State Visit of King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of the Belgians to the Republic of Kazakhstan

From October 11 to 14, 2026, King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of the Belgians paid the first-ever state visit to the Republic of Kazakhstan. The royal couple was accompanied by a delegation of approximately 110 representatives of the federal government, regional authorities, the business community, and academia.

During talks with President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, the two sides discussed bilateral relations and the prospects for expanding cooperation in trade, investment, industry, transport, logistics, and technology. Following the negotiations, a joint statement outlining the primary avenues of future engagement was adopted, alongside a Roadmap for Cooperation between the foreign ministries of Kazakhstan and Belgium for 2027–2029.

The sides also reviewed prospects for collaboration in healthcare, with a focus on primary medical care. The joint statement welcomed the entry into force of the protocol amending the visa waiver agreement for service passport holders with the Benelux countries.

Within the framework of the 4th session of the Kazakhstan–Belgium Business Council, the participants held in-depth discussions on attracting investment, fostering industrial cooperation, and upgrading transport infrastructure. Particular attention was paid to the development of transport and logistics links, including collaboration between the Port of Antwerp-Bruges and the Kazakh ports of Aktau and Kuryk, as well as partnerships in critical raw materials, advanced raw material processing, and energy. Kazakhstan produces 21 of the 34 raw materials classified by the European Union as critical.

The outcomes of the visit highlighted positive dynamics in bilateral trade and economic relations, as well as significant potential for further expansion. Belgium ranks among the top ten foreign investors in Kazakhstan’s economy, with total investments exceeding 15 billion USD over the past two decades. More than 100 Belgian companies and joint ventures operate in Kazakhstan. Bilateral trade grew from 220 million EUR in 2016 to 765 million EUR in 2025.

The Kazakhstan–Belgium Rectors' Forum brought together leaders from 29 universities and research institutions. The forum focused on forging interuniversity partnerships, launching joint educational and research initiatives, boosting academic mobility, and sharing expertise on the digital transformation of higher education. A series of agreements and memoranda of understanding were signed between the universities of both nations.

The outcomes of the state visit confirmed a qualitatively new milestone in relations between Astana and Brussels. Transitioning toward long-term strategic planning (anchored by the Roadmap through 2029) and launching scientific and educational initiatives have established a robust foundation for the sustainable development and economic diversification of the Kazakh-Belgian partnership.