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The “OQ Startup” Creative Competition for the Best Projects is aimed at providing comprehensive support to projects in the fields of science, culture, IT, business, media, volunteering, as well as other creative and social fields.
Kazakh compatriots aged 15–30 who are citizens of foreign countries are eligible to participate in the competition.
Projects in the fields of science, culture, IT, business, media, volunteering, as well as other creative and social fields are accepted for the competition.
A horizontally recorded video in MP4 or MOV format, no longer than 2 minutes, or a presentation in PPTX or PDF format, consisting of no more than 10 slides.
The video or presentation must briefly and clearly present the main content and relevance of the project, its objectives, target audience, implementation methods, and expected outcomes.
Submissions are accepted via email at Oqbaiqau@gmail.com
Brussels, 7 October 2026 – The 47th session of the Berlin Eurasian Club was held today in the Belgian capital under the theme “The Global Gateway Investment Hub and Other Mechanisms for Implementing the European Global Gateway Initiative.”
The event brought together representatives of government authorities of Kazakhstan and the European Union, business associations, the expert and academic communities, logistics companies, and financial institutions.
In his welcoming remarks, Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the Kingdom of Belgium Roman Vassilenko highlighted the dynamic development of Kazakhstan–EU relations and emphasised active cooperation with the European Commission in supporting strategic areas of cooperation, including within the framework of the Global Gateway initiative.
Michael Harms, Executive Director of the German Eastern Business Association, in turn, stressed the importance of rapidly expanding logistics capacities in order to effectively unlock the enormous potential of economic cooperation with Kazakhstan and Asia.
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan Ardak Zebeshev delivered a presentation on the key aspects of Kazakhstan’s investment policy, outlining the country’s main investment development priorities and measures aimed at further strengthening its favourable investment climate.
This was followed by a panel discussion entitled “The Global Gateway Investment Hub as a Driver of Investment and a New Stage in Kazakhstan’s Modernisation”. The discussion focused on prospects for cooperation under targeted European programmes aimed at identifying, promoting and implementing priority projects designed to strengthen and accelerate joint production and supply chains.
Speaking during the discussion, Peteris Ustubs, Director for International Partnerships at the European Commission for the Asia-Pacific region, highlighted the EU’s interest in expanding support for small and medium-sized enterprises, including by facilitating the mobilisation of private investment and providing the necessary guarantees. He noted that Global Gateway support is not limited to financial instruments, but also encompasses political support, assistance in the transport sector and other areas. Ustubs called on small and medium-sized enterprises to join forces more actively in consortia in order to pool resources.
The participants shared their practical experience and views on the prospects for further developing investment, transport and logistics cooperation, emphasising the importance of coordinated efforts by government institutions, international financial organisations and the private sector to ensure the effective implementation of joint projects.
Particular attention was paid to the strategic importance of investment in improving transport infrastructure along the Middle Corridor for the further development of the economic partnership between Kazakhstan and the European Union.
The 7th International “Altyn Dombra” Competition for Solo Dombra Performers and Performers on Three-String Folk Instruments, named after Azidolla Eskaliyev, People's Artist of the Republic of Kazakhstan, will be held in Atyrau on October 29–30, 2026.
The Altyn Dombra International Competition is a cultural project aimed at promoting Kazakhstan’s national musical heritage, contributing to the development of the art of küy performance, and strengthening creative ties among performers of traditional music.
The competition will be held at the N. Zhantorin Regional Philharmonic.
During the meeting, the Head of State noted the successful and productive nature of the talks held earlier in Berlin with Germany’s top leadership.
The President of Kazakhstan greatly appreciated Bavaria’s contribution to strengthening the multifaceted Kazakh-German relations.
“Bavaria plays an extremely important role in developing trade and strengthening ties with Kazakhstan. For us, Germany is a special partner. We firmly believe that Germany is Kazakhstan’s strategic partner in Europe and beyond, as your influence, role and achievements stretch far out European borders. You are the world’s third-largest economy,” Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said.
The discussion covered issues of interparliamentary cooperation, as well as prospects for strengthening cultural and humanitarian ties.
Ilse Aigner thanked the President of Kazakhstan for taking the time to visit the Bavarian Landtag, highlighting the extensive program of his visit.
As the President of the Landtag noted, Bavaria is carefully exploring opportunities to strengthen trade, economic, transport and investment ties with Kazakhstan.
The parties reaffirmed mutual interest in maintaining substantive dialogue between Kazakhstan and Bavaria.
President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev thanked Prime Minister of Bavaria Markus Söder for his hospitality and invitation to visit Bavaria.
“I highly value Bavaria’s unique character, economic strength and innovation potential. Yesterday, I held substantive talks with Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz. I am firmly committed to translating our agreements into concrete results and regard Bavaria as a key partner in this effort. The region combines advanced achievements in industry and science with a deep respect for tradition. These qualities make Bavaria one of the main engines of Germany’s economy and a reliable partner for Kazakhstan in modernizing and diversifying its economy,” the Head of State said.
The President noted the significant potential for combining Bavaria’s technological capabilities with Kazakhstan’s resources and industrial potential. He also emphasized the importance of strengthening transport connectivity, which would contribute to bringing the economies and peoples of Kazakhstan and Germany closer together.
In turn, Prime Minister Markus Söder emphasized that Bavaria, which places strong emphasis on identifying new drivers of growth, is interested in developing multifaceted cooperation with Kazakhstan.
Markus Söder expressed appreciation to the President for his support of Bavarian companies, which have a strong presence in Kazakhstan.
Concluding the meeting, the Head of State said he would be pleased to welcome the Prime Minister of Bavaria on hospitable Kazakh soil.
In his remarks, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev highlighted the achievements in educational cooperation between Kazakhstan and Germany. According to the President, these achievements have been made possible by the strengthening of political dialogue, which began with the visit of Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier to Astana in June 2023.
“Today, 45 Kazakh universities cooperate with around 100 German partners. Around 2,000 students from Kazakhstan are studying in Germany. More than 30 branches and partnerships of foreign universities are now operating in Kazakhstan. These figures speak for themselves. But numbers alone do not define the depth of a partnership. What matters is what we are building together. And here I see a fundamental change in the nature of our cooperation,” the President said.
The Head of State identified establishing Kazakhstan as a leading academic and research hub in Eurasia as one of the country’s strategic priorities.
“We are changing the traditional model. Instead of relying mainly on sending young people abroad, we are bringing the standards and expertise of leading international universities to Kazakhstan. Cardiff University, KAIST and the Colorado School of Mines are among the institutions already present in our country. More than 40,000 international students currently study in Kazakhstan. Our target is to reach 100,000 by 2029. As a member of the Bologna Process, Kazakhstan applies European standards of quality assurance and degree comparability,” he said.
As Kassym-Jomart Tokayev noted, partnerships between higher education institutions of the two countries are giving rise to educational and research centers aligned with the needs of Kazakhstan’s economy. This work has resulted in the opening of joint Kazakh-German universities in the Mangystau and East Kazakhstan regions as well as in Almaty.
“These examples demonstrate an important principle. The strongest academic partnerships are those that respond to real economic and technological needs. Universities should not exist in isolation from industry. Research should lead to new technologies. And education should provide economies with highly qualified professionals,” the President emphasized.
The Head of State then outlined his vision for further cooperation. He proposed three key areas of partnership aimed at moving from the exchange of knowledge to its joint creation.
“First, we should expand joint educational and dual-degree programmes across our partner institutions. It is important to create new opportunities for students and researchers to work together in both countries. In this regard, I propose establishing a special Kazakh-German educational exchange program which will create favorable conditions for closer academic ties between our countries,” Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said.
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The President identified joint scientific research as the second key area.
“Kazakhstan, which is pursuing closer integration into the European Research Area, has begun negotiations to join Horizon Europe as an associated country. Our country is already a full participant in the European Partnership on Raw Materials, with a total budget of more than 300 million euros. The TiBeRIUM project is a practical example of such cooperation. Launched this year with 7.5 million euros from Horizon Europe and led by the Freiberg University of Mining and Technology, the project brings together East Kazakhstan Technical University and the Ulba Metallurgical Plant. Its objective is to develop low-carbon production chains for titanium and beryllium. We should expand precisely this kind of cooperation, which brings together universities, research and industry, strengthens supply chains and allows us to move from raw materials towards products and technologies with higher added value,” he said.
According to the Head of State, the third area of partnership is technology transfer. Kazakhstan is increasing research spending to 1 percent of GDP while creating incentives for companies to invest in university research. In this context, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev invited German businesses to establish engineering laboratories and technology transfer centers at joint institutions, expressing readiness to support such initiatives through co-financing.
The President also highlighted the field of artificial intelligence, which offers opportunities to take cooperation to a new level.
“Through the AI-Sana programme, more than 700,000 students have acquired certified AI skills. We have deployed the alem.cloud supercomputer cluster, established a specialized AI research university and adopted one of the region’s first laws on artificial intelligence. All these efforts are well-complemented by cutting-edge supercomputers. This creates new opportunities for cooperation with German research institutions and industry. Our technology-oriented younger generation can become a reliable partner for German companies and researchers. Kazakhstan, in turn, can provide a testing ground for applied digital solutions and Industry 4.0 technologies,” the President emphasized.
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev also highlighted the historical links between Kazakh and German intellectual traditions, referring to the translation into Kazakh by the great Kazakh poet and thinker Abai Kunanbaiuly of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe’s poem «Wanderers Nachtlied». According to him, this translation became one of the first intellectual bridges between the two peoples.
In conclusion, the Head of State called on the heads of leading universities and research institutions of Germany and Kazakhstan to combine the potential of the two countries to implement new joint projects.
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In his statement to the media, President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev expressed confidence that today’s talks would pave the way for further strengthening ties between the two countries and noted that he attaches particular importance to this visit.
“Germany is a country with significant political influence, strong potential and high international standing. Your remarkable achievements in the economy, science, technology and other fields are a vivid testament to this. Taking this opportunity, I would like to sincerely congratulate you, Mr Chancellor, and all your fellow citizens on the upcoming Day of German Unity. This is undoubtedly a historic day that ushered in a new era in Germany’s development and gave a powerful impetus to the prosperity of Europe as a whole. I sincerely wish continued prosperity to the friendly German people,” he said.
The President described Germany as a reliable strategic partner of Kazakhstan in Europe and one of the first countries to recognize Kazakhstan’s independence.
“Next year will mark the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between our two countries. Over this period, our partnership has steadily developed at all levels. Trade and economic, investment, cultural and humanitarian ties have grown stronger. An appropriate legal and contractual framework has been established. Cooperation within international organizations has also expanded. I am confident that our cooperation, based on mutual respect and support, will continue to develop successfully,” Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said.
Summing up the talks, the Head of State emphasized that important agreements had been reached during his substantive discussions with the Federal Chancellor of Germany. According to the President, there are every reason to say that today’s meetings were substantive and productive.
“More than 30 commercial documents worth a total of around 2 billion US dollars were signed as part of the talks. Clearly, the effective implementation of these contracts will make cooperation between our two countries even stronger. Tomorrow, I plan to visit Bavaria and meet with a number of senior officials. During the visit, I will take part in a unique event – the Kazakhstan-Bavaria Technology Forum. I expect this meeting to also contribute to strengthening the partnership between our countries,” Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said.
The talks also included an exchange of views on pressing regional and global issues.
“We believe that any conflict should be resolved through peaceful and diplomatic means. This is a shared position of our countries. We also agreed to further develop dialogue in the ‘Central Asia–Germany’ format. Kazakhstan intends to strengthen its strategic partnership with Germany, focused on long-term, mutually beneficial and tangible results,” the Head of State concluded.
The President of Kazakhstan and the Chancellor of Germany then answered questions from members of the media.
Dilnaz Yerlanova, a correspondent for Jibek Joly TV channel, asked the Head of State how he assesses the nature of cooperation between Kazakhstan and Germany ahead of the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations.
“We highly appreciate the path we have travelled together. As you know, a journey is made by those who keep moving forward. We have come a long way, faced considerable challenges and achieved significant success. Germany enjoys great respect in our country. We like and respect this country and duly appreciate its achievements, primarily in the economy, as well as in other fields. Germany is a highly respected country on the international stage. That is why I came here with great expectations and high hopes of reaching new agreements with this country. And we have reached these agreements. Now, the task is to ensure their proper implementation and fulfilment. Therefore, I have a very positive outlook on the future. I am fully confident that we will achieve even greater success. During the talks, I said that we look forward to welcoming Chancellor Merz on a state visit at any time convenient for him next year,” Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said.
Demian von Osten, a correspondent for ARD, asked the Head of State to comment on his statement made in Omsk regarding the need to freeze the war, as well as to assess the current situation in Russia.
“Today, I spoke with considerable conviction about the fact that President Putin, as a statesman and as the leader of Russia, is, as strange as it may sound to you, perhaps the most acceptable political figure for Central Asia, including Kazakhstan, as well as for Europe and the world as a whole. I know him very well. He possesses the qualities most necessary for the leader of a large country with a complex history and its own understanding of the strategic objectives facing the country. Of course, we are all concerned about what is happening in Ukraine. From the very beginning, I have said that Kazakhstan would adhere to the provisions of the Charter of the United Nations. We insist on respect for and preservation of the principle of the territorial integrity of all states. From the outset, we have said that we have great respect for the Ukrainian people, their history, culture, traditions and, of course, the Ukrainian language. I did not say that the war should be stopped immediately. I understand that, under current circumstances, this would probably be unrealistic. What I am talking about is freezing military operations on the territory of Ukraine in order to move towards diplomatic negotiations or negotiations in any other format,” Kassym-Jomart Tokayev stated.
During the meeting, President Tokayev expressed his gratitude for the warm welcome.
The sides reaffirmed their strong commitment to strengthening the multifaceted cooperation between Kazakhstan and Germany.
It was emphasized that the two governments will work to create favorable conditions for expanding bilateral engagement.
As the President noted, Germany is among Kazakhstan’s key trading partners and leading foreign investors. Significant potential for further expanding cooperation exists in such areas as industry, critical minerals, transport and logistics, digital technologies, as well as the production of high value-added goods, including machinery and chemicals.
The sides also held a substantive exchange of views on multilateral cooperation. An agreement was reached to intensify engagement within international organizations and frameworks, including the “Central Asia-Germany” format.
The President and the Federal Chancellor then continued their talks with the participation of members of the delegations of the two countries.
President Tokayev emphasized that the strategic partnership between Kazakhstan and Germany is underpinned by strong political trust, mutual economic interests and close people-to-people ties.
“Last year, bilateral trade reached 4.5 billion US dollars, increasing by 13.4%. Total investment inflows from Germany over the past 21 years have reached 8 billion dollars. I would like to assure you that ensuring the security of German investments remains under our particular attention,” President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said.
The sides paid special attention to strengthening trade and economic cooperation. As was noted, the joint investment portfolio currently comprises 40 industrial projects with a total value of approximately 54 billion.
In this context, the President of Kazakhstan noted the productive and well-coordinated work of the Intergovernmental Working Group and the Kazakhstan-German Business Council.
The Head of State emphasized Germany’s significant role in contemporary global politics and the world economy. According to him, the country’s industrial strength, scientific expertise and the German people’s culture of responsible work enjoy well-deserved international recognition.
President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz also discussed ways to expand cultural and humanitarian cooperation, including the implementation of joint initiatives in education and science.
The sides expressed confidence that the outcomes of Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s official visit to Germany will contribute to achieving even greater results for the well-being and prosperity of the two countries.
Following the talks, the Head of State invited Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz to pay a state visit to Kazakhstan.
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Frank-Walter Steinmeier spoke at the Kazakhstan-Germany Business Forum, which was attended by representatives of the business communities of both countries.
According to our Head of State, over the years, Kazakhstan and Germany have been building strong relations based on mutual respect and practical cooperation.
“Kazakhstan regards Germany as a trusted and long-standing strategic partner. We have great respect for Germany’s economic achievements and industrial culture. For generations, ‘Made in Germany’ has stood for quality, engineering excellence, precision and responsibility. Germany’s strength has been built not only by its global corporations, but also by its Mittelstand, skilled workforce, scientific mindset and a remarkable manufacturing culture,” Kassym-Jomart Tokayev emphasized.
The President noted Germany’s special role in Kazakhstan’s relations with the European Union. According to him, the EU is Kazakhstan’s largest trade and investment partner, while Germany is one of the major drivers of the country’s economic engagement with Europe.
“Critical raw materials, energy, transport, agriculture, digitalization and emerging technologies are now central to this broader agenda. These are also precisely the areas where Kazakhstan and Germany can achieve great results together,” the Head of State noted.
In his view, bilateral relations can become an important bridge strengthening the growing economic ties between Central Asia and Europe.
The President identified industrial cooperation as one of the key areas of the Kazakhstan-Germany partnership. The current joint portfolio comprises 40 investment initiatives worth more than 54 billion US dollars, of which 21 projects have already been implemented.
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev highlighted successful cooperation with companies such as CLAAS, Horsch, Amazonen-Werke and Knauf. Over the past five years, CLAAS has produced more than 2,100 units of agricultural machinery in Kazakhstan.
“Taking this opportunity, I am pleased to note that our industrial partnership is becoming a two-way process, as reflected in the growth of several categories of Kazakhstan’s industrial exports to Germany. For instance, during my visit, agreements were reached on the supply of domestically manufactured engineering products to the German market, including railway wheels produced using German equipment,” the President said.
According to Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Kazakhstan is ready to expand cooperation with German companies in automation, machine-tool manufacturing, industrial robotics, precision engineering, advanced manufacturing and the digitalization of production processes.
“We should move from individual success stories towards a systemic industrial partnership. For this purpose, Kazakhstan is ready to launch a Kazakhstan-Germany Investment and Industrial Initiative, centered on a single portfolio of flagship projects. The aim is practical – to select commercially viable projects with the potential to create new industries in Kazakhstan, bring advanced German know-how and produce competitive goods for regional and global markets. Germany’s Mittelstand can play a particularly important role in this endeavor,” the President noted.
Particular attention in the President’s address was paid to cooperation in critical raw materials. Kazakhstan possesses 21 of the 34 raw materials classified by the European Union as strategic.
“Germany needs reliable and diversified supplies. Kazakhstan seeks investment and advanced technologies to move further up the value chain. This creates a strong strategic synergy. The next stage is to identify major full-cycle projects – from exploration and extraction to processing and the production of advanced materials in Kazakhstan,” Kassym-Jomart Tokayev noted.
The President also highlighted significant potential for cooperation in agriculture.
“In 2025, bilateral trade in agricultural products increased by 23 percent and Kazakhstan’s agricultural exports to Germany grew by 38 percent. The next step should be to develop joint projects across the entire value chain – from precision farming and water-efficient production to food processing, storage, and exports,” the Head of State explained.
Energy is another key area of cooperation. According to the President, Kazakhstan is one of the major oil suppliers to Europe and important contributor to the energy security.
“Our cooperation with Siemens Energy, including its work with Kazakhstan’s national grid operator Kegoc, shows big potential in this area. We are keen to expand our cooperation in the energy sector and propose developing a portfolio of joint projects on modernizing energy infrastructure. Should they be economically viable, we need to move beyond supplying equipment in order to produce in Kazakhstan, creating a base for supplying other Central Asian markets through the implementation of concrete investment projects,” the President proposed.
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev further noted that Kazakhstan has identified artificial intelligence and digital transformation as national priorities. According to him, the country is developing a Data Center Valley, which is intended to become a major computing hub.
“Germany’s strengths in industrial software, automation, cybersecurity, engineering and applied research are highly complementary to this ambition. German companies could participate in data-center infrastructure and work with Kazakh partners on AI solutions for mining, manufacturing, energy and logistics,” the President noted.
A separate part of the address focused on human capital development. Highly valuing Germany’s dual vocational education system, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev emphasized that there is a solid foundation for expanding academic and professional exchanges.
“We suggest to establish a network of Kazakh-German Centers of Industrial Competence that could be linked directly to joint flagship projects. The principle here should be simple – every major investment project should also become a training platform. This is how capital becomes knowledge, and knowledge becomes sustainable growth,” the President emphasized.
Speaking at the business forum, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier noted the significant potential for economic cooperation and emphasized the importance of further developing the strategic partnership.
“Kazakhstan is our most important trading partner in Central Asia, and we continue to develop our cooperation. This is also evidenced by the bilateral agreements that will be signed following this meeting. As Federal President, I am committed to developing ties with emerging regional powers, including Kazakhstan. Germany brings capital, technology, and industrial expertise. Kazakhstan possesses vast reserves of natural resources, enormous growth potential, and, of course, a strategic location between Europe and Asia,” said Frank-Walter Steinmeier.
The Head of State expressed his gratitude to Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier for the invitation to visit Germany, noting that the intensity of engagement at the highest level reflects the strategic and comprehensive nature of bilateral cooperation.
As President Tokayev emphasized, Germany is Kazakhstan’s key partner in Europe, with which we are linked by strong ties of friendship and mutual trust, as well as significant potential for further developing practical cooperation.
“Today, our relations are steadily advancing, encompassing an increasingly broad range of areas of cooperation. This positive momentum is largely driven by active political dialogue at the highest level, underpinned by consistent interaction between the two governments and contacts between the business communities of our countries. The meetings of the Intergovernmental Working Group and the Kazakhstan-German Business Council for Strategic Cooperation held in Berlin ahead of my visit confirmed our shared commitment to further expanding mutually beneficial partnership,” Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said.
The Head of State placed particular emphasis on the dynamic development of trade and economic relations and the strong investment activity of German businesses in Kazakhstan.
“In 2025, bilateral trade reached 4.5 billion US dollars. Positive momentum has continued this year. In the first seven months of this year, bilateral trade exceeded 2.6 billion. More than 1,400 companies with German capital are currently registered in Kazakhstan. Over the past 20 years, cumulative investment inflows from Germany have amounted to 8 billion. Our cooperation with leading German companies such as CLAAS Group, Rhenus Logistics, Siemens Energy, Linde and others is a strong example of our practical engagement,” the President of Kazakhstan emphasized.
During the talks, special attention was given to strengthening cultural and humanitarian cooperation between the two countries. In particular, the heads of state reaffirmed their commitment to expanding cooperation in the fields of higher education, medicine, and culture.