Kazakhstan is strengthening interagency coordination on cooperation with Afghanistan.

The first meeting of the Interdepartmental Working Group on Developing Cooperation with Afghanistan was held in the Government, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Economy Serik Zhumangarin.

As the Deputy Prime Minister noted, the working group was created to ensure coordinated and systematic work on the Afghan issue. Coordination of current interactions with the Afghan side is entrusted to the Deputy Chairman of the working group – Special Representative of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan for Afghanistan, Ambassador-at-Large of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Yerkin Tukumov.

Serik Zhumangarin emphasized that the Head of State has set specific objectives for the development of transport corridors, trade, economic, and humanitarian cooperation. At the same time, the current pace requires strengthened interagency coordination and a more thorough elaboration of initiatives. The key objective of the working group is to develop a holistic and systematic approach and reduce redundant bureaucratic procedures. It was noted that the potential for cooperation with Afghanistan is not being fully utilized. The working group should become a unified negotiating platform and ensure the prompt resolution of issues at the executive level.

During the meeting, prospects for cooperation in the areas of transport and logistics, energy, healthcare, and education, as well as the implementation of joint projects, including in the mining and metallurgy sector, were discussed. It was noted that humanitarian aid to Afghanistan was provided twice in 2025, and over the past five years, the total volume of deliveries amounted to 6.4 billion tenge.

Vice Minister of Transport Zhanibek Taizhanov reported on the progress of the Turgundi-Herat-Kandahar-Spin Boldak railway project through Afghanistan (CASA), which is proceeding as planned. Kazakhstan has developed and submitted a draft trilateral memorandum to the UAE Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, which is scheduled to be signed in February of this year. A separate memorandum is also being considered for signing with the Pakistani Ministry of Railways. The Pakistani side supports the proposed route.

Vice Minister of Science and Higher Education Gulzat Kobenova reported that 610 Afghan students are currently studying at 34 universities in Kazakhstan. Under the current memorandum, 30 educational grants are allocated annually, and the possibility of increasing this quota to 60 grants per year is being considered.

Following the meeting, Serik Zhumangarin instructed that the Interdepartmental Working Group be maintained and that its meetings be held on a regular, quarterly basis.