SEOUL, June 1 (AJP) - A two-day international forum aimed at strengthening multilateral cooperation and tackling global challenges wrapped up in Kazakhstan’s capital on Friday.
The Astana International Forum (AIF), held from Thursday to Friday, brought together more than 1,000 participants from over 70 countries, including heads of state, business executives, renowned academics, and representatives.
Throughout the event, over 40 panel discussions, side events, and special sessions were held. More than 100 speakers addressed a wide range of pressing global issues, including diplomacy, international security, climate action, technological innovation, and economic resilience.
In addition to in-depth discussions on navigating geopolitical shifts and promoting sustainable development, the forum also spotlighted the role of emerging technologies and the need for cross-sector collaboration.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who attended the forum on Friday, emphasized the need for courageous leadership in today’s divided world. "Relations between nations are now shaped by new and often unprecedented powers," she said. "It’s up to us to decide how to respond."
In addition to the main sessions, various exhibition booths drew attention from visitors. One of the most visited was the United Nations booth, which marked the organization’s 80th anniversary and showcased its work in Kazakhstan. “We wanted to show the human stories behind the numbers,” said Elnara Bainazarova, Communications and Advocacy Officer at the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office in Kazakhstan. She added that 27 UN agencies are currently active in the country.
Another key highlight was the Alatau New City project, led by members of the ethnic Korean community in Kazakhstan. Moon Park, a partner in management consulting at KPMG and an advisor to the project, explained that the initiative draws inspiration from South Korea’s industrial development. “We’re helping design a roadmap based on Korea’s experience to avoid trial and error,” he said.
He also emphasized the importance of infrastructure and international partnerships. “We’re in discussions with Korea Airports Corporation as Kazakhstan works toward becoming a future aviation hub,” he noted. “They also need experience in global transactions, and we’re supporting that learning process.”
Participants also shared meaningful insights and positive experiences from the forum. Jacek Kosciukiewicz, a regional sales manager for Eastern Europe and Central Asia at Cambi—a global environmental technology company—praised the high quality of the discussions. Referring to a session led by former EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini, he said, “Her vision for multilateralism gives me hope. Without forums like this, the world could go in the wrong direction.”
He also acknowledged Kazakhstan’s growing diplomatic presence. “The country is on its way to becoming a key voice for Central Asia on the global stage,” he said.
Kazakhstan, the world’s largest landlocked country, stands as one of Central Asia’s strongest economies. Astana, the country’s modern capital, reflects this ambition with its futuristic skyline and growing role as a diplomatic hub. The city continues to attract global attention for its strategic location and rapid development, driven by continuous efforts such as forums like the AIF.
South Korea, which established a strategic partnership with Kazakhstan in 2009, remains one of its closest and most important partners. As of 2024, South Korea is one of Kazakhstan’s top trading partners and the third-largest investor.
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