Astana International Forum - Dialogue platform for solving key global challenges

The Forum will be held under the aegis of the President of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, on 8–9 June 2023, in Astana. It will serve as a platform for eminent delegates from governments, international organizations, business, and academia, to engage in a dialogue to seek ways to address climate, food scarcity and energy security challenges.

Commenting on the launch of the Astana International Forum, President Tokayev noted:

“Today, across the globe we face historic challenges, the likes of which we have not encountered for decades or longer. These challenges are putting unprecedented pressure on the international community, creating new dividing lines and challenging the principles of globalization and multilateralism.

The Astana International Forum was created to respond to these challenges, prioritizing cooperation as a core tenet of a functioning international system.

Kazakhstan has a long history of advancing constructive international relations, serving as a bridge between East and West – and while this policy has been firmly tested in 2022, it has proven resilient. We have shown the value of cooperation.

Through the Astana International Forum, we hope to build new bridges and strengthen ties, as we come together to overcome the collective challenges we face, charting a new way forward – diplomatically, economically and politically.”

The Astana International Forum grew out of the success of the Astana Economic Forum. It was conceptualized to address four key global issues: foreign policy, security & sustainability, energy & climate, and economy & finance. These pillars are at the heart of the Forum’s mission of “Tackling Challenges through Dialogue: Towards Cooperation, Prosperity and Progress.”

The programme of the Forum will include keynote speeches, panel sessions, armchair discussions, and other side events.

Registration for the event is now open and interested parties can sign up here: https://astanainternationalforum.org

What: International conference, aimed at bringing together ‘middle powers’

When: 8-9 June 2023

Where: Venue TBC, Astana, Kazakhstan

Mission
Tackling challenges through dialogue: towards cooperation, prosperity & progress.

Discussion topics

The Forum will address four key global challenges: foreign policy, security & sustainability, energy & climate, and economy & finance. These pillars are at the heart of the programme, which will include over 20 panel sessions, armchair discussions, and other side events.

Vision

The international community is moving towards an era of increased polarisation and fragmentation, while simultaneously trying to deal with major global crises affecting international security, the environment and energy security, as well as the global economy.

Kazakhstan, which maintains good relations with each of the major powers and believes countries should not have to choose sides, has found itself at the centre of these global currents. There is an urgent need to find new solutions and partnerships which can preserve the most important aspects of globalisation while dealing with the historic challenges the world faces.

In this context, Kazakhstan is hosting the Astana International Forum, where global leaders will come together to tackle international challenges through global dialogue; charting a new way forward, diplomatically, economically and politically.

Attendees

We are inviting Heads of State and government officials (mostly focusing on attracting ‘middle powers’), intergovernmental and international organisations, business leaders, international experts and academics.

Internal objectives

1. Position Kazakhstan as a regional leader and influential ‘middle’ country.
2. Boost partnerships and cooperation, and attract investment into the country.
3. Develop and deepen relationships with key international stakeholders.
4. Ensure the Forum is seen as global significant and relevant.

Key messages

ASTANA INTERNATIONAL FORUM

• Today we are launching the Astana International Forum.
• This new forum will bring together leaders of all backgrounds from across the globe to chart a way forward, identifying clear and actionable solutions to humanity's shared challenges.

FOREIGN POLICY

• Kazakhstan has always acted as a bridge between East and West, North and South, and this idea of global cooperation is at the heart of our multi-vector foreign policy.
• In a global climate of increasing polarisation and uncertainty, Kazakhstan is fully committed to playing an active role as a member of the global community, working with partners across the world to support dialogue, peace and cooperation.

Q&A

What is the Astana International Forum?

• The Astana International Forum is a new international forum which will be an instrument for rebuilding a culture of cooperation and multilateralism on a global level, to help us collectively face global challenges.

Who is invited?

• Heads of State and Government, government and diplomatic officials, international organisations, businesses and leading experts. All our guests share a common belief that strong cooperation is needed for the world to return to peace, growth and prosperity.

Why are you organising it?

• With the global challenges we call face today, many countries like Kazakhstan face repeated calls to ‘take sides’.
• However, in Kazakhstan, we are committed to championing global cooperation and dialogue with our partners around the world.
• It is in that context that today we are launching the Astana International Forum.
• The Astana International Forum will provide not only Kazakhstan but all countries a new way to champion global cooperation, multilateralism and dialogue, as we seek to build new friendships and strengthen existing bridges with our partners.

What do you hope to achieve through hosting the Astana International Forum?

• Firstly, the Forum will provide all participants new means to identify and act on solutions to key global challenges, as we build a new era of global cooperation.
• In addition, the Forum will help us identify mutually beneficial opportunities for growth and investment with our partners and friends, both new and old.

How will you make the Astana International Forum different?

• The Astana International Forum is unique because it offers a platform for global middle powers to discuss their views and positions on the issues of today, and to put forward their own solutions to these issues.
• The Forum will also provide new means to amplify voices which are often minimised, ensuring all voices are heard at the table.

Where will it take place?

• In Astana. We will provide more information on the exact venue soon.

When will it take place?

• 8-9 June 2023.

What challenges are you seeking to address in the Astana International Forum?

• The Forum will address four key challenges around issues in foreign policy; security & sustainability; energy & climate; and economy & finance.

What will happen to the Astana Economic Forum?

• The Astana Economic Forum is being replaced by the Astana International Forum because we want to make the forum more global and diverse. The new format has a goal to cover a broader range of topics that were not previously covered at the Astana Economic Forum.

Where are you inviting guests and speakers from?

• Guests and speakers will be invited from all over the world. We will provide more information on the programme, guests and speakers closer to the time.

Who will speak at or attend the Forum?

• We will provide more information on the programme, guests and speakers closer to the time.

Will any sanctioned individuals attend this conference?

• We will provide more information on the programme, guests and speakers closer to the time.