapidly changing global context, the Republic of Kazakhstan has launched a new international media campaign under the striking and inspiring slogan: “Born Bold.” This campaign is not a typical promotional effort, but rather part of a comprehensive strategic vision that aims to reintroduce Kazakhstan to the world as a confident, ambitious, open, and proactive nation across various sectors. It reflects a modern national identity, translates deep internal transformations, and signals the country’s determination to move steadily into the future—empowered by its rich cultural heritage, a young and creative population, and vast strategic resources.
This campaign, overseen by the Kazakh government in partnership with Kazakh Invest and supported by international experts in nation branding and investment promotion, distinguishes itself in both substance and form. It does not merely highlight Kazakhstan’s economic, geographic, or tourism strengths, but places the Kazakh person at its heart: the ambitious, educated youth, equipped with the tools of the digital age, who are the true driving force behind the country’s transformation. This new generation is portrayed as the latent power that will propel Kazakhstan into the ranks of developed nations in the decades to come.
The roots of this bold new approach lie in the vision of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, who has emphasized in many of his speeches that the Kazakh people are inherently brave, and that the spirit of resilience and overcoming adversity is deeply embedded in the national character. This idea was clearly expressed during the opening of the World Nomad Games, where he noted that Kazakhs, like their nomadic ancestors, embody courage, perseverance, and adaptability. Hence, the choice of the phrase “Born Bold” is not merely a slogan, but a mindset that sees boldness in change and modernization as a key to achieving developmental breakthroughs.
Economically, Kazakhstan starts from a position of strength. It is the largest economy in Central Asia, but is now striving to move beyond the traditional model of raw material exports toward a knowledge- and innovation-driven economy. In 2023, the country recorded 5.1% growth and aims to double its GDP to $450 billion by 2029, targeting annual growth of 6–7%. This strategy centers on developing promising sectors like renewable energy, artificial intelligence, digitalization, and financial services.
Energy plays a central role in this vision. Kazakhstan has immense potential in clean energy, especially solar and wind, and is the world’s largest uranium exporter, positioning it as a major player in the global transition to a low-carbon economy. The country also aims to export green energy across Eurasia via new routes such as the Middle Green Corridor, leveraging its strategic geographic location and advanced infrastructure linking it to China, Europe, Russia, and South Asia.
In terms of the investment climate, Kazakhstan has undertaken concrete steps to attract foreign investment and improve the business environment through legal and regulatory reforms, and the development of advanced financial hubs—most notably the Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC), which operates under English common law and offers a competitive business setting, independent arbitration, and an international court. Since independence, Kazakhstan has attracted over $440 billion in FDI and aims to attract an additional $150 billion by 2029 to support infrastructure, energy, technology, and industry projects.
In transport and logistics, Kazakhstan occupies a vital position connecting East and West. It is a key land transit point for over 80% of overland trade between Asia and Europe. The country is working on developing 13 international corridors (5 rail, 8 road) to bolster its role as a global trade hub. A standout project is the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (the “Middle Corridor”), which is seeing consistent growth and includes international partners from Europe, China, and Central Asia. Kazakhstan is also expanding Caspian Sea ports, dry ports, supply chains, and shipbuilding industries to enhance control over regional trade flows.
Climate and sustainability are central to Kazakhstan’s future vision. At the COP28 Summit in Dubai, the country joined the Just Energy Transition Partnership and committed to long-term carbon neutrality. It also launched a regional climate and green energy office in Almaty, and is preparing to host a regional climate summit in 2026 in collaboration with the United Nations. These initiatives reflect growing environmental awareness and Kazakhstan’s commitment to global solutions.
In parallel, Kazakhstan has an ambitious agenda in water and food security, addressing the regional challenges of water scarcity and shrinking agricultural resources. The country plans to host the “One Water Summit” in partnership with France to boost global dialogue. It also aims to expand food exports, particularly grains, which it currently exports to over 80 countries, with plans to increase output and productivity through agricultural modernization.
Digitalization is another strategic pillar. Kazakhstan is striving to become a regional hub for technology and innovation, with an estimated 150,000 jobs expected to be created in the digital economy. The country ranks among the top 30 globally for digital technology usage according to UN evaluations. The government is also developing supportive legislation for AI and promoting international research and innovation partnerships.
In foreign policy, Kazakhstan follows a balanced and dialog-based approach, playing constructive roles in resolving regional and international conflicts—mediating between Armenia and Azerbaijan, contributing to the Iran nuclear deal, and leading the Astana Process on Syria. The country chaired six regional and global organizations in one year, reflecting its rising international influence.
At the heart of this momentum lies culture and pluralism—cornerstones of Kazakh identity. Kazakhstan has built a unique model that blends national unity with cultural diversity, where over 130 ethnic groups live together in harmony. National policies promote respect for different cultures and languages within a shared framework of citizenship and belonging.
Politically, Kazakhstan is undergoing an unprecedented wave of constitutional and institutional reforms, including changes to one-third of the constitution, expanded freedoms, enhanced parliamentary powers, the establishment of a constitutional court, and the reinforcement of human rights in cooperation with international bodies. A comprehensive Human Rights and Rule of Law Action Plan is being implemented in coordination with civil society, the UN, and the OSCE.
Even in sports, Kazakhstan is working to enhance its global profile—having recently hosted the World Nomad Games and planning to attract major sporting events while investing in sports tourism that links sports, culture, and the economy.
Ultimately, the “Born Bold” campaign represents an integrated vision for a nation determined to overcome challenges and build a more prosperous and just future. It is Kazakhstan’s message to the world: We are a new generation of nations, bold enough to dream, brave enough to act, and determined to keep moving forward.
